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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS ROYAL MEEKER, Commissioner MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW Vol. IX, No. 4. October, 1919. SPECLVL FEATURES IN THIS ISSUE. Increased cost of living, July, 1914, to June, 19!9. Government residence halls, Washington, D. C. Comparison of retail food costs in 50 cities. Wages and hours of labor in the iron and steel industry. Relations between employers and employees. War-time trend of employment and accidents in a group of steel mills. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1919 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS ROYAL MEEKER, Commissioner MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW VOLUME https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis IX NUMBER 4 OCTOBER, 1919 WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1919 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Contents. t Special articles: Pago. Summary of increased cost of living, July, 1914, to June, 1919, by Hugh S. H anna..................... . ........................... ............................................................. 1-8 Government residence halls, Washington, D. 0., by Mary Conyngton and Leifur Magnusson.................................................................................... 9-15 Industrial conditions: A joint council in the clothing industry........................................................... 16,17 National Industrial Conference Board report on industrial conditions in Europe.................. ........................................................._.................................. 18-21 Scientific research as applied to industry......................................................... 21, 22 The situation in the English coal industry....................................................... 23-30 Attitude of unskilled labor toward restoration of prewar conditions, Great Britain................................................................................................................ 30-35 Industrial conditions in Belgium....................................................................... 35-44 Effect of the revolution on labor, output, and costs of production in Germany. 44-47 Prices and cost of living: Retail prices of food in the United States......................................................... 48-67 Retail prices of dry goods in the United States............................................... 68-74 Comparison of retail food costs in 50 cities in the United States................... 74-76 Index numbers of wholesale prices in theU nited States, 1913 to August, 1919. 77, 78 Gross margin of profit in retail sales of food in the District of Columbia___79-93 Increase in rents in Washington, D. C., October, 1914, to August, 1919 .. 93-95 Comparison of retail price changes in the United States and foreign countries............................................................................................................. 95-97 Retail price changes in Great B ritain................................................................ 98 Commissions to fix retail prices of food in France......................................... 99-101 Canada’s board of commerce, and the high cost of living........................... 101,102 Increase in cost of living in Japan in 1919.................................................. 102,103 Wages and hours of labor: Wages and hours of labor in the iron and steel industry, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1917, 1919....................................................................................................... 104-126 Basic rates of wages in Government arsenals................................................ 126-130 Pay of enlisted men in the United States Army.......................................... 130,131 Wages in the United States N avy....................... 131-133 Rates of pay in marine occupations............................................................... 133-135 Comparative wages of seamen on American and foreign vessels, 1915 to 1919................................................................................................................. 135-146 Average weekly earnings in New York factories compared with retail food prices.................................................................................................................. 146 Rates of pay of policemen in 24 cities............................................................... 147 Night work in English bakeries...................................................................... 147-149 Wages, hours, and unemployment in 1918 in Denmark.................................. 150 Wages in Japan.................................................................................................. 151-153 Recent collective agreements and wage awards in Germany. Compiled by Alfred Maylander.......................................................................................... 153-160 Wages, output, and cost of production in German coal mines................... 161,162 Minimum wage: New minimum wage for District of Columbia mercantile industry.......... 163,164 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis in IV CONTENTS. Cooperation: Pag9 International cooperative congresses.............................................................. 165-171 Cooperative movement in the United Kingdom.......................................... 171-177 The cooperative movement in France........................................................... 178 Vocational education: Training for shift bosses in a copper m ine..................................................... 179-181 Technical Education Act of Canada............................................................... 18] 182 Employment and unemployment: Employment in selected industries in August 1919..................................... 183-188 Report of employment exchanges in the United Kingdom........................188-190 Volume of employment in the United Kingdom in July, 1919.................. 190,191 Labor exchangesin France, 1911 to 1918. Compiled by Albert E. Conover. 192-206 Employment management: Relations between employer and employee, by Wm. M. Leiserson.......... 207-216 Women in industry: Output of woman workers in relation to hours of work in shell m aking.. 217-219 Postwar position of women in the English civil service.............................. 219-221 Industrial accidents: War-time trend of employment and accidents in a group of steel mills, by Lucian W. Chaney.............................................................. ___ 221—232 Industrial accidents in Pennsylvania in 1918.............................................. 232 233 Bituminous coal mine fatalities in Pennsylvania, 1914 to 1918, inclusiv. 233, 234 Industrial hygiene and medicine: Does industrial medicine pay?...................................................................... 235-237 Elimination of industrial poisoning in felt hat making............................... 237 238 Occurrence, course, and prevention of chronic manganese poisoning___ 238-240 Public Health Service program to meet after-the-war needs..................... 241 Health wTork for the Whitley joint industrial councils................................ 241, 242 Workmen’s compensation: Workmen’s compensation legislation of 1919................................................ 243-246 Special examination into Ohio- State fund................................................... 246-264 Damage suit “ runners”—laws of New York and New Jersey.................... 264-266 Occupational diseases compensable in Wisconsin—a correction............ 266 Social insurance: Report of Illinois Health Insurance Commission...................................... 266-272 Municipal pensions in New Jersey..-............................................................ 272 273 Ministry of Health Act of Canada................................................................... ’ 274 Labor law s: French law on collective bargaining............................................................ 275-278 Compulsory rest law of Peru............................................................................ 279 Housing and land settlement: Progress of the California State land settlement at Durham....................... 280-282 State aid for workmen’s dwellings in Ita ly ................................................. 282 283 Dwellings for public employees in P eru....................................................... ’ 233 Labor organizations: Tenth German trade-union congress, Nuremberg, June 30-July 5, 1919.. 284-290 Strikes and lockouts: Strikes and lockouts in the United States, April to June, 1919................. 291-295 Immigration: Immigration in July, 1919............................................................................. 296 297 Publications relating to labor: Official—United S tates............ _ 298— 303 Official—Foreign countries................................................................... 303-307 Unofficial............................................................................................................ 307-314 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW vol. ix—no . 4 October, 1919 WASHINGTON Summary of Increased Cost of Living, July, 1914, to June, 1919. By Hugh S. Hanna. A CAREFUL analysis of existing data indicates that the increased cost of living in the United States, by six-month periods, from the beginning of the European War in July, 1914, to June, 1919, has been as indicated in the table below. The table presents figures for (1) the shipbuilding centers, where industry was most stimulated and population most congested, with a conse quent tendency to price raising; (2) other cities, both large and small; and (3) the country as a whole. A detailed explanation of the manner in which the data presented were arrived at is given in the following pages. PE R CENT OF INCREASE IN COST OF LIVING SINCE JULY, 1914. 18 shipbuilding centers. Month and year. 2 2 3 9 17 30 44 CO 76 80 Other cities and towns. Country as a whole (exclud ing agricultural communities). o 2 3 9 17 27 39 53 07 70 2 2 3 9 17 28 41 56 72 75 Since June, 1919, there are no figures of comparable accuracy with those of preceding dates. It seems clear, however, from the existing data that cost of living continued to rise. Thus the National Indus trial Conference Board survey for July shows a rapid rise in July after a decline in the spring. Retail food prices of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics show an increase of 3 per cent on July 15 over June 15 and of 1 per cent on August 15 over July 15. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ wholesale price index shows a sharp rise in July over June. The Annalist wholesale food index figures (averaged for the month) show an increase of about 1 per cent for July over June and of one-half of 1 per cent for August over July. Bradstreet’s index number shows an increase of 4.4 per cent oil https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [9S9] 1 2 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. July 1 over June 1 and of 5.9 per cent on August 1 over July 1. Dun’s index number of wholesale prices shows a similar result. N In view of these indications it would appear that the general cost of living increased approximately 3 percentage points in August as compared with June. On the other hand, it is of interest to note that the Annalist wholesale food index number showed a decline in the latter part of August and the first week of September. Data Upon Which Above Estimates are Based. The determination of changes in the cost of living, to be at all accurate, must be based upon the retail costs of the various items entering into the ordinary family budget, weighted according to the importance of such items in the budget. This includes house rent, sickness expenses, amusements, and other more or less intangible things, as well as actual commodities, such as food and clothing. For this reason prices of commodities, as the term is usually used, whether wholesale or retail, do not constitute a complete index of cost of living. Thus prices of food, fuel, and clothing may go up 100 per cent, but if rent and sundries (which take about one-third of the average family’s income) advance, say, only 10 per cent, the real increase in cost of living will be less than 70 per cent. Retail prices of food offer a good guide to changing living costs, but can not be taken as conclusive, as food is only one item, although an important one, in the family budget. Wholesale prices offer a very unsatisfactory guide to living costs. Experience has shown that during a period of rapidly rising prices, such as has occurred during the past five years, wholesale prices tend to increase considerably more rapidly than retail prices. There are two evident reasons for this: First, the retailer often buys on con tract for future delivery, and, second, the retailer is often unable to shift the increased wholesale cost immediately to the consumer. Thus, in a period of increasing prices, retail prices—and it is at retail that the average consumer buys—tend to lag behind wholesale prices. Ultimately retail prices will show somewhat the same total increase as wholesale prices, but, on any particular date, in a period of gen erally increasing prices, wholesale prices may be several points in advance of retail prices. Moreover, the existing data regarding wholesale price movements are not entirely satisfactory. There are five well-known index num bers of such prices—Bradstreet’s, Dun’s, the Annalist’s, Gibson’s, and the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. These are based on different groupings of commodities and are by no means identical in their results. Comprehensive studies of cost of living, of the character mentioned above, are only two in number: (1) Cost-of-living survey of 18 ship https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [9901 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 3 building centers from December, 1914, to June, 1919, made by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, and supplemented by a country-wide cost-of-living survey, covering (a) 13 large non shipbuilding centers from December, 1917, to June, 1919, and (b) 66 additional cities, mostly of smaller size, from December, 1917, to December, 1918; and (2) cost-of-living survey of the National Indus trial Conference Board. In the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ surveys, detailed expenditures oyer a year’s time were obtained from several hundred families in each community. From these were determined the relative impor tance of each article in the list of expenditures. The local retail prices were then obtained and weighted according to their impor tance in the budget, for December of each of the years 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, and for June, 1919. In the cost-of-living survey of the National Industrial Con ference Board the prices obtained were similarly weighted, the results of previous investigations being used for this purpose. In obtaining retail food prices the board used those published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. For other items it obtained prices direct from the localities, mostly by correspondence. Its origi nal investigations covered the months of July, 1914, June and November, 1918, and March and July, 1919. The making of cost-of-living surveys, such as those just listed, is very laborious. It means collecting prices of food, clothing, house furnishings, house rents, etc., from a large number of dealers in a large number of localities. As a result, such price collecting has been done only at considerable intervals and for a more or less limited number of communities. Thus there is no complete series of figures showing changes in cost of living for all communities and at short intervals. Therefore, in attempting to arrive at a complete series of figures showing changes in cost of living during the period, July, 1914, to date, the best that can be done is to combine and analyze the exist ing data and to seek to reconcile conflicting findings and fill in lacking data as well as possible. The paramount difficulty is that, during the past few years, there has been considerable lack of uniformity in the increasing cost ,of living in different cities and different sections. From 1914 to date, every community of which there is record shows a very substantial increase, but the percentages were by no means the same. Thus, from December, 1914, to June, 1919, the increase in the 18 ship building centers varied from 65 per cent in Los Angeles, Calif., to 87 per cent in Norfolk, Va. This fact explains in some part the different results obtained by different investigations. Thus, not infrequently the statement is made that the cost of living has increased 100 per cent since the war https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [991] 4 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. began. This may well be true for certain communities or certain groups of families; while for other communities and other groups of families the increase may have been very much less. Because of these wide variations between communities, it might very well be contended that each community, or at least each group of similar communities, must be dealt with separately and that there can be derived no average for the country as a whole which is not a mere abstraction. This is perfectly true, and for certain purposes such as local wage adjustments, cost-of-living data may be com pletely satisfactory only when they are based on investigations in the particular locality. Nevertheless, for other purposes, such as wage adjustments on a national basis, there is imperative need of, and much practical usefulness in, so combining the local experience as to produce an average for the country as a whole. But, just because such an average is a combination of greatly varying elements, it is highly important that the basic data be thoroughly representative— that, in other words, original data be obtained from a large number of communities of diverse character. Increase in Cost of Living from Judy, 1914, to December, 1914. No very precise information exists regarding this period, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ comprehensive studies not beginning until De cember, 1914, and the National Industrial Conference Board’s study j-umping (as far as regards original investigations) from July, 1914, to June, 1919. The available information, therefore, is limited to retail food prices of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics and the wholesale price index numbers of Bradstreet, Dun, etc. These show that from July to December, 1914, retail food prices increased 3 per cent and wholesale prices of all commodities, according to Bradstreet and Dun, increased 4 per cent, while Gibson’s index number gives an increase of 7 per cent, the Annalist an increase of only 1 per cent, and the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics’ index shows a decrease. In vi6w of this evidence, and giving chief weight to the retail food prices, it appears that the increase in cost of living from July to De cember, 1914, did not exceed 3 per cent, and was probably less, inas much as rent and several other items in the family budget probably did not increase at all during this period. Therefore, a liberal esti mate of increase in cost of living between these two dates would be 2 per cent, and this figure has been accepted in the present study. Increase in Living Cost from July, 1914, to July, 1919. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ study for 18 shipbuilding centers shows an average increase in cost of living for these cities of 77 per cent from December, 1914, to June, 1919. As there was approxi https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [992] 5 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. mately a 2 per cent increase from July to December, 1914 (as com puted in the preceding paragraph), this would mean a total increase of about 80 per cent from July, 1914, to June, 1919. The National Industrial Conference Board’s study shows an increase of 71 per cent from July, 1914, to July 1, 1919. An analysis of these two findings indicates they are not so far apart as they might seem at first sight. Of the two studies, that of the Bureau of Labor Statistics was unquestionably done with the greater thoroughness and accuracy. However, this particular study of the Bureau covered only ship building centers, where all the evidence points to the fact that the price increases, owing to extraordinary industrial activity and popu lation congestion, were greater than in other communities. The board’s study covered most of the shipbuilding cities but in addition included a number of smaller and industrially less active cities where price and rent increases were, on the whole, probably less marked. This in itself would tend to make the average arrived at by the Conference Board’s study for the whole country (namely 71 per cent from July, 1914, to July, 1919) less than the average of the 18 shipbuilding centers (namely 80 per cent for substantially the same period). Supporting evidence on this point may be derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ two supplementary cost-of-living surveys for other than shipbuilding cities—namely, for 13 large cities from December, 1917, to June, 1919, and for 66 cities, mostly of smaller size, from December, 1917, to December, 1918. The periods covered by these supplementary studies were too short to permit of direct conclusions regarding the course of cost-of-living figures for these two groups of cities during the five years covered by the shipbuilding study and the Conference Board’s study. The data, however, are sufficient not only to indicate that the increase in the cost of living in the shipbuilding centers was greater than in these two other groups of cities but also to indicate, with some precision, the degree in which it was greater. This is brought out in the following table which compares the results of the two supplementary studies with the results of the original survey of the 18 shipbuilding centers for the limited period for which they are comparable: Percent oiincreasoover December, 1917, at— Locality. December, June, 1919. 1918. 18 shipbuilding cities.............................. 13 other large cities................................. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [993] 22 19 18 25 22 6 MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW. Two points are to be noted in this table: First, that from December, 1917, to December, 1918, the rapidity of increase in cost of living was but little greater in group 2 (the 13 large cities, not shipbuilding centers) than in group 3, which covered 66 additional cities, most of which are of small size—the full percentages being 18.59 and 18.14, respectively. Either of these groups may therefore be taken as fairly representative of conditions in the country outside the ship building centers. Second, that in the shipbuilding centers the increase in cost of living for the period shown was more rapid than in the other towns and cities. Thus commodities which, in December, 1917, cost $100, would cost in December, 1918, about $122 in the shipbuilding centers and only $118 to $119 in other cities and towns; and in June, 1919, would cost about $125 in the shipbuilding centers and only about $122 in other cities and towns. This indicates a rapidity of increase in the nonshipbuilding centers less by about 12 per cent than in shipbuilding communities. On the other hand, as the great stimulus to shipbuilding did not begin until 1917 it may be assumed that prior to 1917 the increase in living cost was no greater in the actual or potential shipbuilding communities than in other communities. Assuming, therefore, that up to the end of 1916 increases in living costs were the same in both groups of communities and that thereafter the increase was 12 per cent less in nonshipbuilding centers, it would appear that from December, 1914, to July, 1919, the total increase in cost of living in nonshipbuilding communities was approximately 70 per cent as against 80 per cent for the shipbuilding centers. The same method, of course, can be applied to the intervening years. Thus are developed two series of cost-of-living increase figures based on the investigations of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics—one applying only to shipbuilding centers, and the other, lower by 12 per cent, applying to other urban communities. For the strictly agricultural communities there is no information available. A further step may be made by combining the two series of figures thus developed in order to obtain an average for the country as a whole. Inasmuch as the 18 shipbuilding centers here dealt with contain almost one-half the urban population of the United States, a flat average of the two sets of figures would produce the desired figure. This combination is made in the following table, which shows— 1. Index numbers of cost of living in shipbuilding centers, with the base changed from December, 1914, to July, 1914, on the assumption of a 2 per cent increase between these dates, as explained above. 2. Index numbers for other cities and towns, on the assumption that cost of living therein increased 12 per cent less rapidly than in shipbuilding communities. 3. An average of the two columns combined. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [994] 7 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. IN D E X NUM BER S OF COST OF LIVING IN SH IPB U ILD IN G CENTERS, AND IN OTHER CITIES AND TOW NS, AND FOR THE U N ITED STATES. Other cib'es and towns (on as sumption of States 18 shipbuilding prices therein United (a mean be centers (base havingincreased changed to July, since 1916,12 per tween columns 1 and 2). 1914). cent less rapidly than shipbuild ing centers). Month and year. July, 1914..................................................................................... 100.0 102.0 102. 5 117.1 143.9 176.0 180.0 100.0 102.0 102.5 117.1 138.6 166.9 170.4 ' 100.0 102.0 102.5 117.1 141.2 171.5 175.2 The figure of 75 per cent increase in living cost from July, 1914, to June, 1919, thus arrived at is 4 points higher than the figure arrived at by the National Industrial Conference Board—71 per cent from July, 1914, to July, 1919. It is believed that the former figure is the more nearly representative of conditions in the country as a whole. The study made by the National Industrial Conference Board was carefully done, but (with the exception of food prices) most of the prices and rent data were gathered solely by correspondence with clothing stores, real estate dealers, etc., and it is believed that any error resulting from this method of collecting data would be on the side of unduly conservative quotations. Estimates of Increases, by Half Yearly Periods, 1914 to 1919. The above computations, based as they are solely on the investi gations of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, cover, prior 16 1919, the single month of December. For intermediate months, no such pre cise information exists and an attempt to fill such gaps must be by way of estimate and interpolation. The simplest method of esti mating is to assume that the increase from one known month to another is at a uniform monthly rate. Thus, if the increase between December of one year and December of another is 12, to assume that there was a uniform increase of 1 point each month would make the increase up to June 6 per cent. This method is of course not strictly accurate, as increasing prices may proceed by “ jumps/’ with a ten dency toward a “ sag” in the summer months, although in the past few years of extraordinary price changes even this usual summer “ sag” has not occurred at all regularly. In the table following, this method is applied for a selected month— June—of each year. The results are given in column 1, which repeats the estimated index numbers of cost of living for the United States as a whole for the months covered by the original investigation of https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [995] 8 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. As a means of check ing these figures, the data of the National Industrial Conference Board are presented in column 2 and the retail food price index numbers in column 3. These two sets of figures seem to corroborate the estimates as made. Further corroboration is supplied by the whole sale price index numbers which, for reasons pointed out earlier in the article, can be used only as evidence regarding price movements and can not be accepted as showing the amount of change in the cost of living. IN D E X NUM BERS OF INCREASED LIVING COSTS FOR U N IT E D STATES, JULY, 1914, TO JULY, 1919. [Based on data of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.] Estimated index numbers Data of Retail (based on sur National Indus food prices veys made by trial (United States United States Conference Bureau of La Bureau of La Board. bor Statistics). bor Statistics). Month and year. July, 1914..................................................... December, 1914..................................................................... June, 1915’. .......................................................... December, 1915...................................................... June, 1916.............................................................. December, 1916....................................................... June, 1917........................................................ December, 1917................................................................... June, 1918..................................................... December, 1918............................................... June, 1919............................................................ July, 1919.............................................................. 100 102 102 103 109 117 129 141 156 172 100 103 103 109 124 132 154 1S3 ISO The percentage change between the estimated index numbers for any two months in the foregoing table can be found by dividing the difference between the two numbers by the lower number. The fol lowing show such percentages for selected periods: December, 1914, over July, 1914.............................................. December, 1915, over July, 1914.............................................. December, 1917, over July, 1914.............................................. December, 1917, over December, 1915.................................... June, 1919, over July, 1914....................................................... June, 1919, over December, 1915............................................. June, 1919, over December, 1917............................................. June, 1919, over June, 1918....................................................... https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [9961 2 per 3 per 41 per 38 per 75 per 70 per 24 per 12 per cent. cent. cent. cent. cent. cent. cent. cent. Government Residence Halls, Washington, D. C. By Mary C onyngton a n d L e if u r M a g n u s s o n . HORTLY after the signing of the armistice, November 11, 1918, the continued building operations of the United States Housing Corporation came under the criticism of the Senate. Question was particularly raised against completing the residence halls built in Washington (D. C.) for woman war workers. The Senate immedi ately proceeded with an investigation. Some few mistakes in action by the corporation were brought out, and evidence was produced to show that the Housing Corporation had been exploited in a few instances by none too scrupulous contractors.1 Little or no question has been raised by critics of the Housing Corporation as to the urgency of the need for the additional accom modation provided in Washington by the residence halls which it erected. The Secretary of War appeared before the House com mittee which had before it the Senate resolution to stop construction of the halls and showed the increased future need of all available housing accommodations. “ It is undeniably true,” the Secretary of War stated, “ that in Washington at the present time the living conditions, particularly of the female clerks of the Government, are worse than they are in any city of the United States or have been in any city of the United States within my knowledge.” The Secretary described the condition as one “ in which the girls are literally living in layers.” Apparently the housing shortage in Washington has not diminished perceptibly since the signing of the armistice. There is still a long list of applicants waiting for rooms at the Government dormitories. Rental agencies also have long waiting lists. The War Department has required an increased force to handle demobilization and casualty records. The Census Bureau will require by September 30 an addi tional 500 clerks in connection with the Fourteenth Census, with ultimate requirements of an additional 2,800. The War Risk Insur ance Bureau of the Treasury Department will continue to expand for some time to come before reaching the normal number on the staff necessary to handle all allotments and insurance disbursements 1 Operations of the United States Housing Corporation. Hearings before a subcommittee of the Com mittee on Public Buildings and Grounds, United States Senate. Washington, 1919. 2 vols. (65th Cong., Sd sess.) Public buildings and grounds. No. 17. Hearings before the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds,House of Representatives,on S. J. Res. 194, directing th attheU nited States Housing Corporation suspend work upon all buildings where construction is not more than 75 per cent completed. * * * Jan. 8, 9,13,14, and 15,1919. Washington, 1919. 261 pp. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [997] 9 10 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. and collections. According to the Civil Service Commission, the total net reduction in the personnel of the Government in Washing ton, D. C., between November 11, 1918, and August 31, 1919, was about 2,800. There is apparent no indication of a decline in rents in the District and real estate prices continue at the same high level. The city is underbuilt, due to a marked cessation of operations for three years. The records of the building inspector’s office are significant and furnish the principal evidence of a housing shortage in the face of an increased population. The building of houses in the District reached its lowest level during the year ending June 30, 1918, when 529 permits for family dwellings and 9 for apartment houses were issued as compared with a normal of over 1,500 permits a year for those types of construction. PERM ITS FOR THE BUILD IN G OF FAMILY D W ELLING S AND APARTM ENTS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 1910 TO 1919.1 Number offamily Number of apart houses. ments. Fiscal year ending June 30— 1910............................................................................ 1911............................................................................ 1912............................................................................ 1913............................................................................ 1914............................................................................ 1915............................................................................ 1916............................................................................ 1917................................... ......................................... 1918........................................................................... 1919............................................................................ 2,023 1,922 2,174 1,543 1,161 1,155 1,349 821 529 748 79 18 29 14 34 42 60 44 9 21 i Compiled from records of the building inspector's office, District of Columbia. Congressional Action. After enacting a measure empowering the Emergency Fleet Cor poration to construct houses for its workers, Congress turned its attention to the housing of other industrial workers in munition establishments and of the civilian employees of the Government in the District of Columbia. In the housing bill passed in May, 1918, provision was made for the District of Columbia and an appropriation of $10,000,000 was set aside on June 4, 1918. Work was proceeded with and contracts let for family houses and residence halls for woman war workers. Residence Halls on Capitol Plaza and Union Station Sites. Inasmuch as the erection of living quarters for woman war workers by the Government was looked upon as a temporary expedient the residence halls were located on Government-owned land and within the reach of all street improvements. The sites chosen consist of https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [998] 10—1 C o p y rig h t b y H arris & E w in g . https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis G E N E R A L V IE W O F G O V E R N M E N T R E S ID E N C E H A L L S F R O M U N IO N S T A T IO N . 10—2 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, 11 land which had been set aside and cleared as a public park and which lay between the Union Station and the Capitol. The tract occupies four blocks, two blocks on each side of North Capitol Street. There are two principal groups of halls, each being an independent unit with separate dining-room. One group is located immediately facing the Union Station; the other group is in the angle formed by the Senate Office Building and Capitol Grounds. The two groups are served by a common heating and power plant, a laundry, coldstorage building, and an infirmary. The arrangement on the blocks is very compact, but with a considerable amount of interior court space. Considering the temporary character of the buildings, their arrangement can not be said to be unduly crowded. The buildings are of an exceedingly simple exterior and to secure any degree of attractiveness will have to rely upon ornamental trees and shrubs. The outside walls are hollow-tile blocks with stuccoed exterior, the roofs are covered with sheet asphalt, while the floor construction is of wood. Being only semifireproof the buildings are equipped with fire escapes and emergency exits and are sup plied with an adequate water system. Capital Costs and Maintenance. The Housing Corporation always had before it the alternative of speed or costs. It elected to sacrifice the latter inasmuch as when it undertook its work the spring drive of the year 1918 was at one of its most critical stages. Those in authority and in touch with the war situation looked to a long war with the need of a large program of preparations. Speed was therefore the essence of the housing enterprise. The costs, being thus secondary, are no criterion of what can be done in normal times under peace-time efficiency of labor and ready availability of material. Much of the work was done at over time rates. As a consequence of this untoward situation in building the cost of the residence halls reached the sum of $2,432,000. While the income from them is now keeping pace with the expendi tures, the returns are far from being adequate to pay interest on the investment. Loss of interest on the investment is only one of the items to be charged to the war budget. Nevertheless it is instructive to know that since the halls became operative in January of this year revenues and expenditures have about balanced each other; and with the halls now completed and occupied revenues slightly exceed current expenses. It requires about 500 employees to operate the halls. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [999] 12 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. RECEIPTS AND E X P E N D IT U R E S FROM W ASHINGTON (D. C.) RESIDENCE HALLS, JA N U A R Y -JU L Y , 1919. Month. Number of halls open at end of month. 5 6 8 10 11 11 12 Number of occupants. 710 916 1,258 1,491 1,657 1 ,692 1,810 Receipts. $7,097.02 17,419.33 42,915.13 49,405.45 56,512.84 71,259.45 74,095.12 Expenditures. $6,500.00 15,752.25 66.500.00 47,095.17 56,278.50 68.306.00 69,582.24 What the Residence Halls Provide. The facts that the rooms are continuously filled and that there is a long waiting list show that the halls are needed, but do not show how they are fulfilling their purpose. In the crowded condition of Washington, undesirable and even insanitary rooms have often been kept filled at a good price. Are the halls utilized only because Gov ernment workers can not find accommodation elsewhere, or are they filled because they offer good living conditions at a reasonable price ? To answer this question it has seemed worth while to go into con siderable detail as to what a guest secures in return for the $45 a month which she pays for a room and two meals a day. Each hall consists of two parallel wings or dormitories, connected at one end by a one-story building, which is divided into a reception lobby, a writing room, and several small parlors. These smaller rooms can be shut off, if desired, so that if a guest wishes to give a little party she can do so in privacy. All are comfortably furnished; the reception lobby has reading tables supplied with papers and mag azines, and the effect, as one enters the hall, is pleasant and inviting. The two wings are three stories high, and combined contain 142 rooms. Most of the rooms are single, but at the end of each corridor are two double rooms larger than the others and having windows on two sides. Altogether about 1,800 guests now occupy the halls in addition to 120-odd employees. The single rooms are rather small, measuring by 12 feet. Each is equipped with a single bed, a dresser, a small table, two chairs, a rug, a set basin with hot and cold water, and electric lights. There is a good-sized closet in each, and a cedar utility box, which slides under the bed or may be kept out in the room, according to taste. The wall paper is gray, the furniture is painted green, the hangings are cretonne, and the woodwork is finished in white, so that the general effect is restful and cheerful. For ventilation there is one window and a transom over the door. As the occupants can and do use the reception lobbies and parlors for reading, writing, https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1000 ] 12-1 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 12-2 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 13 and social purposes, the small size of the rooms is not felt as a grievance. The care of the rooms and corridors is entirely in the hands of maids, under the supervision of the house manager. A visit to the halls in the morning after the lodgers have left for their work dis closes every door and window open, so that there is complete cross ventilation, and discloses also that the bedding is carefully aired and the mattresses turned before the beds are made up. Six towels and a complete change of bed linen are supplied weekly. Apparently absolute cleanliness is the rule of the place, and if there are diffi culties in securing this standard with the scarcity of domestic help now prevailing, they do not appear on the surface. Baths and sanitary conveniences are on each floor. The intention was to supply one bath to each 5 women, and for each 25 roomers four showers and one tub were put in, but in practice the showers are so much more popular than the tubs that the proportion in use tends to become one to six and a fourth lodgers. However, the tubs are there, if anyone chooses to use them. The occupants have a number of incidental conveniences, the value of which it is hard to appraise. A laundry is maintained, in which residents may have their laundry work done at somewhat less than prevailing rates. In addition, in each building is a basement room fitted up with set tubs, drying places, and ironing tables, and here the guests may themselves do anything they please, from pressing out a wrinkled waist to doing their entire laundry. In each basement, also, is a small kitchen, where guests may make candy or do any special bit of cooking they may incline to. Cooking in the rooms is not permitted, on account of the danger of fire. The opportunities for exercising hospitality might be included as incidental advantages. The parlors are open at all times to guests, and if anyone wishes to plan for anything more elaborate than a mere call she has practically a free hand. She may have guests to dinner, merely supplying herself with guest tickets, which cost 60 cents apiece (75 cents on Sunday), or she may request the exclusive use of one of the parlors and give a card party, a supper party, or whatever she chooses. The question of chaperonage isekept in the background. Residents are at perfect liberty to receive what guests they choose, men, of course, being entertained only in the reception lobbies, parlors, and dining rooms. As an official is always at the desk, and other people are about, the proprieties are fully observed without any formal rules to secure that effect. The dining rooms, of which there are two, one for each group of buildings, are large rooms, filled with round tables seating six. Breakfast is from 7 to 8.30 and dinner from 5.30 to 7 on week days; on Sunday, breakfast is from 8.30 to 10, and dinner from 5 to 6.30. 138517°—19---- 2 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1001] 14 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, Each dining room is under the charge of an experienced dietitian. The assistant manager’s ambition is “ to know that every woman, when she leaves the table, has had not only a meal which pleases her taste, but one which has given her the food elements she needs, in the proportions she needs, so that, as far as diet can accomplish it, she will be in perfect condition.” For breakfast the usual menu is fruit, choice of two cereals, choice of eggs or some meat dish, tea, coffee, cocoa, or milk, and choice of toast or some quick bread; for dinner, soup, fish or meat, two. vegetables, a salad, and dessert, with tea or coffee or milk. One decided advantage connected with residence in the halls is the care given in case of illness. If a resident is ill breakfast will be sent up with a charge of 10 cents for tray service. Also, her condition will be promptly inquired into, and such arrangements made for her care as are necessary. A small infirmary with 10 beds was opened on the 1st of June, with two trained nurses in attendance and a diet kitchen attached in which such food as each case requires is prepared. Here cases of serious illness are cared for, while lighter cases are looked after in the patient’s own room. The installation of women instead of men as night watchers—a change made early in the sum mer—was partly in the interests of health care. The women picked for this service have all had special experience or training fitting them for the posts, and among their other duties are giving first aid if any resident is taken ill in the night, filling hot-water bottles, giving simple remedies, or calling a doctor if the case demands it. An incidental but considerable advantage connected with the engage ment of these women is the better ventilation it makes possible at night. The rooms are small, but if the doors and windows, opposite each other, are both left open, there is complete cross ventilation from the windows on one side of the building, across the halls, which themselves have ventilation from end to end, to the windows on the other side. When men watchmen were making, their rounds every hour it was not possible to leave doors open, but with woman warders there is no difficulty in the way, and during the warm weather the residents may have, if they wish, all the air there is. A common objection t^p homes or hostels for women is found in the numerous restrictions imposed. From this difficulty the residence halls are free. The houses close at 11 o’clock. Anyone who wishes to stay out later than this is expected to put her name on a “ late list,” and when she returns must give her name to the night watcher before entering, a precaution adopted to prevent people who have no right in the buildings from entering under the pretense of being residents. Apart from this, rules are conspicuous by their absence. The women who come there, being in the Government service, have https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1002 ] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 15 been accepted by the respective departments or bureaus or services as women of good character, and the management assumes that they are in all respects all right. So far this confidence seems to have been justified. Where some 1,800 or more women are gathered it is always possible that some will be inconsiderate or illbred, and as the enterprise gets past its first experimental stage some house regulations may become necessary in the interests of the majority. It is possible that some scheme of cooperative administration will be adopted to meet this need. The residents have already formed a tentative or ganization among themselves. Its purpose is mainly social, but it contains possibilities of development along the lines of cooperation in administering the internal affairs of the halls which the present management is anxious to foster. Summing up the situation, then, the residence halls offer some pronounced advantages to their residents. First, and most impor tant of all, they afford a safe and unquestionably reputable shelter. They are clean; they are comfortable; in case of illness, they pro vide care; they afford opportunities for companionship and hospi tality; and they provide a number of incidental advantages which could hardly be duplicated in any private house in which a Govern ment worker might obtain a room. These incidental advantages will be increased as the enterprise gets more fully established. One of the administration buildings, for instance, contains an auditorium which is used for recreational purposes. Here dances are given by the management for the residents, and on occasion the guests may arrange special dances for themselves. Here entertainments may be held, lectures or concerts given, and distinguished residents or visitors in Washington may be secured as speakers. Coming as the residents do from all over the country, often to return to their homes within a comparatively short time, the opportunity of seeing and hearing public men, and of learning at first hand of the working of the Government of which they form a part has its attractions. But whether such plans are carried out or not is in one sense immaterial. The halls are meeting an urgent need in an admirable manner. The figures as to the number of Government employees now in Wash ington and those expected within a few months show the insufficiency of the normal housing accommodations of the city, while from the standpoint of an outside observer, the safety, comfort, and conven ience of the home they offer to women in the Government service more than justifies their upkeep. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis noom INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS. A Joint Council in the Clothing Industry. HE administrative function exercised by the labor manager has developed in the clothing industry until there are at least 50 such managers employed. At a series of conferences of the labor managers in the men’s clothing branch of the clothing industry, it became clear that unity of actioli and policy on a national scale on the part of managers and employers was necessary, if the condition of the industry was to be improved and its future stabilized. These conferences resulted in a joint meeting of manufacturers and labor managers held at Rochester last June at which it was decided to recommend to each of the four central markets, namely, Rochester, Chicago, New York, and Baltimore, the creation of a national com mittee of manufacturers and labor managers to develop an organi zation for national collective bargaining and for dealing with other general labor problems of the industry. The four markets approved the plan and representatives met in New York on July 18. This meeting resulted in the adoption of the following articles of federa tion establishing the National Federation of Clothing Manufacturers, including those in New York, Chicago,'Rochester, and Baltimore. T Articles of Federation. The undersigned delegates representing with full authority the clothing manufac turers of Chicago, New York, Rochester, and Baltimore under the resolution of the conference of manufacturers and labor managers held in Rochester July 11, 1919, hereby establish the National Industrial Federation of Clothing Manufacturers. The federation shall consist of a board of governors of four manufacturers with alternates, one member and one alternate from each district—eastern, southern, central, and western. Markets not at present represented in the federation may be admitted on application to the board of governors. Having been admitted, the board of governors shall designate the district with which the market shall be affiliated. The alternate above referred to shall have power to represent his district only in the absence of the regular member. The delegate representing the district shall be selected by the manufacturers of the district in the manner to be decided among themselves. The board of governors shall have full authority to pass upon the credentials of delegates from the various districts in the federation. Every manufacturer, house, or association, by participating, directly or indirectly, in the selection of the district representative, obligates itself to conform to all the oTders and concur in the decisions of the board of governors. 16 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1004] 17 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. The board of governors shall have authority to bind the participating manufacturers to any agreement with the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, and to make rules and regulations governing the industrial relations between management and workers. I t shall be responsible for establishing an industrial government with all necessary organization of administrative, judicial, and legislative functions to stabilize wages, hours, standards of efficiency, and all conditions of employment. The board of governors shall immediately establish a national board of labor man agers as one of its administrative agencies to which it may delegate authority to execute policies and policies adopted. Each district shall nominate a labor manager, who, when approved by the board of governors, shall become one of the four members of the national board of labor managers. The board of labor managers shall have a chairman responsible for the functioning of the board. KEach participating house, or association, obligates itself to contribute its pro rata share, as assessed by the board of governors, of the expenses incurred in the operations of this federation. Amendments to these articles may be made upon the recommendation of a threefourths vote of the board of governors and approved by three-fourths of the districts in the federation. M a x F r ie d m a n , C. W. B. B. I i . G it c h e l l , A lfred W . St e r n , E arl D ea n H o w a r d , SONNEBO RN, Representing Clothing Manufacturers’ Industrial Exchange of New York. Representing Clothing Manufacturera of Chicago. S i e g m u n d B. S o n n e b o r n , K eppele H all, S a m u e l W e il l , E dw ard R o senberg , M e y e r J a c o b st e in , Representing Clothiers’ Exchange of Rochester. -f Representing Henry Sonneborn & Co., and Strouse & Bros. (Inc.), of Bal timore. ^ The plan for participation of the workers in industry which had been worked out in the Hart, Schaifner & Marx shops in Chicago1 had been proposed to the manufacturers as a remedy for the cha otic condition in which the industry found itself and had been tried out with good results in various cities. After the formation of the federation, the organization proposed to extend this plan to cover the entire country, and invited the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America to assist the manufacturers in building up a national industrial government for the industry. The national execu tive board of the union accepted the offer of the employers’ federation and agreed to meet them in convention at Rochester, beginning September 15. The duty of the convention was to fix wages and conditions of work for the ensuing six months. The clothing industry is a pioneer in the formation of an agreement for collective bargaining on a national scale. The plan, though similar to the industrial council plan already worked out in various British industries, is the first thing of the kind in American industry. i See M onthly https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis L abor R ev iew for January, 1917, p p. 43-45. [1005] 18 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. National Industrial Conference Board Report on Industrial Conditions in Europe. T HE commission of the National Industrial Conference Board which visited Europe in the spring of 1919 “ to get the point of view of Government officials, of labor leaders, and of em ployers” on the all-important problems arising from relations between employers and employed has issued an interim report,1 mainly devoted to a discussion of “ Efficiency of production,” “ Labor problems,” and 1‘Management.” The countries visited were Great Britain, France, Belgium, and Italy, and in all these countries “ it was evident that the economic life of the people had been greatly disturbed by the war.” Laborers had been withdrawn from industry to a much greater extent than in America; new laborers, women, those formerly unemployed, and foreigners, had been introduced to fill urgent needs; the working of demand and supply in all direc tions had been interfered with; new machinery and processes had been devised to aid unskilled labor; in many instances labor organizations for patriotic reasons had given up old restrictions on output; production was shifted to the making of muni tions and articles needed for war; great changes in industrial organization resulted; governmental control of industry on a vast scale was inevitable; control by Govern ment boards and price fixing of most needed articles followed; many new factories were built for w^r production, and private concerns became “ controlled” ; shipping was taken over by the State; and foreign trade, exports and imports, acquisition of food and raw materials, especially of coal, became entirely deranged. These and other considerations caused a mighty upheaval in industry. The commission states that early in the investigation the question of efficiency in production presented itself, and attention is directed to some of the schemes which were adopted for the stimulation of productivity, as for instance the bonus and premium systems in Great Britain and the more general introduction of piecework, which served to give the workers higher wages in many cases and also resulted in benefits to the management by a spreading of the over head charges. On the whole the result was an increase in production. The system of restricted output practiced by British trade-unions, which had grown up previous to the war, is commented upon, the reasons for this policy being given in the order of their importance as follows: (1) Fear of rate cutting by the employer; (2) dread of unemployment; (3) the desire to protect inferior workers; (4) the wish to safeguard health; and (5) the natural human disinclination to work too hard. Some of the restrictions affecting output were removed, notably those affecting hours and wages and those con cerning the employment of women and unskilled persons in munitions work. As illustrating the reduced efficiency among workers in Great 1Interim report of the European commission of the National Industrial Conference Board. Boston, J u ly , 1919. 34 pp. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [100G] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 19 Britain the commission cites the following: Heretofore the ability of the British to produce coal cheaply and to employ it in the working up of raw material has been essential to the maintenance of her foreign trade, whereas now the expense of producing coal has risen to such a point that America can successfully compete with her in selling coal in many foreign markets. ‘‘Cheap British coal seems to have gone forever.” Labor Problems. The commission found widespread discontent among workers in all industries and in all countries visited, this condition being due in Great Britain, as explained by the Minister of Labor, to ‘‘the long strain of the war; the nervous effect produced by the extreme indus trial efforts of the nation; the disturbance of normal economic life; the rise in the cost of living; and, in a certain measure, an absorption into English thinking of the revolutionary movements of Europe.” There are, it is explained, two different states of mind in the labor world in Great Britain—the moderate and the radical attitudes, and “ radical views have permeated all classes of labor. All these radical views aim at nationalization of essential industries, at ‘democratic’ control of industry, and a ‘democratic’ use of the powers of the State.” Employers have found that they must adopt some method, varying with the existence of these different elements in their respective establishments, of meeting their employees and work ing out a solution of their differences. The machinery of shop stewards or shop committees has been developed and joint councils of workers and management have been established in many industries. The commission, however, believes it to be a mistake to suppose that mere machinery for joint discussion is likely to prove a cure-all. “ Back of these proposals lies the more important fundamental, namely the spirit and reasonableness of both parties to the discussion.” At present, in spite of the existence of a large body of reasonable workers, there ap pears to be a truculent, bellicose, and threatening attitude on the part of many labor leaders which is not promising. On the other hand, much of the inertia and disregard of the needs of their employees by employers has vanished, and they are willing to go a long way to meet the demands of labor. So far, radicals have only too often regarded a desire by employers to make concessions as a sign of weakness. Their eyes are fixed on the ultim ate goal of a reconstruction of society. As already observed, only too often a concession gained does not bring satisfaction, but only a new power to be used in making additional advances. There is needed a more reasonable spirit among labor leaders and a disposition to see the practical difficulties of industry. It may be that this may come about by joint discussions. Yet the acquiescence in new proposals, new legislation, seems only to indicate to radical leaders that nothing is likely to stop their progress. A further development of the plane for bringing employers and employed together in discussion of their mutual interests has been the https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1007] 20 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Whitley industrial councils established in many industries, and the organization of the National Industrial Conference, backed by the Government itself. In a chapter on “ Management ” the commission calls attention to the fact that in its opinion, both in Europe and in this country, there is a lack of understanding as to function and wages of manage ment in industry. The British workers regard management and capital as jointly antagonistic to labor.” The industrial manager * * * is born, not made. * * * He is the most important figure in the life of industry. * * * A manager is a member of the laboring classes, only he is distinguished by being a highly skilled laborer. * * * I t is open to any other laborer of skill to obtain the wages of skill if he has the capacity. The purpose of labor leaders in Great Britain in their desire to share in the management of industry is, in the opinion of the com mission, not so much to increase the efficiency of production as it is to obtain a position of authority through which wages may be fixed at a rate more satisfying to the recipients of wages. “ In the event that the workers should obtain control of industry, it is clear that it would result only in an exchange of managers.” It appears from evidence gathered by the commission that British employers have come to realize that in years past they have not had proper interest in their employees and that they are now trying *‘to correct the wrongs of the past in a fine spirit of humanitarianism and fair play.” Practically all the employers interviewed in Great Britain advised against the complete organization of employees, and “ did not favor a development of labor unionism as such because of the practical difficulties in securing a conservative attitude of mind among labor leaders. They would welcome and cooperate, however, with a more moderate and conservative unionism.” In France the situation was found to be somewhat different. Short age of labor before the war and the losses on the battle fields “ have produced a marked result on the thinking of French workingmen and their leaders, so that * * * they no longer oppose the introduc tion of labor-saving machinery and methods for furthering efficiency of production, but even demand that employers provide the most efficient methods and equipment.” In discussing the attitude of unionism that labor should not be regarded as a commodity, and that, whether abundant or not, all labor should be paid wages sufficient to provide not only the necessi ties of life but also comforts and recreation, and that as the cost of living rises wages should rise perforce, irrespective of the inequality of workers or differences in productive capacity, the commission expresses the view that such a theory would lead to still higher cost of production and still higher cost of living. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1008 ] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 21 Indeed there is no other permanent way to bring about higher wages than by creating higher individual productivity. Employers and employees should be as one in enforc ing this principle; and employers can best serve the common interests of both laborers and producers by encouraging industrial training and every possible plan for instruct ing tlxeir employees so that their productive efficiency can be promoted. Then wages should rise with the rise in industrial efficiency. That is the crux of the whole matter. The remedy for industrial discontent, as indicated by British con ditions, is not to be found, in the opinion of the commission, in the complete inclusion of all laborers in the unions, nor the establishment of means for joint discussion, but rather “ the creation of such a nor mal, rational point of view on both sides as will allow of cooperation towards increasing productivity. ’’ The main recommendation of the commission to American industry is briefly stated in the following quotation from the final paragraph of the report: Each employer should regard it as his personal duty to establish direct and cordial relations with his workers. It will not do to drift into a policy of neglect, as have some British employers in the past, which has borne such bitter fruit in the dissatisfaction of the present day. The employer must see to it that no charge can be brought against him of not intelligently looking out for the interests of the rank and file in his establish ment. * * * For us the point is that everything depends upon the spirit of human ity and sympathy which animates both parties to the wages contract. * * * The employer must take the lead; much in the way of leadership is expected of him. He must generally plan to prevent grievances from rising by showing a genuine interest in a fair system of remuneration, in healthful shop conditions, the proper and sanitary housing of his workers, and the welfare of the community in which his plant is located. If he is really at heart trying to raise the standard of living, as he ought, of his em ployees, he should, moreover, be occupied not only with questions of wages or material rewards, but with matters which will cultivate the intelligence, morals, and character of men. Granting this attitude of mind, then, there must be a corresponding point of view on the part of labor if any permanent and peaceful adjustment is to be accom plished. The National Industrial Conference Board promises a final report which will give the facts upon which the interim report is based, and will carry into full detail a descriptive analysis of the industrial situa tion as the commission found it in Great Britain, France, and Italy, Scientific Research as Applied to Industry. CIENTIFIC research as applied to industry is a subject of in creasing national and international interest. That it really concerns labor as deeply as it does capital is evident from the public statement of the attitude of the various labor organizations of different countries toward its development. S https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1009] 22 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. The M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w for February, 1919 (pp. 75, 76), contains a brief summary of the British Labor Party’s reasons for fos tering scientific investigation, while a resolution adopted by the American Federation of Labor at its recent convention in Atlantic City voices the opinion of organized labor in America on the same sub ject. This resolution differs from the reconstruction program of the British Labor Party in that it does not emphasize labor’s special par ticipation in scientific research. It is, however, the first definite official action on the great question of the relationship between science and industry; it recognizes the direct results of the application of scientific principles upon the standards of living and increased output, and points out the importance of science in the solution of Federal, State, and local problems. The resolution follows in full:1 W h e r e a s , Scientific research and the technical application of results of research form a fundamental basis upon which the development of our industries, manu facturing, agriculture, mining, and others must rest: and W h e r e a s , The productivity of industry is greatly increased by the technical ap plication of the results of scientific research in physics, chemistry, biology, and geology, in engineering and agriculture, and in the related sciences; and the health and well-being not only of the workers but of the whole population as well, are de pendent upon advances in medicine and sanitation; so that the value of scientific advancement to the welfare of the nation is many times greater than the cost of the necessary research ; and W h e r e a s , The increased productivity of industry resulting from scientific research is a most potent factor in the ever increasing struggle of the workers to raise their standards of living, and the importance of this factor must steadily increase since there is a limit beyond which the average standard of living of the whole population can not progress by the usual methods of readjustment, which lim it can only be raised by re search and the utilization of the results of research in industry; and W h e r e a s , There are numerous important and pressing problems of administration and regulation now faced by Federal, State, and local governments, the wise solution of which depends upon scientific and technical research; and W h e r e a s , The war has brought home to ail the nations engaged in it the over whelming importance of science and technology to national welfare, whether in war or in peace, and not only is private initiative attempting to organize far-reaching research in these fields on a national scale, but in several countries Governmental participation and support of such undertakings are already active: Therefore, be it R e s o lv e d , By the American Federation of Labor in convention assembled, that a broad program of scientific and technical research is of major importance to the national welfare and should be fostered in every way by the Federal Government, and that the activities of the Government itself in such research should be adequately and gen erously supported in order that the work may be greatly strengthened and extended; and the secretary of the federation is instructed to transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, to the President pro tempore of the Senate, and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 1 American .Federation of June 17, 1919. pp. 5-6. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Labor. Proceedings of the convention. Seventh day. Atlantic City, N. J. [1010 ] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 23 The Situation in the English Coal Industry. R ECENT articles in the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w 1 have dealt with the demands presented in February, 1919, by the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain, under threat of a strike which would involve the whole of the coal fields, with the Government’s appointment of a commission to consider these demands and mako appropriate recommendations, and with the reports brought in by this commission in March and June. When the report of March 20, recommending a decrease in hours and an increase in wages, was accepted by both the Government and the miners, it was supposed that the country was in a fair way to secure peace in the coal fields, but for the last two months the coal industry has been a storm center, and it is gravely doTibtful whether the climax has yet been reached. The immediate causes of trouble have been two: Disagreement as to the meaning and enforcement of the Sankey report, and a campaign for and against the adoption of the second Sankey report, which advocated nationalization of the mines. Disagreement over Application of the First Sankey Report. The first trouble arose over the question of what increase in piece rates should be given when the shorter hours provided for in tiie first Sankey report should go into effect. A summary of this report is given in the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w for May, 1919. The cir cumstances of its adoption were rather peculiar. The commission of 13 had brought in three reports, one sighed by the chairman and three of the employers’ representatives, one signed by the six labor representatives, and the third signed by the three mine owners. Strictly speaking, there was no majority report, but since the labor report bore more signatures than either of the others, the miners thought there was a good case for considering it the report of the commission, and were reluctant to accept the report of the chairman, which the Government adopted. They finally agreed to accept it, however, on condition that wages should be changed so that total earnings should not be diminished by the change in hours. The shorter' hours were to become effective July 16, and in June the district miners’ associations were busily engaged in negotiations with the corresponding associations of mine owners as to the neces sary changes in wages. In the coal fields where an eight-hour day prevailed, there was a general understanding that the increase should be proportional to the decrease in hours, giving an advance of 14.3 per cent in piece rates, with corresponding changes in time !M ay, 1919, pp. 109-114, and August, 1919, pp. 78-88. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [10111 24 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. rates. In some districts these negotiations were practically finished, an agreement having been reached “ subject to the approval of the Coal Controller/’ when the Government suddenly intervened. On July 2 the Coal Controller issued a circular saying that he would not agree to any advance in piece rates beyond 10 per cent; if employers wished to grant more than this, they must pay the difference out of their own guaranteed profits. Apparently the idea underlying this mandate was that since the adoption of the shorter hours was expected to reduce output by 10 per cent, an increase of 10 per cent in wages would exactly meet the situation. The miners, however, protested that a flat increase of this kind would be altogether unfair, since hours varied in different districts, some already having the sevenhour day which the others were to gain, and that the only fair way was to adjust the increase to the actual’decrease in time. By July 8 the Coal Controller had modified his order, permitting an advance of 12^ per cent in some of the coal fields. This did not meet the miners’ idea of fairness, but it might have' been possible to compromise the difficulty but for developments in the political campaign which by this time was going on vigorously over the adoption of the second Sankey report, which had been made public June 23 J Campaign for Nationalization of the Mines. This report, signed by the chairman, and substantially agreed to by the six labor members of the commission, had recommended the nationalization of the mines and had outlined a scheme for their management in which the miners were to have an effective voice. As seven of the 13 members of the commission had agreed to this, it was distinctly a majority report, and the miners held that the Gov ernment was bound to adopt it. But every conservative interest in the country was up in arms against the idea of nationalization, and the Government made no statement as to the position it intended to take. The question was quickly carried over into practical politics. Two Parliamentary seats becoming vacant, by-elections were called, and the Labor Party, having nominated a candidate in each of the dis tricts, proceeded to make the contest on the principle of the nationali zation of the coal industry. In both of these districts, East Swansea and Bothwell, a coalition candidate had been elected by a large majority in December, but in both it soon became evident that the Labor Party was not only conducting a vigorous campaign but had at least a reasonable prospect of success. The polling in East Swansea was to begin July 10. On the evening of July 9, the Gov» See M onthly L abo r R e v ie w for A ugust, 1919, pp. 78-86. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1012] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 25 eminent announced in the House of Commons that because of the approaching shortening of the miners’ hours, the increase of their wages and the falling off in production, it was necessary to raise the price of coal by 6s. ($1.46) a ton, and that the increase would take place on the 16th of the month. To requests that the' date of the increase should be postponed to permit of discussion as to its neces sity, the Government replied that this was impracticable; the deficit was piling up every day and no delay in meeting it was possible. The effect of the announcement was electrical. Apart from the dismay which such a material increase in price naturally caused, there was widespread questioning as to why the advance was made at this precise time, without any preliminary discussion with either miners or coal owners. Ugly charges were freely voiced in the radical and labor papers and were more than hinted at in the more con servative journals. One of the liberal papers expressed, in its Parliamentary correspondence, what it claimed was a very general feeling:1 The labor members suspect that this is a political maneuver. The representatives of the coal owners are evidently not sure that the labor members are not right but they would equally resent any political dodge of this kind. Therefore they want to know the figures on which the announcement is based. They think that the white paper which is to justify the Government’s announcement of the increased price ought to be published at once. * * * On both the labor and the Government side in Parliament there is afloat the suspicion that the Government may have made their sensational announcement in order to influence the Swansea by-election. * * * Such a maneuver is almost incredible, but it is necessary to note that it is widely believed. Even The Observer, while assuming that the advance must be necessary, admits that the manner and time of announcing it were ill chosen:2 The eve of the Swansea election, fought on nationalization, was a peculiar moment, certain to expose the Government to the suspicion of sharp practice. It is the kind of suspicion which is apt after a while to grow and rankle in the minds of the more moderate sections of labor as well as of irreconcilable extremists. * * * The Government would have been better advised to act earlier or a little later. The case made out for the increase was by no means unassailable. The data of the white paper, issued July 11, were open to question, both as to accuracy and fairness, and the validity of the argument on which the increase was based was fiercely attacked. The East Swansea election was lost to the laborites, a result which was generally attributed to the effect of the announcement made on the very eve of the election when it was too late for the miners to get their side before the electorate, and this loss increased the bitterness of their campaign as a whole. i Manchester Guardian, July 1 1 , 1919. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 8 The Observer, July 13,1919. [1013] 26 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. On the 16th, the day on which the increase was to go into effect, time was given for a debate on the matter in the House of Commons, in which, after prolonged argument, the Government proposed a delay of three months in putting it into effect, provided the miners would pledge themselves to do their best to increase production, and to refrain from strikes and stoppages during that period. The labor members of the House promised to lay the matter before the minors’ federation, which was to be in session that week, and the Government issued an order delaying the increase until the federation could act. The suspicion caused by the time chosen for the announcement of the increased price militated against the miners’ acceptance of these terms. They believed that the main responsibility for lowered production lay with the management, which failed to provide neces sary equipment, allowed mines to be underworked because of lack of transport for coal when secured, etc. They had repeatedly asked for a Governmental investigation Jio place the responsibility, but this the Government refused to undertake. They resented the present proposal as an attempt to place the whole onus for reduced output upon them. More strongly still they suspected the motive under lying the proposal that they should renounce for three months their right to strike. The Government had not yet declared itself on the matter of nationalization. If it should refuse to accept the Sankey report the miners might very probably wish to strike, and they had no mind to tie their own hands while the Government remained free. Consequently, they passed the following resolution:1 That this annual conference, having heard the report of the miners’ members of Parliament of the discussion in the House of Commons, on the Government’s proposal to raise the price of coal 6s. [$1.46] a ton, declares the increase is not necessary and should be avoided. I t regards the problem as one of production only. I t is of opinion that production can only be increased to a point which will make industry self-supporting, without additional charges to the consumer, if tire economies set forth in the first Sankey report are effected, and the recommendation of the majority of the commissioners as to immediate change of ownership and control in the mining industry are passed into law. I t therefore informs the Government that it is prepared to cooperate with the Government to the fullest extent to put such economies into effect, and recommendations into law. Upon this, the Government issued an order that the increased price should go into effect July 21. Yorkshire Strike. Meanwhile, no agreement had been reached as to the increase in piece rates, and when the 16th, the day on which the shorter hours were to go into effect, came with no settlement in sight, the York- https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 1 D aily Herald, London, July 18,1919. [ 1014 ] MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW. 27 shire miners to the number of 150,000 went on strike. A few days later they did much to alienate public sympathy by calling out the pump men, thereby risking the flooding of the mines, a danger which the Government met by sending in men from the navy to man the pumps. Other strikes took place in Lancashire, South Wales, Kent, and Durham. A number of grievances were brought up, but it was agreed that the question of rates was the principal trouble, and that if that were once out of the way the others could soon be adjusted. The Times summed up the situation editorially as follows:1 It was estimated that the reduction of one hour’s work daily would mean a reduction of 10 per cent in output. The men were entitled, under the Sankey award, to a pro portionate increase in their piece rates, so that they would suffer no loss in wages.. To Sir Auckland Geddes the sum seemed simple, and he directed the Coal Controller (evidently not with that official’s concurrence) to limit the increase in piece rates to 10 per cent, an amount afterward increased to 12 per cent. But the Yorkshire miners had already demonstrated to the coal owners that they were entitled to 14.3 per cent, and believed that they had a claim to 16.6 per cent. They were actually in process of settlement with the coal owners on a basis of 14.3 per cent when Sir Auckland Geddes instructed the Coal Controller to issue his ill-timed order. One-half the Yorkshire coal owners then said they would pay the difference between 10 per cent and 14.3 per cent out of their own pockets in order to avoid a strike, but the other half, who can not in the least be condemned, said they would abide by the Govern ment order. The miners were indignant and the strike began. The Coal Controller announced that he would take no steps to settle the difficulty until the men returned to work, but the Govern ment, as a whole, was less intransigent. Conferences were held between the Government and the executive of the miners’ federation, which resulted in the Government’s giving up the idea of a flat increase and adopting a formula intended to secure for each district an increase of rates exactly proportioned to the decrease in hours. The miners’ federation assented cordially to this, and at once sent out notices to the different district associations recommending that the Government’s formula be accepted. For the most part the miners went back to work on this agreement, but in Yorkshire a situation developed which would have been ridiculous had it not been so serious. Four days after the agreement upon the formula one of the daily papers thus summed up the position: 2 The miners are standing pat. They welcome the new piece-rate formula on the assumption that it offers them the wages they struck for, but they are waiting appar ently for the employers or for the Coal Controller to come and tell them so. The employers on their side regard themselves as in the hands of the Coal Controller, without whose assent they can come to no agreement with the men. And that official does not appear, so far, to have made any audible advance to either p arty . * * ** At the very beginning of the strike the Coal Controller refused to talk to the men unless they first returned to work, and there is no evidence that he has abandoned this attitude. As for the owners, even if they felt at liberty to ignore the Controller and 1 London Times, July 25,1919. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 2 Manchester Guardian, July 29,1919. [1015 ] 28 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. reopen negotiations on their own account, they appear to he at a sad disadvantage from the fact that the formula and a clear statement of its application to the Yorkshire district has not yet come down to them. The formula arrived presently, with the statement that it would work out at an advance of 11.8 per cent for the Yorkshire fields; a little later it was admitted that there was an error in this calculation, and that the correct increase was 12.2 per cent. The miners were unwilling to accept either figure, but they were in a weak position strategically, because the miners’ federation had accepted the general principle of the Government’s formula, and while the Yorkshiremen were within their rights in refusing to let the federation settle for .them a question of local wages, they were in the apparent position of going counter to their own leaders. They could not, therefore, call on the federation for any help in their fight, and it soon became evident that if the Government maintained its position necessity would force the miners into submission. The coal owners were not much more anxious for this result than the miners, for they did not relish the prospect of having to carry on the industry with a body of sullen, resentful workers who had been forced by hunger to accept what they believed to be a violation of the Government’s pledge to them. The owners, therefore, urged the miners to meet them, and persuaded them to join in sending an appeal to the Government to meet representatives from both sides and discuss with them the situation. The Government acceded to this request, but the details of the conference were not made public, and no compromise was reached. A week later, August 15, the South Yorkshire miners voted to go back to work, and the West Yorkshiremen followed their example August 20. It was roughly estimated that the stoppage had caused a loss of production of about four million tons of coal, and had cost the miners’ associations about £400,000 ($1,946,600) in strike benefits. As their treasury was supposed to contain, before the strike, approximately £700,000 ($3,406,550), they were evidently in a much weaker position than before should any other occasion of striking arise. It was also felt that they had alienated public sympathy by allowing the damage to the mines which followed the withdrawal of the pump men, and had lessened the prestige of the federation in the public mind by their refusal to accept tne terms which it had indorsed. The Government and Nationalization. Meantime, the Government delayed any declaration of its policy toward nationalization of the mines, as recommended in the second Sankey report, and a rumor began to spread that it intended to ignore this report and adopt some plan of private ownership under public https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1016 ] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 29 control. The by-election of Bothwell, fought on the principle of nationalization, resulted in an overwhelming majority for the labor candidate, and the Labor Party began to press for an announce ment of policy, but the Government refused to be hurried. On August 18 Parliament rose for its summer recess, and on that date the Prime Minister made a speech on the general situation in the course of which he gave the main lines of the Government’s policy toward the coal mines. The Government intended, he said, to acquire the royalty rights, as recommended unanimously by the coal com mission, hut it was not willing to nationalize the mines. It wished, however, to secure the advantages of unified management, and its plans for doing this were rather sketchily outlined as follows :* We have accepted the principle of unification and reorganization, and we think that even the owners realize that there is a very great case made out for that, because you have the waste which is due to a large number of different enterprises running in the same area under different management—waste of power, waste in management, waste in distribution. There is also undoubtedly a case to be made out for giving the miners a greater interest and voice in the working conditions which affect them. Therefore we make this recommendation—that in view of the fact that the living and livelihood of the miners depend on the way the mines are worked, means should be devised for securing their cooperation in shaping the general conditions of the industry without interfering with the executive control of individual mines. Now I come to our recommendation with regard to unification. I t is that the industry shall be so organized as to reduce to a minimum the expense of management and working charges, and with this end in view the country should be divided into defined areas, in each of which the amalgamation of neighboring mines should be undertaken within a limited period, say two years; and that the workers in and about the mines should have directors representing them on the body controlling the area group to which they belong. The scheme of amalgamation must be subject to the approval of the Government, and must conform to all the conditions laid down by the Government for the pro tection of the general body of consumers. The Government proposes to prepare a scheme and submit it to Parliament with the least possible delay, by which the minerals should be purchased by the State and funds raised for the purpose of pro moting schemes for the social improvement and amelioration of the conditions and amenities of life in the mining villages. The State should not purchase the business of the mines. The unification should be promoted by amalgamation in defined areas, the miners to be given a certain period to consider whether the scheme is adequate for the purpose. * * * The worker will have two methods for making his influence directly felt—first of all in the schemes for giving him representation on committees which will have a voice in the conditions under which the work is done; and in the second place, he would have a direct representation by nominating a certain number of directors for the area group, who would have direct control of the mines in these various areas. This plan is very far from satisfying the workers, who regard it as a direct violation of the Government’s pledges made at the time the coal commission was first appointed and at the time of the adoption of the first Sankey report. Parliament having adjourned, no im1 Manchester Guardian, Aug. 19,1919. 138517°—19----- 3 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1017] 30 MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW. mediate action on the plan is possible, but both the miners and the coal owners are employing the time in trying to strengthen their respective positions. The coal owners have formed an association, and are carrying on an extensive propaganda by newspapers, pam phlets, and advertising. The miners have less publicity of this kind, but are contesting each new by-election as the opportunity offers, making nationalization one of the leading points. The trade-union congress held in Glasgow early in September afforded an opportunity for putting the matter formally before the whole body of trade-union ists, who gave a warm support to the miners’ position. A resolution was offered calling upon the Government to adopt the majority report on the nationalization of the coal mines with joint operation, and including this provision: In the event of the Government still refusing, a special congress shall be convened to decide what form of action shall be talcen to compel the Government to accept. This resolution was carried by a vote of 4,478,000 in favor to 77,000 opposed. It is considered probable that in view of this vote the Government’s proposed scheme will be given up, and that it must be nationalization or nothing- in the coal fields. Parliament is not expected to reassemble, however, until the latter part of October, and there is abundant time for new developments before then. In the meantime both parties are vigorously working up their cam paigns, and the nationalization of the mines has become one of the leading questions of the day in England. Attitude of Unskilled Labor Toward Restoration of Prewar Conditions, Great Britain. N NOVEMBER, 1918, the English Government brought in a bill intended to fulfill its pledge to the trade-unions as to the restora tion of the customs and restrictions which they had consented to relinquish during the war. This bill was very unsatisfactory to the workers, and as the end of the Parliamentary session was at hand, the matter was allowed to go over. On April 15, 1919, a second bill, which had been drawn up in conference between the Government and the trade-union leaders, was introduced. The most important features of this bill are found in the following sections : 1. Where, in any establishment to which this act applies, any rule, practice, or I custom obtaining before the war in any industry or branch of an industry (hereinafter referred to as a trade practice) has, during and in consequence of the present war, been departed from, the owner of that establishment shall be under an obligation, at the expiration of one month from the date when such notice as is hereinafter mentioned https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1018 ] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 31 is served on him, to restore or permit the restoration of the trade practice so previously obtaining, and for one year after such restoration is effected to maintain or permit the continuance of the trade practice. Where any industry or branch of industry, which before the war was not carried on in an establishment, commenced to be carried on in the establishment during the war and continues to be carried on therein after the termination thereof, or where an estab lishment is one which commenced to be worked after the beginning of war, the owner of the establishment shall be under the obligation, at the expiration of one month from the date when such notice as is hereinafter mentioned is served on him, to introduce or permit the introduction of, and for one year after such introduction is effected to maintain, or permit the continuance of, such trade practices as obtained before the war in other establishments where that industiy or branch was carried on under circum stances most nearly analogous to those of the establishment in question. An obligation under this section shall not become binding on the owner of any establishment unless within three months after the termination of the war there is served on the owner, by or on behalf of a majority in the establishment of the class or grade of workers whose custom it was before the war to maintain the trade prac tice in question, a notice in the prescribed form requiring the observance of the obli gation, and specifying the nature of the practice to which the obligation relates, and if the change of practice was made in pursuance of an agreement, specifying also the agreement. If the owner of the establishment is not prepared to comply with the notice, or is in doubt as to the nature of the trade practice to be restored or introduced, he shall within fourteen days from the service of the notice on him serve on the sender of the notice a counternotice in the prescribed form to that effect. Where such a counternotice is given either party may apply to a munitions tri bunal of the second class to determine whether the obligation exists or, as the case may be, the nature of the obligation, and the tribunal may, after giving all persons appearing to the tribunal to be interested in the matter an opportunity of being heard, make an order on such terms as to costs or otherwise as the tribunal may think fit, declaring whether any obligation exists, or, as the case may be, the true interpreta tion of the obligation, and any such order shall be conclusive in any proceedings that may subsequently be taken against the’ owner in the matter, and a copy of every order so made shall be registered at the Ministry of Labor. * * * 2. If any person fails to comply with an obligation imposed upon him by this act, he shall be guilty of an offense under this act, and on conviction shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 25 pounds [$121.66] for each day, or part of a day, during which the offense continues. Proceedings for offenses under this act shall be taken before munitions tribunals of the second class in like manner as for offenses under the Munitions of War Acts, 1915 to 1917. Proceedings against an employer for an offense under this act may be instituted by or on behalf of a trade-union or federation of trade-unions, and any party to any such proceedings may appear and be represented by an official of the trade-union or federation of'trade-unions, or of the federation or association of employers, to which he belongs. * * * 3. Subject to the provisions of this section, the provisions of the Munitions of War Act, 1915 to 1917, relating to munitions tribunals, shall, notwithstanding anything in those acts limiting the duration thereof, continue in force so long as may be neces sary for the purposes of this act. * * * 4. The establishments to which this act applies are establishments in which muni tions work within the meaning of the Munitions of War Acts, 1915 to 1917, has during the present war been carried on, and any other establishment in which the departure https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1019] 32 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. from the practice was made in consequence of the two agreements of the nineteenth and twenty-fifth days of March, nineteen hundred and fifteen, respectively, com monly known as the Treasury agreements, or in pursuance of any other agreement in writing. This act shall apply to Crown establishments; that is to say, establishments be longing to or under the control of His Majesty or any Government department, in like manner as it applies to establishments belonging to subjects, and any proceedings which under this act can be taken by or against the owner of any establishment may be taken by or against the Crown establishment concerned in the name by which the establishment is usually known. The bill was brought up for action on June 2 and, as the Gov ernment and the unions were understood to be in agreement upon it, the supposition was that it would pass through all its stages at one sitting. Sufficient opposition developed to block this program, and the bill has had to go through its stages in the customary fashion. Taken literally, the bill would permit the complete upset of the English engineering trade, which has been practically revolutionized during the war. All the discussions imply, however, that there is an understanding between the Government and the men that the rights it gives shall not be pushed too far, and that there is no inten tion of objecting to such practices as the subdivision of work, the standardization of product, the use of improved machinery, and the like. The opposition chiefly centers around the position in which it leaves the unskilled workers, and more especially the woman workers. Under the terms of the bill, the unions are at liberty to object to the employment of women or of unskilled men on any machine or in any process at which they were not commonly en gaged prior to the war. But the splitting up of jobs and the intro duction of new machinery has increased immensely the amount of woik which can be performed by a worker who is either untrained or trained only for one process, thus constituting a large class of workers who may be excluded from the trades under the present bill. It is generally felt that the unskilled men are in little danger, but the women believe that they are exposed to very grave risk* and they are protesting against the passage of the bill in its present form. They bring against it three principal objections: It places the women, who have had no voice in drawing up the bill, at the mercy of the trade-union men; it gives the force of law to what was formerly mere trade-union custom; and it extends the field over which this legalized custom is to have sway. Analysis of Objections to the Bill. Under the first objection, it is pointed out that women are not admitted to the trade-unions of skilled engineering workers, and, though they are making their way into the unions of the unskilled they are not in a position to sway the policy of the organizations. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [10201 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 33 Therefore, they will have practically as little weight in determin ing the application of this hill as they had in drawing it up. Whether or not they paay continue in trades in which they have proved their ability will be left solely to the option of men unionists. They believe that the men who have left these trades to go into military service ought to be reinstated; they believe that the claims of ex-soldiers come before their own; hut they do not believe that it is either wise or just to set up a sex harrier, and to give men the right to exclude women, as women, from work in which they have shown their compe tence. Under the second head they point out that before the war women were employed in certain kinds of engineering work, and that the number employed and the kinds of work on which they were engaged were both increasing. In spite of trade-union customs, employers were introducing women more and more numerously. Under this bill, employers who try to do this will have the whole force of the Government against them, and will render themselves liable to such heavy penalties that they will scarcely wish to take the risk. Under the guise of restoring prewar practices, the bill will make the exclusion of women far more complete than trade-union practice ever succeeded in rendering it. And thirdly, in making the bill apply to new industries established since the outbreak of the war, they think the Government is un reasonably extending the scope of the trade-union monopoly. The pledge to restore prewar practices can not fairly apply to industries built up since the war began. 1 Such industries as aircraft, optical glass and scientific instrument making, and various special branches of the engineering trade were hardly carried on at all in this country before the war, except in a purely experimental fashion. In the enormous developments which have taken place in them during the last few years, a new set of conditions have grown up, the most notable of which is the employment of women. This change in conditions has taken place since the time when the Government gave its pledge, and some account of it ought surely to be taken by the trade-union leaders. I t would seem unreasonable that because it was not the custom to employ women in shipbuilding before the war, it should be made illegal to employ them in lens grinding after the war.1 The women point out that they will not be the only ones to suffer under this bill. If turned out of the new trades there will be nothing left to them but a return to the prewar sweated trades formerly open to women, which will mean not only unspeakable hardship to the women, but a serious loss of productive power to the nation. In introducing the bill, Sir Kobert Horne said that there were records of between 30,000 and 40,000 departures from prewar customs, and that 75 per cent of these were cases in which women had been allowed to work on machines on which previously men alone were https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis * The Common Cause, June 11,1919. [1021] 34 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. employed, or other departures of that kind. Evidently, then, the women contend, the exclusion of women from these new openings was the principal prewar practice which it was desired to restore. But in 1918, they point out, there were close upon 400,000 women employed in the engineering trades who were not directly substi tuted for men, and who therefore represented an addition to the productive forces of the nation, not a mere substitution of one worker for another. Was it possible to exclude such a body without seri ously impeding output ? Women, they hold, had shown themselves well fitted for many kinds of engineering work; was it in the real interest of the country to refuse to make use of their ability in such lines, and to force them back into occupations already overcrowded ? The labor men in general have objected strenuously to any altera tion or amendment of the bill, and make light of the women’s fears. They maintain that as soon as the bill is passed, the men and em ployers will have to make agreements as to its carrying out and in these the women will be taken care of. Of course, women can not be excluded from such engineering work as they did before the war, but beyond this, the defenders of the bill insist, they may be sure of fair and generous treatment. I find a general agreement among trade-unionists that women’s work in engi neering is certain to increase, and, to say the least of it, a general willingness to accept th at fact. I believe that there is a substantial readiness to come to terms, and to be perfectly fair to the women’s claims.1 Such representations do not satisfy the women, who do not share this complete confidence in the generosity of the men. In effect they say that if the men are so willing to deal fairly with women, why should they object to an amendment exempting from the scope of the bill the new trades which have been built up since the war began, or, in some other way safeguarding women? Their scepti cism lias been increased by several incidents; for instance: At Hapton in Lancashire a magneto industry has recently been established, entirely by the labor of women. It has been very successful; the women like the work, and the local firm which has employed them wishes to go on doing so. But recently there was a mass meeting of the Allied Engineering Trades of the district, and it was decided that on May 24 all females must cease work. The reasons given for this decision were that there was a large amount of unemployment in the engineering trades in the district, and that there was also great general unemployment among men. Of the women employed, some were doing highly skilled work, which the meeting considered ought to be done by the skilled men, and some were doing semi skilled work on small machines which the meeting thought ought to be given to unem ployed semiskilled men.2 This, after all, represented the attitude of the workers of only one locality. Far more significant was the action of the Amalgamated 1 G. D. H. Cole, in the D aily Herald (London), June 20,1919. 2 The Common Cause, May 30,1919. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1022 ] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 35 Society of Engineers, tlie strongest of the engineering federations, which on July 5, 1919, voted to refuse to admit women to its society, on the double ground that the entrance of women in industry inevi tably tends to bring down wages, and that the trades covered by their amalgamation “ were not such that general entry into them by women was conducive to women’s best interests.” 1 In spite, however, of the protests of the spokesmen of the women, the bill passed, without serious amendment, its third reading in the House of Commons shortly before Parliament adjourned for its summer recess, and there seemed little probability that it would receive any alterations in the House of Lords. Industrial Conditions in Belgium.2 B EGINNING with March 15, 1919, the Belgian Labor Office resumed the publication of its official organ “ Revue du Travail.” The preface to this first number says: During 52 months the devastation within the country begun by the German armies under the regime of occupation has been systematically continued. The details of that work of economic ruin, dissimulated in so far as possible by the perpetrators, have been gathered or collected in a fragmentary manner only. I t is necessary upon the liberation of the country to institute investigations without delay which will furnish the authorities data to enable them to estimate the extent of the destruction. The investigations undertaken by different bureaus and on different lines are as yet incomplete. Befora taking up the regular course of presenting industrial conditions, the Revue gives a résumé of the situation in which the nation's industrial conditions were found immediately after the enemy evacuated. A series of reports prepared by labor inspectors and other observers will be given. There has been no concerted plan adopted in preparing these reports. They are entirely the work of correspondents, prepared at various times and under different circumstances from notes taken at great risks and perils. They will be looked upon by the enemy with chagrin, as every possible effort has been made to suppress them. In many cases their efforts were successful. I t must be remembered that owing to death, deportation, and exile the office force has been considerably decreased. For all these reasons the work undertaken in these reports will represent but a modest contribution to the study of the ruin wrought in our national industry during the war. Mons. During the first month of the war the coal mines in the Basin of Mons closed. The miners who remained in the district obtained work. About the middle of the following September work was resumed for three days a week. Wages remained the same as before the war. When the scarcity of food began to be felt, work was increased 1Daily Herald (London), July 7,1919. 2Summarized from Revue du Travail, Publiée par le Ministère de l’Industrie, du Travail et du Ravi taillement, Brussels. Mar. 15, 1919. Conversions from francs to United States money have been made in this article on the basis of 1 fr.=19.3 cents. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1023] 36 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. to four or even five days a week, wages were increased, and financial aid was extended to the miners. These measures per mitted them to live under relatively favorable conditions during the period of occupation. At all mines stores selling the most necessary provisions at or below cost were established. Some degree of pro tection was afforded the miners because the Germans were in great need of coal. Besides the miners, employees in cement works and phosphate quarries, and woodmen, were protected. All were com pelled by menaces of every kind to provide material for the enemy. Work was almost normal. A few insignificant strikes were reported. The means of communication were poor and the transportation service encountered the greatest difficulties in providing materials. Nevertheless the operation of gas furnaces and supplies for factories still in operation and fuel for private use were assured. Mining Conditions. The production of coal in 1914 was 3,968,316 short tons; in 1915, 3,637,623 short tons; and in 1916, 4,078,547 short tons. Coal was furnished for domestic consumption at a price below that charged for foreign trade. The mine operators conceded financial and other aid to employees amounting in 1914 and 1915 to 1,300,000 francs ($250,900). In 1915 the central coal office was established for the sale of coal for domestic consumption and in addition for filling requisitions for the German Army. All foreign contracts were canceled. In 1916 the unemployment benefits granted miners became more general and included not only miners but families of miners, soldiers, and school-teachers. During the year such benefits amounted to 4,300,000 francs ($829,900) and in 1917 to 5,600,000 francs ($1,080,800). During 1917 wages were increased 10 per cent in April, 15 per cent in July, and 25 per cent in October. The price of coal was advanced 2 francs (38.6 cents) in July and from 6 to 10 francs ($1.16 to $1.93) in November. The demands of the army were constantly increasing and more and more of the coal produced was held for its use. Wages increased 25 per cent in January in 1918 and 25 per cent in the following July. In March a strike was declared because the Germans were deporting children under 17 years of age. Miners were thereupon arrested and held until they agreed to resume work. About the same time the national food bureau diminished the supply of bread. The Germans, however, made an allowance to the miners. On October 24, 1918, the mines were completely shut down. Horses were brought out of the mines and work was not again resumed till December 15. Some shipments have been made https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1024 ] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 37 by rail, but many of the roads have been destroyed and difficulty has been encountered in reorganizing the railroad system. Ship ment by canal has also been impeded because of the destruction of bridges and locks. After the order to cease mining was issued on October 24, 1918, the Germans removed the mine machinery. It has been necessary to replace this, and in many cases it could not be found until after many weeks of search. No one doubts that the intention of the Germans to blow up the mines was frustrated just in time, and it is said that “only the withdrawal of Ludendorff saved our mines.” The shutdown from October 24 to December 15 worked great injury to the mines. Certain mines suffered greatly. Nearly all have been subject to great damage, inundations, deterioration of machinery, and loss of materials. Almost everything necessary for resuming operations is unobtainable because of the scarcity of supplies, and, if securable, the price is exorbitant. An exodus of miners is seriously considered. As a whole present conditions are much less favorable than generally represented. In various sections coke ovens ceased operations during the war, and the Germans requisitioned most of the product of those still running. The price of coke advanced from 19 francs and 23 francs ($3.67 and $4.44) in August, 1914, to 67.5 francs and 77.5 francs ($13.03 and $14.96) in December, 1918. Even at short distances from the ovens the cost of transportation was doubled; in fact, the purchaser was generally compelled to deliver his own purchases. Phosphate mines were requisitioned by the Germans and new and prepared phosphate could be delivered for domestic purposes only upon the authority of the administration. In some cases the opera tors refused to work their plants, but finally, in order to prevent sequestration and waste, a compromise was made by which 25 per cent of the production was reserved for Belgian agriculture. In other mines and quarries work was abandoned. The Germans took possession of the rolling mills (J emappes), expelled the proprietors, and operated the mills for their own pur poses. Upon the withdrawal of the German troops the railroads were blown up, causing considerable damage to the mills. The rolls and other machinery were dismantled and carried away during the war, and at the time of their departure the Germans carried away the gearings, materials, steel, and tools. The canal upon which the mills depended, owing to the destructive work of the Germans, has been lowered 2 meters (6.6 feet). Time will be required to place the mills in working condition. At Nimy the rolling apparatus was dismantled and shipped to Germany. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1025 ] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 38 Antwerp.1 During March, 1919, the provincial committee of Antwerp pre sented a report to the National Aid and Food Supply Committee in which it summarized the results of an investigation of labor con ditions in that Province. The primary purposes of this investigation were to ascertain (1) the number of persons industrially employed immediately preceding the war, and the number employed in March, 1919; (2) the extent of unemployment due to the demands of the laborers, the lack of raw material, and the destruction or damage to establishments and the removing of machinery; and (3) the measures necessary to resume operation. Fourteen communeswere visited and the industries covered included 15 of the more important groups. The total number of unemployed in these communes was found to be 25,076. The number .of families to which aid was furnished because of unemployment was 18,421, with a total of 66,817 persons benefited. The number of persons working in 14 groups of industry before the war ranged from 20,700 to 21,700; in March, 1919, this number had dwindled to 2,300. Positions were available for 2,800 persons in March, 1919, and it was estimated that positions might be available for 7,400 persons in from 3 to 6 months. A table follows showing the wages paid before the war and in March, 1919, generally for restoration and repair work; also the minimum wages demanded by employees and the wages offered by employers: H O U R LY WAGES BEFORE THE WAR AND IN MARCH, 1919, MINIMUM WAGES DEM ANDED, AND WAGES O FFE R ED B Y EM PLOYERS, PROVINCE OF A N TW E R P, BELGIUM, B Y IN D U STR Y . W a g es o f s k ille d e m p lo y e e s . Industry. Boots and shoes: Before the war. March, 1919. Minimum demanded. C e n ts . C e n ts . C e n ts . 9.65 to 13. 51 16.41 to 24.13 24.13 9.65 to 11.58 14.48 to 16.41 5.79 to 6 IS 9.65 14.48 to 19.30 24.13 19.30 19.30 19.30 24.13 4. 83 to 8.69 7. 72 to 12. 55 Wages offered. 50 per cent in» crease. 50 to 100 per cent. 7.72 to 9. 65 4.83 to 5.40 12.55 to 15.44 Food preparations: Tobacco: 6. 76 2. 70 23.16 Increase.2 9.65 23.16 6. 76 to 11.58 50 per cent in crease. 50 per cent in crease. 3. 86 to 5.79 3.86 to 7.72 3.86 to 9.65 6. 76 to 19.30 • 1 Summarized from Revue du Travail, Brussels, Apr. 1,1919. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1026 ] 19. 30 19.30 19. 30 Increase.* 2 Amount not stated. 39 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. H O U R L Y W AGES B E F O R E THE AVAR A N D IN MARCH, 1919, MINIMUM WAGES D E M ANDED, AND W AGES O F FE R E D B Y EM PLO Y ER S, PROVINCE OF A N T W E R P , BELGIUM , B Y IN D U S T R Y —Concluded. W a g es o f u n s k i ll e d e m p lo y e e s . Industry. Before the war. C e n ts . Shipyards..................................................... 5. 79 to 7. 72 March, 1919. Minimum demanded. C e n ts . C e n ts . 11.58 to 14.48 19. 30 Paper............................................................. 6. 76 to 7. 72 5. 79 to 6. 76 8.69 to 10.62 19.30 24.13 Paper, Gevaert............................................ 7. 72 to 13. .51 13. 51 to 25.09 19.30 Paper, cards................................................. 5.79 to 8.69 12. 55 to 15.44 19.30 to 22.20 6.76 7. 72 4.83 12.55 19.30 Furniture, apprentices.............................. 5. 79 to Diamond working, helpers....................... 9.65 AVages offered. 50 per cent in crease. Increase.1 30 to 50 per cent. 50 to 100 per cent. 50 per cent in crease. Increase.1 Increase.1 1 Amount not stated. Before tlio war the hours of labor were in general from 9 to 10-|, except in establishments working through 24 hours, in which the work was divided into tAvo shifts of 12 hours each. At the present time 8 to 10 hours constitute a day’s work. The report says that all employers agree to an increase of wages and generally are offering 50 per cent increase; and in some branches of industry 100 per cent increase is offered. In some instances these increases are to be considered as a compensation for the high cost of living and, because of the uncertainty of future working conditions, are not to be considered permanent. The demand of common labor for a minimum wage of 1 franc (19.3 cents) per hour is considered excessive and unreasonable. There seems to be no difficulty as regards the fixing of hours constituting a day’s work. Employers are generally willing to establish a basis of 9 or 10 hours and nonunion labor is quite favor ably disposed to accept that schedule. In establishments working day and night the question of three shifts provokes some discord. There is a lively opposition manifested everywhere by employers to the demands for a recognition of the union. The employers are willing to discuss labor conditions with their employees but not with foreign organizations Avhich at times impose conditions not desired even by the employees. ^he destruction of establishments and the damage to, or removal of, machinery and apparatus, render a resumption of work impos sible under 6 months; and certain of the more important establish ments will require one or two years of reconstruction work. Causes of Unemployment. Besides the physical conditions of the establishments the principal cause of unemployment is lack of raw materials, especially fuel. Other causes are: (a) OAving to the violent fluctuation in the market, https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [10271 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 40 manufacturers hesitate to lay in a stock of materials and to ac cept contracts; and, in some cases, demands are so meager that the manufacturer must sell goods at great discount, (b) Lack of capital in small factories, (c) Uncertainty as to recovery of damages. The law for fixing damages designates that the value of 1914 shall be taken as the basis, with provision for adding somewhat to this value, but does not definitely determine the percentage to be added. As the price of articles has tripled and quadrupled it becomes a subject of great importance to the manufacturer who would rees tablish his plant, (d) The impossibility of completing and filling a large number of contracts partly executed when the war began, without compensation for the greatly increased cost of production which is caused by the extremely excessive prices of materials. Measures Necessary for Resumption. In order to bring about a resumption of business there should be distribution of clothing and shoes, increase in rations, organization of trains and tramways for laborers, the reissue of laborers’ coupons on tramways, and an issue of coupons for use of the unemployed in search of work. Other measures necessary are: Return of machinery, machines, accessories, etc., removed by the Germans (the location of much of which is known); financial advances on merchandise requisitioned by the Germans; importation of motors, electric apparatus, and copper removed, or at least materials necessary to replace them; modification of exportation regulations; regulations favoring importation of articles of prime necessity (especially manu factures) ; and the development of means of communication. Ghent.1 Ghent, recognized as the principal textile center, and an important manufacturing and commercial city, suffered severely from the almost complete closing of the frontiers and the suppression of all transportation and maritime commerce. This was principally due to the occupation of the country by the German army, but there were other causes, both general and specific, which produced a state of industrial inactivity in most of the industries. All have been more or less affected by requisition, seizure or removal of raw materials, manufactures, machinery, machines, tools, and electrical apparatus, gearings, copper vessels, printing presses, stocks of leather, rubber, copper, nickel, tin, and articles made from them, the disappearance of oils and lubricants, requisitions of horses, auto»Summarized for Revue du Travail, Brussels, Apr. 1, 1919, and June 15, 1919. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1028 ] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 41 mobiles and trucks, and the failure to make payment for this mass of materials requisitioned. The industrial situation was also seriously affected by lack of a supply of fuel, increasing difficulties of transportation by rail, boat, or wagon, the seizure of chicory, beets, agricultural products, grains, etc., the interdiction of trans porting cereals, potatoes, etc., and prohibition of the slaughtering of cattle and hogs. Unemployment. In the city of Ghent unemployment has increased in the later months, and in June, 1919,-was greater than during the German occu pation. Statistics relative to the amount of aid extended by the national committee clearly indicate the increase. In August, 1915, unemployment benefits were being paid to 32,682 persons support ing 60,285 persons in all. In February, 1916, the numbers had in creased to 38,490 and 77,189, respectively; and in May, 1917, the number receiving unemployment grants was 42,568, with a total of 81,157 persons benefited. It should be stated that following May, 1917, the German officers required the population to perform labor, with the result that in September, 1918, the number of families to which benefits were paid dropped to 28,320, with 58,588 persons affected. A year later, in September, 1918, the figures again showed a larger number of unemployed, the families then receiving benefits ^ numbering 32,267 and the persons affected numbering 82,722. Unemployment reached its maximum during the German retire ment when operations ceased in all industries formerly controlled by them. For the week of November 11, 1918, 36,617 families with 98,218 persons were in receipt of funds, since which time there has been a decrease. Early in April, 1919, the number of families in receipt of aid was 31,322, with 79,561 persons affected. In normal times the number of employees affiliated with the unemployment fund is approximately 15,000, and in 1913 the number of days of unemployment amounted to 49,361. During the last five months of 1914 the number of days lost wras 496,463, and for the four years following, 1,779,741, 2,790,986, 3,314,108, and 3,433,421, respectively. In 1914 the average un employment per month was one-third of a day for each employee to whom benefits wTere paid. This average gradually increased until in May, 1917, it reached 18 days. In November, 1917, it was 15 days; in April, 1918, 11J days; in November, 1918, 20 days; and in April, 1919, 18 days per member. Incomplete reports for May and June indicate a further decrease. In April, 1919, of 16,635 mem bers of unions, 8,986 were entirely unemployed, and 1,753 were par tially without employment, making 10,739 persons unemployed, caus https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1029 ] 42 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. ing a loss of 238,438 days. The following table shows the number of days of unemployment per member, by industries: DAYS OF UNEM PLOYM ENT PE R MEMBER OF F U N D PE R Y EAR , 1913 TO APR IL, 1919. 1919 Industry. 1913 2.0 1.9 .8 4.0 4.0 7.3 .1 1.9 1914 Spinning, cotton..................................... W eaving.................................................... F lax ........................................................... Metal working......................................... Woodworking.......................................... Building.................................................... Clothing.................................................... Printing, etc............................................ Clerks, etc................................................. Not classified............................................ 1.3 39.8 34.0 6.9 40.0 42.2 42.5 6.3 49.1 5.4 6.6 Total............................................... 2.2 23.4 .6 1915 1916 1917- 1918 130.9 67.6 86.7 55.1 63.3 50.3 30.4 91.8 11.9 52.5 216.5 187.0 197.8 53.0 56.9 09.3 123.6 92.6 19.8 115. 6 222.7 231.0 205.7 65.6 63.5 114.3 170.6 91.4 19.0 125.5 212.4 205.9 190.6 60.5 66.8 76.1 163.6 80.1 9.8 130.3 53.7 259.5 263.1 210.6 127.5 103.5 53.4 110.4 71.3 15.3 161.1 OS. 7 138.0 153.3 145.2 62.2 186.6 Esti Four mated for months. year. 86.5 87.7 70.2 42.5 34.5 17.6 38.6 27.1 0. 1 Even had there been work for all at the beginning of 1919, the dis cussion of the conditions for resumption of labor would have been incessant. From the latter part of November employees in certain branches of industry had been debating conditions of resumption, and disturbances had been in progress to prevent nonunion men from filling positions which union men had refused to accept until nego tiations between employers and employees were ended. Up to the end of May there was not a week without strikes and conflicts, nego tiations, and arbitration. These were practically ended by the close of May, and for the first time in the industrial history of Ghent, union officials were granted the right to deal with employers in nearly all trades, for the purpose of determining the conditions of labor. Generally speaking the conditions under which work was to bo resumed were: 100 to 200 per cent increase in wages over the stand ard paid before the war, with wages from 0.75 franc (14.5 cents) to 1 franc (19.3 cents) per hour for common labor, 1.25 francs (24.1 cents) to 1.50 francs (29 cents) for skilled labor, and often a bonus to compensate for the high cost of living. The hours of labor were fixed at nine per day. Unionism. There has been a continuously accentuated movement in favor of unionism, which has resulted in an unprecedented membership. The textile industry, which is almost completely organized, reported a large increase in membership—from 13,618 to 20,402, or 49.8 per cent. During the German occupation meetings of labor organizations were prohibited. Their activities were greatly reduced but clandes tine meetings were held and members made valiant efforts to pre https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [10301 MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW. 43 serve their respective organizations, and the spirit of unionism was maintained. During the first weeks after evacuation the assemblies held throughout the country and the meetings of representatives of labor have attested a vitality even stronger than before the war. The seventeenth congress of the Labor Union Party and inde pendent unions was held at Brussels on January 12 and 13, 1919. The following demands were made to become applicable immediately: Laborers will refuse to accept any work until an S-bour day out of a 24-hour day is agreed upon, with the English week, i. e., Saturday afternoon off, and an increase of 100 per cent above prewar wages, and a minimum wage per hour of 1 franc [19.3 cents] for unskilled labor and 1.25 francs [24.1 cents] for skilled labor. That an active propaganda in the whole country be waged to secure necessary reforms, including effective laws concerning social, unemployment, sickness, accident and old-age insurance. That these reforms be inserted in the treaty of peace. That the Minister of Labor shall be petitioned to obtain an immediate revision of the order relating to inspection service, so that labor may be directly represented. It is made the duty of all organizations of labor to oppose all sys tems of wages involving premiums, piecework, task, and even profit sharing, and in general every method of remuneration other than a daily, weekly, or monthly wage. Coal Mines. The coal mines were closed for a period of 6 weeks after the armis tice. Work when resumed was somewhat irregular, certain mines being operated but 3 days per week; but the situation has recently improved to some extent. Some mines are working 6 days per week, but with a reduced force. There is a good market, but transpor tation is difficult. Railroads are not in a position to furnish either the motive power or cars, and transportation by water, which had been the principal means for shipment, is impracticable until navi gation is reestablished. The last increase in price of coal was made February 1, 1919. In the meantime wages had been increased 25 per cent. The price of coal, “ run of mine,” is about 60 francs ($11.98) per ton (2,204 pounds). The price after the close of the war of 1870 was not higher than 40 francs ($7.72). In some sections the miners have adopted a new plan of organiza tion by forming large unions after the English system. In 1912 unions were formed for each commune, with a district federation. The war reduced the number of members from 14,000 in 1914 to 4,000 or 5,000 paying dues in support of an insurance fund. The congress of miners in January last decided to form a national fund, as well as a strike fund for each basin. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1031} 44 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Arbitration of Labor Disputes.1 The Minister of Labor, under date of March 4, 1919, directed all labor inspectors to take cognizance of labor disputes, and immediately to get in contact with employers and employees or their representa tives in cases where there is reason to believe that disputes threaten to cause a suspension of operation. Their first duty is to determine the cause of disputes and then to propose arbitration, it being understood that each party shall agree to resume work during the process of arbitration. The following bodies may be proposed as arbitrators: (1) The council of labor and industry; (2) district committees, consisting of an equal number of employers and employees, recently formed to supervise the newly established labor exchange; and (3) the recently formed provincial supervisory committee. This last body is charged with the duties of arbitration in cases where the district arbitration board fails to reach a decision. The Government orders that should the employees refuse arbitra tion, payment of benefits by local aid committees shall cease; but if the employers so refuse then the payment of unemployment bene fits shall continue. Effect of the Revolution on Labor, Output, and Costs of Production in Germany. HE German Industrial and Trade Conference has submitted to the National Assembly the results of an inquiry among itg members as to direct and indirect effects of the revolution on the conditions of labor and consequently on the production and exchange of goods. The Deutsche Wirtschaftszeitung2 publishes the following summary of this highly significant compilation: T Wage Agitations. Increases of wages have taken place everywhere. The figures mentioned show great variation, the advances being between 15 and 100 per cent over the wages paid before the revolution, and between 60 per cent and 400 per cent over the prewar wages. Considerable extra expenditure in wages was due to the introduction of the eight-hour day,3 and in industries which were thereby compelled to employ a third shift it amounted to not less than 50 per cent of the wages previously paid. Many reports state that the wage agitations are by no means ended, and that further demands are being made or expected. i Revue du Travail, Brussels, Mar. 15,1919. *Deutsche Wirtschaftszeitung, Berlin, May 1,1919. ‘See M onthly L abo r R e v ie w for May, 1919, pp. 213-215. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1032] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 45 Wage Strikes. Apart from the great stoppages of work in the coal districts and in the large industrial centers, strikes for higher wages are only reported in isolated cases. Firms in many cases emphasize the fact that they voluntarily agreed to the demands of their workmen in order to avoid cessation of work and the consequently still greater losses. Few of the chambers of commerce express an opinion on th e question as to whether the wages paid or demanded were justified in view of the cost of living, and the few replies hereon take the view th at they were excessive. As regards their effect on the profitableness and continuance of the industries, the general opinion was th at the wage demands were incompatible therewith and in some cases quite ruinous. Complaints were made of the inclination of the workmen to disregard wage agreements made and to p u t for ward further demands in spite of binding, written settlements. A ttention is frequently called to the fact th at the incitement to exaggerated demands was given by ill-advised measures of the Government, special allusion being made to the increase in the railway men’s wages and the fixing of shipyard workers’ wages by the demobilization office, the high rates granted having given rise to difficulties w ith workers in other trades. The salaries of employees have also been everywhere increased. Owing to the rein statement of returned soldiers, there is almost everywhere a surplus of clerks, and their maintenance has necessitated considerable sacrifices on the part of the industries. Curtailment of the Hours of Labor. The eight-hour day has everywhere been carried into effect. In many cases it is reported that its introduction was not severely felt, because the shortage of raw mate rials and coal in many places has led to a reduction of working hours even to under eight w ithout official regulation. Apart from this, however, it is stated from Cassel, Chemnitz, Frankfort on the Oder, Plauen, and Dortmund, th at the workers have demanded further reductions to 46 hours and less per week, and have partially suc ceeded therein. From Bayreuth and Frankfort on the Main the view is expressed th at the variety of the economic conditions and the difference of the requirements in individual branches of industry make any uniform regulation of the hours of labor quite unworkable. Augsburg, Elberfeld, Frankfort on the Main, and Pforzheim think th at the eight-hour day can be maintained in Germany only if it is introduced internationally, and from Elberfeld it is added that any international uniform regula tion should apply only to those industries in which the eight-hour day appears neces sary for the good health of the workers. Dim inution of Intensity o f Work. The assurance given in the past by the workers’ representatives when demanding a reduction of working hours, th at such reduction would in no case involve diminution of production, has undoubtedly not been borne out. The reports are almost unani mous that production has fallen off in most cases not only in proportion to the reduction in hours of labor, b u t even considerably beyond this, owing to less intensity in work. The reports from Altenburg and Stolp are more favorable, b u t only w ith respect to part of the industries in these districts. In No. 30 of the official publication, Die Wirtschaftliche Demobilmachung, there is a report from the Central Information Bureau: “ Everywhere disinclination to work is reported; only West Prussia advises greater willingness for work.” Among the reasons for the lessening of the intensity of labor, chief place is given to the abolition of piecework wages, also the excitement aroused by the political conditions, the altered conception of the relations between employers and workers, the insufficient nourishment, the long abstention from regular work, and the less apprehension of dismissal on account of the high unemployment 138517°—19- https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis -4 [1033] 46 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. grants. As to the extent of the diminution, the estimates vary considerably. The most reliable figures come from the coal mining industry, which puts the reduction in output at 40 per cent. Other estimates vary between 20 and 50 per cent. Greater decreases are reported by the potash mines of the Hildesheim district (at least 60 per cent), and the Rottweil scientific apparatus industry (90 per cent). Concerning the effect of the abolition of piecework wages, a Kiel shipyard states th at a gang of workmen fitted, on piecework, 32 rivets, as against 19 in the same time when paid by the day. A driller bored on piecework 100 holes per hour, and on daily wage 39. A smith required on piecework 3 working hours to produce a valve, and on daily wage 4 hours. On the whole, the shipyard puts the diminution in output in the shops at 20 to 25 per cent, and in outside work at 40 to 50 per cent. The Eidelstedt Wire Works, near Hamburg, says that the wiredrawers produced on piecework about 950 kilograms [2,094.4 pounds] of a specified kind of wire in 9J hours, while on daily wage only about 600 kilograms [1,322.8 pounds] were produced in 8 hours. The Elbing firm, Loeser & Wolff, states, however, th a t it has not noted any decrease in output by its workmen, who were formerly on piecework. A sawmill in the Ravensburg district reports th at for unloading a car in war tim e 4 workmen required 3 hours, while now 6 workmen take 2 days. The unwillingness of the younger workmen to work is specially complained of. An Altona firm writes th at they regard work as a condescension on their part, and raise all sorts of objections, such as refusal to work in the open during rain, even if the rain is only slight, or if the factory is not warm enough, or to work faster than would suit a convalescent, or to take orders from any foreman. Influence on Output, Profits, and A bility to Compete. That the above-described conditions, in conjunction w ith the lack of coal and raw materials and the transport difficulties, have most seriously prejudiced the production of goods is emphasized from all sides. Plauen says th at, practically, one can no longer speak of a production in th e economic sense. In all directions a decline in produc tion is noted, computed in many cases at 30 to 40 per cent under th e prerevolution output. There is general agreement th a t in these circumstances there can hardly be any question of the profitableness of the industries. A Duisburg machinery works writes th a t the disbursements for wages rose from an average of 1,052 marks 1 per workroom in October, 1918, to an average of 1,524 marks in December, 1918, an advance of 45 per cent, and figuring for a whole year, this increase in wages would require an amount double the net profit of the best war year, and thrice th e sum of the profits of the three best peace years. From Berlin figures are forwarded from companies which show th at many times the dividends paid would be required to satisfy the present wage demands of the workmen, and the directors consider i t absolutely impossible to earn these wages or dividends by raising their selling prices correspondingly. An Essen company puts its increased expense at seventeen times th e former dividend, and a Duisburg firm writes th a t from its own standpoint it would be best to close down its works in order to avoid the heavy monthly losses the firm is incurring. Frank fort on the Main remarks th a t in the case of many establishments their shutting down is only a question of tim e. The Peiner Rolling Mills compute th e Wage outlay per ton of crude steel in October, 1918, at 14.82 marks, in November at 26.88 marks, and in December a t 41.26 marks. The Harburg jute industry states as an instance of the rise in production costs through increased wages th a t 1 kilogram [2.2 pounds] of yarn and 1 kilogram of fabric before the war cost 11 and 10.4 pfennigs respectively, whereas in December, 1918, the cost rose to 64.8 and 40.4 pfennigs respectively. 1 Owing to the greatly depreciated value of the mark, conversions into United States money are not made in this article. Normally the value of the mark is 23.8 cents. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1034 ] MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW. 47 Complaints are general th a t the incessant wage agitation and the political uncer tainty make regular calculations impossible, and the unanimous opinion is th at a continuance of present conditions will render it impracticable to compete w ith foreign industries, and th a t German exporting industries, such as the textile and chemical industries, will be ruined. Frankfort on th e .Main reports th at America especially has accumulated stocks during the war and will, as soon as ship room is obtainable, flood Europe w ith her production. Even under former conditions, American manu factures, for instance, machinery, were frequently cheaper than German goods, but in view of the enormous advances in prices of German products, mostly due to the large increases in wages, this will be far more the case in the future. In th e German steel industry, for example, the reopening of the frontiers is looked forward to with the apprehension of early and complete ruin, as the industry in the E ntente countries is even now making deliveries in the occupied territory at considerably lower prices. Many reports are being received of unfavorable experiences in foreign markets. Pforz heim reports th a t numerous foreign orders in the fancy goods industry have been can celed, owing to prices being too high. Dessau writes th a t several machinery factories state th a t in Holland and Switzerland decidedly cheaper offers have been made from England and America, and also from Sweden, and a Duisburg machinery factory writes th a t deliveries to foreign countries appear to be impracticable, as English works, with which they competed very successfully during the war, are now able to sell 331 per cent cheaper than they. The factory’s agents in Holland for mining machinery informed the factory at the beginning of January th a t not only their prices but German prices generally were much too high. The above depicts such a state of things as must fill every reflective mind with grave anxiety as to the future, and no one can avoid the conviction expressed by the German Industrial and Trade Conference th a t any further advance on such disastrous lines must bring industry and trade, and inevitably also the entire country and the entire German nation quickly not only to the brink, but over the precipice of ruin. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1035] PRICES AND COST OF LIVING. Retail Prices of Food in the United States. HE retail price of 22 articles 1 of food combined for which consumption weights are secured by the Bureau, increased 1 per cent in the United States in August as compared with July, and 3 per cent as compared with December, 1918. Since last month, the 5 cuts of beef show a slight decrease for the United States as a whole, but in the cases of individual cities there are several instances where an increase is shown. Of the total number of arti cles for which prices are obtained, 18, for which comparison may be made for the year period, cost less in August than they cost in July. Onions declined 20 per cent; cabbage, 15 per cent; plate beef and lamb, 5 per cent each; chuck roast, 4 per cent; sirloin steak, round steak, and rib roast, 3 per cent each; bacon, flour, corn flakes, baked beans, canned corn, canned peas, and canned tomatoes, 1 per cent each. Hens, Cream of Wheat, and bananas declined less than fivetenths of 1 per cent. Lard was the same price in August as in July. Twenty-four articles increased in price since last month: Eggs and rice, 6 per cent each; Crisco, potatoes, and raisins, 4 per cent each; evaporated and fresh milk, coffee, and prunes, 3 per cent each; pork chops, butter, corn meal, rolled oats, navy beans, and sugar, 2 per cent each; canned salmon, oleomargarine, cheese, bread, macaroni, and oranges, 1 per cent each. Ham, nut margarine, and tea show an increase of less than five-tenths of 1 per cent. The increase of the 22 articles 1 of food, combined, for the year period, August, 1918, to August, 1919, was 12 per cent. Of the 28 articles for which prices for August 15, 1918, are given, 21 were higher on August 15, 1919, than on the former date, the increase ranging from 60 per cent for prunes to 1 per cent for sirloin steak. Seven articles decreased during this period. f 1 Sirloin steak, round steak, rib roast, chuck roast, plate beef, pork chops, bacon, ham, lard, hens, flour, corn meal, eggs, butter, milk, bread, potatoes, sugar, cheese, rice, coffee, tea. 48 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1036] 49 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, A V ER A G E R E T A IL PRICE A N D PE R CENT OF INCREASE OR DECR EA SE AUG. 15, 1919, COMPARED W ITH AUG. 15, 1918, A N D JULY 15, 1919. Average retail price on— Article. Unit. Per cent of in crease (+) or decrease (—) Aug. 15, 1919, compar e d with— Aug. 15, July 15, Aug. 15, Aug. 15, July 15, 1918. 1919. 1919. 1918. 1919. Sirloin steak.................................... ........ Pound__ .. .do........ Butter.. r.......... ......... ......... .................. Pound__ ...do........ Cents. 41.5 39.6 32. 6 28.3 21.7 42.2 54.0 48.5 36.9 38.6 30.2 13.6 53.9 34. 6 33. 1 Eggs, strictly fresh.................................... Dozen.... Bread....................................................... Found4... Flour....................................................... Pound__ .. .do........ 53. 6 9.9 6.8 0.8 13. 4 17.1 3.9 5.5 Sugar, granulated..................................... Pound__ 9.3 65. 8 30.1 17.1 15.3 Cents. 43.4 40.7 33. 5 27.7 20.3 40.2 58.1 56.7 38.2 42.0 32.1 15. 0 15.9 62.8 41.9 35.7 43.0 42.0 38.9 56.6 10.0 7.5 6.5 8.7 14.1 25.2 19.3 14. 6 12.1 4.8 9.8 6.2 17.3 19. 3 19.2 16.1 10.9 70.5 46.2 20.5 17.3 39.2 53.4 Cents. 42.1 39.5 32. 4 26.6 19.3 46.9 57.7 50.9 36.4 41.8 32.3 15.5 10.3 64.1 42.5 35.8 43.5 42.0 40.5 60.2 10.1 7.4 6.6 8.9 14.0 25.1 19. 4 15. 5 12. 3 5.0 7.8 5.3 17.1 19.1 19.1 15.9 11.1 70.7 47.8 27.4 18.0 39.1 53.7 + 1 (') —1 - 6 -11 +11 + 7 +17 —1 + 8 + 7 + 14 + 19 + 26 +27 + 12 + 2 + 9 —3 + 2 —1 —5 (i) (2) + + + + + 1 3 3 2 1 (2) + 1 (3) + 4 + 6 + 1 - 1 + 2 + 2 —1 (i) + 10 —28 +28 +42 + 19 + 7 + 59 + 00 + 18 + 12 1 Decrease of less than five-tenths of 1 per cent. 2 Increase of less than five-tenths of 1 per cent. 3 —3 3 —4 —5 + 1 + 6 + 2 + 4 —20 —1 —1 —1 —1 + 2 (2) + 3 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 1 (i) 3 No change in price. Baked weight. 4 During the six-year period, August, 1913, to August, 1919, the price of 22 articles of food combined shows a 91 per cent increase. Articles increasing 100 per cent or over are: Ham, 100 per cent; bacon, 105 per cent; pork chops, 115 per cent; corn meal, 120 per cent; flour, 124 per cent; lard, 161 per cent; and potatoes, 163 per cent. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1037] 50 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, A V ER A G E R E TA IL PRICE A N D P E R CENT OF INC R EA SE OR D ECREASE AUG. IS QE EACH SPEC IFIE D Y E A R COMPARED W ITH AUG. 15, 1913. Average retail price Aug. 15— - Article. Unit. Per cent of increase (+) or de crease (—) Aug. 15 of each specified year compared with Aug. 15, 1913. 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 C ts . Pound__ 26.5 . Round steak............ ...do........ 23.3 Rib roast................. .. -do........ 20.1 16.5 ...do........ 12.2 Pork chops............. o.-do........ 21.8 28.1 28.5 18.9 Hens....................... 21.5 Salmon (canned)...... 8.8 Milk, evaporated(un- 15-16 oz. sweetened). can. Pound__ 35.5 Oleomargarine......... Nut margarine......... Cheese__ i ............ 22.0 Lard................... 16.1 Crisco...................... Eggs, strictly fresh... Dozen.!... 33.0 Pound 2... 5.6 Flour...................... Pound__ 3.3 Corn meal............... 3.0 Rolled cats.............. Corn flakes.............. 8 oz. pkg.. Cream of Wheat...... 28 oz. pkg. Macaroni............... Pound__ Rice........................ 8.7 Beans, n a v y ................ Potatoes.................. Onions.................... Cabbage.................. Beans, baked........... No.2can.. Corn, canned........... Peas, canned....... Tomatoes, canned__ Sugar, granulated__ Pound__ T ea............................. Coffee................... Prunes.................... Raisins.............. Bananas............... Dozen..... Oranges................... 22 weighted articles combined. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis C ts . C ts . 26.5 23.8 20.4 16.7 12.3 21.6 27.0 26.2 20.5 20.5 19.8 8.9 8.8 27.8 25.2 21.4 18.1 13.1 25.0 28.7 29.1 20.6 22.2 C ts . 28.4 25.7 21.8 17.7 12.9 24.3 29.3 32.6 23.1 23.8 20.2 9.0 C ts . 32.9 30.8 25.5 21.7 17.2 34.4 43.0 39.5 29.7 27.9 27.1 11.4 C ts . 41.5 39.6 32.6 28.3 21.7 42.2 54.0 48.5 36.9 38.6 30.2 13.6 36.2 33.5 36.6 47.6 53.9 22.8 22.7 24.5 32.8 34.6 15.6 14.0 21.0 27.7 33.1 33.4 30.4 36.4 46.0 53.6 6.3 7.1 7.2 20.2 9.9 3.5 4.0 4.4 7.5 6.8 3.2 3.3 3.3 6.6 6.8 8.8 9.1 7.6 1.9 1.9 1.4 3.1 9.1 12.1 2.5 5.0 10.6 19.2 3.6 4.6 13.4 17.1 3.9 5.5 5.6 7.8 6.7 8.5 54.4 54.7 54.6 54.6 29.8 29.7 29.9 29.9 13.5 13.4 12.5 12.8 9.9 60.2 30.5 16.2 14.8 9.3 65.8 30.1 17.1 15.3 CIS. 42.1 39.5 32.4 26.6 19.3 46.9 57.7 56.9 36.4 41.8 32.3 15.5 16.3 64.1 42.5 35.8 43.5 42.0 40.5 60.2 10.1 7.4 6.6 8.9 14.0 25.1 19.4 15.5 12.3 5.0 7.8 5.3 17.1 19.1 19.1 15.9 11.1 70.7 47.8 27 4 18.0 39.1 53.7 + 5 + 8 + 6 + 10 + 7 + 15 + 2 + 2 + 9 + 3 C1) + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 1 - 4 - 8 + 8 - 5 24 + 32 + 27 + 32 + 41 + 58 + 53 + 39 + 57 + 30 + 57 + 59 70 4- 70 62 + 61 72 + 61 78 + 58 94 +115 92 4-105 70 + 100 95 + 93 80 + 94 + 2 + 30 4- 55 + 76 + 1 0) + 2 - 6 + 3 + 34 + 52 + 81 + 4 + 3 +ii + 49 + 57 + 98 - 3 -13 +30 + 72 + 106 + 161 + 1 + 13 + 6 + 7 - 8 + 27 +21 + 10 + 10 + 39 + 62 4- 82 +29 + 82 + 77 + 80 +33 4-127 + 106 + 124 + 10 + 120 + 127 + 120 + 1 + 5 + 5+ 22 + 54 + 78 0) -26 +32 + 89 + 105+ 163 +39 +20 + 52 + 77 + 66 + 98 + 1 (3) (3) + 11 + 21 + 30 (4) (3) (3) + 2 + 1 + 60 + 6 - 1 No change in price. 3 Baked weight. 3 Increase of less than five-tenths of 1 per cent. * Decrease of less than five-tenths of 1 per cent. [1038] + 7+ + 10 + + 8+ + 7+ + 6+ + 11 + + 4+ + 14 + +22 + + 11 + 1 + 13+ 48 + 70 + 91 51 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. R ELA T IV E R E TA IL PRICES OF FOOD IN THE U N IT E D STA TES ON JU LY 15 A N D AUG. 15, 1919, A N D AUG. 15, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, A N D 1918. [The relative price is the per cent that the average price on the 15th of'each month is of the average price for the year 1913.] 1919 Article. Aug. 15— Unit. Julv Aug. 15. 15. Sirloin steak........................................................ Pound. . Chuck roast......................................................... Milk....................................................................... Q uart... B u t t e r ............................................................... P o u n d .. Cheese.................................................................... Eggs, strictly fresh............................................ D ozen ... Bread.................................................................... Pound1. Flour...................................................................... P o u n d .. 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 171 183 169 173 168 220 215 211 197 169 164 195 266 164 175 227 217 168 282 198 130 155 166 177 164 166 160 223 214 212 196 174 167 197 266 174 177 224 220 178 294 202 130 160 104 104 102 103 101 104 105 106 101 99 92 100 102 96 100 101 100 100 109 102 100 100 110 113 108 109 107 119 107 108 104 100 94 103 99 96 112 106 105 101 111 143 101 100 104 107 104 103 101 103 100 98 97 99 88 103 89 88 126 124 108 104 82 123 100 101 112 115 m no 107 116 108 121 112 101 95 111 133 105 128 134 110 105 141 155 100 100 130 138 129 136 134 164 160 147 131 128 124 148 176 134 182 229 219 122 206 181 111 102 163 178 165 J77 179 201 200 180 181 153 141 157 209 155 174 206 227 154 229 169 121 101 190 192 101 107 100 113 149 171 A ll articles com bined........................................ 1 Baked weight. Retail Prices of 22 Articles of Food, Combined, for the United States, by Months. The chart on page 52 shows the curve in the retail cost of 22 1 of the most essential foods, for the United States for each month from January, 1913, to and including August, 1919. The logarithmic chart is used because the percentages of increase or decrease are more clearly seen than on an arithmetic chart.2 From September, 1915, there has been a steady increase in the cost of these 22 articles of food. Until July, 1919, December, 1918, rep resented the highest point in the cost. In January, 1919, there was a slight decrease and in February there was a decline of 7 per cent. Since February, the line moved upward, showing less than one-half of 1 per cent drop in June. In July there was an increase of 3 per cent, which month then became the high-water mark. In August, however, there was a further increase of 1 per cent, making the cost in August more than in any previous month. 1 See footnote on p. 48. 2 For a discussion of the logarithmic chart, see article on Comparison of Arithmetic and Ratio Charts, by Lucian W. Chaney, M onthly L a b o r R e v ie w for March, 1919, pp. 20-34; also The “ R atio” Chart, by Prof. Irving Fisher, reprinted from Quarterly Publications of the American Statistical Association, June, 1917, 24 pp. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1039] CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF 22 ARTICLES OF FOOD IN THE U N ITED STATES, BY MONTHS, JA N U A RY , 1913, TO AUGUST, 1919. [A verage for 1 9 1 3 = 1 0 0 .] to MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW L1040] https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Or MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 53 Effort is made by the Bureau to secure quotations on similar grades of commodities in the different cities. There are, however, some local customs which must be considered when any comparison is made of the prices in the different cities. The method of cutting sirloin steak in Boston, Mass.; Manchester, N. H.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Providence, R. I.; and Portland, Me., differs from that in other cities. The cut known as “ sirloin” in these five cities would be in other cities known as “ porterhouse.” There is in these cities, owing to the methods of dividing the round from the loin, no cut that corresponds to that of “ sirloin” in other cities. There is also a greater amount of trimming demanded by the retail trade in these cities than in others. This is particularly true of Providence, R. I. These, together with the fact that the beef sold in these cities is of better grade, are the main reasons why the retail prices of beef in these cities are higher than in others. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1041] 54 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, AVER A G E R E T A IL PRICES OF THE PR IN C IPA L ARTICLES OF FOOD ON [The prices shown in the tables following are computed from reports sent m onthly to the Bureau by retail Atlanta, Ga. Article. Unit. August 15— Baltimore, Md. August 15— July Aug July Aug. 15, 15, C ts . 1913 1914 1917 1918 1919. 1919 1913 1914 1917 1918 1919. 1919. Sirloin steak..................................... Round stea k .................................... R ib roast................................. Chuck roast...................................... Plate beef......................................... C ts. C ts. C ts. C ts. C ts. C ts. C ts. C ts. 25.0 21.5 20. 1 15.5 9.4 C ts. C ts. C ts . L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. 27.6 23.4 20. f 17.1 10.9 31. 1 27.8 22.9 19.6 15.7 39.6 36.5 31. S 25.1 21.8 40.7 38.3 31.4 24.4 18.4 39.5 37.5 29.9 23.8 19.4 24.3 23.0 19.3 16.0 12.6 27.0 25.2 20.4 17.0 14.5 33.2 32.2 25.8 23.0 16.2 46. 5 45.7 36.6 31.3 24.2 44.3 42.7 42.8 41.1 34.3 33.7 28.1 28. 22.3 21.6 Pork chops....................................... B acon................................................ Ham .................................................. Lamb................................................. H ens............................ ...................... L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. 23.5 32.1 31.1 19.4 20.2 26.8 33.6 33.1 20.8 21.8 33.4 42.1 40.5 28.8 23.2 42.4 57.8 50.1 37.1 35.3 42.9 61.0 55.7 40.0 36.4 44.3 61.0 57.1 38.8 37.3 19.3 26.3 34.5 18.3 21.2 23.2 24.4 33.5 21.0 21.7 35.2 42.2 42.8 29.5 29.5 46.0 51.3 54.3 41.6 42.7 48.9 53.7 6 0 .5 38.6 46.9 Salmon (canned)............................ Milk, fresh____' .............................. Milk, evaporated (unsweetened). B utter............................................... Oleomargarine................................. L b .. 23.1 25. 6 27. 4 26. 8 25 7 26.8 28.8 28.7 Q t.. 10.0 10.0 13.3 20.0 20.0 20.0 8.8 8.7 10.8 13.0 14.0 15.0 16.5 17.0 15.8 16.1 (2) L b .. 37.1 37.7 49.7 57.9 68.3 69.1 36.7 37.3 49.6 56.3 66.0 67. L b .. 43.1 43.1 39.1 39. N ut margarine................................ Cheese................................................ Lard................................................... Crisco................................................ Eggs, strictly fresh......................... L b .. 39.6 L b .. 25.0 25.0 33.4 35.0 42.0 L b .. 16.1 17. C 27.1 34.0 43.3 L b .. 35. 5 Doz. 28.3 30.9 42.4 49.8 48.1 Rolled oats....................................... Bread................................................. Flour.................................................. Corn m eal......................................... Corn flakes........................................ L b .. Lb3. L b .. L b .. (4) 6.0 3.5 2.6 9.9 10.3 5.9 10.2 10.0 10.0 10.0 3.5 7.3 7.1 7.5 7.4 2.9 6.3 5.7 5.8 6.2 13.9 14.1 5.4 3.2 2.5 5.7 3.6 2.5 Cream of W heat............................. Macaroni.......................................^. R ice.................................................. Beans, n a v y ..................................... Potatoes-. - ...................................... (5) L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. 8.6 25. 5 20. 6 8.6 10.7 13.9 14.3 19.0 18.8 14. 3 2.6 4.3 5.1 5.8 25.4 20. 7 16.1 14.1 6.4 9.0 9.0 10.8 13.0 14.3 15.4 18. 6 17 8 12.3 12.5 1.8 2.9 4.2 4.2 4.6 2.3 Onions............................................... Lb Cabbage............................................ L b .. Beans, baked................................... (6) Corn, canned.................................... (e) Peas, panned.................................... (6) 6.1 14.0 12.4 87.7 46.1 17. 5 18.5 21.8 15. 0 15. 6 17. 5 29. 7 52.5 1 8.9 7.6 6.2 9.7 6.9 6.5 1.7 4.6 5.5 14.1 12.1 5.1 7.3 9.5 9.0 87.3 56.0 56.0 62.4 68.5 48.1 24.8 24.4 27.4 28.4 21.8 17. 9 30. 6 59.1 35.0 44. 4 41.9 40.2 55.7 6.9 7 .6 9 .6 9.6 7 .6 7.7 5.8 5. 13.2 13.0 23.1 23.2 16.4 17.6 6. 5 10 5 9 7 8.2 7.3 16. 6 16.3 20. 4 20.1 20. 6 20. 4 Tomatoes, canned.......................... (5) Sugar, granulated........................... L b .. 5.9 8.0 10.7 9.4 T ea...... .............................................. L b .. 60.0 60.0 77.4 8S. 1 Coffee................................................. .L b .. 32.0 33.0 29.8 29.6 Prunes............................................... L b .. R aisins.............................................. L b .. Bananas............................................ Oranges............................................. 1 38.9 35.0 43.2 22.5 23.3 35.2 35.3 43.9 43.7 15.0 14.5 26.8 32.4 41. 2 38. 7 39.8 56.5 27.7 28.6 42.4 49.9 52.7 47.8 53.6 60.6 37.1 46.0 7.7 7.3 5.1 4.6 15.8 15.5 18.8 18.5 IS. 5 17.8 14.6 10.7 73.5 42.9 14.5 10.8 73.9 44.9 15. 9 17 4 27.9 28.3 14.2 15.6 17.1 18.0 | 32.1 32.3 57.3 56.2 1 The steak for which prices are here quoted is known as “ porterhouse” in most of the cities included in this report, but in this city it is called “ sirloin” steak. 2 15-16 ou nce can . https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1042] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 55 AUG. 15,1913,1914, 1917,1918,1919, A N D JU L Y 15,1919, FOR 19 CITIES. dealers. As some dealers occasionally fail to report, the number of quotations varies from month to m onth.] Birmingham, Ala. August 15- July 1913 1914 1917 1918 C ts. 4 1 .4 1919. C ts . Boston, Mass. Buffalo, N . Y. August 15— August 15— July Aug. July Aug. ID, 15, 10, 10, 1919. 1913 1914 1917 1918 1919. 1919. 1913 1914 1917 1918 1919. 1919, Aug. C ts . C ts . C ts . 28.1 22.5 20.6 16.8 10.5 35.5 32.5 26.3 22.0 16.3 42.6 135.8 140.6142.O 157.5 40.2 36.2 37.7 45.2 58.0 34.1 25.6 25.7 31. f 41.0 28.8 18.0 19.2 26. E 33.9 19. E C ts . C ts . C ts . 38.7 33.5 29.5 22.6 44.2 41.0 35.1 28.8 21.2 C ts . 29. 4 24.4 22.5 17.5 12.5 161.3 162.0 23.8 25.2 57.5 58.4 20.5 22.6 40.5 41.1 17.0 18.4 31.9 31.9 15.5 16.6 11.5 13.2 32.0 30.0 24.8 21.5 16-5 41.0 38.6 31.6 28.3 22.6 41.8 39.2 32.6 27.2 20.2 40.8 38.0 31.8 27.0 19.6 20.0 35.0 31.3 23.3 17.0 25.0 35.0 35.0 24.4 19.3 34.5 47.7 41.8 32.5 22.1 38.7 54.6 47.4 39.3 32.6 43.8 63.5 57.3 41.5 36.5 43.8 63.4 57.5 39.4 35.0 47.5 51.C 51.5 38.6 43.8 47.1 52.8 59.5 41.8 45.0 49.1 53.4 60.6 40.6 46.2 39.2 41.4 41.3 27.4 28.9 45.9 51.7 50.9 33.9 40.1 49.6 50.0 57.7 32.6 42.9 49.8 50.4 57.1 32.0 43.3 26.3 30.2 10.3 10.0 13.3 16.0 34.3 20.0 17.8 68.5 43.6 29.0 32.2 33.2 20.0 8.9 8.9 13.0 15.0 17.8 67.7 35.9 36.3 47.1 53.2 45.1 31.2 15.0 16. 2 62.6 42.2 25.7 30.9 15.4 8.0 8.0 11.0 16.5 64.4 32.9 34.8 46.3 42.5 27.8 14.0 29.0 15.0 15.2 60.0 41.0 29.2 16.0 15.6 61.4 41.6 39.7 44.0 43.0 38.6 48.1 40.0 43.1 22.4 23.1 31.8 33.4 42.1 15.7 15.9 27.9 33.2 39. 2 54.2 42.4 40.6 58.0 67.1 35.4 42.4 42.8 38.5 76.4 35.5 42.7 20. Ó 20.0 31.8 42.4 14.5 14.0 26.2 41.2 78.2 29.8 28.7 48.7 32.6 31.4 33.9 40.5 40.9 36.1 59.1 34.1 41.3 40.6 38.8 62.1 11.1 9.6 7.8 5.9 14. S 11.1 9.7 7.6 6.0 14.5 5.9 3.8 3.5 5.9 4.0 3.6 7.4 9.5 7.9 7.0 13.6 7.8 9.6 7.9 7.4 13.5 25.1 21.0 15.2 14.3 5.5 25.7 20.4 15.8 14.1 6.3 9.2 9.2 11.0 13.1 18.8 17.6 1.9 3.3 4.1 24.7 20.9 14.3 11.5 4.5 24. 21.5 15.0 9.5 5.5 19.2 20.6 21.2 8.1 6.2 18.8 20.0 22.0 12.2 7.2 18.1 7.4 5.2 18.0 21.7 14. 7 11.7 88.0 46.5 14.2 11.4 5.6 7.9 9.7 9.2 88.3 58.6 59.4 63.2 64.0 47.9 33.0 33.0 34.1 34.0 18.1 10.4 66.3 50.8 25.8 17.9 40.5 57.2 25.0 17.9 40.6 52.9 27.4 16.3 46.7 60.5 39.0 38.8 51.5 56.3 23.0 23.1 34.5 34.8 16.5 16.0 28.5 32.4 28.3 32.7 42.2 48.7 5.4 3.6 2.4 5.6 10.6 11.5 3.6 7.5 7.1 2.9 6.3 5.6 8.2 8.2 11.0 14.0 18.9 18.5 2.7 4.2 4.7 2.3 6.2 5.7 5.7 8.0 10.7 9.0 63.0 61.3 72.9 79.6 28.8 28.8 33.0 32.4 16.3 16.0 15.2 15.3 C ts . C ts . 24.2 25.8 33.8 23.0 25.6 1 .9 C ts . 25.2 26.8 34.5 25.2 26.0 C ts . 35.1 41.6 42.4 34. C 30.8 9.3 8.3 7.4 5.2 C ts . 9.1 6.8 7.3 6.8 21.8 21.3 16.8 17.3 14.6 15.0 3 Baked weight. 4 8-ounce package. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis C ts . C ts . C ts . 22.0 24.5 28.0 15.5 21.8 C ts . 24.8 23.6 29. C 17.3 21.8 51.4 54.0 5.6 3.0 2.6 5.0 3.3 2.6 9.7 7.7 6.4 10.0 6.3 6.5 7.3 9.8 7.1 6.1 13.0 7.5 10.0 6.9 6.3 12.8 9.3 9.3 10.5 19.0 1.8 3.2 12.6 16.4 3.7 24.1 20.0 13.7 11.4 4.5 24.2 19.5 15.0 11.6 5.0 5.1 5.1 10.4 8. 4 14.0 18.2 17.6 8.4 5.3 13.9 18.2 17.6 9.8 66.0 45.0 45.0 51.3 52.5 33.0 29.3 29.1 9.1 60.8 29.6 17.5 10.4 64.8 43.1 16.2 10.4 66.9 44.6 15.9 13.1 17.6 14.0 28.2 15.5 42. 7 56.6 29.6 16.6 43.0 58.8 11.6 5.3 2.0 21.2 16.8 10.7 30.4 17.2 47.8 61.2 5.5 7.9 6 28-ounce package, e No. 2 can. [1043] 56 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, A V E R A G E R E T A IL PRIC ES OF TH E P R IN C IP A L A R TIC LES OF FOOD ON Chicago, 111. Cleveland, Ohio. August 15— Article. Unit. August 15— July Aug. July Aug. 15, 15, 15, 15, 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1913 1914 1917 1918 1913 1914 1917 1918 Sirloin steak............................ Round steak........................... Rib roast................................ Chuck roast....... .................... Plate beef................. ;............ Pork chops............................ Bacon................................... . Ham....................................... Lamb..................................... Hens...................................... Salmon (canned)..................... Milk, fresh.............................. Milk, evaporated (unsweetened.) Butter.................................... Oleomargarine........................ Nut margarine........................ Cheese. ............................... Lard....................................... Crisco..................................... Eggs, strictly fresh................... Rolled oats.............................. Bread..................................... Flour............. j...................... Corn meal............................... Corn flakes.......... .................. Cream of Wheat....................... Macaroni................................. Rice....................................... Beans, navy............................ Potatoes.. I............................. Onions................................... Cabbage.................................. Beans, baked.......................... Com, canned........................... Peas, canned........................... Tomatoes, canned.................... Sugar, granulated.................... Tea........................................ Coffee..................................... Prunes.................................... Raisins................................... Bananas^-............................... Oranges.................................. Lb.. Lb.. Lb.. Lb.. Lb.. Lb.. Lb.. Lb.. Lb.. Lb.. Lb Qt.. (i) Lb.. Lb.. Lb.. Lb.. Lb.. Lb.. Doz. Lb.. Lb.2 Lb.. Lb.. (3) (4) Lb.. Lb.. Lb.. Lb.. Lb.. Lb.. (5) (5) 24.1 21.2 20.2 15.7 11.4 20.9 32.0 32.2 19.9 19.7 116-16 ounce can. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis C ts. Cts. Cts. 30.8 27.3 25.1 21.3 16.7 32.2 42.9 40.7 28.8 26.5 27.0 8.0 8.0 10.0 32.7 33.2 44.8 27.7 24.4 22.7 18.2 13.2 23.9 33.3 34.6 22.2 20.8 25.0 25.0 34.2 15.1 15.1 26.5 27.3 28.6 42.8 6.1 6.1 10.5 2.9 3.3 7.2 2.8 2.8 5.9 9.0 8.7 10.5 19 2 2.0 1.8 3.4 3.7 (s) (5) Lb.. 5.2 7.2 9.4 Lb.. 55.0 55. 0 57.1 Lb.. 30. 7 30.0 29.2 Lb. 16 5 Lb.. 14.6 Doz. C ts. ' Baked weight. [1044] C ts. 37.7 39.3 34.9 35.5 31.4 31.9 27.8 -26.9 21.0 19.6 38.8 41.7 56.4 61.5 50.5 58.8 35.4 36.2 35.7 38.4 30.6 33 9 12.4 14.0 15.0 49.0 57.1 40.7 34 4 35.7 44.1 32.1 40.3 37.1 47.8 53.2 67 10.2 10.0 6.5 7.2 6.8 6.1 12.7 24.0 18.7 12.7 14.2 16 9 11 2 3.5 5.0 4.5 8 6 6.3 16.8 18.6 17.9 15.9 8.9 10.9 57.5 63.9 27.9 42.3 17 2 27 0 15.0 IS 0 37.5 49.9 C ts. C ts. 41.1 25.4 36.1 22.9 32.5 18.7 27.2 16.9 19.5 12.0 44.7 22.1 61.7 30.3 59.8 37.3 35.8 19.6 38.3 21.5 33 7 15.0 8.0 15.2 58.4 35.7 41 3 33 8 44.6 23.0 39.9 16.6 38 3 54.9 33.3 67 10.0 5.6 7.2 3.2 6.1 2.8 12 8 23 9 18 2 14.8 8.5 11 9 ö! 2 2.1 0Q 5^2 16 8 17.8 17.9 C ts. 27.3 23.9 19.7 17.2 12.2 25.6 30.6 36.5 21.6 22.6 Cts. 30.8 29.1 23.5 21.5 15.1 39.2 44.1 44.1 28.5 30.2 24.9 8.0 12.0 37.7 47.8 24.5 16.0 33.3 5.6 3.6 2.8 9.0 2.0 Cts. 38.8 36.5 29.9 27.8 20.5 44.8 52.1 51.0 36.3 40.4 29.3 13.0 53.8 C ts. Cts. 42.1 40.2 38.9 36.7 30.8 30.3 27.0 25.9 19.2 17.9 48.1 47.5 57.9 54.6 62.6 60.1 38.3 37.2 44.1 42.6 81 0 15!0 15.0 16 3 1GJ7 62.9 63^2 43 5 35 8 35 7 31.3 33.6 44.7 43! 6 28.1 32.9 44.1 41.4 40 4 49.5 53.9 61.3 62! 4 93 10.1 10.0 9I7 10.1 7.6 7.0 7.8 7.6 6.3 6.6 6.1 6.1 14 4 24 6 24 5 19 1 18 0 10.3 13.2 14.2 15] 8 19 Q 15 .8 3^3 i. i ö! 2 5.5 4.7 5.7 10 1 7' 2 0 1 16 7 10 3 19 7 19 0 19 4 15.4 10 7 11.9 5.6 8.2 10.0 9.3 10.9 11.0 63.0 50.0 50.0 51.2 63.2 72.0 70.6 43.1 26.5 26.5 28.0 29.4 47.5 48.4 28 5 18 2 14.0 14.9 36 8 49.7 54! 7 54.1 18-ounce package. 57 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. A U G . IS, 1913, 1914, 1917, 1918, 1919, A N D JU L Y 15, 1919, FO R 19 C ITIES—Continued. Los Angeles, Calif. Detroit, Mich. Denver, Colo. August 15August 15— July Aug. July Aug. 15, 15, 15, 15, 1919. 1919. 1913 1914 1917 1918 1913 1914 1917 1918 1919. 1919. 1913 1914 1917 1918 August 15— July Aug. 15, 15, 1919. 1919. C ts. Cts. Cts. C ts. Cts. Cts. as. Cts. Cts. C ts. C ts. Cts. Cts. C ts. C ts. O s. 24.3 22.2 17.8 15.8 9.6 25.0 23.5 18.9 17.4 10.7 31.5 29.6 23.9 21.1 14.7 39.0 36.3 29.1 25.3 18.0 41.1 38.2 32.7 27.4 18.1 38.0 35.1 29.8 23.5 16.0 26.3 21.0 20.5 15.0 11.3 25.9 2z. 6 20.0 16.6 12.4 31.6 28.6 25.8 20.2 15.2 39.0 36.0 30.8 26.8 21.1 43.0 38.2 32.8 26.5 19.8 42.0 37.5 32.1 25.5 18.4 24.0 21.0 19.6 15.8 12.3 2.3.7 21.5 19.8 15.9 13.1 26.8 23.9 22.4 17.7 14.3 32.9 31.1 29.2 23.4 19.4 33.3 29.9 28.1 21.7 17.2 32.0 28.6 27.3 20.3 16.0 20.0 30.5 33.8 16.1 19.4 25.3 30.5 32.5 17.9 21.6 34.7 45.5 43.8 30.8 26.7 41.4 56.9 52.5 35.7 36.0 42.8 61.0 61.7 34.8 38.9 44.9 60.0 62.1 33.9 38.7 21.5 25.0 28.0 17.3 21.8 23.4 26.0 30.0 18.9 22.1 35.5 42.7 41.7 30.0 28.8 41.5 52.2 52.2 36.0 39.4 47.3 57.1 60.2 39.6 43.3 48.4 57.7 61.9 37.9 43.7 25.4 33.8 36.7 18.8 26.8 27.0 35.2 37.4 19.3 27.2 34.4 47.5 45.8 27.4 27.1 42.5 61.3 57.2 32.9 36.4 46.6 65.5 63.6 32.0 44.7 50.6 66.0 64.0 30.7 45.4 26.4 28.8 8.4 10.3 11.2 32. 7 12.7 15. 6 58.4 40.6 25.8 31.3 32.5 12.8 7.9 8.0 12.0 14.0 16.1 61.2 33.7 34.8 45.5 51.4 40.2 32.3 15.0 15.6 61.0 42.2 31.5 30.3 16.0 10.0 10.0 11.0 15.7 62.6 39.5 34.3 48.7 43.4 37.2 14.0 36.2 14.0 14.3 65.0 44.7 38.3 14.0 14.6 64.7 44.9 35.0 44 0 41.9 37 6 51.6 35.3 44.7 20.7 21.7 30.8 33.8 41.5 16.6 15.7 27.5 33.2 39.2 57.3 30.0 29.2 46.3 53.3 34.4 42.3 43.0 38.6 59.0 34.5 43.6 19.5 20.0 33.0 42.4 17.9 17.3 27.3 40.4 61.5 39.0 40.0 46.9 36.4 44.5 39.9 40.8 58.7 36.4 44.5 39.7 41.0 60.9 8.6 11.2 6.4 6.0 14 8 8.6 11.7 6.1 6.1 14.6 5.6 3.1 2.8 5.5 3.3 3.2 7.7 10.4 7.4 6.5 13.8 8.1 10.4 7.3 6.7 13.8 6.0 3.6 3.3 6.2 3.6 3.5 8.9 7.0 7.0 9.3 7.1 7.7 9.3 9.4 7.4 7.3 13.5 8.8 9.4 7.4 7.4 13.4 25.2 19 3 14.7 12 9 5.1 25.2 19.4 14.9 12. 8 4.8 8.4 8.4 10.7 13.3 19.0 15.1 1.7 3.5 3.8 24.8 19.7 14.5 11.5 5.1 24.9 19.8 15.6 11.6 5.5 7.7 8.0 10.2 17.4 1.7 3.8 13.6 16.7 3.3 24.6 16.2 14.6 10.4 4.2 24.3 15.7 14.7 10.8 3.9 9 6 5 0 18 1 18 1 19.8 7.1 3.2 17.9 18.2 19. 7 10.3 8.3 16.4 20.5 18.7 8.3 4.9 16.2 20.1 19.2 2.9 4.2 7.8 3.6 18.5 18.5 18.8 5.2 3.4 17.7 18.9 19.4 15 8 10.9 70.2 45.4 15 9 17.4 10.9 61.7 45.1 17.4 11.3 5.6 8.1 9.2 63.1 54.5 54.5 56.5 47.7 36.3 36.3 30.6 8.9 64.5 30.4 15.3 10.3 67.4 45.5 15.1 10.2 67.9 44.9 27.2 17.1 32.8 51.4 29.3 17. t 31.8 53.8 16.3 14.1 17.7 14. t 26.8 16. f 41.0 38.8 29.5 16.9 41.0 38.3 8.4 34.3 34.3 44.8 50.0 26.1 26.1 34.7 35.8 16.5 15.8 28.9 32.5 30.0 30.7 45.0 49.8 5.4 2.5 2.5 5.4 10.1 12.0 2.6 6.5 6.0 2.5 6.2 6.0 8.6 8.6 11.2 14.2 20 2 15 9 2.0 4.1 3.8 1.8 4.4 4.9 5.8 7.7 9.7 9.6 52.8 52.8 56.9 61.0 29.4 29.4 30.7 30.4 17.8 17.6 14.7 14.7 C ts. 1.9 9.0 7.6 6.7 4.8 9.5 6.9 7.2 5.4 5.4 8.1 10.0 9.5 70.8 43.3 43.3 50.8 57.7 48.4 29.3 30.0 29.4 30.4 il i 25.1 24.9 45 9 52.6 42.5 50.2 16.4 18.2 13.8 15.2 1 1.8 6 N o. 2 can. 28-ounce package. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis C ts. [ 1045 ] 58.0 35.3 33.6 56.9 58 ' MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. A V E R A G E R E T A IL PR IC ES OF TH E PR IN C IP A L A R TIC LES OF FOOD ON Milwaukee, Wis. Article. Unit. August 15— New Orleans, La. August 15- J u ly Aug Ju ly Aug 1913 1914 1917 1918 1919. 1919. 1913 1914 1917 1918 1919. 1919. Sirloin steak. Round stea k . R ib r o a st..... Chuck r o a st.. Plate beef___ Cts. Cts. L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. Cts. Cts. 22.6 21.2 18.8 16.4 12.0 24.8 22.8 19.4 17.0 12.6 Cts. 30.5 28.5 24.2 22; 1 15.6 37.3 35.8 29.1 26.9 20.4 C ts. Cts. C ts. 41. t 38.4 32.1 28.6 20.0 Cts. 40.1 37.8 31.3 28.4 20.0 Cts. 21. £ 18. £ 19.4 14.5 11.0 23.8 19. £ 19.6 15.4 12.8 Cts. 27.7 23.9 23.0 18.3 15.2 33.2 30.0 29.1 21.8 18.7 Cts. 34.5 31.2 30.0 23.7 18.6 33.9 31.1 29.9 22.6 18.9 Pork ch op s. Bacon......... H am ............ L am b,........ H ens........... L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. 20.2 28.6 29.0 20.5 19.8 23.0 28.6 29.2 21.0 21.4 34.2 42.0 39.8 30.5 25.9 38.7 52.7 48.2 36.9 35.9 44.1 57.9 55.8 39.1 38.4 44.7 58.1 55.9 38.2 39.3 23.8 33.1 31.5 21.3 21.7 27.0 32.4 30.0 22.2 21.3 33.6 45.8 39.1 27.9 28.3 41.6 55.5 45.7 36.1 36.4 48.4 61.4 55.3 38.5 41.6 48.9 60.0 57.1 39.1 40.7 Salmon (canned)............................ Milk, fresh........................................ Milk, evaporated (unsweetened) B u tter............................................... Oleomargarine................................ L b .. 27.1 28.9 33.4 34.6 80 0 .82 4 Q ,t.. 7.0 7.0 9.0 11.0 12.0 13.0 9.3 9.7 11.6 14! 2 16.5 16.5 15 Q 10 1 16.6 16.7 (2) L b .. 32.2 33.7 45.4 50.1 59.3 61.7 34.0 35.6 46.7 52.6 63! 1 64! 0 L b .. 42.5 42.9 N ut margarine........ Cheese....................... Lard........................... Crisco......................... Eggs, strictly fresh. Rolled oats........... Bread.................... F lour..................... Corn meal............. Corn flakes........... L b .. 34.0 34.7 80 8 L b .. 21.3 21.3 32,1 34.1 41.5 43.5 22.0 22.3 31.2 34.3 43! i 44.1 L b .. 16.3 16.0 27.7 33.1 43.0 42.2 15.4 14.7 27.1 32.9 42.9 42.7 L b .. 35.3 38.1 Doz. 26.2 27.0 42.5 47.4 49.0 51.9 30.4 29.8 41.3 48.4 51.3 55.6 L b .. 7.8 8.5 Lb. 3. 5.6 6.0 11.4 9.2 10.0 10.0 5.1 4.8 8.7 9.5 9.2 9.1 L b .. 3.1 3.5 7.8 6.7 7.6 7.5 3.7 3.8 8.0 7.3 7.7 7.5 L b .. 3.3 3.6 . 7.4 6.1 5.9 6.1 2.8 2.8 7.2 6.6 5.8 6.0 14.3 14.2 o) Cream of Wheat. Macaroni............. R ic e ...................... Beans, n a v y ____ P otatoes.............. L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. Onions............ Cabbage.......... Beans, baked. Corn, canned.. Peas, canned.. L b .. L b .. (6) (6) (5) (O 9.0 1.5 25.1 19.9 9.5 11.5 14.1 15.2 20.3 14. S 11.3 1.9 3.8 3.5 5.4 4.5 Tomatoes, canned.......................... (6) Sugar, granulated........................... L b .. 5.5 7.4 9.9 T ea..................................................... L b .. 50.0 50.0 59.4 Coffee.......................................... L b .. 27.5 27.5 28.1 Prunes... Lb 15.8 R aisins... L b .. 14.8 Bananas. Doz. Oranges.. Doz. 25.2 19.3 15.3 11.7 5.5 7.4 7.5 10.2 12.3 14.2 2.2 2.5 5.2 10.4 7.3 6.6 3.8 16.5 16.4 17.9 18.0 17.9 17.4 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1046 ] 3.9 5.0 5.4 4.3 15! 1 4.8 17.6 17.5 9.3 10.6 11.1 5.3 8.0 9.9 9.0 10.7 10.8 63.6 67.4 67.5 62.1 62.1 60.5 61.8 69.4 68.4 26.8 44.0 45.9 26.4 25.7 26.6 25.1 43.0 43.8 15.6 24.5 26.6 14.8 18. 0 18.5 38.3 36.3 52.1 54. 7Í 15.4 15.7 in th i^rep o rt^b rd ^G n s^eity T M s called0* sfrloto^°^ea^ UPorterhouse” in most o i 215-16 ounce can. 5.1 59.0 61.0 cities included '59 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, AUG. 15, 1913, 1914, 1917, 1918, 1919, A N D JU L Y 15, 1919, FO R 19 C ITIES—Continued. Pittsburgh, Pa. Philadelphia, Pa. New York, N . Y. A ugust 15— July Aug. July Aug. 15, 15, 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1913 1914 1917 1918 1913 1914 1917 1918 1913 1914 1917 j 1918 A ugust 15— A ugust 15- July Aug. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. 38.7 151.3 ^52.0 152.6 28.0 29.8 36.4 36.4 48.2 48.1 48.4 24.8 26.5 33. 1 28.6 39.2 40.4 39.6 22.5 23.5 2 7.7 24.8 33.5 31.0 32.1 17.3 18.7 23.5 16.8 23.0 19.0 20.6 12.3 13.8 16.8 46.7 43.7 35.7 31.5 22.9 48.9 45.1 36.9 30.7 20.4 44.8 40.9 34.7 28.9 19.0 36.0 44.3 43.7 32.9 34.6 44.4 55.7 54.4 38.6 44.1 49.0 60.5 63.5 41.8 46.6 49.0 59.7 63.0 39.2 48.8 28.7 9.0 12.3 32.0 13.0 35.6 36.8 47.5 54.0 31.6 14.3 15.5 63.2 41.8 32.4 15.3 15.8 65.1 41.9 37.8 44. 40.4 36.2 59.6 37.4 46.1 24.5 25.0 32.6 41.0 15.8 15.7 28.1 39.0 62.9 28.9 29.1 43.5 35.8 32.7 35.0 42.7 41.7 39.5 56.8 35.6 43.3 41.9 41.4 57.7 7.9 9.4 7.2 5.6 12.4 7.8*. 9.4: 5.4 7.4 3.2 5.71 2.8 12.3!. 8.4 10.3 7.6 6.9 13.6 8.8 10.3 7-6 7.0 13.6 24.4 20.1 24. 3 ! 20.2 25.1 17.0 14.9 11. i 5.0 25.1 18.1 15.5 12.3 5.2 10.9 7.5 16.7 18.6 19.0 9.1 5.2 16.3 19.1 19.0 15.7 10.9 84. C 46.2 15.2 11.3 82.7 47.6 27.5 17.5 42.8 53.8 27.2 18.7 42.5 521.7 Cts. Cts. C ts. C ts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. C ts. 26.8 26.1 21.9 16.3 14.9 29.2 28.4 23.5 18.2 16.0 35.1 35.1 28.6 22.6 20.6 44.8 46.7 37.6 31.1 28.6 44.4 46.2 38.6 29.3 27.1 44.0 132.3 45.6 27.5 38.3 22.5 28.9 18.4 26.0 12.3 22.2 26.4 30.0 15.8 22.0 25.9 26.1 32.0 18.6 22.5 34.8 42.3 44.6 26.4 28.8 42.3 51.9 36.1 33.1 40.7 47.5 54.4 61.6 32.1 41.5 47.8 53.6 61.3 31.4 41.8 45.6 54.2 54.5 39.2 43.3 50.6 57.9 60.8 42.3 45.4 51.1 56.5 63.0 41.9 46.0 23.5 30.1 31.6 19.7 26.0 31.7 35.4 9.Ò 12.5 14.0 37.7 16.0 14.8 61.3 42.2 37.5 26.0 27.8 16.0 8.0 8.0 11.0 12.0 15.4 63.0 39.4 40.7 53.1 58.6 42.8 29.1 13.0 15.5 67.4 43.9 29.4 14.0 15.6 8.6 34.2 42.8 42.5 37.6 66.4 34.2 42.8 25.0 27.0 34.8 36.7 41.6 15.6 15.1 28.3 33.0 39.1 68.5 34.3 33.0 47.6 55.0 7.6 10.0 7.8 7.1 12.1 7.8 10.0 7.8 7.3 12.1 4.8 3.2 2.7 24.1 19.7 14.7 12.2 5.1 24.2 20.0 16.1 12.5 4.9 ; GO C ts. Cts. 10.8 4.9 15.2 19.8 18.5 14.9 9.0 34.3 35.5 47.0 52.1 19.4 19.6 33.1 33.5 16.2 15.6 27.5 32.5 38.6 38.9 54.4 60.9 6.4 3.6 3.4 8.0 8.3 10.4 13.4 18.8 17.4 2.2 3.2 3.8 2.4 9.9 7.9 6.7 9.9 7.4 7.8 6.1 3.3 3.4 4.7 6.3 5.0 L I 9.0 8.8 43.3 43.3 50.1 54.2 27.2 26.3 26.3 28.0 16.5 18.5 14.6 15.0 133.1 29.1 23.7 19.5 12.8 22.4 28.2 32.6 20.2 23.1 26.2 28.4 33.2 21.5 24.0 4.7 3.6 2.8 36.1 41.7 45.3 31.3 30.6 8.9 7.6 5.7 9.5 7.0 7.0 68 ., 9.8 6.7 7.1 9.2 10.6 18.9 1.9 3.2 14.0 17.0 3.9 5.1 5.9 14.3 10.3 5.7 7.9 10.2 61.0 58.0 60.0 68.5 43.1 30.0 29.3 30.2 9.4 75.2 29.6 15.1 16.6 12.1 12.2 5.0 5.2 8.6 4.0 15.5 19.4 18.2 4.9 6.6 9.2 10.0 15.3 10.6 55.6 5.0 7.1 9.0 54. c 54.0 57.6 24.5 27.0 8.9 59.8 27.3 30.8 16.7 36.3 53.8 31.9 17.3 35.5 58.1 15.3 13.8 17.7 14.4 57. ( 42.6 6.0 45.4 24.5 14.7 30.5 16.1 36.9 51.6 9.2 Ì. 9 5.2 14.3 18.6 18.2 30.7 16.7 ........ 37.0 52.7 ........ 15.9 14.6 328-ounce package. 3Baked weight. 38-ounce package. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 10.0 60.4 42.0 ? N o. 2 can. [ 1047 ] 53.1 5.4 10.4 3.6 7.8 3.0 7.0 14.4 17.1 4.1 14.4 18.7 18.2 27.0 31.5 32.9 22.7 26.5 Cts. 44. 10.0 11.0 18.3 2.0 3.5 2.1 Cts. 17.9 14.7 60 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. A V ER A G E R E T A IL PR IC ES OF TH E P R IN C IP A L A R TIC LES OF FOOD ON San Francisco, Calif. St. Louis, Mo. August 15— July Aug. July Aug. 10, 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1913 1914 1917 1918 1913 1914 1917 1918 August 15— Article. Unit. C ts. C ts . C ts . C ts . C ts . C ts . C ts . C ts . C ts . C ts . C ts . C ts . Sirloin steak..................................... Round steak.................................... Rib roast.......................................... Chuck roast...................................... Plate beef.......................................... L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. 25.6 24.7 19.0 15.3 11.5 28.3 26.0 20.0 16.8 14.2 31.1 30.5 25.5 21.0 16.0 38.0 37.6 30.7 25.7 20.6 40.1 39.8 32.2 25.2 20.5 37.0 37.0 30.3 22.6 18.8 20.7 19.3 21.0 15.0 13.3 20.7 19.7 21.7 15.5 15.0 23.1 22.6 22.7 15.7 15.3 31.6 31.0 30.0 22.8 21.0 29.8 28.5 28.8 20.7 18-5 29.4 28.2 28.3 19.8 17.5 Pork chons....................................... Bacon................................................ H am ................................................... Lamb................................................. H ens................................................... L b .. L b.. L b .. L b .. L b .. 20.8 28.0 28.3 19.0 17.4 26.3 28.0 30.0 19.3 18.7 35.5 42.0 41.6 28.0 24.6 40.6 50.3 50.2 34.6 34.1 43.7 56.2 59.5 37.6 38.1 44.6 54.8 58.7 34.5 36.9 23.7 34.7 3L0 16.5 23.8 25.0 35.6 33.0 18.4 24.3 32.8 44.6 43.0 26.6 26.2 43.0 58.3 50.3 33.8 40.5 46.1 64.4 60.3 33.7 47.1 49.2 64.2 59.7 32.1 46.4 24.5 27.3 28.9 28.4 Lb. 27.1 29.8 31.9 31.5 Milk, fresh........' .............................. Q t... 8.0 8.0 11.0 14.0 14.0 15.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 12.1 14.0 14.0 (i) 14.4 15.0 15.9 15.6 B u t t e r . ............. ....................... L b .. 33.8 35.5 47.5 53.8 61.8 63.2 40.7 34.6 50.4 58.6 64.7 63.9 39.6 37.1 36.7 L b .. 38.7 L b .. 34.5 Cheese. ......................................... L b .. 19.2 20.5 32.4 35-8 41.7 Lard................................................... L b .. 14.5 13-9 26.3 30.4 39.5 Lb . 38.7 Eggs, strictly fresh........................ Doz. 23.0 25.6 37.7 46.6 49.5 L b .. Bread................................................. Lb.2. 5.5 Flour................................................. L b .. 3.0 Corn meal......................................... L b .. 2.2 (3) 6.5 6.5 5.6 10.8 10.0 10.0 10.0 3.3 7.1 6.5 7.0 6.9 2.6 6.2 6.1 5.7 6.0 13.8 13.6 Cream of W heat.................... ......... 24.1 (4) L b .. ..... 17.5 L b .. 8.4 8.7 9.9 13.4 14.0 L b .. 19.4 16.9 11. 7 P otatoes.. I...................................... L b .. 1.9 2.0 3.3 3.4 4.2 R ice................................................... Onions............................................... Cabbage............................................ L b .. L b .. (5) 4.3 5-1 (5) Peas’ canned.................................... 34.9 34.8 36.2 42.5 19.0 18.5 30.6 33.8 41.2 44.2 38.6 18.0 17.0 28.4 34.1 39.5 41.2 39.1 40.0 42.3 51.3 38.2 40.0 47.5 57.3 56.6 62.4 (5) 24.2 18.1 15.1 11.6 4.3 8.0 3.8 6.5 5-3 15. 4 16.9 16.6 16.5 16.4 5.9 3.4 3.4 5.9 3.5 3.5 8.5 8.5 1.7 8.0 8.5 9.3 10.0 10.0 10.0 6.9 7.1 7.6 7.3 6.9 7.2 7.1 6.9 14.2 14.1 24.9 24.8 16.3 9.9 13.7 14.4 14.9 18.5 15.3 9.9 10.4 1.8 3.5 3.3 4.0 3.4 2.4 3.2 Tomatoes, canned.......................... (5) 14.8 Sugar, granulated........................... L b .. 5.4 7.9 10.0 9.4 11.0 T ea..................................................... L b .. 55.0 55.8 61.0 68.7 72.7 Coflee................................................. L b .. 24.4 24.7 28.0 27.7 44.6 14.1 11.9 5.5 7.9 9.1 8.9 73.2 50.0 50.0 52.1 54.4 46.3 32.0 32.0 30.4 31.4 Prunes............................................... L b .. R aisins.............................................. L b .. Bananas............................................ Oranges............................................. 27.5 18.7 32.7 45.2 1 15-16 ounce can. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 16.8 17.6 27.5 17.0 16.4 16.9 34.2 46.4 2 B ated weight. [104S] 5.9 4.5 19.2 19.1 19.7 19.6 17.8 17.8 14.5 10". 2 58.3 44.6 13.9 10.1 57.4 44.8 14.4 15.1 24.2 14.2 13.8 16.4 42.1 53.8 1 24.0 16.6 38.8 54.4 8 8-ounce package. 61 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, AUG. 15, 1913, 1914, 1917, 1918, 1919, A N D JU L Y 15, 1919, FO R 19 C IT IE S-C oncluded. Seattle, Wash. Washington, D. C. August 15— August 15— July 15, Aug. 15, 1919. 1919. 1914 1917 1918 C ts . C ts . C ts . C ts . 24.4 21.5 20.0 16.2 12.7 23.3 20.5 18.8 14.5 12.0 26.1 24.8 21.9 17.8 15.0 36.2 34.3 31.3 25.4 20.7 38.4 36.5 31.7 24.5 19.7 37.4 35.4 29.4 23.6 18.8 24.2 34.2 31.7 19.4 23.8 24.5 33.3 31.7 17.6 22.8 33.9 46.0 40.6 27.0 25.8 44.5 58.1 51.9 35.7 39.4 50.3 65.4 60.7 37.9 43.6 51.2 64.6 61.2 34.0 41.9 8.5 8.6 27.0 12.0 29.9 14.0 39.0 37.8 49.1 59.2 31.5 13.3 14.6 62.9 40.3 32.4 15.0 15.1 66.2 40.4 21.7 17.4 22.9 16.0 30.3 26.9 33.3 33.6 39.0 39.2 51.1 59.9 37.0 44.0 41.0 41.4 61.6 5.5 2.9 3.2 6.0 3.0 3.3 10.4 6.7 7.3 10.7 6.5 7.4 7.7 8.2 1.6 1.7 10.3 19.7 2.7 14.1 17.1 4.3 2.9 4.1 6.3 50.0 28.0 8.2 50.0 30.0 9.8 52.3 31.4 9.5 57.9 31.6 14.2 14.7 15.7 14.4 C ts . C ts . 1917 1918 C ts . C ts . C ts . C ts. 27.8 24.5 21.6 17.3 12.1 31.3 28.4 24.4 19.8 14.6 35.4 34.1 27.9 24.0 18.1 49.4 47.0 39.6 35.1 25.2 51.0 47.8 39.7 33.3 21.5 51.3 48.3 38.2 31.3 19.3 23.0 28.4 31.0 19.4 21.9 26.9 28.9 32.0 24.0 21.9 37.1 41.3 41.0 33.7 31.1 48.0 52.6 52.1 44.3 44.5 •53.6 55.7 61.0 44.8 47.9 53.8 57.9 61.1 43.3 46.8 8.0 .8.0 23 0 11.0 30.1 14.0 36.6 38.3 48.1 56.0 32 1 14.3 15 K 67.0 41 7 32.1 15.0 16.1 67.6 40.6 36.8 43.6 42.1 43.3 67.2 23.8 15.3 23.5 14.4 34. i 27.6 35. i 34.0 30.0 31.4 44.3 53.7 30 5 43.7 41.6 30 3 56.8 36.7 43.8 42.6 40.5 60.1 8.1 10.9 6.7 7.2 14.9 8.4 11.7 6.5 7.3 14.9 5.7 3.8 2.5 5.6 4.1 2.6 10.2 7.7 6.2 10.3 6.9 6.0 27.2 16.9 15.0 10.4 3.5 27.2 16.5 16.3 11.3 3.7 9.4 2.0 1.9 10.9 20 0 2.9 12.6 17 4 4.2 7.4 6. 7 21.4 20.2 20.2 6.6 5.8 21.9 20.4 20. 8 5.2 5.8 16.9 10.8 64.0 45.1 17.4 10.7 62.8 46.2 25.9 18.5 50.0 54.6 26.8 19.1 48.8 54.1 C ts . C ts . 5.2 57.5 28.8 7.9 57.5 28.8 9.2 58.8 28.1 8.9 71.3 29.2 16. 2 14.4 17 5 1 13S517°—19----- 5 Aug. 15, 1919. 1914 4 28-ounce package. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 1919. 1913 CD OO 1913 &No. 2 can. [1049] 0 5 10.0 7.9 5.6 13 3 7.9 5.8 13.8 24 0 20 0 15.3 13 3 4.5 24.6 20.7 16.0 13.2 5.0 10 0 15 20 20 7 5 2 7 5 14.9 19.9 19.4 17 0 10.7 78.9 46.1 16.4 10.9 78.1 48.1 20 1 16.2 44. 3 53.8 26.4 16.7 43.3 54.4 9.5 1 0 .0 8.7 6.2 62 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, A VERAGE R E TA IL PRICES OF T H E PR IN C IPA L ARTICLES OF Bridgeport, Conn. Butte, Mont. Charleston, S. C. Cincinnati, Ohio. Columbus, Ohio. Article. U nit. Sirloin stea k ..................................... Round stea k .................................... Rib roast........................................... Chuck roast...................................... Plate beef.......................................... L b ... L b ... L b ... L b ... L b ... 51.9 48.9 38.4 31.7 19.7 51.6 49.1 37.5 31.5 19.3 38.6 35.3 31.1 23.7 17.2 34.2 30.3 26.2 19.0 12.4 39.3 38.9 32.3 26.9 21.1 38.8 37.9 32.5 26.4 20.2 36.9 36.8 30.9 24.1 19.4 34.7 34.6 28.3 22.1 19.7 41.3 39.3 33.2 29.1 23.0 39.3 37.9 32.2 27.6 20.8 Pork chops....................................... B acon................................................. Ila m ................................................... L am b................................................. H ens................................................... L b ... L b ... L b ... L b ... L b ... 46.4 59.2 64.5 39.7 43.8 45.4 59.9 64.6 38.7 44.5 47.5 65.6 63.2 33.7 39.8 48.0 64.7 61.9 29.0 36.7 46.7 62.6 57.1 40.4 48.6 45.6 62.2 56.8 40.0 48.3 44.3 53.8 59.6 34.9 43.6 43.3 51.5 58.5 30.8 41.0 43.0 57.2 60.0 35.0 38.3 43.7 56.1 58.8 30.0 37.5 Salmon (canned)............................ L b ... Milk, fresh........................................ Q t ... Milk, evaporated (unsweetened). (2) B u tter............................................:. L b ... L b ... 34.8 16.0 16.0 61.2 40.9 34.3 16.0 16.2 62.4 41.1 42.8 15.6 15.8 61.8 42.5 42.5 15.6 17.4 66.7 30.9 20.7 15.9 64.7 44.1 30.2 20.5 16.3 63.8 44.8 29.3 14.0 14.8 60.4 42.0 29.3 14.0 15.4 61.8 42.3 30.4 14.0 15.0 60.2 41.5 30.0 14.0 15.2 61.6 42.6 Cheese................................................ Lard................................................... Crisco................................................ Eggs, strictly fresh......................... L b ... L b ... L b ... L b ... D o z.. 34.8 42.7 42.6 39.8 71.3 35.0 42.7 41.4 40.7 76.3 43.3 43.9 42.0 60.0 44.8 43.9 44.9 67.9 44.7 42.3 42.6 38.4 54.0 45.7 42.8 42.9 39.7 55.4 34.8 43.3 39.7 37.2 49.9 35.0 45.1 38.8 37.8 49.6 35.2 42.7 39.7 37.3 50.4 35.0 43.0 39.8 40.7 48.3 Rolled oats....................................... Bread................................................. Flour.................................................. Corn m eal..................... ................... Corn flakes........................................ L b ... 9.4 Lb.3.. 10.4 L b ... 7.5 L b ... 8.1 13.8 (4) 9.3 10.7 7.5 8.0 13.7 8.5 10.0 7.6 7.7 14.4 9.2 12.2 7.9 7.6 14.6 9.5 10.0 7.8 5.5 14.9 9.7 10.0 7.7 6.2 14.9 7.2 9.7 7.5 5.3 13.7 8.3 9.9 7.5 5.8 13.8 8.2 10.2 7.3 6.0 14.2 8.5 10.2 7.0 6.4 14.2 Cream of W heat............................ . Macaroni........................................... R ice.................................................... Beans, n a v v ..................................... Potatoes............................................ (•) L b ... L b ... L b ... L b ... 24.3 22.7 15.0 12.0 4.9 24.1 22.4 16.1 11.9 4.6 30.0 18.8 13.1 11.8 5.0 30.0 19.2 14.6 12.1 4.6 25.0 21.4 13.5 14.1 4.6 25.0 20.9 14.4 13.6 5.7 24.8 15.8 14.5 10.8 5.0 25.1 15.4 15.1 11.0 4.6 25.0 19.0 14.5 11.3 5.4 25.0 18.6 16.3 11.3 5.4 Onions............................................... L b ... Cabbage............................................. L b ... Beans, baked................................... C) Corn, canned.................................... (6) Peas, canned.................................... (6) 11.1 7.1 16.9 21.8 20.8 9.0 4.0 16.4 22.1 20.6 8.5 6.4 23.1 18.1 17.9 7.0 6.6 22.4 18.7 18.6 12.8 7.3 15.3 21.8 21.4 9.4 7.4 15.3 21.6 22.3 6.9 5.6 14.7 16.9 17.3 5.9 6.1 14.6 17.1 17.2 10.3 9.3 16.6 15.9 16.5 8.1 6.4 16.4 15.6 15.4 Tomatoes, canned.......................... (6) Sugar, granulated........................... L b ... T ea..................................................... L b ... Coffee................................................. L b ... 16.9 10.7 65.2 44.4 16.1 10.9 63.1 45.3 17.8 12.1 76.2 53.5 17.6 12.1 75.3 56.9 15.6 10.9 76.0 43.3 15.7 11.0 76.4 46.6 14.4 10.8 75.4 41.8 14.3 11.6 77.1 43.1 15.1 10.8 82.3 46.4 14.2 10.9 82.2 47.7 Prunes............................................... Raisins............................................... Bananas............................................ Oranges............................................. 28.3 17.9 39.1 56.9 29.2 19.4 39.0 58.9 25.4 17.0 50.0 54.0 27.5 18.6 51.3 52.4 25.5 16.5 39.3 64.0 26.1 17.9 45.0 65.0 22.9 17.8 36.5 43.7 24.0 20.1 37.5 43.0 21.5 18.2 38.5 51.3 23.2 18.6 38.1 55.0 L b ... L b ... D o z .. D o z .. July Aug. July Aug. July Aug. July Aug. July Aug. 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1 The steak for which price are here quoted, is known as “ sirloin” in most of the cities included in this report, but in this city it is called “ rum p” steak. 2 15-16 ounce can. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1050] 63 MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW. FOOD ON JU LY 15 A N D AUG. 15, 1919, FOR 31 CITIES. Dallas , T ex. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. Fall River, Mass. July 15, 1919. Houston, T ex. Aug. 15, 1919. July 15, 1919. Indianapolis, Ind. Jacksonville, Fla. Kansas City, Mo. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. 40.6 39.7 34.4 31.3 26.0 38.1 37.3 33.3 28.5 23.3 160.4 50.1 36.8 29.6 160.2 50.4 36.1 29.9 36.3 36.3 29.1 27.6 24.8 34.4 35.0 27.6 25.6 20.3 39.9 39.5 28.7 26.2 19.3 38.4 38.4 27.6 25.7 18.7 39.6 38.2 31.3 26.1 20.1 40.6 38.1 30.6 26.2 19.6 39.0 36.0 29.5 24.1 19.8 36.8 34.7 27.7 22.9 18.6 44.0 62.8 60.7 45.0 37.8 43.8 62.1 58.8 38.8 38.3 46.3 54.1 56.8 36.9 46.9 47.2 54.1 58.1 37.5 46.5 44.0 63.7 51.1 40.0 38.0 43.7 64.4 53.8 40.0 36.0 46.1 56.7 59.9 44.0 37.8 44.8 56.7 59.9 42.0 35.6 43.1 58.7 55.7 35.4 39.1 45.0 59.6 57.9 38.3 38.8 41.8 59.6 56.0 31.6 36.5 42.4 58.3 56.8 30.6 36.7 32.7 18.0 16.9 59.8 37.0 31.9 18.0 16.8 61.8 36.7 30.2 15.3 16.0 61.6 39.6 30.4 15.3 16.1 62.4 40.3 31.6 17.7 16.0 59.9 42.3 30.9 18.2 16.3 61.0 42.6 26.3 13.0 16.3 60.9 44.4 26.6 13.0 16.7 62.3 44.9 32.9 18.0 16.0 65.2 42.4 31.5 18.0 16.9 66.2 44.0 32.5 15.0 16.7 62.1 40.2 31.9 15.0 16.8 63.2 40.7 37.3 44.1 42.1 41.2 46.8 37.4 44.5 38.6 42.0 . 50.3 36.5 42.5 42.4 38.3 73.4 36.5 ' 42.7 42.1 41.7 79.4 37.6 40.8 41.2 36.5 49.1 36.7 40.5 39.1 37.5 52.0 35.4 44.4 42.3 39.3 51.3 35.8 45.0 41.2 41.3 51.9 38.6 43.3 39.0 39.6 53.6 38.2 43.2 40.3 41.0 58.4 35.6 44.1 44.2 40.3 50.8 35.8 45.3 43.5 43.7 52.9 9.9 10.0 7.2 7.2 14.6 10.3 10.0 7.3 7.0 14.2 9.5 10.9 7.9 8.4 14.2 9.5 10.9 7.9 8.2 14.5 9.9 8.9 7.7 6.3 14.3 9.4 8.8 7.6 6.4 14.4 8.4 9.7 7.4 5.9 14.4 9.5 9.7 7.2 6.2 14.6 10.6 10.0 7.9 5.9 14.7 10.9 10.0 7.7 6.2 14.7 9.5 10.0 7.0 6.7 14.9 10.6 10.0 6.9 7.5 15.0 24.8 20.2 14.5 13.1 5.5 25.4 19.9 15.9 13.6 6.6 25.0 21.9 14.3 11.8 4.8 24.8 22.2 15.1 11.9 4.6 24.7 17.7 13.4 13.1 4.6 24.7 18.7 14.7 12.4 5.4 26.4 20.3 15.4 11.9 5.6 26.2 20.9 16.7 12.7 6.4 25.3 20.3 14.2 13.7 6.0 25.4 21.0 15.1 14.1 6.7 25.0 18.7 13.7 13.0 4.2 25.0 18.5 15.2 12.7 4.7 9.5 5.4 19.7 20.8 21.1 5.7 6.0 19.0 19.4 21.2 12.1 5.9 16.5 19.8 20.5 9.4 4.4 16.4 20.4 21.3 9.7 5.9 17.8 18.0 18.3 6.5 6.0 18.3 17.7 18.5 10.1 7.1 18.1 18.8 17.8 8.2 6.9 1.87 18.1 17.4 12.8 7.7 17.5 20.6 21.1 9.9 7.6 17.4 20.6 22.6 9.5 3.5 16.8 16.7 18.0 8.6 5.6 17.0 16.8 17.5 15.3 11.3 78.5 52.0 15.1 11.3 80.0 53.7 15.9 10.6 55.8 45.6 15.5 10.9 56.6 47.4 14.0 10.9 65.0 43.2 13.7 10.9 63.2 45.5 16.2 11.0 84.1 50.1 16.2 11.2 83.7 51.3 14.8 11.1 85.0 51.9 15.4 11.3 86.8 53.8 16.2 11.1 81.2 46.4 16.0 11.9 80.7 49.0 35.0 16.5 40.0 50.0 27.5 18.0 37.5 51.8 24.5 17.8 41.4 49.2 25.2 19.8 42.7 50.1 24.6 17.4 36.6 50.3 25.5 17.4 36.9 50.0 28.1 19.3 31.1 48.2 30.1 19.8 31.4 47.2 23.8 19.0 38.8 75.0 30.5 19.5 41.7 24.8 18.7 42.9 54.2 23.6 18.6 45.0 55.3 3 Baked weight. 4 8-ounce package. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 6 28-ounce package. 6 No. 2 can. [ 1051 ] 64 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW A V E R A G E R E T A IL PR IC ES OF TH E PR IN C IP A L A RTICLES OF Little Rock, Ark. Article. Unit. Louisville, K y. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. Manchester, N . II. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. Memphis, Tenn. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. Sirloin steak..................................... Round steak.................................... Rib roast.......................................... Chuck roast...................................... L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. L b-. 40.6 39.5 33.9 26.7 21.6 37.2 34.8 30.8 24.5 19.5 38.1 37.5 30.7 26.9 21.9 36.7 35.6 29.1 25.1 20.7 i 56.6 50.2 33.8 30.5 i 57.2 50.8 33.6 30.0 41.8 39.1 32.8 27.9 23.2 40.8 38.1 32.8 27.1 21.6 Pork chops....................................... Bacon................................................. Ham ................................................... Lamb................................................. Hens................................................... L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. 43.7 60.3 58.2 39.5 34.3 43.4 59.0 57.5 36.9 34.7 42.8 60.3 59.2 37.5 40.4 43.3 59.8 59.5 32.1 38.9 46.5 52.7 53.6 41.1 46.2 48.7 53.2 53.7 40.5 48.1 44.4 61.7 59.7 40.5 36.4 45.0 61.1 59.4 38.9 36.6 Salmon (canned)............................ Milk, fresh.................................... .. Milk, evaporated (unsweetened) B utter............................................... Oleomargarine................................. L b .. Q t.. (2) L b .. L b .. 31.9 16.0 16.8 63.0 43.4 34.4 18.0 16.9 62.7 43.7 29.9 15.0 15.5 62.1 44.3 30.2 15.0 16.1 63.4 44.6 30.8 15.0 17.1 66.8 41.5 31.3 15.0 17.4 68.3 42.1 33.2 18.0 17.1 62.5 42.9 35.1 18.0 17.4 64.1 44.7 N ut margarine................................ Cheese................................................ Lard................................................... Crisco................................................. Eggs, strictly fresh......................... L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. Doz. 38.6 43.2 44.5 37.9 48.8 37.3 43.4 44.5 40.4 53.3 35.0 42.6 41.7 37.6 45.9 ¿¡5.0 42.1 41.0 38.6 48.2 35.3 42.6 43.2 39.5 68.1 35.3 42.6 43.3 40.8 73.3 41.5 42.7 42.8 38.5 46.8 42.3 43.5 42.6 38.9 52.4 Rolled oats....................................... Bread................................................. Flour................................................. Corn meal......................................... Corn flakes........................................ L b .. Lb.3 L b .. L b .. 0) 11.0 10.0 7.5 6.3 14.8 11.0 10.0 7.5 6.5 14.8 9.0 10.0 7.4 5.7 14.4 9.0 10.0 7.4 6.2 14.4 8.8 9.3 7.8 7.1 14.8 9.4 9.5 7.7 7.0 14.8 10.4 10.0 7.6 5.8 14.1 10.6 10.0 7.4 6.0 14.1 Cream of W heat............................. Macaroni........................................... R ice................................................... Beans, n a v y ..................................... Potatoes............................................ (5) L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. 25.4 19.3 14.4 13.7 3.9 25.4 18.6 15.2 14.2 5.6 25.2 17.2 14.2 12.1 3.9 25.6 18.2 14.9 12.4 4.2 25.3 23.9 14.7 12.0 5.4 25.3 23.5 15.5 12.1 5.9 24.8 IS. 7 14.7 13.7 5.2 24.1 18.5 15.4 13.3 5.7 Onions................. ............................. L b .. Cabbage............................................ L b .. Beans, baked................................... (8) Corn, canned.................................... 0 ) Peas, canned.................................... (6) 8.9 5.7 17.4 18.0 18.3 9.2 7.8 16.9 17.9 18.5 6.9 4.3 16.4 18.2 18.8 5.9 6.8 16.5 18.2 18.7 12.7 9.3 18.5 21.7 20.9 9.1 4.4 17.6 21.7 20.6 8.0 5.5 18.3 18.7 18.4 8.0 6.5 18.3 18.5 18.8 Tomatoes, canned.......................... (6) Sugar, granulated........................... L b .. T ea..................................................... L b .. Coffee................................................. L b .. 15.2 11.4 87.4 51.3 14.9 11.6 89.5 52.8 14.9 11.2 80.4 48.9 15.3 11.4 81.7 49.8 16.7 10.8 61.9 47.8 17.8 11.0 61.9 49.3 15.8 11.3 86.9 50.9 16.8 11.4 88.5 52.3 Prunes............................................... R aisins.............................................. Bananas............................................ Oranges.............................................. 22.1 19.3 38.5 57.8 23.8 20.3 36.8 57.7 23.8 17.0 36.9 44.6 27.0 17.6 37.4 45.5 25.6 18.0 37.5 51.7 26.8 18.9 40.0 50.8 29.2 17.8 39.5 51.5 28.4 17.0 40.0 51.8 L b .. L b .. Doz. Doz. i The steak for which prices are here quoted is known as “ porterhouse” in most of the cities included in this report, but in this city it is called “ sirloin” steak. 2 15-16-ounce cans. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1052] 65 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FOOD ON JU L Y 15 A N D A U G . 15, 1919, FO R 31 C ITIES—Continued. Minneapolis, Minn. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. Mobile, Ala. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. Newark, N .J. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. New Haven, Conn. Norfolk, Va. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. Omaha, Nebr. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. 38.2 3G.8 31.5 25.0 17.2 35.5 34.1 29.7 23.7 15.7 36.4 35.9 30.9 25.9 21.3 34.6 34.6 30.4 25.4 21.4 47.8 48.6 37.9 30.9 21.7 47.7 48.2 38.3 29.9 21.6 55.2 49.8 40.1 33.7 55.4 50.1 40.3 34.3 47.6 43.3 37.3 30.0 21.5 47.5 43.2 38.0 30.8 21.7 42.8 40.8 30.9 27.6 19.4 40.5 37.9 29.4 25.3 18.5 43.9 Gl. 0 58.5 34.4 35.0 43.1 61.1 60.8 30.9 34.9 48.0 62.5 55.6 36.4 42.5 49.6 62.5 55.5 37.1 42.0 47.3 51.8 57.5 39.9 43.8 49.2 50.9 55.0 38.8 44.5 48.1 60.0 62.5 42.8 46.7 49.0 59.9 63.1 41.9 47.1 44.2 56.8 52.9 42.5 46.1 45.3 58.8 50.0 42.1 45.3 45.0 62.1 60.9 37.4 37.8 42.6 60.3 60.3 35.8 37.2 37.3 12.0 16.1 56.4 39.2 40.0 13.0 16.8 58.0 41.1 32.0 18.3 17.0 64.0 42.6 32.1 18.3 17.9 66.5 44.9 34.0 16.0 14.8 63.3 41.1 34.6 16.7 15.2 64.8 42.0 33.5 14.4 16.1 62.1 42.4 33.6 16.0 16.3 63.4 42.9 30.8 21.0 15.9 68.1 46.2 30.5 21.0 16.0 68.9 48.0 32.2 14.1 17.1 60.9 43.6 33.1 14.4 17.3 61.8 43.8 32.2 40.8 42.4 38.6 47.7 32.3 41.7 40.9 40.5 50.1 41.4 42.3 43.0 36.8 49.5 43.0 42.5 43.3 39.3 57.4 35.4 44.2 43.1 38.2 65.1 35.1 44.9 43.8 40.0 68.3 36.0 43.3 42.2 38.7 70.1 36.4 43.5 42.1 40.3 76.8 40.7 43.3 42,8 38.4 55.3 39.0 43.5 43.3 39.6 55.6 35.6 43.2 44.4 38.7 48.9 35.5 44.2 44.3 41.3 50.1 6.6 9.6 7.2 6.5 14.4 7.0 9.6 7.2 6.5 14.4 10.7 9.7 7.5 6.3 14.7 11.2 9.6 7.4 6.5 14.7 8.6 9.8 7.7 7.3 12.6 8.6 9.8 7.6 7.0 12.5 8/9 10.0 7.6 7.6 13.9 9.1 10.5 7.5 7.8 13.9 10.0 9.9 7.8 6.1 14.4 10.3 9.9 7.7 6.2 14.4 8.7 10.0 7.1 6.3 15.0 8.3 10.0 7.0 6.4 14.7 25.1 18.9 14.9 10.6 4.4 25.4 18.8 15.6 10.8 3.7 26.0 19.6 14.0 13.5 5.4 25.4 19.1 15.4 13.9 6.2 23.7 20.0 15.0 12.6 5.2 23.6 19.8 16.5 12.6 5.2 24.4 20.7 15.4 12.6 4.7 24.3 20.7 15.7 12.5 4.5 25.6 20.1 16.0 12.0 4.7 25.2 20u 2 16.6 13.3 5.4 25.5 19.6 14.7 12.8 4.9 25.3 18.8 15.0 12.5 4.9 11.0 3.6 18.7 16.9 17.2 7.8 3.6 19.1 17.1 17.3 10.2 5.7 17.7 19.8 19.6 9.1 5.5 17.6 20.0 19.7 10.2 5.6 15.4 21.1 19.9 8.4 4.4 15.3 20.6 19.7 10.6 7.2 18.4 21.9 22.2 8.5 4.2 18.2 22. 1 21.5 11.9 5.3 14.8 22.0 22.5 8.8 5.4 14.6 21.9 22.5 9.4 4.3 20.9 17.9 18.5 7.6 5.1 19.5 17.5 18.2 16.5 10.8 61.0 48.8 16.5 11.2 62.8 52.9 14.9 11.1 76.6 40.5 14.9 11.3 79.1 43.6 14.4 10.3 56.6 44.4 14.7 10.7 56.1 45.2 16.3 10.9 61.8 47.7 16.7 11.1 61.4 48.5 17.5 11.0 81.8 49.4 17.7 11.2 85.3 51.1 17.0 11.1 77.4 49.1 16.8 11.1 75.3 49.7 26.6 16.5 43.8 54.6 27.2 16.9 41.4 54.7 24.7 18.3 30.4 57.1 26.9 19.5 30.0 60.0 30.1 16.1 39.0 59.3 30.4 16.8 40.0 60.3 27.5 17.4 36.7 55.6 26.8 17.7 36.4 56.2 26.7 16.9 38.6 56.2 26.2 16.9 39.2 52.3 27.1 20.3 45.0 51.6 27.0 18.7 40.0 53.5 3 Baked weight. < 8-ounce package. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 6 28-ounce package. ? No. 2 can. [ 1053 ] 66 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. A V ER A G E R E T A IL PRIC ES OF T H E PR IN C IP A L A RTICLES OF Peoria, 111. Article. Unit. Portland, Me. Portland, Oreg. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. Providence, R . I. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. Sirloin stea k ..................................... Round steak.................................... Rib roast.......................................... Chuck roast...................................... L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. 37.8 37.6 28.6 25.8 20.1 36.6 36.1 27.4 25.4 18.7 159.9 50.7 33.1 26.5 158.2 52.8 33.1 26.2 33.7 32.6 30.4 23.7 17.5 33.4 31.8 29.4 22.8 16.7 166.4 53.9 41.7 36.1 166.5 53.9 42.3 36.1 Pork chops....................................... B acon............................... ................ Ila m ................................................... Lamb................................................. H ens................................................... L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. 43.2 58.9 57.5 36.5 37.7 42.0 57.6 57.0 37.1 36.2 47.6 53.0 57.2 40.7 49.3 48.9 54.2 57.0 37.6 47.8 47.7 62.2 60.0 34.8 39-8 48.2 61.4 59.8 33.2 38.6 50.0 54.4 67.4 43.5 47.1 52.6 54.5 66.8 41.9 48.3 Salmon (canned)............................ Milk, fresh........................................ Milky evaporated (unsweetened). B utter................................................ Oleomargarine................................. L b .. G t.. (0 L b .. L b .. 31-3 11.8 17.2 59.7 43-1 31.1 14.3 17.6 61.0 43.8 29.6 14.0 16.6 68.0 43.6 29.9 14.3 17.2 69-1 43-2 35.3 15.0 15.0 63.6 41.5 36.5 15.2 16.7 66.5 40.8 35.3 15.0 16.1 63.4 38.9 35.7 15.5 16.8 64.6 40.3 N ut margarine................................ Cheese............................................... Lard................................................... Crisco................................................. Eggs, strictly fresh......................... L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. Doz. 36.6 44.1 42.6 40.9 48.9 36.8 44.1 41.9 41.5 50.5 36.2 44.1 43.9 41.6 69.3 35.8 43.8 44.0 42.5 74.9 36.0 45.2 40.2 41.8 55.3 36.6 45-7 41.2 44 0 59.8 34.3 42.6 42.9 38.0 72.3 34.4 42.7 42.6 40.6 76.3 Rolled oats....................................... Bread................................................. Flour................................................. Corn meal......................................... Corn flakes...................................... L b .. Lb8. L b .. L b .. («) 9.1 10.0 8-1 6.5 14.9 9-5 10.0 7.8 6.7 14.9 7.4 11.0 7.6 6.5 14.1 7.9 11.0 7.5 6.7 14.0 8.5 9.9 6.6 7.5 14.8 8.5 9.9 6.4 7.3 14.8 8-8 10.7 7.9 6.2 13.8 8.4 10.7 8.0 6.3 13.8 Cream of W heat............................. Macaroni.......................... ............... R ice................................................... Beans, n a v y ..................................... Potatoes............................................ (*) L b .. L b .. L b .. L b .. 26.9 15.0 14.6 12.2 4.8 26.8 19.3 14.9 12.3 5.0 25.0 22.5 14.3 11.7 4.2 25.1 22.6 14.9 12.1» 5.6 28.6 17.0 14.4 10.6 3.8 29.0 17.6 15.2 10.7 3.3 24.6 20.4 14.0 11.8 5.1 24.5 21.1 14.6 11.9 5.1 Onions............................................... L b .. Cabbage............................................ L b .. Beans, baked................................... (6) Corn, canned.................................... (0 Peas, canned.................................... (6) 10.0 4.9 19.5 17.3 18.8 9.1 4.8 18.8 17.6 18.3 12.1 7.1 18.8 21.5 20.9 8.0 3.9 19.1 21.5 21.3 7.4 5.0 22.9 22.4 22.1 5.9 4.7 23.3 22.3 21.9 11.3 6.2 16.6 20.2 20.1 8.0 3.9 16.7 20.2 20.1 Tomatoes, canned.......................... (6) Sugar, granulated........................... L b .. T ea..................................................... L b .. Coffee................................................ L b .. 15.8 11.4 72.8 46.7 15.2 11.8 73.3 47.6 20.0 10.5 64.7 48.4 20.3 10.5 64.0 49.6 19.8 10.7 63.8 49.4 19.7 10.7 64.2 50.0 17.1 10.6 61.1 51.8 16.9 10.8 60.7 52.7 Prunes............................................... R aisins.............................................. Bananas............................................ Oranges............................................. 27.7 17.7 10.1 52.4 28.5 18-4 10.2 51.0 26.7 15.8 38.3 60.4 27.3 16.6 42.0 59.6 21.3 17.7 45.6 59.0 21.9 17.7 44.0 58.3 30.8 17.6 40.8 58.6 31.1 19.1 41.3 60.8 L b .. L b .. Doz. Doz. 1 The steak for which prices are here quoted is known as “ porterhouse” in m o st of the cities included in this report, but in this city it is called “ sirloin” steak. 2 15-16 ounce can. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1054 ] 67 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. FOOD ON JU L Y 15 A N D AUG. 15, 1919, FO R 31 CITIES—Concluded, Richmond, Va. July 15, 1919. - Aug. 15, 1919. Rochester, N . Y . July 15, . 1919. St. Paul, Minn. Salt Lake City, Utah. Aug. 15, 1919. Scranton, Pa. Springfield, 111. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. July 15, ' 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. July 15, 1919. Aug. 15, 1919. 45.0 42.1 35.5 31.9 25.9 44.0 40.9 35.4 30.2 24.1 42.3 39.7 32.7 28.9 20.4 41.7 38.8 32.1 29.3 20.3 40.7 36.6 33.1 26.2 17.4 38.7 34.6 31.5 25.0 16.5 35.5 31.9 27.4 23.8 18.1 33.9 30.7 26.7 22.6 16.3 47.8 43.3 37.9 31.9 20.9 45.9 42.0 37.1 31.1 19.6 37.7 37.7 29.3 25.6 20.7 36.6 35.9 27.4 24.6 19.6 45.8 54.0 54.4 43.1 41.5 45.9 53.9 54.8 40.9 43.7 48.6 49.6 56.3 37.0 45.2 47.7 49.7 56.4 35.6 45.2 42.3 57.6 58.3 35.2 35.9 41.6 57.8 58.8 31.2 35.9 44.6 59.6 57.7 30.9 "36.7 47.5 60.0 57.9 28.5 36.4 47.8 61.4 60.0 45.0 47.8 48.8 60.6 60.0 43.4 47.1 43.0 55.9 55.9 37.3 34.7 42.5 56.2 55.6 36.5 30.3 26.2 15.5 16.9 68.9 41.9 26.4 15.7 17.3 69.4 42.3 30.8 13.5 15.7 61.7 42.1 31.0 14.0 16.3 63.2 43.8 31.6 11.7 15.9 57.3 40.1 32.4 13.0 16.8 57.3 40.5 32.3 12.5 15.1 65.0 42.0 31.8 12.5 16.5 66.7 42.0 37.1 13.0 15.7 62.8 43.5 36.4 14.0 15.8 63.9 43.8 32.4 14.3 17.5 60.7 45.1 32.7 14.3 17.8 62.0 45.2 36.6 43.9 40.7 37.8 53.4 36.9 43.9 42.2 39.8 57.1 34.4 41.4 41.6 37.9 57.4 34.4 41.5 41.6 39.3 61.1 34.4 40.2 43.1 38.6 49.5 34.9 41.0 42.0 39.4 51.4 39.3 43.1 44.3 45.8 51.2 40.4 43.4 44.7 46.3 56.7 37.7 41.9 42.2 38.4 61.8 36.3 42.8 44.0 40.6 65.2 36.4 43.9 43.4 41.7 48.5 35.7 44.2 42.6 42.8 50.2 10.3 10.9 7.6 6.2 14.6 10.5 10.9 7.6 6.3 14.8 7.1 10.0 7.5 6.7 13.8 7.0 10.0 7.4 6.7 13.7 7.2 9.3 7.3 6.2 14.5 7.5 9.3 7.3 6.5 14.5 8.6 10.2 6.1 7.4 14.7 9.3 10.0 6.1 7.3 14.8 10.1 10.0 8.0 9.3 14.4 10.3 10.0 7.8 9.0 14.2 10.0 10.0 7.6 6.7 15.0 9.6 10.0 7.5 6.7 14.9 25.2 18.4 15.3 13.9 4.7 25.4 19.1 15.9 14.0 4.9 24.5 19.3 14.7 11.9 4.9 24.6 19.0 15.7 12.0 5.5 25.9 17.6 14.9 10.8 4.8 25.8 19.2 15.6 10.8 3.3 25.9 17.9 14.8 12.3 5.0 25.9 19.5 16.0 12.4 4.2 25.5 22.5 15.2 14.1 5.2 25.1 22.0 15.9 14.2 5.3 27.3 16.7 14.6 12.8 4.7 27.3 17.4 15.6 12.8 5.1 7.5 3.9 15.3 19.3 22.4 6.5 5.8 15.1 18.9 22.2 11.6 7.2 15.3 19.7 19.3 8.8 5.0 15.1 19.2 19.1 11.0 4.3 18.9 17.6 16.8 6.6 3.2 19.1 17.3 10.6 10.3 7.4 19.1 18.6 18.0 7.2 5.8 19.8 18.4 18.3 9.7 6.0 17.1 21.3 19.3 8.8 3.9 16.4 20.4 18.8 8.7 4.3 18.5 17.1 18.3 8.0 5.7 18.8 17.0 18.4 17.2 11.0 82.4 43.6 17.0 11.1 81.4 45.7 16.5 10.6 60.6 41.3 16.8 10.8 61.0 44.9 16.4 11.2 61.8 46.6 16.0 11.1 62.7 48.4 17.5 11.0 71.6 51.0 17.2 11.0 73.1 54.4 18.3 10.7 64.3 46.5 17.6 10.9 66.2 48.8 16.7 12.0 84.3 46.2 16.9 12,3 86.0 48.9 26.4 16.4 44.1 53.0 27.5 16.4 44.2 51.1 24.5 16.2 41.1 53.0 27.9 16.9 42.1 55.4 25.9 16.9 40.0 54.1 25.7 17.2 40.0 55.1 18.1 15.8 51.0 52.7 23.8 17.0 49.0 55.8 24.8 17.1 38.1 55.4 24.5 18.3 37.7 56.6 26.0 19.3 36.0 48.7 23.4 20.9 37.5 48.3 3 Baked weight. * 8-ounce package. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 3 28-ounce package. 6 N o. 2 can. [ 1055 ] 68 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, Retail Prices of Dry Goods in the United States. HE following table gives the average retail prices of 10 articles of dry goods for May 15 and October 15, 1918, and for February 15, May 15, and August 15, 1919. The averages given are based on the retail prices of standard brands only. T AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OF 10 ARTICLES OF D R Y GOODS ON MAY 15 A N D OCT. 15, 1918, A N D ON F E B . 15, MAY 15, A N D AUG. 15, 1919, IN 50 CITIES. A tlan ta, Ga. Article. Unit. 1918 May 15. Oct. Feb. 15. 15. 1919 May Aug. 15. 15. B altim ore, Md. 1918 May 15. 1919 Oct. Feb. 15. 15. May Aug. 15. 15. Yard. 80.200 SO.250 $0.235 SO.350 SO.215 SO.150 $0.250 .. .d o .. .299 . 400 80.384 80.379 80.390 .316 .409 . 361 .315 .407 Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in ch ---- .. -do.. .267 .320 .274 .233 .250 .276 .292 .253 .240 .279 Gingham, dress, 27-inch................ ...d o .. .306 .383 .369 .343 . 371 .290 .394 .323 .347 .348 .521 . 543 . 525 .536 .521 .472 .531 .521 Musiin, bleached........................... ...d o .. .321 .338 .280 .272 .328 .345 .384 • 2S9 , .273 .386 .730 .788 .744 .721 .826 .798 .890 .809 .793 .925 Sheets, bleached, 81 by 90............. Each. 1.964 2.004 1.935 1.849 2.164 2.077 2.268 1.899 1.929 2.292 Outing flannel, 27 to 28 in c h . . . . . Yard. .306 .377 .337 .293 .376 .300 .392 .298 .346 .358 Flannel, white, wool, 27-inch. . . . ...d o .. 1.000 . 750 .750 .925 .850 1. 000 .945 .945 1.100 .800 Blankets, cotton, 66 by 80............ Pair.. 4.375 4.792 5.490 4.987 6.250 5.938 5.175 5.900 5.725 Birmingham, A la. Calico, 24 to 25 in ch ............... . B oston , Mass. Yard. 80.210 SO.210 80.177 SO. 150 80.198 SO. 197 10.220 80.190 SO.190 SO.217 346 279 367 .305 .370 .310 .317 .413 .325 . 397 .258 .279 .260 .213 .269 .305 .301 .275 .250 .261 .287 .413 .358 . 326 .340 .310 .368 .289 .267 .293 .503 . 518 .532 .592 .504 . 516 . 52.3 .491 .250 .331 .263 .270 .326 .309 .378 .302 .291 .367 ...d o .. .639 .698 .672 .610 .751 .751 .834 .798 .752 .802 Each. 1.594 1.838 1.742 1.716 1.931 1.950 2.164 2.026 1.909 2.107 Yard. .287 .319 .355 .293 .366 .391 .368 .311 .312 . 323 .. .do.. .690 .990 .950 1.125 1.000 1.117 1.117 Pair.. 3.000 5.310 5.475 6.560 5.573 4.000 5.650 5.783 4.750 4.750 Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h . . . ... d o . . Gingham, dress, 27-inch................ ...d o ,. Gingham, dress, 32-inch................ ...d o .. Sheeting, bleached, 9 -4 ................. Sheets, bleached, 81 by 90............. Outing flannel, 27 to 28 in ch ........ Flannel, white, wool, 27-inch___ Blankets, cotton, 66 by 80............ B ridgeport, Conn. Calico, 24 to 25 in ch ........................ Percale............... ............................... Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h . . . Gingham, dress, 27-inch.......... ... Sheeting, bleached, 9 ^ .................. Sheets, bleached, 81 by GO______ Outing flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ........ Flannel, white, wool, 27-inch___ Blankets, cotton, 66 b y 8 0 ........... https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Buffalo, N . Y . Yard. 80.147 80.190 80.190 SO.150 80.210 SO.193 SO. 263 SO.218 SO. 178 SO. 219 ...d o .. .250 . 395 .338 .295 .385 .316 .384 . 363 .308 .364 ...d o .. .260 .290 .260 .245 .250 .277 .307 .268 .230 .256 ...d o .. .350 .377 .325 .304 .354 .328 .360 .355 .319 .344 .544 .529 .501 . 551 .579 .578 . 583 . 563 .290 .357 .280 .275 . 345 .328 .346 .288 .289 375 .. .do.. .723 .870 .797 .768 .914 .784 .854 .793 .766 .907 Each. 1.668 2.155 1.990 1.887 2.322 1.925 2.108 1.993 1.860 2.185 Yard. .235 .338 .320 .289 .315 .355 .377 .343 .283 .342 ...d o .. 1.000 . 76C .783 .745 .745 1.013 .917 .886 .882 .776 P a ir.. 3.500 6.950 4.083 4.375 4.413 6.124 6.194 6,298 6.363 [1056] 69 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, AVER A G E R E T A IL PRICES OF 10 ARTICLES OF D R Y GOODS ON MAY 15 A N D OCT. 15, 1918, AN D ON F E B . 15, MAY 15, AN D AUG. 15, 1919, IN 50 C ITIES—Continued. B u tte, Mont. Article. Unit. 1919 1918 May 15. Oct. 15. Feb. 15. May Aug. 15. 15. C harleston, S. C. 1919 1918 May 15. Oct. Feb. 15. 15. May Aug. 15. 15. Calico, 24 to 25 inch............... . ......... Yard. 10.150 $0.168 SO. 174 SO.150 SO.165 SO. 220 SO.253 SO.159 SO. 158 SO. 218 .316 .408 .300 . 329 .330 .330 .350 .338 .388 Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in ch ___ ...d o .. .250 .250 .250 .220 .250 .258 .286 .228 .197 .263 Gingham, dress, 27 inch................. ...d o .. .317 .363 .310 .328 .353 .326 . 350 .333 .308 .367 .533 .400 .448 .463 . 413 .428 .432 .513 .333 .303 .312 .275 .244 .394 .333 .363 .313 Sheeting, bleached, 9-4................... ...d o .. . 725 .839 .808 .838 .850 .670 .831 .745 .729 .800 Sheets, bleached, 81 by 9 0 .............. Each. 2.000 2.242 2.20-9 2.133 2.292 1. 796 2.016 2.032 1.801 2.186 Outing flannel, 27 to 28 in ch .......... Yard. .2.50 . 349 .317 .314 .326 .318 .368 .294 .280 .353 . 8Ü0 .925 .920 .800 .600 . 61O i.nno 5.990 5.817 5.800 6.150 4.500 5.160 5.000 C hicago, III. Cincinnati, Ohio. Calico, 24 to 25 in c h ......................... Yard. 80.183 $0.246 SO. 195 SO.181 10.198 SO. 233 $0.238 $0.194 SO. 160S0.233 . 350 .310 . 348 .430 .283 . 319 .295 . 290 .365 ...d o .. Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 inch___ ...d o .. .250 .268 .212 .222 .252 .253 .270 .254 .230 .238 Gingham, dress, 27-inch...... ........... ...d o .. . 343 .363 .323 .330 .348 .290 .314 .298 .275 .323 .614 .626 .581 .627 .588 .589 .562 .572 .307 .343 .300 .294 .363 .269 .303 .268 .256 .351 Sheeting, bleached, 9-4................... ...d o .. .822 .801 .762 . 765 .936 .726 .798 .702 .701 .826 Sheets, bleached, 81 by 90............. Each. 2.0-40 2.140 1.9.32 1. 831 2.301 1.743 1.9S9 1.901 1.830 2.019 Outing flannel, 27 to 28 inch.......... Yard. .349 .364 .353 .288 .333 .343 .388 .337 .300 .319 1.095 . 915 . 850 .650 1.095 Blankets, cotton, 66by 8 0 ............. Pair.. 4.500 5.431 5.433 5.304 5.830 6.400 6.375 6.250 Cleveland, Ohio. Calico, 24 to 25 inch.......................... Percale............................................... Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in ch ___ Gingham, dress, 27-inch................. Gingham, dress, 32-inch................. Sheeting, bleached, 9-4................... Sheets, bleached, 81 by 9 0 ............. Outing flannel, 27 to 28................... Blankets, cotton, 66by 80.............. Columbus, Ohio. Yard. SO. 201 SO. 233 $0.155 $0.150 SO. 200 SO. 196 SO. 230 SO. 180 SO. 176 SO. 196 ...d o .. .320 .387 .315 .339 .431 .336 .383 .348 .343 .412 ...d o .. .267 .309 .227 .250 .301 .250 .307 .285 .212 . 2'0 ...d o .. .300 .352 .297 .329 .358 .350 ..371 .368 .354 .367 .592 .566 .588 .619 .545 .430 .515 .580 ...d o .. .338 .358 .253 .290 .374 .309 .348 .267 .263 .405 ...d o .. .778 .829 .733 .758 .921 .769 .806 .781 .726 .874 Each. 1.965 2.124 1.650 1.777 2.200 1.906 2.047 1.919 1.877 2.1Ì4 Yard. .360 .362 .301 .298 .368 .361 .424 .341 .329 .378 1 250 1.175 .900 1.350 1 . 200 1.125 P air.. 5.333 5.938 5.475 6.542 6. 75C 5.500 6.567 6.370 5.980 5.717 D allas, Tex. Denver, Colo. Calico, 24 to 25 inch.......................... Yard. $0.198 $0.217 $0.183 SO. 186 SO. 190 SO. 229 SO. 238 SO. 158 so.ieo .490 . 467 SO. 361 .429 .330 .358 .338 .330 .366 Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in ch___ ...d o .. .225 .250 .233 .197 .250 .300 .342 .250 .250 .333 Gingham, dress, 27-inch................. . ..d o .. .310 .325 • 33C . 32C .337 . 351 .361 .389 .332 .36-1 Gingham, dress, 32-inch................. . ..d o .. .538 .549 .527 .52C .638 .717 .671 .628 .282 .291 .263 .251 .324 .361 .371 .301 .287 .420 Sheeting, bleached, 9-4................... ...d o .. .672 .756 .704 .658 .800 .939 .953 .955 .839 1.068 Sheets, bleached, 81 by 90............. Each. 1.628 1.925 1.866 1.656 1.978 2.397 2.359 2.377 2.082 2.673 Outing flannel, 27 to 28 inch.......... Yard. .276 .340 . 401 .271 .335 .391 .396 .408 .356 .366 .788 .788 Flannel, white, wool, 27-inch........ ...d o .. . 75C 1.501 1.141 1.067 1.025 1.067 Blankets, cotton, 66 by 80.............. Pair.. 6.500 6.483 5.920 5.667 5.960 4.875 5.950 5.958 6.057 6.233 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1057 ] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, 70 A V ER A G E R E T A IL PRICES OF 10 ARTICLES OF D R Y GOODS ON MAY 15 A N D OCT. 15, 1918, AN D ON F E B . 15, MAY 15, A N D AUG. 15, l r19, IN 50 CITIES—Continued. D etro it, Mich. Article. U nit. 1918 May 15. Calico, 24 to 25-inch........................ Oct. Feb. 15. 15. 1919 May- Aug. 15. 15. F all River, Mass. 1918 May 15. Oct. 15. 1919 Feb. 15. May Aug. 15. 15. Yard. $0,210 $0.202 $0.227 $0.164 $0.198 $0.190 $0.190 $0.170 $0.170 $0.170 .326 .392 .336 .337 .369 .369 .379 .357 .308 .390 .268 .287 .257 .241 .250 .266 .290 .277 .223 .270 .275 .326 .332 .317 .335 .311 .316 .284 .293 .330 . 54C . 51C .489 .531 .529 .519 .476 .505 .345 .366 .291 .29Î .316 .304 .301 .260 .300 ...d o .. .771 .840 .793 .760 .849 .727 .835 .863 .795 .820 Each. 2.083 2.188 2.019 1.908 2.079 1.69C 2.080 1.883 1.824 1.993 Yard. . 32C .361 .336 .293 .317 .249 .379 .303 .297 .290 . 98C 1.057 .995 1.488 1.025 Pair.. 4.696 5.000 5.238 4.930 5.435 5.980 5.980 Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in ch . . . ...d o .. Gingham, dress, 27-inch................ ...d o .. Sheeting, bleached, 9 -4 .................. Sheets, bleached, 81 by 90............. Outing flannel, 27 to 28 in ch ........ Blankets, cotton, 66 by 80............ H ouston, Tex. Yard. Gingham, apron, 27 to 28in c h .. . ...d o .. Blankets, cotton, 66 by 80............ P a h .. Indianapolis, Ind. $0.203 $0.188 $0.150 $0.205 $0.200 $0.257 $0.142 $0.164 SO 181 .350 .400 .348 .312 .314 .368 .328 .313 .358 .268 .270 .225 .245 .245 .304 .228 .263 .253 .329 . 36C .297 .33C .277 . 34S .305 . 32C .314 .512 .625 .553 .604 .508 .439 .468 .498 .301 .285 .259 .310 .302 .326 .289 .292 .313 .755 .713 .608 .792 .752 .829 .767 .780 .855 1.883 1.695 1.577 1.878 1.688 2.054 1.951 1.897 2.064 .360 .275 .265 .281 .326 .378 .328 .293 .312 .615 .670 .722 .823 .980 .835 .923 . 895 .827 7.467 6.125 6.433 7.225 4.827 5.988 5.893 5.495 6.050 Jacksonville, Fla. K an sas City, Mo. Calico, 24 to 25-inch............. .......... Yard. $0.193 $0.254 $0.180 $0.225 $0.180 $0.235 $0.247 $0.190 $0.184 $0.196 .320 .442 .427 .445 .463 .350 .436 .438 .373 . 458 Gingham, apron, 27 to 28-inch.. . ...d o .. .300 .314 .290 .263 .290 .295 .316 .273 .250 .316 Gingham, dress, 27-inch................ ...d o .. .343 .368 .350 .370 .370 .326 .390 .386 .369 .367 .524 .445 .528 .542 P,0] .588 .562 .610 .338 .348 .307 .330 .413 .319 . 359 .311 .324 .740 .831 .775 .850 .950 .790 .894 . 818 . 828 Sheets, bleached, 81 by 90............. Each. 2.003 2i. 035 2.000 2.H7 2.188 1.760 2i229 1.915 1.910 2.500 Outing flannel, 27 to 28-inch........ Yard. .317 .351 .330 .288 .330 .310 .400 .370 .351 .355 Flannel, white, wool, 27-inch___ ...d o .. .750 .775 .650 1.167 .890 Blankets, cotton, 66 by 80............ Pair.. 6.000 5.995 6.500 6.500 5.740 3.750 6.108 6.480 6.000 5.745 L ittle R ock, Ark. Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h .. . Gingham, dress, 27-inch................ Gingham, dress, 32-ineh................ Muslin, bleached............................. Sheeting, bleached, 9-4.................. Sheets, bleached, 81 by 90............. Outing flannel ,27 to 28 in ch ........ Flannel, white, wool, 27-ineh___ Blankets, cotton, 66 b y 80............ https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis ...d o .. ...d o .. ...d o .. Each. Yard. ...d o .. Pair.. L os A ngeles, Calif. $0,229 $0.201 $0.169 $0.188 $0.197 ftO.255 .317 .361 .322 .322 . 356 .238 .280 .248 .225 .250 .280 .350 .263 .263 .279 .285 ,325 .291 . 316 .322 .297 .400 .371 .361 .391 . 549 .495 .468 .432 .483 334 339 .284 .309 .249 .269 .700 .806 .788 .729 .899 .740 .812 .769 .806 1.708 1.915 1.759 1.819 1 .936 1.944 2.066 1.968 1.853 2.025 .291 .336 .270 .281 .332 .350 .397 .392 .385 .750 1.125 .764 1.000 1.025 1.250 1.100 .900 1.300 3.750 4.910 4.531 5.000 6 . 125 4.500 5.969 6.417 6.494 6.400 [ 1058 ] 71 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. • A V ER A G E R E T A IL PRICES OF 10 ARTICLES OF D R Y GOODS ON MAY 15 A N D OCT. 15, 1918, A N D ON F E B . 15, MAY 15, A N D AUG. 15, 1919, IN 50 CITIES—Continued. M anchester, N . H. Louisville, K y. Article. U nit. 1918 May 15. Oct. Fob. 15. 15. 1919 May Aug. 15. 15. 1919 1918 May 15. Oct. Feb. 15. 15. May Aug. 15. 15. Yard. $0.180 SO. 244 SO. 160 $0.190 $0.207 $0,223 $0.279 SO. 161 10.215 $0.232 ...d o .. .325 .410 .348 .340 .382 .305 .398 .358 .277 .421 Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h .. . ...d o .. .263 .299 .248 .202 .258 .300 .284 .261 .220 .254 Gingham, dress, 27-inch................ ...d o .. .322 .403 .401 .323 .361 .353 .353 .318 .281 .344 .513 .492 .408 .557 ...d o .. .583 .559 .564 .608 ...d o .. .292 .341 .263 .286 .353 .334 .355 .275 .283 .380 Sheeting, bleached, 9-4.................. ...d o .. .689 .778 .739 .730 .835 .777 .834 .734 .699 .901 Sheets, bleached, 81 by 90............ Each. 1.818 1.901 2.064 1.967 2.120 2.101 1.958 1.774 1.688 2.379 Outing flannel, 27 to 28 in ch ........ Yard. .377 .403 .374 .377 .328 .283 .388 .275 .277 .322 do . .850 .850 .770 1.250 1.285 4.926 4.779 5.426 4.794 6.342 Blankets, cotton, 66 by 80............ Pair.. 4.500 5.960 6.125 Calico, 24 to 25 in c h ..'.................. Memphis, Team. M ilwaukee Wis. Yard. SO. 235 SO. 259 SO.221 SO.184 SO.199 SO.180 SO. 209 SO. 170 $0.153 $0,236 .333 .424 .380 .407 .316 .430 . 345 .344 .435 Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h ... ...d o .. .280 .293 .263 .230 .260 .258 .278 .246 .226 .270 Gingham, dress, 27-inch................ ...d o .. .333 .352 .330 .288 .363 .280 .345 .323 .330 .350 ...d o .. .546 .553 .563 .582 .549 .542 .510 .549 ...d o .. .322 .348 .285 .284 .353 .313 .335 .304 .295 .375 Sheeting, bleached, 9-4.................. ...d o .. .786 .854 .788 .738 .909 .752 .825 .814 .739 .860 Sheets, bleached, 81 by 90........... Each. 1.981 2.164 1.978 2.024 2.271 2.248 2.133 1.981 1.887 2.227 Outing flannel, 27 to 28 inch........ Yard. .288 .360 .331 .290 .341 .320 .331 .313 .329 .345 .850 .600 .825 1.000 1.250 1.350 Blankets, cotton, 66 by 80............ Pair.. 5.500 6.033 5.777 5.921 6.280 5.377 6.079 6.520 5.904 6.058 Calico, 24 to 25 inch........................ M inneapolis, Minn. Yard. $0.183 $0.226 SO. 156 SO.166 SO. 192 ...d o .. .313 .387 .357 .366 .376 Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h .. . ...d o .. .220 .273 .256 .237 .250 Gingham, dress, 27-inch................ ...d o .. .306 .346 .336 .329 .349 .606 .610 .581 .582 Gingham, dress, 32-inch................ ...d o .. .313 .340 .285 .278 .354 Sheeting, bleached, 9-4.................. ...d o .. .750 .812 .741 .698 .855 1.998 2.163 1.956 1.896 2.186 .328 .408 .319 .313 .354 1.000 1.000 .977 .800 Blankets, cotton, 66 "by 80............ Pair.. 4.250 5.762 5.497 5.732 5.920 N ew ark, N . J. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis SO. 246 SO. 190 SO.154 SO. 225 .373 .362 .311 .350 .280 .213 .193 .250 .358 .295 .301 .347 .531 .500 .477 .530 .341 .275 .258 .346 .806 .698 .595 .690 2.071 2.00C 1.620 1.S27 .353 .221 .276 .290 .650 .675 6.107 6.740 5.500 N ew Haven, Conn. $0,145 Yard. $0.200 SO. 260 SO.173 SO. 177 SO. 198 SO. 190 SO. 233 SO. 240 .350 .430 .325 .330 .366 .290 .393 .346 $0,321 .346 .260 .270 .230 .203 .250 .290 .293 .248 .194 .241 .328 .373 .284 .290 .340 .296 .338 .324 .257 .333 .537 .528 .505 .531 .553 .516 .533 .555 .293 .330 .291 .317 .345 .331 .351 .286 .269 .334 ...d o .. .776 .849 .761 .771 .839 .773 .778 .699 .670 .825 Each. 1.877 2.072 1.849 1.916 2.113 1.878 1.975 1.763 1.696 2.003 Yard. .354 .372 .307 .272 .341 .295 .342 .296 .243 .276 ...d o .. 1.367 1.65C 1.450 1.250 1.220 1.238 1.013 .925 .883 .790 Pair.. 4.240 5.750 4.750 4.958 5.250 3.500 4.688 4.495 4.796 4.872 Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h .. . ...d o .. Gingham, dress, 27-inch................ ...d o .. Sheeting, bleached, 9-4.................. Sheets, bleached, 81 by 90............ Outing flannel, 27 to 28 in ch ........ Flannel, white, wool, 27-inch........ Blankets, cotton, 66 by 80............ M obile, Ala. [1059 ] 72 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OF 10 ARTICLES OF D R Y GOODS ON MAY 15 A N D OCT. 15, 1918, A N D ON F E B . 15, MAY 15, A N D AUG. 15, 1919, IN 50 C ITIES—Continued. N ew Y ork, N . Y . N ew Orleans, La. Article. Unit. May 15. Calico, 24 to 25 inch........................ 1919 1918 Oct. Feb. 15. 15. May Aug. 15. 15. 1918 May 15. 1919 Oct. Feb. 15. 15. May Aug. 15. 15. Yard. 80.200 $0.250 $0.150 $0.150 $0.269 $0.265 $0.264 $0.210 $0.205 $0.270 .400 . 375 .320 .350 .450 .357 .424 .371 .343 .419 .288 .267 .250 .250 .250 .281 .281 .247 .212 .290 .313 .336 .283 .287 .312 .315 .308 .347 .335 .361 .552 .777 .616 .625 .459 .520 . 508 .552 .288 .288 .349 .267 .317 .238 .227 .324 .343 ...d o .. .660 .760 .750 .620 .705 .809 .923 .797 .757 .892 Each. 1.667 1.888 1:898 1.788 1.795 2.055 2.189 1.909 1.878 2.199 Yard. .300 .339 .350 .300 . 296 .366 .388 .324 .307 .304 1.046 1.022 .911 1.029 .890 .500 Pair.. 7.000 4.540 5.980 5.500 5.250 5.750 5.686 5.524 5.238 Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h .. . ...d o .. Gingham, dress, 27-inch................ ...d o .. Sheeting, bleached, 9 -4 ................. Sheets, bleached, 81 by 90............. Outing flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ........ Blankets, cotton, 66 by 8 0 ............ N orfolk, V a. Calico, 24 to 25 inch................. . Omaha, Nebr. $0.209 $0.237 $0.169 S0.1G2 $0.194 Yard. «0.159 $0.250 $0.220 $0.250 .335 .434 .360 .330 SO.460 .328 .389 .377 .348 .389 .290 .295 .270 .250 .266 .250 .287 .270 .232 .270 .317 .365 .336 .355 .370 .294 .367 .345 .337 .342 .608 .595 .596 .612 .572 . 557 .536 .607 .301 .354 .292 .277 .354 .292 .362 .317 .289 .371 ...d o .. .718 .782 .791 .792 .870 .732 .776 .726 .726 .888 Each. 1.752 2.062 1.916 1.786 2.159 1.956 2.071 1.853 2.013 2.157 Yard. .288 .352 .311 .310 .360 .330 .371 .346 .328 .358 ...d o .. 1.00C .875 1.125 1.125 1.123 1.163 1.125 1.150 .945 6.796 5.183 5.990 6.500 4.345 6.667 6.133 6.381 5.886 Pair.. Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 inch — ...d o .. Gingham, dress, 27-inch................ ...d o .. Gingham, dress, 32-inch................ ...d o .. Sheeting, bleached, 9-4 — .......... Sheets, bleached, 8l by 90............. Outing flannel, 27 to 28 in ch ........ Flannel, white, wool, 27-inch----Blankets, cotton, 66 by 80........... Peoria, 111. Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h .. . ...d o .. Gingham, dress, 27-inch.......... . ...d o .. Gingham, dress, 32-inch................ Sheeting, bleached, 9 -4................. Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90............. Outing flannel, 27 to 28 in ch ........ Flannel, white, wool, 27-inch___ Blankets, cotton, 66 by 80............ ...d o .. Each. Yard. Pair.. $0.138 $0.207 $0.213 Jtn.isnan i r.o 10.225 $0.211 $0.159 $0.207 .315 .343 .330 .336 .330 .338 .376 .307 .304 $0.382 .230 .223 .250 .230 .245 .290 .289 .239 .203 .280 .287 .307 .335 .328 .350 .330 .367 .29C .320 .343 .521 .534 .537 .515 .513 . 53C .581 .580 .279 .350 .307 .277 .342 .303 .329 .283 .288 .348 .705 .705 .877 .824 1.007 .715 .866 .761 .754 .829 1.773 2.208 2.126 2.148 2.376 1.78C 2.047 1.856 1.813 1.990 .316 .340 .379 .353 .353 . 33C .391 .308 .285 .325 .993 1.022 .938 1.07C .854 6.125 5.883 5.700 6.217 5.000 4.836 5.153 5.472 5.376 P ittsburgh, P a. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Por tlan d, Me. $0.204 $0.276 $0.209 $0.167 $0.173 $0.250 .320 .361 .326 .310 .350 .323 $0.398 .253 .286 .241 .192 .220 .310 .310 .301 .339 .305 .309 .340 .315 .390 .554 .526 .541 .515 .535 .278 .338 .281 .267 .298 .298 .338 .721 .857 .785 .727 .790 .688 .775 Each. 1.821 2.090 1.788 1.707 1.797 1.780 1.976 .278 .352 .324 .302 .333 .238 .373 1.222 1.063 .800 .760 .785 .875 5.495 4.850 6.536 5.957 5.750 Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h . . . Gingham’ dress, 27-inch................ ...d o .. Sheets, bleached, 8i by 90............. Philadelphia, P a. [ 1060 ] $0.390 .250 .336 .550 .331 .785 1.990 .329 5.400 73 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. A V E R A G E R E T A IL PRIC ES OF 10 A RTICLES OE D R Y GOODS ON M AY 15 A N D OCT. 15, 1918, A N D ON F E B . 15, M AY 15, A N D A U G . 15, 1919, IN 50 C ITIES—Continued. P ortland, Oreg. Article. Unit. 1919 1918 May 15. Oct. Feb. 15. 15. May Aug. 15. 15. Providence, R . I. 1918 May 15. Oct. 15. 1919 Eeb. 15. May Aug. 15. 15. $0.179 80.239 80.142 80.148 80.195 80.196 80.274 80.186 80.190 .300 .370 .400 .358 .400 .300 .372 .320 .300 $0.343 .250 .280 .200 .200 .250 .278 .297 .240 .214 .270 .283 .366 .340 .338 .350 .282 .370 .306 .316 .321 .523 .474 .495 .560 .480 .450 .693 .663 .290 .325 .258 .277 .371 .313 .352 .263 .257 .349 Sheeting, bleached, 9-4.................. ...d o .. .732 .769 .700 .700 .897 .727 .823 .724 .766 .922 Sheets, bleached, 81 by 90............. Each. 1.993 1.960 1.900 1.889 2.300 1.853 2.230 2.078 1.734 2.435 .390 .323 . 255 .284 .360 .347 .333 .335 .363 1.013 .990 .990 .915 .930 .983 1.100 5.690 6.500 4.410 6.018 5.995 6.058 5.495 Blankets, cotton, 66 by 80............ Pair.. 6.063 Gingham, apron ,27 to 28 in c h .. . ...d o .. Gingham, dress, 27-inch................ T..d o .. Richmond, V a. R ochester, N. Y. 1 Calico, 24 to 25 inch....................... Yard. 80.203 $0.238 80.188 80.164 80.205 80.185 80.198 80.138 $0.128 80.188 .297 .409 .348 .318 .405 .325 .372 .285 .277 .387 Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in ch . . . ...d o .. .263 .294 .247 .206 .254 .227 .248 .238 .194 .205 Gingham, dress, 27-inch................ ...d o .. .305 .342 .320 .290 .315 .246 .337 .309 .276 .322 .522 .562 .561 .627 .471 .457 . 436 .489 .320 .365 .293 .273 .369 .269 .309 .266 .246 .346 Sheeting, bleached, 9-4.................. ...d o .. .854 .844 .787 .742 .908 .688 .775 .696 .712 .889 Sheets, bleached, 81 bv 9 0 ........... Bach. 2.000 2.075 1.906 1.849 2.210 1.830 2.075 1.934 1.783 2.153 Outing flannel, 27 to 28 in ch ........ Yard. .290 .353 .330 .308 .348 .284 .355 .304 .282 .325 .590 1.375 1.250 Flannel, white, wool, 27-inch----- ...d o .. .935 .914 .971 .852 .795 Blankets, cotton, 66 by 8 0 . . . . . . . Pair.. 6.237 5.618 5.678 5.903 5.865 5.988 6.493 5.500 5.517 S t. L ouis, Mo. S t. Paul, Minn. Yard. $0.192 80.250 SO. 208 80.195 80.220 80.202 80.214 80.157 80.156 80.216 .350 .430 .370 .320 .430 .330 .361 .308 .296 .378 .250 .290 .255 .220 .280 . 255 .284 .249 .220 .240 .313 .372 .334 .289 .387 .314 .349 .315 .309 .359 .538 .541 .484 .597 .651 .585 .594 .685 . 298 .361 .275 .249 .362 .353 .344 .324 .277 . 354 ...d o .. .725 .810 .712 .689 .895 .788 .867 .809 .733 .895 Each. 1.871 1.987 1.891 1.90C 2.281 2.147 2.227 2.128 1.861 2.230 Yard. .333 .388 .328 .351 .367 .316 .359 .316 .278 .322 .980 .775 .933 .800 1.115 1.100 5.542 5.971 5.698 6.675 6.750 6.690 6.500 5.245 Pair.. Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h .. . ...d o .. Gingham, dress, 27-inch----------- ...d o .. Gingham, dress, 32-inch................ ...d o .. Sheeting, bleached, 9 -4 .................. Sheets, bleached, 81 by 90— . . . . Outing flannel, 27 to 28 in ch ........ Blankets, cotton, 66 fry 80."......... S a lt Lake City, U tah. Vatvl ...d o .. Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 inch — ...d o .. Gingham’, dress, 27-inch................ ...d o .. Sheeting, bleached, 9 -4 .................. ...d o .. Outing flannel, 27 to 28 inch........ Yard. Flannel, white, wool, 27-inch----- ...d o .. Blankets, cotton, 66 by 80............ Pair.. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis San Francisco, C alif. $0 183 ftfì. 204 SO. 169 80.158 80.190 .335 .424 .395 .351 .384 80.392 $0.460 80.400 80.417 .400 .250 .294 .235 .245 .262 .283 .300 .317 .288 .320 .331 .366 .349 .329 .377 .306 .350 . 336 .333 .360 .545 . 55C . 50C .525 .656 . 71C .635 .586 .304 .329 .311 .294 .377 .328 .336 .210 .286 .355 .757 .826 .793 .762 .871 .838 .854 .800 .771 .865 2.233 2.082 2.027 1.971 2.152 2 .09C 2.077 1.934 1.905 2.122 .311 .388 .382 .319 .361 .356 .418 .381 .359 .408 1 .05C 1.57S 1.35C 1.258 1.750 1.250 1.200 .750 .750 1.000 5.762 6.379 5.943 6.529 6.366 5.675 6.9S0 7.596 [1061 ] 74 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. AVER A G E R E T A IL PRICES OF 10 ARTICLES OF D R Y GOODS ON MAY 15 A N D OCT. 15, 1918, A N D ON F E B . 15, MAY 15, A N D A UG. 15, 1919, IN 50 CITIES—Concluded. Scranton, P a. Article. Unit. May 15. Calico, 24 to 25 inch..................... Percale........................................... Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 inch. Gingham, dress, 27-inch........... Gingham, dress, 32-inch............ Muslin, bleached......................... Sheeting, bleached, 9-4.............. Sheets, bleached, 81 by 90......... Outing flannel, 27 to 28 in c h .. . Flannel, white, wool, 27-inch.. Blankets, cotton, 66 by 80......... 1919 1918 Oct. 15. Feb. 15. May Aug. 15. 15. 1918 May 15. Oct. Feb. 15. 15. May Aug. 15. 15. Yard. 0.230 $0,225 $0.188 50.187 50.207 $0,219 $0,250 $0.213 50.180 $0,200 ..d o .. .350 .337 .350 .285 .390 .342 .456 .389 .357 .418 ..d o .. .268 .287 .260 .220 .290 .250 .300 .250 .240 .250 ..d o .. .301 .344 .320 .291 .330 .338 .383 .306 .328 .328 .553 .517 .493, .594 ...d o .. .510 .608 .560 .558 .324 .352 .284 .282 .347 .353 .344 .300 .253 .403 .do. ...d o .. .711 .799 .777 .752 .771 .850 .900 .855 .767 1.090 Each. 1.988 2.013 1.954 1.902 2.053 2.167 2.319 2.200 1.929 2.850 Yard. .308 .371 .322 .312 .326 .335 .390 .362 .338 .385 ...d o .. .750 .6 8 8 .790 .980 1.200 1.083 .875 .875 .925 Pair.. 5.000 5.842 5.993 6.288 6.653 5.750 5.890 6.050 5.675 6.083 Springfield, 111. Calico, 24 to 25 inch..................... Percale....................... : .................. Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 inch. Gingham, dress, 27-inch............ Gingham, dress, 32-inch............ Muslin, bleached......................... Sheeting, bleached, 9-4.............. Sheets, bleached, 81 by 90......... Outing flannel, 27 to 28 in c h .. . Flannel, white, wool, 27-ineh.. Blankets, cotton, 66 by 80......... S eattle, W ash. W ashington, B . C. Yard. 0.207 $0,233 $0.168 $0.160 $0.192 1263 $0.198 $ 0.200 $0.175 ...d o .. .299 .400 .314 .335 .330 .350 .420 .348 $.338 .354 ...d o .. .256 .283 .250 .240 .247 .300 .281 .244 .243 .263 ...d o .. .319 .368 .321 .320 .341 .410 .390 .353 .381 .371 ...d o .. .529 . 571 .499 .435 .510 .559 .534 .587 ...d o .. .314 .316 .266 .262 .311 .350 .346 .268 .278 .344 ...d o .. .719 .778 .698 .737 .820 .831 .813 .801 .740 .858 Each. 1.664 1.803 1.780 1.967 2.081 2.081 2.144 1.890 1.876 2.347 Yard. .286 .341 .292 .284 .321 .400 .398 .315 .304 .339 ...d o .. .875 .900 1.195 1.380 1.250 Pair.. 5.483 4.000 4.650 5.196 4.500 5.556 6.500 7.500 6.156 Comparison of Retail Food Costs in 50 Cities in the United States. HE table following shows for 39 cities the percentages of increase or decrease in the retail cost in August, 1919, of 22 food articles 1 combined, compared with the average cost in the year 1913, in August, 1918, and in July, 1919. For 11 other cities comparisons are given for the one-year and one-month periods, as these cities have been scheduled by the Bureau at different dates since 1913. The average family expenditure is based on the prices sent to the Bureau each month by retail dealers, and on the average family consumption of these articles in each city. The amounts given as the expenditures in August, 1918, and in July and August, 1919, represent the amounts necessary to buy a year’s supply of these 22 food articles when purchased at the average retail prices charged in the months specified. This method makes it easier to compare the increase with the year 1913. This year has T 1 Sirloin steak, round steak, rib roast, chuck roast, plate beef, pork chops, bacon, ham, lard, hens, flour, corn meal, eggs, butter, milk, bread, potatoes, sugar, cheese, rice, coffee, and tea. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1062 ] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 75 been selected for the comparison because it was the last year before the war, when prices were normal. No attempts should be made in this table to compare one city with another, as the average number of persons in the family varies according to the city, and these 22 food articles represent a varying proportion of the entire food budgets according to locality. This table is intended to show merely comparisons in the retail cost of these 22 food articles for each city. Effort is made to secure prices on similar grades of commodities in all cities. Local customs, however, must be taken into consideration. For example: 1. In Boston, Mass., Fall River, Mass., Manchester, N. H., New Haven, Conn., Portland, Me., and Providence, R. I., very little fresh plate beef is sold, and prices are not secured from these cities for this article. 2. The cut of beef known as “ sirloin” in Boston, Mass., Manches ter, N. II., Philadelphia, Pa., and Providence, R. I., would be known as “ porterhouse” in other cities. In these four cities, owing to the method of dividing the round from the loin, there is no cut that cor responds to “ sirloin” in other cities. There is also a greater amount of trimming demanded by the trade in these cities. 3. The most of the sales in Newark, N. J., are on whole ham in stead of the sliced ham as in other cities. While it is advised that comparisons should not be made as be tween cities, without taking these and other facts relative to local customs and transportation into consideration, the figures do represent the trend in the retail cost of these articles to the aver age family in each city. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [10631 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, 76 R E T A IL COST OF 22 FOOD ARTICLES,! COM BINED, IN AUGUST, 1919, COMPARED W ITH THE COST IN JU L Y , 1919, AUGUST, 1918, A N D W ITH THE A V ER A G E COST IN THE Y E A R 1913, B Y CITIES. Average family expenditure 22 food articles combined. City. Year 1913. August,2 1918. Atlanta............................................... Baltimore........................................... Birmingham....................................... Boston............................................... $361.00 335.15 ■377.53 388.16 Buffalo............................................... Charleston........................................... Chicago.............................................. Cincinnati........................................... Cleveland........................................... Dallas................................................. Denver............................................... Detroit............................................... Fall River........................................... Indianapolis........................................ Jacksonville........................................ Kansas City........................................ Little Rock......................................... Los Angeles........................................ Louisville........................................... Manchester.......................................... Memphis............................................. Milwaukee.......................................... Minneapolis........................................ Newark.............................................. New Haven........................................ New Orleans....................................... New York........................................... Omaha............................................... Peoria................................................. Philadelphia....................................... Pittsburgh.......................................... Portland', Oreg.................................... Providence......................................... Richmond........................................... St. Louis............................................. St. Paul.............................................. Salt Lake City..................................... San Francisco...................................... Scranton............................................. Seattle................................................ Washington............. - ......................... 318.15 348.60 333.48 338.26 354.01 395.41 247.36 33«. 02 375.51 345.23 377.10 340.12 390.14 284.84 363.85 336.01 368.46 327.25 319.98 364.92 376.96 369.29 355.36 334.52 $628.74 625.69 655.86 658.40 631.91 574.31 466.40 615.07 571.49 562.15 607.30 593.79 653.52 420.21 600.09 641.06 638.48 572.67 612.39 577.25 671.31 432.09 609.70 640.94 634.53 562.21 531.14 647.03 611.57 664.04 620.70 604.27 636.27 575.47 555.85 610.27 598.80 635.60 436.44 677.33 616.03 577.56 578.37 541.97 412.73 426.27 603.54 450.46 585.08 641.90 352.19 350.35 266.03 380.85 346.40 326.36 261.87 271.48 335.98 265.35 354.82 1919 Au 1913 gust, July, 1919. 1918. July.2 August.2 $683.63 676.68 752.94 710.76 682.50 626.82 490.69 690.88 644.82 646.36 692.38 664.98 746.93 469.00 681.82 701.53 707.19 665.17 681.58 645.57 722.18 463.38 706.09 694.78 738.08 651.97 628.46 730.60 ¿69.45 701.17 708.37 666.65 701 19 666.61 644.97 657.67 665.86 690.69 462.71 734.35 682.32 630.14 642.57 634.60 459.32 458.00 667.48 472.11 650.44 708.29 $701.04 94 683.45 104 758.46 101 730.57 88 685.07 638.05 101 484.44 699.19 101 662.58 97 636.28 88 685.42 94 659.03 747.02 89 464.05 * 88 695.93 108 708.27 89 712.94 669.46 94 699.82 86 654.34 92 736.35 89 459.38 61 708.28 95 710.78 94 746.09 102 663.72 103 623.31 95 748.83 678.01 86 717.94 90 716.72 94 669.50 88 710.67 657.52 97 650 68 674.42 91 91 667.87 711.02 461.53 73 742.27 95 690.23 99 641 81 644.30 97 618.84 455.42 74 453.30 67 674.30 95 81 481.55 654 82 719.22 103 1 See note on p. 48. 2 Cost of year’s supply at prices charged in specified months. 3 Increase of less than five-tenths of 1 per cent. 4 Decrease. s Decrease of less than five-tenths of 1 per cent. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1064] Percentage increase, August, 1919, com pared with— 12 3 9 1 16 1 11 3 8 (3) u 2 4 41 14 1 16 3 13 . 4 2 41 13 41 H 14 (3) 10 41 2 16 1 10 1 12 1 17 14 3 13 1 2 10 6 41 16 (3) 2 11 1 18 2 18 41 17 2 16 i n 2 8 15 1 11 (s) 1 12 14 <1 1 17 h 3 12 (3) 3 12 6 (6) i 10 12 i H 2 11 (s) 14 42 10 41 6 41 12 1 2 7 1 12 12 2 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 77 Index Numbers of Wholesale Prices in the United States, 1913 to August, 1919. HOLESALE prices in the United States continued to advance during August, the Bureau’s weighted index number standing at 226, as compared with 219 for July. The groups of food commodities, cloths and clothing, lumber and building materials, and house-furnishing goods showed large increases, the index numbers rising from 218 to 228, 282 to 303, 186 to 209, and from 245 to 259, respectively. Smaller increases occurred in the fuel and lighting, metals and metal products, chemicals and drugs, and miscellaneous groups. On the other hand, the index number for farm products dropped from 246 to 243. Among the important commodities whose wholesale prices averaged higher in August than in July were barley, corn, alfalfa hay, hides, cattle, sheep, peanuts, beans, butter, canned goods, eggs, rye flour, fruits, glucose, corn meal, fresh beef, milk, olive oil, rice, potatoes, vinegar, shoes, cotton and woolen goods, leather, anthracite coal, coke, refined petroleum, ingot copper, copper wire, bar silver, window glass, lumber, linseed oil, rosin, glycerin, muriatic acid, wood alcohol, furniture, cutlery, bran, cottonseed meal, jute, soap, and wood pulp. Cotton, oats, wheat, timothy hay, hogs, poultry, cheese, wheat flour, lard, silk, turpentine, lubricating oil, and rope averaged lower in price, while flaxseed, rye, hops, tobacco, bacon, hams, lamb, mutton, salt, sugar, tea, carpets, bituminous coal, gasoline, matches, crude petro leum, bar iron, pig iron, steel and steel products, brick, and cement remained practically unchanged in price. In the period from August, 1918, to August, 1919, the index number of farm products increased from 230 to 243, that of food articles from 193 to 228, and that of cloths and clothing from 252 to 303. During the same period the index number of fuel and lighting increased from 166 to 175, that of lumber and building materials from 157 to 209, and that of house-furnishing goods from 221 to 259. The index number of miscellaneous commodities, including such important articles as cottonseed meal, jute, malt, lubricating oil, news-print paper, rubber, rope, starch, soap, plug tobacco, and wood pulp, increased from 191 to 225. In the groups of metals and metal products and chemicals and drugs, the index number decreased from 185 to 161 and from 222 to 172, respectively, from August, 1918, to August, 1919. W 138517 °—10 -6 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1065 ] 78 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. INDEX NUMBERS OF WHOLESALE PRICES IN SPECIFIED MONTHS, 1913, TO AUGUST, 1919, BY GROUPS OF COMMODITIES. [1913=100.] Year and month. 