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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.


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WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

1919


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
ROYAL MEEKER, Commissioner

MONTHLY

LABOR REVIEW
VOLUME


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IX

NUMBER 4

OCTOBER, 1919

WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

1919


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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

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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

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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

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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
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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

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


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22
19
18

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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.

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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

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


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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.


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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

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C o p y rig h t b y H arris & E w in g .


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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 .

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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.


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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,

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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

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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

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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.


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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

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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


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R ev iew for January, 1917, p p. 43-45.

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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.


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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

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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.

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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


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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.


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Labor. Proceedings of the convention. Seventh day. Atlantic City, N. J.

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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.


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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.


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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.


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8 The Observer, July 13,1919.

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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-


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1 D aily Herald, London, July 18,1919.

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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.


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2 Manchester Guardian, July 29,1919.

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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

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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


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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.


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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.


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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


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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.


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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.


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19. 30
19.30
19. 30

Increase.*

2 Amount not stated.

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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,

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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.


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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
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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
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[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.


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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.


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[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-


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-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.

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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.


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[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

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[1036]

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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.

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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.


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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.


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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..


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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

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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


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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


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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.”


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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.


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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


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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.


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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.-


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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.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

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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.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

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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.


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


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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.


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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

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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.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

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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


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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


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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.


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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


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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


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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.


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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


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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.


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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.


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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.

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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-


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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.


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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


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[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.


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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

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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.


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[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.


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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


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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.


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1 Singapore dollar equals $0.5678.

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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.


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[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.


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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

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[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.


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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.


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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.


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


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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


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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.


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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)......................


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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.


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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.


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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


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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


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.)


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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.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

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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.


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[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.


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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.


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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.


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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,


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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.


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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.


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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°—:

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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.


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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

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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

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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.


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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).


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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.


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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.


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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


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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.


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


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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.


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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.


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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


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[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
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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


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[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

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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

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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.


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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]

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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.


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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.


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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.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1 Not including certain positions temporarily filled.

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


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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

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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-


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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:

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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.


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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

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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

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

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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.


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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.

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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.


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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

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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.

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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

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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.


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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
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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.


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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.


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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.

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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.


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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
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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

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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

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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


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


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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.


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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:


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[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.

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[1215]

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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.

[ 1216 ]

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CHART A,

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to

to

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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

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[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.


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[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.


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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.


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[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."

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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.


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[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.


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[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.

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[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.

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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

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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

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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.


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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.


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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.


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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

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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
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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.

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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.


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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.


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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.

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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.


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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.


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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.
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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.


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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

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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.
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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.

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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.


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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
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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

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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.

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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
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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.


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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.

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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.


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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

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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

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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.

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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.


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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
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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
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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
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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.


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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

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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.


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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.


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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.

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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

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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.


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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.


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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.


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1 El Peruano, Lima, Mar. 22,1919.

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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

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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.

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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.


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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.


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»Presumably per m on th , although n ot so stated in th e law .

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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

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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

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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

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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.


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[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.


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[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.

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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.


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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

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

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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.


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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.

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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


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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.


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[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

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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 ) ..................... . . . .


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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

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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.


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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.

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#
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


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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.

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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.

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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.


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L o n d o n , M ay, 1919.

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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


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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


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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.

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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.”


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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.

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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
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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 .

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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

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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 .


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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 .


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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.


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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.


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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

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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 .]


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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.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[▼ ]

o


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis