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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
CJ-£
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
CERTIFICATE,
This publication is issued pursuant to tha
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1430), approved March 4, 1921.
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COPY FOR PROFIT.— PUB. RES. 57, APPROVED MAY 11, 1S22
Contents.
Special articles:
Page.
Extension of the “ family-wage ” system in France and Belgium by Mary T.
Waggaman.................................................................................................. 1_17
Industrial relations and labor conditions:
Labor relations in the coal industry.............................................
Prices and cost of living:
Retail prices of food in the United States...................................................... 26-48
Retail prices of coal in the United States................ ..................................... 48-51
Comparison of retail price changes in the United States and foreign coun
tries............................................................................................................... 52-54
Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1922................................................................. 54, 55
Index numbers of wholesale prices in August, 1923...................................... 55, 56
Canada—Revised index numbers of wholesale prices........... ....................... 56-58
Wages and hours of labor:
Wages and hours of labor in foundries and machine shops, 1923................ 59-61
Schedule of wages for civil employees under the Naval Establishment__ 62-64
Argentina—Hours of work in Buenos Aires...................................................
65
Great Britain—
Factory hours and the two-shift system for women................................ 65, 66
New schedule of hours in building trades............................................... 66, 67
Norway—Wages in specified occupations, September, 1921, and Novem
ber, 1922....................................................................................................... 67, 68
Poland—Wages in 1923................................................................................... 68, 69
Woman and child labor:
Kentucky—Hours, wages, and working conditions for women.................... 70-73
Wisconsin—Child labor..................................................................................... 73-75
Great Britain—A study of four methods of weight carrying by women....... 75, 76
Labor agreements, awards, and decisions:
Railroads—Decisions by Railroad Labor Board—Federated Shop Crafts... 77-81
Carpenters—Pittsburgh................................................................................... 81,82
Coal mining—Anthracite................................................................................ 83, 84
Coal miners—West Virginia............................................................................
84
Laundry workers—Brockton, Mass................................................................. 84, 85
Men’s clothing industry—Chicago....................................................... , .........85-87
Street railways—Massachusetts....................................................................... 87-91
Housing:
Building permits in principal cities of the United States, January to
June, 1923................................................................................................ . 92-109
Illinois—Report of Building Investigation Commission........................... 110-113
Massachusetts—Housing conditions in Lawrence...................................... 113,114
New York—State commission of Inquiry into Housing and Regional Plan
ning...............................................................................................................
115
Argentina—Extension of rent law..................................................................
115
Great Britain—Rent control and housing acts........................................... 115-117
Netherlands—Improvement in housing conditions .............. ....................
117
Scotland—Progress of housing schemes..........................................................
118
in
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
18-25
IV
CONTENTS.
Employment and unemployment:
Page.
Employment in selected industries in August, 1923................................. 119-125
Employment and earnings of railroad employees, July, 1922, and June and
July, 1923.................................................................................................. 126,127
Extent of operation of bituminous coal mines, July 21 to August 11,1923. 127,128
Recent employment statistics—
Illinois.................................................................................................... 128,129
New York............................................................................................... 129,130
Industrial accidents and hygiene:
Accident occurrence in the iron and steel industry, 1922, by Lucian W.
Chaney............................
131-140
Coal-mine fatalities in the United States in 1922....................................... 140,141
Mine fatalities due to use of explosives............... ............................. ■.........
142
Relation between labor turnover and industrial accidents...........................
142
Analysis of causes of 350,000 industrial accidents.........................................
143
Industrial accidents in the rubber industry, second half of 1922................
143
Alaska—Mine accidents, 1922.........................................................................
144
Arizona—Mine accidents, 1922.......................................................................
144
Colorado—Coal-mine accidents, 1922..............................................................
144
Pennsylvania—Coal-mine accidents, 1916 to 1920..................................... 144^146
Austria—Legislation for prevention of industrial poisoning...................... 146,147
Great Britain—Industrial poisons and diseases in factories, 1922............. 147-149
Workmen’s compensation:
Review of compensation legislation for 1923, by Lindley D. Clark......... 150-162
Oregon—Cost of workmen’s compensation per workday...............................
162
Pennsylvania—
Promptness in accident reporting and submitting compensation agree
ments.................................................................................................. 162-164
Remarriage rates of widows in coal-mining industry.......................... 164,165
Recent workmen’s compensation reports—
Alabama....................................................................................
165,166
Georgia......................................................................................................
167
Ohio........................................................................................................ 167,168
Utah....................................................................................................... 168,169
Manitoba................................................................................................ 169,170
Ontario................................................................................................... 170,171
Chile—Legislation on compensation for industrial accidents......................
172
Labor laws and court decisions:
Labor legislation of 1922..................................................................................
173
Nature and effect of collective agreements................................................. 173-176
Use of deposit to guarantee compensation insurance payments...................
176
Federal employers’ liability acts, 1906, 1908..................................................
177
Illinois—Liability of employer under occupational diseases act.............. 177,178
Finland—Law regulating apprenticeship agreements................................ 178,179
Strikes and lockouts:
Sweden—Labor disputes in 1922....................................................................
180
Conciliation and arbitration:
Conciliation work of the Department of Labor in August, 1923, by Hugh
L. Kerwin, Director of Conciliation........................................................ 181-183
Cooperation:
Comparative study of cooperation in various countries............................. 184-190
Court decision as to contract with cooperative marketing association,
Kansas...........................................................................................................
191
Development of building and loan associations in the United States.......
192
England—Strike of employees of Cooperative Wholesale Society............ 193-195
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
CONTENTS.
Y
Immigration:
page.
Statistics of immigration for fiscal year ended June 30, 1923, and for July,
1923, by W. W. Husband, Commissioner General of Immigration....... 196-200
Canada—Immigration.................................................................................. 200-203
Italy—-Emigration.......................................................
203
What State labor bureaus are doing:
Iowa..................................................................................................................
204
Massachusetts...................................................................................................
204
Current notes of interest to labor:
Labor agreements of Central Americancountries...........................................
205
Promulgation of convention regarding labor and emigration between Italy
and Brazil.....................................................................................................
205
Brazil—Creation of National Labor Council..................................................
205
Publications relating to labor:
Official—United States................................................................................ 206-208
Official—Foreign countries.......................................................................... 208-210
Unofficial...................................................................................................... 211-213
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
VOL. XVII—MO. 4
WASHINGTON
OCTOBER, 1923
Expansion of the “Family-Wage” System in France and Belgium.
B y Ma r y T . W a g g a m a n .
N EXAMINATION of certain foreign economic, industrial,
and labor publications discloses a somewhat surprising
amount of material on the subject of family allowances or
supplementary wages (allocations familiales or sursalaire) sometimes
termed “ family wages” or “ social wages.” This material includes
reports of national labor departments and also of committees and
commissions of inquiry, representing respectively labor and industrial
interests. Family allowances have also been the subject of resolu
tions or discussion at various important congresses, some under the
auspices of employers ’ organizations and others called by federated
trade-unions. This question was on the agenda of the third biennial
congress of the International Federation of Working Women which
was held near Vienna, Austria, August 14 to 18, 1923.
The striking progress abroad of the system of family allowances
challenges attention not only because the new movement is appar
ently another turn in the evolution of social and industrial insurance
but because of the very close correlation of these grants with wages.
For despite the multiplied declarations that family allowances must
be clearly differentiated from the worker’s compensation for his
labor, the new practice seems to point to potential changes in the
manner of making wage adjustments and to suggest, though as yet
obscurely, a solution to some of the most impenetrable wage prob
lems. The following is a brief resume regarding the expansion of the
system in France and Belgium. The development of the movement in
some other foreign countries will be covered in a forthcoming article.
A
France.
development of the system of compensation funds in
France for the payment of so-called “ family wages” surpasses
that of any other country, according to the director of the central
committee for family allowances (Je comité central des allocations
familiales).
This new movement, he declares, is based on equity and meets a
national need in the grave depopulation crisis when the average
birth rate does not exceed 0.4 of a child per worker. He regards
i The data on which this article is based are from life and Labor Bulletin (Chicago), July, 1923; La.
Journée Industrielle (Paris), issues of Dec. 31, 1922-Jan. 1, 1923, June 3-4, and Aug. 12—
13, 1923; Comité
Central Industrial de Belgique, Bulletin (Brussels), Sept. 20, 1922; Monthly L abor R eview , issues of
October, 1921, and July, 1923; Ministry of Labor Gazette (London), issues of M archand August, 1923; Indus
trial and Labor Information (Geneva), issues of Jan. 20, Mar. 31, June 30, and July 7,1922, Feb. 2, and 16,
Mar. 2, and 29, May 11, and 25, June 29, July 6, Aug. 3,10, and 24, 1923; Bulletin du Ministère du Travail
(Paris), issues of October-Novembcr-Decembcr, 1921, and January-February-M arch, 1923; La Voix du
Peuple (Paris), issues of January and February, 1923; Compt-rendu du deuxieme Congrès de la Confédér
ation Internationale des Syndicats Chrétiens, Innsbruck (Utrecht), June, 1922; Les Documents du Travail
(Paris), June-July, 1923; Revue du Travail (Brussels), issues of Juae and December, 1922, and May, June,
and July, 1923; La Femme Belge (Brussels), May, 1923.
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2
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
the progress of the institution as an “ eloquent manifestation of the
vitality of a people” and an evidence of the “ creative and generous
spirit of the French employers.” This generosity, however, is not
without advantages to those who exercise it. In assisting the heads
of families, employers encourage the recruiting of necessary manual
labor and promote its stabilization. Moreover, some optimistic in
dustrialists hope by contributing to the physical and mental develop
ment of the children of their workers to create a superior labor reserve
for the future.
Attention was called in a previous article in the M o n t h l y L a b o r
R e v i e w of October, 1921 (pp. 9-19), to the considerable legislation
relative to State family allowances, especially the law of July 14,
1913, and also to the fact that before the passage of the act of April 7,
1917, which instituted a system of family allocations applicable to all
State administrations, numerous ministerial services had been accus
tomed to pay indemnities of this kind to certain classes of their
employees.
A law was passed on July 22, 1923, providing an annual allowance
of 90 francs ($17.37, par) for each child under 13 years of age in excess
of three children in French families. The allowance may be granted
up to 16 years of age if the children are still in school, apprenticed,
“ invalided, or incurably ill.” The departments or communes may
increase these national grants from their own funds.
Even before the World War certain public agencies, large trans
portation companies, and important financial, industrial, and com
mercial establishments in France were also paying special allowances
to the members of their personnel who had very young children or
children who had not reached the working age. During the war the
practice of granting these allowances was substantially extended,
being taken up not only by additional individual employers but by
groups of employers in the same industry or the same locality who
formed compensation funds for the payment of these allocations.
The Association of Metallurgists at Grenoble was a pioneer in estab
lishing one of these compensation funds in 1916.
There are now 123 of these funds, which include a membership of
over 7,600 undertakings. In addition, the system is being studied in
various other industrial centers. It is estimated that 2,500,000 em
ployees in France are entitled to benefit by family allocations through
compensation funds or otherwise, and that the annual amount of
such grants is over 300,000,000 francs ($57,900,000, par).
Types of Funds.
There are two types of compensation funds: Regional or inter
professional, composed of chambers of commerce and federations of
employers; and “corporative/ ’ organized according to industries.
M. Richmond at a conference held by the Paris Chamber of Com
merce summarized from his point of view some of the advantages of
the regional fund, declaring that funds of this character are to be
preferred because:
1. The employers of a given locality or district have a community
of interest in the recruiting of manual workers.
2. Birth rates are subject to regional influences.
3. Living costs vary by locality and not by occupation.
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‘ ‘ FAMILY-WAGE ’ ’ SYSTEM IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM.
3
4. The general granting of allowances implies a certain measure of
control which is effected more easily by a single fund in the same
district.
5. It is expedient to stabilize these allowances as far as possible by
making them independent of the fluctuations of single industries.
The compensation funds vary greatly in the number of their member
establishments, some having as few adherents as 6 while two have
more than 500 and one has over 1,200, according to the Bulletin du
Ministère du Travail (Paris) for the last quarter of 1921.
There is at Tours a federation of small funds which has permitted
the reinstitution of the workers’ service book to which the labor
unions have always been opposed. This book is now designated
“ le easier familial,” and is used in connection with the granting of
family allowances. In this book a record is kept, by means of
tickets or stamps given by the employer to the worker, of the number
of days he works. This book follows the employee when he changes
from one firm to another and at the headquarters of the federation
a duplicate is kept, daily up to date, of this service record.
The possibility of the abuse of such service books by employers
who might wish to discriminate against militant unionists is pointed
out in the recent report on family allowances which was made for
the General Confederation of Labor and published in La Voix du
Peuple (Paris) of January, 1923.
v
Functioning of Funds.
The compensation funds were created to equalize the distribution
of expenses arising from the payment of family allocations or supple
mental wages.
An article on family allowances abroad, in the British Ministry of
Labor Gazette of March, 1923 (p. 86), gives the following three
outstanding bases of calculating assessments for individual estab
lishments belonging to French compensation funds:
1. On the number of workers employed by the firm.
2. On the number of man days or man hours worked.
3. On the aggregate wages paid.
I t will be noted that, in order to avoid discrimination against
married men, the contributions of adherent establishments are based
on their personnel as a whole, aggregate man days or man hours
worked, or total wages paid.
If a member establishment distributes more in allowances than the
amount of its assessment such establishment gets a refund. If an
adherent firm pays out less in these supplemental wages than the
amount of its assessment, it must return the surplus to the fund.
Members also assume their share of overhead expenses of the fund,
according to the business activity of their establishments and the
normal competitive conditions in the same district.
Among the methods of granting these allocations are the following:
(1) Increased allowance for second and subsequent children.
(2) Same allowance for each child.
(3) No allowance for first child or for first two children but high allowances
subsequent ones.
.
.
(4) Same (rather low) allowance for first two children, increased allowance
subsequent ones.
(5) High allowance for first or first two and lower for subsequent children*.
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.
for
,
for
4
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
According to a detailed statistical table, based on 1920 and 1921
data and covering 61 funds, which was published in the Bulletin du
Ministère du Travail (Paris) for the last quarter of 1921 (pp. 418-420)
the family allowances paid ranged from 10 to 50 francs ($1.93 to
$9.65, par) per month for the first child, from 5 to 75 francs (96.5
cents to $14.48, par) for the second and third child, and from 5 to
100 francs (96.5 cents to $19.30, par) for the fourth child. The age
limit for allowances for children, according to the same report, was
13 or 14 years. In a few cases there was an age limit of 16 years
for girls. The number of child beneficiaries of these 61 funds ranged
from 150 for the Rouen (Port) fund to 68,096 for the Paris (région)
fund.
A number of the family allocation funds also pay maternity bene
fits of from 100 to 250 francs ($19.30 to $48.25, par) and give nursing
allowances or bonuses. For example, the Parisian intertrade and
regional fund allows 30 francs ($5.79, par) per month for 10 months
for milk for an infant and 45 francs ($8.69, par) in case the child is
nursed by its mother.
These maternity benefits and nursing bounties are reported to have
influenced the infant mortality rate, at times, beyond the most opti
mistic expectations. For example, in one district the awarding of a
10 months’ nursing allowance in the amount of 15 francs ($2.90, par)
per month, together with a bonus granted by the municipality, had
a profound effect upon the living conditions of infants, and after
13 months under this system mothers who nursed their children in
creased from 10 to 55 per cent while infant mortality decreased “ in
the proportion of 5 to 1.” The central committee on family allow
ances indorses without hesitation the extension of bounties for nurs
ing mothers, and a growing number of funds are also advocating
such extension.
Some of the longer established funds have taken into their service
former Army nurses who visit the homes of the workers and assist,
relieve, and counsel the mothers.
The splendid results secured by some funds have stimulated them
to further efforts. They have set up medical clinics for children,
given free surgical treatment and hospital care, and conducted pre
ventoriums with remarkable success. In Lyon, where the visiting
system is conducted on a large scale, the cost of the service does not
exceed 1 franc a month per employee. The cost of the social service
of visiting nurses at Paris alone carried on by 700 establishments
employing approximately 200,000 workers is only 0.05 franc per 100
francs of salary.
The textile association for Roubaix-Tourcoing and the district,
which has 312 manufacturing members who employ 60,000 workers,
was one of the pioneers in adopting the system of family allowances.
The grants of this association are as follows:
Families w ith—
Amount per day.
1 child........
2 children..
3 children..
4 children-.
.. . 2 francs.1
. . . 5 francs.1
— 8 francs.1
. . . 12 francs.1
The number of beneficiaries was 32 in August, 1919, and at the
close of 1922, 24,000.
1 Franc a t par=19.3 cents.
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[780]
‘ FAMILY-WAGE
SYSTEM IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM.
5
The amounts reported paid by these employers, in family allow
ances, by years, are given below:
Francs.1
1919
1920
1921
1922
...........................................................................................
76,180
........................................................................................... 6,431,808
........................................................................................... 9,425,038
........................................................................................... 13,432,791
In 1919, 187 maternity allowances were granted; in 1922, 2,475.
Upon a recent demand for wage increases by the textile workers
at Roubaix-Tourcoing the central committee of textile employers
declared that the cost of living, despite the present increase, was lower
than the cost of living on November 9, 1921, and that the cost-ofliving index fell from 3.95 in 1921 to 3.24 in 1922 without a corre
sponding reduction of wages. The labor organizations, the commit
tee further declared, were not warranted in protesting against the in
sufficiency of their domestic budget, because at Roubaix-Tourcoing
family allowances are paid in this industry up to 5 francs (96.5 cents,
par) a day for a family of father, mother, and two children below 13
years of age.
Agricultural Funds.
Serious efforts have been made in several sections of France to
organize family allocations for farm laborers, and this problem, which
is beset with many difficulties, has been brought up at the numerous
conferences of agricultural societies. The first compensation fund
for agricultural workers was that of the Regional Union of Agricul
tural Syndicates of the Ile de France, which was set up in 1920. In
Industrial and Labor Information (Geneva) of July 7, 1922 (pp.
53-55), there is a brief report on two other funds, one at Touraine
and the other at Bordeaux.
The Indre-et-Loire fund at Touraine makes semiannual grants to
agricultural laborers with at least three legitimate or acknowledged
children under 14 years of age. This fund is supported by assess
ments based on the amount of land cultivated by farmers or owners.
The assessment for active members is 2 francs (38.6 cents, par)
annually for a hectare (2.471 acres) of vineyard, pasture, or arable
land and 0.10 franc (1.9 cents, par) for forest land, the minimum
assessment for six months being 50 francs ($9.65, par).
An agricultural worker, man or woman, can not receive family
allowances from the Indre-et-Loire fund until he has been in the sole
employment of one of the active adherents to the fund for six con
secutive months.
To fix the amount of the allowances the sum available from the
assessments of the preceding half year is divided by the number of
children eligible for benefits. Changes in the list of beneficiaries
resulting from births, deaths, and arrivals in and departures from the
district, as well as increases or decreases in land or wood areas which
may occur between the declarations of members of the fund and the
allowance payments, take effect in the next half year.
The organization also has honorary members whose assessments
and entrance fees are placed in a separate fund from which are paid
the initial costs of organization and management, additional allow
ances to certain families, or contributions to support or establish
social institutions for the benefit of the families of peasants.
1 Franc at par=19.3 cents.
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6
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
The assessment charged by the Bordeaux fund is 3 francs (57.9
cents, par) per month for each worker permanently employed by an
adherent to such fund. In July, 1920, this fund was paying, per
month, for one child, 10 francs ($1.93, par); for two children, 30
francs ($5.79, par); for three children, 45 francs ($8.69, par); for
four children, 65 francs ($12.55, par); for five children, 85 francs
($16.41, par); and for six children, 120 francs ($23.16, par).
Further Centralization.
In the latter part of 1920 the central committee on family allow
ances, to which reference has already been made, was organized for
study and propaganda, with headquarters at Paris (7 Rue de Madrid).
M. Eugène Mathon-Motte was made the first president of the new
agency which was to act as a permanent national liaison office for
the various funds. Three national congresses on family allowance
compensation funds have been held under the auspices of this com
mittee. The first was held in Paris on July 4, 1921, at which time
it was reported there were over 72 funds in existence. At this meet
ing marked objection was registered by resolution to a proposed law
for the intertrade and regional organization of funds and also to “ the
incorporation of family allowances in salary declarations to insurance
companies.”
The second congress was held at Grenoble on May 22, 1922, and
included the following among the subjects on the program:
The history of family allowances at Grenoble and in the Lyonnaise district.
The social service of the Parisian fund.
Child clinics and the preventorium at Nancy.
Extension of family allowances to engineers and home workers.
The organization of agricultural family allowance funds.
Attention was called at this convention to the tendency of new
funds to organize along regional rather than trade lines. From the
first to the second congress—a period of less than 11 months—20 new
funds were organized and 25 more were in process of formation. On
January 1, 1923, the number of organized funds was 108, with steps
being taken toward the establishment of 30 others. Six months later
the number of funds had increased to 120, with 33 more in the course
of organization. As previously stated, there are now 123 funds.
Among the subjects discussed at the third congress of compensa
tion funds, held at Nancy June 4-6, 1923, were:
The hygienic services of compensation funds.
The distribution of family allowances according to family responsibilities.
The distribution of the cost of the allowances among members of compensation
funds.
The necessity of precise terminology for family allowances.
Special action with a view to recruiting the trade.
Action of funds with a view to facilitating the increase of house and garden privileges.
Conditions governing allowances in early infancy in case of protracted illness or
death of the head of the family.
At this convention the committee on family allowances announced
the publication of its first annual report, a volume of 438 pages in
four parts: Part I, which deals with the work of the committee itself;
Part II, which reproduces useful information on the composition and
administration of various funds and sets forth their respective advan
tages to beneficiaries and the regulations governing the privileges
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‘ ‘ FAM ILY-W AGE 77 SYSTEM 11ST FRANCE AND BELG IUM .
7
accorded (accompanying tables facilitate the comparing of the data);
Part III, which contains a study of legislation and jurisprudence bear
ing upon family allowances; and Part IV, which covers legislation
and regulations having to do with—(1) the organization of the
family, (2) the large family, and (3) the family in industry.
Divergent Viewpoints.
While some employers declare that the workers approve of the
system of family allowances, there is evidence that the present private
régime is looked upon with considerable suspicion, at least in certain
sections of the labor world.
The subject of family allowances was not originally placed on the
agenda of the Seventeenth Congress of the General Confederation of
Labor (C. G. T.) of France, which was in session at Paris January 30
to February 2, 1923, but as certain unions had become interested in
this problem the confederation published in the January, 1923, number
of its official organ, La Voix du Peuple (pp. 15-32), the report already
referred to on the subject. After the program was made up the Federa
tion of the Unions of the North requested that the question of family
allowances be brought before the congress because of the importance of
this new system and the necessity for defining labor’s attitude in the
matter. The following resolution, submitted to the convention, reiter
ates in somewhat different language a number of the objections to
family allowances, which were set forth in the above-mentioned report:
The congress considers that assistance for large families and maternity and nursing
allowances constitute a form of social protection which should be organized by the
community in the same way as protection against unemployment, sickness, disability,
and old age. These questions can not be adequately dealt with by systematic resort
to private charity or philanthropy, and such a system is liable to encourage extremely
dangerous forms of dependence.
The congress warns the workers against the practice of granting additional wages
for workers with families.
This measure was invented by the employers in the course of their contest with
the trade-unions, and constitutes a danger to the latter. It has the effect of lowering
wages, and it is liable to result in a conflict between the claims of workers with families
and those of other workers.
If the measure is applied by individual employers only, it may encourage them
to dismiss workers with families in order to decrease the costs of their undertaking.
If it is applied with the assistance of compensation funds, it means that the employer
is in possession of files giving particulars regarding his workers. He is thus enabled
to interfere in the private life of the workers in an unjustifiable way, and an unde
sirable system of regulations is set up, by means of which the workers are kept in
subjection, and all their efforts toward emancipation frustrated. In whatever way
it is organized, the system in fact results in increasing the influence and means of
domination at the disposal of capitalism.
Instead of such false and dangerous philanthropic measures, the burden of which
is, in the last resort, borne by the workers, the congress demands the establishment
of minimum wages at rates fixed by the trade-unions.
The congress demands that an effective system of assistance for large families, in
the form of family allowances and maternity and nursing benefits, should be organized
by the community as a whole. The expenses should be covered by compulsory
contributions from the employers and by contributions from the State. The man
agement of the funds and the distribution of allowances should be intrusted to officially
appointed committees, including representatives elected by the various interests
concerned.
The right to family allowances is of a social character, and should be completely
independent of employment. They should not be affected by the fluctuations of
employment, and the families which are entitled to them should not lose them owing
to sickness or to unemployment in any of its forms.
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8
M O N TH LY LABOE REVIEW.
The assistant secretary of the General Confederation of Labor and
the secretary of the Federation of Textile Workers express themselves
in published interviews as personally in favor of taking the payment
of family allowances out of the hands of employers and of placing the
matter under Government direction. The former advocates that
these allowances be made a form of social insurance regulated by
law. He also calls attention to the possibilities of employers tending
to reduce generally their hourly wage rates to counterbalance the
expenses oi affiliating with compensation funds. The latter tradeunionist is of the opinion that family allowances should be paid not
only in unemployment and sickness but also during strikes.
Furthermore, at a recent conference of the Federation of the TradeUnions of the Seine one of the objections raised against the French
social insurance bill was that “ the latitude allowed to private initia
tive will make organizations such as the employers’ funds formidable
weapons in the hands of employers.”
The attitude of the Christian labor unions on the “ family wage”
system is naturally more pacific. According to the economic world
program of the International Confederation of Christian Unions, with
which body the Confederation of French Christian Unions is affiliated,
“ every adult male worker has a right to a minimum wage which will
enable him to provide for his household in conformity with the
demands of human dignity, to support and bring up a family * * *.
It is reasonable to provide for large families by allowances from
special funds.”
At the congress of the Federation of Christian Woman Workers’
Unions at Paris, January 26-29, 1923, a resolution was passed recom
mending that the family allowances paid by compensation funds
should be sufficient “ to make it unnecessary for mothers to work
outside their own homes.” A somewhat similar measure was adopted
by the Tenth Congress of Women’s Free Unions (Catholic) in the silk
industry of the Isère, which was held May 19-21, 1923. Pending
the advocated reform, the free unions “ should insist upon the family
allowances being always added to the mothers’ wages.”
Many employers are quite militant in the matter of maintaining
their freedom in the granting of family allowances. For example,
the General Confederation of French Production circularized its affili
ated members, requesting them to oppose the bill for changing the
voluntary action on the part of employers in making these allocations
to a legal obligation and suggesting that the best way of convincing
Parliament that its intervention is not required would be to expand
still further the present private régime. Affiliated organizations
have also been asked to conduct energetic propaganda to increase
the membership of compensation funds.
At the congress of the Federation of French Employers’ Associa
tions (V Union des Sociétés Industrielles) at Rouen, June 12-15, 1922,
a resolution was passed favoring the rejection by Parliament of meas
ures providing that family allowances be made legally compulsory
for all or any employees. An interesting paragraph in the same reso
lution favored the discarding of the term “ supplementary wages”
{sursalaire) and specifically advocated that manufacturers’ associa
tions when consulted should recommend the supporters of the familyallowance system to avoid applying such term to family allowances
or using it in the titles of compensation funds.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[784]
11
FAM ILY-W AGE ’ ’ SYSTEM I Y FRANCE AYD BELG IUM ,
9
The Federation of Employers in the Textile Industry is another
strong advocate for private initiative in the matter under discussion,
declaring in a resolution of May 30, 1923, that to secure the maximum
results with the minimum of expense complete freedom should be
accorded to such institutions as compensation funds granting family
allowances.
A French authority, representing the industrial point of view,
says: “ It seems that the liberty allowed employers has been in this
matter, as in many others, one of the principal factors of success.
Funds would not have been able to de velop in the midst of such varied
conditions but for the privileges of self-government which they
enjoyed. Any legal regulation might result in paralyzing this
movement.”
It would appear that even in connection with instituting family
allowances in contracts for State, department, or community projects
the compulsory feature has been contested. For instance, the com
mission of the French Chamber of Deputies requested the 'Govern
ment to insert a clause in the estimates for public works authorized
by the communes, the departments, or the State requiring the con
tractor to belong to a family allowance compensation fund. The
law that was passed, however, on December 19, 1922, dealing with
the matter made it only “ permissible ” for bidders’ estimates for such
works to include a provision obligating contractors to pay family
allowances to those employed thereon. Recent amendments to this
law have, however, introduced a number of compulsory regulations
in this connection.
The president of one of the compensation funds, in a recent lecture
at Marseille on family allowances, sounded a note of caution in his
conclusion, stating that the system was not a universal panacea—that
there were conditions, times, and places to which the institution was
not “ uniformly applicable.” He suggested the following three gen
eral principles in granting these allocations: (1) The allowances must
be sufficient; (2) they must be supplemental to a fair wage propor
tionate to the work accomplished; and (3) they must be the begin
ning of closer cooperation between employers and workers.
In the opinion of the director of the central committee on family
allowances, this supplemental wage system will “ perhaps permit labor
to realize by degrees its social aspirations without abusive overcharges
on production.”
State action in the application of a family allowance system was
advocated by the Abbe Desbuquois in his lecture on “ Economic
reforms” before the Fifteenth of the “ Social Weeks,” which was
held at Grenoble from July 30 to August 6, 1923. The family, he
thought, could not wait until the “ good will shown by some had con
verted others whose present attitude is one of calculated indiffer
ence.”
Discussing the relation of family allowances to wages, Roger Picard,
in a monograph in Les Documents du Travail, June-July, 1923,
declares that the arguments for divorcing these allocations from labor
agreements are not convincing. Moreover, he reports that the per
sons arguing for this disassociation have had recourse to such reserva
tions and have lapsed into such ambiguities that their thesis defeats
itself. In Mr. Picard’s opinion, these allowances would not be under
standable in the absence of the work contract. They are part of the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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10
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
compensation which the worker takes into account when he agrees to
render certain services. If employers should decide to discontinue
the system they would undoubtedly meet with “ vigorous opposition”
on the part of labor or with claims for wage increases. Mr. Picard
also thinks that in time these grants, in one form or another, will
probably be demanded by the workers in establishments or industries
where allowances are not yet made. He believes that if the family
allocation becomes in the future “ an integral and compulsory part of
wages it will take the form of an insurance benefit.”
Belgium.
T T IE subject of family allowances has recently been attracting much
1 attention in Belgium among industrial organizations and eco
nomic groups. The remarkable extension of the system in France and
the possible effects of this extension on the competitive labor market
in the way of drawing Belgian workers to enterprises in France which
grant family allowances have given an additional impetus to the study
by the Belgians of “ family wages.”
During the war, in order to lessen the pressure of the high cost of
living, public administrations in Belgium adopted the practice of
paying family allowances to their personnel, and seven or eight years
ago such grants were being made in a few private undertakings of the
country, especially in its coal-mining districts.
A comprehensive report on family allowances in Belgium was
recently submitted to the Commission on Large Families (Commission
des Families nombreuses) and is reproduced in the May, 1923, number
of the Revue du Travail (Brussels). In the July, 1923, issue of the
same official organ there are numerous extracts from another im
portant report on the subject by Mr. Midol, an engineer. A large
part of the information which follows is taken from these two
reports.
In 1921 the first compensation fund was set up at Verviers. The
next year the movement for the establishment of such funds advanced
considerably, and in the early part of 1923 embraced various indus
tries in all sections of the country, while still larger plans for the
development of the system were being formulated by industrial
leaders.
The table given below lists coal mines and compensation funds
paying family allowances in May, 1923, but does not cover certain
public administrations, banks, and commercial organizations:
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[786]
STATUS OF FAMILY-ALLOWANCE SYSTEM IN BELGIUM, MAY, 1923.
[Franc at par=19.3 cents.]
Name of fund.
NumDate of con- ber
stitution.
of
firms. Total.
Ap
proxi
mate
total of
month
heads
Fourth ly al
of
low
4
or
Sec
and
fol
fam
No
2
3
First ond Third lowing ances.
1
ilies. child.
chil child.
chil chil more
child. chil
chil
child.
dren.
dren. dren. dren.
dren.
[787]
1915
1915
1,1920
1,1921
1
1
1
1
1,180
1,160
2,291
941
272
(4)
276
108
260
204
297
183
Coal mines of W érister.......................
1919
1
1,188
85
188
Construction shops of Enghien-St. \
Eloi.
1
1921
1
Verviers Compensation Fund
Mar. 25,1921
39
1,973
CO
(0
National fund for family allowances
and social insurance, building and
public works, Brussels.
Aug. 2,1922
(0
1,160
Coal mines of Tamines 1.....................
Coal mines of Carabinier 1..................
Coal mines of Roton-Farciennes 1__ July
Coal mines of Nord de G illy1............ July
Fund for family allowances of feder
ation of zinc, lead, silver, copper, j-Aug. 22,1922
and nickel foundries, Brussels.
170 10,000
14
11,997
Monthly family allowance
scale adopted for—
Heads of families with specifled number of children
under 14 years of age.
(0
Remarks.
Francs Francs Francs Francs Francs Fr'ncs
63 821 2 0.25 2 0. 25 2 0.60 2 0.60 6,000 3100
2.60
2.25
2.25
2.60
45 (O
2.25
2.60
2.25
2.60 13,500
93 1,002
100
2.25
2.25
2.60 5,500
Infirm receive same as
2.60
40 506
children.
40 centimes extra for wife.
2.80 21.00 11,500
2.40
2.60
132 94 155 5 691
Paym ent made quar
terly.
/Also
medical care and
f
18.00
15.00 \ 621.00
l lodging.
}
Allowances will begin
w ith the first child,
June 1, 1923; probable
7,630 '8133
20.00
7163
(O
inoo m
onthly scale: 12, 20,
28, 36 francs.
16.00 50,000
Payments made quar
10.00 12.00 14.00
720 350 270 (0
terly.
159 67
135 62
224 112
126 49
/l, 061 jl, 038 638
\1 ,567
(
889
(0
15.00
15.00
1 Will come under system adopted by coal mines of Charleroi district as soon as such system goes into effect.
2 Rate per working day.
3 Per birth.
4 Not reported.
s Not correct sum of items, but is given as printed in original.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Ma
ter
nity
bene
fits.
15.00
Children under 14 and
frail children over 14
years. No allowances
for first child in A nt
werp, Regina, and Cam[ pinoise.
6 Beginning with fifth child.
7 2 or more children.
8 For first child.
9 For following children.
15.00 105,000 '8150
l9150
FAM ILY-W AGE 77 SYSTEM IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM.
63745o—23----- 2
Number of workers employed.
STATUS OF FAMILY-ALLOWANCE SYSTEM IN BELGIUM, MAY, 1923—Concluded.
to
Number of workers employed.
Name of fund.
Sept. 1,1922
5,461 1,117
¡■Nov. 1,1922
2,195
Dec. 18,1922
35,097
( 4)
1,1923
252
5,513
( 4)
2,000
Mar.
1,1923
May
1,1923
May
1,1923
84
( 4)
961
475
409
173
(4)
372
182
160,000
180 53,166
Fraies Francs Francs Francs Francs
21.00 295.000
2.75
2. 50
2.50
2. 50
( 4)
n8,305
2 Rate per working day.
4 Not reported.
5 Not correct sum of items, but is given as printed in original.
7 2 or more children.
s For first child.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
526 241
7 92
(4)
I Feb. 13,1923
Mar. 1,1923
Feb.
1,060
73
Ap
proxi
mate
total of
month
ly al
low
ances.
(4)
10.00
141
10.00
(4)
10.00
20. 00
( 4)
6.25
13.00
(4)
15.00
'
2 .7 5
io l . oo I 5,000
30.00
40.00 203.000
30.00
40.00
1,650
30.00
18.75
30.00
18.75
44.000
15.00
15.00
19,000
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
Ma
ter
nity
bene
fits
Remarks.
Ffrxs
100
3250
9150
250
9150
250
9150
11.000
Provisional figures.
r8250
[9150
9 For following children.
19 Rate per working day beginning with fifth child.
111 or more children.
12 31 firms, of which 23 were in operation in March, 1923.
In H ainaut allowances be
gin with second child.
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
[788]
Compensation fund (quarries and
cement factories) for family allow
ances of Tournaisis.
Compensation fund of Chamber of
Commerce of Renaix.
Compensation (metallurgical) fund
for family allowances for Liege re
gion.
Boussu construction shops................
Compensation fund for family allow
ances of Brabant.12
Compensation fund (quarries) for
family allowances of region of
Soignies.
Compensation fund of Antwerp re
gion.
Compensation fund for family allow
ances for region of Charleroi and
of La Basse-Sambre.
Federation of coal mines of Belgium
Monthly family allowance
scale adopted for—
Heads of families with speci
fied number of children
Num
under 14 years of age.
Date of con ber
Total
of
stitution.
heads
firms Total.
Fourth
of
4 or fam First Sec Third and fol
3
2
No
ond child. lowing
1 chil chil more ilies. child. child.
chil
chil
chil
dren. child. dren. dren. dren
dren.
i 1
FAM ILY-W AGE ’ ’ SYSTEM IN FRAN CE AND BELG IUM .
13
It is estimated that there are from 225,000 to 250,000 workers and
employees in Belgium “ living under the regime of family allowances ” ;
the personnel receiving grants from various public administrations is
apparently not covered in the above total. A number of banks at
Antwerp and Brussels have plans in view for paying family allowances,
which, however, do not include the creation of compensation funds.
Public administrations, as said above, began to grant family allowances
during the war. The State, several Provinces, and some communes
are doing something in this line at the present time. For example,
the State pays a family indemnity of 50 centimes (9.65 cents, par)
a day per dependent child under 21 years of age, and promise was
made by the Government at the May 7, 1923, session of the Chamber
of Deputies to double this allowance.
A few Provinces have adopted the present State scale. The
Province of Luxemburg, however, grants to its technical force a
yearly allowance of 200 francs ($38.60, par) per child under 18 years
of age. In eastern Flanders the allowance is 200 francs for every
dependent child under 21 and without limitation as to age for ab
normal, sickly, or chronically weak children who are unable to earn
a livelihood, except when such children have personal resources.
The Province of Liege makes family allocations on a sliding scale,
which when the index reaches a certain point amounts to 240 francs
($46.32, par) annually per child. In the Province of Namur it is
possible for a Government employee with six dependent children to
receive 3,780 francs ($729-54, par) a year in family allowances. It
is of interest to note that the grants are given for manual workers’
children under 15 years of age and for salaried employees’ children
under 18 years of age.
Among the municipalities that have adopted the “ superwage”
system for their workers is the city of Louvain which since the
beginning of 1923 has paid allowances of 50 centimes (9.65 cents, par)
per day for each dependent child under 16.
In Ëtterbeek a married man who is the father of a family and em
ployed by the municipal government is allowed 19 francs ($3.67, par)
per month and 30 francs ($5.79, par) a month per child. The annual
salary of a single man is limited to 8,000 francs ($1,544, par) and that
of a married man who is not the father of a family to 10,000 francs
($1,930, par), while the father of a family ma}^ receive 10,000 francs
and 1,000 francs ($193, par) per child. A father of 10 children could,
under this scheme, receive as high as 20,000 francs ($3,860, par)
annually.
Trend T ow ard Centralization.
The central industrial committee of Belgium has organized at
Brussels a committee of inquiry on family allowances with the pur
pose of not only making an investigation of this subject but also of
forming a federation of compensation funds. The president of this
committee is Mr. Lechat, the head of the comnensation fund of the
Liege district.
As shown in the preceding table, the National Federation of
Belgian Mine Operators has concluded to set up a system of family
allowances. There is some question, however, as to whether com
pensation funds will be created for this purpose. According to very
recent reports, the coal operators of the Liege basin have adopted
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
the scale of the Liege metallurgical fund. The concerted action on
the part of the Belgian coal-mine interests and the affiliation of the
majority of the metallurgical establishments, of the building federa
tion, of the Renaix textile firms, and of the central industrial com
mittee with the movement for “ family wages” indicate how rapidly
the new régime is expanding and suggests further possibilities of
centralization. The Christian Federation of the Middle Classes has
also created a commission of inquiry with a view to laying the founda
tions of a national and intertrade compensation fund for the Flemish
country, the birth rate of that region differing from that of other
parts of the country.
Functioning of Funds.
The report on family allowances submitted to the Belgian com
mission on large families (Commission des Familles nombreuses),
points out that compensation funds are effective in overcoming the
temptation of family men to give up their jobs and that these insti
tutions stabilize the “ family-wage” system. Some of these compen
sation funds themselves pay the grants to workers or the workers’
wives. This practice distinctly separates the family allowance from
every other wage bonus. I t has been found best to send the allow
ance “ to the one who has immediate charge of the children.” One
of the most typical and best worked out plans of progressive payment
of family allowances is said to be that selected by the Liege metallur
gical fund. This scale, as indicated in the above table, is: 10 francs
($1.93, par) for the first child; 20 francs ($3.86, par) for the second
child; 30 francs ($5.79, par) for the third child; 40 francs ($7.72, par)
for the fourth child. There is also a maternity benefit of 250 francs
($48.25, par) for the first born and 150 francs ($28.95, par) for eavh
additional child.
Another method of granting allowances is to accord the same sum
for each child but only to families having at least three or four chil
dren. The giving of an allowance for the first child, which is with
drawn at the end of a year if there is no second child, is also cited as
one of the plans of payment.
The expenses of compensation funds vary according to the birth
rate in the districts in which the labor force resides, according to
whether all families or only those with three or four children are
beneficiaries, and according to the make-up of the personnel, some
establishments employing a large number of young persons and other
firms very few youthful workers.
In France the average allowances are 1 franc (19.3 cents, par) per
chdd per day, which expense is met by an assessment of from 1.5 to
2 per cent on the total pay roll.
The system in Belgium is still in an experimental stage. It is
noted, however, that the birth rate there is generally somewhat higher,
at least in the Flemish country, than it is in France, and therefore
the cost of the system under the same scale of allowances will be
greater in Belgium, but it is estimated that reasonable grants could
be made by an assessment of 4 to 5 per cent on the pay roll.
A Proposed Plan.
The Federation of (Christian) Free Miners (La Centrale des FrancsMineurs) has recently laid before the National Mixed Commission
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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(1
FAM ILY-W AGE ’ ’ SYSTEM IN FRANCE AND BELG IUM .
15
of Mines a tentative agreement on family allocations, which includes
the constitution of a family allowance compensation fund for the
coal industry of Belgium.
Among some of the interesting features of this proposal are the
following :
The miners themselves are to contribute a certain percentage of
their salaries to the fund; the employers will also pay into it an equal
percentage, the amount of such percentage to be determined by the
council of administration of the national compensation fund, which
is to be administered by 16 members, 8 representing the employers
and 8 the unions.
The following allowances per day and per child, according to the
index of 100, are proposed: 1 child, 0.15 franc (2.9 cents, par);
2 children, 0.20 franc (3.9 cents, par); 3 children, 0.30 franc (5.8
cents, par) ; 4 children or more, 0.40 franc (7.7 cents, par).
All controversies are to be submitted to the council of adminis
tration.
Attitude of Different Organizations,
The socialists, after some defensive skirmishing, are reported as
“ inclined now to support” the institution of family allowances. The
F ederation of Miners (Centrale des Mineurs), which is a powerful social
istic union, declared itself unanimously, last March, in favor of such
allocations, making reservations, however, regarding the methods of
applying these grants.
The Christian workers have been in favor of family allowances from
the beginning of the régime. The following resolution was passed by
the Sixth Congress of the Confederation of Christian Trade-Unions
held at Antwerp May 20 and 21, 1923 :
(1) The congress reaffirms the decision of the fifth congress of Christian trade-unions
demanding as a fair wage remuneration commensurate with the work done, and as a
minimum wage a sum sufficient for the needs of a family of average size;
(2) Appeals to the affiliated organizations to continue trade-union action with a view
to securing such wages;
(3) Reaffirms the demand of the fifth congress of Christian trade-unions for the alloca
tion of fam ily allowances to families with more than the average number of children;
(4) Declares that family allowances represent an act of solidarity on the part of indus
try as a whole with regard to workers with more than an average number of children,
and that such allowances must not prevent the workers from securing an adequate
wage as defined above, nor should the introduction of a system of fam ily allowances be
allowed to lead to the adoption of the so-called “ relative family wage,” i. e., remunera
tion of labor based on the individual needs of each worker;
(5) Considers that a system of fam ily allowances consisting in the payment of a com
paratively small allowance for small families and a much larger allowance for children
in excess of the average number, is not necessarily contrary to the principles set forth
but is of opinion that it is always preferable to grant allowances only to families with
more than an average number of children;
(6) Reaffirms also the decision declaring that family allowances should be paid by
national compensation funds set up for each industry and subsidized by the State;
(7) Protests against the proceedings of certain employers who take advantage of the
position of workers with heavy family responsibilities to restrict the liberties of workers
and even to assume a certain control over their private life ;
(8) Declares that, contrary to the views expressed by certain employers, the workers
are entitled to share in the administration of the compensation funds just as much as
the employers, and reaffirms the demand of the fifth congress of Christian trade-unions
that compensation funds should be administered by joint committees, consisting of
representatives of the workers’ and employers’ organizations;
(9) Declares that it is the duty of the affiliated organizations (a) to endeavor to secure
adequate representation in the administration of existing compensation funds, and
( b ) to take every opportunity to enforce the recognition of the principles set forth
above;
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[791]
16
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW.
(10)
Considers that in order to prevent abuses in the application of the family allow
ance system, it is essential that the system should be regulated by law.
At the annual congress of the Federation of Belgian Metal Workers,
which met in Brussels April 22, 1923, a resolution was adopted almost
unanimously, urging that the system of family allowances be made
general through “ legislation regulating the conditions for the granting
of allowances under the supervision of public authorities in collabora
tion with the workers’ organizations,” and holding that the right to
these grants should be inalienable and that the administration of the
funds for family allowances should be in the workers’ hands.
The Commission on Large Families at its meeting on April 30, 1923,
adopted a number of conclusions and resolutions concerning family
allowances, which not only show how strongly that body advocates
them but also analyzes the principles upon which the practice is based.
For example, the commission declares that it is reasonable to con
sider the “ social value of the father of a family” in addition to his
value as a worker; that the family is actually the source of “ the
necessary renewal of all human forces and activities and that the father
of a family assures to the society in which he lives future prosperity
and security, while the celibate and the childless married worker
generally provide only for their personal needs.” It is equitable that
society should fully compensate the father of a family because of the
benefits society secures from his assumption of responsibilities. It is
also pointed out that employers have a special interest in the stability
and renewal of their labor supply. On the other hand, the commis
sion emphasizes the importance of making a clear-cut distinction
between the remuneration for the labor of a father of a family and the
payment for his socio-economic services.
In the judgment of the commission, compensation funds for family
allowances are the best institutions known for carrying out the theo
ries just cited. Large families themselves are, of course, particularly
interested in seeing the movement for the establishment of such insti
tutions extended as far as possible to all kinds of workers, intellectual
as well as manual.
The commission also holds that the most equitable and most prac
ticable way to solve the difficulties of large families is the granting
of allowances in proportion to the responsibilities and services of such
families. Furthermore, these grants must never be confounded with
the assistance given needy families. The amount of the family allow
ances should be increased sufficiently to correspond to the responsi
bilities for which the grants are made. As the inadequacy of salaries
and actual wages is particularly obvious in the case of large families
and the available sums for the payment of allowances are limited,
the commission suggests that the needs of such families be provided
for first of all by granting them higher allowances than the families
which have few children.
It is recommended that the allowance per child per day should not
be less than 1 franc (19.3 cents, par) after the family has four children
and that amount should be increased as soon as possible to two francs
(38.6 cents, par) per child per day. The suggested age limit is 16
years, except in cases where older children are dependent upon the
head of the family because of more advanced courses of study, ap
prenticeship, or poor health.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[792]
il
FAMILY-WAGE ” SYSTEM IN' FRANCE AND BELGIUM.
17
The commission is in favor of continuing allowances, under condi
tions to be defined, in case of the unemployment, sickness, invalidity,
or disability through accident or death of the head of the family, and
possibly in other circumstances.
The State, Provinces, and communes, the commission believes,
should encourage the expansion of the “ family-wage” system and
that body suggests the propriety of these respective governments
making at least as large grants as are made in private enterprises.
Provisions for family allowances in bids on contracts for public works
are also recommended.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[793]
IN D U S T R IA L 'R E L A T IO N S A N D LA B O R CO N D ITIO N S.
Labor Relations in the Coal industry.
Anthracite.
HE report of the committee, consisting of II. S. Dennison, W. E.
Hotchkiss, and J. H. Willits, appointed to study labor relations
in the anthracite industry, was made public by the Coal Com
mission on August 8.1
The report cites in brief the organization and procedure of indus
trial relations in the anthracite industry prior to and subsequent to
the anthracite award of 1903, noting the important changes which
have been made in the 1903 award by the succeeding agreements
and the development of organization of the workers and operators
since that time.
The committee finds the more important causes of the friction
leading to strikes to be—
T
Attitude toward the agreement.
(6) Wages.
(c) Hours.
(d ) irregularity of operation and attendance.
(e) A ttitude toward restriction of output.
(/) Discharge and discipline.
(or) Union membership.
( h ) Administration of labor relations.
(a)
Attitude Toward the Agreement.
The committee reports no practical division over the union or non
union issue; with few exceptions both parties believe in the agreement,
but in performance it is inadequately carried out. Operators
criticized certain features of it and condemned certain policies and
practices of the union, but the consensus of opinion was that they
were better off with than without it.
The operators criticized particularly the illegal strike and threat
to strike used as a “ conscious and illegal policy by the union to obtain
advantages not granted under the agreement. ” The committee
found a large and apparently increasing number of petty strikes,
aggravated in some instances by inadequate provisions in the agree
ment, unscrupulous management, and delays in clearing up griev
ances. In general, however, the commitee found that the firmly
established conciliation machinery constituted a basis affording an
exceptional opportunity for sound industrial relations.
Wages.
Approximately two-thirds of the cases reported to the conciliation
board of the industry in the last 10 years involved wage rates. This
condition exists largely because there is and has been no scientific
basis of rate making in the anthracite industry. The 1902 rate,.
1 United States Coal Commission. Labor relations in the anthracite industry, by H enry S. Denni
son, Williard E. Hotchkiss, and Joseph H. W illits, Aug. 8, 1923.
18
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[794]
LABOR RELATIONS IN THE COAL INDUSTRY.
19
itself the cumulative result of trading under widely varying condi
tions, has been used as a base. Physical conditions have in many
cases altered completely since 1902, and there are therefore many
inequities among the rates which are a constantly increasing source
of irritation.
The committee advises a provision in the agreement for a thorough
revision of the rate structure, cooperatively worked out.2
Hours.
The eight-hour day prevails in the industry. The Coal Commission’s
study of wage rates indicates that in 148 collieries about 2 per cent of
the employees in 55 specified occupations work in excess of 8 hours
per day, and that about 70 per cent of these 2 per cent work on a
12-hour basis. The sense of unfairness among the relatively few
men working 10 to 12 hours keeps up irritations which cost more than
the saving, if any, from the longer hours. The committee therefore
recommends the elimination of the long day.
Irregularity of Operation and Absenteeism.
Irregularity of operation and absenteeism is to be the subject
of a special report of the commission. Data already collected
show for the year 1921 an average absence rate for all workers of
11.5 per cent. A study of regularity of operation over the period
1890 to 1922 indicates that the anthracite industry has changed from
one in which one of the foremost characteristics was its irregularity
to one which compares favorably with most industries in this respect.
Although irregularity of operation is still a disturbing factor in
industrial relations in the industry, this extraordinary progress
toward regularity has aided in the solution of labor problems.
Restriction of Output.
The committee found that limitation of output does exist. The
amount varies by districts and, in two of the districts, does not
seem to be an important problem. In the third this practice occurs
more frequently. In some instances the committee found that
this was not willful curtailment of production, but the result of
practices within the industry. In general the local union officials
assumed an attitude of indifference toward restriction of output.
In the opinion of the committee the problem will not be solved by
denunciations but only by a careful study by operators and union
leaders of the factors which enter into a fair day’s work and of the
causes of undue friction.
Where a miner sets his own limits to his “ day’s work,” he is unavoidably influenced
by his ideas of a satisfactory level of income and by his fears of the adverse effects
that may result from records of high earnings. Not a little restriction of output
arises under such circumstances. Its only cure is such an analysis of the elements
of the job as has just been recommended.
Discharges and Discipline.
In the opinion of the committee the employers ’ right of discharge,
although abridged scarcely at all by the agreement, lies been very
2 A detailed analysis of the wage structure is to be made the subject of another study bv the commis
sion.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[795]
20
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
definitely limited by the union, which has resorted to strikes and
threats of strikes to prevent them. Friction over discharge and
discipline at the present time arises over this fact together with
the fact that the agreement does not define the rights of both parties.
In the judgment of the committee good management demands the
existence of the power of discipline and discharge, safeguarded,
however, against abuses of precipitancy, capriciousness, and the
like. It is therefore recommended that the new agreement state
specifically the rights and obligations of both parties, the right of
discharge and discipline to rest with the operator, subject to appeal
and prompt review by the conciliation machinery in case the disci
pline is alleged to be unreasonable or unjust. Such provisions
should be vigorously enforced.
The committee finds no claim “ that insistence on union member
ship is necessary for the protection or maintenance of the union.
Their defense reduces to a feeling of abstract justice and a some
what indefinite claim that the operators acquiesce in letting the
practice of the open shop go by default if only they can preserve
the statement of principle.”
Many operators have reconciled themselves to the point of view
of the union and, if the majority of their workers belong to the
union, they not only prefer but urge the others to join. They bitterly
resent, however, the violation of the agreement by “ button” strikes
and the constant threat of stoppage. Strikes also grow out of the
attempt of the union to extend its jurisdiction and include in its
ranks additional groups of workers. A difficulty in the situation
seems to be the fact that the agreement itself says nothing about
classes of workers over which the union has jurisdiction.
The committee’s study strongly condemns the “ button” strike
(strike called by the union to compel employees to join the union
or to pay union dues), the condoning of such strikes by the union
officers who are obligated to prevent them, and the acquiescence in
them by those against whom they are directed. It suggests that
the situation should be promptly and vigorously dealt with by the
conciliation machinery.
Administration of Labor Relations.
Administration by operators.—The collective agreement such as
exists in the anthracite industry can not in the opinion of the com
mittee be maintained by police or statutory power, but can be main
tained only by the sense of responsibility and approval in each
party to the agreement, backed on either side by an organization
powerful enough and effective enough to command the respect of
the other side and of its own members. On the union side such an
organization exists, but there is no organization of operators that
functions from day to day in connection with the agreement. The
commission suggests the appointment by the operators of an organi
zation in each district anaiagous to that of the union, or else an
organization of the operators as a whole, represented in each district
by a competent labor adjuster, to correspond in function to the
union’s district president.
The committee deplores the protracted and unnecessary delays in
adjustment of disputes in some mines, which make for irritation.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[798]
LABOR RELATION'S IN THE COAL INDUSTRY.
21
The mine foremen and other officers interviewed were found to
be men of high caliber; but systematic instruction of officials in their
most important function—the handling of labor—was given scant
attention. I t is a recognized fact in the anthracite fields that the
foremen’s policy is often quite different from the official policy of
the company and that a poor foreman is always a cause of trouble.
The experience of certain companies who have concentrated their
responsibilities for industrial relations in a single executive, without
other duties, indicated the immense advantage of such a plan in
the improvement of labor relations.
Administration by the union.—The committee finds that union
administration fails to some extent in the responsibility of its district
and national officers for upholding the agreement, particularly in
preventing petty strikes. This situation is partly due to the fact
that the relationship between the district and national office and
the local is not sufficiently close.
That district union officials, who are politically elected, can exercise adequate
control by authority alone, may be questioned. Greater control can grow out of
continuously closer contact. One way for such closer contact exists in the oppor
tunity for educational service at meetings and otherwise by the district to the local.
An opportunity exists for the education and development of its personnel by the
union that is parallel to the opportunity of companies with their executives.
Attendance at the local union meetings was found to average less
than 5 per cent. In the opinion of the committee, “ The educational
opening presented to the international and district officials in these
local meetings is enormous and is a definite part of their responsibility
in the maintenance of the agreement and their opportunity for the
establishment of closer relations with the locals and thereby building
up the union.”
Administration by the 'public.—The chief flaw in the functioning of
the conciliation machinery the committee found to be delays in
operation, poor presentation of cases, and the lack of voluntary
conciliation. In the hope of improving the functioning of the
machinery the committee suggests:
1. The appointment of a continuing umpire to sit regularly with
the conciliation board, without vote.
2. The appointment of alternate or alternates for each member of
the conciliation board to facilitate the calling of board meetings,
thus avoiding delays.
3. Full-time “ labor commissioners” to be appointed by operators
to assist operator members of the board and to act also with the
union labor commissioner of the district in the adjustment of disputes
before they go to the board.
4. A new agreement, with a renewal clause, to be worked out as
the basic code covering essential items such as practice regarding
discharge, etc., and to include penalties for violations by either party.
T he General Strike.
The best approach to a remedy for the evils of the general strike
will not, in the judgment of the committee, be found in compulsory
arbitration. Because of its impracticability, because of the part
which misleading propaganda may play particularly at the time of
negotiating the agreement, and because of the large part which
public opinion has played in every general strike in the anthracite
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[797]
22
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
field, the committee would seek to provide means for compulsory
investigation and report during the period of negotiations whenever
failure of the efforts to conclude a new agreement is imminent.
The next agreement, the committee recommends, should be
automatically renewed except in respect to such provisions as either
party may have expressed a purpose to change by serving notice of
such purpose on the other party 90 days before the renewal date. If
within 60 days of the renewal date, the parties have been unable to
agree, the President of the United States should be empowered to
appoint a person or persons to inquire into the reason for the failure
to agree and make a public report before the renewal date.
The committee further recommends that the renewal dates of the
anthracite and bituminous agreements should not be coincident, but
should be set sufficiently far apart that suspensions in both industries
at once would not be invited.
Bituminous.
’T ’HE following summary of recommendations with regard to
industrial relations in the bituminous branch of the industry
was issued by the Coal Commission, September 14, 1923:
1. We recommend that each side place some check upon provocative and truculent
publicity which tends to undermine good relations.
2. We recommend that the operators and the union undertake both separately and
jointly the study of means of meeting the fundamental problem of unemployment
through the stabilization of the industry, as a service to their own interests and as an
evidence to the public of serious intention on their part to meet their own problems in
a statesmanlike way under private administration.
3. We recommend that the Congress provide for the continuing cooperative study
of and action against the problem of unemployment as one of its first responsibilities.
This would involve studies and activities in the fields of labor relations, technical
aspects of production, and the marketing and storage of the product.
4. We suggest the great importance in labor relations of good operating management
in the mine, so that adequat e production service to the men at the face will always
be afforded.
5. We recommend the establishment in each district and nationally of joint com
missions of operators and miners, with the aid of competent men, to make thorough
studies of the principal jobs and of the existing rate differentials. It is important to
develop an adequate basis for the needed revision of the rate structure, at present
marked by many inequalities between sections, between mines, and between jobs in
the same mine.
6. We recommend continuing cooperative study of the same subject by the general
Government.
7. We recommend further attention to this same subject by individual mine man
agements and local unions.
8. We recommend continuous, compulsory collection and publicity of rates and
rate changes in the nonunion fields by the general Government.
9. We recommend the universal establishment in the nonunion fields of checkweighmen selected and paid by the men as a means of insuring confidence in weights.
10. We recommend that that form of wage payment known as “ subcontracting”
be discontinued. It is held by most of the coal industry and by nearly all other
industries as out of date and inherently subject to abuse.
11. It is recommended that the leasing of convict labor to operators, such as is
now the practice in Alabama and a few other nonunion areas, be condemned as
demoralizing to the industry and degrading to the convict.
12. It is recommended that the practice of discounting “ scrip” be made illegal.
13. We recommend serious study by both sides, jointly and separately, of the prob
lem of undue limitation of output and of the causes which lead to it.
14. We recommend that each agreement in the union fields contain provision that
disputed cases of discharge shall" be settled promptly through conciliation or arbi
tration.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[798]
LABOR RELATIONS IN THE COAL INDUSTRY.
23
15. We recommend to nonunion operators that adequate checks, to insure against
capriciousness and unreasonableness, be placed on the exercise of the right to discharge.
16. We condemn violence, thuggery, and gun work, violation of the law and dis
turbance of the peace, whether practiced by the union to enforce complete unioniza
tion, or by the operators to prevent it.
17. We recommend that such destructive labor policies as the use of spies, the use
of deputy sheriffs as paid company guards, house leases which prevent free access and
exit, and individual contracts which are not free-will contracts, be abolished.
18. We recommend the recognition of the right by the union to encourage nonunion
workers to join the union by the example of service to its members in the union field,
by showing where the advances in the union field have helped the nonunion workers,
and by peaceful and honest persuasion of every sort.
19. We recommend the recognition of the similar right of the nonunion operator,
by good works and honest persuasion without force, to maintain a nonunion status.
20. We recognize the irritating effects of the check-off to the operator, especially
in the collection of special fines and assessments. And we recognize its injurious
effects upon the union in divorcing the problem of income from the winning of mem
bership, and in the resulting lack of closeness of contact and of educational service
and control by the higher officers to the lower officers, and to the rank and file members
of the union. We believe that the unsettling effects of casting out this practice,
however, might more than overbalance the gains. It may well be that the use of
the check-off for the collection of fines and special assessments (except in the case of
fines for violation of the agreement) should be discontinued. But we do not feel that
the check-off is vital enough ever to justify a suspension of operations, whether the
union is seeking to extend its use or the operators seeking to throw it out.
21. We recognize that the establishment of a policy of complete district autonomy
in the negotiation of new agreements, as advocated by some operators, would result
in great turmoil and a renewal of the fierce competition between districts that must
inevitably lower standards. We suggest, however, that many operators in the out
lying fields have a real grievance when they say that essential elements of their agree
ments are made for them in conferences in which they are not represented. We
suggest that the two parties should work out a system of national negotiation with
district agreements, which will avoid standard-cutting wars between districts and
secure adequate flexibility to meet necessary district conditions.
22. We recommend a continuing umpire in each district as indispensable to the
growth of good relations, since such agency tends toward the establishment of orderly
processes of law in the industry, facilitates the necessary bargaining that goes on from
day to day,, is an educational force for both operators and union, and is a foundation
for progress upon which the industry can build with confidence.
23. We call attention to the fact that the operators are not so effectively organized
for labor relations as the miners, and that, both as a defensive and as a cooperative
measure, there should be effective district and national organization and a national
labor policy among union operators. Such an organization should bring to the sur
face the large amount of sound and constructive thinking that is being done among
operators concerning the labor problems in the union fields; it should strengthen and
stimulate the work of the various labor commissioners. I t should create the office of
national labor commissioner to function as do the labor commissioners in the districts,
but on national problems. In this connection, attention is called to the great impor
tance during the process of negotiating a new agreement of having negotiators of the
right type—men who know the union and the industry, who know when to be
aggressive and when not to be, masters of sound strategy and wise tactics, and, finally,
men whose straightforwardness the union trusts.
24. We find that one of the most constructive steps that has been taken collectively
by the bituminous operators has been the almost universal establishment of the office
of “ labor commissioner.” Only the highest grade men can adequately discharge the
functions and get the full possibilities out of this office.
25. We recommend much more serious concentration upon the problems growing
out of the psychology of men at work, especially noting the examples of the many
companies who have established good relations.
26. Specifically, we recommend more attention to the training of superintendents,
foremen, and assistant foremen in problems of management, especially in dealing
with labor under a union agreement. These men are closest to the miners and actually
handle the grievances that arise; they therefore in large degree determine the bases
on which the more general problems of labor adjustment rest. _
27. Half information on topics of mutual concern ranks high among the factors
that tend to mar relations. We therefore recommend a policy of publicity of facts,
both within the individual mine and nationally, which would include accounting
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[799]
24
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
reports by operators as recommended for in the commission’s anthracite report and
similar reports concerning union finances.
28. In accordance with best policy In the coal and in all other industries, we
recommend the policy in each company of centralized responsibility for labor re
lations.
29. We recommend much closer contact and greater educational service from the
district and national officers of the union to the local officers and men.
30. We believe that the union will need to depend more on facts and less on force
if it is in the future to advance the interests of its members as successfully as it has
in the past. We therefore suggest the importance within the union of continuous
facilities for research which will collect and interpret facts and aid and enlighten
union policy.
31. We particularly regret that the union has given so little serious consideration
to the ways of meeting the fundamental problem of the coal industry, the problem
of irregularity of production and employment, which concerns its members more
deeply than any other problem observed, and on which they keenly desire that some
thing be done. A definite effort to devise a joint system of unemployment compen
sation or insurance which shall offer considerable incentive toward steadiness of
operation, as well as relief during payless days, will be of vital interest to the citizens
of the industry.
32. We believe that the union is facing a critical transition period. It has gone
through and won the struggle to become powerful. The challenge confronting it
now is whether it can use great power in a responsible way to serve social ends.
33. We do not advocate nationalization as a means of meeting the national strike
or other parts of the problem of labor relations.
34. We recommend against compulsory arbitration as a means of preventing a
national strike, because we do not believe in discretion-made law in either the in
dustrial or political fields, and because there is no way to enforce a compulsory award
which does not involve enforced operation or enforced labor.
35. We believe that incorporation of the unions would not have the effect of bind
ing the union to its contracts, and making it responsible, often predicted for it. Con
tracts can now be made if both parties wish, with effective binding power, but ordi
narily neither side desires that wage contracts shall be specific enough to be legally
binding through judicial enforcement. The flexibility of various State incorporation
laws makes it unlikely that incorporated unions would differ practically from unin
corporated. Finally, the Coronado case not only decides that a union is a legal entity
for the purpose of responsibility for torts, but also holds that a union voting a strike
renders itself responsible for acts growing out of the strike just as a corporation would
be responsible for the acts of its officers, and that the union funds can be reached di
rectly through a suit for damages, just, as the property of a corporation can be.
36. We recommend continuous investigation and publicity by the Federal Govern
ment of the basic facts upon which industrial relations depend. Such continuous
investigation should not be principally critical, in the sense of being chiefly con
cerned with noting cases of bad practice, but rather with making known cases of the
opposite sort. This should bring about such a continuous interchange of information
as to stimulate a greater sense of public responsibility and better practices by the
union and the operators.
37. We recommend special compulsory investigation when the prospect of failure
to renew an agreement is imminent, so that the public may have a chance to be heard
before conflicts arise. Specifically, we recommend an inquiry under the authority of
the President of the United States. To this end, it is suggested that all agreements
should contain a clause that will provide for automatic renerval of all agreements except
in regard to provisions concerning which either party may have given notice to the
other 90 days in advance of the date of termination of the agreement. In case of
failure to agree, a report, setting forth the factors at issue, should be made to the
President, by each side, not later than 60 days before the expiration of the agreement.
It is recommended that when such a report is made the President immediately inquire
into the factors at issue and secure a report and award thereon made on or before the
date of expiration of the agreement. The award would or would not be made public as
the President would deem wise in the particular circumstances. It should be the pur
pose of such a report to focus upon the negotiators the irresistible moral pressure
implicit in their joint obligation to furnish the public with coal.
We are confident that with a continuous orderly process of investigation and report,
and if advisable with the timely injection of a definite representative of the public
into the situation in case of disagreement, it will become very much more difficult for
either side to adhere in any captious way to a contention that will precipitate a tie-up
of the industry.
[800 ]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
LABOR RELATIONS IN THE COAL INDUSTRY.
25
In case a suspension occurs because of failure to reach an agreement before the
expiration of an existing contract, there should be no question of the continuance of
maintenance men at their occupations. Both in the interest of the industry and in
that of the public every contract should provide for this contingency.
The best approach to a remedy for the evils of the general strike will not, in our
judgment, be found in an immediate resort to drastic prohibitory measures. Whatever
artificial gap may have developed between employer and employee, they must work
together or there can be no peace and no real efficiency. The weight of opinion among
operators and union officials alike is that they themselves desire to fix the fundamental
terms, upon which the industry shall operate. The most thoughtful and best advised
among them express great confidence of their ability to do this in an orderly way.
From our survey of the statesmanship that exists in the industry, it is believed that
the operators and the union are equal to this task, if once they recognize the finality
of the public insistence on continuous operation and address themselves singlemindedly to bring that object to pass. It will be necessary, however, for them to
find means of bringing their best statesmanship to the front in connection with the
general negotiations. They can not perform this indispensable public duty unless
they emancipate themselves from the atmosphere of militancy that too often charac
terizes their proceedings.
It is believed that the combination of continuous investigation and publicity with
the possible resort to mediation at the instance of the President of the United States,
may remove the necessity for more drastic emergency measures. The process here
outlined should have a sobering influence that will make strongly for enforcing respon
sibility to the public among representatives of both the operators and the miners.
Until measures for holding both sides to their responsibilities have been exhausted
it will be extremely unwise for the public to embark on coercive measures of regulation
of labor relations.
While it is believed that the above suggestions will encourage mutual accommoda
tion and agreement at the time of the renewal of negotiations and will therefore lessen
the chances of national strikes or suspensions, the fundamentally constructive oppor
tunity lies in the building up of the day-to-day relations within the agreement period.
Improvement in industrial relations during the life of the agreement would very
considerably lessen the probability of a national strike.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[801]
P R IC E S A N D C O ST O F LIVING,
Retail Prices of Food in the United States.
HE following tables are based on figures which have been
received by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from retail dealers
through monthly reports of actual selling prices.1
Table 1 shows for the United States retail prices of food, August 15,
1922, and July 15 and August 15, 1923, as well as the percentage
changes in the year and in the month. For example, the price of
cheese was 31.8 cents in August, 1922, 36.1 cents in July, 1923, and
36.3 cents in August, 1923. These figures show an increase of 14
per cent in the year and 1 per cent in the month.
The cost of the various articles of food,2 combined, showed an
increase of 5 per cent in August, 1923, as compared with August,
1922, and a decrease of 1 per cent in August, 1923, as compared with
July, 1923.
T
T able 1.—AVERAGE R E TA IL PRICES OF SPEC IFIED FOOD ARTICLES AND P E R CENT
OF INCREASE AUGUST 15, 1923, COMPARED AVITH AUGUST 15, 1922, AND JU LY 15, 1923.
[Percentage changés of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given in whole numbers.]
Average retail price on—
Article.
Unit.
Aug. 15,
1922.
July 15,
1923.
Aug. 15,
1923.
Per cent of increase
(+ ) or decrease
( - ) Aug. 15, 1923,
compared with—
Aug. 15,
1922.
July 15,
1923,
Cents.
Cents.
Cents.
Sirloin steak......................................... Pound.............
39.0
41.1
+5
+ 0.2
41.0
Round steals:........................................ ....... d o ..............
34.1
+4
0
35. 5
35.5
Rib roast............................................ ....... do..............
28.2
29.2
29.3
+4
-0 .3
Chuck roast.......................................... .......do___ . . . .
+4
0
20.0
20.8
20.8
-1
Plate beef........................................... .......do..............
12.6
12.8
12.7
+1
__ do............
-9
Pork chops........................
31.2
32.1
35.1
+3
.......do..............
39.2
B acon.. ................................
40.6
-3
39.0
+1
H am ..... ............................................. ....... do..............
46.2
-9
50. 8
+ 0.4
46.0
Lamb, leg of........................................ ....... do..............
37.2
-3
36.0
38.5
+3
1
-1
Hens......................................
.. .do.............
34.9
34.4
34.8
Salmon, canned, re d ........................... __ do..............
31.9
31.1
31.2
—2
+0.3
Milk, fresh ....... ................................
Q uart..............
13.0
13.6
13.7
+5
+1
Milk, evaporated............................... 15-16-oz. c a n ..
0
10.8
12.2
12.2
+ 13
B u tte r .. r ............................................. P ound.............
44.2
49.1
51.8
+ 17
Oleomargarine..................................... .......do..............
27.6
29.1
29.2
+6
+0.3
+1
N ut margarine..................................... ....... d o .............
+4
26.6
27.4
27.6
+1
+ 14
Cheese................................................... ....... do..............
31. 8
36.1
36.3
—1
17.2
0
L ard........................................... ......... ....... do..............
17.1
17.1
+0.4
Vegetable lard substitute................... .......do..............
22.9
-0 .4
22.8
22.7
Eggs, strictly fresh..................... .
+ 12
+ 12
Dozen..............
37.1
37.1
41.5
-1
Bread......... ”......................................... P ound.............
0
8.7
8.7
8.8
-4
Flour........................................ ......... .......do..............
-1 2
5.1
4.7
4.5
Corn m eal........................................... __ .d o .............
3.9
4.1
0
4.3
+5
+1
Rolled oats........................................... __ do ..............
0
8.7
8.8
8.8
-1
0
Com flakes........................................... 8-oz. p k g .........
9.7
9.8
9.7
24.4
0
Wheat cereal....................................... 28-oz.pkg........
24.4
-5
25.7
-2
-1
Macaroni................... .......................... P ound. .......
19.8
19.7
20.0
1 In addition to monthly retail prices of food and coal, the bureau secures prices of gas and dry goods
from each of 51 cities and for electricity from 32 cities. These prices are published at quarterly intervals
in the Monthly L abor R eview .
2 The following 22 articles, weighted according to the consumption of the average family, have been
used from January, 1913, to December, 1920: 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. The remainder of the 43 articles shown in Tables 1 and 2 nave been included in the
weighted aggregates for each month, beginning with January, 1921.
26
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 802 ]
27
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD.
T able 1 — AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OF SPEC IFIED FOOD ARTICLES AND P E R C E N T
OF INCREASE AUGUST 15, 1923, COMPARED W ITH AUGUST 15,1922, AND JU LY 15,1923—
Concluded.
Average retail price on—
Article.
Unit.
Aug. 15, July 15,
1922.
1923.
Rice.......................
Beans, n av y .........
Potatoes................
Onions...................
Cabbage................
Beans, baked.......
Corn, canned.........
Peas, canned.........
Tomatoes, canned.
Sugar, granulated.
T ea........................
Coffee.....................
Prunes...................
Raisins..................
Bananas................
Oranges.................
Cents.
9.6
11.3
2.6
5.9
3.9
13.4
15.4
17.6
13.6
8.1
68.3
36.2
20.8
23.2
34.2
64.8
P o und. .
.......d o ...
.......d o ...
.......d o ...
.......d o ...
No. 2 can
.......d o ...
.......d o ...
.......d o ...
P o u n d ...
.......d o ...
.......d o ...
.......d o ...
.......d o ...
D ozen...
.......d o ...
All articles combined 1
Cents.
9.4
11.3
4.2
7.4
5.4
12.9
15.4
17.6
13.0
10.5
69.3
37.7
19.2
17.5
38.8
53.1
Per cent of increase
(+ ) or decrease
( - ) Aug. 15,1923,
compared with—
Aug. 15,
1923.
Aug. 15,
1922.
Cents.
9.4
11.0
3.7
6.5
4.8
12.9
15.4
17.6
13.0
9.6
69.7
37.6
19.0
17.4
38.4
50.9
-2
-3
+42
+ 10
+23
-4
0
0
-4
+ 19
+2
+4
-9
-2 5
+ 12
-21
+5
July 15,
1923.
0
-3
-12
-12
-11
0
0
0
0
-9
+1
-0 .3
-1
-1
-1
-4
-1
l See note 2, p. 26.
Table 2 shows for the United States average retail prices of speci
fied food articles on August 15, 1913 and 1914, and on August 15 of
each year from 1918 to 1923, together with the percentage changes
in August of each of these specified years compared with August, 1913.
For example, the price of butter was: 35.4 cents in August, 1913;
36.1 cents in August, 1914; 53.9 cents in August, 1918; 64.1 cents in
August, 1919; 67 cents in August, 1920; 51.2 cents in August, 1921;
44.2 cents in August, 1922; and 51.8 cents in August, 1923.
As compared with the average price in August, 1913, these figures
show the following percentage increases: 2 per cent in August, 1914;
52 per cent in August, 1918; 81 per cent in August, 1919; 89 per cent
in August, 1920; 45 per cent in August, 1921; 25 per cent in August,
1922; and 46 per cent in August, 1923.
The cost of the various articles of food combined showed an in
crease of 45 per cent in August, 1923, as compared with August, 1913.
63745°—23---- 3
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[803]
28
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW,
T able 2 __ AVERAGE RETA IL PRICES OF SPECIFIED FOOD ARTICLES AND P E R CENT
OF INCREASE OR DECREASE, AUGUST 15, OF CERTAIN SPECIFIED YEARS COMPARED
W ITH AUGUST 15, 1913.
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given in whole numbers.]
Average retail price Aug. 15—
Article.
Unit.
Per cent of increase (+ ) or decrease
(—) Aug. 15 of each specified year
compared with Aug. 15, 1913.
1913 1914 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1914 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923
Sirloin steak .........
Round steak.........
Rib roast...............
Chuck roast...........
Plate beef..............
Pork chops............
Bacon....................
Ham .......................
Lam b.....................
Hens......................
red.
fresh............
Milk (evaporated)
B u tte r..................
Ol pom argarine
"Nut margarine
Cheese..” ..............
L ard.......................
Vegetable lard substitute.
Eggs, strictly fresh
Bread.....................
F lour.....................
Com m eal..............
P ound..
. . .do......
. . .do......
.. .do......
...d o ......
.. .do......
.. .do......
__do
__do . .
-- .do......
...d o ......
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
26.4 27.9 41.5 42.1 47.2 40.0
23.2 25.1 39.6 39.5 43.6 35.6
20.2 21.4 32.6 32.4 34.9 29.1
16.5 17. 5 28.3 26.6 27.4 20.8
12.2 13.0 21. 7 19.3 18.5 13.5
21.9 25.1 42.2 46.9 45.9 38.0
28.3 28.8 54.0 57.7 54. 9 43.7
28. 4 29.1 48. 5 56. 9 60. 01 52.9
18. 9 20. 6 36. 9 36. 4 39. 7 34. 3
21.5 22.1 38.6 41.8 45.0 38.9
30.2 32.3 38.8 ‘36.0
Cts.
39.0
34.1
28.2
20.0
12.6
35. 1
40.6
50.8
36.0
34.9
31.9
Cts.
41. 1 +6
35.5 + 8
29.2 +6
20. 8 +6
12.7 +7
32.1 + 15
39.2 +2
46.2 +2
37.2 +9
34.4 +3
31.2
+1
+55 +76 +93 +63 +47 +56
+52 + 8i + 89 +45 +25 +46
+4
-3
+57 +98 + 84 +48 +45 +65
+ 106 + 161 +73 + 12 +7 +6
14.3
13 5
51.2
29 8
27. 8
32.6
18.1
21.1
13.0
10 8
44.2
27. 6
26. 6
31. 8
17.2
22. 9
13.7
12. 2
51.8
29. 2
27. 6
36.3
17.1
22.8
33.0 33.2 53.6 60.2 63.6
5.6 6.3 9.9 10.1 11.9
3.3 3.5 6.8 7.4 8.4
3.0 3.1 6.8 6.6 6.9
R o lle d o a ts
_______
8 9 11 2
Corn f l a k e s .................
14 0 14 6
W h e a t cereal
__
95 1 80 ,8
M a e a ro n i
______
19 8 21 7
Rice....................... ...d o ...... 8.7 8.8 13.4 15.5 18.3
d o
17 1 19 8 11. 7
Beans, n a v y .........
P o tato es...".......... .. .do...... 1.9 1.9 3.9 5.0 5.0
r> 5 7 £ 5. 6
O n io n s..................
Cabbage
........... .. d o
5 8 4. 4
"B ean s, b a k e d ,_
17 1 16 8
( 5)
(5 )
C o m , p an n ed
__
19 1 18 8
(6 )
P e a s , p an n ed
__
19 1 19 4
( 5)
T o m a .t o p .q , p a n n e d
15 9 15, 2
Sugar, granulated. P ound.. 5.6 7.9 9.3 u. i 22.9
54. 4 54. 7 65. 8 70. 7 74. 4
T ea ........................ __do
Coffee..................... . . . d o ........... 29.8 29.7 30.1 47.8 48.4
17 1 27 4 28. 3
P ru n e s .................
R a isin s................. . . d o
15.3 18.0 28.9
89 1 45 9
B ananas........1 ___ D o z e n
O ranges................ . . d o
53.7 65.9
47.6
9.7
5.7
4.5
10 0
12. 2
29 8
20 7
8.8
79
4.2
5.3
6.1
14 2
16 0
17 6
12 0
7.5
69.2
35.6
18. 8
30. 2
38. 6
37.1
8.7
5.1
3.9
87
98
25 7
20. 0
9.6
11. 3
2.6
5. 9
3. 9
13. 4
15. 4
17 6
13. 6
8 .1
68.3
36.2
20 8
23. 2
34. 2
64.8
41.5 + 1
8.7 + 13
4.5 + 6
4.1 +3
8. 8
9. 7
24. 4
19. 7
9.4 + 1
11. 0
0
3.7
6. 5
4. 8
12. 9
15. 4
17. 6
13. 0
9.6 +41
69.7 + 1
37.6 -0 .3
19. C
17.4
38.4
50 9
Dozen...
P ound..
...d o ......
...d o ......
(3)
5 3 .5
All articles combined.6
1 Both pink and red.
2 15-16-ounce can.
+6
2 8-ounce package.
1 28-ounce package.
+52 +48 +56
+53 +47 +53
+44 +40 +45
+26 +21 +26
+ 11 +3 +4
+74 + 60 +47
+54 + 43 +39
+ 86 + 79 +63
+81 +91 +97
+81 +62 +60
+2
Q u art... 8.8 8.9 13.6 15.5 17.0
(2)
16 ? 15 6
P ound.. 35.4 36.1 53.9 64.1 67.0
/J9 5 42 1
85 8 .86 0
...d o ...... 22.0 22.8 34.6 43.5 40.5
...d o ...... 16.1 15.6 33.1 42.0 27.9
.. do
40.5 34.5
M ilk ,
+57 +59 + 79
+71 + 70 + 88
+61 +60 +73
+72 + 61 +66
+78 +58 +52
+93 + 114 +110
+91 + 104 +94
+ 71 + 100 + 111
+95 +93 + 110
+80 +94 + 109
+62 +82 +93
+77 +80 + 113
+ 106 + 124 + 155
+ 127 + 120 + 130
+44 + 12 +26
+ 73 + 55 + 55
+73 +55 +36
+ 50 +30 +37
+ 54 +78 + 110
+ 1 + 10 + 8
+ 105 + 163 + 163 + 121 +37 +95
+66 +98 +309 +34 +45 + 71
+ 21 + 30 +37 +27 + 25 + 28
+ 1 +60 +62 +19 + 21 +26
+70 +90 +105 +53 +37
6 No. 2 can.
8 See note 2, p. 26.
Table 3 shows the changes in the retail price of each of 22 articles
of food,3 as well as the changes in the amounts of these articles that
could be purchased for $1, each year, 1913 to 1922, and in August, 1923.
8 Although monthly prices of 43 food articles have been secured since January, 1919, prices of only 22
of these articles have been secured each month since 1913.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[804]
29
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD.
T able 3 .—AVERAGE R E TA IL PRICES OF SPECIFIED ARTICLES OF FOOD AND AMOUNT
PURCHASABLE FOR #1, IN EACH YEAR, 1913 TO 1922, AND IN AUGUST, 1923.
Sirloin steak. Round steak.
Year.
Rib roast.
Chuck roast.
Plate beef.
Pork chops.
Aver
Aver
Aver
Aver
Aver
Aver
age Amt. age Amt. age Amt. age Amt. age Amt. age Amt.
retail for $1. retail for $1. retail for $1. retail for SI. retail for SI. retail for SI.
price.
price.
price.
price.
price.
price.
Per lb. Lbs. Per lb. Lbs. Per lb. Lbs. Per lb. Lbs. Per lb. Lbs. Per lb. Lbs.
1913................... $0.254
3.9 $0,223
4.5 $0.198
5.1 $0.160
6.3 $0.121
8.3 $0.210
4.8
1914................... .259
4.2 .204
3.9
.236
4.9
.167
6.0
. 126
4.5
7.9
.220
1915.................... .257
3.9
4.3
.230
6^2
.201
5. 0 . 161
1916................... .273
3.7
.245
4.1
.212
4.7
.171
5.8
.128
.227
4.4
7.8
1917................... .315
3.2
3.4 .249
.290
4.0 . 209
.157
4.8
6.4
3.1
.319
1918................... .389
2.0
.369
2.7 .307
3.3
.266
.206
4.9
3.8
.390
2.6
1919................... .417
2.4
.389
2.6 .325
3.1
.270
3.7
.202
5.0
.423
2.4
1920................... .437
2.3
.395
2.5 .332
3.0 .262
3.8
.183
5.5 .423
2.4
1921................... .388
2.6
.344
2.9 .291
3.4
.212
4.7
.143
7.0
.349
2.9
1922................... .374
2.7
.323
3.1
.276
3.6
.197
5.1
.128
7.8
.330
3.0
1923: A ugust... .411
2.4
.355
2.8 .292
3.4
.208
.127
4.8
.321
7.9
3.1
Bacon.
Ham.
Lard.
Hens.
Eggs.
B utter.
Per lb. Lbs. Per lb. Lbs. Per lb. Lbs. Per lb. Lbs. Per dz. Dozs. Per lb
1913................... $0,270
3.7 $0. 269
3.7 $0.158
6.3 $0. 213
4.7 $0.345
2.9 $0,383
1914................... .275
3.6
.273
3.7 . 156
6.4
.218
4.6 .353
2.8 .362
1915................... .269
3.7
.261
3.8
.148
6.8
.208
4.8 .341
2.9
.358
1916................... .287
3.5
.294
3.4
.175
5.7 .236
4.2
.375
2.7
.394
1917................... .410
2.4
.382
2.6 .276
3.6
.286
3.5
2.1
.481
.487
1918................... .529
1.9
.479
2.1 .333
.377
3.0
2.7
.569
1.8 .577
1919................... .554
.534
1.8
1.9 .369
2.7
.411
2.4
.628
1.6
.678
1920................... .523
1.9
.555
1.8 .295
3.4
.447
2.2
.681
1.5 .701
1921................... .427
2.3
.488
2.0
. 180
5.6
.397
2.5
.509
2.0
.517
1922................
2.5
.398
.488
2.0 .170
5.9 .360
2.8 .444
2.3
.479
1923: A ugust... .392
2.6
.462
2.2 .171
5.8 .344
2.9
2.4
.415
.518
Cheese.
Milk.
Bread.
Flour.
Corn meal.
Rice.
Per lb. Lbs. Per qt. Qts. Per lb. Lbs. Per lb. Lbs. Per lb. Lbs. Per lb.
1913................... •10. 221
4.5 $0.089
11.2 $0. 056 17.9 $0. 033 30.3 $0. 030 33.3 $0. 087
1914................... .229
4.4
.089
11.2 .063
15.9 .034 29.4 .032 31.3
.088
1915................... .233
4.3
.088
11. 4 .070
14.3 .042 23.8 .033
30.3
.091
1916................... .258 .3.9
.091
11.0 .073
13.7 .044 22.7
.034 29.4 .091
1917................... .332
.112
3.0
.092
9.0
10.9 .070
14.3
17.2
.058
.104
1918................... .359
2.8 .139
7.2
10.2 .067
.098
14,9 .068 14.7
.129
1919................... .426
2.3
.155
6.5
. 100 10. 0 .072
13.9 .064 15. 6 . 151
1920................... .416
2.4
.167
6.0
.115
8.7
12.3
.081
. 065 15.4
.174
1921................... .340
2.9
.146
6.8
.099
10.1
.058 17.2 .045 22.2
.095
1922................... .329
.131
3.0
7.6
.087
11. 5 .051
19.6 .039 25.6
.095
1923: A ugust... .363
2.8
.137
7.3
.087
11.5 .045 22.2 .041
24.4 .094
Potatoes.
Sugar.
Coffee.
Tea.
Per lb. Lbs. Per lb. Lbs. Per lb. Lbs. Per lb. Lbs.
1913................... $0. 017 58.8 $0. 055 18. 2 $0. 298
3.4 $0,544
1.8
1914................... .018 55.6 .059
3.4
16.9 .297
.546
1.8
1915................... .015 66.7
.066
15.2 .300
3.3
.545
1.8
1916................... .027 37.0 .080
12.5 .299
3.3
.546
1.8
1917................... .043
23.3
.093
10. 8 .302
.582
3.3
1.7
1918................... .032 31.3
.097
10.3 .305
3.3
.648
1.5
1919................... .038 26.3
.113
8.8
.433
2.3
1.4
.701
1920................... .063
15.9 . 194
5.2
2.1
.470
.733
1.4
1921................... . 031 32.3
.080 12.5 .363
.697
1.4
2.8
1922................... .028 35.7
.073
13.7 .361
2.8
.681
1.5
1923: A ugust... .037 27.0 .096
10.4 .376
1.4
2.7
.697
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[805]
Lbs.
2.6
2.8
2.8
2.5
2.1
1.7
1.5
1.4
1.9
2.1
1.9
11.5
11.4
11.0
11.0
9.6
7.8
6 6
5.7
10.5
10.5
10.6
30
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
Index Numbers of Retail Prices of Food in the United States.
IN TABLE 4 index numbers are given which show the changes in
* the retail prices of each of 22 food articles,4 by years from 1907 to
1922 and by months from January 1922,5 through August, 1923.
These index numbers, or relative prices, are based on the year 1913
as 100 and are computed by dividing the average price of each com
modity for each month and each year by the average price of that
commodity for 1913. These figures must be used with caution. For
example, the relative price of rib roast for the year 1920 was 168,
which means that the average money price for the year 1920 was 68
per cent higher than the average money price for the year 1913. The
relative price of bacon for the year 1919 was 205 and for the year
1920, 194, which figures show a drop of 11 points but a decrease of
only 5 per cent in the year.
In the last column of Table 4 are given index numbers showing the
changes in the retail cost of all articles of food combined. From
January, 1913, to December, 1920, 22 articles have been included in
the index, and beginning with January, 1921, 43 articles have been
used.4 For an explanation of the method used in making the link
between the cost of the market basket of 22 articles, weighted accord
ing to the average family consumption in 1901, and the cost of the
market basket based on 43 articles and weighted according to the
consumption in 1918, see M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w for March, 1921
(p. 25).
The curve shown in the chart on page 32 pictures more readily to
the eye the changes in the cost of the family market basket and the
trend in the cost of the food budget than do the index numbers
given in the table. The retail cost of the food articles included in
the index has decreased since July, 1920, until the curve is brought
down in August, 1923, to approximately where it was in July, 1917.
The chart has been shown on the logarithmic scale,6 because the per
centages of increase or decrease are more accurately shown than on
the arithmetic scale.
4 See note 2, p. 26.
6 For index numbers of each m onth, January, 1913, to December, 1920, see Monthly L abor R eview
for February, 1921, pp. 19-21.
6 For a discussion of the logarithmic chart see article on "Comparison of arithmetic and ratio charts”
by Lucian W. Chaney, Monthly L abor R eview for March, 1919, pp. 20-34. Also "T he ‘ratio’ charts,”
by Prof. Irving Fisher, reprinted from Quarterly Publications of the American Statistical Association,
June, 1917, 24 pp.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[806]
T able 4 .—IN D EX NUMBERS SHOWING CHANGES IN TH E RETA IL PRICES OF T H E PR IN C IPA L ARTICLES OF FOOD IN TH E
BY YEARS, 1907 TO 1922, BY MONTHS FOR 1922, AND FO R JANUARY TO AUGUST, 1923.
U N I T E D
S T A T E S
[Average for year 1913= 100.]
Sirloin Round Rib Chuck Plate Pork Ba
B ut
Corn
Pota Su
Year and month. steak.
steak. roast. roast. beef. chops. con. Ham. Lard. Hens. Eggs. ter. Cheese. Milk. Bread. Flour. meal. Rice. toes. gar.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
71
73
77
80
81
91
100
102
101
108
124
153
164
172
153
147
139
139
141
143
148
151
154
154
152
151
147
145
146
146
147
149
152
158
161
162
68
71
74
78
79
89
100
106
103
110
130
165
174
177
154
145
136
135
138
141
146
150
153
153
151
148
144
141
142
141
142
145
148
155
159
159
76
78
81
85
85
94
100
103
101
107
126
155
164
168
147
139
135
134
136
138
141
142
144
142
142
141
139
138
139
139
139
140
142
145
148
147
100
104
101
107
131
166
169
164
133
123
119
118
121
122
124
126
127
125
125
124
123
121
123
122
122
123
124
128
130
130
100
104
100
106
130
170
167
151
118
106
106
106
107
107
107
107
106
104
104
106
105
105
107
106
106
105
105
104
106
105
74
76
83
92
85
91
100
105
96
108
152
186
201
201
166
157
138
140
149
157
164
161
164
167
173
174
157
140
140
137
135
135
143
142
149
153
74
77
83
95
91
91
100
102
100
106
152
196
205
194
158
147
139
140
144
147
147
150
150
150
150
151
151
149
147
146
145
145
145
144
144
145
76
78
82
91
89
91
100
102
97
109
142
178
199
206
181
181
164
173
185
188
191
193
194
189
180
177
172
169
168
167
167
168
168
169
171
172
81
80
90
104
88
94
100
99
93
111
175
211
234
187
114
108
97
101
109
107
108
109
109
109
109
111
111
111
110
110
110
111
109
109
108
108
81
83
89
94
91
93
100
102
97
111
134
177
193
210
186
169
173
173
177
177
177
173
168
164
164
163
159
158
162
167
168
169
170
166
163
162
84
86
93
98
94
99
100
102
99
109
139
165
182
197
148
129
145
140
92
92
97
99
104
108
130
157
187
193
161
134
112
100
102
103
108
120
85
86
90
94
88
98
100
94
93
103
127
151
177
183
135
125
118
120
120
118
117
117
119
115
122
133
143
157
154
151
150
150
136
131
128
135
100
104
105
117
150
162
193
188
154
149
149
149
149
145
139
141
143
144
145
154
161
166
169
170
168
164
161
163
163
164
87
90
91
95
96
97
100
100
99
102
125
156
174
188
164
147
153
148
146
143
140
140
144
146
147
149
151
154
154
154
153
153
152
152
153
154
100
113
125
95
102
109
108
102
105
100
104
126
88
92
94
95
94
102
100
105
108
164
175
179
205
177
155
157
154
155
155
157
157
157
155
155
155
155
154
155
155
155
155
155
155
157
155
211
203
218
245
176
155
148
155
161
161
161
161
158
155
148
145
145
148
148
148
145
148
145
145
142
136
192
227
213
217
150
130
130
130
130
130
127
130
130
130
130
130
130
133
133
133
133
133
133
133
137
137
100
101
104
119
148
174
200
109
109
107
107
107
108
109
110
110
110
110
no
109
109
109
108
108
108
108
108
108
108
105
111
112
101
130
135
100
108
89
105
108
107
10Q
117
115
100
108
120
100
100
101
100
100
100
89
93
92
98
100
102
101
253
188
224
371
182
165
194
194
182
171
176
206
212
153
135
129
124
124
124
124
129
147
159
188
247
218
169
176
205
353
145
133
113
116
118
122
120
129
138
147
144
144
147
151
151
158
185
193
204
202
191
175
101 . 107
102 119
145
129
158
135
122 128
121
125
120 126
119
125
119
124
120 124
120 125
121
125
121
125
121
126
121
125
122
125
122 126
123
126
124 126
126
127
127
127
128 127
128 127
127
128
127
127
126 128
146
168
186
203
153
142
142
142
139
139
139
141
142
139
140
143
145
147
144
142
142
143
143
144
147
145
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD.
[807]
1907........................
1908........................
1909........................
1910........................
1911........................
1912........................
1913........................
1914........................
1915........................
1916........................
1917........................
1918........................
1919........................
1920........................
1921........................
1922: A v.for year.
Jan u ary .......
February__
March..........
April............
May..............
Ju n e.............
Ju ly ..............
August.........
S entem ber..
October.......
N ovember...
Decem ber...
1923: Jan u ary .......
February__
March..........
April............
May..............
Ju n e .............
July..............
August.........
All
Cof Tea. articles
fee.
com
bined.
CO
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
[ 808]
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
34
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
Retail Prices of Food in 51
A VERAGE retail food prices are shown in Table 5 for 40 cities for
For 11 other cities prices are shown for the same dates with
the bureau until after 1913.
T able 5 .—AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OF T H E PR IN C IPA L
[The prices shown in this table are computed from reports sent monthly to the Bureau by retail dealers.
Birmingham, Ala.
Baltimore, Md.
Atlanta, Ga.
Article.
U nit.
Sirloin steak....................
Round steak...................
Rib roast..........................
Chuck roast.....................
Plate beef........................
P ound .........
....... d o ..........
....... do...........
....... do...........
....... do...........
Cta.
25.0
21.5
20.1
15.5
9.4
Cta.
35.9
31.9
27.2
19.5
14.3
Cts.
35.8
31.6
27.5
20.7
12.5
Cts.
34.9
31.6
27.0
20.3
12.2
Cts.
24.3
23.0
19.3
16.0
12.6
Cts.
37.8
35.0
29.4
19.3
11.6
Cts.
40.5
37.3
32.0
20.9
13.5
Cts.
40.7
37.3
31.3
20.8
13.4
Cts.
28.1
22.5
20.6
16.8
10.5
Cta.
34.8
31.0
25.9
19.5
12.4
Cts.
37.7
32.7
28.1
22.7
13.8
Cts.
37.1
32. 5
27.2
22.3
13. 2
Pork chops......................
Bacon, sliced............... ..
Ham, sliced__ . . . . . ___
Lamb, leg of...................
Tiens.................... ............
....... do...........
....... do...........
....... do...........
....... do...........
....... do..........
23.5
32.0
31.0
19.4
20.2
33.4
39.7
49.7
37.1
28.8
27.9
36.1
46.2
35.0
30.4
29.1
36.1
47.1
34.0
30.4
19.3
26.3
34.5
18.3
21.2
37.1
36.8
55.7
35.7
36.3
31.4
34.4
52.1
38.1
37.5
32.8
34.4
51.7
37.7
36.4
20.0
35.0
31.3
23.3
17.0
31.0
42.5
50.0
37.8
28.5
29.5
39.2
45.9
40.5
30.6
30.3
39.0
46. 2
38.9
29.1
Salmon, canned, r e d .. . .
Milk, fresh.......................
Milk' evaporated............
B u tter..............................
Oleomargarine.................
26.0
29.9 29.2 29.2
__ do ..........
Q uart........... 10.0 15.7 15.0 17.5 8.8 12.0
10.4
13.2 14.4 14.4
15-16-oz. can.
P ound......... 37. i 45.0 51.2 54.2 36.7 48.6
25.4
30.5 32.4 32.4
....... do...........
26. 5
12.0
12.0
54.2
26.1
31.7 30.1
26.5
12.0 10.3 18.3 18.5
12.0
11.9 13.3
56.2 39.0 43.6 52. 0
33.9
32.5
27.9
30.0
18.5
13. 2
52.8
33.8
Nut margarine................
Cheese..............................
I,ard
...................
Vegetable lard substitute
Eggs, strictly fresh.........
Bread...............................
Flour................................
Corn meal........................
Rolled oats .. _______
(lorn flakes .
28.1 31.4 31.5
26.0 26.7 27.0
26.0 26.7 26.7
....... do..........
....... do........... 25.0 30.9 34.8 35.0 22.5 31.9 36.2 35.9 23.0 29.8 35.8 35.9
17.4 17.3 17.3
16.6
16.5
....... do .......... 16.1 18.1 17.8 17.5 15.0 17.2 16.6
21.5 19.6 19.5
21.8 22.3 22.2
....... do...........
22.5 21.3 22.6
28.
3
35.
2 36.6 38.9
37.6
Dozen.......... 28.3 33.2 33.4 37.2 27.7 31.9 33.4
9.2
8.9 8.9
5.4
8.8
P ound......... 6.0 9.8 9.2 9.2 5.4 8.6 8.7
....... do.......... 3.5 5.4 5.3 5.0 3.2 5.0 4.4 4.3 3.6 5.6 5.7 5.5
3.4
3.4
2.4
3.4
2.8
3.1
3.3
....... do .......... 2.6 3.0 3.6 3.8 2.5
9.5 9.3 9.2
8.3 8.7 8.1
. .d o ..........
9.9 9.2 9.2
9.9
9.9
10.
C
8.8
8.8
8.9
8-oz. p k g .. . .
9.9 9.8 9.7
Wheat cereal _
Macaroni.........................
Rice ................................
Beans, navy ..................
Potatoes.. .................
28-oz. pkg__
P ound.........
....... do ..........
....... d o ..........
....... do..........
26.1 26.2 26.6
21.7 20.9 20.9
8.6 9.3 8.6 8.6
11.4 12.5 13.0
2.3 4.0 5.4 5.2
24,6 22.8 22.8
18.8 19.1 19.2
9.6 9.2 9.0 9.2
10.8 10.8 10.5
i.7 2.3 4.6 4.2
Onions
Cabbage...........................
Beans, baked ................
Corn, canned.......
Peas canned..
.d o .........
....... d o ..........
No. 2 c a n .. .
....... do...........
....... d o ..........
8.4 9.6 8.1
4.7 4.9 5.9
13.5 13.5 13.6
15.7 15.6 15.7
17.4 17.8 17.4
5.0 7.7 6.4
2.7 5.4 4.9
12.1 11.9 11.6
14.2 14.8 14.7
15.6 16.8 16.8
Aug. 15—
Aug. 15—
July Aug.
July Aug.
July Aug.
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
1923.
1923.
1922
1913
1922
1913
Aug. 15—
27.1 26.3 26.1
19.5 18.9 18.9
9.3 9.2 9.1
12.2 12.5 12.3
2.3 4.0 5.1 4.7
8.2
6.8 8.1 7.4
4.8 7. ( 6.4
15.: 14. ( 14.0
i6.; 17. ( 16.6
20. ‘ 20.6 20.6
Tomatoes, canned__ .
13.4
.d o .........
Sugar, granulated........... P ound......... 5.9 8.7
T ea................................... .......do.......... 60.6 89.5
Coffee............................... ....... do .......... 32.6 35.9
13.2
11.2
92.5
36.8
12. S
11.6 12.2 12.2
13.2
10.3 5.1 7.5 9.8 9. C 5.7 8.8
91. ‘ 56.0 64.6 66.] 67.6 61.3 81.
36.7 24.8 31.8 33.2 32.6 28.8 37.1
11.8
11.6
84.
39.1
11.8
10.0
85. 2
39.1
22.4
24.3
25.4
85.7
19.6
20.5
28.
54. £
18.7
19.8
20. ....... 21.6
29.4 . . . . . 25.
48.4 . . . . 72. £
24.
24.1
33.1
70.
21.
19.
38.
55.1
20.8
19.2
38.3
52.3
P runes............................. ....... do..........
Raisins______ _______ ....... d o ..........
Bananas.
Dozen..........
O ra n g e s.
. . . .d o .........
17.7
14.7
28.6
57.
18.1
15.:
28.6
53.:
1
1 The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “ sirloin” in this city, but in most of the other cities
included in this report it would be known as “ porterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 810]
35
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD,
Cities on Specified Dates.
August 15, 1913 and 1922, and for July 15 and August 15, 1923.
the exception of August, 1913, as these cities were not scheduled by
ARTICLES OF FOOD IN 51 CITIES ON SP E C IF IE D DATES.
As some dealers occasionally fail to report, the number of quotations varies from m onth to month.]
Bridgeport,
Conn.
Boston, Mass.
Aug. 15—
1913
Cts.
135.8
36.2
25.6
18.0
35.9
Cts.
160.4
52. 2
35 7
23.4
16.2
Charleston, S. C.
Aug. 15—
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
164.6 164.7 44.7 48.7 49.2 23.8
54.3 56.7 38.5 41.5 42. c 20.5
38.5 39.6 34.6 36.8 37.2 17.0
25.0 26.2 24.7 26.5 26.3 15.5
15.5 16.8 10.2 10.7 11.3 11.5
30.0
13.5
11.4
45.8
29.0
22.0 38.5
24.5 34.7
28. C 51.0
15.5 31.7
21.8 35.6
35.1
32.9
45.9
34.2
35.2
35.8 33.8
32.8 47.7
46.3 57.7
33.1 32.7
34.9 32.3
28.3
48.2
51. 8
33.0
30.3
29.0
47.7
52.3
32.3
29.3
Cts.
21.8
20.0
20.0
15.8
11.9
36.5
35. 8
29. 2
21.9
14.4
35.6
34.4
28.8
21.3
14.4
35 6
32. 5
2«. 1
2Ö. 6
14.1
22.5
27.5
28.3
21.3
22.2
34.5
36.4
48.2
41. 1
38.4
30.6
34.1
41.3
41. 7
37.1
30.6
34. 2
41. 7
4L 7
37. 4
25.8
18. 0
12.0
50.0
27.4
12.3
11.8
47.7
28.3
27.3 35.8
12.5 14.0
11.9 11.3
51.0 46.9
28.3 30. 0
36.4 37.3
27.6 25.8
14.0 14.2 11.7 18.7 18. 0
12.7 12.7
10.5 12.0
50.7 52.3 34.2 44.1 47.9
27 4
26.3
26.2
37.9 20. Ò 30. 4
16.6 14.5 16.0
23. 4
20 4
58.2 29.8 37.4
27.1
35.7
16.2
22J2
39.1
26.9
36.2
16.1
42.3
32.7
37.5
20.7
26.3
43.6
8.4
4.1
3.9
7.7
9.2
8.3
3.9
3.8
7.6
9.2
23.4
25.3 24. 0
24.2
22.1 21.5
10. 2 9.3 9.4 8.9
11.6
11.2 11.2
4.0 2.Ò 2.1 4.5
24J)
21.7
8.9
11.3
4.2
24.5
32.3
16.6
22. 2
53.1
26.3
37.7
16.7
23. 0
52.3
8.5
5. 8
5.0
8.1
10.2
8.4
5.2
5.3
8.7
9.6
8.4
4.9
5.1
8.9
9.5
8.4
5.2
6.9
8.3
9.4
8.4
4.9
6.6
8.4
9.6
24.8 24.6 25.7 23.5
23.5 23.4 24.4 24.0
10.4 11.0 10.1 10.2
10.6 10.5 11.4 11.7
4.5 2.0 5.0
5.0
7.6
6.0
14.7
19.2
21.3
6.9
5.2
14. 7
19.5
21.6
19.3
15.9
48.8
58.0
18.9
15.9
49.6
53.4
8.5
4.7
6.8
8.4
9.6
6.6 8.5 6.9
3.8 5.9 5.4
12.4 11.9 11.9
18.3 18.6 18.9
19.8 21.5 21.5
13.7 13.2 13.2 13.9
5. 6 8.0 10.4 9.4 7.8
58.6 68.7 69.9 69.7 57.4
33.0 42.9 43.2 43.1 34.8
21.0
21.0
43.9
69.0
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
40.6 32.2 31.1 30.1
34.2 28.0 26.7 25.8
28.5 25.2 24.3 23.6
20.7 16.8 17.6 16.8
11.1 11.7 11.7 10.6
30.5
27.6
14.0 8. 0 14.0
10.2
12.5
51.9 32.9 43.3
28.3
26.8
26.1
38.0
17.5
24.1
64.2
7.2
5.4
14.7
18.5
21.4
Cts.
40.0
33.8
28.7
20.3
11.2
30.1
14.0
12.6
49.4
28.0
25.9
38. 4
17.5
23.9
55.9
26.0
24.1
9. 2 10.8
11.3.
i. 9 2.4
33.8
45.2
56.5
41.4
38.6
C/s.
38.3
32.6
27. £
20. 2
11.4
29.1 28.9 32.8
14.4 14.9 14.0
12.6 uys 10.6
50.4 52.6 44.9
31.3 31. 2 25.8
26.3
22. 4 33.8
15.7 17.9
23.5
42.4 57.6
5.9
3.8
3.5
B utte, Mont.
Aug. 15—
Juiy Aug. Aug. July Aug.
July Aug.
15,
15, 15,
1922 1923. 1923. 192Ì 192é. 192Ì 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1922. 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923 1923.
July Aug. Aug July Aug
24.2 38.3 35.0 35.5 35.9 33.3
25.8 37.0 37.0 37.1 43.7 44.7
33.8 59.6 52.1 52.8 61.0 55.3
23.0 39.5 42.9 40.8 36.9 42.6
25.6 38.6 38.6 38.7 38.2 37.9
8.9
Buffalo, N. Y.
20.5
22.7
33.9
68.3
5.6
3.0
2.6
8.6
4.7
3.4
7.9
9.3
5.9 7.5 6.6
2.8 4.7 5.8
11.3 11.5 11.4
15.0 14.7 14.7
16.5 16.2 16.4
32.7
28.0 28.5 28.5
37.1 20.5 28.8 33.9 34.2
20.5 15.3 18.5 18. 5 18. 5
5o! 5 3ÔTÔ 32.6 34.7 36.2
9.7
9.7
5.3
5.8
4. 0 3.8
6.5 6.8
11.9 12.3
9.7
5.1
3.9
6.8
12.3
16.3
9.7
78.6
45.2
14.9
10.9 11.0
12.0 5.1 7.7 10. 2
83.9 50.0 73.9 71.5
45.4 26.3 32.9 33.8
9.6 10.2 10.3
6.1 5. 9 5.9
3.0 3.1 3.1
9.6 9. 4 9.4
10.1 10.0 10.0
25 O
28. 8 28. 8 28. 8
22.3 21.7 21.7
19Ì 8 20.6 20.6
9.9 10.0 10.0 5.5 6.9 6. 4 6.4
9.5 10.8 10.8
10.9 11. 8 12.0
3.3 2.3 3.0 3.0 4.1
1.9 3.3
fi 2
4. 9 5.8 5. 4
7.1
5.4
5.0
4.2 6.5 6.1
19.5 17.5 17.5
11.5 11.2 11.0
16.3 15.3 15.2
14.7 14.5 14.4
16.2 16.3 16.3
19.3 18.0 18.4
13.5 13.5
13.3
10.4 9.6 5.5 8. 0
58.3 58.3 45.0 60.7
36.1 36.1 29.3 33.8
13.8
10.2
62.2
35.3
13.7
9.3
62.5
35.2
18.3
17.0
38. 2
55.7
18.7
15.3
47.2
50.8
18.9 21.9 20.6 20.6
15.3 25.8 21.3 21.1
46.0 2 14. 8 215.2 2 15.2
52.1 62.1 48.3 48.3
18.9
16.8
37.7
52.7
19.7
20. 0
38. 1
65.0
2 Per pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
29.8
34.6
20.9
27 0
45.5
1811]
15.1
13.0
82.5
45.4
6.0
3.7
2.4
20.9
24.1
32.1
67.5
19.0
16.9
38.1
53.1
10.8
9.2
71.4
34.2
18.6
16.9
40.0
50.8
36
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
T able 5 .—AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OF TH E P R IN C IP A L A R T I
Cleveland, Ohio.
Cincinnati, Ohio.
Chicago, 111.
Article.
Unit.
Sirloin steak....................
Pound steak___ ______
Rib roast.........................
Chuck roast.....................
Plate beef........................
Pound.........
....... d o .........
....... do...........
....... do..........
....... do..........
Cts.
24.1
21.2
20.2
15.7
11.4
Cts.
38.6
30.8
28.8
19.3
11.5
Cts.
40.5
31.6
30.2
19.5
11.8
Cts.
41.6
32.2
29.9
19.5
11.6
Cts.
24.1
22.1
19.3
15.2
11.0
Cts.
34.5
31.4
27.3
17.8
13.0
Cts.
36.8
33.3
28.8
19.0
14.0
Cts.
37.1
33.4
29.0
19.0
14.0
Cts.
25.4
22.9
18.7
16.9
12.0
Cts.
37.6
31.5
25.6
18.9
11.0
Cts.
38.6
31.2
26.4
19.6
10.5
Cts.
38.2
31.2
26.0
20.0
11.0
Porle chops.......... ...........
Bacon, sliced...................
Ham, sliced.....................
Jjfimh icy of
Hons
................
....... do...........
....... do..........
....... do..........
....... do..........
....... do..........
20.9
32.0
32.2
19.9
19.7
33.8
47.4
51.1
34.9
32.8
28.0
44.5
48.2
38.0
33.3
30.9
44.7
48.6
37.0
32.9
21.7
26.3
30.2
16.5
23.4
35.0
34.9
51.2
32.3
35.5
31.5
33.8
47.5
34.9
34.9
32.4
33.8
48.2
32.3
34.9
22.1
30.3
37.3
19.6
21.5
35.7
39.0
52.0
33.5
35.2
31.6
39.8
47.9
36.6
35.6
33.4
40.7
48.8
34.9
36.1
32.9
. .do..........
f'Jqlmon canned red
Milk, fresh....................... Q uart........... 8.0 12.0
15-lft-oz. can.
9.8
IV?ilk evaporated
P utter
Pound......... 32.7 40.5
23.6
Oleomargarine
.do..........
33.1
14.0
11.5
45.7
25.5
27.7
33.3
14.0 8.0 12.0
11.4
10.1
49.2 25.5 41.5
28.6
25.7
28.0
12.0
11.4
45.4
29.7
28.2
30.1
12.0 8.0 11.7
11.5
10.1
50.0 35.7 44.1
29.8
27.7
29.3
14.0
11.9
49.0
29.1
29.1
14.0
11.9
53.5
29.1
'tint, margarine
Cheese
. ________
T>ard
..............
Vegetable lard substitute
Eggs, strictly fresh.........
Aug. 15—
Aug. 15—
July Aug.
July Aug.
July Aug.
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
1923.
1923.
1922
1913
1922
1913
Aug. 15—
25.9 27.2
27.0 28.2 27.6
22.7 24.2 24.4
....... do..........
....... do.......... 25.0 34.5 39.9 40.0 21.0 32.0 37.0 36.5 23.0 31.1 35.2
17.8 18.0
15.2
15.3
16.6
....... do.......... 15.1 16.6 16.8 16.8 14.3 14.9
22.2 24. C
21.8 22.9 23.4
22.3 22.9 23.2
.do..........
38.1
36.4
33.3
31.2
31.3
33.7
Dozen.......... 27.3 34.0 36.6 39.2 24.9
Bread............................... Pound.........
Flour
.. ................... ....... do..........
Corn meal_T_................. ....... do..........
. .do..........
Polled oats
Cnrn fl
qlre<2
LUiu
iioivra.
7.9
4.9
3.3
8.5
9.8
7.9
4.7
3.7
8.5
9.8
7.0
4.6
3.8
8.6
9.8
8.8
25.7
24.3 23.0 22.8
20.-0
16.9 16.4 16.6
9.5 8.9 9.C 8.5 8.1
12.2
11.5 10.4 10. S
2.2 3.0 4.2 2.9 2.1 2. c
24.3
19.7
9.0
11.C
4.7
24.4
19.2
9.2
10.7
4.2
5.0 8.0 6. C ..... 5.3 6.5 6.0
4.3 4.4 4.2
3.5 5.8 4.5
13.0 12.9 12.9 ..... 11.7 11.7 11.7
14. ( 13.8 13.7
14.2 14. ! 15.2
16.2 16.9 16.9
15.7 16.3 16.7
5.6 7.5 5.9
3.1 6.1 5.2
12.6 12.8 12.9
15. i 15. 1 15.5
17.6 16.6 16.7
9.7
4.7
5.4
8.0
9.3
9.7
4. C
5.2
8.5
9.2
24.8
18.4
9.0 9.8
11.7
2.0 2.6
23.5
18.3
10.0
11.3
4.6
6.1
2.9
2.8
28.1
35.0
17.8
24.3
41.4
"Wheat cerea.l
Macaroni
Pice
Penns na.vy
Potatoes..........................
28-oz. p kg __
Pound.........
.......do..........
.......do...........
....... do..........
Onions .
Oahhage
Beans, baked................
Corn canned
Pea s can ned
....... do..........
....... do..........
No. 2 can—
....... do..........
__ do..........
Tomatoes canned
Sugar, granulated.........
Coffee.............................
14.1
.do..........
Pound......... 5.1 7.7
.do____ 55.0 64.9
....... do.......... 30.7 34.4
Prunes
Pai sins.
Pan an as
Oranges
....... do..........
.......do...........
Dozen..........
. . . .do........
21.2
23.9
35.1
66.3
9.7 4.8
4. C 3.3
5.3 2.7
8.5
9.2
23.4
18.3
10.0
10.7
3.7
8.4
5.1
2.9
8.5
9.4
8.4
4.5
3.2
8.6
9.3
8.4
4.4
3.4
8.7
9.3
5.6
3.2
2.8
14.1 13.8 13.8
14.0 14. C ..... 13.6 12.7 12.6
10.0 9.1 5.4 7.9 10.3 9.5 5.6 8.2 10.4 9.2
72.8 72. ( 60.0 68.2 72.6 72. i 50. ( 67G 68.7 68.7
38.3 38.1 25.6 31.2 33.7 33.1 26.5 37.4 40.6 40.0
19.8
17.6
40.2
53.3
19.4
17.3
40.6
52.3
.....
19.4
22.4
33.9
53.7
19.2
17.7
41.3
52.1
19.0
17.8
41.5
50.1
.....
20.8
21.7
42.!
59. e
18.4
16.!
50.3
53.3
18.0
17.2
52.3
50.7
i The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “ rum p” iu this city, h u t in most of the other cities
included in this report it would be known as “ porterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[812]
37
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD,
CLES OF FOOD IN 51 CITIES ON S P EC IFIED DATES—Continued.
Columbus,
Ohio.
Dallas, Tex.
Aug. 15—
Denver, Colo.
Aug. 15—
Detroit, Mich.
Fall River, Mass.
Aug. 15—
Aug. 15—
July Aug.
July Aug.
15, 15,
15,
15,
1922. 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
1913 1922 1923. 1923.
Aug. July Aug.
July Aug.
July Aug.
Cts.
35.1
30.5
25.9
20.6
13.0
Cts.
37.5
33.6
27.2
21.5
13.2
Cts.
36.6
32.5
26.9
20.7
12.0
Cts.
22.8
20.8
20.1
16.7
12.9
Cts.
36.8
34.5
28.3
21.9
18.1
Cts.
34.4
30.6
26.7
21.7
15.4
Cts.
33.9
30.3
26.4
21.2
15.8
Cts.
24.3
22.2
17.8
15.8
9.6
Cts.
32.7
29.2
24. 4
17.5
9.7
Cls.
35.7
31.4
24.7
19.6
11.2
Cts.
35.2
30.4
24.9
18.3
10.3
Cts.
26.3
21.0
20. 5
15.0
11.3
Cts.
37.1
30.8
26.6
19.3
11.5
Cts.
40.4
32.8
28.0
19.4
11.5
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
40.6 136.0 156.4 1 60.4 160.2
32.6 28.4 42.8 44.3 44.4
27.8 23.2 27.1 28.9 29.9
20.3 18.4 20.1 21.6 21.9
11.6
12.3 12.7 12.6
31.1
37.1
51.7
34.7
33.5
27.4
37.9
45.9
36.3
33.7
28.6
38.8
45.8
36.2
31.2
22.0
38.0
31.3
22.0
17.7
35.0
45.8
55.8
40.8
31.2
28.8
38.4
50.0
41.3
29.1
30.6
37.9
50.0
41.3
29.0
20.0
30.5
33.8
16.1
19.4
32.6
44.8
55.4
34.7
30.2
30.8
43.0
52.6
36.7
29.8
30.7
43.2
50.0
35.6
28.4
21.5
25.0
28.0
17.3
21.8
36.7
40.7
56.0
36.5
35.6
33.4
40.6
49.4
41.9
35.8
34.7
40.9
49.9
38.9
34.9
34.0
36.4
50.6
39.3
42.6
30.1
36.8
46.7
41.7
42.8
30.8
36.9
47.2
40.9
42.9
32,2
11.0
10.5
41.4
25.5
31.0
12.0
11.7
46.3
27.4
31.0
12.0 ió.ó
11.8 .....
49.3 36.0
27.8
32.4
15.0
12.3
44.2
26.3
30.5
15.0
13.9
48.1
28.3
30.2
35.2
15.0 8.4 9.8
14.0
10.4
50.5 34.3 38.0
27.5
29.0
33.3
11.8
11.7
43.6
29.3
33,2
30.6
11.7 7.9 13.0
11.6
10.5
47.9 33.7 43.4
29.3
26.1
30.1
14.0
11.7
48.3
28.8
29.9
30.8
15.0 9.0 13.0
11.8
12.3
51.9 34.6 44.3
29.0
29.7
31.1
14.0
13.4
48.7
31.7
31.1
14.0
13.4
50.3
31.7
25.0
30.3
15.3
22.4
27.3
26.3
34.1
14.3
22.5
28.1
26.3
33.9 20. Ó
14.3 16.8
22.4
32.2 27. Ó
29.2
32.4
20.8
22.2
35.0
31.3
34.5
20.2
21.1
32.2
31.3
35.2 26. i
20.3 16.5
20.3
35.6 3(i. 0
28.0
33.7
18.8
24.0
34.6
28.6
38.4
18.8
20.6
34.8
28.6
24.6 26.3 26.5
30.7
38.7 20.7 30.6 36.1 36.8 22.8 34.3
18.6 16.6 16.8 17.3 17.3 15.3 16.2
20.9
22.5 23.6 23.6
22.6
38.3 30.0 36.6 38.0 41.2 41.8 56.2
28.3
38. 4
16.5
24.1
50.6
26.8
38.4
16.5
24.6
60.6
8.4
3.9
3.2
9.0
10.1
8.1
3.7
3.3
9.3
9.9
9.2
5.4
6.5
9.5
10.0
9.1
5.0
6.0
9.7
9.9
9.1
4.9
6.1
9.7
9.9
25.1 23.9 23.9
27.7
19.4 19.1 19.3
24.0
9.3 9.4 9.6 10.0 10.2
12.1 10.8 10.2
10.9
1.9 2.1 4.5 3.6 1.9 2.5
26.8
23.6
10.3
10.9
4.8
26.8
23.6
10.4
10.8
3.5
7.8
4.7
3.0
9.0
9.6
26.2
19.8
10.0
12.7
2.9
7.9 7.7
4.3 4.1
3.1 3.3
9.2 9.1
9.9 10.1
23.1
19.4
10.1
10.7
4.9
23.8
19.4
10.0
10.2
3.5
6.5 8.5 6.8
3.9 5.3 4.6
13.4 13.5 13.6
13.4 12.6 12.6
14.9 14.6 14.6
5.4
3.2
2.8
8.9 8.9 8.7
4.6 4.4 4.3
3.5 3.6 3.6
10.4 10.6 10.6
11.8 10.4 10.9
25.7
21.0
9.3 11.5
..... 11.3
2.7 4.0
24.9
21.1
10.2
11.3
4.6
25.0
21.1
10.1
11.6
4.5
__
7.8
3.6
3.1
9.1
9.9
25.4 24.8 24.7
20.8 20.7 20.9
8.6 9.9 9.5 9.4
10.8 12.6 12.4
1.8 2.4 3.8 3.1
5.6
3.1
2.8
.....
14.5
8.5
78.0
35.5
13.3 13.5
14.5
10.6 9.8 5.9 8.7
74.7 76.9 66.7 90.9
37.5 37.2 36.7 41.4
14.2
11.2
91.3
42.5
14.2
10.0
92.3
42.4
20.4
21.1
35.0
65.5
19.6
16.5
39.4
50.3
22.3
19.0
34.0
53.6
22.3
18.6
34.0
55.5
21.3 20.4 20.3
24.2 18.3 17.9
211.9 212.2 212.4
65.8 53.5 50.2
23.7
25.6
31.9
75.9
Per pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
8.6
5.0
4.3
9.1
9.1
8.6
4.2
4.3
8.9
9.0
8.6
4.1
4.4
8.8
9.1
6.2
3.4
3.5
8.4
5.7 8.6 6.9
2.2 5.7 2.8
14.8 14.7
__ 14.8 14.9 14.5
15.0
16.4 16.3 16.4 .......
13.6 13.3 13.4
5.8 8.9 11.0 10.1 5.4
52.8 69.4 68.4 67.5 43.3
29.4 35.3 36.6 36.4 29.3
19.6
16.2
39.4
47.6
7.3 8.1 7.4
5.7 6.5 6.1
15.3 14.4 14.8
17.2 16.1 16.1
21.5 20.9 21.1
5.4
2.5
2.5
22.0
25.7
32.5
21.0
25.0
5.5 6.8 5.9
3.0 5.7 4.6
12.5 12.1 12.2
15.0 14.7 14.9
16.5 16.9 16.8
7.2
3.4
12.9
15.3
17.6
8.8 7.6
4.9 4.1
13.0 13.0
16.1 16.1
17.9 17.9
13.3
8.0
63.8
36.0
13.2 12.8
13.8
10.3 9.5 5.5 8.1
63.3 64.1 44.2 59.9
37.8 38.2 33.0 38.6
13.7 13.7
11.0 9.8
58.8 59.3
39.5 39.8
21.2
21.9
31.6
61.7
19.5
16.6
38.8
55.0
19.5
16.5
36.9
52.5
.....
18.3 17.9 18.1
23.8 17.5 17.5
210.3 2 11.1 2 11.0
54.2 54.4 49.1
38
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
T able 5.—AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OF T H E PR IN C IPA L ARTI
Houston, Tex.
Indianapolis, Ind.
Jacksonville, Fla.
Aug. 15—
Aug. 15—
July Aug.
July! Aug.
Aug. July Aug.
15, 15,
15, 15, 15,
1922. 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
Article.
Unit.
Sirloin steak.............................
Round steak.............................
Rib roast...................................
Chuck roast..............................
Plate beef..................................
P ound .........
.......do...........
.......do...........
.......do...........
.......do...........
Cts.
30. 8
29.6
24.6
21.0
15.4
Cts.
30. 2
29. 5
24.6
20.0
15.3
Cts.
29.7
28. 8
24.6
19.9
15.5
Cts.
25.5
24.7
18.2
16.4
12.1
Cts.
36.5
34.9
26.2
21.9
13.2
Cts.
38.7
37.4
25.9
22.8
13.8
Cts.
39. 1
38.3
26.4
23.0
13.4
Cts.
26.0
22.0
23.3
14.0
10.3
Cts.
35.4
29.6
26.1
17.4
10.3
Cts.
34.4
28. 1
25.0
17.6
10.4
Cts.
33.7
27.5
26.0
17.9
10.4
Pork chops .............................
Bacon, sliced............................
Ham, sliced..............................
Lamb, leg of.............................
H ens..........................................
.......do...........
.......do...........
.......do...........
.......do...........
.......do...........
29.2
49.3
51.4
36. 3
31.0
28. 5
45.4
44.7
35. 8
30.1
29.4
45. 8
45.6
35.0
30.7
22.7
31.0
31.2
20.7
21.0
32.9
38.4
52.4
39.3
32.3
28.6
37.6
50.0
43.3
32.9
29. 5
37.8
49.7
40.0
33.5
22.3
30.3
28.7
19.3
22.8
33.1
38.2
48.1
35. 5
32.8
28.1
34.5
43.8
37.5
30.8
29.1
34.5
41.9
33.8
30.4
Salmon, canned, red................
Milk, fre s h ...............................
Milk, evaporated.....................
B litte r......................................
Oleomargarine..........................
.......do...........
Q uart...........
15-16-oz.can.
P ound .........
.......do...........
31.5
15.3
11.4
42.2
31.3
30.6
15.3
12.9
47.0
31.7
37.5
30.8
14. 8 8.0 10.0
9.9
12. 9
50.8 34.5 41.1
26.9
32.5
36.1
12.0
11.6
46.7
29.0
36.1
31.1 30.5 30.5
12.0 12.4 16.7 16.7 16.3
11.3 12.7 12.7
11.6
49.9 38.6 44.7 49.8 51.1
28.5 27.8 28.8
29.3
N ut margarine
Cheese........................................
Lard ........................................
Vegetable lard substitute.......
Rgas, strictly fresh...................
.......do...........
____do...........
.......do...........
.......do...........
Dozen..........
28.1
29.6
17.9
24.4
31.2
28. 8
33.5
18.6
17.8
30.3
26.8 26.8 27.2
26.4 27.1 27.4
29.2
34.2 21.0 31.2 35. 1 35.5 22.5 30.0 33.4 33.3
18.6 15.2 14.9 14.3 14.5 15.5 17.2 17.0 17.3
22.8 22.9 23.3
22.7 25.1 25.3
17.3
33.5 24.0 28.2 29.3 31. £ 30.6 38.9 37.8 43.3
Bread
...................................
Elour .
.....................
Corn meal
............................
Rolled oats
Corn flakes
P ound.........
.......do...........
.......do...........
.......do...........
8-oz. p k g __
6.9
5.1
3.6
8.4
9.6
7.1
4.7
3.8
8.8
9.7
Wheat cereal............................
Macaroni...................................
Rice...........................................
Beans, navy
Potatoes....................................
25.8
28-oz. pkg... 24.7 23.9 24.0
19. 1
P ound......... 20.1 20.2 20. C
.......do........... 8.1 7.8 7.8 9.2 10.0
12.8
.......do........... 10. 2 10.8 10.7
.......do........... 4.0 4.7 4.7 2.2 2.7
Onions .....................................
Cabbage
..... „............
................
Beans, baked
Corn canned
P eas can n e.d
.......do........... 6.1 6.8 6.0
.......do........... 5.2 6.3 5.4
No. 2 can. . . 14.2 13.7 13.2
.......do........... 13.8 13.8 13.8
.......do........... 18.7 18.8 18.7
T om a.toes can n ed
Sugar, granulated....................
Tea............................................
Coffee
...................................
14.8 14.0
__ do........... 13.1 12.2 12.1
P ound ......... 8.1 10.3 9. C 5.9 8.8 11.0
74.2
77. C
.......do........... 73. ] 71.0 71. ( 60. (
.......do........... 31.4 33.0 32.5 30.0 37.3 38.2
Primes
Raisins
Bananas
Oranges
................ .......do...........
.......do...........
..................... Dozen..........
.......do...........
22.7
24. S
28.3
58.3
18.8
18.2
30.8
46.8
1 No. 2£ can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[814]
7.1
4.6
3.8
8.8
9.7
18.1
17.4
30.
45.fi
5.1
3.1
2.6
7.3
4.6
3.0
7.4
9.0
8.5
4.4
3.3
7.7
8.9
6.4 10.6
3.8 5.9
3.0 3. C
9.7
9.7
10.3 10.3
5.4 5.3
3.5 3.5
9.5 9.2
9.7 9.7
24.4 23.9
18.4 I S . 4
10.2 10.4
10.9 9.6
4.3 3.8
26.5
19. 1
6.6 8.7
11.9
2.6 3.5
24.5 24.4
19.5 19.2
8.7 8.7
11.6 11.5
5.5 5.3
8.5
4.5
3.3
7.6
9.0
6.4 8.4 7.2
4.4 4.9 4.9
13.1 13.4 13.4
14.0 13.3 13.5
15.6 15.9 16.0
21.8
24. 1
28.0
64.6
19.4
18.1
33.0
50.2
7.0 8.2 7.3
4.3 5.9 6.3
12.4 12.1 11.5
15.8 16. i 16.3
18.2 16.8 16.8
14.1
10.0 5.9
77. ] 60. C
38.2 34.5
11.3
8.2
85.9
37.2
11.5
10.6
87.5
39. 1
11.5
9.7
86.0
38.7
19.4
18.5
32.3
48.8
22.2
24.8
22.7
65.0
19.5
18.6
35. 8
50.6
19.5
18.9
32.5
52.5
39
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD,
CLES OF FOOD IN 51 CITIES ON SPEC IFIED DATES—Continued.
Kansas City, Mo.
Aug.15—
July Aug.
Little Rock, Ark.
Aug. 15—
July Aug.
Los Angeles, Calif.
Aug. 15—
July Aug
Louisville, Ky.
Manchester, N. H.
Aug. 15—
July Aug
July Aug.
15, 15,
1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
Cts.
37.0
32. 0
24.8
18.2
10.6
Cts.
38.7
34. 0
25. 8
18.7
11.1
Cts. Cts.
38.5 26.3
33.5 20.6
25.8 20.0
18.6 16.3
10.8 13.5
Cts.
33.7
32.5
26.8
20.1
15.0
Cts.
35.5
32.9
27. 1
20.5
15.3
Cts. Cts.
34.1 24.0
31. 1 21. (
26.2 19.6
19. 4 15.8
14.4 12.3
Cts.
■¿4.4
28.5
28.3
17.4
12.0
Cts.
33. 8
27.4
28.6
17.6
12.5
Cts. Cts
33. t 23.2
27.6 20.0
28.3 18.3
17.3 15.6
12.3 13.1
Cts.
31.0
28.9
23.0
17.6
12.7
Cts.
33.5
30.4
24.5
17.9
13.3
Cts.
32.8
29.7
23.4
17.5
13.2
Cts.
37.4
30.6
20.8
17.2
Cts.
53.8
45.4
26.5
21.9
15.6
Cts.
59.4
50. 9
30.6
22.8
15.8
Cts.
59.8
49.6
30.1
23.4
16.5
20.9
31.3
30.6
18.7
16.9
32.8
44. 7
52. 2
32. 5
29.4
27.6
42.0
46.4
33.6
30.7
29.5 22.5
41.9 38.0
46.7 30.6
33.3 20.0
29.3 18.3
32.8
42.1
53.1
36.4
27. 8
30.4
40.0
47. 9
36.1
28.1
30.1 25.4
41.6 33.8
46.9 36.7
36.3 18.8
27.4 26.8
41.4
51.2
62. 8
33.0
37.9
35.8
49.1
57.8
33.4
39.3
36.3 20.6
48.5 29.7
57.5 30.0
33.1 17.1
38.5 22.9
31.0
37.6
46.4
32.5
29.4
24,8
33.2
41.1
36.0
31.0
26.7
33.4
41.3
35.0
29.9
21.4
23.6
30.0
21.0
24.4
34.8
33.6
48.5
37.7
43.3
31.6
33.9
41.4
37.4
42.5
32.3
33.7
40. 8
38.0
42.3
31.7
9. i 12.0
11. 0
35.4 41. 9
26.9
33.0
13.3
12.1
47.2
27.2
32.9
13.3 ÌÓ.Ó
12.1
50.3 39. Ó
27.4
31.5
13.0
11.7
45.8
31.3
31.3
15.3
13.3
49.4
31.0
31.5
15.3 ió.ó
13.3
50.6 39.5
31.0
40.7
14. 0
9.9
51. 1
30.2
38.4
15.0
10.7
54.4
32.1
38.5
15.0
10.6
56.9 36.4
32.8
29.6
10.3
10.5
43.9
26.9
28.9
12.0
12.2
47.4
28.0
29.2
31.4
13.0 8.0 12.0
12.2
12.6
50.0 37.6 48. 1
29.0
27.6
29.6
13.8
13. 8
52.0
29.2
29.8
13.8
13.9
54.8
29.2
27.6
37.0 23.3
17.4 16.3
23.9
33.5 28.3
28.4
31.5
19.9
23.0
33.1
27.3
36.5
19.0
21.2
34.7
28.2
36.4 Ì9.5
18.8 17.9
21.0
37.2 39. Ó
27.5
35.7
19.0
24.5
37.9
28.2
36.6
19.0
22.2
38.9
28.4 IP
36.4 21.7
19.0 16.1
22.5
45.0 25.0
25.0
28.9
15.3
22.3
28.1
26.6
33.9
14.3
23.5
29.0
26.6
22.7 21.7 22.3
34.0 21.0 33.3 37.1 37.3
14.3 16.2 17.4 17.2 17.2
23.5
22.7 20.0 19.8
34.1 35.6 49.0 46.7 53.8
8.4 8.1 8.1 6.0 9.0
5.2 5.3 4.7 3.6 4.9
2.8 3.3 3.3 3.3 4.2
10.1 10.5 10.3
10.4
.... 9.8 9.7 9.7
10.0
9.0
4.7
4.3
9.8
9.6
9.0 5.7
4.5 3.4
4.2 2.3
9.6
9.5
8.8
5.1
2.4
8.2
9.4
8.5
5.0
2.9
8.3
9.0
27.6 27.8
21. 8 32.4 36.1
16.4 17.5 17.4
24.6 23. 9
25.3 29.7 31.4
6.0 7.9 8.0 7.9
3. 0 4.6 4.3 4.2
2.7 4.6 4.4 4.5
8.4 8.5 8.5
9.9 10.2 10.2
6.0
3.5
2.5
....
27.0 25.2 25.2
26.5
21.3 21. 9 21.5 __ 21. 9
9.7 9.5 9.5 8.3 8.5
12.4 11.6 10.7
12.0
1. 9 2.3 2.8 2.3 2.Ó 3.5
8.7
24.5 25.1
21.3 20.9
7.7 7.8 7.7
12.0 11.1
3.8 3.8 i. 8
6.5 7.5 6.9
7.0 8.2 7.4
3.5 3.7 4.4 __ 5.5 6.8 6.3
14.6 14.0 14.2
13.3 13.1 13.2
13.6 13.6 13.9
15.1 15.5 15.3
15.5 15.2 15.4
19.5 18.3 18.4
14.2 13.9 13.7
14.5 13.3
5.7 8.4 10.6 9.8 5.8 8.9 11.3
54.0 81.9 79.7 79.6 50.0 92.3 91.4
27.8 37.6 39.1 39.4 30.8 39.2 41.0
21.0 19.4 18.9
26.3 20.4 19.7
311.1 313.0 313.2
60.0 52.6 48.2
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
24. 7
16.7
9.7
9.6
2.3
00
00
Cts.
24.4
22.3
18.0
lö. 3
12.3
8.4
4.8
2.9
8.4
9.1
23.0 23.2
24.7 23.6 23.6
15.5 15.6
17.6 16.5 16.6
9.5 9.5 8.1 9.1 8.0 8.4
9.7 9.7
12.4 9.9 9.7
3.6 3.4 1. 9 2.1 3.6 3.0
4.8 6.9 6.0
3.9 4.1 3.8
14.1 13.1 13.0
17.3 16. 6 15.9
19.3 18.9 18.4
4.9 4.9 4.7
3.7 4.1 4.7
12.2 11.6 11.3
14.9 13.5 13.5
16.6 15.5 15.5
6.1
3.4
3.6
7.9
5.5
4.7
9.2
9.9
8.4
5.1
4.6
8.6
9.9
8.3
4.8
4.7
8.5
9.9
26.4 24.9 25.1
24.8 24. 9 24.9
9.1 9.0 9.2
11.8 11.2 10.5
1.9 2.2 5.0 4.3
8.8
6.4 7.6 7.0
3.8 7.4 4. 8
15.2 14.5 14.5
18.2 17.5 17.5
21.8 20.9 20.9
13.2
115.6 >15.5 114.9
13.5 11.6 11.7
220.0 220.9 221.1
10.3 5.6 8.2 10. 1 9.5 5.5 8.3 10.6 9.8 5.6 8.4 10.8 10.0
90.4 54.5 71. 7 69.4 69.4 62.5 76.2 71.5 73.4 47.0 57.4 57.7 57.7
40.9 36.3 38.7 39.4 39.2 27.5 35.3 36.3 36.3 32.0 38.3 39.6 39.6
22.3 21.1 20.6
24.6 19.7 19.7
3 8. 9 310.5 310.2
72. 5, 47.7 48.7
2 No. 3 can,.
20.1 18.8 18.8
22.8 17.5 17.2
310.5 311.5 311.8
44.5 38.0 37.0
19.5
23.9
30.5
50.5
19.1
17.6
37.1
44.0
3 Per pound.
18.4
17.3
38.1
42.2
20.2 18.6 18.4
21.8 16.3 16.2
10.0 M2. 1 312.2
60.5 53.9 50.7
40
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
T able 5 — AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OF T H E PR IN C IPA L ARTI
Memphis, Team
Article.
Unit.
Sirloin steak....................
Round ste ak ...................
Rib roast............... ..........
Chuck roast.....................
Plate beef........................
P ound .........
....... do...........
....... do...........
....... do..........
....... do.........-
Milwaukee, Wis.
Minneapolis, Minn.
Aug. 15—
Aug. 15—
Ju ly Aug.
July Aug.
July Aug.
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1913 1922 1923. 1923.
1913 1922
1913 1922
Aug. 15—
Cis.
22.9
19.1
21.5
15.6
11.9
Cts.
31.9
28.6
24.4
17.3
12.5
Cts.
35.0
30.2
26.2
19.4
13.6
Cts.
35.4
31.5
26.5
19.6
13.5
Cts.
22.6
21.2
18.8
16.4
12.0
Cts.
38.3
33.8
26.7
21.5
11.7
Cts.
39.5
35.1
27.3
21.5
11.8
Cts.
39.7
35.2
27.2
21.7
11.7
Cts.
24.2
21.7
21.0
17.0
10.3
Cts.
32.9
29.1
24.7
18.8
8.9
Cts.
35.4
31.4
26.4
20.7
9.9
Cts.
34.2
30.8
26.2
19.9
9.9
Pork chops.......... ........... ....... do.......... 20.0
....... do........... 32.1
Ham , sliced..................... ....... do_____ 30.7
Lamb, leg o f ................... ....... do........... 20.1
Wens ________ _____ ....... do.......... 20.0
29.8
38.1
51.8
35.0
29.4
25.7
37.5
44.6
37.3
28.5
27.4
37.1
43.8
37.3
28.1
20.2
28.6
29.0
20.5
19.8
36.0
41.8
47.8
35.9
32.2
31.4
41.2
45.0
40.2
31.5
33.3
41.1
45.0
38.2
31.5
20.0
27.7
32.7
14.4
18.5
33.9
43.8
51.8
33.1
29.6
29.3
41.5
46.8
35.9
28.6
30.8
41.5
46.9
34.0
28.8
32.3
Salman panned; ra d ___
36.4 34.7 35.6
.do..........
Milk, fresh....................... Q uart........... 10.0 16.0 15.0 15.0 7.6 9.0
10.4
10.9 12.8 12.9
Milk, evaporated............ 15-16-oz.eam
B u tter............................. P ound ......... 37. Ó 41.0 47.1 48.7 32.2 39.6
¡44.5
Oleomargarine. . .
do..........
30.0 30.0 31.7
34.5
11.0
11.6
45.1
26.8
39.0
35.2
11.0 7.0 10.0
11.4
11.7
49.3 3Ì.4 37.1
26.1
26.9
36.8
11.0
12.4
44.1
27.5
36.4
12.0
12.6
47.0
27.5
24.8 25.8 25.6
24.0 25.5 25.6
26.3 25.0 25.2
N nt margarine. . ___ _
do..........
Cheese.............................. __do.......... 20.8 28.9 33.7 33.5 21.3 29.5 34.6 34.9 20.8 30.9 34.7 35.2
16.3 17.5 17.5 17.5 15.6 16.9 17.0 17.0
Lard
................... . ..d o .......... 16.5 15.9 15.8
23.9 24.5 24.8
21.9 23.2 23.6
21.4 22.9 22.4
Vegetable lard substitute ....... do...........
Eggs, strictly fresh......... Dozen_____ 29.3 30.5 32.3 34.3 26.2 29.2 29.1 32.4 25.3 28.8 29.3 31.8
Bread............................... Pound......... 6.0 9.1 8.9 8.9 5.6 8.9 8.9 8.9 5.6 9.0 9.0 9.0
Flour................................ ....... do.......... 3.4 5.2 5.3 4.9 3.1 4.7 4.1 4.0 3.0 5.0 4.4 4.4
Corn meal........................ ....... do.........- 2.2 2.6 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.7 3.9 3.8 2.4 3.9 4.1 3.8
7.7 8.8 8.8
6.8 7.1 7.2
8.8 9.4 9.3
Polled oats.....................
.do..........
10.3 10.2 10.2
ft-oz. pkg__
9.1 9.2 9.1
9.6 9.7 9.7
26.1 24.4 24.4
17.1 17.5 17.5
8.2 7.9 7.9
11.3 11.4 10.9
2.1 3.5 3.9 3.8
24.8 24.2 24.3
17.6 17.2 17.4
9.0 10.2 9.8 10.4
11.6 11.5 11.0
1.5 2.2 4.1 2.8
W heat eereal...................
Macaroni..........................
Rice......... ........................
Beans, n a v y . . ...............
Potatoes. .1 ....................
28-oz. p k g ...
P ound.........
__ do..........
__ do..........
....... do...........
Onions......... ....................
Cabbage...........................
Beans,baked...................
Corn, canned...................
Peas; canned____ _____
....... do..........
. ..d o ........
No. 2 can__
___do..........
....... do....... .
Tomatoes, canned..........
Sugar, granulated..........
T ea...................................
Coflee........................ .
13.2
....... d o .......
P o u n d ..___ 5.7 7.9
....... do........... 63.8 85.2
....... do.......... 27.5 36.5
14.5
13.3 13.2
10.8 9.8 5.5 8.1
84.5 85. c 50.1 67.6
37.4 37.7 27.5 32.5
Prunes..............................
Raisins.............................
Bananas.... ......................
O ranges.......................
....... do..........
....... do...........
Dozen..........
....... do..........
19.0
18.7
37.5
53.8
i Whole.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
7.5
5.0 6.2 5.0
3.8 4.5 4.2
13.3 13.0 13.0
14.2 15. d 15.4
18.5 18.5 18.3
.....
20.8
25.3
30.5
71.0
2 No. 3 cam
[816]
19.5
19.3
35. C
49.7
25.0 24.4 24.4
17.5 17.8 17.4
9.6 9.3 9.3
10.8 11.7 11.1
1.0 1.5 2.4 1.6
9.1
5.6 7.9 6.4
1.7 5.S 3.4
11.5 11.6 11.6 ___
15.2 15. C 14. f
15.8 15.5 15.4
13.8 14.0
10.2 9.2 5.8
70.2 70.2 45. C
34.9 34.7 30.8
20.8 20.1 19.6
22.9 17.4 17.2
*8.8 3 10.1 2 11.C
61.9 52.6 50.0
s Per pound.
5.7 8.1 6.9
2.3 5.4 3.6
15.8 13.9 13.9
14.1 13.2 13.3
15.3 16.0 16.1
15.4
8.3
64.4
40.7
14.7
10.7
65. C
41.9
14.8
9.3
65.3
41.5
22.8 21.1 19.8
23.1 17.8 17.8
310.4 3 12.1 3 12.6
65.3 53.7 53.4
41
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD,
CLES OF FOOD IN 51 CITIES ON SPEC IFIED DATES—Continued.
Mobile, Ala.
Newark, N. J.
New Haven, Conn.
New Orleans, La.
New York, N. Y.
Aug. 15—
Aug. 15—
Aug. 15—
Aug. 15—
Aug. Ju ly Aug.
Ju ly Aug.
Ju ly Aug.
Ju ly Aug.
July Aug.
15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
15,
15,
1922. 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923
1923.
1923.
1913 1922
1913 1922
1913 1922
Cts.
29.6
29.6
24.8
19.8
15.8
Cts.
32.1
31.3
26.0
20.3
15.4
Cts.
32.1
30.8
26.3
19.8
15.0
Cts,
29.2
28.4
21.2
18.8
12.0
Cts.
43.1
41.8
33.7
22.2
11.7
Cts.
47.9
45.3
38.1
23.5
12.9
Cts.
47.8
44.5
36.5
25.0
12.9
Cts.
32.8
30.4
24.2
20.0
Cts.
49.1
40.8
34.6
24.8
14.4
Cts.
51.5
42. 4
36. C
26. £
14.3
Cts.
54.1
44.2
36.8
28.1
14.8
Cts.
21.9
18. S
19.4
14.5
11.0
Cts.
31.4
28.3
27.3
19.6
14.5
Cts.
33.2
29.8
28.3
19. £
14.1
Cts.
32.4
29.1
27.6
19.4
14.1
Cts.
26.8
26.1
21.9
16.3
14.9
Cts. Cts.
43.3 45.3
42.1 43.7
36.0 38.1
21.8 23.2
17.8 18.4
43.7
37.5
23.2
18.2
33.3 .32.9
42.4 39.8
48.5 44.1
32.6 35.6
35.5 33.6
33.8 24.2 37.4 32.6 33.5
39.8 26.4 38.7 38.2 38.5
45.5 i 22.2 i 32.0 i 28.0 i 29.2
35.6 20.0 37.2 41.4 39.7
33.3 24.0 37.6 36.2 36.2
23.4
29.3
34.0
19.2
24.0
35.9
40. £
58.2
40.0
40.8
32.8
40. C
53.7
43.8
39.1
32.8
40.3
53. 7
40.4
39.3
23.8
33.1
31.3
21.3
21.7
37.0
41.7
47.3
39.0
36.2
31.1
39.2
41.9
40.3
35.5
31.2
39.7
42.5
39.5
35.5
22.2
26.4
30.0
15.8
22.0
37.7
39.1
55.2
34.9
36.5
33.5
37.8
52.4
38.1
35.9
34.6
38.1
52.0
36.2
36.2
30.7
15.0
11.1
46.8
30.0
29.2
15.0
13.0
51.1
30.3
28.8
29.3
15.0 9.0 16.5
13.0
10.2
52.4 35.8 43.9
28.4
29.8
27.3
15.5 9.0
11.£
52.8 34. C
29.4
33.9
15.0
10.7
43.9
28.6
33.6
15.0
12.6
48.1
31.4
34.2
15.0 9,3
12.5
50. t 34. Ó
31.0
36.4
14.0
10.5
45.0
27.8
39.0
14.0
11.8
49. £
29.6
40.8
29.4
14.0 9. C 15.0
11.9
10.0
50.7 34.3 42.5
29.5
27.8
28.6
14.0
11.8
47.7
29.8
28.9
14.0
11.8
52.0
29.2
26.9
30.1
16.8
23.1
36.3
27.5
35.0
17.0
18.9
36.2
27.5
24.8 26.9 26.9
35.4 24.3 34.2 38.8 39.8 22. C
16.8 16.5 17.1 16.8 16.8 15.8
18.6 ..... 22.0 22.4 22.4
35.8 42.2 50.6 47.4 54.8 42.6
26.7
31.1
16.5
21.7
53.3
27.7
36.6
16.8
22.3
49.1
28.0
36. £ 22. C
16. i 15.4
22.3
57.9 30.4
26.4
31.1
16.5
23.3
33.6
28.8
35.0
16.1
22.6
34.6
28.0
25.1
35.2 Ì9.4 32.5
16.1 16.2 17.5
22.8
22.3
35.9 38.6 45.0
26.5
37.8
18.0
23.3
48.0
26.4
38.3
17.9
23.6
52.3
8.2
5.4
3.2
9.1
9.7
8.9
5.3
3.4
8.9
9.3
8.1
5.1
6.0
8.7
9.4
8.0
4.6
5.7
8.7
9.6
9.6
4.9
5.1
8.3
8.6
9.6
4.7
5.2
8.2
8.7
25.3 23.5
20.0 20 0
8.6 8.8
12.7 11.8
4.0 3.7
27.4
15.5
11.9
48.4
29.4
8.7 5.6 8.6 8.5 8.5
5.0 3.7 5.3 4.7 4.5
3.6 3.6 5.9 6.0 6.0
8.5
7.5 8.2 8.3
9.3 ....... 8.9 8.8 8.9
23.6
25.4 23.7 23.5
20.1 ..... 21.5 21.4 21.2
8.6 9.0 9.1 9.1 9.3
11.8 .. .. 11.7 10.9 10.9
4.1 2.6 2.3 5.0 4.4
6.0
3.3
3.2
.....
9.3
2. i
8.0 5.1 7.7 7.6 7.6
4.4 3.7 5.7 5.7 5.3
5.8 2.8 3.0 3.4 3.6
8.6
8.9 8.6 8.6
9.5 ....... 9.6 9.3 9.3
23.4
24.6 23.8 23.9
22.7
9.7 8.9 8.8
9.6 7.4 9.1 8.8 8.8
10.7
11.0 10.3 10.0
4.0 2.2 3.7 3.3 3.8
24.8 23.6
21.8 22.8
9.8 9.6
11.4 11.4
2.0 5.0
6.1
3.3
3.4
9.7
5.4
o. 4
8.0
8.5
24.9
20.9
8.Ó 9.0
11.0
2.4 2.5
Cts.
22.9 22.8
20.4 20.3
8.9 9.2
11.8 11.7
5.1 4.1
6.2 6.8 6.4
4.5 5.6 5.2
13.4 12.2 12.4
15.4 15.3 15.6 __
17.0 15.9 15.3 .......
13.5 12.4 12.2
8.6 10.9 9.6 5.3
75.0 74.3 73.9 53.8
35.7 37.7 37.2 29.3
6.2 7.3 6.9
6.6 8.6 7.2
4.7 5.0 5.0
5.6
7.8
4.0 6.0 6.4
3.6 5.6 5.3
4.2 4.8 4.4
2.9
5.3
11.4 10.9 10.9
12.5 12.1 12.1
12.7 12.7 12.8
11.8 11.7
15.1 14.4 14.4
18.3 18.4 18.4
12.9 13.1 13.1
14.1 15.3
17.5 17.0 17.1 ....... 21.1 20.8 20.9 ....... 16.6 17.4 17.5 ....... 16.1 16.8
12.6 11.8 11.9
222.8 221.8 2 21.5
13.0 11.7 11.7
12.1 11.8
7.7 10.3 9.1 5.4 7.9 10.5 9.7 5.3 7.6 9.8 8.9 5.0 7.6
9.6
48.9 54.5 54.3 55.0 56.6 57.7 57.0 62.1 71.3 69.0 70.9 43.3 48.5 55.9
33.0 35.6 35.5 33.8 37.9 39.8 39.8 26.4 30.8 32.5 30.9 27.2 32.9 34.5
12.0
9.0
57.3
34.5
24.4
25.9
26.1
68.3
18.5
21.0
37.5
78.0
1.71
15.9
42.5
56.1
22.0
18.2
31.8
51.7
23.3
20.0
31.3 .....
51.8 .......
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
16.4
15.4
39.3
57.4
15.7
15.4
39.3
61.9 .......
19.5
22.2
31.9
62.9
18.5
16.4
34.2
54.8
18.3
16.2
33.8
48.2
[817]
22.1
25.2
22.5
66.0
19.7
18.3
24.0
53.8
19.3
18.1
23.0
50.0
19.7
21.6
40.7
76.2
17.3
15.8
44.6
60.1
6.7
5.9
11.9
15.4
16.9
42
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
T able
5.—AVERAGE R E TA IL PRICES OF T H E PR IN CIPA L A R T I
A rtic le.
U n it.
Peoria, 111.
Omaha, Nebr.
Norfolk, Va.
A u g . J u ly A ug.
15,
15,
15,
1922. 1923. 1923.
A u g . 15—
1913
1922
J u ly A u g . A u g . J u ly A u g .
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
1923. 1923. 1922. 1923. 1923.
S irlo in s te a k ..........................
R o u n d s t e a k .........................
R ib r o a s t................................
C h u ck r o a s t...........................
P la te b e e f...............................
P o u n d ...........
.........d o ............
........ d o ............
........ d o ............
........ d o ............
Cts.
Cts.
38.4 42.1
32.2 36.2
30. 8 33.7
19.9 20.4
13.5 15.0
Cts.
42.6
36.5
34.1
21.5
14.3
Cts.
25.4
22.8
19.0
16.2
11.8
Cts.
35.7
33.9
25.2
19.6
10.4
Cts.
37.0
34.6
25.6
20.4
10.0
Cts.
37.4
34.6
25.5
21.2
10.0
Cts.
33.7
32.3
24.2
19.7
12.6
Cts.
36.1
34.8
24.0
20.5
12.8
Cts.
35.1
34.4
24.1
20.5
12.8
P o rk c h o p s ............................
B acon, s lic e d ........................
H a m , s lic e d ...........................
L a m b , leg o f.........................
H e n s ........................................
........ d o ............
........ d o ............
........ d o ............
........ d o ............
........ d o ............
31.3
37.5
44.2
37. 8
34.8
30.1
34.5
38.5
41.4
35.8
30.1
34.5
41.2
39.9
35.8
20.4
28.6
30.0
18.0
16.4
32.7
46.7
55.4
38.6
29.4
28.0
45.0
48.8
37.7
28.6
30.0
45.0
50.6
37.3
28.6
32.7
42.9
51.4
34.4
31.5
28.3
41.1
45.4
36.3
30.8
29.9
41.8
45.7
36.1
30.6
S alm o n , c a n n e d , r e d .........
M ilk, f r e s h .............................
M ilk, e v a p o ra te d .................
B u t t e r . . r ..............................
O le o m a rg a rin e ...................
........ d o ............
Q u a r t............
15-16-oz. can
P o u n d ...........
........ d o ............
30.3
17.0
10.3
45.9
27.0
28.8
17.0
11.3
50.1
28.3
28.8
17.0
11.4
53.1
28.3
33.3
11.0
10.5
39.0
29.3
33.7
12.2
12.0
44.2
28.9
33.7
12.2
11.9
48.2
28.8
32.7
10.2
10.9
39.4
27.5
32.3
11.6
12.1
45.4
29.3
3 Ì7
11.6
12.0
49.3
29.4
N u t m a r g a r in e .....................
C h e e se .....................................
L a r d ........................................
V e g e ta b le la rd s u b s t itu t e
E g g s, s tr ic tly f r e s h ............
........ d o ............
........ d o ............
........ d o ............
........ d o ............
D o z e n ............
26.2
28.7
17.1
21.6
34.9
27.2
32.6
15.8
17.5
36.1
26.8
32.8
16.1
17. 8
38.9
28.5
30.7
19.4
24.6
28.6
27.9
35.1
18.9
22.7
30.0
28.6
35.3
18.9
24.0
31.5
26.9
31.5
17.0
23.4
27.9
27.0
35.3
17.0
24.5
28.0
27.0
35.3
17.0
24.4
30.0
B r e a d .......................................
F lo u r .......................................
C o rn m e a l..............................
R o lle d o a ts ............................
C o rn fla k e s............................
P o u n d ...........
........ d o ............
........ d o ............
........ d o ............
8-oz. p k g ___
7.9
4.9
3.5
8.0
9.3
7.9
4.5
3.6
7.8
9.3
7.8
9.9
4.2
3.3
10.8
10.4
9 .8
4.0
3.6
10.0
10.6
9.8
3.9
3.7
9.9
10.3
8.7
5.2
3.6
8.7
10.1
8.0
4.6
3 .8
9.5
10.1
8.0
4.5
3.7
9.4
10.0
W h e a t c e re a l.........................
M acaro n i................................
R ic e .........................................
B e a n s, n a v y . .......................
P o ta to e s . . I ..........................
28-oz. p k g . . .
P o u n d ...........
........ d o ............
........ d o ............
........ d o ............
25.1
19.8
10.0
11.0
2. 8
23.6
20.1
9.5
11.0
3.8
23.8
19.8
9.9
10.8
4.1
25.4
20.5
9.4
11.8
2 .0
23.9
20.0
8.8
12.2
2.5
23.9
20.0
8 .8
11.7
2.2
27.5
20.2
10.7
13.1
2.3
26.1
19.8
9.4
11.9
3 .9
26.2
19.9
9.6
10.9
2.9
O n io n s.....................................
C a b b a g e ..................................
B ea n s, b a k e d ........................
C orn, c a n n e d ........................
P e a s , c a n n e d .........................
........ d o ............
........ d o ............
N o. 2 c a n ___
........ d o ............
........ d o ............
7.8
3.8
11.0
15.4
18.8
6.2
4.7
9.9
15.8
18.8
6. S
4.8
9.8
15.7
18.7
5.4
2 .0
15.7
16.4
16 8
8.1
4.4
15.2
16.0
17.3
6.9
4.3
15.6
16.3
17.3
6.5
3.8
13.6
14.6
17.0
8.9
4.7
13.1
14.9
17.0
7.4
4.2
12.9
14.2
17.0
T o m a to e s, c a n n e d ..............
S u g ar, g r a n u l a te d ...............
T e a __ 7 ...................................
C o flee.......................................
........ d o ............
P o u n d ...........
........ d o ............
........ d o ............
11.5
7.8
74.5
35.9
12.0
9.6
81.1
38.1
11.3
8.6
82.1
38.0
14.5
8.4
76.7
39.6
14.4
10.5
74.9
41.1
14.6
9.9
75.2
41.1
14.8
8.6
62.1
35.3
14.2
11.4
60.7
36.9
14.1
10.4
60.4
36.7
P r u n e s .....................................
R a is in s ....................................
B a n a n a s .................................
O ra n e e s ...................................
........ d o ............
........ d o ............
D o z e n ............
........ d o ............
19.8
24.5
33.5
68.9
18.5
17.4
35.9
53.7
18.2
17.1
36.3
55.0
3.7
8.0
9.3
8.2
33.0
22.9
17.8
23.3
5.2
2.7
2.4
8.5
1.7
6.1
56.0
30.0
21.7 20.9 20.9
20.2
26.7 20.1
4 9.6 <12.4 <12.5
59.2 49.4 49.5
22.9 20.6 20.9
25.4 19.4 19.4
<9.5 <11.3 < 12.1
56.7 49.8 46.2
1 The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “ sirloin” in this city, but in most of the other
cities included in this report it would be known as “ porterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[818]
43
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD,
CLES OF FOOD IN 51 CITIES ON SPECIFIED DATES—Continued.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Portland Me.
Portland, Oreg.
Providence, R. I.
Aug. 15— July Aug Aug. 1.5— July Aug.
Aug. July Aug. Aug. 15— July Aug Aug. 15— July Aug.
15, 15.
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
15,
15,
1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1922. 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
132.3 1-49.0 153. 7 1.53.3
27.5 40. 2 42.7 43.2
22.5 32.6 34.7 34.6
18.4 20.3 21.1 22.0
12.3 10.0 9.8 10.2
Cts.
28.0
24.8
22.5
17.3
12.3
Cts.
42. 8
35.6
30. 8
21.3
11.2
Cts.
45.9
38.7
32.2
21.5
10.7
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
46.4 W .8 JÖ0.1 <60.5
38. 2 45. 2 46.8 47.5
32.0 29.3 29.5 29. 1
21.3 19.2 20.1 20.2
11.0 13.8 15.3 15.2
Cts.
23.9
21. 4
19.9
16.4
13.6
Cts.
29.1
26.7
24.6
17.2
12.6
Cts.
28.4
24.9
24.0
16.8
12.1
Cts.
28.1
24.8
24.2
16.1
11.9
Cts. Cts. Cts.
140. 2 <65.0 <69.2 170.0
31.6 47.4 50.4 50.6
24. 2 36.0 38.6 38.3
18.8 26.1 27. 7 28. 8
16.6 17.2 17.9
23.5
30.1
31.6
19.7
26.0
34.3
42.5
54.9
36.7
40.3
33.8
41.4
53.7
41.6
40.4
34.6
41.7
54.4
38.8
40.1
35.9
36.9
57. C
39.6
42.6
32.4
38.2
47.4
41.2
41.3
32.5
38.5
47.7
40.2
40.8
24.4
31.5
31.2
17.2
20.7
35.3
45.9
50.8
31.4
32.7
29.4
45.3
47.8
33.0
32.4
29.9
45.3
47.2
32.4
31.3
21.6
23.4
33.3
18.7
24.8
40.4
35.1
56.6
41.1
39.8
36.8
36. 7
53. 7
45.4
40.5
36.5
36.7
53.4
43.0
40.2
26. 2
13.0
12. 2
53. 4
29.3
26.2
29.4 28.8 28.9
13.0 8.6 12.3 14.0 14.0
12. 2
10.3 12.1 12.1
56.6 35-6 44.4 49.4 o2.3
29.3
26.4 28.6 27.8
28.7
13.5
11.8
48. S
30.0
28.3
14.0
13.6
53.5
30.9
27.9
41.4 35.0 35.0
31.9
14.0 9.3 12.8 12.6 12.6 9.0 14.0
13.6
11.4 12.0 12.0
11.5
55. 2 39.5 51.6 49.1 52.9 36.0 45.0
30.6
29.4 29.3 29.3
29.4
31.3
14.6
12.5
49.7
30.0
31.0
15.0
12. 4
52.0
30.0
26.0 28. 2
25.0 34.4 38. 5
15.6 16.4 16.1
22.0 22. 7
34.3 36.2 38.5
27.4
25.9 27.0 26.4
38.5 24.5 31.7 37.3 37.2
16.0 15.8 16.2 15. 2 15.1
23.0
22.1 23.5 23.5
43.3 28.9 36.5 37.1 40.1
28.0
33.2
17.7
23.3
48.8
27.1
38.6
17.6
22.8
43.6
27. 5
28.3 27.2 27.6
27.1 28.1
39.1 20.8 34.9 36.8 37.1 21.7 31.1 36. 0
17. 2 18.6 20.1 19.4 19.3 15.7 16.8 16.7
22.6
25.8 24.8 24.7
22. 9 23. 5
53.3 33.8 31.9 32.6 40.1 38.4 5 3 . 5 48.4
28.0
35.9
16. 6
23 2
9.4
5.2
4.0
6.8
9.8
9.3
4.8
4.4
7.0
9.7
9.3
4.6
4.5
7.0
9.7
25.4 25.6 25.4 25.9 24.9
20.4 21.3 21.8 23.5 23.6
9.9 9.6 9.9 10.6 10.6
11.8 11.2 10.7 11.0 11.2
2.3 4.7 4.2 2.4 4.2
24.5
23.1
10.7
11.1
4.2
22.4
28.2
32. 6
20.2
23.1
37.4 34.2
38.7 I 36.6
55.9 52.1
38.3 41.9
39.6 38.3
27.8
" 8. Ô 11.0
10.8
39.4 49.0
27.3
4.8 8.7
3. 2 5.3
2.7 3 . 6
34.6
37.0
53.7
40.0
38.1
8.4
4. 6
8.4
4.6
3 .7
8 .0
3 .6
8 .4
9 .0
8 .9
25.0
20. 7
' *9.'8 10.0
10. 2
" 2.1 2.2
23.9
20.6
10.4
11. 5
5 .1
5.4
3.2
2.8
8.2
5.1
4.6
9.0
9.6
8 .3
8.8
24.2
20.5
10.2 9.2
11.4
4.4 ""i. 9
8.5
4.4
4.2
9.0
9.6
8.5
4.3
4.1
9.0
9.6
5.6
2.9
3.3
9.4 9.4 9.2
4.6 4.5 4.3
3.4 3.6 3.6
9.5 9.5 9.3
11.2 11.5 11.4
28.6
17.4
8.6 10.3
9.9
1.3 2.9
25.7 25.4
18.5 18.4
9.0 9.2
10.2 9.9
2.» 2.1
5.9
3.5
2.8
63745°—23----- 4
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
8 No. 2J can.
[819]
3 .9
9 .4
1 0 .0
26.5
22.3
9.3 9.7
11.0
2.0 2.2
4.9 7 . 1 6 . 4 ..... 6.6 7.8 6.7 6.4 7.9 6.3
3.6 5.2 4.1
2.6 5. 8 4 . 7
3.8 5.9 5.0 4.6 6.1 4.1
3.8 3.6 3.1
12.1 1 1 . 1 1 1 . 2 ..... 13.7 12.6 12.6 15.4 15.7 15.8
17.2 15.9 15.2
14.9 1 4 . 5 14.7 ..... 14.4 14.8 15.0 16.1 16.0 15.8
17.0 17.3 17.4
16.1 16.5 16.9
15.4 16.3 16.3 20.8 20.4 20.4
17.8 17.0 17.0
13.1 12.9 12.9
13.1 12.8 12.8 222. S222.8 222.5
«15.5 816.2 816.2
""5 . Ö 7.4 10.0 9.2 5.7 8.2 10.7 9.7 8.3 10.4 9.6 é. 4 8.1 10.4 9. 8 5. 2
54. 0 5 9 . 9 57.9 59.2 58.0 74.3 75.1 75.1 56.5 57.5 58.1 55.0 63.1 65. 0 65.7 48.3
24.5 31.1 31.6 31.0 30.0 35.7 37.8 37.7 39.8 41.4 41.4 35.0 37.2 37.1 37.1 30.0
..... 17.3 16.3 16.8
20.3 20.6 20.1 19.6 18.1 17.8
19.8 12.0 13.0
21. 9 16.3 16. 5
22.8 16.9 16.5 21.6 15.6 15.5
23.4 17.3 17.5
29. / 34.3 32.9
39.1 44.7 44.7 <10.0 <11.5 <11.8
<13.4 <15.5 <15.4
60. 3 51. 0 48.5
61.8 55.5 53.1 69.6 57.4 56.7
63.0 50.4 50.7
No. 3 can.
8 .9
5 .6
4 Per pound.
8.8
5.1
4.1
9.2
9.7
5 7.9
8.8
4.8
4.0
9.3
9.7
24.3 24.1
22.1 22.1
9.3 9 . 6
11.0 1 0 . 6
4.8 4 . 0
5.5
3.0
13.2
17.3
20.1
7.7 6 . 3
4.6 4. 2
12.4 12,4
17.1 17.0
20.0 20.1
14.2
7.9
58. 8
40.1
13.6 13.7
10. 6 9 7
60. 7 61.1
41.6 41.6
20.1
22. 2
33.3
80.1
19.6 19.3
17.1 16. 9
38.1 3 7 . 3
61.7 5 9 . 2
44
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
T able 5.—AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OF T H E PR IN C IPA L A R T I
Rochester,
N. Y.
Richmond, Va.
St. Louis, Mo.
Article.
Unit.
Sirloin steak.............................
Round steak ...........................
Rib roast..................................
Chuck ro ast..............................
Plate beef.................................
P ound .........
....... d o ..........
....... do ..........
....... d o ..........
....... do ..........
Cts.
22.6
20.0
19.3
15.9
12.9
Cts.
38.7
33.3
29.5
20.9
15.6
Cts.
39.4
35.1
30. 5
21.9
15.5
Cts.
39.4
34.8
30.2
21.5
15.4
Cts.
39.4
34.0
28.1
22.4
11.4
Cts.
40. 5
34.2
28.9
22.9
11.2
Cts.
41.5
34.8
29. 5
22.9
11.5
Cts.
25.6
24.7
19.0
15.3
11.5
Cts.
34.8
32.0
26.4
18.4
11.8
Cts.
35.0
33.2
27.5
17.5
11.5
Cts.
35.2
33.1
27.4
17.4
10.9
Pork chops...............................
Bacon, sliced............................
Ham, sliced..............................
Lamb, leg of.............................
H e n s ....” .................................
....... d o ..........
....... d o ..........
....... d o ..........
....... d o ..........
....... d o ..........
21.2
27.0
26. 0
19.3
19.4
34.3
37.8
45.8
38.9
33.1
30.6
33.9
38.5
42.1
36.2
32.2
33.5
39.2
41.4
34.7
38.1
35.0
49.6
36.3
38.9
34.3
34.5
46.0
40.5
40.0
35.2
34.7
47.2
37.8
38.8
20.8
28.0
28.3
19.0
17.4
31.2
39.1
46.9
32.1
30.2
27.2
37.7
42.5
35.2
30.5
28.2
38.5
42.6
34.3
29.9
Salmon, canned, red................
Milk, fresh......................
Milki evaporated.....................
Butter.......................................
Oleomargarine..........................
....... d o ..........
33.1 30.7
Q uart.......... 10.0 13.0 14.0
12. 4 13.5
15-16-oz.can.
Pound......... 38.6 50. 4 55.9
30.4 29.6
....... d o..........
30.5
14.0
13.6
57.5
30.2
28.3
13.0
10.9
43.4
28.0
28.7
12.0
12.0
48.2
30.2
32.1 30.9
28.8
12. 5 8.0 12.0 13.0
9.9 11.4
12.0
50. 8 33.8 43.8 48.4
26.0 26.9
30.1
31.2
13.0
11.4
52.6
26.4
Nut margarine.........................
Cheese...”..................................
Lard..................
Vegetable lard substitute.......
Eggs, strictly fresh..................
....... do..........
28.0 28.4
....... d o.......... 21. 8 31.9 35.9
__ do.......... 15. 3 17.9 17.6
....... do..........
23.1 23.1
Dozen.......... 26.6 34.9 34.7
28.8
36. 2
17.6
23.6
37.4
25.8
32.5
17.1
22.5
37.4
27.8
36.2
17.3
20.4
36.2
24.8 24.5
27.5
36.6 19.2 28.7 34.2
16. 8 14.5 13.9 12.9
21.5 22. 6
20.0
38.7 23.0 29.0 30.9
24.4
34.0
12. 7
22.1
34.6
Bread.....................
Flour......................
Corn m eal.............................
Rolled oats.....................
Com flakes.....................
Pound..
.d o........
....... d o ..........
....... d o..........
8-oz. pkg.. .
5.3 9.1
3. 3 5.3
2.1 4.1
9.8
10.0
8.8
4.9
4.3
9.1
9.6
8.7 8.0
4.7 5.1
4. 5 4.8
9.0 7.2
9.6 9.6
8. 0
4. 7
4.8
8.4
9.6
Wheat cereal............................
Macaroni...................................
Rice...........................................
Beans, navy.............................
Potatoes...”. ............................
28-oz. p k g ...
26.7
Pound.........
21.3
....... do........ 10.0 11.7
....... do..........
10.5
....... do.......... 1.8 3.4
24.9
21.1
11.0
12.4
4.9
Onions....................................
Cabbage__
Beans,baked..........................
Corn, canned..........................
Peas, canned............................
....... do..........
d o ..
No. 2 can__
....... do..........
....... do..........
6.0 8.0
4. 0 4. 8
12.3 H.8
15. 5
20.1 19.5
Aug. 15— July Aug. Aug. July Aug. Aug. 15— July Aug.
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1922. 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
8.0 5.5
4.5 3. 0
4.7 2.2
8. 4
9.5
9.0
4.6
2.9
8.1
9.2
8.9
4.1
3.2
8.1
9.0
8.9
3.9
3.1
8.1
8. 8
25.0
20. 8
11. 0
12.2
4.7
24.8 23. 5 23.8
24. 4
18.9 18. 7 18. 7
20. 6
9.6 9.3 9.5 8.4 9.2
11.7 11.0 11.0
11.4
2.2 4.6 4.1 1.9 2.8
23.1
19. 5
8. 9
11.0
3.3
23. 3
19. 4
8. 8
10. 2
2. 7
7.9
6. 0
11.7
15. 5
19.5
5.9
3. 6
11.3
15. 7
18.8
7. 8
6. 2
11. 4
16.3
19.1
li.i
16.3
19.1
5.5
3. 8
11.4
14. 5
16.6
6.6 6.1
3 4 3 4
11.2 11 0
14. 9 15 2
16.7 16. 6
Tomatoes, canned...................
Sugar, granulated....................
Tea........................................
Coffee........................................
....... do..........
13.1 12.3 12.3
Pound......... 5.1 8.3 10.7 9.8
....... do.......... 56. ( 81. 7 79. 8 80. 5
....... do.......... 26.8 35.9 38.5 38.5
13.0
7.8
60.3
34.1
12.4 12.4
10.2 9.1 5.4
62.2 62. 5 55. C
35.2 35.2 24. 4
13.8
8.1
66. 8
34.4
11.9
10.4
66. 8
35. 8
Prunes......................................
Raisins......................................
Bananas....................................
Oranges....................................
....... do..........
....... do..........
Dozen..........
....... do..........
19.8
21.6
39. 7
67.9
20.7
15. 8
44. 8
50. 8
22.6
25. 6
28. 4
52.9
22.3
17. 8
33. 8
48.5
1 No
23.2
22.5
35. 8
68. 8
can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[820]
20.7
17.4
39.6
55.6
21.1
17.8
39.2
50. 9
6.5
5 0
20.3
15. 5
44. 4
52.2
12 2
9.5
66 6
35
O
21 2
17 5
33 0
46.7
45
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD,
CLES OF FOOD IN 51 CITIES ON SPECIFIED DATES—Continued.
St. Paul, Minn.
Salt Lake City,
Utah.
San Francisco,
Calif.
Savannah Ga.
Scranton, Pa.
Aug. 15— July Aug. Aug. 15— July Aug. Aug. 1.5— July Aug. Aug.
July Aug. Aug. 15— July Aug.
15,
15,
15,
1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1922. 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
35.2 37.1 36.6 23.1 30. 0 27.8 28.3 20.7
26.6
22.9
20.6
17.0
10.6
29.4
27.8
20.5
10.0
31.3
28.5
21.1
10.4
31.5
28.3
21.3
10.5
20.0
20.0
15.4
12.3
26.7
23.1
17.6
11.6
24.4
21.9
17.4
11,5
24. 3
21.6
16.8
11.7
19.3
21.0
15.0
13.3
30.7
27.3
27.9
17.8
13.3
28.9
26.5
28. 6
17.0
12.8
29.4
26. 8
28.0
17.3
13.0
30.0
26.0
24.4
16.0
13.8
31.9
27.1
25.0
16.9
13.9
30.8
26.3
24.2
15.7
13.2
26.8
23.3
23.8
18.0
12.5
47.6
38.5
35.6
25.7
11.0
49.2
39.1
35.7
25.7
10.1
50.5
40.1
35.9
26.1
10.5
19.7
27.2
28.3
17.9
19.4
33.0
40.6
48.6
33.6
28.1
28.1
38.1
43.3
33.3
27.3
29.7
39.1
44.0
31.5
27.9
23.0
32.0
30.8
18.5
25.0
33.5
39.3
50.7
33.2
33.2
28.5
38.7
44.3
33.7
31.3
29.2
38.5
43.8
32.1
31.7
23.7
34.7
32. 0
16.5
23.8
39.3
53.9
57.0
34.4
38.0
35.1
50.5
51.8
33.9
39.2
38.2
50.3
51.8
34.8
38.0
30.0
36.4
42.5
37.0
32.3
27.1
34.8
35.5
36.3
30.1
28.3
35.0
36.0
36.3
30.5
22.3
28.0
31.7
20.0
23.3
38.8
44.7
59.2
44.6
44.2
34.8
42.9
53.6
46.1
42.9
35.9
43.1
54.4
45.3
39.4
35.2
6.9 10.0
11.1
32.8 35.3
27.8
34.8
11.0
12.3
43.4
27.4
34.4
12. 0 8.7
12.5
46.5 40. Ó
27.7
33.3
9.0
10.5
44.5
34.4
1(1. 0
11.2
48.8
35.5
28.6 27.3
10.0 io.o 13.0 13.0
11.0
10.1 11.0
52.1 40. 7 50.6 54.8
27.0 28.0
26.8
13.0
11.1
56.2
28. 0
34.8
18.0
10.1
43.9
30.5
35.0
17.8
11.7
52.1
32.9
34.9
36.7
17.5 8.6 12.0
11. 6
11.3
53.2 35.2 43.5
2f> 2
33. 1
35.4
13.0
12.3
50.0
35.1
13.5
12.3
50.6
26.9
21.0 31. 1
15.0 17.5
24.5
24.3 29.5
26.5
35.2
17.5
24.2
32.0
27.0
28.4 27.1 27.9
35.8 23.3 27.7 31.1 31.3 19. 0
17.1 19.3 18.9 19.1 18.8 18.0
24.1
26.1 26.3 26.8
32.3 32.9 32.7 31.1 35.3 38.2
28.3
38.0
19. 1
25.1
45.2
27.6
29.1
18.2
20.6
35.8
30.1
34.5
17.4
18.9
39.7
29.9
34.4 is. 0
17. 1 16.2
17.8
43.3 30.1
22.0
34.8
17.5
22.6
38.2
22.0
35.1
17.5
22.6
40.4
8.5 9.1 9.2
5.2 5.0 4.9
4.5 4.6 4.6
9.6 9.4 9.3
10.9 10.5 10.5
8.3
5.6
2.7
8.4
8.9
8.7
5.4
3.1
8.6
9.2
5.9
3.0
2.4
9.3 9.4 9.4
5.3 4.4 4.2
3.5 3.5 3.5
9.7 9.8 9.9
10.0 10.0 10.0
26.2
18. 5
9.5
..... 11.2
1.0 1.4
IÓ.Ó
25.0 25.0
18.6 18.6
9.3 9.1
11.8 11.8
2.3 1.7
5.9
2.6
3.3
9.5 9.6 9.8
3.2 3.3 3.2
3.6 3.7 3.7
9.5 9.5 9.6
12.3 11.2 11.2
26.4 25.3 24.9
20.7 19.4 19.8
8.9 8.7 8.7
..... 9.9 10.8 10.9
1.2 1.4 3.1 2.4
8.2
5.9 7.4 6.7
5.5
1.6 4.8 2.8
5.3
14.6 14.2 14.2
16.8
..... 14.9 14.5 14.3
14.9
16.1
....... 16.3 16.3 16.3
15.3 13.9 13.8
14.4
5.6 8.4 11.1 10.1 6. i 9.0
45.0 64.2 67. 1 66.7 65.7 78.8
30.0 40.0 40.4 40.2 35.8 44.1
22.8 21.1 20.7
25.8 18.7 18.7
212.6 213. 1 .....
69.2 59.1 56.7
no. 5
s Per pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
5.9
3.4
3.4
20.1 17.9
23.4 17.8
215. 8 215.3
52.6 45.3
28.3
37.6
19.4
25.1
35.2
8.5
5.2
3.2
8.6
9.2
3.9
14.7
Ì4.9 16.6
16.4 17.4
17.7 13.9
26.9
22.8
9.7
11.4
2.2
25.7 25.7
22.9 22.9
9.6 9. 5
12.6 12.5
4.4 4.2
6.2
3.0
12.9
16.7
17.2
7.7 7.3
6.1 5.4
12.1 12.1
16.5 16.5
18.4 18.5
11.1 11.0
14.0
10.3 9.3 5.7 8.1
66.2 66.9 52.5 59.0
35.1 34.9 31.3 37.3
13.0 13.0
10.7 9.6
60.7 60.7
39.7 39.7
3.9 7.6 7.7 6.9
14.6 4.5 5.0 4.8
16.6 12.9 12.2 12.3
17.3 14.5 14.6 14.6
13.8 17.0 17.5 17.6
12.9
114.3
10.5 5.5 7.9
81.4 50.0 57.5
44.1 32.0 35.6
110.3 19.5 11.1
57.3 57.3 7.7
36.3 36.5 67.4
18.1 17.3 31.9
18.4
17.8
215.8
43.8 .......
16.2 15.6 19.8 18.9 18.1
32.9 35.0 21.2 16.5 16.2
49.5 50.5 29.5 38.6 39.5
92.2 61.8 56.3
.......
20.0
21.5
35.6
67.2
17.5
23.1
37.4
8.7 8.7
5.2 5.1
5.8 5.8
9.4 9.6
10.1 10.1
25.0 23.7 23.5 25.5 23.5 23.2
13.8 14.3 14.3 18.3 17.1 17.3
9.4 8.9 9.0 8.3 7.9 7.9
9.4 9.8 9.7 10.7 12.3 12.0
1.7 2.7 3.8 3.7 2.9 4.7 4.0
3.1
5.6
3.5
2 1 .0
30.3
9.1
5.7
6.2
9.5
9.9
8.5
6.3 5.3
6.6 3.9
15.5 15.4
14.0 14. 1
15.6 15.6
12.9
11.1
79.6
44.2
27.6
34.8
19.1
25.0
33.6
8.4
2.0
18.8
22.5
33.4
71.2
17.8
17.1
33.2
53.6
17.4
17.1
32.9
52.1
46
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
T able 5 .—AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF THE PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OF FOOD IN 51
CITIES ON SPECIFIED DATES—Concluded.
Springfield, 111.
Seattle Wash.
Washington, D. C.
Aug. 15—
July Aug.
July Aug. Aug. July Aug
15,
15,
15, 15,
15,
15,
15,
1922.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1922
1913
1913 1922
Article.
Unit.
Rirlnin steak ..................
Round steak...................
Rib roast.........................
Chuck roast.....................
Plate beef........................
P ound.........
....... do...........
....... do...........
....... do...........
....... do...........
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
24.4 31.5 31.0 31.5 33.5 36.2 34.8
21.5 27.9 26.7 26.5 33.1 35.8 34.3
20.0 24.5 24.6 24.3 22.5 23.9 23.8
16.2 16.4 16.2 15.8 19.7 20.5 19.7
12.7 12.5 12.6 12.4 12.6 12.6 12.5
Cts.
27.8
24.5
21.6
17.3
12.1
Cts.
43.9
37.9
34.7
23.0
13.0
Cts.
46.7
40.0
35.4
23.9
12.5
Cts.
46.1
40.2
34.6
23.4
12.3
Pork chops......................
R aeon, sliced ................
TTam,sliced ...................
"Lamb, leg of...................
ifftns , r r..... ..................
....... do...........
__ do............
....... do...........
__ do............
....... do...........
24.2
34.2
31.7
19.4
23.8
37.8
50.6
54.2
31.7
31.0
32.8
48.8
50.4
32.5
30.8
33.7
49.0
51.1
32.0
31.1
31.1
39.0
50.4
36.9
33.1
26.5
38.7
45.0
39.4
31.3
28.2
39.3
46.4
38.1
29.9
23.0
28.4
31.0
19.4
21.9
40.0
38.7
59.6
39.9
38.6
36.2
37.8
55.5
42.4
42.7
36.5
37.5
55.0
41.8
42.0
Salmon, canned, red ___
Milk, fresh ...................
Milk evaporated............
"Rutter ..........................
Oleomargarine
.........
__ do............
Quart ......... 8.5
l.H-lfi-oz., can
P ound......... 39.0
d o .........
30.9
12.5
10.3
50.7
27.5
30.3
12.0
10.9
50.1
30.0
30.5
12.0
10.9
52.4
28.5
32.9
11.1
11.5
43.1
28.0
33.2
12.5
12.8
48.3
28.9
32.9
29.1
12.5 8.0 13.0
12.8
10.8
51.0 36.6 47.5
28:7
26.2
28.5
14.0
12.4
51.8
28.5
28.6
14.0
12.3
54.3
28.1
Nut- margarine ............
Cheese ..........................
........................
T,ard
Vegetablelard substitute
Bggs, strictly fresh.........
. do..........
....... do........... 21.7
__do............ 17.4
....... do...........
Dozen.......... 39. Ò
28.4
32.5
19.1
25.6
33.5
29.0
36.5
18.9
24.9
32.fi
29.0
36.4
19.0
24.8
41.1
26.6
32.4
17.0
22.9
28.0
27.5
37.3
16.8
25.9
29.2
27.8
26.2 26.8 27.5
37.1 23.8 33.9 38.0 37.8
16.6 15.3 17.1 17.7 17.0
22.2 23.6 23.3
25.9
30.7 30.6 37.4 38. C 41.1
B r e a d ................. ...........
Flour ..............................
Corn meal........................
Rolled o a t s .....................
Corn flakes......................
P ound.........
....... do...........
....... do...........
__do............
8-oz. pkg__
5.5
2.9
3.2
9.9
4.7
3.8
8.3
11.5
9.9
4.4
4.1
8.2
11.7
9.9
4.4
4.1
8.2
11.7
9.7
5.3
4.2
10.0
9.5
9.2
4.9
4.4
10.5
10.1
9.2
4.7
4.3
10.5
10.5
5.7
3.8
2.5
8.7
5.6
3.6
9.5
9.4
9.0
5.0
4.0
9.3
9.4
9.0
4.8
3.9
9.2
9.5
Wheat, ce re a l.................
Macaroni....... ..................
Rice ..............................
Beans, n av y ....................
Potatoes .........................
2R-oz. p k g __
P ound.........
....... do...........
. . . . do..........
. . . . do..........
27.0
19.0
11.1
10.3
3.0
24.7
18.2
11.2
11.0
3.1
24.7
18.4
11.1
10.8
2.7
27.2
20.5
25.1
19.7
10.0
11.9
3.8
25.2
19.7
10.1
10.6
3.0
25.3
21.6
9.8 10.3
12.1
2.0 2.6
24.3
21.2
10.1
11.7
5.4
24.1
20.7
10.1
11.4
4.8
Onions ..........................
Cabbage...........................
Beans, baked..................
Corn, canned ................
Peas, canned...................
__ do............
__ do............
No. 2 can__
do..........
....... do..........
4.2
4.2
15.8
17.6
18.9
4.7
5.3
4.9
15.2 15.2
16. 7 16.7
18.5 18.4
8.3
9.6
4.8
4.6
14. 1 13.3
14.6 14.7
17.5 17.9
8.3
4.9
13.4
14.7
17.7
Tomatoes, canned..........
Sugar, granulated...........
Tea .................................
Coffee ..............................
__ do............
i 15.5 115.9 1 15.6
8.4 10.5 10.0
P ound......... 6.3
....... do........... 50.0 65.6 67.6 68.2
....... do........... 28.0 39.3 38.6 38.6
Prunes. ..........................
Raisins.............................
B ananas..........................
O ranges____ _______
. . . . . do..........
....... do...........
Dozen..........
___ do...........
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Aug. 15—
7.7
1.6
1 0 .6
13.0
2.6
15.5
9.1
70.4
35.6
14.9
11.6
72.5
38.1
20. S 1 7 . C 16.1 21.4 20.1
24. C 17. £ 17.1 25.7 20.4
2 14.1 2 15. 2 15.8 2 8. 2 11. 8
49.9
59. £ 47.fi 46.fi 68.
12.4
14.9
10.5 5.2 7.8
75.4 57.5 72.4
38.1 28.8 32.9
20.7
20.2|.......
2 11.81.......
49.9Ì.......
2 Per pound.
i No. 2.J can.
[822 ]
7.6 9.1 7.9
3. J 6.3 5.7
11.8 11.9 11.5
14.0 15.3 15.1
16.9 15.5 15.5
21.6
24.1
36.3
72.0
11.8 12.1
10.0 9.4
77.9 76.7
35.3 35.0
21.4
16.6
39. 8
60.5
21.0
17.0
38.9
54.6
47
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD.
Comparison of Retail Food Costs in 51 Cities.
T*ABLE 6 shows for 39 cities the percentage of increase or decrease
in the retail cost of food7 in August, 1923, compared with the
average cost in the year 1913, in August, 1922, and in July, 1923.
For 12 other cities comparisons are given for the one-year and the
one-month periods. These cities have been scheduled by the bureau
at different dates since 1913. These percentage changes are based
on actual retail prices secured each month from retail dealers and on
the average family consumption of these articles in each city.8
Effort has been made by the bureau each month to have perfect
reporting cities. For the month of August 99 per cent of all the firms
reporting in the 51 cities sent in a report promptly. The following
were perfect reporting cities; that is, every merchant in the following
named 38 cities who is cooperating with the bureau sent in his report
in time for his prices to be included in the city averages: Atlanta,
Baltimore, Boston, Bridgeport, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus,
Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fall River, Houston, Indianapolis, Jackson
ville, Kansas City, Little Rock, Louisville, Manchester, Minneapolis,
Newark, New Haven, Norfolk, Omaha, Peoria, Philadelphia, Port
land, Me., Portland, Oreg., Pittsburgh, Providence, Richmond,
Rochester, St. Paul, San Francisco, Savannah, Scranton, Seattle,
Springfield, 111., and Washington, D. C.
The following summary shows the promptness with which the
merchants responded in August:
RETAIL PRICE REPORTS RECEIVED DURING AUGUST, 1923.
Geographical division.
Item.
Percentage of reports received__
Number of cities in each section from
which every report was received__
United
States.
North
South
North
Atlantic. Atlantic. Central.
South
Central. Western.
99
99
99
99
98
38
12
7
11
4
98
4
’ For list of articles, see note 2, p . 26.
s The consumption figure used from January, 1913, to December, 1920, for each article in each city is
given in the M o n t h l y L a b o e R e v i e w for November, 1918, pp. 94 and 95. The consumption figures winch
haro been 1921 for^ach mouth begiaotog with January, 1921, are given in the Monthly L aboe R eview
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
48
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
6 .—PER CENTAGE CHANGE IN T H E R E T A IL COST OF FOOD IN AUGUST, 1923,
COMPARED W ITH T H E COST IN JU LY , 1923, AUGUST, 1922, AND W ITH T H E AVERAGE
COST IN TH E Y EA R 1913, BY CITIES.
T able
City.
Percentage increase Percentage
August, 1923, com decrease
pared with—
August,
1923,
compared
with
July,
August,
1913
1923.
1922.
Percentage increase Percentage
August, 1923, com decrease
pared with—
August,
1923,
compared
with
July,
August,
1913
1923.
1922.
City.
A tlan ta. .
Baltimore..........
Birmingham
Boston T.
Bridgeport.........
45
52
48
55
3
6
4
8
8
11
0.3
1
11
1
Milwaukee.......
Minneapolis__
Mobile............
Newark............
New H aven__
49
43
Buffalo...............
B u tte .........
Charleston R_ C
Chicago. .
52
6
4
3
8
3
1 0.4
1 0. 4
i2
2
2
New Orleans...
New Y ork........
Norfolk............
Omaha.............
Peoria...............
41
52
5
21
7
9
1
4
0.1
2
1
Philadelphia...
P ittsburgh.......
Portland, Me...
Portland, Oreg.
Providence.......
51
49
1
0.1
1
0.2
1
Richmond.......
Rochester.........
St. Louis..........
St. Paul............
Salt Lake City.
56
1
11
1 0.4
1
0.4
San Francisco..
Savannah.........
Scranton...........
Seattle..............
Springfield, 111..
W a s h i ngton,
D. C.
Cleveland..........
Columbus__
Dallas _
Denver...............
D etroit........
49
54
42
47
41
35
56
h
Fall R iv e r..
H ouston.
Indianapolis. . . .
Jacksonville
Kansas City......
45
39
38
6
2
10
3
4
Little Rock.......
Los Angeles
Louisville
Manchester. ..
Memphis............
38
38
34
52
38
2
5
5
10
3
49
1 Increase.
46
48
42
32
54
42
27
43
52
38
56
5
2
7
7
3
1
0.4
11
1
1
6
5
4
4
0.2
1
12
0.3
2
11
10
6
21
7
0.4
1
11
0.1
0.1
3
6
2
6
5
0
0.3
1
1
0.4
6
4
12
2
1 0.1
11
2
1
0.4
3
6
2 Decrease.
Retail Prices of Coal in the United States.®
HE following table shows the average retail prices of coal on
July 15, 1922, and on July 15 and August 15, 1923, for the
United States and for each of the cities included in the total
for the United States. Prices for coal are secured from the cities
from which monthly retail prices of food are received.
In addition to the prices for Pennsylvania anthracite, prices are
shown for Colorado, Arkansas, and New Mexico anthracite in those
cities where these coals form any considerable portion of the sales
for household use.
The prices shown for bituminous coal are averages of prices of the
several kinds used. The coal dealers in each city are asked to quote
prices on the kinds of bituminous coal usually sold for household use.
The prices quoted are for coal delivered to consumers but do not
include charges for storing the coal in cellar or coal bin where an
extra handling is necessary.
T
« Prices of coal were formerly secured semiannually and published in the March and September issues
of the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w . Since June, 1920, these prices have been secured and published
m onthly.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[824]
RETAIL PRICES OF COAL.
49
AVERAGE R ETA IL PRICES OF COAL PER TON OF 2,000 POUNDS, FOR HOUSEHOLD
USE, ON JU LY 15, 1922, AND JU LY 15 AND AUGUST 15, 1923.
1922
1923
City, and kind of coal.
July 15.
U nited S tates:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
S tove ...........................................
C h e stn u t ....................................................
Bitum inous...............
A tlanta, G a.:
Bitum inous..........................
Baltim ore , Md.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove.............................. , ..
Chestnut...........................
B itum inous.......................
Birmingham, Ala. :
Bitum inous.................................
Boston, Mass.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove ...........................................................
Chestnut ..........................................
Bridgeport, Conn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove .......................................................................
Chestnut ...........................................
Buffalo, N . Y „ :
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove .......................................................................
Chestnut ..................................................................
Butte, Mont.:
Bituminous ..........................................................
Charleston, S. C.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove. .................„ ............................................
Chestnut...........................
Bituminous..........................
Chicago, 111.:
Pennsylvania anthracite —
Stove...............................................
Chestnut.............................
Bitum inous....................................
Cincinnati, Ohio:
Bitum inous.................................
Cleveland, Ohio:
, Pennsylvania anthracite —
S to v e ..........................................
Chestnut..................................
Bitum inous............................
Columbus, Ohio:
Bituminous........................................
Dallas, Tex.:
Arkansas anthracite —
Egg...................................................................
Bituminous.................................
Denver, Colo.:
Colorado anthracite —
Furnace, 1 and 2 m ixed............................
Stove, 3 and 5 m ixed...............................
Bitum inous..............
Detroit, Mich.:
Pennsylvania anthracite —
Stove........................................
Chestnut ...........................................
Bitum inous........................
Fall River, Mass.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove......................................................
Chestnut..................................
Houston, Tex.:
Bituminous......................................
Indianapolis, In d .:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove...................................................
Chestnut.............................................
Bituminous........................................
Jacksonville, F la.:
Bituminous...........................................................
1 Per ton of 2,240 pounds.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[825]
July 15.
Aug. 15.
$14. 867
14. 921
9.490
qipAO.
*1 x lU
mo
iS
IAO.
S U
fidlOQ
m
lu . a
Uqoqo
15.144
9.942
8.115
oQ. 0QZ9 7/
8.288
i 15.000
i 14.750
8.250
1 11 0X.
A
i* 1i x0 .
Q
O.
(M X 1 0 4
¡ p l0 .
7X
A
/0 U
7/ x0U
n
QAA
«JUU
115.917
115.750
8.100
fid A
7.922
15.000
1I DX.UAAA
UU
15.500
lo. uOO
14.000
14.000
11 U
A . AAA
UUU
AAA
11 0A. UUU
16.000
16.000
1? 813
I1Q0 . 11 7X
10
l1oQ. 11 7X
JO
13.175
13.175
1111 . 1l oQZ9
11.184
QQQ
1 1 7 AA4\
1 1 / . UUU
6.215
7
15.000
117.000
117.100
12.000
1
1 11 74 . 1UU
1 AA
9 . AAA
11 .6
UUU
1 X QQQ
7.154
14.375
1
17.100
12.000
oQ. oC ll oQ
16.188
16.000
8.797
Q. O
A1lOX
O
8.577
8.625
1H1 .
I1 tA:.
Q
y«
0A0A74
0A 0A/7
7A
/ u uA
lu.083
I 0 . 083
9.603
7.191
7
7AQ
7.487
11 0X. Q1
» 1 17
11 0Q. 74Q 9
16.667
13.9u8
16.500
16.500
11 A
AOX
0. U
zO
1 A AOX
l u . U zU
16.000
15.500
15.500
10.038
11 U
A . 9Z7/ U
A
10.378
14.563
8.969
16 000
16 000
10 429
16.250
16.188
1 A ZOU
oxn
JLU.
15.250
15.000
15 500
I1X0 . t1i1l 7/ .
11 X
X41A
0 . 0UU
lI X
o . 417
667
11
A7 :
11. A
OO/
11.833
15.625
15.667
16 000
15 875
8 135
16.0 0 0
13.000
13.500
13-000
41/
11 A
0 . AAA
UUU
<2. 9Z11 0Q
O
50
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW,
AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OF COAL P E R TON OF 2,000 POUNDS, FO R HOUSEHOLD
U SE, ON JU LY 15, 1922, AND JU LY 15 AND AUGUST 15, 1923—Continued.
1923
1922
City, and kind of coal.
July 15.
Kansas City, Mo.:
Arkansa s anthracite—
Furnace.............................................................................
Stove No. 4 ...
...........................................................
Bitum inous..............................................................................
L ittle Rock, A rk.:
Arkansas anthracite—
Egg .
..................................................................
Bitum inous..............................................................................
Los Angeles, Calif.:
Bituminous ............................................................................
Louisville, Ky.:
Bitum inous..............................................................................
Manchester, N. H .:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..................................................................................
Chestnut............................................................................
Memphis, T een.:
Bitum inous..............................................................................
Milwaukee, Wis.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..................................................................................
C hestnut. . . . ...................................................................
Bitum inous..............................................................................
Minneapolis, Minn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove .................................................................................
C hestnut............................................................................
Bitum inous..............................................................................
Mobile, Ala.:
Bitum inous.............................................................................
Newark, N. J.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove .................................................................................
Chestnut............................................................................
New Haven, Conn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stiwe
................................................................
C hestnut............................................................................
New Orleans, La.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Chestnut........................ ...................................................
Bituminous ..........................................................................
New York, N. Y .:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
............ .................................................
C hestnut........................................................... _...............
Norfolk, Va.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
S to v e ............................... . .............................................
C hestnut............................................................................
Bitum inous..............................................................................
Omaha, Nebr.:
Bitum inous..............................................................................
Peoria, 111.:
Bitum inous..............................................................................
Philadelphia, P a .:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..................................................................................
Chestnut............................................................................
Pittsburgh, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..................................................................................
Chestnut............................................................................
Bituminous..............................................................................
Portland, Me.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..................................................................................
C hestnut............................................................................
Portland, Oreg.:
Bitum inous..............................................................................
1 Per ton of 2,240 pounds.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[826]
July 15.
Aug. 15.
$15.286
16.125
8.984
$15,286
16.188
8.706
$15.643
16.875
8.181
15.000
11.688
15.000
10.625
14.000
10.625
14.000
15.500
15.500
7.389
8.573
8.531
16.000
16.000
17.000
17.000
17.167
17.167
7.786
7.446
7.429
16.010
15.950
9.750
16.020
16.020
10.519
16.000
16.000
10.083
17.510
17.500
11.938
17.500
17.380
12.325
17.500
17.380
12.073
8.875
10.143
9.857
12.750
12.750
12.750
12.750
12.750
12.750
14.000
14.000
15.000
15.000
15.750
15.750
18.000
18.333
8.393
21.250
21.250
9.531
20.250
20. 250
9.625
13.135
13.135
14.083
13.833
14.083
14.000
14.000
14.000
9.952
15.125
15.125
11.429
15.000
15.000
11.357
11.905
10.869
10.845
6.696
6.519
6.462
i 14.094
1 14.094
115.429
115.000
115.429
115.000
115. 750
1 15.583
6.656
116.750
i 16.750
7.464
116.750
1 16.750
7.536
15.843
15.843
15.840
15.840
15.843
15.843
12.717
13.565
13.587
51
RETAIL PRICES OF COAL.
A V E R A G E R E T A IL PRICES OF COAL P E R TON OF 2,000 POUNDS, FO R HOUSEHOLD
U SE , ON JU LY 15, 1922, AND JU LY 15 AND AUGUST 15, 1923—Concluded.
1922
1923
City, and kind of coal.
July 15.
Providence, R. I.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..................................................................................
Chestnut............................................................................
Richmond, Va.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..................................................................................
Chestnut............................................................................
Bitum inous..............................................................................
Rochester, N. Y.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..................................................................................
C hestnut............................................................................
St. Louis, Mo.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..................................................................................
C hestnut............................................................................
Bitum inous..............................................................................
St. Paul, Minn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..................................................................................
C hestnut............................................................................
Bitum inous..............................................................................
Salt Lake City, Utah:
Colorado anthracite—
Furnace, 1 and 2 mixed...................................................
Stove, 3 and 5 m ixed.......................................................
Bitum inous..............................................................................
San Francisco, Calif.:
New Mexico anthracite—
Cerillosegg........................................................................
Colorado anthracite—
E gg.....................................................................................
Bitum inous..............................................................................
Savannah, Ga.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..................................................................................
Chestnut............................................................................
Bitum inous..............................................................................
Scranton, Pa :
Pennsylvania anthracite
Stove..................................................................................
Chestnut............................................................................
Seattle, Wash.:
Bitum inous..............................................................................
Springfield, 111.:
Bitum inous..............................................................................
Washington, D. C.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..................................................................................
C hestnut............................................................................
Bitum inous..............................................................................
July 15.
Aug. 15.
2$15.000
2 15.000
2 $15.000
215.000
2*15.300
215.300
14. 250
14. 250
8. 692
15. 625
15. 625
11. 779
15. 625
15. 625
11. 779
13. 450
13.450
13. 450
13.450
13. 450
13.450
16.125
16. 250
6.934
16.375
16. 563
7.097
16.313
16.625
7.153
17. 508
17. 508
12. 416
17.500
17.350
12. 646
17. 500
17.350
12.170
19.125
20.000
8.706
17.500
17.500
8.417
17.500
17.500
8.313
24.250
26.500
26.500
23. 750
16.500
24.500
16.700
24.500
16.800
316.100
316.100
3 10.100
317.050
317.050
311. 233
317.050
317. 050
3 11. 400
9. 700
10.183
9.817
9. 817
9. 817
9.817
<9.943
<10.061
<10.150
4.625
4.975
4.500
i 14. 721
114. 636
19.063
115. 429
1 15. 321
1 10. 033
i 15.333
115. 208
1 9.707
1 Per ton of 2,240 pounds.
2 Fifty cents per ton additional is charged for “ binning.” Most customers require binning or bas
keting the coal into th e cellar.
3 All coal sold in Savannah is weighed by the city. A charge of 10 cents per ton or half ton is made.
This additional charge has been included in the above prices.
< Prices in Zone A. The cartage charges in Zone A were as follows: July, 1922, $1.75; July and August,
1923, $1.25. These charges have been included in the prices.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[827]
52
M O N TH LY LABOE EEVIEW ,
Comparison of Retail Price Changes in the United States and Foreign
Countries.
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, namely, 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 Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain,
Norway, Sweden, and the city of Rome, Italy, the index numbers
are reproduced as published in the original sources. With three
exceptions all these are shown on the July, 1914, base in the source
from which the information is taken. The index numbers for
Belgium are computed on April, 1914, as the base period, those
for Germany on the average of October, 1913, January, April, and
July, 1914, while those for Rome are based on the first half of 1914.
The index numbers here shown for the remaining countries have
been obtained by dividing the index for each month specified in
the table by the index for July, 1914, or the nearest period thereto,
as published. As shown in the table, the number of articles included
in the index numbers for the different countries differs widely.
These results should not, therefore, be considered as closely com
parable with one another. In a few instances, also, the figures here
shown are not absolutely comparable from month to month over
the entire period, owing to slight changes in the list of commodities
included at successive dates.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
£
828]
53
RETAIL PRICE CHANGES,
INDEX NUMBERS OF R E T A IL PRICES IN THE UN ITED STATES AND CERTAIN O TH ER
COUNTRIES.
[July, 1914=100.]
Year and
month.
July,
July,
July,
July,
July,
July,
1914---1915....
1916__
1917....
1918....
1919....
United
States: 22
foodstuffs,
Belgium:
to De
56 articles
cember, Australia:
food (variable);
1920; since 46
cities.
that time 30stuffs;
towns. 59 Not
43 food Weighted.
stuffs;
weighted.
51 cities
(variable).
Weighted.
100
98
109
143
164
186
100
131
130
126
131
147
France: Fam ily
budget, 13 articles.
Germany:
Denmark:
Canada:
Family
Family
29 food
food
Cities over
food
stuffs;
budget;
1
0
,0
0
0
budget;
60 cities. 5 persons. population Paris only. 5 persons.
Weighted. Weighted. (except Weighted. Weighted.
Paris).
Weighted.
100
1100
100
128
146
166
187
212
3 123
«141
8184
3244
3289
253
3388
1920.
Ju ly ...............
August..........
September. . .
October.........
N ovem ber...
December—
215
203
199
194
189
175
194
194
197
192
186
184
453
463
471
477
476
468
227
1921.
January.........
February___
March............
April.............
May...............
Ju n e..............
169
155
153
149
142
141
186
184
181
173
168
165
450
434
411
399
389
384
195
190
178
171
165
150
276
Ju ly ...............
August.........
September. . .
October.........
N ovem ber.. .
December__
145
152
150
150
149
147
161
158
154
149
146
143
379
384
386
391
394
393
148
154
159
155
149
148
236
1922.
January........
February'.. . .
March............
April.............
Mav...............
Ju n e..............
139
139
136
136
136
138
142
140
141
143
146
146
387
380
371
367
365
366
149
143
142
138
138
137
197
Ju ly ...............
August..........
September. . .
October.........
November__
December----
139
136
137
140
142
144
148
149
149
146
145
146
366
366
371
376
384
384
138
141
139
138
139
140
184
141
139
139
140
140
141
145
144
145
152
156
383
397
408
409
413
419
142
142
145
143
140
138
180
1923.
January.........
February___
March............
April..............
M ay..............
221
215
213
206
8450
200
1
1 April, 1914.
2 Average for October, 1913, January, April, and July, 1914.
3Quarter beginning month specified.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
100
105
114
157
175
186
[829]
3429
3363
3350
3348
3323
3315
3312
3314
3331
100
120
2100
373
373
407
420
426
424
1,267
1,170
1,166
1,269
1,343
1,427
410
382
359
328
317
312
1,423
1,362
1,352
1,334
1 320
1,370
306
317
329
331
326
323
1,491
1,5S9
1 614
1,757
2,189
2, 357
319
307
294
304
318
307
2,463
3. 020
3,602
4,356
4,680
5.119
297
289
291
290
297
305
6 836
9, 746
15,417
26,623
54,982
80,762
309
316
321
320
325
331
138,608
' 318,300
331, 500
350, 000
462, 000
934.700
129
183
206
261
54
m o n th ly
labor
r e v ie w
,
IN D EX NUM BERS OF R E T A IL PRICES IN TH E U N ITE D STATES AND CERTAIN OTHER
COU NTRIES—Concluded.
Year and
month.
Great
Italy:
Nether
Switzer
New
South
Britain:
Family lands: 27 Zealand:
Norway: Africa:
land: 9
18 Sweden: groups
21food food
food
Family
59 food
food
21articles; food of
stuffs;
budget;
stuffs;
food
stuffs;
stuffs; 44 towns.
600
5 persons; Amster 25 towns. budget.
9 towns. Weighted. stuffs.
towns.
Rome.
dam.
Weighted. Weighted.
Not
Weighted. Weighted. Weighted. Weighted.
weighted.
100
<100
95
111
6100
July, 1914__
July, 1915__
J u ly ,1916...
July, 1917....
J u ly ,1918....
July, 1919....
209
210
137
203
206
1920.
July...............
August..........
September. . .
October.........
N ovem ber...
December__
258
262
267
270
291
282
318
322
324
341
361
375
1921.
January........
February___
March............
April.............
May...............
Ju n e..............
278
263
249
238
232
218
367
376
386
432
421
409
200
220
132J
161
204
210
217
219
223
226
100
112
119
127
139
144
100
8160
279
289
8100
8107
8111
6124
8125
100
3124
s 142
177
268
310
1 140
297
30S
307
306
303
294
246
283
262
253
248
243
237
«136
167
171
173
177
176
179
319
333
336
340
342
342
8178
178
175
169
169
167
166
334
308
300
300
292
290
3166
199
193
189
186
185
184
184
173
159
154
164
163
161
156
152
150
292
297
290
288
281
268
3 136
232
3 128
228
218
195
402
416
430
452
459
458
1922.
January........
February___
March............
April.............
Slay...............
Juno..............
185
179
177
173
172
170
469
463
446
455
455
454
152
154
148
141
140
141
147
145
141
144
145
143
257
245
238
234
230
227
July...............
August..........
Septem ber...
October.........
November__
December__
180
175
172
172
176
178
459
463
472
482
477
476
144
144
145
148
141
142
144
141
139
139
139
138
283
232
228
1923.
January.........
February___
March............
April.............
May...............
Ju n e..............
175
173
171
168
162
160
480
478
479
481
491
145
146
145
143
139
140
141
142
143
142
July...............
August..........
September. . .
October.........
November__
December__
226
225
210
200
3Quarter beginning month specified.
<January-June.
220
208
199
3151
237
234
234
121
119
119
121
120
118
116
116
117
119
' 100
7 119
262
234
231
210
214
20Q
205
200
211
262
198
192
190
189
185
182
178
179
1S9
179
177
167
158
157
158
158
156
157
160
160
216
215
120
118
179
181
180
178
170
168
214
214
214
117
117
117
117
166
165
166
163
100
213
118
161
166
220
2214
12
8 Year 1913.
6 Year.
161
158
161
i Previous month.
«August.
Wholesale Prices, 1890 to 1922.
HE course of wholesale prices from 1890 to 1922 is reviewed in
Bulletin No. 335 recently issued by the United States Bureau
of Labor Statistics. This bulletin, which is the twentieth of
a series of annual reports on wholesale prices published by the bureau
since 1902, contains monthly detailed price information for 1921 and
1922 and yearly information back to 1890. Four hundred and
fifty-four commodities or series of price quotations are included in
the tables of prices for recent years.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[830]
INDEX NUMBERS OF WHOLESALE PRICES.
55
A brief history of the wholesale price investigations of the bureau
is presented in the introduction to the bulletin, followed by an expla
nation of the method used in constructing its weighted index num
bers,. which are built on 404 commodities or price series. State
ments showing the character and sources of the price quotations, the
number of commodities classified as to frequency of quotations
(whether weekly, monthly, or average for the month), and the num
ber that increased or decreased in average price from 1921 to 1922
are included. Tables of index numbers for the various groups of
commodities and for all commodities combined are given for all years
from 1890 to 1922 and all months from 1913 to 1922.
The bulletin briefly reviews price movements during 1922 and
during the 10 years since 1913. Numerous charts assist the reader
in following the prices of important commodities and groups of com
modities over the period. Appendixes to the report contain state
ments showing the weights used in constructing the index numbers,
the relative importance of commodities as measured by their whole
sale values in 1922, and index numbers of building material prices,
by subdivisions, 1913 to 1922. There is also appended a chapter
reviewing the course of wholesale prices in other countries.
Index Numbers of Wholesale Prices in August, 1923.
HOLESALE prices in August averaged slightly lower than in
July according to information gathered in representative
markets by the United States Department of Labor through
the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bureau’s index number, which
includes 404 commodities or price series weighted in proportion to
their relative importance, sank to 150 in August, a drop of 1 point
from the figure of the month before.
The largest decrease from the preceding month is shown for the
group of fuel and lighting materials, due to further declines in bitu
minous coal, crude petroleum, and gasoline. The decrease in this
group was 2f per cent. Building materials and housefurnishing
goods each declined 2 per cent from the July level. Smaller declines
took place among chemicals and drugs and among commodities clas
sified as miscellaneous, including such important articles as leather,
wood pulp, manila hemp, jute, and lubricating oil.
In the group of farm products increases in corn, rye, wheat, cattle,
hogs, eggs, hops, and hay brought the level of prices nearly 3 per
cent higher than in July. Foods also averaged higher than in the
preceding month. No change in the general price level was reported
for cloths and clothing and for metals and metal products.
Of the 404 commodities or series of quotations for which compar
able data for July and August were collected, decreases were shown
in 137 instances and increases in 110 instances. In 157 instances no
change in price was reported.
W
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[831]
56
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
IN DEX NUMBERS OF WHOLESALE PRICES, BY GROUPS OF COMMODITIES.
[1913=100.]
1922
1923
Group.
August.
Farm products..........................
Foods..........................................
Cloths and clothing...................
Fuel and lig h tin g -...................
Metals and metal products.......
Building m aterials.....................
Chemicals and drugs.................
House-furnishing goods............
Miscellaneous.............................
All commodities........................
131
138
181
271
126
172
122
173
115
155
July.
135
141
193
183
145
190
128
187
121
151
August.
139
142
193
178
145
186
127
183
120
150
Comparing prices in August with those of a year ago, as measured
by changes in the index number, it is seen that the general price level
has declined 3f per cent. This is due entirely to the great decreases
among fuel and lighting materials, which averaged 341 per cent less
than in August, 1922, at which time a strike was in progress in the
coal fields. In all other commodity groups prices were higher
than in August of last year, ranging from 3 per cent in the case of
foods to 15 per cent in the case of metals and metal products.
Revised Index Numbers of Wholesale Prices in Canada.
REPORT entitled “ Prices and Price Indexes 1918-1922” has
recentty been issued by the Dominion Bureau of Statistics in
the Department of Trade and Commerce, Ottawa, Canada.
This report deals primarily with wholesale prices during the years
1919, 1920, and 1921 and is designed to continue the series of reports
on prices and price indexes published by the Department of Labor
and covering the period from 1890 up to and including 1917. With
the publication of the 1917 information, the Department of Labor
discontinued presenting wholesale prices in detail but continued to
collect the statistics and to compute the index number for inclusion
in the Labor Gazette from month to month until the Bureau of
Statistics should bring out a revised series.
The revised index numbers in the new report are computed from
238 series of price quotations, there being more than one series for a
small number of the commodities included. The year 1913 is
adopted as the base period and the index numbers are weighted
to allow for the importance of the various commodities in exchange.
Three systems of commodity grouping are used. In the presentation
of detailed statistics and in the principal analyses the commodities
are grouped according to “ chief component material” (vegetable,
animal, wood, iron, etc.). The two other classifications are accord
ing to “ use or purpose” (food, clothing, producers’ goods, etc.)
and according to “ origin” (farm, forest, mineral, marine, etc.)
In the case of the “ use or purpose” classification a few important
commodities have been included twice so as to appear in both “ pro
ducers’ goods” and “ consumers’ goods.” Under the “ origin” classi
fication, in addition to the other groupings, all commodities are
A
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[832]
INDEX NUMBERS OF WHOLESALE PRICES IN CANADA.
57
divided into two groups, “ raw or partly manufactured products”
and “ fully or chiefly manufactured products.” It is stated that it
was found impossible to define these two groups so precisely as to
make them mutually exclusive, but that the commodities were
classified with the best judgment that could be brought to bear upon
the matter.
The formula used in constructing the weighted index numbers is
that known as Laspeyre’s, in which the sum of the prices in the given
year or month times the quantities in the base year is divided by the
sum of the prices times the quantities in the base year. The quanti
ties used as weights are the quantities of the various commodities
marketed in the base year 1913. It is stated that where 1913 was
not considered a sufficiently representative year an average for sev
eral years was taken, and when data for 1913 were not available the
best obtainable were used. In cases where specific information
was lacking an estimate was made. In arriving at the weights
duplication was avoided as much as possible. For example, a deduc
tion was made from wheat for the amount that went into the manu
facture of flour, and from flour for the quantity made into bread.
A similar plan was followed with respect to certain other commodi
ties, as barley made into malt, oats into rolled oats and oatmeal,
cotton and pig iron into their finished products, etc.
To secure to each group its proper influence on the final results it
was found necessary to adopt a system of group weighting in which
the several group totals are multiplied by numbers designed to
produce results measuring correctly the importance of those groups
in the total trade of the country. The group weights are as follows:
Vegetable products................................................................................ 1. 4
Animals and their products.................................................................. 1.0
Fibers, textiles and textile products.................................................... 8. 4
Wood and wood products...................................................................... 1. 3
Iron and its products.............................................................................4. 0
Nonferrous metals and their products.................................................. 1. 9
Nonmetallic minerals and their products............................................ 1.1
Chemicals and allied products.................................................... ........ 6. 5
In the foil owing- table the weighted and unweighted index numbers
computed from the same list of commodities are compared for the
years 1919 to 1921:
W EIG H TED AND UN W EIG H TED IN D E X NUMBERS OF W HOLESALE PRICES, BY
MONTHS, 1919 TO 1921.
[1913=100.]
1921
1920
1919
Month.
Weighted. Unweighted. Weighted. Unweighted. Weighted. Unweighted.
January.................................
F ebruary..............................
March....................................
April......................................
May.......................................
J une......................................
July.......................................
August..................................
September............................
October.................................
November............................
December.............................
205.3
200.5
200.2
198.2
201.2
201.3
202.3
206.5
213.3
213.8
217.4
223.4
205.8
201. 9
200.1
200.3
206.2
207.7
215.5
220.9
220.7
219.9
222.0
228.6
232.8
238.3
241.1
251.3
256.9
255.1
256.1
250.3
245.3
236. 3
224.4
212.1
240.6
245.8
252.2
261. 3
266.5
261.6
262.1
251.0
247.3
239. 2
227.7
214.9
201.7
191.1
186.4
180. 8
171.4
164.0
163.4
165.6
161.8
155.5
153.6
154.3
203.5
193.4
189.4
184.3
177.4
171.9
170.6
171.1
169.1
166.1
163.6
162.7
Y ear............................
207.5
213.2
241.3
248.2
170.4
177.3
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[833]
58
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Monthly weighted index numbers for 1922 for the several groups
of commodities, classified according to chief component material,
are shown in the table which follows:
W EIGHTED IN D EX NUM BERS OF W HOLESALE PRICES, BY GROUPS OF COMMODITIES
AND BY MONTHS, 1922.
[1913 = 100.]
Commodity group.
Jan.
Feb. Mar. Apr. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Vegetable products..............
Animal products.................
Textiles.................................
Wood .................................
Iron.......................................
Nonferrous metals...............
Nonmetallic m inerals.........
Chemicals.............................
145.7
136.7
172.2
166.4
148. 1
103.6
192.4
169.8
157.0
134.9
171.8
162.0
145.5
101.6
191.9
166.9
161.5
133.0
166.6
162.4
144.5
96.7
191. 2
166.7
160.5
136. 5
165.1
162.6
143.1
95.9
191.2
166.1
161.4
131.1
172.8
165.1
145.3
97.0
186.7
166.4
155.8
130.5
175.4
164.3
147. 2
98.2
186.6
166.1
157.1
133.6
175.3
166. 0
147.5
99.3
187.7
166.8
148.4
133.2
173.5
166. 3
152.3
99.0
186.4
166.7
132.1
131.1
174.1
166.4
157. 4
99.8
191.5
166.4
130.9
133.0
175.6
171.0
155.7
100.0
190.1
165.9
137.2
139.6
182.8
171.0
155.2
99.4
188.0
166.2
138.1
143.4
183.9
174.1
154.3
98.8
187.7
166.5
Total index................ 149.8 151.5 151.3 151.4 151.7 150.5 151.8 149.5 145.4 145.9 149.6 150.9
A section of the report contains monthly and yearly prices of
individual commodities for 1913 and for 1919, 1920, and 1921.
Quarterly and yearly index numbers, or price ratios, with average
prices in 1913 expressed as 100 are also included for the same period.
In addition, the report contains prices and index numbers of a family
budget of staple foods, fuel and lighting, and rent in 60 cities in
Canada for the years from 1913 to 1921, monthly figures being given
for the more recent years. Prices and price indexes in other countries
are briefly reviewed, both wholesale and retail data being included.
Appendixes to the report contain a description of the method used in
computing the weighted index numbers; a list of commodities
arranged according to chief component material classification, with
weights assigned on basis of quantities marketed; a list of commodities
arranged according to purpose classification; a list of commodities
arranged according to origin classification, and a table showing
monthly average wholesale prices of commodities in 1918 that were
collected by the Department of Labor and that are now published
in order to make the official record complete from 1890.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[834]
W AGES A N D H O U R S O F LABOR.
Wages and Hours oi Labor in Foundries and Machine Shops, 1923.
VERAGE earnings per hour, average full-time hours per week,
and average full-time earnings per week in 1923 are here pre*
sentecl for employees in foundries and machine shops in the
United States.
The machine shops covered in this article are engaged in machining
parts for, and assembling or constructing, engines, saw-mill machin
ery, cotton-ginning machinery, textile machinery, drilling machinery
and pipe-line equipment, dredging and mining equipment, pumps,
water wheels and water-power machinery, structural steel, and general
machinery. The foundries included are mainly engaged in casting
parts for the same classes of machinery. In the majority of cases
the foundries and machine shops were in the same plant. The aver
ages shown were computed from individual hours and earnings of
32,166 foundry and 58,914 machine-shop employees, constituting
15.5 per cent of all wage earners in those closely related industries
in the United States.
The data were taken, by agents of the bureau, directly from the
pay rolls and other records of 351 representative foundries and of 429
representative machine shops embraced within 546 different plants,
located in Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illi
nois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Ten
nessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin, which States according
to the United States Census of Manufactures, 1919, contain 97 per
cent of the total number of wage earners in foundries and machine
shops combined.
The data summarized in the table following were drawn from a
representative payroll of each establishment covered. For approxi
mately 4 per cent of the establishments this pay-roll period was in
January, for 26 per cent in February, for 46 per cent in March, for 16
per cent in April, and for 8 per cent in May, 1923. The great mass
of the figures, therefore, are as of February and March, 1923.
It will be observed that the averages for “ all occupations” in the
table cover male employees in 351 foundries and females in 22
foundries, and cover males in 429 machine shops and females in
19 machine shops; that the average earnings per hour of males in all
occupations in foundries is 55.9 cents and of females 40.4 cents; that
the average earnings per hour of males in all occupations in machine
shops is 55.6 cents and of females 36.6 cents; that the average full
time hours per week of males in foundries is 52.4 and in machine
shops 50.8, and of females is approximately 49 in both industries,
and that the average full-time earnings per week of males in all occu
pations in foundries are $29.29 and in machine shops $28.24, and of
females in all occupations in foundries are $19.92 and in machine
shops, $17.97.
A
63745°—23-----5
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[835]
59
60
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Studying the several occupations it is seen that the average earn
ings per hour of males in all occupations in foundries range from 42.8
cents for laborers to 75.1 cents for patternmakers, and of males in all
occupations in machine shops range from 41.8 cents for laborers to
69.3 cents for toolmakers. For females in all occupations in foundries
the range is from 21.3 cents for “ other foundry employees” to 43.1
cents for coremakers, and of females in machine shops the range is
from 25 cents for milling machine hands and operators to 42.9 cents
for screw machine hands and operators.
Average earnings per hour for each occupation were computed by
dividing the total earnings of all employees in the occupation by the
total hours worked by all employees in the occupation. Likewise,
average full-time hours per week were found by dividing the total
full-time hours per week of all employees by the total number of
employees. Average full-time earnings per week were computed by
multiplying the average earnings per hour by the average full-time
hours per week.
The days of operation in the 12 months ending December 31, 1922,
of 350 of the 351 foundries covered in 1923 ranged from 50 to 312,
the average being 291 days. One establishment was closed during
all of 1922 on account of business depression with a consequent lack
of orders. The days of operation of 426 of the 429 machine shops
covered ranged from 50 to 312, the average being 300 days. One
machine shop was closed all of 1922 for lack of business, 1 shop began
business January 1, 1923, and 1 shop was in operation 325 days in
cluding 15 Sundays. The difference between the average days of
operation and a possible full-time of 313 days was due to the follow
ing conditions: For foundries, 98 establishments were closed by lack
of orders or business depression from 2 to 257 days; 15 foundries
were closed for inventory, the loss of time ranging from 1 to 6 days;
347 foundries were closed for holidays from 2 to 12 days; and 28
establishments were closed for other causes from 1 to 30 days. Like
wise 51 machine shops were closed by lack of orders or business
depression from 2 to 257 days; 28 machines shop were closed for
inventory from 1 to 7 days; 423 machine shops were closed for holi
days from 2 to 12 days; and 16 machine shops were closed for other
causes from 1 to 30 days.
More extended detail will appear in a forthcoming bulletin of the
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[830]
61
WAGES A1STD H O U RS OF LABOR.
AVERAGE FULL-TIME HOURS PER WEEK, EARNINGS PER HOUR, AND FULL-TIME
ANDNSEX S19PER w e e k i n f o u n d r i e s a n d m a c h in e s h o p s , b y o c c u p a t i o n s
Number Number Average
Average
of estab of em full-time Average full-time
earnings earnings
lish
hours
ments. ployees. per week per hour. per week.
Occupation and sex.
Foundries.
Chippers and rough grinders, male............................
Core makers, m ale.................
Core makers, female.....................
Crane operators, male......................
Cupola tenders, m ale................
Laborers, m ale.......................
Laborers, female...............................
Molders, hand, bench, male....................................
Holders, hand, floor, m ale..............................
Molders, machine, male......................
Holders’ helpers, floor, m ale.........................
Patternmakers, m ale..........................
Rough carpenters, male......................
Other foundry employees, male......................
Other foundry employees, female..........................
319
345
22
197
342
343
8
262
346
161
234
283
261
304
2
2,923
2,526
240
593
556
9,265
68
2,379
4,904
1,993
1,986
1,314
680
2,737
2
52.5
51.4
$0.465
.690
$24.41
35.47
53.5
52.4
53.5
49.4
51.3
51. 2
51.9
52.2
51.1
52.0
53.6
51.0
.522
.546
.428
.316
.687
.729
.678
.433
.751
.534
.503
.213
27. 93
28.61
22. 90
15.61
35. 24
37. 32
35.19
22.60
38. 38
27.77
26. 96
10.86
All occupations, male...............................................
All occupations, female...............................................
351
22
31.856
310
52.4
49.3
.559
.404
29. 29
19.92
Machine shops.
Assemblers, m ale.........................................................
Assemblers, female.....................................................
Blacksmiths, male.....................................................
Blacksmiths’ helpers, m ale...................................
Boring mill hands and operators, male........................
Crane operators, male..............................................
Drill press hands and operators, male.......................
Drill press hands and operators, female.......................
Fitters and bench hands, male..................................
Fitters and bench hands, female...................................
Grinding machine hands and operators, m ale............
Grinding machine hands and operators, female.........
Laborers, m ale..........................................
Laborers, female...........................................................
Lathe hands and operators, engine, male....................
Lathe hands and operators, engine, female.................
Lathe hands and operators, turret, m ale.....................
Lathe hands and operators, turret, female..................
Machinists, male.............................................................
Machinists’ and toolmakers’ helpers, male..................
Milling machine hands and operators, m ale...............
Milling machine hands and operators, female.............
Planer hands and operators, male................................
Other machine hands and operators, m ale.................
Other machine hands and operators, female...............
Screw machine hands and operators, m ale.................
Screw machine hands and operators, female...............
Toolmakers, male............................................................
Other skilled machine shop occupations, m ale...........
Other skilled machine shop occupations, female........
Other machine shop employees, inale..........................
Other machine shop employees, female.......................
310
6
345
282
271
167
350
5
271
4
221
2
375
5
347
1
251
1
331
251
268
1
272
289
6
177
1
274
356
3
386
8
5,681
54
797
945
1,455
525
3,634
33
4,721
60
1,255
2
8,355
30
4,421
1
2,147
2
2,952
1,616
1,938
4
1,339
2,670
76
1,047
8
1,661
5,314
21
6,033
117
50.6
50. 2
50.8
50.8
50.8
51.1
50.8
49.5
49.9
49.0
50.5
52.0
51.1
48.2
50.9
50.0
50.5
50.0
50.0
50.4
50.0
50.0
50.6
50.5
48.2
50.6
48.0
50.4
50.9
53.0
51.9
48.7
.577
. 350
.678
.489
.660
.501
.488
.410
.420
.586
.310
. 418
.323
.633
.350
.610
.389
.683
.464
.605
.250
.663
. 556
.422
.564
.429
.693
.618
.271
.459
.325
29. 20
17. 57
34. 44
24. 84
33.53
25.60
24.79
20.30
30.74
20.58
29.59
16.12
21.35
15. 57
32. 22
17.50
30. 81
19.45
34.15
23.39
30. 25
12. 50
33.55
28.08
20.34
28. 54
20.59
34.93
31. 46
14.36
23.82
15.83
All occupations, male.....................................................
All occupations, female..................................................
429
19
58,506
408
50.8
49.1
.556
.366
28. 24
17. 97
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[837]
62
MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW,
Schedule of Wages for Civil Employees Under the Naval Establish
ment.
HE Navy Department under date of July 16,1923, issued a revised
schedule of wages covering all civilians employed in the Naval
Establishment and Marine Corps within the continental limits
of the United States and at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the schedule toremain in force until December 31, 1923.
The following tables give the rates of pay for certain occupations
in the clothing workers’ service and in the laborer, helper, and
mechanical service, at specified stations:
T
RATES OF PAY l P E R HOUR OF CLOTHING W ORKERS AT SPEC IFIED STATIONS.
Navy Supply Depot, South Brooklyn, N. Y.
Rate per
hour.
Occupation.
Assistant- custom putter
.............................................
"Baster . .
Bnshplman
Canvas makfir
Ch oppp/r
Cloth sponger
Clothing ftYamiriftr......................................
Coa t in ftlrpr
...............................
Coat operator
Collar mftlcp.r
........................
Custom onttor
Ci 1tter-m Rohin p. operator
Cutter iynd marlcpr
Dip-maphinp opp.rfl.tor
$0. 85
.8 5
.8 0
.6 5
.7 5
.7 5
.7 5
.9 0
1.00
.9 0
1.25
.9 0
.8 5
.7 5
Rate per
hour.
Occupation.
Double-needle operator.............................
Dress-coat m aker.......................................
Finish presser.............................................
Finisher.... .................................................
F itter...........................................................
General tailor.............................................
Head custom cutter...................................
Head buttonhole m aker............................
Pocket m aker.............................................
Trimmer......................................................
Trouser m aker............................................
Trouser operator........................................
Underpresser..............................................
Vest m aker.................................................
$0. 70
.9 5
.9 5
.5 5
.8 5
.8 5
1.35
.8 0
1.00
.6 0
.8 0
.9 0
.S O
.7 5
Depot of Supplies, United. States Marine Corps, Philadelphia, Pa.
C u stom p u tter
C oat fitter
Ci it tor............
......................................
Ciitf.PT and m arfcor
D osi gnor om hr oi rl oross
E m hr oi d oross
$1.08
.81
.72
.59
.53
.35
Examiner (female)....................................
Inspectress..................................................
Operator (female)......................................
Sponger.......................................................
Tailor, first class........................................
Tailor J second class....................................
$0.35
.41
.44
.43
.73
.5 4
1 Rates of pay given are the maximum. Intermediate rate is 5 cents per hour less than maximum and
minimum rate is 5 cents per hour less than intermediate.
RATES OF PAY ! P E R HO U R OF EM PLOYEES IN THE LABORER, H E L P E R , AND
MECHANICAL SERVICE, AT SPEC IFIED STATIONS.
Occupation.
Wash Nor Charles New Mare Puget Great
Bos New Phila
Or Island. Sound. Lakes.
ing
del
ton. leans.
ton. York. phia.
ton. folk.
Group I.
Form lifter (P. S .)................ $0.56
.50
Janitor....................................
.52
Laborer, common.................
$0. 56
.50
.52
$0.54
.48
.50
$0.54
.48
.50
$0.48
.38
.40
$0.48
.31
.31
$0.48
.32
.34
$0.57
.50
.52
$0.57
.50
.52
$0. 56
.50
.52
.48
.48
.48
.56
.56
.56
Group II.
.54
.54
Coxswain...............................
.56
.56
Hammer runner:
.62
.62
.64
.64
H eavy.............................
.57
.59
.57
.59
O thers.............................
1 Rates of pay given are the maximum. Intermediate rate
minimum rate is 5 cents per hour less than intermediate.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[838]
.64
.64
.64
.56
.56
.56
. 59
.59
.59
.51
.51
.51
is 5 cents per hour less than maximum, and
63
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR.
RATES OF PAY P E R HOUR OF EM PLOYEES IN T H E LABORER, H E L P E R
MECHANICAL SERVICE, AT SPEC IFIED STATIONS—Continued.
Occupation.
AND
a Wash Nor Charles New
Bos New Phil
Mare Puget Great
deling
Or Island
ton. York. phia.
ton. leans.
Sound. Lakes.
ton. folk.
Group / / —Concluded.
Helper:
Blacksmith’s 2—
Heavy fires.............. $0.61
Other fires................
. 56
Boiler m aker’s ................
. 56
Forger’s, heavy..............
.61
General...........................
.56
Machinist’s .....................
.56
Molder’s ..........................
.56
Pipe fitter’s ....................
.56
Sheet-metal worker’s__
.56
Ship fitter’s ....................
.56
Woodworker’s ................
.56
Hod carrier............................
.61
Holder-on...............................
.56
Laborer, classified.................
.52
Oiler......................................
.70
Press feeder, folder, stitcher,
etc. (P. S.)..........................
.56
Rivet heater..........................
.52
Sand blaster...........................
.66
Stevedore...............................
.58
Teamster................................
.54
$0.61 $0. 59 $0. 59 $0. 53
.56
.54
.54
.48
.54
.56
.54
.48
.59
.61
.59
.53
.56
.54
54
.48
.54
.56
.54
.48
.56
.54
.54
.48
. 56
.54
.54
.48
.56
.54
.54
.48
.56
.54
.54
.48
.56
.54
.54
.48
.61
.59
.53
.59
.56
.56
.53
.53
.52
50
.50
.40
.73
.68
.68
.66
.56
.52
.66
.62
.60
.54
.50
.64
.56
.52
.54
.50
.64
.56
.52
.48
.40
.58
.46
.45
$0.53
.48
.48
.53
.48
.48
.48
.48
.48
.48
.48
.53
.53
.31
.66
$0. 53
.48
.48
.53
.48
.48
.48
.48
.48
.48
.48
.53
.53
.34
.65
$0.62
.57
.57
.62
.57
.57
.57
.57
.57
.57
.57
.61
.60
.52
.76
$0.62
.57
.57
.62
.57
.57
.57
.57
.57
57
.57
.61
.60
.52
.76
$0.61
.56
.56
.61
.56
.56
.56
.56
.56
.56
.56
.61
.60
.52
.71
.48
.31
.58
.47
.45
.48
.34
.58
.47
.45
.57
.52
.66
.58
.60
.57
.52
.66
.58
.60
.56
.52
.66
.58
.60
Group III.
Aircraft machinist:
General............................
.82
.85
.80
.80
.78
.78
.77
.88
.88
.83
Motor...............................
.82
.85
.80
.80
.78
.78
.77
.88
.88
.83
Angle smith:
Heavy fires.....................
.92
.95
.90
.90
.88
.88
.87
.98
.98
.93
( >ther fires.......................
.82
.80
.85
.80
.78
.78
.77
.88
.88
.83
Blacksmith: 8
Heavy fires.....................
.92
.95
.90
.90
.88
.88
.87
.98
.98
.93
Other fires.......................
.82
.85
.80
.80
.78
.78
.77
.88
.88
.83
Boiler maker..........................
.82
.85
.80
.80
.78
.78
.77
.88
.88
.83
Bookbinder ( P .S .) ...............
.82
.85
.80
.80
.78
.78
.77
.88
.88
.83
Buffer and polisher...............
.77
.80
.75
.75
.73
.73
.72
.83
.83
.78
Canvas worker......................
.70
.70
.70
.70
.70
.70
.70
.70
.70
.70
Calker, wood..........................
.77
.80
.75
.75
.73
.73
.72
.83
.83
.78
Calker and chipper, iron........
.82
.85
.80
.80
.78
.78
.77
.88
.88
.83
Cement worker......................
.60
.60
. 58
.58
.48
.39
.42
.58
.58
Cement finisher.....................
.87
.90
.85
.85
.83
.83
.82
.93
.93
.88
Cooper....................................
.72
.75
.70
.70
.68
.68
.67
.78
.78
.73
Coppersmith.........................
.87
.90
.85
.85
.83
.82
.83
.93
.93
.88
Craneman, electric (under 40
tons)4...................................
.72
.75
.70
.70
.75
.68
.67
.78
.78
.73
Cupola tender........................
.77
.80
.75
.75
.73
.73
.82
.83
.83
.78
Die sinker...............................
.92
.95
.90
.90
.88
.88
.87
.98
.98
.93
Diver...................................... 1.86
1.86
1.86
1.86
1.86
1.86
1.86
1.86
1.86
1.86
Driller:
Pneum atic.......................
.67
.70
.65
.65
.63
.63
.62
.73
.73
.68
Press................................
.62
.65
.60
.60
.58
.58
.57
.68
.68
.63
Electrician.............................
.82
.85
.80
.80
.78
.78
.77
.88
.88
.83
Electroplater..........................
.82
.85
.80
.80
.78
.78
.77
.88
.88
.83
Engineman5..........................
.82
.85
.80
.80
.78
.78
.77
.88
.88
.83
Locomotive.....................
.82
.85
.80
.80
.78
.78
.77
.88
.88
.83
Donkeys and winches. . .
.82
.85
.80
.80
.78
.78
.77
.88
.88
.83
Pile driver.......................
.82
.85
.80
.80
.78
.78
.77
.88
.88
.83
Steam shovel...................
.97
1.00
.95
.95
.93
.92
.93
1.03
1.03
.98
2 Helpers, blacksmith’s, working with blacksmiths on the classes of heavy forging work stated in the
note to “ blacksmiths” shall receive the corresponding pay for helpers, blacksmith’s, heavy fires, or
helpers, heavy forger’s.
3 For each day during any portion of which blacksmiths are engaged upon forging material 4 inches square
or more and less than 6 inches square, they shall be paid the blacksmith, heavy fires, rate of pay. For each
day during any portion of which they are engaged upon forging material 6 inches square or larger, they shall
be paid the heavy forger rate of pay.
4 Cranemen, electric, when operating cranes of 40 tons’ capacity or more shall receive additional allowance
per hour as follows:
40 tons and over, handling cold m etal............................................................................................$0.15
40 tons and over, handling hot m etal................................................................................................... 1 5
Hammerhead cranes of building slips, any capacity.........................................................................05
Cantilever cranes of building slipSj any capacity................................................................................ 05
Electrically operated floating derricks, under 75 tons capacity..................................... ................. 10
Electrically operated floating derricks, 75 tons and over................................................................... 15
6 Enginemen, when operating floating derricks of 75 tons and over shall receive additional" allowance of 5
cents per hour. This note does not apply to Norfolk Navy Yard.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[889]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
64
R A T FS OF PAY P E R HOUR OF EM PLO Y EE S IN T H E L A BO RER, H E L P E R , AND
R A IL S 01 ^ e CHANICAL SERVICE, AT S P E C IF IE D STATIONS—Concluded.
Occupation.
Phila- \
Bos New
mgdelton. York. phia. ton.
f
New |
Nor Charles Or- LMare Puget i Great
ton. leans. slaad. Sound. .jakes.
folk.
Group III—Concluded.
$0.76 ! $0.71
$0.66 $0.65 $0.76
50.66
Firem an................................. $0.70 $0.73 $0.68
.83
.93
.93
.82
83
.83
.85
.90
.87
Flange tu rn er........................
Forger:
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.78
.80
.85
.82
Drop...............................
1.33
1.38
1.38
1.27
1.28
1.28
1.30
1.30
1.35
1.32
H eavy.............................
.61
.61
.61
.53
.53
.53
.59
.59
.61
.61
Foundry chipper..................
.88
.93
.93
.82
.83
.83
.85
.85
.90
.87
Frame bender......................
Furnace man:
.63
.68
.68
.57
.58
.58
.60
.60
.65
.62
Angle work.....................
.63
.68
.68
.57
.58
.58
.60
.60
.65
.62
F oundry........................ .
.63
.68
.68
.57
.58
i
.58
.60
.60
.65
.62
H eater............................
.73
.78
.78
.67
.68
.68
.70
.70
.75
.72
Heavy forge, h eater---.63
.68
.68
.57
.58
.58
.60
.60
.65
.62
Other forge.....................
.63
.68
.68
.57
.58
.58
.60
.60
.65
.62
Open-hearth, heater—
.63
.68
.68
. 57
.58
.58
.60
.60
.65
.62
Galvanizer............................
.73
.78
.78
.67
.68
.68
.70
.70
.75
.72
Instrum ent assembler.........
.88
.93
.93
.82
.83
.85
.83
.85
.90
.87
Instrum ent m aker...............
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.78
.80
.80
.85
.82
Job compositor (P. S .)........
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.78
.80
.SO
. 85
.82
.83
.88
.88
.78
.77
.78
.80
.80
.85
.82
Joiner....................................
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.78
.80
.80
.85
.82
Joiner, ship...........................
.63
.68
.68
.57
.58
.58
.60
.60
. 65
.62
Ladleman, foundry.............
.73
.78
.78
.67
.68
.70
.68
.70
.75
.72
Leather worker....................
1.03
1.08
1.08
.97
.98
.98
1.00 1.00
1.02
1.00
Lead b urner........................
.88
.93
.93
.82
.83
.85
.83
.85
.90
.87
Letterer and grainer............
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.80
.78
.80
.85
.82
Leverman.............................
.68
.73
.73
.62
.63
.65
.63
.65
.70
.67
Lineman...............................
Linotype and monotype
.83
.88
.88
.78
.77
.78
.80
.80
.82
.85
operator.............................
.88
.93
.93
.82
.83
.85
.83
. 85
.90
.87
Loftsm an..............................
.83
.88
.88
.78
.77
.78
.80
.80
.85
.82
M achinist.............................
.88
.93
.93
.82
.83
.85
.83
.85
.90
.87
Machinist operator (P. S.)..
1.12
1.15
1.15
1.12
1.12
1.12
1.12
1.12
1.12
Mason, brick or stone......... . 1.12
.78
.83
.83
.72
.73
.73
.75
.
75
. /7
.80
Melter....................................
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.05
Electric.......................... . 1.05
1.01
1.01
1.01
1.01
1.01
1.01
1.01
1.01
1.01
Open h earth .................. . 1.01
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.S O
.78
.80
.85
.
.82
Millman......................
.93
.98
.98
.87
.88
.90
.88
.90
.92
.95
Model maker, w ood..
.88
.
.93
.93
.82
.83
.85
.83
.85
.90
.
.87
M older........................
.73
.83
.78
.67
.68
.68
.70
.70
.72
.75
Ordnance m an ...........
.68
.73
.73
.62
.63
.65
.63
.65
.70
. 67
Packer........................
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.78
.80
.82
.85
P ain ter.......................
.93
.98
.98
.87
.88
.88
.92
.95
.90
Patternm aker............
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.78
.82
.80
.85
Pipe coverer and insulator..
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.78
.85
.80
.82
Pipe fitter.....................
1.12
1.15
1.12
1.15
1.12
1.12
1.12
1.12
. 1.12
Plasterer..... .................
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.78
.80
.82
.85
Plum ber........................
.73
.78
.78
.67
.68
.68
.70
.72
. iO
Pressman (P. S.)..........
.63
.68
.68
.57
.58
.
58
.60
.62
.65
Puncher and sh earer...
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.78
.80
.82
.85
Pyrometer m an ............
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.78
.80
.85
.
.82
Rigger............................
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
• .78
.85
.80
.
.82
R iveter..........................
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
R odm an........................
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.78
.80
.82
. 85
Sailmaker.......................
.88
.93
.93
.82
.83
.83
. 85
. 95
.87
Saw filer........................
.53
.53
.53
.41
.41
.41
.51
.53
.53
Sewer.............................
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.78
.85
.80
.
.82
Sheet-metal worker___
.83
.88
.88
,77
.78
.78
.80
.85
.
.82
Shipfitter.......................
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.78
.85
.80
.82
Shipwright.....................
.83
.88
.77
.88
.78
.78
.85
.80
.82
Steel worker, structural
.98
1.03
.92
1.03
.93
.93
.95
1.00
.97
Stonecutter................ .
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.78
.80
.82
.85
Temperer.......................
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.78
.80
.82
.
85
Tile and plate setter—
.88
.93
.93
.82
.83
.83
.85
.90
.87
Toolmaker.....................
.62
.62
.62
.44
.41
.50
.62
.60
.62
Trackman......................
.73
.78
.78
.67
.68
.68
.72
.75
.70
W ater tender.................
Welder:
.83
.93
.82
.93
.83
.83
.85
.87
.90
Electric...................
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.78
.85
.80
.82
Gas..........................
.83
.88
.88
.77
.78
.78
.80
.82
.85
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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WAGES AUD HOURS OF LABOR.
65
Hours oi Work in Buenos Aires.1
HE statistical division of the National Department of Labor of
Argentina conducted a special investigation to ascertain the
average length of the working-day in the Federal capital
during the year 1922. The outcome of this investigation showed
that 8 hours and 2 minutes constituted the average working-day for
64,144 individuals working in different factories and workshops. Of
the 64,144 persons included in this average, 112 worked six hours;
1,249, seven hours; 59,525, eight hours; 277, eight and one-half
hours; 2,166, nine hours; 20, nine and one-half hours; and 795, ten
hours.
T
English Factory Flours and the Two-Shift System for Women.
HE annual report of the chief inspector of factories and work
shops in England for the year 1922 calls attention to the change
which has taken place in hours of employment within the past
10 years. Before the war a 60-hour week and a 10 or 10J hour day
were customary, and in some industries these hours were extended
by 30 to 60 nights of overtime during the year. Violations of the
factory acts were common, and it was a frequent occurrence for
illegal overtime to be worked. “ Work was taken home by employees
to be done after hours, and statutory mealtimes were curtailed.”
During the war, previous legislation as to hours was largely sus
pended, with the result that there was at first an effort to establish
long hours and night and Sunday work without regard to the breaks
and rests that had formerly been considered necessary. This soon
proved to be uneconomic, as regards production, and a serious at
tempt was made to find out what hours were most effective, and how
these could be most effectively arranged. Experiments were tried
as to different schedules of hours, and the value of breaks and rest
spells at different times of day and for different periods. These
experiments, according to the report, have borne fruit in a general
reduction of hours of work.
T
The reports from the inspectors show that without resorting to legislation the hours
of work have been generally reduced to a total varying from 44 to 48 hours per week,
and that overtime is rare, and a five-day week and a one-break day are common.
Trade depression may account for this reduction to a certain extent, but not altogether.
Few workers would now be willing to work longer hours, and some occupiers say
that output in the reduced period is almost, if not quite, up to that of the longer
period, while others hold that it would not be worth their while to pay the overtime
rates fixed for their industries.
Some space is also given in the report to tlie working of the twoshift system for women in factories. This system was rendered pos
sible by an act passed in December, 1920, which extended the time
during which women might be employed from 8 p. m. to 10 p. m.,
thereby rendering it feasible to employ two 8-hour shifts of women,
instead of one 10-hour shift, within the limits of the legal day. This
extension of time was looked upon as a dubious experiment, and the
period during which it was to be permitted expires in 1925. (For an
account of the opposition to the act, and the arguments for and
1 Argentina. Boletin del Museo Social Argentino, Buenos Aires, March, 1923, p. 34.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[841]
66
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
against, see the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w , April, 1921, pp. 92-95.)
The results of the experiment, the chief inspector feels, are not
decisive.
The unsatisfactory position of employment in general and employment of women
in particular—for nearly all women’s trades have been profoundly affected by the
prolonged “ slump”—has inevitably hampered observation of the working of the twoshift system. For such observation to warrant decisive conclusions it must have
been applied to a fairly wide range of cases under normal conditions of the labor mar
ket; in fact, the cases have been few as the inevitable result of conditions altogether
abnormal. * * * The experiment which these orders represent is still in an
inconclusive stage; circumstances have hitherto not allowed of its submission to any
thorough and searching test.
At the end of 1922 there were in force 235 orders permitting the
use of the two-shift system, of which about half represented the
actual employment at that time of the system. Of the others, many
had been taken out for temporary emergencies, and, the emergency
over, the plan had been discontinued. It is rather unusual for the
system to be applied throughout a whole factory; more commonly,
it is introduced into single departments which have not been able to
keep up with the production of other departments with which they
are correlated. In some sections of the country, however, it is used
continuously throughout large plants.
The attitude of employers toward the system differs considerably,
and is apparently much affected by the extent to which it is in use.
When it is applied to only one department, or to only a small propor
tion of the workers, many employers feel that it does not pay; also
the attitude of the managers has an important bearing upon its
success.
In factories where full use has been made of the order over some length of time, and
the majority of the workers are employed on two shifts, the opinion of the management
isfavorabletothesystem,asincreasingoutputandloweringoverhead charges. * * *
“ The advantages a,nd disadvantages of this system depend largely on the organizing
capacity of the occupier or manager, and on his personal feelings in the matter. To run
two shifts successfully good organization is essential and careful supervision.”
Among the workers there are similar differences of opinion, but the
objection to it is modified by the fact that it affords employment for
more women and girls than does a one-shift system, and in the present
lack of employment this offsets many drawbacks. In general, those
who have been working under it longest are most inclined to approve
of it. The main objection brought against it is the loss of wages
involved in the shorter working hours. Apart from this, the distance
from the workers’ homes to the factory seems to be the main factor
in deciding their attitude. “ Those in its favor are almost always
found to live close to the factory.”
New Schedule of Hours in British Building Trades.
HE M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w for June, 1923 (pp. 47-51), con
tained an account of the disagreement of the organizations of
employers and workers in the British building industry over a
proposed cut in wages and increase of hours, in which a stoppage was
averted at the last moment, and arbitration accepted. The award
concerning wages was given in the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w for
August (p. 159). The proposed lengthening of the working week
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[842]
WAGES A1STD HOUES OF GABOR.
67
was fought by the workers much more bitterly than the reduction in
wages. At the time of the disagreement the hours were 44 per week,
except in December and January, when they were 41J. The employ
ers' proposition was that for eight months the working week should
consist of 47 hours, for two months of 44, and for two months of 41$.
A vote of the men on these terms, modified only by the substitution of
46-! for 47 hours, showed 118,600 votes against and only 11,600 votes
in favor of acceptance. The question was finally left to the arbitra
tion of Sir Hugh Fraser, whose decision is given in the Manchester
Guardian of August 21, 1923. In the main, it is a compromise, the
principal ruling being as follows:
Chat the present rule whereby 41J hours per week are worked during December and
January be rescinded and that the working time of 44 hours per week shall proceed
throughout the year, except during the period of summer time as determined by statute
(approximately 21 weeks; for example, for 1923, on and from April 23 to September 17),
when the working time shall be extended to 46J hours per week by adding half an hour
to each of the first five working-days of the week.
As summer time would end so soon after the giving of the award, it
was provided that no change in the working hours should be made until
it expired, when the 44-hour week, in effect at the time of the award,
would become the standard set by this decision. A proviso is made
that in works in which artificial light can not be reasonably supplied,
at the request of the majority of operatives the week may be short
ened, during December and January, to 41! hours, “ such shortened
working hours thus becoming an occasional exception, and not a
general rule as at present." Another important section allows regional
agreements varying the terms of the award: “ Nothing in this award
shall prevent employers and operatives in any town or area from
maintaining by mutual consent the 44-hour week throughout the
year."
The representatives of both employers and workers have accepted
the award and recommended to their respective bodies that it be lovally followed.
Wages in Specified Occupations in Norway, September, 1921, and
November, 1922.1
HE following table is compiled from the annual report on wages
in Norway, issued by the Norwegian Central Statistical Bureau.
W ages for some of the cities are b ased on reports from the employ
ment agencies. The wages do not include piecework, so that in those
trades in which piecework is important the actual wage is not shown.
1Norway. Statistiske Centralbyrâ. L0nninger, 1922. Christiania, 1923.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[843]
68
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW.
AVERAGE WAGES (NOT INCLUDING PIECEW ORK) FOR 40 CITIES OF NORWAY,
SEPTEM BER, 1921, AND NOVEMBER, 1922.
[Krone at par=26.8 cents.]
Wages per hour.
Occupation.
November,
1922.
September,
1921.
2.08
2.13
2.04
Kroner.
1.61
1.70
1.56
1.63
1.55
Kroner.
98.85
105.70
99.73
102.15
97.94
114.41
95.49
95.61
87.88
55.20
50.88
251.06
260.30
267.77
87.92
247.62
256.75
263.67
87.00
September,
1921.
Kroner.
2.11
2.20
C a r p e n t e r s a n d j o i n e r s ..........................................................................
M a s o n s .......................................................................................................................
Hod m en ................................................................
Painters..................................................................
P f i r r i e n t m ol d e r s . e t c ................................................................................
B a k e r s 1 ......................................................................................................................
Shoemakers............................................................
Tailors.....................................................................
Drivers....................................................................
R e a m s t r e s s e s .......
..........................................................
B a n n d r y w o r k e r s , f e m a l e .................................................................
Maid servants:
17 to IQ y e a r s
20 to 24 y e a r s
25 t o 54 y e a r s
C h a rw o m e n an d
o
o
o
w
f
f
f
a
ag e ..
a g e .......................................................................
a g e ____
s h e r w o m e n ...............................................
Wages per week.
November,
1922.
Kroner.
77.35
81.44
74.65
78.47
74.14
86.27
77.71
82.70
69.37
39.13
43.65
1 At most places bakers receive free working clothes, or about 15 kroner (14.02, par) per month for clothes.
2 Per month.
8 Per day.
Wages in Poland, 1923.1
D
URING the period from January to May, 1923, the cost of living
index (January 1, 1914) for a workman’s family of four per
sons in Warsaw, Poland, has risen from 3,527 to 9,467, or
168 per cent. During the same period the daily wage rates of skilled
metal workers, as fixed in collective agreements without considera
tion of possible excess earnings of pieceworkers, have risen to 29,516
marks,2 or to 6,361 times the pre-war (January, 1914) rate, and those
of skilled building trades workers to 50,912, or 9,791 times the pre
war rate. In the printing trades, compositors received in May, 1923,
a weekly wage of 450,600 marks (15,722 times the pre-war rate), and
unskilled workers one of 225,300 marks (18,082 times the pre-war
rate). The daily wage of unskilled metal workers in May, 1923, was
21,337 marks (8,965 times the pre-war rate), and that of unskilled
building trades workers 40,840 marks (18,907 times the pre-war rate).
The development of wage rates of skilled and unskilled metal
workers and building trades workers in Warsaw during 1922 and 1923
is shown in the table following. For purposes of comparison, the
1914 wage is also shown.
1Germany. Statistischen Reichsamt, Wirtschaft und Statistik, Berlin, July, 1923, p. 446.
2Polish mark=23.8 cents, par. On May 26,1923, however, the exchange rate was 1,191,150 Polish marks
for $1.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[844]
6
WAGES AXD H OURS OF LABOR.
DAILY WAGE RATES FIX E D BY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS FOR METAL AND BUTT-D
ING TRADES W ORKERS IN WARSAW IN JANUARY, 1914, AND IN SPEC IFIED MONTHS
IN 1922 AND 1923.
v, xx
[Polish mark at par=23.8 cents.]
Metal workers.
Building trades workers.
Period.
Skilled.
1914: January.................................
1922:
March.......................................
October....................................
1923:
January....................................
February..................................
March.......................................
April.........................................
May...........................................
Unskilled.
Marks. Index.
1
4.64
Marks. Index.
2.38
1
Skilled.
Unskilled.
Marks. Index.
1
5.20
Marks. Index.
2.16
1
2,022
4,604
436
992
1,642
3,416
690
1,435
2,316
6,880
445
1,323
1,880
5,264
870
2,437
10,064
14,344
21,082
28,107
29,516
2,169
3,091
4,544
6,058
6,361
7,464
10,368
15,240
20,320
21,337
3,136
4,356
6,403
8,538
8,965
14,088
21,504
34,792
46,448
50,912
2,709
4,135
6,691
8,932
9,791
11,296
17,248
27,904
37,256
40,840
5,230
7,985
12,919
17,248
18,907
The money wage rates given above have very little meaning for
persons not living in Poland. An attempt has therefore been made
to convert the money wages into real wages as measured by purchasing power. This has been done by multiplying the money wage
index by 100 and dividing the product by the cost of living index
for the corresponding month. The result of this operation gives the
real wage index. The real wage rate for each month has then been
ascertained by multiplying the pre-war wage rate by the real wage
index of the month in question and dividing the product by 100. In
the following table are shown the real wage rates in Warsaw for various
trades in March, April, and May, 1923:
REAL DAILY WAGE RATES OF METAL AND BUILDING TRADES W O R K ER S
PR IN T E R S IN WARSAW, MARCH, A PR IL, AND MAY, 1923.
AND
[Polish mark at par=23.8 cents.]
March, 1923.
Occupation.
Metal workers, skilled.............................................
Metal workers, unskilled........................................
Building trade’s workers, skilled............................
Building trades workers, unskilled.......................
Compositors............................................................
Unskilled workers in printing establishments__
April, 1923.
May, 1923.
Index
Index
Index
num
num
num
ber.
ber.
ber.
Amount. (Janu Am ount. (Janu Amount. (Janu
ary,
ary,
ary,
1914=
1914=
1914=
100).
100).
100).
Marks.
2.77
2.00
4.57
3.66
i 40.40
i 20.20
60
84
88
169
142
163
Marks.
3.37
2.43
5.56
4.46
i 49.21
124.61
73
102
107
206
172
198
Marks.
3.12
2.25
5.38
4.31
i 47.60
i 23.80
67
95
103
200
166
191
1 Weekly rates.
From the figures given it will be seen that the real wages covered
by the table have been higher in May, 1923, than in pre-war times,
with the exception of metal workers, whose money wage rates shown
in the first table are minimum guaranteed time rates and do not take
into consideration excess earnings through piecework. In the case
of unskilled workers in printing establishments and unskilled workers
in the building trades their real wage for May, 1923, was about
twice as high as their pre-war wage.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[845]
W OM AN A N D CH ILD LA BO R.
Hours, Wages, and Working Conditions for Women in Kentucky.
HE Women’s Bureau of the Department of Labor has recently
issued its Bulletin No. 29, giving a report on the hours, wages,
and working conditions of women employed in Kentucky
industries. The study on which it is based was undertaken in the
fall of 1921 at the request of the governor of the State and of the
Kentucky Federation of Women’s Clubs. The survey, made during
October and November of 1921, dealt with 151 establishments, includ
ing factories manufacturing various kinds of articles, general mercan
tile establishments, 5-and-10-cent stores, laundries, and telephone
exchanges, situated in 17 towns and cities. Omitting girls under 16,
of whom only 66 were found, it covered 10,101 women, of whom 78
per cent were found in manufacturing industries, 8.6 per cent in gen
eral mercantile establishments, 2.3 per cent in 5-and-10-cent stores,
5.2 per cent in laundries, and 5.9 per cent in telephone work. Of the
total group of women, 12.6 per cent—1,280—were colored. The
industrial distribution differed according to race. Among both white
and colored, the largest proportion was found in manufacturing, and
for both races tobacco factories employed the largest groups, 21.2 per
cent of the white women and 87.7 per cent of the colored being thus
employed. But while the white women were numerously employed
in other manufacturing industries, their numbers running from 82
in furniture manufacture to 1,422 in the making of clothing, the col
ored women in manufacturing industries were scattered in small
groups generally from one to eight in an industry, the only exception
being found in the preparation of foods, which employed 30. Next
to manufacturing, general mercantile establishments employed the
largest number of white women, 855, after which came telephone
exchanges with 591, laundries with 441, and 5-and-10-cent stores with
226. Among the colored women, laundries employed 81, while no
other industry employed more than 11.
Practically all of the workers were native-born Americans, only
1.1 per cent of the 5,580 who reported as to their nativity being of
foreign birth. The majority were young, 51.7 per cent being under
25. There is a difference in this respect between the races, 60.6 per
cent of the colored against 35.7 per cent of the white women being
30 or over. This difference is explained on the grounds that there
is a strong demand for young colored women in domestic and personal
service, and that in the two industries in which colored women are
employed at all numerously (laundries and the preparation of tobacco)
there is a distinct tendency to take older women. Three-fifths of
the white women and nearly three-tenths of the colored were single.
Only 10.1 per cent of the white and 13.2 per cent of the colored
women were living independently, all the rest being at home.
In taking up the conditions under which the women worked, atten
tion is called to the fact that although 1921 was a year of abnormal
depression, the time and method of making the survey renders it
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70
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[846]
71
WOMAN AND CHILD LABOR.
probable that the results obtained are fairly representative. By
October and November, in which months the pay-roll figures were
taken, a number of plants were again operating on full time, and for
each of the plants a week was selected “ in which the women worked
full time, without a holiday, and which was regarded by the manage
ment as fairly normal.”
The Kentucky law permits for women a 10-hour day and a 60-hour
week, and has no prohibition of night work, nor does it insist on one
day’s rest in seven. Of 9,469 women for whom the scheduled daily
hours were obtained, the largest group, 29.1 per cent, worked 9 hours
and the next largest, 26.4 per cent, had a 10-hour day; 15.7 per cent
had a day of 9 but under 10 hours; practically the same per cent had
a day of 8 hours or less; and 13.4 per cent worked 8 hours but under 9.
In other words, practically seven-tenths of the women had a day of
9 hours or over. The manufacture of tobacco accounts for the largest
number of those with a schedule day of 10 hours; next to it come the
manufacture of cotton and woolen goods, and the preparation of
food, these three industries employing 63.9 per cent of all having such
a day.
In the cotton and woolen manufacturing establishments the
10-hour day was universal, while in the manufacture of food, paper
boxes, furniture, wooden boxes, and candy, from 51.8 per cent to
70.7 per cent of the women employed had a 10-hour day. Mercantile
establishments and 5-and-lO-cent stores made the best showing in
regard to hours, 78.5 per cent and 78.4 per cent, respectively, of the
women employed by them having a scheduled day of 8 hours; 29.2
per cent of those engaged in clothing manufacturing and 22.6 per
cent of those in miscellaneous manufacturing also had an 8-hour
day, but in no other industry except in that of food manufacturing
did as many as 10 per cent have such favorable hours. In the ex
cepted industry one establishment with 41 women (10.7 per cent of
all studied in this industry) had a day of less than 8 hours.
Turning to the scheduled weekly hours, the proportion of the 9,330
women reporting found in each group was as follows:
Under 48 hours....................................................................................
48 hours................................................................................................
48 and under 54 hours.........................................................................
54 hours...............................................................................................
54 and under 60 hours.........................................................................
60 hours..... .........................................................................................
10. 6
11. 3
46. 7
2.5
26. 2
2. 7
From this it appears that not much over one-fifth of the group
had a week falling within the 48 hours which has been taken as the
desirable maximum, while about three-tenths had a week of 54 hours
or over.
Comparing the different industries with respect to their record
as to hours, the report reaches the following conclusions :
On the whole, when both daily and weekly hours are taken into account, general
mercantile establishments and clothing and miscellaneous manufacturing have the
best records. Five-and-10-cent stores make an admirable showing in the matter of
the 8-hour day, but because of long Saturday hours fall noticeably below the standard
for weekly hours. Also, although printing and publishing establishments had 100
per cent of the women scheduled for a 48-hour week, they still adhered to the 9-hour
day. Metal shops occupied a middle ground, for although the 8-hour day was not
found in any of them, neither was there a weekly schedule of more than 54 hours.
As a contrast to these industries were those with unnecessarily long hours. Cotton
and woolen goods, paper and wooden boxes, candy, food, and furniture manufacturing,
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW .
in each case with more than one-half of the women working 10 hours a day and over
54 hours a week, fall most conspicuously below the standard. Cigar manufacturing,
with one-third of its women employees scheduled for a 10-hour day and over threefourths scheduled for more than a 54-hour week, is in almost the same category.
A study of the pay rolls showed that, for the week taken, of 7,426
white women, 41.8 per cent earned under $10, 38.2 per cent earned
$10 but under $15, 13.8 per cent earned $15 but under $20, and 6.2
per cent earned $20 or over. Of 1,253 colored women, 69.7 per
cent earned under $10, 27.7 per cent earned $10 but under $15,
and 2.6 per cent earned $15 and over. The median earnings of the
white women were $10.75, of the negro women, $8.35. By industries
the medians ranged for white women from $14.05 in the manufacture
of metal products to $7.50 in the manufacture of wooden boxes.
For colored women there were only three industries in which the
number employed was sufficient to compute a median, and in these,
median earnings ranged from $8.15 in laundries to $9.05 in manu
facture of food.
A comparison of median rates of wages with median earnings
showed a considerable discrepancy between the two.
In all industries except general mercantile establishments and shoe factories
earnings fell below rates. However, the majority of the industries reveal no more
than a 6 per cent decrease in the median earnings as compared with the median rate.
This decrease is traceable to lost time and slackened production. The cotton and
woolen mills reveal by far the greatest discrepancy, since the median earnings are
26.9 per cent less than the median rate. I t has been pointed out that all of the women
in these mills worked less than the scheduled hours, the industry having been greatly
crippled by the industrial depression.
For 667 white and 61 colored women the yearly earnings were
learned, the women selected being “ steady, experienced workers,
who had worked with the firm for at least one year, and who had
not been absent from their post for more than a few weeks in the
year.’7 The percentage receiving specified yearly earnings was as
follows:
Less than $500..
Less than $600..
Less than $800..
Less than $1,000.
Less than $1,200.
Less than $1,400.
White.
Colored.
25. 3
46. 5
80. 2
93. 9
97.6
99.3
65.6
75.4
96.7
100.0
.......
___
For 4,657 white and 561 colored women the length of time in the
trade was learned and correlated with their week’s earnings. There
seemed a good deal of stability about these groups, 30.8 per cent
of the white and 54.4 per cent of the colored women having been in
the trade hi which they were found for five years and over, the period
of employment running up to 20 years and over. For white women
the median earnings show a steady increase with experience, rising
from $8.55 for those with less than six months’ experience to $15.45
for those with 20 years’ experience and over. For colored women,
the increase was irregular, and much smaller, rising from $7.20
to only $10.40.
The most significant revelation, however, is that white women with an experience
record of 20 years and over show only an 80.7 per cent rise in median earnings over
the median of the beginners in the industries. A practical interpretation of this fact
would be the outlook of a typical worker, a 16-year-old girl, entering industry in Ken
tucky at $8.55 a week. She could not expect even to double her initial salary, though
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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WOMAN AND CHILD LABOR.
73
she worked steadily in one industry until she were 36 or 40 years old. At this time
she would probably be at the peak of her earning capacity in that industry, receiving
what might be termed a 1‘bare living wage ” * * *. After a few years at the peak
she would face a future of declining earning capacity with a penniless old age.
Honrs and wages of the telephone operators were considered sepa
rately, since the nature of the work in wolves some complexities which
make it difficult to include this material with that of other industries.
In general, hours were fair, there being a decided trend toward the
8-hour day and the 48-hour week. À number of operators, however,
worked 7 days every other week. The median earnings of 557 tele
phone employees for the week studied were $14.85, “ which is a higher
median than that of any other industry included in the survey.”
A study of the conditions under which the women worked showed
much that needed improvement. Ventilation was inadequate in 32
establishments, lighting in 46, drinking facilities in 109, washing facili
ties in 132, and toilet facilities in 133. Special attention was paid to
the arrangements for seating.
Seating inadequate in 87 establishments, 11 having no seats whatever for women,
43 others no seats for women with standing jobs, 65 an insufficient number of seats, and
46 the wrong kind of seats; that is, makeshift arrangements or stools and benches with
out backs.
First-aid service had been installed in 122 plants, and in all but
eight of these some person was in charge to see that the aid provided
was properly administered. In general, this service was prepared to
deal only with very common and slight injuries, and in 41 the equip
ment was considered inadequate. Only one establishment had a
plant physician, two had plant nurses, and four required physical
examinations.
Child Labor in Wisconsin.
HE Wisconsin Industrial Commission has recently issued a
pamphlet giving certain data concerning the employment of
children in Wisconsin for the 5-year period ending June 30,
1922. According to the Wisconsin law, no child under 17 may be
lawfully employed without a permit issued by the industrial commis
sion, and such permits may be issued only to children who either have
finished the eighth grade or have attended school for at least nine
years. There are no educational requirements for children who are
16 years of age. Proof of age must be submitted, and there are re
quirements concerning health and the character of work which may
be undertaken. Permits are of two kinds : Those authorizing regular
work and those for vacation, after-school, and Saturday employment.
For the five years covered the number and kind of permits issued
varied as follows:
T
NUM BER AND KIND OF W ORK PERM ITS ISSUED IN WISCONSIN, 1918 TO 1922.
Year ending June
30—
1918.....................
1918.............
1920.....................
1921.......................
1922.........................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Regular per
mits.
21,681
10,873
12,188
7,398
4,741
[849]
Vacation, af
ter-school,
and Satur
day work.
9,309
10,571
13,145
10,009
5,690
Total.
30,990
21,444
25,333
17,407
10,431
74
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
The large number of permits issued in 1918 is explained on the
ground that the permit age was increased to 17 years in September,
1917, while the number in 1920 was due to the labor shortage of that
year, which led to the employment of minors wherever they could be
utilized. It will be noticed that there has been a steady decrease in
the proportion of permits for regular work and a corresponding in
crease in the percentage for holiday employment. The commission
explains this change as due both to the industrial depression and to
the higher educational requirements of the later years.
In general, more permits are issued to boys than to girls, and the
relation between the sexes in this respect is fairly steady. The
disparity is greater in the State as a whole than in Milwaukee, where
knitting and candy industries employ large numbers of girls and
women. For the State, exclusive of Milwaukee, the percentage
which girls formed of the holders of permits ranged from 34.6 per
cent in 1918 to 42.8 per cent in 1921, falling back to 39.9 per cent
in 1922. It will be remembered that in the depression of 1921 it
was said that women, being cheaper labor, were employed in many
places in preference to men, so that the burden of unemployment
was less for them. Apparently in Wisconsin the same situation
existed as between boys and girls. In Milwaukee the percentage of
girls is not only larger, but steadier, not once in the five years having
fallen below 45 per cent, and ranging from 45.2 per cent in 1918 to
51.3 per cent in 1922.
One of the most effective instruments for enforcing the child
labor law, the commission states, has been the treble compensation
feature of the workmen’s compensation law, in operation since
September, 1917.
This amendment provides that if a minor of permit age is injured while employed
without the required labor permit, or if a minor is injured while employed at pro
hibited work, such minor shall be entitled to three times as much compensation as
would be recoverable had the law not been violated. The employer can not insure
against extra compensation. He must pay the increased amount himself.
From September 1, 1917, up to December 31, 1921, there have been 369 cases of
treble compensation for a total amount of $78,552.58 increased compensation. The
lowest amount paid in any one case was $2.92; the highest amount paid was $6,000;
the average amount paid was $215.59; the modal amount about $14.
A study was made of the labor turnover among 7,873 boys and
7,486 girls working under regular permits which expired during the
5-year period ending May 1, 192i. In general, it was found that
the turnover was not so high as had been expected, and that “ boys
averaged more jobs than girls, and held their jobs for a shorter
period.” This finding is of interest for its bearing on the question
of wages for the job, regardless of the sex of the worker. Lower
wages for girls are often justified on the ground of their greater
instability. As they do not intend to remain in industry, it is said
they take little interest in their work, give it up on trivial grounds,
and tend to drift from job to job, while the boy, feeling that he is
preparing for his life work, can be depended upon to stick. Ap
parently this state of affairs does not hold in Wisconsin; 87.4 per
cent of the girls, against 80.3 per cent of the boys, had held from
one to five jobs during the period, the remainder in each group hav
ing held from six up to ten and over, and 11.6 per cent of the jobs
held by the girls, against 8.2 per cent of those held by the boys,
had been retained for a year or over.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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75
W OMAN AND CHILD LABOR.
These comparisons are not wholly satisfactory because of the
differing lengths of time for which the children might have been
employed, but a further table shows the number of jobs held by
boys and girls in Milwaukee correlated with the time during which
they had been working under permit. A child may not lawfully
begin work until 14 and is freed from permit requirements at 17,
so that three years is the longest possible time for which he works
under permit. In Milwaukee 384 of the boys and 379 of the girls
studied had been at work practically three years (2 years, 11 months,
up to 3 years). The percentage distribution of these according to
the number of jobs held was as follows:
1 job only...........................................................................
2 lobs..................................................................................
3 jobs............................................................................................
4 jobs.............................................................................................
5 jobs......................................
Boys.
Girls.
7. 3
12. 2
13. 5
H. 5
11.7
8. 7
16.1
14. 3
14. o
40.1
15.6
31. 4
Total................................................................................... 100. 0
100. 0
6, up to and including 14 jobs..........................................
Over 14............................. '................................................
3.6
A brief summary is given of the apprenticeship work of the
industrial commission, the salient points being as follows:
In the last three and one-half years, 1,486 indentures have been approved and 476
completed in more than 32 different trades. The average hourly wage rates have
varied from 4 cents to 41 cents for the first six months, with only about four trades
beginning at less than 15 cents an hour; and for the last six months the variation has
been from 20 to 80 cents with only about four trades below 35 cents. The length of
apprenticeship varies from one to five years, with the great majority of contracts
made out for four years. * * *.
Some 300 employers are indenturing apprentices, and about 25 large firms make
a practice of it without solicitation from the apprenticeship department of the
industrial commission.
A Study of Four Methods of Weight Carrying by Women.
r p M E annual report of the chief factory inspector of Great Britain
- for 1922 contains a description of an investigation into the
comparative physiological cost of different methods of weight
carrying by women, which was carried out under the direction0of
Professor Cathcart, of the University of Glasgow. The experimenters,
both women, were one of the medical inspectors of factories, referred
to as “ subject H,” and an investigator for the Industrial Fatigue
Research Board, referred to as “ subject B.” The general plan was
to collect the air expired by the experimenter while at work, measure
it, and analyze a sample in duplicate. “ From the results the carbon
dioxide output and oxygen consumption at different times can be
determined, and energy expenditure in calories can be calculated.”
The experimenters had had no training in weight carrying, and
though both were in good health and accustomed to walking,
“ neither was athletic and the muscles of the arms and shoulders
were poorly developed in both.” The experiments consisted in
taking up a load, ranging from 20 pounds upward, at one end of a
“ wide, well-lit, well-ventilated corridor, 50 yards in length, with a
granolithic floor,” carrying it to the other end, depositing it and
returning to the starting point, carrying back the empty tray or
63745°—23---- 6
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
board, when one was used. This process was repeated steadily for
an hour with each method and each weight, “ save in a few cases
where the load was so heavy and the method so unsatisfactory that
the subject could only carry on with considerable distress.” Weights
of 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 pounds were carried, and four methods
were used:
1. The load was carried in a tray held in both hands.
2. The load was carried in. a tray as in series 1, but the weight was taken off the
arms by means of a webbing strap slung round the shoulders.
3. Tlie load was divided evenly and carried, tied up in suitable form, in the two
hands.
4. The load was distributed on a board and carried on the left shoulder.
The two experimenters differed in weight and height, a difference
reflected to some extent in the amounts they could carry, and the
method they found most comfortable. In general, they found that
55 pounds, the amount set by French law as the maximum for
women to carry, “ was about the limit, in the experiments now re
corded, which the two untrained subjects found it possible to reach.”
The physiological cost under each method is given with a degree of
scientific detail which renders it rather unintelligible to the layman,
but the general results are thus summed u p :
For loads of 20 and 30 pounds there is conflicting evidence from the two subjects
as to the relative values of the carrying methods. These anomalies are probably due
largely to the amount of unconscious extraneous movement, allowed by the light
loads, vitiating the exact measurement of work. It would seem that for loads of this
order the method of carrying is a matter for personal choice and convenience, and
since the weights are below what would generally be practicable in industry for
adults, no stress need be laid on the early part of the curves. At 40 pounds it is clear
that for both subjects methods 3 and 4 are more economical than carrying on a tray,
either with or without the aid of a shoulder strap. At 50 pounds the shoulder carry
ing is markedly the cheapest for both subjects, for H series 3 gives the next lowest
figure, but for B the tray with the shoulder strap (2) is cheaper than the di\ided
load (3).
Some discussion is given of the general effect of weight carrying,
and the best methods for actual use.
It is our opinion that no one method of carrying should be employed continuously
week in and week out by the average woman worker when transporting weights of
over 35 pounds * * *. The fourth method of carrying, unlike the other three, is
“ one-sided.” With a narrower board than is used, and a very light weight, no doubt
the load could be supported with the body held erect; but this would be quite imprac
ticable as a rule. * * * We are of opinion that adolescents should not habitually
carry in any way which would tend to cause a lateral curvature; permanent deformity
of the spine and chest are readily caused in this way when growth has not ceased.
With adults this danger of deformity is not nearly so great, but does, nevertheless,
exist. When shoulder carrying is done to any extent by individual workers, we
recommend that they should be trained to carry on the right and left shoulders alter
nately.
The method of loading, and laying down is, we believe, of great importance. In
so far as it is possible, the unloading level should be about the same height from the
ground as the shoulder of the carrier. It is during these processes that a sudden
strain, such as might conceivably cause, for instance, uterine displacement, is most
likely to occur. Once the load is adjusted as comfortably as may be, a sudden strain
of this kind is not likely. One of us (14) had charge of a large number of women en
gaged in handling heavy munitions during the war and found that with very rare
exceptions the only women who complained of uterine trouble attributable to weight
carrying were women who had been inadequately treated after childbirth.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[852]
LA B O R A G R E EM EN TS, AW ARDS, A N D DECISIONS.
Railroads—Decisions of the Railroad Labor Board.
Federated Shop Crafts.
WO decisions were handed down by the United States Railroad
Labor Board, June 29, 1923, in' regard to the status of the
Federated Shop Crafts after the strike of July 1 , 1922. The
first of these (Decision No. 1836) was entitled “ Railway Employees’
Department, A. F. of L. (Federated Shop Crafts) v. Minneapolis,
St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway Co.” and the second (Decision
No. 1837) was entitled “ Railway Employees’ Department, A. F. of L.
(Federated Shop Crafts) v. Hocking Valley Railway Co.”
The basis facts in both cases were similar. Federated Shop Crafts,
consisting entirely of employees of the individual railroads, had been
organized on each road and each company dealt with them through
committees selected by the employees. Members of the Federated
Shop Crafts had joined with members of the regular shopmen on
other roads, July 1 , 1922, in leaving the service when the strike order
was issued. Both roads refused to take back the strikers except as
new employees, and later negotiated new agreements with them.
The question was stated in both cases in practically identical
terms. In the first case (Decision No. 1836) it was as follows:
T
Was the agreement in effect between the Federated Shop Crafts and the Minne
apolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway Co. prior to July 1, 1922, legally and prop
erly superseded by an agreement negotiated between the carrier and a committee
representing the shop employees, effective January 1, 1923, known as agreement
between the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway Co. and Soo Line
Shop Employees’ Association?
According to the evidence in the case the shop crafts and the com
pany failed to reach an agreement in the spring of 1922 relative to
certain rules, which were referred to the Railroad Labor Board for
decision. The rules formulated by the board were incorporated with
those formerly agreed upon by the parties, but the system organiza
tion refused to agree to the rules of the board and the strike of July
1, 1922, followed. The carrier recruited forces to fill the vacancies
thus created.
October 21, 1922, the strikers accepted the proposal of the carrier,
made through the chairmen of the brotherhood organizations acting
as mediators, with the understanding that as jobs became vacant
they should receive them, holding their relative seniority standing
among themselves as of July 1, 1922, that they would be governed by
“ the wages and rules in effect as established by conferences with the
management or by the decision of the United States Railroad Labor
Board,” and that 30 days would be allowed “ in which to report for
work after the day each employee is called or notified that his turn
has arrived to return to work.”
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78
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
During July and August several employees, including new men as
well as those who had remained in the service, requested the forma
tion of a shop organization as suggested by the Railroad Labor Board
July 3, 1922. October 18, ballots were circulated for the election of
committeemen, and in order that those strikers who accepted the
offer of the carrier to return to service might be allowed to participate
in the balloting the polls were kept open until November 5. As a
result of the balloting, in which upwards of two-thirds of those
entitled to vote voted in favor of the formation of the Soo Line Shop
Employees’ Association, the new organization was formed. The
carrier entered into negotiations with the committee elected and a
new agreement, which is now being followed, was reached covering
rules and working conditions, effective January 1, 1923.
Inasmuch as the former agreement with the Federated Shop Crafts,
which was put into effect July 1, 1921, and which read: “ It shall
remain in effect until changed, subject to 30 days’ notice in writing
from either of the parties that, desire to change it,” had not been
superseded or amended, certain employees took the position that it
was recognized by the agreement of the carrier under which they
returned to work October 21.
On December 8 and 15, 1922, while the management was negoti
ating with the so-called committee assuming to represent the shop
employees, the representatives of these employees addressed a com
munication to the president and general manager of this carrier pro
testing the adoption of the so-called agreement because they had not
been represented in any manner in the taking of the vote, and call
ing the carrier’s attention to the proper method of voting as outlined
in the board’s decision No. 218.
The carrier states that it did not recognize the Federated Shop Crafts as an organi
zation when it agreed to restore the striking employees to service, but, on the other
hand, that it met the committee as a committee of employees, and at no time was it
the understanding that the relationship between the carrier and the Federated Shop
Crafts prior to July 1, 1922, would by such action be restored.
Opinion.—The Railroad Labor Board has taken carefid cognizance of the positions
taken by the respective parties to this dispute and the following factors form the
basis of the board's conclusions in connection therewith:
The board has taken note of the fact that a schedule of rules was in effect between
the parties hereto immediately prior to July 1, 1922, but certain of the rules were not
accepted by the employees, but were being worked under by the employees under
protest.
The board has further considered the fact that the shop employees comprising the
six organizations of the Federated Shop Crafts notified the board that a large majority
of the members of said organizations left the service of the carrier July 1,1922, and were
no longer employees of the railways under the jurisdiction of the Railroad Labor Board,
on the strength of which advice the board adopted a resolution dated July 3, 1922,
which is hereinbefore referred to.
The evidence shows conclusively that a large majority of the shop employees have
indicated their desire to become affiliated with what is known as the ‘‘Soo Line Shop
Employees’ Association,” on the basis of which request the carrier met a committee
and duly conducted its negotiations, resulting in a complete agreement being reached
relative to rules and working conditions. The position taken by the Federated Shop
Crafts that this action on the part of the carrier violated the agreement in effect prior
to July 1, 1922, is unfounded, as the organization by its own statement admitted that
its members were no longer employees of the railroads, in view of which statement it
is inconsistent to now say that the rules previously negotiated were not abrogated by
the arbitrary action on the part of the employees in severing their connection with
the carrier.
The employees lay considerable emphasis upon the fact that the carrier agreed to
abide by the wage decisions of the Railroad Labor Board, as well as the rules agreed
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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LABOR AGREEMENTS, AWARDS, AND DECISIONS.
79
upon m conference, prior to July 1, 1922, it being contended that such concession
automatically restored the previous relationship between the parties hereto. No
evidence was submitted which would justify this claim on the part of the employees.
Neither is there in the files any evidence that would indicate that the carrier has ever
considered that it has negotiated with the Federated Shop Crafts since July 1, 1922, as
such, nor is it indicated that the carrier in agreeing to return the striking employees
to service as vacancies occur, stated or agreed that such an arrangement would have the
effect of restoring the agreement alleged to have been in effect with the Federated
Shop Crafts prior to July 1, 1922.
Decision.—The Railroad Labor Board decides that the Federated Shop Crafts by
their action in arbitrarily suspending work on July 1, 1922, withdrew from all previous
agreements or understandings relative to rules and working conditions agreed to
between it and the management of the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie
Railway Co. and thus abrogated said previous agreements in so far as they applied to
said employees. Further, that no agreement or understanding has been reached
between these parties relative to the restoration of agreements or understanding in
effect prior to July 1, 1922, and that therefore the agreement subsequently negotiated
with the “ Soo Line Shop Employees’ Association” did not violate any rule or under
standing between the parties to this dispute.
The agreement which has been duly negotiated between the carrier and the “ Soo
Line Shop Employees’ Association ” shall be considered in full force and effect, and
so continued until changed in conformity with the provisions thereof and the Trans
portation Act, 1920.
A long dissenting opinion was filed in the case, objecting to the
decision of the majority that the agreement in effect July 1, 1921,
had been temporarily superseded by the agreement with the associa
tion, asserting that it was in effect at the time of the strike, July 1,.
1922; that it was observed by the carrier after the strikers re
turned October 24 until the adoption of the agreement January 1,
1923; that the men in returning understood that the rules in effect
July 1 automatically continued in effect; that the company agreed
to “ recognize and deal with the various and designated representa
tives of the men returning to work in the same manner that they have
in the past.” It was also asserted that according to the evidence the
closing of the ballot box 10 days after the agreement was reached and
long before it was possible for the men to be returned to the service”
was a breach of faith as it ^ precluded the possibility of a major
portion of the employees parties to the settlement participating in
the vote then taken” ; that the carrier placed this “ agreement in
effect as of January 1, 1923, in violation of the terms of the agree
ment entered into on October 21, 1922, with the Federated Shop
Crafts and contrary to the procedure set forth in the board’s decision
No. 218, a decision and procedure which the Supreme Court of the
United States has sustained,” and that the old agreement was still in
effect for those employees who were members of the old system fed
eration and had objected to entering the new association, for it had
never been abrogated.
The opinion of the minority concludes as follows:
. The decision promulgated^ by the majority sets aside an agreement duly entered
into by and between this carrier and the Federated Shop Crafts—the agreement simply
provided for the return to service of the striking employees under certain conditions,
including the continuation of the working rules and rates of pay which had been
established by decisions of the board—and substitutes in lieu thereof a so-called agree
ment brought into existence as a result of negotiations conducted with a committee
of employees selected at the instigation of the carrier, most of whom were destined to
leave the service as a result of the return yf theastrikers. The fact that the men went
on strike has no relation to the present issue. The strike was settled by agreement
between the carrier and representatives of the striking employees, and the question
that was before the board only related to subsequent negotiations and agreements.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
The representatives of the Federated Shop Crafts only ask that the terms of the
settlement, the provisions of the agreement, and the rules of procedure promulgated
by the board (as to who represents a majority of each craft or class, if such dispute
exists), be observed.
,
As the board has denied these requests—and for all practical purposes the board
represents a court of last appeal—the Federated Shop Crafts, which claim to represent
a majority of the employees directly affected and who have had their agreement
abrogated by this decision, is now compelled to start proceedings that will create a
new dispute or else take matters in their own hands at the risk of being branded as
“ outlaws.” The undersigned believes the latter course would be unwise under
existing circumstances and conditions.
The facts in the Hocking Valley Railway Co. case were somewhat
similar. Through the efforts of representatives of the transportation
employees the shop strikers returned to work after November 23,
1 9 2 2 , on terms s i m i l a r to those stated in the Soo case, except that
men were to report within 15 instead of 30 days from time of call.
The new employees and those who had not joined in the strike
formed an association in accordance with the board’s suggestion of
July 3. In order to remove the ‘‘uncertainty as to the employees’
representative with whom the management may confer in matters
of mutual interest,” the carrier, on December 4, directed that a new
election be held; to this no objection was raised by the Federated
Shop Crafts until January 31. The election on December 9, 1922,
showed a majority of the crafts favoring the Hocking Valley Railway
Shop Employees’ Association, with which the carrier negotiated and
formed rules effective December 20, 1922.
The Federated Shop Crafts, asserting that this action was in
violation of the agreement negotiated by them with the carrier and
in effect prior and subsequent to July 1, 1922, conducted an election
January 31, 1923, in which 515 out of a total of 541 voting favored
the old system federation. Requests of the crafts for a conference
with the general manager of the railroad were met by a refusal
March 14, 1923„ The opinion of the Railroad Labor Board was
similar to that as stated in the Soo case above. The decision reads
as follows:
Decision.—The Railroad Labor Board decides that the Federated Shop Crafts by
their action in voluntarily suspending work on Ju ly 1,1922, withdrew from all previous
agreements or understandings relative to rules and working conditions agreed to be
tween it and the management of the Hocking Valley Railway Co. and thus abrogated
said previous agreements in so far as they applied to said employees; further, that
the agreement of November 22, 1922, did not restore the agreement between the
Federated Shop Crafts and the carrier but continued in effect, as had been directed
by the Railroad Labor Board, the wages and working conditions promulgated in its
decisions.
The agreement which has been duly negotiated-between the carrier and the Hocking
Valley Shop Emplovees’ Association shall be considered in full force and effect, and
so continued until changed in conformity with the provisions thereof and the Trans
portation Act, 1920.
The minority filed, a long dissenting opinion, from which the fol
lowing paragraphs are taken relative to the election held December 9:
In this connection it will be noted that the carrier violated the decisions of the
Railroad Labor Board as well as the terms of settlement:
(1) No conference was held with the representatives of the Federated Shop Crafts;
(2) The carrier did not serve the 30-day notice required by decision No. 222 and
its addenda, as to desire to change the rules of the existing agreement; and
(3) By arrogating to itself the authority to investigate and assume full control of
an election to determine who should represent the shop employees.
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81
The evidence shows that out of approximately 900 shop employees, about 300 had
been returned to service at the time the so-called election took place; the evidence
further shows that the members of the Federated Shop Crafts did not participate in
this so-called election held December 9, 1922, because they had not been consulted
and because they knew that the carrier had not complied with the terms of the agree
ment in effect or the decisions of the board.
The minority closed with the statement that the majority “ had,
in its opinion, disregarded the rights guaranteed to railroad labor by
the provisions of the Transportation Act, 1920/’ in relation to—
(1) The right of railroad employees to organize for lawful objects without inter
ference or obstruction on the part of railroad management;
(2) The right of railroad employees to select representatives of their own choice,
free from any coercive influence, dictation, or domination by railroad management;
and
(3) A carrier, disregarding the solemn obligation of contracts duly entered into
with representatives of the employees, may arrogate unto itself the authority to set
aside such contracts, and take charge of and conduct elections of any craft or class
of its employees, with the object in view of destroying an organization which the em
ployees have voluntarily created and in which they have invested their time, money,
and intelligence to perfect, in order that they may maintain a channel by and through
which they may negotiate agreements concerning the conditions under which they
will dispose of their skill and labor.
Carpenters—Pittsburgh.
HTHE Carpenters’ District Council of Pittsburgh has negotiated a
A contract with the Master Builders’ Association of Allegheny
County differing in several particulars from the agreement that expired
March 1, 1923.
The more important features are here reproduced;
This agreement made this 1st day of March, 1923, by and between the Master
Builders’ Association of Allegheny County, a corporation, party of the first part, and
the Carpenters District Council of Pittsburgh and Vicinity, party of the second part,
for the purpose of preventing strikes and lockouts, and facilitating a peaceful adjust
ment of all grievances, disputes, and differences of opinion which may from time to
time arise between the parties hereto, and for the purpose of preventing other waste
and unnecessary and avoidable expense, annoyance or delays, making building costs
as low, stable, and certain as possible, consistent with fair wage rates, for the advance
ment of labor and management in skill and productivity.
A rticle
I. Principles upon which this agreement is based.
S ectio n 1. Both parties hereto this day hereby adopt the following principles as an
absolute basis for their joint agreement and working rules, said principles to govern
the joint arbitration board hereinafter provided for in all matters which may come
before said board.
1. There shall be no limitation as to the amount of work a man shall perform during
his working-day.
2. There shall be no restriction of the use of any machinery or tools, when furnished
by the employer.
3. There shall be no restriction of the use of any raw or manufactured material except
prison made.
4. No person shall have the right to interfere with workmen during working hours.
5. The use of apprentices shall be encouraged.
6. The foreman shall be selected by and be the agent of the employer and shall see
that this agreement is carried out in full.
7. Workmen shall be at liberty to work for whomsoever they see fit, but they shall
demand and receive the wages agreed upon by both parties hereto.
8. Employers are at liberty to employ and discharge whomsoever they see fit.
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A rticle
II. Arbitration board.
S ectio n 1. Both parties hereto agree that they will elect an arbitration committee
to serve for one year or until their successors are elected and qualified.
Sec. 2. The arbitration committee for each of the parties hereto shall consist of five
members actively identified with the trade and they shall meet within 10 days after
the signing of the agreement and organize a joint arbitration board by electing a
president, secretary, and treasurer. They shall also select an umpire who shall be in
no wise affiliated or identified with the building industry and not an employee or
employer.
Sec. 3. The joint arbitration board shall have full power to enforce this agreement.
No strikes or lockouts shall be resorted to and work shall continue pending the decision
of the joint arbitration board.
A rticle
III. Jurisdictional disputes.
S ection 1. Should a jurisdictional dispute arise the party of the second part shall
not cease work without first notif ying the party of the first part of such intention and
in no event shall work cease within two weeks after the receipt of said notice.
Sec. 2. In case of a jurisdictional dispute between any other body of employers and
employees the party of the second part under no circumstances shall remove their
members from any work, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary.
Sec. 3. The party of the second part also agrees that they will not enter into any
sympathetic strike or remove their men for any cause except where nonunion men are
employed.
A rticle IY .
Working hours.
S ec tio n 1. Eight hours shall constitute a day’s work, excepting on Saturday when
work shall stop at 12 o’clock noon.
A rticle V.
Wage rate.
S ection 1. Journeymen members of the party of the second part shall be paid a
rate of $1.20 per hour during the life of this agreement.
S e c . 3. Time and one-half time shall be paid for the first two hours of overtime
beyond the regular working hours, double time shall be paid thereafter.
Double time shall be paid for overtime from Saturday noon to 8.00 a. m. Monday
and the following holidays: Decoration Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanks
giving Day, and Christmas. Such work should only be done for the protection of
life or property and a permit must be secured therefor.
A rticle
VIII. Scarcity of help.
The party of the first part agrees to employ only members of the party of the second
part. Should party of the second part be unable to furnish the required number of
mechanics then the party of the first part may employ whomsoever he wishes until
such time as the party of the second part supplies men to take their places.
A rticle
X. Unaffiliated contractors.
Any contractor not affiliated with the Master Builders’ Association of Allegheny
County may assume the benefits herein contained by joining the association.
A rticle
X II. Termination of agreement.
S ection 1. This agreement shall be binding on both parties from March 1, 1923,
until March 1, 1924. Should either party to this agreement desire to terminate the
same on said date, notice in writing shall be given prior to December 1, 1923.
Sec. 2. Should either party make a request that this agreement be terminated
on February 28, 1924, they pledge themselves to hold a conference meeting within
30 days of the time request is made.
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83
Coal Mining—Anthracite.
'"THE suspension of work by the anthracite miners on the 1st of
A September, 1923, following the expiration of the agreement
made a year ago, after the suspension of April 1, 1922, ended with
the new agreement ratified September 17, 1923, which reads as
follows:
The terms and provisions of the award of the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission
and subsequent agreements made in modification thereof or supplemental thereto,
as -well as the rulings and decisions of the board of conciliation, are hereby ratified,
confirmed, and continued for a further period of two years, ending August 31, 1925,
except in the following particulars, to wit:
1. The contract rates at each colliery shall be increased 10 per cent over and above
the rates established under the award of the United States Anthracite Coal Commis
sion in 1920.
2. The hourly, daily, or monthly rates of outside and inside company men, working
on the basis of an 8-hour day, shall be increased 10 per cent over and above the
rates established under the award of the United States Anthracite Coal Commission
in 1920.
3. The hourly, daily, or monthly rates of pump men and engineers formerly work
ing a 12-hour cross shift and changed to an 8-hour basis under the award of the United
States Anthracite Coal Commission in 1920, shall be increased to 10 per cent over
and above the rates established by the board of conciliation in conformity with said
award.
4. The hourly or daily rates of consideration miners and consideration miners’
laborers shall be increased 10 per cent over and above the rates established under
the award of the United States Anthracite Coal Commission in 1920.
5. The rates paid contract miners’ laborers shall be increased 10 per cent over and
above the rates established under the award of the United States Anthracite Coal
Commission in 1920, said increase to be paid by the operator and miner by adding 10
per cent to the portion of the rate now assumed by each.
6. Outside and inside company men working on the basis of a day in excess of 10
hours, shall be placed on the basis of an 8-hour day. The rate of pay for an 8hour day shall be adjusted in the same manner as rates were adjusted for hoisting
engineers and pump men, who were changed from a 12-hour day to an 8-hour day in
1920, subject to the same increase of 10 per cent provided for other men under clause
2 hereof.
7. Outside and inside company men working on the basis of a 9 or 10 hour
day shall be placed on the basis of an 8-hour day. The rates of pay for the 8-hour
day shall be the rates for the 9 or 10 hour day paid under the agreement of 1916, plus
$1.80 per day for outside employees and $2 per day for inside employees, plus 17
per cent, and subject to the same increase of 10 per cent provided for other company
men under clause 2 hereof.
8. Monthly men coming under the agreement of September 2, 1920, and working
on a basis in excess of 8 hours per day shall be placed on the basis of an 8-hour day.
The monthly rates for the 8-hour basis shall be the monthly rates paid under the
agreement of May 5, 1916, plus $54 per calendar month for outside employees and
$60 per calendar month for inside employees, plus 17 per cent, except where modified
by ruling of the board of conciliation and subject to the same increase of 10 per cent
provided for other company men under clause 2 hereof.
9. The colliery rate sheets of the different collieries shall be brought up to date;
shall be signed by the company officials and the mine committees; and shall then be
filed with the board of conciliation. In case of dispute as to the correctness of any
rate, the rate shall be determined by the board after hearing. In such cases the
burden of proof shall rest with the party taking exception to the filed rate.
10. A grievance referred to the board of conciliation shall be answered within 15
days and shall be heard within 30 days from date of filing with the board. Decision
shall be rendered by the board or the case shall be referred to an umpire within 30
days after hearing. In case of reference to an umpire, the decision of said umpire
shall be rendered within 30 days from date of reference.
11. Rates for new work, such as opening a seam of coal, shall be made collectively
as between the mine committee and company officials on the basis of the standard
recognized rates paid for similar work under similar conditions in the mine in question
or adjacent mines. In case of disagreement the matter shall be adjusted through the
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board of conciliation in the manner now customary. Pending decision by the board
work shall proceed at rates set by the foreman and shall not be less than the standard
recognized rates aforesaid.
No contracts shall be made with individual employees at less than the prescribed
scale rates or not in keeping with customary practices. This section shall not be con
strued to deny to the operator the right to change the method of mining.
12. The board of conciliation is hereby authorized to undertake and complete
thorough study of all wage scales before the expiration of this contract and subm it the
same to the next joint conference. If the board of conciliation shall, by unanimous
vote, recommend the adjustment of any inequities in wage rates during such study,
the adjustment shall take effect on a date set by the board.
Coal Miners—West Virginia.
'"THE Coal River Collieries, controlled by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, entered into an agreement with District 17 of
the United Mine Workers of America, July 6, 1923, to modify two
sections of the general agreement made between the operators of
the Kanawha District, the modification to cover such seams of coal
as the company may operate in the district.
The following is substituted for section 7 of the agreement:
First. All machine loaders shall be awarded working places so far as possible to
permit men to work 8 hours and the men to work as “ buddies,” so that it will give
an opportunity to machine cutters and loaders to work with the least possible loss in
time. The company agrees as development takes place to so arrange the working
places for the loaders as to give maximum working time to the loaders and maximum
tonnage to the company to the best of their ability. In the event of territory becom
ing scarce from a squeeze or striking a horse-back or any other unavoidable obstacle,
this shall not be construed so as to diminish the output of the mine.
Section 25(a) is amended to read as follows:
Second. In case of any local trouble arising at any mine operated by this company
in the Kanawha District, the aggrieved party shall first make an earnest effort to adjust
the dispute with the mine foreman. In case they are unable to agree, the matter shall
be referred to the mine committee and the superintendent of the mine. If they fail
to agree, it shall be referred to the district president and the president of the company.
As a final tribunal, all questions failing of settlement shall be submitted to the presi
dent of the International Union, .United Mine Workers of America, and Grand Chief
Stone of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, or their personal representatives,
and their decision shall be final and binding upon both parties. In all such cases, all
parties involved must continue at work pending an investigation and readjustment
as above set forth.
A third paragraph is added thus:
Third. I t is agreed by both parties hereto that prior to the expiration of this con
tract, a conference shall be arranged for the purpose of negotiating a new contract for
the period beginning April 1, 1924, with an effort to provide for continuous operation
of the mines without loss of time.
Laundry Workers—Brockton, Mass.
| AUNDRY Workers’ Union, No. 64, of Brockton, Mass., signed an
L
agreement with the employers to take effect June 1, 1923. The
scale of wages, representing an increase of 7? per cent over that
of the year before, was an award made by the State board of arbitra
tion and conciliation June 19, 1923. The following clauses are of
interest:
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A
r t ic l e
85
I. Forty-eiglit hours shall constitute a week's work, with 50 hours’ pay.
A r t . III. All members of Local Union No. 64 shall work only half a day on Saturday.
A r t . V. The holidays recognized in this agreement are all legal holidays. Holiday
work to be paid for at the rate of double time, and under no circumstances shall a
member be compelled to work Labor Day.
A r t . V I. Employers agree to give preference when hiring help to members of Local
No. 64 in good standing. When in need of employees, employers are to notify the
business agent. If he is unable to supply persons who are satisfactory to the employ
ers, employers may hire persons who are not members of Local No. 64, provided such
persons become members of the local union at the next regular meeting.
A r t . VII. No member of Local No. 64 working on a job shall be allowed to hire or
discharge help.
Art. X. In holiday weeks no work to and including 45 hours shall be considered
overtime. All work in excess of 45 hours in holiday weeks shall be considered as
overtime, and paid for at the rate of double time. No more than 9 hours shall be worked
on Mondays in holiday weeks.
A r t . X L Should either party desire to alter or amend this agreement, they shall
give 60 days’ notice in writing and submit a copy of all proposed changes. Should
the parties fail to agree on prices and conditions, the matter in dispute shall be sub
mitted to the State Board of Conciliation and Arbitration, whose decision shall be
final under the law.
Men’s Clothing Industry—Chicago.
'“THE board of arbitration in the men’s clothing industry of Chicago,
* July 24, 1923, handed down a decision (Case No. 2, new series) in
regard to apprentices in the cutting rooms.
It appeal’s that the board, February 5, 1920, had issued a decision
expressing the opinion that a ratio of 1 apprentice to 10 journeymen
is a proper ratio in normal times and authorizing the employment of
a larger number under certain conditions in abnormally busy times,
and on December 12, 1922, had ruled that no new apprentices be
employed, as business conditions did not warrant increasing the
supply of cutters in the market.
A petition to the board had been filed in behalf of the clothing
manufacturers asking that the number of apprentices be increased,
in view of the fact that business conditions had greatly improved,
resulting in a shortage of cutters and an abnormally large amount of
overtime work. The petition further stated that the temporary
cutters sent by the union to fill requisitions were an added cost
rather than a relief, on account of their low production, and that for
a year or more the permanent cutters had suffered practically no
unemployment whatever.
On the other hand, the union contended that for two years preceding
the present resumption of business the cutters had had almost con
tinuous unemployment; that there was no shortage of cutters in the
market at present because men who had dropped out of the industry
in 1920 and 1921 were coming back; that the number of cutters now
in the market was greater than it was in the peak of business during
1919-20, whereas the manufacturers did not now have as much
business as they had during that period; and that the system of
temporary release, in which men who were transferred from firms in
which business was slack to others which were busy, enabled man
ufacturers to get all the help that was really necessary, except perhaps
for a week or two at the height of the season.
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The following excerpts from the decision of Dr. William H. Leiserson, chairman of the board of arbitration, show how these contending
claims were harmonized:
When the board, by its decision in December, 1922, prevented additional apprentices
from being employed, it must be presumed that the board felt that the agreement gave
it power to restrict the number of apprentices in bad times, just as it authorized
increasing the number of apprentices in an unusually busy time.
If the conditions this season are the same as they were in 1922, the board would have
to rule exactly as that decision ruled. If, however, the conditions are now different,
then a different decision is justified.
In order to decide the case, therefore, it is necessary to inquire into the facts of the
situation at present. Is there a need for increasing the supply of cutters at the present
time? Are the business conditions normal?
That the current season has been one of expanding business, on the whole, can hardly
be questioned. But whether this expansion has reached the point where the normal
capacity of the cutting rooms is to be kept fully employed during the season is still
doubtful. Adding apprentices now would mean to increase the cutting force a year
and two years from now. And conditions at present are still too unsettled for anyone
to be able to tell whether the level of employment reached this season is likely to be
maintained a year or two hence.
In the opinion of the board the evidence presented in the present case does prove
that there has been an undue amount of overtime worked this season and that a good
many houses suffered from a shortage of help. If about the same amount of business
is to be booked next season and this level maintained, then the number of apprentices
will have to be increased to get enough cutters to keep up that level. It has been
impossible from the figures presented to the board to determine with any degree of
accuracy the exact number of cutters available in the market to meet the demand that
the quantity of business required this season, and this difficulty is increased because
of the presence of a large number of temporary cutters who are not responsible for
standards, and whose production in many cases is far below the normal. Approxi
mately there are 2,200 cutters in the market now, and this number is substantially
about the same as the board found in December, 1922, when it was 2 per cent above
the number in March, 1920. The number of apprentices now is only about 30. There
has also been a shifting of the cutters, so that the ready-made houses have increased
thenumberof their cutters, while inthespecial order houses, taken asa whole, there has
been a decrease from the spring of 1920 to the present time.
Considering all the available information, the board is convinced that some increase
in the force of cutters is necessary at the present time, but not more than 5 per cent,
which would be the number of apprentices that would be added in any one year under
normal conditions if the ratio were 10 per cent. This increase is needed, not so much
for the current season, as for the approaching season. If the business during the
coming season should maintain the level of the present season then the additional
cutters will be needed. But already some houses are beginning to lay off cutters
earlier than it was expected that the lay offs would come this season, and the outlook
for the coming season is still too uncertain for anyone to know whether business
conditions have settled down to normal, which would require the regular yearly addi
tion of apprentices.
The board, therefore, hesitates to increase the force of cutters at this time by bring
ing new people into the industry. The board is of the opinion, howTever, that real
relief for the coming season can be secured from within the industry by using trimmers
as apprentices, whereas new boys now hired would be of little value in the coming
season, but would afford relief only a year and two years hence, and we do not know
whether they will be needed at that time.
Ready-made houses are hereby authorized to increase their cutting forces by pro
moting trimmers to the cutting "department, but the total number of trimmers thus
apprenticed as cutters must not exceed 5 per cent of the regular cutting force.
The special-order houses have indicated to the board that they desire to add a total
of 49 apprentices in their cutting rooms, which is just about 10 per cent of the total
number of cutters employed. For the reasons stated above, the board is of the opinion
that this number is not justified at the present time, and that not more than 5 per cent,
or about 25 for the list of houses submitted to the board, can be allowed. With respect
to these special-order houses, too, however, the immediate relief required for the ap
proaching season can be better secured by using trimmers from within the industry
rather than by bringing new people into the industry who will become valuable only a
year and two years later. The 25 apprentices, therefore, should be secured by pro
moting trimmers the same as in the case of the ready-made houses.
[862]
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87
Objection has been raised by the labor managers that this can not be done in the
special-order houses, as in the ready-made houses, because there is no surplus of trim
mers within the special-order houses available for promotion. The board knows of
one such house, however, which presented evidence in a recent case proving that
it had more trimmers than are needed in proportion to its cutters, and this house
might well relieve its oversupply of trimmers and its shortage of cutters by promoting
one of the trimmers to do the cutting. Perhaps similar situations exist in other
houses. Where, however, it is not possible to promote a trimmer from within the
house, an arrangement can be made to get some unemployed trimmer from within
the industry to be apprenticed as a cutteiy
The general labor manager for the special-order houses and the representative of
the union are hereby instructed to take up the requests for apprentices made by each
of these houses, and to arrange for putting on about 5 per cent apprentices from among
trimmers within the industry, in accordance with this decision.
The board desires it to be clearly understood that the transfer of trimmers to become
apprentice cutters up to the number indicated in this decision is all that is required
by present conditions, and will provide the most immediate form of relief to those
houses which suffered some shortage of cutters at the height of the season and had
an excessive amount of overtime. The adding of new apprentices from outside the
industry is not justified as yet because business conditions are still too unsettled
to know whether they will be needed a year or two ahead. If during the coming
season it appears that added relief is needed, the employers can of course apply again
to the board; and whenever the board finds business conditions stabilized so that a
normal ratio of apprentices to journeymen cutters can be maintained, then such a
ratio will be fixed.
Street Railways—Massachusetts.
AGREEMENT between the board of trustees of the Eastern
Massachusetts Street Railway Co. (operating cars in various cities
and towns in Massachusetts, from Nashua, N. EL, to Providence,
R. I.) and the Amalgamated Association of Street & Electric Railway
Employees of America (Divisions 174, 235, 238, 240, 243, 246, 249,
253, 261, 270, 280, 373, 475, 503, and 551), the questions “ What
shall be the basic rates of wages in effect during the year from May
2, 1923, to May 1, 1924, inclusive/’ and “ What differential above
the rates of wages for conductors and motormen shall be paid to
men while operating one-man cars,” were, prior to June 27, 1923,
referred to a board of arbitration, their decision to be accepted as
final and binding on both parties.
For eight years the maximum wages of the employees have been
fixed as follows: June 1, 1915, by the Pelletier arbitration, 30 cents
per hour; October 1, 1916, 32 cents; May 2, 1917, 33 cents; February,
1918, 35 cents; May 2, 1918, 35-|- cents; June, 1918, 40^ cents; October
22, 1918, by the War Labor Board, 45 cents; June 19, 1919, by the same
board, 51 cents; July, 1920, by the Ogden arbitration, 62 cents;
1921, by State board of arbitration and conciliation, reduction of
12^ per cent, which rate was continued by agreement between the
company and its employees in 1922. Previous to October, 1918,
the maximum rates were granted only after six years of service;
since that date, after the first year. Since 1918 the changes inyates
have been based to a large extent upon changes in the cost of living.
The men felt that they were entitled to a readjustment of wages
based on (1) changes in the cost of living, (2) pay for service of a
like character in the same industry and in comparable industries,
and (3) what is necessary to support a family. They also contended
that there had been a general trend upward in the payment of wages
and that wholesale prices had advanced, which was bound to be
reflected in the cost of living.
DY
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The trustees contended that no increase in compensation was
warranted because the percentage of increase in the Ogden award
was larger than the percentage of increase in the cost of living and
the reduction in 1921 was less than the corresponding decrease in
the cost of living; that since 1921 there had been a decrease in the
cost of living of 6 per cent; that the value of the pension and group
insurance system recently established should be considered in
determining the award; and that any material increase in wages
would result in an increase of fares. The views of the neutral
arbitrator, Henry C. Attwill, chairman of the Department of Public
Utilities of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in regard to these
various contentions, appear in the following excerpts from his opinion:
If the award were to be based on the increased cost in living since 1914, as determined
by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, it would result in a reduction in
the wages of some 3 cents an hour. However, the men contend that the cost of living
increased from 1900 to 1914 much more rapidly than the wages, and if the testimony
of Dr. Irving Fisher, of Yale College, in the Pelletier arbitration as to the increase of
wages during this period be taken as correct, the award made by the Pelletier arbitra
tion was some 5 | cents below what the wages would have been if measured by the
yardstick of the increased cost of living, and thus the men are entitled to an increase
in wages- based solely upon the increased cost of living since 1900. Moreover, they
contend, as I understand it, that as they were receiving less than increased cost of
living warranted between the years 1900 and 1914, and as the fixation of their wages
from 1914 to 1919 always lagged behind the increased cost of living, this should be
taken into account and a wage should now be fixed which would allow them to recoup
in some measure the loss they then suffered. They further contend that as the cost
of living as determined by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics is based
upon the bare necessities of living, and takes into consideration no change in the
standard of living, an allowance should be made for that.
It was argued very forcibly on behalf of the men that the arbitrators should not
take into consideration the financial condition of the company or the conditions
under which it is operating or is likely to operate, but should determine, without
regard to its effect upon the company or the transportation facilities to be furnished
by it, what was a fair and reasonable wage to be paid according to the American
standard of living. It is very difficult to determine what is a j ust wage for any service
performed, and if we attempt to fix the fair and just wage in the abstract, without
any consideration of the industry involved, or the conditions which it is obliged to
meet, or a consideration of the pay obtained for similar services in the vicinity where
the wage is to be paid, we get nowhere and an award becomes but the expression of
an opinion of an arbitrator as to what is just, based upon nothing except his views
as to what a man in the occupation should have to support himself and his family.
So long as efficiency is maintained and no serious impairment of our economic
structure results, I agree with the thought that it is desirable for society that we make
the purchasing power of the worker as high as we can, to the end that he and his
family may have the opportunity of sharing equally as may be in the production of
the country and of enjoying such happiness, comfort, and contentment as may be
derived therefrom. But in applying our theories we find ourselves controlled by
conditions that we can not overcome. We can only approach our ideals by the most
painstaking steps.
Thus it seems to me that in fixing wages, judged solely from the standpoint of the
employee, we must ordinarily take into consideration the interest of the industry in
which he is employed, as his interest may be inevitably interwoven in its interest.
To fix a wage which I might think he ought to have in order that he and his family
may enjoy what I conceive to be the American standard of living and thereby destroy
the industry in which he is employed would be folly. It is no answer to say that if
the industry were destroyed he could obtain employment in some other industry at
as high if not higher wages as he has that choice now. To destroy the industry
simply deprives him of a choice. Nor is it an answer to say that if the Eastern Massa
chusetts Street Railway Co. were obliged to suspend operation another form of trans
portation would take its place and the men could get employment in that at the same
or at a better wage. By far the greater number of uniformed men have worked for
the company for more than 15 years; many of them are in advanced years of life.
I t by no means follows that if motor busses should take the place of the street cars
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[864]
LABOR
AGREEMENTS, AWARDS, AND DECISIONS.
89
the men would get employment in the operation of the busses, or if they could that
their wages would be higher than those they are now receiving.
Therefore, in coming to my decision as to what should be awarded I feel that I
must take into consideration, for the interests of the men themselves, the financial
condition of the company and the probability of its being able to meet any increase
in compensation without serious injury or disaster to the company itself. We can
not assume that the money necessary to meet any increase in pay can he readily ob
tained from the public. Experience has shown that there is such a thing as a law
of diminishing return—that is, that the fare may be placed so high as to produce less
income.
It is urged by the employees that their compensation should be placed upon a rela
tive basis with that of the employees of the Boston Elevated Railway Co. I have
no doubt that many of the men employed by the Eastern Massachusetts Street Rail
way Co. work as hard if not harder than the men employed by the Boston Elevated
Railway Co. Nevertheless, I am unable to adopt the suggestion made by the em
ployees.
The difference in the situation of the two companies must be taken into account
in the consideration of the wages paid by the Boston Elevated Railway Co. as con
trasted with the wages paid by the Eastern Massachusetts Railway Co. Undoubtedly
the fact that the treasury of the Commonwealth stands behind the financial integrity
of the Boston Elevated Railway Co. is reflected in the difference in compensation
heretofore paid to their employees. In the one instance if the compensation were made
higher than the traffic would bear the deficit would be made up by taxes assessed in
the communities in which the company operates, while in the other, if long contin
ued, a deficit would result in the company ceasing to operate. Again, the Boston
Elevated Railway Co. is less likely to be affected by the competition of motor ve
hicles. In large part it furnishes rapid transit by means of subways and elevated
structures which, with the growing congestion in the highways, can not successfully
be furnished by motor vehicles. Its gross revenue since its operation by the public
trustees has steadily increased. The Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway, on the
other hand, operates in less densely settled territory, has no elevated structures, and
operates in no subways other than the subway from the North Station to Scollay
Square by arrangement with the Boston Elevated Railway Co. The gross annual
revenue of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Co. has steadily decreased,
rather than increased. These factors can not be overlooked in the fixation of wages,
and it is apparent to me that the compensation paid to the employees on the Boston
Elevated Railway Co. system can not be used as a safe criterion as to what can or
should be paid to the employees of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Co.
It is urged by the employees that no consideration should be given to the interests
of the stockholders in the fixation of wages. Assuming this to be true, we must give
consideration to the credit of the company, as no public utility can hope to long suc
ceed and furnish the sendee required for the public unless it Is able to secure new
capital to meet its capital expenditures. If the street railway is to continue and serve
the public efficiently, undoubtedly it will be called upon from time to time to make
permanent improvements to keep abreast of the times. We can not expect such im
provements to be met solely from the earnings of the company. New capital will be
required. Such new capital can not be obtained unless the conditions are such as to
attract it.
I have given careful consideration to the arguments advanced on behalf of the com
pany. I do not think that I should be bound by the yardstick of the increased cost
of living as determined by a Government board. Undoubtedly it should be given
consideration, and it is helpful in the determination of the questions submitted, but
if wages of the employees are to be measured solely by that, there is no occasion for the
arbitration. The argument advanced that any increase in compensation will result
in the failure of the company to meet its cost of service, is entitled to grave considera
tion but ought not to be decisive.
Notwithstanding the desirability of making the service-at-cost plan called for in
St. 1918, c. 188, a success, the public ought not, in my judgment, to expect to enjoy
the transportation furnished by the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Co. as at
present organized unless it is willing to contribute in fares sufficient to pay the men
who operate the transportation system a wage which is fairly comparable with the
wage paid by other utilities furnishing a like service under similar conditions, par
ticularly when there is no indication that such wage is likely to be reduced in the near
future. The statute provides that “ the trustees shall from time to time * * * fix
such rates of fares as will reasonably insure sufficient income to meet the cost of serv
ice.” I doubt that it was in the mind of anyone that the cost of service must be met
if it required the payment to the employees of a wage substantially less than that paid
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[865]
90
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
by street railway companies operated in the Commonwealth without the assistance of
the credit of the Commonwealth.
In considering the demands of the men we should keep in mind that in order to
meet the award of the so-called ‘‘Ogden arbitration, ’’it was necessary for the company,
in order to exist, to change its system into a one-man car system, one-man cars now
constituting 96 per cent of the cars operated. So far as appears the employees coop
erated in making the one-man car system a success and it seems to me are entitled to
consideration for that. Largely by reason of this change the company has turned
what seemed to be a hopeless situation into a promising one, providing it receives the
cooperation of the men and competition by motor busses is eliminated.
A difficulty arises in determining what is on a parity with that paid by other com
panies operating in the Commonwealth under similar conditions. It is agreed by the
parties that a flat wage scale shall be adopted, applicable throughout the territory in
which the street railway operates, irrespective of the varying conditions existing.
While the company operates in a number of cities of considerable size, where the pop
ulation is dense and traffic fairly heavy, it also operates in a large number of com
munities where the population is relatively small and the traffic light. In the smaller
communities the operator is confronted with less difficulty in operation, not only on
account of the light traffic on the street car itself, but as well by reason of the absence
of congestion of motor vehicles on the highways. Again, the cost of living in the
smaller communities is generally somewhat less than in the cities. It is well estab
lished that there is a considerable spread in the cost of living between the larger and
smaller communities.
After considering all the evidence and the arguments of counsel and taking all the
factors into consideration, I am of the opinion that the employees should be awarded
an increase^ in the basic rates of wages of approximately 6 per cent. Accordingly
I award an increase of 3J cents an hour over the basic wages now in effect.
As to the differential above the rates of wages for conductors and motormen that
shall be paid to men operating one-man cars, I am of the opinion that no change should
be made at this time. My judgment in this matter is affected by the fact that the
parties have agreed that I shall establish a flat rate throughout the territory served
by the company. I have no doubt that some of the men working for the Eastern
Massachusetts Street Railway Co. are required to perform more arduous duties than
any of the men operating one-man cars for the Boston Elevated Railway Co. On
the other hand, there are many lines operated by the company where the work of the
one-man operator, on account of the very light traffic, is not much more severe than
what a conductor would be called upon to perform in a two-men car where the travel
is very heavy or a motor-man in places where there is a serious congestion of street
traffic. In dealing with this question I am in effect determining the compensation to
be paid to the uniformed men employed by the company, as but very few of the uni
formed men are employed in the operation of two-men cars. In substance, the ques
tion is how much more should be paid to the uniformed men on the road than is paid
to the^ other employees. In the consideration of this question I must take into ac
count its effect upon the successful operation of the road. It appears from the evidence
that the differential now obtaining is as large as what is paid by most of the roads through
out the country where one and two men cars are operated and a differential is allowed.
The differential now paid is the same differential that has been paid since the so-called
‘1Ogden arbitration, ’’ and I do not feel that the e vidence presented at the hearings is
of such weight as would justify me in making a change in the differential at this tim e.
Accordingly, I award a differential of 5 cents per hour over and above the wage
to be paid to conductors and motormen as the compensation to be paid men while
operating one-man cars.
The following extracts from the dissenting opinion of James IT.
Vahey representing the employees are of interest:
I have refused to sign the above award and here record my dissent from it, not
only because I think most of the reasoning is faulty, but also because the increase
granted is obviously insufficient even from the point of view adopted by the majority
of the board.
I disagree in particular with the attitude of the majority in regard to the importance
of financial questions in a wage determination. A board having the task of fixing
wages should exercise its best judgment as to what is a fair and reasonable wage, not
necessarily dealing out exact justice, but at least making a step, however short, toward
that exact justice which must be the ultimate goal of humanity. And in determining
a fair and reasonable wage no thought must intervene regarding the financial condi
tion of the employing company. The employees of this company entered its service
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
866]
LABOR AGREEMENTS, AWARDS, AND DECISIONS.
91
to perform certain duties. They were not, of course, consulted about any of the
numerous problems of construction and investment, and they must not be forced to
take upon their shoulders any of the burdens created by unwise or unfortunate deci
sions of the present or past managements.
I was gratified to see that the majority felt that it was not bound “ by the yardstick
of the increased cost of living.” It appears to me that the majority to some extent
has accepted the contention of the men, inasmuch as there has been a widespread
increase in living standards over the country as a whole, that a certain portion of this
increased living standard should be accorded to them. Nevertheless, the award of
the majority merely follows the exact change in living costs since 1900, and enforces
for another year the 1900 standard which itself was totally inadequate. I t seems
to me that adopting the reasoning of the majority it would be but right to grant to
these men something in excess of the 1900 standard as a step, even though a slight
one, toward exact justice.
The majority of the board has also disregarded the fact that since the so-called
“ Ogden arbitration” in 1920, the productive employees of the company have been
reduced 59 per cent while the income of the company has reduced only 20 percent.
It necessarily follows, therefore, that the men to-day are doing a great deal more work
than they did in 1920.
It would not be fair to either of my associates or the trustees of the company finally
to conclude this arbitration with an award and my dissenting opinion without express
ing my appreciation of the fairness of the chairman of the board of trustees in present
ing the case to the board of arbitration, and the fairness of Mr. Cummings, the arbitrator
representing the company, the point of view of both of whom is necessarily different
from my own.
'
63745°—23
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
-7
[867]
HOUSING.
Building Permits in Principal Cities oi the United States, January
to June, 1923.
N JULY 1 of this year questionnaires were sent by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics to the building inspectors of each of the 68
cities in the United States having a population of 100,000 or
over, requesting the data hereinafter shown. This information has
been collected semiannually starting July 1, 1922, that is to say, it
has been gathered for three 6-month periods, January to June, 1922,
July to December, 1922, and January to June, 1923. Like data were
collected for the full calendar years 1920 and 1921.
In each of the two periods of 1922, data were obtained from only 65
of the cities having a population of 100,000 or more, while for the first
half of 1923 all of the 68 cities furnished the desired information. In
50 of these cities, city officials filled out and mailed the schedule to
the bureau, and for 18 cities schedules were compiled from city
records by agents of the bureau. The cities are named in Table 4.
Table i shows the total number and estimated cost of each of the
different kinds of new buildings covered bv permits issued in the 68
cities, the per cent that each kind forms of the total number, the per
cent that the cost of each kind forms of the total cost, and the average
cost per building.
O
T a b l e 1 . — BUILDING
PERM ITS ISSUED IN 68 CITIES IN TH E FIR ST SIX MONTHS OF 1923,
BY KIND OF BUILDING.
Buildings for which
permits wereissued.
Kind of building.
Residential buildings.
One-family dwellings...........................................
Two-family dwellings..........................................
One-family and two-family dwellings with
stores combined.................................................
Multi-family apartm ents.....................................
Multi-family apartm ents with stores combined
H otels.....................................................................
Lodging houses.....................................................
All other................................................................
Total............................................................
Nonresidential buildings.
Amusement buildings.........................................
Churches................................................................
Factories and workshops.....................................
Public garages.......................................................
P rivate garages.....................................................
Service stations....................................................
In stitutions...........................................................
Office buildings.....................................................
Public buildings...................................................
Public works and utilities...................................
Schools and libraries............................................
Sheds......................................................................
Stables and barns.................................................
Stores and warehouses..........................................
All other................................................................
Total............................................................
Grand to tal..................................................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Per
cent of
total.
Average
cost.per
building.
Number.
Per
cent of
total.
79,850
18,323
40.6
9.3
$356,942,709
128,602,766
27.4
9.9
$4,470
7,019
2,002
5,436
452
98
2
51
106, 214
1.0
2.8
.2
.1
0)
0)
54.0
20,165,333
284,798,825
24,658,617
61,392,465
16,000
8,590,663
885,167,378
1.5
21.9
1.9
4.7
C1)
.7
67.9
10,073
52,391
54,554
626,454
8,000
168,444
8,334
313
293
1,885
1,451
70,182
1,061
71
606
49
135
316
8,613
208
4,983
444
90,610
.2
.1
1.0
.7
35.7
.5
0)
.3
0)
.1
.2
4.4
.1
2.5
.2
46.0
15,888,753
15,524,677
63,534,026
23,395,441
36,318,241
3,312,691
9,466,539
84,653,868
4,396,212
9,493,407
60,970,471
3,369,086
485,203
83,755,152
3,260,831
417,824,571
1.2
1.2
4.9
1.8
2.8
.3
.7
6.5
.3
.7
4.7
.3
0)
6.4
32.1
50,763
52,885
33,705
16,124
517
3,122
133,331
139,693
89,719
70,322
192,945
391
2,333
16,808
7,344
4,611
196,824
100.0
1,302,991,949
100.0
6,620
1 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
92
Cost of buildings.
[ 888 ]
*>
Amount.
HOUSING.
93
The table shows that 54 per cent of the permits issued in these
cities from January to June, inclusive, of this year, were for residen
tial buildings and that 67.9 per cent of the estimated cost of all new
buildings were spent for this class of building. As in previous years,
more permits are being issued for one-family dwellings than for any
other class of building, either residential or nonresidential. Private
garages, however, are a very close second, permits being issued for
70,182 of them or 35.7 per cent of the total number of permits issued
for new buildings, compared with 79,850 one-family dwellings, which
compose 40.6 per cent of the new buildings.
Records show that only two permits were issued for lodging houses
in these cities during this half yearly period. This does not mean
that only two lodging houses were opened during that time, for
most lodging houses are old private dwellings converted, very few
new buildings being erected expressly for this purpose.
The estimated cost of amusement buildings of all classes was
$15,888,753, compared with $15,524,677 for churches. The average
cost per building was more for churches than for amusement buildings,
being $52,885 for the former and $50,763 for the latter.
It will be noticed that $60,970,471 is the estimated amount spent
for the erection of schools and libraries, $4,396,212 for public build
ings, $9,493,407 for public works and utilities and $9,466,539 for
institutions. Practically all of this money is from public funds, that
is to say, money raised and expended either by the National Govern
ment, the different State governments, or county or city officials.
This represents a fund which can absolutely be controlled and. be
increased or decreased at the public will. Here then is quite a large
fund which can be spent more liberally in years of unemployment and
pared down when times are good, thereby giving aid where needed
without taking any more money from the taxpayer, in fact undoubtedly
less money, as building material prices are usually lower in periods
of unemployment.
Permits were issued for 98 hotels in these cities during this sixmonth period, being an average of nearly 1 | per city. That they
were large hotels is shown by the fact that their average cost was
over $600,000. This is undoubtedly one of the best indices of pros
perity, for when general business slumps, the hotel business soon
shows it by a falling off in patronage, as the large part of hotel trade
is derived from traveling representatives of business firms; thus, when
more hotels are built, it is an indication that more of such people are
traveling.
Table 2 shows the number and per cent of families provided for
by each of the different kinds of dwellings in the 65 cities from which
reports were received for each of the three 6-month periods.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[869]
94
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
T a b l e 3 . — NUM BER
AND P E E CENT OF FAMILIES TO BE HOUSED IN DW ELLIN GS FOR
W HICH PERM ITS W E R E ISSUED IN 65 IDENTICAL CITIES IN T H E FIR ST H A L F OF
1922, T H E LAST H A LF OF 1922, AND T H E FIR ST PIALF OF 1923.
Families provided for.
Number of buildings
for which permits
were issued.
Number.
Per cent.
Kind of dwelling.
First
half
1922.
Second
half
1922.
First
half
1923.
First
half
1922.
Sec First
ond half
half 1923.
1922.
61,669
28,518
77,875
36,164
43.4
19.8
42.3
19.6
39.9
18.5
3,401
49,571
3,150
72,943
2.2
33.5
2.3
34.0
1.6
37.4
2,495
4,883
1.2
1.7
2.5
82,188 103,758 147,249 145,654 195,015 100.0 100.0
100.0
Second
half
1922.
First
half
1923.
First
half
1922.
One-family dw ellings..................... 63,892 61,669 77, 875 63,892
Two-family dwellings..................... 14,549 14,259 18,082 29,098
One-family and two-family dwell
1,998 3,253
ings w ith stores combined............ 2,026 2,156
5,353 49,291
Multi-family apartm ents................. 4,209 3,756
Multi-family apartm ents with
450 1,715
348
stores combined.............................
277
Total........................................ 84,953
A study of this table shovTs the great increase in the number of
new family accommodations planned in the first half of 1923, as
compared with either half of 1922, there being permits issued for
new buildings to house 195,015 families in these 65 cities during the
first six months of 1923, as compared with 147,249 from January to
June, 1922, and 145,654 from July to December, 1922. This is an
increase of 47,766 over the first half of 1922 and of 49,361 over the
last half. This increase in the number of new family accommoda
tions looms even larger when it is remembered that during 1922 far
more permits were issued for residential buildings than ever before.
In previous reports of the bureau, it has been pointed out that the
number of families provided for in apartment houses was gradually
approaching the number supplied by living quarters in one-family
houses. This table shows that in the first half of 1923 the number
of families for which accommodations were provided by the two
classes of apartment houses was 77,826, compared with 77,875 in
one-family dwellings. Thus, in cities having a population of 100,000
and over the number of families housed hi new apartment buildings
has, during the first six months of 1923, approximately equaled the
number domiciled in one-family dwellings.
And if the past speaks for the future, the proportion of families
living in apartment houses will continue to increase, for in the first
six months of 1922 the number of families accommodated in onefamily dwellings was 43.4 per cent of the total number of families
provided for, while the number housed hi the two classes of apart
ment houses was 34.6 per cent. In the second half the percentage
supplied by one-family dwellings had decreased to 42.3 per cent,
while that supplied by apartments had increased to 35.7 per cent.
In the first half of 1923 the percentage was the same, each of the two
classes housing 39.9 per cent of the total number of families accom
modated in new dwellings.
Table 3 shows the number and cost of each of the different kinds
of buildings for the 65 cities from which reports were received in each
of the three periods, January to June, 1922; July to December, 1922;
and January to June, 1923, and the percentage of increase or de
crease in the number and in the cost in the first half of 1923 as com
pared with the first half of 1922 and with the last half of 1922.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[870]
3.—NUMBER AND COST OF BUILDINGS FOR WHICH PERMITS W ERE ISSUED IN 65 IDEN TIC A L CITIES IN FIR ST H A L F OF 1922 SECOND H A L F
OF 1922, AND FIR ST H A LF OF 1923, BY KIND OF BUILDINGS.
Per cent of increase (+ ) or decrease
(—) in first half of 1923 as com
pared with—
Buildings for which perm its were issued in—
Kind of building.
First half of 1922.
Number.
Cost.
Second half of 1922.
Number.
Cost.
First half of 1923.
Number.
Cost.
First half of
1922.
Second half of
1922.
Number.
Cost.
Number.
Cost.
[871]
Residential buildings.
One-family dwellings......................................................
Two-family dwellings....................................................
One and Two family dwellings with stores combined
Multi-family dwellings...................................................
Multi-family dwellings with stores combined.............
Hotels...............................................................................
Lodging houses...............................................................
Other...............................................................................
63,892
14,549
2,026
4,209
277
41
12
55
$275,448,142
100,079,393
18,519,252
211,115,378
7,581,009
16,601,185
1,102,000
11,751,775
61,669
14,259
2,156
3,756
348
59
5
51
$279,010,828
98,389,057
21,190,302
181,691,358
13,817,850
47,019,606
172,100
10,440,535
77,875
18,082
1,998
5,353
450
98
2
51
$350,251,374
125,827,256
, 20,125,633
Ö83,594,525
24,613,392
61,392,465
16,000
8,590,663
+21.9
+24.3
- 1 .4
+27.2
+62.5
+ 139.0
-8 3 .3
- 7 .3
+27.2
+25.7
+8.7
+34.3
+224.7
+ 269.8
-98.5
-2 6 .9
+26.3
+26.8
-7 .3
+42.5
+29.3
+66.1
-60.0
- 7 .3
+25.5
+27.9
- 5 .0
+56.1
+78.1
+30.6
-90.7
-17.7
T o t a l . . . . . . . . ............... ........................................
85,061
642,198,134
82,303
651,691,636
103,909
874,411,308
+22.2
+36.2
+26.3
+34.2
225
283
1,502
1,064
52,015
610
62
549
26
104
272
8,623
243
5,440
895
20,681,933
15.267.659
31,338,567
9,748,905
25,377,637
1,520,019
8,499,594
67,546,307
1,801,720
6,570,778
48,535,016
2,889,784
472,520
68.685.659
3,524,355
326
383
1,754
1,167
58,038
727
121
562
71
113
304
9,157
218
4,464
515
18,188,140
15,803,950
56,010.960
12,138; 088
31,221,564
2,991,207
17,078,652
63,954,925
10,092,153
9,479,356
54,719,205
3,247,509
473,839
61,299,069
3,397,776
308
275
1,859
1,435
69,201
1,051
71
594
40
132
302
8,452
202
4,752
444
15,836,503
14,884,177
63,039,826
23,352,191
34,770,880
3,270,641
9,466,539
84,236,968
4,316,562
9,474,207
59,652,995
3,329,071
481,988
81,656,493
3,260,831
+36.9
- 2 .8
+23.8
+34.9
+33.0
+72.3
+ 14.5
+8.2
+53.8
+26.9
+ 11.1
- 2 .0
-16.9
-12.6
-50.4
-2 3 .4
- 2 .5
+ 101.2
+ 139.5
+37.0
+ 115.2
+ 11.4
+ 24.7
+ 139.6
+44.2
+22.9
+ 15.2
+2.0
+ 18.9
- 7 .5
- 5 .5
-2 8 .2
- 6 .0
+23.0
+ 19.2
+44.6
-4 1 .3
+5.7
-4 3 .7
+16.8
- .7
-7 .7
- 7 .3
+6.5
-13.8
-1 2 .9
- 5 .8
+ 12.5
+92.4
+ 11.4
+9.3
-4 4 .6
+31.7
-5 7 .2
- .1
+9.0
+2.5
+1.7
+33.2
- 4 .0
Nonresidential buildings.
Amusement buildings..................................
Churches........................... ...........................
Factories and workshops.............................
Public garages...............................................
Private garages.............................................
Service stations............................................
Institutions...................................................
Office buildings............................................
Public buildings...........................................
Public works and utilities...........................
Schools and libraries....................................
Sheds..............................................................
Stables and barns.........................................
Stores and warehouses.................................
All other................... ....................................
Total....................................................
71,913
312,460,453
77,920
360,096,393
89,118
411,029,872
+23.9
+ 31.5
+ 14.4
+ 14.1
Grand total.........................................
156,974
954,658,587
160,223
1, Oil, 788,029
193,027
1,285,441,180
+23.0
+ 34.6
+20.5
+27.0
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
•9JÆISÎ10H
T able
CO
Cn
96
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
The table above shows that the number of permits issued for
residential buildings during the first six months of 1923 increased
22.2 per cent over the number issued in the first half of 1922, and
26.3 per cent over those issued in the latter half of 1922. There
was an increase of 36.2 per cent in the estimated cost of these
buildings as compared with the first half and of 34.2 per cent as com
pared with the second half of the preceding year. The largest
percentual increase for any class of residential buildings was in the
number of hotels.
Nonresidential buildings increased 23.9 per cent in number in the
first half of 1923 over the corresponding period in 1922 and the money
expended for their erection increased 31.5 per cent. As compared
with the last half of 1922, the increase in number was 14.4 per cent
and in estimated cost 14.1 per cent.
In these 65 cities there were 193,027 permits issued for new buildings
of all classes during the period from January to June, 1923. This
is an increase of. 36,053, or 23.0 per cent, over the 156,974 issued
during the same period in 1922. The estimated cost of these pro
jected buildings was $1,285,441,180 in the first half of 1923 and
$954,658,587 in the first half of 1922, showing an expenditure of
$330,782,593 or 34.6 per cent more during the first half of 1923 than
during the first half of 1922.
Comparing the number and estimated cost of all new buildings
erected during the period January to June, 1923, with those erected
during the period June to December, 1922, an increase of 20.5 per
cent is shown in the number and 27.0 per cent in the estimated cost.
The large general table following shows detailed information
concerning residential building permits issued in 65 cities during
each half of 1922, and in all of the 68 cities having a population of
100.000 and over, during the first half of 1923. For lack of space
it is not possible to publish in the R eview the detailed figures for
nonresidential building permits, which have been summarized in
the preceding pages, nor for permits for additions, alterations, and
repairs.
This table gives the number and cost of each kind of dwelling, the
number of families provided for by each type of house, and the ratio
of families provided for to each 10,000 of population.
It will be seen that in the great majority of these cities more
permits were issued for residential buildings in the first six months
of 1923 than for either of the two periods in 1922. New York, Chi
cago and Los Angeles show a notable increase along with other cities.
In working out the ratio of families provided for to each 10,000
of population, the census figures for 1920 were used.
The figures show that the newer cities continue to have a building
growth greater than the older ones; thus, Los Angeles provided for
382.1 families to each 10,000 of population, while Boston provided
for only 27.9 during the first six months of this year. This small
proportion of families provided for in Boston is partially accounted
for by the fact that the city is practically surrounded by smaller
cities and towns, and very little room is left within the city limits
on which to build.
Los Angeles shows a larger proportion of families provided for com
pared with its population than any city in the United States for each
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[872]
97
HOUSING.
of the three periods, there being 212.5 families provided for to each
10,000 of population in the period from January to June, 1922;
273.6 in the period from July to December, 1922 and 382.1 from
January to June, 1923.
Following are the eight cities which show a ratio of over 100 fami
lies provided for to each 10,000 of population during the first six
months of 1923:
Los Angeles..........................
Dallas...................................
Detroit..................................
Kansas City, Mo..................
382.1 Oakland................................
140.1 Houston................................
137. 4 New Y o rk ............................
133. 3 A tlanta.................................
122. 1
120. 8
HO. 9
106. 0
The 65 cities reporting in 1922 showed a ratio of 54.7 families
provided for to each 10,000 of population for the first half and 54.1
for the last half, while the 68 cities from which data were obtained
for the first six months of 1923 showed the ratio of families provided
for during that period to be 72.1 to each 10,000 of population.
In the first six months of 1923 permits were issued in the 68 cities
for 92,963 alterations and repairs the estimated cost of which was
$135,822,157.
The number of installation permits and the cost of the installa
tion were obtained whenever issued in the office of the building in
spector. In a number of cities no permits were required for signs,
boilers, etc.; in other cities these permits were issued from offices
other than that of the building inspector. The number of installa
tions reported in the period from January to June, 1923 by the cities
issuing this class of permits was 29,950; and the estimated cost of
these installations was $11,985,707.
In the first half of 1923 the total number of permits of all kinds
issued in the 68 cities was 319,737 and the estimated cost of all con
struction was $1,450,779,813. In the 65 cities reporting for all three
periods, 313,239 permits were issued during the first half of 1923,
showing an estimated expenditure of $1,430,765,089. This compares
with 267,593 permits costing $1,070,332,937 for the first six months
of 1922, and with 262,524 permits for which $1,132,050,056 were
expended during the last six months of 1922.
The five cities showing the greatest amount of expenditure for
building purposes of all kinds during the first half of 1923 and the
amounts spent in each of them are shown below:
New York...
Chicago........
Los Angeles..
Philadelphia.
Detroit.........
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$427, 633, 386
189,914,112
93, 889,185
75,217,095
61, 616, 302
[ 873 ]
T able
CO
4.—NUMBER AND PROPOSED COST OF NEW RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS COVERED BY PERMITS ISSUED IN 1322 AND IN FIRST HALF
OF 1923.
GO
Housekeeping dwellings.
City and State.
Period.
One-family dwellings.
Num
ber.
Albany, N. Y .......
Atlanta, Ga..........
[874]
Baltimore, M d__
Birmingham, A la.
Boston, Mass.......
Bridgeport, Conn,
Buffalo, N. Y
Cambridge, Mass.
Camden, N, J
Chicago, 111
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
11922
2 1922
11923
i 1922
1922
i 1923
i 1922
¡1922
11923
1 1922
2 1922
11923
i 1922
: 1922
i 1923
11922
2 1922
i 1923
1 1922
21922
i 1923
1 1922
2 1922
11923
1 1922
2 1922
11923
1 1922
2 1922
i 1923
i 1922
2 1922
11923
151
186
330
121
123
85
1 071
989
1 129
1 452
i 718
1 956
752
637
1 394
129
128
116
32
50
32
884
964
840
20
20
15
165
200
235
3 036
3 116
3 474
$679,805
972,200
1,525,765
848,700
1,006,500
737,300
3,677,750
3,682,621
4,415,388
7,160,200
6,554,500
7,471,925
1,678,785
1,717,406
2,570,144
3 7,202,600
3 6,386,430
3 6,640,980
114,950
196,140
153,070
3,218,885
3,485,410
3,374,350
270,750
338,462
199,500
652,000
795,500
961,535
15,442,255
15,309,800
18,780,890
Fam i
lies.
151
186
330
121
123
85
1,071
989
1,129
1,452
1,718
1,956
752
637
1,394
129
12S
116
32
50
32
884
964
840
20
20
15
165
200
235
3,036
3,116
3,474
Num
ber.
Cost.
Fami Num
ber.
lies.
Cost.
Fami Num
ber.
lies.
8
1
188
58
95
104
130
160
172
225
2
5
136
153
150
2u
586,000
433; 259
505,100
586,850
971000
838i 0 0 0
1,318,575
116
190
208
260
320
344
450
5,400
26,000
(4)
4
( 4)
(4)
1
2
6
2
272
306
300
8 ,0 0 0
2
98,100
68,400
85,500
30,000
12,900
26,500
12,500
(4)
(4)
(4)
59
54
36
543,700
464,300
291,300
16
11
IS
-7
5
10
$27,000
16,900
19
4
3
2
4
6
3
27
17
20
8
6
19
6
5
2
2
6
92
51
76
14
9
12
I
1,213,240
1,581,180
i; 488', 520
294
738
722
72
100
48
99R nnn
1,282
l' 395
1,688
12,260,840
12', 958; 550
17,226,650
2,564
2,790
3,376
6
IQ 800
8
17
219
199
207
17Q 000
2 ,36$; 1 0 0
3,046,800
2,730,200
30
320
302
313
$136,000
1 2 ,0 0 0
25,000
125,000
2,138,950
1,503,600
2,036,725
880,800
730,000
1,207,000
1 2 ,0 0 0
8
1,012
327
5S6
34,245,900
25,623,200
44,291,100
100
110
109
15
1
4
6
1
2
QH9 Ann
Cost.
6 0 ;000
494,000
(4)
(4)
(4)
103,700
67,100
75; 2 0 0
5 ; 000
45,500
205,500
150,000
215;000
360; 000
1
9
10
9
20
147
369
361
Multi-family dwellings
with stores combined.
Multi-family dwellings.
Fami Num
ber.
lies.
Cost.
Fami
lies.
44
4
8
24
645
469
711
176
184
267
4
24
84
1,194
1,366
1,564
48
30
27
15
46
33
50
129
6,542
4,455
8,138
2
$32,200
9
1
7,200
3
3
6 8 ,0 0 0
12
4
24
4
27,000
(4)
(4)
(4)
1
25,000
8
5
128,000
21
63
77
89
2,450,000
5,041,200
9,390,000
1
7
1
8
107
416
686
1,320
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Akron, Ohio.........
Cost.
One and two family dwell
ings with stores combined.
Two-family dwellings.
Housekeeping dwellings—Concluded.
City and State.
Period.
Total.
families.
Hotels.
Ratio of
families
provided
Population in for
to each
1920.
10,000 of Number.
Cost.
popula
tion.
[875]
Akron, Ohio.................. 11922
208,435
9.4
195
2 1922
190
9.1
i 1923
15.8
330
Albany, N. Y ................ J 1922
113,344
317
28.0
2 1922
23.6
267
20.2
1 1923
229
1,921
Atlanta, Ga................... 1 1922
200,616
95.8
83.2
21922
1,669
106.0
1 1923
2,127
733,826
Baltimore, Md.............. 1 1922
1,968
26.8
2 1922
30.9
2,266
2,681
36.5
1 1923
Birmingham, Ala......... 1 1922
178,806
42.6
'762
2 1922
696
38.9
83.8
1 1923
1,498
Boston, Mass................ 1 1922
lj 624
748,060
21.7
24.2
2 1922
lj 810
27.9
1 1923
2,089
143,535
9.1
Bridgeport, Conn......... 1 1922
' 130
8.4
2 1922
120
5.2
75
1 1923
1,262
506,775
Buffalo, N. Y ............... 1 1922
24.9
2 1922
1 817
35.9
1,677
33.1
1 1923
Cambridge, Mass.......... 1 1922
111
10.1
109,694
2 1922
126
11.5
194
17.7
1 1923
Camden, N. J ............... i 1922
116,309
14.9
173
2 1922
22.4
260
22.8
i 1923
265
2,701,705
47.7
Chicago, 111................... i 1922
12,878
2 1922
42.0
11,349
16,621
61.5
i 1923
1 First six months.
2 Last six months.
3 Includes cost of two-family dwellings, one and two family dwellings with
4 Included with cost of one-family dwellings.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Nonhousekeeping dwellings.
1
$250,000
2
2
670,000
2,400,000
1
3
5,000,000
1,663,000
1
450,000
8
9
23
2,360,000
14,330,000
30,796,000
Lodging houses.
Number.
2
2
1
Cost.
$300,000
160,000
15,000
Total new residential
buildings.
Other.
Number.
Cost.
1
$40,000
1
81,000
5
825,000
1
1
38,000
108|700
2
2
55,000
1,212,000
3
5
2
570,000
620i 000
500,000
Number.
159
187
330
217
195
151
1,266
1,148
1,353
1,638
1,917
2,201
758
663
1,413
377
400
384
73
81
49
1,095
1,393
1,248
50
50
48
171
230
252
5,623
5,130
6,070
Cost.
$815 805
984*200
1,525,’ 765
2 168 000
1 755’400
l , 475* 300
6 200’ 059
6?369’ 321
9* 537* 063
0 087’600
8*208’ 000
10,067 500
1 703 685
1 958 306
3 129*644
7*502* 600
12' 21l' 430
8*303 980
’387 100
403* 000
298* 570
5 51o’825
6 788* 390
5,487* 670
701,650
846,262
861,900
671,800
1,021*500
1,140*535
69,697,095
77^089; 550
123,729,840
stores combined, multi-family dwellings, and multi-family dwellings with stores combined.
CD
CO
4.—NUMBER AND PROPOSED COST OF NEW RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS COVERED BY PERMITS ISSUED IN 1922 AND IN FIRST H A L F
OF 1923—Continued.
100
T able
Housekeeping dwellings.
City and State.
Period.
One-family dwellings.
Num
ber.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
906 $5,395,180
971
4,698,095
5,822,290
929
970 5 6,828,700
912 6 6,785,950
1,270 5 10,330,450
3,286,550
740
2,974,600
651
4.001.300
880
3,847,871
1,353
1,317
4,030,878
1,424
4,497,975
1,793,587
363
1,314,066
287
2,432,218
530
4.065.300
1,078
3.723.300
1,044
4,325,000
1,288
2,098,470
624
534
1,920,375
710
2,707,615
2,912
10,512,486
4,124
14,682,275
6,195
22,245,248
66
278,975
102
474,625
98
476,567
978
3,157,225
1,728,765
525
2,646,195
524
659
2,661,750
326,340
45
430,000
45
370,050
46
Fami Num
ber.
lies.
Fami
lies.
Num
ber.
906
974
929
970
912
1,270
740
651
880
1,353
1,317
1,424
363
287
530
1,078
1,044
1,288
624
534
710
2,912
4,124
6,195
98
86
154
376
398
539
184
168
372
93
127
142
65
48
73
77
100
104
4
8
(4)
1,206,600
1,174.100
2,783,500
487,550
778,020
880,800
469 295
393,300
568^ 169
495 000
629' 500
700,000
8' 800
65,000
196
172
308
752
796
1,078
368
336
744
1S6
254
284
130
96
146
154
200
208
8
16
613
788
1 209
' 12
28
24
4
9
22
4 292 050
5 256' 900
8 897,121
74,800
197,000
180,870
18,910
53,400
108,000
1 226
1 576
2,418
24
56
48
8
18
44
69
60
42
637 050
557 850
m ’ 236
138
120
84
66
102
98
978
525
524
659
45
45
46
Cost.
$887,900
782,950
1,241,050
( 4)
( 4)
Cost.
Multi-family dwellings.
Fami Num
ber.
lies.
6
$.56,000
10
4
34,250
6
10
19
21
62,250
183,700
201,500
13
32
31
4
30,000
5
2
1
12,500
4,500
2
1
3
6
5
1
5
34,200
72,350
42,000
5,500
28,000
5
12
7
1
10
Cost.
Multi-family dwellings
with stores combined.
Fami Num
ber.
lies.
11
7
23
89
57
88
20
10
37
23
36
65
9
1
9
$207,300
357,000
329Ì 000
3,428,250
4,612,000
5,042,500
829,200
219, 000
611, 500
383,250
610,900
2,478,361
214,000
332,000
372,500
41
196
106
953
770
1,196
'144
193
178
96
360
519
138
47
52
11
15
5
13l
7
123
187
250
22
54
43
10
6
14
432,000
1,027,000
45,800
1,077,600
228,000
6,683,125
8,224,614
10,266,334
218,935
544,802
438,040
159,000
656,000
342,900
50
300
18
391
95
2,730
3,513
4,317
66
165
129
40
150
131
65
93
71
1,224,100
1,483,647
1,283,493
388
412
356
Cost.
Fami
lies.
3
5
1
$81,000
650,000
35,000
12
102
3
2
2
165,000
76,000
30
8
5
11
84,700
574,000
24
200
2
4
79
100
101
1
1
105,000
50,500
1,595, 794
1,478,419
2,741,627
25,000
9,600
31
4
404
328
724
6
3
2
45,225
7
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
[876]
Cincinnati, Ohio........... 11922
2 1922
11923
Cleveland, Ohio............ 11922
2 1922
11923
Columbus, Ohio............ 11922
2 1922
11923
Dallas, T ex ................... 11922
11922
i 1923
Dayton, Ohio............... 11922
11922
11923
11922
Denver, Colo.................
! 1922
11923
Des Moines, Iowa......... 11922
11922
11923
11922
Detroit, Mich................
21922
11923
Fall River, Mass.......... 11922
21922
11923
Fort W orth, Tex.......... 11923
Grand Rapids, Mich. . . 11922
21922
11923
11922
Hartford, Conn.
'1922
11923
Cost.
One and two family dwell
ings with stores combined.
Two-family dwellings.
Nonhousekeeping dwellings.
Housekeeping dwellings—Concluded.
City and State.
Cincinnati. Ohio
Period.
Total.
families.
Hotels.
Ratio of
families
provided
Population in for to each
1920.
10,000 of Number.
Cost.
popula
tion.
796,841
237,031
158,976
152,559
256,491
126,468
993,678
120,485
106,482
137,634
138,036
29.0
36.0
33.7
33.6
31.1
44.5
53.4
51.1
77.3
104.7
122.0
140.1
41. 4
28.2
49.6
55.8
50.5
70.0
51. 4
77.0
64.0
73. 2
96.0
137. 4
13.9
28.1
23. 4
97.1
51.1
47. 9
41. 4
41. 8
35.2
1
1
1
SI, 000,000
' 4011000
650,000
1
30,000
2
3
8
106,300
233' 000
1,028'400
1
2
600,000
1,661' 000
1
Number.
Cast.
4
$1,673,275
3
455,000
1
1
924,000
42,000
1
125,000
1
139,800
1
165,000
118,000
Number.
1,028
1,072
1,114
1,436
1,368
1,898
955
849
1,311
1,472
1,482
1,631
437
336
621
1.166
1,155
1,407
633
560
722
3,729
5,202
7,764
104
191
170
995
546
562
659
179
199
159
Cost.
$8,300,655
6,488,045
7,916,590
11,256,950
l i , 797,950
16,022,950
5,402,600
5,475,400
7,669,800
4,913,671
5,495,798
7,857,136
2,476, 882
2,039,366
3,487, 587
5,107,300
4,784,800
6,052,000
2,153,070
3,305,475
2,990,615
23,190,755
29,875, 208
45,318, 530
631,910
1,298,377
1,137,477
3,386,460
3,066,165
4,758,095
2,661,750
2,187,490
2,636,497
2,062,779
101
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
401,247
Cost.
HOUSING.
[877]
1 1922
1,165
2 1922
Ï 444
l' 352
i 1923
0 ]p.vp]and O h io
1 1922
2 675
2 1922
2,478
1 1923
3'544
ColnmbnSj Ohio
1 1922
1,265
2 1922
l ' 212
l' 833
i 1923
D a l] a <5 T pv
l ' 665
1 1922
1,939
2 1922
1 1923
2,227
D a y t o n O h io
11922
'631
21922
430
11923
757
Dftnvp.r C olo
11922
1,432
2 1922
1 294
1 796
11923
D p«; Moinp.9 Tnwa
11922
'650
2 1922
974
11923
810
D pt.roi t M i r*h
l 1922
7,272
9 ' 541
2 1922
11923
13 654
"Pa 11 D i vp.r ATaqs
11922
167
2 1922
338
11923
282
1,034
11923
"Port Worth T py
703
Grand Rapids, Mich. . . 1 1922
2 1922
699
11923
659
11922
571
pffti’tfo rrl C o n n
2 1922
577
486
11923
1 First six months.
2 Last six months.
< Included with cost of one-family dwellings.
2 Includes cost of two-family dwellings.
Number.
Total new residential
buildings.
Other.
Lodging houses.
4 __NUMBER AND PROPOSED COST OF NEW RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS COVERED BY PERM ITS ISSUED IN 1922 AND IN F IR S T H A L F
OF 1923—Continued.
102
T able
Housekeeping dwellings
City and State.
Period.
One-family dwellings.
Num
ber.
Indianapolis, In d ..
Jersey City, N. J . . .
[S78]
Kansas City, Kans.
Kansas City, M o...
Los Angeles, Calif.
Louisville, K y ___
Lowell, Mass.........
Memphis, T en n ...
Milwaukee, Wis__
Minneapolis, Minn.
Nashville, Tenn__
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
11922
21922
11923
11922
2 1922
11923
11922
21922
1 1923
11922
21922
11923
1 1922
2 1922
11923
1 1922
2 1922
1 1923
1 1Q22
2 1922
1 1923
l 1922
2 1922
i 1923
i 1922
2 1922
i 1923
1 1922
2 1922
1 1923
1 1922
2 1922
1 1923
1 1922
2 1922
11923
1 412
1,183
1,373
1,600
1,010
1,219
47
26
28
263
246
437
1 269
1’473
L 558
7 162
8 211
9* 622
' fiso
625
1 218
’ 106
97
92
818
663
828
668
668
663
1 740
17390
1,604
282
316
335
$4 087 316
3’ 002^ 562
3,786,501
5,200,000
3,484, 500
5,364,793
397,120
171,990
270, 250
698 693
5 9 9 ’ 550
1 OI7 ’700
4 170 400
671617800
5, 0 9 9 ’ 750
16 674 868
2176737320
2574067680
6487000
2
, 986' 000
2 016 460
’dOfí’ 360
3387426
369' 100
3,411,264
2 693 946
3 ' 563' 125
3 042 848
278107176
372987260
670317190
4 672 810
5'566'705
791 250
922 600
837,'340
Fami Num
ber.
lies.
Fami Num
lies.
ber.
Fami
lies.
Num
ber.
1 412
1,183
1,373
1,600
1,010
1,219
47
26
28
263
246
33
30
36
75
378
265
151
167
178
8193 170
”17l' 530
235,435
375, 000
2,608,200
1,720,378
1,413,273
1,478,650
1,768,800
66
60
72
150
756
530
302
334
356
6
21
10
25
50
3
26
20
26
$27 077
'85; 400
29,482
230,000
250,000
39,425
351,000
231,200
345,000
35
17
40
75
4
36
38
43
2
26
34
56
1 256
]75 6 8
27388
' 26
54
30
34
36
41
27
38
4
52
68
5
9,900
8
8
44,500
16
12
7
56 non
32^000
142 000
297700
277500
1 2 ', 500
50,600
35 200
52,875
401 000
525,900
401,500
94,650
36,000
23; 700
15
322
336
92
90
113
5,800
172' 000
2277000
4 3 1 ’ 500
5 7 7 1 562
77468 969
11 243 738
' 1 an' non
55' 000
160 000
1927200
195; 200
234,300
131,480
195 870
376,250
2,230 050
2,438,686
2,728,200
762 850
679 400
9 72 ' 200
2
17,000
3
23,000
437
1 259
I7473
l ' 558
7 162
s' 2 1 1
Q 52?,
1650
625
1 218
7106
97
92
818
663
828
568
558
653
1 740
1 390
l' 604
2S2
316
335
53
Cost.
112
2 512
3 136
4?776
’ 52
108
60
68
72
82
54
76
106
590
644
672
184
180
226
5
45
5
5
2
8
6
9
40
42
28
17
12
Cost.
9
181
135
169
160
300
159
478
489
597
1
16,000
6
2 280 500
1 683 500
3 ! 767! 100
6 125 117
9’390 963
18' 4 1 2 ' 955
'646 non
2 0 ; 000
200 000
I 3 7500
56,140
58,500
788,400
886,150
1,743; 750
677,500
896,000
1,065,000
3; 1 4 7 ; 200
1 938 600
2,195,500
228,500
46', 100
261,000
865
951
2,544
2,579
4; 433
7; 738
' 82
3
40
6
36
33
250
339
254
204
287
262
814
314
724
76
18
52
62
80
212
391
463
750
9
1
10
2
5
3
4
13
6
27
13
10
35
53
60
40
23
18
12
13
14
69
42
60
8
1
11
6
Fami Num
ber.
lies.
$441 690
'283^ 750
459,683
602,000
1,700,000
364,850
2,326,460
1,895,140
2,463,000
62
5
7
Cost.
30
24
31
14
25
10
22
24
31
10
4
Multi-family dwellings
with stores combined.
Multi-family dwellings.
Cost.
Fami
lies.
6
10
3
5
4
2
3
2
$93,100
73,700
130,000
115,000
121,000
37,000
92,000
292,000
20
39
20
20
21
6
20
85
1
12,000
4
8
133,000
96
1
4,000
3
2
7
60,000
75,430
26
25
0
67,500
20
410,000
165
8
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
Houston, Tex........
Cost.
One and two family dwell
ings with stores combined.
Two-family dwellings.
Nonhousekeeping dwellings.
Housekeeping dwellings—Concluded.
City and State.
Period.
Total.
families.
TTnnsf.nn HTp.x
TnrHanapnlis Tnrl
Jp/r«;py (^ jfy ^ J
[879]
"[•Canaan CMty ]Vfn
1 1922
1,668
Ï’ 433
l'670
1,970
2 161
1 933
*399
907
1 109
263
252
453
2 176
2 492
4 326
1 9.’ 263
2 1922
1 1923
16^ 730
92 036
2 1922
i 1923
T jDS
AnpplftSj Clidif
Tifmîsvillp TCy
T jOWp II M il
ATPlYipTli^ Term
Milwail
MHs
1 1922
2 1922
11923
1 1922
2 1922
l 1923
1 1922
2 1922
1 1923
1 1922
2 1922
1 1923
Mirnipf]pnli<5 IVTimn
1 1922
N a s b v illp
1 1923
i 1922
2 1922
T p .t it i
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2 1922
i 1923
*799
749
1 380
; 1K4
210
236
1 160
1*084
138,276
314,194
298,103
101,177
324,410
576,673
234,891
112,759
162,351
1 1 218
V 415
\ 549
1*627
9 761
1*902
9 726
; 358
338
393
457 147
380,582
118,342
i First 6 months.
120.6
103.6
120. 8
62.7
68.8
61.5
29.2
30. 4
37.2
26.0
24.9
44.8
67.1
76. 8
133.3
212. 5
273.6
382.1
34. 0
31.9
58. 8
16. 3
18.6
20.9
71.5
66. 8
75.0
31.0
33.9
35.6
72.5
50.0
71.6
30.3
28. 6
33.2
Cost.
Number.
1
1
$300,000
1
1
225,000
65,000
3
11
19
33
524,000
4,930,885
1,348' 832
2,943,000
1
1,750,000
1
1,020,034
1
525,000
1
150,000
1
1
Cost.
Number.
$4,800
50,000
31,000
2 Last 6 months.
Cost.
1
$61,000
3
2
2
125,000
578,000
690,900
1
400,000
1
1
1,000,000
250,000
1
50,000
1
4
880,000
588; 000
2
1
2
73,600
50,000
313, 000
7
870,000
Number.
1,481
1,266
1,460
1,721
1,470
1,504
249
240
265
263
247
445
1,347
1,587
1,846
8,820
10,261
12,693
698
687
1,305
146
143
142
887
721
930
915
936
1,036
1,919
1,537
1,793
292
319
356
Cost.
$4,749,253
3,702,142
4,584,801
6,962,000
8,735,700
8,526,346
4,589,853
3,868,980
5,139,050
598,593
615,550
1,045,400
6,622,900
7,062,300
10,399,850
33,402,422
39,882,084
58,005,373
4,430,000
4,097,000
4,508,450
641,760
617,265
784,400
4,457,174
4,731,199
5,803,500
. 6,351,398
7,550,761
8,605,950
10,066,890
7,450,410
9,218,105
1,332, 750
985,700
1,991,340
HOUSING.
TTç\n sas CMf.y TCan^
11922
2 1922
11923
11922
21922
11923
11922
2 1922
11923
11922
21922
11923
1 1922
Ratio of
families
provided
Population in for
to each
1920.
10,000 of Number.
popula
tion.
Total new residential
buildings.
Other.
Lodging houses.
Hotels.
4 .—NUMBER AND PROPOSED COST OF NEW RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS COVERED BY PERMITS ISSUED IN 1922 AND IN FIRST HALF
OF 1923—Continued.
104
T \ ble
Housekeeping dwellings.
City and State.
Period.
Num
ber.
$907,160
860,659
1,013,495
580,000
505,600
416,000
408,200
650,300
452,700
1,116,830
842,670
1,246,486
112
135
145
116
99
104
51
77
55
461
312
386
241
297
367
147
159
178
62
69
59
325
419
498
$2,589,600
3,397,466
4,355,200
1,176,000
1,439,000
1,424,000
607,450
641,450
586,400
1,407.375
1,886,250
2,148,104
482
594
734
294
318
356
124
138
118
650
838
996
16,499,330
2,772
19,884,780
2,521
4,146 21,880,580
1,007 &10,913,159
891 5 13,421,079
1,383 6 21,459,200
2,185,976
53
107,500
4
177,000
5
5,668 28,137,650
5,360 27,321,590
6,811
35,885,985
3,672,899
1,277
2,174,256
756
3,992,419
1,060
502,505
158
607,200
129
348
1,542,385
4,868,053
1,508
1,705
5,307,885
6,492,421
2,071
3,095,582
781
771
3,043,010
3,827,406
884
2,772
2,521
4,146
1,007
891
1,383
53
4
5
5,668
5,360
6,811
1,277
756
1,060
158
129
348
1,508
1,705
2,071
781
771
884
2,784
2,417
2,513
588
804
1,074
29,484,245
21,136,450
24,006,750
(4)
(4)
(4)
5,568
4,834
5,026
1,176
1,608
2,148
11
9
3,050
1,777
2,403
170
106
311
37
25
32
35
22
17
22
19
51
184,500
86,000
16,299,150
14,281,550
19,745,100
1,073,400
669,284
1,841,700
175,550
156,900
172,450
239,950
118,500
88,344
203,000
207,900
537,000
22
18
6,100
3,554
4,806
340
212
622
74
50
64
70
44
34
44
38
102
112
135
145
116
99
104
51
77
55
461
312
386
Cost.
Cost.
Cost.
Multi-family dwellings.
Fam i Num
ber.
lies.
34
25
22
1
$415,500
279,500
520,500
10,000
59
36
37
1
3
30,000
3
218
160
151
522,750
318,890
794,115
436
200
250
411
607
504
5,197,500
7,252,000
5,919,000
822
1,214
1,008
6
393
472
356
51
26
33
7
98,000
3,832,350
4,658,600
4,209,550
367,400
180,100
272,890
31,700
12
587
708
561
73
39
39
8
8
22
32,300
114,450
8
27
20
97,250
20
Cost.
Multi-family dwellings
with stores combined.
Fami Num
ber.
lies.
69
72
97
2
3
17
23
21
8
40
48
21
$2,666,500
2,496,520
2,816,800
40,000
96,000
170,000
653,200
752,320
282,000
316,600
342,900
167,100
652
564
693
13
11
76
169
188
60
125
256
63
623
619
1,177
247
180
292
97
72
106
232
161
249
2
1
25,828,700
30,798,300
58,364,300
38,127,000
21,864,000
46; 663i 000
30,375,000
26,315,000
27; 293; 500
20,413,600
9,364,000
15,127,500
800,000
275,902
5,166
9,337
13,960
10,025
5,832
11,976
5,050
3,260
4,972
2,746
2,728
2,638
152
76
28
8
2
59
114
109
5
10
734,500
152,650
19,000
1,021,154
1,659,900
1,469,374
189,000
184,500
265
45
12
402
456
439
86
64
Cost.
Fami
lies.
21
20
25
3
$679,000
547.000
1,411,700
105.000
142
116
279
28
2
40,000
16
18
24
18
127,200
107,400
102,310
14
9
5
28
1
5,950,000
637.000
170.000
833.000
45,000
1
52
96
54
961
109
35
172
45
1
23,000
3
22
9
16
18
367.900
168,645
242.900
221,300
161
38
63
77
8
233,000
50
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
[880]
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Fami Num
ber.
lies.
Fami
lies.
Num
ber.
Newark, N. ,T................ i 1922
2 1922
11923
New Bedford, Mass___ i 1922
2 1922
1 1923
New Haven, Conn....... i 1922
2 1922
11923
New Orleans, La.......... 11922
2 1922
i 1923
New York, N. Y.:
Brooklyn................ i 1922
2 1922
1 1923
Bronx...................... 11922
2 1922
i 1923
11922
2 1922
11923
Queens.................... i 1922
2 1922
i 1923
Richmond.............. 11922
2 1922
i 1923
Norfolk, V a................... 11922
21922
11923
Oakland, Calif.............. i 1922
2 1922
i 1923
Omaha, N ebr................ i 1922
21922
>1923
One and two family dwell
ings with stores combined.
Two-family dwellings.
One-family dwellings.
Housekeeping dwellings—Concluded.
Total.
families.
14,328
17,906
24,140
12,208
8,331
15,507
5,103
3,286
5,620,048
5,968
15,210
12,385
14,988
1,887
1,083
1,721
508
115,777
224
593
2,045
216,261
2,268
2,641
911
191,601
873
1,036
2 Last six months.
34.9
34.9
37. 3
35.3
45.8
21.2
24.8
14.3
44.5
44.0
45.2
86.7
76. 5
110.9
43.9
19.3
51.2
94.6
104. 9
1 2 2 .1
47.5
54.1
1
$35,000
1
168, 500
3
2
860,000
1,810,000
8
2
3
1
1
Cost.
2.950.000
15,050,000
1.740.000
111 000
50,000
Number.
Cost.
1
2
$500,000
16,000
2
100,000
2
1
80,000
119,01X1
..........................
9
4
5
3
6.510.000
1.670.000
1.274.000
92,000
500,000
3
118,000
1
16,000
8
65,000
1
6.000
4 Included With Cost of one-family dwellings.
Number.
478
551
657
269
263
304
136
167
122
1,064
964
1,075
6, 590
6,167
8,342
1,842
1, 875
2,749
164
99
150
9,360
7,779
9,847
1,504
889
1,404
231
162
413
1,633
1,857
2, 235
809
800
947
3
5 Includes cost of two-family dwellings.
Cost.
$7,7 5 7 ,7 6 0
7,5 9 7 ,1 4 5
10,152,695
l ,9 1 i,0 0 0
2 140,600
2 080,000
1,66 8 ,8 5 0
2 ,0 4 4 ,0 7 0
1,3 2 1 ,1 0 0
3 ,5 7 0 ,7 5 5
3 ,6 1 7 ,1 1 0
4 ,6 2 6 ,6 1 5
,
;
77,009, 775
7 9,931,530
111,980,630
49,04 0 ,1 5 9
35,28 5 ,0 7 9
68, 122, 200
4 2,020,976
4 3,327,000
36,618, 500
69,522, 750
56,345, 740
75,801,135
6 ,0 7 6 ,6 9 9
3,2 9 9 , 542
6,1 0 7 , 009
1,46 7 ,2 5 5
916, 750
2 ,1 9 9 , 035
6 ,4 1 2 ,2 5 2
7 ,3 2 9 ,1 8 5
8 ,3 6 8 , 689
3 ,5 0 3 , 582
3 ,4 3 5 ,4 1 0
5 ,4 9 0 ,4Ò6
105
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1,447
414,524
1,445
1,888 ---- i ..................
452
121,217
428
555
344
162,537
403
233
1,724
387,219
1,702
1,749
Number.
Total new residential
buildings.
Other.
HOUSING.
[ 881 ]
Newark, N. J ................ 11922
2 1922
1 1923
New Bedford, Mass___ 1 1922
2 1922
11923
New Haven, Conn....... 11922
21922
11923
New Orleans, La.......... 1 1922
2 1922
11923
New York, N. Y.
Brooklyn................ 1 1922
2 1922
11923
B ronx..................... 1 1922
2 1922
1 1923
Manhattan.............. 1 1922
2 1922
1 1923
Queens.................... 1 1922
2 1922
11923
Richm ond.............. 11922
2 1922
1 1923
Norfolk, V a................. 1 1922
21922
1 1923
Oakland, Calif.............. 11922
21922■
11923
Omaha, Nebr................ ‘ 1922
2 1922
11923
1 First sir months.
Lodging houses.
<1
0
1
Period.
Hotels.
Ratio of
families
provided
Population in for to each
1920.
10,000 of Number.
Cost.
popula
tion.
OC
OC
City and State.
Nonhousékeeping dwellings.
4.—NUMBER AND ^PROPOSED COST OF NEW RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS COVERED BY PERMITS ISSUED IN 1922 AND IN FIRST HALF
OF 1923—Continued.
106
T able
Housekeeping dwellings.
City and State.
Period.
Num
ber.
Paterson, N J
1 1923
Providence, R. I ..........
Richmond, V a..............
Rochester, N. Y ............
St. Paul, Minn..............
Salt Lake City, U tah...
94
no
4,836
4,180
5,028
771
660
857
1
7
1’ 557
1 447
1923
’ 108
1 1922
113
74
1
2 1922
1 1923
1 1922
2 1922
1 1923
1 1922
2 1922
i 1923
1 1922
2 1922
1 1923
1 1922
2 1922
1 1923
1 1922
2 1922
1923
San Antonio, T ex......... 1923
San Francisco, Calif__ 1922
21922
1 1923
Scranton, P a................. 1 1922
2 1922
11 1923
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
119
1
1
1
282
503
437
519
607
604
666
688
777
884
955
879
1 018
'389
379
632
889
992
790
1,381
82
114
90
$644 650
545' 066
611,230
23,180,325
22,079, 535
28,248,900
1,314,382
4,005,109
5,723,343
6 786 250
5 ' 284' 770
5 ' R5o' 370
l ’ 258^ 400
432 950
285', 600
762 100
3,103^ 468
2,175,855
3,325,300
3,496,975
3,755,450
3,982,900
2 648 525
2
8 3 5 ’ 200
S ’, 3 1 5 , 0 3 5
3,860,205
3,727,551
4 819 026
L 226’910
1 318 125
1 ’ 5 0 0 ’, 1 00
2,275,710
3,355,699
5,169,689
4,742,524
316,990
520,035
385,450
Fami
lies.
Num
ber.
119
102
91
145
76
37
38
139
71
183
9
94
no
4,836
4,180
5,028
771
660
857
1 865
1* 447
’ 667
1
’ 108
113
74
282
503
437
519
607
604
666
688
10
63
219
14
30
Cost.
$727 479
626,091
1,022,455
593,970
365,115
323,500
1,437,030
716,000
1,982,000
53,000
50,000
336,500
2,537' 600
91,000
122,100
Fami Num
ber.
lies.
204
182
290
152
74
76
378
142
366
18
126
438
28
60
19
31
40
109
109
145
278
87,644
246,356
255,080
934,350
967,700
1,389,400
1,934,250
38
62
80
218
218
290
265
38
53
42
1,568,750
419,638
2,584,320
459,156
9,500
59,500
13,000
219,000
1,376,293
2,061,520
2,678,035
75,900
530
76
106
84
6
30
6
36
612
584
718
22
58
32
3
15
3
18
306
292
359
11
29
16
202,200
122,300
Fami Num
ber.
nes.
4
6
209
223
212
19
17
27
$25,900
23,500
1,347,100
1,583,200
1,544,030
163,079
140,200
280,200
8
9
236
253
222
30
23
41
2
2 2 ,200
4
2
6,500
9,000
65,124
68,476
185,216
94,300
170,550
237,500
2
2
25
10
29
20
777
884
955
879
1 018
'389
379
632
889
992
790
1,381
82
114
90
Cost.
2
13
7
29
8
16
15
5
21
38
13
53,000
181,300
472,142
52,600
12
23
24
10
28
62
13
2
7,000
4
1
1
23
7
27
16
13
5,000
2
2
48
7
38
30
15
14
11
12,000
234,950
229,506
262,595
443,525
46,811
32,549
Multi-family dwellings
with stores combined.
Multi-family dwellings.
12
2
8
23
31
62
41
25
20
19
13
18
70
1
2
7
15
9
24
4
7
3
12
352
246
32
28
25
3
5
4
3
184
113
109
8
3
10
Cost.
$204,350
17,000
294,000
1,253,000
3,169,500
3,436,840
887,345
262,600
549,800
617,400
475,000
980; 500
1,009,200
20,000
44,500
76,000
687,500
315,000
956,000
200,000
390,000
75,000
860,750
3,391,500
4,113,700
1,254,104
1,042,500
1,033,840
44,000
98,000
346;000
35,500
5,495,398
3,857,710
6,483,530
44,600
31,800
56,050
Fami Num
ber.
lies.
36
6
90
242
435
628
209
192
162
143
165
378
271
10
30
31
135
135
240
70
73
29
174
1,760
1,287
234
168
262
20
Cost.
Fami
lies.
16
$216,940
48
3
3
■4
37,000
58,500
132,000
14
31
5
7
6
132,600
2,904,000
' 431,000
385
12
21
122
1
2
45,000
9,800
1
22,000
2
10
63,000
220,500
12
138,100
62,000
48
15
12
15
154,620
388,880
45,000
42
80
15
3
11
33,800
124,875
45
19
74,411
49
4
1
10
6
4
50
221
12
1,951
1,291
1,577
26
10
38
8
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
[ 882]
l 1022
21922
i 1923
Philadelphia, P a .......... i 1922
2 1922
i 1923
Pittsburgh, P a .............. i 1922
2 1922
i 1923
Portland, Oreg
1 1922
2 1922
Cost.
One and two-family dwell
ings with stores combined.
Two-family dwellings.
One-family dwellings.
Housekeeping dwellings—Concluded.
City and State.
Period.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Ratio of
families
Total.
families.
Hotels.
Population in
for to each
1920.
10,000 of Number.
popula
tion.
407
290
511
5 480
4,973
1,309
1,402
1,548
2,026
1,632
2,061
821
161
172
319
701
644
868
907
958
1,060
1,418
2,595
2,744
1,327
1,208
1,444
'434
459
861
939
3,603
2; 680
3,757
160
246
174
J First six months.
135,875
1,823,779
588,343
258,288
237,595
107,784
171,567
295,750
772,897
234,698
118,110
161,379
508,676
137,783
30.0
21.3
37.6
30.0
27.3
32.6
22.2
23.8
26.3
78.4
63.2
79.8
34.6
14.9
16.0
29.6
40.9
37.5
50.6
30.7
32.4
35.8
18.3
33.6
35.5
56.5
51.5
61.5
36.7
38.9
72.9
58.2
70.8
52.7
73.9
11.6
17.9
12.6
2
Lodging houses.
Cost.
$2,600,000
Number.
1
Cost.
Number.
$25,000
1
4,868,565
1
500,000
100,000
2 0 0 ; 000
2
1
2
40.000
79.000
1
6
3
3
1
1
320,000
5
1,310,000
1
1,600,000
2
1
89,000
5
375,500
2
725,000
1,000
1
1
2
375.000
185.000
2
Cost.
$90,000
578,585
600,000
584,000
192,950
35,000
5
4
T otal new residentia
buildings.
Other.
1
280,000
50,000
4
378,100
360,000
a Last six months.
Number.
249
191
272
5,151
4,480
5,345
981
783
1,095
1,896
1,474
1,641
399
129
110
292
555
484
612
729
738
839
978
1,146
1,427
1,063
986
1,101
398
400
641
911
1,507
1,206
1,893
117
178
127
Cost.
1,214,057
1,988,185
29,147,895
27,907,935
39,021,835
4,518,436
8,220,859
9,001,343
8,045,650
5,949,770
7,246,370
588,950
468,500
869,100
4,319,236
2,805,687
4,721,596
5,045,625
HOUSING
Paterson, N. J ............... 11922
2 1922
1 1923
Philadelphia, P a ........... 11922
2 1922
11923
Pittsburgh, P a .............. 11922
2 1922
11923
Portland, Oreg.............. 11922
2 1922
1 1923
Providence, R. I ........... 11923
Reading, P a .................. 11922
2 1922
11923
Richmond, V a.............. 1 1922
2 1922
11923
Rochester, N. Y............ 11922
2 1922
1 1923
St. Louis, Mo................ 11922
2 1922
1 1923
St. Paul, Minn.............. 11922
2 1922
1 1923
Salt Lake City, U ta h .. 11922
2 1922
11923
San Antonio, Tex......... 1 1923
San Francisco, Calif---- 11922
2 1922
1 1923
Scranton, P a................. 11922
2 1922
U923
Nonhousekeeping dwellings.
11,335,785
9,161,591
6,701,902
1,332,410
1,755,625
1,914,100
10,822,340
11,727,225
14,854,659
881,015
875,257
596,349
O
108
T able 4.—NUMBER AND PROPOSED COST OF NEW RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS COVERED BY PERMITS ISSUED IN 1922 AND IN FIRST H A LF
OF 1923—Concluded.
Housekeeping dwellings.
City and State.
Period.
Num
ber.
Seattle, Wash.........
Springfield, Mass...
Syracuse, N. Y ___
[884]
Toledo, Ohio..........
Trenton, N. J .........
Washington, D. C..
Wilmington, D el...
Worcester, Mass__
Yonkers, N. Y .......
Youngstown, Ohio.
T otal........... .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
11922
2 1922
11923
990
893
1,166
290
215
212
259
195
190
236
256
215
418
412
618
331
191
353
1,448
1,195
1,265
58
44
139
212
207
236
239
98
160
226
325
397
$2,972,645
2,587,085
3,547,825
867,875
643,525
628,110
914,015
660,100
649,050
1,289,375
1,525,850
645,000
1,475,950
1,476,419
2,292,120
1,278,569
780,200
1,424,136
10,147,882
8,110,220
11,089,800
238,400
209,715
680,074
795,535
952,975
962,500
1,829,350
1,616,300
1,533,000
1,015,770
1,546,920
1,990,450
Fami
lies.
Num
ber.
990
893
1,166
290
215
20
212
207
236
239
98
160
226
325
397
63,892 6275,448,142 63,892
61,669 s 279,010,828 61,669
79,850 6356,942,709 79,850
$40,000
Fami Num
ber.
lies.
40
10
1
1
212
259
195
190
236
256
215
418
412
618
331
191
353
1,448
1,195
1,265
58
44
139
Cost.
160
78
95
82
46
24
60
997,800
1 490 400
1 lf>7 909
'547', ,800
757,400
574,000
306,800
182,200
572,790
1 0 ,0 0 0
8
32,000
i
15,000
12,500
52
67
79
33
42
25
9
15
17
471,100
577,400
822,500
302; 700
415,800
283;400
73,000
138;000
110,800
320
44fi
386
156
190
164
92
48
120
1
Fam i N um
ber.
lies.
Cost$1 2 , 0 0 0
700
3 000
1,500
6
3
5
21
IS
21
8
36,000
56,000
42,000
102,395
107,400
164,800
65,231
12
19
25
3
7
2
104
134
158
66
84
50
18
30
34
4
8
6
2
8
2
2
3
8
12
11
Fami Num
ber.
lies.
$2,144,500
804,300
2,624,000
780
1
30,000
4
41
32
657,500
740,000
537,000
369
157
Cost.
Fami
lies.
201
656
1
$3,500
3
2
56,500
55,000
20
2
95,000
12
1
28,000
3
50,000
1,015,000
13
243
1
23,000
4
4
5
1
2
3
1
8,000
124,000
168,900
42,000
70,000
213,000
3
19
27
4
7
48
2
5
120,000
105,000
30
26
277 6 7,581,009
348 6 13,817,850
452 624,658,617
1,715
2,495
4,890
1
1
1
6
4
6
29
21
25
12
5
9
1
2
17
2
1
6 6 ,0 0 0
399,000
8 ,0 0 0
51,000
175,250
510,000
8 ,0 0 0
12
10«;356
347,500
602,000
32 000
13
30
34
45 870
4
9
32; 698
43 750
54,500
29,200
75,300
9,400
31,800
28,000
75,000
85,000
89,700
15
9
4
13
2
3
4
12
18
20
14,549 6 100,079,393 29,098 2,028 M8,519,252
14,259 e 98,389,057 28,518 2,156 6 21,190,302
18; 323 6128,602,766 36,646 2,002 6 20,165,333
Cost.
39
28
39
20
57 521
16
16
Multi-family dwellings
with stores combined.
Multi-family dwellings.
5
112
21
20
100
3
16
78
24
3
40
41
38
4,000
5,780,500
6 , 2 0 2 ,0 0 0
5,800,000
4
925
1,378
1.181
1
6,000
4
12
22
24
19
6
14
5
10
3
112,300
351,500
367,100
620,700
127,000
994,000
77,000
154,000
84,000
36
92
92
156
27
175
25
50
9
1
3
3,253 4,209 6211,115,378 49,291
3,401 3,756 6181,691,358 49,571
3,157 5,436 6284,798,825 72,771
3
2
MONTHLY labor review.
Spokane, W ash__
1 1922
2 1922
11923
i 1922
2 1922
11923
11922
2 1922
1 1923
11922
21922
11923
i 1922
2 1922
i 1923
i 1922
2 1922
i 1923
i 1922
2 1922
i 1923
i 1922
2 1922
11923
i 1922
2 1922
11923
11922
2 1922
11923
i 1922
2 1922
11923
Cost.
One and two family dwell
ings with stores combined.
Two-family dwellings.
One-family dwellings.
Housekeeping dwellings—Concluded.
City and State.
Period.
Total.
families.
1,826
1,094
1,822
298
219
213
692
1,031
753
418
550
388
555
571
787
346
210
386
2,416
2,850
2,450
73
55
154
364
456
526
467
219
437
281
453
486
Total.................... 11922
21922
11923
147, 249
145,654
197,809
315,312
104,437
129,614
171,717
243,164
119,289
437,571
110,168
179,754
100,176
132,358
26,925,750 '
26,925,750
27,431,206
h
57.9
34.7
57.8
28.5
21.0
20.4
53.4
79.5
58.1
24.3
32.0
22.6
22.8
23.5
32.4
29.0
17.6
32.4
55.2
65.1
56.0
6.6
5.0
14.0
20.2
25.4
29.3
46.6
21.9
43.6
21.2
34.2
36.7
54.7
54.1
72.1
1
1
2
1
1
$3,500,000
Lodging houses.
Number.
Cost.
1
2
$3,000
7,300
1
226,000
Number.
28,000
$145,000
1
60,000
1
50,000
2
162,000
2
1
85,000
1
1
372,863
2,000
1
1
64,000
320,000
118,' 700
2
41
59
98
16,601,185
47,019,606
61,392,465
2 Last six m onths.
12
5
2
1,102,000
172,100
16,000
Number.
Cost.
2
2,493,390
1,678,350
5,000,000
Total new residential
buildings.
Other.
55
51
51
io
'
1,062
923
1,206
'294
216
213
462
453
405
326
364
304
487
473
701
340
207
374
1,512
l'266
L 307
67
50
148
284
302
353
296
152
205
248
364
433
$5,317,145
3,398,685
y' 671,' 825
' 882,575
673,525
631,110
2,796' 815
2,877, 000
2,398' 950
l ' 999' 175
5' 23l' 640
R319' 000
1,936,145
2,036,' 269
3' 539', 710
1,351,800
1 037' 721
l ' 568' 492
16,410' $82
17,617,570
21,' 921,800
'322, 279
260' 913
1,096; 687
1,' 443', 435
2,035; 075
2, 460', 300
3', 152', 150
2,379,600
3', 051; 400
1,240, 770
2 ,043', 920
2,379,950
85,061
82,303
106,214
642,198,134
651,691,636
885,167,378
ooo
11,751, 775
10,440,535
8,590,663
Cost.
6See notes to details.
109
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 First six months.
Ratio of
Hotels.
families
provided
Population in for to each
1920.
10,000 of Number.
Cost.
popula
tion.
HOUSING.
[885]
Seattle, Wash.............. 11922
2 1922
11923
Spokane, W ash............ 11922
2 1922
11923
Springfield, Mass.......... 11922
2 1922
11923
Syracuse, N. Y.............. 11922
2 1922
11923
Toledo, Ohio................. 11922
2 1922
11923
Trenton, N. J ............... 11922
21922
11923
Washington, D. C .............. 1 1922
21922
1 1923
W i l m i n g t o n , Del.......... 11922
21922
11923
Worcester, Mass............ 11922
21922
1 1923
Yonkers, N. Y .............. 11922
2 1922
11923
Youngstown, Ohio....... 11922
2 1922
11923
Nonhousekeeping dwellings.
110
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Report of Illinois Building Investigation Commission.1
HE report of the Illinois Building Investigation Commission,
which was appointed in 1921, describes briefly the_housing
situation in Chicago. I t devotes the major part of its space
to price-fixing combinations in the building trades, contractors’
associations, and labor unions, and to the financing of building oper
ations. The investments of insurance companies are also discussed,
and recommendations are made for the improvement of the general
situation.
I t is pointed out that in Chicago housing construction fell off
sharply during the war, that its recovery has been slow, and that 1922
was the first year showing anything like a return to normal building
activity. For four years before the United States entered the war
the number of families annually provided for by new housing ranged
from 18,850 in 1913 to 24,412 in 1916. Thereafter the annual pro
vision was as follows :
T
Number of families
accommodated.
1917. .................................................................................................. 7,624
1918 ................................................................................................ 1,946
1919 ................................................................................................ 8,960
1920 ................................................................................................ 1,917
1921................................................................................................... H,316
1922 (11 months).............................................................................. 22, 573
The annual increase in the population of Chicago is conservatively
estimated at about 52,000. Allowing three persons to a family
living in an apartment, and five to a family in a dwelling house, the
commission points out that the building of 11 months of 1922 was
more than sufficient to provide for that year’s increase in population.
There seems no reason why the rate should fall off materially, and
the prospect of making up the accumulated arrearage is considered
good.
■
At the time the commission was appointed there was a had situation
in the Chicago building industry. Extortion, graft, and illegal com
binations were believed to be common, and there wTere outbursts of
bombing and other forms of violence which were supposed to be part
of a plan for upholding these conditions. Naturally the commission
found difficulty in compelling witnesses to reveal the truth.
This applied not only when the inquiry was directed to the actions of persons who
happened to be labor leaders, but also when the commission considered the malig
nant effects of certain combinations of contractors, manufacturers, employers, and
price-fixing associations. * * * The commission found members of these various
groups frequently linked arm in arm in the same conspiracy. In fact, these federated
agencies had fastened upon the public a system of unparalled iniquity, had become
a power of themselves, and brazenly ignored local, State, and Federal laws.
Those practicing this system had intrenched themselves so
securely that it would have been almost impossible to overthrow
them had not the better elements of the building industry, as well
as good citizens generally, rallied to the cause. As it was, the laws
were found to be inadequate to deal with price-fixing associations,
but a number of criminal charges were successfully pressed. _ As a
result, it is stated, “ labor graft, bombings, and sluggings in the
Illinois. General Assembly. Building Investigation Commission. Report. Springfield, 1923. 109 pp.
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building industry have practically ceased,” and while the cost of
building is still high, “ yet it must be remembered that all this building
has been free from the imposition of graft, but it is still subject to
the burdens of artificial prices caused by combinations of material
men.”
Turning to these combinations, the report gives a number of details
as to methods used to keep up prices, restrict production, and divide
the selling field in such a way as to prevent competition and maintain
virtual monopolies. A number of devices were found in use. In
one case the nominal competitors established a school for training
estimaters, “ so that the estimates arrived at by these estimaters
working for the presumably competing companies would coincide.”
In the case of millwork an agreement was entered into between the
Carpenter Contractors’ Association and the Carpenters’ District
Council that there should be no restriction upon the use of manu
factured material except as to nonunion and prison-made goods.
Then all niillwork manufactured outside of Chicago, except the
products of two specified plants, was denominated “ nonunion millwork,” which under the agreement was prohibited.
The evidence shows that the operation of the aforesaid arrangement resulted in a
practical monopoly in favor of the Chicago manufacturers’ millwork to the exclusion
of practically all outside materials. Consequently, the Chicago manufacturers have
dictated the price for their product, and, as a result, it has risen approximately 200
per cent within the past three years.
Again, the manufacture of common brick is practically controlled
by an association which assigns to each manufacturer a certain quota
of brick which he is permitted to deliver during the year, and close
watch is kept of the amount actually made and sold.
If any brick company delivers in any quarter a quantity of brick in excess of its
percentage, it is penalized by paying $1 per thousand on the excess brick delivered.
If the brick company persists in manufacturing in excess of the amount permitted,
the amount of the excess payment by the brick manufacturer may be increased to
$3 per thousand. In many instances the quota allotted to certain brick manufac
turers was much less than the capacity of their plants, and the companies were per
mitted to operate only a portion of the time.
The commission is careful to state that the various combinations
whose practices they describe have no monopoly of these practices.
By the specification of these combinations, we do not mean to imply that other
combinations, equally as vicious in their operation, do not designate the other lines
of manufactured reinforced steel bars products. This is true of sand, gravel, marble,
crushed stone, lime, limestones, etc. In the nature of things an exhaustive exami
nation into the conditions surrounding the manufacture of all the essentials to building
operations was impossible, but the commission did proceed sufficiently far to warrant
the conclusion that such unlawful combinations do exist and that the high cost of
building in Chicago is, in a large measure, attributable to their unlawful activities.
Combinations of contractors were found to exist and to be as auto
cratic in their rule as the combinations of material producers. The
piaster plumbers, master steam fitters, sheet-metal workers, employ
ing plasterers, Chicago contracting team owners, and Chicago cartage
exchange are mentioned as notable examples. Like the combinations
of material producers, they worked to benefit those within the
organization at the cost of those without and of the general public,
and the result of their activities was to produce conditions which
were “ well-nigh intolerable and destroyed all initiative and inde
pendence of action on the part of those not affiliated with the con
tractors’ associations.”
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Turning to the labor unions, the commission specifies two different
lines of objectionable activity: Direct graft and dishonesty, main
tained sometimes by violence, usually practiced by the business
agents or leaders of the unions, and closely associated with corrupt
practices on the part of the contractors’ associations; and worldng
rules and agreements, designed to restrict production, or to make
more work for union members, or to secure higher wages than the
kind of work justifies, or in some other way to increase returns to
members. As to the first, the commission believes that to a large
extent these practices have been eliminated by the vigorouscampaign
inaugurated against them. Indictments were secured against many
grafting labor leaders and members of a number of contractors’
associations.
There have been 40 convictions recently in the criminal court of Cook County
against bombers, conspirators, jury bribers, and perjurers. There are now pending
for disposition indictments against 218 defendants for crimes against the building
industry.
The agreement and working rules are still in effect. They differ
considerably, some of them being entirely reasonable, while others are
objectionable. Some of them are used to establish combinations
• between employers’ and contractors’ associations on the one side and
labor unions on the other, which lead to monopolies in particular
trades, and to the enhancement of building costs. In general, the
commission states, these rules contain a monopolistic element, and
tend to restrict either those who may work, or the manner in which
they may work, or those for whom they may work. They also tend
to “ make possible or countenance waste of time, effort, and material,
affect adversely quality and quantity of product, make difficult the
adoption of improved methods, and the use of new appliances, and
discourage the development of skill and zealous and industrious
performance of duties, or rather do not encourage such development.”
An investigation of the methods of financing budding propositions
in Chicago showed many objectionable practices.
Such evil practices as superspeculative loans, fictitious values, exorbitant rates of
interest, excessive money charges, fraudulent representations, false advertising and
other disreputable practices, have been very frequently indulged in, with the result
that an extraordinarily large amount of “ wild cat” mortgage securities have been
placed upon the market in Chicago and in Illinois.
These practices are discussed at some length, with illustrative
instances, and attention is called to their effect upon the renting
situation.
The commission feels that the general effect of the investigation has
been good, but that much remains to be done. The State laws of
Illinois are inadequate to deal with the price-fixing combinations,
and the Federal courts are so overburdened that they can not proceed
as the situation demands. “ Unless Illinois helps herself by the
assage of laws to meet present-day problems raised by the pricexing combinations, prosecutors and citizens will have to continue
injured and indignant, but impotent.” The grosser forms of dis
honesty, however, have been checked and the industry is in a more
healthful condition that it has been for years past.
In order to eliminate the objectionable financial practices un
covered the commission recommends the passage of laws that deal
E
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with price fixing, and laws that carefully regulate real estate business.
Apart from legislative measures, it recommends: Immediate atten
tion to the apprenticeship problem; the active interest of civic groups
in the large centers in providing better financing systems and helping
citizens of moderate means to build homes; a greater use of building
and loan associations and fair play on the part of all connected with
the building industry.
Housing Conditions in Lawrence.
HE Massachusetts Special Commission on the Necessaries of
Life has issued a special report, under date of June 15, 1923,
dealing with the conditions disclosed by a survey of Law
rence, undertaken at the request of the mayor of the city. Com
plaints had been received from a number of tenants, who felt that
their rents were being raised unreasonably, and the mayor asked the
commission to investigate and report what action the city govern
ment could take to relieve the situation. The commission at once
complied, and in this report gives the result of its investigation.
Owing to the fact that the landlords did not appear at a public hear
ing called by the commission, the matter of rents was delayed for
further consideration, and the report deals mainly with housing con
ditions. As to the general situation, the commission finds that the
city has a population of approximately 96,000, many of whom are of
foreign birth. The amount of vacant land is limited, so that there is
little opportunity for building houses other than tenements or apart
ment houses, although some dwellings are now under construction.
One of the largest industries in Lawrence has for several years assisted
its employees in the construction and ovmership of homes, and other
industries are reported to be contemplating such action. Meanwhile,
business prosperity has brought to the city many more families than
it can accommodate suitably, and the fact that many of these are
foreigners makes their exploitation easier.
T
Unscrupulous and greedy landlords have evidently taken advantage of the housing
predicament of these workers to increase rents, without regard to the assessed value
and cost of operating the property, as the wages of the workers have been raised. _ This
practice has resulted in the housing difficulties complained of to the commission.
* * * Many of the houses are occupied by three or four times as many people as
should properly live in them. Many of these dwellings have been without repairs for
years. Even with the prevailing high rate of rents much needed repairs are not being
made. * * * Whether the financial returns to the owner be much or little, the
physical condition of many of these properties is so bad that no rent, however low, can
be considered fair.
In the main, the commission found the interior of the homes, i. e,,
the part for which the tenant was directly responsible, “ in a neat
and tidy condition,” so that the condition of the houses is ascribed
rather to the landlord’s failure to make necessary repairs than to the
tenant’s carelessness or neglect. The commission points out that in
many of these houses the condition is so bad that “ the people wrho
are obliged to live in this type of housing must find it a great relief to
go into the well-ventilated, well-lighted, sanitary, and finely con
structed mills to work.”
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Another feature of the situation which the commission feels needs
attention is the disparity between the assessed value of many of these
properties and the amounts loaned upon them by banks. In Massa
chusetts, city assessors are sworn to assess property at its fair value,
and banks are forbidden to loan upon real estate more than 60 per
cent of its fair value. But the commission found that in many of the
cases investigated there appeared to be “ no connection between the
amount of assessment and the loan made on the property by banks.”
For instance, one property assessed at $16,075 carried a first mort
gage of $16,000 due to a savings bank, besides a second mortgage of
$9,500. Considering only first mortgages, these are among the in
stances given:
Assessed First mortgage
value.
tsavines bank!.
$1,675
$1,750
Property No. 3
16,800
15,000
Property No. 4
2,725
3, 000
Property No. 6
13,400
12,000
Property No. 7
5,150
6,000
Property No. 8
The above table shows such a wide discrepancy between the value placed upon these
parcels by the assessors and the value placed upon them by the experts for the banks
that it is impossible for the commission at present to form an intelligent opinion as to
the real value of these properties.
The lack of reliable indications of what the real value of the prop
erty may be renders it difficult to estimate what would be a fair rent.
The commission points out, however, that rents have been raised in
many cases, “ in about the same proportion as the wages of their
tenants have increased,” regardless of the, value of the property.
Nevertheless, the commission does not think that many tenants are
paying a disproportionate part of their income for rent; the trouble
is that they are not getting value for their money.
To meet the situation, the commission advises that the whole power
of the city government should be brought into play, and that public
sentiment should be enlisted. To this end, it is recommended that
a rent and housing committee should be created, which, in addition
to hearing and adjusting complaints of rent and housing, should have
these additional functions:
To call the attention of the Board of Health to property which is in an untenantable
condition or a menace to the public health. To call the attention of the proper authori
ties to property which constitutes a fire hazard. To call the attention of the assessors
to property which is not assessed for its fair value. To call the attention of the banks
holding mortgages to property where rents are unreasonably increased. To call the
attention of the Federal and State taxation officials to the profits being realized by
greedy real estate speculators and landlords. To explain to tenants their duty in
regard to taking care of the property they occupy.
The commission emphasizes the fact that “ reputable landlords,
bank officials, attorneys and real estate men do not approve of the
methods followed by a proportionately small number of greedy prop
erty owners whose sharp practices have resulted in much public unrest
by causing unwarranted Hardship to tenants.” Consequently, a rent
and housing committee of the kind suggested could count on the close
cooperation of all decent people in the community, and would be a
more effective means of meeting the difficulty than the passage of
* special legislation, a method which the commission deprecates.
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New York State Commission of Inquiry into Housing and Regional
Planning.
HE New York Evening Post for August 16, 1923, announced the
appointment of a fact-finding commission on housing and
regional pipinning for New York, which is to give special atten
tion to the question oi whether or not a housing emergency exists
and to report its findings on this subject to the Governor and the
legislature by next January. For some time past the opposition to
the emergency rent laws and the tax exemption ordinance has been
based on the alleged passing of the emergency which was originally
brought forward as justifying these departures from established
custom, while the advocates of the new regulations contended that
the emergency was as great as ever. One purpose of the legislature
in creating the commission was to secure authoritative information
on which to base action when the present legislation expires.
The members of the commission include among others the comp
troller of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., and the internationalsecretary-treasurer of the United Textile Workers of America. The
commission is to have close cooperation from the State officials, and
a plan is under discussion for the appointment of an advisory com
mittee to work with it.
T
Extension of Rent Law in Argentina.1
HE National Congress of Argentina passed three measures on
September 19, 1921, designed to protect renters from the
excessive increases which they had suffered and to alleviate
these conditions.2 In accordance therewith terms of rentals for
houses, apartments, and rooms could not be changed for a period of
one and one-half years. A decree signed by the President on April 21,
1923, extended this rent law to September 1, 1923.
T
English Rent Control and Housing Acts.
HE vexed question of rent control in England and Scotland has
been settled, at least temporarily, by the passage of the rent
and mortgage interest restrictions act, 1923, which received the
royal assent on July 31. Under the rent control act of 1920, which
was duo to expire in June, 1923, but which was continued until Sep
tember to allow time for considering the new act, houses renting up
to £105 ($511, par) in London, £90 ($438, par) in Scotland, and £78
($380, par) elsewhere were controlled. Increases of rent were
restricted to certain prescribed percentages and eviction of a tenant
was made difficult or impossible. For nearly a year past the question
of whether this act should be continued, or, if not, what should be sub
stituted for it, has been a matter of hot controversy. A Government
committee appointed in 1922 to consider and report on the whole
matter handed in a report early in 1923 recommending that houses in
T
Argentina. Crónica Mensual del Departamento Nacional del Trabajo. Buenos Aires, May, 1923, pp.
1046, 1047.
2 The M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w , December, 1921, p. 161, gives a résumé of these measures.
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the highest rental group, which had been brought under control in
1920, should be released from control in June, 1923; that the second
group, first controlled in 1919, should be released in June, 1924, and
that the houses of the lowest rental should be freed from restrictions
in June, 1925. This became a political issue, and in a series of byelections the sentiment of the people was shown to be so overwhelm
ingly against it that the proposition was withdrawn and the Govern
ment introduced the measure which has just become a law.
The important provisions of this act, summarized in the Ministry
of Labor Gazette lor August, 1923, are as follows:
There is to be no general decontrol until June 24, 1925, when the
first part of this act will terminate.
A house of which the landlord is in possession at the time of the
passage of this act, or which comes into his possession afterward, is
decontrolled. So is a house if, at some time after the passage of this
act, the landlord lets it on a valid agreement for a term of not less
than two years “ ending at some date after June 24, 1926.”
The conditions under which a landlord may regain possession of
his house have been considerably extended. The new act provides
that he may recover possession when “ the dwelling house is reason
ably required by the landlord for occupation as a residence for him
self, or for any son or daughter of his over 18 years of age, or for any
person bona fide residing with him, or for some person engaged in his
whole-time employment or in the whole-time employment of some
tenant from him or with whom, conditional on housing accommoda
tion being provided, a contract for such employment has been entered
into, and * * * the court is satisfied that alternative accommo
dation is available which is reasonably suitable to the means of the
tenant and to the needs of the tenant and his family.”
Increases of rent are made conditional upon the house being in a
state of reasonable repair.
Certain increases of rent are permitted to the landlord when a
tenant sublets; provision is made for protecting the tenant against
extortionate charges for furniture when a house is let wholly or partly
furnished; limits are put upon the period during which certain over
charges or arrearages may be recovered; and county courts are given
power “ on the application of a landlord or a tenant to determine
summarily any questions as to the amount of the rent, standard rent,
or net rent of any dwelling house” to which the act of 1920 applied,
and as to the increase of rent permissible.
The second part of the act deals with the protection of tenants after
1925 and is to continue in force until June, 1930, unless repealed by
Parliament. This gives the courts certain powers of control and
provides for the setting up of reference committees “ to assist the
court in the determination of questions relating to the rent, character,
or condition of dwelling houses.”
Aid to Housing.
A NEW bill, providing for State aid to housing, was approved and
**■ became law on July 31. The terms of the bill, as first proposed,
and as amended in passage, are given in the Ministry of Labor
Gazette for April and August of this year. The most important
point is that the Government proposes again to take part in the
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campaign for more houses, though its contribution is to be much
smaller than under the plans put forth at the end of the war.
Section 1 (subsecs. 1 and 2) of the bill proposes to authorize the Minister of Health
to make contributions, out of moneys provided by Parliament, toward any expenses
incurred by a local authority in providing, or in promoting the construction of, houses
of a certain type and size, if completed before the 1st October, 1925; provided that such
contribution shall not exceed the sum of £6 [$29.20 par] per annum for each house,
for a period not exceeding 20 years. (Ministry of Labor Gazette, April, 1923, p. 120.)
The size of houses for which this subsidy is to be available is deter
mined by floor space. Two-story houses are not to exceed 950 super
ficial feet or to fall below 570, while for one-story houses, or for
structurally separate and self-contained flats, the maximum is 880
and the minimum 500 superficial feet.
A further proviso to this subsection requires that every house or flat in respect of
which a State contribution is given should be provided with a fixed bath, except
where otherwise approved by the Minister of Health on the recommendation of the
local authority. (Ministry of Labor Gazette, August, 1923, p. 279.)
The bill authorizes local authorities, under certain conditions arid
with the approval of the Minister of Health, to assist private enter
prises in building houses within these limitations. The assistance may
take the form of a lump-sum grant, the refund of rates for a specified
period, or repayment of advances to a building society. Other sec
tions authorize the granting of aid to public utility societies which
build houses of the prescribed type.
Subsection 6 of section 1 authorizes the metropolitan borough councils to provide
houses themselves (instead of “ promoting” their construction by others); and per
mits the London County Council to supplement the State contribution in respect of
such houses to an extent not exceeding £3 [$14.60, par] a house each year, for a period
not exceeding 20 years. (Ministry of Labor Gazette, August, 1923, p. 279.)
Improvement in Housing Conditions in the Netherlands.
REPORT from the United States consul general stationed at
Rotterdam, dated July 2, 1923, states that building activity
in the Netherlands has fallen off considerably during the last
year, due in part to the general financial and industrial depression,
but in part, also, to an improvement in the housing situation. Sev
eral causes are named as responsible for this improvement. Some
four years ago the Government undertook an active campaign for the
improvement of housing conditions, under which it gave subsidies
to municipalities, building societies, or private persons who put up
houses conforming to certain conditions. (For a brief account of the
Government program, see the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w , July, 1921,
pp. 188-189.) To some extent in the larger cities the execution of
this program has caught up with the acute demand for houses. A
second factor is the movement back to the country towns and vil
lages of many who were attracted to the cities by the high wages of
the postwar period, but who have found themselves unemployed as
the demand for labor slackened.
The change in the building situation has one result which will be
of special interest to our own country, as the unemployed are begin
ning to migrate:
A
It is significant to note in this connection that an extraordinarily large proportion
of the Dutch emigrants now proceeding to the United States are of skilled labor, in
cluding particularly carpenters, bricklayers, masons, and other building trade artisans.
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Progress of Housing Schemes in Scotland.
HE fourth annual report of the Scottish Board of Health, cover
ing the year 1922 (Cmd. 1887), contains data concerning the
provision of houses by Government aid in Scotland. At the end
of 1922 the houses completed by the local authorities with the aid of
the Government subsidy numbered 14,778, while 10,772 were under
construction or planned for under the State scheme. In addition,
2,229 houses had been erected by private enterprise with the aid of
the Government subsidy, making a total of 27,779 houses of which
17,007 were finished. In 1919 the local authorities had estimated
that the number of houses then urgently needed in Scotland was
131,101, an estimate which coincides closely with the figures reached
by the Royal Commission on Housing, and which the board of health
considers is fairly reasonable. Even assuming, therefore, that the
housing needs of Scotland have not increased since 1919, and that
none of the then existing houses have so deteriorated as to be unfit
for habitation, it is evident that there is still a shortage of over 100,000
houses in the country; but since neither of these assumptions is
really probable, the situation has presumably been growing worse
since 1919.
T
Indeed the shortage is probably accumulating, for it is doubtful if the number of
houses being built each year is sufficient to provide for the natural increase of popula
tion and to replace houses that yearly become unfit for occupation. As there is no
alternative accommodation for the occupants if these unfit houses are closed, the
local authorities are compelled to refrain from exercising their powers to close them,
and in consequence they remain occupied, to the detriment of the health and well
being of the occupants.
Up to the end of December, 1922, bids had been approved for
22,124 houses under the State-aid scheme, of which 1.8 per cent had
two rooms, 55.3 per cent had three rooms, 36.3 per cent four rooms,
and 6.6 per cent five rooms and over. (Bathrooms and sculleries
are not counted as rooms in this enumeration.)
During the year the board of health had approved bids on housing
schemes to provide 1,319 houses, at an average cost of £521 (82,535,
par). This represented a considerable fall in building costs, the
amount varying according to the kind of house.
As regards the smalles class of brick houses which constitute the bulk of the houses
for which tenders were accepted during the year, the three-apartment flat is very
popular in Scotland, and is at the same time the cheapest type of house. No tenders
for this flatted type were submitted in January or February, but the lowest tender
in March was £634 [$3,085, par] per house. By December the price had dropped to
£393 [$1,913, par] or by 38 per cent in nine months. * * * Another popular type
is the two-story double cottage of three apartments. The lowest price submitted to
us in December for this type was £422 [$2,054, pax] per house as against £612 [$2,978,
par] in March, or a fall of 31 per cent in nine months.
This fall in cost is attributed partly to the Government’s decision
to curtail its building program, which by restricting the amount of
building to be done, operated to reduce prices of building materials
and wages, and to induce keener competition among builders, with a
consequent tendency to put in lower bids. The fall in costs has been
so marked that “ in the latter months of the year especially there have
been indications of house building by the private builder.” So far
private building has been confined to houses beyond the reach of the
working class, but the outlook is considered hopeful.
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E M P L O Y M E N T A N D U N E M PLO Y M E N T .
Employment in Selected Industries in August, 1923.
HE Bureau of Labor Statistics received reports concerning the
volume of employment in August, 1923, from 6,589 representa
tive establishments in 51 manufacturing industries, covering
2,279,659 employees whose total earnings during one week in August
were $59,967,607. _
The same establishments in July reported 2,284,642 employees and
total pay rolls of $59,564,865. Therefore in August, as shown from
these unweighted figures for 51 industries combined, there was a
decrease as compared with July of 0.2 per cent in the number of
employees, an increase of 0.7 per cent in the total amount paid in
wages, and an increase of 0.9 per cent in average weekly earnings.
This very slight decrease in employment reflects the end of the
vacation season.
Comparing data from identical establishments for July and August,
increases in employment are shown in 22 of the 51 industries and
increases in the amount of wages paid in 21 industries.
The greatest increase in employment was 11.6 per cent in the flour
industry. Fertilizers, pottery, structural ironwork, confectionery
and ice cream, and boots and shoes (not including rubber) follow,
with increases ranging from 8.9 per cent to 4.6 per cent.
The greatest decreases in employment were 23.1 per cent in machine
tools, due almost entirely to annual vacations, 13.7 per cent in auto
mobile tires, 12.6 in cane-sugar refining, and 9 per cent in stamped
and enameled ware.
The greatest increase in pay roll totals was 12.9 per cent in the
pottery industry. Iron and steel, flour, women’s clothing, and boots
and shoes follow with increases ranging from 11 per cent to 6.4 per
cent.
The greatest decrease in pay roll totals was 19.7 per cent in machine
tools, followed by steel-ship building, shirts and collars, automobile
tires, stamped and enameled ware, sugar refining, and cigars and
cigarettes, with decreases ranging from 12.2 per cent to 10 per cent.
Twenty-five of the 51 industries show increased per capita earnings
in August as compared with only 10 in July.
For convenient reference the latest figures available relating to all
employees, excluding executives and officials, on Class I railroads,
drawn from Interstate Commerce reports, are given at the foot of
the first and second tables.
T
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHM ENTS DURING ONE
W E E K IN JU LY AND AUGUST, 1923.
Industry.
Agricultural implements..............
Automobiles.................................
Automobile tires...........................
Baking...........................................
Boots and shoes, not including
rubber.........................................
Boots and shoes, rubber..............
Brick and tile ................................
Car building and repairing,
electric-railroad..........................
Car building and repairing,
steam-railroad............................
Carpets...........................................
Carriages and wagons...................
Cement...........................................
Chemicals.......................................
Clothing, men’s.............................
Clothing, women’s........................
Confectionery and ice cream .......
Cotton goods................................
Dyeing and finishing textiles---Electrical machinery, apparatus,
and supplies...............................
Fertilizers......................................
Flour..............................................
Foundry and machine-shop prod
ucts..............................................
Furniture.......................................
Glass..............................................
H ardw are......................................
Hosiery and knit goods................
Iron and steel................................
Leather..........................................
Lumber, millwork........................
Lumber, sawmills........................
Machine tools................................
Millinery and lace goods..............
Paper and pulp.............................
Paper boxes...................................
Petroleum refining.......................
Pianos and organs............ ...........
P ottery...........................................
Printing, book and jo b ................
Printing, newspaper.....................
Shipbuilding, steel.......................
Shirts and collars..........................
Silk goods......................................
Slaughtering and meat packing...
Stamped and enameled w are.......
Steam fittings and steam and hotwater heating apparatus..........
Stoves.............................................
Structural ironwork.....................
Sugar refining, not including beet
sugar...........................................
Tobacco: Chewing and smoking..
Tobacco: Cigars and cigarettes...
Woolen goods................................
Railroads, Class
Estab Number on pay roll
in one week.
lish
Per
ments
cent of
report
August, change.
ing both
July,
1923.
1923.
months.
Amount of pay roll
in one week.
July,
1923.
August,
1923.
Per
cent of
change.
73
168
58
233
21,809
264,277
20,543
33,139
20,841
261,779
17,728
32,680
- 4 .4
- .9
-13.7
- 1 .4
$558,027
8,609,737
512,049
871,760
$539,902
8,850,322
454,316
835,356
-3 .2
+ 2 .8
-11.3
- 4 .2
150
7
297
74,718
10,337
24,011
78,150
9,675
24,019
+4.6
- 6 .4
C)
+ 2 .2
1,640,098
247,680
604,449
1,745,318
232,410
617,030
+6.4
- 6 .2
+ 2.1
408,553
425,668
+4.2
+ 1.7
4,845,316
566,798
57,235
650,610
404, 580
1,518,096
350,654
318,461
2,551,847
552,615
4,946,000
570,934
56,865
671,916
398,332
1,437,637
373, 291
317, 436
2,593,262
503,295
+ 2.1
+ .7
+3.3
- 1 .5
-5 .3
+6.5
- .3
+ 1.6
-8 .9
2,627,482
125,779
295,126
2,656,033
122,617
322,834
+ 1.1
- 2 .5
+9.4
4,224,412
783,809
614,253
529,977
1,010,762
6,986,140
696,661
638,146
1,370,344
189,961
252,645
1,264,011
288,702
1,574,414
180, 945
264,938
746,600
1,534,477
447,680
329,692
1,032,545
2,161,222
218,711
-
- 9 .0
4,294,791
784,044
600,343
512,471
1,000,245
6,295,572
708,417
648,382
1,380,035
236,506
248,178
1,287,661
292,234
1,675,331
178,107
234,615
804,088
1,563,456
509,662
373,389
1,018,019
2,198,754
245,406
(2)
+ 2.3
+3.4
+ 1.1
+ 11.0
-1 .7
- 1.6
- .7
-19.7
+ 1 .8
- 1 .8
- 1 .2
- 6 .0
+ 1.6
+ 12.9
-7 .2
-1 .9
- 12.2
-11.7
+ 1.4
- 1 .7
-10.9
+ .3
+ .3
+6.4
980,392
377,034
350,627
932,049
386,658
354,331
- 4 .9
+ 2 .6
+ 1.1
12.6
283,917
59,033
528,695
1,578,509
253,189
54,428
476,059
1,499,072
-10.8
-7 .8
-10.0
- 5 .0
131
14,478
14,794
228
23
37
72
83
189
142
139
236
64
166,738
21,285
2,638
22,992
15,589
57,485
13, 441
14,155
143,202
24,616
169,536
21,261
2,579
22,812
15,636
57,255
13,695
14, 877
139,846
23,189
114
95
259
95,327
5,816
11,653
95,129
6,336
13,002
479
229
83
31
47
197
198
27
98
189
81
30
146,974
34,933
25,158
21,484
64,962
229,582
28,849
26,663
67,760
8,768
11,669
49,452
14,194
51,287
6,653
9,561
24,180
42,301
18,601
24,911
49,874
88,818
10,399
146,437
35,303
24,141
21,418
65,293
235,561
28,484
26,468
67,191
6,746
11,938
49,731
14,379
50,734
6,717
10,250
23,890
42,299
17,732
23,749
50,068
89,534
9,466
90
78
114
32,856
14,867
12,435
32,951
14,915
13,231
11
10,058
3,871
29,620
65,653
8,787
3,650
28,780
64,997
210
180
132
188
223
62
81
170
134
63
22
29
153
159
1,895,977
1,938,281
1Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent increase.
2 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent decrease.
-
- . 1
2 .2
- . 8
+ .3
- .4
+ 1.9
+ 5.1
- 2 .3
- 5 .8
- . 2
+8.9
+ 11.6
- .4
+ 1.1
- 4 .0
- .3
+ .5
+ 2 .6
- 1 .3
—. 7
- . 8
-23.1
+2.3
~K 6
+ 1.3
- 1.1
+ 1 .0
+ 7.2
- 1 .2
(2)
- 4 .7
- 4 .7
+ .4
8
-
- 5 .7
- 2 .8
- 1 .0
+2.2
3 249,044,288
3254,794,416
- . 6
1 .6
+2.3
s Amount of pay roll for one month.
Reports for a comparison of data between August, 1923, and August,
1922, are available from 2,593 establishments in 42 industries. These
reports, from identical establishments for the two periods, show an
increase in the 12 months of 15.2 per cent in the number of employees,
an increase of 27.8 per cent in the total amount paid in wages, and an
increase of 11 per cent in average weekly earnings.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 890]
EMPLOYMENT ANTE UNTEMPLOYMENT,
121
Thirty-three of the 42 industries show increases in the number of
employees, beginning with steam-railroad car building and repairing,
59.2 per cent; foundry and machine-shop products, 41.5 per cent; elec
trical machinery, apparatus, and supplies, 28.7 percent; woolen goods,
26.6 per cent; and iron and steel, 20.1 per cent. The greatest decreases
in employment were 18.1 per cent in the automobile-tire industry,
11.5 per cent in cigars and cigarettes, and 9.7 per cent in fertilizers.
Steam-railroad car building and repairing leads in increased pay
roll totals in this yearly comparison with 99.8 per cent, followed by
foundry and machine-shop products with 58.5 per cent; iron and steel
with 56.6 per cent; and electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies
with 50.8 per cent. Thirty-two other industries out of the 42 also
show substantial gains in wages in the 12 months, while the remain
ing 6 show reduced pay roll totals. Of these 6, cigars and cigarettes,
automobile tires, and fertilizers decreased 16.8 per cent, 14.7 per cent,
and 10.1 per cent, respectively.
COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHM ENTS DURING ONE W EEK
IN AUGUST, 1922, AND AUGUST, 1923.
Estab Number on payroll
lish
in one week.
Per
ments
cent of
report
change.
ing both August. August,
months.
1922.
1923.
Industry.
Agricultural implements..............
Automobiles..................................
Automobile tires...........................
Boots and shoes, not including
rubber........................................
Brick and tile................................
Car building and r e p a i r i n g ,
steam-railroad............................
Carriages and wagons............. .
Carpets...........................................
Chemicals......................................
Clothing, m en’s.............................
Clothing, women’s . . . ...................
Cotton goods..................................
Dyeing and finishing textiles__
Electrical machinery, apparatus,
and supplies...............................
Fertilizers......................................
Flour..............................................
Foundry and m achine-shop
products......................................
Furniture.......................................
Glass..............................................
Hardware......................................
Hosiery and knit goods................
Iron and steel................................
Leather...........................................
Lumber, mill work........................
Lumber, sawmills........................
Millinery and lace goods..............
Paper and pulp.............................
Paper b o x é ..................................
Petroleum refining........................
Pianos and organs................... ...
Pottery...........................................
Printing, book and job................
Printing, newspaper.....................
Shipbuilding, s'teel.......................
Shirts and collars..........................
Silk goods......................................
Slaughtering and meat packing..
Stamped and enameled ware___
Stoves.............................................
Tobacco: Chewing and smoking.
Tobacco: Cigars and cigarettes...
Woolen goods................................
Railroads, Class I
15; 1023;;
August,
1922.
August,
1923.
Per
cent of
change.
44
101
25
16,206
171,755
11,225
17,661
196,275
9,192
+9.0
+14.3
-18.1
$387,002
5,533,524
265,793
$466,191
6,646,747
226,753
+20.5
+20.1
-14.7
102
121
61,787
12,102
65,094
12,862
+6.3
1,384,494
293,372
1,490,709
347,842
+7.7
+18.6
88
16
17
22
97
64
108
26
53,159
1,621
14,033
7,332
40,133
8,239
72,027
13,527
84,623
1,659
15,431
7,740
41,196
8,024
83,714
14,280
+59.2
+2.3
+ 10.0
+5.6
+2.6
-2 .6
+ 16.2
+5.6
1.247,155
36,645
344,618
174, 452
1,107,772
267,987
1,080,430
270,175
2,491,880
38,676
409,876
205,195
1,132,208
256,143
1,462,712
305,687
+ 99.S
+5.5
+ 18.9
+ 17.6
+2.2
-4 .4
+35.4
+ 13.1
63
13
33
55,242
1,854
4,077
71,075
1,674
4,542
+28.7
- 9 .7
+ 11.4
1,313,450
35,084
103,959
1,981,020
31,524
115,111
+50.8
-10.1
+ 10.7
145
78
62
16
105
115
70
82
138
22
91
40
27
8
20
72
90
12
66
101
70
11
16
6
100
90
57,101
15,584
17,029
13,407
39,325
143,931
21,079
12,841
47,082
2,531
29,376
7,580
36,372
3,389
4,597
13,411
23,315
8,955
20,160
■32,088
71,859
5.0S8
4,532
1,207
23,948
35,084
80,778
17,186
19,474
15,540
39,319
172,859
20,981
13,463
51,071
2,596
31,009
8,202
41,638
4,056
4,567
14,197
25,004
9,757
19,565
34,870
84,624
4,987
4,647
1,297
21,185
44,429
+41.5
+ 10.3
+ 14.4
+ 15.9
0)
+ 20.1
- .5
+ 4.8
+8.5
+ 2.6
+5.6
+ 8.2
+ 14.5
+ 19.7
- .7
+5.9
+ 7.2
+9.0
- 3 .0
+ 8.7
+ 17.8
-2 .0
+2.5
+ 7.5
-11.5
+26.6
1,515,550
358,093
359, 564
273, 704
630,375
3,291,734
467,546
301,948
825,071
54,996
690,689
156,967
1,263,941
88,686
133,526
442,261
813, 738
228,939
288,266
601, 514
1,549,847
122,079
114,003
31,335
422,390
763,943
2,401,541
409,167
467,003
381,581
652,919
5,156,113
512,366
334, 791
1,017,038
59,660
812,833
181,861
1,284,122
109,470
125,964
456, 433
914,218
266,417
279,004
734,891
2,032,622
126, 228
132, 293
36,962
351,384
1,029,521
+58.5
+ 14.3
+29.9
+39.4
+3.6
+56.6
+9.6
+ 10.9
+23.3
+8.5
+ 17.7
+ 15.9
+ 1.6
+ 23.4
-5 .7
+3.2
+ 12.3
+ 16.4
-2 .5
+ 22.2
+ 31.1
+3.4
+ 16.0
+ 18.0
-16.8
+34.8
1,452,253
1,938,281
* Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Amount of pay roll
in one week.
[897]
+33.5
2 187,064,781
2 254,794,416
s Amount of pay roll for one month.
+36.2
122
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Per capita earnings increased in August as compared with July in
25 of the 51 industries considered, iron and steel, glass, pottery, the
two clothing industries, machine tools, cement, and cotton goods
leading. The greatest decreases were in fertilizers, steel-ship build
ing, shirts and collars, cigars and cigarettes, and book and job printing.
But when per capita earnings in August, 1923, are compared with
those in August, 1922, large increases are found in 34 of the 42 indus
tries for which data are available. Iron and steel leads with 30.4
per cent, followed by steam-railroad car building and repairing
with 25.5 per cent, hardware with 20.2 per cent, electrical machinery,
apparatus, and supplies with 17.2 per cent, and cotton goods with
16.5 per cent.
COMPARISON OF PER CAPITA EARNINGS—AUGUST, 1923, W ITH JULY, 1923, AND AUGUST,
1923, W ITH AUGUST, 1922.
Industry.
Iron and steel..................................
Glass................................................
Pottery.............................................
Clothing, women’s.........................
Machine tools..................................
Cement.............................................
Cotton goods.................. ................
Automobiles....................................
Hardware........................................
Automobile tires.............................
Stoves................................. ............
Brick and tile ..................................
Sugar refining, not including beet
sugar.............................................
Car building and repairing, elec
tric-railroad..................................
Boots and shoes, not including
rubber.......... ................................
Carriages and wagons.....................
Agricultural im plem ents...............
Electrical machinery, apparatus,
and supplies................................
Silk goods.............. .........................
Carpets............ ...............................
Pianos and organs.........................
Hosiery and knit goods..................
Car building and repairing, steamrailroad.........................................
Boots and shoes, rubber................
Per cent of
change in
August, 1923,
as compared
with—
July,
1923.
August,
1922.
+8.2
+6.6
+5.3
+4.5
+ 4.4
+ 4.1
+ 4.0
+3.8
+3.7
+ 2.8
+2.2
+2.1
+ 30.4
+ 13.6
-5 .1
- 1 .9
+16.5
+ 5.1
+20.2
+ 4.2
+ 13.2
+11.6
+2.1
+1.9
+ 1.7
+ 1.6
+1.3
+2.2
+ 3.1
+ 10.6
+ 1.3
+ 1.0
+ .8
+ .6
+ .5
+17.2
+ 12.4
+8.1
+3.1
+3.6
+ .4
+• 3
+25.5
Industry.
Per cent of
change in
August, 1923,
as compared
with—
July, August,
1923.
1922.
Lumber, sawmills..........................
+.1
- .4
Leather.............................................
- .5
Millinery and lace goods................
Lumber, millwork..........................
- .9
1.1
F urniture........................................ —
Foundry and machine-shop prod
ucts ............................................... - 1 .3
Chemicals........................................ - 1.8
Printing, newspaper....................... - 1.8
Flour................................................. - 2.0
Stamped and enameled w a re .. . . . - 2.1
Tobacco: Chewing and smoking .. - 2.2
Paper and pulp............................... - 2 .4
Paper boxes.................................... - 2 .5
Slaughtering and m eat packing... - 2 .5
Baking............................................. - 2 .9
Dyeing and finishing textiles........ - 3 .3
Woolen goods................... ............. -4 .1
4.9
Clothing, m en’s.......... .................... —
Petroleum refining.......................... - 5 .0
-5 . 0
Structural ironw ork...................
Confectionery and ice cream ......... - 5 .2
Steam fittings and steam and hotwater heating apparatus............ - 5 .2
Printing, book and jo b .................. - 6 .0
- 7 .3
Tobacco: Cigars and cigarettes—
Shirts and collars............................ - 7 .4
Shipbuilding, steel.......................... - 7 .8
Fertilizers........................................ -10.5
+ 13.6
+ 10.1
+ 5.8
+5.8
+3.6
+ 12.0
+ 11.4
+4.8
-.6
+5.5
+ 9.8
+ 11.5
+ 7.0
+ 11.4
+ 7.2
+6.4
- .4
-11.3
- 2 .5
-0.0
+ .4
+ 6.8
- .5
Reports as to operating basis in August were received from^ 5,256
establishments. A combined total of these reports from the 51 indus
tries shows that 78 per cent were on a full-time basis, 21 per cent on a
part-time basis, and 1 per cent were not in operation. This is a
decrease in full-time operation of 2.6 per cent as compared with the
July reports.
Full-time operation of course does not necessarily indicate fullcapacity operation. The schedule from which the following tables
are compiled asks for a report both as to time and capacity operation,
but some of the bureau’s correspondents fail to answer one or the
other, or both, of these questions.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[898]
EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT.
123
A complete report each month from each correspondent would
enable the bureau to make the separation of full time into full capacity
and part capacity a permanent part of the operating-time table.
As an illustration: Of the 78 per cent of the 5,256 establishments
working full time, 39 per cent, or one-half of them, also reported
full capacity, 21 per cent reported part capacity, and the remaining
18 per cent failed to report as to capacity. From the nature of the
industries covering the last group it is probable that a considerable
part of the 18 per cent were, however, operating at full capacity.
The following brief statement expands the full-time reports in a
few industries:
Establishments reporting full time—
In d u s tr y .
And
fu ll
c a p a c it y .
Automobiles..................................................
Car building and repairing, steam-railroad.
Cotton goods..................................................
Foundry and machine-shop products........
Iron and steel................................................
Sawmills.........................................................
Machine tools................................................
Silk goods.......................................................
Woolen goods................................................
FU L L
AND
P A R T -T IM E
53
144
99
136
58
139
16
39
48
O P E R A T IO N
IN
M A N U F A C T U R IN G
A U G U S T , 1923.
B u t not
And
r e p o r tin g
p art
a s to
c a p a c it y .
c a p a c it y .
38
14
19
135
42
7
25
59
39
T o ta l.
22
26
22
78
18
17
7
12
11
113
184
140
349
118
163
48
110
98
E S T A B L IS H M E N T S
IN
E s t a b l i s h m e n t s r e p o r tin g .
In d u s tr y .
T o ta l.
Agricultural im plem ents....................................
Automobiles.......................................................
Automobile tires............................. .
Baking..................................................................
Boots and shoes, not including rubber.............
Boots and shoes, rubber.....................................
Brick and tile.......................................................
Car building and repairing, electric-railroad. . .
Car building and repairing, steam-railroad.......
Carpets..................................................................
Carriages and wagons..........................................
Cement.................................................................
Chemicals..............................................................
Clothing, m en’s ............................................ ’ . ] ’
Clothing, women’s ...............................................
Confectionery and ice cream...............................
Cotton goods.........................................................
Dyeing and finishing textiles.............................
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies.
Fertilizers..............................................................
F lour. „ ................................................................
Foundry and machine-shop products...............
Furniture..............................................................
Glass......................................................................
Hardware..............................................................
Hosiery and k nit goods.......................................
Iron and steel.......................................................
L eather.................................................................
Lumber, millwork...............................................
Lumber, sawmills................................................
1 Less than 1 per cent.
63745°—23-
-9
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
58
129
62
179
122
3
263
105
189
13
35
62
58
111
83
111
210
60
89
79
234
405
181
69
30
149
153
87
152
198
[899]
P e r cent P e r cent
o p e r a tin g o p e r a tin g P e r c e n t
id le .
f u ll t i m e . p a r t t im e .
88
88
53
91
70
67
79
100
97
62
83
97
79
82
75
78
67
33
89
53
32
86
81
65
100
66
77
77
90
82
12
12
35
10
27
33
17
2
38
17
3
14
18
23
22
31
67
11
46
68
13
19
25
34
18
22
7
17
11
3
3
0)
7
2
2
1
(l )
(l )
10
5
1
3
1
124
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
FU LL AND PART-TIM E OPER A TIO N IN MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHM ENTS IN
AUGUST, 1923—Concluded.
Establishments reporting.
Industry.
Total.
Machine tools............................................................................
Millinery and lace goods......................................... ................
Paper and p u lp ........................................................................
Paper boxes..............................................................................
Petroleum refining...................................................................
Pianos and organs..'......................................... .......................
P o tte ry ......................................................................................
Printing, book and job............................................................
Printing, new spaper................................................................
Shipbuilding, steel....... ...........................................................
Shirts and collars.....................................................................
Silk goods............ ......................................................................
Slaughtering and m eat packing..............................................
Stamped and enameled w are.............. ..................................
Steam fittings and steam and hot-water heating apparatus
Stoves............................ ................. ..........................................
Structural ironwork.................................................................
Sugar refining, not including beet sugar...............................
Tobacco:
Chewing and smoking.......................................................
Cigars and cigarettes.........................................................
W oolen goods............................................................................
Per cent Per cent
cent
operating operating Per
idle.
full time. part time.
53
57
124
106
39
18
42
165
110
19
67
157
60
28
74
71
102
7
91
84
78
75
79
100
81
85
100
84
78
70
92
79
88
58
96
71
9
16
20
25
21
25
113
140
80
58
70
20
35
29
2
19
15
16
19
26
8
21
12
42
4
29
3
4
6
(l)
a Less than 1 per cent.
Increases in rates of wages effective during the month ending
August 15 were reported by establishments in 38 of the 51 industries
here considered. These increases, ranging from 1 per cent to 20 per
cent were reported by a total of 156 establishments. The weighted
average increase for the 38 industries combined was 5.2 per cent and
affected 21,692 employees, being 50 per cent of the total employees in
the establishments concerned, and 1 per cent of the entire number
of employees in all establishments in the 51 industries covered by this
report.
The number of establishments reporting increases in any one in
dustry was less than 10, with the exception of 25 in steam-railroad
car shops, 19 in foundries and machine shops, 12 in iron and steel
plants, and 10 in structural ironwork plants.
Two automobile-tire establishments, and one establishment each in
the boot and shoe, brick and tile, lumber (millwork), and structural
ironwork industries reported decreases in rates of wages during the
month.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[900]
125
EM PLO YM ENT1 AND U N EM PLO Y M EN T.
WAGE ADJUSTMENTS OCCURRING B E TW EE N JU LY 15 AND AUGUST 15, 1923.
I
Establishments.1:Per cent of increase
Employees affected.
Per eeni of ern
ploye es—
Industry.
Agricultural implements..........................
Automobiles..............................................
Automobile tires........ ..............................
Baking.......................................................
Boots and shoes, not including rubber..
Boots and shoes, rubber..........................
Brick and tile ............................................
Car building and repairing, electric-rail
road.........................................................
Car building and repairing, steam-rail
road.........................................................
Carpets.......................................................
Carriages and wagons...............................
Cement......................................................
Chemicals...................................................
Clothing, men’s.........................................
Clothing, women’s....................................
Confectionery and ice cream ...................
Cotton goods..............................................
Dyeing and finishing textiles..................
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and
supplies..................................................
Fertilizers..................................................
Flour..........................................................
Foundry and machine-shop products...
F urniture...................................................
Glass......................................
Hardware f.................................................
Hosiery and knit goods............................
Iron and steel............................................
Leather.......................................................
Lumber:
Millwork.............................................
Sawmills.............................................
Machine tools............................................
Millinery and lace goods..........................
Paper and pulp.........................................
Paper boxes...............................................
Petroleum refining....................................
Pianos and organs'....................................
Pottery.......................................................
Printing:
Book and job......................................
Newspaper.........................................
Shipbuilding, steel...................................
Shirts and collars......................................
Silk goods..................................................
Slaughtering and m eat packing..............
Stamped and enameled ware..................
Steam fittings and steam and hot-water
heating apparatus.................................
Stoves............................... ........................
Structural ironwork..................................
Sugar refining, not including beet sugar.
Tobacco:
Chewing and smoking.......................
Cigars and cigarettes...............-..........
Woolen goods............................................
Total Num
re
numbei ber
port
report ing
in
ing.
creases.
Range.
73
168
58
233
150
7
297
2
(3)
0)
52
134
2
5-10
25
2
3
2
2
2
2
5
2
(l)
10-16
8-10
10.3
9.3
1.315
201
69.3
14.5
11-12.5
11.8
9
31.1
12.5
12.5
71
100.0
.3
5.5
579
57.5
3.9
1.3- 8
2.8
12,330
80.8
7.3
5- 6
5-10
10
5
2- 5
10
5.3
7.1
10.0
5.0
2.4
10.0
15
461
36
83
392
57
8.5
55.0
20.0
18.0
92.9
24.1
.6
2.0
.2
.1
2.9
.4
5-12
12.5
10
5-15
5-15
5-20
8.6
12.5
10.0
10.7
10.7
7.0
79
103
395
663
74
317
11.0
100. 0
96.8
10.7
8.9
49.4
.1
1.6
3.0
.5
.2
1.3
7-10
3.45.1-10
8.4
11.1
8.7
9.8
76
2,353
102
10.3
67.1
50.0
.1
1.0
.4
5-10
2- 7
2.5-
5.8
5.0
105.0
38
147
81
33.0
21.0
80.4
.1
.2
.1
45-
10
9.1
11
8.2
487
43
93.5
15. 8
1.0
.3
12.5
50
40.0
.7
8.0
4.7
26
377
8.9
37.1
.1
.9
228
23
37
72
83
189
142
139
236
64
(B
(D
114
95
259
479
229
83
31
210
180
132
4
2
2
19
6
2
CD
4
12
2
188
223
62
81
170
134
63
22
47
197
198
27
98
189
81
30
53
2
4
(4)
2
5
0)
1
(«)
4
5
(D
1
CD
1
3
90
78
114
11
4
3
i 10
1
5-12.5
11-16
4-10
10
2
1
29
153
159
0)
(«)
Aver Total In estab In all
age. number.
lish
estab
ments
lish
report ments
ing in report
creases.
ing.
12.5
3-10
1- 7
5
5.0
75
100.0
.3
6.0
8.0
154
38
8.7
12.5
.2
11.0
12.2
5.8
10.0
77
80
202
25
37.2
12.2
16.0
62.5
8-11.5
8.4
36
8.0
5
5.0
45
24.8
6.5-10
8 One establishment reduced the rates of 72 of its 302 employees 4 per cent.
« No wage change reported.
6 Also 1 establishment reduced the rates of 33 of its 38 employees 10 per cent.
6 Also 1 establishment reduced the rates of 150 of its 505 employees 8 per cent.
7 Also 1 establishment reduced the rates of 75 of its 250 employees 5 to 10 per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[901]
(2)
6
1 Two establishments reduced the rates of 65 of their 310 employees 17.7 per cent.
2 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
6.3
.1
.4
.2
.5
1.5
.3
.1
.1
126
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
Employment and Earnings of Railroad Employees, July, 1922, and
June and July, 1923.
HE following tables show the number of employees and the
earnings in various occupations among railroad employees in
July, 1923, in comparison with employment and earnings in
June, 1923, and July, 1922.
The figures are for Class I roads—that is, all roads having operating
revenues of $1,000,000 a year and over.
T
COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS OF RAILROAD EM PLOY EES IN
JU LY, 1923, W ITH JU LY, 1922, AND JU NE, 1923.
[From monthly reports of Interstate Commerce Commission. As data for only the more im portant occu
pations are shown separately, the group totals are not the sum of the items shown under the respective
groups.]
Professional, clerical, and general.
Month and year.
Clerks.
Stenogra
phers and
. typists.
Total for
group.
M aintenance of w ay and structures.
Laborers
(extra gang
and work
train).
Track and
roadway
section
laborers.
Total for
group.
Number of employees at middle of month.
July, 1922........................
June, 1923........................
July, 1923........................
159,491
173,248
174,893
305,634
287,280
290,540
23,965
25,237
25,391
49,438
69,637
74,557
220,879
238,184
240,515
392,043
445,765
456,090
$14,829,993
18,395,460
18,353,322
$32,946,630
42,220,124
42,809,993
Total earnings.
July, 1922........................ $19,486,312
June, 1923........................ 21,594,139
July, 1923........................ 21,785,908
$2,754,320
2,972,799
2,979,174
$40,484,368
37,758,586
38,181,773
$3,425,545
5,981,136
6,392,322
M aintenance of equipm ent an d stores.
Carmen.
Machinists.
Skilled
trade
helpers.
Common
Laborers
laborers
(shops,
(shops,
engine
engine
houses,
houses,
power
power
plants,
plants,
and stores). and
stores).
Total for
group.
Number of employees at middle of month.
July, 1922........................
June, 1923........................
July, 1923.........................
37,167
141,396
142,526
40,156
139,167
138,766
18,069
68,707
68,845
35,030
50,205
50,181
41,032
66,059
67,717
234,837
600,652
604,146
$3,288,546
5,508,569
5,627,275
$33,240,019
78,420,918
78,624,080
Total earnings.
July, 1922.........................
June, 1923........................
July, 1923........................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$6,285,775
20,430,557
20,474,089
$3,562,784
11,259,000
11,135,898
$5,386,010
15, 268,401
15,226,106
[902]
$3,337,743
4,825,609
4,950,054
EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT.
127
COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS OF RAILROAD EM PLOY EES IN
JU LY , 1923, W ITH JU LY, 1922, AND JU N E , 1923-Concluded.
Transportation, other than train, engine, and yard,
Month and year.
Station
agents.
Telegra
Truckers
Crossing
phers,
(stations,
and bridge
telephoners, warehouses,
flagmen
and
and
and
towermen. platforms).
gatemen.
Total for
group.
Transpor
tation (yard
masters,
switch
tenders,
and
hostlers).
Number of employees at middle of month.
July, 1922........................
June, 1923........................
J u ly ,1923........................
31,423
31,593
31,989
26,266
27,640
27,705
35,127
42,090
41,967
22,144
22,652
23,243
206,447
217, 208
219,083
23 553
26,134
26,516
$23,989,970
25,584,656
25,968,038
$4,245,277
4,586,579
4,749,992
Total earnings.
July, 1922.........................
June, 1923........................
July, 1923........................
14,656,749
4,661,685
4,719,108
$3,841,506
3,903,510
4,027,145
$3,044,680
3,921,618
3,856,315
$1,525,627
1,688,114
1,742,292
Transportation, train and engine.
Road
conductors.
Road
brakemen
and
flagmen.
Yard
brakemen
and
yardmen.
Road
engineers
and
motormen.
Road
firemen
and
helpers.
Total for
group.
Number of employees at middle of month.
July, 1922........................
June, 1923........................
July, 1923........................
33,836
38,368
38,876
69,561
79,511
80,159
44,194
55,016
54,645
40,500
46,869
47,182
42,354
48,800
49,316
289,739
340,548
341,906
$7,263,362
8,672,0«7
8,847,059
$52,158,517
63,585,957
64,460,540
Total earnings.
July, 1922........................
June, 1923........................
July, 1923........................
$7,388,041
8,605,918
8,790,342
110,738,069
12,989,655
13,165,556
$6,736,022
8,836,435
8,878,867
$9,816,972
11,769,124
11,983,810
Extent of Operation of Bituminous Coal Mines, July 21 to August 1 1,
1923.
ONTINUING a series of tables which have appeared in previous
numbers of the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w , the accompanying
table shows for a large number of coal mines in the bituminous
fields the number of mines closed the entire week and the number
working certain classified hours per week from July 21 to August
11, 1923. The number of mines reporting varied each week, and
the figures are not given as being a complete presentation of all
mines but are believed fairly to represent the conditions as to regu
larity of work in the bituminous mines of the country. The mines
included in this report ordinarily represent from 55 to 60 per cent of
the total output of bituminous coal. The figures are based on data
furnished the Bureau of Labor Statistics by the United States Geo
logical Survey.
C
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[903]
128
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
WORKING TIME IN BITUMINOUS COAL MINES IN TH E UN ITED STATES, BY W EEKS,
JULY 21 TO AUGUST 11, 1923.
Mines—
*
Num
ber
Week
of
end mines
ing—
re
port
ing.
Closed
entire
week.
Working Working
8 and
less than less
than
8 hours. 16 hours.
Working Working Working Working Worldng
16 and
24 and
32 and
40 and full time
less than less than less than less than of 48 hours
24 hours. 32 hours. 40 hours. 48 hours. or more.
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
No. cent. No. cent. No. cent. No. cent. No. cent. No. cent. No. cent. No. cent.
1923.
Ju ly 21 2,476
Ju ly 28 2,608
Aug. 4 2,584
Aug. 11 2,517
729 29.4
741 28.4
723 28.0
721 28.6
57
72
77
87
2.3
2.8
3.0
3.5
213
247
280
300
8.6
9.5
10.8
11.9
355
462
418
380
14.3
17.7
16. 2
15.1
396
365
402
412
16.0
14.0
15.6
16.4
240
281
288
366
9.7
10.8
11.1
14.5
294
294
244
210
11.9
11.3
9. 4
8.3
192
146
152
41
7.8
5.6
5.9
1.6
Recent Employment Statistics.
Illinois.1
OLUME of employment showed a decline of 0.4 per cent in
Illinois on July 15, 1923, as compared with June 15, 1923,
according to the reports of 1,484 firms employing 401,907
workers on the later date. In connection with this slowing down
of the industries of the State, it must be remembered that the period
under consideration was one of hot weather, vacations, and inventory
taking. Uncertainty as to the future and a check in the flow of
orders also had their influence on the labor market.
There was, however, a gain in July over June of 1.2 per cent in
the total number on the pay rolls of 778 Chicago employers, but the
increases wrere confined to the very large firms. Of the 1,484 firms,
all showed reductions in numbers on the pay rolls except those
employing 5,000 or more, and when the reports for 11 firms having
5,000 or more employees were omitted, the decrease in volume of
employment for the remaining firms was 1.8 per cent. Firms with
2,000 to 5,000 employees reported the largest decline, 5.6 per cent.
In the smallest firms, those with less than 100 employees, the reduc
tion was 3.5 per cent. In fact there had been a steady decrease in
volume of employment in the smallest firms in both May and June,
1923, and July employment was 11 per cent below the April level.
Of the 54 individual manufacturing industries included in the
tabulations of the advisory board of the Illinois Department of
Labor, 29 showed increases in volume of employment in July com
pared with June, while the remaining 25 showed reductions. The
percentage increases and reductions in certain industries are given
in the following statement:
V
1 Illinois. Departm ent of Labor. General Advisory Board. Review of the industrial situation in
July, 1923. Mimeographed copy.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[904]
129
EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT.
Per cent
of in
crease or
decrease.
Women’s clothing...............................................................................+20.4
Millinery........................................................................................... +15.7
Food industries................................................................................ + 5 . 1
Men’s clothing.................................................................................. + 4.4
Brick, tile, and pottery................................................................... —1. 9
Agricultural implements................................................................. _ 3 +
Glass/................................................... ......................................... —4.5
Iron and steel................................................................................... —4 . 6
Automobiles..................................................................................... —6.6
Lime and cement products............................................................. —7. 6
Paints................................................................................................ —10.5
There was an unfavorable shift in the free employment office
index showing the proportion of workers to jobs. In July, for the
first time since February, applicants for positions outnumbered the
opportunities for work, there being 112.4 persons for 100 jobs.
In January there were 132 persons to 100 jobs. The July, i922,
index was 109. In Chicago, in July, 1923, there were 3,500 more
applicants than vacancies" to be filled—135 persons for every 100
jobs. So far as public employment office records reflect conditions,
a man without a job stood a better chance of getting one last Decem
ber in Chicago, despite the closing down of outdoor work, than he
did in July, 1923. As to the volume of employment in the latter
month, it was at least 6.5 per cent above that of December, 1922.
The inference is that the reports that crowds of workers are going
to Chicago from other sections of the country are founded on facts.
New York.1
'"THE following statistics show the percentage changes in volume
1 of employment and amount of pay roll in manufacturing
establishments in New York State and New York City from April
to May, 1923, from March to April, 1923, and from May. 1922,
to May, 1923:
J
COURSE OF EMPLOYMENT IN RE PR E SEN T A TIV E MANUFACTURING ESTA BLISH
MENTS IN NEW YORK STATE AND NEW YORK CITY.
Percentage of increase ( + ) or decrease (—).
Number of employees.
Industry.
Amount of pay roll.
April, March, May, April, March, May,
1923, to 1923, to 1922,to 1923, to 1923, to 1922, to
May, April, May, May, April, May,
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
New York State.
Stone, clay, and glass products........ .
Metals, machinery, and conveyances.
Wood m anufactures........................... .
Furs,leather, and rubber goods....... .
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc..................
P ap er.....................................................
Printing and paper goods...................
Textiles..................................................
Clothing, millinery,laundering, e t c ..
Food, beverages, and tobacco............
Water, light, and pow er.....................
+ 1.9
- .4
- 1 .2
+ .4
- .8
- .8
- .8
- 1 .8
- 3 .6
0)
+ 1.4
+8.1
+ .3
(')
- 1 .0
+ 1.3
+3.5
- .7
+ .3
- 1 .4
- 4 .2
+ 1.4
+ 12.8
+31.7
+14.4
+ 17.3
+ 7.8
+ 20.5
+4. 1
+ 6 .2
+ 11.0
6
+ 10. 8
T o ta l............................................
- 0 .9
- 0 .2
+ 16.2
+6.0
+ 2.8
+ 1.7
+ 1.7
+• 7
+ 2 .9
+ 4 .6
- 6 .4
+ 3.2
+ 2 .5
+ 11.5
+ 2 .0
+ .6
- 1 .7
+3.3
+ 7.9
- 1 .6
+ .2
- 5 .8
- 3 .8
+ 2.2
+33.8
+54.3
+25.7
+26.4
+ 14.6
+34.2
+ 8.3
+ 21.3
+21.2
+ 1.4
+ 0.1
+ 30.6
- . 9
+13.3
1 New York. The Industrial Commissioner. The industrial bulletin, Albany. June, 1923, pp. 196
and 199.
.
> nn
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[905]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
130
UOTTR^F OF EM PLOYM ENT IN R E PR E SEN T A TIV E MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHC 0L ' E m e NTS IN NEW YORK STATE AND NEW YO RK C ITY -C oncluded.
Percentage of increase (+ ) or decrease ( - ) •
Number of employees.
Amount of pay roll.
Industry.
April, March, May, April, March, May,
1923, to 1923, to 1922, to 1923, to 1923, to 1922, to
May, April, May,
May, April, May,
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
New York City■
-4
Stone cleïy an*! glfissproducts-............................... .
-1
Metals machinery anil convp.yannes.............................
-1
Wood manufacturés ..... ...............................................
-1
F u rs lcsthcr an^l
ynod s . . . __. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
-1
Chemicals ni]ç points^ p,hn ...........................................
,
Paper
............ ................................................... \
1
Printing a^d paner goods.
........................................ /
0)
Textiles
..................................................................
-5
Clothing millinery laundering, e tc ................................
-1
Food beverages andt.nha.cco
...............................
+2
Water, light, and pow er...................................................
Total
.........................................................
-2
+6
-1
+15
+1
+2
+1
-1
(2)
-1
-1
-9
+3
+4
-1
+8
-1
+1
+1
-3
+3
+ 18
+ 15
+ 10
+ 10
+4
+4
-2
-5
+9
-1
-7
-6
(2)
+14
+ 28
+ 26
+ 18
+ 17
+6
+17
+ 16
+4
+ 15
-2
+1^
+9
+2
+2
-4
+5
3
+4
1 Decrease of less th an one-half of 1 per cent.
2Increase of less th an one-half of 1 per cent.
The table given below gives the records of the New York State
employment offices for May, 1923:
COMPARISON OF PERSONS SEEK IN G W ORK AND W O R K ER S CALLED FOR AT STATE
EMPLOYMENT OFFICES IN MAY, 1923d
Occupation.
Workers seeking
employment (reg Workers called for
by employers.
istrations and re
newals).
Places reported
filled.
Fe Total. Male. Fe Total. Male. Fe Total.
Male. male.
male.
male.
837 216
Agriculture...................................................
Building and construction.......................... 1,387
656 4,420
Casual workers.............................................
Common laborers (other th an casual
4,332
987 1,408
Clerical..........................................................
53 548
Domestic and personal service...................
606
Hotels, restaurants, andinstitutions......... 1,311
373
Manufacturing.............................................. 2,737
8
60
Professional and technical..........................
5
983
Transportation and public utilities...........
Trade (wholesale and retail)...................... 1,268 296
93
810
Miscellaneous................................................
1,053
1,387
5,076
61
632
1,281
1,684 5,046
693
1,281
6,730
409
430
21
1
691
690
1,609 4,518 6,127
5,477 3,783
4,332 5,477
259
2,395
460 959 1,419
895
9 886
601
655
2,206
928
1,917 1,278
3,110 3,062 1,009 4,071 1,342
25
14
6
19
68
478
813
5
808
988
683
477
1,601
1,564 1,124
389
768
711
57
903
505
255
296
297
2
3
201
20
3,783
764
255
951
1,639
16
481
884
409
Total.................................................... 15,421 7,973 23,394 16,545 9,434 25,979 10,311 6,119 16,430
1 Five weeks, Apr. 30 to June 2, inclusive.
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[906]
IN D U STR IA L A C C ID EN TS A N D HYGIENE.
Accident Occurrence in the Iron and Steel Industry, 1922.
By L ucian W. Ch a n e y .
B
ULLETIN 339 of the Bureau of Labor Statistics brings the acci
dent statistics of the iron and steel industry up to the year 1921.
The present review extends the consideration to the year 1922.
^ The year 1922 was one of materially reviving industrial activity.
This is shown by the fact that almost without exception the ex
posure recorded from department to department is in excess of that
in 1921. It is now a well-established fact that a period in which work
ing forces are being built up and industrial operations are being has
tened tends to be a period of rising accident rates. When this rising
activity is finally stabilized at a new level the rise in accident rates
usually stops and as time goes on the rate may again move downward.
The factors in this industrial phenomenon are still sufficiently
unfamiliar to make it proper to restate them. The most important
factor in rising rates when activity increases is the presence in the
working force of relatively inexperienced men. Men new to the plant
if not to the industry must be taken on. These will suffer both more
numerous and more severe accidents than will the more experienced.
Some influence on accident rates must be attributed to the stress inci
dent to hastened production, but that factor is of comparatively small
importance. This becomes evident when the fact is considered that as
the force approaches completeness the product per man will, as a rule,
still increase when the accident rate is no longer rising, and may con
tinue to do so when the accident rate begins to fall.
With these factors pertaining to the men employed goes that of the
safety organizations. If there is no such organization all the changes
in accident rates indicated will be much exaggerated. In proportion
to the excellence of the organization they will be modified, though even
the best organization will not be able entirely to suppress the tend
ency to rising rates.
The year 1922 illustrates these tendencies at many points. Table 1
contains summary figures for the important departments by which
the size, number of cases, frequency rates, and severity rates mav be
compared.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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131
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW.
132
T a b l e 1 .—
SUMMARY OF ACCIDENTS IN TH E IRON AND STE EL INDUSTRY IN THE
UNITED STATES DURING T H E YEAR 1922, BY DEPARTM ENTS.
A c c i d e n t frequency
r a t e s (p e r 1,000,000
hours’ exposure).
Number of cases.
EquivDepartment.
A c c id e n t sev i
r a t e s (p e r 1
hours* exposure)
Per- TernPer- TernPerof fullpoma- poma- Ternyear
nent
rary
workers. Death. nent porary Total. Death. nent
Death. dis- rary
disdis- dis- Total.
disaabil- abilabil- abilabil- bility.
ity. ity.
ity. ity.
ity.
Blast furnaces— 17,933
Bessemer............. 4,778
Open hearths. . . . 19,805
Found ries............ 22,770
Bar mills.............. 3,780
H eav y ro llin g
m i l l s ............................ 14,574
Plate and skelp
m ills................. 6,198
Rod m ills............ 2,645
Sheet m i l l s ................. 24,391
Sheets, hot rolling 7,476
Sheets,cold rolling 1,226
Tube m ills.......... 19,535
M isc e lla n e o u s
rolling............... 19,382
Fabricating shops 16,184
Forge shops......... 1,514
Wire drawing---- 13,836
1,528
Nails..................... 2,366
Electrical............. 3; 528
Mechanical.......... 30,324
3,361
Yards................... 7,969
490
1,102
Docks and ore
271
yards................
Erection ofstrue595
tural steel.........
Coke ovens.......... 6,554
Unclassified......... 79,405
38
2
22
12
7
35
8
45
59
10
9
56
1,586 1,659
233 243
1,936 2,004
4,134 4,205
392 409
0.7 0.7
. 1 .6
.4
.8
.2
.9
.6
.9
29.4
16.3
32.6
60.5
34,6
30.8
17.0
33.8
61.6
36.1
4.2
.8
2.2
1.1
3.7
0.4
.5
.9
.9
.8
0.5
.3
.5
.7
.5
817
.2
1.3
17.2
18.7
1.2
.9
.4
2
1
10
3
1
6
581 609
26
196 202
5
66 2,951 3,027
732
721
8
147 151
3
1,332
1,378
40
.1
.1
.1
.1
.3
.1
1.4
.6
.9
.4
.8
.7
31.2
24.7
40.3
32.1
40.0
22.7
32.7
25.4
41.3
32.6
41.1
23.5
.6
.8
.8
.8
1.6
.6
.9
.5
.8
.1
1.5
.6
.5
.5
.9
.5
.5
.4
10
14
2
3
59 2,416 2,485
41 3,381 3,436
233 243
8
837 893
53
6
85
91
132
121
10
164 169
1
75 1,626 1,726
115 120
5
536 567
16
11
11
78
78
.2
.3
.4
.1
41.5
69.6
51. 3
20.2
18.5
17.0
15.5
17.9
11.4
22.4
7.5
23.6
42.7
70.7
53. 5
21.6
19.8
18.5
16.0
19.0
11.9
23.7
7.5
23.6
1.0
1.7
2.6
.4
.6
1.0
.8
1.8
1.3
1.3
1.4
.1
.8
.5
.7
.9
.8
1. 7
1.3
.7.
1.3
.1
.7
.7
.5
.7
.8
.9
.4
.4
.3
.4
.3
.2
.5
.1
.6
13
3.7
3.7
8.6
16.0
22.2
7.6
.3
129 136
207 210
6,848 7,128
2.8
.1
.2
72.3
. 1 10.5
1.0 28.7
76.2
10.7
29.9
16.8
.6
1.0
2.5
.2
.8
1.8
.2
.4
1
4
25
15
7
3
5
2
39
752
2
1
233
.1
.4
.3
1.1
.8
2.3
1.6
3.8
2.5
30.1
The only unusual thing about Table 1 is the severity rate of docks
and ore yards (30.1 days per 1,000 hours’ exposure). This is a
small department where there is considerable liability to fatal injury,
and this tends to make the severity rate extremely variable from
year to year.
The other departments having high rates are much in their usual
order, for example, erection of structural steel (severity rate 21.1
days), blast furnaces (5.1 days), bar mills (5 days), and yards (4.8
days).
Table 2 presents the record since 1910, by means of two 5-year
periods (1910 to 1914 and 1915 to 1919) and three individual years
1920, 1921, and 1922):
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133
IN DUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND H YG IENE.
T able
2.—ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDENT RATES IN TH E IRON AND STEEL IND U STR Y
IN TH E UNITED STATES, 1910 TO 1922, BY DEPARTMENTS.
Number of cases.
Equiva
num
Period or lent
ber of
Per
year.
full-year
ma Tem
workers. Death nent porary
dis disabil Total.
abil ity.
ity.
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours’ ex
posure).
Per
ma
nent
Death dis
abil
ity.
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours’ ex
posure).
Tem
Per Tem
po
ma po
rary To
nent
rary To
dis tal. Death dis dis tal.
abil
abil abil
ity.
ity. ity.
The industry.
1910-1914.. 1,310,911
1915-1919.. 1,545,706
1920........... 442,685
1921.......... 237,094
1922.......... 335,909
1,524 5,080 226,305 232,954
1,731 4,469 186,532 192,732
327 1,084 49,482 50,893
1.56 527 21,279 21,962
236 878 32,120 33,234
0.4
.4
.2
.2
.2
1.3
1.0
.8
.7
.9
57.5
40.2
37.3
29.9
31.9
59.2
41.6
38.3
30.8
33.0
2.3
2.2
1.5
1.3
1.4
1.1
.8
.8
.7
.8
0.7
.6
.4
.5
.5
4.1
3.6
2.7
2.5
2.7
60.4
37.4
30.2
25.0
29.4
62.3
39.0
31. 1
26.0
30.8
5.2
4.7
2.7
3.0
4.2
1.0
0. 8
.5
.4
.4
.5
7.0
6.1
4.0
3.9
5.1
87.4
55.4
36.2
24.4
16.3
89.8
57.7
36.8
25. 4
17.0
4.0
4.8
1.4
2.3
.8
1.1
1.1
.3
.4
.5
1.3
.6
.4
.3
6.4
6.9
2.3
3. 1
1.6
1.5
1.2
.8
.6
.8
72.8
48.6
37.0
28.2
32.6
75.0
50.5
38.3
29.0
33.8
4.0
4.4
3.0
1.4
2.2
1.6
1.2
.8
.4
.9
1.0
.9
.5
.5
.5
6.6
6.5
4.3
2.3
3.6
1.6
1.0
.9
.7
.9
61.7
59.7
63.2
59.7
60. 5
83.6
51.0
64.2
60.6
61.6
1.8
1.8
.7
1.2
1.1
1.1
.9
.8
.7
.9
0.7
.7
.8
.8
.7
3.6
3.4
2.3
2.7
2.7
1.1
.4
.9
.9
65.6
44.8
39. 8
34.6
57.0
5.3
-0. 7
56.1
1.7
.5
3.7
0.7
.2
1. 0
.8
0.7
.5
.6
.5
3. 1
1.2
1.6
5.0
44.4
30.8
26.3
16.5
17.2
16.1
52.4
17. 0
7.1
18. 7
2.1
2.4
1.2
.6
1.2
0.9
0.6
.5
.4
.3
.4
3.6
3.9
2.0
1.2
2.5
Blast furnaces.
1910-1914..
1915-1919..
1920..........
1921...........
1922..........
126,582
136,166
35,470
15,486
17,933
324
317
47
23
38
366
312
58
24
35
22,578
15,287
3,214
1,160
1,586
23,268
15,916
3,319
1,207
1,659
0.9
.8
.4
.5
.7
1.0
.8
.5
.5
.7
.9
.9
.5
.4
Bessemer department.
1910-1914..
1915-1919..
1920..........
1921..........
1922..........
28,101
25,645
6,907
3,440
4,778
57 146
62 112
5
9
4
6
2 . 8
7,367
4,262
750
252
233
7,570
4,436
764
262
243
0.7
.8
.2
.4
.1
1.7
1.5
.4
.6
.6
1. 0
Open hearths.
1910-1914..
1915-1919..
1920...........
1921...........
1922...........
71,293
86,175
28,8^3
12,783
19,805
143
191
43
9
22
333
317
70
21
46
15,809
12,563
3,164
1,082
1,936
16,285
13,071
3,277
1,112
2,004
1910-1914..
1915-1919..
1920..........
1921..........
1922..........
95,917
92,746
35,300
15,388
22,770
84
84
13
9
12
449
277
97
34
59
0.7
.7
.5
.2
.4
Foundries.
17,765
16,604
6,688
2,756
4,134
18,298
16,965
6,798
2,799
4,205
0.3
.3
.1
.2
.2
Bar mills.
1915-1919..
1920...........
1921
1922...........
24,081
3,880
1,912
3,780
20
1
77
5
7
10
4,745
525
228
392
4,842
527
233
409
0.3
.1
.6
Heavy rolling mills.
1910-1914..
191,5-1919..
1920..........
1921..........
1922...........
67,663
75,166
20,787
9,000
14,574
74
91
12
3
9
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
261
275
34
15
56
9,007
6,950
1,638
485
752
9,342
7,316
1,684
503
817
[909]
0.4
.4
.2
.1
.2
1.3
1.2
.5
.5
1.3
1. 0
.4
.3
.9
134
T able
M O N TH LY LABOR EEYIEW,
3.—ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDENT RATES IN TH E IRON AND STE EL INDUSTRY
IN T H E UNITED STATES, 1910 TO 1922, BY DEPARTM ENTS—Continued.
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours’ ex
posure).
Number of cases.
Equiva
num
Period or lent
ber of
Per
year.
full-year
ma Tem
workers. Death. nent porary Total.
dis disabil
abil ity.
ity.
Per
m a
Death. nent
dis
abil
ity.
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours’ ex
posure).
Tem
Per
po
ma
rary To Death. nent
dis tal.
dis
abil
abil
ity.
ity.
Tem
po
rary To
dis tal.
abil
ity.
Plate mills.
1910-1914..
1915-1919..
1920..........
1921..........
1922...........
27,711
35,073
11,928
4,580
6,198
19
25
9
3
2
105
89
23
7
26
3,129
4,016
1,147
318
581
3,253
4,130
1,179
328
609
0.3
.2
.3
.2
.1
1.6
.8
.6
.5
1.4
48.0
38.2
32.1
23.1
31.2
49.9
39.2
33. 0
23.8
32.7
1.8
1.4
1.5
1.3
.6
1.4
.6
.6
.3
.9
0.7
.5
.4
.4
.5
3.9
2.5
2.5
2.0
2.0
1.5
.8
1.0
.6
37.7
30.7
20.0
24.7
39.5
31.6
21.0
25.4
1.8
.5
.8
1.3
.5
.7
.5
0.5
.4
.3
.5
3.6
1.5
1.0
1.8
50.0
32.1
40.1
35.8
40.3
51.1
32.7
41.0
36.7
41.3
1.4
.7
1.2
.6
.8
0.6
.4
.7
.5
.8
0.6
.4
.8
.5
.9
2.6
1.5
2.3
1.6
2.5
31.2 31.9
37.9 38.5
32.1 32.6
0.6
1.6
.8
0.5
.2
.1
0.4
.5
.5
1.5
2.3
1.4
63.9 65.9
49.4 50.7
40.0 41.1
1.7
4.0
1.6
0.5
1.2
1.5
0.7
.7
.5
2.9
5.9
3.6
39.2
21.4
31.9
19. 1
22.7
40.5
22. 4
33. 1
20. 0
23. 5
1.0
1.1
.5
.6
0.7
.5
.5
.5
.6
0.5
.3
.5
.4
.4
2.2
1.8
2.1
1. 4
1.6
73.3
41.9
42. 5
42.0
42.7
1.7
1.0
1.3
.7
1.0
1.1
.5
.8
.9
.9
0.9
.6
.6
.7
.7
3.7
2.1
2. 7
2.3
2.6
Rod mills.
1915-1919..
1920..........
1921
1922...........
15,218
3,729
2,099
2,645
14
1
1
70
9
6
5
1,721
344
126
196
1,805
354
132
202
0.3
.1
.1
Sheet mills.1
1910-1914..
1915-1919..
1920...........
1921...........
1922...........
128,423
104,335
24,279
15,845
24,391
88
37
14
5
10
308
172
59
38
66
19,262
10,034
2,979
1,702
2,951
0.2
.1
.2
.1
.1
19,658
10,243
3,052
1,745
3,027
0.9
.5
.8
.8
.9
Sheets, hot rolling.1
1920...........
1921...........
1922...........
6,660
3,728
7,476
2
3
3
12
3
8
624
424
721
638
430
732
0.1
.3
.1
0.6
.3
.4
Sheets, cold rolling.1
1920..........
1921..........
1922..........
1,205
506
1,226
1
1
1
6
1
3
230
75
147
237
77
151
0.3
.7
.3
1.7
.7
.8
Tube mills.
1910-1914..
1915-1919..
1920..........
1921..........
1922...........
73,338
75,108
22,666
14,622
19,535
36
38
13
4
6
249
178
71
35
40
8,623
4,825
2,166
840
1,332
8,908
5,041
2,250
879
1,378
0.2
.2
.2
.1
.1
1.1
.8
1.0
.8
.7
1. 0
Miscellaneous roiling mills.
1910-1914..
1915-1919..
1920...........
1921...........
1922...........
104,829
102,696
29,898
12,068
19,382
82
253
19
4
10
360
218
81
36
59
21,501
12,644
3,713
1,479
2,416
21,943
12,915
3,813
1,519
2,485
0.3
.2
.2
.1
.2
1.2
.7
.9
1.0
1.0
71.8
41.0
41.4
40.9
41.5
1 In the sheet mills all employees are considered in computing the ratio. In hot and cold rolling only
those are considered who are concerned with the particular processes.
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135
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND H YG IENE.
T able
2 .—ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDENT RATES IN THE IRON AND STE EL INDUSTRY
IN TH E UNITED STATES, 1910 TO 1922, BY DEPARTM ENTS—Continued.
Number of cases.
Equiva
Period or lent num
ber of
Per
year.
full-year
ma Tem
workers. Death. nent porary Total.
dis disabil
abil ity.
ity.
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours’ ex
posure).
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours’ ex
posure).
Per Tem
Per Tem
ma po
ma po
Death. nent rary To Death nent rary To
dis dis tal.
dis dis tal.
abil abil
abil abil
ity. ity.
ity. ity.
Fabricating shops.
1910-1914..
1915-1919..
1920...........
1921...........
1922...........
108,538
80,985
17,216
12,908
16,184
98
59
14
5
14
425
163
68
45
41
25,506 26,029
13,195 131,417
2,721 2,803
1,971
2,021
3,381 3,436
0.3
.2
.2
.1
.3
1.3
.7
1.3
1.2
.8
78.3
54.3
52.7
50.9
69.6
79.9
55.2
54.2
52.2
70.7
1.7
1.5
1.6
.8
1.7
0.9
.5
1.1
.7
.8
0.8
.6
.6
.6
.8
3.4
2.6
3.3
2.1
3.3
57.6
57.6
58.6
39.5
51.3
59.0
59.0
59. 4
41.0
53.5
2.6
1.4
2.2
2.6
0.6
1.1
.8
1.0
1.7
0.7
.9
7
.7
.9
3.9
3.4
15
3.9
5.2
63.5
43.7
31.5
19.1
20.2
65.7
45. 8
33. 2
20.6
21.6
0.7
.5
.3
.9
.4
1.9
1.6
1.7
1.4
1.3
0.6
.5
.5
.4
.4
3.2
2.6
2.5
2.7
2.1
2.1
1.8
.9
1.3
31.2
14. 6
24.1
18.5
33.4
16. 4
30.0
19.8
0.3
1.6
2.9
.8
.7
0.3
.2
2.2
2 1
12
l.i
1.9
1.1
1.2
1.4
26.5
23. 1
17.7
17.0
28.5
24. 2
19.0
18.5
0.4
1.3
.8
.6
1.3
0.3
2.0
.3
.3
2.1
2.4
47.1
40.3
30. 6
21. 2
16.0
4.6
5.7
2.2
1.3
2.3
1.2
0.5
.5
.4
.3
.4
6.3
7.2
2.7
2.2
2.8
62.7
41.3
37.2
23.6
19.0
2.1
2.0
1.5
1.7
1.6
0.8
.5
.5
.4
.3
4.0
3.5
2.6
2.5
2.6
Forge shops.
1910-1914..
1915-1919..
1920
1921..........
1922...........
6,249
12,667
2,197
902
1,514
8
9
1
2
19
45
5
3
8
1,080
2,189
380
107
233
1,107
2,243
385
111
243
0.4
.2
.4
.4
1.0
1.2
.8
1.1
1.8
Wire drawing.
1910-1914..
1915-1919..
1920...........
1921..........
1922...........
59,481
52,666
13,243
9,186
13, 836
21
12
2
4
3
383
321
63
30
53
11,504
6,912
1,252
527
837
11,908
7,245
1,317
567
893
0.1
.1
.1
.1
.1
2.1
2.0
1.6
1.3
1.3
Wire fence.
1915-1919..
1920. . . .
1921. .
1922...........
7,311
1,097
1,095
1,528
1
47
6
3
6
684
48
79
85
732
54
82
91
0.1
.4
Nails.
1915-1919..
1920. . . .
1921...........
1922...........
9,818
2,364
1,718
2,366
2
1
1
56
8
6
10
782
164
91
121
840
172
98
132
0.1
.2
.1
1.2
.8
Electrical department.
1910-1914..
1915-1919..
1 9 2 0 .......
1921...........
1922...........
14,921
16,023
4, 473
3,025
3,528
33
46
5
2
4
48
40
3
3
1
1,957
1,851
403
188
164
2,038
1,937
411
193
169
0.8
1.0
.4
.2
.4
1.1
.8
.2
.3
.1
45.2
38. 5
30.0
20.7
15.5
1.0
.1
.6
.1
Mechanical department.
1910-1914..
1915-1919..
1920..........
1921..........
1922...........
97,161
154,846
34,648
25,036
30,324
104
154
26
21
25
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
392
492
68
41
75
17,794
18,556
3,767
1,703
1,626
18,292
19,202
3,861
1,775
1,726
[911]
0.4
.3
.3
.3
.3
1.3
1. 1
.7
.5
.8
61.0
39. 9
36. 2
22.7
17.9
1.1
1.0
.6
.5
.7
136
T able
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW.
2.—ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDENT RATES IN TH E IRON AND STE EL INDUSTRY
IN T H E UNITED STATES, 1910 TO 1922, BY DEPARTM ENTS—Concluded.
Accident frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 hours’ ex
posure).
Number of cases.
Equivanum
Period or .ent
Per
ber of
year.
ma Tem
full-year
workers. Death. nent porary Total.
dis disabil
abil ity.
ity.
Per
m a
Death. nent
dis
abil
ity.
Accident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours’ ex
posure).
Tem
P er Tem
po
m a po
rary To Death. nent rary To
dis dis tal.
dis tal.
abil abil
abil
ity.
ity. ity.
Power houses.
1912-1914..
1915-1919..
1920..........
1921..........
1922.........
8,083
13, 219
4, 591
2,344
3^ 361
6
27
4
2
21
21
1
5
544
739
172
77
115
0.2
.7
.3
.3
571
787
177
79
120
0.9 22.4 23.5
.5 18.6 19.8
. 1 12. 5 12.9
10.9 11.2
.5 11.4 11.9
1.5
4.1
1.7
1.7
0.8
.6
(2)
.7
0.3
.3
.2
.2
.2
2.6
5.0
1.9
1.9
.9
4.0
3.9
1.7
2.1
3.8
1.4
1.6
1.3
1.9
.5
0.6
.6
.4
.5
.5
6.0
6.1
3.4
4.4
4.8
3.0
2.1
1.2
1.6
.7
.7
.5
.1
6.7
1. 9
.7
8.7
.1
1.3
1.0
.6
.7
.6
4.7
3.9
1. Ä
4.9
.6
...........
Yards.
1910-1914..
1915-1919..
1920...........
1921..........
1922..........
55,932
53,890
12,087
5,840
7,969
112
106
10
6
15
243
258
33
22
16
8,112
5,685
922
422
536
0.7
.7
.3
.3
.6
8,467
6,049
965
450
567
1.5
1.6
.9
1.3
.7
48.6
35.2
25.4
24.1
22.4
50.8
37.5
26.6
25.7
23.7
Axle ivories.
438
338
100
12
11
444
342
100
13
11
1
15
18
4
2
609
1,313
170
92
78
627
L, 338
174
97
78
1,293
1,383
379
235
271
3
6
1
11
12
2
3
3
139
175
12
11
7
2,157
4,979
637
573
595
26
45
6
5
5
24
35
12
4
2
738
1,522
204
168
129
1912-1914..
1915-1919
1920. .
1921..........
1922..........
1,326
2,467
'743
242
490
2
1912-1914..
1915-1919..
1920...........
1921..........
1922...........
2,367
5,904
1 215
'552
1,102
3
7
1911-1914..
1915-1919..
1920..........
1921..........
1922...........
1912-1914..
1915-1919..
1920..........
1921.........
1922...........
4
4
1
0.5
1.3
1.0 110.1 111.6
.5 45. 7 46.2
44. 8 44. 8
16. 5 17.9
7.5
7.5
8.3
Car wheels.
0.4
.4
.6
2. 1
1.0
1.0
1.2
85.8
74.1
46.7
56.7
23.6
88.3
75.5
47.7
58.6
23.6
2.5
2.4
3.6
0.9
.5
.9
.5
35.8
42.2
10.6
15.6
8.6
39.4
46.5
13.3
15.6
16.0
4.6
8.7
5.3
2.8
4. 1
2.9
22.2
7.6
0.8
8.2
.5 13.3
. 1 8.3
.5
.5
.3 30. 1
114.0
101.9
111.8
97.8
72.3
121.7
107.2
121.7
103.0
76.2
24.1
18. 1
19.7
17.5
16.8
5.5
2.6
3.7
1. 1
2.5
1.8
1.6
2.5
1.7
1.8
31.4
22.3
25.9
20.2
21.1
41.4
24.1
10.0
10.5
10.5
43.1
25.4
10.6
10.8
10.7
4.1
4.6
1.4
.7
.6
1.5
.5
.7
.3
.2
0.6
.4
.3
.2
.2
6.2
5.5
2.4
1.1
1.0
34.8
35.7
27.9
28.7
35.9
36.7
28.9
29.9
1.6
1.4
1.3
1.0
1.3
.9
.8
.8
0.5
.5
.5
.4
3.4
2.8
2.6
2.2
Docks and ore yards.
153
193
15
11
13
0.8
1.4
.9
2.8
2.9
1.8
3.7
3.7
Erection of structural steeel.
4.0
3.0
3.3
2.9
2.8
788
1,602
222
177
136
3.7
2.3
6.6
2.3
1. 1
Coke ovens A
1912-1914..
1915-1919..
1920...........
1921..........
1922..........
13,282
28,901
8,620
5,768
6,554
27
66
6
2
1915-1919..
1920..........
1921..........
1922...........
293,329
104,741
53,403
79,405
237
72
36
39
2
1,651
2,095
518
182
207
1,717
2,205
535
188
210
706 30,612
261 11,208
134 4,468
233 6,848
31,555
11,541
4,638
7,120
39
44
11
4
1
0.7
.8
.2
.1
.1
1.0
.5
.4
.2
.1
Unclassified.
0.3
.2
.2
.2
0.8
.8
.8
1.0
* Less than 0.05.
s These figures are for coke plants operated in connection with steel plants. For more complete state
ments see publications of Bureau of Mines.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[912]
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND HYGIENE.
187
The industry as a whole shows an increase over the previous year
in full-year workers, i. e., from 237,094 to 335,909. This increase
in numbers is accompanied by an increase in the frequency rate from
30.8 to 33 and of the severity rate from 2.5 to 2.7. These changes are
so small as to be of little significance except as they reflect changes of
similar character in the several departments.
The following departments having over 10,000 full-year workers
show changes in the severity rate: Blast furnaces (3.9 to 5.1), open
hearths (2.3 to 3.6), heavy rolling mills (1.2 to 2.5), sheet mills (1.6 to
2.5), tube mills (1.4 to 1.6), miscellaneous rolling mills (2.3 to 2.6),
fabricating shops (2.1 to 3.3), wire drawing (2.7 to 2.1), and mechani
cal (2.5 to 2.6).
All but one of these departments show increases. The severity
rate in the wire-drawing department dropped from 2.7 to 2.1. The
rates in the other departments vary from that in the heavy rolling
mills, in which the 1922 rate was slightly more than double the 1921
rate, to that in tube mills, in which there was a 14 per cent rise. Since
the 1921 rates were not high, these percentages of increase are not
seriously significant. They are enough, however, to suggest to
safety men m the iron and steel industry a very strenuous effort to
insure that the year’s record shall not be repeated.
In Table 3, by a “ smoothing” process, the essential trend of acci
dent occurrence is disclosed.
T able 3 — TR EN D OF ACCIDENT RATES IN SPEC IFIED DEPARTM ENTS OF TH E IRON
AND STE EL INDUSTRY, BY 5-YEAR PER IO D S.
5-year period.
Blast Bessemer. Open
Industry. furnaces.
hearth.
Found
ries.
Heavy
rolling
mills.
Plate
mills.
Sheet
mills.
Accident frequency rates {per 1,000,000 hours’ exposure).
1907 to 1911.................
1908 to 1912.................
1909 to 1913.................
1910 to 1914.................
1911 to 1915.................
1912 to 1916.................
1913 to 1917.................
1914 to 1918.................
1915 to 1919.................
1916 to 1920.................
1917 to 1921.................
1918 to 1922.................
69.2
65.1
6211
59. 2
53.3
51.3
48.2
43.6
41. 2
41.1
39.5
36.5
76.1
67.7
62. 4
59.2
50. 3
47. 8
44.1
40.5
38.6
38.0
36.3
34.0
101.5
79.5
92.3
89.8
65.0
76.1
68.3
60.7
57.7
53.1
47.0
39.9
84.2
79.5
78. 6
76. 1
67.6
64.8
58.4
53.5
50.5
50.2
44.8
41.3
60.1
61.5
65.1
63.6
59.3
57. 8
60.4
57.0
55.6
61.0
63.1
60.4
61.0
57.0
51.7
46.0
39.4
37.3
32.1
31.1
32.0
31.4
29.9
27.6
69.4
60. 8
55.9
49.9
44.7
41.5
36.6
39. 8
39. 2
38.4
37.6
36.7
44.1
47.9
49.1
51.0
48.1
47. 4
41.3
35.8
32.7
33.7
33.4
35.2
5.1
4.1
3.8
3.8
3.1
2.8
2.6
2.6
2.5
2.6
2.5
2.5
3.1
2.8
3.0
2.6
2.2
2.3
2.1
1.8
1.6
1.8
1.7
1.8
Accident severity rates {per 1,000 hours’ exposure).
1907 to 1911.................
1908 to 1912.................
1909 to 1913...............
1910 to 1914.................
1911 to 1915.................
1912 to 1916.................
1913 to 1917.................
1914 to 1918.................
1915 to 1919.................
1916 to 1920.................
1917 to 1921.................
1918 to 1922.................
5.0
4.3
4.4
4.1
3.6
3.7
3.7
3.5
3.6
3.5
3.4
3.1
10.6
8.8
8.3
7.0
6. 2
5.8
5.6
5.4
5. 8
5.7
5.7
5.5
7.6
7.4
6.7
6.4
5.3
6.1
7.1
7.3
7.0
6.3
5.4
4. 2
7.5
6.6
6. 8
6.6
5.8
5.5
5.1
5. 8
6. 2
6.3
5. 8
5.3
2.7
3.1
3.5
3.6
3.3
3. 1
3.3
3.2
3. 1
3. 2
3. 2
2.7
4.4
4. 2
4.0
3. 8
3.4
3.5
3.6
3. 4
3.9
3.5
3.3
2.9
The rates in Table 3 are calculated for five-year periods beginning
with the five years 1907 to 1911 and extending to 1922. The table
discloses that in each of the departments included, except foundries,
frequency of accidents has steadily decreased. The severity rates
are more irregular but the trend is markedly downward.
[913]
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
138
The foundries are disappointing. A study of particular foundry
groups has demonstrated that marked improvement can he secured
by the right kind of effort persistently applied. These plants when
included with the others are not of sufficient weight to overcome the
stationary condition of the majority. While severity is declining
from 10.6 to 5.5 in blast furnaces it can not be regarded as satisfactory
that foundries remain at the figure (2.7) at which they stood during
the first 5-year interval.
The severity in foundries is not conspicuously high but frequency
in recent years has been higher than in any other important depart
ment. This suggests that these plants have not utilized to the full
extent those methods of promoting interest in safety among the men
which have proved successful in the more hazardous departments.
It would seem also that some “ engineering revision” ought to be
possible w h i c h would bring about a lessened severity.
Table 4 adds the year 1922 to the “ cause” table which has now
been maintained for 10 years.
T able 4.—ACCIDENT FREQUEN CY RATES (P E R 1,000,000 HOURS’ EX PO SU RE) IN A
PORTION OF TH E IRON AND STE EL IND U STR Y , 1913 TO 1922, BY ACCIDENT
CAUSES.
Accident cause.
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
Machinery.......................................
Working machines..................
Caught i n ...........................
Breakage............................
Moving material i n ...........
Cranes.......................................
Overhead...........................
Locomotive.......................
Other hoisting...................
Vehicles...........................................
Hot substances...............................
Electricity................................
Hot m etal.................................
Hot water, steam, etc.............
Falls of persons...............................
From ladders...........................
From scaffolds.........................
Into openings...........................
Due to insecure footing...........
Falling material, not otherwise
specified ......................................
Handling objects and tools...........
Objects dropped in handling..
Caught between object handied and other object...........
Trucks and barrows................
Lifting or pulling.....................
Objects flying from tools........
Slivers and edges.....................
Using tools...............................
Miscellaneous..................................
Asphyxiating gas.....................
Flying objects not striking eye
Flying objects striking eye__
Heat cramps, etc......................
Other causes.............................
Total......................................
7.3
3.8
2.5
.1
1.2
3.5
2.8
.3
.4
2.3
5.4
.5
3.6
1.3
4.5
.3
.2
.2
3.8
5.0
2.7
1.8
.1
.8
2.3
1.9
.2
.2
1.9
3.6
.4
2.1
1. 1
4. 1
.1
.2
.1
3.7
4.9
2.6
1.7
.1
.8
2.3
2.0
.2
.1
1.6
3.7
.2
2.3
1.2
3.5
.1
.2
.1
3.1
5.4
2.6
1.7
.1
.8
2.8
2.5
.2
.1
1.7
4.5
.4
3.0
1.1
3.7
.1
.2
.3
3.1
4.5
2.0
1.2
.1
.7
2.5
2.2
.2
.1
1.7
3.6
.3
2.5
.8
3.2
.1
.3
.2
2.6
4.0
1.8
1.1
.1
.6
2.2
1.9
.2
.1
1.3
3.0
.3
2.1
.6
2.8
.2
.2
.1
2.3
3.3
1.4
.9
.1
.4
1.9
1.6
.2
.1
1.2
2.8
.2
2.0
.6
2.8
.1
.2
.1
2.3
3.4
1.5
1.0
.1
.4
1.9
1.5
.2
.2
.1
2.5
.3
1.8
.4
2.5
.1
.2
.1
2.1
1.8
.8
.6
.06
.1
1.0
.8
.2
.7
.5
1.2
.1
.8
.2
1.7
.09
.1
.07
1.4
2.2
1.1
.8
.1
.3
1.2
1.0
.1
.1
.4
1.1
.1
.7
.3
1.5
.1
.1
i1)
1.3
4.2
2.0
1.3
.1
.6
2.2
1.8
.2
.2
1.4
3.2
.3
2.1
.8
3.0
.1
.2
.1
2.6
1.2
26.7
11.2
.7
19.4
7.3
.7
20.6
7.6
.6
21.5
8.4
.4
15.7
6.1
.3
12.8
5.5
.4
11.7
5.0
10.4
4.4
.1
6.5
2.6
.1
5.8
2.6
.5
15.1
6.1
3.4
1.9
2.5
.2
3.8
3.7
12.9
.3
.8
2.9
.9
8.0
60.3
2.6
1.0
2.3
.2
3.4
2.6
.7
.4
2.0
1.0
1.7
.1
2.2
2.0
5.2
.1
.4
1.5
.3
2.8
32.5
8.8
.2
.6
2.1
.8
5.1
43.5
1.3
.7
1.7
1.7
2.6
3. 1 2.1
.6
.5
1.4
1.2
.9
.7
1.4
1.4
1.1
.8
2.5
2.5
2.0
1.4
. 1 .07
.1
.1
.1
.1
.1
1.5
1.5 1.1
1.3
3.8
3. 1 2.2
1.4
1.4
.8
2.0
2.6
2.9
1.7
5.4
4. 1 3.1 1.3
7.0
4.6
6.5
. 1 .5
.1
.2
.1
.1
.1
.2
.3
.4
.5
.3
.6
.5
1.1 . 5
1.6
1.3
1.6
1.7
1.9
.2 . 1 . 1 .06
.1
.4
.4
1.5
.6
2.2
2.2
4. 1 3.2
3.7
41.5 44.4 34.5 28.8 26.3 22.0 13.3
1922 Total.
.8
.1
.6
.7
1.9
C1)
.1
.4
.1
1.3
13.0
1 Less than 0.05.
The great significance of this table, and others like it, lies in the
fact that it indicates clearly that the downward trend of accident
occurrences is not confined to a few easily controlled causes but is
distributed with remarkable uniformity to each of those enumerated.
The steadiness of this downward movement is indicated when the
rates in the total column are compared with those of a median year
such as 1917. It will be found that the average for the 10 years is
strikingly close to the rates shown for 1917.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[914 ]
139
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND HYGIENE.
The year 1922 records a slight decline from 1921, being in this
respect different from results in the industry as a whole.
It is pertinent also to call attention to the fact that this is a group
of plants in which safety work of the most aggressive kind has been
done for the years covered by the table. When the frequency rate
of 13.0 for 1922 is compared with 33.0 for the industry at large the
value of such effort will be appreciated.
Table 5 shows the course of accident frequency rates since 1913
in concerns which produce certain products.
5 .—ACCIDENT FREQUENCY RATES (PE R 1,000,000 HOURS’ EXPOSURE) FOR
MILLS MAKING SPECIFIED PRODUCTS, BY YEARS ENDING W ITH EACH ALTERNATE
MONTH, DECEMBER, 1913, TO DECEMBER, 1921, AND ENDING W ITH EACH MONTH IN
T able
Year ending with—
December, 1913............................
February, 1914.............................
April, 1914....................................
June. 1914.............. .....................
August, 1914.................................
October, 1914...............................
December, 1914............................
February, 1915.............................
April, 1915....................................
June, 1915.....................................
August, 1915.................................
October, 1915...............................
December, 1915............................
February, 1910».............................
April, 1916....................................
June, 1916.....................................
August, 1916................................
October, 1916...............................
Deeeinber, 1910............................
February, 1917.............................
April, 1917....................................
June, 1917....................... ............
August, 1917................................
October, 1917...............................
December, 1917...........................
February, 1918............................
April, 1918....................................
June, 1918.....................................
August, 1918................................
October, 1918...............................
December, 1918............................
iebruarv, 1919............................
Abril, 1919....................................
June, 1919.....................................
August, 1919................................
October, 1919...............................
December, 1919...........................
February, 1920.............................
April, 1920....................................
June, 1920.....................................
August, 1920................................
October, 1920...............................
December, 1920............................
February, 1921.............................
April, 1921....................................
June, 1921.....................................
August, 1921.................................
October, 1921...............................
December, 1921............................
January, 1922...............................
February, r922.............................
March, 1922..................................
April, 1922....................................
May, 1922.....................................
June', 1922.....................................
July, 1922.....................................
August, 1922................................
September, 1922..........................
October, 1922...............................
November, 1922...........................
December, 1922............................
63745°—23-----10
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Fabri
cated
prod
ucts.
Sheets.
100.3
92.2
88.2
75.5
66.7
CL 6
59.0
55.1
53.3
51.2
50.9
51.8
53.5
53.3
52.7
54.5
54.7
01.6
58.9
56.6
53.7
49.4
47.2
47.2
46.6
44.7
41.8
39.0
38.0
37.3
37.0
37.1
36.5
36.1
52.1
53.1
54.3
53.3
52.7
52.5
51.3
48.7
46.9
45.7
42.6
40.0
38.2
37.3
35.8
33.6
32.3
33.3
32.8
33.1
33.7
35.3
35.6
35.1
35.3
35.8
34.5
32.4
32.0
30.8
28.4
27.6
26.5
25.3
25. C
27.7
29.7
30.4
31.5
32.2
32.9
33.0
33.8
34.0
33.6
32.3
32.3
34.9
34.2
33.9
33.1
32.7
31.3
27.5
26.5
25.9
26.1
25.6
24.4
24.7
25.1
25.8
25.4
24.9
25.0
24.1
23.6
22.7
22.0
21.5
20.2
20.3
19.1
17.5
17.0
16.2
16.2
16.1
10.4
16.8
17.1
16.8
16.8
16.7
16.8
16.9
53.4
35.2
[915]
Wire
prod
ucts.
59.3
54.7
53.1
51.0
48.9
46.8
46.2
45.4
43.2
44.3
46.2
51.4
52.4
52.8
52.9
52.2
51.1
48.9
48.2
46.4
45.0
42.6
39.5
36.0
32.5
30.7
27.6
24.6
22.1
19.9
18.8
17.4
16.2
15.4
14.2
13.1
12.5
12.5
12.5
12.2
12.4
12.6
12.0
10.8
9.9
9.3
8.4
7.9
7.5
7.6
7.8
7.8
7.8
7.5
7.9
8.1
8.2
8.2
8.0
7.9
7.9
Tubes.
Miscellaneous steel
products.
Total.
Group A. Group B.
27.2
24.0
21.2
19.1
16.0
13.9
12.5
11.1
9.3
8.7
9.6
10.5
10.8
11.3
12.1
12.2
12.3
12.2
12.4
12.1
11.6
11.5
10.7
10.4
10.2
10.0
10.0
9.9
9.9
9.6
9.1
9.2
9.1
S. 7
8.5
8.7
9.1
9.1
9.0
9.2
9.2
9.1
8.9
8.3
7.6
7.3
7.0
6.5
6.1
6.1
6.2
6.5
6.5
6.4
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.6
6.7
6.8
7.1
70.9
C9.3
67.3
62.8
57.8
53.5
50.7
45.4
42.3
42.7
45.0
48.5
51.9
57.5
61.2
62.7
66.0
67.6
67.6
06.5
64.6
62.2
57.9
54.2
51.3
48.6
46.7
45.2
44.0
42.6
42.0
41.8
41.5
40.7
39.2
38.7
39.7
39.3
38.7
38.0
37.0
37.0
35.3
33.3
30.4
27.6
24.2
19.8
15.8
13.4
12.3
11.7
12.0
12.4
13.1
13.7
14.1
14.3
14.3
14.2
14.5
41.3
38.5
35.5
33.3
31.0
28.4
27.6
27.7
26.4
23.3
20.1
21.0
23.0
25.4
25.4
27.0
28.5
29.0
28.2
26.6
25.8
24.5
22.5
21.0
20.5
20.0
21.6
24.3
28.3
29.9
31.4
31.5
30.7
28.4
25.5
24.5
23.0
22.5
21.1
21.2
20.3
19.5
18.6
17.4
16.8
14.2
13.3
12.1
11.5
11.4
11.0
10.5
10.9
10.9
11.1
10.8
10.9
10.5
10.4
10.8
GO. 3
57.3
51.6
47.9
45.0
43.5
41.0
39.1
38.0
38.1
40 3
41.5
43.3
44.2
44.7
45.0
44.4
43.4
42.2
40.5
38.3
30.2
34.5
32 9
31.9
31.1
30.2
28 2
28.8
28.6
28.1
27.1
26.2
25.9
20.1
25.9
25.3
25.0
24.4
'24.0
22.9
21.7
20.2
18.7
17.2
15.2
13.2
12.2
11.8
11.6
11.6
11.8
12.3
12.6
12.7
12.8
12.8
12.7
13.0
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
f 140
The present table simply extends the tables hitherto published, so'
as to cover the years ending in each month of 1922.
It will be noted that except for wire products the years ending in
the later months of 1922 show a tendency to rise. This reflects the
progressive readjustment incident to revived industrial activity.
Since these plants are the same as those covered by Table 4, in
which intensive safety work has been going on for a long time, it
again becomes evident that even the best organized plants are sure
to have some rise in rates when it is necessary to introduce the in
experienced man. The table shows two such periods of readjust
ment. The earlier one corresponds in a general way to the period of
war activity and the later one to the year 1922. It is a hopeful sign
that the trend observed in the first of these periods was very quickly
controlled and the normal decline of rates resumed.
The percentages of decline over this 10-year period are signifi
cant. They are as follows: Fabricated products, 66; sheets, 73;
wire products, 87; tubes, 74; and miscellaneous steel products—
Group A, 80; Group B, 74.
Conclusion.
•"THE changes which mark the year 1922 are none of them of a
striking or spectacular character. It may be affirmed that
except in the case of individual concerns the day of striking accident
reduction is over. It is now the duty and opportunity of safety en
gineers to emphasize constantly that provisions for safety are just
as much a part of the business as are provisions for production or
accounting.
The further progress of the movement will depend on the thor
oughness with which this is done.
Coal-Mine Fatalities in the United States in 1922.
n p H E report of the United States Bureau of Mines on coal-mine
fatalities in the United States during the calendar year 1922
(Technical Paper 339) states that the principal features of the
year’s record were the heavy loss of life from gas and coal-dust explo
sions and the five-month strike of the miners which completely
stopped the mining of anthracite coal and reduced the output of bi
tuminous coal to about half the usual amount.
There were 1,971 fatal accidents in 1922 as compared with 1,987
in 1921, the revised record for that year. Although this was a re
duction of 16 from the fatalities for the preceding year it does not
show a reduction in the fatality rate in relation to the tonnage mined.
In 1922, 233,576 tons were mined for each fatal accident and in 1921,
254,854 tons. The fatality rate based upon the total output of coal
was 4.28 per million tons in 1922 and 3.92 per million tons in 1921.
The rates for bituminous mines were 4.10 and 3.46 for 1922 and 1921,
respectively, and for anthracite mines 5.66 and 6.05.
Preliminary estimates place the total number of underground and
surface workers in 1922 at 848,932, of whom 159,499 were employed
in anthracite mines. This was an increase of 25,679 over the total
number employed in 1921. The total production of both bituminous
[916]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
141
IîsTDTTSTEIAL ACCIDENTS AND HYGIENE.
and anthracite amounted to approximately 460,379,000 tons, as
against 506,395,401 tons in 1921.
The following table shows, by causes, the fatalities at coal mines
during the calendar years 1921 and 1922:
FATA LITIES AT COAL MINES, BY CAUSES, YEARS ENDED DE CEMBER 31, 1921 AND 1922.
Number killed.
Increase (+ ) or decrease
(—) in 1922 as com
pared with 1921.
1921
Number.
Cause.
1922
Per cent.
Underground:
Falls of roof or face.......................................................
Mine cars and locomotives........................................
Gas and dust explosions..............................................
Explosives....................................................................
E lectricity.................................- .................................
Mine fires......................................................................
Miscellaneous underground.........................................
1,024
341
116
152
80
9
109
900
340
311
91
74
76
-124
-1
+195
—61
-6
-9
-3 3
Total...........................................................................
1,831
1,792
-3 9
-2.13
.............................................................................
36
41
+5
+ 13.89
Surface:
Haulage.........................................................................
Machinery.....................................................................
Miscellaneous................................................................
45
17
58
54
23
61
+9
+6
+3
+ 20.00
+35. 29
+5.17
Shaft
-12.11
—.29
+168.10
-40.13
-7.50
—loo. 00
-30.28
T otal..........................................................................
120
138
+18
+ 15.00
Grand to ta l...............................................................
1,987
1,971
-1 6
-.8 1
The following table shows the number of workers, average days
active, number of men killed, fatality rate per one thousand 300-day
workers, and production in coal mines for the years 1907 to 1922:
COAL-MINE FATA LITIES AND PRODUCTION, 1907 TO 1922.
Men employed.
Year.
1907i.............................................
1908 i............................................
1909i............................................
1910...............................................
1912?.............................................
1913..............................................
1914...............................................
1915..............................................
1916..............................................
1917.............................................
1918..............................................
1919..............................................
1920...............................................
1921...............................................
1922..............................................
Men killed.
Aver
age
Equi va- days
Actual
lent in active.
number. 300-day
workers.
674,613
678,873
666,535
725,030
728,348
722,662
747,644
763,185
734', 008
720,971
757,317
762,426
776, 569
784,621
823; 253
2848,932
519,452
441,267
231
195
531,689
534,122
541,997
593; 131
526.598
511.598
565; 766
634,666
654,973
542,217
601; 283
47< 529
220
220
225
238
207
209
235
251
258
209
230
173
Produc
tion per
death
Num 1 , 0 0 0
(short
ber. 300-day tons).
work
ers.
Average production per man.
Kate
per
3,242
2,445
2,642
2,821
2,656
2,419
2,785
2,454
2,269
2,226
2,696
2,580
2,317
2,271
1,987
1,971
6.24
5.54
5.31
4. 97
4.46
4. 70
4.66
4. 44
3. 93
4. 25
3.94
4. 27
3. 78
4.19
147.407
167.407
174, 416
177,808
186,887
220; 945
204,685
209,261
234,297
265,094
241,618
262,873
239', 082
289, 857
254,854
233,576
Tons
per
year.
70S
603
691
692
682
740
762
673
724
818
860
890
713
839
615
Tons
per
day.
3.07
3.09
3.14
3.10
3.29
3.20
3.25
3.46
3.48
3. 42
3.45
3. 41
3.65
3.56
1 Figures are only for States under inspection service. Figures omitted for 1909 (census year) because
not comparable.
2 Number of employees based on estimates of State mine inspectors.
The report also gives detailed information in regard to the distri
bution of accidents by States from each specified cause, the amount
of coal produced, and the percentage of coal mined by various
methods, by States and years.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[9 1 7 ]
142
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Mine Fatalities Due to Use of Explosives.
D
URING the past l l years mining accidents due to the use of
explosives have caused 2.6 to 5.9 per cent of all fatalities at
bituminous coal mines, 4.1 to 8.9 per cent at anthracite mines,
9.3 to 14.2 per cent at metal mines, and 13.6 to 26.6 per cent at
quarries, according to the United States Bureau of Mines.1
No data are available regarding nonfatal accidents at coal mines,
but the record shows that only from 1.1 to 2 per cent of all injuries
at metal mines and from 1.7 to 6.3 per cent of those at quarries have
been due to the use of explosives. The number of fatalities due to
explosives in the mineral industry in 1921 was 178. Of these 46
were due to premature shots, 29 to suffocation, 14 to returning too
soon after the shot, 13 to delayed blasts, 13 to charging, and the
remainder to miscellaneous causes.
Relation Between Labor Turnover and industrial Accidents.
HE relation between labor turnover and industrial accidents has
been made the subject of a study by Harry D. Kitson and
Claude Campbell, of the department of psychology of Indiana
University.2 The study is based on a total of 28,939 industrial
accidents. An analysis of these accidents shows a ratio of approxi
mately one accident to one new man hired. This is four times as
great as the incidence of accidents among the total number of workers
on the pay rolls examined and in itself constitutes striking evidence
that new employees are a powerful factor in raising the number of
accidents. The investigation further shows that the number of
accidents from month to month varies directly with the number of
new employees. I t is stated that while it is true that the fluctua
tions in accidents follow to a slight degree the fluctuation in the
average working force, they correspond far more closely to the fluc
tuations in the number of new employees. This supports the con
clusion that the influence of new employees in producing accidents
is greater than the influence of mere increasing industrial activity as
measured by the total working force. The authors offer the follow
ing practical steps for the prevention of accidents:
(1) In order to reduce the number of accidents, reduce the turn
over. If the number of new employees could be reduced to zero, the
number of accidents would probably be reduced by 75 per cent.
(2) When the costs of turnover are being computed from such items
as spoiled work, damaged machinery, etc., the amounts paid in
settlement for accidents should also be included. (3) An increased
amount of time spent in instructing new employees might aid mate
rially in reducing the number of industrial accidents.
T
XU. S. Bureau of Mines. Technical Paper 340: Production of Explosives in the United States during
the calendar year 1922.
s Journal of Industrial Hygiene, Boston, July, 1923, pp. 92-96.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[918]
143
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND HYGIENE.
Analysis of Causes of 350,000 Industrial Accidents.
N ANALYSIS of the causes of 350,000 industrial accidents has
been made by the National Bureau of Casualty and Surety
Underwriters for the National Council on Compensation In
surance.1 The purpose of the analysis was to provide a basis for
a more accurate industrial compensation rating schedule. It was
found that an unexpectedly large per cent of the total compensation
cost was due to unguarded points of operation of machines. The fol
lowing table shows the per cent of the total cost of industrial acci
dents due to machinery and to points of operation in specified
industries.
A
P E R CENT OF TOTAL COST OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO MACHINERY AND
POINT OF OPERATION IN SPEC IFIED INDUSTRIES.
Per cent of total
cost of industrial
accidents due
to—
Industry.
Industry.
All ma
chine
acci
dents.
Stone..................................................
Clay....................................................
Glass..................................................
Rolling and steel mills.....................
Metal products................................
Machinery manufacture..................
Vehicle manufacture.................
Lumber and wood........................
Leather...........................................
Per cent o f total
cost of industrial
accidents due
to —
8 .7
2 3 .2
10 .6
20.4
38 .8
31.4
31.3
5 2 .9
42.7
Pointof-operation ac
cidents.
6 .7
12.7
6. 8
14.1
2 9 .4
28.3
22 .9
42.6
36. 9
All ma Pointchine of-operacci ation ac
dents. cidents.
Pnbbor and eoropnrmds
Chemical industries
Paper and papp.r prod nets
Printing and publishing
Textiles__
Clothing.........
L aundry........
Food.. 7 ..
Miscellaneous
47 0
90 i
40 5
fiO ,5
4.2* 7
21
47 9
27 2
22.7
35 6
14 5
34
40
?9
90
33
10
1L
0
9
9
6
4
3
Industrial Accidents in the Rubber Industry, Second Half of 1922.
HE National Safety News for August, 1923, contains the indus
trial accident record for the second half of the year 1922 of
certain firms in the rubber industry reporting their experience
to the National Safety Council.2 The number of firms reporting their
experience was 15, having 62,236 1,000 hours exposure. The num
ber of accidents occurring in these establishments during the 6-month
period pvas 2,314, of which 2 resulted in death, 1 in permanent total
disability, 34 in permanent partial disability, 601 in temporary dis
ability over 2 weeks, 361 in temporary disability over 1 to 2 weeks,
and 1,315 in temporary disability of 1 week and under. The fre
quency rate for these establishments was 37.18 per 1,000,000 hours
worked, while the severity rate per 1,000 hours worked was 1.07.
The accident rates for the metal and woodworking industries were
given in the August, 1923, issue of the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w .
T
1 National Bureau of Casualty and Surety Underwriters. Causes of 350,000 industrial accidents analyzed
by insurance companies. Mimeographed report, 1923.
2 National Safety News, August, 1923 ,p. 39.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[919]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
144
Mine Accidents in Alaska, 1922.
HE following table showing the number of accidents in and about
mines in Alaska for the calendar year 1922 was compiled from
the 1922 annual report of the mine inspector of the Territory.
T
NUM BER OF ACCIDENTS IN MINES AND MILLING PLA N TS IN ALASKA DURING THE
CALENDAR YEAR 1922.
Number of accidents resulting in—
Temporary disability.
Industry.
Permanent
disability.1
Death.
Cnn1
Gold
Cnpppr
............................
1
1
6
31
31
4
4
................................................
5
6
76
.............................
.............................................
........................................................
Milling plants (ooppor)
Total
Over 2
weeks.
2
2
4
1
2 weeks
and under.
Total.
14
48
78
17
34
20
85
112
21
40
191
278
1 Permanent partial disability accidents only; there were no accidents resulting in permanent total
disability in 1922.
Mine Accidents in Arizona, 1922.
D
URING the year ending November 30, 1922, there were reported
by the mines of Arizona 30 fatal and 376 nonfatal accidents,
according to the eleventh annual report of the State mine
inspector.
____ _________
Coal-Mine Accidents in Colorado, 1922.
CCORDING to the tenth annual report of the State inspector of
coal mines there were 74 fatalities in coal mines in Colorado
during the calendar year 1922, or 5.5 fatalities per 1,000 per
sons employed, as compared with 52 deaths, or 3.6 per 1,000 persons
employed, in 1921. The number of nonfatal accidents was 1,724, of
which 4 resulted in permanent total disability, 15 in permanent par
tial disability, 871 in temporary disability of over two weeks, and
834 in temporary disability of two weeks and under. This was an
increase of 204, or 14 per cent, over the number of nonfatal accidents
in 1921. The number of tons of coal produced per fatal accident in
1922 was 135,184.
A
Coal-Mine Accidents in Pennsylvania, 1916 to 1920.
HE Insurance Department of Pennsylvania in cooperation with
the Pennsylvania Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau
has compiled and published a comprehensive statistical analysis
of coal-mine accidents in Pennsylvania during the five-year period
1916 to 1920, inclusive. The report states that coal mining in Penn
sylvania is responsible year by year for 1,000 fatal accidents and for
at least 25,000 temporary disabilities of more than 10 days’ duration.
The direct wage loss on account of industrial injuries in the coal mines
of Pennsylvania is in the neighborhood of twenty million dollars
annually.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[920]
145
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND H YG IENE.
The report is divided into three parts: (1) Anthracite fatalities,
(2) bituminous fatalities, and (3) compensation insurance experience.
The third part comprises the premium and loss experience of insurance
carriers, an analysis of all fatal and permanent injuries in insured
mines during the period covered, and a study of temporary compen
sable disabilities in insured mines during 1920. The special features
of the fatality sections are the detailed analyses of the causes of acci
dents and the correlation of accidents from each cause with the occu
pation of the injured. In addition to the causes of accidents the
study contains fatality rates expressed in terms of production and
man-hours; an analysis of the mining catastrophes during 1901 to
1920; insurance premiums and incurred compensation costs; acci
dent rates for each type of injury in insured mines; average cost of
fatalities; remarriage rates of widows; and the ratio of weekly com
pensation to weekly wages.
The following table shows the coal production, fatalities, and fatal
ity rates, 1916 to 1920, in Pennsylvania:
C O A L P R O D U C T I O N , F A T A L I T I E S , A N D F A T A L I T Y R A T E S , 1916 T O 1920, I N P E N N S Y L
V A N IA .
N u m b e r o f 2 ,0 0 0 -h o u r w o r k e r s .
P ro d u c
tio n p e r
m an per
annum ,
( n e t to n s ) .
P r o d u c tio n
(n e t to n s ).
In d u stry .
O u t s id e .
A n th r a c ite 1.
B itu m in o u s 2
43 7 .4 5 7 .0 0 0
831.8 7 7 .0 0 0
In sid e .
233,603
150,021
592,694
714, 857
O r d i n a r y f a t a li t ie s .3
T o ta l
num
b er of
fa ta l O u t I n
i ti e s . s id e . s id e .
In d u stry .
A n t h r a c i t e 1..........................................................
B i t u m i n o u s 2.......................................................
2 ,7 6 0
2 ,3 4 0
358
187
2 ,283
2 ,0 7 5
T o ta l.
599
962
826 297
86L 878
O rd in a ry f a ta lity r a te —
P e r 1,000 2,000h o u r w o rk e rs.
P e r 1,000,000 t o n s .
T o t a l.
2 ,6 4 1
2, 262
1 F a t a l i t i e s i n s t r i p p i n g a n d c u lm r e c o v e r y e x c lu d e d .
2 C o k e e x c lu d e d .
O u t
s id e .
In
s id e .
To
ta l.
O u t
s id e .
In
s id e .
0 .8 2
.2 3
5 .2 2
2. 49
6 .0 4
2. 72
1.5 3
1 .2 5
3 .8 5
2 .9 0
To
ta l.
3 .2 0
2 .6 2
3 C a ta s tro p h e s n o t in c lu d e d .
The following table shows the ordinary coal-mine fatalities, 19161920, in Pennsylvania by general cause of accident :
O R D IN A R Y C O A L -M IN E
F A T A L I T I E S , 1916 T O 1920, I N P E N N S Y L V A N I A , B Y G E N E R A L
C A U S E O F A C C ID E N T .
A n th r a c ite .
C a u s e o f a c c i d e n t.
M a c h i n e r y ......................
S h a f ts a n d h o i s t in g
a p p a r a t u s ...................
R a i lr o a d c a r s a n d
e n g in e s .........................
M in e h a u l a g e ................
E l e c t r i c i t y ......................
E x p l o s i v e s .....................
G as, d u s t, a n d fir e s ..
B itu m in o u s .
N um
Per
N um
Per
b e r of c en t of b er of c en t of
fa ta l fa ta l f a ta l
fa ta l
itie s .
itie s .
itie s .
itie s .
118
4 .5
72
3 .2
62
2 .3
50
2 .2
51
490
47
289
220
1 .9
1 8 .5
1 .8
1 0 .9
8 .3
35
620
88
70
34
1 .6
2 7 .4
3 .9
3 .1
1. 5
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
C a u s e o f a c c id e n t.
F a l l s o f r o o f a n d c o a l.
F a llin g o b je c ts , n o t
o t h e r w i s e c la s s if ie d
F a l ls o f p e r s o n s ............
H a n d lin g o f m a te
r ia l s ................................
A l l o t h e r ..........................
[921]
A n th r a c ite .
B itu m in o u s .
N um
Per
b e r o f c e n t of
fa ta l fa ta l
itie s .
itie s .
N um
Per
b er of c e n t of
fa ta l fa ta l
itie s .
itie s .
1 ,2 5 6
4 7 .6
1,231
5 4 .4
18
48
.7
1 .9
12
18
.5
.8
27
15
1 .0
.6
9
23
1.0
2 ,2 6 2
1 0 0.0
A l l c a u s e s .......... 2,641
100.0
.4
146
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
The following table shows the insurance premiums, compensation
losses incurred, and administrative expenses, 1916 to 1920, in the coal
mining industry in Pennsylvania:
P R E M I U M S , L O S S E S , A N D E X P E N S E S , 1916-1920, I N C O A L M I N I N G I N P E N N S Y L V A N I A .
Ex
pense
ra tio .
In su re r.
E a rn ed
p re m iu m s .
In cu rre d
lo s s e s .
In cu rre d
exp en ses.
All i n s u r e r s ..............................................................................
$22,6 5 3 ,5 6 0
$1 1 ,1 5 9 ,9 8 9
$ 6 ,5 6 3 ,8 6 3
49 .3
29 .0
P a r t i c i p a t i n g ...............................................................
N o n p a r t i c i p a t i n g ........................................................
7 ,7 4 2 ,8 8 0
1 4 ,9 1 0 ,6 8 0
3 ,6 6 2 ,1 8 8
7,4 9 7 ,8 0 1
1 ,6 1 1 ,3 3 8
4 ,9 5 2 ,5 2 5
4 7 .3
5 0 .3
2 0 .8
3 3 .2
A m e ric a n M in e O w n e rs ( P ') ..........................................
A s s o c ia te d C o m p a n ie s ......................................................
E u r e k a C a s u a l t y ...................................................................
Pennsylvania B i t u m i n o u s M u tu a l ( P ) ..................
S t a t e f u n d ( P ) ........................................................................
T r a y e l e r s I n s u r a n c e C o ....................................................
294,202
13,1 4 4 ,9 7 7
1,1 9 8 ,9 4 1
2 ,3 7 9 ,1 5 3
5 ,0 8 9 ,5 2 5
492,692
165,788
6 ,7 3 6 ,4 4 6
559, 957
986,126
2 ,5 1 0 ,2 7 4
164,398
86,790
4,3 5 6 , S02
393,949
706,243
818,305
183,774
5 6 .4
5 1 .2
4 6 .7
4 1 .5
4 9 .5
3 3 .3
29 .5
33.1
3 2 .9
29 .7
16.1
37 .3
L o ss
ra tio .
Austrian Legislation for Prevention of Industrial Poisoning.
SERIES of bills designed to protect the health of workers in
industries in which poisonous metals, such as lead and zinc,
are used were passed by the Austrian National Assembly and
have recently been put into effect by order of the Ministry for Social
Administration.1
The orders provide that in every working place handling sub
stances containing poisonous metals, a notice must be posted of the
risks and of the precautionary measures required of the workmen,
including the necessity of change of clothing when leaving the fac
tory, of fat in the food, and of early medical examination when certain
symptoms occur. They also provide for compulsory examination of
workers at regular intervals, ventilation of workrooms and provision
of apparatus to remove or condense various gases and dust. Wher
ever possible, the walls and floors are to be washed daily. The
working clothes must be cleaned at least once a week, and washingup and bathing facilities must be provided.
The moving of raw materials and loading of furnaces and other
machinery must be so managed that no dust is produced. Where
lead is melted or bronze or lead dyes are used, at least 15 cubic meters
of air space and 3 square meters of floor space must be allotted each
workman; in other cases, 12 cubic meters and 2.5 square meters are
allowed. First-aid cabinets must be provided in every factory, and
the foremen must be trained to give first-aid treatment.
In printing industries and dye factories children under 17 years of
age may not be employed in dangerous occupations or where poison
ous dust is present; women must have at least a 10-minute rest period
after each 2-| hours’ work at a machine. Either two days without
work or a change of occupation must be provided after one week’s
work in the dye department. Eating at work places is forbidden,
and a special, well-ventilated place must be provided where lunches
may be eaten.
Workers suffering from lead or other poisoning contracted in course
of their work through the fault of the employer must be paid their
regular wages as long as they are incapacitated for work and while
A
1 J o u r n a l o f t h e A m e r i c a n M e d ic a l A s s o c ia tio n , C h ic a g o , J u l y 2 1 ,1 9 2 3 , p p . 229, 230.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[922]
147
IN DUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND H YG IENE.
they are receiving treatment. If the poisoning is a result of the
carelessness of the workman, he receives only sick pay. Free treat
ment is insured through the compulsory sickness insurance ( Krankenkasse), one-third of the premiums of which are paid by the employer
and two-thirds by the workers.
Industrial Poisons and Diseases in British Factories.
HE annual report of the chief inspector of factories and work
shops in Great Britain for the year 1922 contains (pp. 63-81)
the report of Dr. T. M. Legge, senior medical inspector of
factories, showing the causes and extent of industrial diseases among
British factory workers.
A special inquiry into the grinding of metals and cleaning of metal
castings, involving the physical examination of 1,153 workers em
ployed in these occupations, was concluded during the year. It was
found that associated with these processes were three primary respi
ratory diseases—pulmonary fibrosis, bronchial catarrh, and bronchitis.
Pulmonary fibrosis was found to occur with the greatest frequency
among hand grinders on wet sandstone. It was frequently followed
by tuberculosis or developed into a disabling form of chronic inter
stitial pneumonia. Bronchial catarrh, caused by the inhalation of
irritating dusts and having a tendency to develop into chronic
bronchitis, was found in its worst form among cleaners of castings,
while bronchitis associated with some degree of fibrosis was found to
be particularly common among sandstone grinders.
The following table shows the number of cases of disease resulting
from the use of some of the more important industrial poisons. The
high mortality rate and the large number of cases of lead poisoning as
compared with the number of cases of poisoning in other industries
will be noted.
T
NUM BER
O F C A S E S O F P R IN C IP A L IN D U S T R IA L D IS E A S E S A N D O F D E A T H S T H E R E
F R O M R E P O R T E D I N G R E A T B R I T A I N , 1903 T O 1922.,
D is e a s e .
L e a d p o is o n in g :
C a s e s ...............................................................................
D e a t h s ........................................................................
P h o s p h o r u s p o is o n in g :
C a s e s ........................................................... ....................
D e a t h s ...........................................................................
A r s e n ic p o is o n in g :
C a s e s ...............................................................................
D e a t h s ............................................................................
M e r c u r ia l p o is o n in g :
C a s e s ...............................................................................
D e a t h s ................................................................... : . . .
T o x ic j a u n d i c e :
C a s e s ...............................................................................
D e a t h s ...........................................................................
E p i t h e l i o m a t o u s u lc e r a ti o n :
C a s e s ...............................................................................
D e a t h s ............................................................................
C h r o m e u l c e r a ti o n :
' ' C a s e s ......................................................... ’.....................
D e a t h s ............................................................................
A n th ra x :
C a s e s ...............................................................................
D e a t h s ...........................................................................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
A v er
age,
19031905
A v er
age,
19061908
A v er
age,
19091911
A v er
age,
19121914
A v e r
age,
19151917
A v er
age,
19181920
601
23
619
30
576
35
522
33
349
21
198
20
1
1
i
1
3
1
4
12
1
7
4
11
2
3
6
7
10
14
14
7
132
34
n
52
13
[923]
57
13
57
11
57
7
83
12
1921
230
23
1922
247
26
1
6
1
1
1
3
5
45
1
32
2
32
3
126
29
42
59
9
25
6
45
5
148
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
A point of interest in connection with the incidence of lead poison
ing is the much higher figure for the symptom of paralysis in men
than in women. Of 3,270 cases (the total for nine years) among
men, 400, or 12.2 per cent, had definite paralysis, while there were
only 19 cases of paralysis, or 4.7 per cent, among 399 women who
were suffering from lead poisoning. This is accounted for by the
much longer duration of employment of the men. The figures are
said, also, to support the view that the use made of the particular
group of muscles determines to a certain extent the direction the
paralysis takes, because the prevalence of wrist drop is much greater
in the right hand than in the left. Among the different industries
using lead the pottery industry shows the highest death rate from
this cause. There was an increase during 1922 in the number of cases
of lead poisoning among workers engaged in plumbing and soldering.
This was due particularly to the volatilization of lead in the use of
an oxy-acetylene flame in cutting up scrapped battleships. This
work is carried on more or less continuously in about 25 seaports,
and will probably continue for years. The only remedy for the
situation is said to lie in periodic medical examinations and removal
of men from the work as soon as they show signs of lead absorption,
as the use of breathing apparatus has not proved successful.
Of the six cases of mercurial poisoning, four were the result of
the accidental mixing of mercury with lead borings which were
being melted; while the two other cases, one of which was fatal,
occurred in the manufacture of thermometers.
The number of cases of anthrax and the mortality rate therefrom
have been much reduced in recent years. The disinfection of East
Indian goat hair in the Government wool disinfecting station at
Liverpool has contributed to the reduction in the number of cases
of infection while the serum treatment of cases of the disease has
reduced the fatality rate about one-half since 1906.
Forty-two cases of chrome ulceration were reported, 10 of which
occurred in the manufacture and 32 in the use of bichromate of
potassium or sodium. The average length of employment of cases
occurring in the manufacturing process was 4 years and in those
involving the use of this substance, 11 years.
The reporting of cancer of the skin produced by specific forms of
irritation has been required since 1920. In the three years since
then, 109 cases with 6 deaths have been reported which were caused
by the use of pitch, tar, and paraffin.
Cases of dermatitis were reported among persons working on
celluloid substitutes containing formaldehyde; among workers using
shellac varnish; in sugar refineries; from the use of “ accelerene,”
an accelerator used in the vulcanization of rubber; from lubricating
oil; and from sesquisulphide of phosphorus.
The following table shows the number of cases and of deaths from
gases and fumes for the years 1913 to 1922:
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[924]
149
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND H Y G IENE.
N U M B E R O F C A S ES O F IN D U S T R IA L P O IS O N IN G A N D O F D E A T H S F R O M G L S E S
F U M E S R E P O R T E D I N G R E A T B R I T A I N 19 13 ,19 14, A N D 1917 T O 1922.
G as o r fu m e .
AND
1913
1914
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
59
7
62
9
99
18
54
13
85
12
56
9
14
111
14
12
1
3
1
5
5
3
5
i
8
1
22
3
7
3
13
4
3
12
7
H
C a r b o n m o n o x id e :
C a s e s ...................................................................
D e a t h s .............................................
C a r b o n d io x id e :
C a s e s ............................................................
D e a t h s .........................................
S u lp h u re tte d h y d ro g e n :
C a s e s ...................................................
D e a t h s ......................................
S u l p h u r d io x id e :
C a s e s ............................................................
C h lo r in e :
C a s e s ........................................................
N itro u s fu m e s:
C a s e s ..........................................
D e a t h s ...........................................
A m m o n ia :
C a s e s ............................................................
D e a t h s ......................................
B e n z o l, n a p h t h a , a n il i n :
C a s e s .....................................................
D e a t h s .............................................................
A rs e n iu r e tte d h y d ro g e n :
C a s e s ............................................................
D e a t h s ..................................................
T e tra c h lo r e th a n e :
C a s e s ........................................................
D e a t h s ......................................................
M is c e lla n e o u s ( e t h e r , a c e to n e , n ic k e l c a r b o n y l , c a rb o n
b i s u l p h id e ) :
C a s e s ..........................................
D e a t h s ...........................................
i
11
4
i
4
i
1
i
2
i
7
2
-
1
2
3
4
9
8
3
9
2
fi2
0
27
7
9
3
3
4
1
4
1
6
1
3
6
2
2
4
2
4
7
4
9
3
12
10
2
3
5
3
1
1
3
9
3
i
1
2
12
3
1922
9
ft
Q
1
l
1
25
1
1
4
4
10
1
The number of cases of poisoning from carbon monoxide was con
siderably larger in 1922 than in the preceding year. There were 28
cases, with 4 deaths, due to blast furnace gas; 37 cases, with 7
deaths, from producer and suction gas; and 32 cases, with 1 death, from
coal gas. Of the 14'other cases due to carbon monoxide, 4 occurred
at lime kilns, 5 (with 1 death), from coke fires for heating rivets
in small spaces on shipboard, and 3, two of them rescuers, occurred
in the drum of a steam boiler.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[925J
W O R K M E N ’S C O M PEN SA TIO N .
Review oi Compensation Legislation for 1923.
B y L in d l e y D . C l a r k .
HAT the experimental stage of workmen’s compensation legis
lation is not entirely passed, even after the lapse of 10 years
and more since its beginnings in the United States, is sug
gested by the fact that changes were made in the laws of at least
27 States this year. No new law was enacted, Missouri seeming
to be discouraged by the fruitless efforts of the legislatures of 1919
and 1921, which were rejected by referendum votes. However, a
senate committee in Florida to consider and report upon a bill at
the next session of the legislature is reported, and a joint legislative
committee to consider the revision of the law of Rhode Island was
provided for in that State.
The legislation presented in Bulletin No. 272 and the supplemental
Bulletin No. 332 is in the main affected by modifications of only
secondary importance, though there are some important exceptions
tt> this statement. Thus the law of Alaska is made of general appli
cation, instead of being restricted to mining and related industries.
The number of employees required to bring an employer under the
act is reduced in Ohio, Oklahoma, and Tennessee; while in Tennessee,
coal mines are presumptively included under the act instead of
active election being required.
In a number of States the waiting time is reduced, while in a
greater number the maximum weekly payments are increased, the
percentage of wages allowed also bein" made higher in some States.
An attempt to meet the situation of employees of different ages,
with correspondingly different powers of industrial readjustment and
of expectation of trade life, was made in Wisconsin, applying the
recommendations of the committee on statistics and compensation
insurance cost of the International Association of Industrial Accident
Boards and Commissions in this field.
The following summary notes, as a rule, only substantive changes
as compared with those of administrative effect, and does not go
into full detail in regard to all of them. However, the practical re
sults of the year’s legislation are given so far as available at this time.
The legislatures of Alabama and Georgia meet relatively late in the
legislative year, and the former is not included in the present sum
mary. Otherwise the summary is offered as inclusive. It may be
noted that in Alabama an attempt to enact a new law failed.
T
Alaska.
A COMPENSATION law of general application was enacted by
the legislature of Alaska, being approved May 4, 1923. This
supersedes the act of 1915, which was restricted to mining opera
tions, stamp and roller mills, reduction works, coke ovens, etc.
150
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[926]
WORKMEN S COMPENSATION.
151
Public employments are not covered nor is the operation of rail
roads as common carriers. The usual exclusion of agriculture and
domestic service is also made. Election is presumed in employ
ments generally when five or more persons are employed, written
notice of rejection being required.
The system of lump-sum payments for death and for permanent
total or partial disabilities is unchanged; also the 50 per cent basis
for temporary disabilities. The waiting time, however, is reduced
from two weeks to one, compensation for the first week being pay
able if disability continues 8 weeks or more. All lump sums are
increased 30 per cent over those provided for in the act of 1915.
Nonresident alien dependents receive but 75 per cent of the pre
scribed benefits. In most other respects the new law corresponds
with its predecessor.
California.
definition of “ places of employment” covered by the act is
uroadened by the addition of the words, “ enterprise” and
“ project” ; also by the specific terms, “ excavation” and “ demoli
tion,” places where these activities are carried on being within the
act.
If a settlement is made by release or compromise, involving the
payment of less than the claimant is entitled to under the law, pro
ceedings for compensation may be brought at any time within two
years from the date of the injury.
An attachment of the employer’s property to secure the payment
of awards may issue “ in any case where the employer has failed to
secure the payment of compensation” as required by section 29 of
the compensation act, i. e., by insurance or by procuring a certificate
of competency.
Where the employer is insured and a lien is allowed against the
compensation payment, notice of such lien is to be given the insurer
instead of the employer.
The increased liability for injury due to the serious and willful
misconduct of the employer is extended to cases where the miscon
duct is that of a managing representative or general superintendent
of a partnership.
Colorado.
I7MPLOYERS not presumptively covered by the act may accept it
by insuring their liability in accordance with its terms. Withdhdrawals may be made only on August 1 of each year, but reinstate
ment may be made at any tune.
Claims for nonfatal injuries must be made within six months, and
if filed by other than the claimant are presumed to be his act
unless disclaimed by written statement within a reasonable time.
Extensions of limitations in cases of claimants who are minors or
mental incompetents are no longer allowed. Maximum weekly pay
ments for disability or death are increased from $10 to $12. The
maximum payment for temporary disability is now $1,560 as against
$1,300 formerly and for permanent disabilities other than those
scheduled, $3,120 instead of $2,600. Funeral expenses are advanced
from $75 to $125. Death benefits are increased from a maximum of
$3,125 to $3,750; lump-sum commutations for permanent total dis
ability are similarly enlarged.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[927]
152
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Nonresident alien dependents receive one-fourth the normal bene
fits, with no maximum, instead of one-third but not over $1,041.66,
as before.
Awards not paid when due bear interest at the rate of 8 per cent.
Uninsured employers must pay to a trustee a sum equal to the present
worth of the award made, discounted at 4 per cent, or file a surety
bond, insurance contracts “ may include and cover any liability of
the employer on account of personal injuries sustained by or death
resulting therefrom to any employee as such.” This applies to the
State fund as well as to other insurance carriers.
Delaware.
tun, uther than those elected or appointed for a term of
office of fixed and definite duration, are brought within the scope of
the act, the mayor and council being required to secure a certificate of
self-insurance.
Georgia.
'“THE waiting time is reduced from 14 to 7 days, and compensation
for a period of total disability, or healing time, not in excess of
10 weeks, is allowed in cases of permanent partial disability, prior
to the accrual of the benefits allowed for such partial disabilitydesignated by the amending act as “ permanent partial industrial
handicap.”
The limitation appearing in section 30, on the amount of com
pensation provided in section 40, which was overlooked in the
amendment of 1922, is changed so as to harmonize with the intent
of the 1922 legislature, substituting $5,000 for $4,000. Another
clarifying amendment is one that makes death benefits payable
“ if death results instantly,” as well as if it occurs during the period
of disability resulting from an accident.
If notice is given within the first 30 days, it need not be written,
but may be given orally by the injured employee, either in person
or by his representative, “ to the employer, his agent, representative,
foreman, or the immediate superior of the injured employee.”
Written notice is required after 30 days from the injury or death,
and it must also be shown that the earlier giving of notice was pre
vented by incapacity, fraud, or deceit, or that there was knowledge
of the accident; or a satisfactory excuse must be offered and a
showing of lack of prejudice from the failure to give the notice
within the 30 days. Notice in writing may be to the same persons
as the oral notice, instead of to the employer only.
Employers failing to comply with the insurance provisions of the
act are guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable as provided in the Penal
Code, instead of by the special fine provided in the original act.
An added 10 per cent to the compensation award, and reasonable
attorney’s fees are also to be allowed, these penal additions to be
due immediately.
Insurance carriers failing to transmit to the industrial commission
reports of accidents sent them by the employer for such transmission
are subject to a fine of $25.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[928]
WORKMEN S COMPENSATION.
153
Hawaii.
A/TEDICAL, surgical, etc., aid is to be such as the nature of the
injury requires, the limitation as to amount being stricken out.
Willful rejection or obstructing the physicians may be construed as
waiving in whole or in part the right to such service.
Compensation for total disability now ranges from $5 to $20 per
week, instead of from $3 to $18. If wages are less than $5, full
wages are allowed, unless the disability is permanent, when $5 is the
minimum.
The section presenting the schedule of permanent partial dis
abilities is amended to provide for cases of less than total loss or
total loss of use of a member, a proportionate award to be made
therefor. Payments under the schedule are not to begin until after
the healing period, for which compensation must be separately paid.
Total benefits, other than medical, etc., expenses, are not to exceed
$5,000.
The amount of compensation paid or recoverable in the case of an
employee killed or injured by the negligence of a third party can not
be offered in evidence in an action for damages against such third party.
Notice of injury is not required where medical, etc., aid has been
voluntarily paid by the employer or insurer, or where compensation
has been similarly paid.
Cases may be reopened for fraud, either on the application of an
interested party, or by the board on its own motion.
Illinois.
1WULY appointed members of the fire department of any city of
more than 200,000 population are excluded from the coverage
of the act.
The occupational diseases law of 1911, whose amendment of 1921
was found defective, was amended in 1923 so as to bring cases of
disability or death by occupational disease within the scope of the
compensation act, the same as accidental injuries. This remedy
is exclusive unless the injury is found to be due to a willful violation
of the safety provisions of the occupational diseases act.
Indiana.
JWjINORS, except those illegally employed, “ are hereby made of
full age for all purposes, under, in connection with, or arising
out of this act.”
A mining law provides that in cases of mines with openings in
other States whose entries or workings extend into the State of
Indiana, the compensation law of the State in which the shaft or
opening is located shall prevail.
Employees of municipally operated public utilities are not under
the compensation law if the employee or his dependents are entitled
to benefits from pension funds of the municipality.
Iowa.
COMPENSATION payments are exempted from garnishment,
^
attachment, or execution.
Policemen (other than those under policemen’s pension funds),
sheriffs, marshals, etc., and their deputies, injured in the performance
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of their official duties, are brought within the terms of the compensation
act, benefits to be payable out 6f the general funds of the State,
under the administration of the industrial commissioner.
Massachusetts.
T H E waiting time for compensation payments is reduced from 10
A to 7 days, benefits beginning the eighth day after the injury.
Failure to make a claim is not to be a bar to benefits in cases
where the insurer has executed an agreement as to compensation
with the employee or made any payment of compensation.
The municipal law is amended to provide for the establishment of
in s u r a n c e f u n d s to meet compensation payments by cities, etc.
The salaries of the members of the Industrial Accident Board are
advanced from $5,000 to $5,500, that of the chairman being fixed
at $6,000. The salary of the secretary is $4,500, instead of $4,000
as formerly.
Minnesota.
/^O PIES of contracts rejecting the act must be filed with the
^
Industrial Commission. Acceptance of the act is immediately
effective, instead of after 30 days, as formerly.
Employers of farm labor may come under the act by posting
notice of their election so to do and filing a copy of the same with
the Industrial Commission, unless the employee files his rejection.
The term “ farm laborers” does not in any case include the employees
of commercial threshermen or baling press operators. Members of
volunteer municipal fire departments are excluded from the act.
Employees regularly transported to and from work by the employer
are under the act during such transportation.
Maximum weekly benefits are advanced from $18 to $20. Dis
figurement benefits may continue for 75 weeks, instead of 50 as
formerly. Payment to a widow on remarriage may not exceed two
years’ benefits, to be for the use of dependent children, if any; but
if dependency ceases before the payment is exhausted, the balance
is payable to the mother in a lump sum.
If a decedent leaves no dependents, $200 is to be paid to the State
treasurer, instead of $100 as formerly.
The $100 limitation on medical, etc., aid is removed; service in
excess of 90 days is to be on order of the commission, which may be
reviewed on demand of a party in interest. The employer, as well
as the employee, may request a change of physicians.
Proceedings to recover compensation must be brought within six
years of the date of the accident causing the injury.
In cases of third-party liability, if the employer or employee fails
to prosecute the action which the law contemplates, the court may
grant the other party the right to intervene to procure the prosecution.
Noncompliance with the requirements as to insurance entails a
penalty of five times the legal premium for the period of noncom
pliance.
The third member of the Industrial Commission is no longer to be
appointed by the governor, but is, ex officio, the actuary of the State
Insurance Department.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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WORKMEN S COMPENSATION.
155
Nevada.
COMPENSATION is payable from the date of the injury in all cases
^
in which disability lasts seven days or more, instead of only in
cases of a second full week of disability.
New Hampshire.
jV/IEDICAL, etc., service is required during the first 14 days after
an injury, without the necessity of proceedings to secure the
same; but such service shall not be considered as evidence in any
suit for damages. Proceedings for other benefits under the compen
sation act call for notice and claim, as heretofore.
Maximum weekly benefits for disability are increased from $10 to$15. Section 6 of the act is amended so as to give compensation for
disability of “ not less than one week” ; but the provision requiring
two weeks’ disability, found in section 3, is unchanged. Section 6
also provides that where compensation is payable it shall date from
the day of the injury.
The limiting phrase, “ resident of this State,” as applied to depend
ents, is stricken out.
New Jersey.
YWEEKLY benefits range from $8 to $17 instead of from $6 to $12 as
** formerly; but if the wages are less than $8, full wages are paid.
Benefits for partial disability may continue 500 weeks, instead of
400 weeks as formerly. For total disability, the maximum of 400
weeks may be extended in the case of workmen who have accepted
rehabilitation under the State commission, benefits to be reduced in
proportion to earnings as compared with earnings prior to the injury.
The maximum for burial expenses is increased from $100 to $150,
while the allowance for last sickness in fatal cases is reduced from $200
to $100. Death benefits plus disability benefits prior to death may
total 500 weeks instead of 400 as formerly; and if at the end of the
normal period of 300 weeks there is still a dependent under 16, bene
fits continue until that age is reached. Dependency is made to cease
at 16 instead of 18 as formerly.
Benefits are payable from the date of the injury if disability extends
beyond seven weeks.
A separate act requires insurance carriers to pay a sum equal to 1
per cent of the compensation paid out, for the maintenance of a State
rehabilitation fund. A commission to study and report on the ques
tion of providing compensation for occupational diseases is also pro
vided for.
New York.
payments on account of injuries to minors under
±o years eu age employed in violation of the labor law are to be
double the standard amounts. No insurance may be taken to cover
such additional liability.
The maximum funeral expenses are $200 instead of $100 as formerly.
The State fund may use 25 per cent of the earned premiums for any
year as administrative expenses, instead of 15 per cent, as formerly.
Counties, cities, villages, and towns may organize and maintain a
system of mutual self-insurance to care for their compensation
liabilities.
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North Dakota.
extraterritorial effect of the law is limited to those cases in
which there is a specific insurance contract covering employees
outside the State; and at least two-thirds of the pay roll of the em
ployer must be for work done within the State.
Insurance in the State fund runs from the date of notice to the
employer of the amount due instead of from the date of payment of
premium. Premium payments may be made in 30 days after notice
instead of 10 days as before. Additional penalties are provided for
default in payment of premium or filing bonds.
It is provided by a separate act that a working employer of insured
employees may by special contract provide coverage for himself.
Ohio.
'"THE law now applies automatically to employers of three or more
workmen, instead of five as formerly.
The maximum weekly benefit is made $18.75 in lieu of the former
limit of $15; and death benefits may aggregate $6,500 instead of
$5,000 as before.
An amendment to the constitution was passed, to be submitted to
vote at the November, 1923, election, making recovery under the
compensation act a bar to actions for damages in all cases of death,
injury, or occupational disease. A special fund would be authorized
for the investigation and prevention of industrial accidents and
diseases. If it is found in any case that injury, disease, or death was
caused by “ the failure of the employer to comply with any specific
requirement for the protection of the lives, health, or safety of em
ployees,” enacted by the legislature or ordered by the Industrial
Commission, the compensation award may be increased from 15 to
50 per cent, as may be found just. The findings of the commission
in respect of such failure are to be final.
Oklahoma,
T H E act now applies to employers of two or more workmen, in*■ stead of more than two. Lumber yards are listed among the
hazardous employments, and the exception excluding salesmen is
stricken out. Compensation is 66§ per cent of the average weekly
wages, instead of 50 per cent, as formerly.
A provision is added to the schedule for partial disabilities covering
the permanent partial loss of use of a member or of the sight of an eye,
awards proportionate to those named in the schedule to be allowed.
There is also a special provision as to hernia, allowing benefits for
eight weeks, besides the cost of operation; but if the hernia results in
permanent total disability, compensation shall be allowed accordingly.
Waiting time is reduced from 7 to 5 days, and the provision for
retroactive compensation after 21 days’ disability is omitted.
If the employer fails to furnish emergency medical and surgical aid,
the employee may procure it at the former’s expense. All charges
for medical, etc., aid must now be submitted to the commission for
approval, instead of only those in excess of $100.
If an appeal results in the affirmance of an award, interest from
the date of the award must also be paid.
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157
Provisions are made for workmen who associate to perform a piece
of work being classed as employees if doing all the work themselves;
but if they employ two or more other workmen, the provisions relative
to independent contractors are applicable. If a principal does not
require his contractor to comply with the act (though compliance is
presumed), the principal is himself liable; but the contractor’s failure
to comply is to be construed as a violation of the contract, and any
unpaid balance due him may be withheld to meet compensation
claims.
The license of insurance carriers who “ intentionally, knowingly, or
willfully” violate any of the provisions of the act shall be revoked on
the request of the commission.
Unpaid insurance premiums are placed on a par with compensa
tion awards, having the same preference as unpaid wages.
A resolution of the legislature proposes an amendment to the con
stitution of the State which will permit the extension of the compen
sation law to fatal injuries, which the present constitution prevents.
Oregon.
T H E appropriation from the State treasury “ equal to one-half of
the total administrative expenditures of the commission,” is
omitted for the period, June 30, 1923, to June 30, 1925.
The acceptance of the Federal vocational rehabilitation act incor
porates a provision devoting to this cooperative undertaking the funds
being expended by the Industrial Accident Commission for the
rehabilitation of injured workmen under the compensation act.
Pennsylvania
T H E schedule of partial disabilities for which specific provision is
made is extended by the addition of awards for a thumb (60
weeks), index finger (35 weeks), second finger (30 weeks), third finger
(20 weeks), and little finger (15 weeks) ; also provisions for loss of a
phalange, and for permanent loss of use of hand, arm, foot, leg, or
eye. Expenses of burial are to be paid by the employer or insurer
directly to the undertaker, and not to the dependents or personal
representative, as formerly.
Rhode Island.
'T H E compensation act of Rhode Island was not changed this year,
but a legislative committee was appointed to consider the matter
of revising and amending the act, to report in January. 1924.
South Dakota.
EMPLOYERS not presumptively covered by the act may elect its
1-1 acceptance by voluntarily insuring their risks, leaving to em
ployees the right of rejection if they desire to do so.
The word “ casual” is omitted from the exclusion of employments
“ not in the usual course of trade,” etc., of the employer.
A provision relative to partial disability due to the partial and
permanent loss of use of a member makes compensation therefor pro
portionate to that for the complete loss of use of the member.
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The State and its municipalities are no longer required to furnish
bond or other security to guarantee compensation payments, but
may do so if they desire thus to protect their risks.
A separate enactment authorizes insurance carriers to issue policies
covering employers, including the executive officers of corporations,
their estimated wages to be “ reasonably and separately stated in and
added to the valuation of their pay rolls.”
Tennessee.
CMPLOYERS of five or more workmen are now within the act,
^
instead of 10 or more as formerly, though the number 10 is
still unchanged in section 6 (d). Also, coal mines are presumptively
covered instead of requiring active election. These may insure or
carry self-insurance as other industries; or they may become mem
bers of an association to be known as the “ Coal Operators' Protective
Fund.” This fund is to be maintained in the State treasury, settle
ments to be approved by the commissioner of labor. Catastrophe
payments, and apparently others, are to be made on vouchers ap
proved by the commissioner of insurance and banking, who has
general supervision of the fund, and by the commissioner of labor.
Payments go directly to the injured employee or his legal representa
tive.
Maximum weekly benefits may be $12, instead of $11 as before,
but with possible increases to $15 for permanent total disability or
death, according to the number of dependents.
The waiting time is reduced from 14 to 7 days.
Texas.
'T H E date of the receipt of notice by the Industrial Accident Board
* is the date when employees are “ conclusively deemed to have
notice of the fact” that the employer is a subscriber under the com
pensation act. Notice of withdrawal must be posted in “ three
public places” around the plant.
Officers and directors of corporations are not to be deemed em
ployees, even though receiving salaries for the performance of other
duties or the rendering of other services.
Weekly payments range from $7 to $20, instead of from $5 to $15
as formerly, and the term of medical, etc., aid is extended from two
to four weeks.
Parents and stepmothers are made presumptively dependent.
The parents of minor employees have no right of action against an
employer or his agent for injuries to such minors, the compensation
law affording the exclusive remedy.
The salaries of the commissioners were increased $1,500 each, and
of the secretary $700, being now $4,500 for the chairman, $4,000 for
the other members, and $2,700 for the secretary.
Utah.
only changes made this year relate to insurance, an annual
audit of the State insurance fund being provided for and the
commission being given power to fix “ uniform rates” for stock and
mutual insurance companies, though these rates need not be uniform
with those fixed for the State fund.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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.
159
Vermont.
C*LECTION to come under the act is provided for employers of 10
employees or less, instead of 10 men or less, as formerly; also,
charitable, religious, etc., organizations and persons and institutions
in business not for pecuniary gain may elect to come within the
provisions of the act.
In case of the death of an injured workman from some other cause
than the injury, during the term of compensatioii payments, unpaid
balances shall go to the dependents of the decedent, if any; otherwise
a sum not exceeding $100, if so much remains, shall be paid in a lump
sum for funeral expenses.
The commissioner of industries is authorized to approve compro
mise agreements if in his opinion they are clearly to the best interests
of the claimant.
Washington.
|TMPLOYERS not compulsorily subject to the act may apply to
^
the director of labor and industries for a fixing of premium rates.
Notice is then filed with the supervisor of industrial insurance and
is posted in the place of business. The employee’s acceptance is
presumed five days after the posting or after accepting employment.
The industries covered have been newly classified, 50 classes, most
of them with various subclasses, being established. Salaried peace
officers of the State and its counties and municipalities are under the
act unless cared for otherwise by law, charter, or ordinance.
Monthly payments for temporary disability and for death are
increased, as well as the specific amounts for scheduled injuries caus
ing partial disability. Thus if the totally disabled employee has a
wile or invalid husband and no child, the monthly payment is now
$42.50, as against $37.50 formerly, in case of temporary disability,
and $40, instead of $30, if the disability is permanent.
Payment for the loss of a leg not permitting the use of an artificial
limb is increased from $2,000 to $2,400, and for the loss of a major
arnl at or below the elbow, from $1,900 to $2,280.
Burial allowances are $100 if the decedent is unmarried, and
$150 if a widow or child survives, instead of $75 and $100, respect
ively. A widow or invalid widower receives $35 instead of $30 as
formerly; and instead of $5 for each child under the age of 16,
$12.50 is allowed for the youngest or only child, $7.50 for the next,
and $5 for each additional, the maximum limit of $50 per month
being stricken out.
_The above will illustrate the nature of the changes, but does not
give them all.
The waiting tune is reduced from 7 to 3 days, benefits to date
from the receipt of the injury if disability continues for more than
30 days.
The reclassification of industries noted above sets forth the con
tributions to be made to the medical aid fund, instead of leaving
this to the division of industrial insurance. The rates are from 1 to
3 cents per man per day. Mechanical appliances for treatment are
chargeable to the medical aid fund, while those for permanent use
come from the accident fund. The limitation of $165 as a maximum
for artificial eyes or limbs is removed.
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Premium payments fall due each four months, instead of annu
ally, and adjustments are made 30 days prior to each call. Construc
tion building permits are to be issued by cities or towns only when
the premium has been paid on the estimated pay roll for the under
taking.
West Virginia.
""THE provision of section 9 of the act charging independent contractors with responsibility for the employees of subcontractors
is stricken out.
The classification of industries formerly embodied in the act is
omitted, and the duty of making classifications and reclassifications
devolves upon the compensation commissioner.
A catastrophe fund is to be formed by setting aside 10 per cent of
the premiums until $500,000 accrues, after which 5 per cent will be
credited to the fund until a sufficient sum, in the judgment of the
commissioner, is in hand for catastrophes and other losses not spe
cifically provided for. The amount that may be expended for medi
cal, etc., aid is advanced from $150 to $300. The amount available
in cases of permanent disability, where the commissioner is of the
opinion that a material improvement can be effected by medical,
surgical, or hospital treatment, is fixed at $600, instead of $300, in
addition to the usual allowance.
The basis of compensation for disability and for the death of
minor employees is advanced from 50 to 66 § per cent of the wages.
The maximum weekly payment is increased from $12 to $16. A
clause is added allowing 8 weeks’ compensation for a 2 per cent
disability; and the age at which a child’s dependency normally ceases
is changed from 15 to 16 years. The compensation payable to the
father of a deceased minor employee is to be continued to the end
of the prescribed period by payments to the mother, if the father
dies within the period.
Payments to the widow or invalid widower of a deceased employee
are $30 per month, in lieu of $20 as formerly. If orphan children
under 16 years of age survive, they are to receive $10 each month
until that age is reached or until death prior to that age.
Wisconsin.
A NOVEL provision is made for the protection of the interests of
**■ dependent children, extending to the age of 15 years, in addition
to the award to the widow. For a child one year of age or under
an allowance is made equivalent to five-sevenths of the annual earn
ings of the deceased employee, the maximum being $1,000. For
successive ages this amount is decreased at the rate of one-fifteenth
for each year. These benefits accrue at the rate of 10 per cent of
the surviving parent’s weekly indemnity. No total is to exceed the
limits of a total disability benefit.
Payments in this behalf are to be made from a fund supported by
contributions by employers of workmen who are fatally injured and
leave no one wdiolly dependent. Such contributions, added to the
payments on account of partial dependents, are to aggregate four
times the deceased employee’s annual earnings; but no contribution
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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W O R K M E N ’s COM PENSATION.
161
shall exceed $1,000. A lawfully adopted child or other child living
as a member of the family is to be rated as a child by marriage.
&
A new rating of permanent partial disabilities is made, classing
them as major and minor. Major injuries are rated on the basis of
the permanent disability of a workman aged 30, the term of such
disability being fixed at 900 weeks. The percentage for the loss of
an arm at the shoulder or of a leg at the hip joint is 50, for the blind
ness of one eye, 20, etc. The percentage is reduced by yearly grada
tions for younger workers to 40 at age 15 or younger, and increased
in like manner for those above 30 to 85 at age 70 or older. The minor
injury schedule is on the basis of a fixed number of weeks, as formerly,
with some increase in the allowance for the more serious injuries.
The allowance fixed is to cover the healing period, though added
provision may be made where the healing period is abnormally long.
Burial allowance may be $200 instead of $100, as formerly; and
compensation dates from the injury after 3 weeks’ disability instead
of after 4 weeks’ disability.
The benefit period for permanent total disability is fixed at 900
weeks for persons under 31. For those 31 or above, the term is
shortened at the rate of 16 weeks per year, until a minimum of 260
weeks is reached, at age 70.
The crews of shredders, threshers, etc., are brought within the
act, even if less than three in number, by an amendment that requires
farmers and farm laborers working along with the employees of an
employer not engaged in farming to be counted in determining the
number of employees of the latter.
The wage on which compensation is to be computed is advanced
from $26 to $28 per week, and from $1,300 to $1,400 per year. The
compensation for injuries to a minor is to be based on his probable
earnings after reaching the age of 21, presumed to be the maximum
basic wage.
An amendment to the act regulating the licensing of circuses,
shows, entertainments, etc., forbids the issue of such license until it
is shown that the proprietor, if subject to the insurance provisions
of the compensation act, has complied therewith.
Wyoming.
T H A T form of transportation classed as “ general trucking” is
1 rated as hazardous and within the law; while domestic, ranch,
and farm labor, and sheriffs and constables and their deputies are
expressly excluded.
The annual allowance of $120 to children under 16 years in cases of
death or total disability continues to 18 years in the case of daughters;
and dependent parents receive $1,000 as a lump sum, instead of an
amount in proportion to their dependency. Nonresident alien
parents receive one-third this sum.
An additional allowance of $100 per month may be made for medi
cal, etc., treatment in cases of disability extending beyond 30 days.
Attending physicians, other than those giving first aid, are to report
to the county clerk and the State treasurer the nature of the em
ployee’s injuries.
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Dependents to be reported by an employee entering on extrahazardous employment must now include daughters to 18 years
of age.
Suits for damages may be brought where the employer is not, at
the time of the injury, a contributor to the State accident fund.
Claims must be filed within 12 months of the date of the injury.
Cost of Workmen’s Compensation per Workday in Oregon.
r p H E Oregon Industrial Accident Commission has completed a
study having for its object the determination of what on the
average was the amount paid out per workday for the various
disabilities resulting from accidents under the Oregon compensation
law.1 The study covered the two years from July 1, 1921, to June 30,
1923. There has been considerable controversy in the United States
as to what extent workmen’s compensation laws burden industry and
affect competition in the several States. The following statement
which shows the cost of each type of compensation benefits per
workday in Oregon diming the two-year period ending June 30, 1923,
throws considerable light upon this problem:
Amount per
Benefits for—
workday.
Death..... ........................................................................................................ $0. 023
Permanent total disability.................................................................................... 002
Permanent partial disability.................................................................................018
Temporary disability.............................................................................................027
Medical aid, hospitals, artificial limbs, transportation, medicines, X ra y .............. 020
Physiotherapy treatments........................................................................................... 002
Vocational rehabilitation of crippled workmen........................................................ 002
Administrative expense..............................
010
Total...................................................................................................................106
Promptness in Accident Reporting and Submitting Compensation
Agreements in Pennsylvania.
HE Department of Labor and Industry of Pennsylvania has
completed another study of the promptness with which acci
dents are reported and compensation agreements submitted by
the various insurance carriers and self-insured employers in that State.
The result of this study is shown in the following table. The period
for which this study was made covered the first eight months of 1922.
The experience of all the insurance carriers, including the State fund,
was taken. The 92 self-insurers were selected both for industry
and size, but in no instance were more than 150 compensable cases
of any one self-insurer used.
T
1Oregon Safety News, July, 1923.
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COMPARISON OF PROM PTNESS OF VARIOUS COMPANIES IN R EPO RTIN G ACCIDENTS
AND SUBMITTING AGREEMENTS FOR APPROVAL IN PENNSYLVANIA, 1922.1
State fund
(250 cases).
Period.
Private
companies
(5,644 cases).
92 selfinsurers
(4,911 cases).
All carriers
(10,805 cases).
Per cent of cases with each specified interval between date of
accidents and receipt of—
Acci Agree Acci Agree Acci
Acci
dent
dent
dent Agree dent Agree
report. ment. report. ment. report. ment. report. ment.
1 to 7 days.................................
8 to 14 days................................
15 to 21 days..........................................
22 to 28 days..........................................
29 to 35 days..........................................
36 to 42 days..........................................
43 to 49 days..........................................
50 to 56 d ay s..........................................
57 to 63 days..........................................
64 to 70 days..........................................
71 to 77 days..........................................
78 to 84 days..........................................
85 to 91 days..........................................
92 to 98 days..........................................
99 to 105 days........................................
106 to 140 days......................................
Over 140 days........................................
18.40
37.20
12. 40
6.00
4.40
4. 40
8.00
2. 00
1.20
1.20
.SO
1.20
0. 02
1.66
11.16
18.20
17. 70
13. 95
9. 97
7. 71
5.80
3. 62
2.42
1.97
1.27
.83
. 81
2.00
.90
10 80
26 40
23.70
13. 30
7.56
3. 79
2.30
1.12
.51
.35
.18
.29
. 16
.06
.12
.22
.06
0 04
71
5.10
15. 73
20.20
19.12
13.63
8. 64
4. 77
3. 79
2. 36
1.36
1 10
.96
30
1.49
.61
23 04
28 04
19.40
10. 48
6.10
3. 70
2.45
1.64
.90
.58
.38
.34
31
.17
18
.39
.11
8.31
16.95
18.88
16.26
11.63
8.17
5.32
3. 76
2.37
1.73
1 17
.89
61
1.81
.91
1.60
.80
.80
.40
4. 00
3.20
27. 83
30. 85
15. 67
8.26
4.94
3.60
2.36
2.09
1.22
.76
. 53
.35
. 44
.25
. 25
.48
.12
Total............................................ 100.00
100.00
100.00
100. 00
100. 00
100.00
100. 00
100. 00
40. 77
13.00
36.63
16.10
39.00
13.30
37.98
Median (in days)..................................
Accident reports received—
W ithin 1 w eek...............................
W ithin 2 weeks..............................
Later than 10 weeks......................
Agreements received—
Within 4 weeks..............................
Later than 10 weeks......................
.40
13. 98
7.20
13.60
20. 40
13.20
10.40
10.00
6.00
6.00
1.20
3. 60
18. 40
55.60
4.80
27. 83
58. 68
2.42
20. 80
13.20
19. 80
46. 20
1.09
31.05
10. 20
23 94
52. 88
1. 88
21.58
6. 27
26. 48
9. 49
i Includes only closed, compensable, noncontested, nonfatal cases.
Another table compares the experience of stock companies and
mutual companies with reference to promptness in accident
reporting and submitting agreements. This table shows that the
average (median) interval between the date of accident and receipt
of accident report was 13.20 days for stock companies and 12.27 days
for mutual companies; while the average (median) interval between
the date of the accident and receipt of the compensation agreement
was 37.09 days for stock companies and 35.53 days for mutual
companies.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[939]
164
MONTHLY LABOL REVIEW.
COMPARISON OF PROM PTNESS OF STOCK AND MUTUAL COMPANIES IN R E P O R T IN G
ACCIDENTS AND SUBMITTING AGREEMENTS IN PENNSYLVANIA, 1922.
Stock companies
(4,299 cases).
Mutual companies.
(1,345 eases).
Per cent of cases with each specified interval
between date of accident and receipt of—
Accident
report.
Agreement.
Accident
report.
Agreement.
1 to 7 da v s............................................................................
8 to 14 days...........................................................................
15 to 21 days.........................................................................
22 to 28 days........................................................................
29 to 35 days....... .......................................................... ......
36 to 42 days........................................................................
43 to 49 days....................................................................... .
50 to 56 days.........................................................................
57 to 63 days................................................. .......................
64 to 70 days.........................................................................
71 to 77 days.........................................................................
78 to 84 days.........................................................................
85 to 91 days.........................................................................
92 to 98 days.........................................................................
99 to 105 day s.......................................................................
106 to 140 days.....................................................................
Over 140 days.......................................................................
26.98
31.01
16.07
8.49
5.16
3.58
2. 54
1.86
1.26
.74
.51
.19
.44
.26
.33
.49
.09
0. 02
2.00
11.93
17.26
16.68
13. 58
10.37
7.93
6.12
3.74
2. 47
2. 07
1.35
. 81
.85
2. 02
.77
31. 23
30. 86
13. 46
7.36
4. 24
3. 87
1.86
2.45
1.19
.67
.52
.89
.45
.22
.07
.45
.22
0.59
8.77
21.10
20.95
15.08
8.69
6.98
4.76
3.19
2.30
1.63
1.04
.89
.67
1.93
1.34
Total...........................................................................
100. 00
100. 00
100.00
100.00
Median (in days).................................................................
Accident reports received—
W ithin 1 week..............................................................
W ithin 2 weeks.............................................................
Later than 10 weeks.....................................................
Agreements received—
W ithin 4 weeks.............................................................
Later than 10 weeks.....................................................
13.20
37.09
12.27
35. 53
26.98
57.99
1.80
31. 23
62.09
2.81
31. 21
10.37
30. 46
9. 89
Remarriage Rates oi Widows in Pennsylvania Coal-Mining
Industry.
M
ANY of the State compensation laws provide that in the case
of the death of a workman, compensation shall be paid to the
widow until her death or remarriage. In computing compen
sation insurance rates and setting up reserves in death cases, it
becomes necessary therefore to know not only the life expectancy, but
also the remarriage expectancy of widows of deceased workers.
Little data have been collected by the various State compensation
commissions on this subject. Many of the State funds and insurance
carriers, in the absence of American data, use the Dutch remarriage
table.
The following table compiled by the Insurance Department of
Pennsylvania shows the remarriage rates by ages of widows in the
coal-mining industry during the period 1916-1920 inclusive.1
1
Statistical Analysis of Coal Mine Accidents in Pennsylvania 1916 to 1920 inclusive, compiled jointly by
the Insurance Department of Pennsylvania and the coal-mine section of the Pennsylvania Compensation
Rating and Inspection Bureau, p. 60.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[940]
w o r k m e n ’s
c o m p e n s a t io n
.
165
REMARRIAGE RATES OF WIDOWS IN COAL-MINING INDUSTRY IN PENNSYLVANIA.
BY AGE GRO UPS.
’
Number Number
of
re
widows. married.
Age group.
Average age (years)............... ........................................
34.7
28.9
Under 21 years of age........................................
21 and under 26 years of age.........................
26 and under 31 years of age...................
31 and u n d er 36 years of age........................................
36 and under 41 years of age........................................
41 and under 46 years of age................................
46 and under 51 years of age......................................
51 and under 56 years of age.......................................
56 and under 61 years of ag e......................................
61 and o v er..............................................
Age not given.............................................................
57
124
219
175
168
81
73
39
30
14
7
24
31
51
33
18
7
987
166
All ages..........................................................
2
Years
exposed Remar
Dutch
rate Royal
(total riage
per 100
years of years
Institute
exwidow èxposed.
table.
hood).
121
300
563
466
447
220
222
123
74
44
23
19.83
10.33
9.06
7.08
4.03
3.18
10.68
9.79
7.84
5.56
3.45
1.92
1.63
.42
. 15
2,603
6.38
3.46
Recent Workmen’s Compensation Reports.
Alabama.
HE first report containing the results of the operation of the
Alabama compensation act during the four-year period ending
December 31, 1922, has just been published bjr the Alabama
workmen’s compensation commissioner. The Alabama compensa
tion act is an elective one and applies only to employers having 16
or more employees. The law is administered through the courts,
although the workmen’s compensation commissioner has limited
supervisory authority including the power to require employers to
report their accidents to the commissioner.
In addition to data on the number and cost of industrial accidents
the report contains considerable matter of general interest, including
a review of compensation insurance legislation and administration
in other States. The report also contains the results of a study of
damage-suit settlements in the State during the year preceding
the operation of the workmen’s compensation law. It was found
that ‘‘the average duration of damage suits in the Circuit Court of
Jefferson County extended over a period of 13 months and 18 days.
The total amount of damages sought was $375,000, whereas the
total amount of damages recovered was $4,112.50 of which meager
amount perhaps one-half was paid out in attorneys’ fees.” The
average amount of damages sought was $11,924.24 per case, while
the average amount of damages recovered was $127.65 per case.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1941]
166
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
The following table shows the »number and incurred cost of com
pensable accidents in Alabama for the three years 1920, 1921, and
1922, by extent of disability:
NUMBER AND IN CURRED COST OF COMPENSABLE ACCIDENTS IN ALABAMA, 1920,
1921, AND 1922, BY E X T E N T OF DISABILITY.
Number of accidents.
Compensation benefits (exclusive of
medical benefits).
Type of injury.
1920
1921
1922
1920
Death:
W ith dependents....................................
W ithout dependents............................ .
Permanent total disability..........................
Permanent partial disability.......................
Temporary disability (over 2 weeks)..........
141
45
10
475
5,487
119
25
14
414
3, 727
186
45
4
358
5,176
$352,376
4,500
41, 223
248,854
333,247
$199,555
2,500
39, 772
225, 706
236,682
$382,728
4,500
10,823
149, 802
250,376
Total.....................................................
6,158
4,299
5,769
980, 200
704,215
798,229
1921
1922
The following table shows the number of industrial accidents in
Alabama for the three-year period, 1920 to 1922, classified by indus
try and extent of disability:
NUM BER OF IN D U STR IA L ACCIDENTS IN ALABAMA, T H R E E -Y E A R PE R IO D 1920 TO
1922 CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRY AND E X T E N T OF D ISA BILITY .
Number of accidents resulting in—
Industry.
M in in g , c o a l ........................................................................
M in in g , o t h e r .....................................................................
M e ta l lu r g y ...........................................................................
Q u a r r y i n g ............................................................................
L o g g in g ............................................................................... ;
M a n u f a c tu r in g :
F o o d ...............................................................................
T e x t i l e s ........................................................................
L a u n d r ie s , c le a n in g a n d d y e i n g ....................
P r i n t i n g a n d p u b l i s h i n g ....................................
S a w m i l l s .....................................................................
O t h e r w o o d p r o d u c t s ...........................................
B l a s t f u rn a c e s , s te e l w o r k s , a n d r o llin g
m i l l s .................................................................... ........
M a c h in e ry ( n o t f o rg in g o r w o o d w o r k ) ____
V e h ic le s .........................................................................
C la y a n d s to n e p r o d u c t s .................................... .
C h e m ic a ls .....................................................................
C o n s t r u c t io n , e n g in e e r in g ............................................
C o n s t r u c t io n , b u i l d i n g ...................................................
S h i p b u i l d i n g ...................................................................... .
S t e v e d o r i n g ..........................................................................
S t e a m r a i l r o a d s ..................................................................
C a r ta g e a n d t r u c k i n g ......................................................
P u b l i c u t i l i t i e s ..................................................................
T r a d e ( s t o r e s a n d w a r e h o u s e s ) .................................
C le ric a l a n d p r o fe s s io n a l s e r v i c e ............................. .
M is c e lla n e o u s .....................................................................
T o t a l ..........................................................................
Perma
nent
Death. total
dis
ability.
306
19
10
1
38
1
5
i
i
30
14
44
2
3
7
12
12
8
12
2
11
2
11
6
1
2
561
13
2
2
3
2
2
2
1
1
28
Temp 3rary dis ability
of—
Perma
Total.
nent
partial
dis Over 8 Over 4 Over 2
ability. weeks.
to 8
to 4
weeks. weeks.
298
39
8
5
57
739
130
22
12
60
1,751
261
52
22
144
1,823
395
85
44
150
4,930
844
177
84
449
12
80
6
7
153
94
17
68
1
68
283
16
12
435
212
155
669
32
157
62
57
233
8
13
376
201
1,153
'585
157
51
18
16
25
12
14
72
11
48
7
25
16
4
12
280
33
8
16
23
59
34
67
148
61
54
53
27
8
7
772
79
48
106
80
110
109
125
445
192
62
109
124
27
44
1,618
132
55
149
84
127
111
166
115
183
71
147
133
20
64
2,874
293
134
294
224
322
276
444
722
496
196
345
306
60
129
1,247 1 2,143 i 5,549
6,698
16,226
1 Not the exact sum of the items, but is as given in the report.
The report also contains detailed tables showing classification of
accidents by cause, sex, age, and extent of disability.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[942]
167
W ORKM EN ’S COM PENSATION.
Georgia.
HPHE following 'figures showing the number of accidents and com* pensation costs incurred under the Georgia compensation act for
the calendar year 1922 are taken from the second annual report of the
Industrial Commission of Georgia. The Georgia compensation act
was amended August 16, 1922, increasing the benefits and reducing
the waiting period. Separate figures have therefore been given for
the periods prior and subsequent to August 16. These data have
been combined in the following table. The report does not contain
a classification of accidents by cause or industry.
NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS AND COMPENSATION COST INCURRED U N D ER GEORGIA
COMPENSATION ACT, CALENDAR YEAR 1922.
Benefits.
Number of
accidents.
Type of injury.
Death:
Total dependency...........
Partial dependency........
No dependency...............
C°TionDSa"
Medical.
$3,095
880
325
$142,415
8,270
Total.............................
100
Permanent total disability..
10,576
334
347
123
113,347
49,715
2 16,085
3 7,944
Total.............................
470
163,062
24,029
Over 2 weeks...................
13,379
3,065
4,701
118,669
5 104,235
6 96,849
Total.............................
16,444
123,370
201,084
Grand to tal..................
17,018
447,693
229,747
4
2 w e e k s a n d u n d e r ..............
$6,089
975
1,916
8,980
150,685
Permanent partial disability
Dismemberments1.........
Loss of use.......................
Temporary disability:
Funeral.
8,980
1 I n c l u d e s t o t a l lo s s o f v i s i o n o f o n e e y e .
2 6 c a se s u n d e r m e d i c a l c o n tr a c t.
3 2 cases u n d e r m e d ic a l c o n tra c t.
W a it in g p e r i o d r e d u c e d f r o m 2 w e e k s t o 1 w e e k A u g . 1 6 ,1 9 2 2 .
6 24 c a se s u n d e r m e d i c a l c o n tr a c t.
6 97 c a se s u n d e r m e d i c a l c o n tr a c t.
4
Ohio.
'TTIE following statement of the condition of the Ohio State insur* ance fund as of December 31, 1922, was made by the industrial
commission in the July 1, 1923, communication to the subscribers of
the fund:
Assets *
Invested in bonds.......... ................................................................. $38, 710, 749.18
Bank deposits (tim e). .....................................................................
598, 267. 88
Bank deposits (demand).................................................................
561,137. 33
Premium in course of collection.....................................................
2,169, 522. 45
Accrued interest due fund . ............................................................
667, 707. 91
42, 707, 384. 75
Liabilities:
Claim reserves......................................... ........................................
Reserve to cover warrants issued but not cashed...........................
Reserve for unearned premiums.....................................................
Premium due over 90 days.............................................................
Catastrophe reserve..........................................................................
1923 dividend to be returned to employers........................................
Surplus............. ...............................................................................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[943]
---------------------34, 382, 866. 40
478, 539. 40
1,445, 578. 43
197, 277. 68
1, 467, 706. 21
2, 500, 000. 00
2,240,416.63
42, 707, 384, 75
168
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
The above statement discloses an unencumbered surplus of
$2,240,416.63, which is “ retained to meet fluctuations in the expe
rience of the fund due to industrial changes.”
Receipts and disbursements for the year 1922.
Receipts:
Premium payments.........................................................................
Interest on bonds and bank account..............................................
Returned on claim overpayments..................................................
$7,817,557.25
2,182, 494. 00
1, 740. 94
10, 001, 792.19
Disbursements:
Claim payments to injured workmen or dependents of deceased
w orkm en..................................................................................................
Refunds for overpayment of premiums..........................................
Payments of accrued interest on bonds when purchased for in
vestment ................................... ...................................................
Cash balance invested in bonds and bank accounts......................
6, 833, 855. 39
218, 995. 79
189,553. 86
2, 759, 387.15
10, 001, 792.19
The large interest receipts during the year—$2,182,494—shows
the considerable factor this item forms in the reduction of premiums
to be paid by employers. This large interest-earning power of the
fund is made possible due to the fact that the State and all counties,
townships, municipalities, and school districts of the State are re
quired to submit all bond issues to the commission for purchase before
they can be offered for sale to the public. This permits the com
mission to obtain the highest interest-earning investments, over 90
per cent of the fund being invested in these bonds, making an average
interest-earning power of five and one-half per cent.
The number of subscribers to the fund as of July 1, 1923, was
25,038, while the number of self-insured employers, i. e., those author
ized to carry their own risk, was 428.
Utah.
'T'HE report of the Industrial Commission of Utah for the two-year
* period ending June 30, 1922, contains the experience under the
workmen’s compensation act during this time. The following table
shows the number of accidents reported to the commission during
the two years ending on June 30, 1921 and 1922:
NUM BER
OF ACCIDENTS RE PO R T ED U NDER THE UTAH W ORKMEN’S C O M P E N S A T I O N
ACT, TWO YEARS ENDING JU NE 30, 1921 AND 1922.
Type of injury.
1921
1922
Death............................................................
Permanent total disability........................
Permanent partial disability.....................
Temporary disability:
Over 4 weeks.........................................
Over 2 to 4 weeks.................................
Over 3 days to 2 weeks1......................
3 days and under..................................
91
3
177
69
1
120
1,005
1,042
2,295
5,410
870
881
2,021
4,495
Total...................................................
10,023
8,457
1 U tah has a 3-day waiting period.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[944]
169
WORKMEN"’S COMPENSATION".
The table following shows approximately the compensation bene
fits paid under the act during the two yearn ending June 30, 1921 and
1922. Some of the fatal and permanent disability cases had not
been adjudicated at the time the data were compiled and consequently
the figures given do not show the total cost incurred. Medical bene
fits in temporary disability cases are shown separately; in all other
cases medical benefits are included with the compensation benefits.
APPROXIMATE COMPENSATION BENEFITS PAID UNDER UTAH COMPENSATION ACT
TWO YEARS ENDING JUNE 30, 1921 AND 1922.
’
Type of benefits.
Death 1 .....................................
Permanent total disability 1...........
Permanent partial disability i . ..
Temporary disability........................
Medical (temporary disability)...........
Total.............................
1921
1922
2 $281,243 2 $209,224
36,000
12,000
191,250
100,123
202,159
175,213
129,161
130,895
819,813
618,4-55
1 Includes medical cost.
2 Cost to Jan. 1, 1923, Some cases still pending.
The following statement shows the number of employees, pay roll,
and premium income during the two years ending June 30, 1921 and
1922:
1921.
Average number of employees
Pay roll.............................*___
Premiums................................
59, 396
$75, 785, 079
1, 960,190
1922.
58, 464
$56, 555, 403
1, 251, 970
In addition to the foregoing the report contains detailed tables
showing causes of accidents by extent of disability and compensation
costs by industry classifications.
Manitoba.
nPHE report of the Workmen’s Compensation Board of Manitoba
for the year 1922 reviews the operations under the compensation
act for the year 1922, and contains a statistical analysis of the accident
experience for the year 1921. The volume of business of 1922 shows
a large increase over 1921, accountable by the revival of many of the
industries under the compensation act. During the year there were
reported to the compensation board 9,676 accidents, which was an
increase of 2,987, or 44.6 per cent, over 1921.
The following statement shows the number of accidents in 1921 by
extent of disability:
Number of accidents.
Death..................................................................................................
17
Permanent total disability................................................................
3
Permanent partial disability............................................................
157
Temporary total disability:'
Over 1 week................................................................................ 2,672
1 week and under....................................................................... 3, 840
Total........................................................................................ 6,689
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[945]
170
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
The condition of the accident fund is shown in the two statements
following, which show the actual compensation and administration
costs for the year 1921 and the provisional balance sheet for 1922:
Final statement showing the actual compensation and administration costsfor the year 1921.
Receipts :
Assessments................................................................................................ $776,605
Interest and other receipts.........................................................................
22, 597
Total.........................................................................................................
799, 202
Disbursements:
Compensation............................................................................. $243, 920
Medical........................................................................................ 114,118
Reserve for pensions.................................................................. 274,1$2
Reserve for deferred payments..................................................
8, 999
57,305
Administration...........................................................................
------------ 698,524
Credit balance transferred to 1922............................................................ 100, 678
Total.........................................................................................................
799,202
Provisional balance sheet, 1922.
Receipts:
Balance forward from 1921......................................................................... $100, 678
Assessments paid on estimated pay rolls................................................. 540, 542
Interest and other receipts........................................................................
9, 352
Estimate additional assessment account adjustment on actual pay roll.. 207,187
Total........................................................................................................
857,759
Disbursements :
Compensation.............................................................................................
Medical........................................................................................................
Reserve for pensions..................................................................................
Reserve for deferred payments..................................................................
Administration...........................................................................................
Estimate cost of continuing disability and unreported accidents...........
166,269
105,056
109, 231
760
66, 001
342, 026
Balance.......................................................................................................
789, 343
68,416
Total........................................................................................................
857,759
The cost of administration for the year 1921 was 9.2 per cent of
the cost of the accidents of that year, while the expense ratio to com
pensation costs for the year 1922 was also 9.2 per cent. The ratio of
administration costs to assessments would he approximately 3 per
cent lower.
The report contains detailed statistical tables classifying the acci
dents of 1921 by cause, industry, nature of injury, and extent of
disability.
Ontario.
'“PHE report for 1922 of the Ontario Workmen’s Compensation
1 Board contains a review of the operation of the compensation
act for the year 1922 and a statistical analysis of the accidents for
the year 1921. The total number of accidents reported during the
year 1922 was 50,411, being an increase of 5,220 over 1921. The
number of fatal accidents reported during 1922 was 418 as against
386 for 1921.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[946]
WORKMEN S COMPENSATION.
171
The number of accidents compensated by the board during the
year 1922 was 42,509. Of these 331 were death cases, 25 permanent
total disability cases, 1,862 permanent partial disability cases, 25,955
temporary disability cases, and 14,336 cases needing medical aid only.
The business and condition of the accident fund at the end of the
year 1922 is shown, in the following statement:
Provisional statement of income and expenditure, schedule 1, Ontario accident fund,
for the year 1922.
Income (actual and estimated):
Assessments collected on estimated pay rolls....................................... $3, 752, 725
Interest, etc.............................................................................................
’222’ 6] 8
Estimated adjustment on 1922 pay rolls................................. ............
164, 516
Carried forward from 1921............................................................. ........ 1, 221* 205
5, 361, 064
Expenditures (actual and estimated):
Compensation paid................................................................................. 1, 267, 310
Reserved for pensions awarded.................................................................
956*273
Paid to safety associations......................................................................
69! 226
Administration expenses........................................................................
97,151
Compensation deferred...........................................................................
22! 235
Medical aid.................................................................................................
514!861
Disaster reserve.......................................................................................
37,743
Compensation estimated for continuing disabilities.................................
741,’066
597, 375
Compensation estimated for outstanding accidents..............................
Estimated for medical aid.........................................................................
180,296
Balance (provisional).............................................................................
4,483,536
877, 528
5,361,064
The foregoing statement applies only to schedule 1, i. e., to em
ployers insured in the accident fund. In addition there was awarded
by the board during the year 1922, $1,582,975 in compensation in
schedule 2 industries and for Crown cases. The schedule 2 industries
include municipal corporations, railroads and other public utilities
which are permitted under the act to carry their own liability and
which correspond to self-insured employers in the United States. The
amount awarded in schedule 2 industries does not include medical
service.
The ratio of administration expenses charged schedule 1 employers
in 1922 to the compensation and medical aid awarded during the
year was 2.36 per cent as compared to 2.18 per cent in 1921; and
the ratio to net assessments received during the year 2.52 per cent
as compared with 1.78 per cent in 1921. The report contains detailed
analyses of accidents by industry, cause, nature of injury, and
extent of disability.
Accident frequency rates have been computed by the board, the
rates in compensable accident cases per 100 full-time workers for
the year 1921 being as follows: Temporary disability, 6.25; per
manent disability, 0.60; death, 0.05; all accidents, 6.90.
68745°—23
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
172
Chilean Legislation on Compensation for Industrial Accidents.1
HE present Chilean law relating to compensation for industrial
accidents became effective on December 30, 1916. Although
this law marks a definite step in the right direction and is
beneficial to the laboring classes, it is defective in several important
respects.
Dr. Moisés Poblete Troncoso, professor of social economy in the
University of Chile, in an article appearing in La Nación (Santiago)
of May 19, 1923, points out that the number of accidents is constantly
increasing. He cites in proof of this statement that 1,341 accidents
including 86 fatalities, occurred in 1915, and in 1918 the total reached
2,692, including 131 deaths, while in 1921 no less than 3,100 accidents,
including 179 fatalities, were reported. Tl¿e writer pointed out the
following defects in the present law: (1) It rejects the theory of oc
cupational risks; (2) it makes no provision for compensation for
occupational diseases; (3) only the wife and offspring come within
the provisions of the law, thus excluding ascendants (parents and
grandparents) from benefits; (4) it does not require industrial estab
lishments located in remote sections of the country to maintain a
first-aid station in charge of a competent doctor.
A bill designed to remedy the principal defects of the present lav/
was approved by the Chamber of Deputies on September 15, 1921,
but it had not .passed the Senate when the report on which this article
is based was received.
An executive decree was issued on April 27, 1923, the purpose of
which was to correct faults in that section of the law covering per
manent partial disability. This decree includes the following table
showing the percentages of total disability caused by specified perma
nent partial disability injuries:
T
PER CENT OF TOTAL DISABILITY CAUSED BY SPECIFIED INJURIES, AS ESTAB
LISHED BY DECREE IN CHILE.
Injury.
Total loss of either arm.............................
Total loss of either hand...........................
Totalloss of either thum b.......................
Totalloss of the right index finger..........
Totalloss of the left index finger............
Totalloss of the first joint of right thumb.
Total loss of the first joint of left thumb.
Totalloss of index finger.........................
Per cent
of total
disability.
60
60
30
34
18
18
9
13
Injury.
Total loss of second, third, or fourth
finger.................................. . ...................
Total loss of a muscle...............................
Totalloss of either leg..............................
Totalloss of either foot.............................
Totalloss of anv one toe...........................
Blindness in one eye................................
Deafness in one ear....................................
Deafness in both ears................................
►
Per cent
of total
disability.
9
60
60
50
6
42
12
42
In computing the amount of compensation, 600 days’ wages are
taken as the basis, instead of 1,000 as formerly, to which are applied
the disability percentages as given in the table. These amounts are
then divided by 50, 60, or 70 per cent, the coefficients for maximum,
medium, and minimum disability. (Loss of limbs is classified as
maximum disability, loss of hearing or partial blindness as medium
disability, and the loss of fingers or toes as minimum disability.)
1 Report from American consul at Valparaiso, öated May 30, 1923.
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[948]
LA B O R LAW S A ND C O U R T DECISIONS.
Labor Legislation of 1922.
HE Bureau of Labor Statistics has recently issued Bulletin No.
330, which contained a review and text of the labor legislation
of 1922. Little was done in this field in 1922, it being an “ off
year” in which only 11 States, the Philippines, and the Federal
(Congress held regular sessions.
The employment of children was the subj ect most extensively legis
lated upon, though there were several important changes made in
the organization of State departments of labor. In proportion to the
number of laws on the subject already existing, there was significant
activity with regard to the statutes fixing the number of men that
should form train crews for the different classes of railway service.
This action follows the trend apparent in 1921 of doing away with
the laws fixing the absolute number of men and leaving the matter
either specifically or by implication in the hands of the public service
commission or to agreement between the parties involved.
Legislation in the field of hours of labor included the enactment
by South Carolina of a law fixing a maximum of 55 hours per week
in textile mills instead of 60 hours, and by Kentucky of one penaliz
ing any employer using daylight saving or any other than standard
time, unless adopted by State authorities.
The cooperative provisions for vocational rehabilitation offered by
the Federal act of 1920 were adopted by practically all of the States
which had not hitherto accepted.
Action was taken in South Carolina attempting to establish a
compulsory arbitration system for street railway service, the award
to be binding upon both parties if one of them requested arbitration.
The bulletin contains a cumulative index covering the entire series
of bulletins on labor legislation beginning with Bulletin No. 148.
T
Nature and Effect of Collective Agreements.
HE Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts recently had before
it a group of cases in which the question involved was the
nature and enforcement of agreements between employers and
labor organizations. The cases were combined and disposed of at
one time, but each one represents different parties and an independent
set of circumstances. The entitling case, Goyette v. C. V. Watson
Co., was one in which the general business agent of the Shoe Workers’
Protective Union sought an accounting and the enforcement of an
agreement between the company named and the union under the
terms of a contract entered into on July 19, 1920. This fixed the
prices to be paid for different processes, and contained an agreement
to employ only members of the union if available; if not, others than
members might be employed subject to discharge when members of
the union became available.
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174
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
The term of this contract was one year, there being a verbal agree
ment that it should be continued until a new contract was consum
mated. No subsequent agreement was ever made, and. the master
to whom the subject was referred found that such compliance with
the old contract as existed “ was done as a matter of practice and
not as a matter of agreement, and no implied contract has been
established.”
The company in January, 1922, closed its factory in Haverhill
because of local labor troubles, and moved to Lowell where it opened
a nonunion shop, but Goyette procured an interlocutory decree
enjoining the company until April 15, 1922, from having or employ
ing any nonunion shoe operatives in its factory if member employees
were available, unless the union assented in writing to such hiring.
The company therefore closed its factory and asked for a sufficient
number of members of the union to operate the stitching room. As
these could not be supplied, the union finally gave written permission
to employ nonunion workers on permanent contracts where union
members were not available. Being thus obliged to employ non
union workers, the employer refused to permit the agent of the
union to inspect the stitching room. After the injunction expired,
the company moved its cutting room to Haverhill and employed its
nonunion operatives without reference to the union’s demands.
This was purely an action brought by the union to secure the
enforcement of an alleged collective agreement, and since the claim
for damages had been waived the only remedy by injunction would
be the issuance of a mandate compelling the employer to employ
only stitchers who were members of the union; but as the master
had found that the union admitted its inability to furnish stitchers,
the court held that such mandate should not issue. The ques
tion whether in any event specific performance of such a contract
would be decreed under the circumstances was passed by as not
necessary to be decided. (Goyette v. C. V. Watson Co., 140 N. E.
2S5.)
The second case involved another organization, the Boot & Shoe
'Workers’ Union, which had a contract with George Newburgh and
others, doing business as the Triangle Shoe Co. This contained the
usual provision as to employing only members of the union, and its
repudiation was being sought by a rival union, the Shoe Workers’
Protective Union, which desired to displace the plaintiff union and
secure all work of that nature for itself. (Lovely et al. v. Gill et al.)
The purpose of the rival union was admitted, and the action was
between the two unions rather than against the employer, though
the purpose of the action was, in form, to restrain the employer from
violating and terminating its contract with the plaintiff union.
The rival union admitted that while the contract of which it had
knowledge was in force it undertook to ruin the union of plaintiffs
by threats of intimidation, inducing, and coercing the company to
repudiate its contract. Judge Braley, speaking for the court,
declared that in so doing the rival union was not acting under an
alleged right to strike to protect its own individual or economical
interests, but was endeavoring to destroy the individual rights of
fellow workmen unless they submitted to its dictation and control.
Part of the contract was an agreement to furnish the company a
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LABOE LAWS AND COURT DECISIONS.
175
stamp or label indicating the fact that its shoes were made by the
labor of members of the Boot & Shoe Workers’ Union. It was
contended, that the contract as drawn created a monopoly and was
also in violation of the Federal antitrust law. The judge held that
as the matter stood there was no “ indication of a Federal question
being involved or that the contract is in restraint of trade.” The
union label is pot a trading stamp; it is merely a mark “ showing that
products bearing the stamp are made by the manual labor of members
of the plaintiff’s union.” Its use would not suppress competition
nor tend to control the manufacture of goods.
So far as the agreement provided for the exclusive employment of
union labor, the cases already decided are in favor of its validity as
against the contention that it tends to foster a monopoly or violate
the antitrust law; nor does the provision relating to arbitration
of labor disputes render it invalid. The fact, that some members
of the union left the employment of the company under the pressure
of the rival union’s activities and of the induced cooperation of the
employer therewith, does not invalidate the proceedings in the present
case even though such deserting members are included among the
parties plaintiff. The contract was for the benefit of all members,
and it was held that those desiring its benefits should not be deprived
thereof by reason of the effectiveness of the activities of the rival
union in procuring the abandonment of their work by some of the
employees for the purpose of accomplishing an abrogation of the
contract. The demurrer to the bill of complaint was therefore
overruled.
The third case (Knipe Brothers, Inc. v. White et al.) was brought
by the plaintiff, an employer, to enjoin members of both the unions
named in the previous cases to prevent their interference with his
business^ by threats, parades, picketing, or other acts of intimida
tion. This company, like the employer in the foregoing case, had
a contract with the members of the Boot & Shoe Workers’ Union
for the use of the union stamp and the employment of only members
of the union in good standing. This contract was observed for more
than five years, but on October 4, 1922, it appeared that the employer
had in his factory 180 members of the Boot & Shoe Workers’ Union,
and at the same time about 30 members of the Shoe Workers’ Protec
tive Union. In an effort to secure control of the situation the latter
union decided to call out its members and picket the factory. These
men had been employed because of the inability of the contracting
union to furnish enough workers, and on the decision above noted
they left the factory without notice, and some of them joined the
picketers. The trial judge found this action to be “ in pursuance
of a conspiracy to induce by picketing those who are about to enter
the plaintiff’s employment to refrain from doing so, and to compel
or induce those remaining in its employ to leave and join the Shoe
Workers’ Protective Union.”
This picketing was continued for some months and led to the aban
donment of work by about 35 of the plaintiff’s employees who joined
the antagonistic union and assisted in maintaining the pickets. The
contract was found not to be one which established a monopoly, and,
as its terms were known to the interfering picketers, there was a
clear attempt to procure the violation of a contract, with a purpose
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176
m o n th ly
labor
r e v ie w
.
to compel the hiring of only members of the rival union and the ex
clusion of all others. “It has been repeatedly decided that the acts
of the defendant were unjustifiable.” This case was said to involve
no question of specific performance, nor was any claim for damages
pressed. The decree issued by the court below was affirmed, though
the prohibition of intimidation was restricted by inserting the words,
“as alleged in the bill.” The Shoe Workers’ Protective Union was
therefore restrained from the use of threats, patrols, picketing, or
acts of intimidation “as alleged in the bill” ; also from interfering
with employees or prospective employees and otherwise combining
or conspiring to prevent entrance upon or continue in the previous
employment, thus protecting the agreement made by the employer
and the Boot and Shoe Workers’ Union.
Use of Deposit to Guarantee Compensation insurance Payments.
NUMBER of the States require insurance companies wishing
to write compensation business within their borders to deposit
a stipulated sum as security for payments of awards under
the law of the State. Texas is such a State, and required the Casualty
Co. of America, a New York corporation, to deposit $50,000 with the
State treasurer as a prerequisite to writing compensation insurance in
the State. This was in 1914; in 1915 the company surrendered its
right to do business and withdrew from the State. It left in the
hands of the treasurer, in State securities, the sum named, but failed
to comply with the law of the State requiring the filing of a bond for
the protection of its outstanding insurance contracts. The company
became insolvent, and the New York State superintendent of insur
ance was in 1917 directed to take possession of its property and liqui
date its business.
In the course of events the Industrial Accident Board of Texas
awarded benefits to a claimant under the law of the State, the em
ployer being insured with the company above named. Payments
were made for a time, but ceased when the order of liquidation was
entered. The claimants thereupon sought to secure the unpaid
balance, with interest; the superintendent of insurance resisted, on
the ground that the Texas courts had permitted the sale of the
bonds deposited with the Texas treasurer as security, solely for the
benefit of Texas claimants, instead of permitting the same to be used
as assets for proportionate distribution to all claimants under the
law. The Supreme Court of New York, appellate division, however,
decided against the superintendent of insurance on the ground that
the deposit with the Texas treasurer was to secure losses incurred
within the State and was therefore not a part of the general assets.
I t was further held that full credence and respect must be given to
the decision of the Texas tribunal in making the award of compensa
tion, so that the effort to reopen the case and litigate it before the
New York courts must fail. (In re Phillips, 200 N. Y. Supp. 639.)
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LABOR LAWS AND COURT DECISIONS.
177
Federal Employers’ Liability Acts, 1906, 1908.
HE brief history of the Federal employers’ liability act of 1906
is generally known. That act undertook to provide the lia
bility of common carriers generally for injuries to their em
ployees, and was held unconstitutional because not restricted to
interstate activities, of which Congress alone has supervision. The
act of 1908 was passed with a safeguarding phraseology to cure the
defects in the earlier law. However, the question has remained
open as to the continuing validity of the act of 1906 as a regulation
of the rights of common carriers in the territories and the District
of Columbia, within which Congress can legislate generally, the point
involved being a measure of difference between the effects of the
two laws on the defense of assumed risks.
In a case recently decided by the Court of Appeals of the District
9 Columbia (Washington Terminal Co. v. Sampson, 289 Fed. 577),
it was held that the act of 1908 was the latest expression of legislative
will, and that “ it is hardly to be supposed that it [Congress] intended
that the two acts providing for relief in the same class of cases, one
allowing the defense of assumption of risk and the other not, should
concurrently be in force and effect.” This decision will probably
sm*ve to set at rest any remaining question as to the continuance in
effect oi the earlier law in the District or elsewhere, a question that
probably owes its vitality to a decision by the Supreme Court of the
United States (El Paso & N. E. it. Co. v. Gutierrez, 215 U. S. 87, 30
Sup. Ct. 21). This case was of a workman injured in New Mexico,
when it was a Territory, subsequent to the enactment of 1906 and
prior to that of 1908. The decision of the court holding the law
oi 1906 valid in New Mexico in spite of its invalidity in the attempted
application to interstate commerce in no wise considered the relation
oi the earlier law to the later enactment, so that no conclusion could
be drawn therefrom as to the continued effectiveness of the earlier
law subsequent to the passage of the act of 1908.
T
Liability of Employer Under Illinois Occupational Diseases Act.
HE Illinois Legislature of 1911 passed a law, the intent of
which was to secure the proper safeguarding of operations in
which employees were exposed to poisonous fumes and gases
likely to cause occupational diseases. Failure to comply with the
prescribed requirements entailed specific liability for any damages
accruing to any workman by reason of the violation of the law. &A
workman, one Atwood, sued under this statute, charging a failure
on the part of the employer to furnish an adequate and properly
constructed respirator, so that he inhaled lead dust and incurred lead
poisoning therefrom. Judgment was in the workman’s favor, and
the employer appealed, claiming that the act was unconstitutional,
and further that the State legislature in 1921 passed an amendatory
provision bringing employees who sustained an occupational disease
within the scope of the workmen’s compensation act of the State.
eI9Pl°yee was_ interested in maintaining the present action,
which involved a judgment for $7,000 as against the maximum
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178
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
allowance of $3,500 under the compensation law. Furthermore, the
workmen’s compensation act prescribed a procedure which had not
been observed, so that if it should be decided that the case fell under
that act, all right of recovery would be lost.
The United States Circuit Court of Appeals (Hoyt Metal Co. v.
Atwood, 289 Fed. 453) ruled that the act of 1911 granted a right of
action which became a vested property right; and as the injury and
the entry of judgment both preceded the enactment of the amend
ment providing for compensation administration, this subsequent
action “of the legislature could not deprive the injured man of his
rights as declared before the enactment of the law. In other words,
the amendment was prospective only and not retroactive.
The question of constitutionality was likewise decided in favor oi
the plaintiff, against the contention that the law as it stood granted
unequal rights to employees of the same employer in the same
occupation. If one incurred an occupational disease he might sue
and recover a judgment such as a jury might agree upon; if his fellow
worker received an accidental injury not classified as an occupational
disease, he would have no right to a trial at law, but must submit his
case to a compensation commissioner and accept an award limited
in amount by the statute. The contention that such classification
was not “ just, reasonable, or fair” was rejected by the court without
discussion, saying that it was “ unnecessary ; the decisions are to the
contrary.” The judgment was therefore affirmed.
i
I t will be noted that the foregoing decision considered the effect
of the amendment of 1921 to the occupational diseases act, bringing
these diseases under the terms of the compensation law; also that
this act was held unconstitutional by the supreme court of the State
on account of the failure of the legislature to comply with certain
technical forms in making the amendment. Neither decision is
affected by the other, the questions involved being entirely _inde
pendent. Reference may here be made to the legislative action in
1923 making occupational diseases compensable as accidents in
Illinois, the remedy being exclusive unless the injury is found to be
due to a willful violation" of the safety provisions of the occupational
diseases act.
Law Regulating Apprenticeship Agreements in Finland.1
INLAND, on April 28, 1 9 2 3 , passed a law effective January 1,
1924, regulating apprenticeship agreements. Chapter I of the
law defines the parties to which the law is applicable, provides
for the appointment of apprenticeship boards, and contains general
provisions governing apprenticeship agreements and rules for record
ing such agreements.
According to the law, an apprentice is understood to be a person
under 18 years of age who under some other master than his father or
mother has secured employment in order to get instruction in an
occupation where as a rule an apprenticeship oi at least two years is
required.
In cases where a commune employment agency has been estab
lished in accordance with the law of November 2, 1917, the employ-
F
1 Finland. Socialministeriet.
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Social Tidskrift No. 5, 1923. Helsingfors, 1923.
[954]
LABOK LAWS AND COURT DECISIONS.
179
ment directorate is to function as an apprenticeship board until the
communal authorities find that an apprenticeship board is required,
when they are to appoint a chairman and vice chairman, four mem
bers (two employers and two employees), and an equal number of
substitutes.
Within 14 days after the end of a trial period a written agreement
with an apprentice must be drawn up in accordance with regulations
fixed by the Bureau of Commerce and Industry (Handels- och Industristyrelsen).
The apprenticeship term must be as long as is considered necessary
in the occupation, but must not exceed four years. The term may be
shortened when the apprentice receives special instruction or shows
unusual ability.
The first three months constitute a probationary period, during
which the agreement may be terminated at any time by either party
by giving seven days’ notice.
Minors 15 but under 18 years old, who support themselves by their
own work, may themselves conclude agreements. An agreement
entered into by a guardian for a minor may not without the minor’s
written consent be extended beyond the time when the minor becomes
of age.
The apprenticeship board must record all agreements approved by
it in accordance with regulations fixed by the Bureau of Commerce
and Industry.
According to Chapter II of the law the apprentice is to be given
such instruction as will enable him to pass the required test. If there
is a trade school in the locality the apprentice is to be permitted to
attend it, and for the first three years the apprentice is to be paid his
full wage for time spent at school, provided that such time does not
exceed one day per week.
The apprentice must not be made to do work injurious to his health
or which is not part of the work of the occupation he is learning.
Chapter III deals with the termination of apprenticeship agree
ments, and Chapter IV with penalties in case of violations of the law.
If the muster neglects to instruct the apprentice he is warned, and
if the warning is not heeded he may be denied the right to employ
new apprentices for a period not to exceed three years. If the
apprentice neglects his school duties and does not heed warning
given, his apprenticeship may be extended not to exceed three
months.
The law is enforced by the factory inspection service and the appren
ticeship boards.
Specified sections of the law of June 1, 1922, on work agreements,
apply to apprenticeship agreements.
In case of strike or lockout at the establishment where the appren
tice is employed the agreement may be terminated. If not termi
nated, the apprenticeship period is prolonged for a period equal to
that in which the apprentice was unemployed because of the work
stoppage.
At the end of the apprenticeship term the apprentice is to give proof
of his skill in his occupation before a committee of which the chairman
of the apprenticeship board is chairman. If his work is found satis
factory, he is to receive a diploma.
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ST R IK E S A N D LO C K O U TS.
Labor Disputes in Sweden, 1922.1
CCORDING to the report of the Swedish Labor Bureau on
labor disputes in Sweden in 1922, there were 392 stoppages
of work, 354 strikes, 11 lockouts, and 27 so-called “ mixed”
disputes, affecting 1,260 employers and 75,679 employees, with a
loss of 2,674,580 workdays and an estimated loss of workers’ wages
of about 23,000,000 kronor ($6,164,000, par).
The number of stoppages was greater than for 1921 and for any
year from 1903 to 1916, inclusive, but less than for any year from
1917 to 1920, inclusive. The extent of the strikes is also greater
as regards the number of workers involved than for the previous
year, and only in 1909, the year of the general strike, and in 1919
and 1920 was this number exceeded.
The greatest number of stoppages of work, 92, or 23 per cent,
occurred in the building industry, the wood goods (tra v a ru ) industry
following with 64, or 16 per cent, and the metal industry with 53,
or 14 per cent.
Wage questions caused most of the labor disputes, 78 per cent in
1922 as against an average of 77 per cent in the period 1912 to 1921.
Thirty per cent of the disputes lasted from one to three months,
38 per cent ended within a month, and 23 per cent lasted not more
than a week. Of the workers, 52 per cent were involved in disputes
lasting from one to three months, while 21 per cent were involved
in those lasting over three months.
Of the 392 disputes, 82 were settled in favor of the employers,
91 in f avor of the employees, 199 resulted in a compromise, and in 20
disputes the outcome was unknown or not determined.
Disputes settled in favor of the employer affected on an average
129 workers each, and those settled on the employees’ terms averaged
54 workers each. In those disputes in which the workers were
organized, 24 per cent were settled in accordance with the employees’
demands and 17 per cent on the employers’ terms, while for the
unorganized workers the corresponding figures were 13 per cent and
67 per cent. In disputes with organized employers 23 per cent were
settled on the employers’ terms and 10 per cent in accordance with
the employees’ demands. The unorganized employers in 37 per
cent of the disputes granted the employees’ demands and in 18 per
cent of such cases the employees complied with their terms.
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1 Sweden.. Socialstyrelsen. Arbetsinstallelser i Sverige &r 1922. Stockholm, 1923.
180
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CO N CILIA TIO N A N D A RBITRA TIO N .
Conciliation Work of the Department ol Labor in August, 1923.
By H ugh L. K erw in , D irector
of
Conciliation.
HE Secretary of Labor, through the Division of Conciliation,
exercised his good offices in connection with 46 labor disputes
during August, 1923. These disputes affected a total of
46,425 employees. The following table shows the name and loca
tion of the establishment or industry in which the dispute occurred,
the nature of the dispute (whether strike or lockout or controversy
not having reached strike or lockout stage), the craft or trade con
cerned, the cause of the dispute, its present status, the terms of set
tlement, the date of beginning and ending, and the number of work
men directly and indirectly affected:
T
LABOR DISPU TES HANDLED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTM ENT O F LABOR
THROUGH ITS DIVISION OF CONCILIATION, AUGUST, 1923.
Company or industry, and location.
Nature of
controversy.
Craft concerned.
Cause of dispute.
Cigarette m akers.. Asked $2 a week in
crease.
Working conditions.
Roofers...
Asked
25 cents an
Plasterers.
hour increase.
Sarfstein Co., New York C ity........... .......do......... . Clothing workers.. C1).............................
Micosia Milk Co., New York C ity___ .......do......... . D riv ers............. Asked wage increase.
Asked 1-J cents in
Merchant Truck Assn., New York Threatened Loaders.
crease per 100
strike.
City.
pounds.
Asked
20 cents per
Marble
w
orkers..
Strike.
Marble workers, St. Louis, Mo
hour increase and
recognition.
Pay for hard drilling.
Fort P itt mine, Wheeling, W. V a... ___ do.......... Miners.
Fine clause in con
Rail and River mine, Big Rim, W. ___ do......... ___ do..
tract.
Va.
Ashworth-Odell Worsted Mill, Sala ___ do.......... Textile workers.. Increase of hours —
manca, N. Y.
Dressmakers, Chicago, 111........... .... Threatened Dressmakers....... Contracts, wages,etc.
strike.
Shapiro & Bichelman Co., Boston, S trike.. . . . . . Raincoat makers. Violation of agree
m ent.
Mass.
Working conditions.
Webb mine, Bellaire, Ohio............... .......do......... . Miners.........
Recognition M. M. &
American Zinc Co., Taylor Springs, .......do......... . Zinc m iners.
S. Union.
111.
Pattern makers, Philadelphia, P a ... Controversy. Pattern m akers.. 0 ) ......................................................
Renewal
oi agree
Traction
workers.
Strike..........
Street cars, Lima, Ohio.....................
ment; wages.
Universal Gypsum Co., Fort Dodge, Threatened Employees.......... Discrimination; for
union affiliation.
strike.
Iowa..
U.S.Veteran Hospital, Chelsea, N.Y ___ do......... Building trades.. Working conditions
Three plants National Fireproofing Strike......... Employees.......... Increase asked........
Co., Keasbey, N. J.
Asked 20 cents per
Cleaners.
.do.
Window washers, Chicago, HI.........
hour increase (80
cents to $1).
Wages; unionization
Shoe workers.
Bodwell Wood Heel Co., Salem Cen .......do.
ter, N .H .
Nonunion labor.......
Molders.........
Farrell Foundry Co., Ansonia, Conn. .......do.
Jn o .H . Reynolds Tobacco Co., Jersey Strike.
City, N. J.
.do.
Slate and tile industry, St. Louis, Mo,
.do.
Plasterers, Evansville, In d ...............
1 Not reported.
2 National guard in attendance.
3 Company refused recognition and agreement.
1 Nonunion labor retained.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[957]
Present
status.
Adjusted.
Pending.
Adjusted.
Pending.
U n c la ss i
fied.
Pending.
Unable to
adjust.
Adjusted.
Do.
Do.
Pending.
Adjusted.
Pending.
Do.2
Do.
Do.3
Adjusted.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Pending.
Unable to
adjust.1
181
182
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
LABOR D ISPU TE S H ANDLED BY T H E UN ITED STATES DEPA RTM EN T OF LABOR
TH RO U G H ITS DIVISION OF CONCILIATION, AUGUST, 1923—Continued.
Company or industry, and location.
Nature of
controversy.
Inside ironworkers, New York City .. Strike.
Furniture workers, New York City.
Craft concerned.
Present
status.
Cause of dispute.
Ironw orkers......... 44-hour week; 10 per Pending.«
cent increase asked.
Movement to union
Do.
ize.
Strike of 1922.......... Adjusted.
Working agreement. Pending.
Threatened Furniture workers
strike.
Strike......... Shopcrafts..........
Controversy. Clothing workers.
Central R. R. of New Jersey............
Three Star Clothing Co., New York
City.
Nubile Clothing Mfg. Co., Brooklyn, ___ do.........
N .Y .
Bossie Coal Co., Evansville, In d __ Strike__ __
...... do..................... Wages and condi Unclassi
tions.
fied.6
Coal m iners........... Wages; discharge of Adjusted.
1 miner.
Textile workers__ Working conditions. Pending.
Rollins Hosiery Mills, Des Moines, ___ do.........
Iowa.
Women’s clothing, Toledo, Ohio__ Controversy. Women’s clothing G)...................
Shoe industry, Haverhill and Boston, Strike.......... Cut-sole workers. . Wage increase of 12J
Mass.
per cent; union
shop.
Mogul Checker Cabs, New York ....d o ........ Taxi drivers........ Asked 40 per cent of
City.
fares.
B ath robes, New York C ity............ . ___ do......... Garment workers 44-hour week; $4 per
week; 15 per cent
increase for piece
work.
Grocery and butcher clerks, Chicago, Threatened Clerks.
Asked $40 per week,
111.
recognition, and
strike.
agreement.
Standard Raincoat Co., Boston,Mass. Strike.......... Garment workers. Agreement, etc.........
Republic Iron & Steel Co., Youngs Controversy. Pipe-mill workers Hours and wages__
town, Ohio.
Gordon Baking Co., Chicago, 111__
__ do__
E ngineers............ Increase in wages__
Sprinkler fitters, Chicago, 111.......... Lockout.
Sprinkler fitters.. Number of helpers
required.
Shopcrafts, Corbin, Ky. (Louisville Strike.......... Shopcrafts ...
General strike of 1922
& Nashville R. R.).
Shuder & Epstein, New York C ity .. Controversy. Shirt makers.
To enforce wage
award.
Baking, Pittsburgh, P a ..................... Strike......... B akers.......
0)...................
540 motion-picture houses, New Y ork Controversy. Operators..
Wage increase...........
City.
Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., Jersey Strike.
Employees.
( l ) .....................
City, N .J .
Hudson Coal Co., Miners Mills, P a . . __ do.
Miners.......
B reak er w orking
overtime.
Shell oil workers, C alif__
Controversy. Oil workers.
Wage controversy...
Furriers, Cleveland, Ohio.
Strike.......... Furriers.......
Wages; hours; recog
nition.
Duration.
Company or industry, and location.
Terms of settlement.
Jno. H.Reynolds Tobacco Co., Jersey Compromised on $1 a week...
City, N .J .
Slate and tile industry, St. Louis, Mo.
Plasterers, Evansville, I n d ...........
25 cents an hour increase al
lowed.
Sarfstein Co., New York City.......
Micosia Milk Co., New York City__ Increase allowed before com
missioner’s arrival.
Merchant Truck Assn., New York
City.
Marble workers, St. Louis, Mo.......... Conferences refused by com
panies.
Fort P itt mine, Wheeling, W. V a__ Returned to work on same
conditions.
Rail and River mine, Big Run, W. Va. Return; adjust later................
Ashworth-Odell Worsted Mill, Sala Return on company’s term s..
manca, N .Y .
Dressmakers, Chicago, 111................. 1 Injunctions pending...............
Shapiro & Bichelman Co., Boston, Company conceded demands.
Mass.
1 Not reported.
5 600 men have been employed elsewhere.
6 Business sold.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[958]
Begin
ning.
July 18
C1)
July 11
Ending.
July 21
July 14
G)
Do.
Pending.
Adjusted.
Do.
Pending.
Do.
Adjusted.
Unclassi
fied.
Pending.
Adjusted.
Plant
closed.
Pending.
Adjusted.
Pending.
Di
Indi
rectly. rectly.
200
700
G)
16
(U
8
1,200
July 16
Aug.
Adjusted.
Men involved.
1923.
1923.
Aug. 7 Aug. :
(H
Do.
Do.
110
1 Aug.
4
200
Aug.
.. .do
6
550
60
3
5,000
50
Jul^ 23
July 29
July 15 Aug.
30
240
183
CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION.
LABOR D ISPU TE S HA N D LED BY T H E UN ITED STATES D EPA RTM EN T OF LABOR
TH ROUGH ITS DIVISION OF CONCILIATION, AUGUST, 1923—Concluded.
Duration.
Company or industry, and location.
Webb mine, Bellaire, Ohio................
American Zinc Co., Taylor Springs,
111.
Pattern makers, Philadelphia, P a . . .
Street cars, Lima, Ohio......................
Universal Gypsum Co., Fort Dodge,
Iowa.
U, S. Veteran Hospital, Chelsea,N.Y.
Three plants National Fireproofing
Co., Keasbey, N. .1.
Window washers, Chicago, 111...........
Bodwell Wood Heel Co., Salem Cen
ter, N. H.
Terms of settlement.
Begin
ning.
Ending.
1923.
Aug. 1
Aug. 8
1923.
G)
G)
Men involved.
Di
Indi
rectly. rectly.
600
300
G)
Averted; men not reinstated.. Aug. 10 Aug. 15
Agreement concluded.............
C1)
Return at former wage........... July 28
20 per cent increase allowed;
44-hour week.
G)
July 31
G200
)
250
Aug. 20
25
Farrell Foundry Co., Ansonia, Conn..
Inside ironworkers, New York City ..
Furniture workers, New York C ity ..
Central R. R. of New Jersey.............. Vote to declare strike off.
Three Star Clothing Co., New York
City.
Nubile Clothing Mfg. Co., Brooklyn,
N. Y.
Bossie Coal Co., Evansville, In d ....... Miner reinstated; engineer
paid.
Rollins Hosiery Mills, Des Moines,
Iowa.
Women’s clothing, Toledo, Ohio......
Shoe industry, Haverhill and Boston,
Mass.
Mogul Checker Cabs, New York,City. Accept small increase; 33 per
cent.
Bath robes, New York City............... 44-hour week; $3 a week; 10
per cent increase on piece
work.
Grocery and butcher clerks, Chicago, Strike date, Sept. 1, post
poned.
111.
Standard Raincoat Co.,Boston, Mass. Piecework eliminated; $4 in
crease.
Republic Iron & Steel Co., Youngs Returned to work on former
conditions.
town, Ohio.
Gordon Baking Co., Chicago, 111.......
Sprinkler fitters, Chicago, 111.............
Shopcrafts, Corbin, Ky. (Louisville Men to be reinstated..............
& Nashville R. R.).
Shuder & Epstein, New York C ity .. Settled before commissioner’s
arrival.
Baking, Pittsburgh, P a ......................
540 motion-picture houses, New York Increase of 7£ to 15 per cent. .
City.
Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., Jersey
City, N. J.
Hudson Coal Co., Miners Mills, P a ... Status quo pending general
situation.
Shell oil workers, Calif........... ........... . Increase of 5 per cent allowed;
agreement concluded.
Furriers, Cleveland, Ohio...................
1922.
Apr. 7
G)
C1)
G)
Apr.
1 Aug. 18
900
4,000
1923.
July 30
June 25 Aug. 29
G)
G)
Aug.
G700
)
1
Aug. 20 Aug. 22
.. -do ... . Sept. 6
2,000
Aug. 29
Aug. 26
June 19
.. .do . . . .
Apr. 1 Äug. 24
Aug.
7 Aug. 21
G)
Aug. 25
Äug. ¿1
130
G900
)
3,000
3,500
Aug. 31
35,726
Total...........................................
i Not reported.
On September 1, 1923, there were 43 strikes before the department
for settlement and in addition 16 controversies which had not reached
the strike stage. Total number of cases pending, 59.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[959]
C O O PER A TIO N .
Comparative Study of Cooperation in Various Countries.1
HE October, 1920, issue of the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w con
tained (pp. 153-167) comparative statistics showing the de
velopment of the cooperative movement, especially that of
consumers, in certain countries for which information was available.
In the present article an attempt has been made to bring that infor
mation up to 1922, or, where this was not possible, up to the latest
year reported. As was explained in the previous article, comparable
figures are difficult to secure. For some of the most important coun
tries, cooperatively speaking, there are few published statistics,
while other countries publish very complete figures each year. It
will be noted, if reference is made to the previous article, that certain
countries included in that study are omitted from the present one;
this is due either to the lack of up-to-date information or to peculiar
circumstances in the country which render authoritative statements
as to the cooperative movement impossible. Italy is one conspicuous
example. In that country a very large proportion of the cooperative
societies have been destroyed by the Fascisti; indeed, the Cooperative
Wholesale Society has been forced to dissolve because of the destruc
tion of many of its member societies and the condition of those
remaining.
Certain new countries are added to the tables, as will be noticed,
so as to make the study as inclusive as possible.
T
Development of Various Types of Cooperative Societies.
THE table below are shown for 19 countries the number and per
A cent of cooperative societies of each type in the latest year for which
figures are available.
IN
1 The data on which this article is based are from International Cooperative Bulletin (London), issues
of Februaxy-Septembcr, 1923; People’s Yearbook, 1923; Industrial and Labor Information (Geneva), issues of
Mar. 23, Apr. 13, May 4 and 18, June 1 and IS, and Aug. 3,1923, and Russian Supplement of Mar. 2, 1923;
The Producer (Manchester, England), issues of March-August, 1923; Fédération Nationale des Coopéra
tives de Consommation, Annuaire de la Coopération, 1922, Paris; Austria, Bundesamt für Statistik, Statis
tisches Handbuch für die Republik Oesterreich, 1923; Kooperatoren (Stockholm), issues Nos. 5 and 18,
1922, and 9-10, 1923; La Cooperation Beige (Brussels), July 7, 1923; Cooperation (New York), July, 1923;
Agricultural Cooperation (Washington, D. C.), Aug. 27, 1923; International Review of Agricultural Eco
nomics {Rome), January-March, 1923; Japan, Department of Finance, Twenty-second _ Financial and
Economic Annual, 1922;'L ’Information Sociale (Paris), May 24, 1923; Kooperatoren (Christiania), No. 5,
1923; Schweiz. Konsum-verein (Basel), A pr.7,1923; Verband Schweiz. Konsumvereine, Rapports et Comptes
concernant l ’activités des organes de l’Union en 1922; La Coopération (Basel), issues of Aug. 24,1922, and
July 19 and Aug. 2,1923; India, Department of Statistics, Statements showing progress of the cooperative
movement in India during the year 1920-21; Quebec, Statistical yearbook, 1922; Massachusetts, Commis
sioner of Banks, report for 1921, P t. II; New York Superintendent of Banks, report for 1920; United States
Bureau of Labor Statistics Buis. No. 313 and 314; Great Britain, Registry of Friendly Societies, summary
of report for 1921; France, Bulletin du Ministère du Travail, April-June, 1922; Secrétariat des Paysans
Suisses, Rapport No. 67: La revision de la législation fédérale rélative aux sociétés coopératives, Brougg,
1922; New York Times, Sept. 9, 1923; South Australia, Statistical Register, 1920-21; New South Wales,
Report of registrar of friendly societies, etc., for twelve m onths ending June 30, 1922.
184
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[960]
185
COOPERATION.
NUM BER AND P E R CENT OF COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES OF SPEC IFIED TYPES, BY
COUNTRY.
Number.
Country.
Argentina..............
A ustria..................
Bulgaria................
Czechoslovakia__
Esthonia................
Finland.................
France...................
Germany...............
India......................
Japan.....................
L atvia...................
Lithuania..............
New South Wales
P o lan d .................
Rumania...............
Russia...................
Switzerland...........
United Kingdom..
United States.......
Bank Con
Work
ers’ Agri Insur ers’
ing and sum
pro Other
so cultural ance ductive
Year. credit cieties
so
so
so
so
cieties.
so
(all
cieties.1
cieties.
cieties. types).
cieties.
Total.
1921
1921
1922
1920
1922
1922
1921
1922
1921
1921
1922
1922
1921
1922
1922
1922
1920
1921
1922
263
4,396
657
5,997
3 1,800
3,734
6,419
47,628
45,904
13,770
2,091
584
79
12,258
7,667
66,102
9,392
2,792
18,536
29
2,000
631
(2)
107
949
(2)
20,931
47
536
15
2,650
273
790
4,790
5,740
2,535
171
121
816
563
366
64
4,196
1,802
29,370
493
1,489
3 3, 000
5,338
4,480
600
266
(2)
6 536
160
1,068
11
1,796
3 920
1,201
1,100
16,580
42,582
'483
530
56
12
1,288
'914
17,000
7,274
1.201
«15,000
6
(2)
(2)
3 500
(2)
122
1,359
(2)
(2)
764
(2)
1,551
4 529
4,377
282
41
408
19,132
(2)
102
(2)
21
28
(2)
(2)
794
(2)
3,322
9,654
705
3
1,436
63
(2)
(2)
(2)
Per cent.
Argentina.............................
A ustria....................................., ...........
Bulgaria................................................
Czechoslovakia.....................................
Esthonia................................................
Finland..................................................
France....................................................
Germany............. ..................................
India..."................................................
Japan................... ..............................
L atvia....................................................
Lithuania..............................................
Poland ................................... ...............
Rum ania...............................................
Russia....................................................
Switzerland...........................................
United Kingdom..................................
United States....................................
1921
1921
1922
1920
1922
1922
1921
1922
1921
1921
1922
1922
1922
1922
1922
1920
1921
1922
11.0
45.5
96.0
(2)
5. 9
25.4
(2)
43.9
18.4
8.2
20.7
43.5
58. 4
.9
2.8
(2)
2.9
17. 9
12.2
2.3
44.2
15. 2
21.2
12.1
74.6
5. 8
26. 9
62. 7
34.2
23. 5
44.4
5.2
53.3
16.2
60. 8
24.3
1.7
30.0
51. 1
32.2
17.1
34.8
92.8
3. 5
25. 3
9.6
10.5
11.9
25. 7
77.4
43.0
80.9
2. 3
(2)
(2)
27. 8
(2)
5. 8
14.5
(2)
(2)
17.4
(2)
25.8
8.2
92
2.Ó
7.0
5. 3
28.9
(2)
3.7
(2)
79
.6
(2)
(2)
21. 2
(2)
7.2
70.1
34.0
11.7
.8
(2)
(2)
(2)
1000
100.0
100.0
110000.00
100.0
100.0
100 0
100.0
1000
100 0
100. 0
100. 0
100.0
100 0
100.0
100.0
100.0
1Including machinery societies, peat societies, marketing societies, forestry societies, dairies, stockbreeding societies, etc.
2 Not reported.
3 Approximate.
4 1920.
6 1921; includes 23 labor banks only partially cooperative.
6 Estimated.
There are also reported to be some 16,625 cooperative societies in
Ukrainia, but no information is available as to the number of socie
ties of each type. The 1920-21 Statistical Register of New South
Wales shows that in 1919 there were in that State 5 societies of all
types, with a combined membership of 15,678.
As far as is shown by the admittedly unsatisfactory figures given
in the above table, the cooperative movement is predominantly
agricultural in Argentina, Esthonia, India, Switzerland, and the United
States. Credit societies predominate in Austria, Bulgaria, and
Rumania, while in Czechoslovakia, France, Lithuania, and Russia the
consumers’ movement is the most developed. In Latvia the con
sumers’ and agricultural societies are about equally important; while
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[961]
186
m o n th ly
labor
r e v ie w
.
in Finland credit, consumers’, and agricultural societies are fairly
equal in numbers. In Great Britain, though agricultural societies
are almost equal in number to the consumers’ societies, the latter
overwhelmingly predominate in economic importance.
The consumers’ societies include societies in various lines of
business. Grocery stores predominate in most countries; in Belgium
and France, however, bakeries form an important part of the con
sumers’ movement. In Europe, generally, housing societies are
becoming increasingly numerous. Some consumers’ societies as part
of their business operate a savings or banking department, though
generally there is also either a banking department in the cooperative
wholesale society or a separate central cooperative bank.
Only in Esthonia do the cooperative insurance societies form
any considerable proportion of the whole number. Cooperative
insurance, however, forms a very real part of the movement in many
countries, but often these societies are included among the agri
cultural societies or cooperative insurance may be one function of
societies of other types.
Workers’ societies, known also as “ self-governing workshops,” in
which the workers own the stock, perform the work, and receive the
savings in dividends on wages, are, like the insurance societies, a
small part of the movement as a whole, though found, as the above
table shows, in considerable numbers in several countries. It seems
to be conceded that this form of cooperation has the least likelihood
of permanence and success, cooperatively. This type of society was
Italy’s peculiar contribution to the movement, and in 1919 these
organizations formed nearly one-third of all the societies in that
country; no information is at hand to show their present status.
There are known to be a few workers’ productive societies in the
United States but the exact number has not been determined.
Consumers’ Societies.
IN MOST countries one of the immediate results of the war was to
A increase the importance and influence of the consumers’ cooper
ative movement; in some countries the cooperatives were utilized by
the government in the distribution of food and other supplies to the
people, in others, the rationing system worked to the detriment of
the movement, limiting its proper expansion and growth. The war
over, however, cooperators found themselves confronted by a much
more solidly organized business -world than ever before. Added to
this has been the handicap of discriminatory tax legislation in many
countries, and the general economic situation with its widespread
unemployment which has severely affected the moderately circum
stanced members of cooperative societies. As a result, for the past
few years the movement, even in countries where it had formerly
been the most powerful, has suffered absolute decreases in sales,
although, due to depreciation of currency, this decrease is not always
shown by the annual figures.
In the tables which follow, no attempt has been made to convert
foreign into United States currency, for such conversions would be
entirely misleading because of the greatly depreciated currency in
certain countries. For the same reason caution should be exercise-d
in making comparisons between countries.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[962]
187
COOPERATION.
The table below shows the membership and average size of con
sumers’ cooperative societies in 21 countries for which figures were
obtained. For the sake of comparison the average membership in
1918 is also given.
A V E R A G E M E M B E R S H IP
O F C O N S U M E R S ’ S O C I E T I E S , 1918 A N D 1922, B Y C O U N T R I E S .
1922
Country.
Number of
societies
reporting.
Argentina......................................
A ustria.....................................
Belgium..............................................
Bulgaria.................................
Czechoslovakia.......................
Denm ark..............................
Esthonia........................................
Finland...................................
France...................................
Germany...........................................
Hungary......................................
L atvia................................
Norway..............................
Poland............ ..................
Rum ania................................
Russia.....................................
Sweden.....................................
Switzerland...............................
United Kingdom...........................
United States...................................
Yugoslavia.........................................
1 N o t re p o rte d .
2 Y e a r 1916.
47
173
204
69
1,597
1,805
254
622
6 4,043
1,350
1,970
256
411
8 1,049
1,802
32,040
901
519
6 1,489
t 966
8 88
8 Y e a r 1912.
4 Y e a r 1915.
Number of
members.
29,311
511,019
303, 580
42,968
867,195
100,000
2,498’ 449
3,162, 000
96’ 414
93,189
102) 805
259,388
363, 478
4,531, 577
s Y e a r 1921.
8 Y e a r 1910.
7 9fin n e n
e 21,447
Average
number of
members
per society.
624
2 954
1,488
623
543
187
Average
member
ship per
society,
1918.
0
)
3 QQQ
n\
Kl )
307
’ 100
0
)
2,342
406
977
227
57
109
288
700
3 043
269
244
9. Q 74
1,274
0 loo
P)
OQQ
2 47
(6
m
\ )
m
v )
Oud ud
Z
741
2,820
^Y e a r 1920.
The above table accounts for 51,655 societies, with a membership
of 18,579,761; these figures are not to be taken as being all-inclusive
of the movement in the countries included in the table, but simply
as the number reporting membership. As is seen, the average mem
bership of consumers’ societies ranges from 57 in Rumania, to 3,043
in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom also leads in number
of cooperators, with Russia, Germany, and France following in the
order named.
Comparison with 1918 figures shows an increase in the average size
of the societies in all countries except Norway and Switzerland, where
a small decrease is shown. In Belgium and Germany societies have
about doubled in size, while in Austria they are nearly four times as
large as in 1918.
In the table below are shown, for 14 countries, the number of
societies affiliated to the national unions, their membership, paid-in
share capital, and sales for 1922.
63745°— 23------13
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[963]
188
MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW.
M EM BERSHIP, SHARE CAPITAL, AND SALES OF SOCIETIES A FFIL IA TE D TO CENTRAL
M
’
UNION, 1922, BY COUNTRIES.
Country.
Anstri p.
......................................
Belgium
. ...............................
Bulgaria
__ - ..............................
Czechoslovakia:
y d p3
........................................
frPrmivn Tinion ..................................
Finland:
Y O L3
........................................
......................................
E- K3
Ern.nop
.............................................
(Torman y .... ................... .....................
Hungary:
11pfp.np;ya’7
.................................
Central PistribntT vp TTnion................
N orway
......................................
p u^si a........................................
on
. . ..... ...........................
Switzerland
......................................
United Kingdom:
England
w ales. ________. . . . .
Scotland
.............................
Tpeland
......................................
Yugoslavia:
,„ .
Union of Officials’ Consumers’ Socielies
Serbian TTnion
......................................
.
............................
Number
of
affiliated
societies.
Member
ship.
173
71
(*)
511,019
169,086
(2)
Kr. 3,824,878,000
(2)
Levas 9,000,000
Kr. 221,971,570,701
(2)
Levas 132,000,000
41,326
271
4 605,498
261,697
4 Kr. 63,512,288
(2)
4Kr. 1,585,762,209
Kr. 632,218,488
4 190,000
4 509
160,846
113
4 2,291 3 1,360,700
1,350 3,162,000
Share capital.1
(2)
(2)
F. mks. 735,700,000
(2)
s Fr. 1,153,697,608
(3)
Mks. 348,000,000 Mks.87,065,000,000
J 800,000
173,242
93,189
3,500,000
259,388
363,478
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
Fr. 1,543,320
41,043 43,838,573
4662,885
4 258
4 47,099
4 51
8 £ 72,338,599
8£ 12,715,093
3 £ 613,756
1,970
19
411
32,040
901
519
4 88
4 1,576
4 21,447
(2)
Amount of sales,
1922.1
(2)
(2)
Kr.
G. r.
Kr.
Fr.
(2)
(2)
104,874,100
243,259,788
264,000,000
274,129,268
4£ 169,913,880
4 £ 46,692,271
4 £ 2,174,233
(2)
(2)
1 Owing to the great depreciation in the currency of some of the countries included in this tablemo attem pt
is made to convert foreign into United States money. Austrian krone at par= 20.26 cents; Czechoslovakian
krone= 20.3 cents; franc, leva, and Finnish m ark= 19.3 cents; mark=23.8 cents; Scandinavian krone 26.8
cents; gold ruble= 51.46 cents; £ = $ 4 .8 6 6 5 .
2 Not reported.
*
„
. ,
. ,
s Letters represent initials of name of central society
<1921.
51921; 1,733 societies reporting.
6 1920; 1,801 societies reporting.
i Approximate.
s 1921; including also loan capital.
The above table shows for the 43,404 societies for which member
ship figures are reported, a total of 16,180,147 cooperators. This
represents some 60,000,000 persons in these 14 countries supplied
cooperatively by societies which are members of the central union
or unions of their respective countries; no information is available
to show how many more are supplied by nonaffiliated societies.
Wholesale Societies.
In the following table are shown the details of operation of the
wholesale societies of 20 countries in 1922:
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[964 ]
189
COOPERATION,
STATISTICS OF OPERATION OF W HOLESALE SOCIETY OF VARIOUS COUNTRIES IN
1922.
Affiliated
societies.
Country.
Num Mem
ber. bership.
Austria......... .
Belgium.............
Bulgaria______
Czechoslovakia:
V. D. P A ...
German
Union.
Denm ark...........
Esthonia (E. T.
K.).5
Finland:
S. 0 . K .L ...
0 . T. K A ...
France................
Germany...........
Hungary:
“ H angva” .
Central Distribuli v e
Union.
L atvia................
Lithuania...........
Netherlands.......
Norwav..............
Poland'...............
Russia................
Sweden..............
Switzerland.......
United King
dom:
England and
Wales.
Scotland__
Yugoslavia:
Union
of
Officials’
C o n su m
ers’ Socie
ties.
Serbian
Union.
2 97 3 574,116
0)
(9
42,968
69
21,326 2 605,498
271 261, 697
1,805
254
337,535
100,000
0)
(4
Wholesale.
Monetary
unit.1
Share
capital.
Krone 763,914,493
Franc
(9
Leva. 4 ,4 6 2 ,0 0 0
Krone
...do..
. ..do..
E.mk.
Reserves.
Value of
goods
produced.
6 5 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
.
(9
(9
123,4 1 0 ,3 4 4
1 ,5 2 6 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0
6 ,2 4 5 ,1 7 4
19,900,001
34, 847,769
416,599,251
31 8 ,4 0 1 ,4 1 0
217,947, 418
3 8 ,1 7 5 ,7 3 2 ,5 8 9
5 ,4 5 5 ,5 0 1
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
Ruble
Li ta..
Florin
Krone
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
2 10,0 0 0 ,0 0 0
411
21,049
32,040
901
519
(9
(9
288
93,189
2 348, 500
3,50 0 ,0 0 0
259,388
363, 478
Ruble
Krona
Franc
(9
(9
...d o ..
695,475
(9
1,5 6 9 ,6 0 0
2 21,447
Krone
(9
...d o ..
(9
21,576
(9
(9
(9
23,928,711
7 ,2 4 8 ,0 2 5
50,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 3 5 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 3 ,8 2 7 ,0 9 1 ,4 7 6
(9
(9
(9
Pound
(9
(9
2 9 ,7 3 5 ,4 6 3
(9
(9
Krone
Mark.
(9
(9
(9
(9
2 7 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 1 4 ,5 0 0 ,0 0 0
1,970
19
(4)
194,4 9 6 ,2 2 4 ,0 0 0 1 ,6 9 7 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0
7 2 ,4 0 3 ,2 3 4
193,000,000
560,000
588,6 8 7 ,4 4 8
(9
F.mk.
...do..
Franc
Mark.
2 163
242
Surplus
savings.
4 7 ,539,213
470
113 160,846
1,653
1,350 3,16 2 ,0 0 0
800,000
173,242
Sales.
3 ,1 5 0 ,0 0 0
646,635
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
6 ,7 0 0 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0
4 4 ,8 3 9 ,1 9 5
56 4 ,1 8 5 ,0 5 8
3 0 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0
11,8 9 3 ,8 0 8
2 0 ,7 4 5 ,1 8 1
(*)
3 6 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0
6 3 ,8 2 4 ,5 0 0
118,421, 507
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
1 ,1 6 5 ,3 4 4
(9
(9
210,561
(9
(9
909,569
310,028
20,470,431
6 5 ,9 0 4 ,8 1 2
111, 267
5 ,3 3 9 ,7 0 2
16,9 7 6 ,0 5 6
104,437
(9
2 11,0 0 0 ,0 0 0
(9
(9
2 675,0 0 0 ,0 0 0
(9
r |-
1 Owing to the great depreciation in the currency of some of the countries included in this table, no
conversions into United States money are made; Austrian krone, Czechoslovak krone, Hungarian krone,
and Yugoslav krone at par=20.3 cents; franc, leva, Finnish mark, and Esthonian mark=19.3 cents;
German mark=23.8 cents; Scandinavian krone=26.8 cents; ruble (gold)=51.46 cents; lita=10 cents; and
florin=40.2 cents.
2 1921.
31921; 90 societies reporting.
4 Not reported.
6 Letters represent initials of society’s name.
It will be noted that the United States is omitted from the above
table, there being no national wholesale society, though there are
several district wholesales in operation. In 1918 plans were made
for the establishment of a national society and it was later organized.
Faults of organization, methods, and management soon caused its
failure, however, and no attempt has yet been made to found its
successor.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[965]
190
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
The sales of the wholesale societies and their affiliated societies in
1921 and 1922 are given in the table which follows:
SALES OP WHOLESALE AND A FFIL IA TE D SOCIETIES IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES, 1921
AND 1922.
Amount of business ofCountry.
A u s t r i a ........................................
B e l g i u m ......................................
B u l g a r i a ......................................
C z e c h o slo v a k ia".
V. D. P.a.....................
Crorma/n U n i o n _______
T )p .n m a rk ....................................
E s t h o n i a (E. T . K . ) 8..........
F i n la n d :
S. O. K . 8 .....................
O. T. K . 8...........................
F r a n c e ..........................................
G e r m a n y ....................................
H u n g a r y ( “ H a n g y a ” ) ----L a t v i a ...........................................
Lithuania......................
Netherlands..................
Norway.........................
Poland...........................
Russia............................
Spain, northern............
Sweden..........................
Switzerland..................
United Kingdom:
England and W ales...
Scotland.............. .
Ireland...................
Monetary
unit.1
Wholesale society.
1921
1922
K ro n e.
F ra n c.
L e v a ..
10,063,182,027
65,973,396
162,000,000
194,496,224,000
72,403,234
193,000,000
K ro n e.
__ d o . .
. . .d o ..
E .m k .
980,355,328
459,422,672
174,608,257
873,708,600
588,687,448
123,410,344
1,526,000,000
F. m k.
...d o ..
F ra n c.
M a rk ..
K ro n e .
R u b le .
A uk__
Florin..
Krone..
Mark...
Ruble..
Peseta.
Krona.
Franc..
359,143,294
193,893,634
152,600,513
2,406,982,699
1,889,534,440
349,690,472
50,000, 000
14,215,538
20,966,222
2,836,870, 703
(2)
3,338,742
62,372,275
144,419,697
416,599,251
318,401,410
217,947,418
38,175,732,589
6,700,000,000
564,185,058
(2)
11,893,808
20,745,181
(2)
52,000,000
3,563,927
63,824,500
118,421,507
Pound.
...d o ...
...d o ...
81,941,682
22,041,158
1,118,718
65,904,812
16,976,056
(2)
(b
Affiliated societies.
1922
1921
10,388,278,304 221,971,570,701
272.000.
000
( 2)
000
98.000.
000 132.000.
1,585,762,209
712,625,447
(2)
1.250.000. 000
623,218,488
1,058,054,497
673.000.
000
735,700,000
(2)
( 2)
(2)
87,065,000,000
000.000
( 2)
50.000.
(2)
000
115,099,500
7.500.000. 000
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
( 2)
3.000.
(2)
227,746,400
337,366,085
( 2)
( 2)
(2)
(2)
104,874,100
( 2)
243,259,788
( 2)
264.000.
000
274,129,268
(2)
(2)
( 2)
(2)
(2)
(2
1 Owing to the great depreciation in the currency of some of the countries included in this table no con
versions into United States money are made; Austrian krone, Czechoslovak krone, and Hungarian
krone a t par=20.3 cents; franc, leva, Esthonian and Finnish m ark, and peseta=19.3 cents; German mark
and Lithuanian auk=23.8 cents; ruble (g o ld )-51.46 cents; florin=40.2 cents; and Scandinavian krone=26.8
cents.
2 Not reported.
8 Letters represent initials of society’s name.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[966]
COOPERATION.
191
Court Decision as to Contract with Cooperative Marketing Association,
Kansas.
N A case (Kansas Wheat Growers’ Association v. Schulte, 216 Pac.
311) recently before the Supreme Court of Kansas, appeal was
taken from the denial of the District Court of Sedgwick County
to grant to the association an injunction restraining Prank Schulte,
one of its members, from disposing of his wheat crop otherwise than
to it, as he had contracted. In the appeal, judgment was asked for
liquidated damages of 25 cents a bushel for some thousand bushels
which Schulte had sold in violation of his agreement and for costs,
expenses, and attorney’s fees in connection with the action.
It was brought out that the association was incorporated and
operating under the cooperative law of the State, and its by-laws and
marketing contract were drawn in accordance therewith. While
making no attack upon the validity of the law, except article 16, the
defendant alleged that he had been induced to sign the membership
application and marketing contract “ by false and fraudulent repre
sentations,” which he set forth.
Section 16 of the act reads in part as follows:
I
Pending the adjudication of such an action and upon filing a verified complaint [or
petition] showing the breach or threatened breach, * * * the association shall be
entitled to a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the
member.
In regard to this section the trial court held that if the statute
meant literally what it says it would be a wrongful invasion of judicial
power. The appeal court, however, felt that the former’s position
was not well taken, since, “ generally speaking, it is the function of
the legislative branch of the government to enact statutes, which is,
in effect, the laying down of rules and regulations applicable to the
particular subject matter in hand.”
In other words, where a party seeking an injunction has by his pleadings and proof
shown that he is entitled thereto under the law governing the relation of the parties,
he is entitled to an injunction as a matter of right, just as any litigant should have
judgment as a matter of right when his pleading and proof show he is entitled to it.
[Cases cited.] * * * Properly construed, section 16 is not void as being an im
proper legislative restriction upon the judicial discretion of courts of equity. When
a reasonable showing has been made, the association is entitled to a temporary injunc
tion upon giving a proper bond.
The court pointed out that from the very nature of the association
a supply of wheat from its members was necessary for its existence,
and that even the payment of damages of 25 cents a bushel “ would
not sustain the association and enable it to do the business for which
it is incorporated. * * * The only adequate remedy is injunc
tion, preventing the member from selling to others, and thus forcing
the delivery of the wheat to the association.”
As to Schulte’s allegation of fraud, the court found that—
It is clear that there was very little, if any, fraud about the matter, and the court
did not refuse the injunction for that reason. It is also clear that the fraud, if any,
did not control the defendant in refusing to deliver his wheat. The reason he did
not deliver it, as made clear from the evidence, is that he had concluded not to de
liver it unless he knew what price he was to receive for it. As previously obseived,
he was not entitled to refuse for that reason.
The judgment of the lower court was therefore unanimously re
versed and the case remanded for further proceedings in accordance
with the opinion of the supreme court.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[967 ]
192
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
Development of Building and Loan Associations in the United States.
HE thirty-first annual convention of the United States League of
Building and Loan Associations was held at Tacoma, Wash.,
July 24 to 26, 1923. These associations have many coopera
tive features, stressing the idea of mutuality: “An equality of rights,
powers, privileges, and opportunity in the organization and opera
tion, control, and management of the association; and also an equal
interest and liability in its results.” 1 In fact, in Massachusetts,
building and loan associations are legally recognized as cooperative
and are known as “ cooperative hanks.” As is well known, while an
important result of these institutions is the cultivation of thrift, their
primary purpose is to enable their members to own their own homes.
The following statistics.for 1922-23 were given in the report to the
convention by the secretary of the league.2 For the sake of com
parison figures for 1918-19 3 are also given.
T
NUMBER AND M EM BERSHIP OP BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS, 19X8-19 AND
1922-23 BY STATES.
State.
Number of associa
tions.
1918-19.
1922-23.
Arizona...........................................
Arkansas........................................
California........................................
Colorado.........................................
Connecticut....................................
District of Columbia ...................
Illinois.............................................
Indiana...........................................
Iow a................................................
Kansas ........................................
Kentucky.......................................
Louisiana.......................................
Maine..............................................
M aryland........................................
Massachusetts................................
Michigan.........................................
Minnesota ..................................
Missouri ......................................
M ontana.........................................
Nebraska ....................................
New Hampshire ........................
New Jersey.....................................
New Mexico ...............................
New York ..................................
North Carolina...............................
North Dakota.................................
Ohio ..............................................
Oklahoma ..................................
Oregon.............................................
Pennsylvania.................................
Rhode Island .............................
South Carolina...............................
South Dakota.................................
Tennessee.......................................
Texas..............................................
V erm ont.........................................
W ashin gt on....................................
West Virginia.................................
Wisconsin ..................................
Other States ...............................
4
42
86
38
22
20
681
346
57
74
122
64
38
590
186
70
64
158
18
73
22
792
13
249
133
.10
723
44
10
2,124
8
134
c 14
12
25
7
37
52
79
243
4
a 54
112
50
34
21
741
369
72
120
120
70
38
b 785
209
81
66
201
26
80
27
1,098
b 13
282
235
13
875
82
14
3,316
8
152
b 18
11
88
8
52
44
115
305
Total ...................................
7,484
10,009
Total membership.
1918-19.
1922-23.
3,750
2,400
a 28, 225
21,386
63,825
40,409
28,635
15, 483
25,600
15,000
51,109
38, 951
390,000
240, 000
270, 725
198,418
52,800
35,440
118, 220
64,679
111, 000
63, 266
91,000
50i366
18,400
15,057
87,963 b 177,150
327,157
247, 224
114, 730
82,565
30,575
21, 800
104, 214
55,147
23,936
5,441
143,456
104, 363
8,642
12, 393
678, 973
348, 805
2 5, 200
3,515
321,044
200,111
65,000
40, 000
9,075
5,835
842,754 1,169, 828
89,164
19, 800
24, 990
10, 204
725,000 1,251, 000
20, 537
12; 205
20,404
13, 500
b 7,350
c 5,857
5,750
5,497
23,545
7,531
790
1,955
39,944
75, 233
35,300
23, 530
114,179
54,393
258, 717
238,130
4,011,401
Total assets.
1918-19.
802,699
12,234, 608
37,120, 999
7,823, 972
5,250, 000
24,250, 684
119, 712, 407
80,468, 883
12,385, 755
28,157, 391
28,439, 546
27,586, 719
7,251,168
41,782, 242
140, 201, 034
37,923, 798
8,890, 021
29,260, 489
2,094, 836
57,151, 546
3,682,699
169, 308, 867
1,454, 728
89,017, 871
19,453, 000
2,911, 970
359,559, 538
9,134, 704
4,198, 083
355,000, 000
6,377, 469
4,816, 301
c 3,603, 836
3,070,181
2,484, 957
352, 055
d 10, 287, 315
8,890, 789
23,365, 389
112, 585, 797
1922-23.
1,415,308
a 17,997,261
64, 732, 760
14,304, 330
9,633, 382
35, 830, 000
201,928, 358
140,945,474
24,659,855
55,613, 521
48,000,000
69,189, 443
10,585,468
b 88,575, 000
225,092,157
58,546, 237
14,686, 752
60,497, 796
5,460,973
91,994, 730
5,791, 551
359,268,557
b 2,170,000
153,161, 292
44,398, 834
4, 529,065
564, 348, 517
51, 713, 296
10,000, 000
624,000, 000
10,545, 499
7,626, 890
b 4,500, 000
3,472, 527
7,162, 995
818,521
29,696,405
13,780, 294
71,821, 023
134,036,-882
«6,864,144 1,898,344, 346 3, 342, 530, 953
a 1921 figures.
b Estimated.
e 1917 figures.
. , .
d Washington Savings & Loan Association, Seattle, with net assets (1917) of $6,354,280, converted to
Mutual Savings Bank, not included. Actual increase in assets $2,197,427.
e Items add to 6,364,144; but total given above is as shown in report.
1 Rosenthal, Henry S.: Cyclopedia of Building, Loan, and Savings Associations. Cincinnati, American
Building Association News Co., 1920, p. 12.
2 See The American Building Association News, Cincinnati, August, 1923, p. 359.
8 From Cyclopedia of Building, Loan, and Savings Associations, by Henry S. Rosenthal, p. 28.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[968]
COOPERATION.
193
Strike of Employees of English Cooperative Wholesale Society.1
N SEPTEMBER, 1922, the employees*in the Cooperative Whole
sale Society’s factories at Pelaw and Silvertown signed a docu
ment binding themselves to abide by the decisions of the sugar
confectionery and preserving trades wages board. At that time the
Wholesale Society granted a rate 10 per cent above that fixed by the
board. The rate established by the board was later lowered by it
and accordingly, the Wholesale Society reduced the wages of its male
employees 2s. (48.7 cents, par) and of its female employees Is. (24.3.
cents, par) per week, effective April 9, 1923. This reduction was op
posed by the National Union of Distributive Workers, to which many
of the employees belonged, which took the position (1) that the unions
of which cooperative employees were members should have been con
sulted before the reduction was made and (2) that the Cooperative
Wholesale Society had acted in contravention of its own resolution of
January 5 in which the Wholesale Society stated that all future
changes in wages, hours, and conditions of employment should be
negotiated with the trade-unions concerned, and that, failing agree
ment, the matter should be referred to the joint committee of tradeunionists and cooperators. The Cooperative Wholesale Society
replied that the resolution referred only to such changes as were in
conflict with agreements negotiated by trade-unions, trade boards, or
industrial councils, and that it had placed itself on record to that effect.
“ Any necessity of having to consult with unions with regard to
changes in rates of wages to which the unions have already agreed
is one that really should not be tolerated.”
On April 21 the National Union withdrew its workers and a strike
was called.
Negotiations began, the employees’ unions offering to recommend
resumption of work on condition of reinstatement of the strikers at
their former rates of pay and of the refund of the loss of wages suffered,
through the reduction, in the two weeks before the strike was called.
This was referred to the board of directors of the Cooperative Whole
sale Society which on May 9 passed the following resolution :
I
That the board adopt the recommendation of the wages committee to allow the em
ployees to return to work on the terms in force previous to the reduction on April 9,
pending negotiations between the Cooperative Wholesale Society and the unions con
cerned regarding the reduction only, and further, that our resolution of February 16,
1923, claiming certain reservations to our agreement of January 5, 1923, be referred at
an early date to a meeting of the joint committee of trade-unionists and cooperators,
the Trade-Union Congress general council, and the Cooperative Wholesale Society.
At a conference between the Cooperative Wholesale Society board
of directors and the general council of the Trade-Union Congress, the
following points of agreement were reached:
That the factories at Pelaw and Silvertown be reopened for work at the rates of wages
prevailing previous to the reduction on April 9, 1923, the whole of the employees now
on strike return to work as speedily as the restarting of the factories permit, without
prejudice to their positions or prospects of promotion; and we submit the case to the
joint committee of trade-unionists and cooperators for arbitration on the matter of the
reduction named.
That other and/or future matters of wages and conditions of employment raised
between the Cooperative Wholesale Society and the National Union of Distributive
and Allied Workers and the National Amalgamated Union of Shop Assistants, Ware1 The Producer, Manchester (England), issues of May to August, 1923.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[969]
194
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
housemen, and Clerks, shall be dealt with by the usual method of negotiation, and in
the case of nonagreement by arbitration in accordance with the constitution of the
joint committee of trade-unionists and cooperators: Always provided, That the Coopera
tive Wholesale Society shall be entitled to apply to their workers on or after the dates
they become operative all trade-union agreed or accepted variations in wages and
conditions of employment, also variations made by joint industrial council awards
and industrial court decisions. The Cooperative Wholesale Society shall be entitled
also to apply trade board variations unless such variations are the subject of negotiation
between other employers and the trade-unions concerned.
This offer was refused by the unions and the strike spread to other
factories of the Wholesale Society, involving altogether some 5,000
employees. The union was willing to submit all the clauses of the
offer to arbitration; the Cooperative Wholesale Society, however,
stood firm in refusing to arbitrate as to the proviso. The matter was
finally submitted to the joint' committee of trade-unionists and cooperators which rendered a decision on June 25 corresponding almost
exactly with the offer made as the result of the Cooperative Wholesale
Society and trade-union conference, and providing for a further
inquiry on the subject of the proviso.
Following this decision practically all the strikers returned to
work.
At a meeting of the joint committee the following rates for a 44-hour
week, effective on the pay day of the week of July 23, 1923, were
established for the drug and packing factories at Pelaw and
Silvertown:
Weekly rate.
'
Weekly rate.
s. d.1
Males:
s. d.1 Males—concluded.
23 years of age............................46 5
14 years of age.......................... 10 1
24 years of age2......................... 50 5
15 years of age.......................... 13 7
16 years of age.......................... 18 2 Females:
14 years of age.......................... 10 1
17 years of age.......................... 23 2
15 years of age.......................... 13 7
18 years of age.......................... 27 3
16 years of age.......................... 18 2
19 years of age.......................... 31 3
17 years of age.......................... 23 2
20 years of age.......................... 35 4
18 years of age 3........................ 27 3
21 years of age............................38 4
22 years of age........................... 42 4
On July 31, the joint committee rendered a report on the wholesale’s
proviso, in which it was pointed out that the terms were inexact and
misleading, and that 90 per cent of the industrial court awards were
for individual workers or particular circumstances. “ I t is therefore
obvious that no employer can be permitted to apply such ‘ awards’
indiscriminately or without negotiation with representatives of the
workers concerned.”
The remainder of the report is as follows:
As industrial council decisions are entered into as a result of negotiations between
trade-unions and employees’ [sic] associations, the committee can not resist the claim of
the Cooperative Wholesale Society to apply these decisions. At the same time, when
the application of these rates becomes the cause of dispute, the committee must
concede to the workers the right to claim negotiations upon the rates, and failing
settlement, must be submitted for arbitration.
The Cooperative Wholesale Society directors also ask that the society shall be
entitled ‘1to apply trade board variations unless such variations are the subject of nego
tiation between other employees and the trade-unions concerned. ” On this claim it is
sufficient to remark that (with a few exceptions) trade board rates are only just re1 Shilling at par=24.3 cents; penny=2.03 cents.
2 Over 24 years of age a reduction of 2s. (48.7 cents, par) per week,
s Over 18 years of age a reduction of Is. (24.3 cents, par) per week.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[970]
COOPERATION.
195
moved from “ sweated” rates and are not “ standard” rates. Under such circum
stances it would certainly not be to the credit of the Cooperative Wholesale Society to
make trade board rates its standard for fixing wages. Trade board rates can not be
placed in the same category as either trade-union agreements or joint industrial
council decisions. These and other similar considerations convince the committee
that the Cooperative Wholesale Society directors have not fully realized the nature
and extent of their demand, which, if acted upon, would in the opinion of the com
mittee, lead to discontent and trouble greater than any yet caused by industrial
disputes in the cooperative movement. The committee are of opinion that the
Cooperative Wholesale Society should in all cases pay a percentage above trade
board rates. Any variation in these rates may be applied, unless such variations
are the subject of negotiation between the employers and the trade-unions concerned;
but any trade-union concerned must have the right to discuss or negotiate any question
arising out of such variation, and failing agreement, all questions in dispute must be
referred to the joint committee, always providing that such negotiations or reference
to the joint committee shall not hold up such variations pending an agreement being
arrived at or a decision given. In the case of any body of workers for whom there
is more than one rate applicable, the Cooperative Wholesale Society should always
pay the higher rate unless an agreement has been arrived at by negotiation or an
award has been given by the joint committee authorizing a lower rate.
Where trade-union agreements (either national or district) have been made by
representative bodies of employers and workers, the same rates should apply to
Cooperative Wholesale Society employees employed in the district covered by the
agreement.
In order to protect the interest of all parties, joint industrial councils’ and interim
reconstruction committees’ decisions should be subject to negotiation, or (failing agree
ment) the decision of the joint committee, provided always that such agreements or
decisions date from the time of the respective council's decision to adopt them.
In presenting this report the joint committee desire to state that, in their opinion,
in the recent dispute neither side has shown proper appreciation of the point of view
of the other party.
The joint committee note with pleasure that both parties now express a desire for
more harmonious working in the future. In view of this joint expression, the com
mittee urge that an early meeting should be held (either of the two parties alone or
under the auspices of representatives of the joint committee) to discuss ways and
means for making disputes of this nature impossible in future.
The C. W. S. directors later proved the genuineness of their ex
pressed wish for better relations by sending word to the British
Trades-Union Congress, which met at Plymouth, September 3-8,
that they had agreed to submit all future labor disputes to arbitra
tion by the joint committee, thus relinquishing their stand with
regard to the proviso.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[971]
IM M IG RA TIO N
Statistics of Immigration for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1923,
and for July, 1923.
By W. W. H u s b a n d , Commissioner Ge n e r a l
of
I mmigration .
HE following tables show the total number of immigrant aliens
admitted into the United States and emigrant aliens departed
from the United States from July, 1922, to July, 1923. The
tabulations are presented according to the countries of last permanent
or future permanent residence, races or peoples, occupations, and
States of future permanent or last permanent residence. The last
table (Table 6) shows the number of aliens admitted under the per
centum limit act of May 19, 1921, from July 1 to August 31, 1923.
T
T able 1__ INWARD AND OUTWARD PASSENGER MOVEMENT, JULY, 1922, TO JULY, 1923.
Departures.
Arrivals.
Period.
Non
Immi immi
Aliens
grant
grant United
de
States
aliens
aliens citizens.
barred.
ad
ad
m itted. mitted.
July, 1922, to June,
1923......................... 522,919
J u lv ,1923................... 85,542
150,487
13,039
308,471
20,637
20,619
2,899
Total.
Emi
grant
aliens.
Nonemi
grant
aliens.
United
States Total.
citizens.
1,002,496
122,117
81,450
8,041
119,136
14,213
270,601
39,898
471,187
62,152
T able 2 .—LAST PERM ANENT RESIDENCE OF IMMIGRANT ALIENS ADM ITTED AND
FUTU RE PERM ANENT RESIDENCE OF EMIGRANT ALIENS D E PA R TE D DURING
TH E FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1923, AND DURING JULY, 1923, BY COUNTRIES.
Emigrant.
Immigrant.
Country.
Fiscal year July, 1923. Fiscal year July, 1923.
1923.
1923.
A ustria.............................................................- ..................
Belgium................................................................................
Bulgaria....... .......................................................................
Czechoslovakia.....................................................................
D enm ark..............................................................................
Finland.................................................................................
France, including Corsica...................................................
Germany..............................................................................
Great Britain and Ireland:
England.........................................................................
Ireland...........................................................................
Scotland........................................................................
Wales.............................................................................
Greece...................................................................................
H ungary...............................................................................
Italy (including Sicily and Sardinia)...............................
N etherlands.........................................................................
Norway................................................................................
Poland...................................................................................
Portugal (including Cape Verde and Azores Islands). . .
Rum ania..............................................................................
Russia...................................................................................
Spain (including Canary and Balearic Islands)..............
Sweden.................................................................................
Switzerland..........................................................................
Turkey in Europe...............................................................
Yugoslavia..........................................................................
Other Europe.......................................................................
8,103
1, 590
392
13, 840
4,523
3,644
4,380
48,277
1,198
297
72
1,632
543
758
861
8,508
247
672
156
2,074
511
396
1,507
1,529
26
58
6
184
47
44
216
184
21, 558
15, 740
23,019
1,182
3,333
5,914
46,674
3,150
11, 745
26, 538
2,384
11,947
17, 507
841
17,916
3,349
3, 743
6,181
450
4,768
3,622
5,506
237
861
605
7,153
736
2,315
2,922
515
1,936
3,142
158
3,851
706
665
276
106
5,505
1,368
705
34
2,988
895
23,329
482
946
5,439
2,620
1,169
2,434
2,557
1,179
546
125
2,064
179
538
175
107
611
90
2,347
65
95
365
280
174
233
274
131
49
1
171
20
Total E urope.............................................................
307,920
53,949
61,656
6,494
196
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[972]
3
197
IMMIGRATION,
T a b l e 2 . — LAST
PERM ANENT RESIDENCE OF IMMIGRANT ALIENS ADM ITTED AND
FUTU RE PERM ANENT RESIDENCE OF EMIGRANT ALIENS D E PA R TE D D U RING
T H E FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1923, AND DURING JULY, 1923,BY COUNTRIES—
Concluded.
Immigrant.
Country.
Emigrant.
Fiscal year July, 1923. Fiscal year July, 1923.
1923.
1923.
China...........................................................................
Japan....................................................................................
In d ia.....................................................................................
Turkey in Asia...............................................................
Other "Asia..........................................................................
4,986
5,809
257
2,183
470
942
580
14
533
83
3,715
2,869
146
773
90
217
163
6
110
6
Total A sia.................................................................
13,705
2,152
7,593
502
Africa......................................................................
Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand..........................
Pacific Islands (not specified)...........................................
Canada and Newfoundland...............................................
Central America..................................................................
Mexico..................................................................................
South America.....................................................................
West Indies..........................................................................
Other countries...................................................................
548
711
48
117, Oil
1,275
63, 768
4,737
13,181
256
126
7
16,184
254
9,110
938
2,556
10
113
442
22
2,775
550
2,660
1,447
4,183
9
13
35
1
263
66
111
104
452
Grand to ta l...............................................................
522,919
85, 542
81,450
8,041
Male.....................................................................................
Fem ale.................................................................................
307,522
215,397
53,472
32,070
54,752
26,698
5,121
2,920
T a b l e 3 — IMMIGRANT
ALIENS ADMITTED TO AND EMIGRANT ALIENS D E PA R TE D
FROM TH E UNITED STATES DURING TH E FISCAL Y EAR ENDED JU NE 30, 1923, AND
DURING JU LY, 1923, BY RACES OR PEO PLES.
Immigrant.
Race or people.
Emigrant.
Fiscal year July, 1923. Fiscal year July, 1923.
1923.
1923.
African (black)....................................................................
Armenian.............................................................................
Bohemian and Moravian (Czech)......................................
Bulgarian, Serbian, and Montenegrin.......................
Chinese.................. ..............................................................
Croatian and Slovenian......................................
Cuban..................................................................
Dalmatian, Bosnian, and Herzegovinian...
Dutch and Flem ish............................................................
East Indian..........................................................................
English.................................................................................
Finnish...............................................................................
French........., .....................................................'.................
German.................................................................................
Greek....................................................................................
Hebrew.................................................................................
Irish ..............................................................
Italian (north).....................................................................
Italian (south).......................................................
Japanese...............................................................................
.
...
Korean.....................................
Lithuanian -. . : .....................................................................
Magyar.................................................................................
Mexican................................................................................
Pacific Islander...................................................................
Polish....................................................................................
Portuguese...........................................................................
Rum anian............................................................................
Russian............................................................................. ..
Ruthenian (Russniak).......................................................
Scandinavian (Norwegians, Danes, and Swedes)...........
Scotch.........................~.............................................’.........
Slovak..................................................................................
Spanish................................................................................
Spanish American..........................................................J..
Syrian...................................................................................
Turkish.................................................................................
Welsh....................................................................................
West Indian (except Cuban).............................................
Other peoples......................................................................
7,554
2,396
5,537
1,893
4'074
4,163
1,347
571
5,804
'156
60,524
3,087
34,371
65,543
4,177
49,719
30,386
9,054
39' 226
5,652
104
1,828
6' 922
62,709
14
13,210
2,802
1,397
4,346
1,168
37,630
38,627
6,230
3,525
1,990
1,207
237
1,622
1,467
650
1,663
546
960
205
434
263
183
48
1,165
9
10, 272
634
3,583
l l ' 160
'881
6,750
5' 885
1,642
5'867
528
13
296
892
8,825
3
2,438
704
' 212
1,491
241
7,376
7,795
567
707
260
251
113
332
259
. 89
1,525
' 69
1,716
l ' 864
3' 788
'233
751
201
1,252
113
7,979
445
1,896
2,217
3,060
'413
1,511
2'538
21,029
2'844
55
1,109
1,039
2,479
6
5,278
2,721
1,098
1,611
29
2,936
1,129
387
3,193
1,071
651
124
66
716
308
162
3
185
140
216
3
73
28
120
12
758
45
207
250
612
32
203
137
2,210
164
3
85
89
109
Total...........................................................................
522,919
85,542
81,450
8,041
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[978]
364
299
166
154
1
297
163
48
339
113
50
50
5
99
47
198
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
4 .—IMMIGRANT ALIENS ADM ITTED TO AND EMIGRANT ALIENS D EPA RTED
FROM TH E UNITED STATES DURING T H E FISCAL YEAR EN D ED JU NE 30, 1923,
AND DURING JU LY, 1923, BY OCCUPATIONS.
T able
Im migrant.
Occupation.
Emigrant.
Fiscal year July, 1923. Fiscal year July, 1923.
1923.
1923.
Professional:
Actors............................................................................
Architects......................................................................
Clergym en....................................................................
E ditors..........................................................................
Electricians...................................................................
Engineers (professional)..............................................
Lawyers.........................................................................
Literary and scientific persons....................................
Musicians.....................................................................
Officials (Government)................................................
Physicians.....................................................................
Sculptors and artists....................................................
Teachers........................................................................
Other professional........................................................
731
283
1,709
74
2,409
2,483
166
621
1,076
550
704
287
2,589
2,860
105
50
170
2
549
669
16
90
154
61
105
35
374
509
136
34
440
19
64
235
34
97
138
200
118
108
396
518
10
2
96
12
30
7
7
11
19
8
4
50
65
Total...........................................................................
16,542
2,889
2,537
321
Skilled:
Bakers...........................................................................
Barbers and hairdressers.............................................
Blacksmiths..................................................................
Bookbinders..................................................................
Brewers..........................................................................
Butchers........................................................................
Cabinetmakers..............................................................
Carpenters and joiners.................................................
Cigarette m akers..........................................................
Cigar makers.................................................................
Cigar packers................................................................
Clerks* and accountants...............................................
Dressmakers.................................................................
Engineers (locomotive, marine, and stationary)__
Furriers and fur workers.............................................
Gardeners......................................................................
H at and cap makers.......•............................................
Iron and steel workers.................................................
Jewelers.........................................................................
Locksmiths...................................................................
Machinists...................................................................
Mariners...................................................................
Masons...........................................................................
Mechanics (not specified)............................................
Metal workers (other than iron, steel, and tin ).........
Millers................................................
Milliners................................................................
Miners.............................................
Painters and glaziers...................................................
P attern m akers.............................................................
Photographers...............................................
Plasterers......................................................................
Plum bers.........................................................
Printers..............................................................
Saddlers and harness m akers......................................
Seamstresses....................................................: ...........
Shoemakers...................................................................
Stokers...................................................................
Stonecutters.........................................................
Tailors.....................................................................
Tanners and curriers....................................................
Textile workers (not specified)...................................
Tinners..........................................................................
Tobacco w orkers..........................................................
Upholsterers..................................................................
W atch and clock m akers.............................................
Weavers and spinners..................................................
Wheelwrights............................................................
Woodworkers (not specified)......................................
Other skilled...........T....................................................
2,928
1,898
2,296
183
33
2,055
370
12,305
39
269
8
16,470
4,189
2,817
271
900
238
4,076
278
1,952
4,418
6,288
3,276
4,644
764
309
632
5,423
2, 550
237
343
503
1,197
930
226
2,074
3, 307
729
521
5,559
164
351
512
27
208
345
1,930
62
283
4,826
441
330
469
42
11
342
75
2,380
11
53
2
2,905
566
358
58
176
52
1,123
29
449
980
1,106
847
1,063
138
53
72
907
552
53
61
90
275
176
39
329
659
112
106
919
29
99
105
4
52
79
439
16
116
706
235
266
108
10
3
181
64
518
1
223
3
1,505
262
113
15
134
10
75
35
11
351
385
181
314
11
12
35
803
183
2
29
18
43
58
4
74
376
48
17
489
6
7
23
2
17
34
460
11
22
6
17
510
• 21
Total...........................................................................
106,213
20,054
8,281
745
Miscellaneous:
Agents............................................................................
Bankers..........................................................................
Draymen, hackmen, and teamsters...........................
Farm laborers................................................................
1,461
118
943
25,905
289
130
95
54
943
14
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
T974]
20
227
4,227
17
7
63
24
118
26
9
1
9
5
2
26
39
11
18
23
95
5
3
18
8
5
39
2
65
1
1
1
2
42
8
1
33
199
IMMIGRATION,
T able 4 .—IMMIGRANT ALIENS ADMITTED TO AND EMIGRANT ALIENS D E PA R TE D
FROM TH E UN ITED STATES DURING TH E FISCAL YEAR EN D ED JU N E 30, 1923,
AND DURING JU LY , 1923, BY OCCUPATIONS—Concluded.
Immigrant.
%
Occupation.
Emigrant.
Fiscal year July, 1923. Fiscal year
July, 1923.
1923.
1923.
Miscellaneous—Concluded.
Farm ers.........................................................................
Fisherm en.....................................................................
H otel keepers................................................................
Laborers .. . ............ ................................................. _
Manufacturers..................._.................. . ......................
Merchants and dealers........ ............................. ..........
Servants............................... ............. ..........................
Other miscellaneous.....................................................
Total...............................- ..........................................
No occupation (including women and children)___
Grand to ta l.................................... . .........................
12,503
2,165
187
83,552
320
8,856
52,223
20,346
208,579
191,585
522,919
2,405
330
oq
13,767
78
1,409
7,120
3,187
33,082
29,517
85, 542
1,705
60
35
32,912
S4
2,546
3,507
3,321
45,392
25,240
81,450
125
3
2,953
10
165
246
539
4,097
2,878
8,041
5 .—FU TU R E PERM ANENT RESIDENCE OF IMMIGRANT ALIENS ADM ITTED AND
LAST PER M A N EN T RESID EN CE OF EM IGRANT ALIENS D E PA R TE D , DURING TH E
FISCAL Y EA R E N D ED JU N E 30, 1923, AND JU LY , 1923, BY STATES AND T E R R IT O R IE S,
T able
Im migrant.
State.
,
Fiscal year July, 1923. Fiscal year
July, 1923.
1923.
1923.
Alabama....... ................................................. ......................
Alaska...................................................................................
Arizona................................. ...............................................
Arkansas................................................... ...................... .
California..............................................................................
Colorado...............................................................................
Connecticut..........................................................................
Delaware..............................................................................
District of Columbia...........................................................
Florida.................................................................................
Georgia.................................................................................
Hawaii........................................................... ............. ........
Idaho....................................................................................
Illinois..................................................................................
Indiana.................................................................................
Iowa......................................................................................
Kansas..................................................................................
Kentucky.............................................................................
Louisiana....... ......................................................................
Maine.............. ......................................................................
Maryland............................................................
......
Massachusetts......................................................................
Michigan...............................................................................
Minnesota.............................................................................
Mississippi....... ....................................................................
Missouri................................................................................
Montana...............................................................................
Nebraska..............................................................................
N evada.......................................................
New Ham pshire..................................................................
New Jersey...... ....................................................................
New Mexico................................................. :............
New Y ork.... ................................................... .
North Carolina....................................................
North Dakota..............................................
Ohio..............................................................
O k l a h o m a ......................................................................
Oregon............................... ............................................
Pennsylvania_________________ ____ __ ________
Philippine Islands...............................................................
Porto Rico...........................................................
Rhode Island........................................ .............
South Carolina............................. .........................
South Dakota............................................................
Tennessee...................................................................
Texas................................................... ■_ . .
U tah.......................................................
Verm ont..........................................................
Virginia.......... .....................................................
Virgin Islands............................ ........................... ...... .
Washington.....................................................
West Virginia........................... ................................
Wisconsin.............................................. .
Wyoming..................................................
Total..................................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Emigrant.
[975]
385
219
8,952
202
39,093
1,471
9,554
473
1,356
3,020
451
2,565
750
35,612
4,430
3,861
1,451
510
1,027
9,322
2,483
41,602
37,034
7,975
'343
3,735
1,982
2,018
325
5,452
25,274
i; 055
130,142
289
1,534
17,455
525
4,178
36,834
6
229
6L426
160
893
359
45,198
1,061
2,101
l ' 324
23
11,004
1,582
7, 089
525
522,919
49
31
1,001
20
5,882
170
1,664
75
199
486
48
240
131
6,678
674
582
188
48
115
964
352
6,903
7,047
1,647
70
614
292
316
48
691
4,125
68
20,967
42
294
3,360
63
663
6,355
20
1,054
13
159
49
6,553
185
230
237
2,140
2731,369
98
85,542
44
69
395
19
7,524
287
1,639
67
370
1,464
62
442
106
4,582
457
290
124
69
391
159
325
7,300
2,413
'648
37
475
238
218
65
97
3,288
78
32,228
41
134
2,725
69
446
6,316
6
194
1,027
18
71
43
1,325
254
53
134
5
1,327
482
720
90
81,450
12
42
2
491
26
202
62
197
18
27
5
401
57
25
9
2
66
7
50
586
242
64
3
58
19
12
3
2
333
11
3,402
18
13
317
9
27
682
24
123
1
14
10
51
25
4
28
120
76
57
6
8,041
200
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
STATUS OF TH E IMMIGRATION OF ALIENS INTO T H E UNITED STATES
UNDER TH E P E R CENTUM LIMIT ACT OF MAY 19, 1921, AS E X TE N D ED BY PUBLIC
RESOLUTION NO. 55, SIXTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS, A PPROVED MAY 11, 1922, JU LY 1
TO AUGUST 31, 1923.
T able 6 .—
Maximum
monthly
quota.
Admitted
Aug. 1-31,
1923.
Albania...........................................................
Armenia (Russian).......................................
Austria................. 1.........................................
Belgium..........................................................
Bulgaria........................
Czechoslovakia...............................................
Danzig.............................................................
Denmark.........................................................
Esthonia..........................................................
Finland...........................................................
Fiume..............................................................
France ...........................................................
Germany.........................................................
Great Britain and Ireland............................
Greece..............................................................
Hungary..........................................................
Iceland............................................................
Ita ly ................................................................
L atvia.............................................................
L ithuania........................................................
L uxem burg....................................................
Netherlands...................................................
Norway...........................................................
Poland............................................................
Portugal..........................................................
Rum ania.........................................................
Russia..............................................................
Spain...............................................................
Sweden............................................................
Switzerland ..................................................
Yugoslavia.....................................................
Other E urope.................................................
Palestine.. ) ...................................................
Syria................................................................
Turkey............................................................
Other "Asia......................................................
Africa...............................................................
E gypt..............................................................
Atlantic Islands.............................................
Australia........................................................
New Zealand and Pacific Islands................
58
46
1,468
313
61
2,871
60
1,124
270
784
14
1,146
13,521
15,468
613
1,149
15
8,411
308
526
19
721
2,440
6,195
'493
1,484
4,881
'182
4,008
750
1,285
17
12
177
531
19
2 58
21
1,185
2313
2 61
2,561
59
707
54
2 784
Total.....................................................
71,561
Country or region of birth.
21
4
24
56
16
Admitted
July 1 to
Aug. 31.
Annual
quota.
288
230
7,342
1,563
'302
14,357
301
5,619
1,348
3,921
71
5,729
67,607
77,342
3,063
5,747
75
42,057
1,540
2,629
92
3,607
12,202
30,977
2,465
7,419
24,405
912
20,042
3,752
6,426
86
57
882
2,654
92
104
18
2 14
494
9,103
2 1A 468
2 613
910
3
7,784
277
2 526
18
2 721
2,044
5,569
2 493
1,391
2 4' 881
2 182
3,955
2 750
568
2 17
2 12
2 177
2 531
2 19
Balance
for year.1
116
43
2,278
'626
120
4 ,3 4 9
114
1,222
'115
1,568
28
959
16,583
30,936
1,226
l ,’ 570
7
14,716
450
993
36
1 442
4,439
9,589
986
2,789
9,762
364
7,865
1,500
956
34
24
354
1,062
38
42
141
184
5,050
861
177
9,960
186
4,368
1,231
2,308
38
4,750
50,806
45' 796
1,751
4' 145
68
27,196
1,074
1,602
56
2,161
7, 734
2L 195
l ' 380
4,576
14, 236
268
12,155
2,210
5,435
29
10
2 24
121
2 56
2 16
279
80
112
32
479
1,413
29
26
3
60
156
35
62,444
357, 803
119,501
235,338
2 21
2 4
8
48
1 After all pending cases for which quotas have been granted and admissions under the act during
the current fiscal year have been deducted from the annual quota.
2 Maximum monthly quota exhausted for August.
Immigration to Canada»
T
HE following statistics on immigration to Canada from 1908 to
1922 are taken from the report of the Department of Immi
gration and Colonization for the fiscal year ended March 31,
1922:
IMMIGRATION TO CANADA, 1908 TO 1922, INCLUSIVE.
Fiscal year
ended Mar.
31—
From
British
Isles.
From
United
States.
From
other
coun
tries.
Total.
From
Fiscal year British
ended Mar. Isles.
31—
1908................
1909................
1910................
1911................
1912................
1913................
1914................
1915................
120,182
52,901
59,790
123,013
138,121
150,542
142,622
43,276
58,312
59, 832
103^ 798
121,451
133,710
139,009
107 530
59,779
83,975
34,175
45 206
66,620
82, 406
112,881
134,726
41,934
262,469
146,908
208, 794
311, 084
354, 237
402, 432
384, 878
144,789
1916..............
1917..............
1918..............
1919..............
1920..............
1921..............
1922..............
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8,664
8,282
3,178
9,914
59,603
74,262
39,020
From
United
States.
From
other
coun
tries.
Total.
36,937
62,389
71,314
40,715
49,656
48,059
29,345
2,936
5,703
4,582
7,073
8,077
26,156
21,634
48,537
75,374
79,074
57,702
117,336
148,477
201
IMMIGRATION,
The decline in immigration from all countries in 1921-22, as com
pared with the preceding year, was 39 per cent. The decreases in the
number of immigrants from different sources were as follows: From
the United Kingdom, 47 per cent; from the United States, 39 per cent;
and from other countries, 17 per cent. There was a reduction of 28
per cent in Chinese immigration and of 11 per cent in Japanese im
migration. The following information is also taken from the abovementioned report.
The representatives of the Dominion Department of Immigration
and Colonization in Europe have continued to prevent, so far as
possible, unfit persons from going to Canada. The operation and
interpretation of added restrictive measures in this connection make
the duties of these officials multifarious.
Publicity work.—The department's advertising for immigrants is
carried on almost entirely outside of the Dominion. In recent years
appeal has been made chiefly for farmers, farm laborers, and domestic
workers. About 4,000 newspapers and farm journals in the United
States were used during the year 1921-22 for the purpose of attract
ing settlers with experience in the agricultural methods employed in
Canada and with capital enough to secure farms of their own. Fur
ther advertising, setting forth Canadian agricultural conditions and
opportunities, was carried in weekly papers with rural circulations.
The following were the principal documents issued by the pub
licity section of the department in the year 1921-22:
Num ber
o f c o p ie s .
,
Manual of Citizenship....................................................................
Eastern Canada, British edition...................................................
Women’s Work in Canada.............................................................
Canada, Where, When, and How.’...............................................
Canada West, British edition........................................................
Canada West, United States edition.............................................
Descriptive Atlas of Canada, United States edition....................
25, 000
47, 400
50, 000
100,000
105, 900
568, 500
Ill, 560
The supplying of news and feature articles on Canadian life, illus
trated lectures by agents of the department, and motion-picture
exhibits were among the other governmental means employed to
stimulate immigration to Canada.
Woman’s division.—The fiscal year 1921-22 was the first in which
there was a permanent staff of woman officers in the woman's division,
and that year is reported as being a most satisfactory one. The
division hopes, in view of its accurate knowledge of Canadian con
ditions, to be able to secure higher grade woman immigrants from
Great Britain, more efficient aid to woman travelers, and improved
arrangements for their settlement. There are three principal
Canadian woman officers in Great Britain, stationed respectively at
London, Liverpool, and Glasgow. The London officer has a woman
assistant. These officers confer with prospective woman immigrants,
give them counsel and sympathy, and often make important decisions
for them. A large correspondence is conducted by these supervisors
for the purpose of obtaining references, testimonials, and other data
concerning applicants. These supervisors also interview and assist
unaccompanied women as they are embarking for Canada and hand
a list of the names of such women to the steamship conductress,
calling her attention to cases requiring particular supervision or
assistance.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
A woman officer of the department meets the steamer when it
docks at the Canadian port, interviews the steamship conductress,
and learns of any special cases. The woman immigration officer
then gathers together the unaccompanied women on the boat and
takes them to the examination room. After the new arrivals have
passed the medical and civil inspections, the woman officer again
assembles her charges, arranges for the checking of their luggage, sees
that they have food for their journey, adjusts any existing difficulties
concerning tickets, and sees that the travelers are put on the proper
train. A Government conductress is assigned to the train and goes
as far as is thought necessary. Of course, every girl can not be
accompanied to her final destination but her connections are looked
up for her and ordinarily the conductress sends a wire to the Travelers’
Aid or some social worker at the place to which the girl is going. The
conductress also gives special attention to women traveling with
little children.
The Canadian Council of Immigration of Women is composed of
representatives from 14 national organizations and one representative
appointed from each of the Provinces except Prince Edward Island.
These organizations have cooperated with the woman’s division in
numerous ways.
There are now eight women’s hostels in Canada in as many Prov
inces. These hostels, managed by local committees but under the
supervision of the woman’s division, receive Dominion Government
grants and also an allowance for 24 hours’ free accommodation for
woman immigrants in search of positions for housework. In the
western hostels free accommodation may be had for 48 hours.
Follow-up work among woman immigrants is carried on—(1)
through the chaplains at the port, to whom special cases are referred
upon arrival; (2) through the hostels, in cooperation with the churches
and local welfare organizations; and (3) through the woman investi
gation officer of the Department of Immigration (headquarters at
Ottawa) in connection with houseworkers.
The woman’s division keeps extensive records of this work.
Juvenile immigration.—The supervisor of juvenile immigration
states in his annual report that the progress of the movement for such
immigration from the British Isles to Canada would lead to the
conclusion that ‘‘as a purely voluntary and philanthropic effort on
behalf of orphaned and needy children it possesses all the essential
elements of a great national and economic enterprise, the value and
importance of which can hardly be questioned.”
The movement aims to give young immigrants a start on farms and
get them interested in agriculture, thus securing the help which the
Canadian farmers so greatly need. The boys are almost always
located on the land while the girls are placed both in town and
country.
The child immigrants are given some preliminary training and
education before they leave the British Isles. Many of the older
boys are instructed in light farm work and the girls are taught
how to do domestic work.
This juvenile immigration receives its impetus from a number of
British organizations of high standing which have expended consid
erable sums in establishing in Canada well-equipped receiving and
distributing homes for these young immigrants, and such institutions
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IMMIGRATION.
208
are the legal guardians of the children until they reach ‘‘ an age of
full responsibility.” Furthermore, these boys and girls are subject
to recurrent Government inspection until they are 19 years of age,
the British Government bearing part of the expense of such inspection.
According to the supervisor’s report for the fiscal year ending March
31, 1922, the children, except in a strikingly few cases, were treated
with kindness. During this year 1,961 children (1,361 boys and 600
girls) from 3 to 18 years of age from British training homes and schools
were reported upon by the agents of the Department of Immigration
and Colonization.
The total juvenile immigration through philanthropic agencies from
1868 to 1922 was 76,416.
•An article in the Canadian (Labor) Congress Journal for September,
1923 (pp. 333, 334, and 351) states that figures published from time
to time by medical authorities and social agencies indicate that very
little care has been taken in the selection of juvenile immigrants for
Canada. The same article also strongly advocates that the placing
of these newcomers should be done by some governmental official
with special training in this sphere, and points out the dangers of the
exploitation of these young persons for their labor.
Emigration from Italy.
HE following figures on emigration from Italy are quoted from
a report from the commercial attaché at Rome for the week
ending July 21, 1923:
T
The official statistics show a total of 62,508 emigrants from Italy during March and
April, which is an increase of 17,044 as compared with January and February. Of
these, 42,698 went to continental countries and 19,810 to countries oversea, these
figures representing an increase of 19,487 in the case of the former and a decrease of
2,443 in the case of the latter as compared with the two previous months. Continental
emigration shows a progressive increase from 10,896 in January to 12,315 in February,
21,057 in March, and 21,641 in April. In the two latter months the increase in emigra
tion to France was especially marked, having been 18,138 in March and 18,337 in April
as compared with a total of 19,702 for January and February combined. Trans
oceanic emigration declined in April, the total having been 8,953 as compared
with 10,857 in March, 11,842 in February, and 10,771 in January. This is due to the
smaller number going to Argentina, which, however, leads the list of countries, having
taken 24,155 Italian emigrants from January to April, inclusive, as compared with
9,791 for the United States.
In commenting on the statistics that it publishes the commissariat of emigration
calls attention to the fact that, while the figures for transoceanic emigration are com
piled from the coupons taken from the emigrants’ passports and from the passenger
lists and may be taken as approximately correct, those for continental emigration are
probably from 25 per cent to 30 per cent below the real total.
63745°—23-----14
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W H A T S T A T E LA B O R BU R EA U S A R E DOING.
Iowa.1
FACTORY inspection in Iowa during the biennium ending June 30,
* 1922, was rather more difficult than in any previous two-year
period as a result of the severe industrial depression which caused the
closing down of many establishments and the reduction of personnel
and part-time operation in other manufacturing plants, seriously
affected shop morale and discipline, and led to the discontinuance of
various safety committees.
The number of original inspections in 1920-1922 was 4,148, 58
less than in the preceding biennium, while the number of recommen
dations in the later period was 1,499, a decrease of 1,037 from the
number for the previous two years. This large decline in recom
mendations was due partly to the decrease in the number of employees
and machines used and partly to the fact that former inspections had
resulted in the more general protection of hazardous machines in
work places through the “ splendid cooperation” of industrial estab
lishments with the Iowa Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Before the end of the fiscal year 1921-22 numerous plants that
had closed down altogether or were operating on part time during
the depression added to their forces, frequently employing new men
unfamiliar with the processes and surroundings. This fact, combined
with the shifting about of machines and some changes in management,
made closer inspection work necessary.
Of the 14 prosecutions during 1920-1922, 13 were for violations of
the child labor laws. School-attendance officers are given credit for
their help in the enforcement of these provisions, and the Iowa em
ployers are reported, with very few exceptions, as “ living up to the
letter and spirit of the law.”
Massachusetts.2
IN JULY, 1923, the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Indus* tries made 3,598 industrial inspections and 1,314 reinspections.
Of 1,314 orders issued, 1,008 concerned labor and 306 related to the
health of employees. The majority of the orders had reference to
women and children. In 22 prosecutions during the month for labor
law violations there were verdicts of guilty in 16 cases. All but
three of the prosecutions were for violations of protective laws for
women and minors. During the same months $1,387.55 was paid
in wages due employees, following the taking up of their claims by
the department.
1I o w a . B u r e a u o f L a b o r S t a t is t i c s . B u l l e t i n N o . 8: S t a t is t i c s o f m a n u fa c t u r e s fo r y e a r e n d in g D e c . 31,
1921, i n c lu d in g r e p o r t o f f a c t o r y in s p e c t io n fo r b i e n n iu m e n d in g J u n e 30, 1922. D e s M o in e s , 1922, p p . 116,
117.
2 I n fo r m a t io n r e c e iv e d fr o m M a s s a c h u s e t t s D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r a n d I n d u s t r ie s , S e p t . 10, 1923.
204
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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C U R R E N T N O T E S O F IN T E R E S T T O LA B O R .
Labor Agreements of Central American Countries.1
'T ’HE Central American countries—-Costa Rica, Guatemala, Hon* duras, Nicaragua, and Salvador—held a conference in Wash
ington in January, 1923, which resulted in a general peace treaty
and the preparation of a number of important conventions by these
countries. One of the agreements drawn up at this conference in
dorsed uniform legislation for the protection of workers. This agree
ment prohibits the giving of legal sanction to contracts of forced
labor, the employment during school hours of children under 15 years
of age who have not completed their primary school education, and
the employment of children under 12 years of age in industrial work.
It provides for a weekly rest day, for compulsory insurance for the
workers, and for the establishment of public employment bureaus.
Promulgation of Convention Regarding Labor and Emigration Between Italy
and Brazil. 2
DY AN executive decree of May 26, 1923, the President of the
Brazilian Republic promulgated the convention regarding
emigration and labor between Italy and Brazil, which was signed at
Rome on October 8, 1921, by representatives of these countries, and
was ratified in that city on March 7, 1923.3
Creation of Nationa Laborl Council in Brazil.4
A F E D E R A L decree of April 30, 1923, created a National Labor
Council (Conselho Nacional do Trabalho) to serve as an advisory
body to the Brazilian Government in matters relating to the organi
zation of labor and social welfare.
The council is to be composed of 12 members appointed by the
President, as follows: 2 workers, 2 operators, 2 officials of the Depart
ment of Agriculture, Commerce, and Industry, and 6 persons of
recognized ability in labor and economic affairs. Provision is made for
a secretary general, to be appointed by the President, who shall also
sit with the council and attend to the secretarial duties.
The decree enumerated certain subjects to be dealt with by the
new council, among them being the following: The average length
of the working-day in the principal industries; systems of remunera
tion of labor; collective labor contracts; conciliation and arbitra
tion; child labor; employment of women; apprenticeship and tech
nical education; industrial accidents; social insurance; cooperative
housing associations; pensions for railway employees; institutions of
popular credit; and agricultural credit funds.
The duties of the secretary general are: (1) To collect printed
information on the problems of Brazilian social economy; (2) to
make social researches and investigations; (3) to superintend
Government inspection of industrial accident insurance and of pen
sion and housing funds; (4) to publish at regular intervals proceed
ings of the council and articles by private individuals on subjects of
allied interest.
1B u l l e t i n d u M in is tè r e d u T r a v a i l , P a r i s , A p r i l - M a y - J u n e , 1923, p p . 208, 209.
2B r a z i l. D ia r io O f f i c i a l, R i o d e Ja n e ir o , M a y 31,1923.
3P o r a n a c c o u n t o f t h is a g r e e m e n t see M
L
R
, M a y , 1922, p p . 217-219.
onthly
abor
e v ie w
4 B r a z i l . D ia r io O f f i c i a l, R i o d e Ja n e ir o , M a y 10,1923.
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205
PU B LIC A TIO N S R EL A T IN G T O LA BO R.
Official—United States.
A la ba m a .— Workmen’s
compensation commissioner. First quadrennial report [for
period ending December 31, 1922]. [Montgomery, 1923.] 240 pp.
A summary of this report is published on pages 165 and 166 of this issue of the
M onthly L a b o r R e v ie w .
C o lo ra d o .—Coal mine inspector.
Annual report, 1922. Denver, 1923. 72 pp.
Figures on coal-mine accidents in Colorado in 1922, taken from this report, are
given on page 144 of this issue of the M o nthly L a b o r . R e v ie w .
G e o r g ia .— Industrial
Commission. Annual report, 1922. [Atlantal] 1923. 29 pp.
Figures from this report are given on page 167 of this issue of the M onthly L a b o r
R e v ie w .
I l l in o is .—General Assembly.
field, 1923.] 109 pp.
For a su m m a ry
L a b o r R e v ie w .
Building Investigation Commission. Report. [Spring-
of th is re p o rt, see pages 110 to 113 of this issue of t h e M onthly
I o w a .—Bureau
of Labor Statistics. Statistics of manufactures for year ending Decem
ber 31, 1921, including report of factory inspection for biennium ending June 30,
1922. Des Moines, 1922. 128 pp. Bulletin No. 8.
Data from this bulletin are published on page 204 of this number of the M onthly
L a b o r R e v ie w .
M in n e s o t a .— Industrial
Commission. Labor laws, Minnesota. Revised to include all
legislation relating to labor passed by the 1923 session of the State Legislature. [St.
Paul?] 1923. 207 pp.
----------- • Workmen’s compensation decisions. Vol. , 1923. St. Paul [?] 1923.
343 pp.
1
This volume, published by the Industrial Commission of Minnesota, presents
decisions relating to the workmen’s compensation act rendered by the State supreme
court from July 1, 1920, to May 31, 1923, also the most important decisions rendered
by the Industrial Commission from June 1,1921, when the law creating the commis
sion became effective, to the same date. There are 114 cases indexed and crossindexed so as to afford a fairly complete and accurate guide to the subject matter,
while headings are given setting forth the principal points considered.
The result is a handbook of interpretation and construction of the act covering a
large number of the principal questions that can be raised in connection with the
administration of such a law. Though marked as volume 1, it is in practical effect a
successor to Bulletin No. 17 issued by the Department of Labor and Industries in
1920, in which court decisions, opinions of the attorney general, and advice of the
Department of Labor relative to the act were presented covering the history of the
law up to the transfer of its administration to the State Industrial Commission.
N o rth D a k o ta .— Workmen’s Compensation Bureau. The North Dakota insurance
manual: Rules and rates effective July 1 , 1923.' [Bismarck, 1923?] 37 pp. No. 5 .
Department. Statistical analysis of coal-mine accidents in
Pennsylvania, 1916 to 1920, inclusive. [Harrisburg, 1922?] 123 pp.
P e n n sy l v a n ia .-—Insurance
This report was compiled jointly by the Insurance Department of Pennsylvania
and the coal-mine section of the Pennsylvania Compensation Rating and Inspection
Bureau. Data from it are published on pages 144 and 164 of this issue of the
M onthly L a b o r R e v ie w .
206
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PUBLICATIO NS RELATING TO LABOR.
207
U tah.—Industrial Commission. Report, July 1, 1920, to June 30, 1922. Salt Lake
City [1923?]. 986 pp.
Figures on accidents and workmen’s compensation, taken from this report, are
given on pages 168 and 169 of this issue of the Monthly L abor R eview .
Wisconsin .—Industrial Commission. Child labor in Wisconsin, 1917-1922. [ Madi
son?] 1923. 27 pp.
A summary of this report is given on pages 73 to 75 of this issue of the Monthly
L abor R eview .
U nited States.—Department of Agriculture.
Organization and management of coop
erative live-stock shipping associations. Washington, 1923. 28 pp. Farmers’
Bulletin No. 1292.
This bulletin, which supersedes Farmers’ Bulletin No. 718 of the department, “ rep
resents the results of intensive study on the part of several of the representatives of
the Bureau of Agricultural Economics in the field of cooperative live-stock marketing
and summarizes their combined ideas as to the best method of organizing and operating
a cooperative live-stock shipping association.”
------ Department of Commerce. Trade association activities. Washington, 1923. ix,
368 pp. Elimination of waste series.
This volume presents the results of an inquiry into the activities of trade associa
tions which contribute to public welfare. A chapter dealing with employee relations
includes a discussion of trade association activities along the lines of information and
research, education, other personnel work of economic importance, safety, employ
ment service, and collective agreements.
-------- -— Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce. Netherlands East Indies and
British Malaya: A commercial and industrial handbook, by John A. Fowler. Wash
ington, 1923. xiv, 411 pp. Illustrations, charts, and map. Special agents series
No. 218.
In addition to a full discussion of these territories with which the United States has
a direct trade averaging $300,000,000 annually, the book contains valuable data on
the economic status of the natives, contract labor laws, wages, emigration, Chinese
as merchants, etc.
----- Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Humanity in government, by
James J. Davis, Secretary of Labor. Washington, 1923. 39 pp. Bulletin No.
346. Miscellaneous series.
This bulletin was first published as a separate pamphlet by the Department of
Labor and was reviewed in the July, 1923, issue of the Monthly L abor R eview .
--------- — ----- Labor legislation of 1922. Washington, 1923. 102 pp. Bulletin A o.
330. Labor laws of the United States series.
A summary of this report is given on page 173 of this issue of the Monthly
L abor R eview .
—— ------ ----- Retail prices, 1913 to December, _1922. _ Washington, 1923. 224 pp.
Bulletin No. 334. Retail prices and cost of living series.
■
------------------ Wages and hours of labor in cotton-goods manufacturing, *922. Wash
ington, 1923. 27 pp. Bulletin No. 345. Wages and hours of labor series.
------------------ Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1922. Washington, 1923. 234 pp. Bulletin
No. 335. Wholesale price series.
A brief review of this bulletin is given on page 54 of this issue of the Monthly
L abor R eview .
------------ Children’s Bureau. Child labor. Outlines for study.
Washington, 1923.
vi, 63 pp. Separate No. 4, Child care and child welfare. Bureau publication No.
93. Revised edition.
Prepared in cooperation with the Federal Board for Vocational Education. Gives
outlines covering the history of the movement for the prohibition and regulation of
child labor in England and the United States, together with action taken by various
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208
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
international labor conferences; the present extent and distribution of child labor in
the United States; the causes, social cost, and prevention of child labor; the legal status
of child labor in the United States as of January, 1923; vocational education and voca
tional guidance in the United States; and minimum standards for children entering
employment.
U n it e d S ta tes .—Department
of Labor. Women’s Bureau. What industry means
to women workers, by Mary Van Kleeck. Washington, 1928. 10 pp. Bulletin No. 31.
An address delivered at the industrial conference held in Washington by the United
States Women’s Bureau, January 11 to 13, 1923. A brief summary of this address
was published in the M onthly L a b o r R e v ie w for February, 1923 (p. 53). In addi
tion to the matter there discussed, the address deals with the activities of the Women’s
Bureau, and stresses the importance of the body of facts which it is gathering and
placing before the public to be used as a basis for dealing with industrial problems
relating to women.
'---------- 7 .----- Women in Kentucky industries: A study of hours, wages, and working
conditions. Washington, 1923. vi, 114 pp. Bulletin No. 29.
A su m m ary of th is re p o rt is g iv e n on pages 70 to 73 cf th is issue of th e M onthly
L a bo r R e v ie w .
• -- Department of the Interior. Bureau of Mines. Coal-mine fatalities in the United
States, 1922, by William W. Adams. Washington, 1923. vi, 97 pp. Technical
paper 339.
This report is summarized on pages 140 and 141 of this issue of the M onthly
L a b o r R e v ie w .
* ---- 7—------ Production of explosi ves in the United States during the calendar year 1922,
with notes on mine accidents due to explosives, by William W. Adams. Washington,
1923. 25 pp. Technical paper 340.
Information on mine fatalities due to explosives, taken from this paper, is published
on page 142 of this issue of the M onthly L a b o r R e v ie w .
Navy Department. Schedule of wages for civil employees under the Naval Estab
lishment, within continental limits of the United States and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Washington, 1923. 24 pp. Revised to July 16, 1923.
Wages of certain classes of employees, in selected localities, taken from this report,
are published on pages 62 to 64 of this issue of the Monthly L a b o r R e v ie w .
Official—Foreign Countries.
A u st r a l ia (N e w S o u th W a l e s ). —Department
of Labor and Industry. Technical
commission on prevalence of miners’ phthisis and pneumoconiosis in the metalliferous
mines at Broken Hill. Report, Sydney, 1921. 75 pp. Illus.
------------------ Further reports. Sydney, 1922. 9 pp.
The two reports listed above give an account of the work of the commission which
was appointed in 1919 to investigate the state of health of the workers employed in
or about the mines at Broken Hill, New South Wales. A full examination was made
of the health of 6,538 mine workers, as a result of which it was found that pneumo
coniosis, tuberculosis, and lead poisoning were all present among the miners, arising
from the nature of their work.
The commission finds that the condition of pneumoconiosis arises in Broken Hill
as a result of the inhalation of dust among those persons who have been engaged in
the operations of drilling and blasting underground. * * *
The commission is led to conclude that it is the dust that accompanies mining
operations_which passes into the lungs and occasions pneumoconiosis, on which
tuberculosis may supervene later. The commission has been able to obtain post
mortem a number of specimens from lungs of miners who had worked for years at
Broken Hill. In the ash of these lungs the presence of lead, manganese, and silica
has been detected by chemical analysis.
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To meet the situation the commission recommends the exclusion from employment
about the mines in any capacity of all those suffering from tuberculosis; the exclusion
of all those suffering from pneumoconiosis from employment along the line of the lode,
whether above or below ground; the removal of susceptible persons from exposure to
the action of lead; and the adoption of various methods to lessen the amount of dust
in the air breathed by the underground workers.
Australia (S outh Australia).—[Statistical Department.] Statistical register
1921-22. Pt. V —Production. (Section 1.—Prefatory report.) Adelaide, 1923.
xxxi pp.
Gives data concerning production and allied subjects in agriculture, manufacturing,
and mineral output. In the year 1921-22, as compared with 1915, manufactures
showed an increase in number of hands employed, exclusive of working proprietors,
of 23.3 per cent, while expenditures for material increased by 61.6 per cent, for fuel,
etc., by 99.8 per cent, and for salaries and wages, by 96.4 per cent. As compared
with 1914 the average earnings of male workers in 1921-22 showed an increase of 54.7
per cent, while for female workers they had increased by 77 per cent.
Canada. Bureau of Statistics. Internal Trade Branch. Prices and vrice indexes
1918-1922. Ottawa, 1923. 149 pp.
1
’
A summary of this report is published on pages 56 to 58 of this issue of the Monthly
L abor R eview .
----- Department of Immigration and Colonization. Report for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1922. Ottawa, 1922. 65 pp.
Extracts from this report are published on pages 200 to 203 of this issue of the
Monthly L abor R eview .
•-----(Manitoba).— Workmen’s Compensation Board. Report for the year 1922
nipeg, 1923.] 31 pp.
\ Win
This report is summarized on pages 169 and 170 of this number of the Monthly L abor
R eview .
D enmark. — Arbejdsdirektgrens.
Indberetning til Indenrigsministeriet (vedrgrende
Arbejdsl0shedsforsikringen og Arbejdslpshedsfonden) for Regnskabsaaret 1921—22 (fra
1. April 1921 til 31. Marts 1922). Copenhagen, 1923. 83 pp.
Report of the director of labor to the Ministry of the Interior on unemployment
insurance and the operation of the central unemployment fund for the fiscal year
April 1, 1921, to March 31, 1922. At the close of the year there were 66 recognized
unemployment insurance funds with a membership (entitled to benefits) of 262,473,
as against 65 funds with a membership of 283,557 at the end of the previous fiscal year.
------ Statistiske Departement. Husleje og Boligforhold, November, 1922. Copenhagen
1923. 111pp. Danmarks Statistik. Statistiske Meddelelser. 4. Raekke, 68. Bind,
1. Haefte.
In November of each year since 1919 Denmark has investigated house rents in the
capital and other cities and towns and in at least 100 rural communes. The above
report on house rents and housing conditions is for November, 1922.
Great B ritain .—Department of Overseas Trade. Report on the economic, financial,
and industrial conditions of the United States of America in 1922, by J. Joyce Brod
erick. London, 1923. 206 pp.
----- [Home Office.] Committee on industrial paints. Report. London, 1923. 66 pp.
A notice of this report, based on a summary in the British Ministry of Labor Gazette
for April, 1923, w as published in the M onthly L a b o r R e v ie w for June, 1923 (dd
211 , 212).
------------ [Factory Department.] Annual report for the year 1922. London, 1923.
153 pp. Cmd. 1920.
Contains reports on safety, dangerous trades, sanitation, employment, welfare
work and wages, reports of the medical, engineering, and electrical inspectors, and
discussions of investigations into the dust content of the atmosphere of work places,
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the physiological costs of different methods of weight carrying by women, and dangers
in connection with repairs on oil-carrying and fuel ships; also a number of statistical
tables bearing on the work of the factory inspection staff. Discussion of the sections
dealing with hours, the two-shift system for women, and methods of weight carrying,
and of the report of the chief medical inspector will be found on pages 65, 75, and
147 of this issue of the Monthly L abor R eview .
N orway.—Hovedstyret for Statsbanene. Beretning for áret 1 Juli 1921-30 Juni 1922.
Christiania, 1923. 68*, 254 pp. Norges Oßsielle Statistikk. VII. 80.
Report on Norwegian railroads for the fiscal year July 1, 1921, to June 30, 19—
Contains information on the Norwegian State railway pension fund and on the railway
school.
----- Statistiske Centralbyrd. L^nninger, 1922. Christiania, 1923. 8*, 29 pp. Norges
Offisielle Statistikk. VII. 82.
I >>
Annual report of the Central Statistical Bureau on wages in Norway. A table
showing wages in specified occupations in Norway, September, 1921, and November,
1922, is given on page 67 of this issue of the Monthly L abor R eview .
------------ Statistik árbok for kongeriket Norge. 42de drgang, 1922. Christiania, 1923.
[29] 281 pp.
Statistical yearbook for Norway for 1922. Contains information of interest to labor
on social insurance, employment, and unemployment, trade-unions, the Norwegian
employers’ association, wages, labor disputes, changes in cost of living, average retail
prices of various commodities, and housing.
Scotland.—Board of Health. Annual report, 1922. Edinburgh, 1923. 206 pp.
Cmd. 1887.
Reviews the work of the year 1922 under the headings of sanitation, medical and
allied services, national health insurance, housing and town planning, poor law and
public assistance, and miscellaneous. An account of the housing situation, as here
presented, is given on page 118 of this issue of the Monthly L abor R eview .
Spain .—Consejo Superior de Emigración. Avance estadístico de la migración española
en el primer semestre de 1923. [ Madrid] 1923. 7 pp.
These advance statistics of immigration and emigration for the first six months of
1923 show that during this period 32,032 emigrants left Spain, an increase of 13,549
over the number emigrating during the same period in 1922. The largest number
(14,868, or 46.4 per cent) went to Argentina, while 14,372, or 44.9 per cent, went to
Cuba. The corresponding figures for 1922 were 11,344 for Argentina, and 4,882 for
Cuba.
Sweden .—Socialstyrelsen. Arbetsinställelser i Sverige^ ar 1922. Stockholm, 1923.
viii, 61 pp. Sveriges Officiella Statistik. Socialstatistik.
Report by the Swedish Labor Bureau (Socialstyrelsen) on labor disputes in Sweden
in 1922. A brief review of the report is given on page 180 of this issue of the Monthly
L abor R eview .
Switzerland.—Eidgenössisches
Volkswirtschaftsdepartement. Berichte _ der Kantonsregierungen über den Vollzug des Bundesgesetzes betreffend die Arbeit in den Fabiiken
1921 und 1922. Aarau, 1923. 127 pp.
This publication of the Swiss Federal Economic Department contains the reports
of the various cantonal governments on the enforcement in 1921 and 1922 of the
Federal law regulating labor in factories. Each of the 25 cantonal governments
makes a separate report.
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Unofficial.
B ogart, E rnest L udlow. An economic history of the United States. New York,
Longmans, Green & Co., 1923. xiv, 593 pp.
This is the fourth revision of this history which first appeared in 1907. I t has
been rewritten, taking into consideration recent economic changes, particularly
those resulting from the war, and has a new section on the mining industries.
for I nternational P eace. Division of Economics and
History. The British coal-mining industry during the war, by Sir. R. A. S. Redmayne. Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1923. xvi, 348, 10 pp.
Carnegie E ndowment
The author, who was officially connected with the Government program of regula
tion and finally of control of the mines during the war, undertakes to give a historical
outline of events in the industry from the outbreak of the war up to the final decon,
trol in 1921. His intention is to be an impartial narrator of facts, and as a result,
he has furnished a convenient summary of events, without much discussion of the
basic problems of the industry.
Government regulation began with the appointment, early in 1915, of a “ coal
mining organization committee, ’’ the immediate cause of its creation being the falling
off in production consequent on the enthusiastic response of the miners to the call
for volunteers. “ It is estimated that 40 per cent of the miners of military age were
absorbed into military service, and by far the greater number left the mines in the
early weeks of the war; that is, in the autumn of 1914. It goes without saying that
this exodus was immediately reflected in a grave reduction of the productive capacity
of the mines.”
The primary purpose of the committee was so to organize the industry as to secure
the necessary supply of coal, while at the same time permitting the enlistment, or
later, the conscription, of as many men as could be spared, but in practice this pro
gram was found to have innumerable ramifications. Good production involved
keeping the mines in good shape, and this meant keeping up, under war difficulties,
supplies ranging from pit timbers down to candles for mines where open flames
could be used, feed for the pit ponies, and oils for lubricating purposes. Transpor
tation had to be secured for the coal when mined, and as the demand grew greater,
it had to be allotted between war industries, private industries, and private con
sumers. Economies in the use of coal had to be taught and enforced, and finally, in
order to preserve industrial peace and maintain production, regulation of prices,
wages, and profits was called for. When it became evident that this last step was
necessary, the Government dropped the claim of regulation and took over control.
The author’s discussion of this step, its results and possible alternatives, forms one of
the most interesting features of the book, more especially as he himself greatly dis
likes Government control of any industry, yet considers that under the circumstances
it was almost unavoidable.
A final section gives a general survey of the industry from 1914' to the settlement
of the strike of 1921, and 13 appendices contain the text of various agreements
and acts concerning the industry, forms in use during the period of Government
control, with data as to output and value of coal, average price, and increases in coal
miners’ wages from the beginning of the war up to August, 1917.
of the City of N ew Y ork . Agricultural credits and
cooperative marketing, _by Benjamin M. Anderson. New York, 1923. 35 pp.
Chase Economic Bulletin, vol. 3, No. 3.
Chase N ational B ank
Reprint of an address delivered before the Montana Bankers’ Association, Great
Falls, Mont., August 10, 1923. A general discussion of the conditions in agriculture
and the “ basic cause of the farmers’ troubles,” together with the speaker’s opinions
as to the efficacy of cooperative marketing associations in remedying these troubles.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
de B elgique . Le Mouvement syndical international, par
Corn. Mertens. Brussels, Imprimerie Coopérative Lucifer, 1923. 107 pp. Les
“Cahiers ” de la Commission Syndicale, No. 3.
Commission Syndicale
This is a history of the international trade-union movement from 1901 to the present
time. Documents relating to the action of the International Federation of TradeUnions on various international questions since its reorganization in Amsterdam in
1919 are included.
and others . The worker in modern economic society. Chicago,
University of Chicago Press, 1923. 929 pp.
D ouglas, P aul H.,
This volume, which is made up of selected readings on labor problems, aims to
cover the various aspects of the present industrial situation and at the same time
bring together the different subjects in such a way that they present a fairly complete
survey of economic conditions as they affect labor.
D urand , P aul. Les organismes sociaux officiels en France. Paris, Action Populaire,
1923. 84 pp. Les Archives du Manuel Social. L'état et le problème social III.
In this volume the various official organizations in France which deal with social
affairs are described. The plan of organization of the different offices, bureaus, and
commissions dealing with labor matters, hygiene, and education is given in detail,
together with the date of formation of each of these branches of the different ministries,
their location, and the scope of their activities.
General F ederation
op
T rade U nions (Great B ritain ).
London \1923~\. 35 pp.
Annual report, 1923.
The membership of the federation, it is shown, has continued to decrease, there
being a loss of 315,503 during the year ending March 31, 1923. The high point was
reached in 1921, when the total membership was 1,583,058. More than half a million
members have been lost since then, but, nevertheless, the federation still enrolls
1,056,131, as against 967,257 in 1914, so that the war gains have not been wholly lost.
Two causes are assigned for the falling off: “ The increasing poverty of men and women
both in respect of employment and returns from employment, and the increased
absorption by the State of functions at one time almost wholly performed by the
trade-unions and friendly societies.11’
The report discusses the outlook concerning unemployment, urging the need of
training both in trade problems and straight thinking as the only solution for the
difficult situation now existing.
The shop committee in the United States, by Carroll E.
French. Baltimore, Johns Hopkins Press, 1923. 109 pp. Studies in historical and
political science, series 41, No. 2.
J ohns H opkins U niversity .
The author gives an account of the origin and growth of the shop committee in the
United States, dealing particularly with the period of the war when the shop com
mittee began to be a factor in the industrial situation. The various types of plans
are described, the results of their operation are analyzed, and in the final chapter
the attitude of trade-unionists toward the shop committee system is discussed.
L abor Copartnership Association. Report, 1922. London, 6 Bloomsbury Square,
W.C. 1,1923. 16pp.
The object of the Labor Copartnership Association is “ to bring about an organiza
tion of industry based on the principle of labor copartnership; that is to say, a system
in which all those engaged shall share in the profits, capital, control, and responsi
bility. With this view it seeks (1) in the cooperative movement to aid by its propa
ganda and advice all forms of production based on the above principles; (2) in other
businesses to induce employers and employed to adopt schemes of profit sharing and
investment tending in the same direction.”
A table contained in the report shows that during the year 1922, 26 gas companies
in Great Britain in which profit-sharing plans are in effect divided among their
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29,111 workers £164,644 ($801,240, par). The sums so distributed varied in the different companies from \\ to 7| per cent of the wages paid. These profit-sharing
schemes have been in effect for varying lengths of time, ranging from 9 to 33 years.
During the time the plans have been in operation a total of £1,805,431 ($8,786,130,
par) has been distributed in bonuses. Shares held in the companies by their employ
ees amounted on December 31, 1922, to £1,437,601 ($6,996,085, par).
Macassey, L ynden . Labor policy—false and true. A study in economic history and
industrial economics. London, Thornton Lutterworth {Ltd.), 1922. 320 pp.
A critical study of the policy of the British Labor Party is made by the author,
based upon his experience as an engineer and as a manager for the Government of
various war-time enterprises. The book is divided into three parts: First, a consid
eration of the program of the labor party for a solution of the labor problem; second,
the Government’s labor policy so far as it has been declared or evidenced in depart
mental practice; and the third part presents the writer’s conclusions as to the solu
tion of the question which is best calculated to promote the interests of the nation.
of E conomic R esearch (I nc.). Employment, hours, and earn
ings in prosperity and depression, United States, 1920-1922, by Willford Isbell King.
New York, 1923. 147 pp. Publication No. 5.
N ational B ureau
The conditions of industrial employees during a period of severe depression and
during a period of prosperity are shown in this study, which was made at the request
of the committee on unemployment and business cycles of the President’s Conference
on Unemployment. The information was gathered mainly by means of question
naires, and it appears from the replies, from which estimates were made covering
the entire industrial population, that the business cycle of 1920-1922 caused but few
members of the families of farmers and other employers to shift from one industry to
another. The total number of persons employed diminished about one-seventh
between the third quarter of 1920 and the same period in 1921, and enterprises hav
ing over 100 employees each were responsible for three-fourths of all lay-offs, although
they employed only half of the employees then at work. Part-time work was used
as a palliative by relatively few employers, and the total number of employee-hours
worked diminished by about one-sixth between the boom of 1920 and the depression
of 1921. The longest average full-time hours per week in 1922 were 56.7 in domestic
and personal service, and the shortest 42.9, in building and construction. The aver
age earnings in 1920 of employees in plants having more than 100 workers was $1,544,
while in 1921, because of unemployment, the average earnings had fallen to $1,112.
Employees in enterprises having fewer than 21 employees earned on an average
$1,121 in 1920 and $1,077 in 1921. The total amount of salaries and wages in 1921 was
approximately $32,596,000,000.
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