1913. A verage for y e a r ... January................. April..................... July...................... October................. 1914. January................. April..................... July...................... October................. 1915. January................. April..................... July...................... October................. 1916. January................. April..................... July..................... . October................. 1917. January................. February............... March.................... May....................... June...................... July....................... August.................. September............. October................. November.............. December.............. 1918. January................. February............... March.................... April..................... May....................... June...................... July...................... August.................. September............. October................. November.............. December.............. 1919. January................. February............... March.................... April..................... May....................... June...................... July..................... . August1................ Lum Fuel Metals and Chem House Mis All Farm Food, Cloths and ber and and icals furnish cella com build prod etc. cloth light metal ing and ing neous. modi ucts. prod ing. ing. drugs. goods. ties. ucts. mate rials. 100 97 97 101 103 100 99 96 102 102 100 100 100 100 100 100 103 98 99 100 100 107 102 98 99 100 100 101 101 98 100 101 101 99 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 98 101 100 100 100 98 100 101 101 103 104 103 102 95 104 107 98 99 99 97 99 98 95 93 92 91 85 83 98 99 97 96 100 100 99 105 99 99 99 99 99 101 97 96 100 98 100 99 102 107 108 105 106 105 105 104 96 99 99 103 93 89 90 96 83 91 102 100 94 94 93 93 103 102 108 124 99 99 99 99 100 99 98 99 99 100 101 102 108 114 118 136 114 118 122 141 110 119 126 138 105 108 108 133 126 147 145 151 99 102 99 101 150 172 156 150 105 108 121 124 107 no 120 132 111 117 120 134 148 151 163 181 197 197 199 205 204 208 212 205 151 160 161 183 192 188 182 181 1.80 184 185 186 161 162 164 169 173 179 187 193 193 193 198 202 176 185 188 184 194 201 192 165 160 146 155 158 183 190 199 217 239 257 249 226 182 174 174 106 108 110 117 127 132 133 134 134 134 135 159 160 165 179 180 198 209 223 252 240 238 132 132 132 139 144 152 152 152 152 155 155 138 141 143 150 152 153 156 155 163 166 170 151 156 161 182 185 187 186 183 181 183 183 207 208 212 217 214 217 224 230 237 224 221 222 188 187 179 180 179 180 186 193 200 202 208 212 211 216 223 232 237 245 249 252 254 256 255 250 157 157 158 157 160 159 166 166 167 167 171 171 174 176 176 177 178 178 184 185 184 187 188 184 136 138 144 146 148 150 154 157 159 158 164 164 232 232 232 229 223 219 216 222 220 218 215 195 161 161 165 172 173 198 199 221 226 226 226 227 178 181 184 191 194 196 190 191 194 196 203 204 185 187 187 190 191 193 198 203 207 205 206 207 222 218 228 235 240 231 246 243 209 197 205 212 216 206 218 228 234 223 216 217 227 258 282 303 170 169 168 167 167 170 171 175 172 168 162 152 152 154 158 161 161 163 165 162 164 175 186 209 191 185 183 178 179 174 171 172 218 218 218 217 217 233 245 259 , 212 208 217 216 213 212 221 225 203 197 201 203 207 207 219 226 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 1Preliminary. [ 1066 ] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 79 Gross Margin of Profit in Retail Sales of Food in the District of Columbia. WO tables relating to the gross margin of profit in the retail sale of food in the District of Columbia are here presented. The first table relates to the margin in the sale of fresh beef. Retail price figures were obtained from six meat dealers. Each dealer gave the weight and wholesale price of a side of beef, and then gave the weight of each of the several cuts from the side with the retail price of each cut. It should be stated that in this table the number of pounds of each kind of meat represents, in most cases, sales to several customers. Following this tabulation, sum mary figures are shown for the six firms. The second table shows the gross margin of profit on the principal articles of food sold in grocery stores. Each grouping of three lines refers to a particular article in a particular store. The first line shows the wholesale price, the second line the retail price, and the third line the difference between the two prices, in other words, the gross margin of the dealer. The retail price is for a day in the first week of September, 1919. For a number of articles, two columns of prices are presented in Table 2. The first column shows the actual wholesale cost of the article that was being sold by the retailer, that is, what the retailer actually paid for the article. The article might have been bought by the retailer only a day or two before the retail sale, or it might have been bought months earlier. In a number of instances, the month in which the wholesale purchase was made is stated in the table. The second column shows the wholesale market price of the article at the time of the retail sale, in other words it is the price the dealer would have had to pay to replace the article the day the re tail sale was made. In a number of instances, the current whole sale market price is the same as the cost, no change having taken place in the wholesale price between the date the article was bought at wholesale and the date of its sale at retail. In some instances the wholesale price advanced between the date of purchase and the date of sale, and in some instances, the wholesale price declined. The method of fixing the retail price differs as between dealers, and as between different articles with the same dealer. One dealer determines his gross margin of profit at the time of his purchase, and holds to that margin if he can, which is easy enough if the whole sale price continues to advance, but difficult if the wholesale price goes down, as then he must meet the competition of the dealer who has just bought at a lower wholesale price. Other dealers change T https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1067 ] 80 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. their retail price according to the wholesale market with only a secondary regard as to their purchase price. The gross margin must not be considered as clear profit, for out of it must come the cost of doing business. The gross margin must first provide for interest on capital invested, rent, clerk hire, de livery, light, heat, ice, taxes, bad debts, depreciated and spoiled food, etc. No attempt is here made to ascertain the dealer’s net profit. Wholesale meat dealers sell meat by the carcass, side, or quarter, and also subdivide a quarter and sell it out in smaller subdivisions known in the trade as ' ‘cuts.” https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1068] T a ble 1 .—W HOLESALE AN D R E T A IL PRICES OF FR E SH B E E F , A N D GROSS MARGIN. Firm No. 1. Cuts of meat. Firm No. 2. Firm No. 4. Firm No. 3. Firm No. 5. Firm N o. 6. Num- Price Num- Price Num- Price Num- Price Num- Price Num- Price per per ber of per per per Cost. ber of per Cost. Cost. ber of Cost. ber of Cost. ber of Cost. ber of pounds. pound. pounds. pound. pounds. pound. pounds. pound. pounds. pound. pounds. pound. Purchase by retailer from wholesaler of C e n ts . C e n ts . 240 22 246 $52.80 21 C e n ts . $51.66 248 23 C e n ts . C e n ts . 264 $57.04 20 $52. SO 200 C e n ts . 12.5 $25.00 250 15 $37.50 28 3.08 .01 20 35 .50 .05 13.30 SALES BY R E T A IL E R TO CUSTOM ERS. \ Shank— 5 21 [ 1069 ] 2 13 25 Loin of beef: Flank: S tea k . I { .......................... Kidney: 25 40 25 45 5 4 45 1.75 .06 12.60 3 12 31 27 50 13.50 14 55 7.70 1 3 4 43 20 3 3 .50 . 75 11.25 7 9 28 14 3.00 \ 5.50 / 1.65 8. 40 1i H Hi 40 25 .60 2.88 11 1 25 .50 . 25 } 35 40 1.75 3.20 .01 1.88 2.00 .01 50 55 55 60 io 121 25 35 .43 1 .60 .12 | 25 6J 3.85 .02 91 2.85 .01 10 40 1.25 .05 13.20 31 6 25 23 30 21 45 .75 .55 13.95 5 10 33 23 50 11.50 30 45 13.50 19 50 9.50 171 45 7.88 11 121 1.38 1 ? 1 4 35 20 8 .53 .80 .32 .70 \/ .60 .03 1 4i 92 127 4 1 5 25 8 25 .32 121 23 U 71 10 2 21 1 20 2.30 .01 11 31 28 .70 .03 7.00 10 38 2i 28 6 .4 4 271 38 10.45 28 2.10 12 40 4.80 20 6 2.00 .12 H 4i 2 25 20 10 .31 .95 .20 10 20 .25 .20 21 10 20 .25 .20 .05 22 20 4.95 1.10 .01 4.50 1.05 1 5 .03 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 120 115 Round of beef: Rump— 2 125 Chuck: Plate...................................................... https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 2 30 18 7 33 127 126 33 25 15 9.90 4.50 .04 4.95 2381 10 21 32 35 30 20 13.48 3.00 .01 6.40 [ 108 137 ( i 35 1 2 451 30 13.65 1\ 173 351 20 7.10 371 30 25 18 10.50 4.25 .01 6.75 129 18 15 19 15 3.42 2.25 30 12 3.60 / \ 221 51 3 30 51 15 20 1 Includes top rib. 00 T a b l e 1 __W H O L E SA L E A N D R E TA IL PRICES OF FR E SH B E E F , AND GROSS MARGIN—Concluded. Firm No. 2. Firm No. 1. * to Firm No. 5. Firm No. 4. Firm No. 3. 00 Firm No. 6. N um Price N um Price N um Price N um Price N um Price N um Price per per per Cost. ber of Cost. Cost. ber of per per Cost. ber of per Cost. ber of ber of Cost. ber of pounds. pound. pounds. pound. pounds. pound. pounds. pound. pounds. pound. pounds. pound. Cuts of meat. 14 8 126 Clod......................................................... 1 f 8 7 (4) 45 35 35 $6.30 2.80 18 7 .40 / l 2.45 31 91 5 45 30 30 40 i 17 3 141 40 35 1.05 .50 } 11 2.00 . 31 35 $8.10 2.10 $6.80 | 2 23 5.08 1.25 / \ 1.23 7 7 5 C e n ts . C e n ts . C e n ts . 137 127 129 108 30 $6.90 25 1.75 .04 1.50 30 2 20 31 51 71 81 23 20 23 23 $4.60 / l .70 .03 1.73 1.96 / 131 7 30 25 $4.05 1.75 21 6| 10Î 15i 53 20 28 28 .50 .03 3.01 4.27 .02 21 [ 1070 ] Total selling price............................ 29.4 7.4 70.51 ........ ------- =: ----- ' $27.33 11.1 34 7Yes. ( 8) »Y es. 53 ( 8) 12Yes. Yes. No. 1 5 ribs. 2 7 ribs. * 4 ribs. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis * Included in shoulder chuck. Bone. 8 Meat. 6 32.1 $17.71 78.99 ........... 27.5 $20.27 8.1 36 7Yes. ( 8) No. UY es. Yes. 7 For 1 week only. 8 Steaks before weighing, other cuts after. 9 Does not trim before or after. 19.7 $19.89 7.5 7.2 38 7Yes. (8) No. 12Yes. No. 1,448 $276. 80 19.1 $399.13 $122. 33 27. 6 8.5 44 60.19 24.1 $14.44 $22.69 9.1 58 Yes. (9) No. 12Y es. No. io All cuts before except rib of beef, u A few regular customers. >J If desired. T o ta l a n d avera g e f o r th e 6 f i r m s s h o w n a b o v e . Total w eight..................................................... 1.............pounds. Total cost....................................................................................... Average cost per pound.....................................................cents. Total selling price......................................................................... Gross margin.................................................................................. Average selling price per pound...................................... cents. Average gross margin per pound......................................do.*.. Per cent of gross margin............................................................... 39.44 72.69 77.31 31.1 61 7Yes. (10) No. 12Yes No. MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, Shank— C e n ts . C e n ts . C e n ts . 125 Ribs of beef: Rib roast— MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 83 The Washington branch of one of the large packing companies was visited for the purpose of checking wholesale prices of beef by the side and of getting wholesale prices of standard cuts of beef. A half carcass, consisting of one hindquarter and one forequarter, to gether weighing 232 pounds, and having a selling price of 18 cents a pound by the side, was selected for a test. The following table shows the weight of the hindquarter and forequarter of this side of beef. It also shows the weight and the wholesale price of the two cuts of the hindquarter and of the five cuts of the forequarter. At the bottom of the table is a total of the wholesale selling prices as the half carcass was sold out in seven parts. The average price re ceived for the seven cuts was 19.2 cents per pound, or 1.2 cents per pound more than would have been received had the side been sold as a whole. Wholesale price if sold by the side— Side, 232 pounds, at 18 cen ts...................................................... $41. 76 Wholesale prices when sold by the piece— Hindquarter, 110 pounds: Loin, 53 pounds, at 28 c e n ts .............................................. 14. 84 Round, 57 pounds, at 22 c e n ts ........................................... 12.54 Forequarter, 122 pounds: Ribs, 22 pounds, at 25 c e n ts ............................................... 5.50 Chuck, 44 pounds, at 14 c e n ts ............................................ 6.16 1. 50 Brisket, 15 pounds, at 10 c e n ts .......................................... Navel, 20 pounds, at 10 c e n ts ............................................. 2. 00 Shank, 20 pounds, at 10 c e n ts ............................................ 2. 00 Loss, 1 pound in cu ttin g ................................................................... Total wholesale selling price as sold by the cu t........... 44. 54 Average price per pound received for the seven cuts (cents)............................................................................... 19. 2 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1071 ] 84 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. T a b l e 2 — W HO LESA LE A N D R E TA IL PRICES OF GROCERIES, A N D GROSS M ARGIN. ' Unit. Article. Wholesale Wholesale current price at market which purchased, price, retail retail price, and price, and margin. margin. Apples, cooking: ....... do................ Beans, baked: iSO.563 .800 .237 $0.563 .800 .237 G600 .920 .320 .600 .920 .320 .500 .600 .100 .500 .600 .100 .146 . 180 .034 . . . . do .......... .104 .125 .021 .121 . 130 .009 .103 .125 .022 .103 . 125 .022 2.103 .170 .067 .113 . 170 .057 .113 .150 .037 3.162 .200 .038 .125 .200 .075 .113 . 180 .067 ....... do................ .113 .120 .007 Beans, navy, white, dried: .100 .120 .020 .093 .120 .027 .093 .120 .027 .093 .140 .047 <. 100 .125 .025 .083 . 100 .017 .098 . 120 ____ d o . . . .............. 8 March, 1919. * Fall, 1918. 1 September, 1919. 2 August, 1919. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1072 ] .098 .120 .022 Mo n t h l y T .v b l e la b o r r e v ie w . 85 2 .—W H O L E SA L E AN D R E T A IL PRICES OF GROCERIES, A N D GROSS M ARGIN—Continued. Article. Unit. Wholesale price at which purchased, retail price, and margin. Wholesale current market price, retail price, and margin. Beans, string: Wholesale, from farmer cash and no delivery............................ Wholesale, credit and no delivery................................................. 1$0.250 . 400 . 150 %0 250 400 i . 250 .400 . 150 250 1.250 .350 . 100 250 350 ___do ............ Loaf .......... 1.070 .080 .010 Wholesale, credit and no delivery................................................. 12-ounce loaf. . Retail, cash and no delivery........................................................... 1.063 .070 007 Bread, wheat:“ Retail, cash or credit and delivery............................................... Gross m argin.................................. .................................................... Loaf .......... .063 070 ! o07 1 .640 .710 070 i .600 690 090 Wholesale, delivery....................................................................... Retail, credit and delivery.............................................................. i 630 .750 120 Gross margin.................................... .................................................. 630 .700 .070 Wholesale, cash and no delivery................................................... Retail, cash and no d eliv ery .. ..................................................... Gross margin........................'............................................................ .565 .620 .055 Wholesale, credit and no delivery................................................ Retail, cash and no d eliv ery ......................................................... Cabbage: Cheese, American: ........do............... Gross margin....................................................................................... * July, 1919. 630 750 .120 .650 .090 570 650 .080 .035 .060 .025 035 060 025 .040 .060 .020 040 060 020 i .140 175 .035 140 175 035 .343 .390 .047 [ 1073 ] .100 i . 070 .080 .010 Wholesale, cash and delivery......................................................... Retail, cash or credit and delivery............................................... . Gross margin.................................... ................................................. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 150 1.070 .080 .010 Retail, cash and no delivery. . - ..................................................... Gross margin....................... .............................................................. Butter, creamery: Wholesale, cash and delivery......................................................... Retail, cash or credit and deliver y ............................................... 1 September, 1919. 400 2 .370 .450 .080 86 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, T a b l e 2 . —W H O L E SA L E AN D R E T A IL PR IC ES OF GROCERIES, AN D M ARGIN—Continued. U nit. Article. Cheese, American—Concluded. Wholesale, cash and delivery.......... Retail, cash or credit and delivery. Gross m argin........................................ GROSS Wholesale Wholesale price at current market which purchased, price, retail retail price, and price, and margin. margin. Pound. ___ do. ....... do. 1SO.360 .410 do. do. .do. .320 .400 .080 $0,330 .400 .070 do. do. .do. .340 .440 .100 .375 .440 .065 Wholesale, cash.................................. Retail, cash or credit and delivery. Gross margin...... . ............................... do. .do. do. 440 480 040 Wholesale, cash and delivery.......... Retail, cash or credit and delivery. Gross margin...................................... do. .do. .do. 2.500 .600 .480 .600 .100 .120 Wholesale, cash and no d eliv ery .. Retail, cash and no delivery.......... Gross margin...................................... .do. .do. .do. 373 450 077 Wholesale, credit and no delivery. Retail, cash and no delivery.......... Gross m argin...................................... Coffee: Wholesale, credit and no delivery. Retail, cash and no delivery.......... Gross margin...................................... .480 .550 .070 1-pound can. Wholesale, credit and delivery... Retail, no credit and no delivery. Gross margin.................................... Wholesale, credit and delivery... Retail, credit and delivery........... Gross margin................................ .480 .650 .170 Wholesale, credit and d eliv ery ... Retail, no credit and no delivery. Gross margin................. '.................. .480 .580 .100 .500 .600 .100 Wholesale, credit and delivery... Retail, credit and delivery........... Gross margin.................................... .480 .600 .120 .480 .550 .070 Wholesale, credit and d elivery.. Retail, cash and no delivery........ Gross m argin.................................... W holesale, c r e d it a n d d e liv e r y . . Retail, credit and delivery........... Gross margin.................................... Coffee, concentrated: do.............. Retail, credit and delivery........... Gross margin.................................... 4-oz. package ___ do............. ___ do........... . Wholesale, credit and delivery. Retail, credit and delivery....... Gross margin................................ 33-dram pkg ....... do........... ....... do........... W h o le sa le , c r e d it a n d d e liv e r y . .. 8.450 .600 .150 .480 .600 .120 .883 1.450 .567 .279 .450 .171 .560 .750 .187 Wholesale, credit and delivery___ Retail, credit and delivery............. . Gross m argin...................................... Corn, green: Wholesale, credit and no delivery. Retail, cash and no delivery.......... Gross margin...................................... .350 .500 . 150 .350 .500 .150 From farmer, wholesale.................. . Retail, cash or credit and delivery Gross margin...................................... .350 .500 .150 .350 .500 .150 From farmer, wholesale................... Retail, cash or credit and delivery Gross margin...................................... 2.300 .400 .100 .300 Dozen............... 2 September, 1919. 1 A ugust, 1919. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1074 ] .400 .100 87 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, Table 2—WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES OE GROCERIES, AND GROSS MARGIN—Continued. Article. Wholesale Wholesale price at current which market purchased, price, retail retail price, and price, and margin. margin. Unit Corn, canned: Wholesale, credit and delivery... Retail, no credit and no delivery. Gross margin........................... Wholesale, credit and no delivery. Retail, cash and no delivery....... Gross margin............................. Wholesale, cash and delivery...... Retail, cash or credit and delivery Gross margin............................. Wholesale, cash and delivery...... Retail, cash or credit and delivery Gross margin............................. Corn flakes: Wholesale, credit and no delivery. Retail, cash and no delivery....... . Gross margin.............................. Wholesale, credit and delivery Retail, credit and delivery..... Gross margin........................ Wholesale, credit and delivery Retail, credit and delivery..... Gross margin........................ Wholesale, credit and delivery. Retail, cash and no delivery... Gross margin................. ...... 20-oz. can __ do— __ do__ .do. .do. .do. .do. .do. .do. __do... __do... __do... Package. __ do... __ do... 8-oz. package.. __ do........... __ do........... .do... .do... 10.133 ' .125 1.008 $0.133 .150 .017 .167 .200 .033 2.188 .230 .042 .083 .090 .007 .120 s. 120 .117 .150 .033 .117 . 150 .033 .117 .120 .003 .108 .130 .150 .030 3.120 .150 .030 .d o ... .do. .do. .do. Package........ W holesale , cash a n d d e l iv e r y ........ R e ta il, cash o r c r e d it a n d d e liv e ry . Gross m a r g in .......................................... 3.103 .130 .027 .098 W holesale , cash a n d n o d e liv e r y . .. R e ta il, cash a n d n o d e liv e r y ............ Gross m a rg in .......................................... 8-oz. package.. 4.115 .150 .035 .108 .130 Package........ W holesale , cash a n d d e liv e r y .......... R e ta il, cash o r c r e d it a n d d e liv e r y . Gross m a r g in .......................................... C risco: W holesale , cash a n d n o d e liv e r y . .. R e ta il, cash a n d n o d e liv e r y ............ Gross m a rg in .......................................... .022 W h o le sa le , cash a n d d e l iv e r y ........ R e ta il, cash o r c r e d it a n d d e liv e ry . Gross m a rg in .......................................... __do........... W hole sa le , c r e d it a n d n o d e liv e r y . R e ta il, cash a n d n o d e liv e r y ............ Gross m a r g in ........................ ................. __do........... __do........... W holesale , cash a n d d e liv e r y .......... R e ta il, cash o r c r e d it a n d d e liv e r y . Gross m a r g in .......................................... __do........... ....do........... 1-pound can .. __ do........... W holesale , c r e d it a n d d e l iv e r y ___ R e ta il, c re d it a n d d e liv e r y ................ Gross m a rg in .......................................... .346 .380 .034 2.367 . 400 .033 .320 .380 .060 .385 .400 .015 5.438 .450 W holesale , c re d it a n d d e liv e r y ........ R e ta il, cash a n d n o d e liv e r y ............ Gross m a r g in .......................................... https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis .002 .022 .120 .022 W holesale , c re d it a n d d e l iv e r y ___ R e ta il, c re d it a n d d e liv e r y ............... Gross m a r g in .......................................... 1Loss. 2July, 1919. .150 .030 .167 .200 .033 .190 .230 .040 .088 .090 8August, 1919. 4September, 1919. [1075] s May, 1919. .012 .114 .150 .036 .113 .130 .017 .319 .400 .081 .360 .380 .020 .385 .400 .015 .372 .450 .078 .372 .430 .058 88 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, T able 2 .— WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES OF GROCERIES, AND GROSS MARGIN—Continued. Unit. Article. Crisco—Concluded. Wholesale, credit and delivery. Retail, credit and delivery...... Gross margin....................... . Wholesale, credit and delivery. Retail, credit and delivery__ Gross margin........................ Wholesale, credit and delivery... Retail, no credit and no delivery. Gross margin........................... 1-pound can W ho le sa le ( in 6-p o u n d cans), c r e d it a n d d e liv e ry . R e ta il, c re d it a n d d e liv e r y ............................................ Gross m a r g in ...................................................................... Eggs: S t r ic t ly fresh— W holesale , cash a n d n o d e liv e r y ........................ R e ta il, cash a n d n o d e liv e r y ................................. Gross m a r g in .............................................................. S t r ic t ly fresh, n e a rb y — W h o le sa le ..................................................................... R e ta il, cash o r c r e d it a n d d e liv e r y .................... Gross m a rg in ........................................ ..................... S t r ic t ly fresh (selected), n e a rb y — W h o le s a le ..................................................................... R e ta il, cash o r c re d it a n d d e liv e r y ..................... Gross m a r g in .............................................................. S t r ic t ly fresh , gua ra n te e d — W h o le s a le ..................................................................... R e ta il............................................................................. Gross m a r g in .............................................................. Storage— W hole sa le , c re d it a n d n o d e liv e r y ...................... R e ta il, cash a n d n o d e liv e r y ................................ Gross m a r g in .............................................................. F lo u r , w h e a t: W holesale , cash a n d n o d e liv e r y ................................ R e ta il, cash a n d n o d e liv e r y ........................................ Gross m a r g in ...................................................................... Wholesale, cash and delivery....... Retail, cash or credit and delivery. Gross margin.............................. Wholesale, credit and no delivery. Retail, cash and no delivery....... Gross margin............................. Wholesale................................. Retail, cash or credit and delivery Gross margin............................ Wholesale, credit and delivery__ Retail, credit and delivery.......... Gross margin............................. Wholesale, credit and delivery__ Retail, credit and delivery.......... Gross margin............................. Wholesale, credit and delivery... Retail, credit and delivery......... Gross margin............................. Wholesale, credit and delivery__ Retail, credit and delivery.......... Gross margin............................. Wholesale, credit and delivery__ Retail, credit and delivery.......... Gross margin.............................. 1September, 1919. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Wholesale Wholesale price at current which market purchased, price, retail retail price, and price, and margin. margin. 372 048 .372 .400 .028 .372 .380 .008 .369 .4.50 .081 $ 0. __do......... __ do......... .do. .do. .do. .do. .do. .do. Pound __ do. __do. Dozen............... ___ do............... ___ do............... ___ do............... ___ do............... ___ do............... ___ do............... ___ do............... ___ do............... ....... do............... ___ do............... ___ do............... ___ do............... ___ do............... ___ do............... 24^-pound bag ........do............... ........do............... 12-pound bag.. __ do............ __ do............ 24-pound bag.. ......do............ ......do........... 420 i $0,470 .530 .060 1 .5 5 0 .610 .060 1.570 .600 .030 1.650 .800 .150 .470 .550 .080 1.594 1.750 .156 .813 .900 .087 1. 450 1.650 .200 1.450 1.900 .450 21.563 24i-pound bag. 1.950 ........do............... .387 ....... do............... 83.300 49-pound bag.. 3.750 ....... do............... .450 ........do............... ........do.............. 23.125 3.750 ........do.............. .625 ........d o .............. 2.436 6-pound b ag... .550 ........do............... .114 ........do............... 2.391 ....... do............... .550 ....... do............... ___ do............... .159 2August, 1919. 8July, 1919. 470 550 080 1.450 1.650 .200 24J-pound bag ....... do............... ....... do............... £1076] 1.525 1.950 .425 3.338 3.750 .412 3.025 3.750 .725 .441 .550 .109 .391 .550 .159 89 M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W , T a b l e 2 .—W H O L E SA L E A N D R E T A IL PR IC E S OF G R OCERIES, A N D GROSS MAR GIN—Continued. Wholesale Wholesale price at current which market purchased, price, retail retail price, and price, and margin. margin. Unit. Article. Flour, wheat—Concluded. Wholesale, credit and delivery Retail, cash and no delivery__ Gross margin................................ 6-pound bag ___ d o .......... ----- d o .......... *0.391 .500 .109 Wholesale, credit and delivery. Retail, cash and no delivery. . . Gross margin................................ 2-pound bag. ....... do........... ........do ........... .126 .160 .034 Wholesale, credit and delivery Retail, credit and delivery....... Gross margin............................... 12-pound bag.. ___do............... ___ do............... .do. .do. do. Wholesale, credit and delivery Retail, credit and delivery....... Gross margin................................ Wholesale, credit and delivery . Retail, credit and delivery......... Gross margin.................................. Lard: Wholesale, cash and no delivery Retail, cash and no delivery___ Gross margin........................'......... 1 SO.828 1.000 .172 .838 1.000 .162 3.781 .759 1.000 1.000 .219 .241 241-pound bag. ___ do............... ----- d o .............. «1.650 1.950 .300 1.681 1.950 .269 Pou nd............. ___ do............... ___ do............... .318 .350 .032 W holesale........................................... Retail, cash or credit and delivery. Gross margin...................................... do. do. do. i .360 3 .440 .080 .340 .440 Wholesale, cash and delivery........ Retail, cash or credit and delivery Gross margin...................................... do. do. do. .380 .400 .100 .020 .340 .400 .060 Wholesale, credit and no delivery. Retail, cash and no delivery.......... Gross margin........................ .............. Milk, evaporated, unsweetened: Wholesale, credit and delivery . . . Retail, credit and delivery............. Gross margin...................................... ___ do............... ___ do............... ___ do............... .310 .350 .040 .310 .350 .040 6-ounce can. . . ___ do............... ___ do............... 2.073 .090 .017 .073 .090 .017 Wholesale, credit and delivery Retail, credit and delivery....... Gross margin................................ 1-pound can ... ___do............... ___ do............... 2.145 .180 .035 .132 .180 .048 Wholesale, credit and delivery Retail, credit and delivery....... Gross margin.....................*......... do. do. do. 2.145 .180 .035 .139 .180 .041 Wholesale, credit and delivery Retail, credit and delivery........ Gross margin................................ do. do. do. 2.145 .180 .035 .139 .180 .041 2.073 .090 .017 .063 .090 .027 2.070 .090 .020 .060 .090 .030 2.140 .180 .040 .132 .180 .048 Wholesale credit and delivery Retail, credit and delivery__ Gross margin.............................. 6-ounce can. . . ___ do............... ___ do............... Wholesale, credit and delivery Retail, credit and delivery....... Gross margin................................ .do. .do. ,do. Wholesale, credit and delivery Retail, credit and delivery....... Gross margin................................ 1-pound can... ___ do............... ___ do............... Wholesale, credit and delivery. Retail, credit and delivery....... Gross margin................................ 6-ounce can ........do.......... ........do......... .073 .080 .007 Wholesale, credit and delivery. Retail, credit and delivery....... Gross margin................................ .do. .do. .do. .063 .080 .017 1 September, 1919. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis ! July, 1919. [1077] August, 1919. 90 M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W , T a b l e 2 .—W H O L E SA L E AND R E T A IL PR IC ES OF G ROCERIES, A N D M A RG IN —Continued. Unit. Article. Wholesale price at which purchased, retail price, and margin. M ilk, evaporated, unsweetened—Continued. GROSS Wholesale current market price, retail price, and margin. .. .d o .............. ........d o ............... $0.139 .170 .031 ........d o ............... ........d o ............... ........d o ............... .139 .140 .001 ........d o ............... ........d o ............... .132 .180 .048 ........do............... .139 .180 .041 ........do............... ........d o ............... ........do............... $0.134 .150 .016 ........do............... ........d o ............... .142 .140 1.002 .128 .140 .012 ........d o ............... ........do............... .125 .150 .025 .141 .150 .009 ........do............... ........do............... ........do............... .152 .150 1.002 Milk, fresh: N ot skimmed— .130 .150 .020 Pasteurized— “ ........do............... Oleomargarine, uncolored: ___d o ............... Peaches: . .. d o .............. Peas, canned: 20-ounce can .. ........do............... ........d o ............... ........do............... ........do............... Wholesale, cash and delivery.............................................. Gross m argin.................................. .................................................... 1 Loss. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 2 September, 1919. [1078] 2.070 .090 .020 .070 .090 .020 2.130 .170 .040 .130 .170 .040 .345 .400 .055 .345 .400 .055 .335 .380 .045 1.000 1.250 .250 1.000 1.250 .250 .196 .250 .054 .196 .250 .054 .109 .135 .026 .133 .150 .017 .150 .180 .030 .125 .150 .025 91 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, T a b l e 2 .—WHOLESALE A N D RETAIL PRICES OF GROCERIES, MARGIN—Continued. Unit. Article. Peas, canned—Concluded. Wholesale, credit and delivery AND Wholesale price at which purchased, retail price, and margin. GROSS Wholesale current market price, retail price, and margin. i $0,221 $0,200 .250 .029 .250 050 .do. .do .do. s. 158 .180 .022 129 180 051 .do .do. .do s. 192 .250 .058 179 250 071 Pound ___do. ___do. s.450 .539 .089 420 539 119 ___ do. ___ do. ___ do. .420 .520 420 520 .100 100 P e c k .. ___do. ___do. .600 .680 .080 AVholesale, cash and delivery........ Retail, cash or credit and delivery Gross m argin...................................... .do. .do. .do .595 .750 .155 550 750 Wholesale, credit and no delivery. Retail, cash and no delivery.......... Gross m argin...................................... .do. .do. .do. .425 .500 .075 425 500 075 20-ounce c a n .. ....... do............... ....... d o ............... Retail, credit and delivery---Gross margin............................... Wholesale, credit and delivery Retail, credit and delivery___ Gross margin................................ Wholesale, credit and delivery............. Retail, credit and delivery..................... Gross margin.............................................. Pork, salt: B acon Wholesale, cash and delivery........ Retail, cash or credit and delivery Gross margin...................................... Wholesale, cash and delivery........ Retail, cash or credit and delivery Gross margin...................................... Potatoes, Irish: Wholesale, from farmer........................... Retail, cash or credit............................... Gross margin.............................................. Wholesale, cash and no delivery Retail, cash and no delivery___ Gross margin.................................. Rolled oats: Wholesale, credit and d elivery.. Retail, credit and delivery......... Gross margin.................................. ....... do............... ....... do............... ___ d o ............... .100 20-oz. package. ___ d o ............... ___ d o............... 4.100 .130 .030 .400 .500 Package. ___d o .. ___d o .. Wholesale, cash and delivery........ Retail, cash or credit and delivery Gross margin...................................... .117 .120 .003 do do do Wholesale............................................ Retail, cash or credit and delivery Gross m argin...................................... Salmon: Wholesale, credit and no delivery. R etail, cash and no delivery.......... Gross margin...................................... 200 Can do do 117 130 013 117 120 003 .096 108 .120 .024 120 012 .229 .300 .071 292 300 008 Wholesale, credit and delivery Retail, credit and delivery....... Gross m argin................................ 1-pound c a n ... ___ d o ............... ___ d o ............... 6. 238 .350 250 350 .112 100 W holesale, cash and delivery........ Retail, cash or credit and delivery Gross m argin...................................... Can do do 3.321 .400 .079 .do .do .do .208 .250 .042 ___do. ___do. ___do. 6.238 .280 .042 Pound ___do. ___do. .100 .010 Wholesale, cash and no delivery Retail, no delivery........................ Gross margin................................. Wholesale, cash and delivery.......... Retail, cash or credit and delivery Gross m argin...................................... Sugar, granulated: Wholesale, cash and no d eliv ery .. Retail, cash and no delivery.......... Gross margin....................................... 1 February, 1918. 2 September, 1918. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 3 August, 1919. June, 1919. 4 [1079 ] 5 October, 1918. « July, 1919. .090 250 280 030 ’ 92 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, T a b l e 2 . —W H O L E SA L E A N D R E T A IL PRIC ES O P M ARGIN—Continued. GR O C ER IES, A N D Unit. Article. Sugar, granulated—Concluded. Wholesale, cash and delivery,........ Retail, cash or credit and delivery. Gross margin.............................. , ___ Pound ___do. ___do. Wholesale, cash and delivery......... Retail, cash or credit and delivery Gross margin...................................... GROSS Wholesale Wholesale price at current which market purch ased, price, retail retail price, and price, and margin. margin. 103 $0.097 007 .013 .do .do .do. 2.099 .094 .110 .110 Wholesale, credit and no delivery. Retail, cash and no delivery.......... Gross m argin...................................... .do.. .do. .do. 093 105 .093 .105 012 .012 Wholesale, credit and delivery. Retail, credit and delivery....... Gross m argin................................ .do .do .do. Wholesale, credit and delivery. Retail, credit and delivery....... Gross margin................................ .do .do .do Wholesale, credit and delivery. Retail, cash and no d eliv ery ... Gross margin................................ .do. .do. .do. .095 .105 d o .............. do.............. do.............. .095 . 105 .010 Wholesale, credit and delivery.. Retail, cash and no delivery___ Gross m argin.................................. Tea: Wholesale, cash and no delivery. Retail, cash and no delivery___ Gross margin.................................. do.............. d o .............. d o .............. 110 .011 1.095 .110 .015 .095 .105 .010 .010 .435 .540 .105 ».539 .800 .261 Wholesale, credit and no delivery. Retail, cash and no delivery.......... Gross margin..................................... .do .do .do 560 Wholesale, credit and delivery. Retail, credit and delivery....... Gross margin................. ............. do do, do Wholesale, credit and delivery. Retail, cash and no delivery. . . Gross margin................................ lf-oz. package. Wholesale, credit and delivery. Retail, cash and no delivery. . . Gross margin..........: .................... J-lb. package.. Wholesale, credit and delivery. Per lb. in J-lb. package! 750 190 . .do . Wholesale, credit and delivery. Retail, credit and delivery........ Gross margin................................ Wholesale, credit and delivery. Per lb. in i-lb . package. ___do.............. ___do............. . Retail, credit and delivery....... Gross m argin................................ .950 1.200 .250 .080 .100 .020 .079 2.300 .400 .100 300 400 2.650 .650 .800 .150 .800 .150 2.600 .800 .200 .600 .800 *.600 .760 .920 .320 .920 .160 Wholesale, credit and delivery............................................. !..........do Retail, cash and no delivery............................................................ ;........ do Gross margin.........................................................................................!........ do https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis .560 .750 .190 .100 .021 Retail, credit and delivery....... Gross margin................................ i July, 1919. .095 .015 do .do .do U-oz. package ___ d o ............. ___ d o ............. .016 .110 Wholesale, cash and delivery.......... Retail, cash or credit and delivery Gross margin...................................... Wholesale, credit and delivery... R etail, no credit and no delivery Gross margin.................................... .110 2August, 1919. 3 September, 1919. [ 1080 ] 100 .200 .600 .800 .200 * August, 1918. 93 M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W , T a ble 2 . — W H O LESA LE A N D R E T A IL PRICES OF GROCERIES A N D GROSS MARGIN—Concluded. Unit. Article. Wholesale price at which purchased, retail price, and ‘margin. Wholesale current market price, retail price, and margin. Tea—Conclu ded. ®0.710 1.000 .290 ........do.............. .770 1.200 .430 .710 1.000 .290 .730 1.100 .370 . G50 .900 .250 Tomatoes: Canned— $0.171 . 175 .001 .154 . 175 .021 L175 . 200 .025 2. 190 .200 .001 ........do.............. ........do.............. .111 .100 .019 ........d o .............. .080 .110 .030 .030 .110 .030 .079 .100 .021 .079 .100 .022 Fresh— ..............................*.............................................. i September, 1918. .140 .200 .051 ................. 2 October, 1918. Increase in Rents in Washington, D. C., October, 1914 to August, 1919. HE Bureau of Labor Statistics has recently completed an in vestigation of the increase in rents of houses, apartments, and flats in Washington, D. C., from the beginning of the European war in 1914 to the present time. The data were collected by agents of the Bureau in interviews with departmental employees. All the larger departments were visited and a minimum of 100 em ployees were interviewed in each department. For each employee interviewed a schedule was filled out showing the rent paid in 1919 and for each previous year the tenancy existed back to 1914. In T 138517°—19----- 7 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1081] 94 M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W . approximately one-third of the cases the tenancy had continued since 1914. The following table gives.the tabulated results of this investigation, by size of house or apartment. M ONTHLY R ENT OF HOUSES, APARTM ENTS, AND FLATS, B Y SIZE, IN WASHINGTON, D. C., OCTOBER, 1914, TO AUGUST, 1919. H ouses. 6 room. Date. .7 room. 8 room. 9 room. Aver N um Aver N um Aver Num Aver age age Num age age ber. ber. ber. rent. ber. rent. rent. ¿ent. October, 1914.......................................... October, 1915...................................... October, 1916...................................... October, 1917.-......................................... October, 1918.......................................... August, 1919............................................ 30 $24.16 35 24. 08 51 24.2-4 77 ’ 24.35 93 25.54 100 27.42 7 8 12 17 21 21 $25.71. 25.95 29.75 29.09 29.29 29. 88 13 13 16 26 30 31 $33.00 33.00 32.00 33.37 34. 76 37.58 8 10 11 15 19 20 $33.44 35.15 35.36 36.67 40.64 45.11 Total. 53 66 90 135 163 172 Per cent increase: 1919 over 1 9 1 7 ................................... 13.49 12.61 16.22 2.72 13. 88 12. 62 34.90 23.02 5 room. 6 room. A p a r tm e n ts . 4 room. Date. Aver Num Aver N um Aver age age Num age ber. ber. ber. rent. rent. rent. October, 1914...................................................................... October, 1915...................................................................... October, 1916...................................................................... October, 1917.................................................................... October, 1918...................................................................... August, 1919........................................................................ 26 37 ' 47 72 83 92 $33.48 33.70 33.97 33.85 35.12 38.00 19 31 47 60 66 74 $40.32 38. 69 39.34 39.93 42.03 44.24 6 9 10 11 12 15 $41.42 44. 72 44.45 44.50 47.67 56.63 Total. 51 77 104 143 161 181 Per cent increase: 13.50 12.26 9.72 10. 79 4 room. 5 ropm. 1919 over 1917.................................................................. 36.72 27.26 F la t s . Date. N um Aver Num Aver N um Aver age age age ber. ber. rent. ber. rent. rent. October, 1914...................................................................... October, 1915...................................................................... October, 1916...................................................................... October, 1917...................................................................... October, 1918...................................................................... August, 1919........................................................................ 9 10 13 16 24 27 Per cent increase: 1919 over 1914.................................................................. 1919 over 1917..................................................... ............ https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 6 room. [ 1082 ] $18.06 17.75 20.58 20.84 2p. 36 29.83 65.17 43.14 6 9 14 19 22 23 $27.42 26. 78 26.18 24.87 27.42 29.29 6. 82 17.77 4 5 8 12 16 16 $23.63 23.40 23.19 25.23 26.45 27.14 14.85 7.57 Total. 19 24 35 47 62 06 95 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. M ONTHLY R E N T OF HOUSES, APARTM ENTS, AND FL A T S, B Y SIZE, IN W ASHINGTON, D. C., OCTOBER, 1914, TO A U GUST, 1919—Concluded. S u m m a r y s ta te m e n t o f in c r e a se i n r e n ts o f u n f u r n i s h e d h o u se s, a p a r tm e n ts , a n d f l a t s . Per cent of increase 1919 over 1917. Per cent of increase 1919 over 1914. Houses. 15.46 Apart ments. Flats. 12.29 31.10 Average per cent of increase. Houses. 16. 26 12.60 Apart ments. 12.89 Flats. 22.02 Average per cent of increase. 13.32 Comparison of Retail Price Changes in the United States and Foreign Countries. pnr^HE index numbers of retail prices published by several foreign countries have been brought together with those of this Bureau in the subjoined table after having been reduced to a common base, viz, prices for July, 1914, equal 100. This base was selected instead of the average for the year 1913, which is used in other tables of index numbers compiled by the Bureau, because of the fact that in some instances satisfactory information for 1913 was not available. For Great Britain, Norway, and Sweden the index num bers are reproduced as published in the original sources, while those for Austria have been rounded off to the nearest whole number from the latest available figures, as published in the British Labor Gazette. All these are shown on the July, 1914, base in the source from which the information is taken. The index numbers here shown for the remaining countries have been obtained by dividing the index for July, 1914, as published, into the index for each month specified in the table. As indicated in the table, some of these index numbers are weighted and some are not, while the number of articles included differs wddely. They should not, therefore, be considered as closely comparable one with another. In one or two instances the figures here shown are not absolutely comparable from month to month over the entire period, owing to slight changes in the list of commodi ties included at successive dates. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [10S3] 96 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. IN D E X N U M BERS OF R E TA IL PRICES IN THE U N IT E D STATES AN D CERTAIN OTHER COUNTRIES. [July, 1914=100.] France: 13 articles. United Australia: Austria: Canada: States: foodstuffs; 18 foodstuffs; 29 foodstuffs; Cities over Year and month. 22foodstuffs; 4630 towns. Vienna. 60 cities. 10,000popu 45 cities. Weighted. Weighted. Weighted. lation (except Paris only. Weighted. Weighted. Paris). Weighted. 1914. July......................... October................... 100 1915. January................... April........................ July......................... October................... 101 103 100 100 166 179 217 99 104 121 100 1100 100 107 105 105 105 mo U23 120 120 108 101 107 113 131 133 1916. January.................. April........................ July......................... October................... 105 107 109 119 129 131 130 125 222 1917. January................... February................ March...................... April........................ May......................... June........................ July......................... August.................... September............. October........... . November.............. December............... 125 130 130 142 148 149 143 146 150 154 152 154 125 126 126 127 127 127 126 129 129 129 129 128 272 1918. January................... February................ March...................... April........................ May......................... June......................... Julv......................... A ugust.................... September............. October................. November.............. December............... 157 158 151 151 155 159 164 168 175 177 179 183 129 130 131 131 132 132 131 128 128 131 133 134 167 169 170 169 171 172 175 181 179 182 182 184 1919. January................... February................ March...................... April........................ May.......................... June......................... 181 169 172 178 181 180 140 141 143 145 146 149 186 181 176 180 182 185 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 97 98 275 288 312 337 315 i Quarter beginning that month. [1084] 112 112 114 125 138 141 144 145 159 160 157 157 157 159 163 165 118 1133 1137 1141 1146 132 1154 139 1171 147 1184 183 1200 184 1211 191 1232 218 l 244 206 1260 238 1277 i 293 135 248 227 248 257 268 264 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. ' 97 IN D E X NUM BERS OF RETAIL PRICES IN THE U N IT E D STATES AND CERTAIN OTHER COUNTRIES—Concluded. Italy: Great Britain- 7 foodstuffs; Netherlands: New Zealand 29 articles; 59 foodstuffs; 2 1 foodstuffs; 40 cities Year and month. 600 towns. 40 cities. (variable). . 25 towns. Not Weighted. Not Weighted. weighted. weighted. 1914. July......................... October................... 100 112 1915. January.................. A p r il..'................... July......................... October................... 118 124 132J 140 1916. January.................. April..'.................... July......................... October................... 1917. January.................. February................ M arch..’................. April........................ May......................... June........................ July......................... September.............. October................... 1918. MOO 2107 100 102 108 113 120 113 127 114 123 131 128 111 112 112 4129 145 149 161 168 133 132 132 132 135 142 150 158 116 118 119 6161 187 189 192 194 198 144 154 161 164 167 171 172 178 188 165 165 169 170 180 184 188 127 126 126 127 128 128 127 127 129 130 130 132 202 204 202 206 197 206 205 206 208 207 206 207 208 218 216 229 233 229 213 207 204 January-July. * August-December. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 104 197 199 120 133 134 134 137 139 139 139 141 141 142 144 150 191 221 247 236 239 253 267 145 142 141 142 142 143 230 230 220 1 (variable). Weighted. 100 210 1919. Norway: 22foodstuffs Sweden: (variable); 21 articles; 20towrns 44 towns. 281 s Quarter beginning that month. ‘ November. [1085] 100 Weighted. 100 «107 8 113 4166 183 197 214 230 241 253 264 271 279 275 270 276 275 275 279 278 278 276 s August. 8121 8124 8128 8130 8134 8142 8152 160 166 170 175 175 175 177 181 187 192 200 212 221 227 235 247 258 261 268 280 284 310 320 330 339 334 331 336 328 319 98 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Retail Price Changes in Great Britain. T HE following table gives for Great Britain the increase in the cost of food and general family expenditure for January to August, 1919, over July, 1914. The food items included in this report are: Ribs and thin flank of beef, both British and chilled or frozen; legs and breast of mutton, British and chilled or frozen; bacon; fish; flour; bread; tea; sugar; milk; butter, fresh and salt; cheese; margarine; eggs; and potatoes. The table gives percentages of increase, and is not one of relative prices, as is the table given for the United States. When making comparisons, this should bo borne in mind, and to obtain the relative price, it is necessary to add 100 to the percentage as given; i. ©., January, 1919, the increase is 130, the relative price being 230. The figures represent two comparisons:1 First, the increase in price based on the same quantities as used in July, 1914; second, the increase in the cost of living, based on the change in the quality of the standard of living. In other words, the increase in column one of the table shows what the wage earner paid for the same quan tities of food, while the figures in column two give the change that results from a substitution of one kind of food for another to meet war-time conditions. The same method is used in family expenditures, the third column showing percentage of increase of all articles and the last column giving approximate figures, based on the increase in cost of all other articles and the estimated changed consumption of food. INCREASE IN COST OF FOOD AN D ALL ITEMS IN GREAT B R IT A IN , AUGUST, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, AN D 1918, A N D JA N U A RY TO AUGUST, 1919, OVER JULY, 1914. [Compiled from the British Labour Gazette.] Food. Month and year. Retail prices (assuming same quantities). 15-16 34 260 August; 1918.............................................r . 1919. January......................................................... February...................................................... March............................................................. April.............................................................. M ay............................................................... Juno............................................................... July................................................................ A ugust........................................................... All item s in family budget. Expenditures (allowing for estimated change in consumption). 102 118 130 130 120 113 107 104 109 117 67 81 79 77 79 87 81 87 97 108 R etail prices (assuming same quantities). 3 75 <110 <120 <120 <115 <110 <105 5105 105-110 115 Expenditures (allowing for estimated change in consumption). 85-90 90 90-95 90 95 90 85 100 no 1 For a more com plete exp lan ation , see article b y Prof. W . F . O gbum in th e Monthly L abor R eview for May, 1919. pp. 169, 170. Including ta x on sugar and toa. 2 3Not including taxes. ' 1 The increaso, excluding additional taxation, is 7 per cent less. * The increase, excluding additional taxation, is 6per cent iess.- https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1086 ] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 99 Commissions to Fix Retail Prices of Food in France. HE high prices of all food commodities in France prompted the issuance of a decree on July 31, 1919, by the President, in response to a communication from the Minister of Agriculture and Food Supplies, setting forth the critical situation which has existed and calling attention to the necessity for immediate relief. “Hot only has the net cost of articles of consumption been increased by the disturbances which are the consequence of the war, but also a spirit of excessive profiteering has developed among certain middle men, ” declares the report, and it is to put an end, if possible, to this taking of “profits out of proportion to those which they should reasonably and morally derive from their business’' that the plan to set up in each Department a commission to determine a fixed normal selling price to consumers has been worked out and put into effect by the presidential decree. The recommendations of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Supplies, and the text of the decree issued in pursuance thereof, are given in full as published in the Journal Ofiiciel (Paris) for August 1 , 1919. T Report of Minister of Agriculture and Food Supplies. Mr. P r e s i d e n t : The high price of food commodities has reached an excessive rate. Considerations of economic and social order demand that every effort be tried and combined in order to lower, by every means possible, the cost of living. Without doubt, the increase in production, which will become more intense in proportion as it is removed from the crisis which has convulsed Europe, the better ment of transportation by land and sea, the development of organizations for coopera tive consumption and putting them into direct contact with the producers, may tend to reduce the prices prevailing at the present time. But the effects resulting from these causes will only slowly be felt. To-day we must devise immediate palliatives. Not only has the net cost of com modities of consumption been increased by the disturbances which are the conse quence of the war, but also a spirit of excessive profiteering has developed among certain middlemen. Dealers in food commodities have permitted themselves to be carried away in endeavoring to obtain profits out of proportion to those which they should reasonably and morally derive from their business. Moreover, under cover of the irregularity of the supply of provisions and the trouble occasioned by the war upon trade relations, the middlemen, often strangers to the calling, have increased in overcharging the value of the products with brokerage, burdensome as well as useless. Honest merchants, who are in the great majority, are interested in being dis tinguished from those whose regrettable practices are provoking the just protestations of the consumers. There can be no question of proceeding with a general obligatory fixing of prices for food products; similar measures, which it is moreover very difficult to have ob served rigorously by sellers and likewise by buyers, can not be applied out of war time, within a period which is preparing for the return to the normal system of the free play of economic forces. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [10S7] 100 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. The provisions which we, therefore, propose have nothing in common with a system for the fixing of prices as it lias been understood up to the present time. They do not mean any prejudice to the principle of the freedom of trade and industry dedicated by the constituent assembly as the fundamental law of the country. The decree proposed has for its aim only the exercising of a moral restraint upon the sellers, permitting purchasers to combat w ith a thorough knowledge of the subject their exorbitant demands. To-day, the consumer, not being familiar with the exact elements as to valuation, finds himself disarmed in the presence of the demands of far from scrupulous sellers. Henceforth, he may rely upon authorized valuations in order to defend his rights. The measures, which are the purport of this decree, will, furthermore, result in awakening the attention of the consumers to the far from scrupulous dealers and to recommend to the clientele those who, contenting themselves with an honest profit, will accept selling at normal prices, officially established. Finally, the tribunals, in giving their opinions, will find in these official fixings of prices the necessary element of valuation which is not in their possession at the present time. Such is the purpose of this proposed decree which I have the honor to submit for your signature, if you will have the kindness to give it your approval. T h e M i n i s t e r o f A g r ic u l t u r e a n d F o o d S u p p l i e s . Decree by the President of the Republic. A r t ic l e 1. In each Department the service for the fixing of normal prices of food commodities and drinks in common use shall be confided to a commission, whose composition shall be as follows: 1. The director of agricultural service, president. 2. Four representatives of trade, two of whom shall be wholesale merchants or middlemen, and two retailers, designated by the chamber of commerce of the chief city of the Department. 3. Two representatives of agriculture designated by the Departmental agricultural office. 4. Two workmen chosen by the trade-unions. 5. A municipal counsellor of the chief commune of the Department, designated by his colleagues, and a mayor of a rural commune named by the prefect. 6. Two representatives of cooperative socities of consumption, designated by the associations interested. A r t . 2. In the communes with a population greater than 4,000 inhabitants and in the cantons where special economic circumstances justify it, the prefect may insti tute local commissions composed as hereinabove set forth and presided over by the mayor of the commune interested or of the chief commune of the canton. A r t . 3. In the Department of the Seine there may be instituted several commis sions, composed as provided for in article 1 hereof. The presidency of these com missions may be confided, by the prefect of the Seine, to members of the municipal council of Paris or to mayors for the suburban communes. A r t . 4. Each commission shall meet the Saturday of each week and proceed with the determination and revision of normal selling prices to the consumer. A r t . 5 . For this determination or revision the commission shall consider the re turn on the capital invested, of salaries, of the cost of raw materials or of the product according to its rarity more or less great, of the costs of transportation, and of charges of every kind falling upon the farmer, the manufacturer, and the merchant, to which it shall add, as a normal profit, an increase above the cost price, variable according to the commodity, but not exceeding 15 per cent. In the case where local usage or agreements have put in force lower profits the commissions must conform thereto. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1 0 8 8 ] M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W . 101 The commission may establish different prices for the same merchandise on ac count of the variation of the elements of the cost price, according to localities. A r t . 6. The special reports of the commission shall confine themselves to quoting, for each commodity or drink, the price recognized as normal. The prices shall be recorded, indicating separately, if there be need, city taxes and other special fiscal charges placed on the merchandise. A r t . 7. The official reports shall receive the widest publicity and shall be printed under the care of the prefect in the form of handbills, which shall be addressed to the mayor of each commune. The mayor shall place them at the disposal of all the merchants and others interested, who, by placing said handbills in a conspicuous posi tion in their stores or salesrooms, shall thus indicate to the consumers that they sell the commodities which compose their commerce at the normal officially posted prices. Art . 8. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Supplies is charged with the execu tion of this decree. Given at Paris, July 31, 1919. R . P o in c a r e . Canada's Board of Commerce, and the High Cost of Living. URSUANT to a recommendation of the committee appointed to inquire into the high cost of living/ the Canadian Parliament, which was prorogued on July 7, 1919, passed an act creating a board of commerce, to consist of three commissioners, each appointed by the Governor in Council for a term of 10 years, their whole time to be devoted to the duties of their office. The board is charged with the general administration of the Combines and Fair Prices Act, 1919, which was enacted to provide machinery for the investigation and restraint of combines, monopolies, trusts, and mergers, and to restrain the enhancement of prices of commodities. The board is not only to hear cases brought before it but is to investigate those which seem to involve an increase in the cost of living. It may also make orders and regulations with respect to any matter dealt with by this act and inquire into any matter referred to it. Appeal may be taken from the board to the Supreme Court upon a question of jurisdiction or of law. The board is given power to summon and compel the appear ance of those who may be considered essential to any investi gation it has started, and heavy penalties are provided for nonappearance and refusal to submit to investigation. Investigations by the board apply particularly to mergers, trusts, monopolies, or organ izations of any kind which are believed unduly to promote the advantage of manufacturers and dealers at the expense of consumers. P i T he conclusions reached b y this committee, as contained in its final report, appeared in the M onthly L abor R e v ie w for September, pp. 113 to 118. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [10891 102 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Tlie board has regulative power in connection with discrimination in price between different purchasers of commodities, exclusive pur chase or sale agreements, intercorporate shareholding and inter locking directorates and their unfair methods in commerce. Unreasonable accumulation of the necessities of life is forbidden (necessities being described as food, clothing, and fuel), and excess stocks may be ordered sold. This does not apply to farmers and gardeners. An unfair price is described as a price which results in the making of unfair profits. In the case of conviction of charging unfair prices or hoarding food, the sale of the food may be ordered. When the board finds that there is a combine for the control of the price or the supply of any article, with undue advantage to the producer and undue expense to the consumer, the custom duty on such article may be reduced or removed to give the public the benefit of reasonable competition. When it is found that there have been unfair profits on the necessities of life, the class of article on which the unfair profits have been taken may be admitted free of duty, or the duty may be reduced. Disobedience of the board’s orders concerning unfair profits is criminal and punishable by a fine of SI,000 per day. Increase in Cost of Living in Japan in 1919. A CCORDING to correspondence from Yokohama to The Econo mist (London) for August 9, 1919, the average increase in the prices of necessities in 1919 as compared with prewar prices (found by averaging the prices for several years before 1914) was 109 per cent. Figures compiled by the foreign secretaries of the Young Men’s Christian Association in Tokio and Yokohama show the fol lowing increases in prices of the principal articles of consumption: P e r c e n t o f In c re a s e , 1919 o v e r P r e w a r P r ic e s . Milk and butter Sugar............... . Pork.................. Rice................. . Beef................. Potatoes........... Fish.................. Fowls, eggs, flour, fruit, vegetables, Japanese canned goods, cloth ing, shoes............... ................................................... ............................ Coal...................................................................................................... . https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1090] 71 47 180 178 160 150 100 200 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 103 Servants’ wages increased 60 per Pent and jinrikisha fares increased 75 per cent. The accounts of one Tokio family are presented as typical of the actual increase in expenditures for food, fuel, and service during the first four months of 1919 as compared with the first four months of 1916. It is stated that the size of the family was the same in the latter period as during the first four months mentioned and that there was no appreciable difference in the manner of living. In this statement, which also shows the per cent of increase, the conver sions from yen into United States money have been made on the basis of 1 yen =49.85 cents.1 INCREASE IN COST OF CERTAIN ITEMS IN FAMILY BUDGET IN TOKIO, JAPAN, JANUARY TO APRIL, 1919, AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY TO APRIL, 1910. Item. Groceries.......... Meat................ Milk........... Vegetables........ Fruit................ Fuel................. Service............. Total....... Jan.-Apr., Jan.-Apr., Per cent 1919. increase. 1916. $43.17 13.43 34.70 0.26 10.20 47.86 69.79 225.41 $136.37 2S. 24 41.97 17.11 27.8S 106.79 95.13 453.49 1 See Treasury Department Circular No. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1091] 215.9 110.3 21.0 173.3 173.3 123.1 36.3 101.2 1, Oct. 1,1919. WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR. Wages and Hours of Labor in the Iron and Steel Industry, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1917, 1919. N THE following tables statistics concerning hours and earnings of employees in the iron and steel industry, gathered during the progress of the recent industrial survey, have been brought into comp arison with similar figures for earlier y.ears already in the possession of the Bureau. The information concerning the years 1913,1914, and 1915 was taken from Bulletin No. 218 of the Bureau. It was based on pay-roll material gathered in the field by agents of the Bureau. The figures for 1917 were copied from the M o n t h l y R e v i e w for March, 1918. They were based on material gathered through the use of questionnaires by the Federal Trade Commission in coopera tion with the Bureau. The figures for 1919 are based on material gathered in the field by agents of the Bureau. Owing to the conditions under which the present survey was carried out it was impossible to obtain data for all establishments for the same month. On the contrary the pay-roll periods extend from June, 1918 (one department of one establishment only), to May, 1919. The distribution of the pay-roll periods by months is as follows: 1918: June, 1; October, 1; November, 1; December, 27; 1919: January, 14; February, 6; March, 17; April, 4; May, 2. It will be seen therefore that the schedules of 64 of the 73 establish ments are for pay-roll periods in the months of December to March, inclusive. The material is here tabulated as of the year 1919. For purposes of tabulation the territory covered in the investiga tion in this industry has been divided into five districts, with the following boundaries: The eastern district includes establishments in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania; the Pittsburgh district covers western Pennsylvania, eastern- Ohio, and northern West Virginia; the southern district covers Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee; the Great Lakes and middle western district covers western New York, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Colorado; the Pacific coast district includes California and Washington. Data for the last-named district were obtained in 1919 for the first time. Of the divisions of the industry included in this report only the openhearth department is found in that district. Although no earlier I 104 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [10021 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 105 material is available for comparison between years in that district, the statistics are given for use in contemporary comparisons between different parts of the country. Table 1 presents for each occupation in each district separately the average full-time hours per week and the average earnings per hour for all the employees in that occupation in the district. “ Full-time hours per week” means the number of hours per week that persons in the occupation in question are expected to work. Where a plant has introduced a basic day for purposes of computing earnings, but regularly operates additional hours either at the same rate or at a higher rate than that paid for the basic time, the full-time hours include not only the basic hours but also the additional hours which the employees are regularly expected to work. Thus in quite a number of occupations with a basic eight-hour day the employees regularly work ten hours a day, the last two hours being paid for at the rate of time and a half. While the ninth and tenth hours of the day are overtime for the purpose of computing earnings, they have been treated in this computation as a part of the full-time hours of the occupation. Hourly earnings are obtained by dividing the entire remuneration received by an employee for a pay-roll period by the number of hours worked by him during that period. Such hourly earnings should not be confused with a nominal hourly rate of pay. If an employee has received extra pay for overtime or extra remuneration in the form of a premium or bonus, such sums are included in his earnings for the period, and his hourly earnings are increased pro portionately above his nominal hourly rate. When the rate of earnings per hour of an employee has been in creased by the addition to his regular earnings of extra pay for over time or of bonus, it becomes impossible to compute full-time earnings by the simple method of multiplying full-time hours by hourly earn ings. Full-time earnings are supposed to represent the amount that an employee could earn by working the full-time hours of his occupa tion. But if his hourly earnings contain an element of extra pay for overtime, the product of full-time hours multiplied by hourly earnings may exceed the amount that he could actually earn by working only the full-time hours. Thus if an employee with a 48-hour week is paid 40 cents an hour for regular time and time and a half for overtime and works GO hours during the week, his average hourly earnings for 48 hours at 40 cents and 12 hours at 60 cents amount to 44 cents per hour. His full-time weekly earnings, computed by multiplying his full-time 48 hours by his hourly earnings of 44 cents, would appear to be $21.12, whereas all he could actually earn by working his regular 48-liour week at 40 cents an hour would be $19.20. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1093] 106 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. In the earlier years for which the figures for the industry are given so little extra pay for overtime or for any other cause was found that probably little error was involved in computing full-time earnings by the method under consideration. In the current investigation, how ever, so many and various methods of giving extra remuneration were found that the computation of full-time earnings in this method would give results very considerably higher than the facts justify. For that reason no figures for full-time earnings are included in the table, and the reader should bear in mind that the product of full time hours multiplied by hourly earnings can not be used in that capacity. In Table 2 the averages of Table 1 have been reduced to relatives, with the average for the year 1913 considered as 100. In this table the figures for each occupation are given only for the United States as a whole. The figures show changes in hours and earnings during and immediately after the war in comparison with the conditions prevailing before the war began. In computing these relatives no attempt has been made to use identical establishments from year to year. Great care was exercised by the Bureau in each of the investiga tions carried out by it to secure an adequate number of representative establishments in each district to give typical results. The attempt to make comparisons from year to year on the basis of identical estab lishments involves a considerable reduction in the quantity of mate rial available without adding anything to its representative charac ter. It may wTell happen that because of the comparatively small number of identical establishments a change in hours or earnings in a single one of those establishments would materially distort the resulting relative as a measure of conditions in the industry in general. In the present report the relatives for each year are computed on the basis of averages embodying the records of the entire number of employees for whom information is available. In computing the totals and the relatives for the various occupa tions in the open-hearth department (see pages 113—11G and 125) the figures obtained on the Pacific coast have been included. As the data for the Pacific coast district in 1919 shows shorter hours and higher wages than are found in other districts the inclusion of these figures shows a reduction of hours and an increase in -wages in the open-hearth department somewhat greater than has actually taken place. There is only one occupation in which hours are not shorter on the coast than in any other part of the country and only two occupations in which wages are not higher as compared with the next district in order in each occupation. The difference in hours in favor of the coast varies from a minimum of 8.4 hours per week for ingot strippers https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1094] 107 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. to 16.7 hours per week for first melters’ helpers pthe difference in earn ings from 2.1 cents per hour for steel pourers to 21.8 cents per hour for ladle cranemen! While the Pacific coast data should be included in computing totals for the country as a whole at the present time, the comparison of hours and earnings with those of earlier years may be somewhat fairer if they are omitted. For that reason two lines have been given to the year 1919 in thé table of relatives in the open-hearth depart ment found on page 125. The first line gives the relatives for 1919 with the Pacific coast material omitted; the second line gives the relatives for- the same year with the Pacific coast material included. An examination of the tables will show that the increase in wages which has characterized other industries during the period of the war has been particularly marked in this industry. On the other hand the tendency toward shorter working days which has been seen in most industries during this period, and which seems to be reflected in the hours of iron and steel employees during the early years, has been more than overcome by the pressure of war production during the later years. The details of the changes in different occupations are so obvious in the tables themselves as to need no comment. T a ble 1.—AVERAGE FULL-TIME HOURS PER WEEK AND AVERAGE EARNINGS PER HOUR IN EACH DISTRICT, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1917, AND 1919. B la s t F u r n a c e s . Aver Num age Aver age full earn Num ber of Occupation and Year. ber of em time district. ings plants. ploi'- hours per ees. per hour. week. Aver Num age Aver age ber of full earn Occupation and Year. Num ber of em time district. plants. ploy hours ings per ees. per hour. week. Sioekers. Eastern............. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pittsburgh........ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle West... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Southern........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Total........ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Bottomfillers. 5 5 5 2 3 9 9 9 4 19 79 75 71 86 789 636 533 218 6 465 10 234 11 193 11 153 4 97 5 289 9 127 10 123 10 117 4 55 6 148 33 1,269 35 1,031 35 878 14 441 20 988 69.4 $0.183 Eastern............. 1913 69.8 .173 1914 71.1 .156 1915 73.9 .272 1917 81.2 .422 80.1 .200 Pittsburgh........ 1913 74.9 .197 1914 74.8 .201 1915 81.8 .301 83.6 .489 Great Lakes and Middle West... 1913 77.5 .193 1914 76.1 .193 1915 74,3 .191 1919 72.0 .324 71.2 . 495 1913 74.5 .145 Southern........... 1914 76.2 .140 1915 76.8 .143 1917 74.2 .246 1919 79.7 .349 78.0 .192 Total........ 1913 74.9 .188 1914 74.6 .188 1915 77.4 .295 1917 79.2 .464 1919 [1095] 3 174 84.0 $0.164 84.0 .171 84.0 .172 84.0 .285 1 102 1 36 1 44 2 48 1 24 1 24 84.0 84.0 84.0 .210 .210 .208 3 3 3 92 46 52 47 84.0 80.9 79.4 81.2 .196 .192 .190 .487 5 4 4 2 2 155 36 36 12 25 78.2 84.0 84. O' 84.0 84.0 . 144 .139 .137 .215 .340 13 9 9 3 4 469 208 148 56 72 82.1 83.3 82.4 84.0 82.2 .168 ~74 .176 .270 .436 2 108 T a b le MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 1 .— AVERAGE FULL-TIM E HOURS PE R W EEK AND AVERAGE EARNING'S PE R HOUR IN EACH DISTRICT, 1913,1914, 1915, 1917, AND 1919—Continued. B l a s t F u r n a c e s —Continued. Number of Occupation and Y ear. Num ber of cmdistrict. plants. ployees. Aver Average full time earnhours ings per per week. hour. A ver Num- age Averfull earnNum ber of Occupation and Year- ber of em- time district. plants. ploy- hours ings per ees. per hour. week. L a r r y m e n ’s h e lp - T o p f ille r s . 1913 1914 1915 1917 3 24 ers—Concluded. 1 1 1 2 1 1 22 10 16 84.0 $0.189 84.0 .200 84.0 .200 .275 84.0 11 6 6 84.0 84.0 84.0 .227 .238 .238 3 3 3 30 16 16 78.4 70.5 70.5 67.0 .238 .251 .251 .644 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 5 3 3 30 12 12 6 80.8 84.0 84.0 84.0 84.0 . 164 .162 .161 .208 .336 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 13 8 8 95 56 44 3 4 28 81.2 80.1 79.0 84.0 76.7 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 3 4 4 10 12 10 5 11 79.2 80.0 81.6 84.0 84.0 .198 .198 .290 .482 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 9 9 9 5 134 98 106 8 1913 1914 1915 Great Dates and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1919 2 2 2 12 16 Great Lakes and Middle W e s t... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 82 52 53 44 92 78.7 $0.190 .189 78.5 .187 77.2 .306 75.3 .491 69.3 4 5 5 24 26 34 16 17 84.0 84.0 84.0 75.0 84.0 .144 .140 .130 .223 .394 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 23 27 27 352 250 275 161 299 82.6 78.6 78.3 79. 6 78.5 .191 .187 .185 .292 .492 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 3 4 4 84 64 72 54 93 79.2 80.0 81.6 84.0 84.0 84.0 78.4 78.7 79.6 81.6 .196 .194 .196 .290 .468 .227 .230 .231 .357 .565 42 37 40 40 35 81.1 78.2 76.8 73.8 70.3 .225 .224 .224 .365 .558 22 19 84.0 84.0 84.0 76.8 84.0 .170 .169 .109 .274 .379 22 158 139 152 118 157 82.9 79.5 79.4 77.3 79.5 .217 .214 .215 .343 .536 6 6 5 14 15 14 10 8 81.4 82.1 82.8 79.2 84.0 .260 . 2S5 . 2S2 .415 .517 10 10 10 5 8 10 11 11 5 61 56 57 62 31 52 84.0 80.4 80.5 80.2 81.7 .343 .333 .347 .488 .760 54 80.4 44 78. 5 41 77.6 25 72.5 41 1 72.8 .364 .375 . 3S1 . 561 .845 2 2 12 17 .201 .210 S h i p o p e r a to r s . .201 Pittsburgh........... 157 84.0 78.7 78.6 81.2 82.6 . 214 .217 .217 .333 .544 Great Lakes and Middle W est.'.. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 7 9 9 5 5 70 56 62 84 97 78.9 75.9 75.1 73.1 71.9 .239 .237 .233 .352 .553 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4 7 7 3 4 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4 5 5 3 4 24 26 34 26 41 84.0 84.0 84.0 78.5 84.0 .175 .168 .155 .235 .330 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 28 28 13 18 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 23 27 27 14 212 238 192 82.3 78.6 78. 6 77.2 79.4 .217 .215 . 211 .327 .516 79.2 80.0 81.6 84.0 84.0 84.0 77.6 77.3 81.9 82.3 .168 .166 .164 .270 .466 . 197 .196 .196 .299 .504 22 .213 .257 .468 L arrym en . Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1 3 20 68 183 306 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 4 4 1 3 9 9 9 5 8 10 12 10 11 17 236 160 178 90 173 3 9 9 9 5 8 6 8 8 4 3 10 12 10 10 26 30 20 B lo w e r s . 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 L a r r y m e n ’s h e lp ers. Pittsburgh........... 7 9 9 4 4 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 [1096] 3 3 109 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, T a b le 1 .— A V ER A G E FULL-TIM E H OURS P E R W E E K A N D AVER A G E EA R N IN G S P E R HO U R IN EACH DISTRICT, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1917, AND 1919—Continued. B l a s t F u r n a c e s —Continued. Occupation and district. A ver A ver Num age age Num ber of full earn Year. ber of em time ings plants. ploy- hours per ees. per week. hour. B l o w e r s —Concld. Southern............... 1913 1914 19.15 1917 1919 T otal........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 B l o w i n g e n g in eers. Eastern................. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W est__ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Southern............... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Total........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 * 1917 1919 Southern................ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Total........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 138517°— 19 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis A ver Aver* age age full earn time ings aours per per week. hour. K e e p e r s ’ h e lp e r s . 9 11 11 5 6 34 38 38 18 23 6 G G 3 3 10 10 10 5 8 10 11 11 5 6 9 11 11 5 6 35 38 38 18 23 30 27 32 18 17 154 143 149 84 118 82.4 $0.288 .291 84.0 .282 84.0 . 415 80.0 .602 84.0 .332 82.2 .333 80.7 . 33G 80.6 .485 77.8 .750 79.1 20 82.8 IS 82.7 1G 82.5 1G 82.5 8 84.0 50 84.0 44 78.9 48 78.8 2S 78.9 54 81.7 .199 .209 .214 .331 .517 .286 .288 .287 .417 .689 58 54 57 60 62 28 31 32 18 79.9 75.8 75. 6 72.4 71.0 82.3 84.0 84.0 78.7 84.0 82.0 79.3 79.1 76.1 78.3 .283 .287 .286 .419 .634 .196 .199 .195 .308 .487 .259 .259 .258 .372 .605 21 156 147 153 122 145 .210 .211 .207 .310 .467 .260 .262 .262 .391 .624 K eep ers. Eastern................. Occupation and district. NumNum oer of Year. ber of em plants. ployees. 6 6 6 10 10 10 5 8 10 11 11 5 6 9 11 11 5 6 92 74 78 58 95 82.2 81.8 82.5 81.3 84.0 «4.0 78.9 78.8 80.4 81.9 74 56 56 62 61 38 32 37 24 28 79.1 77.1 76.3 73.2 75.2 82.7 84.0 84. 0 78.0 84.0 .247 .245 .240 .361 .572 .181 . 177 .172 .258 .389 35 38 38 18 23 230 184 187 162 195 82.0 79.6 79.4 77.4 80.2 .2.35 .233 .232 .344 . 557 3 3 26 22 16 18 11 Eastern.................. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 6 6 6 3 3 126 92 68 52 33 10 326 10 268 10 252 132 5 8 280 10 300 11 208 11 210 122 5 6 172 82.9 80.164 82.4 .167 82.9 .161 .274 81.7 84.0 .457 84.0 78.9 78.6 79.2 81.8 .208 .208 .208 .319 .521 80.4 79.2 77.4 73.2 71.5 .204 .204 .138 . 136 . 134 .223 .328 .202 .320 .502 11 11 5 6 198 166 197 137 81.5 84.0 84.0 79.0 84.0 35 38 38 18 23 950 734 727 392 622 82.2 80.6 80.1 77.6 79.5 .186 . 185 .182 .292 .470 4 3 3 56 39 35 73.6 72.0 75.5 72.0 .263 . 196 32 18 18 80.1 84.0 84.0 .270 .270 .278 3 3 3 119 105 75.7 74.0 73.8 78.0 .269 .266 .241 .493 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 7 9 9 3 3 191 143 168 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 16 16 16 4 4 Eastern.................. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Southern............... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Total........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 9 86 I r o n h a n d le r s a n d lo a d ers. Eastern................. 1913 1914 1915 1917 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 Great Lakes and Middle W e s t... 1913 1914 1915 1919 Southern............... Total........... 1 2 1 1 6 102 1 12 68.0 .220 .242 100 82 72.9 72.8 71.4 72.6 .183 .183 . 171 .244 .342 398 305 323 106 94 72.0 73.8 74.0 71.4 73.2 . 227 . 218 . 204 .243 .361 3 3 27 23 19 3 50 76.0 79.1 80.6 84.0 84.0 .161 .163 . 160 .260 .436 7 7 7 3 7 146 96 116 30 197 84.0 78.7 79.8 83.3 83.0 .197 .198 . 195 .294 .505 P i g m a c h in e m e n . [1097] 2 1 10 110 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. T a b l e 1.— A VERAGE FULL-TIM E HOURS P E R W E E K A N D A VERAGE EA RN IN G S P E R HO U R IN EACH DISTRICT, 1913,1914, 1915,1917, A N D 1919—Continued. B l a s t F u r n a c e s —Concluded. A ver Num age full Num ber of Occupation and Year ber of em tim e district. plants. ploy- hours ees. per week. P i g m a c h in e m e n —Con. Great Lakes and Middle W e s t... 1913 1911 1915 1917 1919 Southern............... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 A ver age earn ings per hour. C i n d e r m e n — Con. Southern............... ' 8 110 9 9 5 5 115 84 97 81 2 2 2 1 25 26 20 .151 .155 .156 .163 .380 3 44 19 21 21 10 18 303 259 245 154 372 81.9 79.2 79.6 77.9 79.9 .192 .192 .190 .300 . 476 5 5 5 35 2S 27 13 82.4 82.3 82.7 78.0 84.0 .154 .157 .153 .256 .440 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 G 3 7 135 94 91 54 125 80.7 76.3 77.0 81.8 81.8 .194 .192 .193 .305 .500 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 10 11 11 4 6 138 105 82 79.4 79.1 79.2 73.1 69.1 .192 .190 .189 .311 .490 8 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 T otal........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 80.3 $0.199 .200 78.5 77.7 .200 .321 74.5 .483 67.9 84.0 84.0 84.0 84.0 84.0 T otal........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Occupation and district. Pittsburgh.......... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 2 8 6 12 68 114 8 9 9 4 5 31 31 31 13 20 49 59 54 34 39 357 2S6 254 168 291 80.5 80.146 78.1 .135 78.3 .130 84.0 .217 84.0 .342 80.3 . 183 78.3 .176 78.6 .174 78.4 .286 77.2 .473 L a b o rers. Eastern................. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Southern............... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 T otal........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 C in d e rm e n . Eastern............. A ver Num age A ver age Num ber of full earn Year. ber of em time ings plants. ploy hours per ees. per week. hour. 6 129 6 100 6 53 3 101 3 90 10 351 10 294 10 266 5 366 8 1,250 9 11 11 5 6 9 10 10 4 6 34 37 37 17 23 69.0 68.7 70.0 62.4 76.2 78.4 73.1 74.9 82.3 82.0 . 151 .153 . 151 .271 .423 .191 .192 .189 .292 .483 442 73.0 489 68.9 322 67.5 139 70.2 490 73.1 271 65.7 213 73.1 244 72.7 92 69.4 301 76.7 1,193 72.5 1,096 70.8 885 71.3 698 .75.3 2,131 ! 78.9 .189 .190 .187 .296 .465 . 136 .137 .134 .226 .330 .173 . 177 .171 . 281 . 455 B e s s e m e r C o n v e rte r s. . S to c k e r s . Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W est. . . 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 T otal........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis ! 4 4 4 176 129 128 4 163 1 2 2 1 1 18 38 29 32 18 70.7 70.7 70.7 72.0 48.0 194 167 157 144 181 58.1 55.5 55.6 55.3 64.0 2 112 5 6 6 3 5 56.8 $0.421 51.1 .377 52.2 .328 50.6 .659 65.8 . 655 C u p o la m e lte r s . Pittsburgh..*___ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 3 .248 .259 .245 .387 .460 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1 2 2 1 .405 .351 .313 .599 . 636 1Q13 1914 1915 1917 1919 \ [1098] 4 4 . 4 2 6 6 3 12 11 11 5 7 2 60.2 $0.513 53.8 .389 53.6 .471 57.6 .866 59.4 1.013 4 •4 78.0 75.0 75.0 72.0 .470 .392 .387 .495 15 15 7 7 59.5 59.3 61.7 59.4 .390 .449 2 1.013 111 MOXTHLY LABO® REVIEW T a ble 1.—A VERAGE FULL-TIM E H OURS P E R W E E K A N D A V ER A G E EA R N IN G S P E R HO U R IN EACH DISTR IC T, 1913,1914, 1915,1917, A N D 1919—Continued. B e s s e m e r C o n v e r te r s —Continued. Occupation and district. Num Num ber of Year. ber of em plants. ployees. 1 2 2 1 Groat Lakes and Middle W e st. .. 1 2 2 1 1 2 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 3 4 4 2 4 18 24 18 12 23 72.0 72.0 72.0 72.0 48.0 .368 .313 .316 .390 .665 22 54 3 56.9 55.8 54.0. 58.9 .461 .286 .332 .677 .788 4 4 3 34 24 16 26 T otal.......... Great Lakes and Middle W e st... T o ta l......... 6 15 16 16 6 15 4 5 5 3 57.7 63.0 62.9 60.0 62.9 .622 .529.557 .825 1.218 2 10 12 12 8 8 8 11 11 6 3 73.9 65.7 65.7 72.0 64.0 .554 .569 .565 .700 1.518 23 27 27 18 18 63.3 64.1 64.0 64.0 63.1 .598 .545 .561 .784 1.267 6 14 10 16 11 63.1 64.0 64.4 64.0 68.5 .493 .321 .346 .665 .869 6 8 10 6 74.0 63.4 65.1 72.067.2 .464 . 343 .360 .568 .742 20 66.4 63.8 64.7 66.8 .484 .328 .351 .630 62.0 63.0 63. 1 64. 0 63.6 .437 .308 .327 .604 .768 7 7 5 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 12 T otal.......... 1913 1914 1915 1917 6 3 4 4 3 3 9 11 11 8 18 5 24 26 17 4 4 4 3 4 14 9 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 10 11 11 8 28 25 26 19 33 10 8 16 6 17 53.2 .730 20 53.5 50.3 58.4 .562 1.041 1.113 6 14 18 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4, 5 5 3 3 11 12 .675 66.7 59.2 .478 .539 60.3 .765 72.0 67. 2 1.053 1913 1914 1915 10 12 12 8 26 31 32 1919 9 23 57.8 55.6 56.0 fi1 0 60.3 1.100 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 7 7 5 6 34 37 34 31 48 52.2 52.3 53.0 49.5 59.9 .531 .345 .383 .731 .881 Great Lakes and Middle W est.... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4 5 5 3 4 20 22 19 14 17 63.8 58.1 59.3 72.0 64.3 .523 . 338 .383 .483 .789 1914 1915 1917 1919 10 12 12 8 10 63 57 56 45 65 56.4 54.3 55. 5 56.5 61.1 .528 .342 .383 .654 .857 1913 1914 1915 1917 1 1919 4 5 5 3 5 71 40 36 42 76 • 65.4 71.9 72.0 72.0 72.5 .212 Great Lakes and Middle W est... T otal.......... 7 5 9 16 5 101a 6 C in d e r p i t m e n . https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 6 7 7 5 5 14 16 16 11 17 .744 .499 . 551 894 V e s s e lm e n ’s h e lp e rs. R e g u la to r s ,.s e c o n d . 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 74.6 SO. 350 .255 72.7 .320 72.3 .395 72.0 .695 65.1 --------, .394 68.3 .289 66.5 66.6 .324 67.4 .516 (U 4 .733 1915 1917 1919 Pittsburgh........... 7 7 5 A ver A ver age full- age tune earn hours ings per per week. hour. V e s s e lm e n . R e g u l a to r s , f i r s t . Pittsburgh........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Groat Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pittsburgh.......... 1913 • 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Num Num ber oí Year. ber of em plants. ploy ees. R e g u la to r s , seco n d —Concluded. 50.3 $0. 482 .275 50.6. .338 50.3 48.0 .773 .804 60.3 10 6 B lo w e r s . Great Lakes-and Middle W e st... Occupation and district. - C u p o la t a p p e r s . Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pittsburgh........... A ver A ver age age* full earn time ings hours per per week. hour. Pittsburgh........... 1 L1099] .232 .214 .321 .592 112 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, T a b l e 1.— A VERAGE FULL-TIM E H OURS P E R W E E K A N D AVER A G E EA R N IN G S P E R HO U R IN EACH DISTRICT, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1917, A N D 1919—Continued. B e s s e m e r C o n v e r te r s —Continued. Occupation and district. A ver Num- age Num ber of full Y ear. ber of em- time plants. ploy- hours per ees. week. AveraGe earn ings per hour. Occupation and district. A ver age full tim e hours per week. Averearnings per hour. L a d le lin e r s — C in d e r p itm e n — Concluded. Concluded. Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 T otal.......... NumN um ber of Year. ber of emplants. ployees. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4 4 4 12 12 20 21 73.8 $0.213 .210 72.0 .222 72.0 .333 72.0 .541 65.6 9 9 5 9 99 52 48 62 97 67.8 71.9 72.0 72.0 71.0 .227 .213 .214 .325 .581 6 12 73.9 73.5 73.5 72.0 73.0 .416 .271 .329 .566 .853 2 4 8 28 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4 5 5 3 4 10 11 12 64.8 $0.434 64.6 .345 65.3 .385 69.6 .570 59.8 .801 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 10 12 12 8 10 22 68.7 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 6 B o tto m m a k e r s . 6 10 10 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4 5 5 3 4 8 8 6 11 73.7 72.0 72.0 72.0 57.3 .335 .332 .337 .417 .619 10 12 12 8 10 19 22 22 16 21 73.8 73.0 73.0 72.0 64.8 .386 .293 .332 .510 .730 26 26 24 72.8 72.6 73.0 72.0 73.4 .258 .213 .235 .397 .620 .250 .250 .247 .338 .543 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 14 14 7 71.2 69.7 .418 .304 .344 .583 .756 71.8 71.3 71.8 72.0 74.3 .223 .396 .570 10 12 16 31 69.4 63.9 65.3 70.5 67.8 .253 .232 .247 .329 .525 38 34 34 34 73 70.9 69.1 69.5 71.3 71.6 .233 .365 .551 25 26 15 26 68.6 68.8 L a d le lin e r s ’ h e lp e rs. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 7 7 5 5 9 B o t to m m a k e r s ’ h e lp e rs. Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1911 1915 1917 1919 Total........... 24 24 7 7 5 22 6 18 42 3 4 4 3 14 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 11 11 8 10 9 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 7 7 5 .248 .218 .217 .222 S to p p e r m a k ers. 6 Pittsburgh........... 6 8 68.0 6 65.0 76.8 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4 5 5 3 4 4 5 5 4 72.0 71.8 72.0 72.0 61.1 .336 .268 .275 .432 .622 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 10 12 12 8 10 70.6 70.2 69.7 67.8 70.0 .302 .251 .263 .433 .628 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 6 31 ' 47.9 30 47.8 30 47.9 24 46.7 35 59.3 .534 .365 .397 .851 1.154 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4 5 5 3 4 14 13 14 14 73.7 72.0 72.0 72.0 63.9 10 12 12 8 10 40 39 38 30 43 73.1 72.4 72.6 72.0 70.3 .255 .225 .239 .377 .595 Total........... 6 12 71.9 71.8 71.9 72.0 74.9 .404 .271 .308 .589 .732 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 20 29 10 6 .280 .239 .254 .434 .633 7 7 5 6 6 7 7 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W est. . . 6 10 12 12 10 14 69.7 69.0 S t o p p e r s e tt e r s . L a d l e l in e r s . 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 7 7 5 6 14 14 10 17 [1100] 7 7 5 6 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, t a b l e 1 .— 113 f u l l -t i m e h o u r s p e r w e e k a n d a v e r a g e e a r n i n g s t e r HO U R IN EACH DISTRICT, 1913, 1914, 1915,1917, A N D 1919—Continued. average B e s s e m e r C o n v e r te r s —Concluded. Numum ber of Occupation and Year. N ber of em district. plants. ploy ees. A ver age full time hours per week. Averearn ings per hour. Occupation and district. ■ S to p p e r s e t t e r s — M o ld c a p p e r s — Concluded. Concluded. Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Total........... 4 5 5 3 4 12 12 16 10 61.0 $0. coo 67.0 .398 .488 CO. 3 .761 51.0 61.3 .905 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 10 12 12 8 10 43 44 42 40 45 51.6 50. 7 51. 5 49.6 59.8 .553 .376 .423 .815 1.098 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 6 18 21 21 15 21 47.9 47.7 47.9 46.3 56.4 .737 .468 .530 .982 1.175 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4 5 5 3 3 16 16 14 .531 .412 .518 .682 5 64. 5 58. 9 61.9 60.0 67.2 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 10 12 12 8 34 37 35 27 26 55.7 52.5 53.5 52. 7 58.5 '.640 .444 .525 .849 1.082 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 5 6 6 4 6 35 24 24 23 37 49.3 53.8 53.5 50.1 64.4 .431 .259 .303 .680 .669 3 4 4 16 15 16 73.5 72.0 72. 0 72.0 51.1 .275 .262 .281 .444 .679 14 Great Lakes and Middle W est. . . Tntfll 7 7 5 6 9 12 1 2 6 12 8 10 10 5 8 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 6 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 .688 51 39 40 29 49 Average earn ings per hour. 56.9 «0. 382 60.8 .260 60.9 .294 54.6 .631 .671 61.1 7 7 5 6 16 18 18 23 23 66.0 66.2 65.8 67.2 64.7 .364 .326 .347 .514 .722 4 5 5 3 3 12 11 13 10 75.0 65.7 66.7 72.0 62.8 .296 .291 .310 .399 .772 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 10 12 12 8 28 29 31 33 32 66.0 66.2 69.9 68.7 64.2 .334 .313 .332 .479 .736 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 6 445 427 400 427 518 75.4 74.7 74.9 73.8 74.2 . 192 .193 .193 .299 .485 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4 5 5 3 4 130 119 96 66 120 74.5 71.8 71.7 70.5 58.1 .190 .191 .191 .297 .506 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 10 12 12 8 10 575 546 496 493 633 75.2 74.0 74.3 73.4 71.1 . 192 .193 . 193 .298 .489 124 115 79.7 80. 202 .204 78.6 .199 77.3 74.3 .317 74.0 .514 74.7 .185 .170 77.5 .161 82.4 .226 79.7 .422 73.4 9 9 L aborers. M o ld c a p p e r s . Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Average fulltime hours per week. In g o t s tr ip p e r s . S te e l p o w e r s . Pittsburgh........... NumNum ber of Year. ber of em plants. ploy ees. Great Lakes and Middle W est. . . 1 7 7 5 0 O p e n - H e a r th F u r n a c e s . S t o c k e r s . —Con. S to c k e rs. Eastern.................. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 4 6 6 2 3 5 6 6 3 5 98 93 98 40 49 167 175 125 46 178 73.8 SO.171 . 174 73.8 .184 74.6 .284 80.4 70.9 .473 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... .212 Southern............... 78.8 77.6 78. 4 ' 80.5 78.8 .225 .218 .320 .518 [ 1101 ] 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 6 7 7 5 6 2 3 3 3 3 120 114 190 22 26 23 43 48 114 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, T a b l e 1.—A VERAGE FULL-TIM E H OURS P E R W E E K A N D AVER A G E EA R N IN G S P E R HOU R IN EACH DISTRICT, 1913,1914, 1915,1917, AN D 1919—Continued. O p e n - H e a r th F u r n a c e s —Continued. Numof Occupation and Year. Num ber ember of district. plants. ployees. A ver age full time hours per week. Average earn ings per hour. S t o c k e r s —Concld. 1919 1 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 22 22 17 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 6 6 2 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 6 6 13 18 4 56.0 SO.500 77'. 0 77.3 77.4 74.9 .198 .204 .199 .296 .501 12 18 20 14 16 75.0 76.2 75. 8 79. 7 72.3 .205 .205 .216 .293 . 537 38 42 36 14 44 79. 2 77.8 78.5 80. 4 76.6 .241 .236 .256 .381 .543 30 34 34 30 43 80.8 80.1 76.9 74.4 73.5 .246 .257 .278 .351 .583 4 4 4 .252 6 10 78.0 81.0 81.0 80.0 70.6 16 56.0 .746 84 98 94 64 129 79.1 78.4 77.4 77.1 72.0 .238 .237 .253 .338 .574 411 409 366 243 469 Occupation and district. NumN um ber of Year. ber of em plants. ploy ees. A ver Average full tim e earn hours ings per per week. hour. C h a r g in g - m a c h in e o p e r a t o r s —Con. Pacific coast......... 1919 Total .. 2 56.0 SO. 950 13 19 64 107 78 0 77.4 77.7 77.1 73.0 4 60 70 76 30 142 74 4 77.7 77.8 84.0 72.1 348 .337 .354 .461 .797 160 168 172 76 147 76 2 77.0 77.0 75.2 73.9 .465 .415 .441 .593 .998 78.7 71.4 70.9 74.2 72.7 .442 .463 .478 .612 .967 82.9 83.1 82.6 80.0 71.2 .499 .438 .420 .580 .871 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 17 22 22 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 6 6 76 86 86 .335 .307 .330 .467 . 703 S to c k c r a n e m e n . Eastern................. Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1919 T otal......... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4 3 5 3 5 5 6 6 4 5 1 2 2 2 2 2 15 20 20 11 17 .221 .214 .275 .463 M c U e r s ’ h e lp e r s , f ir s t. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1911 1915 1917 1919 Southern_______ Pacific coast......... 1919 Total C h a r g in g - m a c h in e o p e r a to r s . 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 4 6 6 2 3 5 6 6 3 5 6 7 7 5 6 2 3 3 3 3 14 18 18 10 12 73.8 76.3 76.3 80.4 73.0 .267 .249 .259 .386 .715 30 34 34 16 39 79.6 78.0 78.0 78.0 76.8 .321 .297 .316 .492 .741 26 26 26 28 37 79.4 7-5.7 76.6 74.6 72.5 .384 .357 .409 .474 .784 74.0 82.5 82.5 70.2 73.5 .351 .318 .290 .485 .691 6 8 8 10 It 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 6 6 3 5 6 122 7 7 5 6 2 140 148 130 155 22 3 3 3 3 o 26 26 36 50 34 56.0 1.098 17 22 22 361 401 422 272 428 77.1 75.6 75.5 76.3 69.9 .440 .420 .437 .586 .960 4 6 6 2 58 70 70 30 39 72 8 74.9 75.1 80.4 72.3 231 .228 .245 .324 .631 5 160 168 172 76 159 75 7 75.9 76.0 75.2 76.1 .317 .268 .310 .424 .703 78 8 71.5 70.9 74.2 72.1 .291 .300 .304 .419 .677 13 19 M e t i e r s ’ h e lp e r s , secon d. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st.. . 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 [ 1102] 3 6 6 3 5 6 120 7 7 5 6 138 146 130 158 115 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW Ta b le 1.—AVER A G E FULL-TIM E H O U R S P E R W E E K A N D A V ER A G E EA RN IN G S PE R HOUR IN EACH DISTRICT, 1913,1914,1915,1917, AN D 1919—Continued. O p e n - H e a r th F u r n a c e s —Continued. Num um ber of Occupation and Year. N ber of em district. plants. ploy ees. A ver age full time hours per week. A ver age earn ings per hour. 3 3 3 3 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2• 17 22 22 13 19 22 26 26 36 43 82.4 $0.284 .248 83.1 .234 82.6 .325 80.0 .586 68.9 32 56.0 360 402 420 272 431 76.7 74.7 74.5 75.9 72.1 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 .292 .278 .291 .397 .681 .170 .176 .189 .300 .523 184 186 182 76 176 77.9 76.0 76.3 76.7 76.0 .226 .213 .228 .350 .560 7 7 4 183 158 169 138 239 79.9 79.3 79.4 77.2 76.1 .218 .217 .213 .333 .530 3 3 3 60 48 49 36 37 73.4 78.0 78.6 80.0 80.9 .185 .181 .175 .272 .470 49 56.0 .668 1 5 6 6 3 5 6 6 2 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 2 Pacific coast......... 1919 Total........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 75.0 76.0 76.2 78.0 71.3 3 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Southern............... 31 50 54 18 61 3 5 5 16 21 21 11 18 458 442 454 268 562 77.9 77.4 77.7 77.5 74.0 .214 .207 .212 .328 .547 S t o p p e r s e tte r s . IS 18 18 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W est. . . 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 24 19 Southern............... 1 2 2 2 1 4 4 4 3 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 2 4 8 22 10 10 10 2 Pacific coast......... 1919 1 4 Total........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 '9 10 10 8 10 30 32 32 36 48 77.3 75.0 74.6 75. 3 71.4 .325 .287 .296 .414 . 663 3 5 5 6 12 12 4 11 73.8 75.9 75. 9 78.0 73.1 .331 .296 .317 .467 .769 24 28 28 78.1 75.7 75.7 77.0 75.7 .348 . 320 .342 .530 .768 20 20 24 27 78.0 78.0 75. 6 74.0 69.7 .372 . 355 .386 .435 .791 8 10 10 8 10 73.5 75.6 75.6 79.5 67.6 .462 .416 .380 . 465 .774 .785 M e l t e r s ’ h e lp e r s , t h ir d . Eastern................. Aver A ver age full age time earn hours ings per per week. hour, Concluded. 2 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pacific coast......... 1919 T otal.......... Num Num ber of Year. ber of em plants. ployees. S t o p p e r s e tt e r s — M c lte r s ’ h e lp e r s , s e c o n d —Concld. Southern............... Occupation and district. 77.5 72.7 72.0 73.5 75.8 .354 .299 .318 .423 .750 76.8 76.8 76.8 75.0 72.4 .286 .286 .286 .408 .523 78.0 81.0 81.0 81.0 53.3 .260 .237 56.0 $0.911 S te e l p o w e r s . Eastern................. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Southern............... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pacific coast......... 1919 T otal........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1 3 5 6 6 3 5 6 7 7 5 6 2 3 3 3 3 2 16 21 21 12 19 12 23 18 7 56.0 .812 56 70 70 48 78 77.0 76.4 75.7 76.0 70.4 .370 .339 .356 .466 .784 10 8 S 2 .182 . 180 .ISO .280 .262 . 231 . 252 .389 .599 M o ld c a p p e r s . 1913 1914 1915 1917 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle West . . 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Southern............... '1919 Eastern................. .220 .432 .575 [1103] T otal........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 2 2 1 5 6 6 52 76.6 80.8 80.8 84.0 79.1 76.9 76.9 79.8 77.0 5 5 5 28 24 26 16 35 5 78.9 78.0 73.4 72.0 70.7 63.2 .273 .249 .280 .342 .573 .624 13 13 70 72 38 92 68 78.6 77.7 76.1 76. 7 73.8 .255 . 232 .254 .364 .592 3 5 2 5 2 12 6 12 30 38 38 20 116 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. T a b l e 1.— A V E R A G E FULL-TIM E HO U R S P E R W E E K A N D A VERAGE E A R N IN G S P E R HO U R IN EACH DISTRICT, 1913, 1914,1915, 1917, A N D 1919—Continued. O p e n - H e a r th F u r n a c e s —Concluded. Occupation and district. dum N um ber of Year. ber of em plants. ploy ees. Aver age full time hours per week. A ver age earn ings per hour. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle West - . 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Southern............... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pacific coast......... 1919 4 6 6 2 3 5 6 6 3 5 14 22 22 10 16 33 42 42 20 41 74.1 $0.259 .246 75. 5 .255 75.5 .396 80.4 72.0 .707 78.2 .338 76.1 .300 76.1 .320 .489 76.8 76.1 .711 6 7 7 5 6 2 3 3 3 3 2 30 29 33 38 41 8 11 10 14 21 10 78.4 78.2 76.4 73.9 73.7 73.5 75.7 75.6 79.7 67.8 56.0 .370 .343 .385 .464 .744 .386 .344 .325 .490 .684 .962 T otal........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 17 22 22 13 19 90 104 107 82 129 77.2 76.5 76.0 76.4 71.9 .341 .305 .327 .466 .736 1 2 2 2 1 5 6 6 3 5 6 8 8 6 2 17 19 19 13 19 79.0 78.8 78.8 82.0 78.0 72.7 72.9 73.6 59.1 70.5 .183 .219 .226 .321 .780 .352 .332 .338 . 563 .831 In g o t s tr ip p e r s . 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e s t ... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 E astern................. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis A ver Aver age full age time earn hours ings per per week. hour. In g o t s tr ip p e r s — L a d le c ra n e m e n . Eastern................. Occupation and district. Num Num ber of Year. ber of em plants. ploy ees. 0 7 7 5 0 14 14 15 14 19 78.9 77.1 77.6 73.7 65.9 Concluded. Southern............... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 3 3 3 4 6 6 6 10 75.0 SO. 322 78.0 .278 78.0 .258 79.5 .446 64.4 .538 Pacific coast....... . 1919 2 6 56.0 .804 Total........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 14 18 18 13 17 41 47 48 39 56 76.0 75.8 76.3 70.9 66.6 .302 .292 .303 .449 .729 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4 6 6 2 3 113 58 46 135 37 63.1 67.2 64.3 68.4 67.5 .168 .169 .171 .287 .408 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 5 6 6 3 5 424 414 349 211 832 78.5 71.3 72.8 78.2 78.5 .190 .188 .193 .300 .473 6 7 7 5 6 214 221 235 267 375 79.0 69.5 71.9 75.6 76.8 .190 .191 .191 .299 .486 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 3 3 3 49 112 93 40 277 73.7 64.3 63.4 66.9 65.0 .152 .169 .158 .221 .388 2 242 56.0 .490 800 17 22 805 22 723 653 13 19 1,763 76.2 69.5 70.8 74.4 72.7 .185 .185 .186 .292 .464 L a b o rers. Eastern................. Southern............... Pacific coast......... 1919 .287 .285 .317 .400 .699 [1104] Total........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 117 MONTHLY LABOE EE VIEW, T a b l e 1.—AV ER A G E FULL-TIM E HOURS P E R W E E K A N D A V ER A G E EA RN IN G S PE R HO U R IN E A CH DISTRICT, 1913,1914, 1915,1917, AN D 1919—Continued. B lo o m in g M ills . Occupation and district. Num N um ber of Year. ber of em plants. ployees. A ver A ver age full age time earn hours ings per per week. hour. P it cran em en . Eastern................. AverNum - age N um ber of full Year. ber of em- time plants. P a y hours ees. per week. Aver age earn ings per hour. H e a te r s ’ h e lp e r s — Concluded. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 3 3 3 1 3 14 12 10 4 8 68.7 SO. 326 64.8 .344 .354 64.6 78.0 .443 73.9 .628 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1Q13 1914 1915 1917 1919 8 10 10 5 7 44 52 52 34 57 69.6 67.6 67.5 59.8 65.3 .383 .353 .368 .607 .866 6 7 7 4 6 49 50 49 25 56 64.9 65.5 69.1 64.5 .367 .389 .464 .790 2 3 3 2 3 10 8 8 12 72Ì0 72.0 76.5 72.7 .344 .359 .599 .784 19 23 23 12 19 115 124 119 71 133 69.3 66.6 66.7 66.0 66.1 .369 .357 .375 .546 .812 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 3 3 3 1 3 10 8 8 2 8 78.9 75.0 75.0 78.0 78.0 .568 .525 .598 .584 .947 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1013 1914 1915 1917 1919 8 10 10 5 7 25 32 32 25 33 71.4 69.5 69.9 58.2 66.2 .652 . 550 .585 .790 1.290 6 7 7 4 5 fifi 41 36 16 41 fifi 2 67.0 67.0 72.0 64.6 */533 .591 .689 1.134 1013 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 3 2 3 8 8 4 11 76 0 75! 0 78.0 81.0 73.5 .578 .535 .902 1.162 T otal........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 19 23 23 12 18 79 89 84 47 93 71.2 69.3 69.9 65.7 67.5 .594 .542 .584 .756 1.177 2 2 2 3 10 6 6 10 72.7 64.0 64.0 75.5 .350 .359 .370 .593 1914 1915 1917 1919 * — Total........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 H e a te r s ’ h e lp e r s . Eastern.................. 1913 1914 1915 1919 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e s t... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 5 5 5 1 5 31 27 27 9 35 62.8 $0.378 61.7 .354 61.2 .370 48.0 .530 62.9 .884 3 3 3 1 . 4 11 6 6 2 17 62.2 64.0 64.0 72.0 60.0 .312 .351 .363 .565 .761 T otal........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 10 10 10 2 12 52 . 39 39 11 62 64.6 62.4 62.1 52.4 64.5 .359 .355 .369 .536 .803 1 2 2 1 2 * 7 9 4 8 6 6 10 65.5 68.8 69.8 78.0 71.6 .297 .326 .362 .370 .589 30 41 71.1 66.3 .425 .394 14 62.9 67.2 .973 72 0 H e a te rs. Eastern................. Occupation and district. B o tto m m a k e r s . Eastern.................. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4 6 5 6 6 4 5 23 22 12 35 74.2 71.3 71.7 72.0 68.7 .307 .359 .382 .417 .749 Southern............... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 3 2 3 6 7 7 6 8 72.0 72.9 72.9 80.0 77.5 .338 .315 .296 .487 .729 . 1Q1.fi 15 68.6 68.5 70.8 64.9 .370 .389 .497 .833 44 22 .624 1914 1915 1917 1919 20 20 11 16 79 76 38 97 1914 1915 1 1 2 2 72.0 72.0 .225 .237 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 7 8 8 3 6 34 .38 40 16 49 69.8 70.4 70.9 64.0 63.3 .302 ..283 .284 .453 .778 4 5 5 4 4 25 22 26 16 40 74.9 67.8 69.4 72.0 68.0 .217 .273 .264 .352 .535 B o tto m m a k e r s ’ h e lp e r s . Eastern................. [1105] 118 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. T a b l e 1.—A VERAGE FULL-TIM E H OURS P E R W E E K A N D A V ER A G E EA R N IN G S PE R HOUR IN EACH DISTRICT, 1913,1914, 1915, 1917, AND 1919—Continued. B lo o m i n g M i l l s —Continued. Aver Num- age Average Num- ber of full- earnOccupation and Year. mgs district. plants. ploy- hours per per ees. week. hour. Bottom markers’ h e lp e rs NumN um ber of Occupation and Year. ber of emplants. ployees. R o lle r s —Concld. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 3 2 3 6 8 8 12 22 T ota l........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 13 17 17 9 13 65 70 76 44 111 72.0 69.8 70.5 71.3 67.4 .263 .273 .269 .384 .645 3 3 3 69.3 65.8 65.9 78.0 70.8 62.8 60.6 60.6 54.2 57.9 .415 .441 .485 .373 .771 .539 .473 .501 .797 1.004 .396 .414 .439 . 560 .915 .513 .458 .422 .761 .834 A ver age full time hours per week. Averearnings per hour. —Concld. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 19 23 23 12 18 46 54 53 34 50 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 3 3 3 1 3 8 6 5 2 68.3 65.8 65.9 78.0 70.1 . 360 . 365 . 435 .412 .746 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 8 10 10 5 7 24 28 28 19 27 .512 .432 .459 .751 1.029 Great Lakes and Middle W e s t... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 «.5 59.7 59.7 53.5 55.7 6 7 7 4 6 25 24 23 10 27 68.0 63.2 66.0 72.0 63.9 .375 . 345 .383 . 464' .868 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 3 2 3 3 4 4 3 5 72.0 72.0 72.0 76.0 68.3 .446 .411 .395 .659 .816 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 19 23 23 12 19 60 62 60 34 63 65.3 62.4 63.4 62.4 61.1 .431 .391 .420 .639 .925 1913 1914 1915 1919 2 2 2 2 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 5 6 6 2 5 16 19 17 8 31 63.8 61.1 59.8 56.0 63.6 .386 .341 .365 .479 .694 Great Lakes and Middle W e s t... 1913 1914 1915 1919 3 3 4 5 8 8 15 72.0 63.0 63.0 55.9 .216 .303 . 305 .628 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 3 2 3 4 5 5 5 6 72.0 72.0 72.0 74.4 65.3 . 249 .227 .220 .310 . 526 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 11 14 14 4 14 29 36 34 13 56 67.3 63.6 63.1 63.1 62.2 .322 .314 .327 .414 .648 72.0 $0.238 72.0 .235 72.0 .225 80.0 .336 75.5 . 550 66.2 $0.701 .684 63.6 63.5 .697 62.4 .912 60.4 1.353 M a n ip u la to r s . B o l l e n g in e e r s . 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 3 8 10 10 5 7 6 6 5 4 6 24 28 28 19 30 Great Lakes and Middle W e s t... l5l3 1914 1915 1917 1919 Southern............... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 6 7 7 4 6 2 3 3 2 3 19 22 22 11 26 3 4 4 3 6 74.2 70.6 70.4 72.0 65.5 76.0 72.0 72.0 76.0 65.3 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 19 23 23 12 19 52 60 59 37 68 68.5 .471 65.6 .447 65.4 .471 63. 8 ' .678 .934 62.6 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 3 3 3 1 3 8 10 10 5 7 6 6 5 2 4 24 28 28 19 29 69.3 65.8 65.9 78.0 70.1 60.5 59.7 59.7 53.5 54.5 .499 .072 .706 .620 1.178 .791 .687 .692 .980 1.942 6 7 7 4 5 2 3 3 2 3 13 16 16 10 15 3 4 4 3 6 73.9 67.5 67.5 72.0 64.8 72.0 72.0 72.0 76.0 65.3 .612 .693 .715 .780 1.215 .777 .647 .651 1.117 1.236 1 _ ,, R o l le r s . Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis ----- . T a b le m e n . [ 1106] Total........... — 4 71.1 4 '66.0 4 66.0 4 70.5 .270 . 31S .340 .553 119 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. T a b l e 1.—AVER A G E FULL-TIM E HOURS P E R W E E K A N D A V ER A G E EA R N IN G S P E R HOUR IN EACH DISTRICT, 1913,1914, 1915,1917, AN D 1919—Continued. B l o o m i n g M i l l s —^Concluded. Numum ber of Occupation and Year. N ber of emdistrict. plants. ployees. A ver Average full age time earn hours ings per per week. hour. S h earm en . 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 3 3 6 6 1 3 8 10 10 5 7 2 4 28 34 34 15 25 69.3 $0.382 65.8 .353 65.9 .385 78.0 .410 70.1 .691 67.3 . 358 66.0 .337 66.0 .311 58.1 .592 63.0 .805 6 7 7 4 6 2 3 3 2 3 19 23 23 12 19 19 21 19 10 23 3 4 4 3 6 56 65 62 30 58 65.7 61.7 64.4 72.0 61.5 72.0 72.0 72.0 76.0 65.3 67.2 65.0 65. 9 65.9 63.1 .386 .359 .403 .448 .832 .359 .330 .312 .503 .634 .370 .345 .362 .523 .790 2 2 2 3 8 9 9 5 7 8 18 18 23 63 61 61 16 62 67.2 68.0 68.0 70.1 66.8 66.4 68.4 63.5 63.8 .269 .272 .295 .573 .291 .274 .266 .462 .678 6 6 6 3 32 25 26 8 46 74.8 72.0 72. 5 72. 0 68.4 .237 .222 .237 .384 .551 h e lp e r s . 1913 1914 1915 1919 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 6 Numum ber of Occupation and Year. N ber of emdistrict. plants. ployees. A ver Average full age time earn hours ings per per week. hour. S h e a r m e n ’s h e lp e r s —Concld. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 3 2 8 9 9 5 19 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 18 20 20 10 19 111 113 114 29 150 69.5 68.4 68.5 68.1 66.6 .267 .256 . 258 .412 .597 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 3 3 1 3 19 12 12 2 19 66.3 61.3 69.3 84.0 70.2 . 162 .172 .154 .25)0 .437 72.0 $0.203 . 198 72.0 .190 72.0 .206 76.8 66.9 .471 L aborers. Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 8 9 9 4 7 147 136 158 244 179 73.1 72.0 72.8 75.3 71.9 .192 . 192 .192 .300 .489 6 7 7 4 6 102 96 102 88 229 74.4 72.0 72.0 69.1 65.7 .190 . 190 .190 .295 .480 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 3 2 3 24 23 18 54 68 73.0 74.1 71.3 77.4 76.6 .138 . 148 .140 .217 .386 19J3 1914 1915 1917 1919 19 22 22 11 19 292 267 290 388 495 73.1 71.7 72.3 74.3 69.6 .185 . 187 . 1S7 .287 .469 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4 4 4 3 3 10 12 12 7 10 12 12 12 10 12 46 P la te M ills . C h a rg in g -c ra n e a n d c h a r g in g m a c h in e o p e r a to rs . C h a r q in g - c r a r ie and c h a r g i n g m a c h in e o p e r a t o r s — Concld. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 3 1 2 10 16 16 4 18 66. 8 $0.235 65.3 .227 65.3 .238 66.0 .351 .499 68.0 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 5 5 3 5 24 24 26 16 41 72. 5 73.3 73.3 72.0 71.6 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis .366 .360 .391 .490 .911 [1107] Middle W est. . . 54 30 71 70.5 $0.373 .301 70.5 70.5 .317 69.7 . 517 74.0 .790 70.7 .339 70.3 . 3Ut* .329 70.3 70.4 .480 71.1 .786 120 M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W . T a b l e 1 .— A V ER A G E FULL-TIM E HOURS PE R W E E K AN D A V ER A G E EA RN IN G S PE R HOUR IN EACH DISTRICT, 1913,1914, 1915, 1917, AN D 1919—Continued. P la t e M i l l s —Continued. Occupation and district. Slum N um ber of Year. ber of em plants. ployeés. Aver age full time lours per week. Aver age earn ings per hour. R o l l e n g in e e r s — H e a te rs. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 3 1 2 18 27 26 4 24 67.6 $0.426 65.9 .466 66.1 .447 .566 66.0 .922 68.5 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e s t ... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 5 6 6 3 5 25 26 26 16 27 74.3 75.4 75.3 72.0 71.6 .631 .610 .668 .851 1.559 4 4 4 3 3 11 11 9 10 11 72.6 70.4 70.1 69.7 73.1 .625 .489 .555 .726 1.145 Total........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 11 13 13 7 10 54 64 61 30 62 71.7 70.5 70.6 70.4 70.6 .562 .529 .557 .771 1.239 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 3 1 2 50 52 50 12 72 66.3 65.1 65.2 66.0 70.6 .203 .205 .200 .333 .466 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W est. . . 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 5 6 6 3 5 41 46 45 12 44 70.9 70.1 69.8 70.2 71.1 .270 .284 .309 . 556 .801 3 3 3 2 2 14 14 14 12 9 69.3 69.3 69.3 64.3 74.7 .375 .282 .346 .517 .667 T otal........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 10 12 12 6 9 105 112 109 36 125 68.5 67.7 67.6 67.4 71.1 .252 .247 .264 .469 .599 Eastern.................. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 3 1 2 10 13 16 4 12 65.6 65.3 65.3 66.0 71.0 .257 .281 .269 .303 .634 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e s t.. 1913 1914 U915 1917 1919 5 6 6 3 5 15 16 16 8 21 76.4 73.2 73.1 75.0 71.7 .337 .322 .-339 .515 .785 4 4 4 3 3 9 9 7 8 8 73.3 72.0 72.0 69.1 75.0 .318 .316 .329 .444 .845 Eastern................. H e a te r s ’ h e lp e rs. Eastern................. Occupation and district. A ver Num age Aver age N um ber of full earn Year. ber of em tim e ings plants. ploy lours per per ees. week. hour. B o ll e n g in e e rs. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Concluded. 11 13 13 7 10 34 38 39 20 41 72.4 $0.308 70.2 .307 .309 69.7 70.9 .444 72.1 .753 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 3 1 2 8 10 10 4 19 65.6 65.1 65.1 66.0 69.2 .491 .524 .487 . 586 .761 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e s t... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 5 6 6 3 5 13 14 14 8 15 70.5 70.2 70.1 72.0 71.6 .719 .812 .870 1.105 1.764 2 2 2 3 2 4 4 4 6 6 67.6 67.6 67.6 68.2 72.0 1.398 .770 .875 1.168 1.788 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 9 11 11 7 9 25 28 28 18 40 68.5 68.0 67.9 69.4 70.5 .755 .703 . 734 1.011 1 291 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 P ittsburgh........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e s t... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 2 2 1 2 5 6 6 3 5 7 6 6 4 10 14 16 16 8 18 66.2 65.5 65.5 66.0 69.6 70.2 69.7 69.4 72.0 71.5 .353 .278 .292 .451 .776 .472 .487 .517 .795 1.250 2 2 2 3 2 6 6 4 10 6 69.1 69.1 67.6 69.7 72.0 682 .448 .580 .728 1.301 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 9 10 10 7 9 27 28 26 22 34 68.9 68 A 68 3 69.9 71.0 .488 .434 .474 .702 1.120 2 3 3 1 2 5 6 6 3 5 8 9 10 4 14 15 16 16 6 19 65.6 65.1 65.1 66.0 68.6 69.9 69.6 69.5 72.0 71.2 .281 .233 .219 .351 .562 .341 .365 .386 .538 .954 Total........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 R o lle r s . Eastern................. Total........... 8 crew m en . Eastern................. Total........... T a b l e o p e r a to r s . E astern................. Pittsburgh........... [1108 ] 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 1 121 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. T a b l e 1.— A VERAGE FULL-TIM E HOURS PE R W E E K A N D AVER A G E EA RN IN G S PE R HOUR IN EACH DISTRICT, 1913,1914,1915,1917, A N D 1919—Continued. P la t e M i ll s —Concluded. Aver Num age Occupation and Year Num ber 0 full ber oi em time district. plants ploy- hours ees. per week S h e a r m e n —Conoid. Concluded. Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 2 2 2 2 8 6 6 10 12 Total........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 9 11 11 6 9 31 31 32 20 45 H ookm en. Eastern................. Aver Num age A ver Number o full age Occupation and Year. . her of em time earn district. plants ploy hours ings per ees. per week hour. A ver age earn ings per hour. T a b l e o p e r a to r s — Pittsburgh___ 1913 1914 67.6 80.488 1915 66.2 .314 1917 66.2 .374 ! 1919 67.4 .558 ; Great Lakes and 72.0 .957 Middle W est... 1913 1914 68.2 .363 1915 67.6 .317 1917 67.5 .332 1919 68.5 .510 70.6 .833 Total........... 1913 1914 1915 66.3 .241 1917 65.5 .226 1919 65.5 .208 66.0 .283 S h e a r m e n ’s 69.4 .486 j h e lp e r s . 69.9 .299 Eastern.......... 1913 69.8 .331 1914 69.6 .371 1915 72.0 .498 1917 71.3 .879 1919 69.2 .439 Pittsburgh. 1913 67.6 .298 1914 67.6 .332 1915 68.9 .528 1917 72.0 .883 1919 Great Lakes and 68.4 .313 Middle W e st... 1913 68.2 .294 1914 68.0 .314 1915 69.6 .476 1917 71.2 .811 1919 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W est. . . 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 3 1 2 5 6 6 3 5 27 22 24 8 14 30 40 40 19 43 2 2 2 2 2 19 12 12 22 22 Total............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 9 11 11 6 9 76 74 76 49 79 2 3 3 1 2 4 5 5 3 5 G 10 10 4 7 12 12 12 10 21 67.3 64.1 64.1 66.0 69.4 70.9 70.9 70.9 72.0 71.6 Total. .193 .232 .228 .281 .478 L a b o rers. .264 ! .278 ; Eastern. .289 .429 .725 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 G3.3 63.3 63.3 60. 5 72.0 .490 .260 .340 .500 .722 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 7 9 9 5 8 20 24 24 16 30 69.1 67. 4 67. 4 69.1 71.1 .265 .257 . 268 .401 .667 3913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 3 1 2 1G 20 20 4 23 66.2 65.6 65.6 66.0 67.3 .298 .309 .307 ■ .407 .623 R o ll h an ds, o th e r. Eastern................. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W est. . . 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Total........... S h earm en . Eastern................. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis ' Pittsburgh. [1109] 35 35 35 22 54 70.9 $0. 491 70.5 .515 70.1 .555 72.0 .728 71.6 1.137 4 4 4 3 3 18 18 18 16 20 67.2 67.2 67.2 67.5 72.0 .371 .303 . 347 .571 .976 11 13 13 7 10 69 73 73 42 97 68.8 68.4 68.2 69.7 70.7 .415 .406 .436 .638 .982 2 3 3 1 2 81 91 99 24 118 65.7 65.1 65.0 66.0 67.5 .200 .197 .189 .250 .452 5 6 6 3 5 219 216 214 116 339 70.7 70.5 70.6 72.0 73.4 .276 .277 .297 .414 .729 4 4 4 3 3 125 101 93 108 170. 67.0 66.0 66.9 66.4 72.0 .236 .211 .250 .418 .555 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 11 13 13 7 10 425 408 406 248 627 68.7 68.2 68.4 69.0 71.9 .250 .243 .260 .400 .630 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 2 3 3 1 2 94 84 85 11 157 62.9 61.6 61.3 57.3 65.8 . 151 .151 .151 .250 .368 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4 5 5 2 4 118 116 10S 126 302 72. S 71.5 71.1 70.6 70.3 .191 .188 .189 .300 .484 4 4 4 2 3 16 16 15 59 125 69.8 71.3 65.1 72.0 69.0 .195 .190 .189 .289 .469 10 12 12 5 9 228 216 208 196 584 68.5 67.6 66.7 70.3 68.8 .175 .174 .174 .224 .449 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Total. 5 6 6 3 5 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 122 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. TAB1E 1,—A V ER A G E FULL-TIM E HOURS PE R W E E K A N D AVER A G E E A R N IN G S PE R HOUR IN. EACH DISTRICT, 1913, 1914,1915,1917, AN D 1919—Continued. S h e e t M i ll s . A ver ver Num age Aage um ber of full earn Occupation and Year. N ber of em time district. plants. ploy- hours ings per ees. per week. hour. C a tc h e r s —Concld. F a i r h e a te r s . Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 T otal........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 9 10 10 4 5 231 261 231 138 132 42.7 80.555 .561 42.7 .534 42.7 44.3 1.103 43.8 1.170 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 13 15 15 8 8 336 399 350 276 351 42.8 $0,629 .636 42.8 .595 42.8 43.7 1.256 42.8 1.182 4 5 5 4 3 13 15 15 8 8 105 138 123 138 182 336 299 354 276 314 43.2 43.1 43.2 43.0 43.5 42.8 42.8 42.8 43.7 43.6 . 516 .500 .488 . 973 .968 .543 .540 .518 1.038 1.053 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W est.... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 9 10 10 4 5 231 261 231 138 130 42.7 42.7 42.7 44.3 43.7 .465 .507 .488 .975 1.045 4 5 5 4 3 105 138 123 138 193 43.2 43.1 43.2 43.0 43.6 .410 .441 .451 .916 .937 9 10 10 4 5 230 258 225 138 119 42.7 42.7 42.7 44.3 43.7 1.484 1.491 1.279 2.651 2.608 T otal........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 13 15 15 8 8 336 399 354 276 323 42.8 42.8 42.8 43.7 43.7 .448 .484 . 475 .946 .980 4 0 5 4 3 13 15 15 8 8 105 136 123 138 153 335 394 348 276 272 43.2 43.1 43.2 43.0 43.6 42.8 42.8 42.9 43.7 43.6 1.459 1.316 1.281 2.530 2.550 1.476 1.431 1.280 2.591 2.575 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W est.... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 9 10 10 4 5 231 261 231 138 155 42.7 42.7 42.7 44.3 43.7 .445 . 483 .467 .958 1.019 9 10 10 4 5 231 261 230 138 128 42.7 42.7 42.7 44.3 43.8 .672 . 678 .611 1.361 1.476 4 5 5 4 3 105 138 123 138 210 43.2 43.1 43.2 43.8 43.5 .392 .421 .428 .855 .861 4 5 5 4 3 13 15 15 8 8 105 138 123 138 171 336 399 353 276 299 43.2 43.1 43.2 43.0 43.7 42.8 42.8 42.8 43.7 43.7 .577 .591 .577 1.210 1.180 .642 .648 .619 1.285 1.307 T otal........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 13 15 15 8 8 336 399 354 276 365 42.8 42.8 42.8 43.7 43.6 .429 .462 .453 .906 .928 8 9 9 4 5 209 234 207 138 125 42.7 42.7 42.7 44.3 43.7 1.018 1.005 .871 1.970 1.979 .653 .660 .605 1.301 1.314 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W est... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 9 10 10 4 5 231 261 227 138 124 42.7 42.7 42.7 44.3 43.7 4 5 5 4 3 98 130 117 138 138 43.2 43.0 43.2 43.0 43.7 .938 .895 .862 1.788 1.786 4 5 5 4 3 105 138 123 138 227 43.2 43.1 43.2 43.0 43.9 .577 .591 .577 1.210 1.110 T otal........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 12 14 14 8 8 307 364 324 276 263 42.8 42.8 42.9 43.7 43.7 .993 . 966 .868 1.879 1.878 R o lle r s . Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W est.... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 T otal.......... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 R o u g h ers. Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W est.... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 T otal........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 C a tc h e r s . Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle Wre s t ... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis A ver ver Num age Aage Num ber of full earn Occupation and Year. ber of em time district. plants. ploy hours ings per per ees. week. hour. T otal.......... M a tc h e r s . D o u b le r s . S h e e t h e a te r s . [ 1110 ] 123 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. T a b l e 1.— AVER A G E FULL-TIM E H OURS P E R W E E K A N D A V ER A G E EA R N IN G S P E R HOUR IN EACH DISTRICT, 1913, 1914,1915, 1917, AND 1919—Concluded. S h e e t M i l l s —Concluded. Aver Num age fullN um ber 0 Occupation and Year ber of em time district. plants ploy- hours per ees. week ! A ver age earn ings perhour. S h e e t h e a te r s ’ h e lp e r s . P ittsburgh........... 7 8 8 3 5 170 195 168 96 68 42.7 SO.499 42.7 .511 42.7 .487 43.9 .872 42.7 1.152 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 3 5 5 3 3 60 114 107 120 150 43.6 43.2 43.3 42.7 43.5 .440 .440 .412 .848 .865 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 10 13 13 6 8 230 309 275 216 218 42.9 42.8 42.9 43.2 43.2 .483 .485 .458 .859 .955 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 A ver age earn ings per hour. 5 6 6 4 5 83 92 75 83 56 42.7 42.7 42.7 44.1 43.8 .818 .860 .845 1.449 1.503 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 3 4 4 3 3 31 44 40 66 119 43.4 43.2 43.5 42.6 43.4 .805 .860 .792 1.336 1.550 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 8 10 10 7 8 114 136 115 149 175 42.9 42.9 43.0 43.5 43.5 Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 4 5 5 3 5 61 82 87 54 60 42.7 42.7 44.2 43.8 43.7 S h e a r m e n ’s h e lp e r s . https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Total........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 3 4 4 3 3 7 9 9 6 8 50 46 59 66 111 111 128 146 120 171 43.1 $0.239 43.2 .344 43.2 .248 42.7 .523 48.1 .745 42.9 . 125 42.9 .282 43.8 .242 43.2 . 533 46.6 .705 4 5 5 3 5 113 135 123 91 124 42.7 42.7 43.7 43.9 43.6 .295 .282 .270 .649 .711 3 4 4 3 2 7 9 9 6 7 48 65 57. 84 62 161 200 180 175 186 43.2 43.0 43.2 42.7 44.8 42.8 42.8 43.6 43.3 44.0 .280 .282 . 280 . 676 .632 .291 .282 .273 .662 .685 9 10 10 4 3 256 258 285 199 81 64.7 65.8 65.0 63.2 70.6 .191 .192 .192 .321 4 5 5 5 3 13 15 15 8 6 95 120 109 457 80 351 378 394 656 161 65.4 68.4 65.0 61.2 61.5 64.9 65.9 65.0 61.8 66.5 .187 .189 .189 . 335 . 466 .190 .188 .188 .331 .460 O pen ers. S h earm en . Total........... A ver age full time hours per week S h e a r m e n ’s h e l p e r s —Concluded. 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Total........... Num Occupation and Year N um ber of ber of em district. plants ploy ees. Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Great Lakes and Middle W e st... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 Total........... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 L a b o rers. Pittsburgh............ 1913 1914 .814 1915 .860 1917 .827 1919 1.399 Great Lakes and 1.534 Middle W est... 1913 1914 1915 1917 1919 .261 Total........... 1913 .247 : 1914 .238 1915 .546 1917 .632 1919 [1111] 124 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, T a ble 2.—R E LA T IV E FU LL-TIM E HOURS P E R W E E K A N D R E L A T IV E E A R N IN G S P E R H O U R , 1913, 1914, 1915, 1917, A N D 1919, B Y OCCUPATIONS. B la s t F u rn a c e s . [1913=100.] Year. Rela tive fulltime hours per week. Rela tive fulltime hours per hour. week. Rela tive earn ings Stockers. 1913. 1914. 1915. 1917. 1319. 100 96 96 99 102 100 98 98 154 242 B low ing engineers. 1913. 1514. 1915. 1917. 1919. 100 97 96 93 95 100 101 101 150 240 Rela Relative tive . fulltime ings hours per hour. week. B ottom fillers. 100 101 100 102 100 100 104 105 161 260 Rela tive fulltime hours per hour. week. Rela tive earnings Rela tive earnmgs per hour. Rela tive earnings per hour. Rela Rela Rela Rela tive tive tive tive full- earnfull- earnings mgs hours per per per per week. hour. week. hour. en’s Skip oper Top fillers. ta rry m en . L arrym helpers. ators. 100 99 97 103 94 100 104 106 128 233 100 96 96 94 96 100 99 97 151 238 Keepers. K eepers’ helpers. Iron han dlers and loaders. 100 97 97 94 98 100 98 97 94 97 100 103 103 99 102 100 99 99 146 237 Rela tive fulltime hours per week. 100 99 98 157 253 100 96 90 107 159 100 95 95 96 95 100 98 97 153 258 P ig m a chine men. 100 97 97 95 98 100 100 99 156 248 100 96 96 93 96 100 99 99 158 247 Cindermen. 100 98 98 98 96 100 96 95 156 258 B low ers. 100 98 98 95 96 100 100 101 146 226 Laborers. 100 98 98 104 109 100 102 99 162 263 B e s s e m e r C o n v e r te r s . 1913 .... 1914 .... 1915 .... 1917................... 1919................... 1913 .... 1914 .... 1915 .... 1917................... 1919................... Stockers Cupola melters. Cupola tappers. B low ers. 100 96 96 95 110 100 95 95 98 95 100 105 103 99 108 100 101 101 101 100 100 87 77 148 157 100 62 72 147 171 100 91 94 134 212 V esselmen’s helpers. Cinder pitmen. B ottom makers. B o tto m maker’s helpers. 100 96 98 100 108 100 106 106 106 105 100 99 99 98 88 100 99 99 98 96 100 65 73 124 162 Stopper setters. 1913 .... 1914 .... 1915 .... 1917................... 1919................... 100 77 89 150 200 100 98 100 96 116 100 68 76 147 199 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 100 94 94 143 256 100 76 86 132 189 Steel pourers. Mold cappers. 100 94 96 95 105 100 107 107 93 107 100 69 82 133 169 100 68 77 165 176 100 88 94 148 233 In g o t strippers. 100 94 95 98 92 [1112 ] 100 94 99 143 220 R egula tors, first. 100 96 97 101 103 100 68 73 130 174 L adle liners. 100 97 98 101 101 100 90 94 148 233 Laborers. 100 98 99 98 95 100 101 101 155 255 R egula tors, sec ond. 100 97 98 99 94 100 73 82 131 186 Vesselmen. 100 96 97 107 104 100 67 74 120 148 Ladle liners’ helpers. Stopper makers. 100 97 98 101 101 100 99 99 96 99 100 90 94 148 223 100 83 87 143 208 125 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. TABLE 2 .— R ELA T IV E FU LL-TIM E HOURS P E R W E E K A N D R E L A T IV E EA RN IN G S PE R H O U R , 1913, 1914, 1915, 1917, AND 1919, B Y OCCUPATIONS—Continued. O p e n - H e a r th F u r n a c e s . Year. Rela tive full time hours per week. Rela tive earn ings per hour. Rela tive full time hours per week. Rela tive earn ings per hour. 1913................... 1914................... 1915................... 1917................... 1919................... 1919................... 100 99 99 100 97 96 100 103 101 159 253 253 100 99 98 98 94 91 100 100 106 142 231 242 Steel pourers. Mold cappers. 100 99 98 99 93 91 100 99 97 98 94 100 92 96 126 210 211 Rela tive earn ings per hour. Chargingmachine operators. Stockers. 1913................... 1914................... 1915................... 1917................... 1919................... 1919................... Rela tive full time hours per week. 100 91 100 143 232 100 99 100 99 95 94 100 92 99 139 223 228 L adle cranemen. 100 99 98 99 95 93 100 89 96 137 210 216 Rela tive full time hours per week. Rela tive earn ings per hour. M elters’ helpers, first. 100 98 98 99 91 91 100 95 99 133 215 218 Rela tive full time hours per week. Rela tive earn ings per hour. Rela tive full time hours per week. Rela tive earn ings per hour. M elters’ helpers, second. M elters’ helpers, third. 100 97 97 99 96 94 100 95 100 136 230 233 100 99 100 99 97 95 100 91 93 98 98 95 100 100 101 158 248 251 100 97 99 153 250 256 Relar tive full time hours per week. 100 97 97 97 94 92 Rela tive earn ings ner hour. 100 88 91 127 197 204 Ingot strippers. 100 100 100 93 89 88 100 97 100 149 238 241 B lo o m i n g M i ll s . P it cranemen. 1913................... 1914................... 1915................... 1917................... 1919................... 100 96 96 95 95 100 97 102 148 220 Manip ulators. 1913................... 1914................... 1915................... 1917................... 1919................... 100 96 97 96 94 100 91 97 148 215 H eaters. H eaters’ helpers. 100 97 98 92 95 100 97 96 81 100 100 91 98 127 198 100 99 103 149 224 B ottom makers. B ottom makers’ helpers. 100 95 95 98 90 100 97 98 99 94 100 101 106 135 227 100 104 102 146 245 R oll engineers. 100 96 95 93 91 100 95 100 144 198 Rollers. 100 96 96 94 91 100 98 99 130 193 Tablemen. Shearmen. Shearmen’s Laborers. helpers. 100 95 94 94 92 100 98 102 129 201 100 97 98 98 94 100 93 98 141 214 100 98 99 98 96 100 96 97 154 224 100 98 99 102 95 100 101 101 254 P la t e M i l l s . C hargingcrane and chargingmachine operators. 1913................... 1914................... 1915................... 1917................... 1919................... 100 99 99 100 101 100 90 97 142 232 H eaters. H eaters’ helpers. 100 98 98 98 98 100 99 99 98 104 100 94 99 137 220 100 98 105 186 238 R oll engineers. 100 97 96 98 100 100 100 100 144 244 R ollers. Screwmen. 100 99 99 101 103 100 100 99 101 103 100 93 97 134 171 hands, Shearmen. Shearmen’s Laborers. Hookm en. R oll helpers. other. 1913................... 1914................... 1915................... 1917................... 1919................... i00 100 99 102 104 100 94 100 152 259 100 98 98 100 103 138517°—19------9 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 100 97 101 151 252 100 99 99 101 103 100 98 105 154 237 100 99 100 100 105 [1113] 100 97 104 160 252 100 99 97 103 100 100 99 99 168 257 100 90 97 144 230 Table operators. 100 99 99 100 104 10C 87 92 14C 222 126 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. T a b l e 2.— R E L A T IV E FU L L -T IM E H O U R S P E R W E E K AN D R E L A T IV E EA RN IN G S PE R HO U R 1913, 1914, 1915, 1917, A N D 1919, B Y OCCUPATIONS—Concluded. S h e e t M i ll s . Year. Rela tive fulltime hours per week. Rela tive earnings per hour. Pair | heaters. 1913. 1914. 1915. 1917 1919 100 100 100 102 102 100 99 95 191 194 Sheet heaters’ helpers. 1913. 1914. 1915. 1917. 1919. 100 100 100 101 101 100 100 95 178 198 Rela tive fulltime hours per week. Rela tive earnings per hour. Rollers. 100 100 100 102 102 100 97 87 176 174 Rela tiv e fulltime hours per week. Rela tiv e earn ings per hour. R oughers. 100 100 100 102 102 100 101 96 200 204 en’s Shearmen. Shearm helpers. 100 100 100 101 101 100 106 102 172 188 100 100 102 101 109 100 112 96 212 281 Rela tive fulltime hours per week. Rela tive earnings per hour. Catchers. 100 100 100 102 100 100 101 95 200 188 Openers. 100 100 102 101 103 100 97 94 227 235 Rela tive fulltim e hours per week. Rela Rela tive tive fullearn tim e ings hours per per hour. week. Matchers. 100 100 100 102 102 100 108 106 211 219 Rela Rela tive tive fullearn time ings hours per per hour. week. D oublers. 100 100 100 102 102 100 108 106 211 216 Rela tive earn ings per hour. Sheet heaters. 100 100 100 102 102 100 97 87 189 189 Laborers. 100 102 100 95 102 100 99 99 174 242 > Basic Rates of Wages in Government Arsenals. HE following tabulation is a statement of the minimum and maximumbasic day rates of wages for the principal occupations in arsenals of the War Department from 1914 to 1919. There are also intermediate rates. When a rate was changed during a year the new rate is stated together with the month in which the change was made. In the case of pieceworkers the rates shown constitute the guar anteed rates per day. The minimum is not an entrance rate neces sarily. The rate at which a man is hired depends on his skill and experience. The rates do not indicate actual earnings, especially during the war period, when special bonuses were paid and much overtime was worked. The value of the rates is primarily to reflect basic-wage movements in the Federal arsenals. Under a recent ruling of the War Department the general bonus of $120 a year from July 1, 1918, to July 1, 1919, and of $240 a year since July 1, 1919, is held to apply retroactively to employees in the arsenals, and back payments are now being made. Such bonuses are in addition to the rates shown in the table. During the period the arsenals have had a basic eight-hour day, and time above eight hours has been considered as overtime. T https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1114] 127 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. BASIC R A T E S OF W AGES IN GOVERNM ENT A R SEN A LS, 1914 TO 1919, B Y OCCUPATION. F ra n h fo r d (P h i l a d e l p h i a , P a .). Basic rates of wages in Government arsenals in— Occupation. 1914 1916 1915 $3.52 $3.52 $3.52 4 3.76 $3.76 2 4.24 Carpenter........................... $3.00- 3.20 $3.20- 3.36 $3.20- 3.36 6 3.24- 3.52 $3.24- 3.52 «3.64- 4.12 Blacksm ith....................... Gauge maker.................... 2. 76- 4.48 2. 76- 4. 48 3.24- 4. 76 3. 76- 5. 24 Tool maker........................ 2. 76- 4. 48 2. 76- 4. 48 3.24- 4. 76 3. 76- 5.24 Electrician......................... 3.00 3.00 3.24 3.24 7 3.44- 3.84 Laborer.............................. 1.52- 1.76 1.52- 1. 76 1.52- 1. 76 s 1.52- 2.00 1.52- 2.00 4 1.52- 2.32 Machinist........................... 2.52- 3.00 Machinist’s helper........... 2.24 2.24 1.16 1.16 1.76 1.76 Millwright......................... 3.00 3.00 3.00 s 3.24 Painter............................... 2.60 2.60 2.76 6 3.44 Pattern maker.................. 3.44 3.44 3.44 3 3.52 Plumber............................. 3.00 3.00 3.00 2.52 2.52 W2.76 2.76 3.00- 3.20 3.60 3.60 2. 52 2. 52 male). Machine operator (male) Tinsmith and sheetmetal workers. 3.00- 3.20 3.24« 3. 524 3.522. 24 2. 401 2.40- 2. 52 3 2.404 2.601.16 a 1.36 2.001.76 3 2.00- 2. 24 4 2.00- 2.52- 3.00 3.00- 3.76 2 3.00- 3. 76 7 3.24- 4.24 1 3.00- Woodworker, m achin e.. 2. 52 1918 1917 4. 24 4.24 4.76 2. 52 2.60 3.08 1.36 $4.24 3 5.52 4$5.92- 6.40 3.64- 4.12 3 4. 80- 5. 20 4 5.36- 5.92 3. 76- 5. 24 3 4. 72- 6.14 4 5.92- 6. 88 3. 76- 5.24 3 4. 72- 6.14 4 5.92- 6.88 3.44- 3. 84 34. 00- 5. 04 4 5.04- 5. 92 1.52- 2 .32 3 2. 96- 3. 44 4 3. 20- 3.68 3.52- 4. 76 3 4. 72- 5.92 4 5.36- 6. 40 2.60- 3.08 3 2.96- 4. 24 43.44- 4. 72 2.24 2.32 2.00- 2. 32 3 2.96- 4.00 4 3.44- 4.56 3.24 3.64 7 3.64 3 4. 80 4 5.36- 5.92 3 5. 76 4 5.92- 6. 40 3.44 3.44 3 3.44- 4. 56 4 4.32- 5.36 3.52 4. 70 6 4. 00 3 5.60 4 4. 70 4 5.92- 6.40 3.00 3.68 9 3.24 a 4.00- 5.04 7 3.68 4 5.04- 5.92 2. 76 13.00 7 3.16 3.60 4.00 3 4.00 3 5.12- 5. 44 4 5.52- 5.92 2.52 2. 52 3 3.44 4 4.00 1919 $5.92-S6.40 5.36- 5.92 5.92- 6.88 5.92- 6. 88 5.04- 5.92 3.20- 3.68 5.36- 6.40 3.44- 4. 72 3.44- 4. 56 5. 36- 5.92 5.92- 6.40 4. 32- 5.36 5.92- 6.40 5.04- 5.92 5. 52- 5.92 4. 00 R och I s la n d (R o ch Is la n d , I II .). B lacksm ith....................... $3.00-$3. 75 $3. 25-$4.00 $3. 50-$4.00 Boiler maker..................... 4.00 4.00 4.00 Carpenter........................... 2.50- 3.25 2. 75- 3. 50 3.25- 3.75 Die sinker.......................... 3. 25- 3. 75 3.25- 3. 75 3. 75- 4.25 Electrician......................... 2. 75- 3.25 2.75- 3.25 3.00- 3. 56 1April. a September. May. 4 November. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis ■' June. s ju l,. [1115] $4.00-$4. 50 $4. 00-$4.50 3 4.40- 5. 44 4 5.36- 6. 24 4.00 4.00 3 4. 72- 5. 44 45.36- 5.92 3.25- 3. 75 3.25- 3.75 3 4.00- 5.12 4 4.56- 5.36 4.25- 4.50 4.25- 4.50 3 5.76- 6.32 46. 40- 6. 88 3.00- 5.12 3.00- 5.12 3 4. 40- 5. 44 4 5.04- 5.92 7 October. 8 December. $5.36-$6. 24 5.36- 5.92 5.36- 5. 44 6. 40- 6. 88 5.04- 5. 92 9March. 40 February. 128 M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W . BASIC R A TES OF WAGES IN GOVER N M EN T A R SE N A LS, 1914 TO 1919, B Y OCCUPATION— Continued. R o c k I s l a n d (R o c k I s l a n d , I I I . ) — C o n c lu d e d . Basic rates of wages in Government arsenals in— occupation. 1914 Laborer.............................. 1915 1916 11. 25-Ì2.00 SI. 25-82.25 Millwright......................... 2.75 2.75 Molder................................ 3.00- 3.25 3.00- 3. 25 3.25- Machinist.......................... 2.7.5- 3.75 2.75- 3.75 3.00- Machinist’s helper........... 2.00- 2. 25 2.00- 2.25 2.00- Machine operator............ 2.00- 2.25 2.00- 2. 25 2.00- Painter............................... 2.50- 3.00 2.50- 3.00 2. 50- Pattern m aker................. 3.25- 3. 75 3.25- 3.75 3. 50- Plum ber............................ 3.50 3.50 Steam fitter....................... 3.00 3.00 3.00- Sheet-metal worker........ 2.50- 3.00 2.50- 3.00 2. 50- Tinsm ith............................ 2.50- 3.00 2. 50- 3.00 2.50- Toolmaker........................ 3.50- 4. 25 3.50- 4. 25 3. 75- Gauge maker..................... 3.50- 4. 25 3. 50- 4. 25 3.75- Woodworker, m achine. . 2.25- 3.25 2.25- 3.25 2.25- 1918 1917 11. 75-S2. 50 SI. 75-12.50 1 2. 80- 3.04 2 3.20- 3. 68 3.00 3.25 3.25 1 4.00- 4.40 2 4. 56- 5.04 3. 50 3.25- 3.75 3. 25- 3. 75 ‘ 4. 00- 5.12 2 4. 56- 5.92 4.00 3.00- 4.25 3.00- 4.25 ‘ 4. 72- 5. 76 2 5.36- 6.40 2.50 2.25- 3.00 2. 25- 3.00 1 3.68- 4.00 2 4.32- 4.56 2.25- 3. 00 2.50 2.25- 3.00 1 3. 28- 4. 40 2 3. 44- 5. 04 3.00 3.00- 3.50 3.00- 3. 50 1 4.00- 4. 40 2 4. 56- 5.04 4.00 3.50- 4.25 3. 50- 4. 25 1 4. 40- 5. 52 2 5.36- i . 92 q Ie. 3.50 3.75 1 4.00- 4! 72 2 4.56- 5. 92 3. 25 3.00- 3.25 3.00- 3.25 14.00- 4. 72 2 4.56- 5. 92 2.50- 3.00 2.50- 3. 00 3.00 ' 3. 68- 5.12 2 4.32- 5. 92 3.00 2.50- 3.00 2.50- 3. 00 t 4.00- 4. 40 2 4.32- 5. 92 4. 50 3.7.5- 4.75 3. 75- 4. 75 15.12- 6.00 2 5.92- 6. 88 3.75- 4. 75 4.50 3.75- 4.75 15.12- 6.00 2 5.92- 6. 88 2.50- 3.50 2. 50- 3.50 3. 25 13. 28- 4. 40 2 4.32- 5.36 1919 $3.20-S3.68 4. 56- 5.04 4.56- 5.92 5. 36- 6. 40 4.32- 4.56 3.44- 5.04 5.04- 5. 60 5.36- 5. 92 5. 46- 6. 00 4.32- 6.90 4.32- 5.92 4.32- 5. 92 5. 92- 6.88 5. 92- 6.88 4. 56- 5.36 S p r i n g f i e l d (S p r i n g f i e l d , M fis s .). $2.50-Ì3.50 82.50-83.50 Carpenter.......................... 3.25- 3.75 3.25- 3.75 3.25- 3.75 82.50-83.50 4.16 3.25- 3.75 3 3.84- 4.40 Die sinker.......................... 4.00- 4.75 4.00- 4.75 4.00- 4.75 4.00- 4.75 3 4.64- 5.52 Electrician........................ 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3-3.28- 4.40 Laborer.............................. 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 3 2.32- 2.56 Millwright......................... 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3 3.60- 4.40 Machinist.......................... 3.00- 3. 75 3.00- 3.75 3.00- 3.75 3.00- 3. 75 s 3.60- 4.64 Machine operator........ 2. 00- 2.60 2. 00- 2.60 2.00- 2.60 2. 00- 2. 60 3 2.56- 3.28 B lacksm ith....................... $2.50-Ì3.50 i May. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 2 November. [ 1116 ] 32.80- $2.80-84.16 2 4.80- 5.70 3.84- 4.40 14.16- 4.80 2 4.32- 5.20 4.64- 5.52 14. 72- 5.76 2 5.36- 6.40 3.28- 4.40 13.60- 4.80 2 4.80- 5.76 2.32- 2.56 12.56- 2.80 2 3.20- 3.68 3.60- 4. 40 13.92- 4.80 2 4.56- 5.36 ,3.60- 4.64 14.72- 5.76 2 5.04- 5.92 2.56- 3. 28 12. 80- 3.60 2 3 .44- 5.20 3 December. 84.80-85770 4.32- 5.20 5.36- 6.40 4.80- 5.76 3.20- 3.68 4.56- 5.36 5.04- 5.92 3.44- 5.20 129 M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W , BASIC R A T E S OF W AGES IN GOVER N M EN T A R SE N A L S , 1914 TO 1919, B Y OCCUPATION— Continued. S p r in g fie ld (S p r i n g f i e l d , M a s s .) —Concluded. Basic rates of wages in Government arsenals in— 1915 1916 1917 1918 *3.25-S3.50 I3.25-S3.50 S3.25-S3.50 13.60- 3.84 S3.60-S3.84 2 3.92- 4.16 3 4.56- 4.80 4.16- 4.40 2 4.56- 4.80 3 4.56- 5.20 4.16 2 4.56 3 5.20 3.28- 4.16 2 3.60- 4.56 3 4.16- 5.20 4.64- 5.20 2 4.72- 5.76 35.36- 6.40 4.40- 5.52 2 4. 72- 5.76 35.36- 6.40 3.28- 3.84 2 3.60- 4.16 3 4.16- 4.80 S4.56-S4.80 S3.12-S3.84 2 4.72- 5.76 8 5.36- 6.40 2 6.00- 7.04 3 6.40- 7.68 2.80- 3.44 2.80- 3.44 2 3.76- 4.80 3 4.96- 5.92 3.52- 3.76 3.52- 3.76 2 4.00- 5.60 3 5.36- 6.40 2.16- 2.48 2.24- 2.48 7 2.24- 2.48 2 2.72- 3.20 3 3.20- 3.68 4.96- 5.92 4.16 4.16 2 5.28- 5.76 3 5.36- 6.40 3.12- 4.32 3.12- 4.32 2 4.72- 5.76 3 5.36- 6.40 2.00- 2.80 2.00- 2.80 2 2.96- 3.68 3 3.44- 4.32 2.56- 3.04 2.56- 3.04 2 3.20- 4.40 3 4.32- 5.36 2.72- 2.88 2.72- 2.88 2 3.60- 4.40 3 4.32- 5.36 3.84- 4.56 3.84- 4.56 2 5.20- 6.00 3 5.92- 6.88 3.28 3.28 2 4.40- 5.76 3 5.36- 6.40 4.50 4.50 2 4.40- 5.76 3 5.36- 6.40 4.96 3.60- 4.88 3.60- 4.88 2 5.12- 6.00 3 5.92- 6.88 J5.36-S6.40 1914 Painter............................... *3.25-$3.50 Plum ber............................ 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 1 4.16- 4.40 Steam fitter....................... 3.75 3.75 3.75 3.75 1 4.16 Tinsm ith............................ 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 1 3.28- 4.16 Toolmaker........................ 3.25- 4.25 3.25- 4.25 3.25- 4.25 3.25- 4.25 1 4.64- 5.20 Gauge maker.................... 3.25- 4.25 3.25- 4.25 3.25- 4.25 3.25- 4.25 1 4.40- 5.52 Woodworker, m achine.. 2.50- 3.25 2.50- 3.25 2.50- 3.25 2.50- 3.25 13.28- 3.84 1919 4.56- 5.20 5.20 4.16- 5.20 5.36- 6.40 5.36- 6.40 4.16- 4.80 W a te r to w n ( W a te r to w n , M a s s .). Carpenter........................... Painter............................... S3.04-S3.52 S3.04-S3.52 S3.04-S3.52 2.80- 3.28 2.80- 3.28 2.80- 3.28 4 2.80- 3.44 3.04- 3.28 5 3.04- 3.52 3.04- 3.52 1.84- 2.24 «2.00- 2.24 2.00- 2.24 3.04* 3.2813.522.00* 2.161 2.16- 3.04- 3.68 3.04- 3.68 3.04- 3.68 1 4.00 2.80- 3.76 2.80- 3.76 2.80- 3.76 « 3.12- 4.24 1.84- 2.80 5 2.00- 2.80 2.00- 2.80 2.00- 2.80 2.56 2.56 8 2.56- 3.04 2.56- 3.04 2.72- 2.88 2.72- 2.88 2.72- 2.88 2.80- 4.00 2.80- 4.00 4.00- 4.48 3.28 3.28 3.28 4.50 4.50 4.50 3.40- 3.68 3.40- 3.68 3.76- 4.80 1 December. a May. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 3 November. 4 July. 3.52 3.72 3.76 2.24 2.32 2.48 6 March. «August. [1117] S3.12-S3.84 7 February, 3 September. 6.40- 7.68 4.96- 5.92 5.36- 6.40 3.20- 3.68 4.96- 5.92 5.36- 6.40 5.36- 6.40 3.44- 4.32 4.32- 5.36 4.32- 5.36 5.92- 6.88 5.36- 6.40 5.36- 6.40 4.96 5.92- 6.88 130 M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W BASIC R A TE S OF W AGES IN GOVERNM ENT A R SE N A LS, 1914 TO 1919, B Y OCCUPATION— C o n c lu d e d . W a te r v lie t ( W a te r v lie t , N . Y .). Basic rates of wages in Government arsenals in — uccupauon. 1916 1915 1914 13.28 $3.28 i $328- 3.52 Carpenter.......................... S3.04- 3.20 3.04- 3.20 6 3.28 Electrician......................... 2.80- 3.52 Laborer.............................. 2.00 2.80- 3.52 5 3.04- 4.16 2.00 B lacksm ith....................... Machinist........................... 2.56- 4.00 2.56- 4.00 5 2.80- 4.24 Machinist’s helper........... 1.76- 2.00 1.76- 2.00 5 2.00- 2.24 Machine operator............ 2.24 2.24 5 2.72 Pattern maker................. 3.20 Plum ber............................ 3.28 Steam fitter....................... 3.28 3.20 5 3.28 3.28 5 3.76 3.28 5 3.76 3.04 5 3.28 3.52- 4.00 5 3.76- 4.24 T insm ith........................... 3.04 Toolmaker......................... 3.52- 4.00 1917 1918 $3.28-S3.52 $3.60-$3.92 $4.00-S4.72 13.60- 3.92 2 4.00- 4.72 » 3.60- 5.20 * 4.96- 6. 88 3.36- 3.60 3.36- 3.60 3.28 6 3.84 5 3.36- 3.60 8 3.60- 4.56 i 4.32- 5.92 3.04- 4.16 3.04- 4.16 3.28- 4.48 2 3.28- 4.48 44.32- 6.40 2.24 2.40 2.00 6 2.24 2 2.40 8 2.64- 2.88 4 3.20- 3.68 4.00 8 3.60- 5.20 ■t4.32- 5.92 2.80- 4.24 3.12- 4.72 3.28- 5.20 5 3.12- 4.72 2 3.28- 4.96 6 3.76- 5.20 * 3.28- 5.20 3 4. 72- 5.76 4 4.96- 6.40 2.24- 2.72 2.24- 2.88 2.00- 2.24 P 2.24- 2.72 2 2.24- 2.88 3 2.80- 3.20 4 3.20- 4.32 3.04 « 3.28- 3.52 2.72 3 3.28- 4.00 5 3.04 4 3.68- 5.36 4 3.68- 5.36 4. 72- 4.88 3.60- 3.76 3.28 6 3.60- 3.76 2 4.72- 4.88 4 4. 96- 6. 40 4.16 3.76 4.16 4 4.96- 6. 40 5 4.16 3.76 4.16 4.16 4 4.96- 6.40 5 4.16 3.68 3.28 3.60 6 3.60 23.68 4 4.96- 6. 40 3.76- 4.24 4.16- 4.72 6 4.16- 5. 20 5 4.16- 4.72 2 4.32- 4.96 3 4. 72- 5. 76 4 3.76- 5.20 4 5.36- 6. 88 i December. • 2 September.. 3 May. 1919 $4.96-$6.88 4.32- 5.92 4.32- 6.40 3.20- 3.68 4.32- 5.92 4.96- 6.40 3.20- 4.32 3.68- 5.36 3.68- 5.36 4.96- 6.40 4.96- 6.40 4.96- 6.40 4.96- 6.40 5.36- 6.88 4 November. 6December. 6 January. Pay of Enlisted Men in the United States Army. HE following table is a statement of basic pay in the first enlistment of the grade and occupation named compiled from the Army pay table. It does not include slight addi< tions for continuous years of service in the second, third, and sub sequent enlistments. As the first enlistment period is four years and as not over 25 per cent of the enlisted men continue in service, it is a fair statement of possible earnings in the Army. In addition the Army man gets clothing, board, and lodging, or commutation for these items. The pay fixed by the act of May 18, 1917, continues for the period of the war emergency and is therefore still in effect. T https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1118 ] 131 M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W . M ONTHLY P A Y OF ENLICTED MEN IN T H E U N IT E D STATES ARM Y, 1908 A N D 1919, A N D P E R CENT OF INC R EA SE, 1919 OVER 1908. T itle or rank. Master electricians............................................................................................ Master signal electricians............................................................................... Engineers........................................................................................................... Sergeants, first class, hospital corps............................................................ Regimental sergeant majors.......................................................................... Regimental quartermaster sergeants.......................................................... Regimental commissary sergeants.............................................................. Sergeants major, senior grade, coast artillery........................................... Battalion sergeants major of engineers....................................................... Post quartermaster sergeants....................................................................... Post commissary sergeants............................................................................ Post ordnance sergeants.................................................................................. Battalion quartermaster sergeants of engineers....................................... Electrician sergeants, first class, signal corps........................................... First sergeants.................................................................................................. Battalion sergeant majors, infantry, field artillery................................. Squadron sergeant majors.............................................................................. Sergeants major, junior grade, coast artillery........................................... Battalion quartermaster sergeants, field artillery................................... Master gunners....................................................................... ......................... Electrician sergeants, second class.............................................................. Sergeants of engineers, ordnance, signal corps......................................... Quartermaster sergeants of engineers......................................................... Mess sergeants.................................................................................................. Color sergeants.................................................................................................. Sergeants and quartermaster sergeants of cavalry, artillery, infantry. Stable sergeants............ .............. -.................................................................... Acting cooks of hospital corps...................................................................... Firemen............................................................................................................... Cooks................................................................................................................... Corporals of engineers, ordnance, signal corps, hospital corps............. Chief mechanics................................................................................................ Mechanics, coast artillery.......................................................... .................... Corporals of cavalry, artillery, infantry..................................................... Mechanics of field artillery............................................................................. Blacksmiths and farriers................................................................................ Saddlers............................................................................................................... Wagoners.................................................................. , ...................................... Artificers............................................................................................................. Privates, first class, engineers, ordnance, signal corps........................... Privates, hospital corps.................................................................................. Trumpeters........................................................................................................ Musicians of infantry, artillery, engineers................................................. Privates of cavalry, engineers, artillery, infantry, signal corps........... Privates, second class, engineers, ordnance............................................... Monthly pay, 1908. Monthly pay, 1919. $75. 00 75. 00 65. 00 50.00 45. 00 45. 00 45.00 45. 00 45.00 45. 00 45.00 45. 00 45.00 45.00 45. 00 40-00 40. 00 40.00 40. 00 40.00 36. 00 36.00 36.00 36.00 36. 00 30.00 30.00 30.00 30. 00 30.00 24.00 24.00 24.00 21.00 21.00 21.00 21.00 21.00 21.00 18.00 16.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 $81.00 81.00 71.00 56.00 51.00 51.00 51.00 51.00 51.00 51.00 51.00 51.00 51.00 51.00 51. 00 48.00 48. 00 48.00 48.00 48. 00 44.00 44.00 44. 00 44.00 44.00 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00 36.00 36.00 36.00 36.00 36.00 36.00 36.00 36.00 36.00 33.00 31.00 30. 00 30.00 30.00 30.00 Per cent increase 1919 over 1908. 8.0 8.0 9.2 12.0 13.3 13.3 13.3 13.3 13.3 13.3 13.3 13.3 13.3 13.3 13.3 20.0 200 200 20.0 20.0 22.2 22.2 22.2 22.2 22.2 26. 7 26.7 26. 7 26. 7 26. 7 50.0 50.0 50.0 71.4 71.4 71.4 71.4 71.4 71.4 83.3 93.8 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Wages in the United States Navy. S compiled from the Navy Register, 1919, issued by the Navy Department, the rates of pay of the enlisted personnel of the Navy are shown in the following table. The rates of 1914 as fixed by the act of May 13, 1908, represent 10 per cent increases over the scale previously in effect. The rates fixed in 1917 by the act of May 22 of that year consist of increases graduated according to rates in effect at that time, and are operative for at least six months after the termination of the war. The rates are minimum rates and do not show increases due to reenlistment. Enlisted men in the Navy receive food, housing, and clothing in addition to their pay. A https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1119] 132 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. K A T ES OF PA Y OF PR IN C IPA L G R ADES A N D OCCUPATIONS IN T H E U N IT E D STA TES NA V Y . [The N avy Register, Jan. 1,1919, pp. 1010, 1011.) Occupation. Per cent of increase, 1919 over— 1914 (since act of May 13, 1908). 1919 (since June 1, 1917, act of May 22, 1917.) $65.00 60.00 50.00 $71.50 66.00 55.00 $77.50 72.00 61.00 19.2 20.0 22.0 8.4 9.1 10.9 50.00 40.00 55.00 44.00 61.00 52.00 22.0 30.0 10.9 18.2 35.00 30.00 24.00 23.00 19.00 38.50 38.50 26.40 28.00 20.90 46.50 46.50 34.40 34.00 35.90 32.9 55.0 43.3 47.8 88.9 20.8 20.8 30.3 21.4 71.8 60.00 50.00 30.00 30.00 25.00 20.00 66.00 55.00 33.00 33.00 27.50 22.00 72.00 61.00 41.00 41.00 39.50 37.00 20.0 22.0 36.7 36.7 58.0 85.0 9.1 10.9 24.2 24.2 43.6 68.2 127.00 70.00 60.00 60.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 139.70 77.00 66.00 66.00 55.00 55.00 55.00 145.70 83.00 72.00 72.00 61.00 61.00 61.00 14.7 18.6 20.0 20.0 22.0 22.0 22.0 4.3 7.8 9.1 9.1 10.9 10.9 10.9 80.00 65.00 65.00 65.00 65.00 65.00 55.00 55.00 55.00 50.00 50.00 45.00 45.00 45.00 40.00 40.00 40.00 40.00 40.00 88.00 71.50 71.50 71.50 71.50 71.50 60.50 60.50 60.50 55.00 55.00 49.50 49.50 49.50 44.00 44.00 44.00 44.00 44.00 94.00 77.50 77.50 77.50 77.50 77.50 66.50 66.50 66.50 61.00 61.00 55.50 55.50 55.50 52.00 52.00 52.00 52.00 52.00 17.5 19.2 19.2 19.2 19.2 19.2 20.9 20.9 20.9 22.0 22.0 23.3 23.3 23.3 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 6.8 8.4 8.4 8.4 8.4 8.4 9.9 9.9 9.9 10.9 10.9 12.1 12.1 12.1 18.2 18.2 18.2 18.2 18.2 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 45.00 40.00 40.00 40.00 37.00 35.00 35.00 35.00 55.00 55.00 55.00 55.00 49.50 44.00 44.00 44.00 40.70 38.50 38.50 38.50 06.00 61.00 61.00 61.00 55.50 52.00 52.00 52.00 48.70 46.50 46.50 46.50 22.0 22.0 22.0 22.0 23.3 30.0 30.0 30.0 31.6 32.9 32.9 32.9 10.9 10.9 10.9 10.9 12.1 18.2 18.2 18.2 19.7 20.8 20.8 20.8 1907 1907 1914 S e a m ,a n b r a n c h . Chief petty officers: Chief masters-at-arms.......................................................... Chief turret captains............................................................ Chief mates and quartermasters....................................... P etty officers, first class: Turret captains..................................................................... Masters-at-arms, mates, etc.............................................. P etty officers, second class: Masters-at-arms, mates, quartermasters......................... P etty officers, third class........................................................... Seamen, first class....................................................................... Seamen gunners........................................................................... Seamen, second class.................................................................. M essm en branch. Stewards (highest grade)........................................................... Stewards and cooks, cabin, etc................................................. Steerage cooks............................................................................... Mess attendants, first class 1..................................................... Mess attendants, second class1................................................. Mess attendants, third class1.................................................... A r t if ic e r b r a n c h . Chief petty officers: Special mechanics................................................................ Machinists, m ates................................................................. Electricians............................................................................ Printers................................................................................... Carpenters, m ates................................................................. Water tenders........................................................................ Storekeepers........................................................................... P etty officers, first class: Mechanics, first class............................................................ Blacksmiths, first class....................................................... Coppersmiths, first class..................................................... Patternmakers, first class................................................... Molders, first class................................................................ Boilermakers......................................................................... Machinists mates, first class............................................... Coppersmiths......................................................................... Shipfitters, first class........................................................... Electricians, first class........................................................ Blacksm iths........................................................................... Plumbers and fitters............................................................ Watertenders......................................................................... Engineers, first class............................................................ Painters, first class............................................................... Sailmakers, m ates................................................................ Carpenters, mates, first class............................................. Storekeepers, first class....................................................... Printers, first class............................................................... P etty officers, second class: Blacksmiths, second class.................................................. Coppersmiths, second class................................................ Patternmakers, second: class............................................. Molders, second class........................................................... Machinists, mates, second class........................................ Electricians, second class.................................................. Shipfitters, second class...................................................... Engineers, second class....................................................... Oilers....................................................................................... Carpenters, mates, second class........................................ Printers, second class........................................................... Storekeepers, second class.................................................. Lower rates to noncitizens of U nited States—$24, $20, and $16, respectively. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1120] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 133 R A T E S OF PA Y OF PR IN C IPA L G R A D ES A N D OCCUPATIONS IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T ES N A V Y —Concluded. Occupation. 1919 (since June 1, 1917, act of May 22, 1917). $30.00 30.00 30.00 30.00 $33.00 33.00 33.00 33.00 $41.00 41.00 41.00 41.00 36.7 36.7 36.7 36.7 24.2 24.2 24.2 24.2 35.00 25.00 38.50 27.50 46.50 35.50 32.9 42.0 20.8 29.1 1907 A r t i f i c e r b r a n c h —Concluded. P etty officers, third class: Electricians, third class............................ Carpenters’ mates, third class................ Painters, third class.................................. Storekeepers, third class.......................... . Seamen, first class: Firemen, first class.................................... Ship\yrights................................................. Seamen, second class: Firemen, second class............................... Seamen, third class: Firemen, third class.................................... Landsmen...................................................... Per cent of increase, 1919 over— 1914 (since act of Mav 13, 1908). 1907 1914 30.00 33.00 41.00 36.7 24.2 22.00 16.00 24.20 17.00 36.20 32.60 64.5 103.8 49.6 85.2 Rates of Pay in Marine Occupations. IVE agreements fixing wages and establishing working rules for certain officers and seamen and other employees on coastwise and deep-sea vessels operated by the United States Shipping Board and the American Steamship Association have recently been announced. The parties to the agreements are the United States Shipping Board, the American Steamship Association, and the fol lowing organizations of workers: The Masters’, Mates’, and Pilots’ Association and the Neptune Association; the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association; the Marine Firemen’s, Oilers’, and Water Tenders’ Union of the Atlantic and Gulf; the Eastern and Gulf Sailors’ Association; and the United Radio Telegraphers’ Association. These agreements do not apply to the Pacific coast vessels or to the vessels on the Great Lakes. The agreements affecting the masters, mates, and pilots and the marine engineers became effective on July 28, 1919, and are to con tinue in force until August 1, 1920; those affecting the firemen, oilers, and water tenders and the seamen became effective “ imme diately,” being signed, respectively, on July 30 and July 28, and terminate May 1, 1920; the agreement affecting radio operators became effective August 1, 1919, and is to continue for one year. The new rates are shown in the table following, which also gives the rate in effect in specified years prior to the recent awards, the data being taken from records of the United States Shipping Board. These are not actual earnings, nor do they include bonuses effective in the war zone the greater part of 1917 and 1918. Aside from the bonuses, however, these rates will be found to approximate fairly closely to the actual earnings, inasmuch as hiring and payment is by the month, thus making it necessary to account for little lost F https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1121 ] 134 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, time. Comparative data are available only for the licensed trades and for the principal crew occupations of able seamen and firemen. Rates of pay, however, as fixed by the July awards, are given for deck and engine-room crews; also for radio telegraphers.1 RATE OF W AGES IN M ARINE OCCUPATIONS, ATLANTIC AN D GULF COAST V ESSELS, IN SPEC IFIE D Y E A R S, 1911 TO 1919. a 1914 1911 1917 Occupation. High. Deck crew: Master (captain)....................................... First m ate................................................... Second m ate............................................... Third m ate................................................. Engine and fire room: Chief engineer............................................. First assistant engineer............................ Second assistant engineer....................... Third assistant engineer.......................... Junior engineer.......................................... Fireman....................................................... Low. High. Low. $400 150 140 130 80 $225 110 100 90 $400 150 140 130 80 30 $225 110 100 90 200 125 115 115 80 135 90 80 70 70 200 125 115 115 80 40 High. $225 no 100 90 30 $400 150 140 130 80 60 135 90 80 70 70 40 225 150 140 130 80 60 150 no 100 90 80 60 January, 1919. 1918 Low. 60 July, 1919. Occupation. High. Deck crew: Low. High. $450.00 b $345.50 1 $375.00 375. 00 c287.50 247.50 b 2 1 0 . 0 0 1 206.00 \ c 206.25 c 175.00 / b 225.00 b 187.50 \ e 187.50 c 156.25 } 187.50 / b 202. 50 6165.00 I 168.75 1 c 168.75 c 137. 50 / b 180.00 b 172.50 \ c 150.00 c143. 75 1 150.00 75.00 75.00 75.00 / b 345.00 6240.00 1 287.50 \ c 287. 50 c200.00 / b 247.50 6210.00 1 206.25 \ c 206.25 ®175.00 / b 225.00 6187.50 1 187.50 \ c 187.50 c156.25 f b 202. 50 6165.00 } 168.75 c137.50 1 c 168.75 / b 150.00 1 125.00 \ c 125.00 75.00 75.00 75.00 b \ c / b Engine and fire room: Low. High. Low. $300.00 181. 25 162.50 143.75 143.75 75.00 $412. 50 241.25 212.50 188.75 165.00 85.00 $330.00 216.25 187.50 163.75 158.75 85.00 212. 50 181. 25 162. 50 143.75 125.00 75.00 387. 50 241. 25 212.50 168.75 135.00 90.00 305.00 216.25 187.50 163 75 135.00 90.00 a Report of the Director of Marine and Dock Industrial Division, United States Shipping Board, Dec. 31, 1918, and subsequent awards, July, 1919. b Trans-Atlantic, c Coastwise. 1 Vessels are classified according to their power tonnage (p. t.) into 5 classes, as follows: Type. Class A. Class B. Over 15,000 15,000 to 9, 000 Over 20, 000 20,000 to 12,000 Class C. Class D. 9, 000 to 5, 500 12,000 to 7,500 5.500 to 3,500 7.500 to 5,000 Class E. Under 5j 000 Power tonnage equals gross tonnage (total cubical capacity of the entire hull, a unit of 100 cubic feet representing a ton) plus the indicated horsepower. The wage for licensed officers is according to this classification, the column headed " h igh ” in the table indicating th e pay on vessels of class A , and the column headed “ low” giving the pay on vessels of class E. The wage for deck and engine-room crews is the same for all classes. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1122 ] 135 M O N T H L Y LABO R R E V IE W . The monthly rates of pay as fixed by the July, 1919, awards of the United States Shipping Board for other members of the deck and engine-room crews and for radio telegraphers are as follows: D e c k C rew . Carpenter................................... ........................................................... $100.00 Carpenter’s m ate.................................................................................. 95. 00 Boatswain............................................................................................. 95. 00 Boatswain’s m ate................................................................................ 90.00 Quartermaster...................................................................................... 87. 50 Ordinary seaman................................................................................. 65. 00 Boys.......................................................................................................... 40.00 E n g in e - R o o m C rew . Electrician......................................................................................... Refrigerating engineer....... ............................................................... Assistant refrigerating engineer........................................................... Deck engineer........................................................................................ Pum pm an................................................................................................ Donkeyman............................................................................................. Storekeeper.............................................................................................. Oiler.......................................................................................................... Water te n d e r........................................................................................ Fireman............................................................................ Coal passer and w ip er......................................................................... HO.00 110.00 110.00 100.00 100.00 95.00 95.00 95.00 95. 00 90.00 75. 00 R a d io T e leg ra p h ers. Chief operator......................................................................................... Assistant operator.............................................................. 125.00 Comparative Wages of Seamen on American and Foreign Vessels, 1915 to 1919. REPORT of an investigation made by the Investigation and Inspection Service 1 of the Department of Labor, to ascer tain the relative wages paid to seamen on American vessels sailing out of American ports and the wages paid to seamen on for eign vessels trading in American ports, has recently been published for the use of the Senate Committee on Commerce. The purpose of this report is to show the relative rates prior to the enforcement of the Seamen’s Act and the relative wages at the time of the report (that is, in the spring of 1919). Wage rates prior to the year 1918 were taken from statements made to the United States Shipping Board by foreign consuls and verified so far as possible by other sources. The data for 1918 and 1919 were obtained from a most reliable source—the shipping articles of the various ships. In some cases shipowners themselves gave the desired infor- A 1 Having been organized primarily as a war measure, this Service ceased to exist on June 30,1919. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1123] 100.00 136 M ONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W . mation. In every instance a sufficient number of articles were ex amined so that the rates quoted in the report are typical for the nationality they represent. With respect to the more powerful sea faring nations definiteness in the figures quoted has been facilitated by the fact that these nations almost invariably have established a uniform rate for all vessels sailing under their flag. Two ports were visited—New York and San Francisco. It was not found necessary to visit any others. The investigation shows that a decided increase took place in sea men’s wages everywhere after the enforcement of the Seamen’s Act. Whether this increase was due in a larger measure to war conditions or to the change in the status of seamen in American ports in con sequence of the Seamen’s Act is impossible of certain determination; but both factors contributed to this marked advance in wages. One circumstance, however, must be attributed to the act alone. Sea men’s wages have persistently followed the American standard. Un less restricted by governmental authority, European wages at least have inclined toward equalization with the American wage rate, with the result that at the present time seamen’s wages are not a decid ing factor in competition among shipping nations. It is only in respect of Japanese shipping that this result has not been attained. On March 4, 1915, Congress passed the Seamen’s Act, the mam purposes of which were to equalize wages on all ships entering or leaving American ports and to make conditions aboard ship such that Americans would again take to the sea in great numbers. The increased cost of operation under the American flag has always been regarded as the main obstacle to the upbuilding of our merchant fleet. In this connection the question of seamen’s wages is of great importance. About the time of the passage of the Seamen’s Act, seamen’s wages in New York differed from those in foreign ports as follows: Seamen’s wages in New York were about 20 per cent higher than wages paid in Liverpool; about 22.5 per cent higher than in the North Sea or the Atlantic ports on the continent of Europe; about 30 per cent higher than wages paid in the inner Mediterranean or Baltic; about 400 per cent higher than the wages paid in India or China; about 300 per cent higher than wages paid in the ports of Japan. Everybody agreed that wages had to be equalized, but in what direction ? Should Congress follow the old idea of lowering wages to the lower foreign standard ? This had caused and would continue to cause our men to abandon the sea. Or should Congress adopt meas ures to raise the wages of all maritime nations to the higher American standard ? The latter course was wisely adopted and soon proved the contentions of its champions. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1124] 137 MONTHLY LABOR EE VIEW. Monthly Wages of Seamen and Firemen on American and Foreign Vessels. Beginning July, 1916, the Seamen’s Act became operative on all foreign vessels. In the second half of 1915, the year in which the act was passed, wages paid seamen and firemen on ships clearing from New York had been, as far as available, as follows: W AGES PAID SEAM EN AN D FIR EM EN ON VESSELS CLEARING FROM N E W Y O R K IN 1915. 1915. J u ly ......................... November.............. November.............. i 93 ships. 2 90 ships. Seamen. Date. Nationality. 3 Union scale. / \ i $29. 70 3 30.00 30.00 28.20 30.00 20.25 Firemen. 2 $39. 34 3 40.00 35.00 32.90 35.00 4 22.95 4 $6.75 bonus on round trip. In 1916, the year in which the act became operative on all foreign ships, the tendency to pay the American wage immediately became apparent, as the following table illustrates: W AGES PAID SEAM EN A N D FIR E M E N ON AM ERICAN AN D FO REIG N V ESSE L S IN 1916. Date. Nationality. 1916. /June 30.................... /J u ly ......................... r .' /J u n e......................... /J u ly ___ 1 Union scale. 2 93 ships. 3 92 ships. Seamen. i $45.00 2 43. 88 30.00 45.00 45.00 45.00 45.00 20.25 19.30 Firemen. i $50. 00 3 48. 95 35.00 50.00 50.00 45.00 50.00 4 22. 95 3 25.09 4 Plus bonus of $9.45. 5 Plus bonus of $3. 86. The high cost of living and the increased perils of submarine warfare brought about substantial increases in the year 1917 for both seamen and firemen and resulted in their wages being equalized, first on American vessels and later, especially in 1918, on practically all foreign ships as well. In addition to the regular increase in wages American shipowners paid bonuses ranging from 25 per cent to more than 100 per cent. Thus the American rate again led, but foreign rates soon adjusted themselves, so that at the end of 1918 the rates were practically equalized, with the exception of the French. This ex ception is due to the fact that the French merchant marine is con trolled by the French Government and manned through the u in- https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1125] MONTHLY LABOE EEYIEW. 138 scription maritime. ” The following table shows the continued process of equalization in 1917 and 1918: WAGES PAID SEAM EN A N D FIR E M E N ON AMERICAN AN D FO REIGN V ESSE L S IN 1917 AND 1918. Seamen. N ationality. ! Firemen. E nglish.. D u tc h ... D a n ish .. Sw edish. French.. 1917. IJune 30. ___d o . IAug. 1 ........ /A pril........... /O ctober— March......... / ___d o ......... \M a y ............ November. August....... i $57.58 3 60.00 <60.00 45.00 55.92 65.00 45.00 $56.00-60.00 20.25 21.23 2 $60.55 3 60.00 4 60.00 50.00 58.40 70.00 »50.00 5 60.00 6 22.95 2 27.02 American.. B ritish___ D utch........ D anish___ Sw edish. . . Norwegian French___ 1918. M ay............ October — /F ebruary. . /N ovem ber. October___ /March......... /D ecem ber.. ........do.......... M ay............ 75.00 55.92 60.00 70.00 75.00 20.25 75.00 75.00 27.98 »75.00 s 58.40 60.00 $70.00-75.00 75.00 6 22.95 75.00 75.00 1» 33.78 American. \ 1 93 ships. 2 92 ships. 3 Union scale. 4 Shipping Board scale. 5 Plus 50 per cent bonus. 6 Plus $27 bonus. 7 Plus $3.86 bonus. 8 Plus 50 per cent bonus in war zone. 9 Plus $14.60 bonus in war zone. 10 Plus $2.90 bonus. The signing of the armistice brought about more definiteness and regularity in the wage rates. Bonuses had varied from month to month and even from ship to ship, depending upon the nature of the cargo and the length of the voyage, as well as the destination. In order to ascertain whether the equalization was artificial or only temporary a survey was made between January 15 and February 15 of wages paid on foreign vessels leaving New York within that time, the result of which was that the American rate seems to have become the standard rate. The following ships paid the American rate of wages, that is, $75, for both seamen and firemen: American, Canadian, Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Russian, Swedish. Belgian ships paid $70.56 for seamen and $73 for firemen. One Greek ship paid the flat rate of $70, while a Spanish ship paid $40. The French rate had not advanced beyond the rate fixed in May, 1918, namely, $30.88 for seamen and $36.68 for firemen. Lowest of all were the rates paid on Japanese ships. Although almost twice as high as those paid on the Pacific, the Atlantic rates were only 40 yen (about $20) for both seamen and firemen. A tabulation of these figures brings out the results more clearly. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1126 ] 139 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. WAGES PA ID SEAM EN AND FIR EM EN ON AM ERICAN A N D SPR IN G OF 1919. Nationality. American.............................. B elgian.................................. British.................................... Canadian............................... Danish.................................... D u tch ..................................... French........................ Seamen. Firemen. 1 *75.00 70.56 70.00 75.00 75.00 75.00 30.88 FOREIGN VESSELS IN Nationality. Seamen. 1 *75.00 2 73.00 73.00 75.00 75.00 75.00 236.88 Firemen. $70.00 20.00 75.00 75.00 75.00 40.00 $70.00 20.00 75.00 75.00 75.00 40.00 1 This rate has since been advanced. See pages 133 and 134 of th is issu e of th e R e v ie w . 2 Including bonus. 3 Cf. also table on page 146 of th is issu e of th e R e v ie w . A number of Scandinavian ships were paying their seamen and fire men 75 krona ($20.10) per month. A Norwegian captain who was interrogated explained that this was the rate paid by the Scandina vian ships in Scandinavian ports, but that bonuses had to be added to this, bringing the total pay up to 300 krona, or $80.40 in American money. Instead of paying the high bonuses they preferred paying the American flat rate of $75. In view of the fact that the Seamen’s Act was unable to influence French wages greatly on account of the “ inscription maritime” exer cised by the French Government, it was thought advisable to give the official French wage rate in detail. A large part of the merchant marine of France was taken over by the French Government immediately after the outbreak of the war, and now the entire merchant marine is controlled by the Government. Whenever the pay on vessels that had not yet been requisitioned advanced the Government immediately met the increase by establish ing the same rate on the requisitioned ships, thereby assuring a uniform rate of pay. Thus to-day, as in the American merchant marine, a standard wage prevails throughout the French merchant marine. A circular of the Ministry of Marine of January 8, 1916,1 promul gates the new scale of wages going into effect January 1, 1916. This scale, for the crew, is as follows: 2 OFFICIAL FR E N C H W AGE R A TE FOR CREW S, E FF E C T IV E JAN. 1, 1916. Occupation. Pay. Boatswain (maitre d’equipage).................................................. Carpenter (maitre charpentier)................................................... Leading fireman and ofler (1er chauffeur, graisseur)....................................... Coal passer (soutier)................................... A“. ................................... Able seaman (m atelots).................................................................... Ordinary seaman (novice)........................ .................................. B oys (m ousse)............................................................................. . Overtime to be paid on the following bases: Boatswain and carpenter (m aitres).............................................................. Firemen and oilers (chauffeurs, grasseurs)................................................ Able seamen and coal passers (matelots, soutiers)................................... Ordinary seamen (n o v ices)...................................... ..................................... B oys (m ousses).. !......................................................................................... Bonus (included). $27.90 24.13 27.99 23.16 19.30 10.62 8.69 1 Comité Central des A m ateu rs de France, Circulaire No. 965. into U nited States money are made on th e base of 1 franc=19.3 cents. 2 Conversions https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1127] $4.83 4.83 4. 83 3 Kfi 3 86 3 86 3 86 . 12 . 10 .08 .04 .04 140 M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W . Toward the end of 1916 the French shipowners granted another increase in wages, effective in November, 1916. A circular of the Minister of Marine 1 immediately applied the new scale to the requi sitioned ships. The scale of November 15, 1916, is as follows: OFFICIAL FR E N C H W AGE R A TE FOR CREW S, E FFEC T IV E NOV. 15,1916. Fixed pay. Occupation. Leading firemen and similar grades (1er chauffeurs et Total. Bonus. $29.34 25.09 19.30 11.58 $3.86 2.90 2.90 1.16 $33.20 27.99 22.20 12.74 29.34 25.09 19.30 2.90 2.90 2.90 32.23 27.99 22.20 On August 1, 1917, a new rate was put in operation on privately owned ships. On August 26, 1917, another circular of the Ministry of Marine establishing the new rate retroactive to August 1, 1917, on requisitioned ships was issued. OFFICIAL FR E N C H W AGE R A TE FOR CREW S, E FFEC T IV E AUG. 1, 1917. Wage. Occupation. Leading firemen and similar grades (1er chauffeurs et Total. Increase. $31.85 26.06 21.23 10.04 7.14 $4.83 4.83 3.86 3.86 3.86 $36.68 30. 88 25.09 13.80 30.30 27.02 21.23 4.83 3.86 3.86 35.13 30.88 25.09 11.00 It is important to note that beginning August 1, 1917, a uniform scale has been established throughout the entire French merchant marine. Theretofore wages in the Mediterranean and in the coast wise trade had been lower than in the ocean trade. On August 29, 1917, another agreement was entered into by the seamen and the ship companies to allow another increase of 15 francs ($2.90) the next January, which increase was promptly paid. But only a few months later new demands were made and submitted to the supreme court of arbitration for settlement. On June 6, 1918, the decision of the court was rendered granting the demands of the seamen. The new schedule was made retroactive to May 1, 1918, and is as follows: Occupation. Wage rate. Boatswains (maîtres d ’equipage)...................................................... $41. 495 Carpenters (maîtres charpentiers)....................................................... 41.495 Chief gunner (?) (capitaine d ’armes)................................................ 41.495 Leading firemen (1er chauffeurs)........................................................ 41.495 Oilers (graisseurs).................................................................................. 41.495 1 Comité Central des Armateurs de France, Circulaire No. 1054. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1128] 141 MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW. Occupation. Wage rate. Boatswain’s mates (second maîtres)................................................ $38. 60 Carpenters’ mates (charpentier)....................................................... 38. 60 Able seamen (matelots)..................................................................... 30. 88 O rdinary seamen (novices)............................................................... 17. 37 Boys (mousses).......................................................................................... 14.475 Firemen (chauffeurs)......................................................................... 36.67 Coal passers (soutiers)........................................................................ 30. 88 An examination of the ship’s articles of a number of French vessels clearing New York as recently as March, 1919, showed that the rate of May 1, 1918, was still in force. Though the French wages are not even one-half the prevailing American rate, the increase has, never theless, been about 100 per cent since the beginning of the war. The comparatively low rate of pay in the French merchant marine is probably due in a large measure to the semimilitary character of French seamen. It is worthy of note, however, that the French delegates to the international seafarers’ conference at London in February, 1919, supported the movement to establish a universal wage for seamen and firemen of $75. Wages Paid Japanese, Chines?, Lascar, and Malay Seamen anu Firemen. It has been demonstrated that the tendency toward equalization of seamen’s wrages in the merchant marines of the European nations and of the United States had to a great extent removed the unequal conditions under which American vessels were operating in the Atlantic. In the Pacific the change has been much less marked. The reasons are mainly racial differences and unequal standards of living of oriental crew's as compared with white crewTs. Wliile crews in the Atlantic usually consist of whites only and include besides Americans many of European nationalities, crews in the Pacific are largely oriental, and in the case of Japanese ships are composed entirely of Japanese. Some British vessels have mixed crews of wdiite and Chinese or Lascars. But crews on Japanese ships are strictly Japanese. It is hardly necessary to elaborate on the inequality of living standards between whites and orientals, be they Japanese, Chinese, or Lascars. We often hear of American standards being higher than European. This difference, such as it is, usually disappears when contact between the two is once established. The result is adjustment of standards and aspirations. No such contact is established between the whites and the orientals. Therefore no adjustment is likely to take place. 138517°—19----- 10 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1329] 142 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. The importance of race and of living standards and its direct bear ing on seamen’s wages, particularly at this time, is borne out very strikingly by resolutions adopted at the international seafarer’s con ference in London last February (1919), where a universal seamen’s basic wage was advocated and an appeal was made to the shipping interests of the world to adopt the American wage standard, thereby eliminating the wage question from international competition. The cleavage between European and American wage rates has practically been bridged over, but a chasm still separates Japanese, Chinese, Lascar, and Malay wages from all others. Of course, the war and the general increase of wages everywhere has not left oriental wages untouched. Although one Japanese steamship company in 1918 paid bonuses to its crews amounting to their earnings for the entire year, yet their wages plus these bonuses brought their pay only near the French scale, which is about the lowest paid in Europe. Japanese Wages. Japanese wages are not so easily presented as European and American because of the peculiar and exaggerated subdivision of Japanese crews as far as pay is concerned. On American ships able seamen get $75, ordinary seamen $55, and deck boys $40 per month. In other wmrds, you have three categories, the members of each getting $75, $55, or $40, respectively. A Japanese pay roll, on the other hand, presents a scale such as this: 5 first sailors—4 at 25 yen,1 1 at 24 yen; 6 second sailors—3 at 23 yen, 3 at 22 yen; 8 third sailors, 20 yen; and fourth sailors—4 at 19 yen, 3 at 17 yen, 1 at 15 yen; 3 deck boys, 5 yen. An individual average wage could be figured out from the above scale. But the number of men in each category, as well as the amount paid to the various groups, are by no means the same on any two ships or on the same ship for two consecutive years. Further more, the data received were not always obtainable in such detailed form. If, therefore, in the following table, able seamen are quoted as receiving $8.25 to $10.25, this denoted the highest and the lowest wage paid to able seamen, implying that the scale is graduated between these two amounts. The following schedule illustrates the slow increase in the last five years as well as the low level of Japanese wages to-day: M ONTHLY WAGES PAID SEAMEN AND FIREM EN ON A JAPANESE VESSEL SAILING FROM SAN FRANCISCO, 1913, 1914, 1917, AND 1918. Date. Sailors. $8. 25-S10.25 8.25- 11.00 8. 50- 11. 50 7.50- 12.50 1 1 yen=49.85 cents. Treasury Department Circular, No. 1, Oct. 1,1919. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1130] Firemen. $8. 50-&10.50 8. 50- 11.40 9.75- 12.00 7. 50- 13.00 143 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. The hundred per cent bonus mentioned on page 142 was paid on this vessel in 1918. This means that the highest-paid seaman on this particular ship, which is one of the largest in the Pacific trade, received about $26, or less than American seamen received before the war. But this bonus was paid by the company during a very lucrative year on their own volition and not because of any agreement to do so. The next table shows the lack of uniformity in the wage rates on four typical Japanese vessels and a comparison with the corresponding American rates for the same rating. Besides seamen and firemen other grades are added in order to make the comparison stronger. The rates are exclusive of any bonus that was paid during 1918. WAGE SCALE ON FO UR TYPICAL JAPANESE STEAM ERS IN THE PACIFIC TRADE COMPARED W ITH PR E SE N T -D A Y (MAY, 1919) AMERICAN RATES. Rank. Deck crew: Boatswain..................................... Carpenter.......... ........................... Quartermaster............................. Able seamen................................. Dock b o y ..................................... Engine room: No. 1 oiler..................................... Water tender................................ Storekeeper................................... Fireman........................................ Coal passer.................................... Apprentice coal passer.............. 6,368 net tons. 6,101 net tons. $21.00 15.50 18.50 12.50 14.00 12.00-12.50 $19.00 16.00 16.00 13.50 13.50-15.00 7.50-12.50 2.50 2.50 3.50 2.50 $85.00 80.00 90.00 85.00 77.50 75.00 55.00 40.00 14.50 20.00 13.50 14.00-16.00 15.0015.50 15.50 14.50 14.00 11.0013.00 11.50-13.00 7.50-10.50 7.50-10.50 2.50 2.50 20.00 15.50-16.00 13.50-14.50 80.00 15.00 80.00 SO. 00 75.00 65.00 1 These rates have since been advanced. 2,960 net tons. 2,680 net tons. $20.00 S15.00 17.00 17.50 15.50-17.00 9.50-14.50 15.00 8.50-15.00 17.00 13.00-15.00 12.25-12.50 American rates.1 11.00-13.00 8.00-10.50 2.50 See pp. 133 to 135 of this issue of the R e v ie w . Chinese Wages. The nationalities hitherto mentioned in this report on seamen’s wages, American, Belgian, British, Danish, French, Greek, Japanese, Dutch, Norwegian, Russian, Swedish, and Spanish, are all repre sented in American ports by the flag of the merchant marine of their respective countries. Three types of seamen presently to be dis cussed are not so represented. They are the Chinese, Lascar, and Malay crews. Chinese seamen may be found on ships of various flags. The British, perhaps, employ them more than other nations, but they were found on American ships in the past and are at this time employed regularly by a Chinese-owned American corporation on the Pacific coast whose vessels fly the American flag. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis I [1131] 144 MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW. Before substituting its Chinese crews by whites after the passage of the Seamen’s Act, the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. in 1915 was paying its Chinese, on an average, as follows: WAGES PAID CHINESE SEAM EN A N D FIR EM EN PE R MONTH ON SHIPS OF THE PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP CO. IN 1915. Rank. Seamen.............................................................................................................................. Firemen................................................................................................... Mexican dollars.1 American equivalent. 7.50 8.00 $3.30 3.52 1 The Mexican dollar is figured at $0.44 American. To-day the China Mail Steamship Co., the corporation mentioned above, is paying its Chinese seamen and» firemen a comparatively much higher rate. Chinese crews in the Pacific trade are usually paid off in Mexican silver dollars, the exchange value of which is very high at this time (May, 1919). The present scale follows: WAGES PAID CHINESE SEAMEN AND FIREM EN PE R MONTH ON SHIPS OF THE CHINA MAIL STEAMSHIP CO. IN 1919. Rank. Seam en..................................................................................................................................... Mexican dollars.1 American equivalent, 20.00 20.00 $15.70 15.70 i $1 Mexican equals $0.785 American. The China Mail Steamship Co. is engaged in the trans-Pacific trade. Its rates, however, do not indicate any standard wrnge paid Chinese seamen in the Pacific, except as far as its own crews are concerned. British ships, for instance, pay their Chinese on a different scale, usually considerably higher, but by no means uniform. The articles of three British ships clearing from New York showed one ship paying Chinese seamen $29.20, another $29 to its seamen and $31 to its fire men, wdiile the third paid its seamen and firemen, $39.13; The articles of other British vessels with mixed crews seem to indicate that 29 Shanghai dollars 1 is the rate usually paid to Chinese seamen and 31 (Shanghai) dollars to firemen. Thus, it may be pre sumed that the following scale is reasonably representative for British ships: WAGES PAID CHINESE SEAMEN AN D FIREM EN P E R MONTH ON B R IT ISH SHIPS IN 1919. Rank. Shanghai dollars. American equivalent. 29. 00 31.00 $31.41 33.58 Instead of $29 (Shanghai) ($31.41) the flat rate of £6 ($29.20) is sometimes paid on British articles/ This represents almost the same value. It is approximately one-half of what the British seamen and https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 1 Shanghai dollar equals $1.0832. [1132] 145 MONTHLY LABOE EE VIEW. firemen were getting before the £3 ($14.60) bonus was added to their wage in October, 1918. The latter have been working persistently for the elimination of the Chinaman from British ships. Their efforts in this direction have been checked by war-time necessities, but may be resumed with the signing of peace. Lascar and Malay Wages. Besides Chinamen crews on British vessels often contain large numbers of Lascars and Malays. Their wages are extremely low. The following figures were obtained by examining the articles of seven British ships with Lascar crews clearing from New York: W a g es p a i d L a sc a r se a m e n a n d fir e m e n p e r m o n th o n B r itis h s h ip s i n 1 919. Rank: Seamen........................................................................................... Firem en.......................................................................................... $5. 93 6.16 Lascars are paid in Indian rupees. While the seamen are grad uated in many subdivisions like the Japanese, their average wage being $5.93, the firemen get a flat rate of $6.16. This represents the actual pay received in Asiatic waters. While in the Atlantic these same crews receive just double this amount. Malay crews were found on three British ships. Two were paid the same rate in Shanghai dollars, the other was paid in Singapore dollars.1 WAGES PAID MALAY CREWS PE R MONTH ON 2 BR ITISH SHIPS, 1919. Rank. Seam en............................................................................................................................... Firem en............................................................................................. .................................... Shanghai dollars.1 American equivalent. 29.00 31.00 $31.41 33.58 1 $1 Shanghai equals $1.0832 American. The third ship paid its Malay seamen 22 and its firemen 19 Singa pore dollars or $12.50 and $10.79 American currency, respectively. New Agreement Regarding Vvages of Seamen in Sweden. CCORDING to a report of the consul at Stockholm, Sweden, A under date of July 11, 1919, a new agreement recently made between the “ local” skippers and seamen abolishes all bonus pay ments and fixes the wages as shown in the table which follows. The agreement stipulates eight hours as a day’s work, wTith overtime rates per hour as follows: For lumbermen and boatmen, 39 cents; sailors, 36 cents; able-bodied seamen, 33J cents; ordinary seamen, 27 cents. The agreement is in effect from July 9, 1919, to the end of 1920. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 1 Singapore dollar equals $0.5678. [1133] 146 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, MONTHLY WAGES OP SW EDISH SEAMEN CLASSIFIED BY SIZE OF VESSEL. Tonnage of ships.1 Lumber men. Boatsmen. $72.36 80.40 85.76 $72.36 80.40 85.76 Under 700........................................................ 700 to 3,000...................................................... Sailors. Able-bodied seamen. Ordinary seamen. $48.24 48.24 48.24 $67.00 74.76 79.73 2 $36.18 2 81.74 ]This is metric ton s. A metric ton is equivalent to 0.98421 long ton or 1.102 short tons. 2W ith 12 m onths’duty; w ith less than 12 m onths’ duty, $20.10. Average Weekly Earnings in New York Fac tories, Compared with Retail Food Prices. HE table following, prepared by the Bureau of Statistics and Information of the New York State Industrial Commission, brings into comparison the change in the course of average weekly earnings in the State of New York with the change in the course of retail prices of food in the United States. The figures relating to earnings are collected and published cur rently by the State bureau, and food price figures are derived from prices collected and published currently by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the table here presented, the food price in June, 1914, is taken as the base or 100, so that comparison may be made with the earnings that are first available for that month. In the index numbers for retail prices of food as published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price for the year 1913 is taken as the base, or 100. T COMPARISON OF COURSE OF AVERAGE W E E K L Y EA RN IN G S IN N E W YORK STATE FACTORIES W ITH COURSE OF R ETA IL FOOD PRICES IN TH E U N IT E D STATES. [The figures are indexes w ith June, 1914, as 100.] 1914 1915 1916 1918 1917 1919 AverAverAverAverAverAverage age age age age age weekly Retail weekly Retail weekly Retail weekly Retail weekly Retail weekly Retail earn- food earn- food earn- food earn- food earn- food earn- food mgs, prices ings, prices mgs, prices ings, prices mgs, prices mgs, prices in New in New in in New New New in New in York U . S . York u . s . York u . s . York u . s . York s . York u . s . factofactofactofactofactofactories. ries. ries. ries. ries. ries. u. June................... July.................... August............... September....... October............. November........ December......... Average for year......... 100 99 99 98 97 97 99 100 103 108 108 106 106 1C6 98 98 100 99 100 101 100 102 101 105 106 106 98 1-05 101 104 102 99 100 101 101 101 101 102 104 105 106 107 108 110 111 112 113 111 114 117 118 119 122 108 107 108 no 110 113 112 114 119 122 127 127 120 121 124 122 127 128 127 129 134 136 139 139 129 134 134 146 153 154 147 151 155 159 157 159 1 132 139 147 152 157 161 164 167 176 176 2 170 183 162 163 156 156 160 164 169 173 180 183 185 189 102 114 115 129 147 160 170 181 174 175 174 175 177 182 188 1Drop in January, 1918, was due to Fuel Administrator’s closing order for January, 18-22. 2 Drop in November, 1918, was due to closing of factories on November 11, Armistice Day. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1134] 187 174 177 184 187 186 192 194 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 147 Rates of Pay of Policemen in 24 Cities. HE annual salaries of the principal grades in the police forces of various cities are shown in the following table which has been compiled from records in the office of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia: T RATES OF PA Y OF PRINCIPAL GRADES IN POLICE FORCES IN 24 CITIES OF THE U N IT E D STATES. Privates. Cities. Boston, Mass................................................... Bridgeport, Conn............................................. Buffalo, N. Y .................................................... Chicago, 111........................................................ Cincinnati, Ohio............................................... Detroit, Mich.................................................... Indianapolis, Ind............................................. Jersey City, N. J .............................................. Los Angeles, Calif......................................... Milwaukee, W is............................................ New York N. Y ................................ Newark, N. J .................................... Oakland, Calif............................................... Philadelphia, P a............................................... Pittsburgh, P a.................................................. Providence, R. I ............................................ Seattle, W ash’. .................................................. St. Louis, Mo.................................................... Washington, D. C.......................................... Yonkers, N. Y .................................................. Youngstown, Ohio........................................... Inspect Captains. Lieuten ors. ants. $3,000 2,500 2,280 3,300 $3,300 2,500 2,472 2,700 2,750 2,500 2,520 4,000 2,541 2,088 3,000 2,426 2,700 j- / \ 3,900 4,000 3,120 3,000 2,500 1 2,000 2,640 2,220 2,400 1 2,000 2,750 2,220 Ser geants. $2,000 2,250 1,800 2,500 2,000 1,848 2,100 1,800 $1,800 2,000 1,800 2,020 2,450 2,200 1,800 1.900 1.900 2,360 1,980 i 1,600 2,200 2,040 En trance. Maxi mum. $1,100 1.500 1.500 1,440 1.500 1,260 1.500 $1,600 1,750 1.500 1,800 1.500 1,560 1,700 1,500 1,720 1,950 1,900 1,650 1.400 1,200 1,220 1,200 1.400 1,200 1,600 1,440 1,460 1,650 1,600 1,344 1.650 1,588 1,920 1,740 1,800 i 1,400 1.650 1,980 1,410 1,560 1,680 1,440 1,200 l 1,080 1,550 1,620 1,680 1,620 1,500 1 1,320 1,550 1,800 2,200 1,700 1,733 1,850 1,580 1 To this rate should be added the bonus of $240 paid to Government employees. Night Work in English Bakeries. N February, 1917, the Food Controller of Great Britain issued a bread order which prohibited, among other things, the sale of bread less than 12 hours old. The general purpose was to lessen the consumption of bread by making it less palatable, but one of the by-results was a diminution of night work in baking. In fact, night work in baking almost disappeared. When after the armistice food control was relaxed the bakery employees were exceedingly unwilling to go back to night work. The employers were disposed to insist on the resumption of the old hours, and after much negotiation, when a strike seemed imminent, the Government interposed and appointed a committee “ to inquire into the practice of night work in the bread baking and flour confectionery trade, and to report whether it is desirable in the interests of those engaged in the trade and of the community that the practice should be abolished or modified.” This committee has recently issued a report.1 I 1 Great Britain. Ministry of Labor. Report of the committee of inquiry into night work in the bread baking and flour confectionery trade. London, 1919. 44 pp. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1135] 148 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. They find that night work in the baking trade has existed for at least a hundred years in some parts of England, but that it is much more prevalent in London than elsewhere. Night work is defined as work beginning earlier than 4 a. m. In the spring of 1919 roughly about 60,000 men were engaged as “ operative bakers and confec tioners employed for hire,” of whom about 50 per cent belonged to unions. The unions have for years been trying to end night work, and a number of bills prohibiting it have been brought into Parlia ment, the earliest in 1848, but none ever progressed as far as a second reading. In September, 1918, a Whitley Council for the baking trade was formed, embracing England, Scotland, and Wales, which took up as one of the first matters to be considered the modification or abolition of night baking. Unfortunately, before any decision was reached, the English employers withdrew from the council, and though the Scottish Master Bakers, the Cooperative Union, and the employees’ representatives remained, they did not feel that any scheme which they might devise without the cooperation of the English Master Bakers would have any prospect of general adoption. Consequently, the unions began to handle the dispute directly and the situation arose which led to the appointment of the committee. The committee finds no evidence that night work in bakeries is injurious to health. They feel, however, that its social effects are bad, and on that ground are opposed to it. They find also that since the factory laws forbid the employment of young persons under 18 at night, boys can not begin their apprenticeship to the baking trade at an age when the apprentice’s wage will satisfy them, and that therefore the supply of trained workers tends to fall. Also, they find that the workers themselves are strongly opposed to night work, and they feel that their wishes should carry weight, unless it can be shown that such work is in the interest of the community as a whole. The chief argument in favor of night work seems to be based on the matter of distribution of bread from the large bakeries. The baker who makes his own bread to sell over his own counter would not be af fected by its prohibition, since the law proposed would apply only to employees. The baker who employs a small number of men would probably set his dough himself so that it would be ready for the workers at 5 or 6 o’clock in the morning, and it would be ready for distribution by 9 o’clock at the latest, which would meet the demands of his trade. These two classes would be little, if at all, affected by the proposed legislation, but the large baker would be seriously handicapped. Unless the shops he supplies can have fresh bread on sale early, they are at a disadvantage, and trade tends to go to their competitors. But to get it on sale early, it must be ready to leave the wholesale bakery by 8 o’clock at the latest, which is impossible https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1136] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 149 unless night work is permitted. The representatives of these bakers were emphatic in their protests against any legislation interfering with night baking. “The effect of this proposed legislation would tend to the loss of the capital involved, with the inevitable result that large bakeries would bo obliged to close down, the baking of bread in general would drift back to the old-fashioned method of handling in smaller bakeries, and there would bo a resultant retrograde step in its not being as hygienic and economical. * * * This step, I have not a shadow of doubt in my own mind, will tend to decentralize the business and bring it down to the small bakers again instead of the large ones.” Against this argument, the workers pointed out that night work is exceptional in Scotland, and that as the wholesalers have found it practicable to get along there without it, the English wholesalers could probably do the same. It is admitted that the method of distribution would have to be somewhat reorganized, but this should present no insuperable difficulties. The committee can not find any evidence that the abolition of night work will generally add to the cost of manufacture, “ whilst owing to the better supervision exercised on day shifts, a larger output per worker may be obtained.” The committee strongly recommends that wherever possible night work shall be abolished by agreement between employer and em ployee, but as it is improbable that such agreements could be obtained throughout the whole industry it recommends legislation making it unlawful to employ any person in the manufacture of bread or pastry between the hours of 11 p. m. and 5 a. m. Doughmen and oven firemen and their assistants who must necessarily begin their work a few hours before the regular force comes on are excepted from this prohibition, and careful provision is made to cover any emergencies or exceptional circumstances. Finally, in order to prevent any hardship which might arise from too sudden a change, it is recommended that such legislation shall not become effective until two years from its date of passage. This report was very far from satisfying the workers. They attempted negotiations with the employers, enlarging their demands to include an increase of wages, a decrease of hours to 44 weekly, and the abolition of night work, and on August 2 struck to secure these terms. The strike was badly managed, and roused much opposition on the part of the public. The Ministry of Labor promised if the men would return to work to introduce a bill against night work along the lines of the committee’s report, and on the 10th of August the men voted to return to work, leaving the questions of hours and wages to be settled by arbitration. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1137] 150 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Wages, Hours, and Unemployment in 1918 in Denmark.1 ORE than a normal number of laborers were idle during 1918. This was a necessary result of the restricted opera tions of the various industries due to fuel shortage and dearth of materials. Unemployment has been greatest in the building trades and among textile, tobacco, and iron workers. The number of unemployed in December was approximately 63,000; this was 10,000 more than at any time of the previous year. The unemployed have been cared for by a system of unemployment pay. The amount of this pay varies under different circumstances, but averages about $10 or $12 per week. The payment of the allowance is hedged about with certain restrictions, but, in effect, it can be drawn by any actual laborer who is not employed. The allowance is sufficient to enable its recipient to live fairly comfortably; in fact, it is greater than the wages obtained by many of the laborers before the war. There was a steady increase in wages during the war; in the various industries wages have been increased on an average of about 53 per cent, and wages for farm laborers have increased 50 to 70 per cent. These increases have been accompanied by a shortening of the working-day in practically all the industries. The close of the year witnessed a strong demand on the part of all laborers for the establishment of an eight-hour day. Strikes were threatened, but the demands were submitted to the negotiation of committees representing the employees and employers, and an amicable settle ment is expected, though final agreement has not yet been reached. An eight-hour day was granted employees engaged in Government service; this applies to all persons in the service of the post office, telegraph and telephones, customs, and State railways. Similar concessions have been granted the employees of the city of Copen hagen, effective April 1, 1919. In this connection it may be of interest to note that the total number of laborers of all kinds in Denmark is about 255,000, and that the average working-day has heretofore been nine and one-half hours. The working-day, of course, varied in different trades, the farm laborers having the longest day. In 1918, 15 per cent of the laborers had a working-day of more than 10 hours; 27.8 per cent, 10 hours; 33.6 per cent, 9^ hours; 14.5 per cent, 9 hours; 4.3 per cent, hours; 3.6 per cent, 8 hours; and 1.2 per cent, less than 8 hours. 1 From report, dated Apr. 28, 1919, of the United States consul at Copenhagen to the Department of Commerce, published in Supplement to Commerce Reports for July 31,1919, Washington. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1138] 151 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Wages in Japan. Wages in the Yokkaichi District. HE American consul at Yokkaichi, Japan, under date of April 17, 1919, has furnished, through the State Department, a table of wages prevailing in various occupations in that district, 1913 to 1917, inclusive, and during the first six months of 1918. It will be noted that in 1918, so far as given, the rates represent a substantial increase over the average in 1917, whoso figures show a similar gain over those for 1916. No statement is made as to the number of hours worked per day or per week for tho wages given T A VERAGE DAILY WAGES PAID IN YOKKAICHI DISTRICT, JAPAN, 1913 TO 1918.» Average wages inClass of labor. Sex. 1913 Blacksmith........................................................... $0.30 .51 .36 .39 .20 .38 .29 Male___ Male___ Bricklayer’s helper............................................. Male___ Male___ Cabinetmaker...................................................... Car maker............................................................. Carpenter.............................................................. Clock maker.......................................................... Clock maker......................................................... Clock case maker................................................ Cloisonne maker.................................................. Cloisonne maker.................................................. Confectioner......................................................... Cooper.................................................................... Cotton spinner.................................................... Cotton spinner..................................................... Cotton whipper.................................................... Cotton whipper.................................................... Doors, screens, etc., maker of.......................... D yer....................................................................... Embroiderer......................................................... Embroiderer......................................................... Fan folder............................................................. Fan folder............................................................. Farm labor...............................................•........... Farm labor........................................................... Farm labor (yearly contract)........................... Farm labor (yearly contract)........................... Flour maker........................................................ Founder................................................................. Glassmaker........................................................... Goldsmith............................................................. Harness maker.................................................... Harness maker.................................................... Jinriksha maker................................................ Laborer, common................................................ Laborer, da y........................................................ Lacquer er............................................................. Lacquer juice-extractor................. ................... Mat maker............................................................ ■Watchmaker....................................................... Match maker........................................................ Oil presser............................................................. Oil presser............................................................. Painter................................................................... Paper hanger........................................................ 1 Compiled from local sources. * Monthly; with board. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Male___ Male___ Male___ Male___ Female . Male___ Female . Male___ Male___ Male___ Female . Male___ Female . Male___ Male___ Male___ Female . Male___ Female . Male___ Female . Male___ Female . Male___ Male___ Male___ Male___ Male___ Male___ Female . Male___ Male___ .31 .13 .30 ■ .36 .12 2 3.60 .35 3. 27 3.15 .35 .19 .41 4. 38 .38 .13 .30 .17 4. 28 4. 18 3 27.50 s 17.50 6 9.16 .32 2 7.16 6 9.00 .26 .11 .35 .36 .35 .30 .33 .45 .16 .12 .30 . 15 .41 .45 3 With dinner. 4 W ith board. £1139] 1914 1915 1916 $0.29 $0.30 $0.34 .48 .45 .51 .35 .30 .34 .31 .33 . 43 .21 .20 . 26 .31 .33 .37 .31 .24 .36 .43 .40 . 42 .29 .27 .34 .12 .10 .12 .26 .24 .24 .34 .36 . 44 .12 .12 . 15 2 3.60 2 3.60 23.60 .34 .32 .34 3. 28 3. 31 3.16 3.16 3.15 8.15 .33 .31 .32 .17 .19 .20 .36 .33 .36 4. 26 4. 26 4. 26 .34 .32 .38 .13 .13 .15 .23 .25 .29 .12 .12 .14 4. 28 4. 28 4. 30 4.18 4. 18 4. 20 5 27.50 5 27.50 5 32. 50 5 17.50 517. 50 5 22.50 3 9.16 3 9.29 6 10.12 .31 .31 .36 27.16 2 7.66 2 8.83 «8.10 6 8.75 «9.15 .26 .26 .26 .11 .11 .11 .35 .35 .36 .30 .35 . 45 .35 .35 .37 .26 .27 .38 .33 .33 .33 .41 .40 .41 .16 .17 .18 .09 .11 .11 .29 .28 .32 .12 .12 . 14 .40 .34 .31 .45 .45 .45 1917 $0.43 .65 37 48 First half of 1918. $0.50 .41 ............* .44 .57 45 .37 .44 . 13 .36 . .40 48 .16 2 4.25 25. 67 .42 .53 3 42 3.35 3.19 3.23 .33 .21 .36 .53 4 28 4.33 .44 .48 .23 .35 .32 .36 .14 .17 4. 34 423 ** * 45.20 5 25. 00 6 10 75 .45 .56 210.50 210. 83 610.68 611. 70 . 26 . 11 .41 .46 .45 .38 .48 .75 .37 . 45 .20 .29 .13 .10 .38 . 16 .34 .40 .46 * Yearly; with board. ‘ Monthly. 152 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. A V ERAGE DAILY WAGES PAID IN Y OKKAICIII DISTRICT, JA PAN, 1913 TO 1918.—Concluded. Average wages in— Class of labor. Sex. Male. . . Female Male. . . Female Male. . . Female 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 .32 .21 .50 .30 .13 .39 .17 .36 .14 .35 i 8.83 .45 .68 2 6.66 .46 2 1.33 2 1.66 .44 .29 .23 .49 .28 .12 .38 .16 .34 .12 .33 i 8.83 .49 .68 2 6.66 .43 2 1.41 2 1.71 .41 .44 *.13 .18 .13 8.20 3.08 .51 .46 .35 .40 .38 .20 .20 .13 8.29 8. 15 .55 .42 .26 .34 .23 .45 .27 .13 .36 .15 .34 .12 .33 i 8.83 .45 .68 2 7.50 .43 2 1.75 2 2.00 .37 .40 3.15 .24 .11 3.20 3.09 .50 .44 .36 .35 .40 .20 .21 .16 8.29 ‘.15 .55 .42 .31 .25 .18 .47 .34 .16 .38 .17 .35 .11 .35 18.83 .51 .68 2 7.50 .47 2 2.19 2 2.02 .37 .40 8.15 .24 .12 3.20 3. 09 . 55 .37 .24 .49 .41 .21 .45 .20 .45 .18 .35 19.50 .57 .74 27.50 .57 2 2.94 2 2 .54 .45 .62 3.19 .33 .16 3.21 3.09 .59 .49 .40 .41 .42 .22 .25 .23 8.36 6.24 . 55 .42 .31 3.15 .18 .12 3.20 3.09 .51 .65 .36 .40 .39 .16 .20 .16 ». 27 3.16 .55 .42 .31 M ale... ( 4) (0 Male___ Female . Male___ 1 M onthly. 2 Monthly; w ith board. 8 W ith board. not given. .45 .40 .35 .40 .20 .23 .19 8.31 6.18 .55 .42 .34 First half of 1918. .70 .30 .49 .27 .50 .21 112.16 ........ .62 .45 .22 .33 .31 ». 38 8.22 8 W ith dinner. 4 Sex Wages in an Engineering Works in Yokohama. OURLY wages paid to certain classes of workers in an engi neering works in Yokohama, 1914 to 1918, inclusive, are pre H sented in the following table published in the Labor Gazette (London) for July, 1919 (p. 277): WAGES PA ID IN E N G IN E E R IN G W ORKS IN YOKOHAMA, 1914 TO 1918, INCLUSIVE. Average rate of wages per hour. Occupation. Pattern makers: 1914 and 1915 1916 1917 1918 C e n ts . C e n ts . C e n ts . C e n ts . Carpenters: 6.1 8.1 6.6 8.6 7.1 9.6 7.6 11.7 25 44 6.1 7.1 6.6 8.1 7.1 8.6 7.6 11.2 25 57 7.6 6.6 8.1 7.1 10.1 8.1 11.7 £3 Holders: Best men......................................................................... https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1140] Per cent of increase, 1918 over 1914. 33 153 M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W . WAGES PAID IN ENGINEERING WORKS IN YOKOHAMA, 1914 TO 1918, INCLUSIVE— Concluded. Average rate of wages per hour. Occupation. Machinists and fitters: 1914 and 1915 1916 1917 1918 Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Boiler makers: Blacksmiths: Unskilled labor: 5.6 8.6 6.6 8.6 6.6 8.1 6.1 8.1 6.1 10.1 7.1 10.6 11.2 4.1 5.1 4.1 5.1 4.6 5.6 9.6 7.1 9.1 7.6 7.6 11.7 7.6 11.2 8.1 12.7 5.1 6.1 Per cent of increase, 1918 over 1914. 50 44 25 38 33 25 25 20 It is stated that these are rates for work done during a nine-hour day, but that overtime, payable at the rate of time and a quarter, is now being regularly worked, with the result that average monthly earnings have increased much more than would appear from the table. The rate of increase, calculated on monthly earnings, ranges from 60 to 150 per cent. The report states that with the increase in the wages has come a decline in the quality of labor available, the places of men leaving employment being filled with men who have not the technical knowledge of their predecessors. Recent Collective Agreements and Wage Awards in Germany. Compiled by Alfred Maylander. S THE Bureau of Labor Statistics is continually receiving in quiries as to current wages in European countries, the wage schedules and hours of labor fixed during the first five months of 1919 in Germany for various occupations in a number of collective agreements and arbitration awards have been compiled here in a table. Reports on wage movements in the German daily press and in trade journals have been used as source for this compilation. Compared with prewar wage rates in Germany the wages shown in the table below seem very high. When, however, it is con sidered how much the money value and, consequently, also the purchasing power of the mark have fallen—the par value of the mark is 23.8 cents, but at the time this article is being written it is quoted at 4f cents in the New York money market—and how much the cost of all necessaries of life (food, clothing, fuel, etc.) has increased in Germany during the war, one must come to the conclu- A https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1141] 154 M O N T H L Y LA B O R R E V IE W . sion that, in spite of his present relatively high wages, the German worker is now much worse situated, economically, than he was in pre war times. The principal material gain secured by him consists in shorter hours of labor. The 8-hour day has been established by law in Germany, and a number of recent collective agreements grant a week of even less than 48 hours by providing for an 8-hour day from Monday to Friday and a 6 or 61 hour day on Saturday. In addition to shorter hours of labor, a number of the collective agreements included in the table provide for annual leave with pay, a privilege very rarely granted to workers in prewar times. There seems to be a strong tendency among German organized labor to abolish piecework, several of the collective agreements recently concluded containing clauses prohibiting piecework. Those agreements which allow piecework practically guarantee to piece workers higher wages than to workers employed at time rates. All recent agreements and arbitration awards stipulate extra pay for overtime and Sunday work. Owing to the greatly unsettled condition of German exchange the wage rates are quoted in the table in marks without conversion into the equivalent in American money. Conversion at the par value of the mark would convey a misleading impression as to the value of German wages and the quotation of marks in the New York money market fluctuates too much from week to week to permit of its use for purposes of computations in a statistical table. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [11421 WAGE R A T E S, HOURS OF LA BO R , ETC., F IX E D B Y COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS AND A R BITRATION AW ARDS IN GERMANY D U R IN G THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1919. Industry group, occupation, and locality. ni43i Boys under 17 years................. Girls under 17 years.................. Carpet factories (Berlin): Weavers (males)...................... https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Duration of award or agreement. Remarks. From— Harks. 1.80 1.35 1.20 .60 1.00 .85 1.40 0.60to .80 .40 to .60 1.60 1.00 1.40 .90 1.50 1.35 46 per week (8hours per • day, 6hours on Satur day). | i— do........... I 1.20 1.00 .75 1.00 1.50 .75 1.20 1.10 .95 .50 to .60 1.90 1.35 .90 1 f......... Source. To— (Collective agreement between Textile Employ ers’ Association Jan. 17,1919 July 31,1919 and the German Textile Workers’ Union. • (All piecework rates are to be 100 per cent higher than the rates of the summer of 1914. Where this in crease has already been granted a Vor wä r t s . further 10 per cent is to be paid. 1 Berlin, May Where higher rates were in force 4,1919. than those agreed upon the males are to receive an increase of 10 pfennigs and females of 5 pfennigs per hour. Feb. 4,1919 May 31,1919 Do. Where these rates or more are already paid, 10 per cent increase is to be added. Time lost in waiting for work and material is to be compensated with 80per cent of the time Mar. 4,1919 Oct. 15,1919 rates. In piecework the rates shown here are to be guaranteed as minimum rates. For home work the same rates are to be in force as for work done at the factory. Do. Mar. 20,1919 June 30,1919 Do. 155 Spoolers and sewers (females)__ Embroidery factories (Berlin): Embroiderers (malos) at Lever machines. Embroiderers (females) at Lever machines. Embroiderers (females) at Singer machines. Ironers (females)...................... Hand embroiderers.................. Schiff and hand machine em broiderers. Sewers, fitters, threaders, etc..... Comely embroiderers (females).. Hemstitchers........................... Unskilled juvenile workers........ Hosiery mills (Berlin): Male knitters, weavers, and Cir cular frame workers. Fsiiidl0kuiIters................. Other female operatives............ Hours oflabor. Method by which scale was fixed. M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W . Dye works (Berlin): Dyers, washers, and cleaners (males). Ironers and cleaners (females)... Ironers and cleaners (beginners).. Female workers in wet rooms.... Rate of wages per hour. Rate of wages per hour. Hours of labor. Textile industry (Bamberg, Forchheim, and Erlangen): Marks. Day workers, males— 0. 70 Over 16 to 18 years of age__ .95 Over 18 to 20 years of age--- • 1.15 1.30 •Not given...... Day workers, females— .65 Over 16 to 18 years of age--.85 Over 18 to 20 years of age__ . 95 1.10 Weaving mills "(Saxony and Thu ringia): '.95 *.70 ....do........... Winders and embroiderers 1.60 (women and girls). Weaving mills (Krimmitschau): 0.53 to .58 Girls under 16 years, trained .72 darners. . 58 to . 63 Women over 16 years,’ trained .76 darners. Women over 16 years, warpers... .80 Women over 16 years, finishers.. .58 to .71 Women over 16 years, weavers... .95 to 1.15 .75 Weavers, males, over 20 years... 1.30 260.00to 75.00 Lace making (Leipzig and Plauen): 1.50 to 1.75 Assistant workers, males— .75 1.10 Over 18 to 21 years of age...... 1.35 •__do............ Winders and threaders, males, .60 to 1.10 according to age. Bobbin windors,fomales, accord .60 to .85 ing to age. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Method by which scale was fixed. Duration of award or agreement. From— Remarks. Source. To— (Agreement in (■Collective agreeforce until ment between the f u r t h e r The piecework rates are to be based employers of the negot i aon the hourly rates so as to enable Konfektionär. textile industry of each operative, according to his tions; may Berlin, May ■ Bamberg, Forch- ■Not given__ be canceled ’ skill and diligence, to earn on an 1,1919. heim, and Eraverage from 10 to 20 per cent more by either langen and the side on 4 than the hourly rates. German Textile weeks’ no Workers’ Union. tice. agreement affects the Hohen- Konfektionär, /Collective agree- iMar. 15,1919 Sept. 30,1919 \(The stein-Ernstthaler and the Lichten- ¡. Berlin, Apr. \ ment. 1 1 6,1919. [ stein-Callnberger weaving mills. Piecework rates are to be fixed to en Collectiveagreement able weavers to earn 20per cent more between the Tex than the maximum hourly rates. Konfektionär. tile ManufacturThe other workers when engaged on • Berlin, May •Not given--- Sept. 30,1919.. piecework are to getlO per cent more. 8, 1919. and the Textile The minimum weekly wages of a Workers’ Union weaver paid by the hour must be of Krimmitschau. . 59.80 marks. (Collectiveagreement 1 between employ1 ers’ and workers’ [....do......... June 30, 1919.. ( associations. 1 'Piecework is regulated so that an aver age weaver can earn 2marks an hour at Leipzig and 1.85marks at Plauen Konfektionär. and Chemnitz. Auxiliary work, as, Apr. for instance, the adjustment of weav Berlin, 6,1919. ers’looms, and also time spent in waiting for work is paid according to . special agreements. M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W , im u Industry group, occupation, and locality. 156 WAGE KATES, HOURS OF LABOR, ETC., FIXED BY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS AND ARBITRATION AWARDS IN GERMANY DURING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1919—Continued. B u ild in g trades (Berlin): 138517°—19----- 11 Pavers (Berlin): Pavers........................ ........... Rammer men and stonecutters.. (For overtime 25per cent extra and for 2.60 146i per week Sunday and night work 50 per cent 2.20 (8hours per Award ofarbitration Not given: extra. For tools, workmen are to j-Not given--board of Berlin effec t i v e 2.10 1 day,6^hours receive 20pfennigs a day as compenJune 1,1919. Industrial Court. 1.95 on Satur1. sation. 1.70 J day). IVossische Zei, 1 tung. Ber1 lin, Apr. 251 1919. Collective agree ment between the German Techni A high-cost-of-living bonus of 120 M ü n c h n e r cians’ Union and Not given; marks a month shall be added to all Neueste »210.00 the Association of retro a ctive salaries. After 1 year’s service, J-M ar. 31,1920... •45per week_ Technico - In to Apr. 1, 6days’leave shall be granted; after Nachrichten. Munich, *270.00 dustrial Employ 2 years, 9; after 3 years, 12; and after 1919. May 21, 1919. ees, and the Em . 5years, 18. »310.00 ployers’ Associa tion of the Munich »420.00 . Building Trades. » 200.00 «240.00 2.60 2. 40 1.70 1.85 2.00 .90 1.40 1.20 'Piecework in all branches is abolished. Subcontracting is prohibited. Overtime to be compensated by an addition of 30 per cent to ordinary pay. Working hours are to end Collective agreement half an hour earlier on Saturdays and 48 per week between employ Ber(maximum), ers’ organization Apr. 1,1919 Aug. 1,1919__ on the chief public holidays at noon, •Vorwärts. Apr. 17, without deduction from wages. For lin, and the Stonecut 8 hours per ters’ 1919. work outside the district 6 marks ad Union of Berday. ditional per day is to be granted, . lin. including Sundays, and fares are to be refunded. Working hours lost through rainy weather shall be paid for. M O N T H L Y LA B O R R E V IE W , [1145] Bricklayers and carpenters.......... H elpers.............................................. Excavators........- ............................ B o y s................................................... W omen......................- .........- .......... Building trades (Munich): Technical employees: Under 24 years of age, initial salary. Under 24 years of age, after 2 years’ service. Over 24 years of age, initial salary. Over 24 years of age, m axi mum salary. Highly skilled technicians, initial salary. Highly skilled technicians, maximum after 10 years. Stonemasons and stonecutters (Ber lin): Stonemasons.................................... Stonecutters, letter cutters, and turners. Stonecutters, beginners— First half year.......................... Second half year...................... Third half year......... .............. Female workers— First half year.......................... Second half year........ , ........... Third half year_____ I_____ [Vorwärts. Ber- 2.50 j-Not given---- /Award of Industrial X Court of Berlin. 2.40 \ lin, Apr. 22, { 1919. S a ddle rs ( B e r lin ) : Skilled saddlers, cutters, ma »2.50 chine sewers. agreement week fCollective All other saddlers over 20 years between the Em»2.20 47(8per hours per 1 ployers’ Associa of age. day, 7hours and the SadAll other saddlers under 20years U.80 on Sat ur 1 tion dlers’ Union. of age. I 3.10 day). Leather backstitchers (females). 11.10 Other machine operators (fe. males). *Por week. 1Minimum rate. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [Time and one-third is to be paid for (V o r w ä r t s. overtime and Sunday \ Berlin, Mar. [ work. [ 26, 1919. 1 necessary *Per month. Or -a Industry group, occupation, and locality. Glaziers (Berlin): Rate of wages per hour. M a rk s. Flourm ill workers (Germany): [1146J Boiler cleaners and coal shifters.. Duration of award or agreement. Remarks. From— i 80.00 175.00 i 72. 00 i 75.00 i 90.00 i 75.00 i 90. 00 i 42.00 Macaroni factories (Germany): 21.18 to 31.45 2 .63 to 31.27 2.53 to 8.81 Source. To— Piecework is prohibited. From 6 marks upwards extra pay for all work involving sleeping away from home. Fares áre to be compensated for and tim e spent in traveling is to be counted as working hours. Present weekly wages are to be raised by 12.50 marks for male and 7.50 marks for female workers. The minimum wages stipulated in the award are to he paid, even in cases (Award of the arbi- 1 where the increases of 12.50 marks for f tration board of the I Feb. 16,1919. Not given........ men and 7.50 marks for women do [ industrial court. not bring the wages to the required * standard. Overtime is to be paid for at the rate of time and a quarter, and Sunday work at the rate òf time and a half. In addition to the hourly wages skilled men are to receive a weekly bonus of 10 marks, semiskilled men of 7.50 marks,and women of 5 marks. Fore men are to get 5 marks a weekmore than the wages of the best paid skilled men, and forewomen 5 marks a week mote than the wages of the most experienced female workers. OverL ...d O ............ ; Collective agreement. May 7, 1919. ____ d o ............. tim e on week days is to be paid for at the rate of time and a quarter; on Sundays at the rate of tim e and a half. There is to be an increase of lO per cent for piecework, computed on the basic wage plus bonus. Annual leave with pay is to be granted for from 3 to 12 days, according tolength . of service. 2. 50 j-47 per w eek. . . Collective agreement. Mar. 27,1919. Mar. 31, 1920.. 2. 25 f https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Method by which scale was fixed. Vorwärts. B eilin, Apr. 7, 1919. V o r w ä r t s. ■ Berlin, Feb. 17, Ì919. V orwarts. , Berlin, May lUj lyu« ' MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, Stilled glaziers, first year after apprenticeship. Hours of labor. 158 WAGE RA TES, HOURS OF LABOR, ETC., F IX E D B Y COLLECTIVE A G REEM ENTS AND ARBITRATION AW ARDS IN GERMANY D U RING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1919—Continued. Bakers (Munich): Journeymen— First year after apprentice ship. After first year......................... Mixers.............'................................. Ovenmen.......................................... of the conAccording to 1[Award ciliation board of legal regula the industrial tions. 1 court. 1 68.00 1 74.00 1 80.00 9J on Satur days, 4 on Sundays, 8J on other I days. I j, ' I i 8 per day......... Milliners (Hanover): Female millinery workers, after finishing apprenticeship— First year.................................. 6 70.00 5 90.00 Second year.............................. Third year.............. ................. 6 110.00 6 135.00 48 per w eek. . . First forewoman............................. Trimmer........................................., * 160.00 6 200.00 First independent trimm er........ . A pprentices................................... . 210.60 to 40,00 r i Per week; minimum rate. * Minimum rate. * Maximum rate. 'Collective agree The working hours m ust fall between 8 a.m . a n d 7 p .m .,th etw o h o u rs’noon m ent between the Association of Boss rest between 11 a. m. and 3 p. m. Barbers and Hair H alf an hour is to be allowed for V o r w ä r t s . dressers of Greater May 20, 1019. Sept. 30,1919.. ■ breakfast and supper. As compen . Berlin, May 21, 1919. Berlin and the sation for Sunday work one afternoon Journeymen Bar off is Jo be granted from 1 p. m ., or bers’ and Hairelse on e full working day every alter . dressers’ Union. nate week. Collective agree m ent between the South German Photographers As sociation and the National Associa tion of Lithogra phers, Lithograph ic Printers, and Allied Trades. Time and a quarter for overtime until 10 p. m ., tim e and a half from 10 to M ü n c h ne r 12 p. m ., and double tim e after mid Neueste night. Sunday work shall not be , Nachrichten. Apr. 1, 1921... Apr. 1, 1919. permissible. After one year’s serv Munich, May ice one week’s annual leave shall be 13, 1919. granted; after more than one year’s service two weeks. Collective agree ment of the Union of Hanover-Linden Millinery Es tablishments and the Taüors’ Union as representatives of the millinery workers. Time and a half for overtime and double tim e for overtime work after 8 p. m. The laying off of workers in the quiet season m ust take place in Konfektionär. turns. A m onth’s notice to be given . Berlin, May Mar. 1, 1919. Dec. 31, 1919.. ' by either side. The home-work sys 8,1919. tem is prohibited. Six days’ leave with pay shall be granted after one year’s service, increasing annually to 14 days after 3 years’ service. 4 In Germany every journeyman barber 1 Per month; minimum rate. ( J r is e u r ) MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. [1147] Barbers and hairdressers4 (Berlin): 1 60.00 Barbers............................................. 170.00 Hairdressers (male and female, regularly apprenticed). Other hairdressers (women)— After 1 year’s employment 1 50.00 as assistants. After 2 years’ employment 1 60.00 as assistants. After 3 years’ employment 170.00 as assistants. Photographers (Bavaria): Male and female assistants— First year.................................. 145.00 Second year.............................. 1 56.00 Third year............................... 1 63.00 After third year....................... 1 70.00 1 90.00 Special workers............................... Apprentices..................................... 16.00 to 15.00 has also learned hairdressing and wigmaking. 159 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis In establishments with 6 or more jour neymen the minimum wages shall be increased by 5 marks. For night M ü n c h n e r Neueste work and Sunday work allowed by law tim e and a half shall be paid, ■ Nachrichten. Munich, May and for other absolutely necessary 23, 1919. overtime 30 per cent extra. After one year’s service 3 days’ leave shall be granted; after two years, 6 days’. * / * 60.00 Industry group, occupation, and locality. Warehousemen, teamsters, packers, etc. (Greater Berlin): Male workers over 20 years, after six months’ service. [1148] Teamsters after six m onths’ serv ice. Female workers under 20 y e a rs.. Female workers over 20 years---Omnibus conductors, drivers, etc. (Berlin): Motormen— Drivers— After 5 years’ service.............. After 8 years’ service.............. Conductors— 1 Per week. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Duration of award or agreement. Method by which scale was fixed. Hours oflabor. hour. From— Source. Remarks. To— M arks. i 45.00 150.00 160.00 i 70.00 i 85.00 190.00 195.00 1100.00 48 per week. On days pre Collective agreement ceding Sun of the German (Time and a quarter is to be paid for days a n d Transport Workh o l i d a y s . ers’ Union with Not given___ N ot given........ 4 overtime, and tim e and a half for [ Sunday work. work is to the Association of s t o p t wo Hardware Mer hours earlier cliciiits. t h an the usual time. V or w ä r t s . Berlin, May 20,1919. (2) (3) r 350.00 1360.00 <370.00 <380.00 <390.00 <400.00 <300.00 <310.00 <320.00 <330.00 <340.00 <350.00 '8 hours per day (Collective agreement | of the Berlin General Omnibus Co. b an . and the Transport [ Workers’ Union. \ (V o r w a r t s . Berlin, Jan. { 16,1919. 1,1919 1 <260.00 <270.00 < 280.00 <290 00 <300.00 <300.00 8 20 Der cent less than males of same age. 3 25 per cent less than males of same age. * Per month. MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW, Boys of 14 to 18 years, after six months’ service. Youths of over 18 to 20 years....... Youths of over 18to20 years, aftersix months’ service. Rate of 160 W AGE RATES, HOURS OF LABOR, ETC., F I X £ D B Y COLLECTIVE AGREEM ENTS AND ARBITRATION AW ARDS IN GERMANS DURING THE FIRST FIV E MONTHS OF 1919—Concluded. 161 M O N T H L Y LABO R R E V IE W . Wages, Output, and Cost of Production in German Coal Mines. A N ARTICLE in Wirtschaftsdienst1 by Dr. Alfred Schmidt, of Essen, contains data on wages and output per worker and shift in German coal mines before, during, and after the war. He calls attention to the fact that the curtailment of working hours, especially the introduction of the 8-hour day, has had the same result as an increase of wages, quite apart from the actual rise which has taken place. The miners, moreover, are not satisfied with having obtained the 8-hour day. A conference of miners’ delegates held at Castrop discussed minutely the question of the length of shifts, and finally adopted unanimously the following resolution: We hold that a uniform regulation of shifts, as demanded by the Miners’ Federation, is indispensable. Through the fault of a number of pit managers, who do not adhere to the agreement with respect to the hours of labor, some of the miners in the Ruhr district have 7^-hour shifts, while others have an 8-hour shift. The delegates expect, therefore, that the National Government, conceding the demand made by the Miners’ Federation, will enact that on and after April 1, 1919, the shift shall be 7 \ hours “ bank to b an k ” for every worker employed below ground. A shorter working day, however, will not he feasible, unless it be adopted simultaneously in every coal mining country. Consequently, the delegates condemn the action of those miners who have exacted 7-hour or even 6-hour shifts, since the sole result of such action will be to cripple German industry in its competition with foreign industry and to bring about an economic collapse. With equal decisiveness the delegates demand from the National Government that it shall endeavor to procure the insertion of a pro vision in the peace treaty to the effect that in all the countries to which it applies the daily shifts of underground miners shall be reduced to 7 hours, as from January 1, 1920, and to 6 hours, as from January 1, 1921. If this demand were granted it would amount to a further increase of wages. The reports of a few large mining companies give further details concerning the increase of miners’ wages and its results. The follow ing table shows the average daily net wage as stated by the Arenburg Mining Co. in Essen:2 AVERAGE D A IL Y N E T W AGE, 1914, 1917, 1918. Occupation. July, 1914. Dec., 1917. Dec., 1918. M arks. M arks. M arks. 6.73 6.G3 5.29 11.90 12.21 9.02 16.23 14.67 11.23 1 Wirtschaftsdienst. Berlin, March 28, 1919. 2 The par value of the mark is 23.8 cents. Owing to fluctuations in exchange value from week to week, conversions into United States money are not made in this article. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1149] 162 M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W . Tlie average daily output per worker and shift amounted in 1917 to 1.030 metric tons (1.014 long tons) and in 1918 to 1.026 metric tons (1.010 long tons); up to and including October it was 1.052 metric tons (1.035 long tons), but it fell in November to 0.924 ton (0.909 long ton), and in December as low as 0.780 ton (0.768 long ton). The Consolidated Mining Co. in Gelsenkirchen computes the wages paid per metric ton of coal output at 6.29 marks in July, 1914, 11.68 marks in December, 1917, and 17.56 marks in December, 1918, an increase as compared with 1917 of 179.17 per cent. The figures given by the Muhlheim Mining Association, which are reproduced in the following table are particularly instructive. They show that since July, 1918, the large increase in wages has been accompanied by a heavy falling off of output per worker and shift, which, if the data furnished by the company are correct, has so increased the cost of production per ton that in January, 1919, the company suffered a loss of 5.96 marks on each ton sold. MUHLHEIM MINING ASSOCIATION’S COST OF PRODUCTION OF COAL, 1914 TO 1919. Item. D aily output in metric tons 1........................ Wages per metric ton of output, in marks 2. Output per worker and shift in metric tons'1 Cost of timber and material per metric to n 1 of output, in marks 2................................... Cost of production per metric ton,1 in marks 2............................................................ Average sale proceeds per metric ton 1 in marks 2............................................................ 1914 1915 5,009 5.81 0.93 4,972 5.68 0.95 1916 3,510 11.46 0.80 1917 2,728 14.69 0.74 1918 2,988 16.77 0.74 1919 2,473 22.21 0.66 1.46 1.52 4.62 4.74 6.36 5.86 9.78 9.38 21.25 27.28 31.34 41.40 12.54 2.76 11.06 1.68 22.08 0.83 24.47 24.43 35.44 2.81 6.91 5.90 Loss per metric ton 1in marks 2................... The metric ton is equivalent to 0.98421 Ipng ton. 2 The par value of the mark is 23.8 cents. Owing to fluctuations in exchange value from week to week, conversions into United States money are not made in this article. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis D 150] MINIMUM WAGE. New Minimum Wage for District of Columbia Mercantile Industry. N THE August number of the Monthly L abor R eview (pp. 197200) an account is given of an award by the District of Columbia Minimum Wage Board, establishing a minimum wage of $16.50 for women in the mercantile industry. This award has since been given effect by the following order (M. W. B. Order No. 3), dated August 29, 1919, effective October 28, 1919: I M inim um Wage Board of the District of Columbia. To Whom I t May Concern: T ake notice: That, puisuant to the authority in it vested by act of Congresa (Public, No. 215, 65th Cong.) and after public hearing held in Washington, D. C., on Friday, August 29, 1919, The Minimum Wage Board of the District of Columbia does hereby order that— 1. No person, firm, association, or corporation shall employ an experienced woman or minor in the mercantile industry at a weekly wage of less than $16.50. 2. A woman shall be considered experienced who has been employed in the mer cantile industry for seven months. A minor shall be considered experienced who has been employed in the mercantile industry for one year. 3. The weekly wage for learners may be less than the wage for experienced workers provided that— (a) Learners, male or female, entering employment under 18 years of age shall be paid a weekly wage of not less than $10 for the first five months of employment, of not less than $12.50 for the next three months of employment, of not less than $14.50 for the following four months of employment, and thereafter shall be con sidered experienced workers and shall be paid not less than $16.50. A minor girl, who, upon reaching the age of 18 years, is still a learner shall be paid not less than the rates specified for adult learners. (6) Women learners shall be paid a weekly wage of not less than $12.50 for the first three months of employment, of not less than $14.50 for the following four months of employment, and thereafter shall be considered experienced workers, and shall be paid not less than $16.50. (c) All learners shall be registered with the beard not later than one week from the date their emplcyment begins and it shall be the duty of the employer to require a certificate of such registration, and the learner shall apply in person to the beard for such certificate. For the period prior to the receipt ol this certificate the learner shall be paid not less than the rate for the wage group in which he or she belongs. 4. All women and minors employed in the mercantile industry at the time this order becomes effective shall be rated and paid in accordance with their period of employment at rates not less than those specified for such period in sections 3a and 36. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1151] 163 164 M O N T H L Y LABO R R E V IE W . 5. The term “ mercantile industry” shall include all establishments operated for the purpose of trade in the purchase or sale of any goods or merchandise. 6. The term “ learner” as used in this order means a woman or minor to whom the board has issued a certificate to work for less than the legal minimum wage in consideration of such person being provided with reasonable facilities for learning the mercantile industry. Learners’ certificates will be withheld by the board when it is convinced that the establishment by which the learner is to be employed is endeavoring to evade this order by dismissing learners when they are entitled to an increase in pay. This order shall become effective 60 days from date hereof, to wit October 28,1919. N otice: Your attention is respectfully called to the following sections of Public No. 215, Sixty-fifth Congress: Whoever violates this act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $100, or by imprisonment for not less than 10 days nor more than three months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Sec. 18.) Every employer affected by this order shall keep a copy thereof posted in a con spicuous place in each room in his establishment in which women workers are em ployed. (Sec. 12.) The term “ woman” includes only a woman of 18 years of age or over; the term ‘‘m inor” means a person of either sex under the age of 18 years. (Sec. 1.) https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1152] COOPERATION. International Cooperative Congresses.1 O NE of the tendencies of the cooperative movement has been toward federalization and consolidation among the various forms of cooperative societies within each country. The movement to extend this principle to other countries was begun as early as 1885, and culminated in the establishment, in 1892, of the International Cooperative Alliance. Since that time nine Congresses of the International Alliance have been held: London, 1895; Paris, 1896; Delft, 1897; Paris, 1900; Manchester, 1902; Budapest, 1904; Cremona, 1907 ; Plamburg, 1910; and Glasgow, 1913. At the Glasgow Congress it was planned that a tenth congress should be held at Basel, Switzerland, in 1916, but this was prevented by the war, since the constitution of the International Cooperative Alliance would not permit it to function without representation of all its members, including those from the enemy countries. Recently, however, steps have been taken, through two cooperative congresses held at Paris in February and June of this year, toward the resumption of the work of the alliance. Early Congresses. The early congresses of the International Cooperative Alliance were largely devoted to matters of organization and principle. Orig inally membership in the alliance was open to societies and individ uals interested in and working for cooperation in any form. In 1902 however, membership was denied to individuals except as represen tatives of countries in which cooperation had no organized form. Cooperative agricultural production, cooperative housing, and educative and propaganda work in the principles of cooperation are some of the subjects discussed at the congresses. The subject of the establishment of commercial relations among cooperative societies both within each country and with .those of other countries has received considerable attention. The need of uniform statistics on cooperation in all countries has been repeatedly urged, and at the 1 The information on which this article is based was obtained from reports of the proceedings of the Con gresses of the International Cooperative Alliance, 1895-1913; from International Coeperative Bulletins for January, 1919, February-March, 1919, and June-July, 1919; and original material in the possession of the Bureau. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1153] 165 166 M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W . second congress the establishment of an international bureau of statistics was advocated. At the outset profit sharing held a prominent place in the discussions and many delegates regarded its advancement as one of the chief aims, if not the chief aim, of the alliance. With each successive congress, however, interest in this phase of cooperation steadily declined and profit sharing was omitted from the list of objects of the alliance in the revised rules adopted at the Hamburg Congress in 1910. The present aims and purposes of the International Cooperative Alliance are as follows: (a) The ascertaining and propaganda of cooperative principles and methods; (b ) The promotion of cooperation in all countries; (c) The keeping up of friendly relations between the members of the alliance; (d) The collection and unification of cooperative statistics; (e) Ih e provision of information and the encouragement of studies concerning cooperation; U ) - he promotion of trading relations between the cooperative organizations of the various countries.1 Cooperative Conferences at Paris. Inter-Allied Cooperative Conference. During 1918 repeated suggestions were received by the executive committee of the alliance that a meeting be convened at the earliest possible moment. After the signing of the armistice the question was again raised, and it was urged not only that an international meeting be called, but that the international body be represented at and make representations to the Peace Conference. The suggestion of the French Federation of Cooperative Societies that as an initial step a conference of representatives of the central cooperative organi zations should be convened in Paris was therefore favorably received by the executive committee. The committee decided, however, that, while in view of the importance of the conference to the movement as a whole, it was essential that the alliance be represented, it should be simply in a consultative capacity. The following were agreed to as subjects for discussion at the conference: 1. The economic relations between the nations and the attitude of the co operative movement toward the Peace Congress. 2. The best means of unifying cooperative effort to assist in reestablishing co operation in the countries devasted by the war (France, Belgium, Serbia, and to some extent, Roumania, and Italy). 3. The international commercial relations to be established between the central cooperative organizations of the alliance. 1 Roport of proceedings of Eighth Congress of the International Cooperative Alliance, held at Hamburg, 1910, p. 48. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1154] 167 M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W . The conference was held at Paris, February 7-10, 1919. The rep resentatives of the various countries were as follows: B elgium : B ertrand, Federation of Belgian Cooperative Societies. V ictor Serwy , Federation of Belgian Cooperative Societies. Czeciio-Slovakia : J. H avlasa, member, Commission to Negotiate Peace. F erdinand Jirasek , president, Central Federation of Czecho-Slovak Cooperative F. Societies of Prague. Modracek, member, National Assembly of Bohemia. F rance : Chas . Gide , president of Conference. A. J. Cleuet . A. D audé -B ancel. J. Garbado , Cooperative Wholesale Society. Gaston L evy . E rnest P oisson, general secretary, Federation of French Cooperative Societies. P. Ramadier . H enri S ellier. Albert T homas, former Minister of Munitions and War Industries. P. Waseige . Greece : A lexandre C. Milonas, general secretary, Special Mission of Greek Ministry of Agriculture. I taly: Canepa , Federation of Italian Cooperative Societies. L ithuania : Willimvitco, Cooperative League of Lithuania. R ussia : N icholas T chaikowsky, Foreign Minister of Archangel Government of the North. U nited K ingdom: F. H ayward, British Cooperative Union. A. W h t e h e a d , British Cooperative Union. A. W. Golightly, English Cooperative Wholesale Society. W. H emingway, English Cooperative Wholesale Society. J. B ardner , Scottish Cooperative Wholesale Society. 1 A. Macintosh, Scottish Cooperative Wholesale Society. L. P. B yrne , Irish Cooperative Wholesale Society. A. M. Smith, Irish Cooperative Wholesale Society. G. B rownbill, English Cooperative Newspaper Society. ' U nited States : H. B ruce B rougham, Cooperative League of America; American Cooperative Wholesale Society; special agent on cooperation, U. S. Bureau of Labor Sta tistics. I nternational Cooperative A lliance: William Maxwell, president, International Cooperative Alliance. H. J. May , general secretary, International Cooperative Alliance. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1155] 168 M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W . After the welcoming address by President Charles Gide, the con ference took up the question of international cooperative trading and decided to submit to the Peace Conference a memorandum of which the following1 is a*part: 1. That the functions and powers of the Inter-Allied Committees of Food Control he maintained and extended for the equitable distribution of foodstuffs, according to the available resources among the nations in accordance with the needs of each. 2. The Inter-Allied control of transport of merchandise by water or by land; the fixing of a maximum price of freight and insurance; and the establishment of rates for these products when the Governments themselves will not undertake directly to take charge of these enterprises. 3. The collaboration of public powers with the cooperative organizations of each country in order to assure an equitable distribution, and at reasonable prices, of pro visions imported in common equally with all other merchandise. 4. The creation of an International Office of Economics to collate statistics in the matter of food supplies, as a means of coordinating and directing the Inter-Allied Food Control Committees. This office will prepare, for use after the war—through intelligence of the needs, resources, and conditions of consumption and production of each country—the economic cooperation and division of work among the peoples. 5. The signing of a full commercial treaty—or of commercial agreements comprising a general system—between all the countries, capital and colonial, which will form part of the League of Nations, and which will have the effect of placing them on equal footing. In consequence, customs duties, for such time as they exist, should only be of a fiscal character and nonprohibitive; and if bounties for export are given, they should be exceptional or provisional. 6. The multiplication of facilities of exchange; the exchange of the products of capital and of labor, and, particularly, the unification of social laws, of weights, measures, and money; and facilities for travel and stay in the different countries. 7. The adoption of an international financial system for the liquidation of war debts in order to avoid the disastrous reaction on the cost of living and the unregulated increase of prices. 8. Consideration in common by the nations of great economic projects for the devel opment of civilization, such as the Channel Tunnel, and so on; and for the progress of social hygiene by controlling products dangerous to the public health. The realiza tion of these projects should be made outside private profit-making concerns and with the collaboration and* the control of representatives of associated consumers. 9. The national cooperative organizations of the Allies believe that the international character of these measures is the economic sequence of the realization of the political League of Nations. They do not exclude measures of economic defense against the States not joining the League of Nations, and they take it for granted that, preparatory to the realization of these measures, material restoration will have been made for the invaded regions and the victims of the war. The Inter-Allied cooperative organizations do not forget that the causes of war are not always political. International private trading has never given peace to the world. *It has caused thousands of conflicts, because it is a form of struggle—the struggle for profit. That is why cooperation in the world has been, is, and will be, a means of strengthening the definite organization of peace, by the cooperation of consumers, and by the economic association of the peoples. 1 Taken from typewritten report in possession of tlie Bureau. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1156] M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W . 169 A further resolution1 was interpreted as the first step toward the formation of an International Cooperative Wholesale Society: The Inter-Allied Conference, confirming the resolution adopted in 1916, decides that an international bureau of statistics and commercial information will be con stituted. The organization of this bureau, as well as the establishment of commer cial relations between the different countries, are left to the Inter-Allied Cooperative Office for practical realization. Meeting of International Committee on Relief of Devastated Areas .— In accordance with instructions by the conference an international committee was formed to deal with the proposed relief of societies in the countries devastated by the war. This committee met in London, on March 4, 1919, and made the following report1: Before the war direct commercial relations existed between several of the whole sale societies, notably those in Manchester, Antwerp, Paris, and Basel. The Inter-Allied Cooperative Conference asks that these relations be organized on a systematic basis, and that the exchange of goods of the wholesale societies, especially their own productions, be centralized. With this end in view, it is necessary to form a committee together with a secre tariat, the organization of which would be based on that of the export department of the Cooperative Wholesale Society at Manchester. The secretariat would issue periodically a price list of goods, together with terms of export of each of the wholesale societies, copies of which would be addressed regularly to each of the wholesale socie ties in membership. Business would be transacted between the wholesale societies direct, but dupli cates of orders and invoices sent to the secretariat. Amongst the duties of the secretariat would be the collection and transmission of information bearing on the source of production and the state of the market. It would also organize, in connection with national and international congresses, exhibits of cooperative productions of the wholesale societies. Finally, the committee would concern itself immediately with the best means for assisting cooperative societies in the devastated areas, both in regard to supply of foodstuffs and financial aid. In this respect the secretariat would help in the ex ecution of measures adopted by the committee. The secretary would be nominated by the English Cooperative Wholesale Society; his nomination to be ratified by the committee. The committee will be constituted in accordance with the resolution of the InterAllied Cooperative Conference adopted in Paris. I t will elect a chairman, who in conjunction with the secretary for export and the secretary for the organization of meetings, the drafting of minutes, and so on, will constitute the executive committee. In the opinion of the subcommittee, the secretary of the International Cooperative Alliance should fill the latter office. The committee of the bureau will meet regularly every two months in a town in one of the Allied countries. In order to meet the financial requirements of the new organization, an initial contribution of £ -------- will be demanded of each wholesale society for sales to the amount of £1,000,000, or of F r . -------- for sales to the amount of Fr. 1,000,000. 1Taken from typewritten report in possession of the Bureau. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1157] 170 MONTHLY LABOE EE VIEW. Inter-Allied and Neutral Cooperative Conference.1 A second international conference was held in Paris June 26-28, 1919. Neutral as well as Allied countries had been invited to send cooperative representatives, and delegates were present from America, Armenia, Belgium, Bohemia, Finland, France, Georgian Republic, Great Britain, Greece, Holland, Lithuania, Roumania, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Ukrania. The program was practically identical with that of the InterAllied Conference. No complete report of this second conference is as yet available, but the resolutions fairly summarize the work and results. These resolutions are, in part, as follows: I.— International Trading Relations. The Inter-Allied and Neutral- Conference held on June 26, 27, and 28, 1919, in Paris, convened to consider the question of the trade relations between wholesale societies, declares that there is a necessity to organize, as soon as possible, international cooperative trade relations for the purpose of establishing an International Cooper ative Trading Organization. I t recalls that a resolution in the same sense was accepted by the Congress of the International Cooperative Alliance at Cremona, 1907, and confirmed by. the congress at Hamburg, 1910, and Glasgow, 1913. It thinks it superfluous to demonstrate that, the events of the last years have more than ever shown the irresistible necessity to establish these relations as a certain means to fight against trusts, holding up of goods, and chaotic capitalistic production. To realize this object it declares it necessary to nominate a committee composed of a delegate of each wholesale society affiliated to the International Alliance and of those wholesale societies not at present members of the International Cooperative Alliance, but who signify their intention of affiliating. „ For the first meeting of this commission, the executive committee of the Inter national Cooperative Alliance should invite all the existing wholesale societies with out requiring their previous affiliation. II.— Constitution of the Committee to A s s is i Cooperation in the Devas tated Areas. The Inter-Allied and Neutral Conference held in Paris on June 26, 27, and 28, called to solve the question of the help which has to be brought to the cooperators of the devastated areas and for the supplying of goods to the newly formed countries, is of opinion that it is necessary to constitute a special committee to consider the needs of the nations wffio have suffered by devastation, or by the war in general, as vrell as the needs of the-newly formed countries; to satisfy them by sending goods, by opening of credits, by loans, and by all other means, supported in this work by the existing wholesale societies. The committee will be composed of a delegate from each National Cooperative Union, and of a delegate from each wholesale society which is serving on the Inter national Trading Relationships Committee. 1 Data from International Cooperative Bulletin, Juno-July, 1919, pp. 102-105, https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1158] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 171 III.—-The Next Meeting o f the Central Committee. (a) The Inter-Allied and Neutral Conference asks the executive of the I. C. A. to convene a meeting at the office of the alliance, on August 19 next, for the purpose of considering the question, date, place, and agenda of the next meeting of the central committee of the alliance. (b) The Inter-Allied and Neutral Conference expresses the desire that the meeting of the centi'al committee should be held at the end of the present year, and if pos sible, at Geneva. The program of business should include: 1. The reintegration of the International Cooperative Alliance. 2. The question of summoning the next International Cooperative Congress. 3. The consideration of the decisions of the Inter-Allied and Neutral Conference. I V .— The Representation of the Newly Constituted Nations in the International Cooperative Alliance. The central organizations of the newly constituted nations are invited to join, as early as possible, the International Cooperative Alliance and to conform to its rules. Cooperative Movement in the United Kingdom.1 HE cooperative movement is of British origin. The beginning of the nineteenth century saw the inception of the cooperative idea as part of the measures of social reform advocated by Robert Owen, and in the period 1828 to 1834 numerous cooperative stores were started. But the real cooperative movement came only with the establishment in 1844 of the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers. This society was the result of the endeavor of 28 weavers of Rochdale to find relief from the poverty, unemploy ment, adulterated food, extortionate prices, and other evils from which they were suffering. In England, as in all other countries in which the cooperative idea has taken hold, the original “ Rochdale principles” form the basis of the present-day cooperative societies. To become a member a £1 ($4.87) share must be purchased, but may usually be paid for in installments of 3d. (6.1 cents). The maximum value of shares that can be held by one member is fixed by law at £200 ($973.30). Each paid-up share -bears interest, limited generally to 5 per cent, and its value never rises above par. In the general meetings of the society, each member has one vote, irrespective of sex or of number of shares held, and is eligible to a seat on the board of management or to an}' other representative office. 1 The information on which this article is based was secured from the Labor Gazette (London) for August 1918; a typewritten article by Mr. H. J. May, secretary of the parliamentary committee of the British Co operative Congress; the Cooperative Wholesale Societies (L td.) Annual for 1918; the People’s Yearbook for 1919; the International Cooperative bulletin for April, 1919; and original material in the possession of the Bureau. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1159] 172 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Goods are sold, for cash, at current prices, but at the end of each quarter or half year the “ profits” (that is, the surplus over cost price plus expenses of management, etc.) are divided among the purchasers in proportion to the amount of purchases made. Non members usually receive half the rate of dividend paid to members. The cooperative ideal is to eliminate the present industrial com petitive system by means of mutual association and to substitute mutual service for the common good, and thus by the principle of service for service make the instinct of self-interest promote the common good. Cooperation in its narrow sense is the combination of producers for the purpose of selling their product to the best advantage or of consumers to reduce prices. The cooperative move ment, however, considers not only the purity of the goods bought but the conditions under which they were produced, the wages paid workers in their production, and the hours worked; in short, it endeavors to raise the standards all along the line from production to consumption. One writer states that “ there is a large and rapidly increasing number of cooperators who, like the early pioneers, regard storekeeping and cooperative workshops and factories as the beginning of a new social life, out of which in due time will come the real cooperative commonwealth.” 1 Work of Production and Distribution. The history of the cooperative movement as a whole has been one of steady growth, and the work done by the cooperative societies has reached enormous proportions. The Labor Gazette for August, 1918,2 contains the following account showing the extent of the ■operations of the cooperative societies of the United Kingdom during the year 1916, the latest year for which complete figures are available: At the end of 1916 there were at work in the United Kingdom 1,488 industrial cooperative distributive and productive societies with an aggregate membership of 3,563,769, a total share, loan, and reserve capital of £77,937,736 [$379,283,992]; a total trade (distributive and productive) of £237,525,135 [$1,155,916,069],3and atotal profit— before deduction of interest on share capital—of £18,958,388 [$92,260,995]. Excepting for a decrease of 10 in the number of societies—due mainly to amalgama tions—these figures show a remarkable growth as compared with 1915, there being an increase in membership of 257,450, or 7.8 per cent; in capital of £7,611,259 [$37,040,192], or 10.8 per cent; in trade of £39,290,948 [$191,209,398], or 19.8 per cent; and in profit of £1,990,439 [$9,686,471], or 11.7 per cent. The total number of persons directly employed by the societies was 154,622,3 and the total wages paid during the year amounted to £10,391,245 [$50,568,993],3 compared with 149,852 employees and £9,607,434 [$46,754,578] in wages in 1915. 1 Webb, Catherine: Industrial cooperation, p. 2. s Labour Gazette, London, August, 1918, pp. 304, 305. s Thpse figures are exclusive of the number and wages of persons employed in agriculture by industrial distributive societies, and of the sales and transfers of agricultural produce by these societies. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1160 ] M O N T H L Y LA B O R R E V IE W . 173 While some of the societies are engaged only in distribution and some only in pro duction, others are engaged in both distributive and productive operations. In the following statistics, however, distribution and production are dealt with separately. D istribution. At the end of 1916, 1,364 retail and two wholesale industrial societies were engaged in distribution. These societies had an aggregate membership of 3,524,247, a total share, loan, and reserve capital of £69,936,787 [$340,347,374]'; sales amounting to £188,583,043 [$917,739,379], and a profit on distribution—before deducting interest on share capital—of £18,143,695 [$88,296,292], while the total number of persons employed in distribution by the societies was 96,466, and the total wages paid £6,099,729 [$29,684,331]. Of the total profit of £18,143,695 [$88,296,292], a sum of £16,442,913 [$80,019,436] was made by the retail societies, and £1,700,782 [$8,276,856] by the two wholesale societies. In the case of the retail societies the greater part of the profit was distrib uted to the members as a dividend on purchases, at an average rate of 2s. 2d. [52.7 cents] in the £1 [$4.87] in England and Wales, 2s. lOd. [69 cents] in Scotland, and Is. 3[d. [30.9 cents] in Ireland, the average for the United Kingdom being 2s. 3d. [54.8 cents]. Compared with 1915 these rates of dividend show a decrease of l]d . [2.5 cents] in England and Wales, and 2d. [4.1 cents] in Scotland, an increase of fd. [1.5 cents] in Ireland, and a decrease of l]d. [3 cents] for the United Kingdom. Non members usually receive dividends at one-half these rates. The English and Scottish wholesale societies paid to members a dividend on pur chases of 5d. and 8d. [10.1 and 16.2 cents] in the £1, respectively. This was a decrease cn 1915 of Id. [2 cents] in the case of each society. P r o fit sh a r in g w ith e m p lo y e e s .—Of the total 1,364 retail societies, 135, employing 14,629 persons and paying wages amounting to £919,560 [$4,475,039] in their dis tributive departments, allotted out of the profits a total of £42,542 [$207,031] to their employees as a bonus on wages, this being equal to 4.6 per cent on wages. P roduction. In 1916 there were 1,118 industrial cooperative societies of various types engaged in production, consisting of 996 retail and two wholesale distributive societies having productive departments, and of 120 associations for production only; these consisting of 2 corn-milling societies, 37 breadmaking and other consumers’ societies, and 81 associations of workers. The total number of persons employed by these societies was 58,123, the amount of wages paid during the year was £4,290,228 [$20,878,395], and the value of productions £48,932,803 [$238,131,481], Of the 58,123 persons employed in production 46 per cent were men, 34.2 per cent women, and 19.8 per cent were young persons under 18 years of age. The total value of productions has increased in 10 years by £32,582,953 [$158,564,941], or 199.3 per cent, the greatest increase of 238.4 per cent being shown by the productive departments of the retail societies. The productive departments of the wholesale societies show an increase of 219.5 per cent, the baking and other consumers’ societies an increase of 151.8 per cent, and the associations of workers 115.4 per cent. Corn-milling societies show a decrease of 74.9 per cent, this being due to the absorption of several of the mills by the English wholesale society. 1 The figures include the capital used in the productive departments of retail societies, and the profit upon the productions of these societies, the amounts not being available separately. The capital used in the productive departments of the wholesale societies, £5,493,259 [126,732,945], and the profit £463,384 [$2,255,058] are not included. 138517°—: https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [11611 174 M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W . A total profit of £814,125 [$3,961,939] wag made upon industrial production by societies other than retail societies, the profits of the latter being merged in the general profit and therefore not separately ascertainable. Of this total £463,384 [$2,255,058] was made by the wholesale societies, £3,444 [$16,760] by the corn-milling societies, £162,914 [$792,821] by breadmaking and other consumers’ societies, and £184,383 [$897,300] by the associations of workers. P r o fit s h a r in g w ith e m p lo y e e s .—Of the 1,118 societies engaged in industrial produc tion, 132, employing 10,918 persons in production with wages amounting to £798,353 [$3,885,185], allotted a sum of £52,345 [$254,737] to these employees as a bonus on wages, this being equal to 6.6 per cent. Of the total amount, £11,253 [$54,763] was allotted by 88 retail distributive societies, £8,752 [$42,592] by 4 consumers’ productive societies, and £32,340 [$157,383] by 40 associations of workers.1 Unfortunately, as has been said, complete figures are not available for any year later than 1916. The following summary figures show, for 1917, the work of the societies which form the membership of the English Cooperative Union: OPERATIONS OF THE EN GLISH COOPERATIVE UN IO N , 19174 Kind of society. Num ber of Number Share and mem loan capital. socie ofbers. ties. Distributive societies.......... 1,366 3,788,490 $271,290,308 5 60 Distributive federations. . . 142,462 Productive societies............ 97 36,358 8,783,899 Supply associations............. 8,282 3 2,133,415 Special societies.................... 4 278 280,841 Wholesale societies.............. 3 1,908 54,885,993 Total............................ 1,478 3,835,376 Sales. Num ber of em ployees. Salaries and wages. $691,060,578 $77,458,090 118,716 $41,198,149 628,411 42,008 26 10,614 25,045,243 1,750,675 10,038 3,731,858 8,334,942 285,187 1,816 799,055 2,337,545 143,017 483 182,469 367,136,264 8,865,045 31,424 12, 898,527 337,516,828 1,094,542,983 1 Cooperative Wholesale Society (Ltd.). Net surplus. 88,544,021 162,503 58,820,670 The People’s Yearbook, 1919, p. S3. Work of Wholesale Societies. The growth of the productive works is consequent on the growth of the cooperative wholesale societies. From the formation in March, 1864, of the first English cooperative wholesale society this growth has been steady, as is shown by the fact that their sales, which in 1865 amounted to £120,754 ($587,649), increased to £1,964,829 ($9,561,840) in 1875; in 1885 they amounted to £4,793,151 ($23,325,869), in 1895 to £10,141,917 ($49,355,639), in 1905 to £20,785,469 ($101,152,485), in 1916 to £52,230,074 ($254,177,655), in 1917 to £57,917,521 ($281,855,616), and in 1918 to £65,167,960 ($317,139,877). Fol lowing is a list of the productive factories of the cooperative whole sales, to which additions are being constantly made : F lour m ills .—At Manchester and Oldham, in Lancashire; Avonmouth, in Gloucester; Dunston, in Durham; Silvertown, in Essex; Halifax, Slaithwaite, and Sowerby Bridge, and Hull in Yorkshire. 1 25 of these societies and 4 additional societies (3 in England and 1 in Scotland) allotted in addition £5,649 [$27,491] to provident funds for the benefit of their employees. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1162] M O N T H L Y LABO R R E V IE W . 175 Soap works.—At Dunston, in Durham; Irlam, in Lancashire; Silvertown, in Essex. Textile and clothing mills. —At Batley, Delph, and Diggle (woolen), Leeds, Pelaw, London, and Cardiff (ready-mades), Littleborough (flannel), Sheffield and Cardiff (overalls); Broughton and Crewe (mantle, shirt, tailoring, and underclothing), Bury, Radcliffe, and Chorley (cotton weaving), Desboro’ and Kettering (corsets and blouses); Huthwaite (hosiery); Birmingham (pinafores); Hebden Bridge (fustians;. Metal industries.—At Birtley (tinplate), in Durham; Dudley (buckets, fenders, etc.), in Worcestershire; Keighley (all sorts of iron ware), Sheffield (cutlery), in Yorkshire. Printing, bookbinding, etc.—At Longsight and Warrington, in Lan cashire; Leicester, in Leicestershire; Pelaw, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Boots and shoes, etc.—At Leicester (two works) and Enderby, in Leicestershire; Leeds, Heckmondwike, and Pontefract (fellmongering), in Yorkshire; Rushden and Wellingborough, in Northampton shire. Other factories.—At Broughton and Pelaw (cabinet), Crumpsal! (biscuits), Manchester (tobacco), Middleton, Silvertown, Clayton, and Hull (jams, pickles, vinegar, etc.), Rochdale (paints), in Lancashire; Leeds (brushes), in Yorkshire; West Hartlepool (lard), in Durham. New jam factory at Acton, Middlesex; and sawmills at Wymondham, in Norfolk. Oil mills, Liverpool. Drugs and drysalteries at Pelaw. The wholesale society maintains butter and egg depots at Armagh, Cork, Limerick, and Tralee, in Ireland. There is also a bacon fac tory at Tralee and a butter factory at Birslington, near Bristol. In addition, a cocoa factory at Luton employs 249 persons, and there are extensive tea estates in India and Ceylon, on which 2,642 per sons are employed. In connection with the overseas enterprises, wharfage accommodations and warehouses have been acquired at Wapping (London) having a storage capacity of about 15,000 tons. The English Cooperative Wholesale Society owns and controls 30,000 acres of land in England, and its policy is said to be to buy up every acre of tillable land that is offered for sale in Great Britain. It has purchased a coal mine in Northumberland, and other mines have been purchased and sunk. Difficulty of Securing Supplies. Nevertheless, in spite of the magnitude of its productive enter prises, the cooperative movement has found itself at a disadvantage. It is obvious that the effectiveness of the cooperative wholesales depends on their ability to secure supplies, and in view of this fact the following statement, which appeared in the Second Report of the https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1163] 176 M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W . Committee of the Fabian Research Department on "The control of industry,” published May 30, 1914, is interesting: Making various necessary allowances, it is estimated that the two wholesales supply the stores with about five-eighths of all the goods that these distribute, leaving about three-eighths as their purchases from capitalist traders. But less than 25 per cent of the goods sold by the English society to its membership of nearly 1,200 societies con sisted of products of its own manufacturing departments. The retail cooperative stores of Great Britain, therefore, buy threeeighths of the goods they dispense to their members directly from profit-making middlemen, and of the five-eighths which they get from their wholesale societies about 75 per cent is obtained from capitalist manufacturers. During the war the apportionment of supplies was largely under Government conti ol. Since the war, however, these cooperative societies have experienced increasing difficulty in obtaining supplies, and the leaders of the cooperative movement have repeatedly expressed their conviction that private interests have made wholesale inroads into the system of governmental control; and that they have strengthened their financial resources by combination of interests and control of the legislation and machinery of the State. Memorandum to the Peace Conference. So greatly have the British cooperators been impressed with the seriousness of the situation that a memorandum was prepared and submitted by them to the Peace Conference. After dwelling upon the disadvantages under which the movement is laboring the memo randum declares that development along two lines is necessary to the existence of the cooperative movement: (a) The establishment of direct cooperative international trade, and (b ) the securing of such control over raw materials as will enable the cooperative movement to dictate the terms of its supply to manufacturers. With regard to these points the memorandum states: In so far as direct trade between the cooperative movement of different nations has taken place, it has hitherto been largely confined to the disposal of surplus stocks not required for home consumption. There has been little or no attem pt to estimate and supply the needs of the movement in other countries and to produce in turn the goods of which those countries are in need. Thus the manufacturing countries might draw supplies of metal from Russia (the only country whose metal resources have not been largely exploited by capitalists) and produce the machinery, fittings, agricultural implements, etc., of which Russia stands so much in need. A beginning of this expansion of cooperative trading has already been made, e. g., the proposal of Belgian cooperators to place orders in Great Britain and the plans for a direct interchange of certain goods between the movements of this country and Russia. The tune is ripe, however, for the working out by cooperators of all nations in common of a great international scheme which shall have regard not only to the requirements of the moment, but to the developments of the future, with a view to making the world https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1164] M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W . 177 cooperative movement self-supporting and independent of capitalist sources for its supplies of raw materials. The fact that the trade of Russia, a country of vast unde veloped natural resources, is now largely conducted through the medium of the co operative movement offers an unprecedented opportunity for a great beginning to this new enterprise, though the operations of such companies as the Irtysh Corporation show that if the resources of Russia are to be secured for cooperation and not for capi talism there is no time to be lost. * * * [As to control of raw material] the aim of the movement must be not merely to secure those materials which it needs for its own production, b u t to control supplies of raw materials for all industry, in fact, to obtain a monopoly of raw materials. The most effectual method of securing this control would be for the cooperative movement to act internationally, and come into the market as a single buyer, as the Allied Gov ernments have done in the case of wheat, meat, etc., afterwards dividing the purchase according to national needs. By this means, with the whole resources of the cooper ative movement of the world behind it, cooperation could capture one raw material after another, and the wholesale in each country would become the controlling agency in the supplies for this country. The immediate steps needed would be the forma tion of an international cooperative buying organization, which might be effected by an expansion of the operations and membership of the International Wholesale lately formed between Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. I t is probable, however, that the Peace Conference may decide to maintain some system of rationing raw materials, of which there is a scarcity, for a certain period after peace is signed, and that the League of Nations may set up some machinery for this purpose. In such an event the cooperative movement would not be able to enter the market as a buyer on its own account, but it might well claim, as being an interna tional organization of a nonprofit-making character, to act as agent of the League of Nations for this purpose, just as private traders have acted as agents for the Allied Governments in their wheat and meat purchases. The various wholesales would then become the distributing machinery of the League of Nations, and when the rationing period ended the movement would have the knowledge and experience necessary to act successfully on its own account. * * * The development of international cooperative trade on a large scale would necessi tate a great and very rapid increase of cooperative production, and for this the control of raw materials would be the means. But, as in the international policy of the move ment, so, too, in its internal policy, a wholly new and far wider conception of the functions and scope of cooperation will be needed if the cooperative movement is to overcome the forces of capitalism and fulfill its purpose as the industrial system of the future. The control of raw materials by the movement would compel the wholesales of each country to abandon the policy of confining their markets as far as possible to cooperative societies. They would have to be prepared to supply all manufacturers with raw materials on a nonprofit-making basis. Their control would enable them to contract for the whole or part of the output on such terms as would have the effect of transforming private businesses into agents for the Cooperative Wholesale Society working at a fixed rate for services rendered, and would thus eliminate profit making. There are many problems connected w ith such a policy which are outside the scope of this memorandum. But, in face of the capitalist menace, it will be seen that a policy on the above lines is essential if cooperation is not to be strangled by capitalist combines and if a cooperative system of industry is ultimately to replace a capitalist system. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1165] 178 M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W . The Cooperative Movement in France. CCORDING to a writer in L’Economiste Français (Paris, June 21, 1919), there were 1,500,000 cooperators in France in August, 1918, and their yearly accounts amounted to about 600,000,000 francs ($115,800,000). In 1916 the Cooperative Union was formed by amalgamating the principal Paris societies with a monthly turnover of over 2,000,000 francs ($386,000), and a membership of 14,000. The union has been very active in popularizing the consumption of frozen meat, and has organized its sale in a number of stores in collaboration with the public authorities. During the winter of 1917-18, it made a daily distribution of potatoes and dried vegetables at the request of the city authorities, and also distributed the municipal coal reserves to the population. Communal restaurants have also been opened by the union. The author states that this development, useful as it may have been in time of war, has met with considerable opposition from private business since the proposal has been made to continue the policy of collaboration in peace time, the argument being that the cooperative societies are placed in a privileged position. The ques tion has been discussed in Parliament during debates on the high cost of living. The writer disputes the contention that a continuance of subsidies to cooperative societies is desirable in the interests of the consumer, and claims that retail prices in cooperative stores have been largely affected by the general food shortage. The high cost of living has assisted the growth of the cooperative movement. This growth is in a manner artificial, because the societies have become the assistants of the State or of municipalities, and have for this reason been favored by the authorities. It is to be regretted, even for the future of this method of production and sale, that certain of its advocates should represent it as being one of the instruments for the transformation of society. It is in the interest of cooperators themselves and their cause that they should confine their activities strictly to the cooperative field of work. It is interesting to note that the cooperative movement in France, in spite of its growth during the war, is still far behind the develop ment shown in England, where the writer states that the number of members has risen to 4,000,000, the capital invested to £50,000,000 ($243,325,000), and the total turnover to £80,000,000 ($389,320,000). https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1166 ] VOCATIONAL EDUCATION Training for Shift Bosses in a Copper Mine.' HE course of training for shift bosses given at the Copper Queen mine, Bisbee, Ariz., is of interest not only from the stand point of the greater safety insured thereby, but also from the fact that such a course will add greatly to the number of trained men available for these positions when capable men are few. Recogni tion of the increasing scarcity of men who combine with an intimate knowledge of mining the ability to handle men and to interpret correctly the company policies has led to the establishment of what is known as the Warren District Practical Mining Course, which is designed for the education of miners to enable them to qualify for positions as shift boss. T The plan provides for one lecture a week, 43 lectures covering a period of 10 months; these lectures are given in both the afternoon and the evening to accommodate both shifts. The subjects are so arranged that men may start at any time during the 10 months. The lectures are printed and distributed among those taking the work previous to being delivered. They are perforated and contain a bibliography of the subject and possible examination questions, thus permitting a preliminary study of the subject and allowing the lecture period to be largely discussion and amplification. For the purpose of examining and rating applicants for shift-boss positions an exam ining board, consisting of the superintendent of the mining department, two under ground superintendents, and two miners selected from the men who have completed the course meet and rate applicants upon the following scale: Experience, 20 points; attendance, 10 points; habits, personality, and ability to handle men, 20 points; examination, 50 points; passing grade, 80 per cent. It is not necessary that applicants take the course to be put on the eligible list for shift-boss positions; they may merely take the examination and be rated. Men passing the examination will be given a certificate signed by the examining board, which is of value in any mining community, as the high standards of the Copper Queen are well known. The present corps of foremen and executives of the Copper Queen acts as a board of advisers for the course, adding their knowledge of Copper Queen methods and policies to the knowledge of the lectures. With one exception, the latter have been taken from the men within the organization who have specialized in the study of the various subjects. S. C. Dickenson, formerly in charge of the department of safety and welfare of the Arizona State Bureau of Mines, is director of the course, and is giving his full time to the plans for the development of efficient and sympathetic shift bosses. 1 Summarized from Educational Methods at the Copper Queen, by Charles F. Willis, published in Bulle tin 151, July, 1919, of American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1167] 179 180 M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W . Lectures. During the spring of 1918, a number of miscellaneous lectures were given in mining subjects, in which such interest and enthusiasm were shown that the company was encouraged to go into the work on a larger scale, with a definite purpose in view, and the course as outlined below is the result of that work. 1. Mine tools—pick, shovel, gad, hammer, etc., their use, design, and analysis. Mucking. 2. Breaking ground, general. 3. Drifting—breaking, drift rounds, etc. 4. Drifting—drift timbering, ordinary and heavy timbering, drift repairs, etc. 5. Drifting—track, track maintenance, road maintenance, switches. 6. Shaft sinking, including type rounds, timbering, etc. 7. Raises—type rounds and methods. 8. Raises—timbering, six-post and crib raises. 9. Selection of mining method—various factors governing the same, method and analysis of these factors. 10. Stopes—square-set mining. 11. Stopes—horizontal and inclined top slice. 12. Cut and-fill—horizontal and incline. 13. Stopes—caving methods, Inspiration, Ray, Morenci, etc. M iscellaneous In d iv id u a l Subjects. 14. Sampling—various methods used, elements of inaccuracy, limits of precision necessary, etc. 15. Explosives—manufacture and use of explosives and necessary accessories—■ loading, firing, tamping, etc. 16. Metallurgical considerations in mining—relation between smelter and mine. 17. Fire-prevention and fire-fighting methods—methods of preventing fires, causes of fires, fighting fire risks. 18. Mine ventilation—study of needs and methods of adequate ventilation giving both mechanical and natural devices. 19. Safety work and accident prevention—place of shift boss in accident prevention. M echanical. 20. Applied mathematics—necessary mathematics to understand mechanical problems. 21. Principles of mechanics—mechanical types, etc. 22. Machinery-—description, use, and care of water drifters. 23. Machinery—description, care, and use of stopers and pluggers. 24. Standard machine set-ups. 25. Electrical machinery—general description of electrical machinery and elec trical devices in use around mines, motors, transmission methods, etc. 26. Hoisting and haulage—general description of hoisting methods and devices, underground haulage, relative to costs, efficiency, etc. 27. Air compression and transmission—general survey of methods and efficiency of air compression and transmission. Leaks—their importance, methods of determin ing, and their correction. 28. Pipes and pipe fittings, hoses, etc.—general survey of various types of pipe fittings, methods of using, their relative importance, necessity of care in selection, etc. 29. Drainage. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1168 ] M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W . 181 Geology. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. General geology. Geology of Wairen district. Elementary chemistry as applied to ores. Ores of copper. Map reading, map making, and interpretation. Economics. 35. Elementary economics—brief survey of theory of economics of labor and capital, and industries in general, labor unions, labor policies, etc. 36. Efficiency engineering—history and importance of efficiency work, what it means, how it is applied, its particular problems, etc. 37. Psychology of handling men. 38. Division of labor. 39. Wages, bonuses, and other methods of compensation. 40. Accounting and timekeeping. 41. The cost sheet. 42. Communities of the shift boss. 43. Company policies. I t is stated that these lectures, though little advertised and still uncompleted, have been very successful from the standpoint of attendance, the average being about 200 men. While the success of this course can not as yet be estimated in the number of thoroughly efficient men turned out, it is believed that it will materially increase the number of men who have a better understanding of the mining ^industry and a broader comprehension of the relation between the miners and the company. Technical Education Act of Canada. HE bill for the promotion of technical education in Canada was signed by the Governor General on July 7, 1919. Although patterned after the United States Vocational Education Act it is materially different in one respect, in that it is strictly limited to the development of technical education as applied to industry and mechanical trades. The Minister of Labor is named as execu tive administrator and certain restrictions are placed upon the use of the money by the Provinces. The distribution of the appropria tion of $10,000,000 is not provided for, the salaries and the amount of money to be applied to each type of technical education being left entirely to the judgment of the administrator. The following is a summary of the more important provisions of the act: The Technical Education Act provides for an appropriation of $10,000,000 for the promotion of technical education in Canada. T https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1169] 182 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. By the term “ technical education” is meant any form of voca tional, technical, or industrial education or instruction approved by agreement between the Minister of Labor and the government of any Province as being necessary or desirable to aid in promoting industry and the mechanical trades, and to increase the earning capacity, efficiency, and productive power of those employed in them. The Minister of Labor is vested with sole authority to judge of all questions arising out of the act and must submit an annual report to Parliament containing information as to the work done. Officers and employees may be appointed under the civil service, but no organization is outlined in the act. The $10,000,000 is to be expended in graduating amounts, beginning with an annual sum of $700,000 in 1920 and increasing $100,000 each year until 1924, from which time to the end of the fiscal year 1929 the sum will be $1,100,000. The allotments are to be paid quarterly and can not exceed the amount spent on technical education by the Province within that year. Unexpended balances may be carried forward, provided that the balance does not exceed 25 per cent of the annual appropriation. In case it does, the approval of the Minister must be obtained. The sum of $10,000 will be paid to the government of each Province every year, and the remainder of the appropriation for the year will be allotted and paid to the govern ment of the Province in proportion to the population of each Pro vince, respectively, as determined by the last Federal census. The terms to which the Provinces must agree in order to receive the grant are: 1. All grants must be used for technical education in the manner agreed upon by the Minister of Labor and the government of each Province and approved by the Governor in council. 2. No part of the grant can be used to meet liabilities incurred prior to July 1, 1919, for lands, buildings, furnishings, or equipment secured for technical educational purposes. 3. Only 25 per cent of the annual grant can be used to secure land, or to erect, extend, or improve buildings, or supply furnishings and equipment. 4. Each Province shall make an annual report to the Minister. 5. The Minister shall be the sole judge of questions arising out of the act. 6. Every Province receiving a grant shall furnish evidence required by the Minister of Labor to show that the grants made are expended for technical education as provided in the act. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [H70] EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT. Employment in Selected Industries in August, 1919. HE Bureau of Labor Statistics received and tabulated reports concerning the volume of employment in August, 1919, from representative establishments in 13 manufacturing industries. Comparing the figures of August, 1919, with those of identical establishments for August, 1918, it appears that in 6 industries there ■was an increase in the number of persons employed, while in 7 there was a decrease. The largest increase, 18.1 per cent, is shown in automobile manufacturing, and the greatest decreases—33.2 and 25.2 per cent—appear in cigar manufacturing and car building and re pairing, respectively. Ten of the 13 industries show an increase in the total amount of the pay roll for August, 1919, as compared with August, 1918, and 3 show a decrease. The most important percentage increases—31.9, 28.6, and 25.3—appear in silk, boots and shoes, and men’s ready made clothing, respectively. A decrease of 39.4 per cent is found in car building and repairing, while cigar manufacturing and iron and steel show respective decreases of 9.7 and 9.6 per cent. T COMPARISON OF EM PLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHM ENTS IN AUGUST, 1918, AN D AUGUST, 1919. Industry. Automobile manufacturing. Car building and repairing.. Cigar manufacturing............ Men’s readv-made clothing. Cotton manufacturing......... Hosiery and underwear___ Iron and steel........................ Leather manufacturing........ Silk........................................... Woolen.................................... https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Estab lish ments report ing for August both years. 47 65 46 46 35 17 Cl 60 102 34 51 37 48 Number on pay roll in August— Period of pay rolL 1918 1 w eek .. 108,058 4 month. 59,577 1 w eek.. 16,363 ...d o ....... 20,476 ...d o ....... 14,102 . ..d o ....... 56,376 ...d o ....... 30,221 J month. 181,126 1 w eek .. 17,360 ...d o ....... 27,494 2 weeks. 11,816 1 w eek.. 46,456 Cimi 1919 127,664 5S, 251 44,551 10, 927 17,025 14,380 59,177 28,667 155,406 17,336 26,373 12, C87 46,680 Per cent of in crease ( + ) or de crease (-)• Amount of pay roll in August — 1918 1919 + 18.1 $2,916,503 $3,558,978 + 3.3 982,968 1,264,073 -2 5 .2 3, 691,716 2,237,645 213,516 192,729 -3 3 .2 -1 6 .9 340,424 426,502 275,226 324,109 + 2.0 904,570 1,054,616 + 5.0 434,391 - 5.1 479,376 -1 4 .2 11,302,328 10,222,074 367,308 430,922 - .1 622,119 598,907 - 4. 1 346,096 456, 656 + 7.4 940,509 1,009,675 + .5 183 Per cent of in crease ( + ) or de crease (-). +22.0 +28.6 -3 9 . 4 -9.7 +25. o + 17.8 + 16.6 + 10.4 - 9.6 + 17.3 + 3. +31.9 + 7.4 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 184 The following table shows the number of persons actually working on the last full day of the reported pay period in August, 1918, and August, 1919. The number of establishments reporting on this question is small, and this fact should be taken into consideration when studying these figures. COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS ON THE LAST FULL DAY’S OPERATION IN AUGUST, 1918, AND AUGUST, 1919. Industry. Automobile manufacturing Boots and shoes............... Car building and repairing.. Cigar manufacturing........ Men’s ready-made clothing. Cotton finishing............... Cotton manufacturing...... Hosiery and underwear__ Iron and steel.................. Leather manufacturing.;.., Paper making................. Silk................................ Woolen........................... Establish ments reporting Period of for August pay roll. both years. 29 22 45 14 6 13 38 22 89 20 19 24 40 1 week__ . ..do........ i mouth... 1 week__ . ..do........ . ..do........ . ..do........ . ..do........ Amonth... 1 week__ . ..do........ 2 weeks... 1 week__ Number actually work ing on last full day cent of reported pay pe ofPer increase riod in August— (+) or de crease ( —). 1919 1918 61,359 12,268 51,915 2,807 4,403 9,406 27,216 11,882 139,208 13,575 11,334 8,141 35,592 85,970 12,677 37,057 1,745 4,025 9,579 28,764 11,517 122,555 13,079 10,490 8,953 36,292 +40.1 + 3.3 -28.6 -39.1 - 8 .6 + 1.8 + 5.7 - 3.1 -12.0 - 3.7 - 7.4 + 10.0 + 2.0 Comparative data for August, 1919, and July, 1919, appear in the following table. The figures show that in 7 industries there was an increase in the number of persons on the pay roll in August as compared with July and in 6 industries a decrease. The figures for August are more or less affected by labor troubles in several of the industries. The largest increases in the number of persons employed appear in iron and steel, 3.8 per cent; boots and shoes, 3 per cent; and automobile manufacturing, 2.9 per cent. The greatest decreases— 16.4 and 8.2 per cent—are shown in cigar manufacturing and in car building and repairing. In comparing August, 1919, with July of this year, 9 industries show an increase in the amount of money paid to employees and 4 show a decrease. The most important increase is one of 17.9 per cent in iron and steel, while the largest decreases—12.5 and 12.3 per cent—are shown in cigar manufacturing and in car building and repairing. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1172] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, 185 COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS IN JULY AND AUGUST, 1919. Industry- Automobile manufacturing Boots and shoes................ Car building and repairing.. Cigar manufacturing......... Men’s ready-made clothing. Cotton finishing................ Cotton manufacturing....... Hosiery and underwear__ Leather manufacturing...... Paper making,................. Silk................................ Woolen........................... Estab Number on pay roll in— lish ments report Period of ing for pay roll. July, August, July 1919. 1919. and August. 41 02 45 44 39 16 58 55 96 34 50 36 48 1week.. ...do__ i month 1 week.. ...do--. ..do--...do__ .. .do__ 1 week.. ...do__ 2 weeks. 1 week.. Per cent of increase (+) or decrease (-)• Amount of pay roll in— July, 1919. Per cent of increase (+) or August, decrease 1919. (-)• 107,525 110,686 + 2.9 $3,002,952 83,073,382 50,706 52,210 + 3.0 1,068,906 1,145,852 48,213 44,230 - 8.2 2,532,363 2,220,130 13,040 10,905 -16.4 219,203 191,852 10,515 10,323 - 1 .8 245,318 258,481 14,522 14,156 - 2.5 323,916 319,143 57,813 57,855 + -1 1,041,755 1,035,154 26,305 26,454 + .6 427,828 446,079 154,025 159,945 + 3.8 9,119,161 10, 747,051 17; 153 17; 336 + 1.1 395,032 ' 430; 922 24,991 25,455 + 1.9 557,826 599,892 12,787 12, 665 - 1.0 437,511 455,381 987,006 1,009,675 47,128 46, 680 -1 .0 + 2.3 + 7.2 -12.3 -12.5 + 4.6 - 1 .5 - .6 + 4.3 + 17.9 + 9.1 + 7.5 + 4.1 + 2.3 A comparatively small number of establishments reported as to the number of persons working on the last full day of the reported pay periods. The following table gives in comparable form the figures for July and August, 1919: COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS ON THE LAST FULL DAY’S OPERATION IN JULY AND AUGUST, 1919. Number actually work ing on last full day of Establish cent of ments re Period of reported pay period in— Per increase porting for pay roll. (+) or de July and July, August, crease (—). August. 1919. 1919. Industry. Silk.......... ........................................... 26 28 43 15 4 13 36 18 83 19 20 25 45 1week__ J month... 1 week__ 1week__ 76,589 13,987 42', 789 3; 596 '438 10,643 28,480 10,215 125,178 12,824 Hi 721 10; 061 38,060 79,692 36; 595 1,752 419 10,140 28,045 10,076 127,572 12,954 12; 187 9,570 37,702 + 4.1 -f7.6 —14.5 —51.3 —4.3 —4.7 — 1.5 —1.4 + 1.9 + 1.0 + 4.0 - 4.9 - .9 Changes in Wage Rates. During the period July 15 to August 15, 1919, there were estab lishments in 12 of the 13 industries which reported increases in wage rates and in 2, decreases. Of the establishments reporting, many did not answer the inquiry relative to this item, but in such cases it is not likely that changes were made. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1173] 186 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Automobile manufacturing: An increase of 15 per cent to approxi mately 75 per cent of the force was reported by one plant. About 10 per cent of the employees in one establishment received increases of 10 to 12 per cent, and approximately 75 per cent of the employees in another establishment were increased about 10 per cent. An average increase of 8 per cent was granted by one concern to approxi mately 30 per cent of the force, and an average increase of about 8 per cent per man per hour and affecting about 7 per cent of the employees was reported by another firm. One plant granted a 7 per cent increase and the pattern makers in another plant were increased approximately 5 per cent, but the proportion of the force affected was not given in either instance. About 7 per cent of the force in one establishment received an increase of 2\ cents per hour; 10 per cent of the force, 5 cents per hour; approximately 2 per cent of the force, 10 cents per hour; and one person, $5 per week. The average hourly productive rate in one plant was reduced 0.0132 per cent. Boots and shoes: An increase of 12| per cent, affecting 25 per cent of the employees, was given by one plant. One firm gave 25 per cent of the force a 12 per cent increase, and 3 per cent a 10 per cent increase. Two establishments reported an increase of 10 per cent, this affecting about one-half of the people in one plant, while the other plant failed to give the number affected. Cigar manufacturing: An increase of 25 per cent was granted in the shipping department of one factory and affected about 18 per cent of the employees. The entire force in two establishments received an increase of 20 per cent. An average increase of approxi mately 13 per cent to about 65 per cent of the employees was reported by one concern, and all of the pieceworkers in another concern were increased approximately 11 per cent. One plant gave the employees a bonus and an increase in wages and another plant gave a bonus and a 10 per cent increase in wage rates, but no further information wTas given. Men’s ready-made clothing: Five establishments granted a 20 per cent increase, this affecting the entire force in one plant, all of the employees in another, and about 95 per cent of the force in the third plant—the increase in the second and third plants being retroactive to June 1, 1919—the men in the fourth plant, which also gave the girls a 10 per cent increase, while the fifth plant failed to state the number of persons affected. Eighty-five per cent of the people in one shop received an average increase of 15 per cent, and one concern reported a 15 per cent increase but failed to give the proportion of the force affected. All of the employees in one establishment and about 59 per cent in another establishment received a 10 per cent https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1174] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 187 increase. An increase of about 6J per cent to 25 per cent of tire force was reported by one concern. Cotton finishing: An increase of 5 per cent was reported by one plant, but no further data were given. Cotton manufacturing: An increase of 10 per cent to all of the employees was granted by one plant. The entire force in two plants was increased 9 per cent, and approximately 90 per cent of the force in one mill received an increase of about 7\ per cent. Hosiery and underwear: An increase of 20 per cent to the entire force was given in one mill. Four establishments reported an increase of 10 per cent, affecting all of the employees in one plant, 80 per cent of the force in another, one-sixth of the employees in the third plant, and 7 per cent of the force in the fourth establishment. An increase of approximately 9 per cent was granted in one mill. Three plants reported increases of 5 | per cent, 5 per cent, and 3 to 5 per cent, affecting the pieceworkers in the first and last establishments, while the second plant did not give any data as to the employees affected. Iron and steel: A 10 per cent increase was reported by two plants, which affected about 53 per cent of the force in one plant, while the other establishment did not give the number of employees affected; and another plant gave all of the “ turn men” an increase of approxi mately 10 per cent and all other employees 5 cents per hour. Onethird of the force in one establishment received an increase of about 8 per cent. An increase of 3.85 per cent was given to 37, 40, 42, and 47 per cent of the employees in four plants, while four other plants reported an increase of 2.73 per cent affecting 47 per cent of the force in two plants, 55 per cent in the third, and 57 per cent in the fourth. The sheet mill tonnage men, or about 3 per cent of the employees, in one plant received a slight increase. A decrease of 25 per cent in the puddling rates, affecting 80 per cent of the force, was reported by five plants. All of the employees in one factory were decreased 17 per cent, and 15 per cent of the employees in another factory were decreased 8 per cent. Leather manufacturing: Two establishments reported a 10 per cent increase, affecting practically the whole force in one establishment, and about 5 per cent in the other. One-half of the employees in one plant were given an increase of about. 7 per cent. Paper making: One plant gave 20 per cent of the employees an increase of 15 per cent and 70 per cent an average increase of 10 per cent. An increase of about 11 per cent to 77 \ per cent of the force was granted by one establishment. One plant reported a 10 per cent increase, affecting the entire force, while another establishment granted an increase of approximately 10 per cent, but did not give the number of persons affected. The laborers hi one mill were in https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 11175] 188 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. creased 25 cents per day, and the men on tower work in another mill were advanced 25 cents per day, and the women and the men on day work, 15 cents per day. One plant reported a general wage increase of 2 cents per hour. Two-thirds of the force in one establishment received an increase, the per cent of which was not given. Silk: An increase of about 20 per cent to 15 per cent of the force was given by one establishment. Two plants reported an increase of 12J per cent, which affected the entire force in one mill and onethird of the employees in the other. About 90 per cent of the force in one mill received an increase of about 11 per cent, and 95 per cent of the employees in another mill were given a 10 per cent increase. Another plant granted a 10 per cent increase but did not give the proportion of the force affected. One establishment gave an 8 per cent increase to about 40 per cent of the employees. Thirty per cent of the force in one mill were given a 5 per cent increase. One firm granted a wage increase to 75 per cent of the employees, but no further data were given. Woolen: In one mill, 95 per cent of the force was increased ap proximately 10 per cent. One establishment reported an increase of 8J per cent to about 8 per cent of the employees. Report of Employment Exchanges in the United Kingdom. A S REPORTED by the British Labor Gazette for August, 1919, the total number of workpeople remaining on the registers of **“ the 414 British employment offices on July 11, 1919, was 690,437, as compared with 841,540 on June 6, 1919. These figures include workers in professional, commercial, and clerical as well as industrial occupations, but exclude casual occupations. The operations of the employment exchanges for the five weeks are summarized as follows: L \ OPERATIONS OF B R IT IS H EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES DUR IN G 5 W EEK S ENDING JULY 11, 1919. Item. Men. Women. On registers June 6,1919.................................................... Number of individuals registered during period.......... 551,464 285,297 253,945 112,059 18.175 23', 672 17,956 22,022 841,540 443,050 Total............................................................................ 830,761 366,004 41,847 39,978 1,281,590 Reregistrations during period..................................... . On registers July 11, 1919................................................ Vacancies notified during period..................................... Vacancies filled during period.......................................... Applicants placed in other districts.......................... . 6,957 490,677 90,522 65,605 7,513 6,454 170,755 66,392 39,556 4,531 798 14,746 15,278 10,692 1,264 608 14,259 14,247 9,227 1,325 14,817 690,437 186,439 125,080 14,633 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1176] Boys. Girls. Total. 189 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, The average daily number of registrations, of vacancies notified, and of vacancies filled during the five weeks was 16,352, 6,659, and 4,467, respectively. AVERAGE DAILY REGISTRATIONS AND VACANCIES N O TIFIED AND FIL LE D , BY SE X OF A PPLICANTS, D U RING FIVE W EEK S E N DIN G JULY 11, 1919. Average daily regis trations. Sex of applicants. Average daily vacancies Average daily vacancies notified. filled. Increase (+ ) or Five decrease (—) as Five weeks compared with weeks a— ending ending July 11, July 11, 1919. Month Year 1919. ago. ago. Men............................................. 10,438 W omen...................................... 4,232 B oys........................................... 874 Girls............................................ 808 Total................................ 16,352 + + + + 125 50 37 86 Increase ( + ) or decrease (—) as Five compared with weeks a— ending July 11, Month Year 1919. ago. ago. Increase ( + ) or decrease (—) as compared with a— Month ago. Year ago. +6,446 - 940 19 + 36 3,233 2,371 546 509 -241 -5 9 2 - 36 - 66 -2 4 8 -625 + 8 + 60 2,343 1,413 382 329 -113 -2 0 7 - 25 - 41 42 -1 ,0 9 6 47 6 +298 +5,523 6,659 -9 3 5 -8 0 5 4,467 -3 8 6 -1,191 Compared with the previous month, the daily average of registra tions showed an increase of 1.9 per cent, while the daily average of vacancies notified and vacancies filled showed percentage decreases of 12.3 and 8, respectively. The table following shows, by the principal occupational groups, the number of individuals registered, the vacanciesmotified, and the vacancies filled, indicating the extent of unemployment in Great Britain during the five weeks ending July 11, 1919. IND IV ID U A LS R E G ISTER ED, VACANCIES N O T IFIE D , AND VACANCIES FILLED D U R ING FIVE W EEK S ENDING JULY 11, 1919. Occupation groups.1 Individuals regis tered during period. Men. Women. 27,030 5,679 Engineering, shipbuilding, and construc tion of vehicles.............................................. Miscellaneous metal trades............................ Chemicals........................................................... Domestic service.............................................. Commercial and clerical................................. Conveyance of men, goods, and messages.. Agriculture........................................................ Textiles............................................................... Dress (including boots and shoes)............... Food, tobacco, drink, and lodging............... General laborers............................................... All other trades................................................ 58,254 8,004 1,540 12,268 14,930 41,774 6,111 6,581 12,424 3,725 4,248 57,271 25,458 Total........................................................ 285,297 Vacancies notified ■ Vacancies filled during period. during period. Men. Women. 18,827 5,345 Women. 12,488 4,378 1,500 704 403 37,221 2,930 767 2,190 26,215 5,225 5,846 11,310 11,603 20,534 2,421 963 2,609 2,930 7,646 3,467 1,274 1,857 1,375 1,126 13,220 6,928 112,059 90,522 2,668 1,627 631 34,041 9,198 1,521 2,174 Men. 1,265 520 371 19,646 2,139 547 1,462 4,849 4,890 4,738 1,060 5,140 14,430 1,704 859 1,643 2,063 6,163 2,159 880 1,1.50 859 766 11,623 4,440 66,392 65,605 39,556 3,128 2,780 3,642 971 3,085 1 Persons are now registered at employment exchanges according to their normal occupation, or where there is no normal occupation, according to the work for which they are suitable. In the principal occupational groups, 397,356 adults registered for work during the period—285,297 men and 112,059 women. There were 156,914 vacancies reported—90,522 men and 66,392 women. The number of positions filled was 105,161—65,605 men and 39,556 138517°—19------13 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1177] 190 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. women. The occupational groups in which there were the largest number of positions filled were: Domestic service, 21,289, and en gineering, shipbuilding, and construction of vehicles, 15,695. As regards juveniles, there were 10,692 vacancies filled by boys, of which 2,272 were in engineering trades and 2,361 in conveyance of goods, etc.; and 9,227 vacancies filled by girls, of which 1,757 were in domestic service, 1,185 in commercial occupations, and 813 in dress. The total number of positions filled by adults during the five weeks ending July 11, 1919, as compared with the preceding month, shows an increase of 7.5 per cent. The increase in the number of positions filled by men was 11.3 per cent; by women, 1.7 per cent. Volume of Employment in the United Kingdom in July, 1919. HE following figures as to the condition of employment in Great Britain and Ireland in July, 1919, as compared with June, 1919, and July, 1918, have been compiled from figures appearing in the British Labor Gazette for August, 1919. Similar information fo r April was published in the July M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w . In July, 1919, as compared with June, 1919, relative to the number of persons employed, the largest increases, 16.2 per cent and 10.7 per cent, appear in building and construction of works and engineer ing trades, while respective increases of 5, 4.5, and 4.4 per cent are shown in seamen, the food preparation trades, and the cement trade. The largest decreases—12.2 and 5.9 per cent—appear in iron and steel and in the hosiery trade. Comparing July, 1919, with June, 1919, on the question of earnings of employees, increases of 10.9, 10.5, and 10.4 per cent are shown in bleaching, printing, dyeing and finishing, the carpet trade, and the lace trade, respectively. Decreases of 12.9 and 7.6 per cent are shown in the hosiery and brick trades, respectively. In comparing July, 1919, with July, 1918, as to the number of persons employed, dock and riverside labor shows an increase of 51.1 per cent; the cement trade, an increase of 49.4 per cent; and the printing trades, the food preparation trades, and quarrying, respective increases of 32.1, 2S.8, and 28.5 per cent. The largest decreases— 10.4, 8.4, and 6.6 per cent—appear in iron and steel, the hosiery, and the linen trades, respectively. The aggregate earnings of employees in July, 1919, as compared with July, 1918, show more important changes. All but two are increases. Respective increases of 78.5 and 71.7 per cent are shown in the printing and the cotton trades. Sixteen trades show increases ranging from 22.5 per cent in the jute trade to 64.9 per cent in the cement trade, while the tailoring trades show an increase of 13.8 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1178] 191 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. per cent. The hosiery and linen trades show decreases of 10 and 6.8 per cent, respectively. VOLUME OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM (GREAT BRITAIN AND IR E LAND) IN JULY, 1919, AS COMPARED W ITH JUNE, 1919, AND JULY, 1918. [Compiledfrom figures in the Labor Gazette, London, August, 1919.] Per cent of increase ( + ) or decrease (—) in July, 1919, as compared with— Industries a*d basis of comparison. Coal mining: Average number of days June, 1919. July, 1918. - 1.2 + .2 —16.7 +21.1 Number of employees.............. Iron mining: Average number of days worked..................................... -1 4 .2 Number of employees.............. + .6 Quarrving: Average number of days worked..................................... + 4.7 + 2.1 Pig iron: Number of furnaces in blast................................................. —14.1 Iron and steel works: Number of employees.............. -1 2 .2 Number of shifts worked........ -1 5 .4 Engineering trades: Number of employees 1.................................... +10.7 Shipbuilding trades: Number of employees 1................................. + ..4» Tin plate, steel, and galvanized sheet trades: Number of mills in operation................................ + .7 Cotton trade: Number of employees........... + 3.4 Earnings of employees______ + 8.5 Woolen trade: Number of employees.............. + .9 Earnings of employees............. + .4 Worsted trade: Number of employees.............. + 1.3 Earnings of employees............. + 4.8 Hosiery trade: Number of employees.............. - 5.9 Earnings of employees............. -1 2 .9 Jute trade: 4- . 7 Earnings of em ployees............ + 0.3 Linen trade: Number of employees.............. + .8 Earnings of employees............. + 6.3 Silk trade: Number of employees.............. + 1.0 Earnings of em ployees............ + 3.5 Carpet trade: Number cf employees.............. + 2.5 Earnings of em ployees............ + 10.5 Lane trade: Number of employees.............. + 4.2 Earnings of employees............. + 10.4 Bleaching, printing, dyeing, and finishing: Number of em ployees............. + 1.0 +10.9 Boot and shoe trade: Number of employees............ . + .8 4- 1 .2 Leather trades: Number of cmployees 3.......................................... - . i Tailoring trades: Number of employees............... + 2.5 Earnings of employees............. + 2 .0 June, 1919. July, 1918. Shirt and collar trade: Number of employees.............. -2 0 .5 - .5 — 2.8 -1-28.5 —20.8 -1 0 .4 —15.6 (2) (2) +42.5 +14.7 +71.7 + 5.8 +33.4 + 10.2 +40.4 - 8.4 -1 0 .0 4- 5 0 +22.5 - 6.6 - 6.8 + 7.7 +30.0 +20.0 +50.0 + 7.9 +28.5 + 7.9 +42.7 +13.3 +37.1 - + 1.9 + 2.9 Other clothing trades:' Dressmaking and millinery— Number of employees........... - .5 v Wholesale mantle, costume, blouses, etc.—Number of employees— London................................. + 1.0 — .1 (2) Corset trade—Number of cm+ .4 Building and construction ol works: Number of employees L. +16.2 Woodworking and furnishing:3 Number of employees ............... + .2 Brick trade: Number ol employees.............. + 1.5 — 7.6 Cement trade: Number of employees.............. + 4.4 — .1 Paper, printing, and bookbinding trades: Paper trades— Number of employees reported by trade-unions.. (2) Number of employees re.ported by em ployers... + 1.5 Earnings of employees reported by employers. . . + 3.8 Printing trades— Number of emplovees reported by tradeumions 3 + .1 Number of employees re+ 3.2 Earnings of emplovees reported by employers. . . Bookbinding trades— Number of employees reported by trade-unions3 - .2 Number ol' employees reported by employers__ + .8 Earnings of employees reported by employers__ - 1.8 Pottery trade: Number of employees_______ + 1.5 Earnings of employees............. + .3 Glass trades: Number of employees.............. + 2.4 Earnings of employees............. 4* 5. 5 Food preparation trades: + 8.2 +28.0 + 19.9 + 12.0 (2) + 4.7 (2) (2) +27.7 +51.2 +49.4 +64. 9 (2) + 7.3 + 36.0 - .8 +32.1 +78.5 - 2.7 + 16.2 +40.3 + 7. t +32.6 +20. 2 +40,7 + 6.7 +28.8 +04.2 4- 1. 0 Seamen: Number of em ployees... + 3.0 4-51. l + S. 3 Earnings of employees______ Dock and riverside labor: Num- .7 4- 5.8 +13.8 i Based on out-of-work donation policies. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Industries, and basis of comparison. Per cent of increase ( + ) or decrease!—) in July, 1919, as compared with— ENo report. [1179] sI?ased on employment. 192 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Labor Exchanges in France, 1911 to 1918.1 Compiled by Albert E. Conover. RIOR to March 14, 1914, employment exchanges in France were entirely in the control of private enterprises and operated on a commercial basis. By a decree of March 25, 1852, these exchanges were placed under a form of supervision, but even though under police control their methods and exactions caused protest, manifestations and even strikes and violent expressions of dis content. During the next 50 years various steps were taken to remedy these conditions. A committee for the suppression of private labor exchanges was formed in 1891, and agitations for the abolish ment of privately operated exchanges became general. This led to the passage of the law of March 14, 1904, and subse quently to that of December 28, 1910, which provided for the suppres sion, upon the payment of a just indemnity, of all offices charging fees for their services. The Council of Paris paid 1,608,000 francs ($310,344) as compensation to managers of suppressed exchanges, which immediately resumed operations under the form of associa tions of employers, of employees, or of both, or other associations with more or less fictitious titles. Thereafter it was necessary only to file a simple declaration with the prefect stating with but few formalities that an association had been formed as provided by law, and then open an office. The method of operation in general was for exchanges to offer employers their services without charge and to notify laborers that a free employment office was opened, promising them good positions upon the payment of an entrance fee and the regular payment of dues into the association. The law provided that no “ proprietor of a hotel, lodging house, restaurant, or place where drinks are sold shall add to his establish ment a labor exchange.” Nevertheless many of these associations found it convenient to make such places their headquarters, and the proprietors found it profitable to provide a suitable office for their use. Because of its lax provisions the law was a complete failure, and the abuses previously existing became more acute. This law also required each commune of 10,000 or more inhabit ants to establish a free labor exchange. According to the census of 1906 there were 258 cities in France having the required number of inhabitants. An investigation developed the fact, however, that 132 cities had not conformed to the law. In some cities the activi ties of these exchanges consisted only in keeping a register of appli cants for employment and notices of vacancies. It was evidently the intention of the legislature to differentiate between simple registry 1 Bulletin du Ministère du Travail et de la Prévoyance Sociale. Paris, 1910 to 1919. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1180] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 193 service and an exchange, since each city, without regard to its popu lation, was required to maintain a registry of such factors. In 1909 there were but 107 cities, including Paris, in which municipal labor exchange^ were in operation. For that year 88,752 positions were filled, 45,261 of them being in Paris. The Minister of Labor in his letter of March 14, 1910, addressed to the prefects, calls attention to the unsatisfactory service of the exchanges then existing, as follows: “ Exchanges are in operation in 107 cities. But what is the result of their operation? In 97, or 91 per cent of them, the number of positions filled during the entire year of 1909 is less than 1,000 (each); in 73, or 69 per cent, less than 300; in 48, or 45 per cent, less than 100.” The expenses for the operation of these exchanges were provided by municipal subsidy, dues of members, donations, etc., and under certain conditions the State, through the office of the Minister of the Interior, paid certain portions of the oper ating expenses. Generally speaking, however, the only fund available for such expenses was the municipal subsidy. In 1909 but four of these exchanges were allowed any portion of the State appropriation for this purpose, the total amount of such aid for the year being but 1,650 francs ($318.45).1 The details of the method of establishing, financing, and operating this class of exchanges are given in the French Labor Bulletin of September, 1910. When the second investigation of labor exchanges was under taken in 1909, 464 exchanges conducted by employers were found in operation, 339 of which furnished reports of operations. Of this number, 197 reported having obtained employment for 315,455 persons during the year, 267,780 of whom were credited to 70 exchanges in Paris and 47,675 to the departmental exchanges; 127 reported that they had secured no positions for employees, 8 made incomplete reports, and 7 reported the number of applications and requisitions only. During the same year there were 20 municipal exchanges in Paris which found employment for 45,261 persons, and 106 in other cities which found employment for 43,491 persons. Besides these, there were in operation 214 associations composed of both employers and employees which performed the duties of labor exchanges. These reported having secured employment for 78,252, and if to these be added the 2,827 positions secured by associations placing less than 10 persons each per month the total number of positions filled by such associations would be 81,079. Mutual aid societies to the number of 85 reported that through their activities employment was secured for 133,001 persons. Of the trade-unions addressed, 7 reported that through their activities 2,681 persons had found employment. Charitable and aid societies reported having 1 In all conversions into United States money in this article 1 franc is considered as 19.3 cents. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1181 ] 194 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. placed 33,871 persons, and other institutions had found employment for 57,714 persons. Operation of Free Labor Exchanges from 1911 to the Begin ning of the War. The decree of October 15, 1911, provides for State aid to free tabor exchanges having been in operation at least three months and directed by a committee composed of an equal number of employees and employers, and with a president belonging to neither of these classes. Such aid is extended only to one exchange in a commune. Regular reports of operations are required, and regulations must be approved by the Minister of Labor. In case a strike or lockout is in progress in any establishment seeking employees, no persons shall be sent to fill vacancies unless they are duly notified of such conditions. The amount of State aid is determined by the number of positions filled during the six months next preceding the date of distribution, which is made semiannually. Distribution of the appropriation is made as follows: To ex changes having filled 25 to 50 positions per month 15 per cent of expenses of operation, the minimum, the maximum being 30 per cent to those having filled 201 or more positions. This basis was later modified. If positions are filled by interlocal service between neighboring communes an extra allowance of one-half of the expenses incurred in such service is allowed. Reports must be submitted to the Minister of Labor showing the number of applications filed, vacancies reported, positions filled, and the expenses incurred in operating the exchange. All expense accounts are subject to the approval of the minister. The distribu tion is under the supervision of a commission designated by the minister. The appropriation for the first year was 35,000 francs ($6,755). The local governing board may be designated from the members of the trade council, members of employers’ and employees’ associa tions, or in any other manner so long as if consists of equal num bers of employers and employees, and also in so far as possible mem bers of the board shall be selected from that occupation vacancies in which the exchange will most frequently be called upon to fill. The manner of presentation of the results of various investigations of exchanges is not uniform, but the data secured show that the number of positions filled increased from year to year. The employees’ and mixed (-paritaires) associations filled 78,252 positions in 1909 and 86,909 in 1910; the municipal bureaus 79,3871 in 1909 and 83,810 in 1910. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 1 Not including certain positions temporarily filled. [1182] 195 MONTHLY LABOK REVIEW. These are the only classes for which individual reports are obtainable for these years. The following table shows the number of positions filled by five classes of free exchanges in 1911: POSITIONS FILLED BY FR E E LABOR EXCHANGES IN FRANCE IN 1911. Men. Women. Class of exchanges. Outside of Paris. Paris. Employers......................................... Em ployees............................................... M ixed................................; Municipal............................................... Others,............................................ Total.................................................. Outside of Paris. Paris. Total. 196,567 132,064 97,903 21,109 6,338 42,801 93,164 23,596 17,577 4,558 79,903 6,795 4,689 35,226 4,510 5,480 12,151 1.939 25,421 1,076 324,751 244,174 128,127 99,333 16,482 453,981 181,696 131,123 40,067 812,867 There were 754 exchanges reporting for the year 1911, of which 686 furnished reports of their operations. Of these, 379 received subsidies either in money or other form, 155 being in receipt of aid from public funds as follows: 111 from the commune, 31 from the Department, 10 from the State, and 3 from other sources. During the same year there were in operation 736 offices charging fees for securing employment for applicants, 27 of these being in Paris. The 736 offices reported that they had filled 357,129 positions. The number of such offices is ever increasing, but their activities are more especially confined to the placing of domestic servants. No data are available for the various exchanges as a whole after this date. The only figures obtainable refer to the two classes de signated as employees’ and mixed (paritaires ) and municipal ex changes. The number of positions filled by the former for the year 1912 was 85,048; for 1913, 95,535; and for the six months from Jan uary to June 30, 1914, 49,302. Beginning with 1911 the reports show the operations of municipal exchanges which participated in the distribution of the State fund. For that year there were 10 municipal exchanges receiving State aid. The results obtained by this class of exchanges from 1911 to 1914 are shown in the following table: OPERATIONS OF M UNICIPAL EXCHANGES RECEIVING AID FROM THE STATE, 1911 TO 1914. Vacancies reported. Y ear. 1911 ' ............................................................................. 1912............................................................................... 1913............................................................................... 1914............................................................................... https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 31,315 47,361 27,448 Applications for employ ment. 31,657 48,615 39,757 1 From July to December, inclusive. {1183] Positions filled. 12,619 21,420 29,692 22,465 Number of exchanges reporting. 110 25 32 21 196 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. The larger part of the 22,465 positions filled in 1914 was during the first seven months. A marked decrease was reported in August, which continued through the subsequent months. The refugees from Belgium together with the unemployed from the northern and eastern districts of France, seeking Paris as a shelter, made necessary greater exertions on the part of public officials in securing employment. Many vacancies due to mobilization were reported, and it became apparent that in order to bring the unemployed and the establishment in need of employees in contact an organization must be established having a wider field of action. Organization of Central Office for Placing Unemployed and Refugees. The Central Office for Placing Unemployed and Refugees, having its office in Paris, was created October 26, 1914. Its operations were placed under the joint supervision of the Minister of Labor and the Minister of the Interior. During the period October, 1914, to the close of 1915 its efforts were directed to securing positions by direct relations with employers. Its field of action covered the entire country. Its essential duties consisted in collecting data relative to the number of unemployed persons and to the demands for employees in all sections, by occupations, so that sudden calls for labor in any considerable number might be quickly supplied. As time passed the demands for labor increased more rapidly than applicants increased. Unemployment, in so far as it may be considered as an economic factor, disappeared. Departmental offices multiplied and endeavored to secure a judicious distribution of available labor. Because of the new conditions the activities of the Central Office as an office for securing positions for the unemployed decreased and its efforts were directed to securing a supply from the French colonies and from foreign countries. It thus found its true position as a labor exchange. Early in its activities it established relations with various associations employing a large number of persons and became an important factor in supplying help to the various branches of the Government. It was thus in position to be of valuable service in 1916 and later when the demands for labor became a problem of paramount importance. Under its direction were prepared model contracts as between the State and each colonial laborer, and between the State and employers of labor. These contained clauses stipulating the wages, hours of labor, other wage regulations, night work, rest days, character of food and lodging to be furnished, and also provisions for care in case of sickness or accident. Up to December 1, 1916, it is estimated that through its efforts there were 191,700 colonial and foreign laborers employed in industry, commerce, and agriculture in France. Of https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1184] 197 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. these, 130,700 were foreigners—Greeks, Italians, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, Serbians, etc. Its operations are confined almost exclusively to skilled labor in the more important industries. It may authorize the transportation of laborers and even of laborers’ families at reduced fare when sent from one district to another in anticipation of employment. It is national in scope and supposed to he in constant and immediate touch with labor conditions in the entire country. This plan of a central office met with good results, even in its earlier period of operation. During the first two months the exchange placed 14,852 skilled workmen in industrial establishments. From November 5, 1914, to April 20, 1915, it filled requisitions made by employers for 33,837 workmen. After this date comparable figures are not available because many of the employers’ associations were placed by the Central Office in direct negotiation with bodies of unemployed persons and results were not reported. Also, the figures do not include agricultural laborers. The following table shows its operations in connection with agricultural employees for five months, March to July, 1915: O PERATIONS OF THE CENTRAL LABOR EXCHANGE IN SU PPL Y IN G AGRICULTURAL LABOR, MARCH TO JU LY, 1915. Vacancies reported. Month. 5,847 3,256 2,621 764 12,488 Applica tions for employ ment. 2,817 1,602 Persons recom mended. Positions reported filled. 2,194 196 4,053 2,486 5 ,2 2 5 924 1,281 601 2,212 9,125 14,668 6,018 2 ,220 1 With certain reservations it may be stated that from November 5, 1914, to October 31, 1915, 48,497 positions were filled, including agricultural workers above mentioned, but excluding positions obtained through the office of the committee of iron works. Establishment of Departmental Labor Exchanges. Beginning with January, 1915, a different system was adopted for reporting the results. For various reasons many of the Departments during the last half of 1914 established labor exchanges which aimed to provide for the employment of refugees and persons thrown out of work because of the closing of factories, etc. While there was no specific legislation providing for such exchanges, the}?- none the less became valuable adjuncts to those already existing. From No- https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1185] 198 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. vember, 1914, to January, 1915, reports are fragmentary and can not in any sense be considered as showing the extent of operations. The decree of March 12, 1916, established a new basis for dis tributing State aid to labor exchanges. All departmental and munic ipal exchanges providing free service participate in the distribution, provided they comply with certain regulations and place 25 or more persons per month. The general fund is distributed as shown by the following schedule: P r o p o r tio n o f e x p e n s e s re im b u r s e d b y the S t a t e to exchanges se c u r in g the e m p lo y m e n t o f each s p e c ifie d n u m b e r o f p e r s o n s . 25 to 50 persons per month........................................................ 20 per 51 to 100 persons per month...................................................... 25 per 101 to 200 persons per month.................................................... 30 per 201 to 500 persons per month..... ................................................35 per Over 500 persons per month........................................................ 40 per cent. cent. cent. cent. cent. In addition not more than 50 per cent of postal and interurban tele phone and telegraph expenses is allowed in securing employment of persons residing outside of the exchange district; 50 per cent of expenses for board and lodging is allowed when exchange repre sentatives are engaged outside of the exchange district. These exchanges are supported in general by municipal or depart mental appropriations, the total of which has increased from year to year as the number of exchanges has increased and their operations and importance have become more apparent. When first established the State bears 20 per cent of the initial cost incurred for installing a municipal or departmental exchange, up to a maximum of 5,000 francs ($965). For the year 1917 the total appropriations for the aid of ex changes were reported as being 594,280 francs ($114,696); in 1918, so far as reported up to July, 861,684 francs ($166,305), and so far as reported up to March 15, 1919, for the current year, f,556,421 francs ($300,389). The increase seems to be due, to some extent at least, to the estab lishment of district (régionaux) offices, which have been in operation since January 1, 1918. These are not directly charged with the fil ling of vacancies or the securing of employment, but act more par ticularly as aids to the local exchanges in guiding and stimulating their activities. Only when the local service is insufficient does the district office act directly between the employer and the applicant. In meeting the needs of the allied armies in 1918 the value of these district offices was demonstrated. The following table shows the number of positions filled by the municipal and departmental exchanges, July 1, 1915, to June 30, 1918: https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [11SG] 199 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. NUM BER OF POSITIONS FIL L E D B Y FR EE LABOR EXCHANGES IN FRANCE, JULY, 1915, TO JUNE 30, 1918. Positions filled— Period. B y municipal exchanges. Julv 1 to Dec. 31, 1915............................................................ Jan. 1 to June 30^ 1916.............................................................. July 1 to Dec. 3lJ 1916.............................................................. Jan. 1 to June 30, 1917.............................................................. July 1 to Dec. 31, 1917........................................................ 50,854 60,037 49 ,244 29,695 31,551 18,577 B y depart mental exchanges. Total. 7,138 13,839 38,194 65,915 66,791 1 109,352 57,992 73,876 87,438 95,610 98,342 127,929 1 It will be noted that there is a small discrepancy in the total placements in departmental exchanges for the period Jan. 1 to June 30, 1918, shown in this table and those shown for exchanges of the Depart ment of the Seine and other Departments for the same six months’ period on page 203. These figures were taken from the Bulletin du Ministère du Travail et de la Prévoyance Sociale January-Mareh, 1919, p. 27, while the other table is given in the report, La Constitution de l ’Office Departmental du Placement et de la Statistique du Travail de la Seine, 1918, pp. 89, 90. It is noted that the number of positions filled by the municipal ex changes has decreased since the departmental exchanges have been in operation. While this may he due to some extent to the decreasing number of municipal exchanges, it can not be attributed entirely to that cause. The activities of the municipal exchanges in general are limited to a few occupations in the smaller towns and rural districts, while the departmental operations cover a wider range of occupations and trades. Operations of Public Labor Exchanges in the Department of the Seine.1 Labor exchanges established under the law of 1904 (art. 4) in each commune of 10,000 inhabitants were required to maintain lists of persons making application for employment and of demands of employers for laborers. The exchange was to be located in the office of the mayor and open to the public without charge. There are 76 communes, including Paris, in the Department of the Seine. The greater number of these have an exceedingly dense population. They are separated in many cases merely by the width of the street, and the economic life of each commune is strictly inter dependent upon its neighbors, with Paris as the nucleus. The establishment, therefore, of 76 independent bureaus would naturally fail to secure efficient organization. As' shown by reports made by the exchanges in the 20 wards 0arrondissem ents ) of Paris for the first few months of the war, the results wore unsatisfactory. The number of persons placed in July, 1914, was 3,028; from August to December, 1914, 8,675; in January, 1 Constitution 1918. de l’Office Departmental du Placement et de la Statistique du Travail de la Seine. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1187] Paris, 200 MONTHLY LABOE KEVIEW. 1915, 1,845, and in February, 1915, 2,020. During January and February of 1915 the average number of unemployed was reported as being 429,701. The number of positions filled during the last 2 months was but 9 per 1,000 of the unemployed. Such was the condition in 1915 when the Minister of Labor and Social Welfare addressed a letter to the various Departments urgently requesting that a mixed commission be appointed in each charged with the duty of investigating and reporting “ for each industry of the district the measures which to it seemed immediately adaptable to hasten the early return to normal economic conditions; of consider ing methods of recruiting of laborers, the supply of raw materials and of markets in need of manufactured goods, in so far as the labor market is concerned, to consider the establishment of a departmental labor exchange, in direct contact with the municipal bureaus, unemploy ment funds, and employers’ and employees’ associations.” The Department of the Seine on March 15, 1915, established a com mission. Its report to the General Council of the Seine led to the establishment of a departmental labor exchange and statistical bureau. An account of the operations of the then existing bodies engaged in placing the unemployed is but a repetition of the history of other States and countries in which such a system had been firmly estab lished. It suffices to say that Paris before the war was the one European capital in which the situation was most unsatisfactory. Outside some private or public exchanges which took an interest in such sendee the business of placements was in the control of a com mercially organized system. The reluctance of the workers and employers to utilize the organizations composed exclusively of the other interested party was reciprocal. The employers feared to estab lish a situation in which laborers could be obtained only through unions, and the employees believed that employers’ agencies were being used to decrease wages. While these opinions may have been without foundation in fact, they were nevertheless of sufficient importance to make it advisable to organize a system of exchanges operated by associations in which the management was neutral. Organization of the Departmental Office. The departmental office was organized on the lines pointed out by the general council of the Department, which enacted regulations making it not only a medium for remedying the temporary conditions of the labor markert, but gave it the status of a permanent organization. It was directed to make an immediate census of all available labor by occupations, to classify the results in such a way that they could be easily revised each month, and to coordinate public and private https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1188] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 201 efforts in the maintenance of an equilibrium in the labor market. Under the supervision of the general council and the prefectoral administrations the results of the monthly censuses were to be centralized and the method of securing positions for the unemployed systematized in all the districts of Paris. The office was to be under the charge of the president of the French Association for the Preven tion of Unemployment, or in default of this, some member of that asso ciation. The administrative commission is composed of two members elected from the general council, three employers, three employees, two representatives of the Ministry of Labor, one representative of the prefect of the Seine, and one employer and one employee elected by each of the municipal trade exchanges. Meetings are required to be held at least once each month. An executive committee of five members shall meet weekly. The General Council of the Seine shall provide for the expenses in its regular annual budget. Annual reports are required to be presented. Such trade exchanges may be estab lished as shall be deemed necessary, subject to the jurisdiction of the administrative commission. These exchanges shall be under the control of a committee composed of an equal number of employers and employees (paritaires ) elected by the licensed employers and wage earners. Their regulations are subject to the approval of the departmental office. The general section began operations in November, 1915, and has since grown rapidly in importance. At present the number of posi tions being filled through its activities vary from 4,000 to 5,500 per month. Since its formation its general scope has been somewhat diminished by reason of the establishment of local exchanges, special sections, and sections placed under the supervision of other agencies in the office of the Ministry of Labor. From November, 1915, to October 30, 1918, there were 35,109 positions filled bj^ this section. Special Sections. Where there have been no mixed (paritaires) trade exchanges es tablished, and no early establishment of such exchanges anticipated, special trade sections have been constituted under the direct control of the executive committee, and under the same plan of operation as that of the general section, of which they form a part. The principal special sections created are: Laborers; domestic, hotel service, etc.; office employees, stablemen, and warehousemen; metallurgical; and women in war industries. Laborers’ section .—The campaign of publicity carried on by the departmental office resulted in drawing great numbers of unskilled laborers to that office. For several days, each morning found the https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1189] 202 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. waiting room, stairs, and vicinity of the building crowded with un employed, both men and women. A section was demanded to care for this numerous class, and one was constituted and began opera tions in October, 1916. This section placed 36,544 unemployed per sons in positions from October, 1916, to October, 1918. Until the end of December, 1917, it served all the various nationalities, but since that date a special section has been caring for foreign labor. Domestic, hotel service, etc., section.—Notwithstanding certain condi tions which hampered the work of this section, it tilled 7,228 positions from January, 1917, to October, 1918. Office employees, stablemen, and warehousemen’s section.—The crea tion of the laborers’ section proved so successful that the adminis trative commission decided to create new trade sections whenever it seemed advisable so to do. As the work of the exchanges under the supervision of the mayors of Paris naturally decreased in pro portion as the services of the general section became better known and more appreciated, it was considered necessary to discover some method of restoring the usefulness of these exchanges. This was accomplished by making them dependent upon the departmental office. The result has been satisfactory, and as special exchanges for the employment of warehousemen, office help, drivers and draymen, grooms, etc., they have placed 3,884 persons in employment since December, 1917. Metallurgical section.—This section was created with the view of further lightening’the burden of the general section, to which great numbers of applications were coming. From April to October, 1918, this section placed 1,992 metal workers in positions. Women in war industries section.—This was established in order to obviate duplication of registration with exchanges under the Min ister of Armament and with the departmental office. It has fur nished employment to 3,045 woman workers since March, 1918. Trade Exchanges. Trade exchanges (bureaux paritair.es) are organized by an agree ment between employers and employees. Great care is taken to preserve their character of impartiality. The governing board is composed of an equal number of members elected by the respective interests, and the presiding officer belongs to neither interest. The ex changes are directed to receive demands for labor from employers’ associations and to send employees directly to the office of the em ployer, and not to the association making the requisition, in order to avoid any suspicion of recruiting labor through private exchanges. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1190] 203 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Exchanges thus organized have already been placed in operation in many trades. In the clothing trades 29,668 persons have been placed; in the restaurants 16,947 have been placed. Services Under the Direction of the Minister of Labor. In addition to the departmental and trade exchanges an employ ment service is maintained in the office of the Minister of Labor. The minister created both a central and a district (regional ) office, the first to establish relations and secure coordination with the entire country, and the second with neighboring Departments. In addition to its other duties the district office is charged with the duty of securing employment for foreigners, for persons suffering from injuries received in the war, and for female laborers in public and private administrative offices; and the central office is charged with the recruitment of labor (national, foreign, and colonial) neces sary to supply the requirements of industry, commerce, and agri culture. The following table shows the importance of the operations of the office of the Department of the Seine, as compared with labor ex changes of other Departments, for the first half of the year 1918: NUM BER OF POSITIONS FIB BE D B Y THE OFFICE OF THE D E PA R TM E N T OF THE SEINE AND OF OTHER D E PA R TM EN TS, B Y SEX , DEC. 31, 1917, TO JUNE 29, 1918. Department of the Seine. Other Departments. Four-week periods. Males. Females. First quarter: Dec. 31 to Jan. 26................................ Jan. 28 to Feb. 23................................ Feb. 25 to Mar. 30 1............................ Second quarter: Apr. 1 to Apr. 27................................ Apr. 29 to May 25............................... T otal.................................................. Total. Males. Females. Total. Grand total. 1,909 2,204 3; 097 2; 178 1,624 i; 992 3,533 4,196 5,275 2,898 3,856 6,725 2,536 3,774 b’,778 5,434 7,630 12,503 8,967 11,826 17,778 7,210 5,794 13,004 13,479 12,088 25,567 38,571 4,156 4,878 6,580 2,072 2,598 3,171 6,228 6,976 9; 751 7,188 8,290 12,378 6,155 5,967 9^690 13,343 14,257 22,068 19,571 21,233 31,819 15,114 7,841 22,955 27,856 21,812 49,668 72,623 22,324 13,635 35,959 41,335 33,900 75,235 2 111,194 1,162 '859 445 603 524 1,000 1,383 1,036 2,143 1,589 930 1,677 1,304 1,966 3,820 2,893 2,967 5,586 4,277 Weekly average: Second quarter.................................... 1 Five-week period. 2 See p. 199, footnote 1. It will be seen by this table that the office of the Department of the Seine has placed about one-third of the persons for whom positions were secured, and that there has been a steady increase in the im portance of the service in the Department of the Seine as well as in all other Departments. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1191] 204 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. The total number of persons placed during the week ending Jan uary 5, 1918, is reported as being 1,563—606 through the office of the Department of the Seine and 957 by the other Department offices—and for the week ending June 29, 1918, 7,083—1,983 by the office of the Department of the Seine and 5,100 by the other Depart ment offices. This was a total increase of 353 per cent, the increase for the Department of the Seine being 227 per cent and for the other Departments 433 per cent. Results of the Operations of the Office of the Department of the Seine, November, 1915, to October, 1918. In order to show the growing importance of the exchanges the following table is presented, giving detailed monthly data for the first year of operation and total for each of the last two years. It should be said, however, that each item shows a continuous and practically unvarying ratio of increase from month to month throughout the entire period of the three years of operation. The table shows the number of applications made for employ ment, vacancies reported, recommendations to positions, results of such recommendations (positions known to have been filled, failure, and results unknown), and per cent of positions filled: O PERATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF THE D E PA R TM E N T OF THE SEINE, NOVEM BER, 1915, TO OCTOBER, 1918. Applications for work. Year and month. Vacancies reported. Persons recommended. Males. Fe males. Total. Males. Fe males. Total. Males. Fe males. 926 1,089 1,716 2,510 2,642 i ; 208 619 1,669 215 524 834 2,193 458 1,314 218 672 676 1,986 1,870 1,773 1,946 1,395 R561 l' 689 1,909 2 ,123 1,787 2 ,301 1,852 1,608 1,957 i; 68i l ’ 910 2,339 2,160 2,117 2 ,066 1,942 3,722 3,379 3,903 2,976 3,471 4,028 4,069 4,240 3,853 4,243 1,379 1,303 1,540 1,225 2 ,118 1,780 1,827 2,387 1,773 2 ,561 559 784 1,114 898 850 1,328 1,511 1,936 1,646 1,602 1,938 2,087 2,654 2,123 2,968 3,108 3,338 4,323 3,419 4,163 1,074 1,396 1,479 1,594 1,731 2,021 2,348 1,919 2,305 606 806 859 774 854 1,526 1,578 1,861 1,863 1,821 1,680 1,966 2,255 2,253 2,448 3,257 3,599 4,209 3,782 4,126 Total (Nov., 1915, to Oct., 1916)................... 20,969 23,756 44,734 Nov., 19Î6, to Oct., 1917........ 64,988 83,570 148,558 Nov., 1917, to Oct., 1918........ 113,374 126,281 239,655 20,181 34,644 57,986 12,967 33,148 43,337 77,981 59,531 117,517 18,799 60,395 96,455 13,438 48,144 68,565 32,237 108,539 165,020 199,331 233,607 432,947 112,811 115,835 228,646 175,649 130,147 305,796 1915. 1916. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1192] 1 ,160 Total. 205 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. O PERATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF THE D EPA R TM E N T OF THE SE IN E , NOVEM BER, 1915, TO OCTOBER, 1918—Concluded. Positions filled. Per cent positions filled were— Results unknown. Failed. Year and month. Fe Males. males. 1915. November................................ December................................. Of ap Of va Fe Total. plica can Males. males. tions. cies. Total. Ofrecornmendations. 50 174 50 121 100 295 513 1,428 50 200 13 63 63 263 3.7 7.0 11.9 13.4 14.8 14.8 200 273 409 418 513 576 770 873 926 1,122 109 179 261 258 313 538 621 600 719 713 309 452 670 670 826 1,114 1,391 1,473 1,645 1,835 931 1,137 1,170 925 914 1^507 1,575 2,185 1,571 1,489 242 213 214 452 376 316 418 223 328 547 198 164 201 200 332 320 215 328 238 255 440 377 415 652 708 636 033 551 566 802 8.3 13.3 17.4 22.7 23.7 27.8 34.1 34.7 42.9 43.5 15.9 22.1 25.2 31.1 27.4 35.8 41.7 34.0 48.1 44.0 18.2 23.0 29.7 30.0 33.7 34.2 38.8 35.0 43.5 44.5 6,304 4,482 24,817 19,435 52,246 36,508 10,786 44,252 88,754 2,527 6,106 9,037 21.053 5,270 15,727 24.1 29.7 37.0 32.5 56.7 75.5 33.4 40.7 53.8 Grand total................... 83,367 60,425 143,792 119,118 26,052 16,834 42,886 33.2 62.9 47.0 1916. January..................................... I; ebruary.................................. March........................................ Anril.......................................... May............................................ June......................................... July............................................ August....................................... September................................ October..................................... Total (N ov., 1915, to Oct., 1910)................. Nov., 1916, to Oct., 1917... Nov., 1917, to Oct., 1918........ 15,345 3,579 43.234 12,016 60,539 10,457 The number of recommendations to positions is greater than the number of vacancies reported, because in some cases more than one recommendation may have been made for a given vacancy. The number of positions filled must be considered as a minimum, as such data include only those positions concerning which positive replies have been received. It is probable that many positions were filled of which no notice has been given by either party. There were 1.3 recommendations issued for every vacancy reported. The number of positions known to have been filled was 33.2 per cent of the number of applications, 62.9 per cent of the vacancies reported, and 47 per cent of the recommendations issued. The following detailed table shows the operations of the exchange by industries during the month of October, 1918: OPERATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF THE D E PA R TM E N T OF THE SEINE, OCTOBER, 1918, AND SUMMARY FOR OC TO BER ,1916 AN D 1917. Applications. Industry. Recommen dations. Vacancies. Positions filled. Unknown. Fe Males. Fe Males. Fe Males. Fe Males. Fe Males. males. males. males. males. males. 33 5 44 Rubber, paper, cardboard........ 37 103 9 33 Leather and hides...................... 449 8 1,431 6 464 Building (construction)............ 138517°—19----- 14 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 43 5 25 1 24 14 4 8 1 14 1 23 29 13 15 404 18 502 16 328 [1193] 0 62 7 49 25 3 12 5 17 4 19 1 13 31 3 27 371 7 973 2 294 8 9 25 1 29 12 5 8 1 12 1 3 9 2 15 330 2 391 2 287 3 1 2 3 10 1 1 6 7 3 4 2 21 1 1 5 2 1 123 7 206 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. O PERATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF THE D E PA R TM E N T OF THE SE IN E , OCTOBER, 1918, AN D SUMMARY FOR OCTOBER, 1916 A N D 1917—Concluded. Applications. Vacancies. Recommen dations. Positions filled. Unknown. Industry. Fe Fe Males. Fe Males. Fe Fe Males. males. males. males. Males. males. Males. males. Transportation............................ 97 Warehousemen,1 etc.................. 678 Commerce.........’.......................... 694 Domestics..................................... 208 Persona] service.......................... 4 Laborers 2................................... .• 3,283 Cooks 2.......................................... Laborers, etc., skilled............... 596 Others........................................... 90 Total................................... 8,272 Total, males and females. 2,124 1 ,234 4,675 83 554 189 114 1 1,640 58 260 1,316 99 773 356 187 2 3,438 195 21 724 508 2 460 28 4,203 3,037 7,105 12, 947 Clothing........................................ 305 Restaurants and soft drinks... 2,812 Public service.............................. Foreign laborers: Building (construction).. . Laborers................................ 58 744 431 2 3,628 3,385 2,279 230 810 7, 240 150 1,629 3,116 2,120 470 (3) (3) Total................................... 1,040 Grand total....................... 12,429 13,967 5,982 8,743 52 483 706 2 1,133 '727 3,193 10, 298 148 1,530 2,548 2,047 i;063 33 352 119 70 1 1,465 38 170 264 1 178 10 524 338 1 3,290 1,369 4,659 69 1,466 1,122 2,030 448 12 10 26 4 212 22 3 450 30 230 549 261 1,040 779 201 8,851 5,604 4,969 741 Total, males and females. 26, 396 14,725 18, 674 10,573 1,252 October, 1917.............................. October, 1916................ .............. 14, 510 4, 243 8,345 4,163 10,984 4, 126 4,598 1,835 1,568 812 * One arrondissement. 2One exchange. 153 76 297 747 230 810 9,823 40 18 214 511 3 Unlimited. Cost of Unemployment and of the Operation of the Departmental Office. The total expenditures of the exchanges in the Department of the Seine for the fiscal years of 1915, 1916, and 1917 were as follows: 19,827.68 francs ($3,826.74), 62,801.64 francs ($12,120.72), and 111,160.64 francs ($21,454), respectively. The expenses incurred per position filled in the three years, respectively, were: 50.19 francs ($9.69), 3.85 francs (74.3 cents), and 2.37 francs (45.7 cents). At the time the office was established there were 93,840 persons in receipt of unemployment benefits amounting to 1,648,994 francs ($318,255.40) for the two-week period October 28 to November 12, 1915. For the corresponding period in 1916 there were 41,305 such beneficiaries, in receipt of 723,025 francs ($139,543.83); in 1917, 16,624 beneficiaries, in receipt of 273,200 francs ($52,727.60); and in 1918, 9,440 beneficiaries to whom 168,374 francs ($32,496.18) was paid. The total expenses of the city of Paris for unemployment benefits as compared with the period ending November 12, 1915, showed a decrease of 56 per cent in same two weeks in 1916, 83 in 1917, and 89 per cent in 1918. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1194] EMPLOYMENT MANAGEMENT. Relations Between Employer and Employee. By W m. M. L eiserson . I. Labor Relations Analyzed. T WO sets of labor relations must be clearly distinguished in any plan or policy of labor administration for industrial enter prises: (1) Personal relations—the management problem; (2) Economic relations—democracy problem. The first presents the problem of dealing with the human element that goes into production, with due regard for feelings, instincts, prejudices, ambi tions, and ideas of their own worth that wage earners, like all other human beings, have. The second is an entirely different problem, having to do with the division of the wealth created by industry and with the government or control of the industry. The first covers such questions as hiring, selection, placement, training, promotion, treatment by foremen, health, safety, fatigue, recreation, lunches, and rest periods. The second is concerned with bargaining, wages, hours, unionism, and shop discipline. 1. P ersonal relations in in d u s try .—The personal problem of admin istering the labor forces in industry on the principle that wage earners are human beings and not some abstract thing called labor, ought not to be a matter of industrial controversy. The personal treatment that working people receive at the hands of their employers, their handling by superintendents, foremen, and straw bosses is not prop erly a controversial subject. Each individual worker has certain qualities, characteristics, and capacities, and the management must understand these as well as it understands the materials and the mechanical power that it uses. The failure to develop and train these capacities is one of the great sources of waste in industry. The employer must not expect a worker to give results or stand strains beyond his capacity any more than he expects an engine or a bridge to do it. 2. P ersonal relations a technical 'problem .—Safety and sanitation in industry are technical problems for experts to decide, rather than problems for employers and employees to fight about. What con stitutes a safe and a healthful place of employment is a subject for the safety engineer and the medical man to decide. In the same way, the https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1195] 207 208 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. proper handling of human beings is a technical problem that requires careful study and also sympathetic understanding. Just because a man knows how to make a certain part of a shoe or a shirt or a machine is no reason for making him a foreman or a superintendent, thereby giving him authority over the lives and welfare of other employees. We expect a stationary engineer to know something about a boiler or an engine before he is licensed to operate one. Just so, before any one is permitted to handle human beings in a plant, to make rules and regulations for them and to require performance from them, he must be required to show some expertness in understanding human beings. The work of dealing with these personnel problems in industry that are not essentially controversial belongs to a personnel or labor manager who should have the same capacity and authority in han dling the labor of the plant that the sales-manager, the financial director, and the production manager have in handling the problems with which they are concerned. 3. In d u stria l relations essentially controversial.—The return that workers should get for their labor, the number of hours they shall work, the share they shall have in fixing the terms of employment, and whether they shall do their bargaining collectively, through their own chosen representatives or organizations—these comprise the modern industrial or business relations between employer and employee; and they represent controversial issues that can not be solved by any technical expert. They require settlement by nego tiation and bargaining, and they will be settled from time to time in accordance with the relative strength and bargaining power of the parties to the controversy. II. Planning a Labor Relations Policy. 1. L abor policy a m atter f o r c h ief executives. —It is the chief execu tives of the company who must determine the labor policy of a plant. In the past it has been customary for the chief executives to deal only with the production, finance, and sales problems. Labor was left as an incidental matter for production superintendents and foremen to handle. Only when labor difficulties arose was labor considered important enough for the directors to handle and at such times subor dinate officers had already committed the company to a policy that the directors were bound to uphold. Only by determining the labor policies in the board of directors’ meetings, where they can be con sidered in conjunction with production, finance, and sales policies, can a proper system of labor relations be devised and kept in constant operation. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1196] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 209 2. Labor records and reports. —If the chief executives of the com pany are to deal with labor, one of the first needs is to set up datacollecting machinery that will present to the management from day to day exact conditions. In other words, the management must keep a continuous labor inventory. But not only must the labor record system show the condition of labor in the aggregate, it must show the career of the individual worker in the plant. Too often the keeping of individual records confines itself to watching what the company is getting out of the man. Equally important is the record of what the man is getting out of the company. If the same importance is attached to keeping a record of the company’s performance of its duties to the worker as to recording the man’s performance for the company, there will be little opposition to a careful record system. In all cases care must be taken not to make the records over-elaborate, and the management must watch itself constantly to prevent the keeping of records from becoming an end in itself. Every record is superfluous that is not used in administering the labor policies of the plant. 3. W hat to avoid. —Many so-called consulting experts on employ ment management and industrial relations, failing to catch the dis tinction between the purely personal and the industrial problems arising in the relations between employer and employee, often mislead business men into thinking that if they will establish a centralized employment department, install certain methods of record keeping, and adopt a certain procedure in selecting and dismissing employees, all their labor problems will be solved. Other “ experts” there are who have some one system of shop organization or efficiency records or method of analyzing and classifying human character which they try to sell to employers as a solution for all labor difficulties. The employer himself, dismayed by a large labor turnover, seeing distrust and unrest among his employees, and fearing strikes and “ Bolshe vism,” is inclined to seek relief in some patent device. He seizes upon profit sharing or shop committees or some plan of representation of employees as a panacea for all his ills. Patent medicines do not cure bodily ills caused by bad living, and there is no single medicine that will cure industrial ills brought on by bad management of the human forces in industry. 4. Choosing a labor p o licy. —Having determined what to avoid, the employer must make up his mind as to the exact nature of the im provement in labor relations that is needed in his plant and how far he is willing to go in making improvements. It is quite common for the owner of a business to say that he wishes his employees to have the best conditions, the best treatment, and an absolutely square deal. But this is a general wish, and the employer must decide spe https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1197] 210 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. cifically what he is willing to do to insure these things. The em ployees may feel that they never can have a square deal until they have an equal share in controlling discipline in the shop. Is the employer ready to turn over this shop control to the employees? Is he ready to deal collectively with his employees, or does ho merely want to insure them an individual square deal in accordance with his own ideas of justice ? If he is willing to deal collectively with his employees he must decide whether he will recognize a union or deal with representatives from among the employees; and if only with his own employees, then are they to have advisory powers only, or an equal voice with the management in determining all questions? These things must be decided in advance. An undecided or vacil lating policy makes the employees feel that the employer is not hon est with them. They feel what the employer’s labor policy really is in their daily experiences in the shops and it is important for the employer to see that this experience is in accord with his announced labor policy. 5. M aking the policy p u b lic. —Quite as important as deciding the policy itself is to make sure that the employees have the same under standing of the polic}^ of the management in relation to labor as the employer himself has. Often a firm will announce an employment system, or a profit sharing or shop committee plan, with a statement that it wishes to establish democratic relations with its employees and give them a voice in determining conditions of employment. To the employees this means collective bargaining or a veto power on any policy of the management that they may not like. But the employer may not intend it that way, and the plan itself often shows that he wishes to maintain control, and merely desires to provide means of consulting with his employees and providing for their wel fare. This leads to misunderstanding and causes the very friction that the plans are intended to remove. 6. P ro vid in g m achinery for carrying out labor policies. —It is im portant that the management shall make no promises to the em ployees which it has not the machinery for making good. It is most common for employers to promise promotion to deserving em p^ees, yet there are very few plants which have any organized plan for finding out what employees deserve promotion, and of making that promotion when it is deserved. The usual procedure is to wait until the employee asks for a raise or a better job. It is quite natural, therefore, for the employees to think that the employer tries to de ceive them with false promises. They resent having to beg for the increases and the better jobs'that they feel the management ought to take the initiative in giving them; and they know that the men who are good at asking for raises usually get farther ahead, although https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1198] MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW. 211 they may not be the most deserving. If any promises are made they must be considered as in the nature of contracts. The means of keeping the promises must be created. -If no machinery is in exist ence for fulfillment, then care must be taken to make no promises so as to raise no false hopes. 7. D eterm ining a d m in istra tive organization .—If the employer has a small plant, and is in daily touch with all his employees, he need have little difficulty in making his labor policies work out in practice as he intends them. But as a matter of fact he is usually in an execu tive office far removed from the foremen and straw bosses, who have the direct handling of labor in charge. These quite commonly pur sue policies of their own that may not at all be in accord with the employer’s intention. To translate the owner’s wishes into actual performance, therefore, it is necessary to create an administrative organization for carrying out the labor policies of the plant, to give authority, fix responsibility, provide for appeals, and maintain con stant supervision that will keep the machinery operating properly. III. Creating the Labor Administration Organization. 1. The em ploym ent organization .—Creating the machinery of labor administration in a plant becomes a simple matter when the nature of labor relations is properly analyzed and a definite policy of labor management is decided upon by the chief executives of the company with due consideration of the analysis, Basic in any plan of prop erly handling labor is a centralized organization for handling all the employment functions. The man put in charge of this work is com monly known as the employment manager. While it is important that he should know the occupations and the nature of the work the men he selects are to do, it is more important that he should know thoroughly the kind of human beings that apply to the plant for work and the kind of work they can do. 2. The sew ice o rg a n iza tio n — In addition to handling employment problems the management must provide for the human needs that develop from the mere congregation of a large number of human beings under one roof. There are the problems of health, of sanita tion, and of medical care, of safety and compensation, of education of the foreigner, the illiterate, and the juvenile employees, of provid ing eating, rest, and recreation facilities, and of insurance, pensions, and other welfare activities. 3. E m ploym ent and service organization not in d u stria l dem ocracy .— The employment and service organizations deal with the personnel problems, and are intended to provide efficient and humane han dling of the labor force of a plant. To many this will seem sufficient; but it should be clearly understood that this does not touch -the https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1190] 212 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. industrial relations problem nor does it provide for democratic con trol of working conditions and terms of employment. Realizing this, some employers try to provide democracy by creating shop commit tees to advise and to consult with the management about the various employment and service problems. But this does not insure de mocracy unless the employees vote on the rules and regulations by which they are governed, and have the right of a trial by their peers when disciplined for infringement of any rule. If the employer really means to have democratic management of his labor force, then he must provide for collective bargaining with his employees and give them a voice in controlling discipline. 4. The industrial relations organization.-—Democracy or partnership in labor management requires an industrial relations organization designed to place the employees and the employer on an equality in bargaining power and to give them an equal voice in determining working conditions and terms of employment. Such an organization consists of employees’ representatives, sometimes known as shop stewards or shop chairmen, employees’ committees dealing with wages, hours, grievances, and discharges, and an arbitration board of some kind to decide differences between the management and the em ployees. If the employer is not prepared to give his employees an equal voice in labor bargaining and shop government, he should avoid creating any committees or boards which give the appearance of col lective bargaining but not the essence. Employees are quick to sense the difference in their daily experiences in the shop, and they think the employer is trying to deceive them. 5. A model labor administration organization.—The most advanced form of labor administration obtains in a few firms which have a vice president in charge of labor, or a labor manager equal in rank and authority with the production, sales, and financial managers. A large clothing concern, for example, divides its operations into five depart ments—purchasing, production, labor, sales, and finance. At the head of each is a manager and the five together constitute the execu tive organization of the business. No important policy is decided upon by any one department without its effects on the others being considered. If any policy is proposed in purchasing, production, or advertising, which may bring overwork for a period and then lay-offs, the labor manager is present to point out the effect on the workers in the plant and thus have the policy changed to prevent disorganiza tion of the labor force. So it is with every other policy affecting labor. In such a plan as this the personnel organization and the in dustrial relations machinery are directed by the one labor manager. The handling of the personnel problems and the industrial relations are, however, organized separately. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1200] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 213 6. The exact nature of the authority and responsibility placed upon the various agencies dealing with labor in a plant must depend upon the size of the plant, the kind of business, the traditions of the management, and the character of the workers employed. No one form of organization will apply to all businesses. IV. Operating the Labor Administration Machinery. 1. The employment office.—If the management of a business is to perform its employment function properly, it must provide a suitable employment office. Intelligent hiring, proper selection and business like adjustment of difficulties can not be achieved if this work is done in a noisy and busy factory, in a hallway, or outside the plant at the gate or in an alley. An office big enough to provide a waiting room with seats for all applicants for employment and private interviews for each applicant is essential. This office must be so located as to be easily accessible not only to applicants from outside the plant, but also to employees from within the plant and to the company’s ac counting department. A poor place to hire means a poor place to work to the applicant. To attract good workers to a plant, the em ployment office must be made inviting, dignified, and pleasant. 2. Recruiting labor.—Next after this must come an intelligent study of the sources of supply of the kind of labor employed in the plant. Promiscuous advertising for labor in newspapers is as wasteful and inefficient as such advertising would be by a purchasing agent who wanted to buy materials or machinery for the plant. The purchasing department goes to definite markets for the things it needs. The em ployment department must pursue a similar policy. Recommenda tions from workers within the plant constitute one of the best sources of labor supply. A prospect file of selected names from those who have applied for work at the plant and those who have quit with good records is another excellent way to get new help. 3. Canvassing the labor needs.—Systematically ascertaining the labor needs of the plant from time to time is as important as syste matic recruiting. This can be accomplished by requiring each fore man or head of a department to send a written requisition for help to the employment department in the same way that requisitions for materials are sent to the storeroom. The foreman is required to give a detailed description of the exact kind of work, the qualities and characteristics of the workers needed to fill the job, and to indicate additional help required, whether it is to replace a person who has left or whether it is to increase the size of the force. To facilitate the requisitioning of labor, a good many plants have carefully analyzed each job and made standard descriptions of them so they could be referred to by a number or a sign. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1201] 214 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 4. Selection of labor.—From the requisition the person in the em ployment department who is to select the labor should get his exact knowledge of the requirements, physical, mental, and moral, and the degree of trade knowledge and skill needed for the place, and the age, sex, and nationality that experience has proved to be the most fitted for the work. But more important even than knowing the exact nature of the job is a knowledge by the employment man of the nature of human beings, and the kind of work that they can do and have done. Each applicant must be given a private interview, for in no other way is it possible to find out exactly the kind of work that he is fitted for and to prevent him from being assigned to duties which are beyond his abilities or his strength. In the selection interview, care must be taken not to make any promises to the applicant which the company is not in a position to fulfill. Any unwarranted promises will develop ill feeling among the employees against the company. 5. Induction and training .—No matter how unskilled a job is, there are wrong and right ways to do the job. New employees must be taught the right way. Mere delivery of the man to his foreman is not enough. First the new employee must be introduced to his fellow workers, and the shop rules, practices, and conveniences must be care fully pointed out and explained to him. Someone must see to it that he is properly broken in and trained for his work. The foreman may be a good production man but a very poor teacher. Most of the labor turnover in a plant is caused by employees leaving who have been employed less than a month. This shows that once they get over the strangeness of the new surroundings and the new work they become steady employees. Only careful induction and training of new em ployees will serve to overcome labor turnover loss from this cause. 6. Promotion and transfer.—No desirable employee is willing to work at an employment that offers no opportunity for advancement or promotion. Advancement may sometimes take the form of in crease in wages, but more often it means promotion to a better job. Organized machinery for seeing that employees are promoted when they deserve it is a prime essential in any industrial relations organi zation. This can not be provided by leaving the matter entirely in the hands of the foreman, because foremen do not want to lose good men from their departments, and they are not informed as to the best opportunities in other departments. An overhead organization like the employment department must be vested with the responsibility for following the careers of the individual workers and searching out the opportunities in the various departments of the plant for promot ing the best employees. Besides promotion, transfers from one de partment to another are often necessary to readjust misplacement of employees and to take care of fluctuations in the amount of work in https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis £1202] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 215 the various departments. This, too, must be handled by an overhead organization like the employment department; otherwise one foreman will be discharging employees while other foremen will be hiring new help. In the matters of both promotions and transfers the foreman’s responsibility must be limited to recommendations as to the character of the man’s work and to seeing that his employment in the particular department is properly begun and terminated. The responsibility for initiating and arranging promotions and transfers must rest on the employment department, which deals with all the departments in the plant. 7. Complaints and grievances.—The employer may consider the mistakes in a worker’s pay, slighting remarks by foremen, or complaints of favoritism or unjust treatment as mere incidents and not very important. He lets the complaint go with “ Take it up with your foreman,” who may be the very cause of the difficulty. In the minds of the employees, however, these little troubles look very large, and unless'means are provided for making complaints and hearing griev ances, a feeling of resentment grows up among the workers in the plant that the management can not understand. To prevent any employee from suffering from a sense of injustice, the general manager either must set aside regular hours when he will be ready to talk over with his employees any of their problems or else he must delegate this duty to the employment or labor manager. Someone in the organization above the foreman must be made responsible for seeing that a square deal is assured to every employee, and not only that, but also for making the employee really feel that he is getting a square deal. 8. Interviews on leaving employment.—Whether an employee is dis missed or quits of his own accord, he should be interviewed by the labor manager before ho is finally paid off, to get at the real reason for leaving or discharge. Only by such a system of separation inter views can the employer be sure that the employees are wisely or justly discharged, and there is no better way to find out causes of dissatis faction among employees and to get suggestions for making improve ments. It is just as good business policy to have employees who leave the firm go away thinking well of the company as it is to see that customers remain kindly disposed toward the company. 9. Service or “welfare” work.—-In proportion as the employment organization is efficiently operated and the hiring, training, promo tion, and management of employees are properly handled, there will be less need for so-called “ welfare” work to keep employees contented. Personal service work will, however, always be needed. The safety and accident prevention movement is sufficiently devel oped to require little more than mention here. Sanitary conditions https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1203] 216 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. in the factory and protection of the health of employees by industrial physicians and nurses are also plain business measures for decreasing sickness, absences, and spoiled work and for increasing production. Of the other welfare activities, such as entertainments, athletics, schools, vacation camps, insurance and pensions, profit sharing, etc., those only will be needed which actually aid in building up spirit and morale that result in increased production. 10. Shop government.—Employers who deal with trade-unions or who wish voluntarily to give their employees a voice in determining wages, hours, working conditions, and shop government, have, in addition to the above, to operate the machinery for handling the economic or collective labor relations. Where an agreement is made with a union the methods of collective bargaining will be contained in the agreement. Where the employer wishes to inaugurate col lective bargaining he will begin by creating shop committees or an employee representation plan of some kind. Experience has shown that the best method of handling this is for the management not to devise some plan of its own to be submitted to the employees, but rather to ask the employees to elect representatives who, together with the management, will work out a plan approved by both. In this way the employees will not be as likely to criticize minor defects in the plan, for they will feel it is of their own making. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1204] WOMEN IN INDUSTRY. Output of Woman Workers in Relation to Hours of Work in Shell Making. N DECEMBER, 1917, the English Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Medical -Research Committee joined in appointing a research board to investigate the sub ject of industrial fatigue on comprehensive and systematic lines. Its purposes are thus set forth: I To consider and investigate the relations of the hours of labor and of other conditions of employment, including methods of work, to the production of fatigue, having regard both to industrial efficiency and to the preservation of health among the workers. This board has recently published a report1upon the comparative output under long and short hours of women employed as shell makers. Investigations were confined to those employed in what is known as the “ ripping” or “ part off” operation in shell turning. This is the first operation to which the rough forging is subjected, and involves cutting off the extra portion and reducing the forging to its proper length. The forging must be placed in position in the lathe by the operator, and as soon as the cutting is done, must be removed and another put in, and so on. “ The operation is generally considered to be the hardest in shell making, for the shell is at its heaviest stage, and further, the operation is a rapid one and entails constant (hanging of shells.” The investigation was carried on in a national factory, in which women had been employed on this operation for about 18 months, working in 12-hour shifts. It was then decided that these hours were affecting women"adversely, and a system of throe shifts was introduced, under which they worked from 7 to 8 hours, according to whether they were on morning, afternoon, or night shifts. Data as to actual hourly output had been taken for all women working on this operation some time before the change in hours was made. After it was made some months were allowed to lapse that the workers might fall into their settled pace under the new hours, and i Medical Research Committee and Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Reports of the Industrial Fatigue Research Board. No. 2: The Output of women workers in relation to hours of work in shell making. London, 1919. 23 pp. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1205] 217 218 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. then output data, corresponding to that taken under the earlier, hours, were collected. The results were as follows: COMPARATIVE HOURLY OUTPUT U N D E R SH IFT S OF D IF F E R E N T LEN G TH S. Number of shells produced per worker— Shift. Per hour spent in factory. Long shift........................... Short shift.......................... 6.98 8.04 Per hour of Per hour of actual possible work. work. 7.90 8.65 8.17 8.70 The time spent in cutting each shell, work in which the operator’s swiftness and skill played no part, was 5 minutes 2 seconds. Under the long shift, therefore, only 18.88 minutes and under the short shift 16.21 minutes per hour were spent in work in which the operator could vary her speed; that is, when the women were working 12 hours, they spent on an average 2.31 minutes in han dling each shell, but when they were working from 7 to 8 hours, they took on the average only 1.86 minutes for handling each shell. Hence the work (under the control of the women as far as speed was concerned) accomplished in 100 minutes of the long-hour system was carried out in 80.5 minutes of the short-hour system, a decrease of 19.5 per cent in time. The difference under the two systems in output per hour in the factory and per possible hour of work points, in the opinion of the board, to economies of the shorter shift not directly dependent on the greater speed of the worker. Under the 12-hour shift, it was necessary to allow at least two breaks for mealtimes, amounting to an hour and a half; under the short shift half an hour for a lunch was all that was necessary. The difference in output per hour of possible work is regarded as due in part, at least, to a difference in the actual efficiency of the running of the machinery. I t may indicate that when short hours are being worked, those in charge have to keep the running plant in a higher state of efficiency than when running on longer hours, in order that the operators working on piece rates may be more satisfied with their output and hence with their wages. A study of hourly output throughout the working day showed in every case under the long shift a marked falling off in the last hour, while in the short shifts no such uniform result was observed; on the contrary, “ several sets of curves exhibit no falling off.” This study was not pushed very far. but its general results are summed up as follows: The curves of output for the short shifts give evidence of the possibility of running at full output right to the end of the shift, but the curves for the long shifts give no such evidence. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1206] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 219 ' A comparison of the same worker’s output records for the long and short shifts shows inferiority in hourly output during the later hours of the long shifts. No evidence of detrimental effect of night work in comparison with day work i 3 traceable. . Postwar Position of Women in the English Civil Service. WO reports on this subject have been issued by committees appointed to consider what should be done with regard to the women in the civil service. During the war they were taken on in large numbers, and of necessity were used for all kinds of work, filling many positions formerly reserved for men. Early in the year a report was issued by the Women’s Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Reconstruction,1 and a few months later the subject was dealt with in the final report of the Treasury committee on recruitment after war.2 The Women’s Advisory Committee recommends placing men and women on an equal footing of opportunity. T We are of opinion that the interests of the State are best promoted by widening the field of selection and by securing the highest available capacity, irrespective of sex. We therefore recommend that women should be eligible for admission to all grades of appointment in the civil service on the same terms and subject to the same conditions as men. In recommending the employment of women on the same con ditions as men, we intend to imply that they should have equal opportunities of pro motion and an equal scale of pay. The committee considers the two reasons usually assigned for pay ing women less than men, but finds them inapplicable to the situa tion in the civil service. The first reason by which a lower scale of pay for women is usually justified is that women are less efficient than men. As to this, the committee ■points out “ that with an equal scale of pay, and a proper system of selection and promotion, relative inefficiency would result merely in the appointment of a smaller number of women, and the promotion of a smaller propor tion to posts of responsibility.” This result, the committee con siders, would be decidedly better than hampering the service by the appointment of inferior workers under a specious appearance of economizing on salaries. The second reason usually assigned is that men have family responsibilities, while women have not. The com mittee does not care to go into the relative responsibilities of men 1 Ministry of Reconstruction. Women’s Advisory Committee. Report of the subcommittee appointed to consider the position after the war of women holding temporary appointments in Government Depart ments. London, 1919. 8 pp. Cmd. 199. 2 Civil Service. Recruitment after War. Final report of the committee appointed by the Lords Com missioners of His Majesty’s Treasury to consider and make recommendations upon certain questions with regard to recruitment for the civil service after the War. London, 1919. 15 pp. Cmd. 164. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1207] 220 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. and women, but considers that if the assumption were wholly true the matter is not adequately dealt with “ by the rough and ready method of paying less to women than to men, irrespective of their individual circumstances,” that the object to be kept in view is the securing of the best available civil servants, and that this ought not to be confused with questions of the family responsibilities of the candidates. The committee recommends a change in the method of admitting stenographers and typists, advising that the'standard of age and of education for admission should be raised, and that, after admission, they should be given greater responsibility and some chance of advancement. It also strongly urges the provision of training for the many women who will have to be dropped from the civil service when the work of the special war departments is ended. This train ing the Government should provide without cost to the women, not as a measure of charity, but as a means of increasing the supply of trained and specially qualified workers, whose services are certain to be urgently needed during the period of reconstruction, and prob ably for many years thereafter. The report of the Treasury committee is much less favorable to women. This committee contemplates the immediate laying off of the women who have served during the war, their places to be filled, so far as they are not of a purely temporary nature, by ex-sevice men, but the report contains no recommendation for training or other provision for those thus dropped. The committee divides the regu lar civil service positions into two grades, the second grade being to a considerable extent a feeder for the first, which, in turn, is to sup ply the candidates for administrative and other advanced posts. The first grade is for some time to come to be reserved for ex-service men, so that women are automatically excluded. The committee thinks, however, that it will be well to extend the field of women’s services in minor routine or purely clerical work, but deprecates the idea of equal pay for men and women. Instead, the committee advises the segregation of women, with a separate scale of pay and promotions. As to women in the higher posts, the committee makes one clear and definite recommendation, saying that the experiment should be tried of employing women “ in administrative posts of the class 1 type, where the work is especially appropriate to women.” As to other administrative posts, the committee points out that the supply of ex-service men is sufficient to absorb them for some years to come, and as to the candidacy of women thereafter, the report says: Even when the supply of ex-service men has been exhausted and recruitment for class 1 under normal conditions can be resumed, it will not be practicable to admit women generally to junior administrative posts throughout the service as interchange https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 11208] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 221 able with men until experience has demonstrated not only that they can fill these posts satisfactorily, but that in the same proportion as men they will be competent to carry out the higher administrative duties for which junior administrative work constitutes the regular and necessary training. Apparently 'the effect of this highly involved recommendation is to exclude women from administrative posts altogether. As one critic of the report puts it: “ That is to say, that not only are women not to try to carry out the higher kinds of work until they have proved (without trying) that they can do them; but that women may not hold the higher posts until they have been trained for them in the junior posts, and may not hold the junior posts until they have proved their success in the higher ones.” The report was felt by the women concerned to be so unfair to them that a large meeting of protest was organized by the Associa tion of Women Clerks and Secretaries, supported by a large number of other labor organizations, at which resolutions were passed asking that no action should be based on the Treasury report, but that wholly different principles should be adopted. It was unanimously resolved to ask the Government to adopt the Adkin Commit tee’s recommendation that separate grade and examinations for women in the civil service should be abolished; to adopt the principle of equal pay for equal work; and to give women and men equal opportunities for advancement.1 No information is at hand as to the response of the Government. 138517°—19------15 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 1 Daily Herald (London), June 17,1919. [1209] INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS. War-Time Trend of Employment and Accidents in a Group of Steel Mills. By L ucian W. C haney. HE data on which this paper is based were taken from the records of a group of steel mills and cover the years 1914 to 1918 and four months of 1919. The information, therefore, is useful as indicating the effect of the war conditions on industrial activity, and also upon accident rates. It is particularly interesting for two reasons: (1) As the record is given for each month it is possible to show the fluctuations in rates of employment and of accidents not only by individual months but also by years ending with each month. The latter method tends to “ smooth out” the rate curves and indicates more clearly the trend of employment and of accident experience than would the more sharply fluctuating rates based on monthly figures alone. (2) The record is in such form that both severity and frequency can be determined. This is especially interesting because it has not heretofore been possible to follow both rates for a period of years in such detail as is here done. The data which underlie the discussion are presented in four tables. These are followed by a chart showing the trend of employment or “ exposure,” nondisabling accident frequency, disabling accident frequency, and accident severity for the years ending with each month from December, 1914, to April, 1919. Table 1 shows the number of 300-day workers, nondisabling accidents, disabling acci dents, and time allowances for each month of the period covered. T T a ble 1 . — NUM BER OF 300-DAY W ORKERS (E X PO SU R E S), NONDISA BLING ACCIDENTS DISABLING ACCIDENTS A N D TIME ALLOW ANCES IN A LARGE GROUP OF STEEL MILLS, B Y MONTHS, JA N U A RY , 1914, TO A PR IL , 1919. 8 0 0 -d a y w o rkers (e x p o s u r e s ). Month. 1914 1915 1916 • 1917 January__ February.. March......... April.......... M ay............ June........... Ju ly............ August....... September. October___ November. December.. Total 222 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 1918 3,988 4,020 4,117 4,129 4,211 4,163 4,834 4,921 4,744 4,838 4,520 4,905 35,501 [ 1210] 40,927 47,825 51,358 53,390 1919 5,167 4,570 4,818 4,506 223 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. T a b l e 1 .—NUM BER OF 300-DAY W O R K E R S (E X P O S U R E S),N O N D ISA B L IN G ACCIDENTS, D ISA BL IN G ACCIDENTS, AND TIME ALLOW ANCES IN A LARG E GROUP OF ST E EL MILLS, B Y MONTHS, JA N U A R Y , 1914, TO A PR IL , 1919—Concluded. N o n d is a b lin g accid en ts. 1914 1915 1919 1917 January.... February.. March......... April........... M ay............ June............ Ju ly............ August....... September. October___ November. December.. 1,820 1,804 2,165 2,132 2,146 2,418 2,481 2,363 2,041 1,703 1,313 1,306 1,444 1,656 2,253 2,564 2,944 3,260 3,739 3.973 3.973 3,563 3.219 3.219 3,243 3,061 3/513 3,823 4,850 4,624 4,863 4,991 4,618 4,254 3,893 3,536 3,828 3,292 3,224 3,418 3,931 4,310 3,950 4,025 3,260 3,271 2,969 2,392 Total 23,692 35,807 49,269 41,870 1918 2,265 2,240 2,868 2,764 3,482 3,504 ' 3,447 3,969 3,145 3,059 2,394 2,550 1919 2,714 2,347 2,635 2,401 35,687 D is a b lin g a ccidents. January__ February.. March......... April........... M ay............ June............ July............ August....... September. October___ November. December.. 528 550 579 509 493 475 516 460 386 298 235 293 286 310 354 402 508 592 671 679 690 718 657 662 735 709 786 723 678 812 984 1,012 854 833 780 694 798 683 716 664 670 660 680 718 597 664 621 461 547 456 551 525 550 512 587 614 508 472 429 464 Total 5,322 6,529 9,600 7,932 6,215 587 501 550 514 ■Time a llo w a n c e s (d a y s lo st). January__ February.. March......... April........... M ay............ June............ Ju ly............ August....... September. October___ November. December.. 66,670 32,078 43.175 54,731 24,663 17,877 18, 530 31,583 32,439 34,384 23,616 22,807 12,315 33,897 23,206 25,377 5,893 42,622 13,524 45,925 44,314 34,250 51,418 41,597 43,566 53,177 52,313 45,395 29,863 45,345 33,025 77,628 28,471 30,282 81,455 55,897 66,065 40,156 39,274 39,635 26,964 45,984 68,488 29,003 45,177 34,810 59,215 18,895 53,638 67,885 69,005 50,177 48,855 48, 747 45,424 78,724 48,884 27,061 67,360 58,571 Total 402,553 374,338 576,417 513,666 664,331 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1211] 53,750 48,384 31,226 36,896 224 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, Table 2 presents the accident rates, both frequency and severity, from month to month. This table is not made the subject of ex tended comment but is introduced because it illustrates the fact that even in a large group, like the one under consideration, the small intervals, such as months, show very considerable fluctuations. T a ble 2 .—ACCIDENT RATES IN A LARGE GROUP OF STEEL MILLS, BY MONTHS, JANU ARY, 1914, TO APR IL, 1919. F r e q u e n c y ra tes n o n d is a b lin g a c c id e n ts (p e r 1 ,0 0 0 3 0 0 -d a y w o rk e rs). Month. 1914 February............................................................. March.................................................................. 1915 1916 1917 1918 610 569 688 685 716 809 802 788 703 598 494 502 491 533 757 843 927 980 1,048 1,080 1,073 '951 843 838 880 803 901 986 1,213 1,144 1,211 1,253 1,131 1,022 944 854 918 794 761 817 910 996 951 933 762 733 668 554 568 557 697 669 827 842 713 807 663 632 530 520 667 875 1,030 815 668 1919 525 514 547 533 F r e q u e n c y ra tes, d is a b lin g a c c id e n ts (p e r 1 ,0 0 0 300d a y w o rk e rs). February............................................................ March.................................................................. 177.1 173.3 183.9 163.5 164.6 158.9 166.9 153.4 133.1 104.7 88.3 112.6 97.2 99.8 119.0 132.2 159.9 177.9 188.0 184.5 186.3 191.7 172.0 173.3 199.3 186.0 201.6 186.4 169.6 200.9 245.0 254.0 209.1 200.2 189.2 167.5 191.4 164.8 169.0 158.8 155.0 152.5 163.7 166.5 139.5 148.7 139.7 106.7 137.2 113.4 133.8 124.5 130.6 123.0 121.4 124.8 107.1 97.6 94.9 94.6 149.9 159.5 200.7 154.4 116.4 113.6 109.6 114.2 114.1 S e v e r ity ra te s, d is a b lin g a c c id e n ts (d a y s lo s t y e r 300d a y w o r k e r ). January............................................................... February............................................................. March.................................................................. April.................................................................... https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 22.4 10.1 13.7 17.6 8.2 6.0 6.0 10.5 11.2 12.1 8.9 8.8 4.2 10.9 7.8 8.3 1.9 12.8 3.7 12.5 12.0 9.1 13.5 10.8 11.8 13.9 13.4 11.7 7.5 11.2 8.2 19.5 7.1 7.4 19.8 13.5 15.8 9.7 9.3 9.5 6.2 10.6 16.5 6.7 10.6 7.8 13.3 4.4 13.4 16.9 16.8 12.2 11.6 11.7 9.4 16.0 10.3 5.6 14.9 11.9 11.3 9.1 12.1 10.0 . 12.4 [ 1212] 10.4 10.6 6.5 8.2 225 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, Table 3 gives the total number of 300-day workers (exposures), the total number of nondisabling and of disabling accidents, and the total time allowances (days lost) for the years ending with each of the months from December, 1914, to April, 1919. T able 3 — NUM BER OF 300-DAY W ORKERS (EX PO SU RES), NONDISABLING ACCIDENTS, DISABLING ACCIDENTS, AND TIME ALLOWANCES FOR YEARS ENDING W ITH EACH MONTH, DECEMBER, 1914, TO APRIL, 1919. 3 0 0 -d a y w o rkers (e x p o s u r e s ). Year ending w ith— January... February.. March....... April....... . May........... J u n e ...__ July........... August__ September. October__ November. December.. 1915 1916 1917 1918 35,462 35,396 35,223 35,151 35,331 35,67036,147 36,828 37,632 38,530 39,690 40,927 41,671 42,376 43,298 44,136 44,958 45,671 46,119 46,423 46,803 47,219 47, 522 47,825 48,308 48,640 48,979 49,282 49,606 49,893 50,031 50,360 50,555 50,859 51,181 51,358 51,176 51,052 50,932 50,879 50,868 50,803 51,482 52,090 52,555 52,928 53,004 53,390 54,569 55,119 55,820 56,197 40,307 39,255 38,899 38,245 37,796 46,990 36,487 36,431 36,316 36,104 35,529 35,687 36,136 36,243 36,010 35,647 7,681 7,454 7,289 7,150 7,030 6,882 6,789 6,685 6,596 6,404 6,212 6,215 6,255 6,300 6,299 6,280 1919 N o n d is a b lin g a ccid en ts. January... February.. March....... April......... May........... June.......... July........... A ugust.__ September. October__ November. December. 23,316 23,168 23,256 23,688 24,486 25,328 26,586 28,196 30,128 31,988 33,894 35,807 23,692 37,596 39,001 40,261 41,520 43,426 44,790 45,914 46,932 47,577 48.268 48,942 49.269 49,854 50,005 49,796 49,391 48,472 48,158 47,245 46,279 44,921 43,938 43,014 41,870 D is a b lin g a c c id e n ts. January. . . February.. March____ A pril........ M ay.......... . June.......... Ju ly .......... A ugust___ September O ctober... November. December. 5,080 4,840 4,615 4,508 4,523 4,640 4,795 5,014 5,318 5,738 6,160 6,529 5,322 6,978 7,377 7,809 8,130 8,300 8,520 8,833 9,166 9,330 9,455 9,578 9,600 9,673 9,647 9,577 9,518 9,510 9,358 9,054 8,760 8,503 8,334 8,175 7,932 T im e a llo w a n c e s (d a y s lo s t). January.. . February.. March........ A pril........ M ay.......... June.......... Ju ly.......... August___ September O ctober... November. December. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 348,198 350,017 330,048 300,694 281,924 306,669 301,663 316,005 327,880 327,746 355,548 374,338 [1213] 405,598 424,869 453,976 473,994 497,964 500,687 520,188 551,891 536,048 532,080 562,117 576,417 598,916 585,895 572,856 567,096 564,197 564,836 600,299 551,674 568,380 572,908 550,668 513,666 501,239 528,968 558,699 569,241 591,132 593,895 570,831 620,552 624,259 613,510 621,655 664,331 664 644 607 593 443 942 163 S82 226 MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW. Table 4 shows the rates resulting from dividing the employment or exposure figures of Table 3 into the corresponding accident figures. T a ble 4 .—ACCIDENT RATES IN A LARGE GROUP OF ST EEL MILLS, FOR THE Y E A R S E N D IN G W ITH EACH MONTH, DECEM BER, 1914, TO A PR IL , 1919. F re q u e n c y ra te s, n o n d is a b lin g a ccid en ts (p e r 1 ,0 0 0 3 0 0 -d a y w o rk e rs). Year ending w ith— 1914 1915 T]]T1A 667 ' Line Tnlv 657 655 660 674 693 710 735 766 801 830 854 875 1916 898 920 930 941 966 981 995 1,011 1,016 L 022 1,030 M 30 1917 1,032 1,030 1,017 1,002 977 965 944 919 889 864 840 815 1918 788 769 764 752 743 728 . 709 699 691682 670 668 1919 662 658 645 634 F re q u e n c y ra tes, d is a b lin g accid en ts (p e r 1 ,0 0 0 300d a y w o rk e rs). .................................................... 149.9 143.3 136.7 131.0 128.2 128.0 130.1 132.7 136.1 141.3 148.9 155.2 159.5 167.4 174.1 180.4 184.2 184.6 186.5 191.5 197.4 199.3 200.2 201.5 200.7 200.2 198.3 195.5 191.1 191.7 187.6 181.0 173.9 168.2 163.9 159.7 154.4 150.1 145. 9 143.1 140.5 138.2 135. 5 131.9 128.3 125.5 121.0 117.2 116.4 114.6 114.1 112.9 111.8 S e v e r ity ra te s, d is a b lin g a c c id e n ts (d a y s lo s t p e r 300d a y w o r k e r ). July ................................................................... 11.3 9.8 9.9 9.4 8.6 8.0 8.6 8.3 8.6 8.7 8.5 9.0 9.1 9.7 10.0 10.5 10.7 11.1 11.0 11.3 11.9 11.4 11.3 11.8 12.1 12.4 12.1 11.7 11.5 11.4 11.3 11.9 11.0 11.3 11.2 10.8 10.0 9.8 10.4 11.0 11.2 11.6 11.7 11.1 11.9 11.9 11.6 11. 7 12.4 12.2 11.7 10.9 10.6 In order to bring the items of employment and of accident fre quency and severity into plotable relation to each other the employ ment figures in Table 3 and the rates shown in Table 4 are reduced to index numbers, the first figure in each series, that for December, 1914, being regarded as 100. These series of index numbers are shown in the following table: https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1214] 227 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, T able 5 —IN D E X NUM BER S OF E X PO SU R E S A N D OP ACCIDENT FR EQ U E N C Y AND SEV E R IT Y RATES IN A LARGE GROUP OF STEEL MILLS, FO R Y E A R S E N D IN G W ITH EACH MONTH, DECEM BER, 1914, TO A PR IL, 1919. [Year ending December, 1914=100.] E xp o su res. Year ending w ith— 1914 January............................................................... February............................................................ March........................ April................................................................. M ay...................................................................... June............................................................... July...................................................................... August............................................................... September.......................................................... October........................................................... November..................................................... December.................................................. 100.0 1915 99.9 99.7 99.2 99.0 99.5 100.5 101.8 103.7 106.0 108.5 111.8 115.3 1916 117.4 119.4 122.0 124.3 126.6 128.7 129.9 130.8 131.8 133.0 133.9 134.7 1917 1918 1919 136.1 137.0 138.0 138.8 139.7 140.5 140.9 141.9 142.4 143.9 144.1 144.6 144.2 143.8 143.5 143.3 143.3 143.1 145.0 146.7 148.0 149.1 149.3 150.4 153.7 155.3 157.2 158.3 154.7 154.4 152.5 150.2 146.5 144.7 141.5 137.8 133.3 129.5 125.9 118.1 115.3 114.5 112.7 111.4 109.1 106.3 104.8 103.6 99.3 98.7 96.7 95.1 100.4 122.2 100.1 133.6 132.3 130.4 127.5 127.9 125.2 120.7 116.0 112.2 109.3 106.5 103.0 100.1 97.3 95.5 93.7 92.2 90.4 88.0 85.6 83.7 80.7 78.2 77.7 76.5 76.1 75.3 74.0 109.7 107.1 103.5 101.8 100.9 100.0 105.3 97.3 100.0 99.1 95.6 88.5 86.7 92.0 97.3 99.1 102.7 103.5 98.2 105.3 105.3 102.7 103.5 109.7 108.0 103.5 ' 96.5 93.8 F r e q u e n c y ra te s, n o n d is a b lin g a cc id e n ts. January... February. March....... April......... M ay.......... June.......... Ju ly.......... August— September October... November. December. 98.5 98.2 99.0 101.1 103.9 106.4 110.2 114.8 120.1 100.0 124.4 128.0 131.2 134.6 137.9 139.4 141.1 144.8 147.1 149.2 151.6 152.3 153.2 154.4 154.4 102.2 F r e q u e n c y ra te s, d is a b lin g a ccid en ts. January... February. March....... April......... May........... June.......... Ju ly........... August__ September October... November. December. .100.0 95.6 91.2 87.4 85.5 85.4 86.8 87.9 90.8 94.3 99.3 103.5 106.4 111.7 116.1 120.3 122.9 123.1 124.4 127.8 131.7 133.0 133.6 134.4 133.9 S e v e r ity ra tes, d is a b lin g a ccid en ts. January... February. March....... April......... May........... June.......... Ju ly.......... August__ September October... November. December. 100.0 86.7 87.6 83.2 76.1 70.8 76.1 73.5 76.1 77.0 75.2 79.6 80.5 85.8 88.5 92.9 94.7 98.2 97.3 100.0 105.3 100.9 100.0 104.4 107.1 The accompanying ratio chart based on the index numbers shown in Table 5 shows in graphic form the trend of employment and of accident frequency and severity from December, 1914, to April, 1919. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1215] -> c£> t ' z> Ul ^0 h § o z o Q 2 CD Ul -> U. GC cr a < 2 < > < 2 1917 CD Q. l- lO O “1 —> < > o £ O Q 2 CO CC < cr a > < L. 2 < 5 LU H ia Z >3 ID Z) "*> < LO O > o o 2 LU Q fib* a: u < u. CC a $ < 2 LU 2 5 CD a < h O CO o O 8 Z Q Z CD 5 LU 5 5 a DE X * Q- NUM< BEFS 228 1916 5 ^ MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. [ 1216 ] https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis CHART A, a to to to MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 229 It should be emphasized that such a chart gives no hint regarding the numerical relations of the items. The fact that the frequency rate for disabling accidents runs below the severity rate in the later part of its course does not mean that it is numerically smaller, but that it declined at a more rapid rate. Such a chart as this discloses rates of change only. In this case the numerical relations must be determined by reference to the tables. This chart covers almost exactly the period directly influenced by war conditions. The high-water mark of prewar activity in the iron and steel industry came in a year including some months of 1912 and running over into 1913. Some decline had occurred before the beginning of the war, and from the middle of 1914 the decline was rapid into 1915. Then came the sudden upward rush followed by a less rapid increase which, in the mills under consideration, has scarcely yet spent its force. The primary concern at this time is the influence of this upward rush on accident rates. The chart shows the influence of declining industrial activity in the first months of 1914. While employment does not greatly decline it is known that at this period the element of labor turnover which most strongly affects accident rates, namely, the introduction of inexperienced men, was at a minimum. As a result the curves of accident frequency and severity descend mark edly and in the case of frequency of disabling accident and severity of the same touch a point lower than any reached in the previous history of these mills. It is noticeable that the upward trend in the accident rates begins promptly with the increase of employment which indicates industrial recovery, and the rate of increase is nearly the same in all elements as indicated by the nearly parallel course of the three accident curves. The irregularities of the severity curve are due to the fact that the severity curve is mainly determined by the deaths and these, even in such a large group as this, enter into the result irregularly. The highest accident rates for disabling and nondisabling acci dents were in the years terminating November, 1916, and January, 1917, while in severity a first peak comes in the year ending January, 1917, with a second peak of the same altitude in the year ending December, 1918. It would thus appear that the calendar year 1916 may be fairly regarded as the summit of the accident wave. This con clusion is strengthened by noting that the months of highest severity are both in 1916, namely, August (19.5 days per 300-day worker) and November (19.8 days), as shown in Table 2. From the calendar year 1916 onward employment continues to rise, but less rapidly than during the period of adjustment to war conditions. At the same time a downward trend shows itself in all https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1217] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 230 the accident curves. This continues, steadily in the disabling and nondisabling curves, irregularly in the severity curve, until the year ending January, 1918. From that point the severity curve tends to rise, with some irregularities, to the year ending December, 1918. While this rise in severity is going on the other curves continue their downward movement, recording in both cases a lower point than that reached in 1915. This rise in severity with falling frequency rates is not a new phe nomenon. In this case there are so many factors that it is of unusual difficult}7 to determine a reasonable explanation. The most that can be done is to point out some conclusions which lie on the surface and offer some suggestions of possible underlying factors which may enter into the situation. Since the severity rate is mainly determined by the deaths it is instructive to follow the death rates through this period. The rates per 1,000 300-day workers were as follows: 1910, 2.1; 1911, 1.8; 1912, 1.9; 1913, 2.0; 1914, 1.4; 1915, 1.1; 1916, 1.5; 1917, 1.2; 1918, 1.6. The series from 1910 is introduced to show that the high points in 1916 and 1918 are below the earlier peaks in 1910 and 1913. It has been shown elsewhere 1 that in cases of accidental death as high as 65 per cent may be regarded as preventable by engineering methods. It is clear that the rise in severity in 1918 is due to an increased death rate. Since this is the case it becomes still more reasonable to suppose that, had these possibilities of death been foreseen and adequate engineering provision made in advance, the rise might have been lessened, possibly prevented. Two other facts which have a bearing on the results shown by the chart may be mentioned. First, the period of sharp rise in employ ment, which is accompanied by the even.sharper rise in the accident rates, wasa period in which labor recruiting—that is, the introduction of new men—was proceeding at a still morerapid rate. When recruit ing slackened the rise in accident rates came to an end, and with the establishment of relative stability considerably declined. Second, the year 1918 was productively the “ big year.” With but slight increase in employment the mills were all active in production in an extreme degree. It is already established that a period of rapid labor recruiting tends strongly to the increase of all accident rates. When all the factors in such a situation as that presented by the chart are known, it may be found that, with a relatively stable labor force, intensified industrial activity, while allowing declining rates for minor injury, tends to increase those for more severe injury. Since this rise and fall in severity is coincident with the onset and abatement of the i See Monthly L abor R eview for December, 1918, pp. 1-17. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1218] MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW. 231 "flu” epidemic it may be suggested that the physical condition of the labor force due to the disease may have been an important factor in producing the rise. It is obvious that the efforts of the safety organization in these mills were well adapted to meet and control minor injury. The curve of frequency is a sure index of success or failure in this par ticular. The organization did not, probably could not, control the tendency to rise during the period of adjustment to war conditions, but it did prevent a rise above the peak established in the prewar conditions of 1913. Further, with the establishment of relatively stable conditions, it was able to bring about a remarkable and con tinuous decline in the frequency rates. It is also apparent that the methods employed were not equally and continuously competent to cope with more serious injury. A declining frequency rate tends, in proportion to its weight, to depress the severity rate. If, with the declining frequency rate, the severity rate rises, this, of necessity, indicates an increase in serious injury sufficient to more than overbalance the influence of the declining frequency. It must not be overlooked in this connection that the high points of severity in this period are below those of the prewar period.1 This is to the credit of the safety organization. It is also reassuring to note that at the end of the period there is a consider able and rapid decline in the severity rates. Whenever the condition here shown is found it may always be reasonably suspected that the real condition has been obscured by the favorable indications of the frequency rates and that in the natural optimism engendered by attention to these the necessity for rigorous study of the engineering factors has been overlooked. The entertainment of such a suspicion is in a measure justified by the fact that wherever similar cases have been open to intensive study it has been the invariable experience to find some failure on the engineering side. As intimated above, the condition now under con sideration is far too complicated to justify a positive statement regarding it. The contradictory indications of the frequency and severity rates for the years ending in 1918, as shown in the chart, are even more forcibly brought out by considering the monthly rates for the year 1915 contrasted with those for 1918. This is done in the table following. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 1 See death rate on p. 230. [1219] 232 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. T able 6 .—ACCIDENT FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY RATES IN A LARGE GROUP OF STEEL MILLS FOR EACH MONTH OF 1915 AND 1913. Frequency rates. Severity rates. Month. 1915 January...................................................................................... February.................................................................................... March......................................................................................... April........................................................................................... 1918 1915 1918 June............................................................................................ July............................................................................................. August.......................................................... ............................. Septem ber................................................................................ October...................................................................................... N ovem ber.................................................................................. December................................................................................... 97.2 99.8 119.0 132.2 159.9 177.9 188.0 184.5 186.3 191.7 172.0 173.3 137.2 113.4 133.8 124.5 130.6 123.0 121.4 124.8 107.1 97.6 94.9 94.6 4.2 10.9 7.8 8.3 1.9 12.8 3.7 12.5 ' 12.0 9.1 13.5 10.8 13.4 16.9 16.8 12.2 11.6 11.7 9.4 16.0 10.3 5.0 14.9 11.9 T o ta l................................................................................ 159.5 116.4 9.1 12.4 It will be observed that in 9 of the 12 months 1918 has lower fre quency rates than 1915, but that in 9 months, though not the same months, the severity rates are higher in 1918. This almost complete opposition in the two years is very significant. It shows that an illusion may be created by exclusive attention to the general fre quency rate. Evidently the two years were sufficiently different in the conditions prevailing to cause comparisons based on either the frequency rate or the severity rate alone to be misleading. The nature of these differences has already been indicated. One year was a period of reconstitution of the working force, the other, with a relatively stable working force, was an interval of intense indus trial activity. Two conclusions are amply justified by the study of this experience: * (1) Anything like a satisfactory understanding of an accident con dition is impossible without the use of severity rates. (2) The methods which satisfactorily control minor injury will not suffice for the control of death causes. Industrial Accidents in Pennsylvania in 1918. BULLETIN recently issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry1contains four groups of tables classify ing and analyzing industrial accidents in cases of disability for 2 days or more which occurred in the State during the year 1918. The first group covers all accidents, the second includes fatal acci dents, the third group includes compensation cases, and the fourth group is a summary of all accident data. A total of 184,844 industrial accidents is recorded, including 3,403 fatal accidents, 53,783 (29.1 per A 1 Pennsylvania. Department of Labor and Industry. The Bulletin, vol. 6, No. 1, series of 1919. Har. risburg, 1919. 277 pp. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1220] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 233 cent) serious cases where the injury resulted in a loss of more than 14 days, and 127,658 (69.1 per cent) cases of a minor nature causing disability of 2 days, but not more than 14 days. The total number of days lost is given as 2,767,471, and the wage loss is stated to have been $10,286,872. Of the total number injured, 1,281 were minors under the age of 16 years. Compensation was awarded and paid in 69,920 cases (37.8 per cent), 2,607 being fatal cases. The amount of compensation paid, covering the 67,313 disability cases, was $4,780,197, or an average of $71 per case; the amount paid for the 2,607 fatal cases was $6,859,718, or an average of $2,631.27 per case. The following table shows the number and per cent of compensable accidents and the amount of compensation paid in each industry and the per cent this forms of the total and the average compensa tion paid per case. NUM BER AND PE R CENT OF COMPENSABLE ACCIDENTS AN D AMOUNT AN D PE R CENT OF COMPENSATION PA ID , B Y IN D U ST R Y , IN P E N N SY L V A N IA ,IN 1918. Accidents. Compensation paid. Industry. Num ber. Per cent of total. Building and contracting.................................................. Chemicals and allied products......................................... Clay, glass, and stone products........................................ Clothing manufacture......................................................... Food and kindred products.............................................. Leather and rubber goods................................................. Liquors and beverages........................................................ Lumber and its remanufacture....................................... Paper and printing industries.......................................... T extiles.................................................................................. Laundries.............................................................................. Metals and metal products.............................................. Mines and quarries.............................................................. Public service....................................................................... Hotels and restaurants....................................................... Mercantile establishments................................................. Jobbers and warehouses.................................................... Municipalities....................................................................... Tobacco and its products.................................................. Miscellaneous........................................................................ 4,184 1,455 1,787 459 1,298 522 420 1,653 833 979 118 22,222 23,161 4,985 381 1,387 420 501 63 3,092 5.98 2.08 2.56 .66 1.86 .75 .60 2.36 1.19 1.40 .17 31.78 33.12 7.13 .54 1.98 .60 .72 .09 4.42 $799,250 480,879 204,496 20,523 145,904 45,622 74,819 117,483 85,780 74,921 9,294 2,668,281 5,125,749 930,122 32,990 125,887 52,678 154,537 6,748 483,952 6.87 4.13 1.76 .18 1.25 .39 .64 1.01 .74 .64 .08 22.92 44.04 7.99 .28 1.08 .45 1.33 .06 4.16 $191.03 330.50 114.44 44.71 112.41 87.40 178.14 71.07 102.98 76.53 78.76 120.07 221.31 186.58 86.59 90. 76 125.42 308.46 107.11 156.52 Total............................................................................ 69,920 100.00 11,639,915 100.00 166. 47 Amount. Per cent Average of total. per case. Bituminous Coal Mine Fatalities in Pennsyl vania, 1914 to 1918, Inclusive. A N ANALYSIS of bituminous coal mine fatalities in Pennsyl vania for the five-year period 1914 to 1918 has recently been made under the direction of the State Insurance Department, based on the records of the Department of Mines. It includes only those mines which employed 10 or more men underground, the maximum number of such mines being “ somewhat less than 2,000." https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1221] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 234 Coke accidents are not included n the tabulations. The table fol lowing shows for the five-year period the number of fatalities and the fatality rates per 1,000,000 tons of coal mined and per 1,000 full-time workers. The number of full-time workers, it is explained, was ob tained by multiplying the “ average number of employees” reported for each mine by the number of days that the mine operated and dividing the product by 250. “ The 8-hour day being generally prevalent, a 250-day employee is practically equivalent to a 2,000hour worker, which is the standard adopted by the United States Bureau of Mines.” It is admitted, however, that the average number of employees is an unreliable basis of computation, since “ most operators do not keep such a record,1 and practically none of them take the trouble to make up the reported average number of em ployees from such records.” PRODUCTION OF BITUM INOUS COAL MINES IN PE N N SY L V A N IA AN D FA TA LITY R ATES PE R 1,000250-DAY W ORKERS A N D PE R MILLION TONS M INED, 1914 TO 1918. Fatality rate— Period. 1914....................................................................... 1915....................................................................... 1916....................................................................... 1917....................................................................... 1918 ..................................................................... 1911-1915.............................................................. 1914-1918.............................................................. 1916-1918.............................................................. Production in net tons. 145,885,000 157j 420,000 169,124,000 171.074.000 177.217.000 779.290.000 820.720.000 517,415,000 Number of Number of Per 1,000 250-day fatalities.1 Per 250-day 1,000,000 workers. workers. tons mined. 160,753 159,089 169,130 185,821 189,028 851,093 863,821 543,979 1 These are “ ordinary” fatalities, that is, fatalities which did defined as an accident causing 5 or more deaths. 408 412 395 478 483 2,242 2,176 i;356 2.54 2.59 2.34 2.57 2.56 2.63 2.52 2. 49 not involve a catastrophe, 2.80 2.62 2.34 2.79 2.73 2.88 2.65 2.62 which is During the five-year period, 57.2 per cent of the fatalities were caused by falls of roof and coal and 26.1 per cent were chargeable to mine haulage. A table of compensation costs covering the period 1916 to 1918, inclusive, shows a total of $2,800,737 paid in benefits on account of 732 fatalities and 456 permanent disabilities. Of the total of .281 specific injuries, 154, or 54.8 per cent, involve injury to eyes. i That is, the number of days that eachmanworked during the year. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1222 ] INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE AND MEDICINE. Does Industrial Medicine Pay? HE value, from an economic viewpoint, of industrial medicine is considered by Dr. Harry E. Mock in the second of a series of articles giving a resume of its development, in the Journal of Industrial Hygiene.1 Dr. Mock believes that one of the greatest sources of saving to the employer is a system of physical examination of all applicants for work before employment, the value to the em ployer depending upon the thoroughness of these examinations and the amount of cooperation between the employment department, the medical department, and the foreman. A great financial waste which can not be accurately estimated results from employing workers without any effort at a physical selection for their work, according to the writer. Dr. Mock suggests some of the sources of waste arising from the employment of the physically unfit: 1. The unfit who later must be discharged because of inability to do the work. 2. The unfit who may continue to work for a few months or a year, but with a gradual decrease in their efficiency, due to advancing disease. Sooner or later they are forced to stop work, and during the entire period of employment they have been a source of loss to the company employing them. 3. Those who because of their physical condition are subject to frequent accidents. 4. Those who suffer accidents which ordinarily would not be serious, but, because of coincidental physical conditions, cause prolonged disability or even death. 5. Those having some contagious disease when employed, who communicate it to others in the working force. The acute contagious diseases are more common, but tuberculosis and syphilis also cause a great loss. 6. Employment of the mentally deficient, the moral degenerate, and other types of mentally handicapped men who make up a certain percentage of the floating labor. An observing industrial physician will pick out this type during the course of his examination. Examinations by companies having an efficient medical system are made not only for the purpose of selecting only the physically fit and refusing employment to the unfit but also for the purpose of pre venting from going to work persons with diseased conditions which would make any kind of work dangerous-for them; for the purpose of selecting for persons with certain defects proper jobs, not involving work that would be hazardous for them, but for which they would be 1 Industrial medicine and surgery—a rfeiimd of its development, scope, and benefits, Part IT, by Harry E. Mock. In the Journal of Industrial Hygiene, Boston, September, 1919, pp. 251-254. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1223] 235 m o n t h l y labor rev iew . 236 efficient; and for the purpose of preventing persons with contagious diseases from mingling with the old working force. The author gives the following statistics which he has collected from 10 large industries having excellent medical staffs and which base their rejections, for the most part, on the standards enumerated: APPLICANTS EXAM INED AND APPLICANTS REJECTED BY THE MEDICAL STAFFS OF 10 IND U STR IES. Number. Per cent. Item. Total number employed having disabilities that did not interfere with selected work.. 118,900 41,158 11,433 66,309 102,400 34.7 9.7 55.6 In commenting on these figures Dr. Mock states that it is fair to assume that these 11,433 applicants who were rejected for work would have soon lost their positions because of inefficiency, or would have left because of sickness; certainly by the end of a year practically all of these would have been eliminated from the working force. Calling attention to several estimates that have been made of the cost of labor turnover, these estimates varying from $10 to $200, with one authority suggesting $35 as sufficient to cover the cost of hiring and training a worker, the author arrives at the conclusion that the 11,433 rejected cases in the table can be estimated as saving the companies rejecting them $400,155 in labor turnover. It is added, however, that a committee of representative authorities on this subject more recently estimated the cost of hiring and training a man at $45, which would add over $100,000 additional profit as a result of the practice of medical examination of applicants for employment. Magnus Alexander, in a comprehensive study of the cost of health supervision in industries, found that the average cost per employee for all medical work was $2.50. Using this figure as a fair average, and taking the regular number of employees as 102,400, we can estimate the cost of the entire medical work in these 10 industries at $256,000. Thus the examination of applicants alone undoubtedly saved these companies over .$140,000 during the course of one year. 1. Saving to 10 concerns from rejection of physically u n fit.. . . $400,155 2. Cost of entire medical work in these concerns........................ 256, 000 99 different 3. Profit to the concerns from this one branch of medical work alone.......................................................................................... 144,155 Dr. Mock believes that it is fair and conservative to estimate that at least 10 per cent of those applicants with physical disabilities who were employed would have left very shortly if they had not been placed on jobs suitable for their physical condition, thus adding to their efficiency, contentment, and health protection. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1224] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 237 This, it is figured, would add another $144,000 to the profit of the employers from this system. While the above figures can only be estimated, yet the most skeptical must surely agree that the examination of applicants for work, and the rejection of the physically unfit, even when based on the most humane standards for rejection, certainly pays any concern adopting this system. And the saving to that concern from this proce dure alone will more than pay the costs of the most efficient human maintenance department they can establish. As an example of the value of examination in the prevention of the spread of contagious and infectious diseases among employees the author cites the case of one Chicago industry employing 15,000 people in which during a period of six months 44 contagious cases representing six different "types of acute exanthemata were dis covered. A great loss to the company from six different epidemics was thus prevented. That the value of industrial medicine may be fully appreciated by employers Dr. Mock emphasized the duty of every company surgeon, safety engineer, and welfare worker "to show that the benefits to the employer are in direct ratio to the thoroughness and complete ness of the plan which he adopts for the conservation of the health of his employees.” Elimination of Industrial Poisoning in Felt Hat Making.1 HAT a method lias been found practicable for the making of felt hats which eliminates the evils of "hatters shakes,” "hatters asthma,” and other results of mercurial poisoning in the workers in this industry is the claim of its discoverer, accord ing to an article by Christine Kefauver, in the Monthly Bulletin of the Department of Health, New York City.2 After a brief description of the "acid-nitrate-mercury” method, which is the recognized method of preparing felt for hat making and during every process of which the workers are exposed to the fumes of mercury, the author contrasts with it the new "no-nitrate” method discovered by William Braun, a brush maker by trade, who, some years ago, became interested in the making of felt, and, inci dentally, felt hats. It appears that his investigations developed the fact that the reason for treating the hides with the nitrate of mercury was to afford opportunity for the acid to penetrate the 1 Cf. article on Sanitary Standards for the Felt Hatting Industry in New Jersey, in Monthly R eview for March, 1916, pp. 66-73. 2 Felt hat making hy the acid-nitrate-mercury method, and the no-nitrate method, by Christine Kefauver. In Monthly Bulletin of the Department of Health, City of New York, May, 1919, pp 127, 128. 138517°—19— https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 16 [1225] 238 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. hair and, by roughening the surface of the hair, cause it to mat more easily. Mr. Braun believed that the quickest way to remove the life from the hair, which is the purpose of the nitrate of mercury treatment, would be to treat the hair after separating it from the skin. Accordingly, the first step in his method is to shave the hair from the pelt, and then immerse the hair in a solution of sodium carbonate, “ which is raised to a temperature of from 210° to 220° F., and kept at this temperature for from 18 to 25 minutes, depending upon the variety of the hair.” This removes the animal fats and acids, and softens the hair so that it will “ felt” readily. It is then worked and sized immediately instead of after several days as under the old process. # It is stated that by this “ no-nitrate” process a hat may be com pleted and made ready for sale the same day the hair is removed from the raw pelt. Aside from the tremendous gain to the workers and the public in the elimination of the hazards incident to this trade, the saving in the cost of production is said to be enormous, the author stating that under the nitrate of mercury method a unit of 35 pounds of treated fur ready for felting costs $5, while under the new method the same fur, ready for felting but not acid treated, costs 2 cents a pound. Finished hats which under the old method cost $21 a dozen wholesale, can be produced by this method and sold complete, including all leather sweat bands, for $9.50 a dozen. These hats are being made, and have been made, for the past four years, and have proved perfectly satisfactory in every respect, even under the most exacting tests. Occurrence, Course, and Prevention of Chronic Manganese Poisoning. HE occurrence, course, and prevention of chronic manganese poisoning is the title of an article by David L. Edsall, M. D., Massachusetts General Hospital, F. P. Wilbur, M. D., and Cecil K. Drinker, Harvard Medical School, in the Journal of Industrial Hygiene (Boston) for August, 1919 (pp. 183-193). The article opens with a brief statement of the commercial uses of manganese, notes three types of employment in which chronic poison ing is known to have occurred, gives a historical summary of the occurrence of manganese poisoning, and follows with a description of its causation, its pathology, the courses of the disease, in which connection the histories of three specific cases are cited in some detail, and then closes with suggestions for prevention. Manganese, according to these authors, has been employed in the manufacture of chlorine and oxygen, in making dry batteries, in glass works for cleaning and coloring molten glass, for coloring brown T https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1226 ] M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W . 239 and black glasses, to destroy carbon in the production of enamel, as a paint for fayence and porcelain, for glazing, for coloring and graining soaps in anilin and alizarin factories, in various processes connected with the manufacture of glass, oil, and varnish, and f i n a l l y in the making of cement and glazed brick. Certain manganese colors, such as manganese brown, anhydrated peroxide of manganese, have had extensive use. Manganese bistre and manganese violet are other examples of dyes made from this metal. It seems that in Holland and Germany manganese sulphate has occasionally been used as a fertilizer, but not very widely, the matter having been apparently in the experimental stage when the war began; finally, manganese has been extensively used as an alloy with steel and nickel. The three types of employment in which chronic manganese pois oning is known to have occurred are stated to be the following: 1. In French workers handling manganese dioxide in the manufacture of chlorine for bleaching powder. 2. In Germans engaged in grinding manganese dioxide as a stage in commercial utilization for various purposes. 3. In mill employees in the United States who work in a dust containing manganese as oxides and silicates. In the historical summary mention is made of 15 foreign cases which developed from exposure to manganese dioxide. Thirty-nine American cases are noted, one of which resulted from eight months spent in shoveling Japanese manganese ore into a hopper, an ex tremely dusty task, while the other 38 cases occurred as the result of working in dusty parts of a mill engaged in separating manganese from other ores. In this mill, it is stated, the crude ore contains 9 per cent manganese, combined as oxides and silicates; “ lead never appears in the crude ore except in the most minute traces, and arsenic is entirely absent.” The process of separating the manganese is a dry one, the manganese and iron fractions being removed early in the operation by the use of very large magnetic sepa rators. The mineral dust is carried on wide conveying belts between the poles of extremely powerful magnets. The iron and manganese-containing particles at once move toward the near-by magnetic pole, which they are prevented from reaching by a second conveying belt passing between them and the pole in question. They cling to the under side of this conveying belt until carried outside the main strength of the magnetic field, where they fall into a hopper. The ore dust must be extremely fine and dry to lend itself successfully to such an operation, and in the drying, con veying. and separating there are large opportunities for impregnation of the atmosphere with dust. As in the case of lead poisoning, manganese poisoning is developed by inhaling and swallowing dust particles. “ The ore in question is readily soluble in the hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice,” and those “ particles reaching the lungs are undoubtedly coughed up and swallowed, together with an infinity of other particles which are https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1227] 240 M O N T H L Y LA B O R R E V IE W . swallowed directly. Reaching the stomach the manganese is con verted into manganese chloride and absorbed.” The most rapid development of permanent crippling either in this country or abroad has required four months and five days’ exposure to a dusty atmos phere. according to the authors. The authors state that the disease itself has never resulted fatally, either in Europe or in this country. The symptoms of manganese poisoning, which are said to be strikingly definite, and the course of the disease are indicated in the following summary statement: 1. A history of work in manganese dust for at least three months. 2. Languor and sleepiness. 3. Stolid, mask-like facies. 4. Low, monotonous voice. Economical speech. 5. Muscular twitching, varying in degree from a fine tremor of the hands to gross rhythmical movements of the arms, legs, trunk, and head. 6. Cramps in the calves and a complaint of stiffness in the muscles of the legs, the cramps usually coming on at night and being worse after a day of exertion. 7. Slight increase in tendon reflexes. 8. Ankle and patellar colonus. Frequently by stretching any of the muscles of the body it is possible to elicit rhythmical contractions. Romberg sign is inconstant; there is no incoordination. 9. Retropulsion and propulsion. 10. A peculiar slapping gait. The patient keeps as broad a base as possible, en deavoring involuntarily to avoid propulsion. The shoes are worn evenly and we have not been able to convince ourselves of the pronounced tendency to walk on the region of the metatarsophalangeal joints, a feature strongly emphasized by von Jaksch [one of the authorities referred to in historical summary], 11. Occasionally, uncontrollable laughter; less frequently, crying. 12. Uniformly absent are any disturbances of deep or superficial sensation, eye changes, rectal, genito-urinary or gastrointestinal disturbances, reactions of degenera tion, blood, urine, and spinal fluid alterations. I t is significant that, unlike lead, manganese produces no life-shortening degenerations. Seriously poisoned men are long-lived cripples. The metal apparently makes a very definite attack upon some nonvital portion of the neuromuscular system, destroys it thoroughly, if time for ac tion is permitted, and leaves the victim quite well in every other respect. There appears to be no satisfactory method of treatment. Early cases are said to recover spontaneously if placed in dust-free environ ment. Prevention, through methods of dust removal, seems to be the only way of combating the disease. Once the symptoms appear it is essential that the worker be removed to a dust-free job before harm is done. In such cases recovery is comparatively rapid. In conclusion, the authors urge industrial physicians, who may have opportunity to observe men handling manganese compounds, to be on the alert for cases of poisoning and to report their observations for the benefit of others. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1228] M O N T H L Y LABO R R E V IE W . 241 Public Health Service Program to Meet Afterthe-War Needs. T HE United States Public Health Service has issued, as a sup. plementary report,1 a program intended especially to meet after-the-war needs by outlining health activities which are practicable and which yield the maximum result in protecting na tional health, thus diminishing the annual toll of thousands of lives taken by preventable diseases and insanitary conditions. The suc cess of this program will depend, it is stated, on the active cooperation of Federal, State, and local health authorities, and this cooperation would seem to be best secured on the Federal aid extension principle. The program is itemized under 14 headings the first of which is industrial hygiene and is given here in full. 1. Continuing and extending health surveys in industry with a view to determining precisely the nature of the health hazards and the measures needed to correct them. 2. Securing adequate reports of the prevalence of disease among employees and the sanitary conditions in industrial establishments and communities. 3. National development of adequate systems of medical and surgical supervision of employees in places of employment. 4. Establishment by the Public Health Service, in cooperation with the Depart ment of Labor, of minimum standards of industrial hygiene and the prevention of occupational diseases. 5. Improvement of the sanitation of industrial communities by officers of the Public Health Service, and cooperation with State and local health authorities and other agencies. 6. Medical and sanitary supervision by the Public Health Service of civil industrial establishments owned or operated by the Federal Government. Health Work for the Whitley Joint Industrial Councils. HE Whitley councils of the pottery and printing industries in Great Britain set up, about a year ago, a joint health com mittee which sanctioned an experimental scheme for regular medical observation and research in industry. Commenting on the results which were described by Mr. E. Halford Boss in a lecture delivered before the Industrial Keconstruction Council, the Lancet says: 2 T The experiment * * * was made in two large printing works, where the employees were informed by both their employer and the secretary of the trade-unions that a doctor would attend periodically to advise the workers on health matters. As a 1 Program of the Public Health Service intended especially, to meet after-the-war needs. Treasury Department, United States Public Health Service. Supplement No. 35 to the Public Health Reports, May 9, 1919. Washington, 1919. 8 pp. a The Lancet, London, July 5,1919, pp. 24, 25. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1229] 242 M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W . result many came forward and asked advice. Observations were made while work was in progress, and much was done to show employees how they might work under better conditions. In addition, numerous cases of disability were discovered and remedied, and the experiment was considered to have been most successful. Certain researches were done concerning fatigue, hours of work, the provision of seats, and the advantages of welfare work generally. It was discovered that the health committee of each industry is the best means of carrying out this work. Each industry differs; each has its own requirements. It is, therefore, much better for each industry to undertake its own welfare matters than to leave it entirely to any Government depart ment. This experiment suggests that further valuable research in industrial medicine might be carried out on a larger scale under similar conditions. Sufficient work has already been done in London during the last two and a half years to indicate some of the lines along which research should be pursued. Catarrh, bronchitis, and chronic cough are the most common obvious ailments which affect the workers, and it is very rare to find a large office without somebody in it suffering from a ‘‘cold. ’’ It is quite certain that a considerable sum of money is lost in London every week owing to the reduction of output caused by these complaints, in addition to the wages paid during sickness. It might possibly be demonstrable by experiment that economy would be effected if workers suffering in the early stages of catarrh were persuaded to stay at home until they recovered. Anemia is also of frequent occurrence among the young women and girl workers, and handicaps their work greatly. Out of several hundred employees examined in the three large clothing factories 63 per cent of the girls were found suffering from anemia. This common disease can be easily prevented if taken at once when it appears. If left until well advanced, each case may require months of treatment. Its prevention is a matter of education, and a little medical advice to parents in childhood will stop much of this disabling affection. Here is a matter which an industrial medical service could take up at once, and in which, working in conjunction with the school medical service, it would achieve wonders in a very short space of time. Anemia has a most distracting effect on work and may last for years, producing far-reaching results in motherhood. Again, from work that has been carried out in connection with munition works during the war it appears probable that improper feeding has been a considerable factor in the pro duction of fatigue, and that the short, hurried, and scrambled midday meal, accom panied by the discomfort of waiting in queues and the curtailment of rest, has resulted in a diminution of output. These questions are for scientific study rather than for political speculation, and under the aegis of the Whitley councils medical men might well find an opportunity for impartial observation in a sympathetic environment. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1280] WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION. Workmen’s Compensation Legislation of 1919. Compiled by L in d l e y D. Clark. N THE Monthly L a b o r R eview of June, 1919, pages 255 to 259, a brief statement was given of the main provisions of newly enacted laws in the States of Missouri, North Dakota, and Ten nessee. It was then stated that the list of noncompensation States was thus reduced to a contiguous group occupying the southeastern corner of the United States. This area has been broken by the enactment of a compensation law by the Legislature of Alabama, approved August 23. Notice should also be taken of a provision of the appropriation act of the District of Columbia which places public employees of the District within the scope of the law providing for compensation of civil employees of the United States. This law is to be administered in behalf of such public employees by the same commission that administers the statutes in behalf of the Federal service. A large part of the industrial employees of the District are provided for, but the needs of private workers still remain to be met by such action as Congress may at some time take. The Alabama statute is an elective one with an abrogation of the common-law defenses in case the presumed election provided for by the law is rejected. A regrettable provision of the act is the exclu sion from its operations of all employers who regularly employ “ less than 16 employees in any one business” ; public service is also excluded. The usual exclusion of domestic service, foreign labor, and persons whose employment is casual and not in the usual course of the trade or business of the employer is found. Acceptance of the provisions of the act by employers of the excluded classes may be made by the filing of a written notice with the probate judge of the county, but a special provision is to the effect “ that in no event nor any circumstances shall this bill apply to farmers and their employ ees.” A unique provision is one that limits attorneys’ fees to not more than 10 per cent of the compensation awarded or paid, and no part of the compensation shall be paid as fee without approval by a judge of the circuit court. Notice to reject the act is effective after 30 days, and a withdrawal of the rejection may be made by notice likewise effective. Direct settlements are authorized but shall not be for substantially less than I https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1231] ' * 243 244 M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W . the amounts fixed in the act unless, upon the written consent of the parties, a judge of the circuit court or of the probate court “ deter mines that it is for the interest of the employee to accept a lesser sum and approves such settlement.” Settlements, submitted to a court for approval are to have the effect of judgments, and the costs, which shall not exceed $2, are to be borne by the employer. The basis of compensation is 50 per cent of the average weekly earnings of the injured employee, with a maximum of $12 per week and a minimum of $5 unless the wages are less. A schedule for specified injuries causing partial disability is embodied in the act. Permanent total disability entitles the injured person to benefits for not more than 550 weeks with a $5 maximum after the first 400 weeks, the total amount not to exceed $5,000. Additional allowance is pro vided for children, the total not to exceed 60 per cent of the wages nor $15 weekly. Payments to children cease at the age of 18 and to dependents generally in the event of death or marriage. Death benefits are limited to a term of 300 weeks. Medical and surgical aid for the first 60 days at a cost not exceed ing $100 is to be supplied, and in the event of death, $100 funeral expenses. Two weeks’ waiting time is provided, but if the disability lasts as long as four weeks, payment for the first two weeks is to be made with the first installment after four weeks. No administrative commission is provided for, the adjustment of disputes resting with the courts. However, the Director of the De partment of Archives and History is ex officio compensation commis sioner for the purpose of supplying blank forms and literature such “ as he shall deem requisite to facilitate or promote the efficient administration of this act, other than papers relating to court proceed- • ings” ; he is to keep records of all direct settlements, which are to be reported to him, and also of awards by the courts, which are likewise to be reported to him. A tabulated and statistical report showing results of the operation of the act, facts reported as to insurance, selfinsurance, etc., showing the premium rates charged in Alabama and other States, and recommendations for amendments or improve ments, are to be made to the next regular session of the legislature. Insurance is optional, but where desired, whether in mutual compa nies, stock companies, or otherwise, it must be effected in accordance with provisions contained in the law and in companies authorized to conduct business in the State. While the law can not be unreservedly commended by reason of its rejection of an administrative board and of compulsory insurance, and also because of the excessively large number of employees neces sary to bring the employer within the act, it is a matter of congratu https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [12321 M O N T H L Y LABO R R E V IE W . 245 lation that an entering wedge has been inserted into the backward territory in this quarter of the United States, there now being but six States without a compensation law. Of the 38 States having compensation laws prior to this year, the legislatures of 34 were in session during 1919. Amendments were effected to the greater number of the laws of these States, touching upon a wide range of subjects. In practically every case the result of the amendments was to liberalize the act either in scope, amount of benefits, scale, medical aid, or otherwise. The waiting time was reduced in 9 States, New Mexico reducing its exceptional 3 weeks’ waiting time to 2, while other States reduced 2 weeks’ waiting time to 10 days (Colorado, Maine, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania); Michi gan and Oklahoma reduced the waiting time from 2 weeks to 1 week; California from 10 days to 7, and Utah from 10 days to 3. The custom of paying for the waiting time in case the disability continues beyond a fixed period is on the increase. Connecticut, Delaware, and Illinois eliminated the waiting period after 4 weeks of disability, Oklahoma after 3 weeks, and Nevada after 2 weeks. The scale of benefits was advanced from 50 per cent to a higher rate.in 6 States, the present compensation being 60 per cent in Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, while New Jersey moved up to 66§ per cent; Minnesota advanced from 60 to 66§ per cent, and Utah from 55 to 60 per cent. The benefits in Wyoming were liberal ized in a variety of ways. Something of the same effect was produced in West Virginia by striking out the provision requiring the employees to contribute to the payment of insurance premiums. The period of compensation for partial disability was extended from 312 weeks to 520 weeks in Connecticut, and from 300 weeks to 500 weeks in Michigan. In Connecticut and Vermont the scheduled benefits for specified injuries are to be paid in addition to the benefits payable during the period of total disability. It is doubtless in partial recognition of the increased cost of living that the weekly maximum benefits are increased in a considerable number of States, though it is apparent that there is a wide difference of opinion in the minds of the legislators as to what is a suitable maximum; thus, in Colorado the increase was from $8 per week to $10, while the Wisconsin maximum, which was $15 per week for industrial employees, was increased to $22.50 per week. The present maximum in Connecticut and Oklahoma is $18; in Massachusetts and Utah, $16; in Delaware, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Ohio, $15; in Michigan, $14; in Montana, $12.50; and in New Jersey, New Mexico, and West Virginia, $12. The most common maximum from which the advances were made was $10, though Connecticut already paid $14 and Utah and Wisconsin, $15. The monthly payment in Washington for disability was advanced from $35 to $50. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1233] M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W . 246 In a few cases the desirability of thorough medical treatment is recognized by giving discretion to the compensation boards or com missions to pay larger sums in exceptional cases; while in a number of States the statutory limitation is , advanced, both period and amount being doubled in Colorado. In Delaware the limit of $25 was trebled, in Maine it was advanced from $30 to $100, and in Utah from $200 to $500. Other States make enlarged provision in a variety of ways. New Mexico stands alone in reducing the period during which medical aid is to be furnished, the change being from three weeks to two weeks, in accordance apparently with the reduction of waiting time, the theory seeming to be that when compensation begins medical aid may end. A medical aid board is created in Washington to have general supervision of the recently adopted system of local medical benefits. California, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania recognize the necessity of meeting the needs of disabled workers by some provision for rehabilitation, while in Connecticut and Wisconsin occupational diseases are included within the scope of the act. The problem of the casual employee is approached in different ways in several States, the phrase being made to read “ casual and” instead of “ casual or” in Colorado and Utah; Nevada and New Jersey also limit the term “ casual,” while in Michigan the casual employee is no longer regarded as an exception, but is regularly included within the act. The term “ casual employment” is also eliminated from the West Virginia statute, but compensation is limited to persons “ regularly employed.” These are not all the changes that will appear in the complete analysis of the laws and their amendments that will be dealt with later in a bulletin, but they are fairly indicative of the tendency to make the laws more nearly conform to their name by providing com pensation that will actually meet the needs of the injured workers and their families. Special Examination into Ohio State Fund. A RECENT comprehensive examination into the solvency and ZJk merits of the Ohio State workmen’s compensation insurance fund has just been made by two impartial actuaries.1 The purpose of this actuarial examination were (1) to test the soundness of the actuarial principles and rating system employed and to ascertain to what degree the fund was solvent or insolvent, and (2) to have the benefit of expert advice in improving the service to employer 1 Actuarial-audit of the Ohio State insurance fund as of Mar. 1,1919, made by Examiner E. H. Downey, special deputy, Pennsylvania Insurance Department, and Examiner Miles M. Dawson, consulting, actuary of New York City. Columbus, Ohio, 1919, 69 pp. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1234] M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W . 247 and employee. In order to insure a fair, competent, and impartial examination the Ohio Industrial Commission requested the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, the Ohio State Federation of Labor, and the State auditor, acting jointly, to select the examiners. They chose Mr. E. H. Downey, special deputy, Pennsylvania Insurance Department, and Mr. Miles M. Dawson, consulting actuary of New York. Mr. Downey made the actual investigation while Mr. Dawson wrote an opinion based upon an analysis of Mr. Downey’s report. Ohio is by far the largest industrial State having an exclusive workmen’s compensation fund. Furthermore, the Ohio State fund, measured by the actual volume of benefits insured, has now become the largest carrier of compensation insurance in the United States. In view of these facts, and also in view of the great amount of criti cism to which the State fund has been subjected ever since its creation, the findings and conclusions of these impartial examiners become of momentous importance to the compensation insurance world. The following is a summary of the facts and conclusions as reported by the examiners: Summary of Facts by Mr. Downey. 1. The Ohio State fund, after deducting unearned premiums and setting aside ample reserves to carry all claims to maturity, had on March 1, 1919, a surplus of more than $3,600,000. Owing to this highly solvent condition, the fund can safely distribute about one-third of its surplus to its subscribers in the form of a cash dividend. 2. Premium rates proved somewhat redundant under the very exceptional conditions of the past two years, but the general rate is no more than adequate for normal industrial conditions. No general rate reduction can safely be made at the present time. 3. The Industrial Commission manifests every disposition to pay the full legal benefits upon all valid claims. There is no evidence of unfair compromises, “ short changing,” or disallowance of claims on merely technical grounds. But there are instances of excessive delay in adjusting claims, and the average interval between date of accident and the first payment thereon is too long. These delays are due in part to an inadequate appropriation and in part to overformal procedural requirements. 4. The fund has been managed with extreme, even excessive economy. The actual net cost of the fund does not exceed 2 \ per cent of the average annual premiums over a five-year period. In part, this extremely low cost has been attained by unwise and unnecessary skimping of service. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1235] 248 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Summary Conclusion of Mr. Dawson. The outstanding result of this thorough investigation of the Ohio State insurance fund is to demonstrate that it is, and has at all times been, strong and solvent; that it has been conducted with economy unprecedented even in State funds the world over and at about onetwentieth the expense in insurance companies conducted for profit; that the State Industrial Commission has administered the Work men’s Compensation Act through this public agency with care and in a most unusually beneficial manner, so as to subserve the public purpose of relief where relief is due under the law; that the only operative defect, viz, tardy and over-formal handling of claims, will easily be removed by simplifying the procedure; and that, all told, the greatest and most successful demonstration in this country of the possibilities of the largest benefits at the lowest cost, from a workmen’s compensation law, has been achieved by the Ohio State Industrial Commission and the management of the Ohio State insurance fund, as is conclusively shown by the examiner’s report. Text of Mr. Downey’s Report. The following is the complete report of Mr. Downey, except that the detailed explanations and statistical tables dealing with claim reserves have been eliminated: Pursuant to your instructions, I have made an audit of the assets and liabilities of the Ohio State fund as of the close of business on March 1, 1919. The examination was primarily concerned with the financial condition of the fund and touched upon questions of administration only incidentally as they were brought to light in the detailed review of financial transactions. The receipts, disbursements, and assets disclosed by the auditor’s accounts were verified from the books of the treasurer of state, who is the custodian of the fund. The treasurer’s balance was obtained for both March 1 and June 1, and receipts and disbursements between those dates verified, primarily as a check upon the items of “ Premiums in course of collection” and “ outstanding warrants” in the exhibit of assets and liabilities for March 1 (Table II). All claims on account of which there was any actual or potential liability against the fund as of March 1, 1919, were exam ined and valued in accordance with recognized actuarial principles. Your examiner is therefore in a position to state, with great confidence, that the reserves set up are more than adequate to carry all claims to m aturity and that the surplus of $3,682,471 disclosed in the subjoined exhibit is fully earned. I t follows that the fund is abun dantly solvent, that premium rates upon the whole have hitherto been maintained at an adequate level, and that the reserves set by the actuarial department in the past have proven sufficient to meet maturing obligations. The Ohio State insurance fund commenced business as a competitive insurer under an elective compensation law on March 1, 1912. I t became the exclusive carrier of compensation insurance in Ohio (except for self-insured employers) on January 1, 1914. This examination, therefore, covers an experience of seven years in all and 62 months’ experience under the compulsory law. The growth of the fund during this period, as respects the insurance of private employers, is exhibited in Table III. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [123G] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 249 By the close of business on March 1, 1919, the fund had accumulated total assets of more than $19,000,000, and a clear surplus over all liabilities of $3,682,471. This surplus is equal to 29 per cent of total outstanding claims and puts the fund in a posi tion of very great financial strength. The Ohio State fund, measured by the actual volume of benefits insured, has now become the largest carrier of compensation insurance in the United States. One or two private insurance companies, it is true, had a larger total of premium income in 1918, but 40 cents out of every dollar collected by these companies is absorbed by overhead expenses, whereas the whole income of the Ohio fund is devoted exclusively to the payment of compensation claims. That the fund has attained this commanding position in volume of business and in financial strength is convincing proof of wise and conservative management. For, though the fund is noncompetitive, it could not have been maintained as such without widespread confidence on the part of employers and employees, and could not have attained its present eminently sound condition without pursuing a prudent and far-sighted policy in the matter of rates and reserves. Income and Disbursements. All income of the Ohio State insurance fund is derived from four sources: (a ) Premiums from private employers insured in the fund. (b ) Premiums from the State and its subdivisions for the insurance of public employees. (c) A tax upon employers who carry their own risk (self-insured employers) equal to 5 per cent of the premiums which such employers would pay if insured. Income from this source is specifically designated by law to maintain the perpetual solvency of the fund. A part of the premiums so derived has been used to meet catastrophe losses; the unexpended balance is converted into the catastrophe surplus. (d ) Interest earnings upon investments and deposits. Since the fund is neither conducted for profit nor required to meet administration expenses out of premiums, investment earnings are very properly credited pro rata to the premium accounts of public and private insured employers and so serve directly to reduce premium rates. Disbursements from the fund (apart from purely investment transactions and adjustment refund premiums to employers) are solely for the payment of compensation and medical claims. All administrative expenses, even to the cost of auditing pay rolls and collecting premiums, are defrayed from the general revenues of the State. Table I exhibits the income and disbursements of the fund from March 1, 1912, to the close of business, March 1, 1919. I t will be seen that private insured employers furnished 92 per cent, public employers 2.5 per cent, self-insurers 2 per cent, and investment earnings 3.5 per cent of total income. A remarkable feature of this exhibit is the extremely small proportion (barely 0.8 of 1 per cent of returned premiums) on “ policies canceled or not taken . ”■ Investment earnings will, of course, play an increasingly important r61e in the future history of the fund, owing to the gradual accumulation of reserves against out standing claims. For the current year interest on bonds and bank deposits will run well beyond 5 per cent of total income. I t should be mentioned in this connection that the treasurer of state keeps no account of accrued interest and that no credit for such accruals is taken on the subjoined statements. The amount of such accruals on March 1 may be conservatively estimated at $100,000. The inclusion of this item would serve to increase the assets of the fund to that extent. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1237] 250 MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW, T able I .— I n c o m e a n d d is b u r s e m e n ts , M a r. 1, 191 2 , to M a r. 1, 1919. INCOME. Premiums received: Private insured employers Self-insurers....................... State and counties............ ................$32,831,461 ............. 813,290 ............. 896,961 ---------------- $34,541, 712 ............. 1,262, 529 ............. 3,508 ---------------1, 266,037 Interest...................................... Returned warrants................... $35, 807, 749 Total receipts DISBURSEMENTS. Claim payments: Private insured employers.............. State and counties........................... 118, 289, 024 513,227 ---------- 18,802,251 Premium refunds on canceled policies: Private insured employers.......... Self-insurers.................................. 292, 014 7, 896 ---------.............. Accrued interest on bonds purchased 299,910 110, 523 19,212,684 Total disbursements................ Cash balance...................................................................................................... Outstanding warrants....................................................................................... 16,595,065 255,182 Treasurer’s balance................................................................................ 16, 850,247 T able II.—.Assets a n d lia b ilitie s , M a r. 1, 1919. ASSETS. $10, 891, 601 5, 087, 000 871, 646 ---------------- $16, 850,247 Bonds............................................... Time deposits................................. Demand (checking) deposits........ Premiums in course of collection: Private insured employers... Self-insured employers.......... State and counties.................. 2, 256, 550 191, 746 226,902 Deduct premiums due over 90 days.. . . . 2, 675,198 96, 423 ---------------- 2, 578, 775 19, 429, 022 All assets LIABILITIES. Claim reserves: Private insured employers.......................... State and counties........................................ 12,183, 011 307,524 ---------------- 12,490,535 Outstanding claim warrants 2.................................................... 255,182 1 Includes all warrants issued to the close of business on Mar. 1, 1919. 2 These are warrants which had been issued in payment of claims before the close of business on Mar, t 1919, but had not been presented for payment at that time. This amount is included in claim paym ent in Table I and also in Table III, column 4. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1238] 251 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. T able I I .— A s s e ts a n d L i a b i l it i e s , M a r . 1, 1 9 1 9 —Concluded. Unearned premiums: Private insured employers........................... Self-insured employers................................. State and counties........................................ $2, 753, 835 101, 574 145, 425 $3, 000, 834 ................. $15,740,551 1, 052, 700 2, 629, 771 All liabilities................ Statutory catastrophe surplus General surplus....................... 3, 682, 471 Total surplus T able III.— PREMIUM AND LOSS E X H IB IT , MAR. 1, 1912, TO MAR. 1, 1919, PRIVATE IN SU R ED EM PLOYERS ONLY. Cumulative premiums and losses. Insurance period. Earned premiums. 1 2 Incurred losses. Losses paid. 3 4 Insurance period. Losses out Earned Incurred Loss standing. premiums. losses. ratio. 5 6 7 8 May 15,1918, to Mar. 1,1919.. i$33,725,345 $30,472,035 2118,289,024 $12,183,011 $10,051,509 $8,231,034 81.9 May 15, 1917, to May 15,1918. s 23,673,836 22,241,001 13,791,523 8,449,478 9,205,025 8,373,199 91.0 8,898,401 4,969,401 6,567,543 6,440,075 98.1 May 15,1916, to May 15,1917. 14,468,811 13,867,802 4,931,693 2,496,034 3,537,364 3,623,238 102.4 May 15, 1915, to May 15,1916. 7,901,268 7,427,727 988,811 1,071,205 108.3 2,621,972 1,182,517 4,363,904 3,804,489 Nov. 15,1914, to May 15,1915. 1,585,571 1,147,713 2,962,723 2,437,255 82.3 3,375,093 2,733,284 Sept. 1,1913, to Nov. 15,1914. 137,481 ■ 158,548 412,370 Mar. 1,1912, to Sept. 1,1913.. 412,370 296,029 296,029 71.8 1 This amount includes SI,229,704 investment earnings and $555,143 catastrophe premium from selfinsured employers. Against this latter amount were charged an equal volume of catastrophe losses. 2 Includes all warrants issued to the close of business on Mar. 1, 1919. 3 A cash dividend or return of premiums in the amount of $336,452 was distributed to insured employers in 1918. This amount is deducted from earned premiums in the above statement. A ssets and L ia b ilities. The permanent investments of the fund consist almost exclusively of Ohio munici pal bonds, including in that term the bonds of counties, cities, townships, and school districts. A statute of the State requires that all such issues shall be offered to the fund at par and shall not be placed upon the open market until declined by the fund. A considerable proportion of the securities so acquired are issues of small taxing bodies for which no broad market exists and which could not be disposed of on short notice without some loss. There is, of course, little probability that the fund will ever be obliged to sell its holdings on short notice and little reason to doubt the u lti mate security of any of these bonds. Taken as a whole, indeed, the bonds held by the fund are exceptionally high grade. Nevertheless caution should be exercised to avoid the accumulation of an undue proportion of the securities of small taxing bodies. Bank deposits are of two classes: Time deposits (inactive account), and demand deposits, subject to check. Both classes of deposits are secured by surety bonds or deposit of securities. Time deposits are allocated upon open bids and bear interest at 4, 44, and even 5 per cent. Demand deposits also bear interest upon quarterly balances. From 25 to 30 per cent of the total deposits are in small country banks. The proportion of bank deposits to bond holdings was unusually large upon March 1, owing to the very heavy premium collections during the month of February. By June 1, the bond holdings had been increased to $14,418,850 and the bank accounts decreased to $4,532,162. Further large purchases of bonds have been made since that date. [1239] https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 252 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Premiums in course of collection on March 1 totaled $2,675,198, of which $9 ,423 were charged off as having been due over 90 days. The very large amount of outstand ing premiums on March 1 is accounted for by the great concentration of renewals in January and February. I t is the practice of the fund to include in one bill premium adjustments on the expired policy and advance premiums on the renewal policy. The concentration or renewals in the early months of the year produces inevitable delays in premium adjustments and consequently also in the collection of advance premiums. By June 1, the amount of premiums in course of collection had been reduced to $456,154, of which $99,014 had been due more than 90 days. This showing evinces great promptness in premium collections. The loss of the fund on uncol lectible premiums is extremely small—less than three-tenths of 1 per cent. The liabilities of the fund consist solely in claim reserves and unearned premiums. Unearned premiums in the subjoined exhibit were totaled from individual policy accounts. The ratio of unearned premiums to annual premium income is exception ally low because advance payments are made for six months only. The subject of claim reserves is treated at large in the third section of this report. S u rp lu s. The examination discloses a total surplus on March 1 of $3,682,471. Of this amount $1,052,700 is set aside to meet possible catastrophic losses. This leaves $2,629,771 in the general surplus account. To the catastrophe surplus are credited all premiums paid by self-insurers and 5 per cent of other premiums. Against the sum so derived are charged all catastrophic losses as below defined. The unexpended balance constitutes the catastrophe surplus. The definition of a catastrophe varies with the classification rate, being two or more deaths from a single accident for rates of $2 and under, three or more deaths for rates from $2 to $4, four or more deaths for rates from $4 to $6, and five or more deaths for rates over $6. A novel feature of the definition is that a permanent total disability involving a calculated cost of $12,000 or more constitutes a catastrophe. This pro cedure lessens the shock of severe losses in individual classifications, while it leaves a comfortable annual margin out of which to accumulate a catastrophe surplus. In the ordinary course of experience the present practice will provide sufficient funds to cover any probable catastrophic loss. Accumulation should continue at the present rate until the catastrophe surplus reaches a total of not less than $2,000,000. A competing insurance carrier ought, in mere business prudence, to have a large surplus, ranging as high as at least 50 per cent of the annual premium income, where the volume of premiums is small or not well distributed. The Ohio State fund is noncompetitive. I t is in no danger of a rate war and it has a sufficient volume of statistical experience for sound rate making. The fund need not therefore maintain anything like so great a surplus as a competitive insurer would require. To the fund, indeed, the main function of a general surplus is to meet fluctuations in loss experience. Accident cost in the same industries varies year by year from causes which can not be foreseen—more especially from the effects of business depression and prosperity. Premium rates which are adequate on the average of a five-year period will be excessive in some years and deficient in others. But it is extremely undesirable that rates should fluctuate with every fluctuation in loss experience. Stability of rates from a business standpoint is almost as great a desideratum as equity. These considerations would require the fund to maintain a sufficient fluctuation surplus to tide over a lean year without the necessity of increasing rates. At least $1,000,000 should be held for this purpose. The surplus at present in hand is more than sufficient to meet reasonable requirements. From $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 can safely be distributed without in any manner jeopardizing the stability of the fund. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1240] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, 253 C laim Reserves. All outstanding claims were individually valued in the light of the latest informa tion obtainable at the time of examination. At least three months’ development from the date of accident was obtained on every case. Great care was taken to include all claims for which there was any actual or potential liability against the fund on March 1, 1919. The classification of claims and the amount reserved for each clas3 are shown in Table IV.1 T able IV.—CLAIM R E SERV E E X H IB IT ON MAR. 1, 1919, PRIVATE INSU R ED EM PLOYERS ONLY. Incurred cost. Severity of injury. Num ber of claims. Aver age cost. 2 3 Total. Paid to Mar. 1,1919. Outstand ing Mar. 1, 1919. 4 5 6 $4,961,659 3,291,305 373,786 464,512 253,502 323,372 255,182 3,193,676 39,882 57,747 41,929 58,909 23,965 23,855 160,968 154,886 A l l a c c id e n ts .................................... D e a th s ................................................ P e rm a n e n t t o ta l d is a b ilitie s ------S p ecific p e rm a n e n t........................ . P e rm a n e n t p a r tia l im p a irm e n t ! In d e te rm in a te d is a b ilitie s 2........ . T e m p o ra ry d is a b ilitie s 3................ M e d ic a l.............................................. . U n re p o rte d c la im s 4......................... Concealed im p a ir m e n ts 5............... C o u rt a p p e a ls 6.................................. 6,640 2,507 230 1,220 359 954 $2,902 10,250 1,018 4,075 3,260 1,200 60 110 3,750 3,000 $17,144,670 7,276,505 2,357,471 1,241,422 1,462,815 3,109,871 522,289 379,297 240;000 225j000 330,000 D e ath s, w it h d e p e n d e n ts .............. D e a th s, w ith o u t d e p e n d e n ts........ D e ath s, dep endency d o u b tfu l.... Doss of a r m ......................................... Loss of h a n d ....................................... Loss of le g ........................................... Loss of fo o t......................................... Loss of e y e .......................................... Loss of finge rs a n d to e s ................. 1,906 213 388 57 100 36 48 334 645 3,219 187 2,838 2,236 1,650 1,786 1,442 1,139 674 6,135,376 39,882 1,101,247 127,464 164,987 64,290 69,194 380,482 435,006 $12,183,011 3,985,200 1,983,685 776 ,910 1,209,313 2,786,499 225'000 330,000 2,941,700 1,043,500 $ 5 ,535 106,078 40,325 45,339 219,514 280,120 1 Of the 359 impairment cases, 278 are provisionally closed, but may be reopened upon proof of an im pairment of earnings. 2 Of the 954 indeterminate disabilities, 773 are on account of accidents which occurred in 1918 and 1919. Of these, 260 were pending adjudication on June 1,1919. 2 Column 6 on this line shows the amount paid after Mar. 1,1919, on cases originating on or before Mar. 1, and closed on or before June 1. Column 5 on this line is the amount of warrants issued on or before Mar. 1 and cashed subsequent to Mar. 1. 4 This reserve is to provide for accidents which occurred before Mar. 1, but had not been reported up to June 1. The number and amount are estimated from actual experience of the fund in past years. 6 This reserve is to provide for the deficiency in impairment cases during 1918, as compared with previous experience of the fund. 8 Appeals from commission’s decision, denying compensation from the fund. Reserve is the full amount claimed in each case, plus a loading of §800 per case for court costs. A convenient test of the adequacy of the reserves set up in Table IV for indetermi nate claims is afforded by the Rubinow Standard Accident Table. This table is a frequency distribution of industrial accidents by severity of injury, compiled from European experience by a very competent statistician, Dr. I. M. Rubinow. The essential feature of this Standard Accident Table, for the present purpose, is the pro portion of permanent disabilities to deaths. The proportion indicated by the Rubinow table has rarely been equaled in American experience and is unlikely to be equaled in Ohio experience. The Rubinow table was mainly derived from manufacturing industries, whereas a large part of the deaths chargeable to the Ohio State fund occurred in coal mining and construction work—industries which have an unusually low ratio of dismemberments to deaths. Yet if we assume that the full Rubinow expectancy 1 The detailed explanations relative to each of the several claim reserve items contained in the report have been eliminated from this summary. 138517°—19-----17 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1241] 254 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, of permanent disabilities will ultimately be developed, tbe values carried in Table IV for indeterminates and concealed impairments will exceed the deficiency indicated in the Rubinow table by nearly $500,000. This fact, in itself, constitutes an extremely rigorous test of the adequacy of the fund’s reserves. In short, there can be little doubt that the reserves set up in this examination are somewhat more than sufficient to carry all claims to m aturity. I t was your examiner’s aim, in fact, to allow a reasonable margin of safety. While excessive redundance in reserves is undesirable, the opposite error is a positive menace. Any excess that ultimately develops will be returned to subscribers in the form of a cash distribution or in reduced rates. The revaluation of outstanding claims which originated prior to May 15, 1918, indicates that the reserves set up at that date by the actuarial department of the fund were fully sufficient to cover the liabilities on these claims as now ascertained. This fact goes to say that the present actuary of the fund is not likely to err on the side of inadequacy in computing reserves. R ate Level. Table I I I affords a means of testing the adequacy of rates throughout the history of the fund. By comparison of columns 6 and 7, in this table, it will be seen that the rates were somewhat deficient durirg the two years, May 15, 1914, to May 15, 1916, and barely adequate for the year ei ded May 15, 1917, though it will be noted by ref erence to the cumulative premim is and losses for these respective years, that the cumulative earned premiums exceeded the cumulative losses. At the close of this period of scant rates, the total surplus of the fund amounted to $916,887, and the nonstatutory surplus to $292,037. During this period, the fund continued to build up its catastrophe surplus, mainly from the contributions of self-insured employers, but was gradually depleting the general surplus which it had accumulated in the early years of high rates. The tide began to turn in the spring of 1917, since which date most of the present surplus of the fund has accrued. This rate history closely parallels that of the private insurance companies. At the inception of the workmen’s compensation in the United States, there were no reliable data for rate making. In the absence of sufficient knowledge, underwriters naturally guessed high. When the reports of premiums and losses began to accumulate, a large apparent profit developed, whereupon sharp and general rate reductions were forth with made under the pressure of competition. Soon it was found that the outstanding liabilities on immature claims had been greatly underestimated. At the same time, a period of general industrial depression reacted adversely upon loss experience. By the end of 1916, rates were found to be seriously inadequate and were sharply in creased throughout the country. Then came the era of war expansion. Pay rolls were enormously inflated, premiums grew by leaps and bounds, and there was no cor responding increase in compensation cost. The Ohio State fund has been more conservative in rate changes than the private companies and has experienced less violent fluctuations in loss ratios. Within a narrower range, however, it has run the same gamut of excessive and deficient rates. Every carrier of compensation insurance—stock, mutual, and State fund—has been severely criticized for the now manifestly redundant rates of 1918. Most of this criticism is misapplied. Underwriters did not, and could not, in 1917, foresee the effects of war time activities on compensation premiums and losses. At that time it was reasonably expected that the great war would continue well into 1919, that an ever larger proportion of vigorous young men would be withdrawn from industry to be replaced by women, children, old men and the physically unfit, and that, in consequence, the number and severity of industrial accidents would show a marked increase. Happily the war ended before these expectations had been realized. [1242] https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 255 Meanwhile the combined effect of low maximum compensation and abnormally high wages had pulled down the ratio of compensation cost to pay rolls by as much as 20 or 25 per cent. The Ohio law, e. g., promises two-thirds of wages during disability, but not more than $12 a week. With the high wage levels of 1918, the nominal two-thirds fell to one-half for the common laborer and to one-third or less for the skilled mechanics. When compensation bore no reasonable relation either to loss of earnings or to the ever-mounting cost of the necessities of life, injured workmen were only too eager to return to work, even though physically unfit. When labor was at a premium, when even the aged, the lame, and the halt were eagerly welcomed, the employer was only too glad to keep a partially disabled man upon his pay roll. There resulted a great falling off in the average duration of temporary disabilities and a great reduction in the number of cases compensated for impairment of earnings. At the same time many men who were permanently partially disabled and who had long been upon the pension list of the fund—men with withered arms, ankylosed ankles, stiff knees, or maimed hands—found temporary employment at wages equal to their earnings at the date of injury and so passed off of the pension list. For these reasons the pure premium experience of 1918 would be an utterly unsafe guide to premium rates in the postwar period. Even for that year the ultimate cost of accidents is by no means yet ascertained; many permanent partial disabilities arising out of accidents which occurred in 1918 will only come to light as the lessened demand for labor leads to a weeding out of industrial cripples. Hence any sweeping rate reduction upon the basis of 1918 experience would be most unwise. Experience up to the spring of 1917 clearly indicates that the general rate level of the Ohio fund is by no means excessive for normal times. Rates for individual classifications ought, of course, to be adjusted wherever necessary, but the rate level as a whole should be maintained. I t is far safer to return the accrued surplus to subscribers in the form of a cash distribution than to rely upon that surplus to tide over a period of inadequate rates. No insurance carrier was ever yet embarrassed by an accumulated surplus, whereas inadequate rates spell ultimate inability to meet accrued obligations. C laim Settlem ents. The two great desiderata in the handling of compensation claims are prompt and full payments of the benefits provided by law. Workmen’s compensation acts are placed xipon the statute books for the relief of injured workmen and their dependents. Such legislation being humanitarian in purpose, public policy requires that the law shall be liberally construed and reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claimant. Any attem pt to withhold compensation on mere technicalities, to cut off payment before disability has ceased, to harass claimants with procedural delays or to coerce them into accepting less than the full legal benefits, is contrary to the whole spirit and intent of workmen’s compensation. But it is not enough that every equitable claim shall ultimately be paid in full. Delay is emphatically a denial of justice. Few workmen have such surplus of income that they can afford to wait weeka or months for the commencement of compensation. When the weekly pay check stops destitution is never far away. Promptness in bringing relief to the sufferers is of the very essence of any sound scheme of social insurance. It was not possible to make any thorough or conclusive test of the record of the Ohio State fund in the matter of claim settlement within the time limits of an examination devoted primarily to the valuation of assets and liabilities. For the purposes of such an inquiry it would be needful to read the testimony and the findings of fact in many hundreds of cases, to trace a large number of claims from first report to final disposition, to attend numerous hearings, to observe the actual work of the claims division through a considerable period and, not least, to make a field survey. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1243] 256 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. All that could be attempted in the present examination was an analysis of open claims—including appeals from the commission’s decisions—incident to the deter mination of liability thereon. Such an analysis, however, while not conclusive, will throw much light upon the question at issue. (1) Careful scrutiny of several thousand claim records with the foregoing criteria in view failed to disclose any evidence of the denial of compensation by the Ohio fund on overstrained or technical grounds. On the contrary, there was a manifest intention on the part of the Industrial Commission, which administers the fund, not indeed to transcend the limits of the law, but to deal fairly and even liberally with claimants. This spirit is perhaps best shown in the treatment of permanent partial disabilities not covered by the specific indemnity scale. Specific indemnities, which form so distinctive a feature of American compensation acts, are almost always paid in full. The case is quite otherwise with that large class of permanent disabilities due to impairment, as distinct from total loss, of members. These disabilities are compensable, as a rule, on the basis of loss of earnings. But impairment of earnings is often difficult to establish and still more difficult for an administrative board to follow up in those jurisdictions where claim settlement rests with the employer or his insurer. In these jurisdictions, accordingly, the number of such injuries compensated for the loss of earnings bears no reasonable proportion to the number that actually occurs. The experience reported to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, e. g.; reveals barely one case of impairment to twelve cases of loss of member. Experience in the State of New York is not widely different. The Ohio fund, per contra, has paid compensation in a larger number of cases, and in greater aggregate amount, for impairments of hand, arm, leg, and foot than for outright loss of these members. The like spirit is manifested in the medical follow-up of serious injuries. In almost every case of long-continued disability the claim folder contained a recent detailed medical report. Medical examination had been set in several hundred cases wherein compensation had been suspended before the last report showed earnings equal to the wages of the injured at the date of injury. The practice, indeed, is to reexamine every case of severe injury twice yearly until disability has wholly ceased or has been pronounced incurable. In a large proportion of these cases, there is a record of expensive operative procedure and prolonged hospital care. Evidence to the same effect is afforded by the small number of claims for com pensation rejected by the commission and the small proportion of appeals from decisions of the commission denying compensation. During the 12 months ended March 1, 1919, compensation was awarded for more than 50,000 accidents and dis allowed on only 978 claims.1 On June 1, 1919, only 110 court appeals were pending— the majority whereof were on account of accidents that occurred more than a year before. Stated in percentages, the commission disallows two claims in every hundred and the disappointed claimants appeal from 5 per cent of such decisions. From the standpoint of full payment, then, this examination discloses no ground of criticism. The Industrial Commission, in its final disposition of claims, appears to be giving full effect to the compensation act. (2) With respect to promptness of claim payment the record of the Ohio fund is much less favorable. The average interval between accident occurrence and the first compensation payment is too long and the instances of serious delays are far too numerous. By reference to Table V it will be seen that on the third Monday in i Compensation m ay be denied on the ground th at the alleged injury does not cause disability, that the injury was not the result of accident, th a t the accident did not occur in the course of employment or—in the event of death—that the claim ant was not dependent upon the deceased. Appeal m ay be taken to the court of common pleas only from a decision denying compensation altogether. Trial in appeal cases is by jury. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1244] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 257 June, 1919, there were pending 6,000 compensation claims, of which more than 3,500 were on account of accident which occurred before June 1. To grasp the full signi ficance of this situation it must be understood that the payment of compensation does not begin until the Industrial Commission has made an award to that effect. The exhibit shows, then, that there were 3,527 cases in which no compensation had been paid more than three weeks after the date of the accident, 1,564 cases with no compensation more than seven weeks after the accident, and 371 cases in which compensation had not begun more than 12 weeks after the accident. Not all of these cases, by any means, are compensable. Every accident notice is treated by the Ohio fund as a pending claim, even though no application is filed, for a period of 90 days after accident occurrence. The experience of the fund has shown that about one-twelfth of the accidents reported to the fund cause no disability, and give rise to no claims for either compensation or medical aid. T able V .—CLAIMS PE N D IN G FIRST ADJUDICATION! JUNE 23, 1919, BY MONTH OP ACCIDENT OCCURRENCE. Month of accident occurrence. Number of claims pending. Per cent of pending claims. Percent of compensable accidents for same period.2 1 2 3 4 A ll................... ............................................................................. 1919............................................................................................... June...................................................................................... May 3.................................................................................... A p ril..................................................................................... March................................................................. February............................................................................. January............................................................................... 6,003 5,929 2,476 1,963 1,193 215 62 20 1918............................................................................................... December............................................................................ November......................................................... ' ................ October................................................................................ September........................................................................... A ugust.............................................................................. J u ly ....................................................................................... 74 18 19 13 9 11 4 100.0 98.8 41.3 32.7 19.9 3.6 1.0 .3 1.2 .3 .3 .2 .15 .2 7.0 20.0 60.0 40.0 25.0 5.0 1.5 .5 .3 1 Actual paym ent of compensation does not begin until the Industrial Commission has rendered an award to th at effect. The award on first adjudication is commonly a direction to pay compensation until disability ceases or a further order is taken. “ Pending claims, ” under this procedure, are claims on which no compensation has been paid. 2 The percentages in column 4 are approximations only. 3 Most of these pending claims are on account of accidents which occurred in the latter part cf the month. The implications of this exhibit of pending claims are confirmed by a record of 167 compensable claims originating before the first of February and still open on June 1, on which no payment has been made down to March 1. Of these 167 accidents 58 occurred in January, 1919, 45 in December, 1918, 25 in November, 9 in October, 6 in September, and 24 in still earlier months. The “ waiting period” under the Ohio law is seven days, so that the first com pensation payment ought normally to be made, not only f o r but i n the second week of disability. Making all due allowances for delayed notices, insufficient informa tion, questionable claims, and the like, the proportion of claimants awaiting first payment at the end of 3 weeks should not exceed 10 per cent. That 40 per cent of the compensable accidents which occurred in May and 25 per cent of those that occurred in April should still be pending first adjudication, and with no com pensation paid, on the 23d of June, bespeaks unreasonable delay in the initial steps of compensation payment. This unfortunate situation is due in large part to totally inadequate appropria tion. The claims division has a total of 93 full-time employees, including 7 field investigators, to handle an annual volume of over 150,000 claims. The salaries are [1245] https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 258 MONTHLY LABOE BEVIEW. miserably insufficient to attract and retain capable men for the responsible positions. The number of field agents is wholly inadequate to make prompt investigations of disputable claims. The whole expenses of claim adjustment, for the fund and for self-insurers, amount to less than 1 per cent of pure premiums. To anyone con versant with the subject, it needs no argument to show that compensation claims can not be promptly or efficiently handled for any such cost. In part, however, procrastination in initial payments is directly chargeable to ritualistic procedure. The commission requires, as the basis of an award, a formal application from the claimant, supported by the employer’s report of accident and by a medical report. Failure to receive any one of these documents means delay in beginning compensation. Application from the claimant is required upon purely legalistic grounds. An injured workman, by an unfortunate provision of law, has a nominal right of election, after injury, to take compensation or bring suit against his employer on the ground that his injury was caused by the employer’s failure to comply with safety laws. His application to the fund constitutes his election and so is necessary to perfect a legally valid claim. But the election to bring suit is so rare that for ail practical purposes such a contingency might properly be ignored. In most cases, indeed, the application is a matter of form, the blank being filled out and the applicant’s signature secured by the employer himself. But the employer is sometimes averse to the payment of compensation and the injured man is often ignorant of his rights or incapacitated by his injury from filing a claim. The medical report, again, is required to establish the fact of disability. This requirement is the more reasonable in that practically every compensable accident requires medical attention. Medical men, however, are notoriously negligent in the making of reports. To withhold compensation for weeks or months pending the report of the attending physician is to inflict unmerited hardship, not upon the delinquent doctor, but upon his hapless patient. Numerous instances were found of such delay in caseswhere no medical report was necessary to establish the fact of disability. I t needs no expert testimony to prove that a man with a broken leg will be disabled for several months or that a coal miner “ caught by a fall of slate” has sustained a compensa ble injury. The remedy is neither far to seek nor difficult to apply. The employer’s notice of accident is, or can readily be made, prima facie evidence of a compensable accident. The employer is required by law to report the accident within seven days; that is, at a time when it is already known whether disability continued beyond the waiting period. Every other fact essential to establish a claim for compensation can ordinarily be stated in the same report. A proper system of supplementary reports will establish the continuance or termination of disability. For another class of delayed payments—the suspension of a permanent disability pension pending reexamination—there is even less excuse. The system of medical follow-up in these cases is thoroughly commendable. I t results from this system that permanent total disabilities, e. g., are kept under observation for a term of years. Until very recently it was the practice of the commission, after each periodic examination, to award temporary total compensation up to a fixed date, with re examination before that time. The number of examiners being very limited, it frequently happened that the fixed number of months expired before reexamination could be made; whereupon compensation was automatically suspended. One such case of self-evident permanent total disability—Claim No. 73179, fractured skull resulting in paralysis—exhibited a record of 11 such suspensions within 4 years totaling 51 weeks. After each hiatus, the claimant was replaced upon the pension roll, with back pay from the date of suspension. This particular evil has been cor rected by the simple expedient of making the award in such cases run 1‘until further order of the commission.’5 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 11246] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 259 The class of permanent impairments, not amounting to dismemberment or to total disability, might properly be handled in somewhat similar fashion. These disabilities are compensated at two-thirds of the “ impairment of earning capacity during the continuance thereof.” The commission required, as proof of such impairment, a monthly statement of wages, certified by the employer. By reason of this practice partial disability benefits partake of the character of unemployment insurance. When the partially disabled workman is out of a job, he frequently draws the maxi mum compensation; when he secures employment at good wages, his compensation ceases altogether. Compensation thus fluctuates with the labor market; four or five changes in the weekly rate, up as well as down, may be made in the course of a twelvemonth, all the while that the workmen’s physical condition and consequently his actual “ impairment of earning capacity” remain unchanged. This system of in and out adds enormously to the burden of claim adjustment and claim payment, at the same time that it entails innumerable delays and suspensions of compensation. In scores of impairment folders the last entry reads: “ No wage statement for March,” April, or May, as the case may be. Most often the employer has simply neglected to file the statement; when he at length does so, compensation is paid for the past several months. The burden of correspondence, of bookkeeping, and of rehearings in cases of unemployment may readily be conceived. Undoubtedly the commission’s rule follows the letter of the law: Average wages at the date of accident is the basis of compensation and diminution of wages is the measure of impairment. But it may be doubted whether such a rule is either expedient or judicially inevitable. Immediate loss of earnings is not the sole nor the best measure of a permanent impairment of earning capacity. In most of the cases under consider ation the claimant has a permanent physical disability—commonly a permanent injury to one of the long bones or to a crucially important bony articulation. There is no chance that his condition will ever improve. Looking forward to his prospective career as a wage earner, with due regard to the effect of his physical handicap upon his chances of employment, it is possible to determine with approximate accuracy the actual impairment of earning capacity and to fix the rate of compensation once for all upon that basis. It is probable that this method would do greater equity upon the whole than the present rule; it is certain that it would be far simpler to administer, would involve no increase in aggregate payments, and would be better in every respect for the injured workman. The way to encourage rehabilitation is not to penalize it. So long as compensation varies with every variation in current earnings, self-interest, uncertainty, and the whole play of subconscious influences deter the workman from doing his best. Once his compensation status is definitely fixed, he has every incen tive to earn as much as he can. The procedural changes herein suggested appear to be well within the interpretive and rule-making powers of the Industrial Commission. Their adoption would go far to remove the vexatious delays and suspensions which are the only ground of serious criticism against the otherwise excellent administration of compensation benefits. For the rest, there is crying need of more and better paid deputies, referees, medical examiners, and field investigators to establish prompt touch with beneficiaries and facilitate the hearing of claims. It is not enough that every claim actually filed shall receive prompt attention. Every notification of a fatal or serious injury should be followed up ; if no claim is filed within a reasonable time, investigation should be made and the claim, if liability is found to exist, completed. The whole purpose of the fund is to pay benefits where benefits are due, and this purpose can not be achieved by a purely mail-order system nor by throwing the initiative exclusively upon the injured workman and his dependents. The common-law theory that every man is acquainted with his rights and able to maintain them is as little applicable to work man’s compensation as the fellow-servant rule. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1247J 260 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. In all fairness, it should be added that the record of the Ohio State fund, even in respect to promptness of claim settlement, will compare favorably with the record of any other insurance carrier. The criticisms herein made do not imply that the fund is more remiss in this matter than other insurance carriers, b u t only that it is less prompt than can fairly be expected of a fund conducted by the State for the sole and express purpose of securing the prompt and full payment of compensation benefits. P re m iu m A d ju stm e n t. Policies of the Ohio State fund are issued in the ordinary way upon payment of an advance premium calculated from the employer’s estimate of pay roll. All pre miums are by law adjusted semiannually upon the actual pay roll. The practice of the fund is to make preliminary adjustments upon the employer’s sworn statement of pay roll, subject to subsequent audit. Twenty-seven "traveling auditors are employed for the purpose, and all risks of any magnitude are audited at least annually. Renew als being, with few exceptions, automatic, the employer’s statement of pay roll for the past six months is included on the same blank with his estimate for the ensuing half-yearly period, and the past premium adjustment is incorporated in the bill for the renewal premium. An advance estimate of pay roll less than the actual pay roll for the last insurance period is not accepted unless the reasonableness of such estimate is clearly established. Failure to pay the renewal and adjustment premium within 10 days after billing automatically cancels the policy and the employer’s name is thereupon certified to the attorney general as a delinquent. A unique system of merit rating is applied to all risks insured in the fund. For risks other than contractors this plan is one of charges only. Normal losses are taken at 60 per cent of manual rates. In computing the losses of an industrial risk, a death is taken at an amount equal to the normal losses in the same classification upon $100,000 of pay roll, and a permanent total disability is taken at one and one-half deaths. No account is taken of any catastrophe. If the losses of the risk as so com puted do not exceed the normal the manual rate is applied. If the risk losses exceed 60 per cent of manual premiums, a charge of 3 per cent of manual rate is made for every 10 per cent of such excess, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent. The rating is prospective—that is, the experience charge, if any, is calculated and applied at the beginning of each half-yearly insurance term. The entire experience of the risk while insured with the fund is comprised in the experience-rate calculation. A system of credits only, similar in principle to the foregoing, is applied to contracting risks. The total charges developed by this plan, during the last insurance year, amounted to approximately 4J per cent of premiums on industrial risks, and the total credits to approximately 3 per cent of premiums upon contractors’ risks. The net balance of charges was 3 | per cent of total earned premiums. This highly ingenious plan was devised in its entirety by the present actuary of the fund. Its conspicuous merits are simplicity and universality of application and the avoidance of extreme deviations from classification rate. The outstanding defects are the excessive penalty for a single death o-r permanent disability in the experience of a small employer, and the inability of a large employer to obtain a rate to which his individual experience, as contradistinguished from that of his classification, may fairly entitle him. Changes in the experience rating plan, effective July 1, 1919, will meet the foregoing criticisms in part. The combination of semiannual premium adjustment wuth the experience rating of thousands of risks entails a prodigious burden of accounting. During the past year the actuarial division had fifteen employees continuously engaged in the work of com piling and verifying the experience record of individual risks from the inception of the fund. With all this effort, there has been delay in the making of premium adjust nents [1248] https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 261 each January and July, when the great bulk of the fund’s business comes up for renewal. The excellent mechanical equipment at present possessed by the actuarial department has largely overcome this difficulty. To make matters worse, the law requires an annual revision of classification rates as of July 1. There are, of course, compensating advantages in the system of semiannual premium adjustments. In a period of rapid industrial expansion or contraction the fund does not have to wait 18 months—as the private insurance companies must—to ascertain the trend of premiums and losses. The fund, until the last few periods, has never established a definite “ year of account. ’’ Statements have been compiled for various “ insurance periods, ’’running to September 1, May 15, and March 1. (See Table III.) Each of these periods is awkward and their variety makes it difficult to compare the expedience of the fund from period to period. May 15 has been used for the last several years, except as applied to 1919, when it was set back to March 1 in order to give an even seven-year period for the actuarial audit and also to allow sufficient time for the completion of both the actuarial audit and revised rate computations. While it is true that the use of May 15 has given the actuarial department a greater volume of experience upon which to compute its July 1 rates, at the same time, the large experience now developed by the fund makes this late date no longer necessary. The year of policy issuance, used by most casualty insurance companies, is disadvantageous in itself and inapplicable to the fund. The calendar year ending December 31 would probably be most convenient. The calendar year of account would coincide with the policy year for the bulk of the business. Premiums and losses for the year would be automatically ascertained in the course of individual policy adjustments. Three months after December 31 could be allowed for maturity of claims and still permit the compilation of classification experience in ample time for the annual rate revision. The work of classification rate making would in fact be thrown by this plan into the relatively slack months between March and July. Administration Expenses. The Industrial Commission of Ohio administers the Workmen’s Compensation Act, the Factories and Workshops Act, the Mine Law, and the Woman and Child Labor Laws, conducts the free employment offices, inspects steam boilers, licenses stationary engineers, and censors the movies. The management of the State fund is incidental to the administration of the Industrial Commission Act. To ascertain the adminis trative cost of the fund, therefore, it is necessary to make a functional analysis of the commission’s accounts. Such an analysis for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1918, is presented in Table VI. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1249] 262 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, T able V I.-E X P E N S E S OF THE IND U STR IA L COMMISSION FOR THE Y E A R E N D E D JUNE 30, 1918. Department. 1 All ex penses. Salaries. 3 3 All departments....................... $608,254 $458,727 39,447 Executive................................... 61,688 Compensation............................ 279,596 215,447 Statistics and information___ 53,002 43,813 92,463 68,609 43) 861 32) 073 25) 084 33,669 27,' 316 21,500 12,754 Moving picture censorship__ 16,659 Compensation department: All divisions....................... 279,596 95, 775 45)233 Claim division................... 138,588 215,447 73,382 38,917 103)148 Fees. 4 Rent, in surance, fight and heat. 5 $2,710 52 2,264 243 $31,349 13,642 6,647 1,870 2,532 1)855 148 1,813 '969 S 2,221 2,264 2,264 6,647 2,510 1,237 2)900 Postage, Equip express, ment tele and phone and sup tele plies. grams. 6 7 Travel ing ex penses. All other ex penses. 8 9 $13,260 1,640 6,869 1,236 534 900 533 280 1,268 $37,006 5,485 25,660 3,287 78 433 4 1,697 '362 $61,521 1,372 22,689 1,813 18,059 8)452 6,235 2,867 34 $3,681 50 20 940 2,651 6,869 2,594 l) 279 2)996 25,660 5,700 2,000 17,960 22,689 11,589 l) 800 9) 300 20 20 20 The executive department comprises the commissioners, secretary, assistant secretary, bookkeepers, and certain clerks and stenographers. Six examiners of compensation claims, charged to the executive depart ment, were for the purpose of this analysis transferred to the compensation department. Postage, on the bookkeeper’s accounts, is charged to the executive department. Of the amount so charged $20,000 was transferred to the compensation department. In the expense analysis of the compensation department, the items of rent and equipment were prorated by number of employees and the item of traveling expenses was allocated among the several divisions in accordance with their known functions. The actuarial divisions of the compensation department has complete charge of rate making, experience rating, underwriting of risks, compilation of statistical information and the computation of reserves. The chief actuary thus combines, in many respe'cts, the functions of actuary, underwriter, and manager of the fund. The functions of the auditing and claim divisions are sufficiently expressed in their titles. The department of statistics and information, it should be noted, has nothing to do with accident or com pensation statistics. It will be seen that the entire cost of the compensation department (including all expenses of the fund) was $279,596. Adding a fair proportion of the executive or overhead cost, the total was somewhat short of $300,000. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919, the corresponding total was in the neighborhood of $320,000. If, then, the whole cost of the compensation department were fairly chargeable to the fund, the “ expense ratio” for the current fiscal year would be somewhat less than 3 per cent, and for the last preceding year less than 4 per cent, of earned premiums. Computed in like manner, the expense ratio of the fund from its inception to March 1, 1919, is less than 5 per cent. This extraordinary showing bespeaks extremely eco nomical, not to say niggardly, management. In point of fact, the expenses fairly chargeable to the fund are considerably less than even this showing would imply. The compensation department of the Industrial Commission handles not only claims against the fund, but claims against self-in surers—a group which comprises some 35 per cent of the accident exposure in the State. It must be remembered, moreover, that the adjudication of compensation claims is a function which would devolve upon the State irrespective of the maintainance of a State insurance fund. To judge from the experience of other jurisdic tions, the supervision of claim settlement by private insurance carriers costs quite as much as the direct settlement of claims through the medium of a State fund. Were the fund wiped out of existence, the charge upon the public treasury would be decreased, at most, by the cost of the auditing and actuarial divisions. The actual net cost of the fund, over and above the cost of administering the compensation act without State insurance, does not exceed $150,000 per annum—about per cent of average annual premiums over a five-year period. This compares with an expense ratio of 40 per cent of premiums on the part of private insurance companies. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1250] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 263 Economical management, however, is not simply a matter of expense incurred; account must be taken as well of the service performed. Viewed from this broader standpoint, it is past question that the expenses of the Ohio fund have been kept below the level of reasonable efficiency. Bona fide economies in the elimination of selling costs and of competitive duplication account for much the greater -part of the saving above referred to; but there have been also some fictitious savings at the sacrifice of legitimate and necessary services. Some of the functions properly per taining to compensation insurance are neglected altogether; others are inadequately performed. The need of more liberal support is especially urgent in the claims division. Private insurance companies spend 10 per cent of compensation benefits upon claim adjustment; the Ohio fund is compelled to get along with 1. The claim expenses of private insurers, indeed, cover much competitive waste. The Ohio fund has no need to maintain a dozen branch offices in Cincinnati nor to send 12 adjusters to Orrville to investigate as many claims. But it does need at least double the present number of referees, medical examiners, and field investigators,1 in order to carry compensation with reasonable promptness to injured workmen and their dependents. It needs, moreover, to pay far higher salaries to the men who are primarily respon sible for the determination of claims, and to vest them with larger discretion. I t is physically impossible that the commission should actually pass upon more than a minute fraction of compensation claims. In the vast majority of cases, the decision of the claim examiners in the office or of the claim investigator in the field, of the medical examiner, the referee, or at most the director of claims, will become in effect the decision of the commission. If these men, in their several ascending grades, possess the requisite training and experience and are vested with appropriate dis cretion, the procedure will take on a character of flexibility and dispatch. If, on the other hand, these responsible subordinates are paid the salaries of clerks, they are likely to be of clerical grade; if of clerical grade they can not safely be intrusted with more than clerical discretion; which semes to saying that the determination of claimants’ rights, in the vast majority of cases, will be made by rule of thumb. If the claims division is inadequately supported, the safety division is nonexistent. The Industrial Commission, of course, enforces safety laws in factories and mines; but law enforcement is quite distinct from the safety work customarily carried on by compensation insurance. The merit rating plan already described and its acci dent prevention laboratory constitute the immediate safety activities of the Ohio fund. The fund does pot directly employ inspectors or safety engineers, and unfor tunately it does not have an adequate working relationship with the inspection departments of the Industrial Commission. Risks are not rated upon the basis of physical hazards. If, however, the actuarial division is able to put into effective and extensive operation its accident prevention laboratory, this should secure most constructive results in accident prevention. The above accident prevention laboratory is distinctly a new development in the workmen’s compensation field, and has been devised by the present actuary of the Ohio fund. In this laboratory, accidents are analyzed instantaneously upon reach ing the actuarial division, as to cause, nature, etc., and the results of such analysis are punched on cards. These cards are sorted and tabulated by risks monthly, and carried to group analysis sheets. Copies of such analysis sheets are provided not only to the safety engineers, and workshops-factory and mining inspectors of the commission, but copies are also provided directly to the employers. 1 The claims division has 3 referees, 7 field investigators, and 8 medical examiners, all at salaries which range from $1,000 to $3,500 per annum. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1251] 264 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, The auditing and actuarial division appear to he reasonably well supported as respects the everyday work of rating risks, writing policies, auditing pay rolls, collect ing premiums, and issuing warrants, though they have woefully underpaid employees. Accounts are well kept, collections are unusually prompt, and the records of classi fication and individual risk experience are in excellent order. But the broader work of statistical compilation, so vital to the maintenance of a sound rate system, has fallen behind for want of funds. Detailed and up to date statistics of accidents, their severity, causes, and compensation cost, are indispensable to a sound structure of classification rates, to sound experience rating, and to intelligent accident preven tion. The Ohio fund possesses the primary sources for a larger volume of statistical experience than any other insurance carrier in the United States; not alone its own experience, but that of self-insurers as well. If provided an adequate appropriation, the fund can make the most effective use of this rich material. The cost of complet ing the statistical analysis will not be great. The claim records have been made up in full, the cards in most cases punched. The mechanical equipment of the actuarial division is all that could be desired. All that is needed is to employ a few additional clerks and to appoint a trained statistician to relieve the overburdened actuary from the task of supervising statistical detail. The limited funds available for the Ohio fund appear to be employed to the best advantage. All appointees are under civil service and the character of. the personnel appears, by actual observation, to be exceptionally good. But the funds available are woefully inadequate to the needs. The gross amount is rigidly determined two years in advance without reference to the probable volume of business. Whether the cost of administration of a State fund for compensation insurance should be supported out of general taxation or premium income is a question of public policy with which this report has no call to deal. If, however, the State assumes the cost of administration, the plainest dictates of public policy require that the grants shall be commensurate with the functions to be performed. To impair the service on the specious plea of economy is pro tanta to defeat the objects of workmen’s com pensation. To meet reasonable needs the appropriation for the compensation depart ment of the Industrial Commission should be at least double the present amount and should be made in lump sum so that it could be used for one or another function as circumstances might require. In conclusion, I have to thank your honorable body for the very courteous treat ment received at your hands and for the great facilities placed at my disposal in the conduct of the examination. All books, records, and accounts'were freely produced, all files laid open, and every possible assistance rendered by your staff, whenever called for by me. Thanks to this hearty cooperation and to the excellent state of the records, it was possible to complete a very voluminous examination in a relatively short space of time. With respect to the state of the records, it is sufficient to say that everything called for—bond lists and bank deposits, earned and unearned pre miums and premiums in course of collection, itemized budgets, analyzed claim lists of many kinds—was promptly forthcoming. Damage-Suit ' ‘R u n n ers'—Laws of New York and New Jersey. OME of the most persistent opposition that has been made to the enactment of compensation laws has come from the socalled damage-suit lawyer, whose business largely consists in the prosecution of suits for personal injuries. The business is of S https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1252] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 265 course not restricted to suits by employees against employers, rail roads, street railways, and automobile owners being prominent among those against whom damage suits may be brought by members of the public on account of injuries received. However, the amount of business arising from industrial accidents is regarded by them of such importance that they have definitely and even openly set themselves against compensation enactments which would either reduce their fees or dispense with their services altogether. Even on the floor of the Senate of the United States it was boasted in a debate on the Sutherland bill for a railroad compensation law in 1912 that the Senator speaking on the subject made “ the railroad companies twist and squirm,” and was opposing the bill so that he might be able to do it again, as the prosecution of such suits “ is all the kind of busi ness I do.” In the carrying on of such business there has developed a class of persons known as “ runners” or “ ambulance chasers” who make it a business to solicit suits for lawyers by whom they are employed or with whom they are in an agreed relation. In 1917 the New York Legislature amended section 270 of the penal law of the State, which relates to practice or acting as attorney at law without being regis tered, so as to make it also an offense “ to make it a business to solicit employment for a lawyer, or to furnish attorneys or counsel or an attorney and counsel to render legal services.” This is ob viously an attem pt to restrain the activities of the “ runner,” and the New Jersey Legislature of the current year (cli. 223) has enacted a law of similar tenor, making it unlawful for “ runners” to solicit damage suits. What appears to be the first attempt at an enforcement of the provisions of the amended New York statute resulted in the conviction in the Supreme Court of the State, county of Orange, of one Harry Meola, on June 20, 1919, in that he did “ unlawfully and feloniously engage in and made it a business to solicit of divers persons employ ment for a lawyer and divers lawyers, * * * all without the invitation, request, or consent of any of said divers persons,” said Meola not being a duly licensed and registered practitioner of the law in the courts of the State. A record of the trial discloses the testi mony of the witnesses, showing various classes of cases solicited by the defendant, together with representations made by him as to his connection with various lawyers, the district attorney’s office, etc. It appears that in one case he suggested that the amount sued for should be $30,000 and that he would want 40 per cent of the recovery, naming the lawyer by whom the action would be prosecuted. In an other case he offered to guarantee the father of an injured workman $10,000 as a net sum, but he was to receive 40 per cent of the recovery for his services. In another case the defendant offered an agent $200 if he would influence prospective suitors to turn their business https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1253] 266 MONTHLY LABOE EE VIEW. over to him. These evidences of the method of procedure convinced the jury, under the charge of the court, that the law had been violated, and they brought in a verdict of guilty. Under the terms of the act it was charged that it was not sufficient to find that in a number of cases solicitation had been indulged in; but “ did this defendant make a business of soliciting work for a lawyer? Not did he do it in one instance or a dozen instances, but was that his occupation, was that his vocation, was that the thing to which he devoted most of his time ?” On the finding of an affirmative answer to these questions the court assessed a fine of $100 with a warning that a second offense would mean imprisonment. It is reported that this penalty, though slight, coupled with the warning, has been sufficient to terminate the activities of this solicitor and likewise of the lawyers who were connected with him in the undertaking. Occupational Diseases Compensable in Wiscon sin—A Correction, N THE M o n t h l y L a b o e K e v i e w for July, page 186, a brief statement was made in regard to amendments affecting the scope of the compensation laws of Connecticut and Wisconsin. The Wisconsin law was reported as amended in line with the pro visions of the British statute as to occupational diseases. Such a proposal was made, but failed of ultimate acceptance. However, a much broader provision than any enumeration of specified diseases could afford was incorporated into the act by amendments enacted as chapters 457 and 668, laws of 1919, thereby including all occupa tional diseases. This is effected by substituting the term “ injury” for “ accident” in subdivisions (2) and (3) of subsection 1 of the first section of the act; also by adding a new section to the act, No. 2394-32, which provides: “ The provisions of sections 2394-1 to 2394-31, both inclusive, are extended so as to include, in addition to accidental injuries, all other injuries, including occupational diseases, growing out of and incidental to the employment.” The State of North Dakota should also be named in the con cluding paragraph among the States whose compensation laws cover occupational diseases. What California and Wisconsin have accom plished by amendment, striking out the word “ accident,” North Dakota achieved by original enactment; and the term “ injury” is construed by the Workmen’s Compensation Bureau of the State to include occupational diseases. The laws of five States, therefore, have such inclusiveness—California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, besides the Territory of Hawaii, and the law governing Federal employees and public employees of the District of Columbia. I https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1254] SOCIAL INSURANCE. Report of Illinois Health Insurance Commission.1 pin} HE Illinois Legislature of 1917 provided for the appointment of a I commission to be known as the Health Insurance Commission to investigate sickness and accidents affecting employees and their families, not provided for by the workmen’s compensation law of the State. Adequacy of present methods of prevention and of meeting the losses due to sickness or injury, and propositions for legislative measures to effect such ends were also to be considered. The com mission was to be representative of employers and employees and of the public, and was to include a physician, a farmer, a social econo mist, and a social worker. The secretary was Prof. H. A. Millis, of the University of Chicago, and while he had much to do with the develop ment of the data embodied in the report, he did not take part in the formation of the conclusions and the recommendations. Public hearings were held in various parts of the State, and much assistance was received from other agencies of the State government and from similar commissions in other States. Special studies on several phases of the subject were made by experts, part 2 of the report containing 16 such special studies or discussions by specially selected authorities in the various fields. The first part of the report consists of five chapters. The first, entitled “ The problem,” considers the number ill at a given time, the sickness experience of a year, disabling sickness of wage earners, the cost of sickness, effects on the standard of living, vital statistics, causes of disease and death, responsibility for sickness and premature death, and the prevention of the same. The second chapter is entitled “ Combating diseases and conserving health.” Under this head are considered the present measures in force and campaigns against special diseases, maternity care, infant welfare work, medical care of school children, etc. The third chapter is devoted to an account of the care of the sick by both private and public agencies. Existing health insurance is discussed in the fourth chapter, accounts being given of establishment funds, trade-union benefit systems, fraternal orders, and other forms of insurance and benefit provisions. The fifth chapter presents the commission’s findings and recomi Report of the Health Insurance Commission of the State of Illinois. Springfield, May 1,1919. 647 pp. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1255] 267 268 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. mendations. This is a summary of the four preceding chapters, presenting in a compact form some of the data and the conclusions derivable therefrom. The recommendations are those of the majority of the commission, Mr. Matthew Woll, a representative of labor, being absent and taking no part in the recommendations; two mem bers of the commission submitted a minority report indorsing the positive recommendations of the other members, but dissenting from the conclusion that the findings of the commission “ do not justify it in recommending compulsory health insurance.” No effort was made to conduct an independent census for the pur pose of determining the number ill at a given time, existing data being regarded as more satisfactory than any results that the commission could arrive at, considering the means and time at its disposal. Reference was made to the fact that 35 per cent of the men ex amined in the first draft were rejected as not meeting Army stand ards, and also that 33.1 per cent of 69,171 applicants for work in Illinois were found on physical examination to be diseased or de fective, and that 19 per cent of that number were rejected as not physically suitable for the work applied for. “ Block studies” were made of 41 selected blocks in the city of Chicago, the attempt being made to select such as would be typical. Of 2,708 wage-earning families in these blocks 66.5 per cent had one or more cases of seri ous illness, i. e., causing disability for work or school for a week or more on account of sickness or nonindustrial accident. The wage loss resulting from sickness is the subject of a rather extensive tabular and text discussion by Prof. II. W. Kuhn, and is summarized by the commission as follows: In terms of the wage-earning group, it is indicated that 20 per cent will be disabled for more than 1 week, 13 per cent for more than 1 week and less than 4 weeks, 7 per cent for 4 weeks or more, 3.2 per cent for 8 weeks or more, 1.8 per cent for 12 weeks or more, and 0.6 per cent for more than 6 months; that of the entire group of wage earners it may be expected that 8.8 per cent will lose 10 per cent or more and 4.8 per cent will lose 20 per cent or more of what their earnings would have been but for disabling sickness. The cost of the sickness includes not only wage loss but medical outlay and the total was found to approach $75 per family per year. This is more than 5.8 per cent of their incomes from all sources, for these were found to average $1,298 per family. If these figures can be applied to the entire State, it would mean that the cost of disabling sickness of wage earners alone in Illinois would be about $57,000,000. If to this is added the medical bills paid for their dependents, the cost of sickness in the wage-earning families of the State would be between $80,000,000 and $86,000,000 per year. Changes in living standards and poverty and dependence result from sickness in a considerable number of cases. In spite of the amount of gratuitous aid furnished by nurses, doctors, and dispen https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1256] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 269 saries, and the emergency employment of other members of the family, a cash deficit was reported in 16.6 per cent of the wage-earning families that had sickness during the year. A summary discussion of the cause of and responsibility for disease is made, “not from a medical viewpoint, but from a consideration of the claim that the community or State, industry and the individual are in varying proportions responsible for sickness and premature death.” As to occupational diseases, strictly classifiable as such, the commission is of the opinion that, as a matter of fundamental prin ciple, the cost should be borne by the industry causing the disease. For the more general classes of sickness, however, the majority are of the opinion that a general insurance system “ would compel the State and employer to pay for that which they did not cause and for which they are not responsible in any real or tangible sense. The proposal for proportional contribution is based in its ultimate analysis solely upon expediency.” Existing health legislation and public health administration have effected considerable benefits, but have not been as fully developed as the situation demands for the best results. The specific problems of tuberculosis and venereal disease continue to receive the attention that their prevalence and their prominence in recent discussions have brought about, and the commission urges increased activity in regard to both of these subjects. A special commission is recom mended to study and investigate maternity and infant welfare work and the extension of provisions for public health nursing in every county of the State is urged. Hospital facilities are found to be Inadequate, this inadequacy being most marked in the smaller towns and in rural communities. However, taking the State as a whole, less than 60 per cent of the facilities existing in privately conducted general hospitals were used during the last fiscal year, notwith standing the fact that the maximum facilities are insufficient. The apparent need is for a larger number of low-priced and free hospital beds. Taking up the subject of health insurance, the commission sug gested that “ compulsory health insurance should be tested by what it has accomplished; what would be the probable result in Illinois; whether in the light of the need for, and the effects of, a compulsory health insurance system it would be a sound public policy for Illi nois.” The nature of the problem of sickness as well as the resulting losses “ clearly justifies the application of the insurance principle to the sickness hazard.” A study of existing methods of providing for sickness insurance indicates a growing practice among wage earners to procure a measure of protection by this means. Such insurance is generally at the expense of the employees alone, while in some cases 138517°—19------18 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1257] 270 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. the employer and the employees both contribute, or the employer pays the entire cost. The report continues: Of the wage earners who were the main support of families, approximately threefourths had life insurance in some form, averaging $750 per person. This ordinarily becomes available for the payment of burial expenses as well as for meeting the needs of dependents. * * * The cash benefits paid in indemnification of wage losses vary from $2 to $15 per week, during disability, with a limitation generally of from 13 to 26 weeks. The next point considered is the results that have followed the application of compulsory health insurance systems in those coun tries where it has been adopted. The commission believes— There is no evidence that compulsory insurance has resulted in an improvement in health. The death rates and morbidity statistics of the countries which did not have compulsory health insurance show a decline fully equal to that of the countries which have such systems. * * * It seems clear that compulsory health insurance is not an important factor in the prevention of disease or in the conservation of health. However, it has standardized the insurance against losses attendant upon the sickness of wage earners, and provides partial compensation for wage loss and supplies medical care. I t is to this extent, there fore, a material benefit. Concerning this study of the application of compulsory health insurance systems elsewhere, the report continues as follows: Our investigations show, however, that a large percentage of th e cases of poverty caused or accompanied by sickness would not be avoided by compulsory health insurance of the kind that has been proposed. They show also that it would not pre vent as much as a fourth of the cases of dependency upon charitable agencies for material relief. Ten cents per day will provide the wage earner with all the insurance needed. With few exceptions, the wage earners can meet the cost if they desire. If the wage paid in a given employment is not sufficient, it should be increased, but all employers should not be charged with an increase in wages because of the failure of some to pay a living wage. The cost of compulsory health insurance in Illinois would be between $50,000,000 and $60,000,000 annually, conservatively estimated on the basis of the investigation of sickness among wage earners and the attendant costs. The annual premiums would be something more than the annual cost. If existing health insurance carriers were used and continued their present amount of insurance, there would remain between $40,000,000 and $50,000,000 to be carried in State or local funds established. This would inevitably lead to political control and management. * * * Twenty per cent of the wage earners would be entitled to cash payments each year from these public funds, which each year would be replenished to the extent of $40,000,000. Other forecasts are made as to the disasters th at might be ex pected to follow the adoption of a system of such magnitude, and the desirability of individual action rather than State compulsion is emphasized. The commission then concludes: Few could not pay for the insurance if they desired so to do. Society does not con sider making it a legal requirement that the individual shall each pay-day save a portion of his earnings to provide against the almost certainty of unemployment, or [1258] https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, 271 that he shall have life insurance to provide against the certainty of death. * * * Guardianship by government of the normal adult man or woman has sooner or later either ended in disaster for the government which attempted it or in the servility of those so governed. * * * It is the opinion of the commission that its find ings do not justify it in recommending compulsory héalth insurance. The minority report, signed by Alice Hamilton, M. D., and John E. Hansom, a social economist, takes issue with much of the argument and with the final negative recommendation of the majority report. It emphasizes the seriousness of the problem of sickness both on account of the time loss, resulting in loss of wages, and the cost of medical service. I t declares that— The cost of sickness as well as the incidence of sickness was found to be highest in the group with lowest incomes, averaging $107.33 in families whose incomes for the year were not more than the equivalent of $850 for a family of man, wife, and three children under 15. Other points emphasized are the economic and social effects of a permanent nature, the fact that the insurance principle is applicable, and that, in spite of the great variety of methods in use in the State, the great majority of wage earners have no health insurance. Inves tigation also shows that much of the health insurance carried by wage earners is inadequate and disproportionately costly. “ Health insurance provided by casualty companies is very expensive, as shown by the fact that less than half of the money paid in as premiums is paid out in cash benefits to the sick.” The need of better organiza tion and medical service is another point touched upon, it being stated as “ an indisputable fact that the well to do (outside of the wage-earning class) and those who have recourse to medical charity receive the best medical service.” The concluding paragraphs read as follows: All experience shows that if such insurance is to be extended to more than a mer® fraction of the wage earners, it must be compulsory. We believe that the above analysis of the facts disclosed by the investigations made for the commission is the only logical interpretation of these facts and would have justified the commission in recommending the immediate adoption of com pulsory health insurance in Illinois. In our opinion cash benefits partially indem nifying the loss of wages and the provision of medical care for wage earners and their dependents would be of great value. We see no reason why the organization of medical practice under compulsory health insurance could not be so effected as, to promote the interests of the insured, the medical profession, and the community as a whole. When health insurance is made compulsory, all experience shows that most of it will be carried by such organizations as those in which a minority are now insured and which will become standardized in order to qualify as carriers. I t would perhaps be necessary to establish local mutual organizations for those who could not or would not join existing organizations, but what basis is there for assuming that these would be politically controlled? In view of the fact that the officials of these organizations would be elected by those who contribute to the funds, it seems to us that the assump tion contained in the majority report that they would be so controlled is gratuitous. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1259] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 272 With reference to the point made in the majority report that compulsory health insurance has not been an important factor in the prevention of sickness, we would not claim that compulsory health insurance is intended as a preventive medical measure. Like many other forms of insurance, it is not intended to eradicate the risk against which it offers protection. We would call attention, however, to the fact that the British Medical Society has expressed the opinion that the medical care of English wage earners has been materially improved under compulsory health insurance. Good medical care prevents touch disabling sickness. Moreover, insur ance supported in part by industry and the public may arouse a greater interest in the prevention of disease. The facts presented in this report, and the special studies by the group of experts whose services were obtained, render the volume one that is worthy of serious consideration by those interested in the subject. Whether the forecasts of evil effects to follow the adminis tration of public funds seem likely of fulfillment will depend largely on the previously formed judgment of the reader. They are in no sense based upon any phase of the investigation made by the com mission, and can be regarded only as the expression of opinion of the persons signing the majority report. The fact that a consider able number of States have State insurance systems to protect pay ments of compensation benefits is evidence of the feasibility of such systems under State management. It is difficult to sympathize with the attitude of mind that would relegate the whole subject to the voluntary action of the individual whose need is greatest but whose circumstances are most unfavorable to the making of provision for that need. While it is not desirable to attempt any prophecy, it may be pointed out that the effort to secure the enactment of workmen’s compensation laws extended over a considerable number of years before any effective measures were actually adopted; and that the passage of a health-insurance bill by the senate of the New York Legislature at its recent session indicates an increasing approval of the principles of compulsory health insurance, even though it has not yet matured into final action in any State. Municipal Pensions In New Jersey. fnpjH E Bureau of State Research of the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce has for two and one-half years been in the “““ service of a pension and retirement fund commission appointed by the legislature of the State. The appointment of this commission was due to a desire to correct the conditions existing in connection with the pension systems in use in the State, and to formulate a policy that could be adopted as sound. A number of reports have been issued covering various phases of the subject, the pamphlet https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1260] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 273 under consideration presenting a general discussion of principles, a proposed act, and an actuarial statement of costs.1 The first part discusses existing funds, and accounts for their inadequacy by their failure to recognize the proper actuarial basis. It also gives an account of some efforts at remedial legislation. One of the defects in the funds in operation is the early retirement age, 55 years, after 25 years of service, being most common. Contribu tions are inadequate, and the pension periods too prolonged by reason of the early retirement to admit of successful operation. Tire bill for an act, which is presented as part 2 of the report, fixes 60 years as the age of retirement for policemen, firemen, mechanics, street cleaners, laborers, and others whose duties require mainly physical exertion; and 62 years for clerical, administrative, and tech nical workers. The allowance is to be one-seventieth of the average salary of the five years preceding retirement, multiplied by the number of years of service, with a minimum of $400. Disability retirement is also provided for, the minimum to be $300, or 30 per cent of the average salary of the last five years of service. Rates of contribution are to be fixed for each class of employees in accordance with their particular rate of mortality, the contribu tions by the city varying on the same basis. The return of contri butions in case of prior resignation or death is to be based on a 3 per cent compound interest rate. Administration vests in a board of five, consisting of officials of the municipality and members chosen by members of the fund. A reinsurance association of the State is proposed as a novel feature in pension systems in this country, its purpose being to furnish an effective guaranty of the safety of the local funds. Funds having less than 100 members must, and larger funds may, reinsure their risks in this fund, all their contributions going into and all payments being made from it. Part 3 presents actuarial estimates of costs, service, and mortality tables, expectancies for retired and for disabled pensioners, annuity values, etc. A supplement discusses the question of broadening the scope of pensions in private industry, and presents a list of 92 of the most important institutions having pension systems, with the date of their establishment and the plan in use, i. e., whether contributory or noncontributory. 1A Sound Policy for Municipal Pensions: Report of the Bureau of State Research, New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce, Newark, N . J., May, 1919. 24 pp. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1261 ] 274 MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW. Ministry of Health Act of Canada. HE Dominion of Canada has followed in the footsteps of the parent country in the enactment of a law creating a Depart ment of Health with a minister at its head.1 This action is the culmination of a movement that has been in progress for a num ber of years. The preamble to the act states that “ it is expedient for the preservation of the health and the promotion of the social welfare of the people of Canada, that a Department of Health be established in the Dominion.” The act was assented to on the 6th of June, 1919. It provides for a minister and a deputj^ minister, together with such other officers, clerks, and employees as are necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the department. Any existing officer, clerk, or em ployee now in the employ of the Government may be transferred to the new Department of Health. The duties and powers of the min ister are to extend to and include “ all matters and question relating to the promotion or preservation of the health of the people of Canada over which the Parliament of Canada has jurisdiction.” Without in any way restricting the generality of the foregoing clause cer tain particulars are set forth, including cooperation with local authorities with a view to the coordination of efforts in behalf of the public health, the conservation of child life, and the promotion of child welfare ; the establishment and maintenance of a national laboratory for public health and research work; the inspection and medical care of immigrants and seamen and the administra tion of marine hospitals; the supervision in so far as the public health is concerned of all methods of transportation and of Federal public buildings and offices. The enforcement of rules and the administration of statutes existing or subsequently to be enacted properly falling within the jurisdiction of the minister is intrusted to him, and he is directed to make statistical and other reports and to distribute information relating to the public health, improved sanitation, and the social and industrial conditions affecting the health and fives of the people. A council of health is to consist of the deputy minister, the chief executive officer of the provincial de partment or board of health of each Province, and not more than five other persons to be appointed by the Governor in Council who shall hold office for three years. Provincial or municipal boards are in no wise affected by the provisions of this act, nor may the minister or any officer of his department exercise any jurisdiction or control over local authorities. T i See Monthly L abor R eview for A ugust, pp. 227, 228. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1262] LABOR LAWS. French Law on Collective Bargaining.1 OOK I of the French Labor Code contains the provisions of law governing the labor contract. When the volume was published, containing the code as formulated in 1910, the right of collective bargaining was recognized, but in the absence of a formulation of the code provisions, only a general validation of such agreements was set forth. With the adoption of a complete codifi cation of rules and principles on March 25, 1919, the subject ha3 received a full and definitive treatment, the principal features of which are presented herewith. A collective labor agreement is defined as a contract relative to conditions of labor, made between the representatives of a tradeunion or of any other group of employees, on the one side, and the representatives of a trade organization or of any other group of employers, or several employers contracting under a single title, or a single employer, on the other side. This agreement sets forth the obligations assumed by each party toward the other party, and, especially, certain conditions which must be satisfied by labor con tracts, individual or collective, made by persons bound by a col lective agreement, either between themselves or with third parties, for the kind of work that is the subject of the said agreement. If there is no clause to the contrary, persons who are bound by a col lective labor agreement are held to observe the conditions thereof in their relations with third parties. The representatives of a group, of either employees or employers, may contract in the name of that group by virtue of statutory stipu lations of the group, special resolutions of the group, or special written credentials given them individually by all the members of the group. In the absence of any of these, a collective agreement must be ratified by a special resolution of the group. A collective agreement must be in writing, and becomes effective on the day after it is filed in a public office. The parties must state whether the agreement is to be in force everywhere, or in a certain region or locality, or only in one or more specified establishments. In case this is not stated, agreements are to be valid only in places where copies have been filed in public offices. 1Bulletin du Ministère du Travail et de la Prévoyance Sociale. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1263] April-May, 1918. P . 74. Paris. 275 276 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. An agreement may be made for an indeterminate length of time, for a definite time, or for the duration of a given undertaking or enter prise. A collective agreement of indefinite duration may be ended at any time by either of the parties thereto, but every group of em ployees or every employer or group of employers must renounce it in order to effect this. When an agreement is made for a definite time, such time may not exceed five years; but, unless expressly provided to the contrary, the agreement continues after the expiration of the five years until terminated by the parties. If a collective agreement is made for the duration of a certain undertaking, and that undertaking is not concluded in five years, then the agreement is considered and treated as having been made for five years. Any trade-union or other group of employees, or employer or group of employers, who are not parties to a collective agreement, may subse quently adhere to the agreement with the consent of the contracting parties. Notification of such adhesion and of the consent of the con tracting parties must be filed in the public offices where the agreement is on record. The following are enumerated as being bound by a collective labor agreement: Employees and employers who sign an agreement, and those who give them credentials to negotiate in their name. Those who at the time the agreement is made are members of a group which is a party to the agreement, unless within a period of eight days from the filing thereof they shall notify the public office in which the agreement is recorded that they have resigned from the group. When the agreement is for the purpose of ending a strike or lockout the period for resigning is reduced to three days. Those who, after the filing of an agreement, join a group which is a party to that agreement. The first two of the foregoing provisions apply likewise to members of groups subsequently adhering to an agreement, the periods of eight and three days dating from the notice of adhesion. When a collective agreement is made for a definite time or for the duration of a certain enterprise or undertaking the following are con sidered as bound by the terms: Employees and employers who sign an agreement, and those who give them credentials to negotiate in their name; groups which are parties to the agreement, either by participation in the making of it or by subsequent adhesion to it; employees and employers, members of organizations which are parties to the agreement, who adhere directly for a definite time or the dura tion of an undertaking by notification to the proper public office. Every agreement is considered as being of indefinite duration as regards persons who are bound by it, other than those enumerated https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1264] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 277 Provisions for Withdrawal. Every group of employees or employers, or independent employer, parties to a collective agreement which was entered into for, or by tacit consent has been prolonged for, an indefinite period, may at any time withdraw from the agreement, provided notice he given one month in advance to all the other parties, the groups with whom the agreement was made, and the public offices in which the agree ment was filed. When the withdrawal of a single group does not effect the cancel lation of the agreement, the other parties may, within 10 days from the receipt of notification from the group withdrawing, send notice of their intention to withdraw on the date set by the first group. The withdrawal of a group legally relieves every member of that group, notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary. A member of a group of employees or employers which is a party to a collective labor agreement made for, or prolonged for, an indefi nite time, or considered as being, for an indefinite time as regards the member in question, may at any time withdraw from an agree ment by resigning from the group through which he was bound in the agreement, and notifying the proper public offices and authori ties. This notice must be made one month in advance, notwith standing an}^ agreement to the contrary. When by mutual consent a collective agreement is prolonged for a certain length of time, any member of a group remaining a party to that agreement may with draw from the agreement within the week following the extension of the agreement, by following the procedure described above. These rules also apply to any person who, having resigned from his group, has continued to be bound by an agreement. No employee or employer may renounce for a period longer than five years his right to withdraw from an agreement in force. No employee may, by a stipulation in a labor contract, renounce his right to withdraw from a collective agreement in force, for a period longer than that for which the employer himself is bound. A renun ciation of the right to withdraw from a collective agreement in force, by either an employee or employer, is not valid unless and until notice has been given at the proper public office. No agreement is legal whereby an employee or employer renounces his right to withdraw from a collective agreement by resigning from the group through which he has been bound in the collective agreement, nor whereby either renounces his right to refuse credentials to representatives to negotiate for him. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1265] 278 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Whc-n a labor contract is made between an employee and an em ployer who are bound by obligations arising from a collective labor agreement, the rules set forth in the said agreement shall govern rela tions arising from the labor contract, notwithstanding any stipula tion to the contrary. When only one of the parties to a labor con tract is bound by the clauses of a collective labor agreement, these clauses are assumed to be applicable to relations arising from the labor contract, in the absence of any stipulation to the contrary. A party who is bound by a collective agreement which obligates him even in regard to third parties, and who seeks to accept in regard to such third parties conditions contrary to the rules set forth in the agreement, may be sued in a civil suit for nonperformance of obliga tions assumed by him. Groups of employees or employers bound by collective agreements are forbidden to do anything of a nature to compromise the faithful execution of the agreement, but are held responsible for that execution only in the measure set forth in the convention. Groups bound by collective agreements, who are capable of bring ing suits in court, may in their own name bring actions for damages against other groups parties to the agreement, against members of these groups, against their own members, and all persons bound by the agreement who seek to violate the obligations assumed. Persons bound by a collective agreement may bring damage suits against other persons or groups involved in the agreement. Groups capable of bringing court actions may bring suit, on any point arising from an agreement in which they are bound, on behalf of any of their members, without having to obtain from him a special order to do so, providing he has been notified and has not opposed the procedure. The interested person may always participate in a law suit brought by his group. When an action arising from a collective agreement is brought by either an individual or a group, the other groups capable of suing in court, parties to the same agreement, may always partici pate in the action being brought, because of the collective interest the litigation may hold for their members. A collective labor agreement may legally contain provisions by which the parties leave to arbitrators, either designated or to be designated in specified forms, the determination of all or part of the disputes which may arise in the execution of the agreement. Collective labor agreements in force before the promulgation of the present law remain in force, even if the filing of such agreements and the notices relative thereto in public offices has not been effected. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1266 ] MONTHLY LABOE EE VIEW. 279 Compulsory Rest Law of Peru.1 COMPULSORY rest law, passed by the Peruvian Congress in December, 1918, provides that on Sundays, civic holidays, and election days work is prohibited in the following: Fac tories, shops, commercial houses, mines, salt works, quarries, con struction work; agricultural operations in which mechanical motors are used; public work, including charitable and educational institu tions, whether carried on directly or through contractors. All teachers and students of all schools and colleges in the Republic, without exception, are included. Although the law allows no exception in regard to women, and minors under 18 years of age, the following exceptions to the rest rule are made in the case of men: Work in commercial houses, if municipal permit is obtained; the selling and exchanging customary on Sundays and holidays in some towns; incidental repairs and cleaning necessary to prepare for the following week’s work; work in stores selling food and other necessities; work necessitated by fortuitous circumstances which, if not attended to, might result in injury to the public or to the business itself; work, continuous by nature, which has been begun on a week day; work of the sanitary and health service which must be done daily; such irrigation work on farm land as falls unavoidably on a Sunday or holiday; hotel service. All persons, however, who work on the usual days of compulsory rest must be given 24 hours of continuous rest during each week. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 1 El Peruano, Lima, Mar. 22,1919. [12671 HOUSING AND LAND SETTLEMENT Progress of the California State Land Settle ment at Durham. HE results, after less than two years since its incipiency, of the first experiment in the United States of land settlement under State supervision and authority, are set forth in a pamphlet issued by the California State Settlement Board1 giving an account of the progress of the land settlement at Durham, Calif. This settlement was the immediate outcome of the State Land Settlement Act which was passed by the legislature in June, 1917, the purpose of which was to furnish a demonstration of “ what could be done by planned rural development, adequately financed, and to show how people of small means could be helped by the State to secure farms and rural homes without this aid becoming a burden to the taxpayer.’’ A board to administer the act was appointed in August, 1917, and authorized to buy, improve, and sell to settlers 10,000 acres of land,* under general conditions which, as summarized in the present pam phlet, include the following: Land must be sold either as farm allotments, each of which may have a value not exceeding, without improvements, $15,000, or as farm laborers’ allotments, each of which may have a value not exceeding, without improvements, $400. Applicants must be citizens of the United States, or have declared their intention to become citizens. The State Land Settlement Board reserves the right to reject any or all applications it may see fit to reject. Settlers make a cash payment on land of 5 per cent and can have up to 40 years to complete the payments. They may obtain a loan of 60 per cent of the cost of houses and other permanent improvements and can have 20 years in which to repay this loan. The loans for all improvements and equipment can not exceed $3,000. The repayment of loans, which may be made by the board, on live stock or implements, may extend over a period of five years. Every contract entered into between the board and an approved purchaser shall contain among other things provisions tha't the purchaser shall cultivate the land in a manner to be approved by the board and shall keep in good order and repair all buildings, fences, and other permanent improvements situated on his allotment, reasonable wear and tear and damage by fire excepted. 1 Information regarding progress under the Land Settlement Act of the State of California and about the plans for soldier settlement in the future. Published by authority of the State Land Settlement Beard, May 30, 1919. Sacramento, 1919, 43 pp. 2 A pamphlet setting forth the offer of the board under the heading of “ California State Land Settlement Board. Farm allotments and farm laborers’ allotments in the Durham State land settlement locate^ at Durham, Butte County, Calif.,” was noted in the November, 1918, issue of th e M onthly L abo r R ev iew , p. 310. 280 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1268 ] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 281 No allotment sold under the provisions of this act shall be transferred, assigned, mortgaged, or sublet, in whole or in part, within five years after the date of such con tract, without the consent of the board given in writing. Actual residence on any allotment shall commence within six months from the date of the approval of the application, and shall continue for at least eight months in each calendar year for at least 10 years'from the date of the approval of the said application, unless prevented by illness or some other cause satisfactory to the board; provided, that in any case any farm allotment disposed of is resold by the State, tho time of residence of the preceding purchaser may, in the discretion of the board, be credited to the subsequent purchaser. The prices of land, in each farm, were fixed with clue consideration to all influenc ing factors, such as character of soil, roughness, accessibility, etc., the character of the soil being the chief reason for variation in price, the soil survey disclosing the fact that practically no two tracts were exactly alike. The total price of farm units ranged from $3,600 to $15,000, the average selling price being $150 per acre. This increase over the purchase price covers the administration expenses, cost of roads, irrigation improvements, etc. The terms of purchase were 5 per cent down and 5 per cent interest on the unpaid balance. To the interest was added a 3 per cent annual payment on the principal, making 8 per cent a year, which pays for the farm in 20 years. Amortizing the payments lessens the heavy burden of the higher interest amounts in the earlier years. Where improvements had been made on the property, when sold to settlers, a cash payment of 40 per cent of the value of these improvements was required; the balance to be paid in half-yearly installments extending over 20 years. On both land and improvements settlers might make a larger initial payment, or might pay off more than one installment on any interest date after five years. Two tracts of land having a total area of 6,219 acres, located in Butte County, in the Sacramento Valley, were purchased, largely from the University of California, at a cost of $100 per acre for the land which could be irrigated, and $10 per acre for the remainder of about 700 acres. This became known as the Durham Settlement. About 3,500 acres were available for immediate settlement, and were subdivided into 52 farms and 21 farm laborers’ allotments and offered to settlers in May, 1918, while 27 additional farms and 5 farm laborers’ allotments were opened for settlement in November, 1918. All of the allotments have now been sold and settled except 700 acres of pasture land and 320 acres of farm land. The farms vary in size and adapt ability to different kinds of farming, some running as high as 160 acres, while fruit farms, as a rule, are small. Tire farm laborers’ allot ments consist of areas of two acres or less. Experience having shown a demand for areas between the farms and the wage earners’ homes, the law was amended in 1919 to permit of farm workers’ areas having a value of $1,000. The report states that among the advantages which the Durham Settlement offers to settlers are a cooperative stock breeders’ asso ciation of which all the settlers are members and which was organized with a view of making Durham the home of pure-bred live stock; the aid which it offers in improving farms, building fences, houses, etc., the settlement system of roads, irrigation, drains, superintendent serv ice; and a community center and other social features. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1269] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 282 Although less than a year old, the progress of the settlement has been so encouraging that the legislature this year (1919) appropri ated $1,000,000 for continuing the settlement policy and authorized a bond issue of $10,000,000, which latter, if ratified by the vote of th? people, will enable the board to proceed with land settlement in a more systematic and economical way than heretofore. State Aid for Workmen’s Dwellings in Italy, O N MARCH 23, 1919, a vice regal decree (No. 455) was issued in Italy which provides for extensive state aid for the con struction of workmen’s dwellings.1 The Carriere della Sera 2 comments on the decree as follows: According to the t(?rms of the decree the following may obtain State aid in the con struction of workmen’s dwellings: The communes, workmen’s building and coopera tive societies, public-welfare associations, and the National Building and Cooperative Society of Government Employees at Borne. The Deposit and Loan Bank will place a sum of 100,000,000 lire ($19,800,000) at the disposal of the communes and local authorities, and when this sum has been exhausted further amounts will be provided. A special division for building loans is to be established in the National Cooperative Credit Institute, to which the State will contribute. This division will have a sum of 20,000,000 lire ($3,860,000) available to begin with, and it is authorized to issue bonds up to eight times the amount of its capital. The local authorities and coopera tive building societies will also be able to obtain building loans from the local savings banks, land banks, the National Insurance Institution ( C assa N a z io n a le d i P re v id e n z a ), chattel loan banks, m utual aid societies, etc. It is estimated th a t about 400,000,000 lire ($77,200,000) will be available for loans for the construction of workmen’s dwell ings. The State will contribute a part of the interest payable on these loans, which may be graduated so as practically to cover the whole of the interest for the first years, gradually reducing its contribution in the succeeding years. In order to obtain State contributions the houses must be built w ithin 5 years of the date of the decree, and must be owned by communes, local authorities, or by cooperative societies. To begin with, the State will set aside a sum of 10,000,000 lire ($1,930,000) annually for the purpose. The loans will be made by the Deposit and Loan Bank at 4.5 per cent, and other institutions will not be able to charge a much higher rate. In addition to the above facilities in the way of loans, workmen’s dwell ings will be exempt from all taxation for the first 15 years, and a rebate of 50 per cent of the taxes for the following 5 years will be granted. Various powers are given to the communes under the decree: 1. To subsidize building associations or companies and to contribute toward build ing loans and the payment of interest on these loans in certain circumstances. 2. To grant exemptions from local taxes and duties on building materials. 3. To make free grants of land or to sell at cost price property belonging to the com munes,, if buildings are erected within a specified time. 4. To expropriate by simple prefectorial decree privately owned land required for • building. 5. To expropriate in a like manner all unsanitary dwellings, if the necessary improvements are not made within a specified time. i Italy. Bollettino dell'Ufficio del Lavoro. Vol. 7, No. 8. Rome, Apr. 16,1919. *Carriere della Sera. Rome, Mar. 23,1919. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1270] pp. 93 ft. MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 283 6. To establish municipal housing offices for the purpose of supervising the housing market, all real estate owners being required to make a return of rents, vacant prem ises, etc., to the housing office of their commune. Private builders of workmen’s dwellings are also granted certain exemption from taxation. Buildings to be used as dwellings, and erected w ithin five years, will be exempt from land and property taxes for the first six years and from half the tax for the following four years. Dues on the transfer of such property will be reduced by 25 per cent during five years. The communes, local authorities, coooperative societies, and the Building Trades Federation will receive preference in the distribution of building materials which are at present in the possession of the State. The building material factories which have been requisitioned by the State are to be restored to their owners without delay, and transport facilities for coal are to be granted to such factories. Dwellings for Public Employees in Peru.1 A PERUVIAN law, dated December 28, 1918, details a plan to build 100 workmen’s dwellings, for sale to public employees of over five years’ service receiving wages of not more than 15 libras ($75),2 Peruvian gold. The executive department is to sell sufficient Government land in Lima to a financial institution—either the Savings Bank of Lima (la Caja de Ahorros de Lima) preferably, or a combination of the National Insurance Companies (Companias Nacionales de Seguros) in Lima under the Mortgage Trust Company (Credito Hipotecario del Peru ) which will build the houses according to plans and esti mates approved by the executive department. The price of the houses is stipulated as “ the value invested in land and construction.” They will be sold on terms of either 10 or 20 years, 5 per cent cash payment, and balance in monthly payments. These monthly payments will include, beside principal, 6 per cent interest per year, a fixed charge or commission of 1 per cent per year, and an aliquot part payment of a fire insurance premium. If the buyer desires to insure the property to his family, an aliquot part payment on life insurance is included in his monthly payments. The houses are sold on lease contracts, the titles not passing until full payment has been made; and until full title has been acquired, the buyer is not permitted to dispose of a house except through the institution that built it. Bonds may be issued by the building institution in the amounts and with the guaranties stipulated in existing laws on the subject. All contracts and procedure required by this law are free from the usual taxes and fees that are required for registration, stamps, papers, and incomes, and shall remain exempt from any such imposts laid in the future. The Government guarantees the capital invested in these 100 houses, the 6 per cent annual interest on the same, and the fixed charge of 1 per cent per year. * JE1 Peruauo, L im a, Mar. 26,1919. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis »Presumably per m on th , although n ot so stated in th e law . [1271] LABOR ORGANIZATIONS. Tenth German Trade-Union Congress, Nurem berg, June 30-July 5, 1919.1 A FEW weeks before the outbreak of the war the German tradeunions had held their ninth congress at Munich, a congress noteworthy for its pronounced hostility to the repressive measures planned at that time by the Government. During the war the further convening of this parliament of the German working class had, for a number of weighty reasons, been impossible. The end of the war finally made possible the holding of the tenth congress, which was in session at Nuremberg from June 30 until July 5. In point of membership the Nuremberg congress showed that the trade-union movement has reached the highest point in its history. While in July, 1914, the membership of the Free Trade-Unions was 2,521,000, it fell to 995,000 during the first half of 1917, but by the middle of 1918 it had again risen to 1,370,000 and by the end of that year to 2,864,000. The membership experienced its greatest increase, however, during the current year as the result of the revolution. In February it had reached its third million, in May its fourth, and on the occasion of the congress a membership of nearly 5£ millions was reported. It is evident that the trade-union movement is the strongest and most influential factor in Germany’s present economic life, and it is not surprising, therefore, that the proceedings of the congress were followed with keen attention by the German public. It was expected that the differences of opinion within the German Social-Democratic party would influence the trade-union movement and would manifest themselves at the congress. This expectation was fully realized. Report of the Executive Committee. The congress was attended by 644 delegates, the largest number ever present at a German trade-union congress. Chairman Legien, of the executive committee (GeneraTkommission) of the Free TradeUnions, submitted to the congress the business report of the com mittee. An animated discussion of the report, lasting two days, fol lowed. The truce between capital and labor declared at the beginning 1 Die Gewerkschaft, Vienna, July 15 and 22,1919, and Kölnische Zeitung, Cologne, July 5,1919. 284 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1272] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, 285 of the war, the support of the auxiliary national service law (Hilfsdienstgesete) and of joint industrial leagues (Arbeitsgemeinschaften)f and the ostensible upholding of the war polioy of the Government by the trade-unions, formed the principal subjects of the discussion. Owing to the widely differing views on these subjects of the con servative and radical factions among the delegates, no attempt was made to reach a basis for a unanimous vote. Finally the following resolution was adopted: In accepting the report of the executive committee as to its activities during the past business period the Tenth Congress of the German Trade-Unions declares itself convinced that within the sphere of its tasks the executive committee has endeavored to represent and promote the economic interests of the German working class. The congress, therefore, emphatically denies the accusations made in public that the com mittee betrayed the working class during the war. Fully aware of the fact that differ ences of opinion may exist as to the suitable solution of individual problems coming before the trade-unions the congress expresses to the executive committee its confi dence. A total of 445 delegates, representing 3,307,885 members, voted for this expression of confidence, while 179 delegates, representing 1,483,779 members, voted against it. The opposing minority was therefore considerable. Nevertheless this result is not likely to be specially gratifying to those factions of the labor movement which had hoped for a radical change in the policy of the trade-unions. Political Neutrality. The next subject on the agenda was a resolution dealing with the political neutrality of the unions. The text of this resolution which was adopted by both factions of the congress is as follows : The Tenth Congress of the German Trade-Unions declares that the trade-union* must, without prejudice to the political or religious conviction of the individual worker, unite all workers in the safeguarding of their economic interests. The Mannheim agreement of 1906 with the Social-Democratic Party of Germany, which provides that in the case of problems involving interests of the entire working class an understanding be arrived at by the directorates of both central organizations, had the object of increasing the militant strength of the working classes through pre vention of differences between the political and the trade-union labor movement. The political neutrality of the trade-unions toward their members was not affected by this agreement. But this agreement presupposed a unitary political representation of the interests of the German workers, which no longer exists. The split in the Social-Democratic Party endangers also the unity and solidarity of the German trade-unions. Conse quently, the Trade-Union Congress is compelled to proclaim the political neutrality of the trade-unions toward the political parties. The struggles caused by political differences of opinion among the workers must not be permitted to weaken the mili tant strength of the trade-unions, the representatives of their economic interests. The trade-unions, however, must not lim it themselves to narrow representation of the occupational interests of their members, but must become the center of the class aim* of the proletariat and aid in achieving victory in the struggle for socialism. 138517*—19------ 19 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1278 ] £86 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Attitude Toward Unauthorized Strikes. The attitude of the trade-unions toward the present numerous unorganized strikes and the Government measures for their repres sion was discussed by the congress in connection with a resolution passed at the Conference of Trade-Union Directorates ( Vorst&ndekonferenz), held in Berlin immediately before the Congress. This resolu tion, which dealt with the railroad strike then impending, was adopted by the congress without any amendment. Its text is as follows: In view of an impending railroad strike the Minister of National Defense on June 26 issued an order which, until further notice deprives part of the railroad workers of the right to strike. The Tenth Congress of the German Trade-Unions admits that at the present time a strike of the German railroad workers would cause immeasurable injury to our lan guishing economic life and aggravate the sufferings of the working classes by bringing on general disorganization. Like the competent trade-union organizations of the railroad workers, the congress disclaims any community with the unauthorized strikes already in progress which have been called by irresponsible persons. Nevertheless the Trade-Union Congress protests against any abrogation of the right of the railroad workers to strike, even if such abrogation is only temporary, for the right to strike belongs to all German workers and salaried employees as an achievement of the revolution. The present prohibition is, moreover, inexpedient, be ause strikes can not be prevented by prohibitions but only by agreement with the trade-union organizations of the workers. The Trade-Union Congress urgently appeals to the railroad workers and to the entire working population to leave the representation of their interests to their trade-union organizations exclusively and in view of the wretched situation of Germany and of her working people to refrain from all unauthorized strikes. It should be mentioned here that as a direct consequence of this resolution the ministerial order prohibiting railroad strikes was rescinded. Public Boycott. The following resolution was adopted relative to the boycott: A public boycott shall be decreed only by a resolution of a full meeting of the local committee, on the vote of at least two-thirds of the local unions. If it is intended that a boycott shall extend over a whole district, or over the whole country, the directorates of the unions concerned must secure the approval of the directorate of the federation. A trade-union boycott against suppliers of cooperative stores shall be decreed only after an attempt to remove the existing differences and when the mediation of the directorate of the Central Association of German Cooperative Stores has proved un successful. Guiding Principles for the Future Lines of Action. The greatly differing views of the delegates with respect to the present and future tasks of the trade-unions led to a stormy debate when the guiding principles for the future lines of action of the tradeunions were discussed by the congress. Delegates Leipart and https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1274] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 287 Cohen, representing the majority of the congress, advocated ‘ ‘con sistent continuance of the policy adopted by the majority of the trade-unions and the executive committee after the overthrow of the monarchy, a policy which, in spite of considerable opposition, has been approved by a large majority of the German workers, as is evi dent from the recent rapid increase of the membership of the tradeunions. This policy is opposed to all sudden changes in the activities hitherto pursued by the trade-unions, and the task devolving from the formation of new political conditions is merely that of attaining more speedily the general aims of the trade-union movement. In these aims are included not only a greater development of protective labor legislation and the securing for the worker of a larger share of the proceeds of production, but also the transformation of private ownership into public ownership, in other words, the socialization of the means of production. These are the enlarged tasks of the trade-unions and of the newly created works councils. ” The radical minority of the congress and its spokesman, Richard Müller, took an entirely different view of the tasks of the trade-union movement. They regarded the above program as nothing less than a strengthening of the capitalistic economic system and even main tained that the works councils were no serviceable agency for pro moting the transformation of private into public ownership. The joint industrial leagues, supported by the executive committee of the trade-unions chiefly as a means of improving the German economic situation, were attacked even more violently by the opposition and its leader. They demanded the substitution of the soviet system, as it is in force in Russia and Hungary, for the institutions planned by the congress and for those already incorporated in the administration of the State. As was to be expected a large majority of the delegates approved the views expressed by Delegates Leipart and Cohen, the spokesmen of the executive committee, and the following resolution was adopted: The guiding principles for the future lines of action of the trade-unions include in the first place a clear and unequivocal declaration of adherence to socialism. The trade-unions are indispensable during the period of transition as well as in the social istic order of society. The right of workers to joint deliberation on all questions of production, from the individual factory up to the highest authorities of the central economic organization, must be secured. The system of works councils shall be fur ther developed occupationally and territorially along with a system for the repre sentation of establishment managers. Autonomous economic organs (joint industrial councils') shall be formed. Within the joint industrial councils the trade-unions shall take the lead in the endeavor to formulate a clear-cut policy with respect to the work* councils. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [12751 288 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Works Councils. Concerning works councils the congress adopted the following reso lutions by a vote of 407 to 192: In the conelnsion of collective agreements the establishment and tasks of works councils shall be regulated as follows: In each establishment employing at least 20 workers a works council shall be elected, by secret ballot, from the male and female workers over 18 years of age. In establishments employing less than 20 workers the representative of the trade-union shall take the place of the works council with all the rights of the latter. The election of the works council must take place not later than four weeks after the coming into force of a collective agreement or after the opening of a new establishment. A new election of the works council shall take place yearly. The employers shall compensate the members of works councils for possible loss of earnings or for expenses Incurred in the exercise of their duties as members. The employer shall in due time be notified of meetings of the council to be held during working hours. The works council shall have the right of joint deliberation in all matters relating to the operation of the establishment in which the workers play an active part or have a legitimate interest. It shall be the duty of the works council to safeguard the rights appertaining to the workers by law or through a collective agree ment and to defend these rights against the employer. With respect to a preliminary draft of a Government hill on works councils the congress made the following declaration: After taking cognizance of the preliminary draft of the works council bill of May 15, 1919, the congress declares that in essential parts this draft does not correspond to the Justified expectations of the workers. Our representatives are herewith requested to cooperate in the drafting of this bill so that a serviceable and effective law safeguarding the interests of the workers may be created. The draft shall receive the approval of the representatives of labor only if the full right of the workers to joint deliberation in all labor matters is given expression in it. Joint Industrial Leagues. The text of the resolution dealing with joint industrial leagues (Arbeitsgememschaften), which was adopted by a vote of 420 to 181, is as follows: The Tenth Congress of the German Trade-Unions sees in the joint industrial leagues the logical continuance of the collective-agreement policy of the trade-unions. The joint industrial leagues signify the recognition of the equal rights of the workers and are well adapted to the realization of the workers’ right of joint deliberation and the collective regulation of the labor contract. The joint industrial leagues serve this purpose everywhere that private ownership has not been replaced by public owner ship. On the understanding that complete parity of representation is accorded to the workers in all the institutions of the joint industrial leagues as well as in all negotiations and in all corporations having to do with the development and promotion of our eco nomic life, the congress recommends that all trade-unions take an active part in the work of the joint industrial leagues. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1276] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 289 Creation of the General German Trade-Union Federation. Up to th e m e e tin g of th e N u r e m b e r g C o n g re ss th e c o n n e c tio n of th e in d iv id u a l G e rm a n F r e e T ra d e - U n io n s w ith th e ir c e n tr a l o r g a n iz a tio n , th e “ G e n e ra lk o m m is s io n ,” w a s r a t h e r lo o se. T h e c o n g re ss, th e re fo re , re s o lv e d to c r e a te a c lo se r tie b y fo u n d in g th e G e n e ra l G e r m a n T r a d e U n io n F e d e r a tio n , th e o b je c t of w h ic h is th e c o n s ta n t c o o p e r a tio n of th e v a r io u s u n io n s in th e p r o te c tio n of th e in te r e s ts of th e o rg a n iz e d w o rk e rs of G e rm a n y . A c c o rd in g to b y -la w s of th e n e w ly fo u n d e d f e d e r a tio n i t is h o p e d to re a liz e th is o b je c t— 1. By furthering trade-union propaganda, by the collection and utilization of socio-political material and trade-union statistics, and by the issue of pamphlets. * 2. B y fo s te r in g th e p r o te c tio n of th e w o rk in g c lasses, b y th e r e te n tio n of c o u n se l in le g a l cases, a n d b y m a n a g in g th e e le c tio n of so cio p o litic a l r e p r e s e n ta tiv e s of th e w o rk e rs. 3. By the arrangement of courses in trade-unionism, the delimita tion of spheres of organization and agitation of the unions, the manage ment of exceptional conflicts, and the furthering of international rela tions with the unions of other countries. T h e d isc u ssio n of th e p ro p o s e d b y -la w s of th e n e w fe d e r a tio n re s u lte d in a v e r y a n im a te d d e b a te o v e r th e q u e s tio n o f w h e th e r th e u n io n s s h o u ld b e o rg a n iz e d b y tr a d e s o r b y in d u s tr ie s . T h e r e te n tio n of th e fo rm e r o rg a n iz a tio n b y tr a d e s w as, h o w e v e r, re s o lv e d by a la rg e m a jo r ity . . T h e following are the most important provisions of the by-laws adopted with respect to the organization of the federation: Any trade-union which subscribes to the by-laws of the federation and to the resolutions of the trade-union congresses and is not in competition with an already admitted trade-union may become a member of the federation. The directorate of the federation which takes the place of the former executive committee (Generalkommission) shall be composed of 15 members of whom 7 shall be paid employees of the federation and the remaining 8 shall serve without compensation. The direc torate shall be assisted by an advisory council composed of one representative of each adhering trade-union, as a rule the president of the union. In special instances the editors of trade-union journals may be permitted to attend the meetings of the advisory council in a consultative capacity. The functions of the directorate and of the advisory council remain nearly the same as those of the former executive committee and of the conference of directors ( Vorst&ndeIconferenz). Each trade-union is to pay quarterly into the treasury of the federation 5 pfennigs (1.2 cents) per member. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1277] 290 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Every third year the directorate of the federation must convene a trade-union congress. Special congresses may be convened, if necessary, on resolution of the advisory council or on motion of at least one-half of the adhering trade-unions. If &trade-union is unable to continue with its own means a wage movement commenced by it the federation shall, after approval b}' the directorate, grant strike benefits to that union. The weekly grant shall be 12 marks ($2.86) to each striking or locked-out worker who has belonged to the union for at least 18 weeks, and 16 marks ($3.81) to each worker who has belonged to the union for at least 26 weeks. The sums required fox this aid are to be assessed on all adhering trade-unions. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 11278] STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS. Strikes and Lockouts in the United States, April to June, 1919. CCORDING to information received by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1,016 stiikes and lockouts occurred in this country during the second quarter of the year 1919. Inasmuch as many reports do not reach the Bureau until several months after the strikes occur, the number of strikes occurring during the quarter was probably somewhat larger than the above figure would indicate. Complete data relative to these strikes have not been received by the Bureau and it has not been possible as yet to verify what have been received. The figures in the following tables should therefore be understood to be only an advance state ment and not to be accepted as final. A N U M B E R O F S T R IK E S A N D L O C K O U T S B E G IN N IN G IN E A C H M O N T H , J A N U A R Y T O J U N E , I N C L U S I V E , 1918 A N D 1919. K in d of d is p u te . Jan u ary. Feb ru a ry . M arch. A p r il. 180 178 208 197 293 185 301 246 377 389 8 8 11 12 11 5 10 11 6 21 188 181 219 209 804 190 311 257 383 410 M ay. June. M o n th not s ta te d . 284 168 T o ta l. Strikes: 1918................................................................ 1919................................................................ L o c k o u ts: 1918................................................................ 1919................................................................ T o ta l: 1918................................................... 1919................................................... 93 1,811 1,572 l 1 64 71 39Q $98 180 98 1,875 1,643 m 6 The quarter was prolific in strikes. The one involving the largest number of persons was probably that of the clothing workers in New York, in which 60,000 were said to have been engaged. This was followed by 35,000 textile workers in New Bedford in June. Other strikes involving large numbers of employees were those of telegraphers in June in the South and West, telephone operators in New England in April and in California in June, linotype operators in Brooklyn in June, the American Railway Express employees in New York in May, automobile workers in Elmira and Detroit in May, furniture workers in Rockford, 111., in May, phosphate miners in May, California shipbuilders in May, cigar makers in Tampa and https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1279] 291 292 MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW. Chicago, building laborers in Chicago, Dallas, and Passaic, bakers in Chicago, shoe workers in New York and Massachusetts in May and June, longshoremen in April, textile workers in Providence in April, brass workers in Connecticut in June, city employees in Chicago in June, and the motormen and conductors on the Bay State Street Railway in June. The data in the following tables relate to the 974 strikes and 42 lockouts reported to have occurred in the three months under con sideration. . A few strikes that occurred during the quarter but in which the exact month was not stated appear in a group by them selves. STATES IN W H I C H 10 O R M O R E S T R I K E S A N D L O O K O U T S W E R E R E P O R T E D O C C U R R I N G D U R I N G T H E S E C O N D Q U A R T E R O F 1919. A p r il. M ay. M o n th n o t sta te d . June. T o ta l. S ta te . S trik es. M a ss a c h u s e tts ______. . . N e w F o r k .......................... P e n n s y lv a n ia ................... I lli n o i s .................................. O h io ....................................... M ic h ig a n ................ .. N e w J er se y ......................... I n d i a n a ......................... .. C alifor n ia............................. W is c o n s in ........................... C o n n e c t ic u t ..................... M i n n e s o t a ....................... 3?e x a s .................................... W a s h in g to n ....................... I o w a ..................... ................. M isso u r i................ .............. W e s t V ir r in ia ................... R h o d e I s la n d .................... i i a i n e ............ .................. N e w H a m p s h ir e ............ O k la h o m a .................... .. G e orgia ................................. N o b r a sk a ........... ................. T e n n e s s e e ....................... 84 oth er S ta te s an d T e r r ito r ie s .. , ................ T o t a l........................ 28 22 28 22 18 11 10 11 U 8 8 8 8 1 6 8 4 5 4 5 3 L o ck L ock L ook L ookL ock o u ts. S tr ik e s. o u ts. S tr ik e s. o u ts. S trik es. o n ts. S trik es. o u ts. 2 1 2 1 1 " T 87 64 8 33 88 3 2 29 23 16 12 i 11 9 " f 6 11 4 2 18 8 2 8 7 1 2 6 " T 7 8 6 8 2 4 1 4 é i 44 83 27 20 15 7 10 9 4 7 16 4 9 6 1 1 1 4 6 3 1 7 1 3 3 i 3 8 ‘ "T i 1 1 l 2 1 2 1 1 1 7 3 4 IS 1 6 4 % 28 3 44 i 84 246 11 889 21 289 2 2 4 9 50 SS 2 f 4 8 65i 2 42 48 ..... 33 29 2 27 26 28 3 19 20 2 17 2 16 2 16 17 . . . . . . 15 16 4 11 i 12 13 10 10 3 4 2 AS 107 1 974 G rand to ta l. 112 111 94 68 44 43 35 29 29 26 23 22 20 19 18 18 17 16 16 18 18 13 10 110 42 1,016 Of these disputes, 723 strikes and 25 lockouts occurred east of the Mississippi and north of the Ohio and Potomac Rivers; 177 strikes and 12 lockouts ocourred west of the Mississippi, and the remaining 74 strikes and 5 lockouts south of the Ohio and Potomac Rivers and east of the Mississippi. In 21 strikes, union officials repudiated the action of the men in striking. As to cities, New York City has the largest number of disturb ances—37 ; followed by Chicago with 28, Detroit with 26, Boston with 17, Cleveland and Toledo with 13 each, and Omaha with 12. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1280] 293 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. As to sex, the distribution was as follows: Males, 771 strikes and 80 lookouts; females, 35 strikes and 2 lockouts; both sexes, 35 strikes; sex not reported, 183 strikes and 10 lockouts. The industries in which 9 or more strikes and lockouts were reported are shown in the table whioh follows: NUM BER O F S T R IK E S A N D L O C K O U T S IN S P E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S R E P O R T E D O C C U R R IN G D U R I N G T H E S E C O N D Q U A R T E R O F 1919. April. I n d u s tr y M ay. M o n th n * t sta ted . Ju ne. AS T o ta l. or oocupa- G rand t o ta l. Strikes. B u ild in g tr a d e s ............... M e ta l t r a d e s . . . . . ........... T e x t i le s ............................... C l o t h i n g ........................... M in e rs............... ................... S tr e e t r a ilw a y s ................ T e le p h o n e e m p lo y e e s . . B a k e r s .................................. C ity e m p lo y e e s ................ S h ip b u ild in g .................... P a p e r an d p a p e r p rod u c t s .................................... E le c tr ic a l a n d gas s u p p l y ..................................... Ir6n a n d s t e e l........ Printing a n d p u b lis h i n g .................................... W a ite r s , c o o k s, an d b a r t e n d e r s ............. T e a m s te r s a n d ch au ffe u r s................................... Carriage and a u to w o r k e r s ............................ F o o d h a n d le r s .................. L u m ber and t im b e r .. . f t e a m r a ilw a y s ................ C h e m ic a l w o r k e r s.......... L e a th e r w o r k e r s ............. L o n g sh o r e m e n ................. T o b a cco w o r k e r s............. M isc e lla n e o u s.................... N o t r e p o r te d ..................... 5 2 IS T o t a l........................ 246 L ook S trik es. L o o k S trik es. L o o k L ock Look o u ts. S trik es. o u ts . S trik es. o u ts . outs. o u ts . 78 a à 1 16 18 14 6 7 ...... 3 2 8 83 60 2 4 28 16 20 11 7 20 8 10 1 40 60 31 20 14 10 10 5 1 14 8 4 3 2 3 3 1 12 2 1 8 4 8 4 11 6 1 6 8 2 1 2 1 1 9 2 8 1 4 5 4 1 4 3 1 2 7 28 21 289 4 2 S 4 1 9 86 11 389 ...... 1 4 12 3 3 3 i 1 % 200 176 78 57 4 18 1 1 51 27 1 2Q4 189 58 51 r 24 23 23 22 13 4 2 7 5 2 2 T 34 24 23 22 1 21 1 22 2 2 ............ 15 16 8 1 iS 14 3 IT 1 2 1 1 2 17 17 15 15 18 12 13 11 10 1 I 2 10 9 50 1 9 9 9 23 87 i' 5 3 28 90 974 42 1,016 8 ............S' 8 14 5 n 9 9 2 18 Included in the above table are 38 strikes of carpenters, 37 strikes of painters, 32 strikes of machinists, 71 strikes and 1 lockout of molders, 13 strikes of tailors, 28 strikes and 1 lockout of bakers, and 43 strikes of coal miners. In 535 strikes and 26 lockouts the employees were reported as connected with unions; in 18 strikes and 1 lockout they were not so connected; in 5 strikes they were not connected with unions at the time of striking, but joined immediately after; in 416 strikes and 16 lockouts the number was not reported. In 568 strikes and 36 lockouts only one employer was concerned in each disturbance; in 21 strikes, 2 employers; in 16 strikes, 3 em ployers; in 7 strikes, 4 employers; in 8 strikes, 5 employers; in 212 strikes and 2 lockouts, more than 5; in 142 strikes and 4 lockouts the number was not reported. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1281] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 294 In the 480 strikes for which the number of persons on strike was reported there were 498,447 strikers, an average of 1,038 per strike. In 117 strikes, in which the number involved was 1,000 or more, the strikers numbered 418,892, thus leaving 79,555 involved in the remaining 363 strikes, or an average of 219 each. By months the figures are as follows: April, 125,258 strikers in 113 strikes, average 1,108, of whom 15,728 were in 78 strikes of less than 1,000 persons each, average 202; kay, 192,148 strikers in 193 strikes, average 996, of whom 39,436 were in 146 strikes of less than 1,000 persons, aver age 270; June, 174,466 strikers in 151 strikes, average 1,155, of whom 21,016 were in 117 strikes of less than 1,000 persons each, average 180. The following table shows the causes of the strikes and lockouts in so far as reported. In about three-fourths of the disturbances the question of wages or hours was prominent and in nearly one-fourth the question of union recognition or existence was involved. P R IN C IP A L C AU SES O F S T R IK E S A N D LO O K O U TS R E P O R T E D D U R I N G T H E S E C O N D Q U A R T E R O F 1919. April. H a tte r in M o n th n o t repo rted. June. M ay. AS O C C U R R IN G Total. G rand to ta l. dispute. L o c k S tr ik e s. L o o k S trik es. L o o k S trik es. L o o k S trik es. out«. o u ts. o u ts. o u ts. 7* 124 *" T Q N o n p a y m en t of w ages. iS ............Ô" 88 15 6 R e c o g n itio n , s 6 2 308 si 7 t 36 13 11 1 3 8 143 47 2 w a g es, R e c o g n itio n a n d oonC o n d itio n s a n d w a g e s .. C o n d itio n s an d h o u r s .. C o n d itio n s, w a g e s, an d E m p lo y e e s d is c h a r g e d . D isc h a r g e o f ob jectio n - 8 11 7 1 9 1 1 10 3 10 8 9 1 18 1 2 1 3 g 5 2 6 47 n 26 3 29 10 1 3$ 1 7 240 u 889 3 39 1 . 1 4 " T 6 4 0 7 48 8 34 3 21 289 9 60 149 66 28 l 1 *8 7 1 89 *S ............i 2 14 1 8 13 2 19 56 N o t r e p o r te d .......... .. ™ r >■s ,i 14 3 Î 6 101 4 1 I n c rea se o f w a g e s an d R e c o g n itio n o f u n i o n . . R e c o g n itio n an d w a g es Strikes. Look outs. 1 1 ______ ! 9 i 15 24 4 66 104 " T 14 6 2 2 15 25 4 76 168 974 42 1,016 i It is frequently difficult to state exactly when a strike terminates, since many strikes end without any formal vote taken on the part of the strikers. The Bureau has information of the actual ending of 367 strikes and 13 lockouts during the quarter, besides 5 strikes and https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1282] 295 MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW. 1 lockout in which the positions of the employees were filled with practically no interruption in the work. R ESU LTS O F S T R IK E S A N D LO C K O U TS E N D IN G O F 1919. A p r il. D U R IN G SECO ND M o n th n o t s ta te d . June. M ay. THE QUARTER T o ta l. G rand t o t a l. R e s u lt. L ock L ock L ock L ock S tr ik e s. L o o k S tr ik e s. S trik es. S tr ik e s. S tr ik e s. o u ts. o u ts. o u ts. o u ts. o u ts. In f a v o r o f e m p lo y e r s .. l a fa v o r o f e m p lo y e e * ., E m p lo y e e s ta ta r p e d p o n d in g a r b it r a t io n .. N o t r e p o r te d ............ ........ T a t a L . . . ................ 1 1 4 7 «0 49 9 24 1 16 19 97 7 7 8 1 8 41 32 1 3 1 1 116 112 1 1 12 23 147 24 134 117 >3 1 Aft S 7 66 367 13 880 In the table, which follows, the duration of 210 strikes and 8 lockouts is given. Besides these there were 48 strikes and 1 lockout for which the statement wets made that the duration was short, and 157 strikes and 5 lockouts for which the duration was not reported. D U R A T IO N O F S T R IK E S A N D L O C K O U T S D U R IN G A p r il. TH E SECO ND QUARTER J u ne. M ay. O F 191ft T o ta l. P e riod . S trik es. L ock L ock Look L ook S trik es. S trik es. S trik es. o u ts. o u ts. o u ts. o u ts. 6 8 8 t o Y d a y s ............. ............................................. 1 t o 2 w e e k s ... ............................... 8 to 4 w e e k s ........................................................ T o ta l......................................................... 6 2 5 6 5 20 6 8 1 7 6 4 7 6 10 14 5 24 8 59 4 83 i 6 2 2 5 0 7 6 4 28 4 1 66 1 2 3 18 10 9 18 14 22 26 14 69 18 210 G rand t o t a l. 18 10 18 14 1 ...... 28 27 2 14 74 15 8 218 The number of days lost in strikes ending during the quarter was 6,083. The average duration of these strikes was about 29 days. The average duration of strikes lasting less than 90 days was 23 days. By months the record is as follows: April, days lost 2,288, average 39 days; May, days lost 1,958, average 23 days; June, days lost 1,837, average 28 days. In the case of strikes lasting less than 90 days the average duration was 22 days in April, 18 in May, and 30 in March. In the 8 lockouts 1,464 days were lost. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1283] IMMIGRATION, Immigration in July, 1919. HE following tables, prepared by the Bureau of Immigration of the Department of Labor, show the number of immigrant aliens admitted into the United States in each month from January, 1913, to July, 1919, and the number admitted in each fiscal year, 1915 to 1918, and in July, 1919, by nationality. The total departures of emigrant aliens in July, 1919, numbered 25,757. T IMMIGRANT A LIEN S ADM ITTED INTO TH E U N IT E D STATES IN SPEC IFIE D MONTHS, JA N U A R Y , 1913, TO JULY, 1919. 1919 M o n th . 1918 1914 ie ii 1916 1917 1918 N um ber. J a n u a r y ............................. F e b r u a r y ......................... M arch................................. April.............................. M ay............................... June.............................. Ju ly ............................... 46,441 59,156 96,958 136,371 137,262 176,261 138,244 126,180 136', 247 134; 440 104,671 95;387 4 4 , 708 48,873 92,821 119,885 107,796 71,728 60,377 37,706 29,143 30,416 26;298 20;944 15,481 13,873 19,263 24,532 26,069 22,598 21,504 21,949 24,513 25,450 24,545 18;901 17,293 24,710 27,586 30,560 31,021 30,764 25,035 29,975 36,398 37,05*6 34,437 30,902 24,745 19,238 15,512 20,523 10,487 11,095 9,367 10,047 9', 228 9,284 6,446 e ;9 8 7 6,356 7,388 6,510 9,541 15,217 14,247 7,780 7,862 9,997 11,771 8; 499 10,748 9 ,8 6 2 P er cent in cr ea se o v er p r ec ed in g m o n th . 1 8 .3 1 0 ,5 8 3 7.5 14,105 3 3 .2 16,860 15,093 17,987 18,152 19.5 1 10.5 19.2 .9 1 D e c r e a se . Classified by nationality, the number of immigrant aliens admitted into the United States during specified periods and in July, 1919, was as follows: 298 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1284 ] 297 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D IN T O T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S D U R IN G P E R I O D S A N D I N J U L Y , 1916, B Y N A T I O N A L I T Y . S P E C IF IE D Y e a r e n d in g J u n e 80— J u ly , 1919 N a tio n a lity . A frican ( b la c k ) ........................................................... A r m e n ia n ....................................................................... B o h e m ia n a n d M o r a v ia n ...................................... B u lg a r ia n s , S e r b ia n , M o n te n e g r in ............. „ .. C h in e se___ ’..................................... .............................. C roatian an d S lo v e n ia n .......................................... C u b a n ............................................................................... D u t c h a n d F le m is h ............... 7 ................................ E a s t I n d i a n .................................................................. E n g lis h ............................................................................ F i n n is h ............................................................................ F r e n c h ............................................................................. G e r m a n ......................................................................... G r e e k ................................................................................ H e b r e w ........................................................................... I r is h ............... .............................................................. I ta lia n ( n o r t h ) ............................................................ I ta lia n ( s o u t h ) ............................................................. J a p a n e s e .. .............................................................. K o r e a n ............................................................................. L it h u a n ia n ....... ............................................................ M e x ic a n ....... ................................................................... P a c ific I sla n d e r ........................................................... Polish ............................................................................... P o r tu g u e s e .................................................................... R o u m a n ia n ................................................................... R u s s ia n .................... ................................................... R u th e n la n (R u s s n la k ) ................................... ........ S c a n d in a v ia n ............... ............................................... S c o to h ............................................................................... S p a n is h ........... ...................................................... S p a n is h - American........................................... .. S v r ia n ............................................................................... T u r k is h ........................................................................... W e ls h ............................................................................... W e s t I n d ia n (e x c e p t C a b á s ) ..................... . . . . https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 6 ,6 6 0 932 1,661 8 ,5 0 6 2 ,4 6 9 1,9 1 2 3 ,4 0 2 305 6 ,6 7 5 82 3 8 ,6 6 2 3 ,4 7 2 12,636 20,729 15,187 28,497 23,503 10,660 46,557 8 ,6 0 9 ' 146 2 ,6 3 8 3 ,6 0 4 10,993 6 9,065 4 ,3 7 6 1,200 4,459 2,933 24,263 14,310 2 ,0 6 9 5)706 1,667 1,767 273 4,5 7 6 964 642 3,1 4 6 2 ,2 3 9 '791 3 ,4 4 2 114 6 ,4 3 3 80 3 6 ,168 5,6 4 9 19,518 11,655 26,792 15,108 20,636 4,905 33,909 8,7 1 1 154 599 981 17,198 5 4 ,502 12,208 953 4,858 1,365 19,172 18,615 577 9,2 5 9 1,881 678 7,971 1,221 327 1,184 1,848 '305 3 ,4 2 8 94 5,393 69 32,246 5 ,9 0 0 24,405 9 ,6 8 2 25.919 17,342 17,462 8,7 9 6 85,154 8,9 2 6 ’ Í94 479 434 16,488 10 8,109 10,194 522 3,711 1,211 19,596 13,350 '244 15,019 2,5 8 7 976 454 793 6,7 0 6 321 74 150 1,676 33 1,179 15 2,2 0 0 61 12,980 1,867 6,8 4 0 l)9 9 2 2 ,0 0 2 3)672 4,6 5 7 1,074 5,234 10,168 149 185 a? 17,602 17 668 2 ,8 1 9 165 1,613 49 8,741 6,204 35 7,9 0 9 2,2 3 1 210 24 278 782 814 5,823 282 105 205 1,697 23 1,169 4 2,735 68 86,889 968 18,698 1,837 813 3,055 7,910 1,236 2,137 10,056 77 160 52 28,844 6 732 1,674 89 1,532 103 8,261 10,364 85 4,224 8,0 9 2 231 18 608 1,223 247 295,408 110,618 141,132 216 ‘•¡i 1,877 983 948 3 ,8 8 8 «26,700 298,820 [1285] 90 614 45 1924 155 2 196 325 5 3,743 85 1,891 '232 116 315 988 277 816 577 10 46 12 3,711 170 176 29 261 15 904 1,363 16 405 343 37 2 101 93 34 18,152 PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR. Official—United States. California.— S ta te L a n d S e ttlem en t B o a rd . In fo r m a tio n regarding progress un d er the L a n d S ettlem en t A c t a n d about the p la n s f o r soldier settlem ent i n the fu tu r e . Sacra m ento, M ay 30, 1919. 43 p p . A summary of this report is published on pages 280 to 282 of this issue of the Monthly L abor R eview . Georgia.— D e p a rtm en t o f Commerce a n d L abor. year en d in g December 31, 1918. A tla n ta , 1919. S e ve n th a n n u a l report f a r the fis c a l 82 p p . A table in this report shows a total of 21,541 males and 16,196 females employed in the textile mills of the State in 1918. Of the total, 1,992, or 5.3 per cent, were children under the age of 16 years. The total amount of wages paid is also given, but there is no classification by occupation. Other tables in the report give similar data as to the most important industries in Georgia. In each case the monthly or weekly wage rates paid for certain groups of workers are given. I llinois.— H ealth In su ra n ce C om m ission. R ep o rt. S p rin g fie ld , M ay 1 ,1919. 647 p p . A digest of this report appears on pages 207 to 272 of this issue of the Monthly L abor R eview . Louisiana .— D ep a rtm en t o f E d u ca tio n . L o u isia n a . B y Leo M . F a vro t. A im s a n d needs i n N egro p u b lic education in [N e w O rleans .] Septem ber, 1918. 26 p p . The purpose of this bulletin is “ to discuss frankly our present attitude toward Negro public education in Louisiana, to present briefly special needs in Negro edu cation, and to formulate aims and principles to guide us as a State, and to guide our parish superintendents and school boards in working out this problem.” It is to be followed by a second pamphlet presenting some suggestive plans for the organiza tion of a parish Negro school system and pointing out sources of possible aid in building up such a system. Maryland.— S ta te B o a rd o f Labor a n d S ta tistics. B a ltim o re, 1919. T w enty-seventh a n n u a l report, 1918. 306 p p . States that during 1918 there were filed with the State Industrial Accident Com mission 42,570 reports of industrial accidents, resulting in 5,005 claims for compensa tion, of which 163 were claims arising from the death of the employee. The total number of accidents during the year not resulting in claims was 120,930. The amount accrued or reported paid during the year was $252,982.93, and the total outstanding on specific awards was $511,006.31, making the total benefits $768,989.24. During the year there were 37 strikes in the State, an increase of 20 over 1917 and of 22 over 1916. Of the strikes, 10 were successful, 4 partly so, 22 were unsuccessful, and 1 remained unsettled at the end of the year. The State mining inspector reports 4,190,236 tons of coal mined, an increase of 233,655 tons, or 5.9 per cent, over 1917. There were 48 prosecutions under the child-labor law, w ith convictions in 29, or 63 per cent, of the cases. Massachusetts,— M in im u m Wage C o m m issio n . a n d preserving establishm ents i n B u lle tin N o . 19. Wages o f w om en em ployed i n ca n n in g M assachusetts. B o sto n , March, 1919. 51 p p . This report was noted on pages 250 and 251 of the Monthly Labor R eview for September. 298 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1286] MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 299 Minnesota — D ep a rtm en t o f Education.^ The new chance f o r the disabled man or woman. A d escription o f the. w ork o f the d iv isio n o f reeducation a n d p la cem ent o f in ju r e d persons established by chapter 865, law s 1919. S t. P a u l, 1919. 10 p p . N ew V ork.—Report to Oov. Alfred E . Smith, by Jeremiah F. Connor, Moreland A ct commissioner, on the State insurance fu n d o f the State o f New Ybrk. May 27 1919 Albany, 1919. 18 pp. ’ A digest of the report was printed in the September issue of the Monthly L abor R eview , pages 306-325. N ew Y ork ( C i t y ).— Department o f Health. May, 1919. pp. 118-186. Monthly Bulletin. New York City y' Contains an article on Felt-hat making by the acid-nitrate-mercury method and the no-nitrate method, which is noted on pages 287 and 238 of this issue of the Monthly Labor R eview . P ennsylvania .—Department o f Labor and Industry. o f 1919. H arrisb urg, 1919. 277 p p . B ulletin , vol. 6 No 1 series This issue of the Bulletin contains industrial accident statistics for the year 1918, and a brief digest of appears on pages 232 and 233 of this issue of the Monthly Labor R eview . ------ In su ra n ce D e p a rtm en t. B itu m in o u s coal-mine fa ta litie s i n P e n n s y lv a n ia 1918. [.H arrisburg] J u ly , 1919. 28 m im eographed pages. 2 charts. 1914 - A brief digest of this report appears on pages 233 and 234 of this issue of the R eview , P hilippine I s l a n d s .— Bureau o f Education. education, 1918. Manila, 1919. 195 p p . Nineteenth annual report o f the director o f Illustrated. Includes sections on Agricultural activities of the public schools, and Industrial instruction. U nited States /—C o uncil o f N a tio n a l Defense. problem . W ashington, 1919. A n analysis o f the high cost o f liv in g 28 p p . The report contains the findings of the Reconstruction Research Division, Council of National Defense, which indicate that the high cost of living is primarily due to curtailment of production and hoarding of food products, profiteering, and inflation of circulating credit, and that the situation may be most advantageously met by stimulated production, readjustment of incomes, repression of hoarding and profiteer ing, improvement of methods for distribution and marketing, and the perfecting of means of keeping the Nation informed regarding probable requirements of the more important commodities. Statistics on which the findings are based, relating to production, storage, prices, wages, etc., are shown. --------------- Woman’s Committee. Department of women in industry. Report Conference o f departments o f women in industry o f the Middle West State divisions H ull House, Chicago, September, 18-14, 1918. Washington, 1918. 80 pp. ------ Department o f Commerce. Bureau o f Foreign and Domestic Commerce. Whole sale prices on leading articles in United States markets, January, 1917, to December 1918. Washington, 1919. 14 p p . Miscellaneous series, N o . 80. Price, 5 cents. --------------- Bureau o f Standards. New form s o f instruments fo r showing the presence and a m o u n t o f com bustible gas in the air, by E. R . Weaver, associate chemist, a n d E E Wcibel, associate physicist. W ashington, J u n e 28, 1919. 90 p p . Scien tific pavers N o . 884■ P rice, 15 cents. y r ’ In the spring of 1916 an investigation was begun by the Bureau of Standards into some of the forms of gas detectors in use, and as none of the existing forms was found suitable for all purposes, the investigation led to the design of several new forms . which are more reliable or better adapted to certain uses than the old ones. This pamphlet is devoted to a description of these new forms. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1287] 800 U MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. S t a t e s . —D ep a rtm en t o f Commerce. B u re a u o f the Census. Census o f electri cal indu stries: 1917. Telegraphs a n d m u n icip a l electric fire-alarm an d police-patrol sign alin g system s. W ashington, 1919. 61 p p . n it e d Under telegraphs a section gives statistics concerning employees, salaries, and wages. Of the 51,574 employees of all kinds, both salaried and wage earning, of all systems, 47,227, or slightly more than nine-tenths, were reported by the land lines, and the salaries and wages paid these employees amounted to $36,392,140. Of the 81,297 wage earners, 28,224, or about nine-tenths, were reported by the land lines, and their wages amounted to $21,834,570. Operators constituted 21,639, or 69.1 per cent of the wage earners for all systems, 71.5 per cent of the total number of wage earners for land lines, and 47.1 per cent of the wage earners for ocean cables. Female operators constituted 22.3 per cent of the operators employed on land lines and 11.6 per cent of those employed on ocean cables. ------------------- M u n ic ip a l m arkets i n cities havin g a p o p u la tio n o f over 80,000: 1918. W ashington, 1919. 56 p p . A municipal market as the term is used in this report is defined to be a “ place designated by the city for use by a number of persons for marketing food products under municipal supervision. * * * The supervision may range from the com plete control exercised by a city official with a corps of assistants, to casual observa tion by the policeman on whose beat the market is located * * The report covers the organization, classes of employees, areas and buildings, rentals, and methods of operation of markets; revenues, costs, valuations, and indebtedness. ----- D e p a rtm en t o f the In terio r. B u re a u o f E du ca tio n . A n educational stu dy o f A la b a m a . W ash in g ton, 1919. 522 p p . B u lle tin N o . 41. Report of a commission appointed for the purpose of making a study of the public educational system of Alabama, including all schools and educational institutions supported in whole or in part from public funds, to determine the efficiency of the same, and to report its findings, with recommendations for increased efficiency and economy. —----- —- ------ E d u ca tio n in Ita ly , by W alter A . M o n tgom ery. W ashington , 1919. 29 p p . B u lle tin N o . 86. A review of Italy ’s school system, emphasizing the changes wrought by the war. The most striking advance in the field of Italian education during the past two years has been the establishment of the “ scuole popolare” from plans submitted by the Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Labor, and the Minister of Public Instruction. These schools, constituting a “ bridge between the elementary and the vocational and technical schools, ” bring to rural children who have, through financial reasons, been unable to continue in' school, scientific and vocational advantages hitherto obtainable only in schools of higher grade. Successful hospital classes in elementary subjects were carried on for wounded soldiers in the various hospitals by public school teachers and by volunteers. The program for educational reform urged by a commission appointed to study the needs of the present educational system is thor oughly up-to-date and includes among its provisions the following: The thorough execution of all school laws and the overhauling of the national financial svstem to this end. The raising of the minimum salary of teachers to 8,000 lire ($600) and the investing of the teaching profession with enhanced moral and social prestige. The lengthening of the school year and the requirement of the teacher to take part in civic and communal tasks. The fixing of the final leaving age of pupils at 18 years. The establishment of compulsory schools for illiterate adults up to 45 years. The establishment, on the application of communal authorities, of popular courses, schools of hygiene and sanitation, languages, etc. The subordination of the national budget to the needs of popular education, and not vice versa. The paying of greater attention to woman’s place in the national life, with especial regard to the needs of peasant and laboring women. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [ 1288] # MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. U nited States .— D e p a rtm e n t o f the In te r io r . S u n tzerla n d , 1916-1918, by P eter I I . P earson. N o . 38. 301 B u re a u o f E d u c a tio n : E d u c a tio n i n W ashington, 1919. 26 p p . B u lle tin ----- D ep a rtm en t o f L abor. C hildren's B u re a u . A d m in is tr a tio n o f child-labor law s. Part. 3: E m p lm jm en t-certifica te system — M aryland, by F rancis H enry Bird a n d E lla A r v illa M erritt. W ashington, 1919. 121 p p . Charts. In d u s tr ia l series N o . 2, part 3. B u re a u p u b lic a tio n N o . 41- In 1915, in Maryland, approximately 27,000 boys and girls between 10 and 16 years of age, or nearly 18 per cent of the total number of the children in the State, are said to have been at work. About 12,000, or nearly 45 per cent of these, were engaged in occupations not subject to any legal regulation, such as farm work, domestic service, and other occupations not specifically enumerated in the child-labor law. Some 18,000, or approximately 48 per cent of the number at work, were engaged in occupations for employment in which they were required by law to obtain some form of certificate from the State. This study describes the laws relating to employment certificates in effect on December 1, 1917, and the system of administration existing at that time. Since the completion of the study certain changes have been made in the laws relating to employment certificates. Briefly summarized the certificate law requires as adequate proof as is now practicable that a child going to work is of legal age; fixes for a child permitted to work throughout the year an education standard, which, though low, is as high as that of many other States; and by provid ing for physical examinations upon entering an occupation or changing from one occupation to another, demands that he be safeguarded from working in occupations for which he is not physically fit. According to the report the most important changes needed for the protection of working children are: Issuance of all certificates throughout the State under such direct supervision by the board of labor and statistics as will insure the strict enforcement of the age, educational, and physical standards set by law; uniformity throughout the State in school-attendance requirements for children of school age and educational standards for leaving school; cooperation be tween the certificate-issuing officials and the school authorities in the eastern counties; appointment of a larger number of inspectors and certificate-issuing officials; provi sion for insuring their competency; and adequate support of child-labor and compulsory education laws of all magistrates before whom prosecutions are brought. ------------------- S ta n d ards o f child w elfare. A report o f the C hildren's B u re a u confer ences, M ay a n d J u n e , 1919. B u re a u p u b lic a tio n N o . 60. W ashington, 1919. 4-59 p p . Conference series N o . I . Proceedings of a conference on child-welfare standards held under the auspices of the Children’s Bureau as the conclusion of its children’s year program and attended byauthorities on matters relating to child welfare from foreign countries and all parts of the United States. The first conference was held at Washington, May 5, 1919, and this was followed by regional conferences held in eight cities. As a whole they represent perhaps the most conspicuous single attem pt to state what contemporary civilization has learned concerning the welfare of childhood. This volume contains the principal papers read at the Washington conference and a few of the more signifi cant contributions made in the regional conferences, also quotations from discussions following the papers. While divergence of views as to method are presented by different authorities, marked agreement is expressed upon the great essentials of child-welfare policy. At the end of the Washington conference, tentative childwelfare standards were agreed upon, printed, and distributed for discussion by the regional conferences, and a committee was named to revise them in the light of criti cisms and suggestions which might be received from the later conferences and from other interested citizens and associations. These standards form section 6 of the present volume and include minimum standards for children entering employment, for the public protection of the health of children and mothers, and for the protection of children in need of special care. The other sections are devoted to the economic 188517°—19----- 20 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1289] 302 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. and social basis for child welfare standards; Child labor: Legislative prohibition of employment, legislative regulation of employment, vocational guidance and place ment; The health of children and mothers; Children in need of special care; and Standardization of child-welfare laws. An account of the Washington conference, including the text of the Minimum standards for children entering employment was printed in the June, 1919, issue of the Monthly L abor R eview , pp. 216-220, and the pamphlet containing the entire text of the minimum standards for child welfare submitted by the congress was noted in the July, 1919, issue, page 287. U nited S tates .—D e p a rtm en t o f L ab o r. E m p lo y m e n t a n d n a tu ra l resources. P o ssib il ities o f m a k in g new o p p o rtu n itie s f o r e m p lo ym e n t through the settlem ent an d develop m e n t o f a g ricu ltu ra l a n d fo re st lands a n d other resources, by B e n to n M acK aye. W ash in g to n , 1919. 144 p p . Illu s tr a tio n s . M aps. This report is the result in part of a general investigation of land as an opportunity for securing employment for returning soldiers and other workers, which, in accordance with general instructions from the Secretary of Labor, was begun in the autumn of 1915. The plan outlined has been quite fully set forth by the author in articles which appeared in the Monthly L abor R eview for January, 1918 (pp. 48-56), and April, 1919 (pp. 121-139). ------------ L etter fr o m the Secretary o f L abor tra n sm ittin g in fo r m a tio n relative to the connection o f certain o f the D ep a rtm e n t's em ployees w ith the case o f Thom as J . M ooney. 2 p a m p h lets. W ash ington, J u ly S3, 1919 . 90, 68 p p . H ouse D oc. N o . 157. ----- Federal B o a rd f o r V ocational E d u ca tio n . i n the b u ild in g trades. W ashington, Trade a n d in d u stria l series N o . 6. T ra in in g courses i n safety a n d hygiene May, 1919. 128 p p . B u lle tin N o . 31. Aims to form the basis of definite instruction in safety and hygiene as applied to the building trades. While the bulletin is intended primarily for use in vocational schools, it is also meant to be of use to employers who wish to promote safety methods and practices among their employees. ----- Federal Trade C o m m ission. F o o d in ve stig a tio n . R ep o rt o n the m eat-packing in d u stry . S u m m a r y a n d P a r t I ; P a r t I I I , M ethods o f the fiv e packers i n controlling the m eat-p a ckin g in d u stry . W ashington, J u n e 24, 28, 1919. 574, 325 p p . M aps. • ------------ R ep o rt o n leather a n d shoe in d u stries. W ashington, 1919. 180 p p . The report covers the years 1914 to 1918 and contains chapters on The hide market; Costs and profits of tanners; Costs and profits of shoe manufacturers; Margins and profits of shoe dealers; and on General conditions in the leather and shoe industries and conclusions of the commission. I t is shown that the prices of hides have increased greatly during the period covered and that the five large meat packers are in a position largely to comtrol the price of hides, both domestic and imported; that the great advance in the price of leather “ could not be justified by the cost of producing i t ” ; that the cost of manufacturing shoes increased greatly, “ but not to an extent that warranted the prices at which manufacturers sold their product; that the absolute margins of profit taken by retail dealers per pair of shoes grew wider as their costs of shoes increased ” ; and that as a result of these unprecedented profits the public had to pay prices that could not be justified. Measures suggested for relief from the intolerable prices are (1) a rigid enforcement of the laws against monopolistic control of commodities, (2) legislation forbidding pro ducers of hides engaging in the tanning business, and (3) the adoption of a device in the distribution of shoes that will acquaint the consumer with the selling price of the manufacturer. ------ N a tio n a l W ar L a bor B oard. M em orandum report o f the Secretary as to the w ork o f the board f o r the 12 m o n th s e n d in g M ay 31, 1919. Washington, 1919. 16 p p . The greater portion of this report was reprinted in the Monthly L abor R eview lor August, pages 262-270. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1290] 303 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. U nited States .—P r e s id e n t. T h e co st o f liv in g . A d d re s s, d e liv e re d a t a j o i n t se ss io n o f the tw o H o u s e s o f C o n g ress, A u g u s t 8 , 1919. W a s h in g to n , 1 919. 14 p p . ------R a ilr o a d A d m in is tr a tio n . W o m e n ’s S e r v ic e S e c tio n . N u m b e r o f w o m e n e m p lo y e d a n d character o f th e ir e m p lo y m e n t, f o r d a tes o f J a n . 1, A p r . 1, J u l y 1, O ct. 1, 1 9 1 8 . ( C la ss I ro a d s) E a s te r n , S o u th e r n , a n d W e ste rn te rrito rie s, by ro a d s. W a s h in g to n , 1919. 36 p p . This report was noted in the Monthly L abor R eview for September, pages 259-261. ■----- S h i p p i n g B o a r d E m e r g e n c y F le e t C o r p o r a tio n . I n d u s t r i a l R e la tio n s D i v i s io n . E d u c a tio n a n d tr a in in g se c tio n . T h e tr a in in g o f s h ip y a r d w o rkers. d e lp h ia , A p r i l 2 0 , 1919. 8 8 p p . R e p o r t. P h il a This report points out the conditions under which effective training on a large scale can be conducted, and shows the relation between costs and training results. ------------ S h i p b u i l d i n g L a b o r A d ju s t m e n t B o a r d . D e c is io n as to w a g e s, h o u rs , a n d o th er c o n d itio n s i n P a c ific co a st s h ip y a r d s , O ctober 1, 1918. 23 p p . W a s h in g to n , 1918. The text of this decision of the so-called Macy board, including the wage scale in full, was printed in the Monthly Labor R eview for December, 1918, pages 197-212. ------------ R e p o r t o n electric w e ld in g a n d its a p p lic a tio n s i n U n ite d S ta te s o f A m e r ic a to s h ip c o n s tr u c tio n , b y C a p t. J a m e s C a ld w e ll. P h ila d e lp h ia , 1918. 4 1 8 p p . ----- T r e a s u r y D e p a r tm e n t. P u b li c H e a lth S e rv ic e . P r o g r a m o f the P u b li c H e a lth S e r v ic e in te n d e d e s p e c ia lly to m e e t a fte r-th e -w a r n eed s. W a s h in g to n , 1919. 8 p p . S u p p l e m e n t N o . 8 5 to P u b li c H e a lth R e p o r ts , M a y 9, 1919. This pamphlet is briefly noted on page 241 this issue of the Monthly Labor R eview . Official—Foreign Countries. Canada.— B u r e a u o f S ta tis tic s . D ire c to ry o f the c h e m ic a l in d u s tr ie s i n d a te J a n u a r y 1, 1 9 1 9 . O tta w a , 191 9 . 68 p p . C a n a d a as o f The directory represents the first report of a special industrial survey of Canadian chemical industries made by the Bureau of Statistics at the request of the Honorary Advisory Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. It forms a section of the annual industrial census. It includes a list of all concerns engaged in the production of chemicals, either as main products or as by-products; and concerns in which any of the processes used are essentially dependent on the agency of chemical change. The first part is arranged alphabetically by concerns, and the second by chemical products manufactured. The remaining report of the survey will contain data regarding raw materials used, products and by-products manufactured, imports and exports, and other information. F rance.— M in is tè r e d u T r a v a il et de la P r é v o y a n c e S o c ia le . D ir e c tio n d u T r a v a il. T r a v a u x des C o m m is s io n s m ix te s D é p a r te m e n ta le s p o u r le m a in tie n d u tr a v a il n a tio n a l. V o lu m e V . A v i s s u r les m o d a lité s à e n v is a g e r p o u r q u e la d é m o b ilis a tio n s 'e ffe c tu e d a n s les c o n d itio n s les p l u s fa v o r a b le s à la re p rise de l ’a c tiv ité é c o n o m iq u e . P a r is , 191 8 . 180 p p . The Minister of Labor issued a circular on November 13, 1917, inviting departmental committees of representatives of employers and workmen and of employers’ and work men’s organizations of France to study and suggest methods for demobilization most favorable for the resumption of normal economic life after the war. This volume contains the minutes of the sessions, the findings, and resolutions of 64 of these mixed commissions, together with an analysis of the plans suggested. An appendix gives the plan submitted by the Statistique Générale de la France for France, and a résumé of plans proposed in Great Britain and Germany for those respective countries. Earlier volumes of this series were noted in the Monthly R eview for September, 1916, p. 104, and February, 1917, p. 307. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1291] 804 M O N T H L Y LA BO R R E V IE W . Great B ritain.— C iv il S e r v ic e C o m m is s io n e r s . 1919. 87 p p . C m d. 214. S ix ty - th ir d re p o rt, 1918. L on don , P ric e , 8 d n e t. ----- D e p a r tm e n t o f S c ie n tific a n d I n d u s t r i a l R esearch. R e p o r ts o f the I n d u s t r i a l F a tig u e R esea rch B o a r d . w o rk e rs i n r e la tio n to h o u r s o f w o r k i n sh e ll m a k in g . 6d. n e t. M e d ic a l R esearch C o m m itte e . N o . 2: The o u tp u t o f w om en L o n d o n , 1 9 19. 28 p p . P ric e , A summary of this report appears on pages 217 to 219 of this issue of the Monthly L abor R eview . ---------------------------N o . 191 9 . 8 pp. 8 : A s tu d y o f im p r o v e d m e th o d s i n a n i r o n f o u n d r y . P ric e , 2 d . n e t. London, Gives an account of the results of introducing efficiency methods in an iron foundry in Derby. In 1916 the proprietor began to introduce motion study, shorter hours, systematic training, and higher rates of pay for increased output, with the result that output was increased to an enormous degree. This increase is not estimated for the whole foundry, but individual instances are given. A job which before the war gave an average output of 48 per day of 10 hours was standardized under the new system at an output of 147 per day of 8 | hours. This meant an increase in hourly output by nearly 284 per cent, an increase which was regularly surpassed by trained adult workers. The proprietor attributed his success largely to his having secured the friendly cooperation of his workers before introducing the new system. He consulted them before taking any steps towards a change, and, if at any tim e complaints arose, announced his willingness to go back to the old system if they desired it. At the outset he decreased hours from 54 to 48 per week, and gave each worker a standard day wage, about 25 per cent higher than the rates prevailing in the district, until such tim e as his output under training increased to a point where he could make more as a pieceworker. Varying the usual practice, the rate per piece was increased as the output increased. Naturally enough under these circumstances the workers did not wish to go back to the longer hours and lower wages of the old system. No indication could be found that the workers suffered more fatigue under the new than under the old system, in spite of the greater output. The favorable result is looked upon as a complex of many factors. How much of the increase in output and economy of effort is to be apportioned to systematic training, to organization, and improved efficiency of material, to shorter hours, or to better food arising from higher wages, it is impossible to determine * * *. Movement study must itself result in a better organization and efficiency of material; and without the restful effects of shorter hours and the inducements offered by a better system of payment, movement study and training can have no chance of appreciable success. — H o m e D e p a r tm e n t. C o m m itte e o n the P o lic e S e r v ic e . R e p o r t. P a r t I . L o n d o n , 191 9 . 29 p p . C m d. 253. P ric e , S d . n e t. This committee was established several months ago for the purpose of inquiring into and reporting upon the condition of unrest which had existed for a considerable time among the police, not only in the metropolis, but in other parts of the country as well, with the hope of allaying the discontent and putting matters upon a more satisfactory footing. The present report deals principally with certain questions of organization, pay, housing arrangements and rent aid, and certain general con clusions on the subject of pensions. Questions remaining to be dealt with in future reports include those of recruiting, training, discipline, promotion, leave, and medical arrangements, and other questions relating to pensions, the grouping of police authori ties for purposes of control, and the merging of the smaller borough forces into the county forces. ----- l a w s , s ta tu te s , etc. M a n u a ls o f e m e rg en cy le g is la tio n . S u p p l e m e n t ( N o . 2 ), M a y 1 0 , 1 9 1 9 , to f o o d s u p p l y m a n u a l. n e t. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis L o n d o n , M ay, 1919. [1292] 188 p p . P r ic e , 2 s. 305 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Great B ritain .— Local Government Board. Housing. Schemes submitted by local au th o ritie s and public utility societies. London, 191 9 . 52 p p . Cmd. 217. Price, 3d, n e t. Under the reconstruction housing program of the British Government extended financial assistance is being given by the Government to local governing bodies and limited dividend companies to increase the supply of houses. On June 1 , 1919, 1,936 schemes had been submitted to the local Government Board from 660 local governing bodies and 36 limited dividend or public utility societies. The estimated area to be developed is about 25,000 acres. Sites covering 9,916 acres and providing for 5,201 houses have been approved. The sites submitted for approval will provide sufficient space for 250,000 dwellings. ----- M in is tr y o f L a b o r . careers a n d tr a in in g . Appointments Department. R v e is e d to N o v e m b e r , 1918. A record o f opportunity as to L o n d o n , 1918. 408 p p . A handbook compiled for the use of serving officers, ex-officers, and civilians who consult the Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labor in regard to their resettlement in civil life. --------------- Report o f the committee o f inquiry into night work in the bread baking and f l o u r c o n fe c tio n e r y tra d e. L o n d o n , 191 9 . 44 p p . This report is noted more fully on pages 147 to 149 of this issue of the Monthly Labor R eview . ------------- I n t e r i m re p o rt o f the c o m m itte e o f i n q u i r y in t o the schem e o f o u t-o f-w o r k d o n a tio n . L o n d o n , 1919. 6 p p . C m d . 196. P ric e , I d . n e t. This committee was appointed “ to make inquiries and report with regard to the out-of-work donation scheme instituted in November, 1918, and extended in February, 1919, and to make recommendations as to any modifications that may be desirable in the scope and administration of the existing scheme.” Pending the issuance of its final report, the committee submits several recommendations for immediate action relating to the following: (1) Inquiries from the last employer of the applicant for donation; (2) payment of donation to workpeople on short time; (3) concurrent payment of out-of-work donation and disability pensions; (4) part-time workers; (5) procedure in prosecutions for fraud; (6) use of employment exchangee by em ployers; (7) requirements of 20 weeks’ employment in 1918; and (8) disqualification for donation. ----- M in is tr y of P e n s io n s . Committee 1919. 12 p p . P ric e , Sd. n e t. ----- M in is tr y o f R e c o n s tr u c tio n . R e c o n s tr u c tio n L o n d o n , 191 9 . 2 4 pp. P ric e , 2d. --------------- Reconstruction problems S 3 . on Artificial Limbs. Report. London, May 20 p r o b le m s 32. Poor la w re fo rm . Child welfare. London, 1 9 19. 2 8 pp. Prier., 2d ------------ R e p o r t o f a d v is o ry c o u n c il c o m m itte e o n lo ca l re c o n s tr u c tio n o r g a n iz a tio n s . L o n d o n , 1919. 16 p p . Cmd. 136. P ric e , I d . n e t. ------ National Health Insurance Joint Committee. Medical Research Committee. A lc o h o l: I t s a b s o r p tio n in t o a n d d is a p p e a ra n c e f r o m the b lo o d u n d e r d iffe r e n t c o n d i tio n s , b y E d w a r d M e lla n b y . L o n d o n , 191 9 . 48 p p . S p e c ia l re p o r t series N o . 31. Description of experiments undertaken at the request of the chairman of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) to supply certain information in order that the policy of controlling the sale of liquor might be guided and assisted by the results of scientific inquiry. The information requested included such problems as the effect of dilution on the intoxicating properties of alcohol, the modifying action, if any, of foodstuffs at different stages of digestion on alcoholic intoxication, variations in the effects of beverages imbibed, etc. Great B ritain .— T h e K i n g 's F u n d . [ C o n s titu tio n a n d rules.'] L o n d o n , 1919. 7 p p . A pamphlet-giving the constitution and officers of the King’s fund, and the rules for its administration. This fund was established for the purpose of assisting disabled https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1293] 806 M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W . officers and men and the dependents of deceased officers and men to reinstate them selves in business. I t is not its purpose to relieve the State of any of its legitimate responsibility to the men disabled in the war, but rather to bridge a gap in after-care arrangements for which the State could not make provision. ----- T r e a s u r y . C o m m itte e o n r e c r u itm e n t f o r the c iv ii se rvice a fte r th e w a r. C iv il se rvice. R e c r u itm e n t a fte r the w a r . l s L 3 d i n t e r i m r e p o r ts , a n d f i n a l r e p o r t. F e b r u a r y 2 8 , M a y 17 , October 8 0 ,1 9 1 8 . a n d A p r i l 2 2 ,1 9 1 9 . London, 1 9 1 9 . 6, 5, 7 ,1 5 p p . C m d . 3 4 , 3 5 , 3 6 , 164■ The final report iB noted on pages 219 to 221 of this issue of the Monthly L aboe R eview . ----- W a r C a b in e t C o m m itte e o n W o m e n i n I n d u s t r y . C m d . 135. R e p o r t. L o n d o n , 1919. 341 p p . P ric e , I s . 6d. This report was noted in the Monthly L abor R eview for September, pages 262-271. ----- (Manchester). — D ire c to r o f e d u c a tio n . P a r e n ta l n e g le c t M a n ch ester, D e a n s g a te , J a n u a r y , 1919. 8 8 p p . a n d ju v e n ile crim e. Sets out the results of a searching inquiry instituted into 100 of the cases of juvenile offenders dealt with by the Manchester City magistrates during 1915, in consequence of the disclosures made in a pamphlet entitled “ Juvenile crime, ” which made obvious the fact that many children in Manchester were compelled to live under social condi tions highly conducive to crime. The present inquiry covers Culpability of parents: Social conditions: A. Income. B. Rent. C. Number in family. D. Amount per head after rent is paid. E. Statement of average findings for 100 cases; Housing; Home neglect; Physical condition of children; Mental retardation of physically neglected children; Human documents; and Conclusion. . ----- (S cotland).— L o c a l G o v e r n m e n t B oard E d in b u r g h , 1919. Ix iv , 4 4 p p . C m d . 230. T w e n ty - fo u r th a n n u a l P ric e , 6d. n e t. re p o rt, 1918. Of especial interest to labor are the sections on Housing and town planning, Old-age pensions, and Unemployed Workmen Act. I n d ia .— D e p a r tm e n t o f S ta tis tic s . 1 9 1 7 -1 8 . o r 3s. 6d. E le v e n th iss u e . S ta tis tic s o f B r itis h I n d ia . V o l. V . E d u c a tio n , C a lc u tta , 191 9 . 2 6 0 p p . P ric e , 2 ru p e e s a n d 4 a n n a s N etherlands . — D e p a r te m e n t v a n la n d b o u w , h a n d e l e n n ijv e r h e id . O v e rzic h t v a n de * V ersla g en der E a rn e r s v a n a rb e id o ver 1917. T h e H a g u e , 1919. 133 p p . Constitutes the annual summary of the reports of the individual councils of labor in the Netherlands. These bodies, organized under the act of May 2, 1897, are composed of equal members of employers and employees. They are organized locally for several trades or for a single trade. Their functions consist in the collection of information on labor conditions, formulating expert opinion and advice on labor matters, and preven tion of labor disputes by processes of conciliation and arbitration. On January 1,1919, there were 81 so-called councils of labor in existence. N ew Zealand .— B o a r d o f T ra d e. 191 9 . 108 p p . R e p o r t o n the coal in d u s tr y . W e llin g to n , M a y 20, I llu s tr a te d . Report of members of the Board of Trade appointed to inquire into and report upon the following matters: The present cost of the production and distribution of coal in New Zealand; any increases in the cost of such production or distribution since the commencement of the war, and the causes of such increases; whether the profits made in the production and distribution of coal are fair and reasonable; whether the selling prices of coal are fair and reasonable; whether increased economy or efficiency can be obtained in the production and distribution of coal, and, if so, in what respects and in what manner; all other matters affecting the supply or price of coal; the increases since the commencement of the present war in the cost of living so far as such increases affect men engaged in the production of coal, distinguishing between https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1294 ] 307 M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W . increases, if any, prior to and subsequent to the industrial agreements made in the coal industry in the year 1917 ; and the increases since the commencement of the war in the earnings of men engaged in the production of coal, distinguishing between increases, if any, prior to and subsequent to the said industrial agreements. N oeway.—Riksforsikringsanstalten. Ulykkesforsikringen fo r industriarbeidere m. v. Christiania, 1919. 1916. 8 8 * 96 p p . Norges Officielle Statistik, V I : 152. Comprises the report of the operations of the Norwegian State industrial accident insurance system for the year 1916. The following table is a brief summary of those operations for the period 1895 to 1916: ■ STATISTICAL EXPERIENCE OF NORWEGIAN INDUSTRIAL STATE INSURANCE SYSTEM, 1895 TO 1916. Year. 1895-1908.. 1909......... 1910......... 1911......... 1912......... 1913......... 1914......... 1915......... 1916......... 1895-1916.. Numb#r of estab lish ments. Receipts from premiums. Num Amount ber of wages full-time ofpaid. workers. Total. Per cent of wages Compensated acci Acci dents. dent rate (per thou Per sand Dis full cent Total. abil Deaths. time of ity. wages. work ers). Expenditures. Total. 1,473,189 5331,876,227 $5,166,181 15.57 $5,697,770 17.17 46,378 31,865 531,918 14.90 561,549 15.78 5,609 3,866 19,998 144,425 35,699,871 19,655 150,771 37,771,501 569,092 15.07 647,369 17.14 5,875 3,986 20,984 160,809 41,063,989 624,902 15.22 769,725 18.74 7,564 5,020 21,581 173, 783 45,537,923 756,200 16.61 755,948 16.60 8,808 6,183 22,819 183,343 49,610, 403 830,886 16.75 810,225 16.33 8,819 6,903 22.668 184,268 50,768,597 855,549 16.85 851,316 16.77 8,697 7,257 23,551 189,243 53,372,061 @83,398 18.43 931,469 17.45 9,080 7,612 28, 077 208,058 58,695,547 1,104,902 18.82 1,025,670 17.47 13,930 13,219 2,866,889 704,396,119 11,423,028 16.22 12,051,041 17.11 114,79085,911 1,129 136 119 138 116 127 129 206 179 2,279 31.5 38.8 39.0 47.0 50.7 48.3 47.2 48.0 67.0 40.0 Unofficial. Almanach National. A n n u a ir e o fficiel de la R e p u b liq u e F r a n ç a is e p o u r 1 9 1 5 -1 9 1 9 . (2 1 7 e a t i l e a n n é e s ) P a r is , B e r g e r -L e v r a u lt, 1919. 1418, 2 4 p p . The French National almanac for the years 1915 to 1919. Austin , Oscar P. P ric e s , yeste rd a y , to -d a y, a n d to -m o rr o w . C ity B a n k , 191 9 . N e w Y o r k , T h e N a tio n a l 16 p p . An address by the statistician of the National City Bank of New York before the editorial conference of the New York Business Publishers’ Association, New York, April, 1919. B ennett , Charles A. P r o p o s e d p l a n f o r a sc h o o l o f trades f o r R io de J a n e ir o , B r a z il. P e o ria , I I I . , T h e M a n u a l A r t s P re s s, 1918. tio n . 56 p p . B ro c h u r e s o n in d u s tr ia l educa The plan presented in this report was prepared upon request of the mayor of the city of Rio de Janeiro, acting through the Brazilian ambassador to the United States. The report covers facts concerning the industries of Brazil which have been considered in preparing the plan, the scope of a school of trades suited to the needs of the capital of Brazil, types of curricula to be offered, considerations regarding the planning of the building, the organization of the school, and other matters. B ooth, Meyrick. S o c ia l R e c o n s tr u c tio n i n G e r m a n y . L o n d o n , 1919. 3 6 p p . P r ic e , I s . n e t. study aiming to throw some light on a few of the main tendencies in social recon struction in Germany. The study is largely based on recent German literature which is copiously quoted by the author. I t is divided into five chapters, viz, (1) Social developments during the war; (2) education; (8) the family; (4) guild socialism; and A (5) social ideals. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1295] 308 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Carnegie E ndowment for I nternational P eace. D i v i s io n o f e c o n o m ic s a n d h isto r y . P r e lim in a r y e c o n o m ic s tu d ie s o f th e w a r , N o . 1 2 . D is a b le d so ld ie rs' a n d sa ilo r s ’ p e n n o n s a n d tr a in in g , by E d w a r d T . D e v in e , a ss iste d by L i l i a n B r a n d t. N e w Y o r k , O x fo r d U n iv e r s ity P r e s s ( A m e r ic a n b ra n c h ), 1919. 471 p p . Consideration is given to disabled men in civil life, to current developments in Great Britain, Canada, France, Germany and Austria, and the United States, and to various phases of the restoration of disabled men which are involved in the new programs. City and Suburban H omes Company. M a y , 1919. N e w Y o r k , 191 9 . T w e n ty - th ir d a n n u a l re p o r t o f the p r e s id e n t, 9 pp. This company is engaged in the building and management of improved homes for wage earners. I t houses over 15,000 persons in its various properties. The company has $7,185,914 invested in buildings and has authorized capital stock to the amount of $6,000,000, of which $4,191,530 has been issued. A table giving the distribution of its tenants by occupation, shows that mechanics represent the largest number (506, or 17.2 per cent), while domestics (484, or 16.4 per cent) and unskilled workers (325, or 11 per cent) follow next in the order named. D esplanq ub , Jean . Journée légale et a p rè s-g u erre. P a r is , A tt i n g e r F rè re s, 1918. 74 p p . This book on The legal day after the war is an argument for a legal 10-hour day both in Paris and in the Provinces of France. E stey, H elen Grace. C o st o f l i v in g i n th e U n ite d S ta te s , b ib lio g r a p h y . 8 8 S t . S te p h e n s S tr e e t, 191 9 . 16 p p . P r ic e , 50 cen ts. B o s to n , Bibliography published in Special Libraries, November-December, 1918, revised and brought up to date. F armers’ Cooperative Wholesale F ederation (N. Z.) L imited. [ O r g a n iza tio n a n d fu n c tio n s .] W e llin g to n , N . Z . , D o m i n i o n F a r m e r s I n s t i t u t e B u il d i n g , 1919. 85 p p . The functions of the federation, which comprises 11 associations and 62 branches of associations, are stated to be: “ 1. To purchase and arrange for transport of the requirements of the member associations and their branches, although neither the association* nor the federation confine their operations to trade with members, and in placing their exclusive agency with the federation, manufacturers are assured of the widest distribution of their goods. 2. To transport and dispose of in other coun tries New Zealand primary products. 3. To act as agents for steamship and other companies desiring efficient representation in New Zealand. 4. To link up with other cooperative organizations in furtherance of the objects of the federation, and generally to act in the interests of member associations as circumstances from time to time necessitate.” The pamphlet describes in detail its organization, functions, and facilities. F eiss , R ichard A. A n a tio n a l la b o r p o lic y . A n a ddress d e livered before the E c o n o m ic C lu b o f B o s to n o n A p r i l 1 5 , 191 9 . B o s to n , 19 1 9 . 10 p p . A consideration of the subject from the standpoint of the manager, the importance of scientific management being frequently ignored, according to the author, in dis cussions of labor problems. In any effective national labor policy he thinks the public must be represented and mentions two methods by which such representation has been suggested: (1) That the social scientist, “ the men from our universities, who are dealing with the arts and sciences, are the people who Bhould represent the people,” and (2) “ that the public should be represented, in the case of any one industry, in relation to its particular questions with labor, by a proper representation of the other industries, because the industries and the members of those industries are accustomed to deal with economic affairs in a practical way, and are also large con sumers.” https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1296] 809 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. F rank , Glenn . T h e p o litic s o f in d u s tr y : A f o o tn o te to th e so c ia l u n r e s t. T h e C e n tu r y C o ., 1919. 214 p p . N ew Y o rk ’ A survey of “ some of the outstanding policies, methods, and instruments used or pxoposed for the administration of industry—collective bargaining, strikes, lockouts, injunctions, conciliation, arbitration, investigation, social legislation, welfare work, profit-sharing, and scientific management.” The author says: “ At the end of this survey * * * the thing that stands clear is that no one, or all of these combined, will succeed in shifting the administration of industrial relations from the present balance of power basis. These can not be considered as solutions; they fail to touch the ultimate labor issue—the status of the worker in industry and his relation to the control of industry.” His hope for such a solution lies in the belief that “ between the extreme forms of State socialism and the extreme forms of private capitalism there exists an intermediate region of industrial self-government.” He considers the prin ciples laid down in the Whitley report the best expression so far reached of a basis for practical action on the lines of such self-government, and devotes considerable space to a consideration of the report. The text of the report is contained in an appendix, as is also the text of a letter addressed by the British Minister of Labor to the leading employers’ associations and trade-unions, October 20, 1917. Glass F actory D irectory. L i s t o f fa c to r ie s in the U n ite d S ta te s a n d C a n a d a g r o u p e d by S ta te s . C la ss, character o f w a re, a n d c a p a c ity in d ic a te d . P itts b u r g h 1919 116 p p . P r ic e , $2. G ompers, S amuel. W h y the peace tre a ty s h o u ld be ra tifie d . A m e r ic a n la b o r's re a so n s f o r s u p p o r t i n g the L e a g u e o f N a tio n s c o v e n a n t w ith its labor p r o v is io n s W a sh in a to n , 191 9 . 8 p p . y H enderson , A rthur. I n te r n a tio n a l la b o r sta n d a r d s. L o n d o n , W e sle y a n M e th o d ist S o c ia l W e lfa re D e p a r tm e n t, 1 C e n tr a l B u ild in g s , W e s tm in s te r , APT. 1, 1919 P ric e 2d. “ P io n e e r ” P a m p h le ts , N o . 1. ’ H itchens, E. L. pp. W a g es a n d p ric e s. N o r w o o d , O h io , S 9 18 R e g e n t A v e n u e , 1919. T h e g o o d a n d w e lfa r e series p a m p h le t N o . 1. P ric e , 5 c en ts. 7 An argument for a changed monetary system, based on tables showing the disparity between the increase in prices of certain commodities and the increase in wages in certain occupations between the years 1898 and 1919. H ospital Management. C hicago, T h e C r a in P u b lis h in g C o ., A u g u s t , 1919. 104 p p . Contains summary of a pamphlet entitled “ The case for shorter hours in hospital schools of nursing,” published by the committee on education of the National League of Nursing Education, in which an argument is presented for an eight-hour day in hospitals. Articles of special interest in the industrial department include one by B. J. Curry on the system of physical examination used by the American Thread Co. for the purpose of determining the fitness of an employee for a particular kind of Work and by W. T. Corbusier, safety engineer of the Long Beach Shipbuilding Co., on a “ unit hospital ” for industrial plants. The latter contains a plan and layout suggested as a standard type to be used for hospitals of industrial plants. The plan is based upon the latest design of hospital in operation at the Long Beach Shipbuilding Co. yards. I ndustrial R econstruction Council. L e c tu r e s. H ig h e r w a g e s a n d shorter h o u rs , by L o r d L e v e r h u lm e . ( M a y 2 8 , 1 9 1 9 .) 15 p p . ; I n te r n a tio n a l u n i t y , by G eorge J . W a r d ie. ( J a n . 8 , 1 9 1 9 .) 10 p p . ; T h e e c o n o m ic lim its o f n a tio n a liz a tio n , by G eorge C o c k e rill. ( M a y 14, 1 9 1 9 .) 14 p p . T h e r e s p o n s ib ility o f tra d e -u n io n s i n r e la tio n to in d u s tr y , b y J . R . C ly n e s . (F e b . 19, 1 9 1 9 .) 15 p p . ' L o n d o n , T u d o r S tr e e t, E C . , 1919. J ournal op I ndustrial and E ngineering Chemistry. C h e m ic a l S o c ie ty , 85 E a s t F o r ty - fir s t S tr e e t, A u g u s t 1, 1919. N e w Y o r k , A m e r ic a n 7 1 7 -8 1 2 p p . Of interest to labor are an article on Efficiency and productivity of wage and salary earners in the chemical industries—an attem pt to obtain an answer, by O. P. Hopkins, and a note on Skin diseases from certain lubricants, by Charles Baskerville. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [12971 310 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, J ournal op I ndustrial H ygiene . S e p te m b e r , 1919. V o l. I , N o . 5 . p p . 2 1 5 -2 6 0 , 6 3 -8 2 . N ew Y o r k , T h e M a c m illa n C o ., “ A practical study in industrial fatigue” as the title of an article by Henry C. Link which described a study undertaken at the request of a large manufacturing concern in order to determine certain facts regarding the effects of fatigue on the Work of shell inspection. “ A study of 50 workers in trinitrotoluene,” by Tracy Jackson Putnam and William Herman, gives the result of a study of partially selected men engaged in purifying and packing the material at a plant on the Atlantic slope, during Sep tember, 1918, undertaken for the purpose of determining more exactly the symptoms of poisoning by the chemical, and its usual path of absorption and pharmacological action, as a step toward the early diagnosis and prevention of its harmful effects upon those handling it. “ Protective garments in the war gas industry” describes one of the effective means by which operatives in the production and handling of war gases were so successfully protected that “ although hundreds of tons of war gases were being produced by processes entirely new, and in the hands of men quite inexperienced in these particular manufacturing problems, the fatalities attributable to the war gases could be numbered on the fingers of on© hand, and the temporary casualties were proportionately small in number.” Other articles in this number are on Syphilis, an inestimable factor in industrial inefficiency, by Edward A. Oliver; Toxemic anemia from arseniuretted hydrogen gas in submarines, by Sheldon F. Dudley; and Indus trial medicine and surgery-—a r6sum<i of its development, scope and benefits—Part II, by Harry E. Mock. The last article is summarized on pages 235 to 237 of this issue of the Monthly Labor R eview . K ent , A. F. Stanley . I n d u s t r i a l f a t i g u e . A lectu re g iv e n o n A p r i l 2 6 , 1919. M a n chester, C ollege o f T e c h n o lo g y , 1919. 9 pp. 1116 author, who is director of the department of industrial administration, College of Technology, Manchester, states it as his opinion that “ the hope of industry in the future lies in a right understanding of the nature, the causes, the results, and the prevention of industrial fatigue. ’’ As to the results, he says th at they are appreciated to-day as never before in the history of industry; “ in two words, it limits output.” The lecture concludes with a discussion of what may be regarded as a reasonable limit, of hours of labor, and the relation of industrial accidents to fatigue. —— I n d u s t r i a l f a t i g u e a n d efficien cy. P a p e r re a d a t the a n n u a l a u t u m n cong ress o f the T e x tile I n s t i t u t e a t P r e s to n , O ctober 12, 1917. M a n ch ester { E n g la n d ) , T h e T e x tile I n s t i t u t e , 1 9 1 7 . R e p r i n t e d f r o m the T e x tile I n s t i t u t e J o u r n a l, D ece m ber, 1917. 15 p p . L abor P arty (Great B ritain). R e p o r t o f the e x e c u tiv e c o m m itte e , p r e s e n te d to the N in e te e n th a n n u a l c o n feren ce, S o u th p o r t, J u n e 2 5 , 2 7 , 1919. L o n d o n , S3 E ccles to n S q u a r e , S W . 1 , 1919. 149 p p . Malcolm, M. V artan. 142 p p . T h e A r m e n ia n s i n A m e r ic a . B o s to n , T h e P il g r i m P re s s, 1919. I llu s tr a te d . A sketch of the history, life, and activities of the Armenians in the United States. According to a chapter devoted to the Armenians in industry, since 1899, 55,057 Armenians have been admitted into the United States. Of these, 14,020 were skilled workmen representing 49 kinds of trades; 1,281 were farmers; 782 were professional men, teachers, lawyers, doctors, clergymen, engineers, artists, and writers; and 1,161 were merchants, manufacturers, bankers, and agents. While Armenians have settled in nearly every State in the Union, 90 per cent are located in New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Cali fornia. In the New England States they work in the shoe factories, iron foundries, machine shops, and woolen mills. Almost the entire colony in Troy, N. Y., is en gaged in the shirt and collar industry; in Paterson and West Hoboken, N. J., they are employed in the silk mills; in New York City, in various occupations; in Pennsyl vania, in mills, factories, and the bituminous coal mines; and in the cities of the [1298] https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. 811 Middle West they work in iron and steel shops, automobile and furniture manufac turing, and in slaughterhouses. Large numbers in California, especially the colony m Fresno County, are employed in agriculture. There is an introduction by Hon. James W. Gerard and a preface by Leon Dominian. Merchants’ A ssociation of N ew Y ork. S p e c ia l c o m m itte e o n h o u s in g . R e p o r t , in c lu d in g a d is c u s s io n o f th e c o n tin u a n c e o f p r e s e n t h ig h p ric e s 28 pp. N ew Yorlc ’ 1919 This report deals only with the question of the immediate cause of the housing shortage in New York City. Two factors, in the opinion of the committee, delay the construction of houses: (1) Lack of money for building operations, and (2) Reluctance to build while prices are high, coupled with doubt as to the continuance of high prices. To encourage investment in real estate mortgages the committee considers exemption of mortgage returns from income taxation as the most important remedy. High build ing costs will probably continue, it is stated. M eron, F rederic. M a n u fa c tu r e r 's in s tr u c to r a n d a d v ise r. N o s . 1 - 3 New Y o r k T h e o . A u d e l & C o ., 12 F i f t h A v e n u e , 191 8 . 8 v o ls . 2 2 8 , 161, a n d 851 p p . P la te s . Merritt Walter G ordon. B r o a d w a y , 191 9 . 63 p p . F a c to r y s o lid a r ity or cla ss s o lid a r ity ? R e p r i n t f r o m the I r o n A g e . N ew Y o rk 135 An argument in support of works committees. Metropolitan Life I nsurance Company. In s u r a n c e ^ Co^ M T h e w e lfa r e w o r k o f th e M e tr o p o lita n L i f e its in d u s t r i a l p o lic y h o ld ers. R e p o r t f o r 1918, by L e e K . F r a n k e l. The report of the nursing service testified to the effect of nursing and the distribu tion of welfare literature on the company’s mortality by the following figures: During 1917 there was an average increase in mortality over th at prevailing in 1911 of 2.5 per cent at the ages of 65 and over and of 2.1 per cent at the ages 15 to 19. Aside from these, all other ages showed a decline in mortality during the seven-year period. Special attention is paid to maternity nursing, with the result th at the company’s mortality from diseases relating to childbirth declined 8.1 per cent in seven years, whereas the mortality in the registration area increased 3.8 per cent. The report covers data concerning Instruction of the policyholder and the members of his family in matters of health; Cooperation with health authorities and social agencies in improv ing health conditions; Industrial service bureau; The Framingham demonstration; Sanitary survey of New Orleans; Allotments and allowances for soldiers’ families; Exhibits, Picnics; and Health and Happiness and veteran leagues. N ational A ssociation of E mployment Managers . c o n v e n tio n , M a y 2 1 - 2 3 , 191 9 . P ro c e e d in g s o f the firs t a n n u a l N e w a r k , N . J . , C. W o lb er C o ., 1919. 148 p p . In addition to a brief historical sketch of the National Association of Employment Managers this volume includes the daily discussion of such subjects as: Functions and scope of the employment department; Employment office methods; Relations of the employment office with foremen and other executives; Placing the returned soldier; Training and place of the disabled industrial worker; Employer, employee, and the public; btabilizing the working force; Profit sharing, insurance, bonus; Organizing the working force; Human relations department from the standpoint of the industrial physician, and others. N ational Guilds L eague . 15 p p . T h e g u i l d idea: A n a p p e a l to the p u b lic . L o n d o n , 1919. P a m p h le ts o f the N a t io n a l G u ild s L e a g u e , N o . 2 . P ric e , 2d. N a tio n a l g u ild s o r W h itle y c o u n c ils ? B e in g a r e p r in t, w ith a n e w in tr o d u c tio n o f tw o p a m p h le ts e n title d : O b s e rv a tio n s o n the W h itle y re p o rt, ” a n d “ N o te s fo r tradeu n io n i s t s o n the W h itle y re p o rts. ” L o n d o n , 1 9 1 9 . 20 p p P r ic e S d N ational I ndustrial Conference B oard. m is s io n . B o s to n , July 19, 1919. 3 4 p p . Interim report o f the European Com A digest of this report appears on pages 18 to 21 of this issue of the Monthly L abor R eview . https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1299] 312 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. N ational Safety Council. 1919. 16 p p . S a fe p ra c tic es, N o . 2 6 I llu s tr a te d . P ric e , 25 cen ts. . M a n ila a n d w ir e ro p e . C hicago, N ational U nion op Gas W orkers and General L aborers op Great B ritain and I reland. A p p r o v e d s o d e ty (1 9 0 ). M in u te s q f a n n u a l g e n e ra l m e e tin g s . 1 st, 2d, 5 th ; 191S, 191 4 , 19 1 7 . - ----------- S e c r e ta r y 's 15, 11, S p p . re p o rt to the a n n u a l g e n e ra l m e e tin g s . Sd, 4 th ; 1 9 1 5 ,1 9 1 6 . 4 P P -, 8 pp. N ational U nion op General Workers. A p p r o v e d S o c ie ty re p o rt to the s ix th a n n u a l g e n e ra l m e e tin g , 1918. L o n d o n , 1918. (IS O ). 4 pp. S e c r e ta ry 's N ew J ersey State Chamber op Commerce. B u r e a u o f S ta te R esearch. p o lic y f o r m u n i c i p a l p e n s io n s . N e w a r k , M a y , 191 9 . A so u n d 24 p p . This report la noted on pages 272 and 273 of this issue of the Monthly L abor R eview . N orth L ondon Manufacturers A ssociation. I n d u s t r i a l u n r e s t, w ith so m e p ra c tic a l su g g e s tio n s f o r its a lle v ia tio n . B e in g the re p o rt o f a j o i n t c o m m itte e o f e m p lo y e r s a n d e m p lo y e d a p p o in te d a t a n o p e n co n feren ce o f m a n u fa c tu r e r s a n d re p re se n ta tiv e s o f o rg a n iz e d la b o r h e ld o n 9 th F e b r u a r y , 191 9 . L o n d o n , 1919. 87 p p . P ric e , I s . This is the final report of the joint committee appointed at the conference of Febru ary 9, 1919, which was convened “ in the hope of achieving thereby more harmonious cooperation between capital and labor.” The committee’s terms of reference were: To define the obstacles to more cordial relations between employers and employed: to suggest means which could be adopted for the removal of these obstacles; and to consider if any immediate steps could be taken as the result of the suggestions made. This report was to be submitted to a further conference to b© convened for that pur pose. Appendixes contain a summarized report of the proceedings at the conference held on February 9, 1919; an interim report by the committee; and reports to the com mittee by a subcommittee appointed on April 1, 1919, to consider the agreed causes of industrial unrest and to suggest remedies—in the form in which it was subsequently adopted by the main committee. P eddle , J ohn B. T h e c o n s tr u c tio n o f g r a p h ic a l charts. S e c o n d e d itio n , re v ise d a n d en la rg ed . N ew Y o r k , M c G r a w -H ill B o o k C o. ( I n c .) , 1919. 158 p p . This edition contains a new chapter on the use of determinants. R oberts, Georoe E. C a u ses u n d e r ly in g the so c ia l u n r e s t. N e w Y o r k , C ity B a n k , 1 9 1 9 . I llu s tr a te d . T h e N a tio n a l 22 p p . An address by the vice president of the National City Bank of New York before the Iowa bankers’ convention, Fort Dodge, Iowa, June 24, 1919. R owntree, A rnold S. T h e 1 9 1 8 E d u c a tio n A c t e x p la in e d . L o n d o n , T h e A th e n a e u m L ite r a tu r e D e p a r tm e n t, 191 8 . 12 p p . This act was reviewed in the Monthly Labor R eview for December, 1918, pp. 42-46. R owntree, B. S eebohm . S o c ia l o b lig a tio n s o f i n d u s tr y to la b o r. A lecture g iv e n i n the d e p a r tm e n t o f in d u s tr ia l a d m in is tr a tio n , C ollege o f T e c h n o lo g y , M anchester, o n N o v e m b e r 12, 1 9 1 8 . M a n ch ester ( E n g la n d ) , C ollege o f T e c h n o lo g y , 1 919. 2 0 p p . The duties which employers owe to the workers in return for their cooperation in the industrial enterprise on which both are jointly engaged are considered under two heads: (1) The obligation of securing for them satisfactory material conditions; and (2) creating in the factory a tone and atmosphere which will encourage every worker to be and to do his best. Of material conditions, the weekly wage is placed first in im portance. According to detailed estimates based on prices ruling in 1914, the author arrives at 35s. 3d. ($8.58) as the minimum wag© which would enable a man to maintain a family of five in accordance with a minimum standard of comfort; and 20s. ($4.87) as the minimum wage for a woman. He believes that the principal source to which employers must look for increased wages is increased efficiency in the organization and administration of industrial enterprises. Second to wages in importance are hours of work, regarding which the author thinks ‘‘we ought to aim at a working week of https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1300] 813 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. not more than 48 hours.” Universal and compulsory unemployment Insurance and a large increase in the present unemployment benefit of 7s. ($1.70) he advocates as “ not a Utopian policy.” R ussell Sage F oundation. L ib r a r y . T w e n ty -s e c o n d S tr e e t, A u g u s t , 1 9 1 9 . I n d u s t r i a l h y g ie n e . N e w 4 p p . B u l l e t i n N o . 36. Y o rk, ISO E a s t A selected bibliography of the literature relating to industrial hygiene arranged under the headings of General, Conference proceedings, and Official publications: Federal, State, city. S ociété de L égislation Comparée. A n n u a ir e de L é g is la tio n F ra n ç a is e , c o n te n a n t le te x t des p r in c ip a le s lo is vo tées e n F ra n c e e n 1 9 1 7 . L ib r a r ie G én éra le de d r o it et de J u r is p r u d e n c e , 1 9 1 8 . T re n te -s e p tiè m e a n n é e . 402 p p . P a r is , The twenty-seventh annual of French legislation published by the Society for Com parative Legislation contains the text of the principal laws passed in France in 1917. S ociety op Comparative L egislation. J o u r n a l o f c o m p a r a tiv e le g is la tio n a n d in te r n a tio n a l la w , ed ite d b y S i r J o h n M a c d o n e ll a n d C. E . A . B e d w e ll. L o n d o n J u l y 191 9 . i 06 p p . T h ir d series, v o l. 1, p a r t 2. Contains reviews of the principal legislation enacted in 1917 throughout the British Empire, as well as in France, Holland, Sweden, and the United States. Stuart, E dward 0. F o o d a n d m o n e y . D e liv e r e d a t the m e e tin g s o f G r o u p F iv e , A r k a n sa s B a n k e r s A s s o c ia tio n , C o n w a y , A r k . , M a rch 19, 19 1 9, a n d G r o u p N in e , I l l i n o i s B a n k e r s A s s o c ia tio n , C o llin s v ille , I I I . , J u n e 11, 1 9 1 9 . S t . L o u is , 1919. 19 p p . The author believes in abundant production of necessities as a potent solvent of unrest and says, ‘ ‘There are too many people engaged in the manufacture and market ing of those things we do not have to have, and too few engaged in producing those things we do have to have.” “ The theory,” he says, “ is not to increase credit, but to divert part of it from the production of luxuries into the production of essentials until the latter reach a proper proportion to the former, which will occur when the mass of people find themselves in position to supply their essential wants.” T ransvaal Chamber op Min e s . J o h a n n e sb u rg , 1919. T w e n t y - n i n t h a n n u a l r e p o r t f o r the y e a r 1 9 1 8 . 534 p p . T ravelers Standard. C o ., M a y , 191 9 . V o l. V I I , N o . 5 . H a r tfo r d , C o n n ., T h e T ra v e le rs In s u r a n c e p p . 8 1 -1 1 6 . I llu s tr a te d . Contains an article on putting disabled men on the pay roll, which gives an account of various means for assisting disabled men to become industrially skillful, including appliances of prosthesis, mechanical devices, and methods of special instruction. There is also an article on accident prevention in war time. U niversity of Oklahoma. S o c ia l B u ll e t i n . N e w series N o . 157. p ro b le m s. N orm an, O k la ., 1918. U n iv e r s ity e x te n s io n series N o . 44. V eblen , T horstein. 156 T h e v ested in te r e s ts a n d the sta te o f the in d u s tr ia l a rts. Y o r k , B . W . H u e b sc h , 19 1 9 . 183 p p . pp. N ew This volume is made up of papers which have already appeared, in a slightly abridged form, in the Dial, under the caption “ The modern point of view and the new order.” Their aim is “ to show how and, as far as may be, why a discrepancy has arisen in the course of time between those accepted principles of law and custom that underlie business enterprise and the businesslike management of industry, on the one hand, and the material conditions which have now been engendered by that new order of industry that took its rise in the late eighteenth century, on the other hand ; together with some speculations on the civil and political difficulties set afoot by this discrepancy between business and industry.” Warren , J. B roadfield. “ T h e r e d e m p tio n o f the d isa b le d . ” A re v ie w o f the bo o k o f th a t title by G a rra rd H a r r is , o f th e research d iv is io n o f th e F e d e ra l B o a r d f o r V o c a tio n a l E d u c a tio n . N e w Y o r k , 191 9 . 78 p p . https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1801] 314 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW. Wilkinson , K. E . T. A g u id e to th e E d u c a tio n A c t, 191 8. L ite r a tu r e D e p a r tm e n t, 191 9 . M e d . 1 1 6 , i v p p . L o n d o n , T h e A th e n a e u m Characterizing the Education Act, 1918, as of equal importance in the educational history of England and Wales as are the acts of 1870 and 1902, the author emphasizes the fact that it is remarkable also for the absence of the religious or sectarian contro versies which have wrecked other education bills. A discussion of the different sections of the act brings out the most important improvements effected by the act. The sections dealing with the employment of children are summarized briefly and clearly. A copy of the act itself with explanatory notes immediately following the portion explained comprises a large part of the text. The book as a whole is, as the name implies, a guide to the Education Act, and furnishes an excellent reference for a detailed study of it. W ood, E dith E lmer. p ro b le m . N e w p ro g re ss series. T h e h o u s in g o f the u n s k ille d w a g e earner: A m e r ic a ’s n e x t Y o r k , T h e M a c m illa n C o ., 1919. 821 p p . A m e r ic a n so c ia l This book furnishes a summary of the housing movement up to the time of the war. I t is a compilation of facts and policies in housing. Such value, therefore, which the book possesses is brought out by a statement of its principal contents: Housing conditions in the United States; Restrictive housing legislation in the United States; Model housing in the United States under private initiative; Experience of foreign countries; Beginnings of constructive housing legislation in the United States; Ob jections to constructive housing legislation in the United States; and Outline of a comprehensive housing policy for the United States. Y orkville B ank , N ew Y ork City. P r o fit-s h a r in g Y b r k v ille B a n k , N e w Y o r k , A u g u s t , 191 9 . 7 p p . Y oung W omen’s Christian A ssociation. p la n fo r the e m p lo y e e s o f the W a r w o r k c o u n c il o f the n a tio n a l board. I n d u s tr ia l c o m m itte e . R esea rch se c tio n . I n d u s tr ia l sta n d a r d s. A sta te m e n t p r e p a re d f o r s tu d y a n d d is c u s s io n a t the in d u s tr ia l c o u n c ils o f the Y o u n g W o m e n ’s C h r is tia n A s s o c ia tio n , J u n e , J u l y , a n d A u g u s t , 1919. N e w Y o r k , 600 L e x in g to n A v e n u e , 1919. 6 p p . https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [1302] SERIES OF BULLETINS PUBLISHED BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS. [T h e p u b l i c a t i o n o f th e a n n u a l a n d s p e c i a l r e p o r ts a n d o f th e b i m o n t h l y b u lle tin w a s d i s c o n t i n u e d in J u ly , 1912, a n d s in c e t h a t t i m e a b u lle tin h a s b e e n p u b l i s h e d a t ir r e g u la r in te r v a ls . E a c h n u m b e r c o n ta i n s m a t t e r d e v o t e d to o n e o f a s e r ie s o f g e n e r a l s u b j e c t s . T h e s e b u l l e t i n s a r e n u m b e r e d c o n s e c u ti v e l y b e g in n in g w i t h N o . 101, a n d u p to N o . 236 t h e y a ls o c a r r y c o n s e c u ti v e n u m b e r s u n d e r e a c h s e r ie s . B e g in n in g w i t h N o . 237 t h e s e r ia l n u m b e r in g h a s b e e n d i s c o n t i n u e d . A l i s t o f th e s e r ie s is g iv e n b e lo w . U n d e r e a c h is g r o u p e d a ll t h e b u l l e t i n s w h ic h c o n ta i n m a t e r i a l r e la t in g to t h e s u b j e c t m a t t e r o f t h a t s e r ie s . A li s t o f t h e r e p o r ts a n d b u lle tin s o f th e b u r e a u is s u e d p r i o r to J u ly 1, 1912, w il l b e f u r n is h e d o n a p p li c a ti o n .) W h o le s a le Price*. Bui. 114. W holesale prices, 1890 to 1912. B ui. 149. W holesale prices, 1890 to 1913. Bui. 173. Index num bers o f w h o lesa le prices countries. Bui. 181. W holesale prices, 1890 to 1914. B ui. 200. W holesale prices, 1890 to 1915. Bui. 220. W holesale prices, 1890 to 1916. in th e U n ited S ta te s and foreign R e ta il P ric e s a n d C o st o f L iv in g . Bui. 105. R eta il prices, 1890 to 1911 : P a r t I. R eta il prices, 1890 to 1911 : P a r t I I — G eneral tables. Bui. 106. R etail prices, 1890 to June, 1912 : P a r t 1 . R etail prices, 1890 to June, 1912 : P a r t II— G eneral tab les. Bui. 108. R etail prices, 1890 to A ugust. 1912. Bui. 110. R etail prices, 1890 to October, 1912. Bui. 113. R eta il prices, 1890 to D ecember, 1912. Bui. 115. R etail prices, 1890 to February, 1913. B ui. 121. Sugar prices, from refiner to consum er. Bui. 125. R eta il prices, 1890 to A pril, 1913. Bui. 130. W heat and flour prices, from farm er to consum er. Bui. 132. R eta il prices, 1890 to June, 1913. Bui. 136. R eta il prices, 1890 to A u gu st, 1913. Bui. 138. R etail prices, 1890 to October, 1913. Bui. 140. R etail prices, 1890 to December, 1913. Bui. 156. R etail prices, 1907 to Decem ber, 1914. Bui. 164. B u tter prices, from producer to consum er. Bui. 170. Foreig:n food prices as affected by th e w ar. Bui. 184. R eta il prices, 1907 to June, 1915. Bui. 197 R eta il prices, 1907 to D ecember, 1915. Bui. 228. R etail prices, 1907 to December, 1916. W a g e s a n d H o u rs o f L a b o r. Bui. 116. H ours, earn ings, and du ration o f em ploym ent o f w age-earn in g wom en in selected in d u stries in th e D is tr ic t o f Colum bia. Bui. 118. Ten-hour m axim um w orking-day for w om en and you n g persons. Bui. 119. W orking hours of w om en in th e pea ca nneries of W isconsin. Bui. 128. W ages and hours o f labor in th e cotton , w oolen, and silk in d u stries, 1890 to 1912. Bui. 129. W ages and hours o f labor in th e lum ber, m illw ork, and fu rn itu re in d u s tr ie s, 1890 to 1912. Bui. 131. U nion sca le of w a g es and hours o f labor, 1907 to 1912. Bui. 134. W ages and hours o f labor in th e boot and shoe and hosiery and kn it goods in d u stries, 1890 to 1912. Bui. 135. W ages and hours o f labor in th e cigar and cloth in g in d u stries, 1911 and 1912. Bui. 137. W ages and hours o f labor in the bu ildin g and rep airing o f steam railroad cars, 1 890 to 1912. Bui. 143. U nion sca le o f w ages and hours of labor, M ay 15, 1913. Bui. 146. W ages and regu larity o f em ploym en t in th e dress and w a is t in d u stry of N ew York City. Bui. 147. W ages and reg u la rity o f em ploym ent in th e cloak, su it, and sk irt ind ustry. Bui. 150. W ages and hours o f labor in th e cotton , w oolen, and silk in d u stries, 1907 to 1913. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [I] W ag e # a n d Heur« e t Labor— C o n c lu d e d . B u i. 1 5 1 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r I n t h e I r o n a n d steel I n d u s t r y In the U n it e d S ta te s , 1 9 0 7 t o 1 9 1 2 . B u i. 1 5 3 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e lu m b e r , m il lw o r k , a n d f u r n i t u r e in d u s t r ie s , 1 9 0 7 t o 1 9 1 3 . B u i. 15 4 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r in t h e b o o t a n d s h o e a n d h o s ie r y a n d u n d e r w e a r in d u s t r ie s , 1 9 0 7 t o 1 9 1 3 . B u i. 1 6 0 . H o u r s , e a r n in g s , a n d c o n d it io n s o f la b o r o f w o m e n i n I n d ia n a m e r c a n t ile e s t a b lis h m e n t s a n d g a r m e n t f a c to r ie s . B u i. 1 8 1 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e c lo t h i n g a n d c ig a r in d u s t r ie s , 1 9 1 1 to 1913. B u i. 1 6 3 . W7age s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e b u i ld i n g a n d r e p a i r i n g o f s te a m r a il r o a d c a rs , 1 9 0 7 t o 1 9 1 3 . B u i. 1 6 8 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e ir o n a n d s te e l in d u s t r y i n t h e U n it e d S ta te s , 1 9 0 7 t o 1 9 1 3 . B u i. 17 1 . U n io n s c a le o f w a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r , M a y 1, 1 9 1 4 . B u i. 1 7 7 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n th e h o s ie r y a n d u n d e r w e a r I n d u s t r y , 1 9 0 7 to 1914. B u i. 1 7 8 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e b o o t a n d s h o e i n d u s t r y , 1 9 0 7 t o 1 9 1 4 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e m e n ’ s c lo t h i n g in d u s t r y , 1 9 1 1 t o 1 9 1 4 . B u i. 1 8 7 . B u i. 1 9 0 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e c o t to n , w o o le n , a n d s il k I n d u s t r ie s , 1 9 0 7 to 1914. B u i. 1 9 4 . U n io n s c a le o f w a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r , M a y 1, 1 9 1 5 . B u i. 2 0 4 . S t r e e t r a il w a y e m p lo y m e n t i n th e U n it e d S ta te s . B u i. 2 1 4 . U n io n s c a le o f w a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r , M a y 1 5 , 1 9 1 6 . B u i. 2 1 8 . B u i. 2 2 5 . B u i. B u i. 232. 238. B u i. 2 3 9 . B u i. 2 4 5 . B u i. 2 5 2 . W agesa n d h o u rs o f W a g e sa n d h o u rs o f t r ie s , 1 9 1 5 . W ages a n d h o u rs o f W ages a n d h o u rs o f 1916. W’ a ge s a n d h o u r s o f 1916. U n io n s c a le o f w a g e s W a g e s a n d h o u rs o f [ I n p r e s s .] la b o r i n la b o r I n th e ir o n a n d s te e l in d u s t r y , 1 9 0 7 t o 1 9 1 5 . t h e lu m b e r , m il lw o r k , a n d f u r n i t u r e in d u s la b o r I n t h e b o o t a n d s h o e in d u s t r y , 1 9 0 7 t o 1 9 1 6 . la b o r in w o o le n a n d w o r s t e d g o o d s m a n u f a c t u r in g , la b o r I n c o t to n goods m a n u fa c tu rin g and f in is h in g , a n d h o u r s o f la b o r , M a y 1 5 , 1 9 1 7 . la b o r I n th e s la u g h t e r in g a n d m e a t - p a c k in g I n d u s t r y . B u i. 2 5 9 . U n io n s c a le o f w a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r , M a y 1 5 , 1 9 1 8 . [ I n p r e s s .] B u i. 2 6 0 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e b o o t a n d sh o e in d u s t r y , 1 9 0 7 t o 1 9 1 8 . [ I n p r e s s .] B u i. 2 6 1 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n w o o le n a n d w o r s t e d g o o d s m a n u f a c t u r in g , 1 9 1 8 . [ I n p r e s s .] B u i. 2 6 2 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n c o t t o n g o o d s m a n u f a c t u r i n g a n d f in is h in g , 1918. [ I n p r e s s .] B u i. 2 6 5 . I n d u s t r i a l s u r v e y i n s e le c te d in d u s t r ie s in lim in a r y re p o r t. [ I n p r e s s .] t h e U n it e d S ta te s , 1 9 1 9 . P re Employment and Unemployment. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B s l. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. 1 0 9 . S t a t is t ic s o f u n e m p lo y m e n t a n d t h e w o r k o f e m p lo y m e n t o ffic e s I n t h e U n it e d S ta te s . 17 2 . U n e m p lo y m e n t I n N e w Y o r k C i t y , N . Y . 18 2 . U n e m p lo y m e n t a m o n g w o m e n i n d e p a r t m e n t a n d o t h e r r e t a i l s to re s o f B o s to n , M a s s . 183 . R e g u la r i t y o f e m p lo y m e n t i n t h e w o m e n ’ s r e a d y - te - w e a r g a r m e n t I n d u s t r ie s . 192 . P r o c e e d in g s o f t h e A m e r ic a n A s s o c ia t io n o f P u b lic E m p lo y m e n t O ffic e s . 195 . U n e m p lo y m e n t in t h e U n it e d S ta te s . 196 . P r o c e e d in g s o f t h e E m p lo y m e n t M a n a g e r s ’ C o n fe re n c e h e ld a t M in n e a p o lis , J a n u a ry , 1916. 2 0 2 . P r o c e e d in g s o f t h e c o n fe r e n c e o f th e E m p lo y m e n t M a n a g e r s ’ A s s o c ia t io n o f B o s to n , M a s s ., h e ld M a y 1 0 , 1 9 1 6 . 2 0 6 . T h e B r i t i s h s y s te m o f la b o r e x c h a n g e s . 2 2 0 . P r o c e e d in g s o f t h e F o u r t h A n n u a l M e e t in g o f t h e A m e r ic a n A s s o c ia t io n o f P u b lic E m p lo y m e n t O ffic e s , B u ff a lo , N . Y ., J u l y 2 0 a n d 2 1 , 1 9 1 6 . B u i. 2 2 3 . E m p lo y m e n t o f w o m e n a n d ju v e n ile s i n G r e a t B r i t a i n d u r in g t h e w a r . B u i. 2 2 7 . P r o c e e d in g s o f t h e E m p lo y m e n t M a n a g e r s ’ C o n fe re n c e , P h ila d e lp h ia , P a ., A p r i l 2 a n d 3, 1 9 1 7 . B u i. 2 3 5 . E m p lo y m e n t s y s te m o f t h e L a k e C a r r ie r s ’ A s s o c ia t io n . B u i. 2 4 1 . P u b lic e m p lo y m e n t o ffic e s i n t h e U n it e d S ta te s . B u i. 2 4 7 . P r o c e e d in g s o f E m p lo y m e n t M a n a g e rs ’ C o n fe re n c e , R o c h e s te r, N . Y ., M a y 9 -1 1 , 1918. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [II] W o m e n in In d u s try . B u i. 1 1 6 . H o u r s , e a r n in g s , a n d d u r a t io n o f e m p lo y m e n t o f w a g e - e a r n in g w o m e n in s e le c te d in d u s t r ie s i n th e D i s t r i c t o i C o lu m b ia . B u i. 11 7 . P r o h i b it io n o f n i g h t w o r k o f y o u n g p e rs o n s . B u i. 1 1 8 . T e n - h o u r m a x im u m w o r k in g - d a y f o r w o m e n a n d y o u n g p e rs o n s . B u i. 1 1 9 . W o r k in g h o u r s o f w o m e n i n t h e p e a c a n n e rie s o f W is c o n s in . B u i. 1 2 2 . E m p lo y m e n t o f w o m e n i n p o w e r la u n d r ie s i n M ilw a u k e e . B u i. 1 6 0 . H o u r s , e a r n in g s , a n d c o n d it io n s o f la b o r o f w o m e n i n I n d ia n a m e r c a n t ile e s t a b lis h m e n t s a n d g a r m e n t fa c to r ie s . B u i. 1 6 7 . M in im u m - w a g e le g is la t io n in t h e U n it e d S ta te s a n d f o r e ig n c o u n tr ie s . B u i. 17 5 . S u m m a r y o f th e r e p o r t o n c o n d it io n o f w o m a n a n d c h i ld w a g e e a r n e r s in t h e U n it e d S ta te s . B u i. 1 7 6 . E f fe c t o f m in im u m - w a g e d e t e r m in a t io n s i n O re g o n . B u i. 180 . T h e b o o t a n d sh o e in d u s t r y i n M a s s a c h u s e tts as a v o c a t io n f o r w o m e n . B u i. 1 8 2 . U n e m p lo y m e n t a m o n g w o m e n in d e p a r t m e n t a n d o t h e r r e t a i l s to re s o f B o s to n , M a s s . B u i. 1 9 3 . D r e s s m a k in g as a t r a d e f o r w o m e n in M a s s a c h u s e tts . B u i. 2 1 5 . I n d u s t r i a l e x p e rie n c e o f t r a d e - s c h o o l g i r l s in M a s s a c h u s e tts . B u i. 2 2 3 . E m p lo y m e n t o f w o m e n a n d ju v e n ile s i n G r e a t B r i t a i n d u r in g th e w a r . Workmen’s Insurance and Compensation (including laws relating thereto). B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. I n d u s t r ia l 10 1 . C a re o f t u b e r c u lo u s w a g e e a r n e r s i n G e rm a n y . 102. B r it is h N a tio n a l In s u ra n c e A c t, 1911. 1 0 3 . S ic k n e s s a n d a c c id e n t in s u r a n c e la w o f S w it z e r la n d . 1 0 7 . L a w r e la t in g t o in s u r a n c e o f s a la r ie d e m p lo y e e s in G e rm a n y . 12 6 . W o r k m e n ’ s c o m p e n s a tio n la w s o f th e U n it e d S ta te s a n d f o r e ig n c o u n tr ie s . 1 5 5 . C o m p e n s a tio n f o r a c c id e n ts t o e m p lo y e e s o f t h e U n it e d S ta te s . 1 8 5 . C o m p e n s a tio n le g is la t io n o f 1 9 1 4 a n d 1 9 1 5 . 2 0 3 . W o r k m e n ’ s c o m p e n s a tio n la w s o f t h e U n it e d S ta te s a n d f o r e ig n c o u n tr ie s . 2 1 0 . P r o c e e d in g s o f t h e T h i r d A n n u a l M e e t in g o f t h e I n t e r n a t io n a l A s s o c ia t io n o f I n d u s t r i a l A c c id e n t B o a r d s a n d C o m m is s io n s . 2 1 2 . P r o c e e d in g s o f th e c o n fe r e n c e o n s o c ia l in s u r a n c e c a lle d b y t h e I n t e r n a t io n a l A s s o c ia t io n o f I n d u s t r i a l A c c id e n t B o a r d s a n d C o m m is s io n s . 2 1 7 . E f fe c t o f w o r k m e n ’ s c o m p e n s a tio n la w s in d i m i n is h i n g th e n e c e s s ity o f i n d u s t r i a l e m p lo y m e n t o f w o m e n a n d c h ild r e n . 2 4 0 . C o m p a ris o n o f w o r k m e n ’ s c o m p e n s a tio n la w s o f t h e U n it e d S ta te s . 2 4 8 . W o r k m e n ’ s c o m p e n s a tio n le g is la t io n i n t h e U n it e d S ta te s a n d f o r e ig n c o u n tr ie s . 2 4 8 . P r o c e e d in g s o f t h e F o u r t h A n n u a l M e e t in g o f t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l A s s o c ia t io n o f I n d u s t r i a l A c c id e n t B o a r d s a n d C o m m is s io n s . 2 6 4 . P r o c e e d in g s o f t h e F i f t h A n n u a l M e e t in g o f t h e I n t e r n a t io n a l A s s o c ia t io n o f I n d u s t r i a l A c c id e n t B o a r d s a n d C o m m is s io n s . [ I n p r e s s .] Accidents and Hygiene. B u i. 104 . L e a d p o is o n in g in p o t te r ie s , t i l e w o r k s , a n d p o r c e la in e n a m e le d s a n it a r y w a r e fa c to r ie s . B u i. 120. H y g ie n e o f t h e p a in t e r s ’ tr a d e . B u i. 127 . D a n g e r s to w o r k e r s f r o m d u s ts a n d fu m e s , a n d m e th o d s o f p r o t e c t io n . B u i. 141 . L e a d p o is o n in g i n th e s m e lt in g a n d r e f in in g o f le a d . B u i. 157 . I n d u s t r i a l a c c id e n t s t a t is t ic s . B u i. 165. L e a d p o is o n in g i n th e m a n u f a c t u r e o f s to ra g e b a t te r ie s . B u i. 179. I n d u s t r i a l p o is o n s u s e d i n t h e r u b b e r in d u s t r y . B u i. 188 . R e p o r t o f B r i t i s h d e p a r t m e n ta l c o m m itt e e o n d a n g e r i n t h e u s e o f le a d in th e p a i n t in g o f b u ild in g s . B u i. 2 0 1 . R e p o r t o f c o m m itte e o n s t a t i s t i c s a n d c o m p e n s a tio n in s u r a n c e c o s t o f th e I n t e r n a t io n a l A s s o c ia t io n o f I n d u s t r i a l A c c id e n t B o a r d s a n d C o m m is s io n s . [ L i m i t e d e d i t i o n . ] B u i. 20 5 . A n t h r a x as a n o c c u p a tio n a l d is e a s e . B u i. 20 7 . C a u se s o f d e a th b y o c c u p a tio n . B u i. 20 9 . H y g ie n e o f th e p r i n t i n g tra d e s . B u i. 21 6 . A c c id e n t s a n d a c c id e n t p r e v e n t io n i n m a c h in e b u ild in g . B u i. 2 1 9 . I n d u s t r i a l p o is o n s u s e d o r p r o d u c e d i n th e m a n u f a c t u r e o f e x p lo s iv e s . B u i. 2 2 1 . H o u r s , f a t ig u e , a n d h e a lt h i n B r i t i s h m u n it io n f a c to r ie s . B u i. 2 3 0 . I n d u s t r i a l e ffic ie n c y a n d f a t ig u e i n B r i t i s h m u n it io n fa c to r ie s . B u i. 231 . M o r t a l i t y f r o m r e s p ir a t o r y dis e a s e s i n d u s t y tra d e s . B u i. 2 3 4 . S a fe t y m o v e m e n t i n t h e ir o n a n d s te e l in d u s t r y , 1 9 0 7 t o 1 9 1 7 . B u i. 23 6 . E f fe c t o f th e a i r h a m m e r o n t h e h a n d s o f s to n e c u tte r s . [ I n p r e s s .] B u i. 2 5 1 . P r e v e n ta b le d e a th i n t h e c o t t o n m a n u f a c t u r in g in d u s t r y . B u i. 2 5 3 . W o m e n i n t h e le a d in d u s t r ie s . ( R e v is e d .) [In B u i. 25 6 . A c c id e n t s a n d a c c id e n t p r e v e n t io n i n m a c h in e b u ild in g . p r e s s .] 138517°—19---- 21 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [m] Conciliation and Arbitration (including strikes and lockouts). B u i. 1 2 4 . C o n c il ia t io n a n d a r b i t r a t i o n i n t h e b u i ld i n g tr a d e s o f G r e a te r N e w Y o r k . B u i. 1 3 3 R e p o r t o f t h e i n d u s t r i a l c o u n c il o f t h e B r i t i s h B o a r d o f T r a d e o n i t s i n q u i r y in t o i n d u s t r i a l a g re e m e n ts . B u i. 1 3 9 . M ic h ig a n c o p p e r d i s t r i c t s t r ik e . B u i. 144 . I n d u s t r i a l c o u r t o f t h e c lo a k , s u it , a n d s k i r t in d u s t r y o f N e w Y o r k C it y . B u i. 1 4 5 . C o n c ilia t io n , a r b i t r a t i o n , a n d s a n i t a t i o n i n t h e d re s s a n d w a is t i n d u s t r y o f N e w Y o r k C it y . B u i. 3 9 1 . C o lle c tiv e b a r g a in in g in t h e a n t h r a c it e c o a l in d u s t r y . B u i. 198 . C o lle c tiv e a g r e e m e n ts i n th e m e n ’ s c lo t h i n g in d u s t r y . B u i. 2 3 3 ; O p e r a tio n o f t h e I n d u s t r i a l D is p u te s I n v e s t i g a t io n A c t o f C a n a d a . Labor Laws of the United States (including decisions of courts relating to labor). B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. 111. 112. 14 8 . 152. 166. 16 9 . 186. 189 . 211. 213. 224. 229. 244. 246. 257. 258. L a b o r le g is la t io n o f 1 9 1 2 . D e c is io n s o f c o u r t s a n d o p in io n s a f f e c t in g la b o r , 1 9 1 2 . L a b o r la w s o f th e U n it e d S ta te s , w i t h d e c is io n s o f c o u r t s r e la t in g t h e r e to . D e c is io n s o f c o u r t s a n d o p in io n s a f f e c t in g la b o r , 1 9 1 3 . L a b o r le g is la t io n o f 1 9 1 4 . D e c is io n s o f c o u r t s a f f e c t in g la b o r , 1 9 1 4 L a b o r le g is l a t i o n o f 1 9 1 5 . D e c is io n s o f c o u r t s a f f e c t in g la b o r , 1 9 1 5 . L a b o r la w s a n d t h e i r a d m in is t r a t io n i n t h e P a c if ic S ta te s . L a b o r le g is l a t i o n o f 191 6. D e c is io n s o f c o u r t s a f fe c t in g la b o r , 1 9 1 6 . W a g e - p a y m e n t le g is l a t i o n i n t h e U n it e d S ta te s . L a b o r le g is l a t i o n o f 1 9 1 7 . D e c is io n s o f c o u r t s a f f e c t in g la b o r , 1 9 1 7 . L a b o r le g is la t io n o f 1 9 1 8 . D e c is io n s o f c o u r t s a n d o p in io n s a f fe c t in g la b o r , 1 9 1 8 . [ I n p r e s s .] Foreign Labor Laws. B u i. 1 4 2 . A d m i n is t r a t i o n c o u n tr ie s . o f la b o r la w s a n d fa c to r y in s p e c t io n in c e r t a in E u ro p e a n Vocational Education. B u i. 1 4 5 . C o n c ilia t io n , a r b i t r a t i o n , a n d s a n i t a t i o n i n t h e d re s s a n d w a is t in d u s t r y o f N e w Y o r k C it y . B u i. 1 4 7 . W a g e s a n d r e g u l a r i t y o f e m p lo y m e n t i n t h e c lo a k , s u it , a n d s k i r t in d u s t r y . B u i. 1 5 9 . S h o r t - u n it c o u rs e s f o r w a g e e a r n e r s , a n d a f a c t o r y s c h o o l e x p e r im e n t. B u i. 1 6 2 . V o c a t io n a l e d u c a tio n s u r v e y o f R ic h m o n d , V a . B u i. 1 9 9 . V o c a t io n a l e d u c a tio n s u r v e y o f M in n e a p o lis . Labor as Affected by the War. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. 17 0 . 219. 221. 222. 223. 230. 237. 249. F o r e ig n fo o d p r ic e s as a ffe c te d b y th e w a r . I n d u s t r i a l p o is o n s u s e d o r p r o d u c e d i n th e m a n u f a c t u r e o f e x p lo s iv e s . H o u r s , f a t ig u e , a n d h e a lt h i n B r i t i s h m u n it io n f a c to r ie s . W e lf a r e w o r k i n B r i t i s h m u n it io n f a c to r ie s . E m p lo y m e n t o f w o m e n a n d ju v e n ile s i n G r e a t B r i t a i n d u r in g t h e w a r . I n d u s t r i a l e ffic ie n c y a n d f a t ig u e i n B r i t i s h m u n it io n f a c to r ie s . I n d u s t r ia l u n re s t in G re a t B r it a in . I n d u s t r i a l h e a lt h a n d e ffic ie n c y . F i n a l r e p o r t o f B r i t i s h H e a lt h o f M u n i t io n W o r k e r s C o m m itte e . B u i. 2 5 5 . J o i n t in d u s t r i a l c o u n c ils i n G r e a t B r i t a i n . , Miscellaneous Series. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. 11 7 . 118. 123. 158. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. 15 9 . 167. 170. 174. B u i. B u i. B u i. B u i. 208. 222. 242. 250. B u i. 2 5 4 . B u i. 2 6 8 . P r o h i b it io n o f n i g h t w o r k o f y o u n g p e rs o n s . T e n - h o u r m a x im u m w o r k in g d a y f o r w o m e n a n d y o u n g p e rs o n s . E m p lo y e r s ’ w e lf a r e w o r k . G o v e r n m e n t a id t o h o m e o w n in g a n d h o u s in g o f w o r k i n g p e o p le i n f o r e ig n c o u n tr ie s . S h o r t - u n it c o u rs e s f o r w a g e e a r n e r s , a n d a f a c t o r y s c h o o l e x p e r im e n t. M in im u m - w a g e le g is la t io n i n t h e U n it e d S ta te s a n d f o r e ig n c o u n tr ie s . F o r e ig n fo o d p r ic e s a s a ffe c te d b y t h e w a r . S u b je c t in d e x o f th e p u b lic a t io n s o f t h e U n it e d S ta te s B u r e a u o f L a b o r S t a t is t ic s u p t o M a y 1, 1 9 1 5 . P r o f it s h a r in g in t h e U n it e d S ta te s . W e lf a r e w o r k i n B r i t i s h m u n it io n f a c to r ie s . F o o d s it u a t io n i n C e n t r a l E u ro p e , 1 9 1 7 . W e lf a r e w o r k f o r e m p lo y e e s i n I n d u s t r i a l e s t a b lis h m e n t s i n t h e U n it e d S ta te s . I n t e r n a t i o n a l la b o r le g is la t io n a n d t h e s o c ie ty o f n a t io n s . H o u s in g b y e m p lo y e rs i n t h e U n it e d S ta te s . [ I n p r e s s .] https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [IV] SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS ISSUED BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS. Descriptions ot occupations, prepared for the United States Employment Service, 1918—19. B o o ts a n d shoes, harness a n d s a d d le ry , a n d ta n n in g . Cane-sugar re fin in g a n d flo u r m illin g . Coal a n d w a te r gas, p a in t a n d v a rn is h , p a p e r, p r in t in g trades, a n d r u b b e r goods. E le c tric a l m a n u fa c tu rin g , d is tr ib u tio n , a n d m aintena nce. L o g g in g cam ps a n d sa w m ills . M e d ic in a l m a n u fa c tu rin g . M e ta l w o rk in g , b u ild in g and general construction, railroad transportation, and shipbuilding. M ines and m in in g . O ffice em ployees. S la u g h te rin g and m e a t packing. S treet ra ilw a y s . T e x tile s a n d c lo th in g . W a te r transportation. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis [▼ ] o https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis