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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
W. N. DOAK, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
ETHELBERT STEWART, Commissioner
KALAMAZOO PUBLIC-ll 3RARY
OCT 6 - 193
MONTHLY
LABOR REVIEW
NUMBER 3
VOLUME 33
SEPTEMBER, 1931
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON: 1931
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C.
Price 15 cents per copy
Subscription price per year, United States, Canada, Mexico, $1.50; other countries, $2.25
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C E R T IF IC A T E
T h is p u b lic a tio n is issued p u rs u a n t to th e
provisions o f th e su n d ry civil a c t (41 S ta ts.
1430) a p p ro v ed M arch 4, 1921.
C o n te n ts
Page
Special articles:
1
E x te n t of 5-day w eek in A m erican in d u s try in 1931-----------------------6
C auses of seasonal flu ctu atio n s in th e co n stru ctio n in d u s try ------------E m ploym ent conditions an d u n e m p lo y m en t re lie f:
34
E xperience of to o l com pany in stabilizing em p lo y m en t--------------------36
R ep o rt on unem ploym ent-benefit p lan s a n d in su ran ce sy stem s--------U nem ploym ent, April, 1930, by in d u s try groups, age, reasons fo r id le
37
ness, a n d fam ily re latio n sh ip ------------------------------------------------------42
U nem ploym ent-benefit p lan for p ocketbook w o rk ers-----------------------Ohio—
E x te n t of norm al em p lo y m en t in C leveland m an u factu rin g
42
p la n ts__________________________________________ ____________
R elativ e im p o rta n c e of m ale a n d fem ale w orkers in C leveland
43
a n d C uyahoga C o u n ty , 1923 a n d 1928---------------------------------44
U nem ploym ent em ergency p la n in H a m ilto n ---------------------------47
U nem ploym ent in foreign co u n tries------------------------------------------------G reat B ritain —50
A vailable supply of juv en ile lab o r in E n g lan d a n d W ales----------B ritish a ttitu d e to w a rd w age red u ctio n s as a rem edy for depres
53
sion________________________________________________________
Social in su ran ce and benefit p la n s :
57
C ontinuance of group life in su ran ce du rin g lay-offs-------------------------57
Ita ly — Social in surance in 1930------------------------------------------------------Old-age p e n sio n s:
59
New H am pshire old-age pension law ----------------------------------------------In d u s tria l an d lab o r co n d itio n s:
Provisions in collective ag reem en ts reg ard in g em ployers w orking a t
61
th e tr a d e _______________________________________________________
64
B an k ru p tcy am ong w age ea rn e rs---------------------- -----------------------------66
C hina— Provision fo r N atio n al E conom ic C ouncil---------------------------67
G erm any— N u m b er of skilled w orkers, 1925-----------------------------------68
G reat B ritain — Increase in n u m b er of loom s per w eaver a t N elson. _
In d u s tria l a c c id e n ts:
69
Q uarry accidents in th e U n ited S tates in 1929--------- --------- -----------71
New Y ork— B uilding-construction accidents in New Y ork C ity ------72
F rance— In d u s tria l accid en ts in 1929---------------------------------------------H ealth and in d u stria l h y g ie n e :
74
T est of a new d u st elim in ato r--------------------------------------------------------Labor law s and court decisio n s:
75
M aryland— S ta tu te s of a n o th e r S ta te a re enforced o nly by com ity __
M assachusetts— In ju ry held n o t com pensable unless risk is contem
76
p la te d b y em ploym en t ag re e m e n t-------------------------------------- ;--------New Jersey— I n j u n c t i o n h eld n o t w a rra n te d unless a c ts of union a ie
77
unlaw ful_______________________________ _____________ r -------- Tennessee— Second em ployer held n o t liable fo r e n ticem en t of
78
em ployee_______________________________________________________
W orkm en’s co m pensation :
R ecent com pensation re p o rts—80
In d ia n a _______________________________________________________
80
K e n tu c k y ____________________________________________________
81
Ohio__________________________________________ ■_______________
82
O klahom a------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------83
R hode Is la n d _________________________________________________
83
W isconsin____________________________________________________
84
M a n ito b a_____________________________________________________
85
N ova S co tia___________________ ________-----------------------------------86
F rance— E xtension of a c t on occu p atio n al diseases---------------------------
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III
IV
CONTENTS
C ooperation:
Page
A rgentina— D evelopm ent of co o p eratio n ____________________________
87
C hina— R u ra l co o p erativ e c re d it___________________________________
88
Soviet U nion— W orkers’ p ro d u ctiv e societies_______________________
91
L abor o rg an izatio n s:
In d ia— T rade-u n io n m o v e m e n t____________________________________
92
W orkers’ ed u catio n and train in g :
U tilization of w o rk ers’ spare t i m e __________________________________
95
C olorado—-D enver O p p o rtu n ity School____________________________
98
In d u s tria l d is p u te s :
103
S trikes a n d lock o u ts in th e U n ited S ta te s in Ju ly , 1931_____________
C onciliation w ork of th e D e p a rtm e n t of L ab o r in Ju ly , 1931________
107
L abor agreem en ts, aw ard s, an d d ecisio n s:
Decision of C olorado In d u s tria l C om m ission on red u ctio n of coal
m iners’ w ages___________________________________________________
112
G reat B ritain — N ew ag reem en t in engineering in d u s try ____________
113
Labor tu rn o v e r:
L abor tu rn o v e r in A m erican factories, Ju ly , 1931___________________
114
H ousing:
B uilding p erm its in prin cip al cities, Ju ly , 1931_____________________
122
B uilding o peratio n s in p rin cip al cities of th e U n ited S tates, first half
of 1931_________________________________________________________
135
G erm any— Use of relief fu n d s fo r a p a rtm e n t co n stru ctio n , L eipzig__
146
G reat B ritain — E x ten sio n of ru ra l w o rk ers’ housing a c t _____________
147
N eth erlan d s— C o n stru ctio n of dwellings, 1930______________________
147
Wages and h o u rs of la b o r:
W ages a n d h ou rs of la b o r in th e m otor-vehicle in d u stry , 1930______
148
U nion scales of wages a n d h o u rs of lab o r, 1913 to 1931: P relim in ary
re p o r t_________________________________________ *________________
156
R ecent changes in w ages a n d ho u rs of la b o r________________________
181
F arm w age a n d la b o r situ a tio n on J u ly 1, 1931_____________________
184
W age d eterm in a tio n in th e coal in d u s try ___________________________
187
C hina— W ages a n d h o u rs of la b o r in G re a te r S hanghai, 1929_______
189
F rance— W ages in O ctober, 1930___________________________________
191
G erm any— W ages a n d h o u rs in th e te x tile in d u stry , 1930__________
195
G reat B ritain — H o u rs a n d w ages provisions of coal m ines a c t ______
200
H u n g ary — W ages in 1931_________________________________________
200
Ita ly —-W ages in c ertain o ccupations a n d in d u strie s________________
201
L ith u an ia— W ages in first q u a rte r of 1931___________________________
203
M anchuria— W ages in D ecem ber, 1929____________________________
203
T rend of em ploym en t:
S um m ary for Ju ly , 1931____________________________________________
206
E m p lo y m en t in selected m a n u fa c tu rin g in d u strie s in Ju ly , 1931------208
E m p lo y m en t in n o n m an u factu rin g in d u strie s in Ju ly , 1 9 3 1 --------------------221
E m p lo y m en t in b uilding co n stru ctio n in Ju ly , 1931_________________
227
E m p lo y m en t on C lass I steam railro a d s in th e U n ited S ta te s ----------228
C hanges in em p lo y m en t a n d p a y rolls in v arious S ta te s ------------------229
W holesale and re ta il p r ic e s :
R etail prices of food in Ju ly , 1931__________________________________
235
R etail prices of coal in Ju ly , 1931__________________________________
242
Index n um bers of w holesale prices in Ju ly , 1931____________________
244
W holesale prices in th e U n ited S ta te s a n d in foreign co u n tries 1923
to Ju n e, 1931____________________________________________________
246
Im m igration and em ig ratio n :
S tatistics of im m ig ratio n , y ear ending Ju n e 30, 1931_________________
249
P ublications re la tin g to la b o r:
Official— U n ited S ta te s ____________________________________________
253
Official— F oreign c o u n tries_________________________________________
254
U nofficial_________________________________________________________
257
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T h is I s s u e in B rief
The 5-day week as a permanent labor policy has been making con
siderable progress during the past few years. Reports received from
37,587 establishments in 77 different industries in answer to a ques
tionnaire sent out by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that 2.4
per cent of such establishments had permanently adopted the 5-day
week for part or all of their employees and that 5.6 per cent of all of
the employees covered in the survey were on a 5-day-week basis.
The automobile industry had the highest percentage (44.3) of workers
on the 5-day week, followed by the radio industry (34.4), the dyeing
and finishing textiles industry (27.0), and the aircraft industry (24.9).
Page 1.
Cold weather presents no insurmountable physical obstacles to winter
building, even in sections of the country where rigorous weather nor
mally prevails in the winter. The opinions of leading men in the
construction industry, who were interviewed by an agent of the
Bureau of Labor Statistics in a recent investigation of the causes of
seasonal fluctuations in that industry in the cities of Chicago, Mil
waukee, Fond du Lac, Eau Claire, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Atlanta,
and New Orleans, show that these fluctuations are due not so much to
weather conditions as to old popular notions and customs which have
been in existence for years past. An article on page 6 summarizes
the information obtained in the survey and presents the views of
leading firms of architects, large building contractors, small home
builders, and owners of buildings on the question of winter operations
in the construction industry.
A decision refusing permission for a reduction in wage rates was
rendered by the Colorado Industrial Commission on August 4, 1931,
in the case of a coal-mining company which had served notice of its
intention to reduce the wages of its employees. The findings and
award of the commission are given on page 112.
The group life insurance policies held by employees of the General
Electric Co. who have been laid off temporarily for lack of work were
reestablished on July 1, 1931, through an arrangement by officials
of the company with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. _Certifi
cates which have been canceled because of the provisions limiting the
period during which they will remain in force following temporary
lay-off on account of lack of work may be reestablished for a period of
four months by the payment of the current monthly premiums. It
was expected that at the expiration of the four months if no improve
ment in employment conditions has occurred the period will be
further extended. Page 57.
A n unemployment-benefit plan for pocketbook workers in New York
City was provided by joint agreement, on June 13, 1931, for members
of the International Pocketbook Workers’ Union. _The cost of the
system is to be borne equally by employers and union members, the
employers to contribute 2}£ per cent of the weekly pay roll of all union
members in their shops and the workers 2 % per cent of their weekly
earnings. Page 42.
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v
VI
T H IS ISSUE IN B R IE F
New Hampshire, by an act of 1931, became the seventeenth State to
enact an old-age pension law. The law provides for a system of assist
ance to aged and dependent persons of the State, to be extended by
the counties, with reimbursement by the city or town legally charge
able for the assistance rendered. The enactment of the law in New
Hampshire increases to five the number of States enacting such laws
during the 1931 legislative year. Other States adopting such legis
lation this year include Delaware, Idaho, New Jersey, and West Vir
ginia. Page 59.
Average hourly earnings in the motor-vehicle industry decreased 2.6
cents from 1928 to 1930, according to the latest biennial survey of
wages and hours of labor in that industry made by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics. Earnings in 1930 averaged 72.4 cents per hour as
compared with 75 cents in 1928, 72.3 cents in 1925, and 65.7 cents in
1922. • Average full-time earnings per week were $35.33 in 1930,
which was $1.72 per week less than in 1928, $1.04 less than in 1925,
and $2.41 more than in 1922. Full-time hours per week averaged
48.8 in 1930, 49.4 in 1928, 50.3 in 1925, and 50.1 in 1922. Page 148.
Union scales of wages and hours of laborfor 20 trade groups in selected
cities are given in an article on page 156, presenting an abridged com
pilation of the data obtained by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of
May 15, 1931, in its annual survey of union scales. Wide fluctuations
in wage rates as between cities are shown in most of the occupations
listed; for example, hourly rates for bricklayers ranged from $1 in
Charleston, S. C., and New Orleans to $1.94 in Newark, N. J., and
for daywork compositors on newspapers, from 88.9 cents in Man
chester, N. H., to $1.44 in New York. Of 679 instances in which com
parative wage rates are given for 1930 and 1931, 99 represented in
creases over 1930, 39 decreases, and 541 no change. The comparative
data on full-time hours show 7 increases, and 97 decreases, the re
maining 568 quotations out of the total of 672 comparisons showing
no change.
A test of a new dust eliminator to be used in rock drilling was carried
out in New York City recently. The new machine removes the dust
of 60 drills at one time and represents the first attempt to reduce, by
suction, the rock-dust hazard in excavation. Silicosis is an increas
ingly important hazard in New York City owing to the large amount
of excavation which is being carried out at all times, and the disease
is prevalent among a certain class of workers. Miss Frances Perkins,
State Industrial Commissioner, states that no other place, except
perhaps the diamond mines of South Africa, has so great a silicosis
hazard. Page 74.
Reductions in both frequency and severity of accidents in building
construction in New York City in 1930 as compared with 1928 are
shown in statistics compiled by the Building Trades Employers’
Association of New York City from reports of members, although
data for New York State as a whole show increases. In 25 different
trades, 141 member firms, with 2,802 employees working 5,673,274
man-hours, completed the year 1930 without a lost-time accident.
Pase 71.
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MONTHLY
L A B O R R E V I EW
U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
VOL. 33, n o . 3
W A S H IN G T O N
S e p t e m b e r , 1931
E x te n t o f 5 -D a y W eek in A m e r ic a n I n d u s tr y , 1931
HE 5-day week as a permanent labor policy in industry has been
making considerable progress in the past few years. The reduc
tion of working hours has been a matter of evolution, the history of
labor in the United States showing that there has been a constant
shortening of the working-day. A century ago a man’s work was
from sun up to sun down—11, 12, and 13 hours a day. These were
the hours of the building trades and of shop and factory workers.
During the years, hours have been reduced gradually to 10, to 9, to 8,
and in some instances to 7, this movement being ied mainly by the
organized building trades. Outside of the workers in the building
trades few employees in industry were on an 8-hour-workday basis
prior to the beginning of the World War. During 1915 and 1916
certain workers engaged in the manufacture of war munitions de
manded the establishment of an 8-hour basic day. After the entrance
of the United States into the war the various governmental agencies
gave considerable impetus to the movement for a shorter working-day
by establishing an 8-hour day for all Government work connected
with the building of camps and cantonments and work in shipyards.
The next move for the reduction of working hours was for a shorter
working-day on Saturday. Between 1915 and 1919 the Saturday
half day of work became quite general in the organized building trades
and in business offices, and was not unknown in manufacturing estab
lishments.
In more recent years there has come the desire for a full holiday on
Saturday—the 5-day week. The annual union-wage surveys made
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show an increasing extension of the
5-day week in the building trades. In 1930, 55.5 per cent of the build
ing-trades workers in the localities covered by the survey had a 5-day
week. According to information available to the bureau, in June,
1931, a 5-day work week was in existence in 190 cities and towns for
one or more of the crafts in the building work, and in 44 cities and
towns all crafts of the building trades were working on a 40-hour
basic week.
‘ In order that comprehensive statistics might be available as to the
extent to which the 5-day week has gained a fixed place in manufac
turing and other industries, questionnaires were recently sent out
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to a large number of establish
ments. Reports were received from 37,587 establishments in 77
different industries. The establishments questioned were those that
regularly cooperate with the bureau in making monthly employment
reports. Such employment reports show that the establishments
replying to the questionnaire as to the 5-day week had 3,941,792
employees.
[4 8 7 ]
1
T
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2
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
The survey shows that 2.4 per cent of the establishments that made
a report had permanently adopted the 5-day week for all or a part of
their employees. I t further shows that 5.6 per cent of all the em
ployees covered in the survey were on a permanent 5-day-week basis.
In some plants where the short week was in effect in part, employees
in certain departments were still working more than 5 days per week
because it was not practicable to put all departments on a 5-day-week
basis.
Plants operating 5 days or less temporarily because of the present
depression were not included in the 5-day week group ; only industrial
concerns that have adopted as a permanent policy the short work
week were so classified.
It is evident from information accompanying the replies to the
questionnaires, that there is a growing sentiment in favor of the
5-day week in industry, and that a considerable number of those plants
that now work 5 days or less per week temporarily will, when the
depressionhas passed,readjust their working scheduleon a 5-day basis.
In a study of the figures here presented it must be kept in mind that
this is a presentation of samples. I t was impossible to circularize all
establishments operating in the United States, but the number
responding to the questionnaire (37,587) is so large that it probably
represents a fair cross-section of industry as a whole. The spirit of
cooperation of the bureau’s correspondents is evidenced by the fact
that 85 per cent of the establishments solicited responded to the
inquiry.
In Table 1 the establishments have been segregated, by industry,
into three groups, showing the number of concerns working on a 5-dayweek basis, those working over 5 days, and those with part of their
employees working 5 days and part of their employees working longer
than 5 days. The table also shows the number of employees working
5 days per week and those working over 5 days. This segregation of
employees was possible because the establishments having a 5-day
week in part reported the per cent of their employees in each class.
The automobile industry is in the lead so far as the percentage of
workers on the 5-day week is concerned, 44.3 per cent of the employees
in the establishments reporting being on a 5-day-week basis. The
radio industry, with 34.4 per cent, the dyeing and finishing textiles
industry, with 27.0 per cent, and the aircraft industry, with 24.9 per
cent, follow the automobile industry in the extent of the 5-day week
for their employees.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[4881
3
5-DAY W E E K IN A M E R IC A N INDUSTRY
T \ ble 1.—N U M B E R A N D P E R C E N T O P E S T A B L IS H M E N T S A N D O F E M P L O Y E E S
R E P O R T E D AS ON A 5-D A Y -W EE K BA SIS IN 1931, B Y IN D U S T R Y
N um ber of employees
N um ber of establishm ents
In d u stry
P a rt
Over 5, and
5-day s 'd a y p art
week week over
5 day
week
Per
cent
of
T o tal total
hav
ing
5-day
week
Per
cent
of
total
hav
5-day
ing
p a rt week
5, and
p art
over
5 day
week
Per
cent
of
total
hav
ing
5-day
week
Over5-day
week
T otal
12, 092
9. 556
205,442
44,975
60.120
2,718
11,892
24.9
44.3
5.8
4.5
187
12,092
7,180
114, 376
42, 382
57,403
2,718
11,705
178
745
23,414
28,631
23, 592
29,376
2.5
23, 276
86, 320
17,514
795
23,276
86, 632
18,681
812
6.2
15,751
6,531
20, 980
24, 229
3.7
1.3
Manufacturing
A gricultural im plem ents.
A ircraft-------------- ------------ A utom obiles--------------------A uto tires and tu b es---------B aking----------------------------Beet sugar----------------- -----Beverages------------------------Brass, bronze, and copper
products________________
Brick, tile, and terra c o tta . .
C ar building and repairing:
Electric railroad_______
Steam ra ilro ad ................
C arpets and rugs------- -------Carriages and wagons............
Cash registers, adding and
calculating m achines------Cast-iron p ip e ........................
C em ent__________________
C hem icals________________
Chewing and smoking to
bacco and snuff-------------Cigars and cigarettes---------Clothing, m en’s----------------Clothing, w omen’s........ .........
Confectionery------------------C otton goods_____________
Dyeing and finishing tex
tiles____________________
Electrical m achinery, appa
ratus, and supplies............
Fertilizers.................................
F lour____________________
Foundry and machine-shop
products.......... .................. .
F u rn itu re ------ -----------------Glass_______ _______ - ..........
H ardw are.................................
Hosiery and k n it goods-----Ice cream ________________
Iron and steel------------------Jew elry___________ ______
Leather, boots and shoes—
L eather goods other th a n
boots and shoes-------------Lum ber, m ill w ork________
Lum ber, sawmills------------M achine tools------*----------M echanical rubber goods,
other th a n boots, shoes,
auto tires, and tu b e s-----M illinery and lace goods . . .
P ain t a nd varnish________
Paper boxes______________
Paper and p u lp _____ _____
Petroleum refining----------Pianos and organs________
P o ttery ---------- ---------------Printing, book and job-----Printing, new spapers-------R adio___________________
R ayon---------------------------R ubber boots a n d shoes---Shipbuilding_____________
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86
2, 376
91, 066
2, 593
2,717
34
185
36
654
58
240
17.6
11.9
146
591
155
605
4.5
1.3
397
529
23
44
397
532
30
47
13.3
6.4
10.0
312
1,167
17
43
37
2.3
2.7
2.3
585
85
1.4
1,230
15,166
6,446
20,980
22,999
11.5
10.9
9.9
28.5
5.6
9.0
15.4
1,897
2, 674
8,165
4,032
1,930
10,346
6,262
42, 542
45, 289
20, 794
28,338
142,441
8,159
45, 216
53,454
24,826
30, 268
152,787
23.3
5.9
15. 3
16. 2
6.4
7,029
19,047
26,076
27.0
9,286
72
58
114,518
6, 280
14,906
123,804
6,352
14,964
7.5
17,663
1,528
551
64
3,914
15
274
835
166, 345
43,372
33, 004
17,003
79,852
12, 952
195,369
13,029
94,997
184,008
44,900
33, 555
17, 067
83, 766
12, 967
195,643
13,864
95,985
53
1,138
1,720
296
23,094
23, 001
83,385
20,698
23,147
24,139
85,105
20,994
2,714
183
376
1,750
1,833
8, 554
11,543
11,268
11,726
13,367
21,041
51,771
55,411
4,179
15, 646
48,451
74,
16,129
22, 500
12, 720
2,008
41
36
-3
3.0
27
163
31
648
58
235
112
112
130
138
19
156
276
196
301
358
26
175
312
291
320
401
67
95
174
194
380
194
199
381
11.1
2.1
.6
22.1
8.8
1.0
.3
1.8
1.0
2.2 .7
1.6 1.6
4.8
4.3
986
392
132
61
298
304
176
129
256
1,056
414
136
63
323
306
180
140
264
118
306
602
136
325
611
143
4.0
74
14.9
3.0
3.9
7.3
62
97
215
238
183
67
58
95
505
411
27
17
10
79
5.3
2.5
.7
1.7
7.9
3.0
.6
120
100
228
260
189
67
61
102
540
423
30
17
10
79
[489]
1.0
1.8
.5
4.9
1.4
1.
1.8
1.2
1.6
4.9
5.9
3.9
2. 6
10.0
1.0
2.8
319
4, 451
3, 185
5, 544
12,991
19, 291
49,938
55,411
4,092
15, 327
44, 000
71,791
10, 585
22, 500
12, 720
2,008
1.6
.4
2.1
5.1
6.8
1.1
.4
3.4
1.6
.4
4.7
.1
.1
6.0
1.0
.2
4.7
2.0
1.4
24.1
1.6
2.8
8.3
3.5
2.1
2.0
9.2
4.2
34.4
4
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T a ble 1 .— N U M B E R A N D P E R C E N T O F
E S T A B L IS H M E N T S A N D O P E M P L O Y E E S
R E P O R T E D AS ON A 5-D A Y -W E E K BA SIS IN 1931, B Y IN D U S T R Y —C ontinued
N um ber of employees
N um ber of establishm ents
Per
P a rt
cent
5, and
of
Over5-day
p art
total
week 5-day over T otal h av
week 5 day
ing
week
5-day
week
In d u stry
Per
cent
of
total
h av
5-day
ing
p a rt week
5, and
p art
over
5 day
week
Over5-day
week
T otal
Per
cent
of
total
hav
ing
5-day
week
Manufacturing—Contd.
Shirts and collars _ ______
Silk goods _________
_ _
Slaughtering
and
m eat
packing___________ _
Stam ped a n d enameled
w are___
__
_ __ _
Steam fittings a n d steam
and hot-w ater heating
a pp aratu s.
___________
Stoves. ----------- ----------Structural-iron work ______
Sugar refining, cane
Typew riters and supplies
Woolen and worsted goods.. _
8
18
87
210
10
95
238
9
1
186
3
70
6
7
6
101
112
152
13
3
133
30
2
10
6
7
4.1
8.9
8.4
7.6
4.2
557
4,023
13,054
4L 202
13, 611
4ÿ 225
196
.5
4.6
1, 642
61,434
63,076
2.6
73
4.1
419
14,418
14,837
2.8
109
129
164
13
3
170
5.5
5.4
3.7
1.8
7.8
3.7
1,820
984
319
4.1
7, 815
24, 511
16,311
19, 709
8, 225
L 139
52,409
7.4
6.0
1.6
17.6
22, 691
15, 327
19, 390
8, 225
1,139
44; 594
14.9
Miscellaneous
Anthracite mining
___
B itum inous coal m ining___
C anning a n d preserving____
C rude petroleum producing.
D yeing and cleaning
Electric railroad operation
and m aintenance, exclusive of car shops, _______
Laundries _______ ____ _
M etalliferous m ining______
Power, light, and w ater
Q uarrying and nonmetallic
m in in g ________ _______
R etail tra d e .. ____________
Telephone and telegraph. .
Wholesale trade...... ............
T o tal_____
______
11
5
5
77
1,314
817
525
128
1
3
1
77
1,326
825
531
128
.8
.6
.9
.1
.4
.2
1,099
772
178
. . 43,976
232', 392
40, 554
19, 903
5,060
43,976
233,491
41, 326
20,081
5,060
.5
1.9
.9
31
1
507
268
296
3,678
14
1
4
507
313
298
3,682
9.9
.3
4.5
.3
.1
1,487
628
160
142, 846
24, 702
34, 279
232,484
142,846
26,189
34,907
232, 644
5.7
1.8
.1
769
7,124
6,999
1,774
2.0
«
.5
.1
1,242
123
.2
91
29, 680
249,968
283,972
59', 705
4.2
0)
.3
28,438
249,845
283,972
59, 614
234 37, 587
1.8
.6 221, 587 3,720, 205 3,941, 792
5.6
15
3
5
750
7, 111
6,999
1, 765
673 36, 680
4
10
4
.2
1 Less th a n one-tenth of 1 per cent.
Table 2 includes only those establishments that reported having a
5-day week for a part of their employees but not for all.
There were 234 establishments so reporting, having a total of 54,124
employees, of which 41.1 per cent were on a 5-day week. The number
of establishments in any one industry is so small that comparison
between industries is hardly warranted.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[490]
5
5-DAY W E E K IN AMERICAN INDUSTRY
T a ble 2 . —N U M B E R
O F E S T A B L IS H M E N T S A N D N U M B E R A N D P E R C E N T OP
E M P L O Y E E S R E P O R T E D AS ON P A R T 5 A N D P A R T O V ER 5 D A Y W E E K B A SIS, 1931,
B Y IN D U S T R Y
N u m b er of employees
N um ber
of estab
lish
m ents
In d u stry
5-day
week
Over 5day week
T otal
Per cent
of to tal
having 5day week
Manufacturing
6
3
1
2
4
5
12
1
7
7
3
3
19
4
1
1
8
2
1
1
6
3
42
288
2,100
187
51
311
160
6
90
293
599
412
4
586
1,813
279
53
2,472
176
77
44
548
15
5
8
307
184
147
144
2,101
377
52
560
237
7
636
99
504
480
5
2,434
1,932
1,211
21
1, 536
302
387
175
1,763
783
46
26
214
268
189
432
4,201
564
103
871
397
13
726
392
1,103
892
9
3,020
3,745
1,490
74
4,008
478
464
219
2,311
798
51
34
521
452
22.2
66. 7
50. 0
33.2
49. 5
35.7
40.3
46.2
12.4
74. 7
54.3
46.2
44.4
19.4
48.4
18.7
71.6
61. 7
36.8
16.6
20.1
23.7
1.9
9.8
23.5
58.9
40.7
1
4
3
3
1
14
12
10
9
37
199
337
1,070
61
1,155
3,185
852
1,618
12
331
258
351
112
2,415
2,317
1,367
2,549
49
530
595
1,421
173
3, 570
5,502
2,219
4,167
75.5
37.5
56.6
75.3
35.3
32.4
57.9
38.4
38.8
2
10
6
7
84
335
48
348
19
806
474
3,120
103
1,141
522
3,468
81.6
29.4
9.2
10.0
B itum inous coal m ining___________________ . . . .
Canning and preserving
___________ _____
C rude petroleum producing____________________
L aundries---------- ------------------------------------ -----M etalliferous m in in g .._ . _ . . . ------------------------Pow er, lig h t, a n d w ater .
. . . .
Q uarrying an d nonm etallic m in in g __ ______________
R etail trade
................. .............. . . ______ _____
W holesale tra d e _________________________________
1
3
1
14
1
4
4
10
4
28
59
120
604
546
160
224
66
22
27
18
30
329
182
108
209
343
32
55
77
150
933
728
268
433
409
54
50.9
76.6
80.0
64.7
75.0
59.7
51.7
16.1
40.7
T o tal____________ . . . _______ ____ __________
234
22, 268
31,856
54,124
41.1
A ircraft--------- --------------------------------- — -A uto tires a n d tu b es---------------------- --------------------B aking_______________________________ _ . .
Beverages............ .................. ........................................ Brass, bronze, an d copper products________________
B rick, tile, an d terra co tta_____________________
C arpets and ru g s_________ . ---------------------------Cash registers, adding a n d calculating m achines-----C hem icals------- -------------------- ------- -- --------------Chew ing a n d smoking tobacco a n d snuff..................
C lothing, m en ’s _________________________________
C lothing, w om en’s ______________________________
C onfectionery____________ ______________________
C otton goods___________________________________
D yeing a n d finishing textiles______________ ____ _
Electrical m achinery, ap paratus, a n d supplies--------Fertilizers---- -- ------- --------- --------------------F o undry a n d m achine-shop p ro d u cts______________
F u rn itu re ________________________ ______________
Glass------------------------------------ ---------------------------H ardw are______________________________ _
_
H osiery an d k n it goods__________ _____ __________
Ic e crea m ______ _ ----------------------------------- --------Iron and s t e e l _____________ . . . ---- --------------- . . .
L eather goods other th a n boots a n d shoes__________
_____________________
L um ber, m illw ork.
.
Lum ber, saw m ills____ _________________________
M echanical ru b b er goods oth er th a n boots, shoes,
auto tires and tu b e s_______________________ . . .
P a in t a n d v arn ish _____________ _______ ___ ____ _
P aper boxes. _ -----------------------------------------------P aper and p u lp . . . . ________________________ ____
P o ttery ___ . . . . . -----------------------------------------P rinting , book a n d jo b ----------------------------------------P rinting, new spaper ____________ ____________ _
Silk goods_________ . . . . -------------------------------Slaughtering an d m eat packing---------------------- -----Steam fittings, a n d steam a n d hot-w ater heating
a p p aratu s________________ ____ ______________ _
S to v e s -------------- ----------------- --------------------------Structural-iron w o rk ----------- --------------------------W oolen and w orsted goods................................................
1
1
1
5
2
Miscellaneous
Table 3 includes only those establishments that have all their
employees on a permanent 5-day-week basis. The establishments so
reporting number 673, with 199,319 employees.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[491]
6
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 3 .—E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN W H IC H
A L L E M P L O Y E E S W E R E ON 5-D A Y -W EE K
BASIS, 1931, B Y IN D U S T R Y
In d u stry
N um N um
ber of
of
estab ber
em
lish ployees
ments
Manufacturing—Continued
Manufacturing
A irc ra ft-------- -----------------------A utom obiles-----------------------------A uto tires a n d inner tu b e s..............
B aking_________ _______ ________
Brass, bronze, and copper products.
B rick, tile, a n d terra co tta_______
C ar building a n d repairing, steam
railroad_______ _______ ________
C arpets a nd ru g s_______________
Carriages an d wagons----------------Cash registers, adding a n d calcula
tin g m achines------------------------Cast-iron p ipe__________________
Chem icals_________________ ____
Chew ing a n d smoking tobacco and
snuff_______________ ________
Cigars an d c ig a re tte s ...................
Clothing, m en’s ____________ ____
Clothing, w om en’s _______ ____ _
Confectionery.......... ....................... .
C otton g o ods.___________ _____ _
D yeing a n d finishing textiles------Electrical m achinery, apparatus,
and su p p lie s......................... ..........
F ertilizers-.......... .............. —..............
F lou r__________________ _____ _
Foun d ry a n d m achine-shop prod
ucts__________ _____ __________
F u rn itu re _______________ ______
Glass___________ ____ ___________
H ard w are--------------------------------Hosiery and k n it goods__________
Iron and steel____________ ______
Jew elry________________________
Leather, boots and shoes------------L eather goods other th a n boots
and shoes___________________ _
N um N u m
ber of
of
estab ber
em
lish ployees
m ents
In d u stry
6
22
8
2, 334
91, 066
2,305
617
127
434
3
4
3
312
1,007
17
1
1
6
579
85
1,140
4
5
7
3
19
31
83
18
36
1,604
2,674
7, 566
3, 620
1, 926
9, 760
5i 216
17
9,007
19
58
51
18
3
15,191
L 352
' 474
17
3
3, 366
269
835
988
21
2
1
1
11
8
1
20
Lum ber, m illw ork_____
______
L um ber, saw m ills______________
M achine tools_________ _______
M echanical ru b b e r goods other
th a n boots, shoes, auto tires and
tu b es___ — _________________
M illinery an d lace goods________
P a in t an d v a rn ish ____________ .
P ap er boxes-------------------. Paper an d p u lp ___________
Pianos a n d organs-------------- - -P o tt e r y _______ ________ _
P rinting, book and job
Radio
...
___
.. Shirts a n d collars_________ --Silk goods ________________ ___
Slaughtering and m eat packing---Stam ped and enam eled ware
Steam fittings a nd steam a nd hotw ater heating ap p aratu s_____________________
S to v e s _______
Structural-iron work __ _ _ ___
Woolen and worsted goods -------
6
831
1, 536
296
11
2,677
183
177
1,413
763
87
258
3,296
5,544
557
3,171
24
419
13
7
3
9
19
3
3
6
21
3
8
18
1
3
6
7
6
1,736
649
271
7,467
11
5
5
31
1,071
713
58
883
82
15
3
5
1,018
57
69
673
199, 319
30
Miscellaneous
B itum inous coal m ining_________
C anning and preserving
_______
C rude petroleum producing. . . .
Laundries
. . _____
_____
M etalliferous m ining. _
__
Q uarrying a n d nonm etallic mining
_ ________
____
R etail trad e
______________ ___
Wholesale tra d e _________________
45
T o t a l _____ _
______
1
C a u se s o f S e a s o n a l F lu c t u a t io n s in t h e C o n s tr u c tio n I n d u str y
the existence of seasonal fluctu ations in the construc. tion industry has been recognized for some years past, no effective
ALTHOUGH
study has been made to determine and segregate the causes of these
fluctuations. Are they due to the cold weather which prevails during
the winter months or are there other elements, such as the rental and
moving dates and other local customs, which may be responsible for
the stoppage of construction work during the winter? To what extent
is the stoppage due to physical factors which make it impossible to
carry on construction work in cold weather or to psychological factors
due to the generally prevailing notion that winter is not the proper
season for building operations? What can be done in either case in
order to eliminate or at least to mitigate the seasonal fluctuations in
the construction industry?
In the search for an answer to these questions, the United States
Bureau of Labor Statistics recently dispatched a special agent to
interview leaders of the construction industry in the followdng cities:
Chicago, 111.; Milwaukee, Fond du Lac, and Eau Claire, Wis.; Minne-
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[492]
FLUCTUATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
7
apolis and St. Paul, Minn.; Atlanta, Ga.; and New Orleans, La.
The persons interviewed were requested to express their opinions in
the form of personal letters to the bureau, and the report of the agent
and the opinions of the architects, builders, and real estate men inter
viewed are presented in this article. Not only have these persons
given their opinions as to the practicability of winter building, but
they have in many cases given detailed accounts of the protective and
other measures necessitated by work in winter weather which should
be helpful to others in the same field of work.
Summary
Winter operations in the construction industry in the Northern States.—
The rigorous winter weather which normally prevails in the States of
Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota is no longer a serious problem to
the construction industry in these States. Twenty years ago the
advent of the first frost in November would bring with it a complete
cessation of activities in all lines of construction work. Not only
would no new building projects be started during the months of No
vember to March, inclusive, but even jobs already begun in late sum
mer or early fall but not yet completely inclosed before the arrival of
winter would be shut down until the coming of spring.
The situation now presents an entirely new aspect. During the
war and immediately afterward many builders were compelled to
carry on a large proportion of their work during the winter months in
order to complete their projects within the time limits set by their
contracts. They soon discovered that the cold weather, in itself, pre
sented no physical obstacles which could not be overcome by means of
more diligent supervision and a certain amount of protection of the
work against snow and ice. Additional experimentation soon con
vinced them that even the operations which are most adversely affected
by freezing temperatures, namely, the pouring of concrete and the
masonry work on the exterior or the shell of the building, can easily
be safeguarded by the simple device of heating the water and the aggre
gates in the process of mixing the concrete and by protecting the newly
concreted section of the structure by means of canvas inclosures and
artificial heat supplied by coke or oil-burning salamanders.
The trend in favor of winter work in the construction industry
received a further stimulus from the report of President Harding’s
Committee on Unemployment which, under the leadership of Presi
dent Hoover, then the Secretary of Commerce, made a special study
on seasonal fluctuations in the construction industry. The report was
published in 1924. The committee found that winter construction
work had been carried on with considerable success in all parts of the
country, and that the workmanship and the cost of winter operation
did not compare unfavorably with any other season of the year. In
prefacing the report President Hoover therefore declared: “ The sea
sonal character of the construction industries is a matter of custom
and habit, not of climatic conditions.” The findings of the committee
were taken up by the various trades and associations connected with
the construction industry, and a strong movement grew up with the
purpose of further extending winter operations in order to mitigate
the seasonal fluctuations in the construction industry.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[493]
8
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
In the present survey in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin an
attempt was made to ascertain (1) the extent of building operations
carried on by the firm, number of years’ experience in the business,
and the territory covered; (2) the type of building specialized in (in
dustrial plants, commercial buildings, apartment houses, bungalows,
etc.); (3) the extent of winter operations carried on; (4) the principal
difficulties and disadvantages to builder and to owner in carrying on
winter operations; (5) the methods of pouring concrete, laying brick,
etc., used by the firm to overcome the difficulties offered by winter
weather and to guarantee the soundness and safety of the building
erected during the winter; (6) the extra costs involved in carrying on
construction during the winter; (7) the comparative efficiency of
labor in winter and summer building; (8) the principal advantages
of winter building to builder and to owner; (9) whether the firm, on
the basis of its experience in winter operations, advocates or disap
proves of operations during the winter months and reasons therefor;
(10) any helpful information on the problem of winter operations, par
ticularly as to the possible effect on the stabilization of the construc
tion industry.
Some of the outstanding facts disclosed by the opinions of the
representative organizations and individuals in this section of the
country are as follows:
(1) Winter weather is not regarded as a deterrent to building
operations in the case of the major types of buildings, such as large
offices, industrial plants, large apartment buildings, etc., which require
a year or more for completion.
(2) On major operations, architects and general contractors carry
on construction work irrespective of the season of the year and even
in subzero weather. The majority of the contractors in this section
of the country have had several years of experience with winter work
and know the precautions necessary for winter operations.
(3) The precautions and the equipment needed for winter work are
comparatively simple and have now become fairly standardized.
(4) The extra expenses involved in protecting winter work against
the weather are comparatively small and represent but a small frac
tion of the total building cost. The exact amounts vary considerably
with the nature of the project and the severity of the winter season.
Some of the architects and contractors are of the opinion that this
extra cost is in some measure overcome by the lower costs on other
items; they point out that the price of materials is lower in the winter;
that the contractor may voluntarily reduce his profit on a winter job
in order to keep his organization intact and his men employed, while
the workmen will often accept a lower rate for year-round work.
Some are even of the opinion that the extra measures necessary to
protect the job in winter are no greater or more expensive than those
necessary, because of heat and rain, to protect it in the summer.
(5) There is no definite agreement among the builders as to the
comparative efficiency of labor in winter work. Very few contractors
contend that they get as much work from a given workman during
the cold season as at milder seasons of the year, as the worker is
hampered by cold and by the extra clothing which he must wear.
The majority of the contractors, however, are of the opinion that the
average efficiency of the men hired during the winter months is
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[494]
FLUCTUATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
9
higher than the summer average. This is due to the fact that, since
work is slack during the winter months, the employer has a large
supply of labor from which to choose. Only the best workmen, there
fore, are retained.
(6) In the construction of smaller buildings, and particularly of the
smaller houses, the season of the year is still an important factor.
The opinion of architects and builders in this field is more or less
divided. Some favor winter operations in all buildings, while others
are opposed to winter work on houses as uneconomical and more or
less hazardous. Those in favor of winter work on this class of build
ing believe that the person who has his house built in the off season
has a decided advantage because of lower costs of materials, lower
charges by the contractor, a higher grade of labor, etc. They state,
also, that a house built in the winter under the proper precautions is
as well constructed as one built in the summer. Others, on the con
trary, are of the opinion that winter costs are enough higher to make
a prospective home builder hesitate to undertake the construction of
his new house in the winter.
(7) The architects and the contractors no longer need to be edu
cated as to the practicability of winter construction work. The
amount of winter operations in the construction industry, however,
will be determined by the extent toward which the general public, and
particularly the prospective builders, are educated to the safety,
feasibility, and desirability of building in the off season.
Fluctuations in the construction industry in the Southern States.—
In view of the fact that cold weather no longer plays an important
role in the construction industry, even in the sections of the country
which are affected by a prolonged and moderately severe winter
season, the question arose as to the other factors which are directly
or indirectly responsible for the continuation of seasonal fluctuations
in the building trades. The survey of the Bureau of Labor Statistics
was therefore extended to include the construction industry in Atlanta,
Ga., which is known to have a comparatively mild and short winter
season, and in New Orleans, La., where freezing weather is rare.
The monthly figures of building permits issued, as published by
the Bureau of Labor Statistics, show the volume of construction in
these two cities to be considerably smaller during the months of
December, January, and February than at any other season of the
year. This trend is not uniform, however, and it is not yet clearly
established as to the extent to which the figures of contracts awarded
in any one month actually measure the building operations carried
on during that month. It was decided, therefore, not to accept the
cessation of building operations during the winter months as an
established fact, but to ascertain in the interviews with the repre
sentative architects and builders in these two cities (1) whether the
locality really is affected by a recurrent winter stoppage in the con
struction industry, and (2) if so, the principal causes of the cessation
of operations in the construction industry during the winter months.
The outstanding facts disclosed by the survey in Atlanta and New
Orleans are:
(1) The attitude of the representative architects and builders in
the city of Atlanta toward the question of winter building is not
uniform. They agree that there is a decided diminution in building
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[495]
10
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
operations during the months of December, January, and February
of each year. They also agree that one of the principal causes for
the winter slump in building activities is the fact that the city of
Atlanta has only one renting or leasing date, which falls on September
1. All prospective commercial and home builders plan their opera
tions so as to have the building completed by that date. This con
dition throws the bulk of building operations on the spring and
summer months, for very few, even of the larger residences, require
more than eight months for building.
A large number of the builders, however, also insist that the ces
sation of building activities during the winter months is also due to
a very large degree to the weather conditions in Atlanta during those
months. They state that while the spells of cold weather in Atlanta
are very brief and not particularly severe, there is more rain in the
months of January and February than in other months of the year.
The frequent rains, alternating with an occasional cold and freezing tem
perature at this time of the year, make it almost impossible to proceed
with any outside work. Besides, very few of the builders in Atlanta
have had experience in building during the cold season, and they are
not provided with the equipment necessary for winter operations.
There are some among the architects and builders who claim that
the causes of the winter slack period in Atlanta are entirely psycho
logical, due to a general tendency of the public to begin thinking
about building a home only with the arrival of warm weather. _It
is their view that an additional one or even two renting dates during
the year and an educational campaign in favor of the year-round
building operations, would lessen the seasonal fluctuations in the
building trades in Atlanta. The builders would then be called upon
to perform a certain proportion of their work during the winter
season and would thus be given an opportunity to show whether or
not it is physically impossible to build in Atlanta during the winter
season.
(2) In contrast with the situation in Atlanta, the representative
architects and builders in New Orleans are fairly unanimous in their
views, on winter building. It is generally admitted that New Orleans
suffers from a definite falling off of building operations during the
winter months, but it is also generally agreed that the winter weather
has absolutely nothing to do with this condition. Some architects and
builders even claim that conditions in the winter are more con
ducive to efficient workmanship in the construction industry than
the hot summer weather. Nevertheless, the bulk of the construction
work is concentrated during the late spring and summer months.
This concentration is due to the single leasing date in New Orleans,
which is October 1. Not only are all the new projects planned so as
to be completed by that date, but nearly all of the repair work is
done during the summer months in anticipation of the renting season.
A movement was started several years ago to inaugurate an addi
tional leasing date in the spring, but so far without any results. It
is the unanimous opinion of the architects, general contractors, and
subcontractors in the city of New Orleans that the fluctuations in
the construction industry in that city will not be done away with
until the single leasing date has been replaced by two or even three
annual renting dates.
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What can be done to stabilize the construction industry .—Construction
work is very important in the industrial life of a community and a
successful attempt to eliminate, or at least to mitigate, the seasonal
fluctuations in the construction industry will of necessity prove
beneficial not only to the construction industry but also to the country
as a whole. ^ The opinions of leading men in the construction industry
who were interviewed show that the seasonal fluctuations in the
industry are due not so much to weather conditions as to old popular
notions and customs which have been in existence in the separate
communities for years past, and which now prove to be the stumblingblock in the way of a more regulated development of the industrial
life of the community.
Certain elements in the construction industry will always remain
seasonal in the colder regions of the country. It is impossible to build
roads and to pave streets during the cold winter months. But it
has been shown that it is not impossible to build offices and houses
during the winter months. An educational campaign such as was
carried on in the city of St. Paul during the winter months of 192526 (see p. 26) may help^ to induce the prospective office and house
owner to build when he is ready and not to wait until everybody else
begins building.
Again, such cities as Atlanta, Ga., and New Orleans, La., in which
the existence of a single leasing date in the fall is responsible for the
concentration of the construction work during the summer months,
could and should establish two and, if necessary, three leasing dates
in order to spread the building activities over the entire year. It is
the prospective owner of the building who needs to be educated, and
an educational campaign started simultaneously in a number of cities
may help considerably to straighten out the seasonal ups and downs
in the construction industry, and to that extent also mitigate the
social evils caused by these fluctuations.
W in t e r B u i l d i n g i n N o r t h e r n S t a t e s
B e l o w are given the views of leading firms of architects, large
building contractors, small home builders, and owners of buildings
on the question of winter operations in the construction industry.
Because of the similarity of opinions of the individual firms, the
complete statements of only one or two firms in each group are
given, whose views come closest to representing the opinion of the
entire group, the views of the other persons interviewed being pre
sented only in summary form.
Chicago, 111.
Opinions of Architects
T h e views of the firm of Mundie & Jensen as to winter building in
Chicago are as follows:
U n in terru p te d w ork in th e building tra d e s in C hicago h as been rap id ly in
creasing w ith fru itfu l results. T h e accu m u lated experience of a rc h ite c ts a n d
builders, who h av e been o p eratin g regardless of w in ter w eather, h as p ro v en th e
d esirability of such practice. T h is applies m ain ly , how ever, to th e larg er o p era
tions an d generally n o t a t all to sm all resid e n tia l w ork.
In cases w here earned incom e of th e com pleted b u ild in g is a n elem ent,
u n in te rru p te d w ork is essen tial a n d th e ad v a n ta g e s gained m ore th a n offset th e
ad d e d cost.
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T he added cost of p recau tio n ary m easures for safe a n d sound w in ter b u ild in g
operations will n o t exceed a m axim um of 2 p er c en t of th e cost of th e o p eratio n ,
an d in very m any cases th e cost is q u ite negligible.
T he ad v an tag es a re m any. A m ong th e m are th e elim in atio n , o r a t le a st th e
reduction, of th e slack lab o r periods; th e assurance of m ain tain in g com pletion
schedules; th e economic ad v a n ta g e of earlier e a rn ed incom e fro m th e building.
O ur own p ractice is to ignore th e w in ter season as a d e te rre n t in a n y im p o rta n t
building operations, as o u r experience has show n it to be safe, econom ical, practical
and in every w ay advisable to carry on w ith building o p e ra tio n s regardless of
low tem peratures.
The views of the firm of Graham, Anderson, Probst & White are
shown below:
O ur p ractice is confined to large p ro jects such as office buildings, b anks, union
stations, m useum s, etc. W e seldom h av e occasion to ad v ise a clien t as to sum m er
or w in ter w ork fo r th e reason t h a t m o st of o u r p ro je c ts co n tin u e fo r m ore th a n a
year, a n d som etim es tw o, th re e , a n d fo u r years.
T h e beginning a n d te rm in a tio n of a c o n tra c t is largely controlled b y th e
ren tin g season. In C hicago th e e x p iratio n of leases u sually ta k e s p lace on M ay 1.
W e therefore as a ru le ta k e possession of th e site im m ediately a fte r M ay 1 so
th a t th e w recking a n d fo u n d a tio n can usually be com pleted in tim e to h av e th e
erection of th e steel finished a n d th e o u tside shell of th e building com pleted
before th e appearance of ex trem e w in ter w eath er. A fter th is co ndition h as been
reached in th e building th e w eath er has no effect on th e o p eratio n s inside th e >
building.
In S t. P au l a n d M inneapolis a n d also W innipeg, C an ad a, w here th e w inters
are m uch m ore severe th a n th e y a re in Chicago, we h av e no difficulty in w orking
rig h t th ro u g h th e w inter. I t is possible, of course, t h a t a d ay or tw o m ay be
lost, b u t th e m odern p ractice of h eatin g m a te ria ls a n d inclosing th e w orking
areas w ith tarp au lin s p erm its reasonable econom ical w ork regardless of w eath er
conditions. T h e expense of such p ro tectio n a n d h e a t is n o t excessive a n d is m ore
th a n offset b y th e red u ctio n in fixed charges. * * *
W e do n o t build residences o r a p a rtm e n t houses, b u t we do feel t h a t in b uild
ings of th is ty p e w in ter w ork does n o t p roduce as good resu lts as su m m er work.
T here is n o t th e careful supervision an d p ro tectio n given th is ty p e of w ork, and
th e w orkm en are inclined to be a little m ore careless du rin g th e very cold
w eather.
Of the other firms of architects interviewed, that of Holabird &
Root found winter construction “ absolutely feasible without hard
ships to the contractor.” Its representative asserts that the firm
can build the tallest buildings within 12 months’ time and lose very
few days on account of inclement weather, and he also states that
he can find no perceptible difference in the efficiency of construction
labor between the winter and summer months.
The cost to the owner on building construction is no greater during
the winter than during the summer, in the opinion of Alfred S.
Alschuler, as the increased cost of winter production is more than
offset by the reduction of the construction prices due to the con
tractor’s keenness to get sufficient work to carry him over the slack
season. Checking up the estimates of contractors during a period
of years, his organization found that the cost of winter protection
for reinforced concrete buildings varies approximately from 5 to 10
cents per square foot of slab area, which is about from 1% to 4 per
cent of the total cost of the building operations.
Opinions of Building Contractors
The views of the A. W. Lynch Co. are as shown below:
T h e th eo ry t h a t w in ter co n stru ctio n in th e build in g in d u stry m u s t necessarily
involve slow progress a n d p ro h ib itiv e cost is being fa s t dissip ated . T h e facts
are t h a t w in ter constru ctio n is n o t only p racticab le b u t desirable, since it m eets
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th e ow ner’s req u irem en ts of w ork, of good q u ality executed expeditiously and
econom ically. I t reduces th e high pressure of sum m er m o n th s a n d gives relief
to th e lack of w ork durin g th e w in ter m o n th s, w ith d irect benefit to ow ner,
builder, a n d laborer, a n d w ith consequent a d v a n ta g e s to finance, m an u ta c tu re ,
a ,'iV h a s becom e alm o st tr ite to argue th e case, b u t co n sta n t re ite ra tio n of _the
facts to th e general public is necessary for full conviction on its p a rt a n d to
develop fullv th e effective re su lts th u s fa r accom plished. I am th erefo re briefly
enum erating th e elem ents w hich in m y opinion ju stify w in te r construction.
Q uality can be dism issed w ith o u t discussion, for th e re is nothing; else needed
th a n com petence to produce a q u ality of w ork in w in ter equal to th a t obtain ed
m As™? 1progress, th e re are few days in th e y ear w hen it is too severely cold to
w ork. T h ro u g h accustom ed h a b it of th o u g h t people generally consider th e
w in ter w eath er delay to be very considerable, b u t inv estig atio n of num eious
jobs in d icates t h a t in re c e n t y ears in th is clim ate delay d u e to seJ ere co ? ^ d
h eavy snow s h as n o t am o u n ted to a to ta l of a w eek s tim e. In ra i e cases i t m ay
am o u n t to no m ore th a n 10 days. In th in k in g of w eath er delays in th e w inter,
equal delays d ue to ra in in th e m ild er seasons a re overlooked, a n d i t is m y opinion
th a t th e re is little difference, if^any, in a m o u n t of lo st tim e betw een th e w in ter
a n f t v d f f b te conceded generally t h a t th e q u a lity of w ork will be unim paired an d
t h a t w ork can proceed expeditiously in w in ter as well as m an y o th e r season,
b u t i t is argued t h a t th e cost is p ro h ib itiv e; first because th e p ro tectio n of th e
w ork in cold w eath er is very expensive; an d second, because th e execution of th e
w ork itself is to o costly.
„
.
,
,
T h e m ethods of heatin g m a te ria ls a n d of p rev en tin g freezing of concrete v in e
bein°- poured a n d afterw ard s are well know n a n d need n o t be discussed. M any
people? including som e c o n tracto rs a n d arch itects, la y considerable stress upon
th e ^ n c re a se d cost w hich th ese p recau tio n ary m easures a d d to th e item s of con
crete a n d m asonry w ork a n d fail to consider how sm all a ra tio th ese e x tra o u tlay s
are in co m p ariso n w ith th e to ta l costs of th e e n tire stru c tu re . W hen th e s tru c tu re
is entirely reinforced concrete, th e h e a t a n d p ro tectio n costs a re th e g reatest
R ecent inquiries on th e su b je c t in d icate th is cost to ™
S g L S J*
of th e to ta l building costs of ¡jobs averaging from $50,000 to $250,000, th e per
centage decreasing as th e size a n d v alue of th e 30b m crease. ^ 5 A g J ^ o t he
large reinforced-concrete stru c tu re s ru n n in g from $ 1 ,000 ,0 0 0 _to $ 3,000 000 th e
w riter has found th e cost to ru n less th a n 1 p er c e n t a n d only in one case as high
as 3 per cent. O n steel-fram e buildings w ith concrete arches th e ra tio is con
siderably iess, a n d on steel-fram e buildings w ith tile arches i t is still less. _
D ue to M ay 1 leasing in th is te rrito ry , th e d em an d fo r com pletion p rio r to
M ay 1 of large buildings w hich generally req u ire a y ear s co n stru ctio n period
necessitates tem p o rary h e a t fo r th e in terio r w ork, ^ h e co st of te m p o ra ry h e a t
for th is w ork, including h e a t fo r co n stru ctio n m aterials, rarely exceeds 01 e
half of 1 p er c e n t of th e cost of th e stru c tu re .
.
,
T h e w riter m ade a case su rv ey of th e u n it costs of concrete w o r k , form w or ,
an d b rickw ork on five large jo b s w hich clearly show ed t h a t th e av erage u n it
costs of w in ter operations are as favorable if n o t m ore favorable th a n sum m er
W A s'to th e ad v an tag es of w in ter building to th e ow ner a n d to th e com m u n ity
a t large le t us consider h y p o th etically th e conditions of th e c o n stru ctio n in d u stry
S a ¿ t y w here an building co n tra c ts w ould be req u ired b y law to be concluded
on a single specific d ate . All th e arran g em en ts fo r financing th e building w ould
S c u r in oneP sh o rt period; th e a rc h ite c ts w ould all be g ^ ^ S ^ a t e s ^ t ^ h e
specifications a t th e sam e tim e ; co n tra c to rs w ould all p rep are e stim ates a t th e
sam e tim e ; th e n th e stru ctu ra l-ste e l p la n ts th e quarries, f ® ^ t e n a supply
dealers, th e m anufactu rers, a n d th e railro ad s w ould f 1
gi ven .^ e i r en tire
volum e of co nstruction business a t one tim e, a n d la s t b u t c e r ta in ^ n o t lea
each job tra d e w ould be req u ired on all o p eratio n s a b o u t th e sam e tim e a n d th e
sim u ltan eo u sly released fo r th e succeeding tra d e s as th e w ork p ro c e s se d . W h at
an econom ic w aste in th e trem en d o u s increase of overhead, eq u ip m en t, n
factu rin g a n d tra n sp o rta tio n c a p acity such a req u irem en t w ould entail. W hat
a w aste in idle labor, in equ ip m en t, a n d m m an u factu rin g p la n ts m th e in te r
betw een th e peak of w ork of one y e a r a n d th e beginning of th e n e x t y ear s season.
T hese c o n d i S s are n o t m u ch different from th e a c tu a l co n d itio n s as th e y exist
in those cities, w hich h av e b u t a single leasing d a te du rin g th e en tire year.
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One of th e reasons for high wages in th e building in d u stry is th e trem endous
tu rn o v e r a n d th e co n ten tio n of th e various tra d e s t h a t w orkm en have only
seasonal em ploym en t d u e to th e n a tu re of th e in d u stry . F u rth erm o re, scarcity
of em ploym ent in th e w in ter m o n th s is a d e te rre n t to p o te n tia l m echanics who
w ould readily e n te r th e tra d e s w ere th e re a n all-y ear d em an d fo r th e ir labor.
L ack of c o n sta n t em p lo y m en t d u rin g th e y e a r’s period m eans a h igher wage
ra te p er hour, a n d excessive d em an d fo r lab o r in su m m er m eans still h igher lab o r
costs d u ring t h a t period.
T he p ractice of le ttin g c o n tra c ts during all seasons of th e y ear w ould give
g reater u tilizatio n to all branches of th e in d u stry a n d w ould produce a m ore n o r
m al flow of th e volum e of business for m aterials a n d m an u factu re, fo r tra n sp o rta
tio n , fo r finance a n d labor.
U nder th e circum stances i t m ay be asserted th a t th e ad d itio n al cost of te m
p o rary h e a t a n d of p ro tectin g th e m aterials du rin g th e w in ter will be m ore th a n
absorbed b y th e fav o rab le effects on th e o th e r elem ents a n d on th e division of
w ork involved. I t m ay also be confidently asserted t h a t w in ter c o n stru ctio n is
n o t only p racticab le b u t highly desirable w ith d irect benefit to ow ner, builder,
an d laborer, a n d w ith con seq u en t ad v a n ta g e s to th e com m unity a t large.
Another building contractor, H. B. Barnard, cites the following
examples to show how little winter construction increases costs:
I am giving you th ree exam ples of e x tra cost involved in w in ter w ork on th ree
ty p ical buildings. T his co st covers th e h eatin g of aggregates, p ro tectio n of con
crete from freezing, keeping th e buildings clea r of snow, a n d all th e in cidental
expenses a n d lab o r w hich a re in excess of th e o rd in ary costs of construction.
On one building w ith a to ta l co st of $338,570 th e excess cost fo r w in te r w ork as
described above Avas $3,184 o r ap p ro x im ately 0.94 of 1 p e r c e n t of th e cost of th e
building. A n o th er b uilding costing $312,200 re q u ire d $620 ex p en d itu re for
w in ter w ork. On th e th ird building, costing $918,000, th ere w as expended
$5,963 to cover th e re q u ire m e n ts fo r Avinter w ork.
T hese jobs w ere m o stly s ta rte d in th e la te fall, co n tin u ed th ro u g h th e w inter,
a n d com pleted d u rin g th e n ex t sp rin g o r sum m er.
As to th e v ariatio n in la b o r costs on th ese buildings, th e re seem s to us to be
very little difference in co st betw een su m m er a n d w in ter w ork. T h e cost of
sum m er w ork includes th e Avetting dow n of brick, k eeping th e co n crete m oist
Avith saw d u st sp read o v er th e to p a n d w e ttin g th e saw d u st, a n d th e excessive
h e a t on m an y d ay s p roduces less resu lts fro m la b o r th a n on som e of th e coldest
days in th e w inter. L ab o r, in o u r opinion, is m o st p ro d u c tiv e in th e fall a n d
spring m o nths. T h e excess h e a t of th e su m m er a n d th e re q u irem en ts to p ro tect
th e building in th e su m m er alm o st eq u al th e excess co st of w in ter w ork. In no
case h av e Ave fou n d th e v a riatio n s in cost caused by Aveather or seasons to exceed
2 p er ce n t of th e to ta l co st of a building.
Of the other building contractors interviewed, one concern, that of
Otto Randolph (Inc.), which has been engaged in winter building for
a number of years, wrote that during the winter months it gets “ con
siderably better labor efficiency,” which compensates to a large
extent for the extra expense of winter operations. The increased
efficiency is due not so much to the ability of the men to do better
work during the winter as to the type of worker available during these
months. On the basis of its experience the company figures on as
many working-days per month in the winter as during the summer.
In the summer months the firm expects to lose several days of work
on account of excessive heat, while rain often compels cessation of
operations during the spring months. On the whole, therefore, this
company loses no more days per month during December, January
and February because of excessive cold or snoAvstorms than it does
in the summer months because of rain or excessive heat.
The W. E. O’Neill Construction Co. reports that it finds building
costs in the winter no higher than in the summer. The report of this
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company also gives figures showing the total values of some of the
buildings constructed by it during the winter season and the extra
expenses incurred for winter protection. On one contract, valued at
$450,000, the extra winter cost was $5,000, or 1.11 per cent of the total
value of the contract; on another job of $1,300,000 the extra winter
cost was $6,000, or 0.46 per cent of the total; and on a third contract of
$500,000, the extra winter cost was $3,000, or 0.60 per cent of the
total.
The Lundoff-Bicknell Co. states that during the winter of 1928-29
it erected one of the tallest buildings in Chicago at an approximate
cost of $5,000,000. It was one of the severest Chicago winters, during
which the temperature went below freezing nearly every day and
hovered near zero a great deal of the time. It was decided to carry
on the construction, including the setting of the stonework without
cessation, because of the fact that some of prominent tenants had to
be in their offices by May 1. In addition to heating the water for
the mortar and for the materials, the following provisions were made:
The standard 4-foot bricklayer’s scaffold was used instead of the usual
narrow stonesetter’s scaffold. In order to protect the brick masons
and laborers from the cold winds, windbreaks were erected along the
entire length of the building and also at right angles to the center
line, within 10 feet of the walls of the building. These windbreaks
were made of canvas securely fastened at the floor and at the ceiling.
Sixty salamanders were then placed about the floor where the work
was in progress. With this protection, the stonesetting proceeded in
the coldest weather and in spite of the high winds. It was necessary
to have two floors thus protected—the one in which the stone was
being set and the floor above, where the laborers handed the stone to
the masons. The cost of the salamander heating was approximately
$3,000, and that of the temporary inclosures $3,300.
Another company, R. C. Wieboldt Co., finds that winter operations
in the construction industry present no engineering difficulty which
can not be easily overcome and that the extra costs involved are
relatively small and are often offset by the keener competition among
contractors during the winter season. This company is of the opinion
that the general public is rapidly becoming educated to the idea of
continuous operations during the winter months, due to the fact that
so many jobs have been successfully carried on during this season.
This opinion, however, does not apply to the small bungalow type of
house on which the extra winter outlay is so great that it has become
the custom in Chicago to lay the foundation of the building prior to
the cold weather so that the building could be completed in time for
the May 1st renting season.
The firm of Bulley & Andrews gives the following figures showing
extra costs of some of its winter operations in construction work:
(1) On a telephone exchange building consisting of two stories and
basement, built of reinforced concrete with stone and brick exterior,
whose total cost was $250,000, the extra winter cost (for coke, sala
manders, tarpaulins, and extra labor) amounted to $1,600. (2) On
a residence with a concrete foundation, wood floors, and stone walls,
whose total cost was $100,000, the extra winter cost (for coke, sala
manders, marsh grass, and manure) amounted to $210. (3) On a
gymnasium, a concrete building with a steel frame and stone exterior,
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the total cost of which was $400,000, the winter cost (for steam-plant
maintenance, marsh grass, labor, coke, coal, salt, and tarpaulins, was
$3,600. (4) On a chemical laboratory, a concrete building with
stone exterior, the total cost of which was $500,000, the extra winter
cost (for tarpaulins, coke, and salt, removing snow, and closing win
dows with cloth) was $3,800. (5) On a factory, a concrete frame
building with brick exterior on wood piles, the total cost of which
was $300,000, the extra winter cost (for coke, salamanders and labor
and removing snow) was $3,800. (6) On a school laboratory, a
concrete building with a stone exterior, the total cost of which was
$600,000, the extra cost (for steam, marsh grass, tarpaulins, removal
of snow and closing windows with cloth) amounted to $3,000.
This company is of the opinion that winter work is profitable to
the owner of the building for three reasons: (1) Manufactured prod
ucts can be bought considerably cheaper during the winter months
because during those months most plants are running at minimum
capacity and the manufacturers are willing to reduce their margin of
profit in order to keep their equipment, plant, and organization at
work; (2) the caliber of workmen available during the winter months
is nearly always higher than can be obtained during the summer;
and (3) winter building tends to equalize the demand for money
loans over all the seasons instead of concentrating these demands in
the spring.
The contractor, also, benefits by winter work by being able to
keep his organization going the year round, by being in the market
for different types of material all the year, and by being in closer con
tact with the market conditions in the industry.
Opinions of Home Builders
The following represents the views of Mills & Sons, a firm of
home builders in Chicago which has been in business for the past 44
years and is experienced in the construction of both bungalows and
2-flat apartment houses ranging in price from $9,000 to $15,000:
We have alw ays been in fa v o r of contin u in g co n stru ctio n th ro u g h o u t th e
w in ter m o n th s even th o u g h it costs us an av erage of $150 ad d itio n a l expense per
building. T h e a d d itio n al cost covers th e o p eratio n a n d m ain ten an ce of concrete
p rotection, purchases of coal a n d coke, in sta lla tio n p rio r to th e necessary tim e
of h o t-w ater h eatin g p la n ts to pro v id e tem p o ra ry h e a t du rin g th e plastering,
c a rp en try , an d p ain tin g operations. T h is cost, how ever, rep resen ts a very insig
nificant am o u n t w hen th e o perations involve tw o to th re e h u n d red buildings.
T h ere are, of course, c ertain days, a n d now a n d th e n certain weeks, th a t construc
tio n m u st necessarily be a t a sta n d still owing to unlooked-for subzero periods or
heavy blizzards. Also, in th e long ru n th e efficiency of th e w orkers during th e
w inter m onths is decidedly low er th a n during th e o th e r seasons of th e year.
W ith reference to th e class of w orkm anship, we can safely a sse rt t h a t a hom e
b u ilt in th e w inter, providing all of th e necessary p recau tio n s h av e been tak en ,
is fully as sound as w hen erected u n d er ideal conditions in w arm w eather.
In direct contrast is the opinion of the firm of Albert J. Schorsch
& Co., whose policy is to build as rapidly as possible during the sum
mer and fall months, in order to have the houses completed before
the arrival of cold weather. The reasons of this company for not
building during the winter months are “ excessive costs as compared
with summer building; inferior workmanship and inferior quality of
completed buildings; and the attitude of prospective home buyers
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FLUCTUATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
17
in hesitating to purchase a home constructed during the winter
months.”
Sears-Roebuck & Co., however, advocates winter construction
work because it believes that in the case of small houses “ the chances
favor a decided economy to the home builder if he utilizes the off
season for his operations.” The majority of houses built by this
company are bungalows. In the opinion of the firm it is custom that
leads many people to plan their building in the spring, not realizing
that a considerable saving can be made by building in the fall and
in the winter. The company favors winter building because good
mechanics and dependable contractors are available, whereas the
latter are generally too busy to undertake small buildings in the
spring or summer season; because in the winter the contractor is
willing to take a job at a lower price than he could afford to do in
the spring months; and, finally, because building materials can be
had at a cheaper price during the winter months.
Opinions of Owners of Buildings
Since July, 1924, the University of Chicago has been carrying on
the largest building program in its history, with an expenditure on
various types of buildings aggregating, to date, approximately
$30,000,000. In this program construction has been carried on during
the winter months, and in only one case was a building closed for the
winter, and that was due largely to the difficulties of securing the type
of stone needed. The opinion of the university is given below:
T he tendency is n o t to c u rta il o perations du rin g th e w inter, b u t th is is n o t
entirely u nder control, since a u th o rity to a rch itects a n d tim e fo r draw ings an d
specifications frequently resu lt in asking for bids in m idw inter, in w hich case
c o n tracts are let so th a t w ork s ta rts conveniently fo r th e co n tra c to r in th e spring.
W hile th e C hicago w inters a re norm ally m o d erate to severe in ch aracter, th e
n a tu re of th e san d y soil is such th a t little or no difficulty is encountered from
fro st, and m odern steam shovels can excavate in th e w in tertim e ju s t as well as in
th e sum m er.
T he a c tu a l expense to th e co n tra c to r for w in ter operations has been fo u n d to
be very sm all. C oncrete has been p o ured regularly in th e cold w eath er w ith th e
usual precautions of heatin g w ater a n d aggregates before pouring, a n d p ro tectin g
th e w ork by tarp a u lin s, w indbreaks, a n d coke-burning salam anders, to keep th e
new ly poured concrete w arm for tw o o r th re e days or longer depending upon th e
w eather conditions. T h e expense of th ese p ro te c tin g m easures has been found
to be b u t a slight percentage of th e to ta l co n stru ctio n w ork.
M ost co n tracto rs in th is v icinity a re experienced a n d are p ro v id ed w ith th e
necessary equipm ent for w in ter w ork, a n d we h av e h a d p ractically no difficulty
in securing safe a n d sound co n stru ctio n in th e w in ter as well as in th e o th er
seasons of th e year.
T h e fa c t th a t th e u n iv ersity o perates on th e 4 -q u a rter system , w ith school
opening norm ally on th e 1st of O ctober, h as m ad e it necessary in a n u m b er of
p rojects th a t th e building be so scheduled to be com pleted in S eptem ber. T his
usually requires a good deal of w in ter w ork on fram e co n stru ctio n a n d m asonry,
b u t i t brings th e building to th e finishing stag e in th e sum m er w hen tem p o rary
h e a t is n o t required, th e saving in tem p o rary h e a t m ore th a n offsetting th e sm all
ad d itio n al cost of th e w in ter w ork in th e earlier p a r t of th e p ro ject. In a few
instances w here th e buildings p roduce revenue no consideration h as been given
to th e difficulty of w inter construction, since th e e x tra expense involved is usually
very sm all.
W e have n o t observed th a t lab o r in th e c o n stru ctio n w ork is m ore efficient in
w in ter th a n in sum m er. U nder th e conditions of w ork in th e u n iv ersity con tracts,
we find th a t th e chief difficulty from th e w orker’s p o in t of view is th a t he can n o t
w ork enough days in th e y ear because one jo b ends before a n o th e r begins an d
uxdess in d u stry is generally a t a high p o in t of a c tiv ity th e m en lose a good deal
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MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
of tim e betw een jobs. O ur o rd in ary specification fo r doing concrete w ork is th a t
th e m ethods of h eatin g m aterials a n d p ro tectin g new ly p oured co ncrete shall
conform to th e a rc h ite c t’s req u irem en t. W ith th o se p recau tio n s fulfilled th e work
can be carried on a t a n y reasonable te m p e ra tu re . E ach of th e jobs is co n stan tly
in touch w ith th e U n ited S tates W eath er B ureau a n d h as in fo rm atio n som etim es
48 hours in ad vance as to changes in th e w eather. F req u en tly , we delay pouring
concrete for 24 hou rs o r so to be sure of a rising th erm o m eter. O ur specification
for settin g stone, w hich is m ore difficult to p ro te c t th a n concrete, is t h a t sto n e
settin g shall sto p a t 32° F . w ith a falling th erm o m eter, b u t th e w ork can be
carried on a t a te m p e ra tu re of 25° to 28° w ith a rising th erm o m eter. * * *
The Commonwealth Edison Co., during the period 1927-1930,
carried out a building program amounting to approximately
$12,000,000. The company reports that its schedule was not
influenced by winter weather but depended entirely on the require
ments of the organization. In the opinion of this company, the
disadvantage of winter operations from the standpoint of the owner
is largely a matter of increased cost, which is ultimately borne by the
owner. While the company had no information showing the exact
percentage of the increased cost of winter operations as contrasted
with summer work, in its opinion “ this percentage undoubtedly
varies according to the size and efficiency of the contracting company,
and the weather conditions encountered during the winter operations.”
One advantage, however, is that continuance of operations during the
winter “ tends toward minimum labor turnover from the standpoint
of the contractor. The result of this is a more even employment of the
good mechanics, and hence better workmanship and efficiency.”
Milwaukee, Wis.
Opinions of Contractors
C o n c e r n i n g the question of winter operations in the construction
industry in Milwaukee, the firm of Bentley Bros. (Inc.) expresses the
following opinion:
O ur records of nearly 85 years show t h a t it is only in th e p a s t 20 y ears th a t we
h ave learned to op erate in w in ter m o n th s. T h is is especially tru e of th e la s t 10
years. O ur organization now fu n ctio n s th e fu ll 12 m o n th s of th e year, a n d in
order to do so we find i t necessary to ta k e on a c e rta in p ercen tag e of w ork which
will be carried over th e w inter.
^ T he disad v an tag es of doing w in ter w ork are c o m p arativ ely slight, if any.
T he g reatest dang ers in w in ter o p eratio n s are in p o uring co ncrete a n d h av in g a
d rop in te m p e ra tu re beyond th e p o in t t h a t w e a re p re p a re d to h e a t th e aggre
gates an d th e placed concrete. All o th e r tra d e s, in cluding brickw ork, are carried
on th e sam e as in sum m er. W e do n o t ad v o cate, how ever, doing brickw ork
unless th e m aterials a re h e a te d a n d a c e rta in a m o u n t of p ro tectio n given th e
w ork a fte r th e bricks are laid. * * *
O ur w in ter costs of o perations a re a b o u t th e sam e as our sum m er costs, in spite
of th e e x tra expenses in cu rred fo r h e a tin g purposes. T h is is tra c e a b le to th e
higher efficiency of th e w orkers w ho w a n t to h old th e ir jo b s a n d to th e low er costs
of m aterials w hich can be h a d a t a low er price d u rin g th e w in te r m o n th s. T he
ad v an tag es of w in ter o p eratio n s in keeping o u r org an izatio n in ta c t a n d in giving
w ork to th e unem ployed m en m ore th a n offsets a n y e x tra cost caused by adverse
w eather d u ring th e w in ter m o n th s. T h e a d v a n ta g e s to th e ow ner of th e building
are usually expressed in savings in re n t costs a n d in in te re st on th e in v estm en t.
O ur opinion is th a t w in ter w ork in an y clim ate w here th e th e rm o m e te r does
n o t go below 10° below zero is a p ra c tic a l operatio n , p a rtic u la rly w hen i t relates
to large office buildings, hotels, larg e a p a rtm e n ts, a n d factories. W e believe,
how ever, t h a t in m inor buildings such as stores, sm all residences, bungalow s,
etc., th e cost of w in ter operatio n s will be p ro p o rtio n a te ly larg er in percentage,
b u t even in those cases it is possible th a t a saving in in v e stm e n t a n d in ren tab le
tim e m ay offset th e e x tra cost.
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FLUCTUATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
W e are a stro n g adv o cate of stabilizing th e c o n stru ctio n in d u stry b y doing
w in ter w ork, a n d we believe th a t, given th e necessary cooperation of all forces
in th e co n stru ctio n in d u stry , stab ilizatio n can be accom plished.
Also favorable are the views of the S. M. Siesel Co.:
We h ave perform ed a considerable volum e of w ork in th e n a tu re of stru c tu ra l
fram ing of reinforced-concrete buildings, s ta rtin g o p eratio ns in th e fall a n d con
tin u in g th ro u g h th e w in ter season.
O ur experience show s t h a t i t is en tirely feasible to c arry on th e build in g o p era
tio n s d u rin g th e w in ter period, b u t th e re is a n increased co st in v o lv ed w hich we
as builders h av e absorbed fo r th e purpose of keeping o u r o rganization going d u r
ing th e slack w in ter m onth s. W e are presen tin g a few figures w hich will give you
an id ea of th e am o u n t of th e e x tra cost involved in carrying on building op era
tions during th e w inter.
T O T A L CO ST OF O P E R A T IO N A N D E X T R A C O ST D U E TO B U IL D IN G IN W IN T E R , ON
S P E C IF IE D B U IL D IN G S , IN M IL W A U K E E
T ype of building
A partm ent tm ilding
A partm ent tin il di Tig
_
__________________________
-- --
E xtra w inter cost
T otal cost
of opera
tion
A m ount
$96,000
167,600
418, 500
252, 600
$1,957
1,749
4,761
6,980
Per cent
2.04
1.04
1. 14
2. 72
T h e m ethods we h ave used in connection w ith cold-w eather w ork consist of
h e a tin g of aggregates b y m eans of steam pipes a n d steam lines a n d by using boiler
p lates a n d building fires u n d e r th em , of h eatin g th e w a te r a n d th e m aterials
w hen p u t in to th e concrete m ixer, a n d of p ro tectin g th e placed concrete w ith
w aterproof p a p e r a n d m arsh h a y a n d th e n inclosing th e en tire floor w ith canvas
ta rp a u lin s an d h e a tin g th e new ly placed co ncrete w ith coke salam anders burning
steadily d ay a n d n ig h t u n til th e concrete h as been com pletely cured, t h e o b ject
of these p recau tio n s is to g u ard a g a in st fro st en terin g in to th e concrete m a n y
w ay, shape, or form . H ow ever, th ese p recau tio n s are really q u ite sim ple a n d are
n o t in an y w ay excessively expensive.
.
W e fou n d t h a t la b o r efficiency on w in te r jobs is considerably b e tte r because
we g et a b e tte r ty p e of lab o rer a n d th e m en are m ore keenly in terested in retain in g
th eir jobs. C ertain operatio n s, how ever, a re p erform ed a t a h ig h er u n it cost
because of th e fa c t t h a t th e w orkers w hen exposed to cold w eath er are n o t capable
of w orking as efficiently as in th e w arm season. W e also find t h a t building
m aterials are slightly low er in co st d u rin g th e w in ter m o n th s, chiefly because of
th e falling dow n of th e d e m an d fo r th ese m aterials in th e off season. _
We re p e a t t h a t o u r firm ab so rb s th e ad d itio n a l co st involved in w in ter opera
tio n s because w e realize t h a t ow ners w ill n o t know ingly p a y m ore m oney to build
d u ring th e w in te r m o n th s unless given ce rta in in d u cem en ts to do so. _ Som etim es
we can use th e a rg u m e n t t h a t b y sta rtin g w ork in th e fa ll m o n th s i t is possible
to h av e b uildings read y fo r occupancy on or a b o u t M ay 1, w hich is still th e usual
ren tin g d a te in th is te rrito ry , a n d th is arg u m e n t h as considerable influence w ith
th e owners.
We are g reatly in tereste d in an v effort t h a t can be m ade to stabilize tfie con
stru ctio n business a n d to spread" th e o p eratio n s over th e e n tire y ear, a n d we
w ould suggest t h a t owing to th e n a tu ra l h esitan cy of p riv a te ow ners t h a t th e
G overnm ent ta k e th e in itia tiv e a n d s t a r t m ore of its building p ro jects du rin g
th e fall m onths, th u s giving a larg er im p e tu s to th e m o v em en t in fa v o r of w in ter
operations in th e co nstructio n in d u stry .
In contrast with the above is the attitude of the Coddington Engi
neering Corporation, which reports that, while construction work
during the winter months is possible, experience leads to the belief
that it is also expensive. The company states that for several winters
it has been “ absolutely impossible to do any outside work during
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
January and February due to subzero weather conditions” ; that dur
ing winter months the days are too short for efficient operation; that
considerable time is required each morning for the removal of the
protective devices; and that a large amount of labor is needed to clean
the snow from incompleted work, from runways, and from stock piles.
Also, the firm considers that the labor efficiency is less during the
winter months than in summer.
Robert L. Reisinger & Co., which specializes in the building of
apartment houses, hotels, and other commercial buildings, finds most
of its building activities concentrated during the fall and winter
months. This company is of the opinion th a titis “ feasible, practical,
and economical” to cany on construction work during the cold
weather, and that the labor efficiency at that time is greater, due
chiefly to the better type of workmen available and to the greater
effort on the part of those employed.
Opinions of Home Builders
The stand of the Stockdale Homes Co. on the subject of winter
building is as follows:
For th e p a s t 36 years we h av e been building hom es ran g in g from $4,000 to
$12,000 in cost, a n d a b o u t o n e-th ird of th e m were b u ilt o r finished d u rin g th e
w inter m onths. W e usually build o u r houses in u n its of 10, p u ttin g in th e com
plete basem ent, w indow s, a n d flooring before cold w e ath er sets in, a n d p ro te c tin g
our basem ents w ith stra w a n d m anure. T h e m en th e n s t a r t to w ork on th e first
house a n d stick to i t u n til th e roof is on a n d th e w indow s in. T h en th e y s ta r t
on th e n ex t house, w orking on m ild d a y s outside, w hile on colder a n d sto rm y
days th e y w ork inside th e first house w hich h as been inclosed.
As soon as th e house is inclosed th e h e a tin g p la n t is in stalled so t h a t th e lath ers,
plasterers, plum bers, p ain ters, etc., can each go to w ork a n d n o t be im p ed ed by
th e w eather.
We have found th a t th e e x tra cost of h eatin g a n d p ro tectin g th e buildings from
frost w as easily offset by th e difference in la b o r cost, as o u r m en h av e alw ays been
willing to w ork fo r less d u rin g th e w in ter m o n th s in o rd er to h a v e ste a d y em ploy
m ent. In th is w ay we could keep o u r crew s b usy th e w hole y e a r ro und.
We also fou n d t h a t houses b u ilt in th e w in ter sta n d up so well t h a t n o t even
an ex p ert could tell th e season in w hich th e y w ere built.
Fond du Lac, Wis.
Opinions of Contractors
T h e following gives the views of the Immel Construction Co. This
company has been doing general building work for approximately
35 years, with most of its work concentrated in Wisconsin, Illinois,
Iowa, and other midwestern States:
W e do n o t specialize in a n y p a rtic u la r ty p e of co n stru ctio n a n d do all classes
of general building w ork, such as public buildings, com m ercial buildings, factories,
th eaters, hotels, garages, a p a rtm e n ts, residences, etc.
D uring th e p a s t 20 y ears we h a v e been doing w ork th ro u g h o u t th e w in ter
m onths of N ovem ber, D ecem ber, Ja n u a ry , F e b ru a ry , a n d M arch, a n d d u rin g th e
la s t 7 years we averag ed a slig h tly larg er volum e of "construction w ork d u rin g th e
5 w in ter m o n th s th a n d u rin g th e 7 sum m er m o n th s. T his can easily be seen from
th e m o n th ly records of th e to ta l n u m b er of m en k e p t on th e p a y rolls of th e com
p an y during th e years 1924 to 1929, inclusive.
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FLUCTUATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
T O T A L N U M B E R OF M E N ON PA Y R O L L OF C O N S T R U C T IO N C O M P A N Y D U R IN G
S U M M E R A N D W IN T E R M O N T H S , 1924-25 TO 1929-30
N um ber of m en on p ay roll
M onth
6
-year
1929-30 average
1924-25
1925-26
1926-27
1927-28
1928-29
115
225
198
120
277
314
378
404
525
523
578
416
380
384
432
365
361
343
211
169
178
291
522
509
457
440
458
594
572
284
300
295
350
375
300
280
369
290
289
500
514
594
304
344
335
330
395
424
446
.
185
507
426
383
302
405
368
W inter m onths:
N ovem ber_____________________
D ecem ber___________________ ..
Jan u a ry . .
---------------------- .
February ---- -- ------------------------M arch-------- --------------------------
340
408
315
381
497
628
598
423
301
293
540
591
637
542
487
421
314
206
138
191
395
415
225
280
340
464
300
250
164
224
465
438
343
300
339
Sum m er m onths:
A pril----------- -------------------------M ay __________________________
June-------- -------------------------------J u ly ___________________________
A ugust--------- ---------------------- Septem ber--------- ------------ --- . . .
O ctober. ______________________
Average, 7 m onths---------------
Average, 5 m o n th s ..
______
388
448
559
254
330
280
377
Y early average-------
. ----
270
483
481
329
314
353
370
T hese figures clearly show th a t during th e w in ter m o n th s th e com pany averaged
a slightly larg er nu m b er of m en em ployed per m o n th th a n th e av erag e for each
year, a n d a considerably larg er n u m b er th a n th e av erag e of th e seven sum m er
m onths. T his is prim arily due to a definite policy of th e com pany to carry a
c o n sta n t volum e of constru ctio n th ro u g h th e 12 m o n th s of th e year.
D uring th is period we fo u n d no serious d isad v an tag es in doing w in ter w ork.
On th e c o n tra ry we definitely prefer i t to sum m er w ork. T h ere is less loss of
tim e for b ad w eath er an d w aitin g for m aterials du rin g th e w in ter m o n th s an d
we w ould u n d er no circum stances consider th e elim ination of w in ter construction.
If w in ter w ork is properly done, w ith th e necessary p recau tio n ary m easures,
th e re a re absolutely no disad v an tag es to th e ow ner a n d th e re a re no differences
in th e q u a lity of w orkm anship. T h e w in ter p recau tio n s re q u ired h av e becom e
of la te m ore or less stabilized. Some of th ese m easures are: C oncrete should
be placed in th e form s n o t colder th a n 70° F. a n d n o t h o tte r th a n 140° F . a n d
should be m ain tain ed in th e slab a t n o t less th a n 70° fo r a t le a st seven days.
T hese te m p e ra tu re ranges control th e a m o u n t of h e a t th a t m u st be fu rnished on
th e job. T h e h eatin g of m aterials is therefore a progressive process increasing
w ith th e decrease in te m p e ra tu re .
S ta rtin g w ith th e first chilly days in th e fall, it is sufficient to h e a t th e w ater
only. As th e te m p e ra tu re drops low er, usually to a b o u t 35°, th e san d a n d sto n e
m u st also be h eated . In h eatin g th e aggregates care m u s t be ta k e n to see th a t
ail frozen lu m p s a re th aw ed o u t of th e m ixture. All fro st a n d ice m u s t be re
m oved from th e form s an d reinforced steel before a n y concrete is placed. T his
can b est be accom plished by th e use of a steam je t. Before freezing te m p e ra tu re s
a re reached i t is usually sufficient to cover freshly poured concrete w ith canvas
a n d m arsh h ay to p ro te c t it du rin g th e n ig h t. F o r concrete w ork carried on
when d ay tim e tem p eratu re s a re below freezing, i t is necessary to inclose th e
stru c tu re a n d furnish tem p o ra ry h e a t w ith in th e inclosure. F o r o rd in ary w in ter
jobs in th e N o rth ern S tates th e following practices h av e becom e q u ite general:
W i n t e r 'p la n t .— T he item s of eq u ip m en t needed for w in ter o perations w hich
v ary in nu m b er a n d size w ith th e size of th e job a n d th e te m p e ra tu re s are :
Steam boiler, 50 horsepow er, 60 pound pressure.
S team hose, approxim ately 200 feet.
Steam points, 6-1% inches for aggregates.
Iron pipe an d fittings.
T herm om eters.
T arpaulins.
S alam anders.
M arsh hay (not alw ays re q u ire d ).
W ater b arrel for m ixer.
W ater barrels for fire protection.
[507]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
H e a tin g m a t e r i a l s .— A w ater barrel should be m o u n ted above th e m ix er and
connected to th e steam boiler by a pipe valved a t th e m ixer w ith th e end te r
m in atin g a few inches from th e b o tto m of th e barrel. S team should be allowed
to flow to th e barrel in sufficient q u a n titie s to keep th e w ater enterin g th e m ixer
a t a b o u t 150° F.
F or o rdinary jobs th e aggregates are h eate d by several pieces of steam hose
to w hich are a tta c h e d 6-foot len g th s of p erfo rated pipe draw n to points and
inclosed a t th e end. T hese p o in ts a re forced in to th e pipe n ear th e locations
from w here th e m ate ria ls a re being ta k e n to th e m ixer. I t is a good p ractice to
cover all m aterial piles w ith canvas to re ta in th e h e a t a n d to keep o u t th e snow
an d ice. Sand a n d sto n e should be h e a te d to a m inim um of 40° F. a n d p refer
ab ly to betw een 60° a n d 70°. W here sto rag e bins are used, p erfo rated pipe coils
m ay be placed n ear th e b o tto m of th e bins. If sand a n d gravel are received in
carloads, steam po in ts m u s t be placed in to th e cars before th e m aterials are
unloaded. In all cases all frozen lu m p s m u s t be th aw ed out.
A steam hose o u tle t m u s t be m ad e av ailab le a t each floor level to be used in
rem oving snow a n d ice from th e form s a n d from th e reinforced steel. T his
should be accom plished ju s t a h e a d of th e pouring of th e concrete.
P r o te c tio n f o r c o n c r e te .— Before s ta rtin g to concrete th e colum ns of a n y sto ry
or th e floors su p p o rted b y such colum ns, ta rp a u lin s m u s t be h u n g from th e beam s
of th e floor to be p o ured a n d lash ed to th e beam s of th e floor below. T h e canvas
should be held aw ay from th e o u tside face of th e ex terio r concrete 6 to 24 inches,
to provide room for th e circulation of th e h e a t. T h e ta rp a u lin s m u s t be well
lashed to exclude w ind a n d m u st reach well below th e surface of th e floor su p p o rt
ing th e colum ns to be concreted. W hen th e e n tire floor is n o t poured in one
operation th e area to be concreted m u s t be sh u t off from th e re s t of th e sto ry by
a cu rtain across th e building.
Salam anders co ntaining coke or oil fires m u st be p laced inside th e inclosures,
a n d th e te m p e ra tu re of 70° F. should be o b tain ed in th e floor ju s t below th e forms
before an y concrete is poured. T his will generally req u ire one salam an d er for
a b o u t 300 square fe e t of floor area. A t le a st one salam an d er will be req u ired
a t each exterior colum n, a n d in ex trem ely cold or w indy w eath er tw o salam anders
m ay be required for each colum n. H e a t holes a b o u t 8 inches b y 12 sh o u ld be
left in th e floor poured w ith one hole ap p ro x im ately for each salam an d er. T hese
v e n t holes a re for th e purpose of allowing h e a t to reach th e to p of th e slab an d
a t th e sam e tim e of le ttin g th e carbon m onoxide gas escape from th e inclosed
area. W henever a considerable n u m b er of salam an d ers are used, th e firing
should be done by m en w orking in pairs in o rd er to m inim ize th e danger of gas
poisoning.
D uring th e entire period of w in ter concreting a d etailed reco rd of th e follow ing
tem p eratu res should be k e p t: (1) O utside air; (2) form s to be concreted; (3)
b ottom of concreted slabs; (4) to p of concreted slabs; (5) b o tto m of exterior
colum ns a t th e m o st exposed side. R eadings should be ta k e n every four hours
day a n d night, a n d ad d itio n al h e a t a n d p ro tectio n fu rn ish ed if th e te m p e ra tu re
falls below 50° F. a t th e m o st exposed points. S alam anders m u st be fired
continuously in sm all am o u n ts to m a in ta in a uniform su p p ly of h e a t. Full
w ater barrels a n d fire b u ck ets m u s t be av ailab le as a pro tectio n ag a in st fire hazards.
I t is im possible to h a v e a n y definite rules as to th e m inim um tim e form s m u st
rem ain in place on w in ter concrete jobs. T h e safe tim e to strip form s should be
determ ined by th e p a rtic u la r conditions of each in d iv id u al stru c tu re . T em p er
a tu re records a n d te sts will h elp in d eterm ining th e len g th of th e tim e during which
th e form s should be k e p t in place.
W in te r c o s ts .— T h e m ain ten an ce of a w in ter p la n t a n d th e ex penditures for
p ro tectin g th e w ork a d d certain e x tra o u tlay s to th e b uilding costs. T hese
ex tra costs, how ever, a re so sm all th a t th e y can easily be disregarded for any
average-sized stru c tu re . C om plete cost records k e p t on 45 different buildings
erected by th e com pany in th e course of 4 years, v ary in g in a m o u n ts from $11,000
to $644,000 p er stru c tu re , give us th e following re s u lts : T o tal value of co n tracts
covered by th e 45 jobs, $6,100,800; to ta l cubic y ard s of concrete poured, 83,465;
to ta l cost of concrete w ork including form s, $1,216,852; to ta l cubic y ard s of
concrete poured du rin g th e w in ter m o n th s of N ovem ber to M arch inclusive,
35,716; to ta l ex tra cost for w in ter op eratio n p la n t, including fuel a n d ex tra
labor cost, $62,279. I t can readily be seen from th ese figures th a t th e ex tra
w in ter costs am o u n t only to a b o u t 1 per cent of th e to ta l value of th e jobs covered,
a n d a b o u t 5 per cen t of th e to ta l cost of th e concrete work.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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FLUCTUATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
23
T h e ad v an ta g es accrued to th e c o n tracto r from continuous o perations during
th e w in ter m o n th s b y fa r exceed th e e x tra w in ter costs p resen ted above. N eglecting as co m p arativ ely in tan g ib le th e econom ies d u e to low er prices of m aterials
d u ring th e w in ter m o n th s a n d to th e hig h er efficiency of la b o r due to th e b e tte r
ty p e of w orkm en av ailab le in th e off season, th e a d v an ta g es d u e to th e ab ility
of th e organization to fun ctio n over a 12-m onth period a n d to utilize th e eq u ip
m e n t over th e en tire y e a r will alo n e m ore th a n offset th e e x tra costs.
T h e ad v an ta g es t o ‘th e ow ner of th e building depend entirely on th e tim e ele
m e n t w hen th e com pletion of th e building is desired. T h ere is no possible excuse,
w ith m odern m ethods of constru ctio n , for th e closing dow n of a p ro je c t for cold
w eath er w ith th e consequent delay in com pletion an d increased carrying charges.
Eau Claire, Wis.
Opinions of Contractors
T h e following represents the opinion of the Hoeppner-Bartlett
Co., building contractors, on winter construction in Eau Claire, Wis.:
T h e construction of buildings du rin g th e w in ter m o n th s, u n d er clim atic condi
tions as th e y prevail in W isconsin, w as form erly considered a n im possibility,
a n d i t w as cu sto m ary in th is te rrito ry to cease building o p eratio n s in th e fall.
I t w as n o t u n til a fte r th e w ar t h a t th e necessity fo r co n stru ctio n overcam e th e
fear of w in ter building, an d experience h as since show n us th a t w in te r operations
h av e very few te rro rs a n d can be carried on w ith very little ad d itio n al cost over
sum m er building, if ail facto rs a re ta k e n in to consideration.
T h e e x tra w in te r costs a re in cu rred because of th e necessity to h e a t th e aggre
gates used for th e concrete a n d to m a in ta in a sufficiently h igh te m p e ra tu re in th e
building to keep th e new ly p o u red concrete from freezing. T h e la tte r is usually
accom plished b y m eans of inclosures a n d fires supplied b y coke or oil-burnm g
salam anders.
.
Of re c e n t y ears th e re h as been considerable opposition m th is ¡state to th e
use of coke fires, on acco u n t of th e carbon m onoxide gases w hich arise from th e
flames. W e h a v e h a d a good m an y m en overcom e by th ese gases, a n d we w arn
our m en to k eep o u t of th e room s w here th e coke is b urning. T h e S ta te ox
W isconsin h as recen tly passed a n ordinance p ro h ib itn g th e use of open salam anders
w ithin inclosed buildings. T his will pro b ab ly force th e c o n tracto rs to use covers
over th e salam anders, w ith sm oke pipes lead in g th e gases aw ay from th e room .
T h e a c tu a l cost of w in ter o p eratio n is considerably m ore th a n sum m er operatio n ,
n o tw ith stan d in g th e fa c t t h a t m an y w riters a re try in g to p ro v e th e c o n trary .
B u t in sp ite of th e high er cost, th e spreading of overhead of a co n tra c to r s
organization over 12 m o n th s in ste a d of 7 or 8 m o n th s is a v ery decided facto r
an d a d v a n ta g e for w in te r co n stru ctio n . T h e th e o ry h a s been ad v an ced th a t
labor can be h a d a t a low er price in th e w in ter th a n in th e su m m er a n d th a t
lab o r w ould be m ore efficient in w in ter because of a careful selection of th e w orkers
used in th e slack m onths. W e d id n o t find i t so. A m an can n o t w ork so well
in severe w eath er as he can in m o d erate te m p e ra tu re s, because if h e w ears enough
clothes to keep w arm h e is ham p ered in his w ork b y th e clothing, an d if he does
n o t w ear sufficient clothes he is to o cold to be ab le to w ork well.
T h e cost of h eatin g a building d u rin g co n stru ctio n th ro u g h th e w in ter m onths
w hen th e shell of th e building h as been b u ilt du rin g th e sum m er is usually larger
th a n th e cost of th e h eatin g of th e m aterials used in th e co n stru ctio n of th e shell
proper. T his is a decided facto r in fav o r of w in ter co n stru ctio n of a p ro ject which
requires 1 0 or m ore m o n th s fo r com pletion.
_
_
B rickw ork on w in ter c o n stru ctio n in th is clim ate is n o t n early so difficult as
one w ould suppose, b u t i t can n o t be carried on successfully if th e te m p e ra tu re
drops below 10° below zero. F o r th is reason brickw ork is usually done on selected
days w hen th e te m p e ra tu re show s a rising tendency.
W e do n o t a tte m p t to c arry on w ork w hen th e te m p e ra tu re falls below zero,
as th e efficiency of th e w orkm en is too m u ch reduced b y th e severe cold, b u t
th e days w hen th e te m p e ra tu re is below zero are co m p arativ ely few even m th is
section of th e country. H ow ever, it m u st be a d m itte d th a t w in ter w ork does
n o t progress as rapidly as sum m er work.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[509]
24
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Opinions of Home Builders
Walker Bros. (Inc.), specializing in home building, reports that it
continues building operations during the winter months by taking
the necessary precautions of using artificial heat and covering. In
the opinion of this firm continuous operation is advantageous mainly
because it keeps the organization of skilled labor the year round.
Minneapolis, Minn.
Opinions of Contractors
T h e attitude of C. F. Haglin & Sons Co. on the question of winter
operations in the construction industry in Minneapolis may be taken
as representative of the views of the majority of contractors in that
city:
O ur w ork consists prin cip ally of heav y building construction, such as banks,
office buildings, w arehouses, factories, etc., a n d th e m a jo rity of th e w ork which
we do is carried on th ro u g h o u t th e w in ter as well as th e sum m er; in fa c t we know
of no job w hich w e h a v e h a d in th e la s t 15 y ears w hich h as been sh u t dow n p er
m an en tly on acco u n t of w in ter w eath er, a lth o u g h occasionally w ork is sto p p ed for
a n u m b er of d ays because of th e ex trem ely cold tem p eratu res.
W e h av e been carry in g on concrete w ork th ro u g h o u t th e w in ter fo r over 20
years, pouring concrete in te m p e ra tu re s w hich w ere som etim es as low as 20°
below zero. W e find t h a t th e e x tra co st necessitated b y th e precau tio n s, equip
m ent, fuel, etc., w hich are req u ired fo r w in ter o perations, ru n a b o u t 1% to 2
p e r cent of th e to ta l cost of th e job. F o r sm aller jobs, how ever, th is percentage
is m aterially increased.
W e also find t h a t w e lose considerable efficiency in lab o r du rin g w in ter con
stru ctio n . B u t we ad v o c a te w in ter b uilding chiefly because of th e a d v a n ta g e of
continuous o peratio n a n d because it supplies w ork to th e laboring m en a t th e
tim e w han w ork is m o st needed.
Splady & Haagenson, a company which has been carrying on con
struction work for some 30 years, specializing in the larger types of
buildings, writes that during its experience it has “ come more and
more in contact with the problem of winter construction work.”
The disadvantages attending winter work are described as follows:
In fo u n d atio n w ork th e rem oving of fro st is very expensive w hen fo u n d atio n s
do n o t exten d beyond a sh o rt distan ce below th e fro st line. T his is p articu larly
tru e in 1-story facto ry a n d in d u stria l buildings w hich h av e no b asem ents except
for a sm all section fo r a h e a tin g p la n t. F o r th is reason a n inexpensive factory
building w hich m u st sp read over a g re a t a re a is penalized v ery severely du rin g th e
w in ter m o n th s because of so m an y piers a n d footings req u ired to be p u t u p in th e
cold w eather. In ta lle r buildings w ith deeper basem en ts th e co st w hen assessed
per square fo o t of floor a rea is n o t so g re a t a n d th e e x tra w in ter cost of excavation
is com paratively negligible. W in te r c o n stru ctio n requires t h a t all concrete
foundations an d floors of th e buildings be po u red in to th e form s in su red ag ain st
freezing of th e concrete u n til a t least several d ay s old. F o r th is reaso n th e form s
m u st be surrounded by ta rp a u lin s a n d o th e r p ro tectio n s excluding th e cold, an d
ad d itio n al h e a t m u st be pro v id ed to keep th e new ly placed co ncrete w ith in a
certain tem p eratu re . In ord er to m ak e progress on a jo b i t is som etim es necessary
th a t th re e to five floors be inclosed w ith ta rp a u lin s a n d a sy stem of h e a tin g m ain
tain ed in these floors. T h e brick a n d m asonry w ork also req u ire can v as inclosures
a n d h eatin g devices to keep th e m o rta r fro m freezing a n d to enable th e m en to
proceed w ith th e ir w ork. W in ter co n stru ctio n requires t h a t freezing ra in and
snow be rem oved from th e reinforced steel, from th e floors, beam s, a n d colum ns,
an d th is can b e st be accom plished e ith e r b y torches o r steam jets.
D uring w in ter co n stru c tio n a cold m orning will often find th e jo b w ith o u t th e
usual force of m en, who reach th e ir ow n conclusion as to w h eth er or n o t th e d ay is
satisfactory for w ork before th e y leave hom e. I t is im possible to use a fractio n al
crew an d th e re st of th e m en a re th erefo re laid off fo r th e balance of th e day.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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FLUCTUATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
25
>The advantages of winter operations from the company’s point of
view are:
T h e ty p e of lab o r available in th e w in ter tim e is som ew hat b e tte r th a n th e
average of th e sum m er on acco u n t of th e slackness of th e season fo r m an y trad es.
A lthough th e re has been no decrease in th e ra te s of p ay durin g th e w in ter m o n th s,
we feel t h a t low er costs can be secured by picking a m ore efficient ty p e of w orker
from th e field of unem ployed.
W e do n o t believe th a t, from a co n stru ctio n sta n d p o in t, th e re is m uch to be
said of th e econom y of w in ter w ork. E xpressed in term s of a c tu a l costs, th e
d isadvantages of w in ter c o n stru ctio n can h a rd ly be b alanced b y its ad v an ta g es.
We do believe, how ever, w in ter co n stru ctio n helps in stabilizing em p lo y m en t a n d
gives th e w orkers in th e in d u stry a secu rity on th e jo b w hich is n o t p re se n t w hen
co nstruction stops d u rin g th e w in ter m o n th s. T his te n d s to c reate a b e tte r
condition n o t only in th e c o n stru ctio n in d u stry b u t in business generally, w hich
in tu r n benefits th e constru ctio n in d u stry .
The Madsen Construction Co. gives the extra cost of its winter
operations as varying from of 1 per cent to 1% per cent of the entire
cost of the building, and finds that concrete and masonry work can
be done just as successfully during the winter months as in any other
season of the year.
Opinions of Home Builders
The following quotation from the report of McCoig & Jessup gives
the attitude of a representative firm of home builders on the question
of building homes during the winter season :
We have been building hom es a n d a p a rtm e n ts in M inneapolis for th e p a st 27
years a n d specialize in residence constru ctio n , b o th large a n d sm all. D uring
th is period we h ave done q u ite a b it of w in ter building, b u t n o t as m uch as we
w ould like to h av e done fo r th e reason t h a t people seem ed to h av e th e id ea in th is
clim ate t h a t building could n o t be done du rin g th e ex trem e m o n th s. R ecently,
how ever, th e public h as been realizing t h a t th e y can h av e th e ir hom es b u ilt in
th e w in ter a n d h ave th e m co n stru c te d fully as satisfacto ry as th e y a re in th e
sum m er m onths, provided, of course, th e building firm know s how to h an d le
w in ter w ork. T h e only p recau tio n s t h a t we h av e to ta k e are to p ro te c t ag ain st
freezing of concrete w ork a n d plastering.
T h e average price of ou r hom es ru n s from $5,000 to $25,000, a n d we find th a t
i t costs us no m ore to build in th e w in tertim e th a n in th e sum m er. T h e cost of
m aterials is som ew hat less in th e q u ie t season a n d o u r m echanics are w illing to
w ork fo r a little less p e r h o u r in o rd er to h elp us o b tain w in ter w ork a n d give th e m
stead y em ploym ent. W e also find t h a t o u r la b o r is m ore efficient in th e w in ter
tim e w hen th e re is availab le a large su p p ly of good m en.
W e are th o ro u g h ly convinced t h a t th e hom e b u ilt in th e w in tertim e if p roperly
h andled is fully as good as th e one b u ilt in su m m ertim e, if n o t b ette r. T he
reason w hy th e house m ay be even b e tte r is t h a t i t does n o t g e t soaked so m uch
b y h eav y rain s w hich prev ail d u rin g th e su m m er m onths.
A bout th e only o p eratio n w hich w e can n o t safely p erform in w in tertim e is th e
application of exterior stucco. T h is w ork is usually done a fte r A pril 1 w hen we
are sure t h a t th e stucco will n o t freeze before i t sets tho ro u g h ly . W e are firm ly
in fav o r of building o peratio n s d u rin g th e w in ter m ontiis because we believe th a t
i t will provide w ork to th e m en who suffer from u n em p lo y m en t d u e to th e cessa
tio n of operations in th e c o n stru ctio n in d u stry .
The Neumeier-Johnson Co. writes that it usually plans on having
all excavation work_ and the installation of concrete footings done
before the frost sets in. It is of the opinion that winter construction
costs are somewhat smaller than during the summer, because of the
savings effected in purchases of material due to seasonal slack of
business and the availability of better mechanics, although the rates
of wages are usually maintained. It also states that “ home-selling
conditions are better in the spring of the year, which is another favor
able inducement for winter building.”
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[511]
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
St. Paul, Minn.
D u r i n g the fall and winter months of 1925-26 the Builders’
Exchange of St. Paul, Minn., carried on an effective campaign in
order to ed ucate the builders and the public alike to the idea of winter
building The slogan of the campaign was “ St. Paul builds in the
winter it pays.” A sum of $4,500 was raised by voluntary sub
scription from the members. The campaign was directed by a special
committee representative of each of the groups of contractors, sub
contractors, material supply men, equipment dealers, and bonding
companies. The campaign was carried on primarily by means of
publicity in the local press and by distributing a special booklet under
the same slogan. Window cards, pictures of winter building proj ects,
and winter building slogans were displayed in hotels, banks, lobbies
ol public buildings, etc. The principal reasons advanced in this cam
paign m favor of winter building were: First, it is cheaper to build
when the demand for labor and materials is less than during the rush
days of the spring and summer, and winter operations insure prompt
delivery of materials and better workmanship on the job. Second,
the demand for building materials and for building-trades workers
helps to keep other workers busy and thus indirectly benefits business
at large. Third, winter building operations result in continuous
employment for the laboring men and do away with the discontent
resulting from seasonal slackness. Fourth, winter building is abso
lutely feasible and practical, as can be proven by the millions of
dollars’ worth of winter building carried on during that season.
The members of the Builders’ Exchange believe that the campaign
was a success, worth the effort and the expenditure. It resulted in
more business and more employment. The sight of people going
and coming from work on building projects during the winter months
had a psychological effect which was very salutary for the building
industry and for business in general.
Opinions of Architects
The views of the firm of Clarence H. Johnston follow:
We do n o t have an open an d closed b uilding season in M innesota. P lans
for buildings are p resen ted th ro u g h o u t th e y ear, an d as soon as th e y a re com pleted
co n tracts are aw ard ed a n d th e w ork proceeds irresp ectiv e of th e season of th e
y ear. It th e building is large, ou tsid e brick a n d m asonry w ork proceeds th ro u g h
o u t th e w in ter m on th s w ith an occasional w in ter la y off on such d av s as th e
te m p eratu re drops to 20° o r 15° above zero. In th e sm aller buildings i t is
possible to h av e th e shell inclosed before th e real cold w eath er sets in. T em
p o rary h e a t is th e n p ro v id ed to co n tin u e w ith th e in te rio r w ork.
,, 1 ca.n,5 fcall’
yeai;s ag o ’ w hen ^ w as cu sto m ary to sto p building w ork a b o u t
th e m iddle of N ovem ber covering up th e footings a n d w alls a n d closing down
th e w ork u n til th e m iddle of M arch. T h is h a s all been ch anged now
T he
m odern m ethods of co n stru ctio n a n d th e u tilizatio n of h eatin g devices fo r th e
concrete an d th e m o rta r, as well as th e aggregates, th e ta rp a u lin inclosures,
an d th e covered sw inging scaffolds, h av e p ractically elim in ated all h azard s so
fa r as carrying m aterial is concerned, as well as fo r th e p ro te c tio n of th e w o rk
m en during th e w in ter m o n th s.
The firm of Ellerbe & Co. writes that it recommends winter con
struction to its clients whenever the occasion requires, for the follow
ing reasons:
. (a) ,J t com pletes th e b uilding a certain n u m b er of m o n th s earlier an d th u s
gives to th e ow ner th e o p p o rtu n ity of earlier incom e from th e building;
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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FLUCTUATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
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(6) In th e long ru n th e to ta l cost of building o perations if carried on th ro u g h
o u t th e w in ter is less th a n if th e o perations w ere to be in te rru p te d on acco u n t
of cold w eath er; an d
(c)
T h e ad v an ta g es of w in ter building greatly exceed th e e x tra costs w hich
are requ ired for w in ter operations, because th e co n tra c to rs an d m an u factu rers
are anxious to handle w in ter w ork a t a sm aller m argin of profit.
Opinions of Contractors
The Paul Steenberg Construction Co. writes as follows:
W e h av e been in th e building co n stru ctio n line fo r a period of a b o u t 25 years,
w ith m o st of o u r w ork co n cen trated in th e S ta te of M innesota.
S tran g e as i t m ay seem, all of o u r m ajo r o perations h av e been carried on
th ro u g h th e w inter. In th e w in ter of 1924-25 we erected a large convent
costing $500,000; in th e w in ter of 1925-26 we b u ilt a sem inary costing $1,250,000;
in th e w in te r of 1927-28 we b u ilt a large d o rm ito ry a t a cost of $500,000; in
th e w in ter of 1928-29 we did p ractically all th e m asonry w ork on a n a u d ito riu m
costing $1,250,000; in th e w in ter of 1929-30 we b u ilt a large produce building
a t a co st of $150,000. W e h a d a lo t of snow a n d very cold w eath er all th e w ay
th ro u g h th is job. I t w as sta rte d in N ovem ber a n d com pleted M ay 1, w ith all
th e w ork done d u ring th e w in ter m onths. T h is w in ter w e h av e been w orking
on a large 32-story b an k building w hich is to cost a b o u t $3,500,000. I t is tru e
t h a t th is season w e h a d an exceedingly m ild w inter, b u t all th e conditions for
p ro te c tin g w in ter w ork h a d to be m e t in ord er to be p rep ared ag ain st a n em ergency
o r a sud d en cold spell. F o r instance, in p rep arin g for th e pouring of concrete
w e h a d five floors inclosed w ith can v as a t a tim e. T he floor on w hich th e placing
of concrete to o k place w as com pletely inclosed w ith canvas on all sides a n d also
k e p t a t a c o n sta n t te m p e ra tu re of a b o u t 70° F. T his w as accom plished b y m eans
of coke salam anders k e p t u n d e rn e a th th e slab on th e floor ju s t below. T his
c o n sta n t te m p e ra tu re w as m ain tain ed fo r a period of n o t less th a n five d ay s in
o rd er to g u aran tee th e ab so lu te p ro tectio n of th e concrete ag a in st freezing.
As to th e m an n er of lay in g bricks a n d sto n e du rin g cold w eather, w e usually
use a h anging scaffold en tirely inclosed w ith canvas on all sides a n d a sm all
a ir-tig h t stove is placed n ear each w orker to keep th e m o rta r from freezing an d
to keep th e m an w arm w hile a t work.
I t is o u r candid opinion t h a t i t tak e s no m ore p recau tio n to w ork in th e w in ter
even in M innesota th a n it does in th e sum m er tim e. D uring th e sum m er m onths,
w hen w orking u n d er th e h o t ra y s of th e sun, several laborers are com pelled
to sp rin k le th e concrete co n tin u ally to keep i t from drying or se ttin g to o soon.
T h e concrete m u s t be covered w ith san d or p a p e r during th e sum m er m onths,
w hich offsets th e cost of using stra w or h ay d u rin g th e w in ter m onths. Because
of th e co m p arativ e slackness of w ork d u rin g th e w in ter m onths, it is possible
to pick a crew of w orkers w hich will p ro v e m u ch m ore efficient a n d to b e tte r
a d v a n ta g e th a n i t is possible to pick du rin g th e ru sh sum m er season. If we
w ere to say th a t th e re w as a difference in th e cost betw een sum m er a n d w in ter
operations, our honest opinion w ould be th a t it is cheaper to build in th e w in ter
tim e.
As to th e o th er ad v an ta g es in fav o r of w in ter building^ we in sist t h a t th e
la b o r in th e w in ter m o n th s is generally m ore efficient th a n in th e sum m er; raw
m a terials are som ew hat ch eap er du rin g th e d ull seasons; also m an y m an u factu red
articles used in th e constru ctio n in d u stry a re ch eaper du rin g th e w in te r m onths.
W e earn estly tr y to sell o u r clients th e id ea of w in ter operations, giving th e
reasons o utlined above, a n d w e now find t h a t c o n stru ctio n w ork as a w hole
is carried on during th e w in te r m o n th s alm o st to th e sam e e x te n t as in th e sum
m er, w ith th e exception of c ertain classes of w ork such as ro ad building an d
s tre e t w ork, w hich can n o t be done econom ically during th e w in ter m onths.
The firm of L. H. Sault states that during the last 15 or 20 years
there has hardly been a year in which the firm has not done a, certain
amount of concrete work during the winter months. It is of the
opinion that the extra cost involved in winter operations is often
offset by the contractor’s willingness to accept a smaller margin of
profit in order to keep his men occupied the year round.
T here is also to be considered th e increased efficiency of a selected class of
lab o r available fo r w in ter w ork w hich can n o t be h ad du rin g th e su m m er rush.
Som etim es low er ra te s of wages prevail during th e w in ter season.
72574°—31------3
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As to th e heating of th e building w hen th e sheh is com pleted, th is cost depends
on th e length of tim e th e h eatin g is req u ired a n d on th e n a tu re of th e building.
F o r a very p lain garage building th is co st m ig h t be less th a n 1 p e r cent, p erh ap s
as low as th ree-q u a rte rs of 1 p e r cent. In m ore com plicated buildings w ith
h e a t req u ired th ro u g h o u t th e w in ter th e cost of in terio r h eatin g m ig h t be as
m uch as 5 p er cent.
We believe th a t w in ter op eratio n in th e co n stru ctio n in d u stry is ad v an ta g eo u s
to all p arties concerned. I t enables th e co n tra c to r to o p erate th e y e a r round
w ith possibly low er wages for th e m en in th e c o n stru ctio n in d u stry . A fter all
it is n o t th e ra te of wages b u t w h a t th e m en e arn d u rin g th e en tire y e a r th a t is
p aram o u n t. If th e m en are o u t of a job all w in ter th e sum m er ra te s m u s t be
sufficiently high to su p p ly th e needs of th e w orker for th e whole y ear. W ith
continuous operatio n s d u rin g th e en tire y ear th e ra te of vmges can th erefo re be
considerably lowered.
M aterial prices are alw ays low er in th e w in ter m o n th s; co n tra c to rs an d sub
co n tracto rs are also w illing to ta k e jobs on a sm aller profit. As to th e ow ner of
th e building, once he has decided to build an d secured th e m oney for his project,
it is to his in terest to have th e building com pleted as soon as possible in order
to reduce th e tim e du rin g w hich his in v e stm e n t rem ains idle.
Views of Small Home Builders
The opinion of Conrad Hamm expresses the attitude of small home
builders in St. Paul as to the problem of winter construction work:
Our business is exclusively th e designing, building, financing, an d m odernizing
of homes, and in all cases except w here we have b u ilt for d e m o n stra tio n purposes
all of our hom es are sold before we s ta r t th e ir construction.
A bout six years ago we m ad e a v ery th o ro u g h stu d y of w in ter building in
connection w ith an in v estig atio n for th e p u rpose of increasing o u r sales of homes.
We have found t h a t only ap p ro x im ately 45 p er cen t of th e m en engaged in th e
construction in d u stry w ere hom e owners. N inety-five p e r cent of th e rem aining
w orkers in th e building tra d e s w ere w illing a n d anxious to be hom e ow ners, b u t
due to th e fa c t t h a t th e re w as considerable w in ter u n em p lo y m en t in th is in
d u stry th ey felt t h a t th e y could n o t possibly m ak e th e necessary m o n th ly p a y
m en ts w hich were req u ired over th e e n tire year.
We h a d experienced in years before t h a t th e m en com ing to us in th e spring
and applying for w ork w ere in a g re a t m an y cases b ad ly in d eb t, due to th e fact
th a t th e y had lost tw o, th ree, a n d fo u r m o n th s of em p lo y m en t d u rin g th e w in ter
season. T his led us to th e conclusion t h a t som ething m u s t be accom plished in
th e co nstruction in d u stry w hich w ould provide for th e continuous em ploym ent
of a t least a fair percen tag e of th e m en involved.
We also found th a t a v ery large p ro p o rtio n of our local people were n o t sold
to th e idea t h a t one could build as good a hom e in th e w in ter m o n th s as in any
o th er tim e of th e year. Some of o u r ban k ers a n d arc h ite c ts also h ad th e n otion
th a t it w as n o t advisable o r p ra c tic a l to build a hom e in th e w inter.
A fter considerable th o u g h t w e finally decided th a t i t w as n o t necessary alone
to sell th e idea of w in ter building to th e p rospective ow ner b u t to th e city a t
large, to th e bankers, a n d to th e m erch an ts, a n d to prove to th e m t h a t we could
build as good a hom e in th e w in ter as a t an y o th e r period, do it efficiently, an d
w ith a c tu a l low er cost to th e owners. In o rd er to accom plish th is we decided
to d em o n strate in an a c tu a l w ay, step by step, how th e w ork is being done, as
well as th e a c tu a l resu lts in th e com pleted building.
W ith th is in m ind in 1927 we u n d erto o k to prom ote, w ith th e assistance of
th e m a te ria l supply houses a n d m an u factu rers, a w in te r-b u ilt d em o n stratio n
home, w hich w as u n d e rta k e n th ro u g h th e com bined efforts of 50 firms, a t a
cost of a b o u t $15,000. T h e w ork w as sta rte d on th e 3d d av of D ecem ber, a n d
each w eek we carried considerable new spaper space a n d o th er form s of publicity,
inv iting th e people to m ak e a th o ro u g h inspection of th e w ork, to see how th e
w ork w as done, a n d w a tc h th e results. W e h a d som e 500 to 3,000 people each
S unday in v estig atin g th e process of th e building, w hich proceeded in a te m
p era tu re ranging from 20° above to 20° below zero. A t th e tim e th e excava
tio n w as s ta rte d we h ad 18 inches of fro st, a n d th e te m p e ra tu re w e n t as low as
20° below zero before we co m pleted th e fo u n d atio n . T h e reco rd s w ill show
th a t we h ad a n un u su ally cold w inter, a n d we are of th e opinion t h a t a t no
tim e could we h ave u n d e rta k e n such a cam paign w ith w eath er conditions m ore
ag ain st us th a n in th e w in ter of 1927-28.
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T he building w as com pleted on th e 3d d ay of April, w as fu rn ish ed b y th e
leading d e p a rtm e n t stores, a n d th ro w n open to th e p ublic each d a y from 2 to
9 p. m . fo r tw o weeks. B y a c tu a l c o u n t we h a d a n a tte n d a n c e of b e tte r th a n
26,000 people, w ho w en t th ro u g h in groups a n d in each case a n ex p lan atio n
was given as to w hy th e hom e w as b u ilt d u rin g th e cold m o n th s. A fter th e
show ing w as over th e building w as sold fo r $12,000, a n d th e proceeds w ere used
to defray th e ad v ertisin g a n d p u b licity expenses a n d p a r t of th e la b o r cost.
T h e fa c t t h a t th is d em o n stra tio n h a d been su ch a success m a d e th is sam e
group of 50 firm s anxious to tr y i t again, a n d house No. 2 w as u n d e rta k e n in
th e follow ing w inter, a n d house N o. 3 th e w in te r follow ing a fte r th a t. As a
result, w e a re convinced t h a t a t le a st 80 p e r c e n t of th e people of S t. P a u l are
sold to th e id ea t h a t i t is possible to b u ild as good a hom e in th e w in te r m o n th s
as a t an y o th e r season of th e y ear. N ow o u r a c tu a l business show s t h a t w e a re
s ta rtin g ‘co n stru ctio n n early ev ery m o n th of th e y ear. W e are convinced t h a t
sim ilar stu d ies in o th e r d istric ts w ould b rin g a b o u t e q u al re su lts a n d w ould
overcom e th e “ b u g ab o o ” of w in te r building.
W e recognize t h a t th e h an d lin g of these d em o n stra tio n houses w as n o t rep re
sen ta tiv e of th e av erage ty p e of building. W e believe t h a t in o u r clim ate all
excavations fo r w in ter building should be done a n d th e fo u n d atio n s p u t m before
th e fro st sets in. T h e fram ing of th e building a n d th e su p e rstru c tu re c an be
com pleted d u ring th e m o st su itab le tim es th ro u g h o u t th e w inter. U n d er th ese
circum stances w e know t h a t th e co st w ill n o t exceed th o se of su m m er building,
w ith possible savings in a n u m b e r of cases, because o u r experience show s t h a t
one can b u y m aterials an d h ire th e b e tte r ty p e of w orkers a t a so m ew h at low er
ra te th a n d u rin g th e b u sy seasons. W e also g et m ore efficiency o u t of our
help because th e y a re anxious to re ta in th e ir jobs du rin g th e slack m o n th s, and
th e su b co n tracto rs are also w illing to ta k e th e job a t a low er m arg in th a n th a t
prevailing during th e sum m er m o n th s.
John L. Wilson, specializing in building of houses ranging in price
from $8,000 to $15,000, writes that in the last 15 years the firm has
built about 150 houses during winter months. I t is the experience
of this company that none of these houses was affected adversely by
the cold weather. I t is this firm’s practice to put in the foundations
before the frost sets in and get the building inclosed as quickly as
possible; it can then install the heating plant and proceed with the
interior work irrespective of the weather. The reasons given ior
advocating winter building of houses are as follows:
I t gives stead y em plo y m en t to lab o r; houses b u ilt u n d e r c o n tra c t are re ad y for
occupancy in th e spring, a n d th e ow ners are given a chance to p u t th e ir y a rd s m
shape d u rin g th e spring a n d su m m er m o n th s. H ouses b u ilt fo r sale are re a d y io r
th e spring m a rk e t, w hich is in th is section as good as th e fall m a rk e t. Besides,
if th e v are n o t sold in th e sprin g th e re is th e a d v a n ta g e of th e longer season during
th e sum m er an d fall m onths, a n d if th e y are n o t sold by S eptem ber one m ay re n t
th em to ad v an ta g e in th e fall.
F lu c t u a t io n s in t h e C o n s tr u c tio n In d u s tr y in S o u th e r n S ta te s
As i n the section relating to winter building in the Northern States,
because of the similarity of the opinions expressed and lack of space
one or two typical opinions each of architects, contractors, etc., have
been selected for quotation at length, those of the others inteiviewed being summarized merely.
Atlanta, Ga.
Opinions of Architects
T h e reasons for the fluctuations in the building industry in Atlanta,
as seen by the architectural firm of A. Ten Eyck Brown, are as follows:
I t is u n d o u b ted ly tru e t h a t we are affected in th is city by a seasonal flu ctu atio n
in th e construction in d u stry w hich in o u r opinion is chiefly due to th e no tio n oi tiie
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people contem plating building th a t n o th in g can be done u n til spring. T h ere is no
reason in th is p a rtic u la r te rrito ry w hy building operatio n s could n o t continue all
th e y ear round, as ou r freezing o r cold spells h a rd ly ever continue m ore th a n a few
days a t a tim e.
C o n tracto rs in th is te rrito ry do n o t carry on th e ir w ork in v ery cold w eath er
because th e y are n o t equipped, as in th e case of th e N o rth o r th e E a st, eith er w ith
th e necessary inform atio n o r w ith th e e q u ip m en t needed to con tin u e operations
d u ring th e w in ter m o n th s.
Any in fo rm atio n w hich w ould help e d u cate th e people here t h a t co n stru ctio n
operations could be carried on d u rin g all th e seasons of th e y e a r will p ro v e helpful
to th e in d u stry . I n fa c t w e a re of th e opinion t h a t i t is cheaper to b uild du rin g th e
off season, chiefly because m ore a n d b e tte r w orkers a re av ailab le a n d prices of
building m aterials are som ew hat low er du rin g th e slack m o n th s.
The firm of Cooper & Cooper writes as follows:
P erhaps th e fa c t t h a t th e w in ter m o n th s are less severe in th e S o u th ern S tates
th a n in o th er p o rtio n s of th e co u n try h as been so m ew h at overstressed. I t is tru e
t h a t w e are n o t m u ch tro u b le d w ith snow , b u t a glance a t th e w e a th e r c h a rt will
show th e am azingly ra p id ra te in w hich te m p e ra tu re changes a re effected in th is
section. T h is m akes th e p o u rin g of co ncrete a n extrem ely h a z ard o u s operatio n ,
since id eal conditions a t th e beginning of th e d a y ’s w ork m a y change to su b
freezing in a few hours. I n a d d itio n to th is, from D ecem ber to A pril o u r rain fall
is considerable, causing th e clay soil to becom e th o ro u g h ly sa tu ra te d , w hich n o t
only m akes i t h a rd to w ork d u rin g th o se m o n th s b u t m ak es i t also d an g ero u s for
th e building a fte r th e clay h as d ried o u t. T h ese conditions, to g e th e r w ith
irreg u lar w orking hours, fre q u e n t ra in s a n d cold spells, m itig a te stro n g ly ag ain st
w in ter operations. A n o th er a n d p ro b ab ly even stro n g e r reaso n a g a in st w inter
building is th e general lack of know ledge on th e p a r t of c o n tracto rs, builders, an d
others connected w ith th e b uilding tra d e s, of pro p er, efficient, a n d econom ic
m ethods fo r p rev en tin g d am ag e caused b y su d d en freezes. In th e N o rth freezing
conditions are an tic ip a te d a n d p re p a re d for, w hile in th e S o u th th e y a re n o t pre ■
p ared fo r a n d th e problem of d am age caused by inclem ent w eath er is largely
left to luck.
The firm of Robert & Co. reports that in Atlanta most people who are
considering the construction of a residence, store building, or indus
trial plant endeavor to have the plans prepared and contracts let so as
to begin the work of building by April 1. This, in the company’s
opinion, is done for the purpose of saving money, as a certain amount
of time is lost during the months of December, January, and February,
partly on account of cold weather, but chiefly because of the rainy
season during this time of the year, and this lost time increases the
high cost of the building operations.
In the opinion of Hentze, Adler & Shutze, the dropping off of build
ing operations during the winter months is due to purely psychological
reasons.
Opinions of Contractors and Builders
In the opinion of the Shelverton Construction Co., what seasonal
variation there is in the volume of contracts let in Atlanta is mainly
in those for residential work.
I t is o u r opinion th a t, on th e larg er com m ercial a n d in d u strial buildings
w eath er offers no h in d ran ce to c o n stru ctio n d u rin g th e e n tire 12 m o n th s of th e
year. W hile w e m ay h a v e te m p e ra tu re s as low as 10° F . o r even low er, such
instances a re ra re a n d v ery brief, a n d do n o t in te rru p t th e co n stru ctio n w ork
an y m ore th a n a severe ra in in th e sum m er.
F rom th e sta n d p o in t of a c o n tra c to r th e re is no objection to contin u in g w ork
th e y ear ro u n d a n d we h a v e n ev er h e a rd in th is lo cality of w ork being sto p p ed on
account of th e appro ach of w inter.
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As to th e seasonal fluctu atio n s in resid en tial w ork, a p a rtm e n t buildings usually
are begun in th e early p a rt of th e y ear w ith th e o b ject of h av in g th e m com pleted
b y Septem ber 1, w hich is m oving d ay in A tla n ta . As th e m a jo rity of leases
expire on t h a t d a te , land lo rd s a n d ow ners aim to h av e th e ir buildings com pleted
on or before Septem ber 1. T h e sam e explanation w ould a p p ly to schools a n d
colleges w hich begin th e ir seasons a t a b o u t th a t tim e.
Following is the opinion of J. S. McCauley Co.:
W hile statistics m ay show th a t building co n stru ctio n in th is te rrito ry drops
during th e w in ter m o nths, we do n o t believe t h a t th e re is a n econom ic reason for
th is sto p p ag e or t h a t co n stru ctio n w ork can n o t be carried on satisfacto rily
d u ring th e w in ter m o nths. O ur w inters are n o t severe a n d freezing te m p e ra tu re s
h ard ly ever continue m ore th a n a few days a t a tim e.
T h e reason t h a t we do n o t b u ild m ore in th e w in te r season is due to th e fa c t
t h a t th e public has accustom ed itself to th in k in g t h a t th e season is beset w ith
h azard s a n d all m an n er of u nfavorable conditions to construction w ork.
_ M ost of th e larg er building c o n tracts t h a t we h av e h an d led h a v e been carried
on d u ring th e w in te r m o n th s. T hese jobs w ere secured in th e fall a n d th e con
stru c tio n w ork extended th ro u g h th e w in ter a n d was com pleted eith er in th e la te
spring or in th e sum m er.
A fter spring approaches a n d th e days begin to g et w arm , th e public n atu ra lly
begins to consider building, n o t because th e w ork can be done a n y b e tte r or an y
m ore econom ically, b u t th is is th e season t h a t brings th o u g h ts a n d urges to build.
T he m ore p ractical th in g to do w ould be to h av e th e house co n stru cte d during
th e w in ter m onths, th e n th e p lan tin g a n d landscaping com pleted during th e spring
or sum m er season.
The firm of A. K . Adams & Co. writes as follows:
We are in d u strial builders a n d specialize in factories a n d th e h eav ier ty p e s of
construction. W e are h eartily in fav o r of th e d istrib u tio n of construction work
over a 12-m onth period in stead of 8 m o n th s. F o r som e reason th e m ajo r con
stru c tio n w ork in th e S o u th begins during F eb ru ary or M arch an d ends in
Septem ber or O ctober. D u ring th e rem aining m o n th s of th e y ear th e re is com
p arativ ely very little w ork in progress. O ur w in ters th ro u g h o u t th e S o u th a re
very m ild a n d are n o t serious enough to in terfe re w ith th e building program .
A lthough construction costs w ould be slightly increased d u rin g cold w eath er,
we feel t h a t th is ad d itio n al cost w ould be offset by th e c o n tra c to r’s w illingness
to w ork on a low er m argin of profit du rin g th e slack period. T h e placing of
construction w ork on a 12-m onth basis will also te n d to stabilize lab o r an d low er
construction costs. F or exam ple, brick m asons w ould be willing to w ork for a
sm aller w age scale if th e y were certa in of 12 m o n th s’ continuous work.
The Griffin Construction Co., which specializes in heavy construc
tion work, such as office buildings, churches, theaters, industrial
buildings, etc., reports that its operations are carried on in the winter
time with the same speed and the same economy as in the warmer
months. The firm builds no homes or apartments, and in its opinion
the construction of that type of building is distinctly seasonal, due
chiefly to Atlanta’s single renting date, September 1. The weather
in Atlanta, however, should have no bearing on the ease or difficulty
in prosecuting construction work, for while temperature sometimes
drops as low as 20°, this happens only rarely and seldom lasts more
than from 10 to 30 hours. At such times, the company suspends
operations, as it uses no protective devices. This firm states that it
loses no more time during the winter months on account of cold and
rain than it does in summer on account of heat and rain.
The firm of Brazell, Miller & Newbanks does not believe that there
are great variations in the volume of construction in Atlanta during
the year, and to prove its contention, gives the average of monthly
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32
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
building permits issued in Atlanta over a 20-year period (1906-1925)
as follows:
Average
Jan u ary .
F eb ru ary
M a rc h __
April.
M ay .
Ju n e .
$700,000
650, 000
800, 000
1, 500, 000
900, 000
850, 000
Average
J u ly ...
August.
Septem ber.
O c to b e r__
N ovem ber
D ecem ber.
$875,
700,
725,
750,
600,
625,
000
000
000
000
000
000
The Massey Realty Co., which specializes in industrial and com
mercial types of buildings, such as stores, warehouses, hotels, etc.,
reports that there is a decided lull in its work during the months of
January and February, particularly as far as new jobs are concerned.
D uring these m o n th s it rain s m ore often, an d occasionally th e te m p e ra tu re
drops sufficiently low to cause sleet, snow, a n d freezing. U n d er th ese conditions
th e m en a t w ork are decidedly u n co m fo rtab le a n d can n o t p roduce th e q u a n tity
or th e q u ality of w ork w hich w ould m ak e i t w o rth while for th e b uilder to contm u e operations. W e th erefo re do n o t consider it econom ical to s ta rt a n y new
building p rojects du rin g these m o n th s unless th e ow ners need th e building for
special reasons.
. The Flagler Co. writes that for nearly 20 years it has paid no par
ticular attention to the season of the year, and finds, that except
there is somewhat more rainy weather in winter than in summer and
an occasional freezing day or two, its operations go on just as well in
winter as in the summer. In its opinion the delays due to rain and
cold m the winter are probably more than offset by the extreme heat
in„ the summer. This firm also points out the more plentiful supply
of skilled labor available in the winter.
New Orleans, La.
W i t h o u t exception the architects and building contractors inter
viewed agree that weather conditions in New Orleans have nothin«to do with the fluctuations in the construction industry, and that the
mam cause of the seasonal fluctuations lies in the fact that New
Orleans has only one leasing date. All renting and leasing agree
ments aie made as of October 1st, which condition automatically
throws the bulk of construction work on the summer months.
The views of the architects and large and small contractors are so
strikingly uniform that the letters of only the two covering the situa
tion most comprehensively are given for each group.
Opinions of Architects
The firm of Favrot & Livaudais (Ltd.) writes as follows:
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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FLUCTUATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
33
The letter of Wogan & Bernard describes the situation as follows:
I t is our opinion t h a t th e flu ctu atio n , or ra th e r th e quasi stag n atio n , in th e
building in d u stry in th is section d u rin g th e w in ter m o n th s is due p rim arily to th e
fa c t t h a t leases a re m ad e h ere beginning w ith O ctober 1. I t h as been o u r experi
ence to w itness th e postp o n in g of c e rta in p ro je c ts fo r several m o n th s, fo r t e
reason t h a t if begun th e b uilding w ould h a v e rem ain ed unoccupied fo r several
m o n th s aw aitin g th e lease p erio d ; a n d tru ly th e re seem s to be no p o in t in beginning th e co n stru ctio n of a building w hich m u s t b e delivered by O ctober 1 a t
a n y tim e p rio r th a n t h a t w hich is ab so lu tely necessary fo r th e build in g o perations.
T his sy stem re su lts in clogging u p th e offices of th e arch ite c ts a t one tim e o
th e vear, w ith idle periods a t o th e r tim es. T h e sam e is tr u e of th e c o n tracto rs
a n d "subcontractors, w ith re su lt of low er efficiency a n d low er w orkm anship done
during th e busy season. A change of th e leasing system , p a rtic u la rly by ad d in g
one or m ore leasing d ates du rin g th e year, will g reatly relieve th e situ atio n .
Opinions of General Contractors
The opinion of the firm of J. A. Petty & Sons (Inc.), as regards
winter building in New Orleans is as follows:
We h av e been in th e building business fo r over 25 years in th e city of New
O rleans, a n d o u r experience h a s been t h a t c o n stru ctio n in th is te rrito ry is n o t
affected b y w in ter conditions. In o th e r w ords, c o n stru ctio n can be carried on R
m o n th s in th e year.
, „ .
, ,
O ur re n ta l seasons s ta r t O ctober 1 each y ear a n d all leases are m ad e from th is
d ate. T h is h as considerable bearing on th e volum e of co n stru ctio n fo r th e reason
t h a t ow ners do n o t care to h a v e buildings com pleted a long tim e before th is d ate.
If i t is a p p a re n t t h a t com pletion can n o t be accom plished b y O ctober 1, th e
p ro ject is p u t off fo r th e n ex t y ear. W e fo u n d a sim ilar co ndition m connection
w ith building of schools w hich a re p lan n ed to be opened e ith e r m b ep tem b er or
in th e m iddle of Ja n u a ry . On th e w hole a n y sy stem w hich w ould elim in ate th ese
co n cen trated m oving d ate s will in o u r opinion also elim inate th e ups a n d dow ns
in th e co n stru ctio n in d u stry in th is te rrito ry .
Gervais F. Favrot, general contractor, gives his opinion as follows:
T he ren tin g season in N ew O rleans is from O ctober 1, a n d i t is o u r opin i° n
t h a t th e p ublic h as becom e accustom ed to s ta rtin g c o n stru ctio n w ork w ith th e
view of com pleting b y t h a t d a te . W eath er conditions m New O rleans a n d th e
su rro u n d in g te rrito ry are such t h a t g re a te r efficiency can be o b tain ed from labor
d u ring th e w in ter m onths.
T h e su m m er m o n th s a re tro p ic a l a n d very depressing, m aking i t practically im possible to get m axim um efficiency of lab o r
em ployed.
Opinions of Home Builders and subcontractors
A. L. Redden, home builder, writes as follows:
I t is tru e from o u r experience of th e p a s t 10 y ears t h a t th e re is a decided slum p
in building operations du rin g th e m o n th s of D ecem ber to M ay, w ith a, ru sh d u r
ing th e la te sum m er m o n th s a n d p a rtic u la rly p rio r to O ctober. T h is is due to a
se t re n ta l season a t O ctober. O ur w e ath er conditions h av e p ractically n o thing
to do w ith o u r building activ ities. W e a re of th e opinion t h a t a n a d d itio n al
re n ta l d a te will help th e situ atio n , especially from a resid en tial p o in t of view.
The Allied Sub-Contractor Group (Inc.) states the case thus:
S tabilization of th e building in d u stry so t h a t th e re m ay be a c o n tin u ity of th e
w ork th ro u g h o u t th e 12 m o n th s of th e y e a r is extrem ely desirable. W e are
favored h ere b y w eath er a n d o th e r phy sical conditions w hich m ak e i t possible to
continue o perations every d a y of th e y ear. W e h ave, u n fo rtu n a te ly , o nly one
m oving d a te , a n d m o st c o n tra c ts a re m ad e from O ctober 1 to O ctober 1. 1 herefore, th e re is a ru sh to g e t a ll buildings finished o r rep aired b y t h a t season. A lter
O ctober 1 th e re is n a tu ra lly a le t-u p in build in g o perations. _ I t w ould be very
beneficial to th e en tire co n stru ctio n in d u stry to h av e i t organized on a 12-m onth
basis ra th e r th a n suffering from c e rta in m o n th s of la x ity m th e tra d e . I t w ould
furnish continuous em p lo y m en t to skilled a n d unskilled labor, w ould im prov
business in general, a n d w ould u n d o u b ted ly re su lt in a low er co n stru ctio n cost of
building operations.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[519 ]
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND UNEM
PLOYMENT RELIEF
E x p e r ie n c e o f T o o l C o m p a n y in S ta b iliz in g E m p lo y m e n t
A N ARTICLE, by James W. Hook, in The Service Letter on
X jL Industrial Relations, May 30, published by the National Indus
trial Conference Board, discusses the responsibility of the individual
industry to its stable workers and gives an account of the plan fol
lowed in the company of which he is president during the present
emergency. Mr. Hook is chairman of the Industrial Committee of
the New England Council and a member of President Hoover’s
Emergency Committee for Employment.
When it became apparent in the latter part of 1929 that a serious
depression was imminent Mr. Hook states that the officials of his
company, The Geometric Tool Co., attempted to forestall the effect
upon its employees, and as a first step toward stability of employ
ment the places of employees voluntarily leaving their jobs were not
filled. As a result of the application of this policy the working force
was practically stabilized by February, 1930, and normal working
time was maintained for the entire force until the latter part of June,
1930, at which time the full effects of the depression began to be felt
by the firm. The company had planned for the period when it would
be necessary to decrease production, and when the necessity arose the
available work was divided among the force, giving those with de
pendents a larger share than those without. The plan for steadying
employment included, in addition to the regular factory operations,
thorough cleaning of the factory, painting, relocating machinery, and
general repair of machinery and fixtures. Even the most highly
skilled workmen did such work and were usually glad to get the extra
work even though in some cases it paid much less than their usual
rates. The spirit of cooperation evidenced generally by the workers
was in part d.ue to the fact that the superintendent and foremen both
directed the work personally and took an active part in it. Workmen
were not urged by the foremen to accept the extra work, but it was
offered to those who were most likely to accept it by reason of their
home needs.
At the time the article was written, the factory had had 45 weeks
of short-time work, during which time the business had shown a
recession of 50 per cent from the corresponding period in 1929 and of
42 per cent from that of the same period in 1928. In spite of the
great reduction in the volume of business the force had been reduced
only by voluntary quits and discharges for incompetence and for
serious infractions of the rules. Throughout the period a weekly
record was kept for each employee which showed the effect of the
depression upon time worked and wages. The record for each em
ployee showed the name, age, the number of dependents, the hours
worked and the earnings per week, and the date of employment.
The average hours worked and the wages for each 9-week period were
computed and in another column was shown what the normal work
hours and earnings of each man would have been had he worked
34
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EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS— UNEMPLOYMENT R E L IE F
35
full time. This record has been found by the management to be of
great value in distributing the work efficiently and with fairness to
the workers. In addition to this, the figures showed the precise effect
of the depression, not only on the individual employees, but also upon
departments and upon the business as a whole, and it has been
possible for the firm to estimate the amounts it would be necessary
to set aside in order to provide a system of unemployment benefits.
On the basis of its experience in the present depression the firm con
siders that if a reserve of one-half of 1 per cent had been set aside
during the years 1923-1929, the pay of its stable group of employees
could have been maintained for a period of 40 weeks. The figures,
therefore, have shown the company that reserves could be built up
during six or seven good years to maintain wages and salaries of the
stable group of employees at 80 per cent of normal for those with
dependents and 60 per cent for those without dependents during long
periods of short-time employment.
The writer maintains that industry must accept its responsibility
towards the stable workers who are the most important single factor
contributing to the success of any business, and that efforts must be
made by individual industries to provide such workers with steady
employment if we are to avoid some kind of State unemployment in
surance system. The stable workers, he considers, are those who have
been continuously on a pay roll for at least a year immediately pre
ceding a business depression which is severe enough to require a
contraction of forces or a shortening of hours. The casual or floating
type of worker who drifts from job to job, he thinks, is a less direct
responsibility upon management, and that while some kind of em
ployment must be provided for such workers this may be done by
advance planning of public works.
In an address 1 at a conference of representatives of the country’s
smaller industries held at Silver Bay, N. Y., Mr. Hook stated that
the country is headed directly for “ some sort of so-called public
employment insurance” unless industry takes steps to maintain the
incomes of stable workers in periods of depression. He stated that
the experience of his firm has led him to believe that it is possible for
the individual industry to care for its stable workers without very
great expense, and he believes that industry should voluntarily
assume this obligation. Each unit of industry, he believes, should
make a study during the present depression of what it would cost to
protect the incomes of stable employees, expressed in definite per
centages of normal pay over definite periods of time, and when the
present depression is over plans based on the data obtained from
these studies should be made for meeting the next depression. These
plans should include a definite stabilization program in addition to
the setting aside of reserve funds during the next cycle of prosperous
years. Whether the funds should be created jointly by employer and
employees he considers is a question which each industry should
decide for itself; but if the reserves are set up both by industry and
the workers, he believes the funds should be kept separate under
fixed trust agreements which “ would provide safeguards peculiar to
the special needs of the makers.”
i New York Times, Aug. 14, 1931, p. 9.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[521]
36
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
R e p o r t o n U n e m p lo y m e n t - B e n e f it P la n s a n d I n su r a n c e S y s te m s
REPORT entitled “ Unemployment-benefit plans in the United
States and unemployment insurance in foreign countries” has
been issued as Bulletin No. 544 by the United States Bureau of
Labor Statistics. The bulletin was prepared in response to many
requests for a review of such systems, and, it is believed, covers
practically^ all plans of importance in the United States, although,
owing to time limitations, the survey could not reach all employers
and trade-unions in the country.
The first part of the report deals with the plans in existence in
the United States, the basic information for the report being obtained
in April, 1931, by bureau agents directly from the companies and
unions concerned. There have been several official and unofficial
reports issued on this subject, but most of the information on the
operation of these systems related to periods prior to the industrial
depression which began in the latter part of 1929. In addition to
completing and verifying existing information as to the details of
the plans, therefore, and studying the plans recently established,
an effort was made to ascertain what effects the depressed industrial
conditions have had on the operation of the plans. It was found that
79 unemployment-benefit or employment-guaranty plans were in
existence, and that the number of employees potentially affected by
these plans was about 226,000, although, owing to varying service
requirements, the number actually eligible to benefit was consider
ably less than this number. Of the 79 plans, 15 were company
plans established by employers, either individually or in groups, 16
were joint plans established by agreement between trade-unions and
employers, and 48 were trade-union plans maintained solely by
labor organizations, either national or local, for the benefit of their
own members.
The second part of the report deals with the public unemploy
ment-insurance systems in the 18 countries which, according to the
bureau’s information, had adopted such systems up to May, 1931.
The reports were prepared by the consular representatives of the
United States Department of State in the countries concerned, in
accordance with an outline prepared by the Bureau of Labor Sta
tistics.
Although unemployment insurance has been established by legis
lation in 18 foreign countries, in two of these—Luxemburg and
Spain—the legislation has not yet been put in effect, but in the other
16 countries the unemployment insurance systems are in active oper
ation. The systems established in these countries fall into two main
groups classified as “ compulsory” and “ voluntary.” In 9 countries
the legislation is compulsory in character and in 8 voluntary, while
in 1 country—Switzerland—the cantonal legislation is in some cases
compulsory and in others voluntary. _ The reports for the different
countries contain, as far as information is available, an analysis of
the law, a statement of the attitude of representative individuals
and organizations toward the system, and a statement as to any
important changes under consideration at the time the report was
prepared.
The entire report, for both the United States and foreign countries,
is intended to be entirely objective in character. No attempt, there-
A
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS----UNEM PLOYMENT R E L IE F
37
fore, has been made to evaluate the merits or success of any plan,
except that in the case of foreign countries the opinions of competent
authorities on this point, which represent various points of view, are
presented as far as such opinions were obtainable.
U n e m p lo y m e n t , A p ril, 1930, b y I n d u s tr y G ro u p s, A ge, R e a so n s
fo r Id le n e s s , a n d F a m ily R e la tio n s h ip
A
NALYSES of the returns from the Federal unemployment census
L of April, 1930, by industry groups, age, reasons for idleness, and
family relationship, have recently been published by the United States
Bureau of the Census and are reproduced below. The unemployment
inquiry, which was made as a part of the population census, covered
all persons usually working at a gainful occupation who were not at
work on the day preceding the enumeration.
The total number of gainful workers (persons 10 years old and over
reporting a gainful occupation) in the United States in April, 1930,
was 48,832,589, comprising 38,053,795 males and 10,778,794 females.
Of these, 2,429,062, or 5.0 per cent, were returned as out of a job,
able to work, and looking for a job (class A). Of the male gainful
workers, 2,058,738, or 5.4 per cent, were returned as jobless (class A),
while of the female gainful workers 370,324, or 3.4 per cent, were
jobless.
The highest unemployment percentages were found in manufac
turing and mechanical industries, extraction of minerals, and forestry
and fishing, and the lowest in agriculture, public service, and profes
sional service. In the detailed list of industry groups, 15.4 per cent
of the workers in the building industry were jobless. Other high
percentages in this class were 10.2 in woolen and worsted mills, 9.9 in
automobile factories, and 9.0 in cigar and tobacco factories. Among
manufacturing and mechanical industry groups, the smallest per
centages of jobless were found in chemical and allied industries, 3.9
per cent; paper and allied industries, 3.9 per cent; and independent
hand trades, 2.9 per cent, in agriculture the most significant unem
ployment returns are those for “ farm, laborers—wage workers.” In
this group, 3.8 per cent were returned as jobless (class A).
In class B (persons having jobs but on lay-off without pay, exclud
ing those sick or voluntarily idle), the highest unemployment per
centages were 12.6 in coal mines, and 11.2 in woolen and worsted
mills. In these industries, many persons, even those with long periods
of idleness, reported themselves as having jobs, while in other indus
tries, such as bakeries, printing, and independent hand trades, very
few persons returned on the unemployment schedules were reported
as having jobs to which they expected to return.
The returns for class A are shown in Table 1 by main industry
groups, by sex, together with the number of gainful workers in each
group. In Table 2, unemployment classes A and B are shown by
sex, with the number of gainful workers for a more extended list of
industry groups.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[523]
38
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
T a b l e 1.— U N E M P L O Y M E N T R E T U R N S F O R CLASS A, A N D N U M B E R O F G A IN F U L
W O R K E R S , BY M A IN IN D U S T R Y G R O U P S, 1930
Class A : Persons out of a job,
able to w ork, and looking
for a job
Gainful workers
In d u stry group
Males
Females
Agriculture___ ____ ____________
9,568, 347
Forestry and fishing_____________
266,876
Extraction of m inerals_____________ 1,147, 770
M anufacturing an d mechanical in
dustries___________ _______ ______ 11,901, 247
T ransportation . . ___________
3,990, 875
T rade_________ __________ . . . _
5,820,642
Public service (not elsewhere classi
fied)____________________________
934, 581
Professional service__
- . _______ 1, 663, 049
Domestic and personal service____ . 1, 662, 707
In d u stry no t specified______________ 1,097, 701
123, 323
1, 762, 795
3,149, 391
235, 364
All industries________________ 38,053, 795
10,778,794
913, 976
3,249
10, 294
2,416, 288
447, 730
1, 716,384
Females
T otal
Males
10, 482, 323
270,125
1,158,064
105, 536
19, 627
90,460
5,632
14,317, 535 1,013, 772
199, 220
4, 438, 605
7, 537, 026
195, 757
108, 838
8,608
55, 712
1,122, 610
88, 254
281, 986
1, 458
33, 043
122, 178
34, 336
23, 299
75, 328
210, 432
316, 322
48,832, 589 2,058, 738
370, 324
2, 429,062
1,057,904
3, 425,844
4,812, 098
1,333, 065
21,841
42, 285
Total
111, 168
221
19, 848
90, 758
298
207, 828
251, 469
T a ble 3.—U N E M P L O Y M E N T R E T U R N S F O R C LA SSES A A N D B, A N D N U M B E R OF
G A IN F U L W O R K E R S , B Y D E T A IL E D IN D U S T R Y G R O U P S, 1930
G ainful workers
In d u stry group
M ales
Females
Class A: Persons
out of a job, able
to w ork, and
looking for a job
M ales
Class B: Per
sons having
jobs b u t on
lay-off w ith
out pay, ex
cluding those
sick or volun
ta rily idle
Fe
males
M ales
81
5,484
2, 452
23, 805
F e
males
A griculture:
Farm ers (owners and ten an ts)___________ 5, 760, 050
F arm laborers—Wage workers____________ 2. 555, 935
U npaid fam ily w orkers.. _ _____________ 1,171, 687
O ther occupations in agriculture__________
80, 675
257, 672
171,100
6, 238
478i 966
6, 799
97,817
920
67
298
43
T o tal..............................................................__ 9, 568, 347
913, 976
105, 536
5,632
26, 555
5, 594
71
5,480
Forestry and fishing:
F orestry. ........................................... _............ .
Fishing................... _.............. ..................... .......
193, 433
73, 443
2,518
731
17, 291
2,336
166
55
5,298
2,994
56
21
T o ta l................ ..................................... ...........
266, 876
3,249
19,627
221
8,292
77
E xtraction of minerals:
Coal mines__________ ____ _______ _______
Oil and gas w ells_____________________ _
O ther mines and quarries____ ___________
688,660
195,006
264,104
2, 847
3, 949
3, 498
52,175
17, 496
20, 789
95
110
93
87, 306
3,737
7,510
98
12
71
1, 147, 770
10, 294
90, 460
298
98, 553
181
M anufacturing and mechanical industries:
Building in d u stry ______ _____________ . 2, 526,094
534, 672
Chemical a n d allied in d u stries______ _ . . .
Cigar a n d tobacco fa c to rie s________ ____ _
71, 024
Clay, glass, a n d stone industries....................
341, 407
C lothing industries______________ . ____
375, 386
B akeries__ . . . . ... .................................... . . .
241, 645
Slaughter and packing houses______. . . _.
143, 725
352, 797
O ther food a n d allied in d u stries____
Autom obile factories_____________ _
594, 889
A utom obile repair shops_______ ._ ____
253, 769
B last furnaces a n d steel rolling m ills..
605, 242
O ther iron a n d steel industries
________ 1, 648, 523
M etal industries, except iron and steel. . .
276, 531
Shoe factories___ ______ __________ __
172, 083
O ther leather industries_________________
87, 347
Saw and planing mills . . . ____________
444,160
O ther woodworking industries.......................
369, 350
35, 447
86, 378
78, 628
30, 766
413, 925
40, 460
20, 658
107, 619
45, 272
3, 977
21,811
109, 430
55, 259
99, 246
15, 395
10, 081
36,345
393, 503
21,868
7, 290
24, 033
28, 325
14, 257
8,172
17, 547
61, 182
17,125
36,166
113, 664
19,170
12, 499
6,539
20, 936
30,822
1,587
2,364
6, 217
1,080
17, 727
1,167
901
7, 141
2,342
145
759
3, 522
2,656
3, 660
917
349
1,524
91, 489
5, 267
2,106
13, 099
11, 835
2,194
1, 629
5, 836
19, 727
2,736
24, 947
42, 494
7, 887
7, 704
2,601
12, 730
15,199
363
761
3,093
1,077
13, 686
383
397
3, 761
1,119
25
340
1, 703
1,648
4,707
500
235
1,125
T o ta l.....................................................
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EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS— UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF
39
T able 2.—U N E M P L O Y M E N T R E T U R N S F O R C LA SSES A A N D B, A N D N U M B E R OF
G A IN F U L W O R K E R S , BY D E T A IL E D IN D U S T R Y G R O U P S, 1930-C ontinued
Gainful workers
In d u stry group
Males
M anu factu rin g and mechanical industries—
C ontinued.
Printing, publishing, and engraving______
Paper and allied industries______________
C otton m ills_____ ___ ______ ____________
K n ittin g m ills..______ _____ ____ _______
Silk m ills______________________________
Woolen an d w orsted m ills______ _____ ___
O ther textile m ills______________________
Independent h an d trades________________
Electrical m achinery a n d sup p ly factories..
R ubber factories...................................... ........
O ther m anufacturing in d u strie s._________
T o tal.
427,187
191,843
261,914
72, 476
90, 545
89, 809
176. 602
160, 946
295, 834
130, 762
964, 685
11,901, 247
T ransportation:
Construction and m aintenance of streets, etc
448, 706
Garages, greasing stations, etc___________
408, 934
Postal service__________________________
254, 238
Steam railroads________________________
1, 526, 631
Street railro ad s.._____ _________________
189,010
Telegraph and telephone________________
267, 079
O ther transportation and com m unication..
896, 277
T o tal_______________________________
Trade:
B anking and brokerage......... ..................... .
Insurance and real estate___ ____ ________
A utomobile agencies and filling stations___
Wholesale an d retail trade, except autom o
biles____ ____ _______________________
0 ther trade industries............................
T o tal.
Class A: Persons
out of a job, able
to work, and
looking for a job
Class B : Per
sons having
jo b s b u t on
lay-off w ith
o u t p a y , ex
cluding those
sick or volun
ta rily idle
Fe
males
M ales
Fe
males
3, 826
1,688
7,386
4,230
3, 442
4, 079
4, 218
5,641
7, 405
1, 565
11, 300
3, 698
2,875
12, 597
2,996
3,091
8, 758
6,730
1,047
5,483
2,242
17, 480
1, 187
1, 100
10, 069
5.061
3, 596
6, 923
4,025
1,865
2,455
700
4,361
2, 416, 288 1,013, 772 108,838 336,477
76, 265
Females
114,574
51, 478
160, 487
101, 552
85,344
50, 110
98, 592
200, 032
82, 680
35, 669
225, 073
Males
18, 009
7,834
15, 987
4, 754
5,945
10, 177
11,882
4,658
22,953
.10, 253
68, 222
4, 241
15, 041
29, 825.
56, 715
6,800
311, 284
23, 824
38, 404
20, 782
1,591
62,115
6,044
8, 390
61, 894
135
372
143
1,176
102
6,027
653
14, 566
3, 306
677
30, 662
1,330
2, 115
20, 371
44
47
109
312
12
1,166
208
3, 990, 875
447. 730
199, 220
8,608
73, 027
1,898
459,120
564, 381
472, 120
165, 841
233, 904
33, 202
10, 508
10, 362
13, 879
3,168
5,266
895
1,004
1,408
1,833
289
578
99
4, 121,685
203, 336
1, 227, 747
55, 690
152, 214
8, 794
44, 363
2, 020
26, 030
1,949
9, 576
418
5, 820, 642
1, 716, 384
195, 757
55,712
32, 224
10, 960
Public service (not elsewhere classified)______
934, 581
123, 323
21, 841
1,458
5, 960
414
Professional service:
Recreation and am usem ent____________
O ther professional and semiprofessional
service_____ ____ _____________________
318,007
131, 026
23,225
6,503
5,415
1,481
1, 345, 042
1, 631, 769
19, 060
26, 540
3,684
8, 386
1,663,049
1, 762, 795
42, 285
33, 043
9,099
9, 867
692, 166
213, 042
757, 499
660, 296
206, 048
2, 283, 047
46, 032
8,237
33, 985
26, 324
6,993
88, 861
5,032
1, 241
5, 226
4, 458
1,698
16,825
T o tal______ ______ ______________ _____
1, 662, 707
3,149, 391
11,499
22,981
In d u stry not specified_________ _________ ___
1,097, 701
235, 364
25, 721
2,941
T o tal.
Domestic and personal service:
Hotels, restaurants, boarding houses, e tc ...
Laundries and cleaning and pressing shops.
O ther dom estic and personal service______
88, 254 122,178
281, 986
34, 336
All industries................................................... 38,053,
38, 053, 795 10, 778, 794 2,058, 738 370, 324 627, 407 131,178
Unemployment by Age Groups
I n t h e returns of the unemployment census the most significant
group, designated as class A, is made up of persons out of a job, able
to work, and looking for a job. In this group there were 2,429,062
persons, comprising 2,058,738 males and 370,324 females. In class
A the median age was 34.9 years. For males, in class A, the median
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[5 2 5 ]
40
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
age was 36.3, and for females, 27.6. Of the total number in this
class 25 per cent were under the age of 24 years, and 25 per cent over
48.
In class B (persons having jobs but on lay-off without pay, exclud
ing those sick or voluntarily idle) there were 758,585 persons, com
prising 627,407 males and 131,178 females. In class B the median
age was 35.1 years. For males, in class B, the median age was 36.4
years and for females 28.1. Of the total number in this class, 25 per
cent were under the age of 24, and 25 per cent over 47.
The following table summarizes the returns for the United States
in classes A and B, by sex and age groups, with per cent of distribution
in each class and sex:
T a b l e 3 —N U M B E R A N D P E R C E N T O P U N E M P L O Y E D , B Y A G E G R O U PS
Number
Class A : Persons out ofajob, able
to work and looking for a job
Age group
M ales
10 to 14 y ears.. _____ ___ . . .
_ _
15 to 19 years____ .
___ _.
20 to 24 years____
25 to 29 y e ars..
. . ......
_________ _
30to34years__
35 to 39 y e a r s ____ _____
....
40 to 44 y ears____ . . .
. ___ _
45 to 49 years . . .
. . . .
50 to 54 years .
...................
55to 5 9 y ears._ _ _
60 to 64 y e a rs .._____ . . . . . . .
65 to 69 y e ars..
... . . .
70 years and over__
. . . . . __
U nknow n____
... . . . .
T o tal_________
. . . _________
Females
Total
Class B : Persons having jobs
b u t on lay-oil w ithout pay,
excluding those sick or vol
untarily idle
Males
Females
Total
1, 520
192, 176
331, 428
243, 387
203, 800
211, 265
197, 425
188, 078
162, 589
129, 096
97,042
62, 226
37,171
1,525
939
75,070
83, 255
50, 504
35, 327
33, 479
25, 960
22, 232
17, 114
12, 057
7, 740
4, 259
2,117
271
2, 459
267, 246
414, 683
293, 901
239, 127
244, 744
223, 385
210, 310
179, 703
141, 153
104, 782
66, 485
39, 288
1, 796
889
50,097
92, 174
80, 012
69, 804
72, 645
66, 454
59, 427
48, 167
35, 920
25, 565
15, 752
10, 162
339
764
26, 717
27, 645
17, 042
12, 826
12, 609
10, 388
8, 216
6,193
4,031
2, 544
1,416
712
75
1, 653
76, 814
119, 819
97, 054
82, 630
85, 254
76, 842
67, 643
54, 360
39, 951
28,109
17, 168
10, 874
414
2, 058, 738
370, 324
2, 429, 062
627, 407
131,178
758, 585
P e r cen t
10 to 14 y e ars.._ . . . . ___________
15 to 19 y e a r s ____
.
. ....
20 to 24 y ears.. .
25 to 29 years ._
... . . . .
30 to 34 y e a rs...
_ _ _ _ ______
35 to 39 years . . . . _____ . . . . .
_
40 to 4 4 y e ars... . . . .
_ _ _ . _
45 to 49 years
. _
. . .
... .
50 to 54 years____ _____ _
55 to 59 years _ .
.
.
_
___
60 to 64 years_____
..... . _
65 to 69 years______
_ _ . . . . __
70 years and over . . .
____ _
U nknow n............
_ _____
_
T o tal____ _
. . . .
0.1
9.3
16.1
11.8
9.9
10.3
9.6
9.1
7.9
6.3
4.7
3.0
1.8
.1
0.3
20.3
22.5
13.6
9.5
9.0
7.0
6.0
4.6
3.3
2.1
1.2
.6
.1
0. 1
11.0
17. 1
12. 1
9.8
10. 1
9.2
8.7
7.4
5.8
4.3
2. 7
1.6
.1
0.1
8.0
14.7
12.8
11.1
11.6
10.6
9.5
7.7
5.7
4.1
2.5
1.6
.1
0.6
20.4
21.1
13.0
9.8
9.6
7.9
6.3
4.7
3.1
1.9
1.1
.5
.1
0.2
10.1
15.8
12.8
10.9
11. 2
10. 1
8.9
7. 2
5. 3
3. 7
2.3
1. 4
.1
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Unemployment, by Reason for Idleness and Family Relationship
I n t h e returns of the unemployment census the most significant
group, designated as class A, is made up of persons out of a job, able
to work, and looking for a job. In this group there were 2,429,062
persons, comprising 2,058,738 males and 370,324 females. Of these,
919,151, or 37.8 per cent, gave immediate or superficial reasons for
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EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS— UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF
41
idleness, such as “ Laid off,” “ No work,” etc.; 716,168, or 29.5 per
cent, gave economic reasons, such as “ plant closed,” “ lack of orders,”
etc., and 367,510, or 15.1 per cent, gave reasons indicating season
ality, chiefly “ off season.”
In class B (persons having jobs but on lay-off without pay, ex
cluding those sick or voluntarily idle), there were 758,585 persons,
comprising 627,407 males and 131,178 females. In this group,
289,311, or 38.1 per cent, gave economic reasons, which in this class
included “ plant on part time.” Immediate or superficial reasons
were given by 267,957 persons, and seasonality (offseason) by 116,917.
Of the other groups of reasons, voluntary absence and personal
disability appear in class A only. By definition, these reasons are
excluded from class B. Reasons indicating dissatisfaction, as “ pay
too low,” “ resigned,” etc., and of industrial policy, such as “ reduc
tion of force,” “ machines introduced,” etc., were naturally more im
portant in class A than in class B, while family reasons and weather
conditions appear more prominently in class B than in class A.
Of the returns in class A, 47.7 per cent of the males and 9.8 per
cent of the females were returned as heads of families, while in class
B, 59.1 per cent of the males and 9.4 per cent of the females were
family heads. The other returns represented persons who were
either related members of families or lodgers, boarders, or members
of one person or of “ partnership” families.
The following table summarizes the returns for the United States
in classes A and B, by sex and by reason for idleness, and family re
lationship :
T a ble 4 .— R EA SO N S F O R ID L E N E S S , A N D F A M IL Y R E L A T IO N S H IP , OF U N E M P L O Y E D
Subject
Class A: Persons ou t of a job,
able to w ork, and looking for a
job
M ales
Reason for idleness:
V oluntary absence__________
Personal d isab ility__________
F am ily reasons...’_________ ____
W eather conditions_____________
B reakdow n of p la n t or equipm ent
Seasonality (oil season) _ _______
Economic conditions.
. . .
...
Indu strial policy.
_
. ... .
L abor disputes___________ _____
Im m ediate or superficial reasons. _
D issatisfaction______ ..
Miscellaneous.
.
. _______ '..
Reason no t rep o rted ____________
T o ta l. ______________________
F am ily relationship:
H ead of family
_____
Related m em ber of fam ily_____
Lodger, etc ______ __________
T o ta l____ _______________ ____
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Females
Total
Class B : Persons having jobs
b u t on lay-off w ithout pay,
excluding those sick or vol
u ntarily idle
M ales
Females
T otal
30, 262
101,177
4,869
4,074
3, 746
324,176
619, 792
87, 354
7, 774
787, 257
73, 248
4.618
10, 391
12, 612
37,096
5,834
128
679
43, 334
96, 376
14,816
1,026
131, 894
23, 672
525
2, 332
42, 874
138, 273
10,703
4,202
4,425
367, 510
716,168
102,170
8,800
919,151
96, 920
5,143
12, 723
9,935
26, 668
7, 737
97, 369
238, 625
9,603
5,868
222, 295
3,942
1,229
4, 136
8, 709
1,109
1,022
19, 548
50. 686
1,800
637
45,662
853
133
1,019
18, 644
27, 777
8,759
116, 917
289, 311
11,403
6,505
267, 957
4, 795
1,362
5,155
2,058, 738
370,324
2, 429,062
627, 407
131,178
758, 585
981, 591
703,414
373, 733
36,322
257,814
76,188
1,017,913
961, 228
449,921
370,919
178, 226
78, 262
12, 326
102, 225
16, 627
383,245
280,451
94, 889
2,058, 738
370, 324
2,429,062
627,407
131,178
758, 585
1527]
42
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
U n e m p lo y m e n t - B e n e f it P la n fo r P o c k e tb o o k W orkers
B
Y JOINT agreement of June 13, 1931, an unemployment-benefit
>plan was set up for pocketbook workers in the New York market.1
Signatories to the agreement were the Industrial Council of Leather
Goods Manufacturers (Inc.) and the International Pocketbook
Workers’ Union. Beginning in 1930 and throughout the early months
of 1931 the union maintained a trade-union plan of unemployment
benefits. However, this plan was discontinued shortly before the
agreement providing the joint plan was established.
Outline of Plan
T h e p la n is to go in to e ffe c t a t o n ce , p r o v is io n h a v in g b e e n m a d e
t h a t c o n tr ib u tio n s to th e u n e m p lo y m e n t f u n d s h o u ld b e g in o n e w e e k
a f te r t h e s ig n in g o f th e a g r e e m e n t.
T erm s o f benefit .—The agreement states that benefit payments shall
be made to workers as soon after the setting up of the plan as the
trustees and the administrator of the fund shall have worked out a
plan of operation. As yet no information is available showing terms
of eligibility, waiting period before making payments, amount and
duration of benefits.
A d m in is tr a tio n .—It is provided that administration of the plan
shall be placed in the hands of three trustees representing the union,
three representing the employers, and an administrator chosen a t the
time that the agreement was signed and acceptable to both parties.
It is further stipulated that the unemployment insurance fund shall
be administered by an unemployment insurance bureau to be set up
at once. All contributions to the fund are to be paid into the unem
ployment insurance bureau weekly. Should there be a dispute in the
industry at the expiration of the present agreement, funds then in the
hands of the unemployment insurance bureau must be held until the
dispute is settled.
M eth o d o f fin a n c in g p la n .—The cost of the plan will be borne equally
by employers and union members. Employers will pay into the
benefit fund 2% per cent of the weekly pay roll of all union members
in their shops, and workers will contribute 2% per cent of their weekly
earnings. No statement is available as yet as to whether a reserve
fund will be set aside.
E x te n t o f N o r m a l E m p lo y m e n t in C le v ela n d M a n u fa c tu r in g
P la n ts
HE extent of normal employment among 600 manufacturing
establishments in the Cleveland area is shown in the following
T
table summarizing information obtained by the Cleveland Chamber of
Commerce as the result of a questionnaire sent to manufacturers in
June, 1931. The table classifies the several firms according to the
hours worked per week and the percentage of normal employment.
i T h e In tern atio n al Pocketbook W orker, M ay -Ju n e -Ju ly , 1931, p. 7.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[52S]
43
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS— UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF
C L A S S IF IC A T IO N OF 600 C L E V E L A N D M A N U F A C T U R IN G P L A N T S A C C O R D IN G TO
W E E K L Y H O U R S W O R K E D A N D P E R C E N T A G E OF N O R M A L F O R C E
N um ber of firms w ith specified per cent of norm al force
Tim e worked per week
U nder
20 per
cent
40 and
under
60 per
cent
60 and
under
80 per
cent
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
4
2
5
2
1
2
4
2
4
8
2
1
3
2
1
4
9
1
1
5
6
20 and
under
40 per
cent
80 and
Over
under 100 per 100 per
100 per cent
cent
cent
1
14 hours
] 5 ii oil rs
16 hours
17 hours
18 hours
90 hnnrQ
1
23 hours
9,4 hours
25 hours
26 hours
______
27 hours
98 hours
2Qhours
30 hours
32 hours
33 hours
34 hours
35 hours
36 hours
37 hours
38 hours
30 hours
40 hours,.
____
41 hours
42 hours
43 hours
44 hours
____
45 hours___ . . . ------ . . ,
-----46 hours
47 hours
48 hours ____
_, ________ ____
50 hours. . . . . . . ____ . .
-----51 hours
52 hours
_ _
53 hours
54 hours
55 hours
56 hours
57 hours
58 hours
60 hours
63 hours
70 hours ________ ___________ ___
74 hours
84 hours
Total num ber of firm s,.
1
3
3
1
5
2
6
1
3
1
18
7
2
7
1
2
3
8
1
1
2
20
2
2
3
14
9
2
3
2
15
7
2
2
8
7
1
1
1
9
1
1
2
13
18
1
6
6
30
2
3
5
1
3
1
1
3
1
1
1
23
C5
130
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
3
2
7
1
1
2
1
2
13
2
7
4
1
3
10
4
1
18
4
3
1
9
4
16
2
2
4
9
34
3
7
4
2
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
3
1
1
1
5
1
1
160
98
108
16
Total
1
1
2
1
1
7
1
1
24
5
3
13
11
3
4
24
4
5
21
12
2
12
4
77
9
3
9
C3
50
3
22
28
112
2
10
6
16
6
2
2
1
12
2
1
1
1
600
R e la tiv e I m p o r ta n c e o f M a le a n d F e m a le W orkers in C leveland,
a n d C u y a h o g a C o u n ty , O h io , 1923 a n d 1928
N A recent survey of fluctuations in employment in Cleveland
and Cuyahoga County/ some changes in the sex composition
of the gainfully employed population as between 1923 and 1928 are
brought out. Grouping the employed population of the county by
sex, under five major industry heads, it is shown that between 1923
and 1928 the number of employed women increased more than did
the number of men and that, in all industries except one, women
represented a higher percentage of the total number employed in
1928 than in 1923. The table following shows the number of men
and women in each industry for the two years mentioned and the
per cent of the total that each sex formed in each industry. ______
I
'W o o ste r, H arvey A., and W hiting, Theodore E .: Flu ctu atio n in E m ploym ent in Cleveland and
C uyahoga C ounty, 1923-1928. A nn Arbor, M ich., E dw ards Bros. [1931?].
7 2 5 7 4 °— 31------ 4
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 529]
44
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
R E L A T IV E IM P O R T A N C E O P E A C H SE X , B Y IN D U S T R Y G R O U P S, 1923 A N D 1928
N um ber of persons in average
m onth
In d u s try group
1923
M anufactures___ _ __ _____
Trade, retail and wholesale_____
Service. _________ ______
T r a n s p o r ta tio n a n d p u b lic
utilities
C onstruction .
Miscellaneous 1 ____
All in d u stries. . . .
....
1928
Per cent of total
1923
M ale
Female
M ale
Female
132, 544
19,610
13, 287
31, 627
10, 788
10, 214
130,137
19, 768
22, 781
33, 547
14,879
18,074
12,974
15,198
591
3,953
405
4, 654
16,139
14,973
808
194, 204
61, 641
204, 606
M ale
1928
Fem ale
M ale
Fem ale
80. 7
64. 5
56.5
19.3
35. 5
43.5
79.5
57.1
55.8
20.5
42.9
44.2
4,865
576
86
76. 6
97.4
11.3
23.4
2. 6
88. 7
76.8
96.3
90.4
23.2
3.7
9.6
72,027
75.9
24. 1
74.0
26.0
1 Differences in th e miscellaneous group are largely accounted for b y a change in m ethod of classification
th a t was introduced in 1925.
Between the years 1923 and 1928 the number of men engaged in
manufactures and construction declined by 1.8 and 1.5 per cent,
respectively, while the number of women in these two branches of
industry increased by 6.1 and 42.2 per cent, respectively. However,
the volume of employment for women in these industries is far below
that of men, even taking into consideration the increases shown in
the 1928 figures. Employment in the remaining three branches of
industry increased for both men and women; in service the increases
were 71.5 per cent for men and 77.0 per cent for women; in transpor
tation and public utilities, 24.4 per cent for men and 23.1 per cent
for women; and in the remaining industrial classification, trade,
retail and wholesale, the increase for women was 37.9 per cent,
while the number of men employed remained almost stationary.
Taking all industries together the number of men employed increased
by 5.4 per cent in the county and women by 16.8 per cent.
In discussing the results of their investigation the authors of this
study point out that if the number of men employed had increased
in proportion to the increase in the male portion of the population,
this number should have grown by 26,000, at a conservative estimate,
instead of increasing by only 10,402, as shown in the table. Atten
tion is also directed to the trend of women into industry that is
evidenced by an increase of from 61,641 women in the industries of
Cleveland and Cuyahoga County in 1923 to 72,027 in 1928.
U n e m p lo y m e n t E m e r g e n c y P la n in H a m ilto n , O h io
A
N ACCOUNT of the plan for providing employment for the
t, citizens of the city, which was adopted in Hamilton, Ohio, as
a result of the business depression, is given by John K. Northway in
Nation’s Business, July, 1931, under the title “ They sold no apples
in Hamilton.”
When the depression began to be felt seriously in that city in the
fall of 1930, certain employers and employees, city officials, and social
workers were called together by the directors of the city chamber of
commerce to devise some plan by which serious unemployment could
be checked and a certain amount of work could be furnished to every
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[530]
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS— UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF
40
one who was able and willing to work. The plan which was evolved
depended upon city-wide cooperation and proved so successful that
it has not been necessary to resort to street vending, bread lines, or
similar provisions to assist persons thrown out of regulai employment.
Hamilton is a manufacturing town of about 53,000 population.
Its products are diversified, consisting largely of staples such as papei,
stoves, safes, and machinery, so that the different industries were not
affected by the depression all at the same time. As the population
of the town is mainly made up of factory employees, the stock-market
collapse had little effect on the people as a whole and a building boom
helped to delay serious unemployment, so that it was not until the
late spring and summer of 1930 that the town began really to leei the
depression, and even then the situation did not become serious until
late in the fall.
.
. .
, ^
A citizens’ unemployment committee was organized at tne nrst
meeting called by the chamber of commerce and a plan was drawn
up which was presented at a meeting of all employers of the city and
immediately adopted by them. The plan provided that, m_ appor
tioning work, preference should be given to residents of the city and
that only such outside labor should be employed as was not available
within the city. Preference was also to be given, all other things
being equal, to persons with dependents, and the plan provided that
only those married women should be employed who had no other
means of support. Potation of employment in order to give work to
the maximum number possible was also planned. A clearing house
for employment in which all persons deserving work should be listed
was to be maintained by the city, the bureau for social work, and
other agencies. The plan as outlined, therefore, was designed to
take care of all persons who were employed or might be employed
bv the factories, and it cut off opportunity for persons to drift m
from other cities and take jobs away from the citizens of the town.
The next step taken by the committee was to take care of those
employees who had been laid off by the factories and could not find
employment. It was announced by the city manager that all city
employees had agreed to contribute 2.5 per cent of theii wages each
month to an unemployment fund, and this action was followed by
similar voluntary contributions from business houses and other or
ganizations, so that in a short time $10,000 per month was being
paid into the fund. The money thus raised was used to provide work
for unemployed workers who would otherwise have been subjects for
charitv. The work was apportioned on the basis of the individual s
responsibilities, a man having a large family being given moie days
work per week than one with fewer responsibilities. Each case was
investigated and as far as was humanly possible every deserving per
son was provided for. The emergency work was paid for at the rate
of 37.5 cents per hour or $3 per day, and at the end of each day’s
work the workers were given slips showing the number of hours
worked and the amount of wages due. The pay rolls were made up
twice each week.
The work provided was all useful and necessary, most of it being
clean-up and repair work about the city. The bed of an old aban
doned canal was cleared of debris and filled, and paiks, alleys, and
streets were cleaned and repaired. Timber which was cut off the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[531]
46
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
roadbed of a new boulevard was cut up and sold to citizens, orders
being placed through the chamber of commerce. Some men were
placed with the regular city repair and maintenance gangs, and needy
women were employed in cleaning the schools.
While the employment program provided for the necessaries of
food and shelter, it did not provide sufficient funds for clothing, and
in providing for this need it was impossible to get away from charity
altogether, but the work of collection, cleaning, and repair of donated
clothing, together with its distribution, was handled systematically
and efficiently. At first the work was in the hands of the boy and
girl scouts, but it became too much for them to handle, and it was
finally turned over to a group of women, city trucks being used to
collect the clothing from the various firehouses where it was left by
the donors.
The records show that in slightly more than five months from
November 24, to May 2, 8,274 men and 583 women had been given
work, the men working a total of 127,533 hours and the women
10,034. As nearly as could be ascertained, the individuals given em
ployment numbered 1,622 men and 183 women, all of whom were
heads of families. The pay roll for the period totaled $51,963.24.
On the basis of five to a family, about 9,000, it is estimated, were
aided by the city program.
The city manager of Hamilton has summed up the experience under
the cooperative community plan as follows:
T he H am ilto n p lan h as given every m an in th e city who deserves it a chance
to earn m oney by h o n est labor, to p rovide for him self a n d d ep en d en ts * * *.
I t has provided only for H am ilto n ian s, a n d h as k e p t o u t of th e c ity all u n d e
sirables or unem ployed from o th e r places. I t h as all been done th ro u g h v o lu n ta ry
co ntributions, w ith o u t apply in g pressure of a n y kind.
F u rth erm o re, m o st of our c o n trib u tio n s h av e come from th o se in te re ste d in
th e w elfare of th e ir own class, th e em ployees a n d em ployed of th e city , w ith th e
la tte r bearing th e g reater p a rt of th e burden.
No one has been forced to beg food from his fellow citizens. D espite increased
unem ploym ent, th e re has been no increase in crim e or in social u n rest, b u t ra th e r
a low ering a n d stead y in g influence. T h ere has been no increase in sickness or
suffering, a n d no a c u te d isasters as a re su lt of th e n ear crisis.
People everyw here a re th e sam e. W h a t h as been fo u n d a d o p ta b le a n d w ork
able here should be en tirely feasible in o th e r cities. T h e people of H am ilto n
have responded from th e ir h e a rts to a v e rt w h a t m ig h t h av e been a d isastrous
period, an d we are all p ro u d of w h a t we h a v e done. W e h av e seen a situ a tio n
com ing an d p rev en ted it; we h av e m e t a n enem y a n d m ade it a friend.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[532]
47
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS----UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF
U n e m p lo y m e n t in F o r e ig n C o u n tr ie s
T
HE following table gives detailed monthly statistics of unem
ployment in foreign countries, as shown in official reports, from
January, 1930, to the latest available date.
S T A T E M E N T OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S 1
Trade-unionists
unem ployed
D ate (end of
m onth)
N um ber
1930
J a n u a ry —
F e b ru a ry ...
M arch-----A pril------M a y --------Ju n e ______
J u ly _____
A ugust---Septem ber.
O ctober—
Novem berD ecem ber.
1931
J a n u a ry —
F eb ru ary . _
M arch ____
A pril_____
M ay .........
J u n e _____
J u ly ............
( 2)
( 2)
63,144
(2)
(2)
80, 595
(2)
0
90, 379
0
0
104, 951
0
0
113, 614
P er
cent
17.0
112, 734
121,906
125,972
110,139
97, 755
101,616
16. 2
19.4
17. 7
15.6
13.8
14. 4
3 33, 664
331,617
3 32, 300
3 30, 778
332, 086
3 32, 682
16.0
15.6
15. 5
14.9
16. 2
16.3
Estonia
Finland
France
G erm any
Trade-union unem N um ber
unem
ploym ent funds—
ployed
unem ployed
rem ain
ing on
live
N um r
Per cent register
ber
N um
ber of
unem
ployed
3.5
331,239
334,041
304, 084
246, 845
208, 852
191, 150
194, 364
77,181
81, 750
81, 305
70, 377
56, 250
62, 642
11.1
Danzig
(Free
C ity of)
Trade-union in
surance funds—
unemployed
in receipt of
benefit
N um ber
10.8
22, 542
16,085
14,030
13,715
12,119
12, 226
15, 3C2
17,747
23, 693
27, 322
38, 973
63, 585
0
Per
cent
1930
39,199
J a n u a ry ---40, 550
F ebruary—
45, 567
M arch____
42, 664
A pril------41, 098
M ay_____
37, 853
Ju n e ______
46, 800
J u ly ______
52, 694
A ugust----57, 542
Septem ber.
61, 213
O ctober—
65, 904
N ovem ber.
93, 476
D ecem ber.
1931
J a n u a ry -------------1 104,580
F ebruary ..........— 117,450
M arch_________ 119,350
A pril___________ | 107,238
M a y ___________ ! 93,941
Ju n e ___________ !------------J u ly -----------------;............... -
3.6
3.6
4.0
3.7
3.8
3.4
4. 1
4. 7
5.3
5.5
5.9
8.3
9. 5
10. 0
10.0
8.9
7.6
See footnotes at end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
N um
ber of
unem
ployed
regis
tered
19, 282
21, 153
20, 376
18, 371
16, 232
14, 975
15, 330
15, 687
16, 073
17, 307
20, 272
24, 429
27,081
28,192
27, 070
24,186
20, 686
19,855
20, 420
4.0
4.9
4.5
5.8
22, 795
24,175
22,912
18, 581
20,424
21, 380
18, 473
318, 232
a 19, 356
3 22, 403
3 28, 408
3 37, 339
273,197
284, 543
239,094
192, 477
162, 678
18. 5 150,075
153,188
156,145
20 5 163, 894
192, 778
237, 745
23." 4 294, 845
Czechoslovakia
D ate (end of
m onth)
T rade-unionists
Com
U nem ploym ent insurance societies
unem ployed
pulsory
insur
ance,
P artially unem
W holly unem
num ber
ployed
ployed
unem
ployed
N um ber P er cent
in re
ceipt of
N um ber Per cent
benefit N um ber Per cent
14. 6
25. 8
C anada
Belgium
A ustria
A ustralia
2.6
2.2
2.2
1.9
1.9
2.4
2.8
3.8
4. 3
6. 1
9.3
11.7
11.3
10.0
7.9
D enm ark
25, 782
31, 222
28,469
36, 605
38, 761
41, 336
48, 580
51, 649
61, 623
54, 804
76, 043
117,167
6. 1
6. 5
7. 7
8. 2
9.9
8.5
12.0
tered
11.5
10.8
9.0
10.3
10.6
9. 2
9. 3
9.4
10.8
13.8
17.0
N um
ber of N um ber
unem of unem
ployed
ployed
regisin retered
ceipt of
benefit
55,876
59, 363
47, 109
33, 471
27, 966
24, 807
26, 200
26, 232
27, 700
32, 880
44, 200
71,100
20.3
21.0
15.6
11.8
9.4
8. 7
9.3
9.0
9.0
11. 4
15.3
24.6
5,608
4, 580
3, 575
2, 227
2,065
910
762
1,039
1,414
3, 282
5,675
6,163
12, 696
11, 545
10, 062
7,274
4, 666
3, 553
4, 026
5, 288
7,157
10, 279
10, 740
9, 336
1,484
1,683
1,630
1,203
859
1,019
856
964
988
1, 663
4, 893
11, 952
3, 217,608
3, 365,811
3, 040, 797
2, 786, 912
2, 634, 718
2, 640, 681
2, 765, 258
2, 883, 000
3, 004, 000
3, 252, 000
3, 683, 000
4, 384, 000
70, 961
' 24.4
25.6
23.6
15.9
13. 1
11.6
12. 4
5, 364
4,070
2,765
2, 424
1, 368
931
11, 706
11, 557
11,491
12, 663
7,342
6, 320
28, 536
40,766
50,815
49, 958
41, 339
36, 237
35,916
4,887,000
4, 972,000
4, 756, 000
4, 358, 000
4, 053, 000
3, 954,000
3,976,000
73, 427
67, 725
45, 698
37, 856
34, 030
36,369
1
[533]
48
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
S T A T E M E N T O F U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S —Continued
D ate (end of
m onth)
1930
Jan u ary _ _ __
F e b ru a ry .-........
M arch_________
A pril__________
M ay__ ______
J une___________
Ju ly ___________
A ugust________
Septem ber_____
October _______
N ovem ber_____
D ecem ber______
G erm any
Great B ritain and N orthern Ireland
Trade-unionists
Compulsory insurance
W holly unem
ployed
P artially unem
ployed
N um ber
Per
cent
N um
ber
1,004, 787
1,076, 441
995, 972
926, 831
895, 542
896, 465
930, 777
984, 384
1,011, 820
1, 061, 570
1, 167, 930
(2)
22.0
23.5
21.7
20.3
19. 5
19.6
20. 5
21.7
22. 5
23. 6
26.0
31. 7
501, 950
593, 380
576, 153
553, 098
552, 318
578,116
631, 903
670, 466
677, 627
693, 379
721, 658
(2)
11.0 2, 482, 648
13.0 2, 655, 723
12.6 2, 347,102
12. 1 2,081, 068
12.0 1, 889, 240
12. 6 1, 834, 662
13. 9 1, 900, 961
14.8 1, 947,811
15. 1 1,965, 348
15.4 2, 071, 730
16. 1 2,353, 980
16.9 2, 822, 598
1,183, 974
1, 211,262
1, 284, 231
1, 309, 014
1, 339, 595
1, 341, 818
1, 405, 981
1, 500, 990
1, 579, 708
1, 725, 731
1,836, 280
1,853, 575
9.8
10.0
10.6
10.8
11. 1
11. 1
11. 6
12. 4
13. 1
13. 9
14.8
14. 9
336, 474
371, 840
409, 785
451, 506
516, 303
569, 931
664, 107
618, 658
608, 692
593, 223
532, 518
646, 205
2.8
3.1
3.4
3.8
4. 2
4.7
5.5
5. 1
5.0
4.8
4.3
5.3
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
34. 2
34. 5
33.6
31. 2
29.9
29. 7
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
19.2
19.5
18.9
18.0
17.4
17. 7
2,044, 209
2, 073, 578
2,052, 826
2, 027, 896
2,019, 533
2,037, 480
2, 073,892
16. 5
16. 7
16. 5
16.3
16.3
16.4
16. 7
618, 633
623,844
612, 821
564, 884
558, 383
669, 315
732, 583
5.0
5.0
5.0
4.6
4. 5
5.4
59
1931
J a n u a ry ............
February --------M arch_________
A pril. ________
M ay ___________
Ju n e___________
July
3, 364, 770
3, 496, 979
3, 240, 523
2, 789, 627
2, 507, 732
2, 353, 657
N um ber
1
Great
B ritain
D ate (end of
m onth)
T em porary stop
pages
W holly unem
ployed
N um ber
unem
ployed
in receipt
Per cent of benefit
H ungary
Irish Free State
Ita ly
Trade-unionists u n
employed
Com pulsory in
surance—unem
ployed
N um ber of u n
employed regis
tered
N um ber
of persons
registered
Social-Demo
w ith em
hris
cratic
ploym ent Ctian
exchanges (B uda
pest) N um Per
ber
cent
1930
Jan u a ry . _F e b ru a ry .M arch ___
A pril_____
M a y -------J u n e _____
J u ly ..........
A ugust___
September.
O ctober__
N ovem ber .
December.
1,491, 519
1,539,265
1, 677,473
1,698, 386
1,770,051
1,890, 575
2, Oil, 467
2, 039, 702
2,114, 955
2, 200, 413
2, 274, 338
2, 392, 738
1,161
983
906
875
829
920
847
874
999
975
935
21, 533
21, 309
21,016
20,139
19, 875
18, 960
19, 081
21, 013
22, 252
22, 914
23, 333
24, 648
14.5
14. 8
14. 6
13. 7
13. 6
13. 0
13.2
14. 5
16.0
16. 7
17.0
17.9
1931
Jan u a ry .
F e b ru a ry ..
M arch ___
A pril_____
M a y _____
J u n e _____
Ju ly ______
2, 613, 749
2, 627, 559
2, 581,030
2, 531, 674
2, 596, 431
2, 629, 215
2, 662, 765
953
965
996
1,042
26,191
27,089
27,092
27,129
19.
19. 8
1,120
1
See footnotes at end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Per cent N um ber Per cent
[534]
N u m b er Per cent
31, 592
11. 1
( 2)
(2)
26, 027
(2)
(2)
23, 393
8.2
(2)
(2)
20. 775
22, 990
25, 622
26,167
28, 681
26, 825
25, 413
23, 970
23, 016
(2)
(2)
(2)
L atvia
W holly
unem
ployed
P a r
tially
unem
ployed
466, 231
456, 628
385, 432
372, 236
367,183
322, 291
342, 061
375, 548
394, 630
446, 496
534,356
642,169
23,185
26, 674
28, 026
24, 305
22, 825
21, 887
24, 209
24, 056
22, 734
19, 081
22,125
21,788
722, 612
765, 325
707, 486
670, 353
635, 183
573, 593
27, 924
27,
27, 545
28, 780
26, 059
24, 2C6
110
N um ber
unem
ployed
rem ain
ing on
live
register
9, 263
8,825
6,494
3,683
1,421
779
607
573
1,470
6, 058
8,608
10, 022
9, 207
8, 303
8, 450
6, 390
1,871
49
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS— UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF
S T A T E M E N T OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T I N F O R E I G N C O U N T R IE S 'C ontinued
D ate (end of m onth)
U nem ploym ent
Trade-unionists
insurance socie
unem ployed
ties—unemployed
N um ber
1930
Jan u a ry -----F e b ru a ry ---M arch -------A p ril______
M a y ----------Ju n e _______
J u ly _______
A ugust_____
Septem ber-O ctober___
N ovem ber - _
D ecem ber..1931
Jan u a ry ___
F e b ru a ry —
M arch_____
A p ril______
M ay ______
J u n e ______
Ju ly -----------
Per
cent
56, 535
50j 957
3L 996
28,421
26j 211
23| 678
29, 075
32’ 755
35' 532
41,088
46, 807
72,191
13.9
12. 5
8.6
6.9
6. 3
5. 5
103, 728
23.4
80, 525
n. 7
5 £2 £20
5 56 028
5 64 K63
19, 4
12 1
14.8
(2)
4,348
(2)
(2)
5,884
(2)
(2)
7,197
(2)
(2)
8,119
(2)
7. 6
8. 2
9. 6
11.8
16. 5
Trade-unionists (10
unions) unem ployed
P er
cent
N um ber
Poland
N orw ay
N ew Zealand
N etherlands
N um ber
8. 5
10.9
13.5
15.5
(2
(2))
29, 434
921
Per cent
N um ber
unem
ployed re
maining
on live
register
7, 786
7,851
7,503
6, 701
5,239
4,700
4,723
5,897
7,010
8,031
9, 396
11, 265
19.0
18.9
17.8
15.8
12. 2
10.8
10.8
13.4
15. 7
18. 0
21. 4
25. 5
22, 549
22,974
22, 533
19, 829
16, 376
13, 939
11,997
12, 923
17,053
20, 363
. 24,544
27, 157
241,974
274, 708
289, 469
271, 225
224, 914
204, 982
193, 687
173, 627
170, 467
165,154
209, 912
299, 797
11,692
(2)
11,213
(2)
26.3
28, 596
29,107
29,095
28,477
25, 206
22. 736
20, 869
340, 718
358,925
372, 536
351, 679
320,109
24.9
1
R um ania
Poland
N um ber
unem
ployed
registered
w ith em
ploym ent
offices
Saar T er
ritory
Sweden
In d u strial workers
D ate (end of m onth)
E xtractive and
m anufacturing
industries—
wholly unem
ployed
N um ber
1930
January . _______ _
February - _____ M arch __
_____ _
A pril____ _ ______M ay ,
J u n e -.
_ _
_ - .
J u ly __________________
A ugust..
___ - -- Septem ber,- .
„ _
October - .
___
N ovem ber
__
__
D ecember _________
219, 333
251, 627
265,135
246, 670
201, 116
182, 6C0
170, 665
150, 650
146, 642
141, 422
(2)
(2)
1931
__
(2)
January
__
Per
cent
24.3
27. 5
28.7
27.0
23.0
21. 6
20.5
18.3
17.8
17.5
N um ber
Per
cent
N um ber
Per
cent
108, 812
120,058
120, 844
113, 594
104, 469
94, 375
70, 597
74, 289
74, 285
91, 854
106, 835
95, 637
24.8
28. 4
28.9
26.9
24.2
22.2
17.0
17. 1
16.5
14. 8
23. 6
23. 1
12, 622
15, 588
13, 045
13,412
25, 096
22, 960
23, 236
24, 2C9
39,110
36,147
42, 689
36, 212
11,307
11, 949
8,882
7,522
7, 362
6, 330
7,095
7,099
7,527
9,013
12,110
15, 245
45, 636
45, 460
42, 278
38, 347
28,112
28, 956
27, 170
28, 539
34, 963
43, 927
57, 070
86,042
14.2
13.2
12. 5
h.i
8. 3
8.1
7.8
8.1
9. 8
12. 2
15. 3
22. 9
82, 717
92,838
23.8
27. 1
38, 804
43, 270
48, 226
41, 519
18, 921
20, 139
18, 292
18,102
14, 886
15,413
69, 437
66, 923
72, 944
64, 534
19.8
18.4
19.3
17.0
April
jung
See footnotes at end of table.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Trade-unionists
unem ployed
N um ber
M anufacturing
N um ber
unem
industries—par
unem
ployed
tially unem
remaining ployed
ployed
registered
on live
register
[535]
______
1
50
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
S T A T E M E N T OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S —Continued
Sw itzerland
Y ugoslavia
U nem ploym ent funds
D ate (end of m onth)
W holly unem
ployed
N um ber
J a n u a ry ,..
F eb ru ary ..
M arch___
A pril_____
M a y ___ _
Ju n e _____
J u ly _____
A ugust___
September.
October__
N ovember.
D ecem ber.
J a n u a ry ..
February.
M arch__
A p ril____
M a y ____
Ju n e ___ _
Per
cent
P artially unem
ployed
N um ber
Per
cent
N um ber
of unemployed
registered
1930
10, 523
9, 971
7,882
5,203
5,356
5, 368
4, 751
5.7G3
7, 792
7, 399
11,666
21, 400
4.4
4.1
2.6
2. 1
2. 2
1.7
1. 9
2.3
2.5
3.0
4.7
6.6
10,710
11,445
12, 642
12, 755
13, 129
17, 688
15, 112
19, 441
26, 111
23, 309
25, 793
33, 483
4.4
4. 7
4.2
5.3
5.4
5.7
6.2
7.9
8.3
9.4
10.5
10.4
8. 508
9, 437
9, 739
12,052
8,704
6,991
7,236
6, 111
5. 973
6,609
7,219
9,989
20, 551
20, 081
18, 991
10, 389
9,174
12,577
8.3
7.9
5.4
4.0
3. 5
3.6
30, 977
30,879
41,880
27, 726
26, 058
34,266
12.5
12.2
12.4
10. 6
9.9
9.7
11.903
14,424
12,029
11,391
6, 929
1931
t ®0UJlÇes League of N ations M o n th ly B ulletin of Statistics; International L abor Office—International
Labor Review ; C anada—L abor G azette; G reat B ritain —M in istry of L abor G azette; A ustria—Statistiscbe N achrichten; A ustralia—Q uarterly Sum m ary of A ustralian Statistics; G erm any—Reichsarbeitsb la tt, Reicbs A rb eitsm ark t Anzeiger; Sw itzerland—W irt. u . Social. M itteüungen, L a Vie Economique;
Poland—Wiedomosci S tatystyczne; N orw ay—Statistiske M eddelelser; N etherlands—M aandschrift
Sweden—Sociala M eddelanden; D enm ark—Statistiske Efterretninger; F inland—B ank of F inland M onthly
B ulletin, h ranee B ulletin d u M arché d u Travail; H ungary—M agyar Statisztikai Szemle; Belgium—
R evue d u Travail; N ew Zealand M o n th ly A bstract of Statistics; U . S. D epartm ent of C o m m e rc eCommerce R eports; an d U . S. Consular R eports.
2 N o t reported.
8 C om puted b y B ureau of L abor Statistics from official report covering membership) of unions reporting
and per cent of unem ploym ent.
*
'
&
4 N ew series of statistics showing unem ployed registered b y th e em ploym ent exchanges. Includes not
only workers w holly unem ployed, b u t also those in te rm itten tly em ployed
5 Provisional figure.
A v a ila b le S u p p ly o f J u v e n ile L ab or in E n g la n d
a n d W a les
ARIATIONS in the birth rate in Great Britain during and
immediately after the war are naturally reflected in the number
of young persons from 14 to 18 years old available each year for
employment. When the Government decided to introduce its bill
for raising the age for leaving school from 14 to 15 years, it was appar
ent that this would place a further limitation on the supply. Ac
cordingly in December, 1929, the Ministry of Labor asked the
National Advisory Council for Juvenile Employment to make a
study of the prospective demand for and supply of juvenile labor in
different parts of the country and to advise as to any measures which
might prove helpful in adjusting the two. The council, working
through the local committees for juvenile employment, made a study
of the probable supply of juvenile labor in relation to the demand for
it for each of the years from 1930 to 1938, which has recently been
published by the Ministry of Labor.
The defeat of the school bill early in the present year left the age for
leaving school unchanged, and thus invalidated many of the calcula
tions involved, but the council feels that the study of the present
V
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51
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS— UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF
situation has features which justify _the publication of the report.
The area covered by the local committees includes all the industrial
portions of the country and a number of the semirural districts, and
furnished three-fourths of all the children who had left school m the
official year preceding the study.
T h e to ta l n u m b er of boys a n d girls show n by com m ittees as h av in g left ele
m e n ta ry schools in th e ir areas du rin g th e y ear ended M arch 31, 1929, is 421,829
(210,613 boys a n d 211,216 g irls); th e corresponding figure fo r th e w hole of E n g
lan d a n d W ales is 556,107 (278,101 boys a n d 278,006 g irls). T h e p re se n t surv ey ,
on th is basis of com parison, includes app ro x im ately 76 p er cen t of th e to ta l
num ber of juveniles who left elem en tary schools in E n g lan d a n d W ales m th e year
in question.
The committees were asked to make an estimate of the juveniles
in their districts and their position in regard to employment, as of
May 26, 1930. A summary of their replies is presented in the follow
ing table:
P O S IT IO N OF J U V E N IL E S R E L A T IV E TO E M P L O Y M E N T , M A Y , 1930
Position
N um ber
Available, b u t unem ployed:
Q j q Hyp. register
______________ - -
N ot available for em ploym ent........... .................. ...
T o t 9.1 resident in
o t p .p .
eovexed
_______
Total
Girls
Boys
Per
cent
N u m b er
P er
cent
N um ber
Per
cent
765,827
80.1
652,410
69.7
1,418,237
74.9
30, 550
22,002
3.2
2.3
31, 466
30,801
3.4
3.3
62,016
52, 803
3.3
818, 379
137,198
85.6
14.4
714, 677
221, 414
76.4
23. 6
1,533, 056
358, 612
81.0
19.0
955, 577
100.0
936,091
100.0
1,891, 668
2 .8
100.0
--------------- -
The “ others ” available for employment but not on the live registers
include those who have reached an employable age but are remaining
in school pending an opportunity to go to work. Those not available
are the juveniles who are continuing their education, or girls who are
simply staying at home. The percentage available for employment
differs considerably in different localities.
In W ales, w here coal m ining p redom inates, th e av erage p ro p o rtio n of boys
available for em ploym ent, b u t unem ployed a n d on th e live register, w as 7 p er cent
(R hondda, 14 p e r cen t), com pared w ith 3.2 p e r c en t fo r th e co u n try as a whole
a n d 1.5 p e r cen t fo r th e L ondon area. T h e p ro p o rtio n of girls e stim a te d to be n o t
available fo r em ploym en t sim ilarly v aries fro m a n av erag e of 40 p e r c e n t in Wales
(nearly 60 p er cen t a t E bbw Vale) to 7 p e r c e n t m certain L ancashire c o tto n areas,
in th e M erseyside area th e corresponding figure w as a b o u t 29 p er c e n t, in London,
18.7 p er cen t; while th e figure for th e w hole co u n try w as app ro x im ately 24 pei
cent.
Surplus and Shortage of Juvenile Labor
A s t u d y of the distribution of the juveniles available for employ
ment showed that in a number of areas there was a surplus supply,
amounting in the aggregate to 68,330 boys and 105,740 girls, and m
others a shortage aggregating 47,680 boys and 38,860 girls, making a
net surplus for the year ended March 31, 1931 of 20,650 boys and
66 880 girls. From that date onward it was calculated there would
be’ a net shortage, though always this would be accompanied by a
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52
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
surplus in some areas. The committees considered that this shortage
would affect most strongly the distributive industries and those em
ploying unskilled or semiskilled labor. As to how it would be handled
there wras some uncertainty, but since the shortage of boys is greater
than that of girls, some considered that girls would naturally tend to
enter occupations hitherto filled by boys, and that at the same time
there would be a tendency for girls wdio would normally have remained
at home to enter the labor market. The general situation it was
felt, would increase the difficulty of securing persons for domestic
service, and in certain districts would affect the needle trades, which
are already in some cases finding it hard to gain recruits owing to the
low wages paid.
T he principal occupations in w hich i t is th o u g h t t h a t girls m ay to som e ex ten t
displace boys a re : Office w ork; m essengers; th e d istrib u tiv e tra d e s; th e lig h ter
branches of engineering a n d fa cto ry w ork; th e b o o t a n d shoe in d u stry ; th e tex tile
trad es; m an u factu re of c u tle ry ; a n d certain b ran ch es of tex tile bleaching dveing
printing, a n d finishing w orks.
’ "
Methods of Meeting Shortage
S o m e of the committees report that in certain areas employers
may resort to the engagement of married women in such industries
as boot and shoe making, the wholesale clothing trades, cardboard
box making, hosiery, lace, and confectionery. In other cases such
as coal mining, engineering, the leather trades, and laundries, em
ployers are already introducing a greater use of machinery and other
methods which reduce the number of young workers required. In
still others, they are taking measures to utilize adult labor; in the
woolen industries, for instance, it is considered possible that two men
may be engaged for work wdiich hitherto has been done by one man
and two boys. In other cases the practice of discharging youn°*
workers who have reached 16 and replacing them by children just
^ sch0°l
have to be given up, while in the distributive
trades it may be desirable to evolve a central system, employing
motor transport to overcome the shortage of errand boys.
T ransference
T r a n s f e r of ju v e n ile s fro m d is t r ic ts h a v in g a s u r p lu s to th o s e
h a v in g a s h o r ta g e is th e o b v io u s m e th o d o f m e e tin g th e s itu a tio n ,
o u t so m e o f th e c o m m itte e s o p p o s e th is , p o in tin g o u t t h a t th e r e is
u s u a lly a la c k o f s u ita b le a c c o m m o d a tio n s fo r h o u s in g t h e tr a n s f e r r e d
ju v e n ile s , t h a t th e ir w a g e s a r e o r d in a r ily to o lo w to s u p p o r t th e m w h e n
a w a y f ro m h o m e , t h a t th e a b s e n c e o f p a r e n t a l c o n tr o l f o r th o s e th u s
tr a n s f e r r e d c o n s titu t e s a s e rio u s o b je c tio n to th e p la n , t h a t th e
w o rk f o r w h ic h ju v e n ile s a r e n e e d e d is o f te n s e a s o n a l in c h a r a c te r ,
a n d t h a t m th e ir n e w e n v ir o n m e n t n o a l te r n a t iv e e m p lo y m e n t m a y
b e o p e n to th e m o n th e c o n c lu sio n of th e ir te m p o r a r y a n d n o n
p ro g re s s iv e w o rk .
These objections do not apply to the employment of juveniles in
districts so near their homes that they may_ travel back and forth
daily, and some of the committees favor this plan, recommending
that special rates be secured for such travel, or that employers make
an allowance for it. Such a solution is not possible in Wales, where
large numbers of boys and still larger numbers of girls can not hope
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[538]
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS— UNEMPLOYMENT BELIEF
Oo
to find work either locally or in near-by communities. Fourteen
committees in Wales considered that transference offered the only
escape from the difficulty. “ Five of the reports suggest that only
girls should be transferred, but one committee adopts the opposite
view—that boys should migrate but that girls should lie persuaded
to enter resident domestic service in the committee’s area.’
General Suggestions
T h e development of a transference scheme with financial aid from
the public to help in juveniles’ maintenance and traveling expenses is
suggested by several of the committees in Wales. In connection with
this it is proposed that a system should be established of linking
particular supply areas with particular shortage areas, so that the
transferred juveniles may find themselves among accustomed asso
ciates. Another suggestion is that groups of juveniles should be
transferred from the surplus areas to training centers under the control
of the authorities of shortage areas, in order that they may be more
conveniently selected and absorbed. A change in school anangements is also advised, in order that juveniles may leave as soon as
they reach the required age, instead of having to remain until the
end of the term, as now. Improved training at school for employ
ment is suggested, together with experiments in the practical appli
cation of psychological tests in relation to choice of occupation.
B r itis h A t t it u d e T o w a rd W a g e R e d u c tio n s a s a R e m e d y for
D e p r e ssio n
N NOVEMBER, 1929, the Chancellor of the Exchequer appointed
I_ a committee, giving it the following terms of reference:
T o in q u ire in to banking, finance, a n d credit, p aying regard to th e factors b oth
in te rn a l a n d in te rn a tio n a l w hich govern th e ir operatio n , a n d to m ak e recom
m endations calculated to enable th ese agencies to pro m o te th e develo p m en t ol
tra d e a n d com m erce a n d th e em p lo y m en t of labor.
Lord Macmillan was chairman, and the other members of the com
mittee were Sir Thomas Allen, Ernest Bevin, Lord Bradbury, R. H.
Brand, Prof. T. E. Gregory, J. M. Keynes, Lennox B Lee Cecil
Lubbock, Reginald McKenna, J. T. Walton Newbold, Walter Rame,
J. Frater Taylor, and A. A. G. Tulloch, with G. Ismay of the treasury
as secretary.
.. _
.... .
■, _
The report of the committee, presented m June, 1931, m a volume
of 322 pages, deals mainly with matters of finance^ banking, and
credit.1 The committee feels that various changes in the present
system are necessary if the economic distress of the world is to be
relieved, and on the whole the changes advocated are m the direction
of an expansion policy, calculated to increase the volume ol invest
ment and credit by every available means. Changes m monetary
policy alone, however, they hold, will be insufficient to remedy the
present situation. “ It is of the greatest importance that othei domes
tic action, not of a strictly monetary character, should be taken as an
essential condition to the monetary authority being m a position to
1 Great B ritain.
3897.)
T reasury.
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C om m ittee on Finance and In d u stry .
[539]
R eport.
London, 1931.
(C m d.
54
m onthly
labor
r e v ie w
employ effectively the methods of monetary policy.” As it was
somewhat uncertain whether' their terms of reference covered such
other matters, several addenda are added to the report, one signed
by six members, and three signed each by one, in which the signers
present their views on questions they consider pertinent to the main
inquiry. One of the subjects included is wage reductions as a means
oi improving the present situation.
Discussion of Wage Policy
P r o f e s s o r Gregory, in an addendum signed by himself alone, seems
to favor a reduction of wages and salaries, though he is careful to
point out that what is required is a reduction of costs per unit of
output, that this is not necessarily tantamount to a reduction in
wage rates, and that the workers have some grounds for objecting
to a policy which will make them bear the brunt of the movement.
T he w orkers m ay be rig h t in insisting th a t a red u ctio n of costs should n o t
ta k e place um quely a t th e ir expense, th ro u g h w age cu ts a n d n o th in g else. O ur
m ethods of organization, salesm anship, th e choice of leadership, etc., are all
elem ents over w hich lab o r has little d irect executive control, b u t which are
extrem ely relev an t to th e problem of cost reduction.
Labor can, however, join in the movement without accepting wage
cuts, Professor Gregory appears to think, if it will consent to give up
“ practices and regulations which have the direct effect of keeping
costs up,” but he does not enlarge on this point.
Another member, J. H. Brand, presents a memorandum signed by
himself alone, pointing out that the immediate need for Great Britain
is to increase exports and diminish imports, that the present un
favorable balance of foreign trade is due to/the higher level of British
costs as compared with competing countries, and that the desired
change can be brought about only “ by (1) a diminution of costs by
means of either (a) greater efficiency or (b) a direct reduction of
salaries and wages, or (2) special measures, such as a tariff for the
restriction of imports accompanied presumably by some direct assist
ance to our exports.”
The fullest discussion of the question, however, is found in the first
addendum signed by six members, including J. M. Keynes and
Reginald McKenna. The present stagnation, these maintain, is due
not to any lack of available credit, but to the failure of acceptable
borrowers^ to come forward. The first step must probably be some
kind of direct stimulus, as, for example, a considerable fall in the
rate of interest charged to borrowers, or some kind of State action.
Lither of these steps, if not accompanied by similar action elsewhere
would put a strain on the international position of the Bank of
England, and to meet this a strengthening of the country’s surplus
on balance of trade is required.
We m u st eith er increase our favorable balance of in te rn a tio n a l p ay m en ts, or
find an o u tle t for m ore of o u r savings a t hom e, or, b e tte r still, do bo th . Indeed
th e whole problem m ay be m ad e to cen te r ro u n d th e balance of tra d e . W e can
increase our surplus by^ exporting m ore o r im p o rtin g less. W e can e x p o rt m ore
only it w orld tra d e revives, or if we reduce o u r gold costs fa s te r th a n o u r comp etito rs reduceT heirs, or if we give th e ex p o rt in d u stries som e k in d of special
advantages, ¡similarly we can im p o rt less only by a relativ e re d u ctio n of our
own costs or by som e re strictio n on im ports. F in ally we can only find em ploym en t for m ore of o u r savings a t hom e by increasing th e en terp rise of borrow ers
or by som ehow subsidizing th e cost of borrow ing.
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EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS— UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF
00
In practice, the courses by which these ends can be accomplished
come down to three: (1) A reduction of salaries and wages; (2) control
of imports and aid to the export industries; (3) domestic enterprise
assisted by State action, or subsidies to private investment at home
It is admitted that all these courses would probably have some effect
in the right direction, but it is held that their social and long-run
effects may be very different. Those who advocate the first course
feel that it is more fundamental and sounder, a position nom which
the signers of the addendum dissent entirely.
W e feel exactly th e opposite, nam ely, th a t th e p ra c tic a l resu lts of an a tte m p t
to reduce salaries an d wages are likely to be exceedingly d isappointing. They
feel t h a t it m ig h t be dangerous to d iv e rt th e public m in d from w h a t th e y believe
to be th e u ltim a te necessity of (1) b y offering rem edies u n d er (2) a n d (3) w hich
m ay prove specious; w hereas we believe th a t no th in g is m ore likely to produce
stalem ate th a n to con cen trate public a tte n tio n on (1).
Need for General Application of Change, if Made
I t is admitted that so long as the standard of value is subject to
wide variations when reduced to terms of consumable commodities,
there may be need for some elasticity in money incomes, but it is
pointed out that this is just as true of incomes derived from interest
rent and the like as of incomes derived from wages. I his does not
apply to the normal and minor adjustments m wages which are
continually taking place through the ordinary processes of bargaining
as the price level changes, but to a substantial general change such
as alone could have any effect on the present position.
W e consider th a t a change of th is ch a ra c te r can n o t, w ith e q u ity , be concen
tra te d on salaries a n d wages, b u t should a p p ly to every category of incom e alike,
including those p ro tected b y co n tra c t. T h e benefit of. an increased valu e of
m oney is ju s t as fo rtu ito u s in th e case of th e re n tie r as m th e case of th e w age
earner, a n d th e b u rd en on e n terp rise a n d on th e b u d g e t of h av in g to p ay th e
sam e am o u n t of m oney as before to m eet in te re st charges, th o u g h th e value of
m oney is greater, is sim ilar in ch a ra c te r to th e b u rd en of h av in g to p ay th e sam e
m T ei a r g e ? a r t So f eth e eiiatio n al d e b t was incu rred a t a price level m uch higher
th a n th a t w hich now prevails. T h e long period of deflation w hich cu lm in ated
in th e re tu rn to gold a t th e p re-w ar p a rity h ad th e effect of increasing th e b u rd en
of th is d eb t. T h e fall in w orld prices w hich h as o ccurred m ore re c e n tly has
caused a large fu rth e r ag g rav atio n of th e bu rd en . _ In view of th e fa c t t h a t th e
increase in th e value of sterling w as delib erately in ten d ed i t seem s difficult to
require6a red u ctio n of salaries a n d w ages w ith o u t proposing an y m odification
o A h e u n co v en an ted blessings w hich accrued to th e holders of th e n a tio n a l d e b t
an d of claim s on m oney generally a n d to o th e r classes w hose incom es h av e re
m ained unaffected.
Doubts as to Effect of Wage Cutting
As to the policy of reducing wages in order to stimulate enter
prise it is pointed out that there is no certainty concerning its effect
It is impossible to calculate in advance what increase ol employment
could be expected from a given average reduction of wages, in
many purely domestic industries, what the producer might gain m
decreased cost would be offset by the lesser purchasing power ol his
customers, and in the industries supplying foreign trade there is no
certainty that a reduction of wages in Great Britain would not be
met by a corresponding cut in the competing countries. Moreover,
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
since wages are only a part of the cost of production, a cut reduces
wages much more than it does the possible selling price.
I t m ig h t be, therefore, t h a t a n a tte m p t to rem edy un em p lo y m en t by general
w age reductions w ould req u ire very large reductions. As an illu stratio n , an
average red u ctio n of m oney w ages by 10 p er cen t w ould, since it w ould reduce
to ta l costs b y m uch less th a n 10 p er cen t, h av e m uch less effect on our foreign
tra d e th a n a tariff of 10 p er c en t on all im p o rts a n d a subsidy of 10 p e r cen t on
all exports. Y et it w ould be o p tim istic to expect even from th e la tte r m ore
th a n a p a rtia l rem edy. T h e sam e conclusion follows from a com parison betw een
th e wages p aid here a n d those p aid by our chief c o n tin e n ta l com petitors.
In fact, to reduce money wages throughout all industries to a
point sufficient to restore the foreign trade to a position of equilibrium
might require cuts of from 20 to 30 per cent. The cut in real wages
would not, of course, be nearly so great, owing to the fall in prices
which would follow, but “ an attempt to secure any such reduction
might be expected to produce social chaos and react most unfavorably
on trade generally.”
Conclusion
T h e sig n e rs of th e a d d e n d u m c o n c e d e t h a t i t m a y n o t b e p o ssib le ,
u n d e r a ll c irc u m s ta n c e s , to a v o id a r e d u c tio n o f m o n e y c o s ts in te rm s
of g o ld , b u t th e y in s is t t h a t s u c h a r e d u c tio n is a d o u b tf u l r e m e d y ,
a n d o n e n o t to b e u n d e r ta k e n u n til o th e r m e th o d s o f m e e tin g th e
d e p re s s io n h a v e b e e n tr ie d a n d f o u n d w a n tin g .
I t is n o t easy to see how we can expect a rev iv al in o u r foreign tra d e , on a
sufficient scale to be of m u ch value to us, b y a n y o th e r m eans th a n th ro u g h a
revival of w orld d em and. To m e e t th e im m ed iate problem s, arising o u t of th e
w orld slum p, a policy in ten d ed to d irect increased purch asin g pow er in to th e
rig h t channels, b o th a t hom e an d ab ro ad , w ith a view to resto rin g equilibrium
a t th e p resen t level of costs, w ould, therefore, be m uch w iser in o u r ju d g m en t
th a n a policy of try in g to c u t o u r costs fa ste r th a n th e re s t of th e w orld can c u t
theirs.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
f542]
SOCI AL I NS URANCE AND BENEFI T
PLANS
C o n tin u a n c e o f G ro u p L ife in s u r a n c e D u r in g L ay-O ffs
HE General Electric News, June 19, 1931, published by the Fort
Wayne works of the General Electric Co., contains the announce
ment by Pres. Gerard Swope of the plan to continue the group life insur
ance for employees who have been temporarily laid off for lack of work.
Officials of the company have made arrangements with the Metro
politan Life Insurance Co. whereby the certificates which have been
canceled because of the provisions limiting the period during which
they will remain in force following temporary lay-off on account of
lack of work may be reestablished for four months by the payment of
the current monthly premiums. The provision became effective
July 1, 1931, for all cases in which the premium was paid by July 10,
and provided the payments are continued monthly thereafter.
The ruling extends to all group insurance certificates which call for
termination after certain periods because of temporary lay-off on
account of lack of wrnrk and includes the additional insurance and the
free insurance certificates. It is expected that if no improvement in
employment conditions has occurred at the end of this 4-month period
a further extension of the period during which the insurance certifi
cates may be kept in force will be considered.
T
S o c ia l in s u r a n c e in
I ta ly , 1930
A
N ARTICLE on the development of social insurance in Italy in
„ 1930 in L’Organizzazione Industrial (Rome), June 30, 1931,
states that the amount of contributions in Italy for social insurance
was upwards of 693,000,000 lire ($36,451,800)/ which was about
10,000,000 lire ($526,000) more than the year before.
The statement below shows the number of persons receiving
specified types of benefit in 1930.
N u m b er receiving benefit for—•
In v a lid ity ____________________________________________
Old a g e _______________________________________________
D e a th ________________________________________________
T uberculosis__________________________________________
M a te rn ity ____________________________________________
17,
30,
10,
9,
44,
641
402
134
351
039
Tuberculosis patients were given care for 4,519,163 days, and
members of their families for 1,546,132 days. The number of persons
newly insured against this hazard in 1930 was 28,614.
The average number of persons insured against unemployment was
136,892 in 1930 as against 78,684 in 1929. From January 1 to
i Conversions into U nited States currency on basis of lira=5.26.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[543]
57
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
August 31, 1930, payment was made for 18,457,091 days of unem
ployment and for the corresponding period in 1929, for 12,216,989
days.
Seamen’s insurance.—According to La Stirpe (Rome), April, 1931,
contributions paid into the Merchant Seamen’s Invalidity Fund in
1930 amounted to 33,511,998.72 lire ($1,762,731), while benefits paid
amounted to slightly over 33,000,000 lire ($1,735,800).
The number of pensioners was 1,043; of these, 176 were receiving
benefit for invalidity, 377 for old age, and 490 the widows’ and
orphans’ benefits. In addition, temporary benefits were being paid
to widows and orphans in 104 cases, and extra allowances were being
made for invalidity in 162 cases.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[544]
OLD-AGE PENSIONS
N ew H a m p s h ir e O ld -A g e P e n s io n Law
HAMPSHIRE, by an act (chapter 165) of the 1931 State
Legislature, became the seventeenth State to enact legislation
N EW
“ for assistance to aged and dependent persons. * At the beginning
of the legislative year of 1931, 12 States had already extended the
benefits of an old-age pension system to the needy and indigent aged
citizens of the State. By virtue of the 1931 session of five State
legislatures (those of Delaware, Idaho, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
and West Virginia) the number of such States having old-age pension
laws was increased to 17. Many bills were introduced in other States
but without success. The law adopted in New Hampshire was
passed after the supreme court of the State had declared a previously
proposed old-age pension law invalid, holding that as it made age the
only test of relief it would be void because in violation of a provision m
the State constitution. (Opinion of Justices, on Senate Bill No. 3,
relating to old-age pensions, March 2, 1931, New Hampshire Supreme
Court ) To meet the technical objections the bill was revised, was
passed by the Legislature, and was signed by the Governor on May 7,
1931.
„ .
...
.,
The new law provides for a system of assistance lor the more
humane care and relief of aged and dependent persons.” Relief is
to be extended by the counties, with reimbursement by the city or
town legally chargeable for the assistance rendered.
Residence in the State or county for 15 years is required, and citizen
ship for the same period.
Analysis of Act
Date of approval.—May 7, 1931 ; in effect September 1, 1931.
Establishment of system— In each county of the State. The county
commissioners administer the act. _ The county pays 111 the *Vst
instance and is reimbursed by each city or town legally chargeable lor
Requirements for pension.—To be eligible under the law the appli
cant must be (1) 70 years of age; (2) a citizen of the United States lor
15 years; and (3) a resident of the State and of the county for 15
years The following are ineligible for the pension: (1) A person who
is able to support himself or has a child or other responsible person
able to support him; (2) who has property exceeding $2,000; (3) who
has deprived himself of any property for the purpose of obtaining a
pension; (4) who is an inmate of a correctional or charitable institu
tion; (5) who is in need of continued institutional care; (6) who has
been imprisoned during the 10 years preceding the date of applica
tion; (7) who (if a husband) has failed to support his wife and children
i O ther States having such laws are California, Colorado, D elaware, Idaho, K entucky, M aryland,
M assaehusetts? Mirmesota?* M on tana, N evada, N ew Jersey, New York, U tah, W est Virginia, V isconsin,
a nd W yoming.
7 2 5 1 4 — 31------!>
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[5 4 5 ]
59
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
(under 16 years) for 6 months or more during the 10 years preceding
the application for relief; or (8) who has been a habitual tramp, beggar,
or drunkard within one year prior to the date of making application.
. A p p lic a tio n . Application must be made to the county commis
sioners of the county in which the applicant resides. A statement
under oath on forms prescribed by the commissioners is required.
The county commissioners are empowered to make investigations
of the conditions of the applicant and to determine the amount to be
granted. The applicant is entitled to a hearing (provided petition is
nled within 14 days after date of application) before any decision
becomes effective. A rejected applicant may not apply again for 6
months.
B enefits. The amount of pension allowed is fixed according to the
condition of the applicant, subject, however, to a maximum of $7.50
per week from all sources. A certificate is issued to the applicant
showing the date upon which the payments will commence and the
amount of the weekly or monthly pension. Upon the death of a
beneficiary an additional allowance of $125 is made, provided the
estate is insufficient to defray the funeral expenses.
. As a condition to the granting of assistance, the county commis
sioners may require that any property of the pensioner be transferred
to the county and held in trust. Upon the death of any pensioner
the administrator must pay to the county, city, or town the sum paid
to such person plus 4 per cent interest. The attorney general or the
county solicitor is authorized to represent the public officials in
matters arising under the act. The county treasurer must disburse
all moneys ordered by the commissioners, unless provided otherwise
by the proper officials of the town and State.
R evisio n or revocation o f benefits. —Pensioners are prohibited f r o m
receiving any other public relief, except for medical and surgical
assistance. Acceptance of any other public relief operates as a
revocation of old-age assistance. If a beneficiary is convicted of a
criminal offense or fails to comply with the terms of the act, assistance
is also revoked.
If a pensioner is incapable of taking care of himself or his money
(upon the testimony of three disinterested and reputable witnesses),
the county commissioners may direct the payment to any responsible
person for the benefit of the pensioner or may suspend payment if
deemed advisable.
A ssig n m e n t, etc., o f p e n sio n . —Old-age assistance is exempt from
attachment and from any tax levy of the State.
R eports. The county commissioners of each county must make a
report to the city or town officials, before February i of each year,
showing (a)_ total number of applicants for assistance; (b) amount of
pensions paid; (c) number of pensions granted, denied, and canceled;
and (d) the number chargeable to the county and to each city and
town.
V iolation s. Violations of the act are punishable by a fine not to
exceed $500, or imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[5 4 6 ]
INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR CONDITIONS
P r o v isio n s in C o lle c tiv e A g r e e m e n ts R e g a r d in g E m p lo y e r s
W o rk in g a t t h e T ra d e
MPLOYERS are prohibited from working at the trade m a
number of collective agreements, while those permitting an
employer or a member of a firm or corporation to do the work of a
journeyman generally specify the conditions under which he may do
such work.
.
.
A few agreements of bakery workers permit the employer to work
in his own shop but stipulate that he shall give two nights’ work a
week to the union; if there are two members of a firm, only the one
which signs the agreement will be permitted to work at the trade.
Many agreements permit one member of a firm or corporation to
use the tools of the trade, but stipulate that he must be a competent
mechanic and shall become a member of the union; other agreements
require that employers must obtain permission from the joint arbi
tration board before working at the trade. A few agreements permit
two members of a firm or corporation to work at the trade, ine
majority of the agreements permitting the employer to use the tools
of the trade prohibit him from working overtime or on Sunday or
holidays, while others stipulate that he may work as a journeyman
only when he employs a certain number of journeymen or m case oi
an emergency. A few agreements provide that if the employe! works
a t the trade he shall not be permitted an apprentice. #
One agreement provides that any member of the umon who works
on a job where more than one member of a contracting firm uses the
tools (unless they are members of the union and carry the current
working card) shall be fined $5 a day for each day he so works.
Another agreement stipulates that the contractor shall pay an annual
fee for the privilege of using the tools of the trade and that this lee
shall be used to help defray the expenses of the union.
The following quotations are selected from agreements received by
the bureau, which contain provisions on the subject:
E
B a k e r y a n d c o n f e c tio n e r y w o r k e r s .— W here th e re are tw o m em bers of a fir™,
only th e one w ho signs th e ag reem en t will be p e rm itte d to w ork a t th e tra d e , a n d
only fo r five d ay s a week. An em ployer w orking in his ow n shop shall allow tw o
n ig h ts’ w ork a week to th e union.
.
,
P a rtn e rs o r shareholders of bakeries m ay w ork m such b akeries only w hen th e y
re ta in th e ir union m em bership an d com ply w ith th e rules governing th e hiring
of em ployees th ro u g h th e un io n office.
. ,,
,
B a r b e r s .— Only one m em ber of a firm will be p e rm itte d to w ork in th e shop
W here th e re are tw o p a rtn e rs in a shop an d no jo u rn ey m an b a rb e r is em ployed,
one of th e p a rtn e rs m u st join th e union.
B r i c k m a k e r s .— N othin g in th is ag reem en t shall p ro h ib it a n em ployer, one
forem an, o r one m em ber of an y firm from w orking on th e y a rd n o t m ore th a n tw o
A s b e s to s w o r k e r s .— No m em ber of a firm o r officer of a corp o ratio n o r th e ir
rep resen tativ es o r ag en ts shall execute an y p a r t of th e w ork of ap p licatio n o
m aterials.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[5 4 7 ]
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62
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
B r i c k la y e r s , m a s o n s , and, p la s te r e r s . — C o n tra c to r shall n o t w ork w ith "the tools
ot th e tra d e unless he is a p ra c tic a l b rick lay er a n d he m u st n o t w ork o u tside th e
regular hours.
U nder no circum stances shall a boss lay brick on a w all before or a fte r hours or
on holidays except in ex trem e necessity.
N o t m ore th a n one m em b er of a n y firm or co rporation shall be p e rm itte d to
w ork on th e w all of a n y jo b a t a n y tim e unless perm ission h as first been given bv
th e jo in t a rb itra tio n board.
&
y
C a r p e n te r s a r id j o i n e r s .
N o t m ore th a n one m em ber of co n tra c tin g firm shall
be p e rm itte d to use tools on th e j ob unless th e y be m em bers a n d c a rry th e c u rre n t
w orking card. A m em ber w orking w here th is provision is v io lated will be fined
$5 a d ay for each d a y h e so works.
N o t m ore th a n tw o m em bers of co n tractin g firm shall use tools on th e job.
E m ployer shall n o t use tools on ov ertim e o r S un d ay w ork.
C e m e n t f in i s h e r s . — O nly one m em ber of c o n tra c tin g firm shall be p e rm itte d to
use tools a n d h e m u s t be a co m p e te n t c em e n t finisher.
E le c tr ic a l w o r k e r s .— E m ployers agree t h a t no m em ber of th e ir o rganization will
UifenA °ls ° r , a n y w ork on c o n stru ctio n o r electrical w ork o r re p a ir w ork, b u t
shall h a v e such w ork d one b y th e m em bers of L ocal No. -— .
O nly one m em ber of a firm sh all w ork w ith tools a n d he m u st be a m em ber of
th e local union a n d w ork only d u rin g reg u lar w orking hours. A ny w ork outside
th ese h ours m u st be done by th e jo u rn ey m en em ployed.
G la z ie r s .- Only one m em ber of c o n tra c tin g firm sh all b e p e rm itte d to w ork a t
tra d e a n d he m u s t em ploy jou rn ey m en on th e jo b a t all tim es.
A ny em ployer who does th e w ork of a jo u rn ey m an m u st carrv a card of m em
bership in th e union.
i rJ j (f i \ erS'
ffootriaCu0rs a-jd- solicitors studl p a y fo r th e privilege of using th e
tools th e sum of $88, to b e p a id m tw o in stallm en ts, on th e 1st d ay of J a n u a ry a n d
ot Ju ly , said fee to be p u t in to th e g eneral fu n d to h elp defray th e expenses of th e
union. N o solicitor sh all be allow ed to w ork on a n y jo b unless accom panied by
a t le a st one jo u rn ey m an m em b er of th is union, pro v id ed th a t th e jo b does n o t
ta k e m ore th a n fo u r ho u rs to com plete.
_ ; u V UerS’ dec.oraJ o r s > a n d p a p e r h a n g e r s . — O nly one m em ber of c o n tra c tin g firm
will be recognized a n d allow ed to w ork w ith th e tools. S hould m ore th a n one
m em ber desire to w ork i t will be necessary fo r all o th ers to becom e m em bers of
mH+Pd'+n’
TihlS
to, old or rep air w o rk - N o m a ste r p a in te r will be 1p e r
m itte d to w ork
onapplles
new w ork.
TVhere firm s consist of tw o or m ore persons w orking on an average of four m en
n o t m ore th a n one shall w ork a t th e tra d e w ith o u t being a m em ber of th e union.’
of p ia s te r ^ ^ a s te r e r s - N o p lasterin g c o n tra c to r shall use th e tools in ap plication
N o t m ore th a n tw o m em bers of a firm shall be p e rm itte d to w ork w ith th e tools
and th e y m u s t conform to th e rules for journeym en.
ii lll'^ <+ne m ein ^ er1of firm shall be allow ed to use tools, a n d no em ployer shall be
allow ed to w ork unless h e h a s one o r m ore jo u rn ey m en w orking fo r him .
d ^ s f itte r s .
B u t one m em b er of th e firm shall h an d le tools. No
n a s te r p lu m b er shall w ork on new w ork unless he em ploys a jo u rn ey m an o r w hen
a jo u rn ey m an can n o t be secured fro m th e local. All w ork of more t h S eig h t
loin s shall be classed as new w ork. M a ste r p lu m b ers w orking on new w ork shall
confine them selves to h o u rs a n d rules of th e local union.
M em bers of L ocal No. ■ a re n o t allow ed to w ork on a job w here m ore th a n one
m em ber of th e firm w orks w ith th e tools.
h a n d ? ? " N ° f m ployer o r m em ber of th e firm shall be allowed to
w
f n ^thh ee sshop,
h n n *a?ndd a t ]e a sti one
° nly-jo°une
shall be allowed to
' ork1in
rn emy em
m aber
n m of
u s tthbee firm
em ployed.
t h ere sh all b e n o restric tio n on a n em ployer using th e tools of th e tra d e
S t a t e , t i t e , an d , c o m p o s itio n r o o f e r s . — Only one m em ber of a firm is allowed to
w ork on a n y jo b a n d h e m u s t be a p ra c tic a l roofer
«,-¿1° n?en}b e r1of a firm o r com pany m ay w ork as a m echanic or a p p ren tice roofer
anrf+hp f le w
from j ° cal, N o. •— . T hese p e rm its to be lim ited as to tim e
a n d th e w ork to be done, a n d w ill n o t b e issued except in case of em ergency.
o~H°nlyu ° n e ®m p l° y la g ste a m fitte r wifi b e allow ed to do p ipe or
ep air w ork a n d said em p lo y er w ho h a n d les th e tools m u s t signify in w riting
th e'ie c re ta rv ^ of 2
? ^
t0 v® Secre,t a r y of em ploying ste fm fitte rs a n d to
n i r
s
of L ocal N o. — . N o em p lo y er will be allow ed to h an d le tools
unless lie first has one m an from th e local union.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[54S1
INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR CONDITIONS
63
One m em ber of a n em ploying firm shall b e allowed to w ork w ith th e tools,
provided said em ployer has one or m ore m em bers m his em ploy. W hen so
engaged h e shall n o t be furnished an a p p ren tice a n d shall only w ork during
regular w orking hours.
,
,
___
S tr u c tu r a l a n d o r n a m e n ta l i r o n iv o r k e r s . — An em ployer, co n tracto r, or one
m em ber of a firm m ay w ork on th e ir jobs on a n y building.
_
N o co n tracto r to use tools of th e tra d e ; only to be recognized m directing
th (R e a M c l e r k s — In firms of tw o or m ore m em bers only one m ay be em ployed
as m anager; all th e re s t shall becom e m em bers of Local No. — .
If a firm of tw o p a rtn e rs discharges th e only clerk, one m em b er of th e firm
m u s t becom e a m em ber of th e union. S hould a n y clerk em ployed b y th e firm
becom e a m em ber of th e firm as p a rtn e r o r shareholder, h e m u s t co n tin u e as a
m em ber of th e union a n d th e firm shall assum e obligation fo r his m em bership
an d for th e p ay m en t of his reg u lar a n d special union dues a n d assessm ents ancl
shall pay sam e if m em ber d efau lts in th e p a y m en t.
. , ,
C lo th h a t a n d c a p m a k e r s . — T h e em ployer agrees t h a t no fo rem an o r forelady
will do a n y w ork in a n y of th e b ran ch es ab o v e en u m erated , a n d t h a t should
th e firm consist of m ore th a n one person, no m em b er of th e firm o r stockholder
or officer or director, if th e em ployer be a corporation o r partnership^ wil p e r
form a n y w ork in th e branches ab o v e e n u m erated except one in d iv id u al an d
th en only w hen th e full s e t of w orkers a re em ployed.
Should a n y w ork b e done in violation of th is clause th e em ployer shall becom e
liable for, a n d pay to th e union, a sum of n o t less th a n one w eek s wages for th e
respective bran ch a t th e m inim um base ra te . S hould a union w orker be laid
off an d an y m em ber of th e firm , forem an o r designer, o r a n y w orker w ho is n o t
a m em ber of th e union do his w ork, th e em ployer, in ad d itio n to th e one week s
wages provided for above, shall reim b u rse th e w orker so laid off for loss of
^ F n r ^ w o r k e r s .— N o t m ore th a n tw o m em bers of firm shall be en titled to work
on bench or floor. Should a n a d d ed n u m b e r of such em ployers desire to w ork
on bench or floor th e y m u s t becom e m em bers of th e union.
L a d ie s ’ g a r m e n t w o r k e r s . — T h e em ployer agrees t h a t no m em b er of firm,
forem an, o r forelady will do an y w ork in a n y of th e bran ch es ab o v e en u m erated ,
except for purpose of in stru c tin g w orkers. S hould a union w orker be la id off
an d an y m em ber of th e firm o r a n y one else w ho is n o t a m em b er of th e union
do his w ork th e em ployer shall reim b u rse th e w orker so la id off for loss of earnings
based upon th e am o u n t of w ork done b y such person.
C lo th e x a m in e r s a n d s h r in k e r s . — N o em ployer shall a t a n y tim e be p e rm itted
to perform jo u rn ey m en ’s w ork. E m ployers shall h av e th e rig h t to show pieces to
custom ers a n d adjustersw h en sam e h a v e a lread y been exam ined b y journeym en.
P o c k e tb o o k w o r k e r s . — No em ployer o r forem an shall m ak e i t a p ractice of
filling position of an y w orker in an y p a rtic u la r b ran ch .
H o te l a n d r e s ta u r a n t e m p lo y e e s . — Only tw o w orking p a rtn e rs will be recognized
in a n y estab lish m en t a n d b o th m u s t be responsible for p a y m e n t of wages.
N o em ployer will be allow ed to w ork as a w aiter.
B u tc h e r w o r k m e n a n d m e a t c u tte r s .— If em ployer is a corporation all w orkers m
th e business, w h eth er stockholders o r n o t, shall b e considered as em ployees
u nder th is agreem ent a n d m u s t keep th e w orking rules of th e union.
T y p o g r a p h ic a l w o r k e r s . — N o p ro p rieto r shall be p e rm itte d to do a n y m echam ca
w ork in a p la n t w hich enjoys th e use of th e union lab el unless he is a m em b er
of th is union.
.
, ' „ ,,
E le c tr o ty p e r s . — Any person o r officer of corporation ow ning 2 0 p er c en t ol tn e
stock in an y electrotypin g com pany shall n o t b e p e rm itte d to perform a n y work
except th a t of supervision in such corporation.
_
S to n e m a s o n s a n d m a r b le s e tte r s . — U nder no consideration shall a n em ployer
ap p ly him self to settin g , cleaning, o r p o in tin g a n y stonew ork.
S to n e c u tte r s (s c u lp to r s a n d c a r v e r s ) .— Only one m em b er of a firm of co n tracto rs
shall w ork w ith th e tools a n d h e m u s t p ay dues to th e association.
_
T e a m s te r s a n d c h a u ffe u r s . — T h e lo cal union agrees to fu rn ish a d riving card to
one em ployer in each firm w ho is in good sta n d in g in th e union.
No em ployer shall be p e rm itte d to do a n y d riv e r’s w ork, a n d n o t less th a n
tw o drivers or chauffeurs shall b e em ployed a t a n y shop.
.
U p h o ls te r y w o r k e r s — Only one m em b er of a firm is privileged to do u p holstering
N o ow ner, p artn er, or stockholder shall be p e rm itte d to do w ork classified as
upholstery w ork unless th e reg u lar w orkers a re em ployed.
m u ll
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O'!
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
B a n k r u p tc y A m o n g W a ge E arn ers
HE number of cases of bankruptcy among wage earners has
increased rapidly in the last decade according to an article 1 in
a recent issue of the American Bankers Association Journal.
The fact of wage earners going into bankruptcy, it is said, is not
new. In 1920 there were approximately 6,000 wage earners in the
country who were declared bankrupt; in 1925 there were 14,500 such
bankruptcies; and in 1930, 29,000. If this rate of increase should
continue for another 10 years, the writer states, 1 out of every 15
wage-earner families would be potentially bankrupt. During the
fiscal year 1929—30, the number of wage earners discharged in bank
ruptcy was almost equal to the number of bankruptcies in agriculture
and all lines of business.
brom the time of the enactment of the Federal bankruptcy act in
1898 the trend of bankruptcies among wage earners followed the
curve of business bankruptcies. With the depression of 1920—21
thei e was a rapid increase in business failures, but since 1925 business
bankruptcy has not- increased while failures among wage earners
have continued to grow in number. Not all of these bankruptcies
may be properly ascribed to wage earners, however, as in some cases
they may be disguised business bankruptcies, that is, the failure may
be that of a business enterprise which a wage earner has engaged in
as a secondary occupation. In other cases bankrupts may be classi
fied as wage earners because they had become employees after filing
petitions m bankruptcy. The cases which are really wage-earner
bankruptcies include those in which the sudden occurrence of some
large financial obligation such as hospital expenses or the need for
relief from debts due to court judgments force the worker into
bankruptcy, or they are “ consumer bankruptcies” caused by the
failure over a period of time to balance the family budget, so that
sickness, unemployment, extravagance, reduction of income, or in
stallment buying have brought on the crisis.
Prior to 1921 the majority of the wage-earner bankruptcies were
associated with business reverses, but since that time there has been
small increase in the failures from this cause, the chief increase having
been m consumer bankruptcies. The increase in the number of con
sumer bankruptcies in the last 10 years coincides with the increase in
the extension of consumer credit, especially in the cities, through the
development of installment buying.
Wage-earner bankruptcy can not be considered as a national problem, the writer states, because of the difference in State laws which
affect the rights of debtor and creditor. In many industrial centers
wage-earner bankruptcies are practically unknown, while in others
such failures are numerous. In four of the larger cities of Kentucky
(a State which allows the garnishment of wages) 89 per cent of the
bankruptcies in 1929, for example, were those of wage earners. The
States m which the largest number of failures of wage earners occurred
were Alabama, Tennessee, Oregon, Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky, and
Maine, the number of failures per 10,000 wage earners ranging from
40 in Maine to 110 in Alabama. The number of business bankruptcies
showed an extremely high rate in Oregon and Nevada, but the varia-
T
NugenteriCan B ankers A ssodation Journal, Ju ly , 1931, p. 9: W hy Wage E arners Go B ankrupt, b y Rolf
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[550]
INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR CONDITIONS
65
tion among the States was small in comparison with the rate of wageearner bankruptcy. The rate for the State having the highest num
ber of business bankruptcies was only 10 times that of the lowest,
while the rate for wage-earner bankruptcies in Alabama, the State
having the highest rate, was more than 350 times the rate in South Car
olina, which had the smallest number of such failures.
'Although it has been suggested that the cause of the increase of
failures among wage earners lies in the increase in the use of the new
forms of consumer credit, the bankruptcy records hardly bear out this
belief as far as reputable business houses are concerned, as examina
tion of more than 1,000 wage-earner bankruptcy petitions failed to
show a single case where a legally operated loan company or reputable
installment house had contributed in any important degree to the
failure. The writer considers that the cause lies rather m the changed
attitude on the part of the majority of people toward debt, so that
whereas formerly they hesitated to put a mortgage on their homes,
now the average person is indifferent to the fact of incurring debt, a
condition which has favored the growth of dishonest installment houses
and loan companies.
In those States in which the wage-earner bankruptcy rate is Jow it
does not necessarily mean that financial disasters are not occurring,
but rather, that the wage-earner debtor can not be made to pay and,
therefore, is not forced into bankruptcy. However, in the States
which permit garnishment of wages without restriction or the use of
wage assignments as security for loans or credit sales, the ease of
collection against wages has encouraged the development of credit
businesses and loan companies that can only be classed, the writer
says, as “ racketeers/” Suits brought in justice of the peace courts
result in a large number of judgments for the plaintiff, since the fee
o-oes to the justice of the peace, and as the creditor is the source of
business he is, as a result, the favored party in the suit. In one such
court in Lexington, Ky., 627 judgments against wage earners for loancompany debts and 318 judgments for installment debts were rendered in a period of four and one-half months in 1929. These install
ment debts represent purchases at about three times their value, and
the loan-company suits for principal and interest range from 100 per
cent to 960 per cent per annum. Court costs are added m each case
to the bill, which is already too burdensome for the purchaser or
borrower to pay.
.,
,
, ,,
Because of the ease with which collections are enforced through the
courts, many employers have made it a rule to discharge any em
ployee whose wages are garnished. Where no such rule is m effect
the employer is used practically as a credit-account collector, a case
being cited of one large employer of labor in Kentucky, known lor his
liberal personnel policies, of whose employees 30_ per cent were gar
nished in one year. On the other hand, if there is fear of discharge,
when wages are assigned, the man who has purchased too largely of
installment goods is likely to borrow from the loan companies at a
high rate of interest until, finally, since the creditor can seize all of the
debtor’s wages, he is forced into bankruptcy.
,
The question of wage assignments was also the subject of an edi
torial in the July 27 issue of the Journal of Commerce, based on a
recent appeal by the Legal Aid Society for legislation which will place
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[ 551]
66
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
restrictions upon the assignment of future wages as security for debts.
A man may assign his entire future wages to secure payments on an
installment sale contract and many cases of great hardship have been
Drought to the attention of the society by charity organizations. It
happens, frequently, that wage earners sign contracts without knowing
that future earnings will be forfeited in case of failure to meet the
installment payments. A large number of States have passed laws
restricting or regulating the right to make contracts assigning future
wages and m a few cases have actually prohibited it, although it is
questionable, it is said, whether a law of this extreme type would not
be considered an unconstitutional interference with liberty of conThe United States Supreme Court has, however, the editorial
states, upheld a State law that made assignment of future wages
invalid unless recorded, accepted in writing by the employer and
company, and accompanied by written consent of the employee’s
e
Such restrictions would protect employees from ignorance of
t' e contract, and the necessity of obtaining the employer’s consent
would help to deter the wage earner from signing away his earnings
Some such legislation is desirable, therefore, for the employee, for the
employer, and for the public, since the type of business which has to
depend upon wage assignments is not one which it is desirable to
encourage.
P r o v isio n fo r C h in e s e N a tio n a l E c o n o m ic C o u n c il
NATIONAL Economic Council is to be set up in China in
following draft regulations adopted’ on
iviay 30, 1931, by the Legislative Yuan: 1
A
1 - IlL .o r4®r
t(? accelerate econom ic reco n stru ctio n , im p ro v e th e
people s m eans of livelihood, a n d reg u late n a tio n a l finances, th e N a tio n a l G overn
m e n t shall establish a N atio n al E conom ic C ouncil (Com m ission).
E xecutive v i a n ^ 10^ 1 Econom ic C ouncil sb all be u n d er th e ju risd ic tio n of th e
A11 S ta te P rojects fo r econom ic reco n stru ctio n o r develo p m en t for
w hich th e req u isite fu n d s a re e ith e r borne o r subsidized by th e n a tio n a l tre a su rv
m u st be first in v estig a te d a n d considered b y th e N a tio n a l E conom ic C ouncil be
fore subm ission to th e N a tio n a l G o v ern m en t fo r ap p ro v al
, Ar| T' ‘ r th e c a rry in g o u t of th e p ro je c ts fo r econom ic reco n stru ctio n or
mn v b ^
a ie il t *on.eld m tb e Preceding article, th e N a tio n a l Econom ic C ouncil
la y in v estig ate in to th e w ork as well a s th e ex p en d itu re involved.
r A* t 1 ■ \ T sld e n t U id Vice P re sid e n t of th e E x ecu tiv e Y uan th e M inisters
i W(dl^as^herro ^n n n sfh L ^ a ilnTa^ f,+i^0 m m -m ^Car)^°nS’ In d u stries a n d E d u catio n ,
P E
h e ?,ds
the, v a n ous C e n tra l G o v ern m en t organs connected y it h econom ic reco n stru c tio n shall be ex officio m em bers of th e N atio n al
Econom ic C ouncd u p o n a p p o in tm e n t b y th e N a tio n a l G o v ern m en t
,, l n ad d itio n to th e ex officio m em bers m en tio n ed in th e preceding p ara g ra n h
C n v f-rn n 1
n o ^ Ill(,re th a n 11 m em bers, w ho sh all be ap p o in te d by th e N atio n al
G overnm ent; on th e reco m m en d atio n of ex officio m em bers.
m an whffihTnAe^ t f 10n k E c^ omic C ouncil shall h av e a ch airm an a n d a vice chairS th e E x ecffiiie Y u a n ^ ^
resPectlve1^ b~
v th e P resid en t a n d th e Vice P re sid e n t
T he ch airm an shall preside a t m eetings of th e council; in th e absence of th e
chairm an, th e vice ch airm an shall a c t in h is place.
th e rm N 7^ ? ^ ! ^ 011^
CoiTcil. sha11 h av e a secretary-general, w ith
C h ie n
fr°+n 2 t(>i4 sA 'U ta rie s> of w hom 2 shall h av e th e ra n k of
shall h av e th e r o n l a? ™ *he ra n k f J ^ n - j e n ; from 4 to 8 experts, of w hom 4
shall h a \ e th e ra n k of C h ie n - je n a n d th e o th ers th e ra n k of T s ie n - je n .
Econom ic B ^ l e t i ^ S h L g h ^ J i l n e
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
^
[552]
Commercial Inform ation.
T he Chinese
67
INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR CONDITIONS
T he secretary-general shall a tte n d to th e ad m in istra tiv e affairs of th e C ouncil
in accordance w ith th e in stru ctio n s of th e ch airm an a n d th e vice chairm an.
T he secretaries shall assist th e secretary-general in a tte n d in g to such adm inis
tra tiv e affairs.
T he ex p erts shall a tte n d to m a tte rs p e rtain in g to econom ic planning.
A r t . 8. T he N atio n al E conom ic C ouncil m ay organize e x p erts’ com m ittees
to stu d y technical problem s as well as a p p o in t technical experts to supervise or
d irect th e carrying o u t of various projects.
A r t . 9. T h e rules of procedure of th e N atio n al Econom ic Council shall be
enacted separately.
A r t . 10. T he p resen t regulation shall becom e effective from th e d a te of p ro
m ulgation.
______ __
N u m b e r o f S k ille d W ork ers in G e r m a n y ,
1925
HE results of the last occupational census undertaken in the
middle of 1925 in Germany have recently been published.1
According to these data, out of the total number of 14,433,000
workers in Germany, 6,595,000 (or 46 per cent) were skilled and
7,838,000 (or 54 per cent) were semiskilled and unskilled. They
were distributed among the principal industry groups as follows:
T
T a b le 1
—
S K IL L E D , S E M IS K IL L E D , A N D U N S K IL L E D W O R K E R S IN G E R M A N Y IN 1925
Per cent of total
N um ber of workers
In d u stry group
Skilled
Agriculture and forestry--------------- --------M anufacturing industries and handicrafts.
T ransportation and com m unication--------- _
Governm ent, public health, e t c . , ------- -T otal. ________________
_ _ ,
...
Semi
skilled and
unskilled
T otal
Skilled
Semi
skilled
and u n
skilled
188,000
5,830, 000
433, 000
144, 000
2,419, 000
3,951, 000
1, 007, 000
461, 000
2, 607,000
9, 781, 000
1, 440, 000
605, 000
7
60
30
24
93
40
70
76
6, 595, 000
7,838, 000
14,433,000
46
54
The proportion of the skilled, and of the semiskilled and unskilled
workers in various branches of manufacturing and handicraft indus
tries was as follows:
T a ble 2 .—P E R C E N T O P S K IL L E D , A N D O F S E M IS K IL L E D A N D U N S K IL L E D W O R K E R S ,
BY IN D U S T R Y
Per cent
Per cent
In d u stry
M ining, including salt and peat
works . ___ _______ _____ .
W oodworking and carving________
M achines, apparatus, an d vehicles,.
ninthing
Electrical, mechanical, and optical
tra d e s____ _
. ,,
.. Food and confectionery-----------------
83
70
70
65
65
64
17
30
30
35
35
36
59
59
41
41
Skilled
Semi
skilled
and
un
skilled
58
57
55
54
44
43
38
23
15
42
43
45
46
56
57
62
77
85
In d u stry
Semi
skilled
Skilled and
un
skilled
M usical instrum ents . . ------W ater, gas and electrical w orks-----L eather and linoleum industries----Iron and m etal w orks---- _ ---------Textile industries
Prin tin g a n d paper industries
Stone and earthen industries ____
Chemical in d u stry _ . . .
R ubber and asbestos trades_______
i S tatistik des D eutschen Reiches, vol. 408, pp. 181-186, as reported b y th e Gewerkschafts Zeitung for
Ju ly 25, 1931, pp. 472-474.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[553]
68
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
In c r e a se in N u m b e r o f L o o m s p er W eaver a t N e lso n ,
E n g la n d
HE Labor Review for April, 1931 (p. 134), contained an account
of the dispute in the English cotton-textile industry over the
employers’ effort to increase to eight the number of looms operated by
a weaver, which ended in the withdrawal of the proposal and the
resumption of work on the old basis of four looms per weaver.
Some individual employers, however, were not willing to give up
the idea and have been seeking a basis of agreement with the weavers
under which the new plan might be tried. According to the Man
chester Guardian for July 21, 1931, a large firm at Nelson has put
forward terms, which have been accepted by the weavers’ association,
providing for a number of reforms in the industry and for the operation
of eight looms per weaver with a minimum or “ fall-back” wage of
58s. ($14.II)1—60s. ($14.60) in the case of artificial silk looms—for
a week of 48 hours. A bonus system provides higher earnings for
increased output. Other details are thus summarized:
T
T he speed of th e loom s will be d eterm in ed by experience, a n d re p o rts will be
presented by outsid e inv estig ato rs. Y arns will be carefully selected a n d p rep ared
in ord er to reduce b reakages to a m inim um . T h e firm will su p p ly a u x iliary la b o r
for sw eeping, cleaning, oiling, “ c u t,” a n d w eft c arry in g ; new p re p a ra to ry m a
chinery will be required, a n d th e displaced la b o r (if any) in th e w eaving sheds will
be given th e first a v ailab le o p p o rtu n ity of th is a lte rn a tiv e em ploym ent. No
deduction will be m a d e from th e w eav er’s w age u n d er th is sy stem for th e p ro d u c
tio n of alleged u n m erch an tab le cloth.
The scheme has not yet been adopted by the employers’ association,
but it is said that this particular firm intends to go on with it, whatever
the attitude of other employers may be.
1Conversions into U nited States currency on basis of shilling=24.33 cents.
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[554]
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
Q u a rry A c c id e n ts in t h e U n ite d S t a t e s in 1929
HE report of the United States Bureau of Mines on quarry acci
dents in the United States during the calendar year 1929, pub
lished as its Bulletin 338, shows an increase of 13 per cent in the
fatality rate, as compared with 1928, but a decrease of 1.4 per cent in
the nonfatal injury rate.
According to accident reports, furnished to the United States
Bureau of Mines by the operating companies and covering practically
the entire industry, the average number of men employed in and
around the quarries and at crushers, cement mills, lime kilns, and
rock-dressing plants in 1929 was 85,561, or 4,106 less than the number
reported for the previous year. The average worker was employed
268 days during the year, as compared with 272 days in 1928, and the
aggregate volume of employment was equal to 22,967,579 man-days,
a decline of 6 per cent from 1928.
Accidents during the year resulted in 126 fatalities, or 7 more than
in 1928, and 9,810 nonfatal injuries, a decrease of 758. It is esti
mated that these 9,936 accidents represented a total loss of time equal
to 1,126,392 man-days or 113 days per accident, as against 110 days
in 1928. Seventy-eight of the fatal and 6,173 of the nonfatal injuries
occurred to the men working in and about the quarries.
Table 1 shows the number of men employed, and the number of
men killed and injured in the quarrying industry, for 1911 to 1925
by 5-year periods and for 1926 to 1929 by years:
T
T ì b i e 1.—N U M B E R O F M E N E M P L O Y E D , N U M B E R K IL L E D A N D IN J U R E D , A N D
FA T A L A N D N O N F A T A L A C C ID E N T R A T E S IN Q U A R R IE S , 1911-1929
M en employed
Years
1Q11 1915 (average)
__________
191B-1920 la,vp,race) . ___________
1921-1925 (average) ___________
1926
_____ __________ 1927
______ ____________
1928
__ _ _____ ____________
1929____________________________
Average
days
active
240
259
263
271
271
273
268
Actual
num ber
E q u iv a
len t in
300-day
workers
103, 803
80, 682
86,967
91,146
91, 517
89, 667
85, 561
83, 206
69, 630
76, 377
82, 361
82, 609
81, 325
76, 559
N um ber killed
T otal
182
146
136
154
135
119
126
P er 1,000
300-day
workers
2.19
2.10
1.78
1.87
1.63
1.46
1.65
N um ber injured
P er 1,000
300-day
workers
Total
7,437
11,161
13, 247
13, 201
13,459
10, 568
9,810
89.39
160.29
173.44
160. 28
162. 92
129. 95
128.14
Figures for the period 1911-1915 indicate unusually low rates for
nonfatal injuries, but it is believed that this is due to incomplete
records of minor injuries in these early years of accident reporting.
The additional hazard of employment in and around quarries, as
against employment in outside plants, is plainly indicated by the
difference in accident frequency rates for the two groups. In and
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[555]
69
70
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
about quarries the fatal and nonfatal injury rates were respectively
2.18 and 172.48 per thousand 300-day workers in 1929, against 1.99
and 162.46 in 1928, while in outside plants the fatal and nonfatal
injury rates were respectively 1.18 and 89.21 per thousand 300-day
workers in 1929 as against 0.99 and 100.34 in 1928.
Falls or slides of rock or overburden caused 24.4 per cent of the
fatal accidents in and about the quarries. Other principal causes
were explosives (21.8 per cent), haulage (11.5 per cent), falls of per
sons (10.3 per cent), machinery (9 per cent), and boiler or air-tank
explosions (9 per cent). Of the nonfatal injuries to workers in and
about the quarries 23.6 per cent were caused by handling rock at the
quarry face. Flying objects were responsible for 14.3 per cent, falls
or slides of rock or overburden for 10 per cent, haulage for 9.5 per
cent, and machinery for 7.6 per cent.
Fatal accidents at outside plants were chiefly due to haulage (29.2
per cent), machinery (27.1 per cent), falling objects (10.4 percent),
falls of persons (8.3 per cent), and electricity (6.3 per cent). Nonfatal
injuries to workers in outside plants were caused mainly by flying
objects (17.6 per cent), handling materials (17.6 per cent), machinery
(11.6 per cent), falls of persons (9.8 per cent), and falling objects
(9.3 per cent).
Comparative records for fatal accidents in quarries and mines for
a period of 19 years, 1911-1929, show that the fatality rate for metal
mines was higher than the rate for quarries in the same year, and that
the fatality rate for coal mines was even higher than the rate for metal
mines, except for one year, 1917.
A summary of the comparative records is presented as Table 2,
which shows the number of workers, calculated as 300-day employees,
and the fatality rates on this basis for quarries, metal mines, and coal
mines, 1911 to 1929.
T a b l e 2.—C O M P A R I S O N OF F A T A L I T Y R A T E S F O R Q U A R R IE S , M E T A L M I N E S A N D
C O A L M IN E S , 1911-1929
Quarries
Year
1911_______
1912___________
1913___________
1914- _
19151916________
1917_________
1918_________
1919______ _
1920__________
1921_____
1922________
1923___________
1924--- _
1925__ _ 1926____
1927____ 1928_______
1929________
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M etal mines
N um ber
of 300day
workers
F a ta lity
rate per
84,417
93, 837
87,141
68,187
82,447
76,457
71,525
59, 285
63, 794
77, 089
59,958
, 861
85,153
84, 426
83,487
82, 361
82. 609
81, 325
76, 559
2. 23
2. 27
. 10
2. 64
1.80
. 26
1.83
68
1,000
300-day
workers
2
2
2.11
1.93
2.31
. 00
1. 92
N um ber
of 300day
workers
F a ta lity
rate per
156,089
161, 662
183, 593
142, 619
141,997
192,455
192, 085
181, 006
134, 871
134, 540
74, 510
97,138
, 866
119,113
123, 908
123, 776
113, 447
109, 345
115, 394
Total, quarries and
mines
F a ta lity
rate per
300-day
workers
N um ber
of 300day
workers
300-day
workers
N um ber
of 300day
workers
4. 45
4. 09
3. 72
3. 92
3. 89
3. 62
4. 44
3. 57
3. 47
3.16
3. 09
3.54
3. 01
3. 51
2. 99
3. 47
3. 10
2. 50
3.03
534,122
541,997
593,131
526, 598
511, 598
565, 766
634, 666
654,973
542, 217
601, 283
474, 529
405, 056
560, 646
499, 896
480, 227
559, 426
503, 065
468, 680
481, 545
4. 97
4. 46
4. 70
4. 66
4. 44
3. 93
4. 25
3.94
4. 27
3. 78
4.20
4. 89
4. 38
4. 79
4. 65
4.50
4. 43
4. 64
4.54
774,628
797,496
863, 865
737, 404
736, 042
834, 678
898, 276
895, 264
740,882
812,912
608, 997
571, 055
767, 665
703, 435
687,622
765, 563
699,121
659, 350
673, 498
2
1.68 121
1.63
1.78
1. 87
1.63
1. 46
1.65
Coal mines
[5 561
1,000
1,000
F ata lity
rate per
1,000
300-day
workers
4. 57
4.13
4.23
4. 33
4.04
3. 71
4. 10
3. 74
3. 93
3.54
3. 85
4.30
3.87
4.20
4.01
4.05
3.89
3.89
3. 95
71
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
B u ild in g - C o n s t r u c t io n A c c id e n ts in
N ew Y ork C ity
HE Building Trades Employers’ Association of the City of New
York has recently published a report showing the activities
of its accident committee since its organization in 1927.1
According to tables in the report, covering the number and cost of
compensated cases in the State of New York for all industries, for the
construction industry, and for building erection and demolition,
during a 5-year period, 1926-1930, a constant increase, both in number
and severity, is shown during the last three years.
Data compiled from annual reports of members of the association
present a different trend. Table 1, which contains data from the
records of the entire reporting membership for 1930, with available
rates for 1928 and 1929, shows a 14 per cent reduction for frequency
rates in 1930, as compared with 1928, and a 33 per cent reduction in
severity rates. Table 2, which covers the experience of identical
firms reporting for each of the three years and consequently is strictly
comparable, shows reductions in 1930, as compared with 1928, of 1
per cent in frequency and 15 per cent in severity.
Evidence of further economic benefit of the accident-prevention
work is presented in the statement that, through the merit-rating
system prevailing in the State, many members have obtained credit
ratings in compensation insurance rates in excess of 50 per cent,
one subcontractor reporting a 55.8 per cent credit which amounted
to a saving of $22,000 in insurance premium for the year 1930.
T
T able
1
. — A C C ID E N T
F R E Q U E N C Y A N D S E V E R IT Y R A T E S IN B U IL D IN G C O N S T R U C
T IO N IN N E W Y O R K C IT Y , 1928-1930
Aver
age
num
ber of
em
ployees,
1930
Trade group
Allied Building M etal In d u stries. _
_________ __
Asbestos C ontractors’ Association
_
_ _
C arpenters’ Association, M aster_________________ _
C em ent Workers, M asters’ League of._ .........
__ . . .
Composition Roofers and W aterproofers. ______ . ..
C ut Stone C ontractors’ Association.
E levator M afiufacturers’ A ssociation. __ __
General C o n t r a c t o r s . _ . . .
Glass Association, T h e Stained and Leaded.
____
Glass D ealers’ Association, T he W indow and P late .
H eating and Piping Contractors
K-.tchen E q u in m en t In d u stry ...
_______
Lighting Fixture M anufacturers’ Council
_
...
M arble In d u stry Em ployers’ A ssociation..
.
M etal Door and W indow Association
M etallic Furring and Lathing Association _
Mosaic and Terrazzo Em ployers’ Association .
Painters and Decorators, Association of M aster. _
P a rq u e t Flooring Association of B ro o k ly n ._ _______
P arquet Flooring Association of N ew Y o rk .. . _____
Plasterers’ Association, C ontracting
Plum bers (D ivision No. 1), Association of M aster . „
Refrigerator M anufacturers’ Association
Rigging C ontractors’ Association___
Roofers a n d Sheet M etal Workers ..
Stone Setters Association, C ontracting. ._
Tile C ontractors’ Association
Individual m em bers____ ___________
All groups________
Frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 m an
hours’ exposure)
Severity rates
(per 1,000 m an
hours’ exposure)
1928
1928
1929
56. 06 35. 78
1, 4G1
333
428 34. 88 38. 03
016 131.92 102. 79
259 36. 18 37. 69
522
. 26 30.03
1.438 70. 80 55. 07
, 463 59. 66 59. 63
42
32. 29
89
. 88
1,534 27. 25
237
26. 60
805
9. 20
1,147 21.31
. 02
162 28. 78 35.19
166 21.05 35. 75
30
. 65
651 22. 84 21. 51
15
5. 26
546 27.04 35. 83
1,144 48.58 24. 53
84
13. 17
. 12
16
542 13. 70 37. 78
31. 57
181
269
34. 43
393 29. 93 43.48
20
6
.00
22
20
8
110
12
19,683
49.67
42. 36
1930
1929
38. 56 3.65 0.77
55. 99
41.69 1.17 7.16
107. 72 9. 33 13.24
94.03
.57
18. 58
.26 1. 09
85. 93 13. 44 7.83
42. 53
. 22 5. 17
. 00
. 00
38. 60
.79
12. 92
.40
.58
19. 34
.07
10. 73
16.64 9. 85
.30
.32
5. 93
.58
32. 18
.18
. 10
.18
14. 33
. 36 1. 23
.CO
. 14
5.06
64. 48 10.94 5.00
60. 70
.49
.56
11. 46
.55
27. 81
1. 30
40. 23 5. 75
.90
149. 89
. 60
23. 70
. 38
55. 44 3. 51 3.68
.88
6
.68
.00
42, 50
8
5.74
3. 49
1930
2.00
1. 29
1.28
IS. 05
1. 65
.22
12.00
3. 62
. 00
.85
. 15
. 64
.20
5. 60
.23
. 51
.00
1. 26
. 00
.01
6. 35
1.27
.34
4.17
5. 89
17.08
. 58
2. 33
3.82
i Building Trades E m ployers’ Association of the C ity of New Y ork. C om m ittee on A ccident Prevention.
Facts on industrial accidents. 1931 edition.
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72
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Table 1 contains information from 310 firms in 28 different trade
groups, with 19,683 employees in 1930, who worked 39,456,552
man-hours. The frequency rate for 1930 is 42.50, which, while higher
than 1929, is lower than 1928 by 14 per cent. The severity rate for
1930 is 3.82 which, while higher than 1929, is'lower than 1928 by
33 per cent. In 25 different trades, 141 firms with 2,802 employees
working 5,673,274 man-hours, completed the year 1930 without a
lost-time accident.
Table 2 contains information concerning 123 firms in 15 different
trade groups, with 12,241 employees, who worked 24,184,801 man
hours, in 1928; 10,906 employees, who worked 22,944,676 man-hours,
in 1929; and 9,591 employees, who worked 19,292,941 man-hours, in
1930. These firms furnished reports for all three years. The fre
quency rate for 1930 is 48.87, as against 49.41 for 1928, a reduction
of 1 per cent. The severity rate for 1930 is 5.54, as against 6.52 for
1928, a reduction of 15 per cent. Twenty-one of these firms, in 10
different trade groups, with 1,164 employees in 1930, working 2,163,036
man-hours, completed the three years without a lost-time accident.
.
T a b l e 2 —A C C ID E N T F R E Q U E N C Y A N D S E V E R IT Y R A T E S IN B U IL D IN G C O N S T R U C -
1930
N E W Y 0 R K C IT Y ’ F 0 R F IR M S R E P O R T IN G E O R A L L 3 Y E A R S , 192.3, 1929, A N D
Average
num ber
of em-
T rade group
1930
Allied B uilding M etal In d u stries_______________
C arpenters’ Association, M aster________
C em ent W orkers, M asters’ League of___________
Composition Roofers a n d W aterproofers________
C ut Stone C ontractors’ Association_____________
E levator M anufacturers’ Association___________
G eneral C ontractors__________________________
H eating and Piping C ontractors________________
M arble In d u stry E m ployers’ Association_____
M etallic Fu rrin g and L athing Association______
Painters and Decorators, Association of M a s te r...
Plasterers’ Association, C ontracting____________
Plum bers (Division N o. I), Association of M aster
Roofers and Sheet M etal W orkers______________
Individual m em bers________________________
All groups_______________________________
864
217
470
123
315
1,109
3, 763
226
949
114
186
378
372
180
325
Frequency rates
(per 1,000,000 m an
hours’ exposure)
Severity rates
(per 1,000 m an
hours’ exposure)
1923
1928
1929
1930
59. 71 33, 79
45. 44 51. 38
129. 57 85. 40
35. 03 46. 59
20.26 30.41
73. 72 54. 79
59.86 69. 47
29. 78 33. 27
20. 90 18. 78
21. 05 27. 47
34. 05 28. 00
30. 66 33. 21
40. 44 18. 74
11. 48 32. 42
26.86 45. 66
45. 08
58.38
120. 14
25. 85
16. 78
72. 10
48. 42
23. 01
16. 54
29. 41
19. 03
64. 10
33. 93
41. 15
63. 44
9, 591 >49.41
47. 94
1929
1930
4. 71 0. 47
1. 24 13. 97
2. 04 15. 77
1.06
.95
.26 1.27
14. 19 8. 95
6. 91 7. 28
.26
.69
11. 59
.31
. 10
.05
19. 58 2.20
12.41
.41
.48
.31
13. 97
.85
1. 50 4. 58
2 00
2 29
23. 35
.36
.20
12. 71
4.79
.26
6. 57
.60
3. 45
. 76
.39
.33
2. 77
48. 87 >6. 52 24. 87
5.54
1 Average num ber of employees in 192S, 12,241.
2 Average num ber of employees in 1929, 10,906.
I n d u s tr ia l A c c id e n ts in F r a n c e in 1929
HE number of industrial accidents occurring in France in 1929
was reported in the Bulletin du Travail, January-March, 1931 (pp.
34—36), published by the French Ministry of Labor. The law requires
the reporting oi all accidents lasting more than four days, and the
data cover all industries with the exception of mines. The figures
given in the following table relate only to the number of accidents and
do not show the total number of employees nor the exposure in man
hours.
T
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INDUSTRIAL A C C ID E N T S
T able 1 .—N U M B E R O F IN D U S T R IA L A C C ID E N T S IN F R A N C E , L A S T IN G M O R E T H A N
F O U R DAYS, 1929
N um ber of cases ofTem po
Perm a rary dis Results
nent
ability
un
disa
lasting
bility more than know n
4 days
In d u stry
D eath
Fishing___________________________________
Forestry, agriculture___________ ___________ ____ ______
E xtractive_________ - _____ ________ _ _
.Food_____________________ ____ .
Chem ical______________ . . . .
R ubber, paper, pasteboard_______ ______ . . ________
Book___ . . . . . . . . . ____
Textile m anufacturing.. _ _ ______ ______ _
C lothing_____________ . . .
Straw , feather, horsehair______ _ _____ ________ . .
Hides a nd skins___ _______________ ______
W oodworking___________ _
___ . . . . .
Smelting and refining_______________ _ ____ . .
M etal m anufacturing (ordinary m etals)_______________ .
M etal m anufacturing (fine m e ta ls)...___________________
C utting precious stones___
. . . . . . . . . . ________
Stone cuttin g and grinding_______
. . ____
E arthw ork, stone construction. — . _ . ______ .
Stone and tile w ork____ ____ _
______ .
W arehousing___ _ _______________ . . . _
T ransportatio n _____ ______________ _ _________
Commerce___ ____.
Peddling, theaters, agencies, e tc _________________ ._
Banks, insurance, e tc _______ _ _ ________
Liberal professions
Personal service, domestic service .. . .
Service of th e State, departm ents and c o m m u n e s ..____
T o tal________________
_______
..
274
26
74
111
35
7
43
12
12
76
136
220
2
4
609
57
45
420
154
10
9
6
29
70
2,441
689
14
305
250
238
96
585
59
4
121
1,044
340
1,918
12
1
25
735
204
98
397
349
8
6
17
146
115
146
40, 439
2, 273
44, 809
47,885
17, 700
7, 271
61,614
8,825
905
13,489
53,073
62, 061
283, 729
1,289
166
3,959
136, 380
33, 887
33, 212
74, 209
70,433
1,038
1,051
1,673
12,867
16,198
7,776 1,030, 581
T otal
124
146
146
41, 753
2,316
45,470
48, 433
18,059
7, 464
62,436
9,214
911
13, 709
54, 543
62, 810
287, 741
1, 321
169
4,016
138,659
34, 289
33, 460
75, 389
71, 603
1,072
1,197
1,719
13, 166
16, 529
6, 796
1,047, 594
351
3
282
187
86
90
194
318
2
87
350
273
1, 874
18
2
28
935
141
105
363
667
16
131
23
Table 2 shows the number of accidents of different degrees of
severity, grouped according to age and sex:
T a b l e 2 .—N U M B E R OF IN D U S T R IA L A C C ID E N T S IN F R A N C E , IN 1929, B Y R E S U L T
A G E, A N D SE X
Young persons u n
der 18 years of age
Accidents resulting in—
W omen
Boys
Girls
D e ath ______ . ____ . . .
Perm anent d isab ility_______ . .
Tem porary disability lasting more th a n 4 d ay s..........
R esults un know n_____
. ________ _
98
506
65, 751
441
12
146
16,983
201
T otal_________________________________
66, 796
17, 342
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M en
T otal
69
1,005
85,463
1,031
2, 262
6,119
862, 384
5,123
2,441
7, 776
1,030, 581
6, 796
87, 568
875, 888 j 1,047, 594
HEALTH AND INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
T e s t o f a N ew D u s t E lim in a to r
A
N ACCOUNT of a test of a new dust elinnnator to be used in
roek drilling is given in the Industrial Bulletin, June, 1931
published by the Industrial Commissioner of New York State. Thé
test was made under the joint auspices of the State Department of
Labor, Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., Harvard School of Public
Health, and the Oeorge J. Atwell Corporation, one of whose engineers
is the inventor of the device. The test was carried out in the rock
formation at Fourth Avenue and Twenty-fourth Street, New York
City, where the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. is excavating for a
new building.
As silicosis has been an increasingly important hazard in New
York City, owing to the large amount of excavation which is being
carried on at all times, a committee was appointed by Mass Frances
Perkins, State industrial commissioner, in 1929, for the purpose of
making a scientific study of the subject. The invention of the dust
eliminator is the outgrowth of the work of this committee. In com
menting on the test, Commissioner Perkins stated that silicosis is a
prevailing disease among a certain class of workers in New York, and
that no other place except perhaps the diamond mines of South
Alnca has so great a silicosis hazard. The rock formations in New
lork and the vicinity contain varying amounts of silica, samples
taken from eight localities in Manhattan where excavating was being
done showing a total silica content varying from 56 per cent to 94
per cent, and a free silica content ranging from 1 per cent to 84
per cent.
The new machine is planned to remove the dust of 60 drills at one
time and represents the first attempt to reduce the rock dust hazard
by suction, masks and wet drilling having previously been the methods
of protection used. The device has a metal hood through which the
drill passes and the dust caused by the bite of the drill is sucked
through a pipe into metal reservoirs where it is settled by water
sprays and is washed away with the water. The machine not only
protects the workers from the inhalation of dust, but is also a measure
ol economy, as it allows the operation of the drills at full power instead
ol the reduced power which is necessitated without the eliminator
on account of the great amount of dust created. Experimental tests
have shown that with the use of the dust-eliminating machine not
more than 4 per cent of the silica dust remains in the air, which is not
enough to create a hazard for the workers. If the new system proves
to be fully successful, the industrial code bureau of the State depart
ment ol labor will make a new code requiring the use of a similar
device on all rock-drilling operations.
74
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[5601
LABOR LAWS AND COURT DECISIONS
S t a t u t e s o f A n o th e r S t a t e are E n fo r c e d O n ly b y C o m ity
act committed in one State, resulting in death,
. is not actionable in another State on the basis of the statutory
ANEGLIGENT
laws of the former State unless the local statutes are substantially
similar to those on which the action is based, according to a recent
decision of the Court of Appeals of Maryland. (London Guarantee
& Accident Co. (Ltd.) v. Balgowan S. S. Co. (Ltd.), 155 Atl. 334.)
The facts of the case disclose that in November, 1928, Davis
Hawkins was employed by the Gulf Stevedoring Co. at Galveston,
Tex., in loading bales of cotton on the steamship Balgowan, which
was owned by the Balgowan Steamship Co. In the course of his
work he received injuries, due to the negligence of the steamship
company, which caused his death. Compensation under the work
men’s compensation law of Texas, in the sum of $5,500, was awarded
to the widow and children of Hawkins and was paid by the London
Guarantee & Accident Co. (Ltd.), the insurance carrier for the Gulf
Stevedoring Co. Thereupon the insurance carrier filed suit for
damages against the steamship company in the superior court of
Baltimore City, Md. From its adverse decision the insurance carrier
appealed to the Court of Appeals of Maryland, contending that the
right of action given it by the Texas statutes was actionable in the
courts of Maryland.
In regard to this right the Court of Appeals said:
In h eren tly no S ta te s ta tu te h as a n y e x tra te rrito ria l force, a n d is ad m in istered
in a foreign S ta te as a m a tte r of grace, n o t of rig h t, upo n principles of com ity.
[Cases cited.] A nd th e re seem s to be no sound reaso n w hy a n y S ta te should
lend th e use of its judicial m ach in ery fo r th e enfo rcem en t of rig h ts cre a te d by
foreign sta tu te s or law s in fav o r of n o nresidents, unless b y its ow n law s a n d
sta tu te s sim ilar in su bstan ce to th e foreign law s a n d s ta tu te s like rig h ts are
g ran ted to its own citizens.
In th is case p lain tiff’s claim is based n o t only upon th e d e a th s ta tu te of Texas
(title 77, R ev. Civ. S ta t. of T exas), b u t also upon th e w orkm en’s com pensation
law of t h a t S ta te (title 130, R ev. Civ. S ta t. of T exas, a n d its lim itatio n s sta tu te ,
title 91, R ev. Civ. S tat. of T exas), so th a t i t becom es necessary n o t o nly to com
pare title 77 an d title 91 of th e T exas sta tu te s w ith article 67, M ary lan d Code,
b u t also to com pare title 130 of th e T exas s ta tu te w ith article 101 of th e M ary lan d
Code.
Comparing the relevant statutes of the two States, the court found
that in important particulars the Maryland statutes differ from the
Texas statutes, and the court said “ tbe conclusion is manifest that
those differences are of such a character that the Texas statutes will
not be administered in the courts of this State.”
In pointing out the differences between the workmen’s compensa
tion laws of the two States, the court said:
T he im p o rta n t differences betw een th ese provisions of those tw o s ta tu te s is,
first, th a t u nder th e T exas s ta tu te no se ttle m e n t of a n y actio n b ro u g h t to enforce th e
d e fe n d a n t’s liab ility can be m ade w ith o u t th e ap p ro v a l of th e T exas In d u s tria l Acci72574°—31------6
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75
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
76
d entB oard, while u n d er th e M ary lan d a c t such litig a tio n m ay be settled , a d ju ste d ,
or com prom ised a t a n y tim e by th e p a rtie s; second, u n d e r th e T exas a c t, su ch a n
actio n m ay be b ro u g h t to enforce such liab ility o nly b y th e in su rer, a n d n e ith e r
th e in ju re d em ployee n o r his d ep en d en ts c an enforce it, n o r c an th e y com pel th e
in su rer to do so, while u n d e r th e M ary lan d s ta tu te th e liab ility m ay be enforced
by th e em ployer o r th e insurer, or, if th e y o r e ith e r of th e m fail to a c t w ith in tw o
m o n th s a fte r th e aw ard , by th e em ployee, or, in th e e v e n t of his d e a th , his de
pendents.
By th e subrogatio n provision of th e w o rk m an ’s [sic] com pensation law of
T exas th e rig h t to enforce th e liab ility of a person o th e r th a n th e em ployer
whose w rongful a c t caused in ju ry to a n em ployee e n title d to com pensation
u n d er t h a t a c t u n d er circum stances c reatin g a liab ility to p ay dam ages in resp ect
th ereo f is given to th e in su rer, wThile u n d e r th e M ary lan d s ta tu te t h a t rig h t is
given first to th e insu rer, a n d th e n , in th e e v e n t of his failure to exercise it, to th e
in ju red em ployee, or, in case of d e a th , to his d ependents.
U nder th e T exas w o rk m an ’s com pensation law , th e re can be no a d ju s tm e n t or
com prom ise of th e liab ility w ith o u t th e a p p ro v a l of th e T exas In d u s tria l A ccident
B oard, while u n d er th e M ary lan d s ta tu te t h a t rig h t is in th e p a rtie s in terested .
T hese an d o th e r differences to w hich reference h as been m ad e in d icate a
dissim ilarity in th e re le v a n t s ta tu te s of th e tw o S ta te s so im p o rta n t a n d su b
s ta n tia l t h a t u n d er th e rule s ta te d in Ash v. B altim ore & O. R . Co. (19 A tl. 643),
an d D ronenburg v. H arris (71 A tl. 81), no principle of com ity could ju stify th e
courts of th is S ta te in adm in isterin g th e T exas sta tu te s.
The judgment of the lower court was therefore affirmed.
In ju r y H e ld N o t C o m p e n s a b le U n le s s R isk Is C o n te m p la te d
b y E m p lo y m e n t A g r e e m e n t
INJURY does not “ arise out of employment” within the
act when the risk is not one fairly contemplated
AN„bycompensation
the agreement of employment, according to a recent decision of the
Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. (Eifler’s Case, 176 N. E.
529 .)
Catherine J. Eifler filed a petition with the Industrial Accident
Board of Massachusetts to recover compensation for the death of
Henry Eifler, her husband. The deceased employee, while working as
a garbage collector, was riding in a truck operated by the employer’s
chauffeur. The truck was proceeding at the rate of 3% miles an hour
when the employee attempted to alight. In so doing he fell and was
run over by the truck, sustaining an injury resulting in his death.
A hearing was held before a single member of the board, who found
that “ the employee did not fall from the truck while waiting fop it
to come to a stop, but was in the act of alighting from it when it was
in motion and while doing so he fell and was run over.” The indus
trial accident board granted an award and the Suffolk County
superior court rendered a decree in favor of the claimant. The insurer
thereupon appealed the case to the Supreme Judicial Court of Massa
chusetts. The question involved on appeal was whether the injury
arose out of the employment or was incidental to it. The insurer
contended that, as the risk was not contemplated by the contract of
employment, it did not arise out of the employment.
At the trial the operator of the truck testified that his “ custom was
to come to a dead stop and let the men off. * * * He was going
to stop on this particular morning; he had the foot brake partially
on and the emergency brake partially on.”
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77
The evidence and the finding of the single member was reviewed
by the court and a decision rendered in favor of the insurance carrier.
The court said:
If a n em ployee v o lu n tarily incurs a risk n o t co n tem p lated b y his c o n tra c t of
em ploym ent, o r in cid en tal to it, he is n o t w ith in th e p ro tectio n of th e w orkm en’s
com pensation a c t (G en. L ., c. 152 as am ended). T h e purpose of th e a c t is to
com pen sate em ployees fo r in ju ries arising o u t of a n d in th e course of th e ir em p lo y
m e n t. B u t a n in ju ry does n o t arise o u t of a n em p lo y m en t w hen th e risk is one
n o t fairly co n tem p lated b y th e ag reem en t of em ploym ent. If a n em ployee goes
outside th e scope of his em p lo y m en t a n d incurs a d an g er of his ow n choosing a n d
one alto g eth er ou tsid e of a n y reasonable exercise of th is em ploym ent, he can n o t
recover. T h ere are num erous cases w hich u p hold th is principle. [Cases cited.]
In W ith er’s case, 252 M ass. 415, 147 N . E . 831, th e em ployee w as in ju red in
a tte m p tin g to b oard a m oving railro ad tra in . I t w as h eld t h a t h e com d n o t
recover. In t h a t case i t w as said, a t page 418 of 252 M ass., 147 N . E . 831, 832:
“ T h e claim an t v o lu n tarily in cu rred a n a d d e d peril n o t w ith in th e co n tem p latio n
of his c o n tra c t of service.” On th e findings of th e single m em b er, in th e case a t
b ar, w hich w ere a d o p te d b y th e in d u stria l accid en t b oard, th e em ployee “ a t
te m p te d to a lig h t from th e tr u c k ,” “ he w as in th e a c t of alig h tin g .” In doing
this he v o luntarily assum ed a n ad d ed peril w hich was no p a r t of his em ploym ent.
I n ju n c t io n
H eld N o t W a rra n ted U n le s s A c ts o f U n io n
U n la w fu l
are
Court of Errors and Appeals of New Jersey recently held that
an injunction is not warranted in an employer’s action against a
T HE
labor union if the facts disclose no unlawful acts of the union and show
that the combination of employees was for their mutual protection
and economic welfare. (Bayer v. Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators
and Paperhangers of America, Local 301, et al., 154 Atl. 759.)
The suit in question was instigated by Andrew Bayer, a painting
contractor operating in the vicinity of the city of Trenton, against the
Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers of America.
The difficulty arose over the alleged activity of the contractor in en
couraging the use of machines instead of manual labor to apply paint,
which practice the union regarded as inimical to its members’ eco
nomic welfare. The contractor denied that he used such machmes in
his own business, but admitted that he advanced money for the pur
chase of such a machine for a corporation in which he was a stock
holder and that that corporation used such machines. He applied for
an injunction restraining the union from placing him on the unfair
list; from attempting to collect fines from his employees; from doing
anything whatsoever to keep union men from working for him; from
injuring his business in any way; from encouraging sympathetic
strikes; and from persuading others to refrain from working for him.
The vice chancellor found that the union had, among other things,
by threats of fine or discipline kept others who were willing and desir
ous of working for Bayer from so doing. He further found that it was
not against the by-laws or rules of the union for an employer to own
part interest in a paint-spraying machine and that the union was not
justified in taking such action against the contractor. The order
granting an injunction was issued, and the union thereupon appealed
to the Court of Errors and Appeals of New Jersey, contending that
the employees had a right to combine and by peaceable means refuse
to work for an employer who does not conform to the rules of the
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
union and to persuade others to leave or refuse to enter such
employment.
The court cited the act of 1883 (3 Comp. Stat. 1910, p. 3051, sec.
128), and the act of 1926 (Comp. Stat. Supp., sec. 107-131 a), which
grant the employees the right to form a union and to persuade others,
by peaceable means, from entering the employment of any person or
corporation. After reviewing the evidence, the court reversed the
order of the court of chancery, saying in part as follows:
T h e co u rt below a p p ears to h av e concluded t h a t efforts to persu ad e th e ir m em
bers n o t to w ork or to discipline th e m for b reaking th e union rules was [sic] unlaw
ful because th e co n d u ct of th e co m p la in a n t w as n o t unlaw ful.
N othing has been p ro v ed in th is case to w a rra n t a finding t h a t th e d efen d an ts
h av e done or th re a te n e d a n y th in g t h a t is n o t legalized by th e a c ts of th e legisla
tu re.
I t seem s clear from th e s ta tu te s a n d th e decisions of th e co u rts of o u r own
S tate, as well as of o th e r jurisdictions, th a t em ployees m ay com bine for th e ir
m u tu a l p ro tectio n ; t h a t th e y m ay for them selves conclude w h a t a c ts a n d things
are for th e ir econom ic w elfare; t h a t th e y m ay enforce th e ir d em an d s b y strik es,
if th e y th e re b y violate no co n tra c ts of em p lo y m en t; t h a t th e y m a y peaceably
an d w ith o u t th re a ts or in tim id a tio n induce o th ers to do so, if no co n tra c tu a l
rig h ts are violated th ereb y . N one of th ese a c ts is unlaw ful, a n d th e fa c t th a t
com p lain an t m ay be affected u n fav o rab ly by th e reg u latio n s of th e union e sta b
lished to fu rth e r th e ir own in te re sts does n o t ren d er th e m unlaw ful.
S e c o n d E m p lo y e r H eld N o t L ia b le fo r E n t ic e m e n t o f E m p lo y e e
HE Supreme Court of Tennessee held recently that a person
hiring or enticing away an employee is not liable to the original
employer if it is proven that the employee had sufficient cause for
breaching the contract. (Jordan v. Lewis, 39 S. W. (2d) 743.)
B. F. Lewis filed an action against W. H. Jordan to recover dam
ages for the hiring and enticing away of one of his employees. The
suit was based on the alleged violation of the following sections of
Thompson’s Shannon’s Code of Tennessee, 1918:
T
4337. I t shall n o t be law ful for a n y person in th is S ta te , know ingly, to hire,
c o n tract w ith, decoy or entice aw ay, d irectly or in d irectly , a n y one, m ale or
fem ale, who is a t th e tim e u n d er c o n tra c t or u n d er th e em ploy of a n o th e r; an d
any person so u n d er co n tra c t or em ploy of an o th e r, leaving th e ir em ploy w ith o u t
good a n d sufficient cause, before th e ex piration of th e tim e fo r w hich th e y w ere
em ployed, shall forfeit to th e em ployer all sum s d u e fo r service a lread y rendered,
an d be liable for such o th er dam ages th e em ployer m ay reaso n ab ly su stain by
such violation of co n tract.
4338. Any person violatin g th e provisions of th e first clause of th e la s t section
shall be liable to th e p a rty who originally h ad a n d w as en title d to th e services of
said em ployee, b y v irtu e of a previous c o n tra c t, fo r such d am ages as he m ay
reasonably su stain b y th e loss of th e la b o r of said em ployee; a n d he shall also be
liab le fo r such dam ages, w h eth er he h a d know ledge of a n existing c o n tra c t o r no t,
if he fails o r refuses to discharge th e person so h ired, o r to p a y such d am ages as
th e original em ployer m ay claim , a fte r h e h a s been notified t h a t th e person is
u n d e r c o n tra c t, o r h a s v io lated th e c o n tra c t w ith a n o th e r person, w hich a m o u n t
shall be ascertained, a n d th e collection enforced b y actio n fo r dam ages before an y
ju s tic e of th e peace of said c o u n ty w here said v iolation occurs, o r th e p a rty
v iolating said section m ay reside.
A judgment was awarded Lewis, and later Jordan appealed to the
court of appeals from a judgment against him in the circuit court,
which judgment was affirmed. Thereupon the case was carried to
the Supreme Court of Tennessee. Jordan complained that the lower
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LABOR LAWS AND COURT DECISIONS
79
court had excluded testimony that the employee hired by him after
he had contracted to work for Lewis in 1927, had abandoned his
contract for cause; and that the court was in error in charging the
measure of damages to be the reasonable rental value of the lands
which the employee had contracted to work. The jury should have
been instructed, Jordan averred, that it was the duty of the original
employer to have minimized his damages, as he might reasonably
have done, either by working the land himself or by procuring a
substitute renter.
The view of the trial court, concurred in by the court of appeals,
appeared to be that “ evidence tending to show that the employee
had abandoned his contract with good and sufficient cause, was
available only to the defendant employee in a suit between the
original employer and the employee, and was incompetent in an
action brought by the original employer against the subsequent
employer. ”
The Tennessee Supreme Court did not concur in this view, however,
and in interpreting the two sections cited above, said:
W hile i t is tru e t h a t th is defense is expressly p rovided for only in section 4337,
w hich deals w ith th e rem edy in a n actio n b ro u g h t by th e original em ployer
a g a in s t th e em ployee, leaving his em ploy “ w ith o u t good a n d sufficient c a u se ,”
an d w hile th e follow ing section 4338 defines th e lia b ility a n d sets fo rth th e rem edy
ag ain st th e su b seq u en t em ployer, th e tw o sections a re p a rts of one a c t closely
related , referring one to th e o th er, a n d w e a re of opinion, b o th u pon a fair con
stru c tio n of th e a c t as a w hole a n d upo n reason a n d principle, t h a t i t wTas n o t th e
in te n tio n of th e L egislature to m ak e a su b seq u en t em ployer absolutely liable,
d esp ite a reasonably established show ing t h a t th e em ployee h a d le ft h is form er
em ployer fo r “ good a n d sufficient c a u se .” W e th in k i t obvious t h a t i t w as n o t
th e leg islative in te n t to excuse th e em ployee from lia b ility to his form er em ployer
on th ese reasonable grounds, a n d y e t d eny to th e su b seq u en t em ployer th e rig h t
to p ro v e a n d rely on th e sam e grounds. A co n tra ry view w ould be subversive
of fu n d am en tal principles of c o n tra c tu a l rights.
The court also said there was error in the instructions with respect
to the measure of damages and that it should be modified upon
another trial.
The judgment of the court of appeals was therefore reversed.
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WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION
R e c e n t C o m p e n s a t io n R e p o r ts
I n d ia n a
annual report of the Industrial Board of the State of Indiana
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1930, shows that 31,818
T HE
injuries were reported during the year as causing absence from work
for more than one day, or 9,113 fewer than were reported for the
previous year. Of these, 184 were fatalities and 535 were mutila
tions. The largest number of injuries for any group under the indus
try classification falls to general contractors, charged with 2,389
injuries, including 11 fatalities; this group was followed closely by
coal mining, which reported 2,303 injuries, of which 17 were fatal.
The manufacture of iron and steel experienced a heavy fatality, as
19 of the 668 accidents were fatal. Among the injuries were 1,815
to women and 155 to children 16 years of age or under.
Several tabulations are also presented covering the yearly experi
ence under the workmen’s compensation act since it became effective
on September 1, 1915. Part of this is given in the following table,
which contains the number of injuries causing death, the total
number of injuries reported, and the amount of compensation paid
in closed cases. “ Closed cases” in this State means cases in which
the compensation period has expired or in which the full compensation
has been discharged in lump-sum settlements.
F A T A L A N D T O T A L IN J U R IE S R E P O R T E D A N D C O M P E N S A T IO N P A ID IN C L O SE D
CA SES. S E P T E M B E R 1, 1915, TO S E P T E M B E R 30. 1930
Fiscal year
ending Sep
tem ber 30—
1916 2..................
1917........ ............
1918.,............__
1919__________
1920________
1921_________ _
1922
1923__________
1924_______ . . .
Injuries reported
F atal
268
305
373
268
291
263
198
268
274
T otal
39, 672
41,932
37, 520
35,229
42, 994
34, 396
38, 604
54, 850
49,004
C om pensation
benefits1
$267,401. 03
582,435. 85
914,426. 86
1,090, 737. 83
1,186,303. 60
1, 790,141. 96
2, 356,055. 90
2.261, 602. 65
2,368, 599.48
1Medical benefits no t included.
213 m onths ending Septem ber 30.
Fiscal year
ending Sep
tem ber 30—
1925
1926
1927
1928 .
1929
1930
T o ta l___
Injuries reported
' F atal
T otal
Compensation
benefits 1
307
265
266
204
200
184
49,170
43,138
40. 539
37, 714
40, 931
31,818
$2, 806, 615. 22
2,862,875. 82
2, 706, 886.95
2, 670, 883.47
3, 010, 530. 20
3,260, 716.42
3, 934
617, 511
3 30, 529, 613. 24
3 includes burial benefits in 3,934 cases, a t $100 each.
K e n tu c k y
A c c o r d i n g to a summary in the fourteenth annual report of the
Kentucky Workmen’s Compensation Board, for the year ending
June 30, 1930, a total of 20,758 accidents was reported during that
80
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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W O RK M EN ’S COMPENSATION
81
period, or 1,393 more than during the previous year. Coal mining,
as usual, was responsible for the largest group of accidents, with
7,952 for the year of the report, against 7,715 for the preceding 12
months. Fatalities numbered 154, or 7 per cent more than for the
previous year. Slightly more than 1 per cent (287) of the injured
persons were females.
During the period covered by the report, 15,049 agreements were
approved, involving payment of $1,315,061 in compensation. Other
awards by the board to injured employees and dependents of deceased
employees amounted to $343,813, making the total awards $1,658,873,
of which $831,896 was for accidents in the coal-mining industry.
These figures do not include the expenses of medical, surgical, and
hospital treatments provided by law.
During the year 1,172 employers elected to operate under the
provisions of the compensation act, bringing the total number of
employers who have accepted the act since it became effective (1916)
up to June 30, 1930, to 18,304, subject to deductions for withdrawals,
discontinuance of business, or removal from the State.
The report includes data on the classification of agreements and*
amount of compensation, by extent of disability and by industry.
O h io
A s t a t e m e n t issued by the Industrial Commission of Ohio an
nounces a revision of premium rates for workmen’s compensation
insurance written by the State insurance fund, with an increase of
approximately 10 per cent in the average basic rate level, effective
July 1 , 1931. Some classification rates have not been increased,
while others have been reduced due to the favorable trend of accident
experience.
It is explained that the increase was found necessary because of
the increased benefits established by amendment to the law; the
trend toward increasing medical costs; the increasing liberality in
the interpretation of the law by the courts on appealed cases pre
viously disallowed by the commission; the decreasing wage levels,
resulting in lower pay roll and premium without a corresponding
reduction in claim cost; and the failure of employers to pay advance
premiums, so that the fund is required to pay claims of injured em
ployees and of dependents of killed employees but is often unable
to collect such losses from the employers on account of insolvency
or other causes.
The revision carries increases in 257 classifications (43.5 per cent),
decreases in 58 (10 per cent), and no change in 274 (46.5 per cent).
The occupational disease rate remains the same, 1 cent per $100 of pay
roll.
The actuary’s report of the condition of the State insurance fund
as of December 31, 1930, which is included, shows assets of $52,840,925
and a surplus of $2,117,962. Receipts for the year 1930, including
premiums and interest on reserve funds, totaled $14,004,756, while
the total disbursements for the year were $16,165,030, making an
excess of disbursements over receipts of $2,160,274.
The commission states that it is natural to expect this condition to
develop, as a period of general depression immediately affects the
entire premium income, due to lower pay rolls, while disbursements
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82
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
are only slightly affected, due to the payment of benefits over a
long period of time in many cases. Depression also has a tendency
to develop conditions that serve to increase disbursements, such as
giving previously injured workers, who had been able to resume em
ployment in a more or less crippled condition but are unable to
obtain employment during the depression, an opportunity to make
claim for the remaining compensation due them as a result of their
injury. I t is also found that physicians, hospitals, etc., have time
during depressions in which to check up their records and file bills
for services rendered during periods of high industrial activity but
hitherto overlooked. This condition has been recognized and funds
have been provided in the claim reserve to meet it, to avoid increase
of premiums for that purpose during periods of depression.
The commission reports decreases from 1929 to 1930 of 12.4 per
cent in pay roll, of 17.6 in number of claims filed, and of 16.2 per
cent in premium receipts, indicating a general decrease in claim
frequency per unit of pay roll. Medical awards decreased 14.3 per
cent from those of 1929, indicating a continued increase in medical,
«hospital, and nursing cost per claim, as compensation awards showed
a decrease in conformity with claims filed.
O k la h o m a
T h e report of the Industrial Commission of Oklahoma for the
calendar year 1930, consists of monthly statistical reports of injuries
reported, disposal of claims, amount of compensation and medical
awards, and location of injuries.
The following summary table, prepared from the data in these
reports, shows the number of injuries reported, the number of awards
made, and the amount of benefits awarded during the year, by
months.
IN JU R IE S R E P O R T E D A N D B E N E F IT S A W A R D E D IN O K L A H O M A , 1930, B Y M O N T H S
M onth
J a n u a ry _____________________
F ebru ary ___________________
M arch .
______
A p ril_____________________ __
M ay _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _____
June___ _ _ _ _ _
............. _
Ju ly -------------------------------------A ugust- ____ ______
_____
Septem ber_________________ _
O ctober______ _ _ __ ______
N ovem ber-.- _ _ _ _ _
D ecem ber- _
______
T o tal__________________
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
N u m b er of aw ards
N um
ber of
in ju
ries re Com M edi
cal
T otal
ported pensa
tion
aid
A m ount of aw ards
Com pensa
tion
M edical
aid
T otal
4,171
3, 977
4, 551
4, 386
4, 727
4,698
5, 109
5, 691
5, 109
4,604
3,836
3, 298
553
879
943
948
1, 346
1,338
1, 261
1,013
1,372
1,453
1,355
1,463
7
7
9
11
6
1
5
10
2
0
8
4
560
886
952
959
1,352
1,339
1, 266
1,023
1,374
1, 453
1,363
1, 467
$160, 663. 30
182, 646. 66
244, 703. 49
251, 506. 80
332, 293. 41
272, 745. 69
283, 513. 72
257, 976.35
234, 629. 97
329,194. 55
282, 911. 95
339, 454.13
$402. 50
623. 00
1, 347. 00
1, 038. 20
506. 75
116. 00
807. 60
780. 75
47. 50
483.00
185. 00
$161, 065. 80
183, 269. 66
246, 050.49
252, 545. 00
332, 800. 16
272, 861. 69
284, 321. 32
258, 757.10
234,677.47
329,194. 55
283, 394. 95
339, 639.13
54, 157
13, 924
70
13, 994
3, 172, 240. 02
6,337. 30
3,178, 577. 32
[5681
0
83
WORKMEN ’S COMPENSATION
R h o d e I s la n d
T h e report of the Commissioner of Labor of Rhode Island for the
year 1930 covers the various activities of the department of labor,
including the operation of the workmen’s compensation act.
Several legislative changes are advocated in the workmen’s com
pensation act and other labor laws. Statistical tables for the year
present the experience of the insurance companies writing workmen’s
compensation insurance in the State; the experience of firms carrying
their own risks; the number of accidents reported, by occupation,
age, industry, and nature of injury; the amount of compensation
paid, by class of injury; and the amount of time lost through in
juries. It is explained that the data do not cover all accidents
occurring in the State during the year, as only acceptors of the act
are required to report accidents.
The following table gives some of the principal features of the data
for the year ending September 30, 1930, compared with corresponding
data from the previous report.
E X P E R IE N C E U N D E R W O R K M E N ’S C O M P E N S A T IO N A C T O F R H O D E IS L A N D , F IS C A L
Y E A R S E N D IN G S E P T E M B E R 30, 1929 A N D 1930
Y ear ending—
Item
September
30, 1929
NWmher nf establishm ents u nder ant
_____
_____ ___
Wtig6 earners covçiPd i
_ _________ ______ —
N um ber of accidents reported:
Fatal a c c e n t s
_ _______ _________ __________ ____
Nonfatal cnmpp.n sable. accidents
____- ___ ___ _ - _____
Noncompen sable a cci dents
________ _____ _ ______ ______
Benefits "paid for accidents occurring during year:
r (9jy)pppçqfimi into 1 eases
_________ ___
__ — __
^om pensati™ Tlnnfatnl PP.SftS
_____________ ___ ______
M edical aid onmpensaLl e. easels
__ _____ ___ __________
M edical aid nnnenmppnsablp cases
_______ _______ _____
Benefits paid for accidents occurring in previous years:
Compensation, fatal cases______________________________________
Com pensation, nonfatal cases___________________________________
1 P a rtly estim ated.
September
30, 1930
5,031
140, 989
4, 979
153, 018
40
4,199
28, 365
25
3, 008
26, 234
$7, 289. 75
281, 593. 31
224,376. 22
198,508.17
$19, 571. 98
284, 404. 59
165,184. 50
148, 850. 04
61, 597. 99
230,122.11
52, 712. 09
239,857. 03
- .......- _
W is c o n s in
T h e fifteenth report of the Industrial Commission of Wisconsin on
the administration of the workmen’s compensation act, covers the
2-year period, July 1, 1928, to June 30, 1930. A summary of the
number of cases reported and closed yearly since the act became
effective, September 1, 1911, up to June 30, 1930, with amounts of
benefits involved are given in the table following.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
84
N U M B E R OF OASES R E P O R T E D , N U M B E R S E T T L E D , A N D B E N E F IT S PA ID U N D E R
W O R K M E N ’S C O M P E N S A T IO N A C T OF W ISC O N SIN , S E P T E M B E R 1, 1911, TO J U N E
30, 1930
Benefits paid in settled cases
Y ear ending Ju n e 30—
N um ber
N um ber of comof cases pensable
cases
reported
settled
19121
_________________
1913
________________
1914
_________________
1915 _____________________
1916
_
_______ _ _
1917
________ ______
1918
_________________
1919
________________ -1920
_______ ________
1921
-. _____________
1922
_
-- - ____
1923
_______________
1924
_______________
1925
_____ ____ _____
1926
____ ______
1927
_________________
_________________
1928
1929
_______ ________
1930_______________________
Total
_ _____- --
C om pensation
A m ount
Aver
age
per
case
T otal
M edical aid
Aver
age
per
case
A m ount
A m ount
1,332
3, 698
10,127
11,006
16,015
20,560
19, 361
18, 448
18,441
18,987
16, 685
23,166
25,196
24, 064
26, 322
24,583
26, 052
26, 511
25,920
846
2,841
8,496
11,377
12, 848
17,157
15, 825
16,471
14,445
17, 622
15, 852
19, 058
22, 393
21, 349
21, 084
21, 722
21, 199
21, 698
22, 514
$42, 400
173, 900
581, 200
945, 045
938, 774
1,184, 371
1,278, 383
1, 683, 010
1, 567, 072
2, 361, 845
2, 252,138
2, 763, 836
2, 803, 249
3,493,185
3,493, 290
3, 596, 607
3,591,138
4,076, 857
4, 664, 865
$50
61
68
83
73
69
81
102
108
134
134
145
125
164
166
166
169
188
207
$17,950
79, 400
270, 000
309, 609
277, 415
391, 958
427, 085
508, 902
473, 433
668, 455
707, 836
838, 180
1,059, 480
1,122,184
1, 131, 602
1,146, 441
1,165, 599
1,325, 610
1, 522,169
$21
28
32
27
22
23
27
31
33
38
42
44
47
53
54
53
55
61
68
$60, 350
253, 300
851, 200
1, 254, 654
1, 216, 189
1,576, 329
1, 705, 468
2,191, 912
2.040, 505
3, 030, 300
2,959, 974
3, 602. 016
3, 862, 729
4, 615, 369
4, 624, 892
4, 743, 048
4, 756, 737
5, 402, 467
6,187, 034
356,474
304, 797
41,491,165
136
13, 443, 308
44
54, 934, 473
Aver
age
per
case
$71
89
100
110
95
92
108
133
141
172
176
189
172
216
219
218
224
249
275
180
----- -
i Sept. 1, 1911, to June 30, 1912.
The table covers only cases in which the disability extends beyond
seven days. All reports of such accidents or occupational diseases
are counted under “ cases reported,” while only the compensable cases
are accounted for under the heading “ cases settled.” The 356,474
cases reported include 42,028 which were not compensable, leaving
9,649 cases open at the close of the period.
Summaries of claims and awards for the two years reported on are
also given in the report, and several pages are devoted to decisions of
the commission during the biennium.
M a n it o b a
report of the Workmen’s Compensation Board of Manitoba,
Canada, for 1930, reviews the experience under the workmen’s com
pensation act for the calendar year 1930, and presents a detailed
analysis of the final accident record for 1929.
The total number of accidents reported to the board by the various
groups of employers during 1929 and 1930 is as follows:
T he
A C C ID E N T S R E P O R T E D IN M A N IT O B A IN 1929 A N D 1930, BY E M P L O Y IN G G R O U P S
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
N u m b e r of
ac cid en ts
G ro u p
S team railw ay s
________
P ro v i nee of M a n ito b a _____ _ __ _
C ity of W in n ip eg
__ __ __
(^pnppql b o d y of em p i overs
____
_ _
W in n ip eg TCleetrie ( o
T>om ini on Crovernmpnt,
T o ta l
__
-
[570']
- __
1929
1930
2,890
156
318
8,893
142
941
1,600
246
414
7,380
129
560
13, 340
10, 329
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION
85
The total figures show a decrease for 1930 of 22.6 per cent, and the
board states that it is unable to say how far this decrease is due to a
reduction in pay roll, as audited pay-roll returns for 1930 are not
available, but that many industrial plants have shown considerable
interest in safety work, and some results from this should be evident.
The decrease was most marked in the operation of steam railways,
where the reduction amounted to 44.6 per cent, but the general body
of employers, which was responsible for more than 70 per cent ot ail
reported accidents during 1930, experienced a decrease of 17 per cent.
Fatal accidents showed an average decrease of 38.8 per cent tor
1930 as compared with 1929, a total of 52 fatalities being lepoited lor
1930 against 85 for 1929. The greatest decrease in fatalities occurred
for the general body of employers, which reported 33 for 1930 against
61 for 1929, a reduction of 45.9 per cent.
N o v a S c o t ia
T h e report of the Workmen’s Compensation Board of Nova
Scotia presents a brief review of the experience under the workmen’s
compensation act of the Province since it became effective on Jan
uary l, 1917, a review of the experience for the year 1930, the 1930
experience of the provincial accident fund, and an analysis of the
compensated accidents in 1929.
The total number of accidents reported to the board for 1930 was
9 434 or 771 fewer than in 1929. They consisted of 61 compensable
and 5 noncompensable fatal accidents, 206 causing permanent partial
disability, 6,113 causing total disability for seven days or more
2,132 medical aid cases, 228 accidents pending adjustment, and 689
nonfatal noncompensable cases.
.. ,
It is estimated that the total cost of compensation and of the medical
aid furnished by the board for the 1930 accidents is nearly $1,586,500.
In two of the industrial groups—mining, and iron and steel—the
greater portion of medical aid is provided under med]cal aid schemes,
and is consequently not furnished by the board. The estimated
amount does not include administration expense nor cost of safety
associations, which would add nearly $100,000.
.
.
The number of accidents compensated in 1930 is shown m the
following table, by industry and by extent of disability.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 571]
86
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
N U M B E R OF C O M P E N S A T E D IN D U S T R IA L A C C ID E N T S IN NOVA SC O TIA IN 1930,
BY IN D U S T R Y A N D E X T E N T OF D IS A B IL IT Y
Cases closed
Tem porary
disability
In d u stry class
Fatal
Perm a
nent Involv
Involv T otal
dis
ing
ing
ability com
m edi
pensa cal
aid
tion
Cases
partly
closed
Total
M ining _ _ . _ ___ _____ _________________
Lum bering and w oodworking. .. ...
Iron and steel __ . . . . ______ . . .
. .. ..
M anufacturing and operating n o t otherwise
specified______ . . .
.
. . . . ...
B uilding and construction .
Public u tilities___ ______________ ________
T ran sp o rta tio n ._ ___________________ . . . .
Provincial highways departm ent . . .
D om inion governm ent employees
. .. .. .
Halifax relief commission.......... ................. ... .
22
7
3
97
32
12
2, 328
1,093
222
248
250
363
2,695
1,382
600
263
176
28
2,958
1, 558
628
4
3
9
4
2
1
0
11
7
6
31
2
7
1
414
219
254
630
124
236
1
333
181
203
510
20
16
1
762
410
472
1, 175
148
260
3
52
40
67
117
31
59
0
814
450
539
1,292
179
319
3
T o tal___________ . . . . . . ._ . . . . . .
55
206
5, 521
2,125
7,907
i 833
8, 740
1 Includes 0 fatalities.
E x te n s io n o f F r e n c h A c t o n O c c u p a tio n a l D ise a se s
LAW was passed in France, dated J anuary 1,1931, which amended
the law of October 2, 1919, extending the provisions of the work
A men’s
compensation law to cover certain occupational diseases.1
The earlier law provided that compensation should be paid only
for cases of poisoning from lead or mercury, but a decree issued Feb
ruary 19, 1927, made the reporting of occupational diseases arising
from the use of various poisonous substances compulsory, although
compensation was not paid in such cases. The present law adds to
the compensable diseases cases of occupational poisoning from tetrachlorethane, white phosphorus, and benzol and the toxic conditions
resulting from the action of X rays or the following radioactive
substances: Uranium and its salts, uranium X, ionium, radium and
its salts, radon, polonium, thorium, mesothorium, radiothorium,
thorium X, thoron, and actinium.
A doctor’s certificate, indicating the nature of the sickness and its
probable results, must accompany the notification of the case. Two
copies must be furnished the mayor, who immediately sends one
copy to the employer of the sick worker and one to the departmental
labor inspector or the mining engineer having supervision over the
enterprise.
The special occupational disease committee of 35 members made
up of senators, deputies, governmental officials, physicians, employers,
and employees is instructed to give an opinion upon changes or ad
ditions to be made in the list of diseases subject to compensation and
upon all questions of a medical and technical nature which are sent
to it by the Minister of Labor.
The law was to become effective six months after its promulgation.
1 France. M inistère du Travail et de la Prévoyance Sociale, B ulletin Jan .-F e b .-M a r. 1931, pp. 10*-15*.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1572]
*
COOPERATION
D e v e lo p m e n t o f C o o p e r a tio n in A r g e n tin a
REPORT from Robert W. Bliss, American consul at Buenos
Aires, dated June 10, 1931, contains the following data on the
development of the cooperative movement in that country.
The first cooperative venture was started in 1885 by a group of
French socialist immigrants. Although this society was comparatively
prosperous the first two years, it failed in 1887 because of excessive
credit granted to the members. That same year a cooperative bakery
was founded by a German group; this bakery failed about 1896,
due to the same cause-—too much credit. A third society started up
in 1898, but had little success and failed five years later. However,
another society, formed only two years later, in 1905, has become the
most important cooperative association in Argentina.
The present development of the cooperative movement is largely
agricultural, 139 of the 222 societies in operation in 1928-29 being
farmers’ societies of various types. The distribution of societies, by
type, is shown below:
A
C onsum ers’ societies________________________________________ 36
In d u strial, druggist, e tc _____________________________________ 21
E lectricity societies_________________________________________
4
B uilding societies_____ _____________________________________
2
C red it societies_____________________________________________ 16
R u ral in surance societies____________________________________
4
A gricultural asso ciatio n s____________________________________ 139
T o ta l_______________________________ '________________ 222
These 222 societies are reported as having a combined membership
of 78,391 members, capital of 11,532,781 pesos ($4,895,666)1 and an
annual business (not including insurance operations) of 84,406,164
pesos ($35,830,417).
There are several federations of farmers’ associations. One of these
consists of societies of the Argentine Agricultural Federation and is
composed of 20 societies with more than 2,000 members and a capital
of 500,000 pesos ($212,250). The most important of these federations
is the Association of Argentine Cooperative Societies at Rosario, a
federation of 57 societies with 8,601 members and capital of 2,133,924
pesos ($905,851). This is a marketing organization which owns a
number of grain elevators and is building a large new elevator at
Rosario. Its sales of grain in 1930 amounted to 10,437,175 pesos
($4,430,581).
i Conversions into U nited States currency on basis of peso =42.45 cents.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
15731
87
88
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
R u ra l C o o p e r a tiv e C red it in C h in a
URAL cooperative credit in China is the subject of an article in
the Quarterly Journal of Economics for May, 1931, from which
the following information was taken.
Much good has been done by the cooperative credit societies in
India, where that phase of cooperation took root as early as 1900. The
author points out the analogy, “ so close as to be almost identical, ”
between India and China, from the economic standpoint. Both have
a “ huge population overcrowding the land, great predominance of
agriculture in the economy of the country, abject poverty of the masses
of the people, poor credit organization with very high interest rates.”
In India the cooperative credit movement has not only had official
protection and encouragement but in the beginning it also had finan
cial assistance. China has been without a stable government, and
pi obably because of civil strife” the question of rural cooperative
credit received no real consideration until 1922, and then the atten
tion came from a private philanthropic institution, the China Inter
national Famine Relief Commission.
The commission had been organized to meet the famine emergency
of 1920-21. It came to the conclusion that preventive measures
would-be more effective, from a long-time standpoint, than purely
remedial ones. The provision of cooperative credit for the farmers
seemed to offer one solution.
After a comprehensive survey of Chinese rural economy, the com
mission became convinced that if loans could be extended to a cooperative credit society, secured on the individual and collective responsi
bility of the members, the cost of administration could be kept at a
low figure and the interest rate could be greatly reduced. Eventually
these credit societies could federate into unions, and the unions even
t u a l into a central bank. Thus a national agricultural credit system
could be built up which, in years when crops were poor in one section,
could provide credit from the funds built up in other sections where
the crop was abundant. Thus many of the local famines which now
result m much suflering and even in loss of life could be prevented,
while the permanent prosperity of the rural population through the
application of credit at reasonable rates would be greatly augmented.”
The commission, in 1923, drew up a model constitution for a credit
society, based on the Raiffeisen type. Under it the new society must
have at least 12 members. Applicants for membership must be pro
posed by two members and must receive a favorable vote by at least
three-f ourtlis of the entire membership. Each member must subscribe
for at least one share of noninterest-bearing stock, but has only one
vote regardless of his holdings in the society. If he resigns he forfeits
his stock. The society is permitted to make loans only to members
and may not charge an interest rate higher than that current in the
locality. Officers and committee members must serve without pay.
Any profit realized is placed in the reserve fund and may not be dis
tributed among the members. The society’s liability is unlimited.
In order to be recognized by the commission (and become eligible for
loans made by the central bank established by it), the credit society
must conform to the principles laid down in the model constitution,
and must give satisfactory evidence of a thorough preparation.”
R
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[5 7 4 ]
89
COOPERATION
It is explained that a good deal of preliminary work is required to
win the farmers to the idea of cooperative effort. “Chinese farmers
have been subject to exploitation by corrupt officials and unscrupu
lous tradesmen. It is therefore not surprising that they are suspicious
of any new idea. To win their confidence, it is necessary that they
understand the real nature of cooperation before a society is formed.”
As far as possible the societies are constituted only as a result of
local initiative. This is being supplied in many cases by persons who
have participated in some of the early societies and have become
enthusiasts over the idea. In some cases also the local school-teacher
or preacher has become interested and is serving as a volunteer worker
among the farmers of the community.
When a society is formed it may apply to the commission for guid
ance in the proper organization and practices, but before recognition
is accorded the commission sends an agent to examine the society and
call upon the charter members individually.
A m ong o th e r th in g s h e seeks to learn (1) w h eth er th e re is an y deep-rooted illfeeling existing am ong groups of resid en ts in th e co m m u n ity ; (2) w h eth er th ere
are m en of b ad c h aracte r in th e society (often such persons are influential in th e
village, a n d w ith o u t outsid e assistance i t is difficult fo r a new society to refuse
th eir application for m em b ersh ip ); (3) w h eth er th e re is a t le a st one m em ber who
is lite ra te a n d able to tra n sa c t th e p a p e r business of th e society. H e also seeks
all th e inform ation possible on th e g eneral econom ic a n d social conditions of th e
com m unity. T he governing co m m ittee of th e C e n tra l B ank h ears his re p o rt a n d
decides w h eth er or n o t recognition should be g ran ted . If recognition is w ithheld
th e reasons are com m unicated to th e a p p lic a n t society. I t will be seen t h a t th e
process of form ing a society is a tedious one. O ften i t requires a y ear or more.
A lthough i t w as n o t so in ten d ed , th is long period of in cu b atio n h as te n d e d to
elim inate th e unw orthy.
In addition to the organization work, the commission has issued a
number of publications on cooperation, and publishes a monthly
paper. I t has also, since 1925, carried on training courses for cooperators, in practical agriculture. In 1929 such courses were held
in 9 centers, drawing a total attendance of 717 students, representing
334 societies.
Year by year the number of credit societies increases, but thus far
the movement has developed mainly in the Province of Hopei. The
development of the cooperative credit societies since the commission
began its work is shown in the following table:
D E V E L O P M E N T O F C O O P E R A T IV E C R E D IT M O V E M E N T IN C H IN A , 1923 TO 1929
Recognized societies
Nonrecognized so
cieties
Total
Year
N um ber
M em ber
ship
N um ber
M em ber
ship
N um ber
M em ber
ship
9
44
97
129
169
246
403
1,270
3, 288
4,354
5, 624
7,862
8
2
56
220
432
435
572
256
47
1,062
4,744
8,830
9, 677
14,072
8
n
100
317
561
604
818
256
450
2, 332
8,032
13,190
15, 301
21, 934
1923__________________
1924__________________
1925__________________
1926__________________
1927__________________
1928__________________
1929__________________
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[575]
Loans
granted to
recognized
societies
$3, 290
10, 450
32, 440
60. 795
89, 374
122, 414
90
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Loans may be made to individual members only for the following
purposes:
F or seed, food, c u ltiv atio n expenses, or c a ttle fodder.
F o r purchase of c a rts or c a ttle , liq u id a tio n of sm all debts, house building
purchase of im plem en ts, a n d eq u ip m en t.
(c) F o r purposes^w hich will c o n tin u e to be p ro d u ctiv e for several years, such
as canals, dikes, irrig atio n , a n d d rain ag e p rojects.
(d) F o r necessary social obligations.
(e) F o r hom e a n d village in d u stries such as h a n d spinning, b raiding, a n d
brewing.
(a)
(b)
Loans for the purpose of paying off old debts bearing high interest
rates form a considerable proportion of the loans made by these
societies. Of 4,966 loans analyzed, 1,247, covering 23.8 per cent of
the total amount loaned, were for the purpose of paying old debts.
The number and amount of loans renewed at the expiration of their
term has steadily decreased during the past two years. The two
chief factors which have made renewals necessary have been mili
tary disturbances in the district of the borrower and excessive re
mittance rates or interruption of remittance facilities. Loss by
banditry forms another factor often making it impossible for the
farmer to pay his loan when due.
The writer points out, however, that in spite of the fact that Hopei
Province (where most of the societies are located) has been the scene
of much civil strife, banditry, and even famine, during the past two
years, there have been no losses by the societies because of bad debts.
The second step—the formation of federations of the local credit
societies—was taken as early as 1925, when 10 societies in one district
formed a central union. Since then eight others have been formed.
T hese unions give th e m em bers of th e in d iv id u a l societies t h a t feeling of
solidarity w hich com es from asso ciatio n w ith la rg e num bers. T h ey te n d to
extend th e scope of usefulness of th e b e tte r-tra in e d a n d m ore in te llig e n t leaders
m th e in d iv id u al societies b y d raw in g th e se m en in to closer c o n ta c t w ith o th e r
societies. _ T he unions, too, h a v e pro v ed to be of m a rk e d valu e in connection w ith
th e tra in in g courses fo r cooperators. I t is q u ite possible also t h a t ev en tu allv ,
w hen th e m ovem en t grows, th e c e n tra l b a n k will m ak e lo a n s o nly to th e unions
an d th e y in tu r n will reallo cate th e fu n d s to th e ir m em b er societies. T h is will
te n d g reatly to fa c ilita te t h a t decen tralizatio n of o rganization a n d supervision
w hich will becom e essential w ith th e g ro w th of th e cap ital fu n d s of th e central
bank.
.
The farmers of other Provinces are also becoming interested and
several private banks have become aware of the possibilities in this
field.
The author is of the opinion that present conditions are not favor
able foi the formation of a central bank owned by the cooperatives
themselves. “ I t is hardly probable that the urgent need of the war
lords for funds would permit any central rural bank to flourish.
\\ hue one group might undertake to grant aid to the movement in
order to establish it, any real success would be a temptation to the
confiscatory measures which are associated with civil wars in China,
as elsewhere. And the frequent changes of administration which are
now the rule would work a detriment quite apart from the imminent
danger of withdrawal of the funds for military purposes.”
As to the future of the cooperative credit movement, the writer
comments as follows:
As h a s been said before, th e experim ental stage is by no m eans over, b u t th e
value ot th e cooperative societies h as been so am p ly p roven th a t we m ay confi
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[576]
COOPERATION
91
d en tly expect t h a t ru ra l cooperation h as come to C h in a to sta y , w h a te v e r course
its fu tu re m ay ta k e . T h e id ea of cooperation on a n y scientific basis w as rev o lu
tio n a ry in ru ra l C hina, bred as th e race h as been on fam ilism as th e p rim a ry m eans
of organization. W ith th e experience gained in w orking to g e th e r to secure
cheaper cred it, fo r p u ttin g savings to w ork in ste a d of b u ry in g th e m in th e fields,
a n d to m a rk e t m ore effectively th e ir p ro d u cts, th e farm ers w ill find fu rth e r spheres
of usefulness in w orking to g e th e r as a c o m m u n ity in s te a d of w orking a g a in st each
o th e r in different fam ily u n its. M oreover, th e societies, com posed as th e y are of
th e m ost progressive, intelligent, a n d reliable m en of th e villages, will serve as th e
m ost effective channel th ro u g h w hich m odern ideas can be introduced.
W o rk ers’ P r o d u c tiv e S o c ie tie s in t h e S o v ie t U n io n
A
CCORDING to a census taken in 1929-30 by the statistical
L department of the State Planning Commission of Russia, 60 per
cent of the 7,481,700 industrial workers in that country are employed
in small-scale industries.1 In the same year these small industries
produced 21.6 per cent of the total industrial output of Russia. In
certain industries, however—such as the manufacture of textiles, food
stuffs, clothing, pottery, and small ironware, and wood—the pro
portion produced by the same industries rises much above this figure,
accounting for as much as 90 per cent in some cases.
The majority (about 75 per cent) of workers in these handicraft
industries live in rural areas and carry on farming operations also.
One characteristic of these “ kustar” industries is their regional
grouping. Industries tend to become localized; whole villages and
sometimes even whole districts engage in the same branch of industry.
This tendency is brought about by_ special local conditions, such as
the presence of certain raw materials, the proximity of important
markets or of factories supplying semimanufactured goods, local
traditions of work, etc.
About 25 per cent of the workers in these small industries belong to
cooperative societies, but in some places this proportion rises as high
as 50 per cent.
These “ kustar” societies take the following forms: (1) Workers’
productive societies running a common workshop where the articles
of production are made; (2) societies for the purchase of materials
and marketing of product (but in which the members, as producers,
work independently); (3) credit societies; and (4) societies partly
artisan and partly agricultural in character.
On October 1, 1930, there were in the Soviet Union 18,363 kustar
societies having 2,002,000 ^members, of whom about 46 per cent
belonged to societies running cooperative factories or workshops.
The output of these kustar societies in 1929-30 was valued at 2,500,000,000 rubles ($1,286,500,000).2
The local societies are affiliated into 385 regional unions.
1 D ata are from International L abor Office. Cooperative Inform ation, No. 7 (120), 1931.
a Conversions into U nited States currency on basis of ruble=51.46 cents
72574°—31-----7
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[577]
LABOR ORGANIZATIONS
T r a d e -U n io n M o v e m e n t in
In d ia
HE report of the British Royal Commission on Labor in India,
recently issued,1gives some space to a consideration of the tradeunion movement in India, and to the attitude the Government and
the employers should take toward unions.
Attempts to organize the mill workers of Bombay were made as
early as the eighties of the last century, but these were unsuccessful,
and up to the close of the war unions scarcely existed except among
the better-paid railway workers and some classes of Government
employees. But immediately after the war, the grave economic diffi
culties of the workers gave a strong impulse toward organization, and
this was increased by the world-wide surge of labor consciousness,
which extended even to India, and throughout the twenties organiza
tions sprang up freely. In those days much of the opposition to the
movement was directed toward the “ outsiders,” i. e., labor leaders
drawn from outside the ranks of labor. Many employers declared
their readiness to treat with their own employees, but refused to deal
with outsiders. The question has not yet been entirely settled, but
the right of unions to employ whom they choose as leaders has been
legally recognized.
T
Legal Position of Unions
U p t o 1926 unions had no legal standing.
The act of that year
recognizes them as lawful organizations, and permits their registration
subject to certain conditions, the most important of these being that
they shall furnish audited accounts and that a majority of their execu
tive officers shall be actual workers. Registration confers on the
unions and their members a measure of immunity from civil suits and
criminal prosecutions, but its greatest benefit is the improved status
it gives through its legal recognition of their validity.
Strength of Movement
T h e commission finds it difficult to assess fairly the strength of the
trade-union movement, since the unions differ so widely in form and
character. Some are little more than nominal organizations, designed
to promote the purposes of one or two leading men who fill the offices
and assemble the members, if any, only when it is desirable to secure
the formal indorsement of some resolution. Others are unions formed
for some specific purpose, often to win a strike, and these are apt to
fall to pieces when their object is attained. Above these are perma
nent and regular organizations, trade-unions in the accepted sense.
These are most numerous in the transport services, next among Gov
ernment employees, with the printing industry standing third. Tex-
1Great B ritain.
Royal Commission on L abor in India.
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(C m d. 3883.)
LABOR ORGANIZATIONS
93
tile workers have been rather slow to organize, but have large unions
now in Madras, in Ahmedabad and in Bombay. Mine workers are
poorly organized in every field.
The actual number of workers covered by live organizations is
doubtful. At the end of 1929 there were 87 registered unions with a
membership of 183,000, but there are a number not registered. In
December, 1929, the All-India trade-union congress claimed that the
unions affiliated with it had a membership of 190,436, but this number
included one large union whose figures were known to be questionable.
Hindrances to Organization
T h e greatest obstacle to the growth of the trade-union movement
is found in the character of the Indian workers. For the most part,
they are migratory, which renders permanent organization difficult.
Their wages are low and their hours long, so that few have either
leisure or energy for serious effort beyond their daily toil, and the
question of dues presents almost insuperable obstacles. More funda
mental still is the absence of a democratic spirit, and the inability,
due to lack of experience and education, to take a long view. The
idea of paying dues continuously for the sake of some future benefit
does not appeal to them.
E v en if h e w ere b e tte r off th a n he is, th e In d ia n w orkm an w ould n o t be easily
p ersu ad ed to spend m oney w hich prom ised no obvious a n d im m ediate retu rn .
Few trad e-u n io n s can afford to co n d u ct benevolent w ork, a n d th e m a jo rity find it
h a rd to convince th e w orker th a t a subscription is w o rth while except w hen a
d isp u te is im m inent or in progress.
Need for Unions
O n t h e employer’s side, there is the usual need of having some
responsible organization with which to deal; on the employee’s side,
there is need for the kind of protection a well-organized and wellmanaged union gives. The commission calls attention to the fact
that the industrialism which has been established in India is entirely
foreign to the character of the people, and lacks the protective fea
tures which naturally develop in an indigenous system.
E v e ry th in g t h a t we h a v e seen in In d ia h as forced u pon us th e conviction th a t
th e need of organ izatio n am ong In d ia n w orkm en is g reat, a n d th a t, unless in d u s
tr y a n d th e S ta te develop along e n tirely d ifferent lines from th o se a t presen t
followed, n o th in g b u t a stro n g tra d e -u n io n m o v em en t w ill give th e In d ia n w ork
m an a d e q u a te p ro tectio n . L egislation c an a c t as a p a llia tiv e a n d p re v e n t th e
g rav er abuses, b u t th e re a re s tric t lim ita tio n s to th e pow er of g o v ern m en t a n d
th e public to p ro te c t w orkm en w ho a re u n ab le to p ro te c t them selves. L ab o r
law s, indeed, find one of th e ir m o st effective sanctions in th e su p p o rt of organized
unions. * * * I t is in th e pow er to com bine t h a t lab o r h as th e only effective
safeguard ag ain st exp lo itatio n a n d th e only lastin g secu rity ag a in st inhum ane
conditions.
Methods of Encouragement
T h e m o s t o b v io u s w a y of e n c o u ra g in g u n io n s is b y re c o g n iz in g
th e m , a n d th e c o m m is s io n m a k e s c le a r i t s fe e lin g t h a t th is s h o u ld b e
m o re t h a n a m e re p e r f u n c to r y g e s tu re .
In o u r view recognition should m ean t h a t th e em ployer recognizes th e rig h t of
th e union to n eg o tiate w ith h im in resp ect of m a tte rs affecting e ith e r th e com m on
or th e in d iv id u al in te re sts of its m em bers. * * * R ecognition in th e le tte r
m u st be followed b y recognition in th e sp irit, b y a readiness to discuss sy m p a th e ti
cally points p u t forw ard by th e union, by accessibility to its officers a n d by will-
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ingness to le t th em h av e cred it w here cred it is due. * * * T h e em ployer
who discrim inates in th e m a tte r of pro m o tio n a g a in st unio n m en, o r in a n y o th e r
w ay tries to w eaken th e influence of th e union he h as recognized, is in no w ay
b e tte r th a n th e em ployer who denies recognition o u trig h t, a n d is as little likely
to advance th e cause of peace.
Refusal to deal with union officials who are “ outsiders” is equally
condemned. The workers have a right to choose their leaders, and
in many cases the risk of victimization would keep an employee from
presenting their case vigorously. Refusal to recognize unregistered
unions stands on a different footing; the obligations imposed by regis
tration are not such as any bona fide union should object to assuming,
and the failure to register creates a suspicion as to the character of an
organization.
The commission is strongly opposed to one method, intended to be
helpful, which certain employers have adopted, i. e., the collection
of dues for the union. “ This has usually been done by deducting the
union subscription from the workers’ pay and handing the accumu
lated amounts over to the union officials month by month.” It is
pointed out that although the union often receives more in this way
than it would be apt to in any other, that very fact shows that some
of the subscriptions are being taken from men who do not wish to give
them, which is a manifest injustice. Moreover, since the employer
can a t his option refuse to continue the practice, it makes the union
unduly dependent upon his favor, and inevitably limits the vigor and
aggressiveness of the union officials.
Need for Self-Reliance
. P e r h a p s the greatest need of the Indian trade-unions, the commis
sion feels, is an increase in self-reliance; at present they are too much
inclined to wait upon the employer’s attitude. A training for leader
ship is one of the most important functions they can assume. At
present, the unions are weak, and the few leaders have the choice of
doing the work effectively themselves, or letting it be done ineffec
tively by then' subordinates who have not the training and experience
to do it well. Nevertheless, the commission feels that the latter
alternative should be chosen, even at the risk of serious mistakes,
and that every opportunity should be taken to train both the lower
officials and the rank and file in the principles and practice of tradeunionism.
For this purpose, as well as for other reasons, a multiplication of the
activities of the trade-unions is desirable. At present they are apt to
limit themselves to merely industrial questions. The extension of the
cooperative movement through the agency of the trade-union is
suggested as a peculiarly suitable line of work. Welfare activities,
adult education, and the collection and administration of benefit
funds are mentioned as other lines along which they might secure
excellent results and in the process train their members in working
together.
Paid officials, developed from within the movement, are looked
upon as necessary, and it is suggested that State funds might well be
used to provide scholarships in universities or colleges which are
ready to cooperate, in order that the officials may obtain a wider
training and experience than their own means and occupations permit.
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U t iliz a t io n o f W orkers* S p a re T im e
A M O N G the subjects taken up in the Annual Review of the
J r \ International Labor Office for 1930 are workers* education and
other activities connected with the utilization of workers* leisure time.
The sections of the report relating to these two subjects are reproduced
below.
Workers’ Education
“ T he workers’ education movement, which has developed very
strongly during the past few years, led to certain significant interna
tional meetings in 1930.
“ At the end of April the congress of the International Federation
of Teachers’ Associations at Prague, during a general discussion on
the organization of teaching, defined its position with regard to uni
versity education for workers and peasants; this education for adults
should, it was decided, be optional and independent, being organized
by social groups which can appeal to teachers and the universities
for support.
“ The cooperation of teachers’ associations was accepted by the
Conference of International Trade Secretariats at Stockholm on
July 6, 1930, which asked the International Federation of Teachers’
Associations to draft an international program for education and
training to be submitted for approval to the executive of the Inter
national Federation of Trade Unions. The fifth congress of the Red
International at Moscow organized a special conference on questions
of education and trade-union propaganda. The resolutions adopted
by this conference are intended to guide Communist trade-unions in
questions of workers’ education. One of the resolutions recommends
the creation of trade-union schools attached to the national revolu
tionary trade-union federations. It also approved the creation of a
faculty of trade-unionism in the Lenin International School in
Moscow.
“ The International Conference on Wireless for the Workers, held
in September in Prague, was attended by delegates from Austria,
Czechoslovakia, Denmark, the Free City of Danzig, and the Nether
lands.
“ The council of the World Association for Adult Education, which
met at Brunswick in Sweden on August 25, decided to convene in
1931 a special conference to discuss broadcasting and adult education.
“ In 1930 an international workers’ education week was organized
in Bernau in the new school for militant trade-unionists set up by the
German Federation of Trade Unions.
“ All these movements and all these demands found expression at
the fourteenth session of the International Labor Conference. This
was the first occasion on which the problem of workers’ education,
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linked up with vocational training and the utilization of workers’
spare time, had been in a concrete form before the organization. On
the proposal of Mr. Jouhaux, French workers’ delegate, the conference
unanimously adopted a resolution for the purpose of guaranteeing
the workers’ opportunities for the full development of their personali
ties and recommending in particular that means should be sought for
establishing a system of workers’ education. This resolution^ was
considered by the Governing Body in October, 1930. I t was decided,
in order not to complicate the problem by studying all the efforts made
in the direction of adult education, that the office should first of all
study the workers’ education movement in collaboration with the
workers’ organizations.
Utilization of Workers’ Spare Time
“ A m o n g the problems connected with the utilization of spare
time the one which is at present engaging the attention of those
concerned and giving rise to the greatest amount of activity is that of
workers’ education which was already dealt with in the preceding
section. I t will therefore suffice here to mention the international
action which has been taken in connection with problems other than
education and the official or private national institutions dealing with
the whole field of spare time. _
“ It is quite impossible to give a complete survey of the spare time
movement, which is carried out by an infinite number of small groups
working in the most varied spheres. It must therefore suffice to refer
only to the central organizations which coordinate the various activities
in different countries. Such organizations are still few in number,
and there may be countries which have numerous and ancient insti
tutions for the organization of spare time without any central coordi
nating body. If these are not mentioned here that does not mean
that the problem of spare time is neglected in that country, but merely
that it appears in such a complex form that it can not be systematically
dealt with in these pages.
National Activities—Official
“Belgium .—The supreme council set up by the act of April 3, 1929,
to encourage popular education and insure a fuller utilization of work
ers’ spare time was given its final form by the royal order of March 3,
1930, and the first meeting was held on May 6. The council decided
before taking any positive action to undertake an inquiry on a large
scale so as to obtain information as to the work already being done
in the country.
“ The older provincial organization, which will not be replaced by
"the supreme council but will have the support of the latter, continued
its work in 1930 in every branch of activity connected with spare
time, housing, workers’ gardens, physical training, intellectual and
moral education, etc. The Province of Antwerp devoted 400,000
francs to its spare-time institute. The Provinces of Brabant and
Hainaut each placed half a million francs to the credit of their spare
time committee, and the Province of Liege spent 250,000 francs for
the same purpose. In addition to this action by the Provinces there
is a system of official municipal organizations. For example, the
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municipality of La Louviere set up a spare-time committee which
spent almost 20,000 francs in 1930 in grants to libraries.
“ I ta ly . —The National Dopolavoro Institute, which had 280,000
members in 1926, one year after its creation, had a million and a
half at the beginning of 1930. This institute, which is strictly super
vised by a central committee, covers the whole country with a net
work of provincial and local bodies. Its activities are directed toward
four main fields: Physical training, including sport and travel;
artistic education, including music, the cinema, wireless and the
theater; general and vocational education; welfare, which includes
workers’ gardens, the care of the home, holiday colonies, sanatoria,
etc. Certain categories of workers have special organizations; there
exist, for example, a women’s Dopolavoro, a rural Dopolavoro, a
railway Dopolavoro, etc.
“ The figures published in 1930 for the year 1929 show a total of
more than 53,000 sporting events and more than 28,000 excursions
organized by the physical training groups, 41,000 artistic performances
and more than 23,000 educational meetings. In the field of welfare
about 6,800 events have to be recorded (exhibitions, congresses,
lectures, etc.).
.
National Activities—Unofficial
“ F rance. —Although the institution which was set up last year is
not directly controlled by the public authorities, it has at least the
same purpose as those in the countries mentioned above, namely, of
dealing with the whole problem of spare time throughout the country.
“ The national spare-time committee, which the National Federation
of Distributive Cooperative Societies decided to set up in 1929 at its
congress in Royan, came into being on May 7, 1930. Its program of
action has five principal divisions: General education, travel, holidays,
physical training and workers’ gardens. It will also deal with various
other questions, such as the decoration of the home, popular festivals,
the cinematograph, etc. Its rules permit it to set up all the necessary
institutions for carrying out this program. At present it is engaged
in organizing centers for general education, a people’s tourist agency,
a national holiday society, a technical sports office (including a
technical administrative section and a medical section) and an office
for workers’ gardens. The general education centers, which will
work chiefly by visits to museums, factory laboratories, etc., are still
in course of organization, but a certain number have begun work.
International Activity
“ In te rn a tio n a l S o c ia list F ederation j o r P h y s ic a l C ulture a n d W o rk ers’
A th letics. —This association, which celebrated its tenth anniversary
in 1930, reached a membership of 2,000,000 in that year. It is making
active preparations for the second workers’ Olympic games, to be
held at Vienna, the first part of which (winter sports) was success
fully held at Murzzuschlag in the winter of 1930-31. Among the
questions attracting the close attention of the international federa
tion are the utilization of spare time for sport and the influence of
physical training on alcoholism, both of which will be placed on the
agenda of its sixth congress in 1932 and will, it is hoped, be studied
in collaboration with the International Labor Office.
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. In te rn a tio n a l C om m ittee j o t P e o p le ’s T heaters. —This committee,
which was set up in 1926, held a meeting at Liege in June, 1930,
where it dealt chiefly with the development of a bulletin published
by the committee since 1929, which provides the national federations
with information as to the technique of amateur theaters.
S econd In te rn a tio n a l C ongress on P o p u la r A r t. —This congress was
held in Antwerp, Liege, and Brussels from August 28 to September 7,
1930, and was attended by 200 members from 28 countries, most of
whom had been sent by their Governments.
“ It studied in particular the question of public festivals and family
festivals. It was decided that the next congress should be held at
Berne in 1934 and should be supplemented by an international
exhibition of popular art.
. uF irst In te rn a tio n a l C ongress on W o rk ers’ S p a re T im e . —For the first
time international touch has been established between various
national organizations dealing with the problem of spare time. About
300 members from 18 countries attended a meeting at Liege in June,
1930, at which 14 Governments were officially represented.
“ This congress adopted a great number of resolutions. One sug
gests the institution of an advisory committee on the utilization of
spaie time, attached to the International Labor Office) a second sug
gests that national public utility bodies should be set up in different
countries to encourage and coordinate all the work connected with
spare time. A further resolution deals with the development of
physical training by the creation of gymnasiums, playing fields, and
swimming baths, the training of teachers and the organization of
practical medical supervision. The congress also drew the attention of
the public authorities to the extreme importance of the worker’s home
^93
utilization of spare time and the necessity for encouraging every
e «riw° mak®
home more comfortable and more attractive.
The congress stressed the importance of the wife in the organization
of a family’s spare time and demanded a number of reforms which
might make her more fitted to fulfill her functions in this direction;
these reforms referred chiefly to school education and the progressive
reduction, by an improved social policy, of the employment of married
women.
The congress several times referred in its resolutions to the recom
mendation on workers’ spare time adopted by the international labor
conference m 1924. Before concluding its work it requested the Bel
gian Supreme Council for National Education to arrange as soon as
possible for a second international congress on workers’ spare time.’,
D e n v e r O p p o r tu n ity S c h o o l
0pp°rtumty School of Denver, which will celebrate its fif
teenth birthday this September, is “ an example of pioneer think
ing and action m public schooling for adults,” Robert Tudor Hill
writes in the July, 1931, number of the Journal of Adult Education.
M e attributes^the expansion and achievements of this institution to
the fact that it relates itself directly to the personal needs of adults
an^ vt0
basic educational community needs of the city of Denver
1he school receives annually several thousand dollars from Federai
funds under the Federal vocational education act, but the undertak
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ing is not wholly vocational. Courses of instruction are given in the
common branches and in high school precollegiate subjects that are
obviously cultural, but in general it is not an easy matter at this school
to differentiate strictly between vocational and liberal education.
The enrollment at the school according to the article referred to
shows an age distribution from 16 to more than 60. For special
reasons a few persons under 16 may be admitted. It is, however,
predominantly a school for adults and they avail themselves of it in
numbers that tax its equipment and resources to the limit.
To keep pace with the increasing demands upon the school, a very
much larger building is in course of construction, which will take the
place of the present quarters. One 4-story wing of this new structure
has already been utilized. The school has a day and an evening
faculty of more than 100 teachers and also an administrative staff.
For 1929-30 the operating costs totaled $214,000, which is apparently
but not actually, a large sum for an institution of this character. No
item in the school budget of Denver is more solidly established, it is
reported, than the provision for funds for the efficient operation of
the Opportunity School.
Beginnings of the Project
W h e n teaching one of the higher grades in one of Denver’s poorer
districts, Miss Emily Griffith was brought to a realization of the effect
of home conditions upon the school work of her pupils. She visited
and revisited their homes and found fathers and older brothers
unequipped for their jobs, mothers unable to manage their house
holds, and older sisters trying to make a living wage. She found
these men and women unschooled despite their schooling, discouraged,
a prey to anxiety and worry, out of accord with life and unable to
shoulder properly their parental and civic responsibilities. She
talked over the problem with school authorities, with business men,
industrial and civic leaders, representatives of labor, women’s clubs,
service clubs, and the parents of the young people in whom she was
especially interested. The idea of a school for underprivileged and
vocationally handicapped men and women at last took shape. In
the course of time Miss Griffith formulated plans which won the
approval of the board of education. An old school building was
assigned to her and she was told to go ahead.
Convinced that adult education must be an outgrowth of human
needs, Miss Griffith invited men and women to register their desires.
People came in large numbers to discuss their wants with her. She
encouraged them to enroll for study courses for which they felt an
actual need. When large enough groups were registered for either
day or evening classes, she engaged competent teachers. By the
close of the first school year in 1916-17 approximately 2,400 had been
enrolled.
Courses of Instruction
T he variety of the Opportunity School’s curriculum is shown by the
following list of subjects in which instruction was given in the school
year 1930-31:
A cetylene w elding; applied electricity ; a rc h ite c tu ra l d raftin g ; a u to m echanics;
b aking; b a tte ry rep air; b e a u ty p arlo r tra d e ; b lu e-p rin t reading; bookkeeping;
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bookbinding; bricklaying; business a rith m e tic ; business E nglish; business
spelling; ca rp e n try ; citizenship; com m on-school b ran ch es; cooking; costum e
designing; d ictap h o n e; electric w elding; estim a tin g ; fo u n d ry p a tte rn m aking;
high-school subjects; lectu res on w elding; lip read ing ; m achine shop; m echanical
draw ing; m illinery; m u ltig rap h in g ; p a in tin g and. deco ratin g ; plum b in g ; p rin tin g ;
public speaking; salesm anship; sew’ing; shoe rep airin g ; shop ch em istry ; sh o rth a n d ,
show card w riting; te leg rap h y ; ty p e w ritin g ; use of th e steel s q u a re ._
T here are classes for those w ho can n o t re a d o r w rite, a n d th e re is tu to rin g to r
those w ho need in d iv id u al in stru c tio n . T h ere are classes in E nglish fo r th e foreign
born a n d d ic ta tio n classes fo r th o se w ho w a n t to develop speed in sh o rth a n d .
T here is a w ell-equipped lib ra ry w ith counseling service for those who w a n t advice
in th e selection o r th e d irectio n of th e ir reading. H elp is pro v id ed for those who
w a n t citizenship papers. G irls a n d young w om en on p ro b atio n or u n d e r
in stitu tio n al care are p u t in to special classes.
So far as possible the school’s shops, workrooms, and laboratories
duplicate actual employment conditions in business and industry.
In certain respects the school scheme closely approximates a continua
tion and part-time school for men and women through cooperative
arrangements made by the institution with industrial ami business
establishments and with trade-unions. Moreover, the industrial
and business community has been very helpful to the school in pro
curing the required equipment and facilities for the office department,
the telegraph school, machine shops, automobile repair shops, etc.
There is a school press for use in instruction in printing and binding.
The printing and binding for the school are done in the print shop.
In this, as well as in other ways, the products from the school’s shops
are absorbed without militating against local business.
The Human Emphasis
T h e sc h o o l s tre s s e s th e te a c h in g of m e n a n d w o m e n r a t h e r t h a n th e
te a c h in g o f s u b je c ts — i t is a s c h o o l “ w ith a h e a r t, ” th e a u t h o r d e c la re s.
“ T h e d e v e lo p m e n t o f th e p e r s o n a lity a n d l a t e n t a b ility o f th e s tu d e n t,
in th e d ir e c tio n in w h ic h h e w ish e s to g o ,” is th e m a in o b je c tiv e o f th is
e d u c a tio n a l sc h e m e .
“ Y ou can do i t . ” T h a t is th e school m o tto . E v ery possible en co u rag em en t
is given to m en a n d w om en to begin a n d to carry on th e stu d y of a n y th in g th e y
need or w a n t to know . U nnecessary obstacles to en ro llm en t a n d a tte n d a n c e are
rem oved. T h ere are few if a n y e n tra n c e req u irem en ts to block th e w ay. I t is
assum ed th a t co m p eten t m en a n d w om en w ho w a n t to do so m eth in g w o rth w hile
for th e ir own a d v a n c e m e n t can a n d will, w ith p ro p er enco u rag em en t, c a rry
th ro u g h . T h e school’s jo b is to see th a t th e y do. On a larg e b lac k b o a rd in th e
low er hall ap p ears th is m essage: “ Do n o t d rop y o u r w ork u n til y o u ta lk w ith me.
P erhaps I can th in k of som ething to help. E m ily G riffith, P rin c ip a l.” And
she does
On th e b u lletin b o ard in th e hall ap p ears also th is notice: “ N ig h t p u p ils who
com e directly from w ork to school, w ishing a bow l of soup, see M rs. M ille r.”
(M rs. M iller is th e a ssista n t p rincipal a n d Miss G riffith’s “ rig h t-h a n d m a n .” )
A nd here is an o th e r sto ry .
In the opening days of the school the principal found that pupils
often came to their classes direct from their jobs, expecting to get their
dinner or supper after school hours. Occasionally, this going without
food for such a long time resulted in illness. To meet the situation the
principal arranged to serve soup at her own expense. Later, however,
another Denver woman assumed this financial responsibility. In the
soup kitchen many discussions have taken place with the students
concerning their personal problems. Frequently, Miss Griffith or
Mrs. Miller have a bowl of soup after their own evening meal. When
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asked wliy they do not turn over the soup feature to someone else,
Miss Griffith has explained that “ there might then be only a soup
kitchen and not a ‘soup fellowship. ’ ”
The philosophy of this educational institution seems to be “ Give
men and women an opportunity for self-development, for doing what
they want to do, for trying to become what they want to be, and they
will accomplish much.”
The Teachers
T h e following official statement is made concerning teachers for the
Opportunity School:
The professional req u irem en ts for teach ers of academ ic su b jects are th e sam e
as those for like w ork in th e elem en tary schools a n d high schools of th e city. As
far as possible teach ers a re selected who h av e h a d experience t h a t seem s to fit
th em for sy m p ath etic u n d erstan d in g of th e problem s likely to arise because of
th e wide range of age a n d ed u catio n al desire in cid en t to th e m any-sided purposes
of th e school. In stru c to rs in all tra d e d e p a rtm e n ts are m en a n d w om en w ith
years of successful tra d e experience. F u rth erm o re, th e y a re selected because of
b read th of vision concerning th e problem s of th e in d u stria l world.
This Opportunity School has been successful, the author of the
article under review asserts, because it has had not only inspired
leadership and able administration but also a teaching staff which has
grasped “ the idea.”
The whole staff and approximately one-half of the teachers serve on
a full-time basis. Such full-time service is made practicable to some
extent through the combination of day and evening sessions. The
author holds that this full-time feature is a highly important one and
is worthy of serious consideration by educational authorities in other
municipalities. The experience of this Denver school, he contends,
shows the desirability of having a full-time faculty and a full-time
administrative staff for such an educational undertaking. “ It could
not possibly function as a sound community agency for continuation
education among adults without full-time direction.”
The school opens in September and closes in June, and during the
term is in session five days per week, from 8 a. m. to 9.15 p. m., except
on Friday evenings. During the scholastic year 1929-30 there were
9,550 students enrolled. This number is approximately 15 per cent of
all pupils of all ages enrolled in Denver’s public schools. The average
daily student attendance during the same period was more than
3,500. The apparently high attendance mortality indicated by these
figures may, the author suggests, be in fact attendance vitality, as
much depends upon one’s angle of vision. If, because of special
ability or application, an adult learns in half the time a child does and
if he acquires in a brief period what he went to school to get, why
should he remain longer? Students may enter or leave at will the
Opportunity School’s courses. Occupational or home duties must be
considered first. As far as practicable schedules are fitted to the par
ticular conditions and needs of the individual student. The school’s
policy in this connection is officially stated as follows:
E v ery effort is m ade to a d ju s t th e p ro g ram to fit th e in d iv id u a l’s tim e. M any
program s m u st be arran g ed for a few h o u rs a w eek, fo r a lte rn a tiv e weeks, for
a lte rn a te d ay an d n ig h t classes, fo r a n inten siv e pro g ram of eig h t h o u rs a day ,
for a few weeks o r a few m onths. Some g et th e tra in in g th e y w a n t in a sh o rt
tim e; oth ers a tte n d fo r several years.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[587]
102
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Short-unit courses are becoming more popular. The writer points
out that well-defined incentives make for efficient learning. In his
judgment, a large part of the success of the Opportunity School is due
to the fact that a person may study there directly and definitively
what he or she desires to learn at the moment.
Vocational Counsel and Placement
P e r s o n a l counseling and occupational placement are also vital
features of this school. No person is enrolled without conferences of a
more or less detailed nature with principals, assistants, or teachers.
This counseling is also continued during the student’s courses if he
desires to have it, or if there are indications that he needs it. No one
leaves the institution without having full access to the services of the
employment bureau. In the last year approximately 1,500 persons,
or 15 per cent of the total annual enrollment, have been placed in
business, industrial, domestic, or miscellaneous employment by the
director of this bureau.
The office of the principal and staff assistants is in an open hall close
to the main door of the institution. The employment bureau is very
near the office, and the staff counselor’s desk is right across the hall.
In this way an immediate, constant and personal contact is always
provided between students and those in charge. Members of the staff
are also stationed near the other doors of the school so that students
on their first visit to the institution will at once find themselves in
friendly hands.
In brief, the Opportunity School, the writer holds, constitutes “ a
part of the adult life of Denver.” Its program has been worked out
in response to the requirements of the people of that city. The insti
tution increases their industrial and business efficiency. It raises
living standards and sets up high ideals of citizenship.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[588]
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
S tr ik e s a n d L o c k o u ts in t h e U n ite d S t a t e s in J u ly , 1931
ATA regarding industrial disputes in the United States for July,
1931, with comparable data for preceding months, are pre
sented below. Disputes involving fewer than six workers and lastingless than one day have been omitted.
Table 1 shows the number of disputes beginning in 1927, 1928,
1929, and 1930, number of workers involved and man-days lost for
these years and for each of the months—January, 1929, to July, 1931,
inclusive—as well as the number of disputes in effect at the end of
each month and the number of workers involved. The economic loss
(in man-days) involved is computed by multiplying the number of
workers affected in each dispute by the length of the dispute meas
ured in working-days as normally worked by the industry or trade
in question.
D
T a b l e 1 . — IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN A N D IN E F F E C T A T E N D OF E A C H
M O N T H , JA N U A R Y , 1929, to JU L Y , 1931, A N D T O T A L N U M B E R OF D IS P U T E S , W O R K
E R S , A N D M A N -D A Y S LO ST IN T H E Y E A R S 1927, 1928, 1929, A N D 1930
N u m b er of disputes
M o n th and year
1927:
1928:
1929:
1930:
T o tal____________________________
T o ta l,___________________________
T o ta l____________________________
T o tal____________________________
N um ber of workers
involved in disputes
N um ber of
m an-days
lost during
Beginning In effect a t Beginning In effect a t m onth or
in m onth
in m onth
end of
end of
year
m onth
or year
or year
m onth
734
629
903
653
349,434
357' 145
230j 463
158; 114
37, 790 39431, .b.bfi 947
9, 97fi, 213
2, 730,368
1929
Ja n u a ry _______________________________
F ebru ary ______________________________
M arch...........
....................................... . . .
A pril. ______ _ _ . ______
________
M ay _________________________________
June_______ ____________ . _____ _____
Ju ly ___________________________________
A ugust_____
..
_______________ . .
Septem ber___
. . . _____ ________
October _ ._
__________ _.
N o v em b er...
.
. . . . . ___
D e c e m b e r___ _ . .
________________
48
54
77
117
115
73
80
78
98
69
61
33
36
35
37
53
73
57
53
43
49
31
32
21
14,783
22,858
14,031
32,989
13, 668
19,989
36,152
25, 616
20, 233
16, 315
10,443
3, 386
39, 569
40, 306
40, 516
52,445
64, 853
58,152
15, 589
6, 714
8,132
6,135
6, C67
2,343
951,914
926, 679
1,074, 468
1,429,437
1, 727, 694
1, 627, 565
1, 062, 428
358,148
244, 864
272, 018
204, 457
95, 541
45
52
49
64
66
59
78
51
72
47
44
26
21
40
38
41
29
34
30
33
44
36
29
7
9,240
37,480
15,017
6, 379
9,329
14,011
14,308
15,902
16,337
10,858
4,390
4,863
5,316
6,683
5, 957
5,840
4, 386
8,311
4,815
7,131
13, 778
16,007
7, 759
5,144
184, 730
438, 570
291, 127
189, 828
185,448
144,117
141, 647
142, 738
208,184
335, 916
273,608
194,455
56
52
45
60
106
118
61
20
34
27
39
49
98
113
10,147
19,984
26, 121
26, 442
27, 588
25,177
48,196
2, 927
12, 512
28,139
22, 604
15, 735
25, 334
68,282
181, 031
228,329
422, 545
769, 720
402, 437
603, 953
877, 789
mo
J a n u a ry .. ______________________ ______
________
F eb ru ary . _______ _______ _
M a rc h ...
____________ _ ________
A p r il... ______ . . . . . . _____
...
M ay ______ _ . . . ___ _____ _ _____
June
. . .
. . .
J u ly ----------------------------------------------------A ugust. ______________________________
Septem ber______________ _ ___________
O ctober. ____________ . . . . . . . ________
N ovem ber_______________
. _______
D ecem ber_____________________________
1931
Ja n u a ry ____________________ __________
Febru ary ______________________________
M arch____________ __________________
A pril. _ . . . . .
__________ ________
M ay ________________
____________
J u n e 1___________________________ ______
Ju ly L__
1 Prelim inary figures subject to change.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[589]
103
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
104
Occurrence of Industrial Disputes, by Industries
T a b l e 2 gives, by industry, the number of strikes beginning in
May, June, and July, 1931, and the number of workers directly
involved.
T a b l e 2 .—IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN M A Y , J U N E , A N D JU L Y , 1931
N um ber of workers involved
in disputes beginning in —
N um ber of disputes begin
ning in—
In d u stry
125
4
Brew ery and soft “d rin k workers-------------Building trades
_ __________ _ _ -Chauffeurs and team sters
-- - - Clothing
___________ ___ _________
FishfirniGD _______ ___ _____________ __
Food workers
__ _
-- _________
Furn itu re
_________ ______ _______
niooij w nrlrers
1
1
1
31
17
1
12
13
16
3
6
12
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
Total
_
_ ____________
360
5,503
150
489
1,902
992
1,335
2,427
141
35,858
350
60
114
8
40
30
12
1
2,801
6
M etal trades
____________________
M ining
__ ____________________
M otion-picture operators, actors, and theatrical wurkers
P rinting and publishing
________
Stone
M unicipal wurkers
Textiles
_ ________ __________
Tobacco
O ther occupations
___ _____________
1,200
20
125
13
85
1,600
1
j 0 wclry w orkers_______ __ __ __________
T
ifrht Viont
d Wot,PT
JUlgllL,
IlUclL, nnw
p u w pr
c l, an
oiiu
w ato i--------- -------AiOngSIlOremOJLl CHILI u e ig n t u o um oio— - - --i aim iter, tim uw , cuiu m in YYoin.._—_——- -
Ju ly
June
M ay
July
June
M ay
150
1
60
1
1
5
25
1
1
8
4
1
106
1
61
1
7
3
1
1
1
1
40
13
18,953
12
2,686
39
10
16
12
8
16
1,205
3
3, 300
6,055
185
500
76
104
61
27, 588
25,177
48,196
6
12
2
118
304
5,121
6, 356
Size and Duration of Industrial Disputes, by Industries
T a b l e 3 gives the number of industrial disputes beginning in July,
1931, classified by number of workers and by industries.
T a b l e 3 —N U M B E R OF IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN JU L Y , 1931, C L A S S IF IE D
B Y N U M B E R OF W O R K E R S A N D B Y IN D U S T R IE S
N um ber of disputes beginning in July, 1931, involving—
500 and
100 and
6 and
20 and
under
under 20 under 100 under 500
1,000
workers workers workers workers
In d u stry
B uilding trades
Chauffeurs anti t-pamst-era
Clothing
- ___
Fishermen
Fnnd w orkers
Fu rn itu re
jpwplry workers
Longshoremen and freight handlers
M etal trades
Mining
__
M otion-picture operators, actors, and
th eatrical workers
Textiles
- - ___
O ther occupations
T otal
- - __- - ____
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
- -
2
1
1
7
2
6
5
1,000 and
5,000
under
workers
5,000
and
over
workers
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
1
1
2
2
4
3
1
1
2
11
22
17
6
4
1
[5 9 0 ]
1
105
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
In Table 4 are shown the number of industrial disputes ending in
July, 1931, by industries and classified duration.
T a b l e 4 —N U M B E R O F IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S E N D IN G IN JU L Y , 1931, B Y IN D U S T R IE S
A N D C L A S S IF IE D D U R A T IO N
Classified duration of strikes ending in
July, 1931
In d u stry
One-half
m o n th or
less
Building trades
__ . ______ _ _ ____
__ _ _ ___
Chauffers and team sters . _ ____________ __
Clothing .....................................
_
- __________ -Food workers
_ ___________ ________
F u rn itu re
- --_____
_
___
Jew elry workers
__
_ __
_____
Longshoremen a n d freight handlers
M etal trades
_ __
_
_______
M ining
_____
M otion-pietnre operators, actors, and theatrical workers
Textiles
...
........................
____ _
Total
__
_ _
1 m onth and
Over onehalf and less less th a n 2
th a n 1 m onth
m onths
12
2
5
2
2
1
1
1
3
1
6
2
38
3
3
1
3
1
7
Principal Strikes and Lockouts Beginning in July, 1931
Bituminous coal miners, West Virginia.—A strike for union recogni
tion began on July 6 in the Kanawha district, involving about 1,500
men. This strike was called by the West Virginia Mine Workers, a
new organization in that district. Information is not available as to
the outcome of this strike, but it is known that some of the older
men have returned to work.
Textile workers {woolen), Rhode Island.—The Weybosset Mills of
the American Woolen Co. at Providence were affected by an unsuc
cessful strike of 638 spinners, twisters, weavers, etc., from July 8 to
July 20. It is reported the workers wanted their wages increased to
offset a reduction of 12){ per cent said to have been in effect since
last winter.
Road workers, New York.—A strike of some 825 laborers on roadconstruction work in Westchester County, which began on July 10,
is understood to have ended on August 3. The men declined to
work for 40 cents an hour and demanded $5 per day. They were
allowed 50 cents an hour until January 1, 1932.
Textile workers {silk), Connecticut.—Some 500 employees of the
Edward Bloom Co. (Inc.), at Putnam, struck on July 13, demanding
it is said, a working week of 48 instead of 55 hours, with no wage
reduction. This strike, which was sponsored by the National Textile
Workers’ Union, is still in effect.
Silk workers, New Jersey.—Several hundred silk workers in Paterson
under the leadership of the National Textile Workers’ Union struck
on July 22 for an 8-hour day, a 5-day week, increased wages, restora
tion of previous wage cuts, unemployment relief and insurance, etc.
Subsequent additions to the ranks of the strikers brought the number,
it is said, to about 1,500. The original demands are believed to
have been modified.
Other workers, numbering some 6,500, affiliated with the Associated
Silk Workers and the United Textile Workers, began a strike on July
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[5 9 1 ]
106
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
27, demanding a 44-hour week with wage increases. Hours, it is
alleged, have been of irregular duration, ranging up to 10, 11, and 12
per day.
These strikes are still in progress.
Clothing w orkers, N e w Y o rk C ity . —Protesting against alleged
sweatshop conditions and desiring to establish a more perfect union
through the extension and perfection of the organization’s control
over the industry, the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America
began a strike or stoppage on July 29, involving some 30,000 men’s
clothing workers in New York City and vicinity.
Some of the workers returned after an agreement was reached on
July 30 between the union and the New York Clothing Manufac
turers’ Exchange, the principal employing group. Concessions were
made by both sides in reaching the agreement, which is to run for
two years, ending June 30, 1933. Settlements were also effected
from time to time with independent proprietors, so that by August 5
about two-thirds of the strikers had returned to work.
The strike, it is understood, has been mainly against those shops
which have failed to observe union standards and the objective has
been not so much the signing of the agreement as the enforcement of
it. The slowness in reaching settlements is due, it is indicated, to
the insistence of the union in requiring bonds for the carrying out of
the agreements. The principal changes in the agreement over the
old one which expired July 1, authorizes, it is said, the imposition of a
penalty by the impartial chairman upon any manufacturer sending
work to a nonunion contracting firm and gives permission to the
employers to participate in fixing rates for each labor operation in
the production of garments.
C lothing w orkers, N e w J e rse y .— In addition to the clothing workers
who struck in New York City on July 29, about 2,000 workers
stopped work in Egg Harbor, Hammonton, and Vineland, demanding,
according to press reports, a signed agreement. They also objected
to the sending of work to nonunion factories “ outside.” No report
of the ending of this strike or strikes has been received.
A n th ra cite coal m in ers, P e n n sy lv a n ia . —A strike of 500 miners affect
ing the Raven Run Colliery of the Judds Highland Coal Co., at New
Girardsville, is reported to have begun on July 29 as a protest against
the employment of men who refused to pay a fine for the violation of
union rules. Dues were paid and the men returned to work on July 31.
Principal Strikes and Lockouts Continuing into July, 1931
H o sie ry w orkers, P h ila d e lp h ia . —It is understood that the strike
which began on February 16 still continues in part.
S ilk w orkers, P e n n sy lv a n ia . —The strike of some 3,000 workers in
Allentown, beginning as of May 1, still continues in part.
T a x i d rivers, P ittsb u rg h . —A report has been received of the ending
on June 20 of the strike of 880 taxi drivers which began on June 13.
The number of strikers was originally reported as 1,000. This strike,
it appears, was unsuccessful.
B itu m in o u s coal m in ers, I llin o is . —The strike of miners which
began in June at Benton in the Orient mines of the Chicago, Wil
mington & Franklin Coal Co. ended on August 6. The strike, it is
said, was in defiance of the international officers of the United Mine
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[592]
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
107
Workers of America, and the men returned after being warned that
they must do so under penalty of being discharged and of forfeiting
their membership in the union. Later and more reliable information
shows that the number of strikers was 2,100 and not 2,270 as origi
nally reported; also, that the strike at one mine (the New Orient)
began on June 6 and at the other (the Orient No. 1) on June 18.
Textile workers, Rhode Island .—As to the strike of some 600 em
ployees of the Royal Weaving Co. at Pawtucket, which began June 25,
it was stated on August 4 that the company had as many workers as
it could use because of market conditions and the large quantity of
finished goods in the storerooms.
Bituminous coal miners.—The disturbances in northern West
Virginia, western Pennsylvania, and eastern Ohio, to which allusion
was made in the July issue of the Review, have subsided. Especially
is this true, so far as the effect on coal production is concerned, of
northern West Virginia and the Pittsburgh district, where the output
has for some time been equal to, if not in excess of, the production
before'the strike. Press reports of July 18 indicated the collapse of the
strike in eastern Ohio, stating that the strikers were returning and that
“ the last mine shut down by the strike in the area” would resume
operations by July 20.
The Simpson Creek Colleries Co., of Cleveland, Ohio, resumed
operations at their Galloway (W. Va.) mines on August 18 on the
same basis as to wages and hours as existed when the strike began
on June 18.
C o n c ilia tio n W ork o f t h e D e p a r tm e n t o f L abor in J u ly , 1931
By H
ugh
L. K e r w i n , D i r e c t o r
of
C o n cilia t io n
Secretary of Labor, through the Conciliation Service, exer
cised his good offices in connection with 68 labor disputes during
T HE
July, 1931. These disputes affected a known total of 27,047 em
ployees. The table following shows the name and location of the
establishment or industry in which the dispute occurred, the nature
of the dispute (whether strike or lockout or controversy not having
reached the strike or lockout stage), the craft or trade concerned, the
cause of the dispute, its present status, the terms of settlement, the
date of beginning and ending, and the number of workers directly and
indirectly involved.
On August 1, 1931, there were 60 strikes before the department for
settlement and in addition 29 controversies which had not reached the
strike stage. The total number of cases pending was 89.
72574°— 31----- 8
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[593]
LA B O R D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E C O N C IL IA T IO N S E R V IC E D U R IN G T H E M O N T H OF JU L Y , 1931
W orkers
involved
D uration
C om pany or in d u stry and location
N ature of
controversy
Fisherm en, Erie, P a ______ ____ ._ Strike.
Poses & Greenberg, N ew York
C ity.
Taxicab drivers, C olum bus, Ohio-
F u r w orkers______
Wage scale; work sent to outside
shops.
[ 594]
A sked increase and change in con
ditions.
M attress w o rk e rs.. Wage cut of 5 to 25 per c e n t..........
Lockout. _
Laborers on w reck
ing crew.
E m ployees............
Contractor paying only 30 cents
per hour.
Wages cut 10 per cent................... ...
P lu m b e r s a n d
steam fitters.
Wages cut from $1.20 to $1 per hour.
Asked union agreement.
Pittsburgh Sheeting & Painting C ontroversy . P a in te rs..... .............. Prevailing wage not being p a id __
Co., Bedford, Mass.
U . S. Assay Building, N ew York Strike____
G ranite cu tters....... D em and th a t union labor be em
ployed.
C ity.
Iro n w o rk ers.......... . Asked increase from $14 to $16 per
B uilding, N ew ark, N . J ................... ____do____
day.
Post-office building, K ankakee, Ill- C o ntroversy. B uilding crafts___ Prevailing wage not being p aid__
V eterans’ H ospital, Waco, T e x ... ------do ...........
General Fabric Co., C entral Falls,
R. I.
Strike............
B ric k la y e rs.......... . ___ do ...................................................
Textile w orkers___
R oyal W eaving Co., P aw tucket, ........ do ______ ___ do ........................
R. I.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Asked union recognition and re
duction in num ber of looms to be
operated.
C u t of 1 cent per yard on box
weaving.
In
E nding D irect direct
ly
ly
Begin
ning
1931
Ju ly 1
1931
_.do __ _
W orking rules and conditions____
Ju risd ictio n ............................... ........
D riv ers__________
E m ery Thom pson Freezer Co.,
N ew York C ity.
Present status and term s of settle
m ent
Wages cut from $6 to $5 per d a y ... Pending.
....... d o ........................ ___ do................................................
Englander Bed Spring Co., Brook
lyn, N. Y.
Post-office building, A lbany, N . Y_
Building, Allentown, Bethlehem ,
Easton, Pa.
F is h e r m e n a n d
boatm en.
P a in te rs_________
Laborers.......... ........
Cause of dispute
A djusted. C utters allowed $55
per week; others to be increased
$5 per week to $47.
A djusted. Allowed $5 per week
increase to $50.
A djusted.
C ontinued w ithout
strike.
A djusted. Accepted cut and re
turned.
A djusted. Satisfactory agreement
A djusted. All accepted cut and
returned, except 8 workers who
were discharged.
Adjusted. C ontinued rate of
$1.20 per hour; verbal agree
m ent.
A djusted. C ontractor will pay
prevailing wage, $1.10 per hour.
A djusted. R eturned w ith tem po
ra ry settlem ent.
Pending..... ...................... ...................
A djusted. C ontractor agreed to
pay prevailing wages.
A djusted. C ontractor agreed to
pay prevailing rate, $13 per day.
Pending..... .........................................
Ju ly
1
. —do ___
Ju ly
350
50
20
0)
60
9
2
7
do -----
Ju ly
5
Ju ly
9
250
Ju ly
3
Ju ly
7
100
Ju ly
2
Ju ly 25
135
Ju n e 30
Ju ly
1
8
Ju ly
1
Ju ly
6
130
- .-d o -----
Ju ly
3
7
June 26
Ju ly
7
53
Ju ly
7
3
150
C7
125
250
Ju ly
1
Ju ly 14
Ju ly
7
Ju ly 13
10
M ay
8
800
June 25
600
(>)
1,300
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Painters, P ittsburgh, P a _________ .—-.d o ______
Queens C ounty General Hospital, ___ do______
Jamaica, Long Island, N . Y.
R. R . F u r M anufacturing Co., T h r e a te n e d
N ew York C ity.
strike.
Craftsm en concerned
W eybosset M ill, Providence, R . I . ___d o _______ ___ do........................ Asked restoration of 12M per cent
cut.
Plum bers, Syracuse, N . Y _______ ........do ______ P lum bers________ Asked S-day week w ith 5H days’
pay.
M ath e r Field, Sacram ento, C alif.. Controversy . B uilding trad es___
IT. S. N aval Training Station, San ........ do............. L ab o rers..................
Diego, Calif.
V an H outen Silk M ills, Perkasie, Strike.............. W eavers and w ind
ers.
Pa.
........ do ______
Textile w orkers___
........ do ............. H a t m akers.......... .
C on tro v ersy . Carpenters.
Civilian employees asked prevail
ing wages.
Laborers paid $4 per day; prevail
ing rate $5.
Wages cut b y change in conditions. A djusted. Allowed 1 cent per
yard increase on wool a nd silk
goods a nd L cent on crêpe.
Asked 48-hour week w ithout cut P ending..... ................................... ......
in pay.
Asked restoration of 1929 wages
___ d o ........................ ..........................
Prevailing wage not being paid___ A djusted.
[595]
Strike.............. Filling-station em Change in conditions reduced
ployees.
wages.
........do ______ Sheet-metal work Wages cut $2 per d a y ......... ..............
ers.
D o................................................. ........ d o ______ P lu m b ers............... ____ do ................................................ .
A nthracite Shirt Factory, Trever- ____do ______ Shirt m akers_____ Wages cut 10 per cent___________
ton, Pa.
Ju ly
8
Ju ly 21
638
Ju ly
1
Ju ly 11
200
Ju ly
3
Ju ly 10
Ju ly
6
Ju ly 10
Agreed on $1 per h our. Ju ly 17
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
45
500
8
35
50
8
40
Ju ly 20
P ending ......................... ...................... Ju ly 15
14
___ d o .................................................... __d o ___
___ do ..................................... ............. ___do___
Unclassified. Accepted cut and Ju ly 13
returned before arrival of com
missioner.
C ontract for cleaning State capitol, C o n tro v ersy . H oisting engineers. N onunion engineers em ployed___ A djusted. U nion engineers em Ju ly 1
ployed.
Indianapolis, Ind.
Gxalnick Bros., Philadelphia, P a ._ T h r e a te n e d Leather workers___ Tw o recent wage c u ts....................... A djusted. Accepted cuts. Scale Ju ly 5
strike.
to be restored w hen practicable.
Bricklayers cut $3 per day, to $10. Pending_______________________ Ju ly 22
Building, Oil C ity, P a __________ Lockout____ Bricklayers, car
penters, etc.
C arpenters $1.20 per day, to
$7.60.
B . Seldon C oat Co., Baltimore, Strike.............. G arm ent w o rk ers.. Renewal of agreement; 5-day w eek. A djusted. A greement providing June 1
5-day week of 42 hours; 5 per cent
M d.
increase in piecework prices.
Question as to w hether W ashing A djusted. Accepted B altim ore J u ly 7
A rt Roofing Co., B altim ore, M d .. Controversy . Roofers.
ton or B altim ore rate should be
rate.
paid.
U nion claimed $1.10 per hour as U nable to a d ju st________________ June 20
U . S. C oast G uard boat shop, ........do ______ Carpenters.
prevailing rate; contractors p ay
Baltim ore, M d.
ing 80 cents.
Jo h n J. F in lay Co., Chicago, 111... Strike............. U pholsterers_____ Wage c u t______________ _______ A djusted. Piece rates increased. . Ju ly 9
S ta te Office Building, Colum bus, Controversy . C a r p e n te r s a n d Jurisdiction of placing frames for A djusted. Fram e w ork aw arded Ju ly 2
to carpenters; rem ainder of work
ironworkers.
elevator doors.
Ohio.
to ironworkers.
Prevailing rate not being paid.
A djusted. Agreed to p ay prevail Ju ly 14
Selfridge Field, D etroit, M ich____ T h r e a te n e d Carpenters.
ing rate, 80 cents per hour
strike.
Asked m inim um of $5 per day; 8- A djusted. Allowed 50 cents per Ju ly 10
H ighw ay construction, W estches Strike______ R oad laborers.
hour day.
hour u n til Jan . 1, 1932; th e n 60
ter Co., N . Y.
cents.
1N o t reported.
9
Ju ly 15
Ju ly 13
Ju ly
250
55
Ju ly 17
190
250
Ju ly 31
Aug.
3
9
35
45
15
500
Ju ly 16
90
Ju ly
12
9
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
E d w a rd Bloom Silk M ill, P u t
nam , Conn.
E a Salle H a t Co., Philadelphia,
Pa.
A rm y warehouse, Sault Ste.
M arie, M ich.
¡Supreme Pacific Oil Co., Scran
ton, Pa.
Building, Scranton, P a __________
A djusted.
R eturned w ith o u t
change in wages.
A djusted. 5-day week no t allow
ed. One-half d a y ’s p ay guaran
teed.
Adj usted . Agreed to p a y prevail
ing wages.
Pending_______________________
0)
Ju ly 16
Ju ly 24
Ju ly 20
Aug.
3
18
70
330
35
825
O
CO
LA B O R D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D BY T H E C O N C IL IA T IO N S E R V IC E D U R IN G T H E M O N T H OP JU L Y , 1931—Continued
D uration
Com pany or industry and location
N atu re of
controversy
Cause of dispute
Jew elry.............. ......
Wage cuts and lay-offs_________
K nit-goods
ers.
C ut in piece r a t e s .......... ..............
w ork
[596]
George W ashington M emorial
Bridge, F o rt Lee, N . J.
S trike.
Carpenters, iron
workers, engin
eers, laborers, etc.
Asked prevailing wage and em
ploym ent of local men.
Bushelmen, tailors, etc., N ew
York and Brooklyn, N . Y.
___ do_____
Tailors, etc______
Protest wage cut $10 per week, to
$38.
Shoe workers_____
Wage c u t . . .....................................-
Slipper w orkers___
Wage cut 10 to 15 per cent.........
Progress Shoe Co., Brooklyn,
N . Y.
Linder N ovelty Slipper (Inc.),
New Y ork C ity.
Glenmore Shoe Co., Brooklyn,
N . Y.
Smollen M anufacturing Co., New
York C ity.
C olum bia G ranite Co., (Inc.),
Columbia, S. C.
Shell Oil Co., California___ . ____
Shoe workers_____
Wage cuts; w orking conditions__
G arm ent w orkers.
Asked union recognition and
union shop.
Wage c u ts....... .................. ...........
C utters and polish
ers.
Oil workers______
V eterans’ B ureau H ospital, C an
andaigua, N . Y.
Canonsburg Iron & Steel Co.,
Canons burg, Pa.
A llegheny Highw ay, Oil C ity and
Toinesta, Pa.
Schw arzenbach-H uber Silk Co.,
Columbia, Pa.
Electricians______
Wages and working conditions.. .
Iron, steel, a n d tin.
C om pany refused to sign agree
m ent w ith international union.
Received 60 cents instead of $1.10,
the established rate per hour.
W ages_________________________
C arpenters
and
road builders.
Silk weavers____ _
Painters, Oil C ity, P a _________ ..
C o n tro v ersy . P a in te r s .- _______
Fin lay F u rn itu re Co., Chicago,
S trike______
111.
‘
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Discussion of annual a g re em en t..
U pholsterers_____
Wages and conditions (3 men
doing painting b y contract).
D ismissal of union w orkers_____
Present status and term s of settle
ment
A djusted. Agreement concluded.
B oth sides m ade concessions.
A djusted. Agreed to m aintain
piece rates existing prior to stop
page of work.
A djusted. Engineers $16; iron
workers $16; dock builders $13;
carpenters $12; laborers 45 to 60
cents per hour.
A djusted. Agreed to arbitrate
wage question, and 44-hour
week.
P en d in g .._____________________
A djusted. Accepted cut of from 5
to 7 per cent.
Pending_______________________
Begin
ning
In
Ending D irect direct
ly
ly
1931
Ju ly 10
1931
Ju ly 20
12
Ju ly
9
Ju ly 21
35
8
June
5
June 23
250
200
Ju n e 15
Ju ly 20
300
56
Ju ly 18
Ju ly
2
Ju ly 15
Ju ly 14
24
6
38
10
80
9
___do............. ................ ...................
Ju ly
6
A djusted. Accepted cut of 40
cents per day, to $8.40.
A djusted. Agreement renewed.
No change in wages.
Pending_____________________...
Ju ly
1
Ju ly 18
16
Ju ly 27
Ju ly 30
3, 500
1,000
Ju ly 28
225
200
___do _________________________
Ju ly 15
180
220
___do ________________________
0)
A djusted. Agreed on piece work;
10 per cent bonus allowed for
certain kinds of work.
Pending________ ____ __________
Ju ly 27
Ju ly 31
200
A djusted. Compromise
m ent concluded.
•luly 17
Ju ly 22
18
agree
3
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
R einer & Berkow, N ew York
C ity.
Goldwear Sportsw ear Co., New
Y ork City.
Craftsm en concerned
W orkers
involved
Southern D airies (Inc.), W ash
ington, D . C.
C ontroversy.
Ice-cream w orkers.. Wages
A tlantic & Pacific Co., Scranton.
Pa.
M unsingw ear, F o rt W ayne, I n d ..
C. G. F oundry, Indianapolis, In d .
Textile workers, Paterson, N . J ----
Strike-
Bread handlers.
Post office, Boston, M a s s . . . -------
C ontroversy. Textile workers.
Strike______ M olders_______
___ do ______ Textile w orkers.
_do.
Brow n Dress Co., Bronx, N . Y_
[597]
H eller Co., Belleville, N . J ______
G arm ent workers, N ew ark, N . J_
Lathers, F o rt H arrison, I n d _____
Total_
1N o t reported.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
..do.
_do.
___ do______
___ d o ._____
C ontroversy.
Ju ly 22
Ju ly 27
Ju ly 20
_do.
R eport not received_____________
_do.
Change to piecework____________
0
_do.
Asked 8-hour day, 5-day week and
Ju ly 22
wage increases.
Jurisdiction of loading steel from A djusted. A w arded to team sters. Ju ly 23
trains to trucks.
S ym pathy w ith road laborers____ A djusted. R eturned w hen labor Aug. 3
ers returned.
Ju ly 28
A djusted. Accepted slight cut.
Piecework rates increased 15
cents per garm ent.
Pending _______________________
Ju ly 24
Ju ly 29
A djusted. Proposal w ithdraw n.
P lan t being m oved from New
York.
Pending_________ , _____________
___ do_________________________
A djusted. Local lathers employed.
Ju ly 27
Ju ly 29
Ju ly 30
Ju ly 30
June 25
Ju ly
C ut in piece rates.
B utton and novelty
workers.
Ladies’ underw ear
makers.
D ispute w ith union representa
tives.
Proposed cut b y change to tim e
work instead of piece work.
W ire w eavers____
G arm ent w orkers.
L ath ers_________
Renewal of contract______
___do ___________________
Use of nonresident lathers.
13
17
8,000
Aug.
4
Ju ly 25
13
125
14
1
330
60
3,000
15
22, 852
4, 195
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
M etropolitan B u tto n W orks, N ew
York C ity.
D iana Frocks (Inc.), N ew Y ork
C ity.
T ru ck drivers.
T r u c k d riv e rs ,
shovel m en, m a
sons, and con
crete workers.
D ressm akers_____
Hoad construction, W estchester,
N . Y.
Long hours and low wages.
A djusted. Agreed to arbitration
to decide wages for skilled and
unskilled labor, etc.
Pending_______________________
LABOR AGREEMENTS, AWARDS, AND
DECISIONS
D e c is io n o f I n d u s tr ia l C o m m is s io n o f C olo ra d o o n R e d u c tio n
o f C oal M in e r s ’ W ages
N A u g u s t 4, 1931, the Industrial Commission of Colorado
rendered a decision refusing the demand of the Bluff Springs
Leasing Co., a coal mining company, for a reduction in the wage
rates of its employees.
The company served notice July 7 of its intention to reduce
the wages of its employees, effective August 7, 1931. On July 11
21 employees of the company filed a petition with the commission
protesting against the proposed reduction.
At the hearing before the commission at Florence, Colo., July 8,
the company contended that it was necessary to reduce the price of
coal $1.50 per ton in order to meet the competition of the large coal
companies which had already reduced the price of coal. The com
pany also contended that it had to pay a royalty of 55 cents per ton
to the owners of the mine and 50 cents per ton commission for selling
its coal, which caused a loss of 93 cents on each ton of coal sold.
The employees contended that if their wages were reduced it would
be impossible for them to earn more than $3.50 to $4 per day, and
that such a wage was not sufficient for them to support their families
and was therefore not a living wage.
The commission stated that, according to the records of the State
coal mine inspector the coal miners of Colorado averaged a trifle
over 183 days’ work per annum during the last 10 years, and that the
average number worked during 1930 was only 164 days.
The findings and award of the commission are as follows:
O
C onsidering th e n u m b er of d ay s a coal m in er w orks p e r y ear, th e p re se n t
w age scale is n o t sufficient, a n d i t is to be re g re tte d t h a t th e em ployees should
be req u ired to sell th e ir lab o r a t a low er price. L ab o r should be th e first charge
ag ain st ev ery in d u s try , a n d th e w elfare of th e w age e a rn e r sh o u ld be th e first
consideration of ev ery em ployer. If p ro sp erity is to re tu rn to th is la n d of ours
it will never com e b y c u ttin g th e earnings of th e m en w ho p ro d u ce th e w ealth
of th e N a tio n ; red u ctio n s of salaries a n d w ages of em ployees will delay th e
re tu rn of b e tte r tim es, because a red u c tio n in wages o r salaries will d e stro y th e
pu rchasing pow er of th e m en w ho m ak e b e tte r business possible. I t seem s to
us i t is n o t large sto ck d iv id en d s o r larg e b a n k a cco u n ts t h a t m ak e prosperous
tim es, b u t good w ages a n d salaries to th e w orking m en a n d w om en of th e c o u n try .
T he large coal com panies who h a v e red u ced th e price of coal to th e p o in t w here
th e y can n o t p a y a living w age to th e ir em ployees, a n d w ho are th erefo re forcing
th e sm aller com panies to do th e sam e th in g in o rd er to m eet th is so rt of u n fair
com petition, h av e c o m m itted a crim e a g a in st h u m a n rig h ts by forcing th e ir
em ployees to w ork fo r less th a n a living wage.
T his com m ission believes t h a t a living wage is one t h a t is sufficient fo r a m an
to live decently a n d to ed u c a te his children in th e m an n er th a t a n A m erican
child should be ed u cated ; to g e t som e p leasure o u t of life an d , by reasonable
econom y, to lay aside a few dollars fo r th e d ay w hen old age shall come an d he
can toil no longer,
112
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[598]
LABOR AGREEMENTS, AWARDS, AND DECISIONS
113
T h e coal m ines of th is S ta te , w hen th e n u m b er of days th e coal m iner w orks
p e r an n u m are considered, are n o t p aying over one-half a living w age a t th e
p resen t w age scale.
. .
, ,,
,
T herefore i t is th e decision a n d aw ard of th e com m ission th a t th e p resen t
wage scale be retain ed .
___
N ew A g r e e m e n t in E n g lis h E n g in e e r in g I n d u s tr y
OR months past there has been the threat of a serious dispute
in the English engineering industry, the employers demanding
changes in wages and conditions to which the workers were unwill
ing to agree. Both sides are strongly organized, the engineering joint
trades movement, which is the workers’ body, consisting of 40 unions
with a membership of approximately 1,000,000. In May negotiations were broken, off, neither side being willing to accept the other s
proposals. Strong efforts were made to bring them togethei, and
according to the Ministry of Labor Gazette for July, 1931, on June
20, the representatives of employers and employees agreed upon a
revision of the employers’ proposals which they would recommend to
their respective bodies for acceptance. These terms were agreed to
by the executives of the trade-unions on June 23, to become operative
July 6, 1931.
.
. .
i
Under the new agreement, overtime on day-shut work is to be
paid for at the rate of time and a quarter for the first two hours, and
thereafter at time and a half. Previously, all overtime on the day
shift was paid for at the rate of time and a half, with double time
after midnight. Other provisions are thus summarized by the
Gazette :
F
On n ig h t shifts th e new agreem ent fixes th e p a y m e n t a t tim e a n d one-sixth,
w ith overtim e a t tim e a n d a q u a rte r fo r th e first tw o hours a n d tim e a n d a, half
th ereafter, calcu lated on th e d ay -sh ift ra te . Previously th e ra te of p a y m e n t was
tim e a n d a th ird , w ith ov ertim e a t tim e a n d two-thirds._
T h e ag reem en t provides t h a t all ov ertim e w orked in coupling up d ay a n d
n ig h t shifts, or n ig h t a n d d ay shifts, shall be p aid a t tim e a n d a q u a rte r, an d
th a t such overtim e shall n o t be included in th e 30 hours lim ita tio n in a n y four
R evisions in th e p a y m e n t for double d ay sh ift a n d /o r th ree-sh ift sy stem s are
as follows: On th e first sh ift 43 h o u rs’ w ork is to be p aid
45 hours, in
place of 43 h o u rs’ w ork fo r 47 h o u rs’ p a y m e n t; on th e second sh ift, 3 7 /2 hours
w ork for 45 h o u rs’ p ay in place of 37)4 h o u rs’ w ork for 47 hours p a y ; a n d on th e
th ird sh ift, 37)4 h o u rs’ w ork for 47 h o u rs’ pay , in place of 37)4 hours w ork for
5° T h e revised provisions w ith reg ard to system s of p a y m e n t by resu lts are as
follow s^n gy gtemg of p ay m en t by resu lts will be su b je c t to th e following
N o piecew ork prices, bonus, or basis tim es once estab lish ed m ay be altered
except for th e following reasons:
(1) A m istak e in th e calculation on e ith er side; or _
(2) T h e m aterial, m eans, or m eth o d of p roduction, or th e q u an titie s, are
(3)
^ A *m utual arra n g e m e n t h as been com e to betw een th e em ployer a n d th e
w orker in th e sam e w ay as a new price is arran g ed .
(b) Piecew ork prices a n d bonus or basis tim es shall be such as will enable a
w orkm an of average ab ility to earn a t lea st 25 p er c e n t ov ertim e rates, excluding
w ar bonus.
(c) As regards existing prices or tim es:
, ,
( 1 ) In those cases w here th e basis is 33)4 p er c e n t it will be red u ced to 25 pc r
cent, i. e., a red u ctio n of 6)4 p er cent.
(2) In those cases w here th e basis is by ag reem en t o r recognition greater th a n
33)4 p er cen t, th e red u ctio n will be in th e ra tio of 33)4 to 25,
[599]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
LABOR TURNOVER
L ab or T u r n o v e r in A m e r ic a n F a c to r ie s , J u ly , 1931
HE Bureau of Labor Statistics presents herewith labor turnover
rates for manufacturing as a whole and for 10 separate manu
facturing industries.
In working turnover rates the Bureau of Labor Statistics uses the
weighted arithmetic mean. The indexes for manufacturing as a
whole are compiled from reports made to the bureau by representative
establishments in over 75 industries, employing approximately 1,250,000 employees. In the 10 industries for which separate indexes are
presented reports were received from representative plants employing
approximately 25 per cent of the employees as shown for such indus
tries by the Census of Manufacturés of 1927. In the automobile
industry schedules were received from plants employing 125,000
people; plants reporting for boots and shoes employed 100,000;
those reporting for cotton manufacturing employed nearly 125,000
people; for brick, over 15,000 people; for foundry and machine shops,
175,000 people; for furniture, about 40,000 people; for iron and steel,
over 225,000 people; for sawmills, approximately 65,000 people; for
slaughtering and meat packing, nearly 85,000 people; and for men’s
clothing, about 40,000 people.
In addition to the quit, discharge, lay-off, total separation, and
accession rates, the bureau presents the net turnover rate. The net
turnover means the rate of replacement; it is the number of jobs that
are vacated and filled per 100 employees. In a plant that is increasing
its force the net turnover rate is the same as the separation rate,
because while more people are hired than are separated from their
jobs, the number hired above those leaving is due to expansion, and
can not be justly charged to turnover. On the other hand, in a plant
that is reducing its number of employees the net turnover rate is the
same as the accession rate, for while more people are separated from
the pay roll than are hired, the excess of separations over accessions
is due to a reduction of force and therefore can not be logically charged
as a turnover expense.
Table 1 shows for all industries the total separation rate, subdivided
into the quit, discharge, and lay-off rates, together with the accession
rate and net turnover rate, presented both on a monthly and an
equivalent annual basis.
T
114
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[6001
115
LABOR TURNOVER
T able
1.—A V E R A G E
LA B O R T U R N O V E R R A T E S IN S E L E C T E D
IN D U S T R IE S
F A C T O R IE S IN 75
A.—M o n th ly R ates
Separation rates
M onth
Jan u a ry . _
February _
M a r c h ,._ _____
A p ril..
____
M a y _____ ____
J u n e __________
J u ly ___________
A ugust. . . .
Septem ber____
O ctober_______
N ovem ber_____
D ecem ber____
Average
Quit
Lay-off
Accession
rate
Discharge
T otal
1930
1931
1930
1931
1930
1931
1930
1.85
1.60
1.94
0.74
.74
.94
1.14
2.70
2.50
2.83
2. 57
1.95
1.75
1.75
1.96
2. 43
3.84
3. 32
0. 54
.62
.60
.53
.48
.46
.32
.36
.36
.32
.24
0.19
.21
5.09
4. 72
5.37
5.21
5.17
5.31
5. 84
5. 75
5.00
4.49
3.91
3.79
.42
4.97
2.11
2.01 1.12 2.68
1.02 3.00
1.85
1.35
1.10 4.17
1.40
1.50
1.29
.90
.84
3. 99
3.14
. 88
2. 77
2.74
1.55
3.00
2
.20
.26
.31
.28
.23
.25
N et tu rn
over rate
1931
1930
1931
1930
2.88
3.95
3.94
4.15
3. 55
3.28
2.92
2.51
2. 71
3. 27
2. 56
2.05
2.13
2.97
2.82
3.67
3.06
2.79
2.41
3.02
3.95
3.94
4.15
3. 55
3.28
2. 92
2.51
2. 71
3. 27
2. 56
2. 05
2.13
2. 69
2. 95
3.41
3.83
5.09
4. 67
3.08
1931
2.88
2.69
2.95
3.06
2.79
2.41
3.02
3.08
B.—E quivalen t A n n u a l R ates
J a n u a ry ..February
M arch-April- .
M a y _________
Ju n e.
Ju ly ___________
A ugust.
S ep tem b er.. October.
N ovem ber_____
D ecem ber— . . .
A vera g e..
21.8 8.7
20.9
9.6
22.8 11.1
9.9
31.8
32.6
33.3
31.3
31.5
36.5
49.1
47. 0
38. 2
33. 9
33. 7
32. 2
18.7
35.9
25.7
23.7
22.5
15.9
16. 5
18.3
15.2
13.9
13.2
12.4
12.9
11.0
23.0
22.8
20.6
23.9
28.6
46.7
39.1
6.4
2.2
8 .0
2.6
7. 1
.5
5.6
5.6
3.8
4.2
4.4
3.8
2.9
2.5
6
3. 1
3. 8
3.3
2.8
2.9
...........
_____
_____
_____
_____
5.1
60.0
61.5
63.2
63.5
60.8
64.6
67.7
60. 9
52.9
47. 6
44.6
46.5
51.4
48.8
43.2
38.6
35.5
29.5
31.9
39.8
30.1
24. 9
25.1
59.7
37.1
68.8
33.9
35.0
34.8
41.6
45.1
61.9
54.9
35.0
36.8
43.2
37.2
32.8
29.3
35.5
46.5
51.4
48.8
43.2
38.6
35.5
29.5
31.9
39.8
30.1
24.9
25.1
33.9
35.0
34.8
37.2
32.8
29.3
35.5
37.1
Comparing the July turnover rates with those for June, there was
and increase in the quit, discharge, and accession rates. The lay-off
rate was lower for July than for June. Comparing July, 1931, rates
with those for July, 1930, decreases were shown in the quit, discharge,
and lay-off rates. The accession rate was higher for July, 1931, than
for July, 1930.
The charts on pages 116 and 117 show in graphic form the data
presented in Table 1.
Table 2 shows the quit, discharge, lay-off, accession, and net
turnover rates for automobiles, boots and shoes, cotton, foundry and
machine shops, furniture, iron and steel, sawmills, and slaughtering
and meat packing for the year 1930 and for the first seven months of
the year 1931, and for brick and men’s clothing for the months of
of April, May, June, and July, 1931, presented both on a monthly
and an equivalent annual basis.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 601]
116
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
[ 602]
LABOR TURNOVER
[6031
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
118
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
T a b l e 3 —A V E R A G E L A B O R T U R N O V E R R A T E S IN S P E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S
A.—M o n th ly R ates
Separat ion rates
In d u stry and m onth
Automobiles:
Jan u a ry ______________
F e b ru a ry ____________
M arch _______________
ApriL_.
_______
M ay -_
Ju n e ______ _
Ju ly _________________
August- _ __________
September
______
October
. _
N ovem ber
December-
Quit
Average___________
Brick:
A p ril... _ _ ________
M a y _____
______
______
June
Ju ly ______
____
C otton m anufacturing:
J an u a ry .______ _______
F e b ru a ry ____________
M arch _______________
A pril________________
M a y . . . ________
J u n e ... .
Ju ly -------------------------A ugust_____________
Septem ber.O c to b e r .___
N ovem ber
D ecem ber. ___ ___
N et tu rn
over rate
1930
1931
1930
1930
1931
1930
2. 76
1.16
1.81
2. 21
2. 20
1. 59
1.14
1.23
1. 29
1.19
.81
.88
0.54
.74
1. 09
1. 46
1.40
.90
.99
0.92
.38
.56
.50
.50
.39
.24
.38
.33
.25
.16
.17
0.18
.21
.39
.44
.39
.21
.33
5.81 2. 63 9.49 3. 35 13. 50
2.31 1. 71 3. 85 2. 66 4. 74
2.04 1.71 4. 41 3.19 6. 92
1.97 1.86 4. 68 3. 76 7.45
5.59 3. 07 8. 29 4. 86 3.98
5.90 10.57 7. 88 11. 68 2. 34
9. 48 6.89 10. 86 8. 21 2. 78
7. 66
9. 27
3. 69
7.42
9.04
3. 83
5. 39
6. 83
4. 02
3. 80
4. 77
5. 95
3. 69
4. 74
3.43
2. 92
4.12
7. 76
5.21
3.41
2.91
4.12
9.49
3.85
4.41
4. 68
3. 98
2. 34
2.78
3. 69
3 83
4 02
4. 77
3.43
1.97
1.93
2. 00
2.48
2.06
1.94
2. 04
2. 19
2.01
1.71
1.00
1.03
.40
1.23
1. 27
1.58
1. 97
1. 57
1. 61
2.27
1.86
_____
2. 07
1.98
2. 27
2. 40
2. 36
2.06
1.91
1.58
1.88
1.41
1.22
.58
1.36
1.88
1.88
1.87
1.29
1.11
1.01
1. 07
.85
.66
.55
Average____________ 1.23
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
T otal
1931
.78
.70
.65
.68
.53
.47
.57
.73
.51
.47
.27
.24
.86
1. 77
.80
.93
1.00
1.00
1.36
1.64
1.53
1.25
1.48
.37
.31
.50
.42
.49
.40
.53
.52
.52
.55
.90
.96
.77
.69
.68
.80
.88
.80
.79
.54
.43
.45
.44
.47
.22
.26
.55
1.88
1.23
1.16
1. 53
2. 37
1.85
1.40
2. 40
.40
.34
.36
.43
.37
.46
.40
2.03
3. 24
2.87
4.12
4. 52
4.58
4.08
3.82
4.01
2.87
3.10
3. 57
[604]
5. 22
3.48
2.81
3. 24
3.92
4. 43
3.86
4. 20
4.81
2. 60
1.87
2.00
2.52
2. 30
2.24
3. 07
2. 36
.22
.22
.25
.36
.25
.25
.20
4.02
4. 00
3.99
5. 29
5. 06
4. 23
4. 37
5. 76
5. 30
4. 91
5. 65
5.15
4. 01
8. 65
5. 45
7. 90
2.16
1.92
2. 20
2.23
2. 07
2.17
3. 34
3. 58
2.44
2.09
2.18
1.92
1931
1930
7. 01
1.27
1.37
1. 34
2.13
2. 47
1.82
1. 76
2. 84
2. 78
2. 73
4. 38
3.88
. 61
.66
.44
. 50
.65
.60
.69
.68
.55
.58
.55
.46
.46
.48
.35
.24
1931
5.09
.55
Average____________ 1.81
Foundries and m achine
shops:
J a n u a r y _____ ____
F e b ru a ry ____________
M arch _______________
A pril________________
M a y ,. - . . .
J u n e _________________
J u l y . . ______________
A ugust__ _
_____
Septem ber___ _____
October_________ __
N ovem ber. _ ___
December
Lay-ofl
1930
A verage____________ 1. 52
Boots and shoes:
Jan u a ry ______________
F e b ru a ry ____________
M arch _______________
A pril______ - - - - - - _
M a y ________________
Ju n e _________________
Ju ly _________________
A ugust--- - _ _____
Septem ber________
October
N ovem ber _ _ ___
D ecem ber..-
Accession
rate
Discharge
5. 48
11. 08
6. 69
9. 33
4. 88
4. 50
5. 16
5.31
4. 98
4.81
5.80
5. 62
4. 78
3. 98
3 75
2. 74
4. 00
3. 21
3. 72
4. 59
4.20
3. 95
4.95
—
4.19
6.00
5.55
6.78
6. 35
6.12
5. 54
5. 33
5. 33
3. 75
3. 91
5. 35
4.48
5.88
4.92
4. 34
4. 95
5.18
7.16
—
4. 39
4. 63
3. 95
3.76
3. 05
2.26
2. 56
2. 45
2 27
1 85
2. 05
3.02
3. 48
2.81
3.24
3. 92
4. 43
3.86
4.20
3. 30
3. 57
3.91
4.47
4. 69
3. 51
2. 66
4. 62
3 50
3 06
2.87
3. 87
4. 61
5.93
5. 38
5.59
4.02
3.09
3. 18
2. 76
3.19
3. 78
4. 37
4 08
2. 99
2. 05
2. 41
3. 66
5 48
7 89
fi fi7
6. 02
8. 68
7. 89
6 67
6.02
4. 50
3. 33
4. 17
4. 27
3. 95
3. 25
2. 47
2. 72
4. 58
4. 34
2 93
1.46
2. 92
2. 66
3. 19
3. 76
3.41
2.91
4.12
5. 22
3. 49
4. 69
2. 32
2.10
2. 72
3. 29
4.91
4. 44
4. 71
5. 97
3.09
3.18
2. 76
3. 19
3.78
4. 74
4. 08
2. 99
2. 05
2. 41
3. 66
1931
4. 50
3. 33
4.17
4. 27
3. 95
3. 25
2.47
2 7?
4 58
8 98
2 98
1.46
3. 57
3. 21
3. 72
4. 69
3. 51
3. 66
4. 62
3.47
2. 96
3.38
3.08
2.44
1.95
2. 63
4. 19
4.63
3. 95
3. 76
3. 05
2.26
2 5.fi
2 45
2 27
1 85
2.05
3. 02
2. 87
3. 38
3. C8
2. 44
1. 95
2. 63
119
LABOR TURNOVER
T a b l e 2.—A V E R A G E LA B O R T U R N O V E R R A T E S IN S P E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S —Continued
A.—M o n th ly R ates—C ontinued
Separation rates
Quit
In d u stry and m onth
1930
F urniture:
J anuary __
F eb ru ary ___
M arch
A pril.
_
___
M ay ___________ ____
June- - - - - - - - J u ly ________ _________
August ___
September - October .
N ovem ber,
December .
Average - - _____
1.73
1.26
1.44
1. 21
1. 18
1.09
1.03
.99
.68
1931
0. 55
.57
.80
.95
1.05
1.06
.81
1.18
Iron and steel:
Jan u a ry ____ _________
F eb ru ary ___ _________
M arch_______________
A pril_______ _________
M ay _______ _________
J u n e --, --- - -,
Ju ly ------------ ------------August
September October
Novem ber D ecember. - _
1. 81
1.91
1.91
2. 26
2. 13
1.87
1. 54
1. 61
1. 45
1. 13
1. 11
.82
Average ___ _
1.63
__
Discharge
M en’s clothing:
A pril. _-- __M ay . ___ ___ Ju n e-- - J u ly _____________
.71
.72
.71
.89
.87
.86
.94
1930
.64
.52
.41
.40
.41
.46
3.80
3. 39
3. 89
4. 28
3. 51
2.93
2. 68
3.01
2. 99
2. 26
1.93
1.39
Average ______
3. 01
Slaughtering and m eat
packing:
J a n u a ry .. . . . _____
F e b ru a ry ------------------M arch_______________
A pril________________
M a y ________________
Ju n e ________ ____ ___
J u ly _________________
A u g u st,_____ _
_ ...
Septem ber._ .
October ______
Novem ber December. _
2. 32
2. 37
2. 49
2.91
2.84
2. 72
2. 08
2. 09
2. 26
1. 70
1. 12
1.69
A v e ra g e .______
2.22
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1931
0. 25
.34
.37
.51
.25
.43
.30
.29
.35
.44
4. 50
.45
.34
.45
.42
.40
.49
.24
.26
.22
.20
. 13
. 10
.09
. 15
.12
. 15
. 15
. 11
. 12
. 12
. 15
.23
. 23
1. 18
1.37
1.47
.92
1.35
.96
1.07
.93
. 95
.72
.83
.93
.43
.50
.51
.46
.50
.33
.32
1. 06
1.29
1.56
1.41
1.42
1. 35
1.36
1.38
1.24
1.15
1.22
1. 32
1. 71
2. 25
2. 29
2. 05
2.10
2. 25
1.95
2. 23
.91
.96
.86
. 75
.79
.88
.79
.72
. 65
. 73
. 56
. 57
.76
1931
4.84
3.86
4. 52
3.31
5. 72
4. 83
3. 83
1. 36
1.03
1. 38
1.90
2.16
2. 65
1.74
.61
.68
.37
.47
.43
.52
.49
1930
6. 75
6.17
6.18
6.11
5. 04
4. 85
5. 09
7. 20
7. 69
3. 50
3.40
3. 58
4. 00
4.24
4. 61
4. 07
3. 92
3. 83
3. 58
3.19
3.15
1931
5.64
4. 77
5. 69
4. 77
7.02
6. 32
4.94
N et turnover rate
1930
1930
3. 34
2. 87
3.82
5. 09
5. 34
7. 07
3.72
2. 48
2.35
2. 16
1.90
2.21
2. 94
3. 18
3. 62
2. 80
5. 52
5. 09
4. 06
3. 88
3. 25
2. 56
2. 27
1.91
2. 32
1. 74
1.31
1.40
5. 24
5. 51
4. 78
4.66
3.81
4.89
5. 62
3. 72
3. 00
2. 11
9 ?9
8. 02 9.50 9. 42 9. 39
4. 56 8. 75 6. 28 9. 11
4. 56 8.90 6.81 7.91
7. 17 10. 17 9.42 9. 66
6. 43 12.96 8. 66 10. 09
8.70 9. 24 10. 16 5. 85
5. 35 10. 73 7. 02 6. 17
10. 03
6. 71
11. 58
6. 93
9. 56
8. 32
4. 96
9.99
9. 74
4. 51
10.10
7.47
6. 68
7.70
7.51
4.47
4.14
4.59
5. 34
5.14
3. 79
4. 67
4.80
5. 59
4.40 9.91
6.48 11.03
6.88 10.86
5.02 8.13
4. 13 7.77
3.90 8.19
5. 59 8. 21
7. 95
6. 70
7.10
6. 48
7. 85
6. 30 10. 02
8.72 7. 39
8. 66 5. 23
6.91 8. 47
5.91 9.01
5.78 10. 34
7.46 6. 92
6. 34
7. 33
7. 62
7. 30
6. 24
5. 37
8. 35
7. 68
3. 34
2.87
3.82
5. 09
5. 04
4. 85
3. 72
2.48
2. 35
1931
5. 24
4. 77
4. 78
4.66
3.81
4. 89
4.94
4. 01
2. 52
2. 24
2. 03
1. 69
1. 57
1.20
2. 32
2. 94
6. 03
[605]
1931
4.01
3. 76
2. 20
1. 46
. 56
. 97
4. 52
3. 99
3.54
4.97
8.10
5. 35
6. 98
6. 09
7.64
6. 58
7. 23
7.42
Accession
rate
Total
6.12
1.82
.31
.97
1.22
1.74
1. 79
1.73
1. 13
1.35
1930
4. 38
4. 39
4. 33
4. 50
3. 45
3. 30
3.61
5.92
6. 66
1.40
1. 39
1. 32
1. 12
Sawmills:
Jan u a ry _____________
F eb ru ary ------------------M arch_______________
A pril________________
M ay ------------------------Ju n e _________________
Ju ly -------------------------A u g u st...
Septem ber. October
_ _
N ovem ber__
D ecem ber_________ _
Lay-off
3. 50
3. 40
3. 58
3. 88
3. 25
2.56
2. 27
1.91
2. 32
1. 74
1. 31
1.40
2.16
1.90
2. 03
1.69
1.57
1.20
2.32
2. 94
3. 22
3. 10
4. 05
4. 16
3. 22
3. 00
2. 11
2. 32
9.99 9. 39
7.44 8. 75
7.07 7.91
7.21 9.66
7.97 10. 09
6.41 5. 85
4. 53 6.17
6. 71
6.93
8. 32
4.96
4. 51
9.42
6.28
6.81
7.21
7.97
6.41
4. 53
7.47
9. 50
5.02
5.19
6. 31
6. 92
6. 08
6.46
9.91
7. 39
5.23
8.13
7. 77
8.19
6. 92
6. 34
6. 70
7.10
6. 48
6. 24
7.68
6. 30
5.02
5.19
6.31
5.91
5. 78
6. 46
120
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
T a b l e 2 —A V E R A G E L A B O R T U R N O V E R R A T E S IN S P E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S —C ontinued
B.—E quivalen t A n n u a l B ates
Separation rates
Q uit
In d u stry and m onth
Automobiles:
Jan u ary ____ „________
F eb ru ary ____________
M arch _______________
A pril________________
M a y ________________
Ju n e ________________
Ju ly _________________
A ugust . _______ _
September
October
Novem ber
D ecem ber..
. .
Average
.
1930
1931
1930
32.5
15.1
21.3
26.9
25.9
19.4
13.4
14. 5
15.7
14.0
9.9
10.4
6.4
9.6
12.8
17.8
16. 5
11.0
11. 7
10.8
5.0
6.6
6.1
5.9
4.7
2.8
4. 5
4.0
2.9
1.9
2.0
__ 18.3
Boots and shoes:
Jan u ary ______________
F eb ru ary ____________
M arch _______________
A pril________________
M a y ________________
Ju n e_________________
Ju ly _________________
A u g u s t._____ _____
Septem ber___________
October. . . _________
Novem ber . _______
December . _______
23.2
25.2
23.5
30.2
24.2
23.0
24.0
.25.8
24. 5
20. 1
12. 2
12.1
14. 5
16.6
18.6
24.0
18.5
19.6
20.7
11.8
13.0
16.0
20.0
18.0
15.2
17.4
17.7
22.1
22.9
22.0
15.7
13. 1
11.9
13.0
10.0
8.0
6. 5
Average____ _______ 14.8
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1930
4.4
4.0
5.9
5.1
5.8
4.9
6.2
14.9
17.9
15.8
25.9
29.1
22.1
20.7
33.4
33.8
32.1
53.3
45.7
10.4
10.4
9.7
9.3
6.6
5.1
5.3
5.4
5.5
2.7
3.1
6.7
Accession
rate
N et turnover rate
1930
1930
T otal
1930
1931
22.1
16.0
13.7
18.6
27.9
22. 5
16.5
4.7
4.4
4.2
5.2
4.4
5.6
4.7
48.8
101.8
66.3
93.0
25.4
25.0
25.9
27.1
24.4
26.4
39.3
42.1
29. 7
24.6
26.5
22.6
26.5
38.1
34.9
48.5
55.0
53.9
48.0
46. 5
47.2
34.9
36. 5
42. 7
[ 606]
41.0
36.6
38.2
47.7
52.2
47.0
49.4
57.7
30.6
24.4
23.5
30.7
27.1
27.3
36.1
28.3'
2. 6
2.9
2.9
4.4
2.9
3.0
2.4
47.3
52.2
47.0
64.4
59.5
51.4
51.4
67.8
64. 5
57.7
68.8
60.6
54.6
70.6
67.5
79.8
77.3
72.1
65. 2
64. 9
62. 7
45. 6
46.1
64. 2
34.4 111.7
53.7 50.2
91.3 51.9
63.4 57.0
40.1 46.8
35.4 28.5
48.5 32.7
43.4
46.6
47.3
58.0
40.4
47.1
41.8
43.7
55.9
49.5
48.1
58.2
52.7
76.7
57.9
52.8
58.3
63.0
84.3
57.2
54.5
48.1
44.3
37.1
26.6
30.1
29. 8
26. 7
22. 5
24.1
36. 5
34.4
34.6
37.5
45.8
40.1
35.4
48.5
41.0
36.6
38.2
47.7
52.2
47.0
49.4
41.8
42.0
51.0
52.6
57.1
41.3
44.5
54.4
42. 0
36.0
37.5
45.5
56.1
69.8
65.4
65.8
47.3
40.3
37.4
33.6
37. 5
46.0
51.4
48.0
36.4
24.1
29.3
43.1
105. 6
92. 9
81. 2
70.9
53.0
43.4
49.1
52.0
46.5
39.6
29.1
32.0
55. 7
51. 1
35. 7
17. 2
1931
62.6
41.8
56.3
27. 3
27.4
32.0
40.0
57.8
54.0
55.4
70.3
40.3
37.4
33.6
37.5
46.0
55.8
48. 0
36.4
24.1
29.3
43. 1
66. 7
130. 4
81.4
109.8
57.5
58.6
00.7
64.6
58.7
58.6
68.3
66.1
58. 2
46. 8
45. 6
32.2
1931
62. 6
83.8
28.7
7.4
7.8
5.4
5.9
7.7
7.8
8.1
8.3
6.5
7.1
6.5
5.4
5.6
5.6
4.3
2.8
1931
60.8
6.3
6.1
7.2
10.6
11. 7
9.1
8.4
8.0
Lay-off
2.1 68.4 31.0 111.7 39.5 158.9
2.7 30.1 22.3 50.2 34.6 61.8
4.6 24.0 20.1 51.9 37.5 81.4
5.4 24.0 22.6 57.0 45.8 90. 7
4.6 65.8 36.1 97.6 57.2 46.8
2.6 71.8 128.6 95.9 142.2 28.5
3.9 111.6 81.1 127.8 96.7 32.7
90.2
43. 4
109.2
90.3
110.0
46.6
63.4
80.3
47.3
46.2
72.4
58.0
43.4
40.4
55.8
6.6
Average____________ 21.8
Foundries and machine
shops:
Jan u a ry ______ _______
F e b ru a ry __________ _
M arch _______________
A pril________ ____ ___
M a y .. _____ ______
J u n e ________________
Ju ly _________________
A ugust. ______
Septem ber___ ____
O ctober.. . . . . . . . . . .
Novem ber ._
D ecem ber______
9.2
9. 1
7.7
8.3
6.2
5.7
6.7
8.6
6.2
5. 5
3.3
2.8
10. 5
20.8
9.7
10.9
24.4
25. 8
26.7
29. 2
27.8
25.1
22.5
18.6
22.9
16.6
14.8
6.8
1931
4.8
Average____________ 22.4
Brick:
A pril________________
M a y ___________ _____
J u n e _________ _______
Ju ly _________________
C otton manufacturing:
Jan u a ry _____________
F e b ru a ry ____________
M arch _______________
A pril_______________
M a y ________________
Ju n e _________________
J u ly -------------------------August _____________
Septem ber_______
O ctober.. .
. . ...
Novem ber . _ . . . . . .
December___
.......
Discharge
66 7
92 9
81. 2
70. 9
53.0
43.4
49.1
52.0
46.5
39.6
29.1
32. 0
55. 7
46.8
35.7
17.2
42.0
41.8
43.7
55.9
41.3
44.5
54.4
41.7
34. 5
38.6
39.8
37.5
28.7
23.7
31.0
54.6
54.5
48.1
44.3
37.1
26.6
30.1
29.8
26. 7
22. 5
24.1
36. 5
34 5
37.5
39.8
37.5
28.7
23.7
31.0
121
LABOR TURNOVER
T a b l e 2 .—A V E R A G E LA B O R T U R N O V E R R A T E S IN S P E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S —C ontinued
B.—E quivalen t A n n u a l R ates—C ontinued
Separat ion rates
In d u stry and m onth
Q uit
1930
F urniture:
Jan u a ry ______ _______
February ___________
M arch ______________
A p ril.______ ________
M a y ___ ____ _________
J u n e _________ i ______
J u l y . . . . _____________
A ugust___________ . .
Septem ber___________
O ctober______________
N ovem ber____ _______
D ecem ber____________
21.1
14.8
17.5
14.2
13.9
13.3
12.1
12.0
8.0
1931
6.5
7.4
9.4
11.6
12.4
12.9
9.5
Average____________ 14.1
Iron and steel:
Jan u a ry — :___________
F eb ru ary ------------------M arch ...............................
A p ril..................... ...........
M a y ..................................
J u n e _________________
J u l y . . . ................... .........
AUgUSt______________
Septem ber___________
October........ ............... .
N ovem b er-..................—
D ecem ber____________
21.3
24.9
22.5
27.5
25.1
22.8
18.1
18.9
17.6
13.3
13.5
9.7
Average______ ____ _ 19.6
M en’s clothing:
A pril__________ ______
M a y ____________ ____
J u n e . . ............... ..............
J u l y . . . .............................
Sawmills:
Jan u a ry ____ ____ ____
F e b ru a ry ............... .........
M arch _______________
A p ril.______ _________
M a y _________________
Ju n e ________________
Ju ly .................................
A ugust______________
Septem ber........ ..............
O ctober______________
N ovem ber.......................
D ecem ber________ ___
7.8
6.1
5.0
4.7
4.8
5.6
5.3
3. 5
4.1
5.3
4.4
5.3
5.1
4.7
6.0
2.8
3.1
2.7
2.4
1.6
1.2
17.0
16.4
16.1
13.2
44.7
44.2
45.8
52.1
41.3
35.7
31.5
35.4
36.4
26.6
23. 5
16.4
11.4
15.9
20.5
21.8
20.4
13.8
15.9
27.3
30.9
29.3
35.4
33.4
33.1
24.5
24.6
27.5
20.0
13.6
19.9
Average........................ J 26.6
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
15.2
20. 3
16.6
17.3
15.9
16.6
16.2
13.9
17.9
17.3
11.2
15.9
11.7
12.6
10.9
11.6
8.5
10.1
10.9
Lay-off
1931
2.9
4.4
4.4
6.2
2.9
5.2
3.5
1930
53.3
51.6
52.7
53.0
40. 6
40.2
42. 5
72.0
78.4
1.1
2.0
1.4
1.8
1.8
1.3
1.4
14.6
15.0
14.4
16.1
20.1
27.4
27.0
24.1
26.3
26. 5
23. 7
26.2
57.0
50.3
53.2
40.3
67.3
58.8
45.1
Total
1930
82.2
72.5
75.2
71.9
59. 3
59. i
59.9
87. 5
90. 5
1931
66.4
62.1
67.0
58.1
82.6
76.9
58.1
73.1
16.0
13.4
16.2
23.1
25.4
32.3
20.5
21.8
41.2
44.3
42.2
48.7
49.9
56.2
47.9
46.1
46. 6
42. 2
38. 8
37.1
1930
40.6
33.8
46.5
59.9
62. 9
86.0
43.8
30. 2
27. 7
1931
61. 7
71. 9
56. 3
56.7
44.8
59.5
66.1
47. 9
25.5
24.8
26.0
35.7
37.4
44.1
33.0
45.1
65.0
66.4
47.8
47.2
38.3
31.2
26.7
22. 5
28. 2
20. 5
15. 9
16. 5
N et tu rn
over rate
1930
40.6
33.8
46.5
59.9
59. 3
59.1
43.8
30. 2
27. 7
1931
61. 7
62. ]
56. 3
56.7
44.8
59. 5
58.1
47.9
29.7
29.2
23.9
20.6
18.5
14.6
27.3
41.2
44.3
42.2
47.2
38.3
31.2
26.7
22. 5
28. 2
20. 5
15.9
16. 5
25.5
24.8
23.9
20.6
18.5
14.6
27.3
35.5
35.5
1.5
1.8
2.8
2. 7
26.8
17.2
6.8
11.4
45. 3
35.4
25 7
27.3
39.2
36. 5
49. 3
49.0
39. 2
35. 4
25. 7
27.3
5.1
6.5
6.0
5.6
5.9
4.0
3.8
53.2 94.4 111.8
52.0 59.5 114.1
41.7 53.7 104.8
60.5 87.3 123.8
95.3 75.7 152.5
65.1 105.9 112.5
82.2 63.0 126.3
71. 7
118. 0
93. 0
141. 0
77. 4
112. 5
121. 6
88.0
87.3
114.6
110.9
81.9
80.2
114.7
102.0
123.7
82.7
110.5 117.6 110.5
118.8 97.0 114.1
93.1 83.2 93.1
117.6 87.7 117.6
118.8 93.8 118.8
71.2 78.0 71.2
72.6 53.3 72.6
79.0
79.0
84.3
84. 3
97.9
97.9
60.4
60.4
53.1
53.1
110.9
81.9
80.2
87.7
93.8
78.0
53.3
12.7
72. 3
10.7
12.5
10.1
9.1
9.3
10.7
9.3
8.5
7.9
8.6
6.8
6.7
7.2 78.6
8.9 100.4
4.4 88.4
5.7 54.4
5.1 48.7
6.3 55.9
5.8 62.9
60. 5
46.1
55.0
58.4
65.8
9.2
1931
53.8
3. 7
Average____________ 36.1
Slaughtering and m eat
packing:
Jan u a ry ______________
F e b r u a r y .......................
M arch .......... ............ .......
A p ril......................... .......
M a y .......................... .......
J u n e ..................................
J u ly _________________
A ugust______________
Septem ber________ _
O ctober____________ _
N ovem ber_______
D ecem ber____________
1930
5.2
8.4
9.4
8.4
10.8
10.2
10.5
11.1
Accession
rate
Discharge
.......... 1
64.6
[6 0 7 ]
121.1
89.8
89.8
51.8 116.6 74.2 117.9 111.8 116. 6
84.5 143.8 113.7 96.4 65.5 96.4
81.0 127.8 102.0 61.6 61.1 61.6
61.1 98.9 84.1 103.1 76.8 98.9
48.6 91.4 69.6 106.0 81.4 91.4
47.5 99.7 70.4 125.8 74.0 99.7
65.8 96.7 87.8 81.4 76.0 81.4
74.6
74. 6
93.6
81.5
89. 2
81. 5
83.6
89. 7
83.6
78.8
88. 8
78.8
73.4
92. 4
73. 4
100.4
92.3
92.3
74.2
65.5
61.1
76.8
69.6
70.4
76.0
HOUSING
B u ild in g P e r m its in P r in c ip a l C itie s , J u ly , 1931
EPORTS of building permits issued have been received by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics from 338 identical cities, having a
population of 25,000 or over, for the months of June and July, 193.1,
and from 289 identical cities for the months of July, 1930, and July,
1931.
The cost figures as shown in the following tables apply to the cost
of the buildings as estimated by the prospective builder on applying
for his permit to build. No land costs are included. Only building
projects within the corporate limits of the cities enumerated are shown.
The States of Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and
Pennsylvania, through their departments of labor, are cooperating
with the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics in the collection
of these data.
Table 1 shows the estimated cost of new residential buildings, of
new nonresidential buildings, and of total building operations in 338
identical cities of the United States, by geographic divisions.
R
1 .— E S T IM A T E D CO ST OF N E W B U IL D IN G S A N D O F T O T A L B U IL D IN G C O N
S T R U C T IO N IN 338 ID E N T IC A L C IT IE S , AS SH O W N B Y P E R M IT S IS S U E D IN J U N E
A N D JU L Y , 1931, B Y G E O G R A P H IC D IV IS IO N S
T able
N ew residential buildings
Geographic division
E stim ated cost
Families pro
vided for in
new dwellings
June, 1931 July, 1931 June,
1931
$3, 208,170 $3,644,085
19,603,186 13,418,155
5,024, 560 4, 918,024
2,214,023 2, 032, 320
2,982,800 2,802, 312
2, 668,065 2, 264, 211
5, 688, 277 5,069,015
605
4,277
987
592
653
711
1,676
T o ta l___ _______ 41, 389,081 34,148,122
Per cent of c h a n g e . __
-1 7 .5
9,501
New E ngland________
M iddle A tlan tic. ____
E ast N o rth C en tral___
W est N o rth C en tral__
South A tlantic____ _
South C entral____ . . .
M ountain and Pacific..
July,
1931
N ew nonresiden
tial buildings
(estim ated cost)
T otal construction,
including a l t e r a
tions and r e p a i r s
(estim ated cost)
June, 1931 July, 1931 June, 1931 July, 1931
612 $3, 794,199 $7,977,913
2,945 13, 654,798 21,811,833
925 8,037, 216 6,157,918
516 4,600,844 2,458,433
691 4, 394,922 6,133,958
681 3,427,886 6,432, 440
1,474 7,259,371 7,205, 657
$9, 686,140 $14,432, 729
38, 566, 255 41, 776, 379
16,414,038 13,971,961
7,891, 757 5, 671, 662
9, 555,893 10, 729,968
7,153, 278 9, 601, 656
15,453,925 14, 729,840
7,844 45,169,236 58,178,152 104, 721,286 110,914,195
-1 7 .4
+28.8
+ 5 .9
The estimated cost of total building operations in these 338 cities
for the month of July, 1931, was $110,914,195, which is 5.9 per cent
more than the estimated cost of buildings for which permits were
issued during the month of June, 1931. Permits issued for new
residential buildings showed a decrease of 17.5 per cent in indicated
expenditure. However, permits issued for new nonresidential build
ings showed an increase of 28.8 per cent.
In these 338 cities, 7,844 family dwelling units were provided in
the new buildings for which permits were issued during the month
of July, 1931. This is 17.4 per cent less than the number of family
dwelling units provided in new buildings in these cities during the
month of June, 1931. An increase of 13.6 per cent was shown in the
122
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 608]
123
HOUSING
indicated expenditure for new residential buildings, in the New Eng
land States. Each of the other geographic divisions registered
decreases in expenditures for this class of building. The decreases
ranged from 2.1 per cent in the East North Central States to 31.6
per cent in the Middle Atlantic States. Increases in indicated ex
penditures for new nonresidential buildings are shown in the New
England States, the Middle Atlantic States, the South Atlantic
States, and the South Central States. Decreases in projected ex
penditure for new nonresidential buildings are shown in the East
North Central States, the West North Central States, and the Middle
Pacific States. The increases ranged from 39.6 per cent in the South
Atlantic States to 110.3 per cent in the New England States. The
decreases ranged from seven-tenths of 1 per cent in the Mountain
and Pacific States to 46.6 per cent in the West North Central States.
Increases in expenditures for total building operations were shown in
the New England States, the Middle Atlantic States, the South
Atlantic States, and the South Central States. Decreases were
shown in the East North Central States, the West North Central
States, and the Mountain and Pacific States. Of the geographic
divisions registering increases, the Middle Atlantic States showed
the smallest percentage of increase—8.3 per cent. The largest per
centage of increase was registered in the New England States, 49 per
cent. Decreases in the number of family dwelling units provided
occurred in each of the geographic divisions except the New England
and the South Atlantic, where there was an increase of 1.2 per cent and
5.8 per cent, respectively. The decreases ranged from 4.2 per cent in
the South Central States to 31.1 per cent in the Middle Atlantic States.
Table 2 shows the estimated cost of additions, alterations, and
repairs, as shown by permits issued, together with the percentage of
increase or decrease in July, 1931, as compared with June, 1931, in
338 identical cities of the United States, by geographic divisions.
T able 2 .—E S T IM A T E D CO ST O F A D D IT IO N S , A L T E R A T IO N S , A N D R E P A IR S IN 338
ID E N T IC A L C IT IE S AS SH O W N B Y P E R M IT S IS S U E D IN J U N E A N D JU L Y , 1931, BY
G E O G R A P H IC D IV IS IO N S
E stim ated cost
Geographic division
N ew E n g lan d ____ . . . . . . ______
M iddle A tlan tic_______ _______ .
E ast N o rth C entral ___________
W est N o rth Central. _ _ . _____
South A tlantic___ ___________
S o u th c e n tra l_____ .
M ountain and Pacific__________
T o t a l _____________ _ . . .
Per cent of
increase or
decrease in
July com
pared w ith
June
June, 1931
Ju ly , 1931
$2, 683, 771
5, 308, 271
3, 352, 262
1,076,890
2,178,171
1,057, 327
2,506,277
$2, 810, 731
6,546,391
2, 896,019
1,180,909
1, 793, 698
905,005
2, 455,168
+4. 7
+23.3
-1 3 .6
+ 9 .7
-1 7 .7
-1 4 .4
- 2 .0
18,162,969
18, 587, 921
+ 2 .3
Permits issued in these 338 cities show an increase of 2.3 per cent
in the total estimated cost of repairs, additions, and alterations during
the month of July, 1931, as compared with the month of June, 1931.
Increases in projected expenditures for repairs were shown in the New
England States, the Middle Atlantic States, and the West North
Central States. The other four geographic divisions show decreases
in this class of building.
72574°—31-----9
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[609]
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
12 4
Table 3 shows the index numbers of families provided for and the
index numbers of indicated expenditures for new residential, new
nonresidential, for additions, alterations, and repairs, and for total
building operations. These indexes are worked on the chain system,
with the monthly average of 1929 equaling 100.
T a b le 3 .—IN D E X N U M B E R S O P F A M IL IE S P R O V ID E D F O R A N D O F T H E E S T IM A T E D
COST O F B U IL D IN G O P E R A T IO N S AS SH O W N B Y P E R M IT S IS S U E D IN P R IN C IP A L
C IT IE S OF T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S , JA N U A R Y , 1930, TO JU L Y , 1931, IN C L U S IV E
{M onthly average, 1929=100]
E stim ated cost of—
Families
provided
for
M onth
1930
F e b ru a ry _____________________ - M arch
___________________
April
_ ___________ ___________
M ay _____ _______ _____________
June _ _________ ____ ______________
Ju ly
______________________
A ugust ____ _______
__________
September
____________ _______
October
_________________ -- N ovem ber ______________ _______
T)ppp.mhp.r
1931
F ebruary________________ _______ ___
M arch
_ _ __ ______ - _________
A pril_______ ____________ ______ ____
M ay _____________ ___ _ ___________
Jun e. ___- _____ - ___ ___
____
Ju ly ______________________________
N ew resi
dential
buildings
N ew nonres A dditions, T otal build
alterations, ing opera
idential
tions
buildings
and repairs
34.2
43.0
57. 1
62.0
59.6
54.4
49.9
4S.7
51.3
58.3
52.9
45.0
29.4
34.7
47.2
51.0
48.5
45. 1
44. 1
43.4
44.4
44.9
42.5
37.6
64.3
51.8
87.1
100. 1
90.7
82.5
86.7
67.2
73.8
53.5
54.4
64.3
55.1
57.5
77.5
81.8
84.5
74.6
77.4
58.6
64. 2
58.1
37.8
53.5
46.1
44.1
66.4
73.8
69.3
63.3
64.8
54.4
58.2
49.7
46.3
50.1
39.1
40.3
53.4
64.6
51.7
43.4
35.8
30.8
30.3
40.7
48.6
39.8
33.4
27.6
43.4
43.8
76.4
73.9
58.5
41. 7
53.7
55.5
48.6
58.0
65.2
53.0
56.5
57.8
38.9
37.9
57.1
60.6
48.8
39.4
41.7
The index number of new residential buildings stood at 27.6 for
July, 1931. The July, 1931, index number of new residential build
ings is lower than for any month of 1930, or for any of the previous
months of 1931. The July, 1931, index number of new nonresidential
buildings is higher than for June, 1931, but lower than for July, 1930.
The index number of total building operations for the month of July,
1931, was 41.7. This is 2.3 points higher than the index number for
June, 1931, but 23.1 points lower than for July, 1930.
Table 4 shows the value of contracts let for public buildings by the
different agencies of the United States Government during the months
of June, 1931, and July, 1931, by geographic divisio is.
T a b l e 4.—C O N T R A C T S L E T
OF T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S
G E O G R A P H IC D IV IS IO N S
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
F O R P U B L IC B U IL D IN G S B Y D IF F E R E N T A G E N C IE S
G O V E R N M E N T D U R IN G J U N E A N D JU L Y , 1931, BY
Geographic division
N ew England_________________
M iddle A tla n tic ______________
E ast N o rth C en tral____________
W est N o rth C e n tra l___________
South A tlan tic. _______________
South C entral _
_________
M ountain a n d Pacific__________
T o tal. _________________
[ 610 ]
June, 1931
Ju ly , 1931
$1,201, 064
867,109
1, 211,009
165, 963
4,196, 442
1, 241, 636
2, 712,194
$337, 228
659,826
569,083
254, 238
2,128, 246
3, 242, 303
1,984,100
11, 595,417
9,175,024
125
HOUSING
Government contracts were let during the month of July, 1931, for
buildings to cost $9,175,024. These contracts were let by the following
Federal agencies: United States Capitol Architect; the Office of the
Quartermaster General, War Department; Bureau of Yards and
Docks, Navy Department; Supervising Architect, Treasury Depart
ment; and the United States Veterans’ Bureau.
Table 5 shows the value of contracts awarded by the different State
governments for public buildings during the months of June, 1931,
and July, 1931, by geographic divisions.
5.— C O N T R A C T S A W A R D E D F O R P U B L IC B U IL D IN G S B Y T H E D IF F E R E N T
S T A T E G O V E R N M E N T S D U R IN G JU N E A N D JU L Y , 1931, BY G E O G R A P H IC D IV ISIO N S
T able
Geographic division
New England..................................
M iddle A tlantic_______________
E ast N o rth C entral___ _________
W est N o rth C entral____________
South A tla n tic .._______________
South C entral............. ......................
M ountain and Pacific__________
Total
.................................
June, 1931
J u l y , 1931
$175, 601
2,056, 025
828, 090
914, 390
981, 568
47, 787
230, 634
$3, 598, 023
4, 542, 542
167,011
484, 900
177, 661
881,047
338, 317
5, 234,095
10,189, 501
Contracts let by the different State Governments during July, 1931,
for new building operations totaled $10,189,501, which is nearly twice
as much as the value of contracts awarded during the month of
June, 1931. Whenever a contract was let by the Federal Govern
ment or by a State government for buildings in cities having a popu
lation of 25,000 or over, the cost of such building is included in the
costs shown in the several tables.
Table 6 shows the estimated cost of new residential buildings, of
new nonresidential buildings, and of total building operations in 289
identical cities having a population of 25,000 or over for July, 1930,
and July, 1931, by geographic divisions.
6.—E S T IM A T E D C O ST OF N E W B U IL D IN G S A N D O F T O T A L B U IL D IN G C O N
S T R U C T IO N IN 289 ID E N T IC A L C IT IE S , AS SH O W N B Y P E R M IT S IS S U E D IN JU L Y ,
1930, A N D JU L Y , 1931, BY G E O G R A P H IC D IV IS IO N S
T able
N ew residential buildings
E stim ated cost
Geographic division
July,
1930
July,
1931
Fam ilies pro
vided for in
new dwellings
Ju ly ,
1930
July,
1931
N ew nonresiden
tial buildings
(estim ated cost)
July,
1930
July,
1931
T otal construction,
including altera
tions and repairs
(estim ated cost)
July,
1930
July,
1931
$3, 928, 265 $3, 501, 385
24, 376,422 13, 325, 655
7, 432, 387 4,457,034
3,147,198 1,993, 620
2, 763, 375 2, 739,472
3, 829, 845 2, 084, 356
7, 245, 708 4, 427, 586
665
4,107
1,550
605
560
1,002
1.960
596 $6,877,443 $7, 966, 228 $14,073,122 $14,241,129
2,925 38, 684, 885 21, 747, 758 71,800, 333 41, 556, 660
832 15, 651,128 5,818, 772 29,196, 374 12,802,452
507 5,235, 764 2,456, 658 9, 814, 244 5, 576,437
668 5, 406,130 , 049, 598 10, 041, 504 10, 537,531
616 7, 495, 970 6, 275, 023 12, 748, 490 9, 095, 759
1,343 6,441, 575 7,063,025 16, 299, 047 13,887,526
T otal _________ 52, 723, 200 32, 529,108
-3 8 .3
Per cent of change
10, 449
7, 487 85, 792,895 57,377,062 163, 973,114 107, 697,494
-2 8 .3
-3 3 .1
-3 4 .3
N ew E n g la n d .._ . . . .
M iddle A tlantic______
E ast N o rth C en tral___
W est N o rth C entral__
South A tlan tic. _ ____
South C entral___
M ountain and Pacific..
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
6
[611]
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
IN D E X E S OF COST OF B U ILD IN G O P E R A T IO N S .
MONTHLY
AVERAGE.
NEW
100
1 9 2. 9
= 100.
R E S ID E N T IA L .
100
75
75
1930
50
/
/ /
193
50
/
~ --- — —
—
\ s
X
25
25
NEW
too
N O N R E S ID E N T IA L .
/
7S
\
&
/
/
//
//
//
\
\ //
50
100
/ \
/
^1930
\ s
s
\ S
100
\
\
\
75
\
\ / / \
\
\
/
/
/
50
7
TOTKT-
in c l u d in g
75
s\
/
/ I93C]
r e p a ir s .
00
75
>s
\
\
/
//
//
-—
—. /
50
^
a l t e r a t io n s
\
\
\
\
\
^X
50
1931
p/
25
o
ni
o
r
ili
or
-ar
V
c
3
< T U 1 <^ Q - <C
^ > u, e < £ * d
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 612]
o
oì
uJ
H
O
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3
O
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25
127
HOUSING
The estimated cost of total building operations for which permits
were issued in these 289 identical cities during the month of July,
1931, showed a decrease of 34.3 per cent as compared with the esti
mated cost of buildings for which permits were issued during the
month of July, 1930. New residential buildings show a decrease of
38.3 per cent in estimated cost, and new nonresidential buildings, a
decrease of 33.1 per cent in estimated cost, comparing these two
periods. The number of family dwelling units provided for in new
buildings decreased 28.3 per cent.
Decreases in new residential buildings were shown in each of the
seven geographic divisions. The decreases ranged from nine-tenths
of 1 per cent in the South Atlantic States to 45.6 per cent in the
South Central States. Increases in projected expenditures for new
nonresidential buildings occurred in the New England States, the
South Atlantic States, and the Mountain and Pacific States. The
other four geographic divisions showed decreases. Increases in total
building construction were shown in the New England States and in
the South Atlantic States. Decreases occurred in each of the other
geographic divisions. There were decreases in the number of fami
lies provided for in all districts except the South Atlantic States.
Table 7 shows the estimated cost of additions, alterations, and
repairs, as shown by permits issued, together with the percentage of
increase or decrease in July, 1931, as compared with July, 1930, in
289 identical cities, by geographic divisions.
T a b i e 7 .—E S T IM A T E D C O ST O P A D D IT IO N S , A L T E R A T IO N S , A N D R E P A IR S IN 289
ID E N T IC A L C IT IE S AS SH O W N B Y P E R M IT S IS S U E D IN JU L Y , 1930, A N D JU L Y , 1931,
BY G E O G R A P H IC D IV IS IO N S
—
E stim ated cost
Geographic division
Per cent of
change, July,
1931, compared w ith
July, 1930
July, 1930
July, 1931
N ew E n g lan d __ ____________
M iddle A tlan tic.- _____________
E ast N o rth C entral__ ______
W est N o rth C entral. ------- -------South A tlantic. . . . . ------------South C en tral______ _________
M ountain and Pacific-----------------
$3,267,414
8,739,026
6,112,859
1,431, 282
1,871,999
1,422, 675
2,611,764
$2, 773,516
6,483, 247
2,526, 646
1,126,159
1,748,461
736, 380
2, 396, 915
-1 5 .1
-2 5 .8
-5 8 .7
-2 1 .3
- 6 .6
-4 8 .2
- 8 .2
T o tal_____________ ______
25,457,019
17, 791, 324
-3 0 .1
There was a decrease of 30.1 per cent in the estimated cost of repairs
to old buildings for which permits were issued during the month of
July, 1931, as compared with the month of July, 1930. All geographic
divisions showed decreases in the estimated cost of repairs. The
smallest decrease occurred in the South Atlantic States and the
largest in the East North Central States.
Table 8 shows the estimated cost of new residential buildings, of
new nonresidential buildings, and of total building operations, to
gether with the number of families provided for in new buildings in
338 identical cities for June, 1931, and July, 1931. Reports were
received from 51 cities in the New England States; 66 cities in the
Middle Atlantic States; 92 cities in the East North Central States;
25 cities in the West North Central States; 37 cities in the South
Atlantic States; 32 cities in the South Central States; and 35 cities in
the Mountain and Pacific States.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[613]
128
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Permits were issued for the following important building projects
during the month of July, 1931 : In New Haven, Conn., a permit was
issued for a divinity school to cost $1,500,000; in Cambridge, Mass.,
for a laboratory to cost $700,000; in Providence, R. L, for a second
section of the Providence County Court House to cost $1,277,508;
in Elizabeth, N. J., for a court house and jail to cost nearly $1,500,000;
in Philadelphia, Pa., for a new railroad station and office building to
cost $10,000,000; in Pittsburgh, Pa., for an office building to cost
$1,150,000; in Evanston, 111., for a public library to cost $1,100,000;
and in Baltimore, Md., for a public library to cost $2,225,000. In
Huntington, W. Va., a contract was let by the United States Veterans’
Bureau for a hospital to cost over $750,000. The Supervising Archi
tect of the Treasury Department let a contract for a post office and
Federal court house in Louisville, Ky., to cost over $1,500,000; for a
Federal office building in Seattle, Wash., to cost $1,294,000; and for
a post office in Fort Worth, Tex., to cost nearly $1,100.000.
No reports were received from New London, Conn.; Bangor, Me.;
Bayonne and Irvington, N. J.; Erie and Nanticoke, Pa.; Rock Island,
111.; Port Huron, Mich.; Newark and Zanesville, Ohio; University
City, Mo.; Jacksonville and West Palm Beach, Fla.; Lynchburg, Va.;
Fort Smith, _Ark.; Lexington, Ky.; Meridian, Miss.; Muskogee, Okla.;
Corpus Christi, Galveston, Laredo, Port Arthur, and San Angelo,
Tex.; Riverside, Calif.; and Salem, Oreg.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[614]
129
HOUSING
T a b i e 8 - E S T I M A T E D C O ST O F B U IL D IN G S F O R W H IC H P E R M IT S W E R E IS SU E D
I able a .
i
IN p i l I N C I p A L C IT IE S , J U N E A N D JU L Y , 1931
N ew
E n g la n d S ta te s
N ew residential buildings
S tate and city
N ew nonresidential
buildings (estim ated
Fam ilies pro
cost)
vided for in
new dwellings
E stim ated cost
June, 1931 July, 1931
C onnecticut:
B ridgeport---------B ristol--------------Greenwich---------H artfo rd -----------M erid en________
N ew B rita in ------N ew H aven-------N orw alk-----------Stam ford_______
T orrington--------W aterb u ry --------M aine:
L ew iston_______
P o rtla n d -----------M assachusetts:
B everly------------B oston 1-----------B rockton----------Brookline---------C am bridge-------Chelsea------------Chicopee----------E v e re tt------------Fall R iv er--------F itch b u rg ---------H averh ill---------H olyoke-----------Law rence---------Lowell_________
L y n n __________
M alden------------M edford----------N ew Bedford----N ew ton------------P ittsfield----------Q u in c y .-----------R evere-------------Salem---- ---------Somerville_____
Springfield-------T a u n to n ----------W alth am ______
W aterto w n------W orcester.--........
N ew H am pshire:
C oncord_______
M anchester------R hode Island:
C entral F a lls----C ran sto n ______
E ast Providence.
N ew p o rt_______
P aw tu ck et-------Providence_____
W oonsocket........
T o tal______
Per cent of change _
July,
1931
June,
1931
1
6,000
65.000
87.000
81.000
188, 500
35, 500
52,300
16, 500
101, 550
104, 300
65.800
21,000
6,000
0
June, 1931 July, 1931 June, 1931 July, 1931
34
$126,900
$223,900
9.500
167,000
54.400
4.800
11
7
7
3
15
17
6
2
34,200
47,500
12
19.400
47, 750
9.500
63, 810
17
15, 800
553,100
29, 400
24, 300
85, 500
7.100
107, 700
608,000
47.000
265, 500
3
129
7
3
8,000
17.100
16.100
13.800
2
3,200
10.500
6.500
15, 750
500
14.000
22.000
14, 000
22,100
34, 300
36, 800
127, 500
13.000
290, 700
98.100
89, 500
2.500
36.000
22.000
74, 370
6.500
50.800
182,000
204,450
0
111,000
0
8,000
9, 500
9,000
267,400
64,400
102, 700
0
265, 500
99.700
91.000
13.500
26, 500
11, 500
104.800
3,900
45,800
20, 500
101, 700
10, 500
23.000
17,600
19, 700
72.100
20,300
16, 500
27, 000
143,100
79, 500
54, 775
12, 500
52.700
130,000
3, 208,170
3,644,085
+13.6
0
2
7
146
6
12
12
4
4
3
5
3
4
0
3
1
1
1
3
4
2
2
2
3
5
7
7
24
3
32
19
32
25
13
22
0
31
19
17
3
1
6
4
24
2
9
4
23
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$44, 578
2,060
51, 700
358, 648
1,938
12,900
1,013, 775
8,875
9,950
4,435
4.600
$33,163
5,275
4, 450
332,136
2, 744
174,200
1, 506,325
7,020
I,
800
75,615
$292, 858
17,490
289, 200
993, 566
22, 417
35,679
1,190,437
210,167
108,430
375
28,215
52, 525
$175, 688
11, 275
219,100
466, 634
71,029
216, 586
1,691,030
125,670
77,875
13,130
150, 615
19, 200
426,005
14, 500
16, 541
40,200
503,086
42,000
101, 099
5,310
1,104,305
7,145
9,150
12,380
35, 500
186, 789
5,700
1,750
3,065
5, 765
4,110
1,844,789
15,025
4,000
939,225
1,100
8, 700
77,935
27,095
8,842
16,715
7,900
16,885
13, 220
12,635
10,060
9.000
20,005
18, 550
3,615
3,675
12, 500
22, 595
0
2, 000
612
+ 1.2
[615]
100
9,100
706, 250
53,135
1,715
2.975
6, 550
170, 042
7.200
6,960
101,820
15,650
I I , 950
27,225
195,510
9.500
5,450
44,800
2,325
27.975
3,625
4,075
56, 240
21, 510
121,695
34, 810
2,124,833 2,913,124
72, 815
51,385
322,905
53, 601
233,433 1,069,990
23, 800
54, 340
39,250
197, 514
743, 550
58, 700
73,905
9,342
92,195
14,965
14,440
27, 247
34,800
36, 050
204,273
39, 645
29, 695
122, 690
321,305
143,865
196,990
63,992
122,442
155, 775
31,125
38,250
329,855
361,885
303,110
329, 535
120,747
144,432
23,700
18,735
100,815
95, 500
48.490
57,825
170,234
105, 645
14, 212
19,126
149,868
63, 365
91,780
203, 200
164, 515
257,414
2.000
1.500
3,330
9,500
132,164
45, 500
50,332
3,400
7, 625
3,935
4,850
6, 550
62.600
4,759
2,170
8,250
5,585
39,985
81,450
42,623
33,050
42, 030
386,555
17,414
4,945
95,075
87,925
30, 860
82,880
2,713, 366
14.490
71,030
1 A pplications filed.
T otal construction,
including altera
tions and repairs
(estim ated cost)
3, 794,199
10.200
18,910
1,451,183
3,810
7,977,913
+110. 3
9, 686,140 14,432, 729
+49.0
130
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T a b l e 8 .—E S T IM A T E D C O ST OF B U IL D IN G S F O R W H IC H P E R M IT S W E R E IS SU E D
IN P R IN C IP A L C IT IE S , J U N E A N D JU L Y , 1931—C ontinued
M i d d l e A t l a n t i c S ta te s
N ew residential buildings
State and city
Fam ilies pro
vided for in
new dwellings
E stim ated cost
June, 1931 July, 1931
New Jersey:
$4,750
A tlantic C ity -----29, 500
Belleville________
75.000
Bloomfield______
4,800
C am den------------123,600
Clifton__________
9.000
E ast Orange------47.000
E lizab eth........ —
Garfield------------H oboken________
55.000
Jersey C ity --------14.000
K earney-----------49,950
M ontclair...........
175, 600
N ew ark------------6.000
N ew B runsw ick.
5,670
Orange_________
7, 500
Passaic_________
9,000
Paterson----------5, 770
P e rth A m boy----66,400
Plainfield..............
61,500
T ren to n _________
42.000
U nion C i t y . . . ---W est N ew Y o rk ..
N ew Y ork:
141,
A lbany-------------26,
A m sterdam -------16,
A u b u rn ---- --------50,
B ingham ton------477,
Buffalo--------------8,
E lm ira__________
11,
Jam estow n--------11,
K ingston-----------Lockport-----------17,
201,
M o u n t V ernon—
6,
N ew burgh---------226,
N ew Rochelle___
N ew York—
T h e Bronx L_ 3,166,950
Brooklyn 1— 4,288,325
M an h a tta n L 1,650,000
Queens 1------- 5,502,850
648, 550
R ichm ond L .
54,200
N iagara F alls-----41, 800
Poughkeepsie----82, 200
R ochester---------39, 000
Schenectady.........
134,300
Syracuse----------71,150
T ro y___________
18,000
U tica---------------20, 500
W atertow n-------276,000
W hite Plains___
387,850
Y onkers— ........ .
Pennsylvania:
75,
A llentow n--------17,
A ltoona________
5,
B ethlehem --------B u tle r--------------2,
C hester________
13,
E aston-------------11
,
H arrisburg............
24,
H azleton----------Johnstow n______
15,
Lancaster---------51,
M cK eesport-----N ew C astle------ 6,
29,
N orristow n-------532,
Philadelphia-----344,
P ittsb u rg h --------Reading................
1A pplications filed.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
0
0
June,
1931
July,
1931
2
10
$74,000
50.000
110,000
21, 500
117,300
40.000
44.000
4.500
0
0
21,250
24, 500
47, 200
5.500
73.500
5,750
0
0
0
1
28
4
4
36.000
24, 500
79.500
74, 500
0
0
3
6
6
8
12
34
1
1
3
14
156
123, 500
28, 500
205,380
20
8
0
3, 000
24.000
27, 500
13, 200
57, 400
598, 500
625,300
38.000
5
2
5
0
11
5
11
12
25
14
4
3
19
43
2,500
5,800
55,500
2
9
102
1
7
15
0
0
0
14
2
3
3
4
12
1,200
1
2
729
1,132
96
1,376
169
11,000
8
10
2
0
0
29, 500
51, 200
292,850
16, 500
7, 700
24.000
,
6
1
9
12
24
2
12
2
2
12, 000
524,
994,
0
1
16
976,
2,934,
506,
3,317,
437,
69,
44,
87,
18,
91,
79,
31,
0
13
11
119,800
0
June, 1931 July, 1931 June, 1931 J u ly ,1931
14
26
11
21
5
8
1
9
16
99,510
185,155
4,294
I , 875
14,264
24,700
740,425
302,875
9,160
7.050
28, 500
48, 597
10, 650
5,400
17,487
196, 245
4,100
1,550
4,900
4.050
9,445
18,425
1.800
1,250
I , 300
12,925
9, 643
276,505
20, 750
77, 350
629,311
100, 551
68, 357
34,730
261, 324
15, 568
89,409
101,195
62,135
6,885
$126,698
53, 425
129,100
39,665
191,850
97.015
1,484, 500
23,900
29,950
184,035
32,909
109, 382
1,066,183
20,226
60,006
60, 610
115,216
25,194
120,441
163,294
23,360
9,225
382,773
224, 206
11,030
15.000
8, 535
3,125
I I , 191 14,122
561,967
451, 226
10,330
418, 380
22,475
4,035
7,517
312,103
7.800
31, 565
44, 700
953, 650
42,400
936, 011
3,955
I , 950
447, 464
41,700
23, 680
130, 347
1,028, 329
444.400
22, 910
331,108
55,300
1,192,450
663.450
259,215
605,962
26,680
42,715
103,803
933.817
39,025
46,687
59,382
11,350
224,020
74, 550
269,305
$31,900
9, 575
4,000
9,275
26,000
14, 500
55.000
1,450
0
1
0
2
1
1
1
5
1
1
0
3
5
1
5
80
69
3
[616]
0
10
0
1
6
7
2
13
80
209
5
102,000
2,000
0
1,593, 200
1,281,230
1,838,875
1,761, 376
25,670
47,025
250
427,498
24,750
200,953
35,100
11
5,975
6
3,300
2
9,800
144
51,850
187
14
5
1
$80,127
50, 875
85, 500
28, 790
162.400
52, 427
$18,620
3,425
17,500
5.800
71,350
15, 700
1,435,500
2,050
267
631
90
736
128
15
6
16
3
17
0
T o tal construction,
including altera
tions and repairs
(estim ated cost)
N ew nonresidential
buildings (estim ated
cost)
25,075
5, 380
I I , 490
1,200
1,613,990 5,142,795 2,957,051
1,403, 630 6, 577,030 5.251,515
500,000 4,824, 660 2, 347,621
443,454 7,700,014 4,151, 323
996.818
745,422
112, 555
121,147
133,282
12,990
74,750
62,140
250
1,959,449
703,556
1,737,915
103,525
90,200
17, 250
541.015
372,413
187, 775
108,410
114.450
3,700
75,455
50, 500
18, 530
26,114
30,864
1,335
588,937
295,500
5.800
503, 540 I , 147,825
90,020
2,900
53,997
51,850
0
107,375
35,017
21,415
1,200
41,200
63,729
72,250
0
11,675
10, 225
6, 275
5, 550
20, 261
28,310
I I , 675
9,370
140,625
53,000
15, 350
10, 550
14,484
54, 764
7,485
8,270
12, 630
28,325
1,950
9,925
55,285
100,715
1,100
47,110
39,185
183,617
2,225
115,125
17,120
17,155
2,
670
3,275
117,861
107, 799
52,725
70, 241
1,163, 250 10,452, 500 2,055,185 II, 504, 555
939, 042 1,994, 202
283,135 1,191,170
131, 044
96, 370
50.800
65,935
131
HOUSING
T a b l e 8 —E S T IM V TED C O ST OF B U IL D IN G S F O R W H IC H P E R M IT S W E R E IS SU E D
IN P R IN C IP A L C IT IE S , JU N E A N D JU L Y , 1931—Continued
M i d d l e A t l a n t i c S ta te s — C ontinued
N ew residential buildings
State and city
E stim ated cost
Fam ilies pro
vided for in
new dwellings
June, 1931 July, 1931
June,
1931
July,
1931
$23,433
5,800
0
600
34, 500
8
2
5
5
6
7
2
0
1
6
T o tal. ___ . . . 19,603,186 13,418,155
-3 1 . 6
4,277
Pennsylvania— C on.
S c ra n to n ... ____
W ilkes-B arre...
W ilkinsburg_____
W illiam sport__ .
Y o rk .. _____ —
$25,100
4,800
24,000
10,730
34,600
N ew nonresidential
buildings (estimated
cost)
T otal construction,
including altera
tions and repairs
(estim ated cost)
June, 1931 July, 1931 June, 1931 July, 1931
$16,870
138,795
4,950
5, 384
35,752
$67,935
6,950
15, 595
1,703
30,400
$79,265
169,876
47,100
25, 219
89,805
$195, 297
137,996
22, 791
22,046
107, 708
2,945 13,654,798 21,811,833 38,566, 255 41,776,379
+ 8 .3
+59.7
-3 1 . 1
E a s t N o r th C e n tr â t S ta te s
Illinois:
A lton________
Aurora_______
Belleville_____
B erw yn............
B loom ington...
Chicago______
Cicero................
D anville_____
D ecatur______
E ast St. Louis.
Elgin________
E van sto n ____
G ranite C ity ...
Joliet________
M ayw ood____
M oline_______
Oak P a rk ____
Peoria_______
Q uincy_______
Rockford_____
Springfield___
W aukegan___
Indiana:
A nderson____
E ast Chicago—
E lk h art______
Evansville___
Fort W ay n e...
G ary________
H am m ond___
Indian ap o lis...
Kokomo_____
L afayette____
M arion______
M ishaw aka___
M uncie______
R ichm ond____
South B end___
T erre H a u te ....
M ichigan:
A nn A rbor.......
B attle C reek ...
B ay C ity .........
D earborn------D etro it_______
F lin t_________
G rand R apids.
H am tram ck__
Jackson___
Kalamazoo.
Lansing___
M uskegon..
$29,300
16, 425
51,600
6,000
5,000
442, 700
14, 800
7,600
26, 200
18, 800
15,600
49,000
0
8,000
0
19,400
10, 000
118, 100
9,000
31,500
91, 782
119,000
$4, 700
26,800
20,800
51, 600
0
521,150
35,800
7,400
9,000
47,000
10,790
26,000
0
15,000
0
37,150
37,000
98, 400
8,500
25,000
65,300
24,000
2
4
11
1
1
74
2
2
5
7
3
4
0
1
0
4
1
26
2
8
26
7
2
4
8
8
0
65
4
3
2
19
2
2
0
1
0
8
3
20
4
7
15
5
$33,460
1,850
500
2,975
2,000
846, 550
25, 985
2,050
3, 775
173,060
2,200
18,000
350
265,919
825
3, 215
3,715
5, 650
1, 209, 630
2,050
528,385
23, 950
$4, 275
19, 299
1,900
2,305
1,000
956,975
606,400
1, 500
2,525
7, 779
4, 500
1,252, 750
0
13,325
165, 935
14, 370
41, 085
4,325
1, 780
7,590
15,490
12,150
$77,171
35, 758
62, 000
13, 475
10,000
1,773,820
44, 360
74, 385
33, 625
215, 775
37,869
207, 500
350
290,160
4,505
49,496
32,465
140, 550
1, 220, 855
63,425
636, 586
149,050
$50, 941
72,479
23, 600
310,055
5,000
1,985, 512
646,185
10, 500
17, 625
63,679
34,109
1, 327, 750
300
48, 296
170, 232
69,841
84,835
114,815
12, 280
46, 645
112, 588
49,300
28,060
0
4,000
23, 250
69, 050
7,000
17,030
178, 200
0
17,000
9, 500
0
0
24,000
6,950
18.800
0
12,685
9,000
9,000
37, 600
79, 750
9, 600
0
208,800
0
6,800
1, 500
20,300
2,100
3,900
6,000
8,750
3,000
4
0
2
7
15
3
4
40
0
9
5
0
0
9
3
6
0
4
2
1
12
18
4
0
46
0
2
1
4
2
5
3
2
1
1.750
20, 515
955
38,300
179,198
2,475
51,513
256,766
1,300
245, 760
3, 750
1, 335
600
2,320
250
13, 270
8,880
2,068
54,498
1, 335
133, 895
9, 390
5,255
422, 319
132, 531
2,297
5,044
780
10, 275
1,975
900
8, 500
2,600
21, 605
40, 782
29, 296
17,159
86, 637
269, 940
13, 240
73, 603
489, 659
3, 650
267, 560
34,182
77,405
4,415
42,105
7,200
46,145
18,995
28, 610
69, 298
17, 404
192, 619
108, 977
30, 225
429,019
415, 458
6,131
14,044
4, 505
31, 573
4,995
11, 585
79, 200
2, 500
25, 500
69, 600
. 1,039,365
46.393
40, 900
0
0
0
19.100
11,000
12,600
20, 200
47,800
13,000
70, 900
700, 794
60, 685
30,050
0
8.500
10, 600
23,500
11,500
7,800
9
1
7
16
201
12
11
0
0
0
6
3
5
3
7
3
17
138
13
9
0
1
2
5
2
3
65, 500
20, 595
316, 700
2,050
522, 658
20, 706
78,525
725
825
81,165
101, 572
11, 660
1,700
26, 594
8,220
40,800
34,978
661, 534
68, 536
26 500
6, 700
23,000
13, 310
1, 820
99,125
1,417
167,435
34, 230
353, 735
77, 660
2,047,471
106,184
154,480
17, 735
4,745
86, 443
132,167
38,450
20,150
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[6 1 7 ]
21,200
34,495
51,355
'
68,627
58, 758
61,415
107, 528
1, 567,187
157,866
73,375
11, 260
36, 425
34, 700
41, 524
119,875
17,420
132
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
T a b l e 8 — E S T IM A T E D C O ST OF B U IL D IN G S F O R W H IC H P E R M IT S W E R E IS SU E D
IN P R IN C IP A L C IT IE S , JU N E A N D JU L Y , 1931—Continued
E a s t N o r th C e n tr a l S ta te s — C ontinued
N ew residential buildings
S tate and city
E stim ated cost
Fam ilies pro
vided for in
new dwellings
June, 1931 July, 1931 June,
1931
M ichigan—Con.
Pontiac...................
Saginaw_________
W yandotte______
Ohio:
A kron_____ _____
A shtabula_______
C anton_____ ____
C incinnati_______
C leveland___ _. _
Cleveland Heights.
C olum bus_______
D a y to n -------------E ast C leveland__
E lyria____ _____
H am ilton________
Lakewood_______
L im a....................
L o ra in .. . . ___
M ansfield______
M arion_________
M assillon___ ____
M iddletow n____
N orwood________
P ortsm outh______
Springfield.. _. .
Steubenville___
Toledo__________
W arren______ . . .
Y ou n g sto w n .. . .
Wisconsin:
A ppleton________
E a u C laire_____
Fond du Lac.
Green B ay ______
K enosha__ ____
M adison________
M ilw aukee...
O shkosh........ .........
Racine__________
Sheboygan______
Superior___
W est Allis_______
July,
1931
N ew nonresidential
buildings (estimated
cost)
T otal construction,
including altera
tions and repairs
(estim ated cost)
June, 1931 July, 1931 June, 1931 July, 1931
0
$4, 700
4,500
0
$13,900
19,800
0
2
1
$0
4
5
$29,875
8,470
7,245
$10,025
5,183
2,580
$33, 725
26,899
19,395
$15, 290
30,863
26, 680
46,950
6,200
18,000
691, 245
159, 500
103, 500
97,900
47, 900
0
3,500
8,800
48,000
0
13,000
45,500
0
6,500
0
4,000
300
57,500
0
75, S00
7,850
34,900
87, 250
0
13,000
737, 750
253, 500
78, 000
188, 200
58,000
0
6, 000
13,450
29, 000
0
11, 500
32, 900
0
4,000
0
0
0
7,500
35, 400
28,900
4, 450
40, 000
11
2
5
119
28
26
18
11
0
1
2
6
0
4
4
0
1
0
1
1
5
0
16
2
5
16
0
3
120
51
10
20
13
0
2
2
2
0
3
7
0
1
0
0
0
2
8
7
1
11
123, 601
31, 270
4,535
823, 855
992,300
3, 315
68,150
126,951
90
11,550
7,075
52,495
4, 300
1,665
1,875
1,360
1,115
2,450
700
1,995
3, 210
40,325
123,910
4,790
5,850
44, 399
1,085
21,160
111, 540
46, 200
17, 965
157, 550
26, 674
405
15,475
27, 720
3,295
750
25,885
15, 285
175
7,825
875
9,995
5,515
1, 500
650
74, 608
21,435
11, 720
235, 781
42,237
41,375
1, 598, 565
1, 423,475
112,415
197, 100
226, 717
1,895
17, 650
21, 709
102, 605
9,775
17, 665
49, 203
1,585
12. 770
6,385
14, 710
4,188
69, 890
43,450
255, 819
17,345
229,893
158, 864
7,085
50,075
974,105
605, 250
98, 640
438,150
118,757
2,451
22.622
44,180
35, 920
9,070
42, 605
53, 261
748
12,925
2,925
12,470
7,580
64,575
39,350
137,898
34,705
144,968
71, 300
10, 700
16, 600
44, 500
15, 400
89, 000
378, 300
2,400
18, 600
34, 200
5, 000
13, 700
36,700
10,900
23,700
39,000
6,400
55,400
435, 200
12, 280
46, 800
26, 500
14, 000
53,140
14
5
4
13
3
16
75
2
3
6
2
4
8
3
3
9
1
11
74
5
8
5
4
14
32,865
35, 600
990
39, 900
89, 695
5,595
113, 593
10, 507
2,225
3,872
3, 645
4,995
3, 575
6,900
900
45, 600
1,500
132, 735
311, 575
3, 700
5, 625
8,170
1,225
3,880
106, 215
61, 500
27, 565
93, 775
110,186
123, 698
918, 435
21, 274
77,474
59,387
14,415
29,855
45, 900
38, 975
27,650
96,689
19, 580
206,447
1,037,005
21, 215
56,032
68,901
19,070
58,465
T o tal____ ______ 5,024,560
Per cent of change___
4,918,024
- 2 .1
987
925
—6. 3
8,037, 216
6,157,918 16,414,038 13,971,961
-1 4 .9
-2 3 .4
W e s t N o r th C e n tr a l S ta te s
Iowa:
B urlington..............
Cedar R apids____
Council B luffs___
D av en p o rt..............
Des M oines...........
D u b u q u e ...............
O ttu m w a .............
Sioux C i t y .. ..........
W aterloo.................
Kansas:
H u tch in so n______
K ansas C ity _____
T opeka....................
W ichita........ ...........
M innesota:
D u lu th __________
M inneapolis_____
St. P a u l...................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$3, 000
60, 600
14,000
43, 600
106, 900
11, 400
28, 400
26, 500
22,900
$6,075
64, 400
5,000
54,105
97, 575
17,400
38, 250
83,300
30,900
1
19
5
10
53
3
8
8
11
2
18
2
14
20
6
8
32
13
$8,750
148,412
1,900
51,150
181, 690
2, 505
7,425
8, 785
3,400
$1,100
103,435
28, 000
35, 856
24,453
5, 667
28, 500
29, 700
8,540
$35,250
221, 627
17, 700
111,037
354, 890
22, 556
39,925
115,135
38,105
$9, 925
212,797
37, 300
129,391
161,378
34,192
76,700
116,425
44,590
23, 500
11, 950
39,000
85, 050
7,500
55, 550
36, 950
72, 750
6
7
10
21
3
19
7
15
11, 585
3, 820
16, 385
256, 240
40,995
6.470
5,280
170,945
45, 750
21, 980
68, 570
359, 202
50,855
70, 206
49,170
255, 720
35, 750
356,170
193, 740
47, 200
392,025
106,140
8
94
35
11
86
22
10, 245
150, 590
3,004,056
11,815
539, 265
224, 659
71,902
627,195
3,197,796
98.399
1,108, 510
438,426
[618 ]
133
HOUSING
T a b l e 8 .— E S T IM A T E D C O ST OF B U IL D IN G S F O R W H IC H P E R M IT S W E R E IS SU E D
IN P R IN C IP A L C IT IE S , J U N E A N D JU L Y , 1931—Continued
W e s t N o r th C e n tr a l S ta te s — C ontinued
N ew residential buildings
S tate and city
E stim ated cost
N ew nonresidential
Families pro buildings (estim ated
vided for in
cost)
new dwellings
June, 1931 July, 1931 June,
1931
Missouri:
Joplin____ ____ __
Kansas C ity . ___
St. Jo sep h ..........
St. Louis________
Springfield______
Nebraska:
Lincoln........ ...........
O m aha...................
N orth D akota:
Fargo __________
South D akota:
Sioux Falls______
July,
1931
Total construction,
including altera
tions and repairs
(estim ated cost)
June, 1931 July, 1931 June, 1931 Ju ly , 1931
$6,000
152, 500
6, 300
630, 500
17, 300
3, 750
485, 600
9,400
3
36
4
147
7
8
32
2
120
5
$1,500
430,100
1,955
222,010
3,150
$7, 050
60, 700
3, 675
414, 850
51. 895
$13, 246
1, 034, 500
26, 740
968, 830
29,100
$20,301
307, 200
12, 745
1, 245,649
65,995
75, 650
146, 700
56, 500
155, 500
18
43
11
31
46,855
20, 721
195, 575
362, 733
135, 960
195,916
258, 285
599, 403
$5, 000
100, 000
20, 250
38, 700
5
9
5, 540
1, 775
29,345
95, 225
96, 363
62, 750
30
20
2,075
95, 500
109, 500
172,875
Total . . . _____ 2, 214,023
Per cent of ch an g e.. .
2,032, 320
-8 . 2
592
516
-1 2 .8
4, 600, 844
2,458, 433
-4 6 .6
7,891, 757
5, 671,662
-2 8 .1
S o u th A t l a n t i c S ta te s
Delaware:
W ilm in g to n ___
$66, 700
D istrict of Columbia:
W ashington_____ 1,184,050
Florida:
M iam i______ . . .
36, 505
Orlando. ______
500
St. Petersburg___
74,100
T am p a__________
5,800
Georgia:
A t la n ta ................
97, 650
A ugusta ......... .......
10.050
Colum bus_______
13, 050
M acon__________
16,150
Savannah .... .........
26, 600
M aryland:
B altim ore .............
625,000
( um b erlan d _____
5. 000
Hagerstow n_____
23,800
N orth Carolina:
Asheville................
1,300
C harlotte________
109, 000
D urham _____ ___
18, 400
Greensboro______
10,000
H igh P o in t______
21,000
R aleig h .. _______
17, 650
W ilm in g to n .........
2,000
W inston-Salem__
61, 500
South Carolina:
C harleston...........
9,850
C olum bia_______
50,000
Greenville_______
32, 500
Spartanburg ___
13, 750
Virginia:
N ew port N ews___
1,800
___
N orfolk__
151, 768
P etersburg______
6,000
P ortsm outh_____
2,000
R ichm ond___ . . .
127, 227
Roanoke . ______
44, 700
W est Virginia:
C harleston______
97, 200
Clarksburg______
5,900
H u n tin g to n . . . . .
0
Parkersburg ____
0
Wheeling ...........
14,300
T o tal_________
P er cent of change. .
2,982,800
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$58, 500
12
7
$141, 339
$616.310
1, 570,375
217
363
3,426, 667
550, 440
5,135,164
2, 574, 715
64, 450
1, 500
20,800
4, 600
18
1
6
5
12
5
9
4
31,310
1, 750
13,600
9, 005
55,328
350
3, 400
50, 205
197, 657
23, 340
107, 900
39, 565
169,192
15, 360
30, 600
115, 644
68, 750
24,987
9,250
10,100
29,300
44
6
4
7
8
22
9
7
7
8
54, 738
2,476
450
1,625
1,475
278, 775
4, 378
0
6,275
275
221, 454
21,165
25, 415
22, 516
48,525
437, 467
37, 603
23, 775
22, 275
68, 283
260, 000
15,600
11,500
122
2
7
45
6
3
492,300
750
2,550
3, 278, 400
43, 485
1, 875
2,019, 900
8, 560
36, 350
4,157, 600
62,865
20,145
1,500
55, 450
20, 500
15, 000
33,350
20, 740
11,500
16,650
1
23
8
2
5
5
1
3
2
16
5
3
10
5
4
5
1,375
33, 200
5, 400
7,775
9, 115
1, 575
28, 300
9,860
6,345
13, 220
22, 200
362
40, 700
39, 770
15, 500
60, 745
6,955
151,065
43,500
32,054
31,815
23, 575
62, 300
126,665
17,915
80, 510
63,325
24, 565
90, 450
64, 635
37, 200
97; 500
4,900
33,680
54,300
3, 000
5
17
10
3
3
11
11
1
13,350
23, 490
85
160
57, 350
970
3, 600
2,400
26, 775
76,105
36, 215
15,150
93,025
61, 612
62, 035
10, 265
6,800
166, 500
8,280
10,100
62,050
32, 750
2
35
3
1
30
6
3
41
2
3
20
5
42, 721
9, 700
0
320
24, 630
6,630
9, 755
21, 630
7, 350
1,115
117,075
6,360
58, 704
196, 652
9,025
11, 920
252, 603
56,563
30,090
228, 582
18,130
21, 435
292, 421
41; 775
7,000
20, 800
4,000
4,250
59, 500
26
3
0
0
5
2
13
1
2
16
2,100
13, 612
64,800
20, 720
1,170
129, 500
190
752, 319
1,140
20, 600
99, 300
64, 492
69,000
36,175
20,435
155,139
22, 390
759, 669
11, 727
93, 739
2,802,312
- 6 .1
653
691
+ 5 .8
4,394,922
6,133, 958
+39.6
[6 1 9 ]
$36,138 ' $530,576
9,555,893 10, 729, 968
+12.3
134
MONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
T a b l e 8 .— E S T IM A T E D CO ST OF B U IL D IN G S F O R W H IC H P E R M IT S W E R E IS SU E D
IN P R IN C IP A L C IT IE S , J U N E A N D JU L Y , 1931—Continued
S o u th C e n tr a l S ta te s
N ew residential buildings
E stim ated cost
S tate and city
Fam ilies pro
vided for in
new dwellings
June, 1931 July, 1931 June,
1931
Alabama:
B irm ingham _____
M obile__________
M ontgom ery,. . . .
Arkansas: L ittle R ock.
K entucky:
A shland. _ _____
Covington_______
Louisville______ .
N ew port.............
P ad u cah ...... ...........
Louisiana:
B aton Rouge____
M onroe-------------New Orleans_____
S h re v e p o rt______
Oklahoma:
E n id __________ _
O klahoma C ity __
Okmulgee_______
T u l s a __________
T ennessee:
C hattanooga_____
Johnson C ity ____
Knoxville. .
M em phis. ______
N ashville________
Texas:
Amarillo.................
A u stin __________
B eaum ont _____
D allas.. ...............
El Paso_________
Fo rt W o rth______
Houston _ _____
San A ntonio_____
Waco .
____
W ichita F alls.. _
T otal _______
Per cent of chance
July,
1931
New nonresidential
buildings (estimated
cost)
T otal construction,
including altera
tions and repairs
(estim ated cost)
June, 1931 J u ly ,1931 June, 1931 J u ly ,1931
$11,000
20, 800
93, 900
16,445
$34,060
50, 700
69.400
105, 500
7
9
38
8
12
9
30
7
$25, 976
5, 346
21, 600
3,566
$64, 450
11,400
3,060
60, 376
$95, 672
40, 750
129, 535
35, 656
$144, 080
92, 008
92,859
180, 757
0
8, 500
88, 500
0
3,300
0
17, 500
72,800
0
10, 250
0
2
13
0
5
0
4
16
0
3
640
15,190
56, 300
1, 750
1,800
1,300
14, 765
1, 723, 115
400
6,200
1,090
36,880
215, 675
2,750
6, 536
6, 550
117,575
1,844, 665
2,150
16,450
23,491
4, 000
172,425
17,125
13, 970
2,515
88, 542
18,100
6
1
46
15
7
7
39
14
3, 720
3, 820
8,525
307,068
35, 255
3, 730
92,435
18, 697
39, 369
8,045
236, 062
513,695
57,017
15, 786
249,499
60,456
18,000
727, 300
0
131,615
10, 700
303, 500
0
49, 200
6
60
0
25
5
51
0
17
7,960
647,165
0
704,597
200
1, 398, 615
0
392, 785
37, 775
1, 406. 665
0
858, 637
15,150
1, 732, 240
0
512,499
25,001
7, 700
41, 760
49,400
90, 500
31,900
3, 500
16, 200
31,330
109, 900
9
3
9
22
16
14
1
6
14
43
3,447
4, 950
11,112
70, 590
185, 285
59, 846
1,500
90,324
41, 730
74,900
80, 771
13, 225
79, 752
224,120
300, 738
116,108
5,800
112, 374
174, 070
209, 267
58, 225
93, 865
19,850
134, 950
48, 630
80, 710
595, 600
69, 540
15,333
0
63, 700
98, 373
900
132,159
47, 880
117,100
588, 375
149,824
21, 333
5,000
20
48
11
74
17
36
154
44
7
0
20
53
1
63
16
40
116
66
6
1
82, 268
23,122
6, 270
62, 290
13, 555
188, 994
902,130
27, 550
30,400
900
61. 202
94,058
40,130
47, 357
10, 270
1,248,896
728, 831
45, 636
6,667
54,310
149, 283
148,100
42, 217
329,405
73, 882
309,194
1, 539,130
130, 797
58,600
9,272
131, 656
218, 685
71, 347
267, 718
69,300
1, 413, 962
1, 337, 526
236, 239
33, 760
64,103
2, 668,065
2, 264, 211
-1 5 .1
711
681
-4 . 2
3, 427,886
6, 432, 440
+87.7
7,153, 278
9,601, 656
+34.2
1
M o u n t a i n a n d P a c if ic S ta te s
Arizona:
$109, 200
Phoenix.. . . . .
109, 550
Tucson__________
California:
12, 600
A lameda ________
A lham bra.. . . .
76,250
2,800
Bakersfield____
78, 000
Berkeley________
45, 375
Fresno_________
Glendale________
209, 200
Long B each_____
230, 600
1,634, 932
Los Angeles.
O akland________
271, 650
Pasadena_______
94,085
169, 200
Sacram ento______
San B ern ard in o ...
29, 200
San Diego____ . .
242, 570
San Francisco____ 1, 055,125
San Jose_________
51,210
0
Santa A n a_______
Santa M onica____
57,250
Stock con...... ...........
37, 000
V a lle jo ...... ............
11,500
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$71, 750
52, 300
36
24
18
15
$3, 200
8,466
$42,610
4,855
$122,095
309, 780
$123,965
67, 349
12, 500
82, 250
9, 500
102, 688
52,438
209,175
155, 350
1,471, 533
208.115
95, 950
128, 650
27, 034
179, 685
725, 797
50, 730
42, 520
72,200
29,200
9,150
3
24
1
17
11
49
90
621
68
24
35
9
61
251
12
0
18
7
3
3
23
2
16
10
56
67
488
53
24
25
7
41
226
16
8
23
8
3
151,710
5,575
46, 265
18, 353
6, 250
35, 315
35, 280
2,194, 649
296,443
227, 907
40, 870
8,700
101,780
1,021, 686
15, 780
0
16,160
33,861
750
2,780
24,925
1, 793
29,897
5,950
15,160
164, 525
1,511,191
96,890
45,198
102, 670
2,150
104, 371
901,469
6,605
15,564
7,290
8,765
61, 420
182, 687
90,875
53, 850
137, 378
88, 001
250, 050
321, 565
4,523, 575
633, 350
645, 486
288, 340
37, 900
429,199
2, 334, 600
95,815
0
83,080
85,036
17, 610
25, 356
110,950
30,178
158,173
73,018
234, 475
373,675
3, 751,072
467, 335
282, 296
274,486
34,859
357, 815
1,801,147
122, 410
58, 084
86, 973
62, 315
78, 685
[ 620]
135
HOUSING
T a ble 8 .—E S T IM A T E D CO ST O F B U IL D IN G S F O R W H IC H P E R M IT S W E R E IS SU E D
IN P R IN C IP A L C IT IE S , JU N E A N D JU L Y , 1931—C ontinued
M o u n t a i n a n d P a c if ic S ta te s — C ontinued
N ew residential buildings
State and city
Colorado:
Colorado Springs.
D e n v e r .......... .
Pueblo_________
M ontana:
B u t t e . . . ---------Great Falls......... .
N ew Mexico:
A lbuquerque.......
Oregon:
P o rtla n d _______
U tah:
O gden-------------Salt Lake C ity ...
W ashington:
Bellingham ------E v e re tt________
S e a ttle ..............
Spokane-----------T acom a.............
T o tal________
Per cent of change—
E stim ated cost
Families pro
vided for in
new dwellings
N ew nonresidential
buildings (estim ated
cost)
T otal construction;
including aiterations an I repairs
(estimate d cost)
June, 1931 July, 1931
June,
1931
July,
1931
$8,000
221,500
3,675
$18, 200
223,400
9,900
3
57
4
7
85
6
$3,445
46, 200
79,663
$1,915
66,000
2,240
$18,895
372,700
103,943
$23,105
371, 500
18,190
0
35,600
0
28,100
0
13
0
7
6,930
13,335
5,990
5,485
9,320
58,100
8,057
39,535
June, 1931 July, 1931 June, 1931 July, 1931
41,000
198,750
11
12
1,125, 260
75,750
1,182,970
286,795
289,700
238,500
43
40
160,975
373,535
563,405
952,615
17, 600
101, 400
22,500
129,500
9
29
7
57
1,170
1, 368,176
2,000
92,124
20,220
1,512,488
30,900
300,263
5,000
6’ 500
314, 055
72,950
44,000
9, 800
4,000
277i 500
71, 350
49,000
3
1
108
17
14
4
1
82
18
16
17,755
770
137, 687
10, 255
18,750
10,200
715
2,981,910
280,385
151,330
26,485
15,445
617,307
131,155
91, 210
26,559
11,160
3,477,065
383, 985
225,495
5,688,277
5,069,015
“ 10. 9
1,676
1,474
-12.1
7,259,371
7, 205, 657 15,453,925 14, 729,840
“ 4.7
- 0 .7
H a w a ii
H o n o lu lu ...........
Per cent of change.
$198,411
$180,960
-8 .8
103
86
-1 6 .5
$225,101
$52.232
-7 6 .8
$448,940
B u ild in g O p e r a tio n s in P r in c ip a l C itie s o f t h e U n ite d S ta te s,
F ir st H a lf o f 1931
Introduction and Summary
EPORTS of building permits issued during the half year, Jan
uary to June, inclusive, 1931, have been received by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics from 93 cities in the United States having a
population of 100,000 or over. The States of Illinois, Massachusetts,
New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, through their departments
of labor, are cooperating with the United States Bureau of Labor
Statistics in the collection of these data.
A brief summary of building permits issued in the first half of 1931,
compared with those issued in the first half of 1930, appeared in the
August, 1931, issue of the Labor Review. The entire report has
now been completed and is presented in the following pages.
In studying the following tables it should be borne in mind that the
costs shown are for the costs of the buildings only and do not include
the costs of land. The cost is estimated by the prospective builder
R
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[621 ]
136
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
at the time of applying for his permit to build, and is recorded on his
application for a building permit. Furthermore, the costs are for
buildings in the corporate limits of the cities enumerated. Much
building in the suburbs of large cities is therefore not included in
the figures shown.
Table 1 shows the total number of new buildings and the esti
mated cost of the different kinds of new buildings for which permits
were issued in the 93 cities from which reports were received for the
first six months of 1931, 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.
In the 93 cities which, according to the 1930 census, had a popula
tion of 100,000 or over, permits were issued for 67,481 new buildings
during the first six months of 1931. Of this number 27,534, or 40.8
per cent, were for residential and 39,947, or 59.2 per cent, for nonresidential purposes. Of the residential buildings, by far the greater
number were 1-family dwellings. More permits were issued for
private garages than for any other class of nonresidential buildings.
Of the more expensive classes of nonresidential buildings, the most
numerous were stores.
The new buildings for which permits were issued in these 93 cities
during the first half of 1931 were to cost $532,669,164, of which 43
per cent was for new residential buildings and 57 per cent for new non
residential buildings. One-family dwellings accounted for a larger
expenditure than any other class of residential buildings, while office
buildings accounted for the largest expenditure in the nonresidential
group. It will be noted that in these large cities over 50 per cent
more was spent for the erection of amusement buildings than for the
erection of churches.
Four classes of buildings shown in the table below are erected wholly
or partially from money appropriated by city, State, county, or Fed
eral governments. These four classes of buildings—institutions,
public buildings, public works and utilities, and schools and libraries—
accounted for an expenditure of over $120,000,000, which is 22.5 per
cent of the total estimated cost of all new buildings for which permits
were issued in these 93 cities during the first half of 1931. During the
first half of 1930, these four classes of buildings accounted for 20.4
per cent of the total expenditure for new buildings.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 622 ]
137
HOUSING
rp .RTTi. i —N U M B E R a n d c o s t o f n e w b u i l d i n g s f o r w h i c h p e r m i t s w e r e
IS S U E D ;IN 93 C IT IE S ; JA N U A R Y 1 TO J U N E 30, 1931, BY K IN D OF B U IL D IN G
Buildings for which perm its were issued
E stim ated cost
K ind of building
of total
num ber
N um ber
A m ount
Per cent Average
of grand per build
ing
total
Residential buildings
1- family dw ellings---- --------------------------2l-fam
- family dw ellings------------------------------ily and 2-family dwellings w ith sto res.
M ultifam ily dwellings----------------------------M ultifam ily dwellings w ith stores------------H otels----------- --------------------- ----------------Lodging houses--------------------------------------All o t h e r . . ------- -----------------------------------T otal, residential b u ild in g s.. .
23,147
2,883
202
1,206
49
8
5
34
$111,886, 666
20, 334, 973
1,726, 624
84, 302, 020
, 289, 500
.1
871, 000
185, 000
3, 250,900
.1
34.3
4.3
.3
1.8
0
0
6
21.0
3.8
.3
15.8
1.2
.2
0 .6
$4, 834
7,053
, 548
69, 902
128, 357
108, 875
37, 000
95, 615
8
27,634
40.8
228,846,683
43.0
8,311
208
187
613
440
29,525
1,474
83
131
159
149
.3
.3
.9
.7
43.8
2.3
1.5
5.6
3,145
39
2,753
830
0 4.1
1.2
12, 397,057
8,176, 026
29, 721, 355
, 444, 602
9, 725, 797
4, 022, 757
17,400, 936
80, 333, 975
42, 251, 082
15,369,163
44,979, 789
1,018, 478
104, 060
30, 656, 946
1, 220, 458
.2
0 5.8
.2
59, 601
43, 722
48, 485
14, 647
329
2,729
209, 650
613, 236
265. 730
103,. 149
213,174
324
, 668
11, 136
1,470
39, 947
59.2
303, 822, 481
57.0
7,606
67, 481
100.0
532, 669,164
100. 0
7,894
Nonresidential buildings
A m usem ent buildings-----C hurches------- ---------------Factories and w orkshops. _
Public garages---------------P riv ate garages....................
Service stations....................
In stitu tio n s----- -------------Office buildings--------------Public buildings-------------Public works and u tilities.
Schools an d libraries-------Sheds___ _______________
Stables and barns-----------Stores and warehouses-----All o th e r ...............................
211
Total, nonresidential buildings.
G rand total, all buildings---------
6
2.2
.1
.2
.2
.2
.3
4.7
1.2
1.8
.8
3.3
15. 1
7.9
2.9
8.4
2
1Less th a n one-tenth of 1 per cent.
The last column of the table shows the average cost per building.
The most expensive class of residential building was apartment
houses with stores; these multifamily dwellings averaged $128,357 per
building. In the nonresidential group the most expensive class oi
building was office buildings. The average cost of 131 office buildings
for which permits were issued in these cities was over $600,000 per
building. The average cost of public buildings was $265,730 per
building The average cost of all buildings for which permits wreie
issued during this period was $7,894. Residential buildings averaged
$8 311 per building and nonresidential buildings $7,606 per building.
If however, private garages and sheds are excluded, the average cost
of the remaining nonresidential buildings was $40,275.
Building Trend 1930 and 1931
T a b l e 2 sh o w s th e n u m b e r a n d c o s t of e a c h of th e d if fe r e n t k in d s
b u ild in g s fo r w h ic h p e r m its w e re is s u e d in 92 id e n tic a l c itie s
fro m w h ic h r e p o r ts w e re re c e iv e d , f o r t h e f ir s t h a lf of 1930 a n d th e
f ir s t h a lf of 1931, a n d th e p e r c e n t of in c re a s e o r d e c re a s e lo r th e f ir s t
h a lf of 1931 as c o m p a r e d w ith th e f ir s t h a lf of 1930.
of
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[623]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
138
T a b l e 2 .—N U M B E R A N D C O ST OF N E W B U IL D IN G S F O R W H IC H
P E R M IT S W E R E
IS SU E D IN 92 C IT IE S D U R IN G F IR S T H A L F OF 1930 A N D F IR S T H A L F OF 1931, BY K IN D
OF B U IL D IN G
K ind of building
N ew buildings for which perm its were issued
Per cent cf
during first half of—
change, 1931, as
compared w ith
1930
1931
1930
N um ber
Cost
N um ber
Cost
N um
ber
Cost
24, 803
3,306
$121, 242, 244
26, 037,973
23, 111
2,883
$111,736,666
20,334,973
- 6 .8
—12. 8
- 7 .8
—21.9
509
1,390
106
30
11
57
3,866, 340
75,926,149
5,148,200
11, 501, 275
320, 550
9,882,981
202
1,206
49
8
5
34
1, 726, 624
84, 302,020
6, 289, 500
871,000
185,000
3, 250,900
-6 0 .3
-1 3 . 2
—53. 8
—73. 3
—54. 5
—40.4
-5 5 .3
0
+12. 2
—92. 4
-4 2 .3
-67. 1
30, 212
253,925,712
27,498
228,696, 683
- 9 .0
- 9 .9
Amusem ent buildings---- .
------Churches______ . .. .
Factories and w orkshops..- ------- -----Public garages --------------------- ----------P rivate garages----- . ------ ------Service stations----- . . . - . . .
---In stitu tio n s--------------- . ............. ..........
Office buildings---------------- — ---------Public b u ild in g s.. ___________ . . .
Public works an d utilities------------------Schools a n d libraries--------------------------_______
Sheds.
Stables and b a rn s---------- - ----------- —
Stores and warehouses . . ---------- . .
All oth er_________ _________ ____ .
561
252
1,089
848
35,383
1,944
92
339
151
184
271
3,908
94
3,479
1, 280
14,585, 542
14,130, 330
45, 599, 746
13, 574,846
13,423,453
7,508, 002
29, 363,489
85, 091, 641
39,171, 628
13, 688,807
47,993, 998
1,813,108
110, 063
55,209,849
1,990,896
205
186
610
439
29,360
1,462
83
130
158
149
211
3,118
37
2,748
826
12, 361,057
8,173,026
29,666,355
6, 442,102
9,701, 742
4,006,727
17,400,936
80,313,975
42,248, 582
15, 369, 163
44,979, 789
1,017, 323
100, 460
30, 642, 796
1,218, 308
-6 3 .5
—26. 2
-4 4 .0
—48. 2
—17. 0
—24. 8
- 9 .8
—61. 7
+ 4 .6
-1 9 . 0
-2 2 . 1
-2 0 . 2
-6 0 .6
-2 1 .0
-3 5 . 5
-1 5 .3
—42. 2
-3 4 .9
—52. 5
-2 7 .7
—46. 6
-4 0 .7
- 5 .6
+ 7 .8
+12.3
- 6 .3
-4 3 .9
- 8 .7
-44. 5
-3 8 .8
T otal, nonresidential buildings___
Residential buildings
1-family dwellings--------------------- -----2-family dwellings------ --------------------1-family a n d 2-family dwellings w ith
stores. _
___
. .
.
...
M ultifam ily dwellings --------------------M ultifam ily dwellings w ith stores----Hotels ______- ____ _____ - - - - Lodging houses --------------------------- . . .
All o th e r.. . -------------------------- - . . _
Total, residential b u ild in g s..____
Nonresidential buildings
49,875
383, 255, 398
39, 722
303, 642, 341
-2 0 .4
-2 0 .8
T o tal, new buildings ___
A dditions, alterations, and repairs-------
80, 087
94, 986
637,181,110
111,832,672
67, 220
84,643
532,339. 024
89,126,170
-1 6 . 1
-1 0 . 9
-1 6 .5
-2 0 .3
G rand total, all building -----------
175, 073
749,013, 782
151,863
621,465,194
-1 3 .3
-1 7 .0
Reports were received for the first half of both 1930 and 1931 from
92 of the 93 cities having a population of 100,000 or over; no report
was received from South Bend, Inch, for the first half of 1930. During
the first half of 1931 there was an estimated expenditure of $621,465,194 for building operations of all kinds in these 92 cities. This is
17.0 per cent less than the estimated expenditures for building opera
tions during the first half of 1930. The number of buildings decreased
13.3 per cent during this period. Comparing permits issued for resi
dential buildings in these 92 cities, it was found that there was a
decrease of 9.0 per cent in number and 9.9 per cent in estimated cost
during the first half of 1931 as compared with the first half of 1930.
Nonresidential buildings decreased 20.4 per cent in number and 20.8
per cent in estimated cost. Additions, alterations, and repairs de
creased 10.9 per cent in number and 20.3 per cent in estimated cost.
All classes of residential buildings decreased in number; these de
creases ranged from 6.8 per cent for 1-family dwellings to 73.3 per
cent for hotels. There was an increase in indicated expenditures for
multifamily dwellings and multifamily dwellings with stores. All
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[624]
139
HOUSING
other classes of residential buildings decreased in estimated cost,
the decreases ranging from 7.8 per cent for 1-family dwellings to
92.4 per cent for hotels.
.
All classes of nonresidential buildings showed decreases m the
number of buildings for which permits were issued, except public
buildings which showed an increase of 4.6 per cent; the decreases
ranged from 9.8 per cent for institutional buildings to 63.o pei cent
for amusement buildings.
......
There was an increase in the amount expended lor public buildings
and for public works and utilities.
All other classes of nonresidential buildings showed decreases m
indicated expenditures, ranging from 5.6 per cent in the case of office
buildings, to 52.5 per cent in the case of public garages. Expendi
tures for stores, service stations, and churches also registered large
decreases, comparing the first half of 1931 with the first half of 1930.
Families Provided for, 1930 and 1931
T a b l e 3 shows the number and per cent of families provided for
by each of the different kinds of dwellings for which permits were
issued in 92 identical cities during the first half of each year.
T a b t f S —N U M B E R A N D P E R C E N T OF F A M IL IE S TO B E H O U S E D IN N E W D W E L L IN G S
F O R W H IC H P E R M IT S W E R E IS SU E D IN 92 ID E N T IC A L C IT IE S D U R IN G FIRST. H A L F
OF 1930 A N D F IR S T H A L F O F 1931, B Y K IN D OF D W E L L IN G
K ind of dwelling
N um ber of dwell
ings for which
perm its were is
sued
Families provided for
N um ber
Per cent
First half F irst half First half F irst half First half F irst half
1931
1930
1931
1930
1931
1930
23, 111
24.803
1family dwellings---------- ------------------------------2,883
3, 306
2family dwellings------------------202
509
1-family and 2-family dwellings w ith stores.
1, 206
1, 390
M ultifam ily dwellings--------------------------49
106
M ultifam ily dwellings w ith stores-----------
24,803
6,612
681
20,305
1,334
23, 111
5,766
307
23,126
1,399
46.2
12.3
1.3
37.8
2.5
43.0
10.7
.6
43.1
2.6
27,451
53, 735
53, 709
100.0
100.0
T o ta l____________________________
30,114
During the first half of 1931, 53,709 families were provided with
dwelling places in new buildings. Of this number, 43 per cent weie to
be housed in 1-family dwellings and 45.7 per cent in apartment
houses. During the first half of 1930, 46.2 per cent of the 53,735
families provided for were to be housed in 1-family dwellings and only
40.3 per cent in multifamily dwellings. The percentage of families
housed in 2-family dwellings decreased nearly 2 per cent, comparing
the first half of 1931 with 1930.
Table 4 shows the number and percentage distribution of families
provided for in the different kinds of dwellings in the 65 identical cities
from which reports were received for the first six months of each year—
1922 to 1931. For convenience, 1-family and 2-family dwellings with
stores are grouped with 2-family dwellings, and multifamily dwellings
with stores are grouped with multifamily dwellings.
7 2 5 7 4 °— 31------ 10
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[625]
140
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T a ble 4 .—N U M B E R A N D P E R C E N T O F F A M IL IE S P R O V ID E D F O R IN T H E D IF F E R E N T
K IN D S O F D W E L L IN G S IN 65 ID E N T IC A L C IT IE S , F IR S T H A L F O F 1922 TO 1931, IN
C LU SIV E
N um ber of families provided for in—
Per cent of families pro
vided for in—
Period
1-family
dwellings
F irst half of—
1922____________________
1923____________________
1924____________________
1925____________________
1926____________________
1927____________________
1928____________________
1929____________________
1930___________________
1931___________________
63,892
77,875
82, 514
87, 783
71,818
57,899
50, 724
36, 237
20,410
20, 334
M u lti
All classes 1-family 2-family
2-family
family
of
dwell dwell
dwellings 1 dwellings
2 dwellings
ings
ings 1
32,321
39, 314
50,904
39,320
26, 727
24, 204
19, 261
12,815
6,101
5,268
51,006
77, 826
69, 619
80, 291
100, 201
95,448
111, 268
81, 205
19, 930
23,870
147, 249
195, 015
203,037
207, 394
198, 746
177, 551
181,252
130, 257
46, 441
49,472
43.4
39.9
40. 6
42.3
36.1
32.6
28.0
27.8
43.9
41. 1
22.0
20.2
25. 1
19.0
13.4
13. 6
10.6
9.8
13. 1
10.6
M ulti
family
dwell
ings 2
34.6
39.9
34.3
38.7
50.4
53.8
61.2
62.3
42.9
48.2
1 Includes 1-family and 2-family dwellings w ith stores.
2 Includes m ultifam ily dwellings w ith stores.
In the 65 cities under discussion there was an increase in the num
ber of families provided for during the first half of 1931 as compared
with the first half of 1930. However, the number of families provided
for during the first half of 1931 was lower than the number provided
for during the first half of any year from 1922 to 1929, inclusive.
During the first half of 1925, the peak period, 207,394 families were
provided for. The number of families provided for in 1-family
dwellings and in 2-family dwellings, during the first half of 1931, was
lower than for any like period since the first compilation of these
figures by the bureau.
The number of families provided for in apartment houses showed
an increase as compared with 1930, but was lower than for any other
6-month period under discussion. During the first half of 1931, 41.1
per cent of the total number of families accommodated were provided
for in 1-family dwellings and 48.2 per cent were provided for in
apartment houses. During the first half of 1929 only 27.8 per cent
of the 130,257 families accommodated were provided for in 1-family
dwellings and 62.3 per cent were provided for in multifamily dwellings.
During that period apartment-house units reached a higher porportion
of the total dwelling units provided than during any of the other like
periods for which information has been gathered by the bureau.
Building Trend
T a b l e 5 sh o w s t h e t o t a l n u m b e r a n d e s tim a te d c o s t o f a ll b u ild
in g s f o r w h ic h p e r m its w e re is s u e d in t h e 65 id e n tic a l c itie s f ro m w h ic h
r e p o r ts w e re r e c e iv e d fo r th e f ir s t h a lf o f e a c h y e a r , 1922 to 1931,
in c lu siv e .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[626]
141
HOUSING
m
*
MTnvr-RWP AMD E S T IM A T E D CO ST O F A L L B U IL D IN G S F O R W H IC H P E R M IT S
F IR S T H A L F O F 1922 TO 1931, IN C L U S IV E
N um ber of
buildings
Period
F irst half of—
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
N um ber of
buildings
E stim ated cost
Period
Index
N um ber n u m
ber
Cost
Index
num
ber
100.0
243,479
___________
283,
289 116.4
___________
299,
769 123.1
......................
118.7
289,014
___________
254,
564 104.6
___________
$1,062,464,771
1,418, 779,382
1, 518,088,421
1,620,413,012
1,539, 207, 242
100.0
133.5
142.9
152.5
144.9
F irst half of—
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
Index
N um ber n u m
ber
E stim ated cost
Cost
97.7 $1,443,232,520
237,853
___________
88.9 1,462,560, 722
216,
509
___________
74.9 1,479,460,210
182,
379
___________
679,064,355
60.1
146,410
___________
577,931, 724
53.4
130,127
___________
Index
num
ber
135.8
137.7
139.2
63.9
54.4
Unfortunately, semiannual figures are not available through the
period for more than 65 cities.
.
.
10n10_, mi
During the first half of 1931 permits were issued for 130,127 build
ings in these 65 cities. This is only 53.4 per cent of the total number
of buildings for which permits were issued during 1922. 1 he peak
in the number of buildings projected was reached in the first halt
of 1924, when permits were issued for 299,769 buildings, lhe
estimated cost of the buildings for which permits were issued during
1931 in these 65 cities was less than for the like period lor any of the
10 years for which figures are presented in this table.
During the first half of 1931 the indicated expenditure for budd
ing operations was $577,931,724. During the first half of 1925 the
expenditure planned for budding projects m these 65 cities was
$1,620,413,012, or nearly three times as much as the projected amount
for the first half of 1931.
Per Capita Expenditures for Buildings
T a b l e 6 shows for the first half of 1931, in the 93 cities having a
population of 100,000 or over, according to the 1930 census, the per
capita expenditures for new buildings of all kinds, for repans, addi
tions, and alterations of old buildings, for the two items combine! ,
and for new housekeeping dwellings, together with the ratio of families
provided for per 10,000 population.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[627]
T able 6 .—T O T A L A N D P E R C A PIT A E X P E N D IT U R E S F O R N E W B U IL D IN G S A N D F O R R E P A IR S , A N D F A M IL IE S P R O V ID E D F O R , 93 C IT IE S , IN
F IR S T H A L F OF 1931
I—1
to
T o tal expenditures, first
half of—
C ity and State
Expenditure Expenditure
for new
for repairs
buildings
and additions
1931
[ 628]
A kron, O h io ___
_ _ _
A lbany, N . Y ___ _
A tla n ta , G a _____ .
Baltim ore, M d _________
B irm ingham , A l a __
B oston, M ass . . . . . . . .
B ridgeport, Conn
Buffalo, N . Y __________
Cam bridge, M ass . .
Cam den, N . J
Canton, Ohio . . . .
Chattanooga, T e n n -----Chicago, 111 . . . . . .
C incinnati, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio . . . _
C olum bus, Ohio - ____
D allas, Tex__
_ .....
D ayton, Ohio .
....
D enver, Colo. . .
D es Moines, Iow a
D etroit, M i c h . . . ___
D u lu th , M in n . . . . _____
E lizabeth, N . J._ . . _
E l Paso, T e x ____ _ ___
Erie, P a
. . . . . ---Evansville, In d . . . ---F all River, M ass.
---F lin t, M ich _____ . ..
F o rt W ayne, In d . _____
F o rt W orth, T ex . . .
G ary, I n d ____ . . . . .
G rand R apids, M ich ____
H artford, Conn ______
H ouston, Tex _____ _ . .
Indianapolis, In d . . . .
Jacksonville, F la ________
FRASER
Digitized for
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$628, 444
1,435, 816
1,050, 315
11,317,200
1,032, 935
15,122, 220
1, 422, 426
5, 280, 029
1, 078, 249
659, 751
324, 665
334,337
34,490, 015
12, 379, 550
4, 236, 600
2,065, 750
1,866, 687
1, 762, 589
3,499, 590
1,876, 647
14,462, 347
211,186
590, 100
541, 453
943,109
624, 955
203, 964
1,021, 924
1,411,606
3,009,796
716, 605
434, 925
941, 998
6,801, 831
3,597, 304
369,325
$526, 219
414,901
676, 256
3, 732, 500
390, 334
2,461, 574
257, 445
576,951
580, 573
100, 490
142, 401
249,215
3,161,180
1, 451,135
3, 537, 700
286, 650
657, 804
234, 555
624, 500
159, 529
2,124, 999
232,188
(■)
142, 926
293, 704
85, 655
63, 242
197, 312
189, 789
261, 178
101,110
230, 390
915, 831
190, 243
464,499
355,875
$1,154, 663
1, 850, 717
1, 726, 571
15, 049, 700
1,423, 269
17, 583, 794
1, 679, 871
5,856, 980
1, 658, 822
760, 241
467,066
583, 552
37, 651,195
13, 830, 685
7, 774, 300
2,352, 400
2, 524, 491
1, 997,144
4,124, 090
2,036,176
16, 587, 346
443, 374
590. 100
684, 379
1,236, 813
710, 610
267,208
1, 219, 236
1, 601, 395
3,270, 974
817, 715
665, 315
1,857, 829
6,992, 074
4, 061,803
725, 200
1930
$6,279, 578
2,831,927
5,003,966
16, 653, 200
1,514. 478
13,874, 901
1, 398, 340
6,249, 615
2,947, 940
1,412, 725
1, 076,037
1,894, 376
41,953,917
21,891,264
13, 952, 225
3, 053, 350
4,130, 071
3, 333,157
3, 843, 500
2, 601,184
27,486,168
616,900
1,482, 400
1, 818, 669
1,845, 442
947, 209
596,128
2, 248, 444
1, 778, 669
4, 585,122
658, 840
1, 686, 650
3, 905,080
8, 788, 267
4, 538, 214
1,209, 670
Fam ilies provided
for
E xpenditure Population
for new
census
housekeep
of
R atio for
ing dwellings
1930
10,000
only
N um ber popula
tion
$293,075
867, 290
603, 885
6, 521,000
123,555
3,924,460
935, 700
2,186,000
609, 650
74, 800
78, 750
198,265
4,367,850
3, 894, 890
1, 397, 700
1,172, 500
1,214, 710
481, 612
2,463, 500
640, 270
7,343, 430
150, 286
433, 000
423, 633
445, 750
246,175
8, 400
383,890
433, 530
964,028
109, 300
210, 950
212, 300
4,526, 226
1,183, 725
236, 750
255,040
127, 412
270. 366
804, 874
259, 678
781,188
146, 716
573,076
113, 643
118,700
104,908
119, 798
3,376, 438
451,160
900, 429
290, 564
260, 475
200, 982
287, 861
142, 559
1, 568, 662
101, 463
114, 589
102, 421
115, 967
102, 249
115, 274
156,492
114,946
163, 447
100, 426
168, 592
164, 072
292, 352
364,161
129, 594
62
109
262
1,612
54
963
258
680
125
30
16
69
697
730
257
228
585
117
686
169
1,528
38
119
132
90
63
3
77
92
302
28
59
45
1, 135
216
85
2.4
8.6
9. 7
20.0
2.1
12.3
17.6
11.9
11.0
2.5
1.5
5.8
2. 1
16. 2
2.9
7.8
22.5
5.8
23.8
11.9
9.7
3.7
10.4
12.9
7.8
6.2
.3
4.9
8.0
18.5
2.8
3.5
2.7
38.8
5.9
6.6
Per capita expenditure
For
new
build
ings
$2. 46
11.27
.3.88
14.06
3.98
19. 36
9. 70
9. 21
9. 49
5. 56
3.09
2. 79
10. 21
27. 44
4. 71
7.11
7.17
8.77
12. 16
13. 16
9. 21
2. 08
5.15
5.29
8.13
6.11
1.77
6. 53
12. 28
18.41
7. 14
2. 58
5. 74
23.27
9. 88
2.85
For re
pairs
and ad
ditions
$2. 06
3. 26
2. 50
4.64
1.50
3.15
1. 75
1.01
5.11
.85
1.36
2.08
.94
3. 21
3. 93
.99
2.53
1. 17
2.17
1. 12
1.35
2.29
(*)
1.40
2. 53
.84
.55
1.26
1.65
1.60
1.01
1.37
5. 58
.65
1.28
2.75
T otal
$4. 53
14. 53
6. 39
18. 70
5. 48
22. 51
11. 45
10. 22
14. 60
6.41
4. 45
4.87
11.15
30.66
8. 63
8.10
9.69
9. 94
14. 33
14.28
10. 57
4. 37
5. 15
6.68
10. 67
6. 95
2. 32
7. 79
13. 93
20. 01
8. 14
3. 95
11.32
23. 92
11. 15
5. 60
For
R ank
house
of
keeping
city dwellings
only
82
26
68
15
77
10
35
44
25
67
83
80
38
6
53
57
50
47
27
28
43
84
79
66
42
64
93
59
30
13
56
86
36
8
39
76
$1.15
6. 81
2.23
8. 10
.48
5.02
6. 38
3.81
5. 36
.63
.75
1.65
1.29
8. 63
1.55
4.04
4. 66
2. 40
8. 56
4. 49
4.68
1.48
3. 78
4.14
3.84
2.41
.07
2.45
3.77
5.90
1.09
1.25
1. 29
15. 48
3.25
1.83
§
o
W
M
F
>
öd
O
Sd
dd
<
hH
■
[629]
Jersey C ity, N . J _______
K ansas C ity, K an s_____
K ansas C ity , M o_______
Knoxville, T e n n ________
Long Beach, Calif______
Los Angeles, Calif______
Louisville, K y __________
Lowell, M ass___________
L y n n , M ass____________
M em phis, T e n n ________
M iam i, F la _____________
M ilwaukee, W is________
M inneapolis, M in n _____
N ashville, T e n n ________
N ew ark, N . J __________
N ew Bedford, M ass_____
N ew H aven, C o n n______
N ew Orleans, L a _______
N ew Y ork, N . Y _______
Norfolk, V a ____________
Oakland, C alif__________
O klahoma C ity, O kla___
Omaha, N e b r__________
Paterson, N . J __________
Peoria, 111______________
Philadelphia, P a -----------P ittsb u rg h , P a _________
P o rtland, Oreg-------------Providence, R . I -----------Reading, P a ____________
R ichm ond, V a__________
Rochester, N . Y ________
S t. Louis, M o __________
S t. Paul, M in n -------------S alt Lake C ity, U ta h ____
San A ntonio, Tex_-______
San Diego, Calif-----------San Francisco, Calif_____
Scranton, P a ___________
Seattle, W ash __________
Somerville, M ass_______
South Bend, I n d _______
Spokane, W ash________ _
Springfield, M ass______ Syracuse, N . Y _________
Tacoma, W ash_________
T am pa, F la ____________
Toledo, Ohio----------------Trenton, N . J __________
Tulsa, O kla____________
Utica, N . Y ____________
1 D a ta not reported.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
730,961
407, 448
5, 366, 650
307,939
2,228, 400
18,842,438
2,349, 045
216,895
655,035
1,102, 715
633, 255
5,236,485
6,167, 730
1, 309, 925
1,922, 847
243,100
2, 287,365
3,378,868
205,678, 550
596, 504
4, 703, 042
12,080, 611
1, 897, 986
543, 750
520, 042
13,031, 865
6,059,137
2, 780, 985
1, 570, 360
1,993, 532
1,155, 430
2, 705, 948
10, 729, 254
7, 733, 747
2,438, 788
1, 220, 925
3,113,078
11,658,870
369,928
5,516, 986
528,175
330,140
1,093,395
1,251,242
3, 594,756
1,253, 680
260,355
1,366, 632
646, 252
2,450,540
338,518
450,210
1, 231,171
6,572, 539
447,948
40, 500
772, 230
929, 750
6,296,400
8,140,850
72, 612
1,899,383
380,551
268,215
6,075,120
2,494, 615
4,253, 739 23,096,177
39, 712,901
4, 921,065
2, 724,155
375,110
324,295
107.400
377,584
874,391
219,356
2,322,852
1,737,116
634.401
6,556,017
464,974
1,098, 229
1,137,828
7,110, 216
1,873, 731
13,092,107
819, 625
6,366,855
6,987,355
3,804,079
1, 565, 579
255, 654
3,194, 540
1,271, 693
6,656,497
319,000
75,900
528,860
2,593, 586
306, 221
3,666,097
3.840.848
461, 980
2,089, 775
234, 253,030
28,574, 480
202, 975, 234
822,129
225, 625
1,201,072
5,145,470
442, 428
5, 518,463
12,370, 22S
289, 615
9,928, 855
3, 586, 844
2, 329, 614
431, 628
879,934
336,184
1,159,457
1,992,015
793,477
273, 435
34, 589,340
15,065,440
2,033, 575
9, 962,874
7, 560, 490
1, 501, 353
5,391,185
3, 500,410
719, 425
6, 001,845
2,434,183
863,823
1,475,544
2,254, 809
261, 277
2, 652,128
1,482, 214
326, 784
2, 932,173
3,207,022
501,074
964,425
9,278, 695
11, 693, 679
7,081, 730
8.366.848
633.101
2, 609,252
1,856, 760
170, 464
4,984, 730
1,424,164
203, 239
3,581,971
468, 893
2,868,613
12,873,619
12,393,561
1,214,749
658,401
1,344,616
288,473
16,426,605
6,684,966
1,167, 980
442,594
647,300
119,125
405,851
75,711
(')
288, 609
1,334,148
1,382,004
2,106,543
1,518,237
266,995
4,793,074
1,198,318
2,577,410
1,444,700
191,020
2,637, 880
408,917
148, 562
896,630
6,182,419
280.101
1,646,733
873,110
226,858
1,754, 538
261,771
4,331,970
2,712,311
189, 238
665,030
527,756
269,900
139,600
945, 500
152.960
1,589,275
10,393,623
701, 500
100,150
267.000
394,680
290,205
2,535,050
2,475,935
330,350
1,084, 700
68,000
435,700
536,904
99,402, 837
491, 868
1, 789, 584
2,472, 850
718,050
165, 975
464, 950
2, 650, 425
1,834, 785
1, 720, 600
892, 500
181, 800
798, 877
474, 500
3,143,187
1,045, 800
862, 990
574.960
1,335,652
5,405, 846
81,625
2,354,210
126.500
150.000
487,450
353,970
716,100
280.000
71,925
535,800
147, 400
1,159, 525
182.500
316, 715
121,857
399, 746
105, 802
142, 032
1,238, 048
307, 745
100, 234
102, 320
253,143
110,637
578, 249
464, 356
153, 866
442,337
112,597
162,655
458, 762
6,930,446
129, 710
284,063
185, 389
214, 006
138, 513
104, 969
1,950,961
669, 817
301, 815
252, 981
111, 171
182, 929
328,132
821, 960
271,606
140, 267
231, 542
147, 995
634,394
143,433
365,583
103,908
104,193
115,514
149,900
209,326
106,817
101,161
290,718
123,356
141,258
101,740
69
70
231
53
600
3,626
104
24
56
160
88
535
629
134
234
11
81
182
23,402
129
507
643
175
38
156
562
378
363
141
19
131
81
837
201
267
375
374
1,446
27
768
32
36
127
73
137
113
39
118
21
276
37
2.2
5.7
5.8
5.0
42.2
29.3
3.4
2.4
5.5
63
8.0
9.3
13.5
8.7
5.3
1.0
5.0
4.0
33.8
9.9
17.8
34.7
8.2
2.7
14.9
2.9
5.6
12.0
5.6
1.7
7.2
2.5
10.2
7.4
19.0
16.2
25.3
22.8
1.9
21.0
3.1
3.5
11.0
4.9
6.5
10.6
3.9
4.1
1.7
19.5
3.6
2. 47
3.34
13.43
2. 91
15. 68
15. 22
7.63
2.16
6. 40
4. 36
5. 72
9 06
13.28
8.51
4. 35
2.16
14.06
7.37
29.68
4.60
16.56
65.16
8.87
3. 93
4. 96
6.68
9. 05
9.21
6. 21
17. 93
6. 32
8. 25
13.05
28. 47
17. 39
5. 27
21.04
18.38
2. 58
15. 09
5. 08
3.17
9. 47
8. 35
17.17
11.74
2.57
4. 70
5. 24
17.35
3.33
1.42
.33
2.33
.69
1. 89
3. 44
1.22
1.07
2.14
2.51
4. 20
3. 24
1. 77
1.66
2.87
.67
1.88
1.01
4.12
1.74
1.56
1. 56
2. 02
2. 43
2.60
1.04
2.24
2. 38
3.41
2. 35
1.79
1.53
1.17
2. 33
1.22
.88
3.17
1.91
2.01
3.19
1.15
.73
2.50
1. 78
5. 72
1.79
1.47
.96
1. 84
1.85
1.86
3.89
3. 68
15. 75
3. 60
17. 56
18. 66
8. 85
3.24
8. 55
6. 86
9.93
12. 30
15. 05
10.17
7.22
2. 83
15. 94
8.37
33. 80
6. 34
18. 11
66. 73
10. 89
6. 35
7. 56
7. 72
11.29
11. 60
9. 62
20.28
8. 10
9. 77
14. 22
30.81
18. 60
6. 15
24. 20
20. 29
4. 59
18.29
6. 23
3. 90
11.96
10.13
22. 90
13. 53
4.04
5. 66
7. 08
19.20
5.19
88
89
23
90
20
16
52
91
54
65
48
32
24
45
62
92
22
55
4
70
19
1
41
69
61
60
37
34
51
12
58
49
29
5
17
72
7
11
81
18
71
87
33
46
9
31
85
75
63
14
78
.85
1.15
2.36
1.45
11.19
8. 40
2.28
1.00
2. 61
1. 56
2.62
4. 38
5. 33
2. 15
2. 45
.60
2.68
1.17
14. 34
3. 79
6.30
13.34
3. 36
1.20
4.43
1.36
2.74
5.70
3.52
1.64
4. 36
1.45
3. 82
3. 85
6.15
2. 48
9. 02
8.52
.57
6.44
1.22
1.44
4. 22
2.36
3. 42
2. 62
.71
1.84
1.19
8.21
1.79 -
a
O
(H
S
M
2!
O
£
CO
T a b l e 6 .—T O T A L A N D P E R C A P IT A E X P E N D IT U R E S F O R N E W B U IL D IN G S A N D F O R R E P A IR S , A N D F A M IL IE S P R O V ID E D F O R , 93 C IT IE S , IN
F IR S T H A L F O F 1931— C ontinued
C ity and State
Expenditure Expenditure
for new
for repairs
buildings
and additions
1931
1930
______________________________________
Families provided
for
T otal expenditures, first
half of—
E xpenditure Population
for new
census
housekeep
Ratio for
of
ing dwellings
10,000
1930
N um ber popula
only
tion
Per capita expenditure
For
new
build
ings
For re
pairs
and ad
ditions
Total
$20,981, 678
1,076, 579
1,333, 631
851, 945
5,400,125
630, 859
$3,440, 306
137,252
511,050
320,897
300, 555
401, 559
$24,421,984
1,213,831
1, 844, 681
1,172,842
5,700, 680
1,032,418
$30,522,416
3,602,304
3,436,122
3,183,465
3,168,315
1,809,399
$13,891,655
637,380
661,350
740,900
3,227,740
233,850
486,869
111,110
106,597
195,311
134, 646
170, 002
2,205
207
131
121
396
48
45.3
18.6
12.3
6.2
29.4
2.8
$43.10
9.69
12.51
4.36
40. 11
3.71
$7.07
1.24
4.79
1. 64
2. 23
2. 36
$50.16
10.92
17.31
6.00
42.34
6.07
Total_____________
532,669,164
89,201, 881
621,871,045
749,013,782
224, 539,783
36,325,736
53,745
14.8
14.67
2.45
17.12
For
R ank
house
of
keeping
city dwellings
only
2
40
21
74
3
73
$28.53
5. 74
6.20
3. 79
23.97
1.38
6.18
[630]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
W ashington, D . C ___ . .
W ichita, K ans__________
W ilmington, D e l_______
W orcester, M ass________
Yonkers, N . Y _________
Y oungstown, Ohio______
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
h-*
145
HOUSING
The per capita expenditure for all classes of buildings in these 93
cities during the first half of 1931 was $17.12. Of this amount, $14.67
was for new buildings and $2.45 was for additions, alterations, and
repairs. Of the amount spent for new buildings, $6.18 was for house
keeping dwellings.
The five leading cities in per capita expenditure were Oklahoma
City, $66.73; Washington, D. C., $50.16; Yonkers, $42.34; New York
City, $33.80; and St. Paul, $30.81.
In these 93 cities 53,745 families were provided with dwelling places
in the new buildings for which permits were issued during the first
half of 1931. This is at the rate of 14.8 families per 10,000 of popula
tion. The population of the 93 cities according to the 1930 census
was 36,325,736. The following cities were the leading builders of
homes during the first six months of 1930 and 1931 upon the basis of
families provided for per 10,000 population:
First half 1930
First half 1931
L ong B each _____________________ 82. 5
O klahom a C i t y . . ________________ 60. 5
Los A ngeles________.___________ 47. 2
H o u sto n _________________________42. 0
S e a ttle _________________________ 41. 9
W a sh in g to n _____________________ 45.
Long B each _____________________ 42.
H o u sto n ________________________ 38.
O klahom a C ity __________________ 34.
N ew Y o rk _______________________ 3 3 .
3
2
8
7
8
The following list shows the five cities which have led in total
expenditures for all classes of buildings during the first half of each
year, 1922 to 1931, inclusive:
1922
N ew Y ork C ity
C hicago _______
Los A ngeles___
P h ila d e lp h ia ___
D e tro it________
1927
$339,
108,
59,
52,
40
143,
699,
459,
429,
650,
976
025
250
145
143
N ew Y ork C ity
C hicago_______
D e tro it________
P h ilad elp h ia___
Los A ngeles___
427,
189,
93,
75,
61,
633,
914,
889,
217,
616,
386
112
185
095
302
New Y ork C ity
C hicago_______
D e tro it________
P h ilad elp h ia___
Los A ngeles___
N ew Y ork C ity
C hicago _______
D e tro it________
Los A ngeles___
P h ila d e lp h ia ___
548,
166,
87,
78,
72,
161,
436,
195,
828,
573,
458
214
800
738
485
1925
N ew Y ork C ity _______
C hicago _______________
D e tro it_______________
P h ilad elp h ia__________
Los A ngeles___________
461,
204,
89,
85,
83,
513,
239,
562,
884,
175,
510,
183,
96,
70,
63,
263,
577,
204,
379,
161,
$490,
210,
78,
61,
58,
119,
210,
742,
683,
192,
588
475
327
600
977
557,
184,
65,
63,
52,
561,
650,
175,
195,
002 ,
891
200
361
840
570
New Y ork City.
C hicago_______
P h ila d e lp h ia___
D e tro it________
Los A ngeles___
694,
118,
58,
55,
54,
118,
898,
533,
855,
071,
064
940
385
545
599
809
810
885
680
457
1930
New Y ork C ity _______
C hicago_______________
Los A ngeles___________
P h ilad elp h ia__________
W ash in g to n-----------------
202,
41,
39,
34,
30 ,
975, 234
953, 917
712, 901
569, 340
522, 416
696
891
092
825
395
New Y o rk C ity
C hicago_______
W ash in g to n___
Los A ngeles___
B o sto n ________
234,
37,
24,
23,
17,
253,
651,
421,
096,
583,
1923
N ew Y ork C ity
C h icag o _______
Los A ngeles___
P h ila d e lp h ia ___
D e tro it________
1928
1924
1929
1926
N ew Y ork C ity
C hicago_______
D e tro it________
P h ilad elp h ia___
Los A ngeles___
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1931
[631]
030
195
984
177
794
146
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Table 7 shows the cost of new buildings for which contracts were
let by the Federal Government and by the different State governments
during the first half of 1931, by geographic divisions.
T a b l e 7.—C O N T R A C T S L E T F O R P U B L IC B U IL D IN G S B Y D I F F E R E N T A G E N C IE S OF
T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S G O V E R N M E N T A N D BY T H E D I F F E R E N T S T A T E G O V E R N
M E N T S , D U R IN G T H E F IR S T H A L F OF 1931, B Y G E O G R A P H IC D IV IS IO N S
Contracts let
by Federal
G overnm ent
Geographic division
N ew E ngland___________ . . . . .
M iddle A tlan tic_____ _______
E ast N o rth C entral________ .
W est N o rth C en tra l.. . ____ .
South A tlan tic____ . . . ____
South C entral.
.
_ _
M ountain and Pacific________
T otal
.
_
_
Contracts let
by S tate
governm ents
$8,166,532
10,087, 594
3,985. 002
4,185, 516
12,174,354
7,850,163
8,966,954
$2,771, 827
18, 231, 338
2,754, 796
1,450, 510
2,370, 555
322,357
2,583, 555
55,416,115
30, 484, 938
During the first six months of 1931 contracts were let by the
different agencies of the United States Government for public build
ings to cost $55,416,115. Contracts let by State governments totaled
$30,484,938. These contracts were let in cities in all sections of the
United States. Wherever a contract was let in a city having a
population of 100,000 or over, the amount is included in the amount
shown for such city in Table 6.
U se o f R e lie f F u n d s fo r A p a r tm e n t C o n s tr u c tio n , L eip zig
A
CCORDING to a report from Paul J. Reveley, of the American
L consulate at Leipzig, dated May 29,1931, the Leipzig Municipal
Council has recently developed a plan which calls for the construction
of 270 apartments from funds now at the disposal of the municipal
poor relief bureau. These apartments will be constructed during
1931 and will give employment to 200 to 300 workmen who are now
being supported from the local relief fund. This construction pro
gram is, of course, in addition to the regular program of apartment
construction financed by the rent tax. The city will place at the dis
posal of the municipal poor relief bureau the sum of 4,000 marks
($952) for each apartment; these loans will be entered as mortgages
and provision will be made for interest and amortization in the same
manner as the money given from the proceeds of the rent tax. The
advantages of this plan are obvious. The city in this manner secures
an investment and is relieved of the necessity of paying out the
money, without any return, in the form of doles to such workmen.
It is expected that the dwellings to be constructed in this manner will
be larger than those built from the rent-tax fund, which are restricted
to 45 square meters (484 square feet) of floor space. These 270
apartments will be rented by the city at comparatively moderate
prices and will help to satisfy the large demand for dwellings suitable
for families with children.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[632]
HOUSING
147
E x te n s io n o f E n g lis h R u ra l W o rk ers’ H o u s in g A ct
N 1926, Parliament passed an act with the intention of encouraging
the provision of housing accommodation for farm workers and
others by subsidizing the improvement or reconstruction of existing
buildings. (See Labor Review, March, 1927, p. 40). This act
would normally have expired on September 30,1931, but an amend
ment, which received the royal assent on July 8, has continued it in
effect until September 30, 1936. The Ministry of Labor Gazette for
July, 1931, gives this summary of its provisions:
I
T he purpose of th e housing (ru ral w o rk e rs’) a c t, 1926, w as to pro m o te th e
provision of housing accom m odation for a g ric u ltu ra l w oikcrs a n d persons of
sim ilar econom ic condition by m eans of th e repair, reco n stru ctio n o r im prove
m en t of existing houses a n d buildings. Local a u th o ritie s w ere au th o rized to
m ake g ra n ts a n d /o r loans in aid of w orks of th is kin d ; a n d a n exchequer contrib u tio n is pay ab le u n d er th e a c t to w ard th e expenses in cu rred by a local a u th o rity
in m aking grants. N o t m u ch a d v a n ta g e w as a t first ta k e n of th is a c t, b u t th ere
are indications t h a t it is now being used to a n increasing exten t.
C o n s tr u c tio n o f D w e llin g s in t h e N e th e r la n d s , 1930
HE number of dwellings constructed in the Netherlands in 1930
was 52,588, according to a report from Charles L. Hoover,
American consul general at Amsterdam, dated June 11, 1931. This
constitutes a record, the average for the last 10 years having been
47,500, with a net increase of 42,500. The net increase in 1930,
that is, the number of dwellings constructed above the number de
molished, was 44,523. The increase in construction costs which took
place in 1929 has disappeared, the costs during 1930 having dropped
to the level of around 1925.
The percentage of private construction, which was less than onehalf in 1921, has been above 80 per cent for several years, while in
1930 it was more than 85 per cent. This is in accordance with the
policy of the Government of furthering the return of private con
struction to normal proportions and of inducing the building and
loan associations and municipalities to take the initiative in places
where the number of dwellings are insufficient. I t is reported that
the experience of recent years shows that it is no longer necessary
for the Government to aid building through subsidies.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[633]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
W a g es a n d H o u r s o f L ab or in t h e M o to r -V e h ic le I n d u s tr y , 1930
earners in the motor-vehicle industry in the United
States earned an average of 72.4 cents per hour in 1930, as
W AGE
against 75.0 cents in 1928, 72.3 cents in 1925, and 65.7 cents in 1922.
Their average full-time hours per week were 48.8 in 1930, 49.4
in 1928, 50.3 in 1925, and 50.1 per week in 1922. Their average full
time earnings per week were $35.33 in 1930, which was $1.72 per week
less than their average earnings in 1928, $1.04 less than in 1925,
and $2.41 more than in 1922. These averages are for the establish
ments and employees in Table 1. They represent the industry and
were computed from individual hours and earnings of wage earners,
which were collected by agents of the Bureau of Labor Statistics of
the Department of Labor, from the pay rolls and other records of the
establishments. Index numbers of these averages, with the 1922 aver
age the base or 100 per cent, are also given in the table.
T a b l e 1.—A V E R A G E H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S , W IT H IN D E X N U M B E R S , F O R A L L E M -
P L O Y E E S , 1922, 1925, 1928, A N D 1930
Index num bers (1922=100)
of—
N um ber
Average Average Average
of estab N u m b er of full-time earnings full-time
lis h
employees
hours
earnings Average Average Average
m ents
per week .per hour per week full-time earnings
full-time
hours
earnings
per week per hour per week
Y ear
1922
1925______________
1928______________
1930______________
49
99
94
96
56, 309
144| 362
153', 962
134,902
50.1
50.3
49.4
48.8
$0.657
.723
.750
.724
$32.92
36. 37
37.05
35.33
100.0
100.4
98. 6
97.4
100
.0
110. 0
114. 2
110.2
100.0
110.5
112 5
107.3
Hours and Earnings, 1928 and 1930, by Occupation and Sex
T able 2 shows average hours and earnings for the wage earners of
each sex in each of the numerically im portant occupations in the
industry in 1930 and 1928, and for the group designated as “ other
employees,” which includes the occupations in which the num ber of
wage earners was insufficient to w arrant separate presentation.
The 1930 average full-time hours per week of males in the occupa
tions in which wage earners of that sex were found ranged from 46.0
for die setters to 52.9 for hardeners; in 1928 the shortest full-time
hours were those of sewing-machine operators (42.4 hours), while the
longest were those of hardeners (54.5 hours). The hours of females
ranged from 44.1 for axle assemblers to 54.0 for punch and press
operators in 1930, while in 1928 the range was from 49.3 for machineshop bench hands to 52.4 per week for lacquer rubbers. The average
[634]
148
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149
WAGES AND H OU RS OF LABOR
hours of males were less in 43 and more in 10 occupations in
1930 than in 1928, while those of females were less in 8 and more in 8
occupations in 1930 than in 1928 and the same in 3 occupations.
In the case of males in the important occupations in the industry,
apprentices had the lowest average earnings per hour in 1930 (57.1
cents) and hammermen in the forge shop the highest ($1,005); in
1928 the range was from 57.2 cents for apprentices to $1,128 for ding
men. For females the average earnings per hour in 1930 ranged
from 33.1 cents for mechanical stripers to 51.7 cents for hand letterers,
stripers, and varnishers; in 1928 the range was from 39.0 cents for
inspectors to 63.6 cents for lacquer rubbers. The average hourly
earnings of males were less in 43 and more in 9 occupations in 1930
than in 1928 and the same in 1 occupation, while those of females
were less in 17 and more in 2 occupations in 1930 than in 1928.
The average full-time weekly earnings of males in 1930 ranged
from $26.38 for apprentices to $48.46 for ding men; these same oc
cupations represented the extremes, in 1928 also earning $27.80
and $57.53, respectively. Among the females employed in this
industry in 1930, axle assemblers had the lowest full-time weekly
earnings ($14.69) and hand letterers, stripers, and varnishers the
highest ($25.85); in 1928 the lowest and highest earnings were those,
respectively, of inspectors ($19.77) and lacquer rubbers ($33.33).
The averages for males were less in 47, and more in 6 occupations in
1930 than in 1928, while those for females were less in 18 occupations
and more in 1 occupation.
T a b l e 2 .—A V E R A G E H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S , 1928 A N D 1930, B Y O C C U P A T IO N A N D
SE X
Occupations
N um ber
of es
tablish
ments
Sex
N um ber of
employees
Assemblers, chassis and final........ . M.
F.
Assemblers, chassis frame------------ M.
Assemblers, m otor---------------------- M.
F.
A utom atic operators, lath e and
screw m achine............. ................... M.
Balancers_______ _______________
Bench hands, machine shop-------Boring-mill operators............—........
B um pers_______________ _______
Crane operators-----------------------C utters, cloth and leath er----------Die setters...................... ............. .
Ding m en_________________ ____
Door hangers.............- ......................
Drill-press operators—.....................
Gear cutter operators----------------Grinding machine operators-------H am m erm en, forge shop-----------Other forge shop em ployees...........
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
46
41
2
48
69 1Ö
23 17
45 40
59 54
5
9
54
M
M.
F.
M.
M.
M.
M.
67
7
56
43
37
39
M.
M.
M.
M.
F.
M.
M.
F.
M.
M
22
36
41
78
15
50
70
4
79
58
49
3
22
64
8
48
40
41
33
full
Average earn Average
tim e earn
ings per
ings per
hour
week
1928
1930
1928
1930
1930
1928
1930
1,167
2,703
13
3,256
12
12,791
684
1,125
4,859
81
831
2,225
82
2,661
48.6
50.2
50.3
50.4
49 8
49.7
49.4
49.5
50.1
50.4
46.2 $0. 572 $0. 571 $27. 80 $26.38
.717 37.90 35.92
50. 1 .755
.333 22.69 14.69
44. 1 .451
.707 40.27 35.35
.799
50.0
20. 87
.419
.681 38.17 32. 69
.768
48.0
.456 25.19 22.53
49.4
.510
.708 38.12 34. 48
.770
48.7
.762
.725 38.18 35.38
48.8
.478 23.18 23.90
.460
50.0
1,842
1,756
13
137
1,577
31
1, 202
398
212
328
49.0
47.8
46.1
50.4
49.8
49.3
46.3
49.0
49.2
51.6
1928 1930 1928
A pprentices____________________ M. 49
Assemblers, ax le.------- ---------------- M. 48
F.
3
Assemblers, body fram e................... M. 47
Average
full-time
hours per
week
2,178
42
1,129
358
217
205
12
224
"32"
235
37
672
40
78 8,488
164
11
50 1,121
66 5,419
8
3
850
76
48 ] 1,833
[635J
8,820
339
665
4,655
66
523
201
523
6,566
117
1,144
5,144
6
1,148
1,620
.806
.724
50.3
..538
49.3
.808
47.3
1.042
49.6
.707
49.3
.831
49.1
.461
52. 8
.849
47.4 46.0
51.0 49.7 1.128
.861
50.9 49.9
.734
49.6 48.6
.466
50.5 49.5
.760
49.5 48.3
.792
48.8 47.6
.457
50.3 50.0
.973
48.9 47.7
50.7 1 48.6 1 .735 I
.764
.413
.767
.686
.410
.806
.910
.673
.798
39.4.9
36.42
26. 52
38.22
51.68
34.86
40. 80
24.34
.819 40.24
.975 57.53
.718 43.82
.696 36. 41
.407 23. 53
.740 37.62
.780 38.65
.428 22.99
1.005 47.58
.782 37.26
36.52
19.04
38.66
34.16
20. 21
37. 32
44.59
33. 11
41.18
37. 67
48.46
35.83
33.83
20.15
35.74
37.13
21.40
47.94
38.01
150
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
T a b le 2.—A V ER A G E H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S , 1928 A N D 1930, B Y O C C U P A T IO N A N D
S E X —C ontinued
Occupations
N um ber
of es
tablish
Sex ments
N um ber of
employees
1928 1930 1928
H ardeners . . ---------------------------- M .
H elpers-. __________ _________ M.
F.
Inspectors.-- --- - -------------------- M.
F.
Laborers__ ____________________ M.
F.
---- -- ------ VI.
Lacquer rubbers
F.
L athe operators------------ -- ----------- M.
F.
Letterers, stripers, and varnishers,
M.
h a n d __ _____ ___ - — - —
F.
M.
F.
M achinists________________1------ M.
M etal finishers_____
___ _
-- M.
M.
--------M etal pan elers.. .M.
M illing-machine o p e ra to rs .-----F.
M.
Molders, belt, drip, etc. - --------- M.
Painters, g e n e ra l---- ---------------- M.
F.
P ain t sprayers-.
------------- M .
F.
Al.
P attern makers
Planer and shaper operators- . -_ M .
M.
---- --- P la te rs .. . ---Polishers and buffers. _ ------------ M.
P unch and press operators----------- M.
F.
Sand blasters, etc------------------ AL
F.
Sanders and rough stuff ru b b e rs ..- AI.
F.
Sewing-machine operators- ------- M.
F.
Sheet-metal workers---------- --------- M.
F.
M.
Straighteners____________ _____
AI.
Testers, final---------------Testers, motor and tran sm issio n ... M.
Tool and die m akers. _ -------------- M.
Top builders------ ---------------------- M.
F.
T rim bench han d s_______________ M.
F.
V arnish rubbers_________________ M.
Welders and braziers, h a n d ______ Al.
Welders, m achine__ __________ M.
F.
W oodworking-machine o p erato rs.. M.
AL
O ther skilled occupations- __ _
F.
O ther employees....... ............ ............. M.
F.
Average
full-time
hours per
week
full
Average earn Average
tim e earn
ings per
ings per
hour
week
1928
1930
720 1,116
4,085 1,894
17
7, 579 6,961
503
366
15, 535 11, 279
119
108
1,465 1,820
36
48
5,553 4,335
23
54.5
48. 1
52.0
49.4
50.7
49.4
49.5
50.3
52.4
49.0
52.9 $0.749 $0.720 $40.82 $38.09
.621
48.4
. 633 29. 87 30. 64
24. 08
.463
48.2
.723
.749 35. 72 36.10
.392 19. 77 19.44
49.6
.390
48.4
.589
.589 29. 10 28. 51
51.2
.383 23.02 19.69
.465
.841
.663 42.30 32. 21
48.7
50.1
.636
.340 33.33 17.03
.756 38. 66 36. 21
47.9
.789
50.8
.449
22.81
54
512
650
4
26
35
10
25
12
47
81 81 3,465 3,432
55 54 4, 606 5,404
34 38 1,947 1, 646
70 66 3,231 2, 781
5
22
80
833
30 25
672
362
77 75 2,155 1,097
6
3
15
8
71 72 1,581 1,712
4
14
5
19
36
477
38 31
401
257
33 35
302
358
56 41 2,030 1,784
61 54 4,268 4,352
6
6
244
100
44 53 1,026
692
3
3
54 52 2,716 2,344
4
4
39
18
13 18
228
117
43 33
861 1,167
54 62 2,441 3,024
8
7
56
47
45 38
531
629
48 40
538
337
41 41
778
749
77 79 3,523 5,175
56 58 4,090 4,158
11
8
287
327
25 22
385
495
29 27
669 1,039
26 19
146
357
66 73 1,197 1,153
41 58
825 1,405
3
6
47 45 1,815 1, 264
93 92 5, 615 3,045
4
4
8
5
93 96 12,819 10,932
282
30 29
391
50.0
49.8
49.8
50.0
49.3
49. 5
46.9
50.4
49.6
48.7
50. 5
48.9
49.7
49.6
51.0
49.1
49.9
50.9
46.4
49.1
48.0
48.0
54.0
50.0
48.3
49.3
48.8
47.1
51.2
50.0
51.9
48.7
50.3
49.9
49.9
50.0
50.7
47.6
50.2
50.0
49. 9
49.0
53.8
50.0
48.7
51.0
48.0
51.4
56
74
4
90
29
92
21
43
3
69
55
69
91
25
96
16
46
4
67
3
59
6
47.9
50.5
49.8
49.5
50.6
50.7
50.3
50.4
48.9
49.1
49.5
49.2
47.9
51.3
48.7
49.7
51.4
42.4
51.0
50.5
49.6
49.8
49.9
51.4
48.8
49.6
49.5
49.4
50.8
49.4
47.6
49.5
50.5
48. 9
51.0
48.8
49.2
1928
1.115
.588
.844
.893
.830
.764
.914
.770
.415
.824
.565
.791
.756
.936
.746
.491
.727
.807
.540
.833
.513
.807
.489
.780
.699
.726
.919
.840
.536
.770
.483
.836
. 852
.789
.729
.773
.509
.702
.506
1930
1928
1930
.878
.517
.764
.331
.851
.738
.721
.722
.353
.753
.704
.694
.385
.734
.457
.887
.822
.724
.851
.717
.401
.629
.343
.702
.434
.664
.461
.711
.423
.763
.686
.727
.887
.751
.416
.751
.451
.754
.757
.735
.421
.691
.793
.487
.743
.447
55.75
29.28
40. 43
45.10
41.33
37.82
46. 25
39.04
20.87
41.53
27.63
38.84
37.42
46.05
35.73
25.19
35.40
40.11
27. 76
35.32
26.16
40. 75
24. 25
38. 84
34. 88
37. 32
44. 85
41. 66
26.53
38.04
24. 54
41.30
40.56
39. 06
36.81
37. 80
25. 96
34.26
24. 90
1930
43.72
25.85
37. 67
16.38
39.91
37.20
35. 76
35.16
17. 83
36.82
34.99
34.42
19.64
36.04
22.80
45. 15
38.14
35. 55
40. 85
34.42
21.65
31.45
16. 57
34. 61
21. 18
31.27
23. 60
35.55
21.95
37. 16
34. 51
36.28
44.26
37. 55
21.09
35. 75
22.64
37.70
37. 77
36. 02
22. 65
34. 55
38. 62
24.84
35.66
22.98
Hours and Earnings, 1928 and 1930, by Sex and State
T he figures in Table 3 show average full-time hours per week,
earnings per hour, and full-time earnings per week for each sex and
for each of eight States.
In the various States covered by the study the average hourly
earnings of males in 1930 ranged from 61.4 to 82.4 cents, while those
of females ranged from 37.8 to 47.1 cents. In the same year full-time
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[636]
151
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
weekly earnings of males ranged from $30.95 to $37.30, while those
of females ranged from $23.03 to $25.25.
The average hours per week for males, all States combined, fell
from 49.4 in 1928 to 48.7 in 1930; during the same period their
average hourly rate declined from 75.6 cents to 73.3 cents while their
average weekly earnings declined from $37.35 in 1928 to $35.70 in
1930. From 1928 to 1930 the weekly full-time hours of women, all
States combined, rose slightly, from 50.3 to 50.6; average hourly
earnings fell from 48.7 to 43.7 cents; and full-time weekly earnings
declined from $24.50 to $22.11.
T able 3 . - A V E R A G E H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S , 1928 A N D 1930, BY SE X A N D ST A T E S
N um ber of
establish
m ents
Sex and State
N um ber of em
ployees
Average
full-time
hours per
week
full
Average earn Average
e weekly
ings per hour tim
earnings
1928
1930
1928
1930
6
14
30
4
12
17
5
8
3, 361
10, 258
92, 784
5, 629
10, 142
14, 624
8,127
4, 603
2,824
12, 641
79, 397
2, 538
6, 709
13, 851
4, 874
7, 577
49.2
50.9
48.8
45.3
50. 9
49. 6
52. 8
53.3
46.6 $0. 704 $0. 740 $34. 64
.652
. 614 33.19
50.4
48.0
.790
.777 38.55
.824 32.84
44.3
.725
.694 37. 36
. 734
50.9
.734
.701 36. 41
48.5
.624 34.00
53.2
.644
.629 38. 22
.717
50.8
94
96
149,828
130,411
49.4
48.7
.756
. 733
37.35
35. 70
3
6
25
3
8
10
4
5
2
8
22
1
7
9
3
5
CO
342
2,840
51
226
412
95
108
21
501
2,840
3
228
629
42
227
54.4
50.4
50. 5
50. 0
49.8
48.4
51. 8
49. 2
54.6
50.4
51. 3
45.0
51.0
47.6
52.8
49.1
.441
.457
.487
. 505
.507
.516
.460
.511
.378
.412
.440
.443
.451
.447
.471
. 414
23. 99
23.03
24. 59
25. 25
25. 25
24. 97
23. 83
25. 14
20.64
20. 76
22.57
19. 94
23.00
21. 28
24. 87
20. 33
64
57
4,134
4, 491
50.3
50.6
.487
.437
24. 50
22.11
Illinois_____________________
In d ia n a ____________________
M ichigan....................... ..............
N ew Jersey_________________
N ew Y ork
_____________
O hio__________________ ____
Pennsylvania
- -----W isconsin_____ _ - ............. .
8
9
33
6
13
12
6
7
0
14
30
4
12
17
5
8
3,421
10, 600
95, 624
5, 680
10, 368
15, 036
8, 222
5, OH
2,845
13,142
82, 237
2,541
6,937
14, 480
4,916
7,804
49.3
50.9
48.9
45.3
50. 9
49. 6
52.8
53. 2
46.7
50.4
48. 1
44.3
50. 9
48.4
53.1
50. 7
. 699
.647
.782
.723
.729
.728
.643
.714
.737
. 608
.765
.824
.686
.693
.623
.624
34.46
32.93
38. 24
32.75
37.11
36.11
33. 95
37.98
34. 42
30. 64
36. 80
36.50
34.92
33.54
33. 08
31.64
T o ta l.. ______________
94
96
153, 962
134,902
49.4
48.8
.750
.724
37.05
35. 33
1928
1930
Illinois_____
__________
In d ia n a -.- - ____ -M ichigan
N ew Jersey------ ------------- -N ew Y o rk ___ - ---------O h io .. - - - - _
___- _____
PennsylvaniaW isconsin-- _
_______ --
8
9
33
6
13
12
6
7
T o tal_______ _ ----------
1928
1930
1928
1930
Males
$34.48
30.95
37. 30
36.50
35. 32
34.00
33. 20
31. 95
Females
Illinois__________________ -In d ia n a _______ -- ---- - - -M ichigan___________ -_- N ew Jersey______ _ - - - - - N ew Y o rk _______________ -_
Ohio____________ - _____ -P ennsylvania____ _________ W isconsin__________________
T o ta l.- . . .
_
Males and females
Hours and Earnings, 1930, by Occupation, Sex, and State
T able 4 shows average hours and earnings, by sex, in 18 repre
sentative occupations in each State in 1930. It shows the variations
in hours and earnings in different States and makes easy the compari
son of the averages for males or for females in an occupation in one
State with those in the same occupation in any other State.
Average full-time hours per week of axle assemblers (males) ranged
in the different States from 48.3 to 53.3 and for all States averaged
50.1. Average earnings per hour for the males in this occupation
ranged, by States, from 56.8 to 75.7 cents, and for all States averaged
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
rr>371
152
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
71.7 cents. Average full-time earnings per week ranged, by States,
from $30.27 to $37.85, and for all States averaged $35.92.
T a b l e 4 .—A V E R A G E H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S IN 18 R E P R E S E N T A T IV E O C C U P A T IO N S ,
1930, B Y S E X A N D S T A T E
N um ber N um ber Average Average Average
of estab of em full-time earnings full-time
lish
hours
earnings
ployees per
m ents
week per hour per week
Occupation, sex, and State
Assemblers, axle, male:
Illinois________________
___ ___ _______
In diana,
------ ------------ ------ _____ - - M ichigan________ ____ _
New Jersey- - - ---------------------------------------N ew Y ork, __ ------- ---- ----O hio.,- ____
----------- - - - - ---------P ennsylvania...-.
- . . . ------W isconsin______- - -- --- . ----------------------
2
4
16
2
6
6
2
3
15
142
1,525
18
92
330
49
54
49.8
50.3
49.7
48.3
50.4
51.6
50.0
53.3
$0. 631
.610
.750
.658
.686
.628
.757
.568
$31.42
30. 68
37.28
31. 78
34.57
32. 40
37. 85
30.27
T o tal----------- ------- -- -------------------------------
41
2, 225
50. 1
.717
35.92
.
2
82
44. 1
.333
14. 69
Assemblers, body frame, male:
Illinois____ _ . . . .- - . _ ------------------ --------- --------- -In d ian a__ - - - - - - M ic h ig a n _____- ____ _ _
_
..
—
N ew Jersey,- _______________________ _______ N ew Y ork___. . .
--------- --------- -----Ohio__
, _ -------- - P ennsylvania,
- - ---- ---- -W isconsin___________ _____ - ------- -- T
3
7
14
2
7
7
4
4
29
471
1, 209
90
203
387
70
202
46.3
50.2
50. 5
41.0
50. 1
49.3
51.9
51.1
.773
.591
.745
.866
.695
.773
.644
.619
35. 79
29. 67
37. 62
35.51
34. 82
38.11
33. 42
31.63
____-_ - ------------ , ------ --
48
2, 661
50.0
.707
35. 35
Assemblers, chassis and final, male:
Illinois_________ ___________________________
------- ------------------In d ian a------- ------M ic h ig a n --------- ------------N ew J e r s e y ---- --------- . . .
--------- -- ----------------------------N ew Y ork
Ohio________
-----Pennsylvania - - - - ..
---------W isconsin------------- ---------------- - ----------------
4
10
22
3
9
13
2
7
420
1,140
4, 025
261
808
1,055
288
823
41.9
50.6
49.3
40.6
50.5
47.5
50.0
40.4
.828
.584
.716
.874
. 664
.638
.608
.619
34.69
29. 55
35. 30
35. 48
33.53
30.31
30.40
25.01
70
8, 820
48.0
.681
32. 69
1
11
1
1
3
(>)
(»)
.459
(')
(>)
.475
(>)
22. 67
(>)
0)
23. 37
Assemblers, axle, female: M ichigan and Ohio.
T o t a l _____
T otal _
- ------- -----------
- - -
Assemblers, chassis and final, female:
In d ia n a ,. __ _ - ----------- ---------- --------M ichigan, . . . —
- - - - - - - - - --------------------New Y ork—_ ----------------- -- . - - -------Ohio ____ . -_- ------- --------------------------W isconsin., - - - - - - ___ ____ _
T o tal_________ ____
________________ ____
Assemblers, chassis frame, male:
Illinois______
- -------- _ _ -- ------ -In d ian a_____
------------ -M ichigan____ - - - - - ------- -----N ew Jersey, - - - ---------- ------ -- ---------- - N ew Y o rk ...
, - ---------------------- - --Ohio. . . -- , .
- ,- ----------------- - - - - - - -_
Pennsylvania__________ ______ ______ _ -- —
W isconsin____________________
----------
32
0)
49.4
(>)
(>)
49.2
17
339
49.4
.456
22. 53
2
5
14
1
5
7
2
4
17
43
293
f1)
25
192
41
51
49.8
51.4
48.3
(>)
50.2
47.5
50.0
51.9
.600
. 551
.796
0)
.755
.639
.756
.630
29.88
28. 32
38.45
(>)
37.90
30.35
37. 80
32.70
(>)
(>)
185
40
665
48.7
.708
34.48
Assemblers, m otor, male:
Illin o is... _ ________ ---------- - ,- _ -----I n d ia n a ________
--------------M ichigan________ _ . . . ---------- _ _ ------------N ew J e r s e y ____
_______- - - - N ew York
.
. . .
------Ohio
_____ -. -- ------------------------Pennsylvania___
. . ________ ____ _ - - W isc o n sin ___ _ . _________ . . . ..........
4
7
18
3
5
9
3
5
137
318
3,179
68
126
422
133
272
53.6
50.2
47.8
49.9
50.0
48. 2
54. 7
53.3
.633
.610
.761
.818
.687
.663
.615
.622
33.93
30.62
36. 38
40. 82
34. 35
31.96
33.64
33.15
T o ta l_________ ____ ____________ _____ _____
54
4, 655
48.8
.725
35.38
T o tal_____________________________________
1 D a ta included in total.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[638]
153
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
T
able
4.—A V E R A G E H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S IN 18 R E P R E S E N T A T IV E O C C U P A T IO N S ,
1930, BY S E X A N D S T A T E —Continued
N um ber N um ber Average Average Average
of estab of em full-time earnings full-time
earnings
hours
lish
ployees per
week per hour per week
m ents
Occupation, sex, and State
5
66
50.0
$0. 478
$23. 90
A utom atic operators, lathe and screw machines,
male:
_______ ________________
Illinois
Indiana
_________________ ______
Michigan
- - -- _________ _____
N ew Jersey
________________________
N ew York
___ __________ —
Ohio
__________________________
Pennsylvania
_ ____ ___
W isconsin
_____
__ _ --- ---------- —
2
6
18
2
5
9
3
4
11
129
1,017
20
133
327
29
90
54.1
50.0
48.1
50.0
48.8
47.0
50.4
40.3
.656
.619
.812
.859
.762
.698
.635
.771
35.49
30.95
39.06
42. 95
37.19
32.81
32. 00
31.07
T o t a l _____________________________________
49
1, 756
47.8
.764
36. 52
3
13
46.1
.413
19.04
D rill-press operators, male:
Illinois
_ ____________ _____
____ __________ ______
Indiana
M ichigan
______ _ ______________
N ew Jersey
________ _______ _____
_________
N ew York
__
Ohio
_ _______ _____ _____ — Pennsylvania
_ _____
W isconsin
_________ -- ________
4
13
26
3
8
12
5
7
135
682
4,365
80
142
563
292
307
53.4
50.1
47.6
50.0
51.3
47.6
52.0
53.4
.608
.565
.744
.754
.622
.653
.523
.596
32. 47
28.31
35.41
37. 70
31. 91
31.08
27. 20
31.83
T o t a l _____________________________________
78
6, 566
48.6
.696
33. 83
36
41
50.0
52. 1
(9
0)
(9
.370
.414
(9
(9
(9
18. 50
21. 57
(9
(9
(9
11
117
49. 5
.407
20.15
4
9
23
2
6
11
S
6
75
460
3, 696
81
147
427
78
180
53.9
50.0
46.6
51.5
49.6
47.3
52.4
53.5
.659
.628
.822
.789
.758
.712
.605
.676
35. 52
31.40
38.31
40.63
37. 60
33.68
31.70
36.17
66
5,144
47.6
.780
37.13
G rinding-machine operators, female: Indiana, New
Y ork, and W isconsin------------------------- ------ --------
3
6
50.0
.428
21.40
Inspectors, male:
Illinois
_________ ___ ___ _____
Indiana
_ ____ _
_ ----------- -- M ichigan
_ ____ _____ __________
New Jersey
_______________ — -----New York
_____
_ _ __ — _
_____ _____________ _____
Ohio
Pennsylvania
_________ ________ —
W isconsin___________________________________
6
13
30
3
10
16
5
8
122
538
4, 737
129
319
680
186
250
49.9
50.3
47.4
45.5
51.0
48.3
52.6
52.6
.724
.632
.781
.806
.709
.731
.636
.635
36.13
31.79
37.02
36. 67
36. 16
35.31
33. 45
33. 40
T o tal_____________________________________
91
6,961
48.2
.749
36.10
inspectors, female:
Illinois
__
_____ _ -- — —
Indiana
__ ----------- -------------------Michigan
__ _____
- - - — New Jersey
- ________________ Ohio
______________________ Pennsylvania
_ _ _______ _____ ______
W isconsin----------------------------------------------------
1
4
12
1
3
2
2
(9
33
6
11
(9
50.0
50.0
(9
45.0
50.4
50.0
(9
.315
.407
(9
.393
.395
.508
(9
15. 75
20. 35
(9
17.69
19.91
25.40
366
49.6
.392
19. 44
A utom atic operators, lathe and screw machines,
Drill-press operators, female:
Indiana
_______ _______ - -----M ichigan
______ _________
New York
_______ ____________ Ohio
- __ -Pennsylvania
_____ ___ - - ----------------T o tal_____________________________________
Grinding-machine operators, male:
Illinois
_ ______
_______
Indiana
_ ____
______ — M ichigan
_ _ ___ ___
New Jersey
____
_________
New York
_
____
__
Ohio
__- - _____________
Pennsylvania
__
_____
Wisconsin
- - ___________ T o tal_____________________________________
T o tal.
_______________________________
i D ata included in total.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[639]
3
5
1
1
1
25
(D
0)
(9
52
252
(9
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
154
T
a ble
4 .—A V E R A G E H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S IN 18 R E P R E S E N T A T IV E O C C U PA T IO N S,
1930, B Y S E X A N D S T A T E —Continued
N um ber N um ber Average Average Average
of estab of em full-time earnings full-time
lish
hours
earnings
ployees per
m ents
week per hour per week
Occupation, sex, and State
Laborers, male:
Illinois___ ________________ ________ _____
In d ian a- _ . .
______ _ - - ----------M ichigan.-.............
---------- New Jersey------------ -------------- - - - ----------New Y ork__________________________________
Ohio ------------ ------------------------- -- - - ------Pennsylvania_______ _ - ___
---------- -- _
W i s c o n s i n . ____ . .
. .
6
14
30
4
12
17
5
8
306
1,003
7,073
237
596
1, 301
259
504
45.4
50.5
47.8
42.8
50.9
48.4
52.7
52. 1
$0. 704
.508
.619
.763
.556
.522
.477
.531
$31.96
25.65
29.59
32. 66
28. 30
25.26
25.14
27.67
T o tal____________ - - --------- -- ------- --------
96
11,279
48.4
.589
28. 51
Laborers, female:
I n d i a n a ____
_ _____ - - - - - - ... M ichigan . ______ _ _____ _ _
. ----------New Y ork__________________________________
Ohio - - - - - - - - - - - ---------------W isconsin_________ - - - - - - - - -----
1
9
2
3
1
52
7
8
0)
52.7
51.7
49.3
(>)
(>)
.319
.426
.353
(>)
(>)
16.81
22. 02
17.40
(>)
16
108
51. 2
.383
19. 61
4
12
21
3
7
11
4
5
107
488
2, 681
122
113
41.6
161
247
53.4
50. 1
46.3
50.0
49.7
47.7
51.1
54.2
.657
.604
.820
.809
.708
.757
.604
.580
35.08
30.26
37.97
40.45
35.19
36.11
30.86
31.44
----------
67
4, 335
47.9
.756
36. 21
Lathe operators, female: Illinois and M ichigan_____
Letterers, stripers, and varnishers, h an d , male:
Indiana ________________ _ ---------------------M ichigan—. _______ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ .
__________ .
N ew Jersey_________ New Y o rk ___________________________________
Ohio _ ----------------- --------------------------- ------Pennsylvania___
_____- - - - - - _ . .
W isconsin__________ ----- .- - - ------ -
3
23
50.8
.449
22.81
9
20
2
9
8
2
4
68
286
21
32
34
5
66
50.6
49.8
42.9
51.1
48.9
50.0
51.4
.701
.940
.816
.954
.815
.874
.670
35.47
46.81
35.01
48. 75
39.85
43.70
34.44
54
512
49.8
.878
43. 72
4
35
50.0
.517
25.85
2
13
30
3
10
12
5
6
35
255
2,436
83
101
270
131
121
54.8
50.1
45.4
47.5
50. 5
48.3
53.0
53.5
.659
.666
.912
.942
.748
.796
.706
.646
36. 11
33. 37
41.40
44. 75
37. 77
38.45
37.42
34.56
T o t a l _________________ --- - -------------- -M illing-m achine operators, male:
Illinois__
- - - . ________ -.
In d ian a . . . _
. . --- - _______ - - - - - __
M ichigan __________________________________
N ew Jersey
___
. . . . . _________
N ew York
____ . . ________ ______ Ohio_____________________________________ _Pennsylvania___
... _
__ .
W isconsin.-- - . . . ________ _____
81
3,432
46.9
.851
39.91
4
10
22
3
5
13
4
5
62
266
1, 779
58
69
280
125
142
53. 7
50.0
47.8
50.0
50.2
48.1
51.0
53.7
.630
.588
.766
.780
.685
.724
.575
.573
33.83
29. 40
36. 61
39.00
34.39
34. 82
29. 33
30.77
T o t a l _________________ ______________ _ _
M illing-machine operators, female:
Illinois. _ - - - - - - - _____ _____________ In d ia n a . _ _ ... .
_
___
M ichigan______ _______ . . . . ______ ___ _
66
2,781
48.7
.722
35. 16
14
(<)
(')
49.7
0)
0)
.352
(>)
0)
17. 49
T o ta l______ _______ ___ ____ ____________ .
5
22
50.5
.353
17. 83
T o tal_____
-_- ----------------- ------ ----------
Lathe operators, male:
Illinois ___
____ - --- ------------ - ------Indiana
..
- -- . ------- -----M ichigan___ - ------- ---------------- New J e r s e y .. ------ -- --------------------- -------N ew York . . .
...
. . .
Ohio________________________________________
--P ennsylvania..
...................
W isconsin-------------------------- - --- --T o ta l... -
------------- --------------- -
T o t a l _____________________________
____
L etterers, stripers, and varnishers, h an d , female:
In d ian a and M ichigan ________________
_
M achinists, male:
Illinois ___ _
______ ________ _ _____ __________
In d ian a
M ic h ig a n _____ _ — ________ - - ________
New Jersey . . .
---------..........
N ew Y o rk ...
.
_
O hio. - - - - .
.
------Pennsylvania - - - - - - - - - - ---------W isconsin____ _____ - - ---------- -- - ----------
i D ata included in total.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[640]
1
1
3
0)
(>)
0)
0)
155
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
T
able
4 .—A V E R A G E H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S IN 18 R E P R E S E N T A T IV E O C C U P A T IO N S ,
1930, B Y S E X A N D S T A T E —Continued
Occupation, sex, and State
N um ber N um ber Average Average Average
of estab of em full-time earnings full-time
earnings
hours
lish
per hour per
ployees per
week
week
m ents
Sewing-machine operators, male:
Illinois____________________
In d ia n a ___________________
M ichigan-------------------------N ew Jersey________________
N ew Y o rk________________
Ohio______________________
W isconsin_________________
2
1
7
1
5
1
1
T otalSewing-machine operators, female:
In d ia n a -------------------------------M ichigan----------------------------N ew Y ork__________________
Ohio_______________________
Pennsylvania----------------------W isconsin__________________
T otalTool and die workers, male:
Illinois-----------------------In d ian a----------------------M ichigan-------------------N ew Jersey----------------N ew Y ork------------------Ohio__________________
Pennsylvania--------------W isconsin------------------T otal.
Top builders, male:
Illinois________
In d ia n a ----------M ichigan_____
N ew Jersey-----New Y o rk ------Ohio__________
P e nnsy lv an ia...
W isconsin_____
T otal.
Top builders, female:
In d ian a-------------M ichigan_______
New Y ork______
W isconsin----------
T rim bench hands, female:
In d ian a______________
M ichigan____________
N ew Y ork___________
Ohio_________________
W isconsin____________
T otal.
1 D a ta included in total.
72574°—31
-11
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[641]
15
(>)
«
$0. 900
(0
.504
(G
.730
(>)
(>)
$36. 54
(0
26. 06
(>)
36.94
0)
0)
47. 1
.664
31.27
5
15
3
6
1
3
144
742
39
142
(>)
97
50.8
51. 9
52. 1
49.0
(')
49. 5
.428
.461
.532
.497
(0
.395
21.74
23.93
27. 72
24.35
(■)
19. 55
33
1, 167
51. 2
.461
23. 60
4
14
29
3
8
10
5
6
37
444
3,160
45
230
677
477
105
52.8
50.3
48.4
50.0
51.3
51. 5
55.0
52.1
.763
.763
.931
.864
.796
.927
.758
.788
40.29
38. 38
45. 06
43.20
40. 83
47. 74
41.69
41.05
79
5,175
49.9
.887
44. 26
2
9
21
2
9
8
2
5
159
426
1,973
112
479
267
11
731
40.2
50. 5
50.7
40. 4
‘ 51. 5
48.6
50.0
51. 2
.918
.685
.775
.889
.793
.701
.843
.633
36.90
34.59
39.29
35. 92
40.84
34.07
42. 15
32.41
58
4,158
50.0
.751
37. 55
241
76
(>)
50. 9
50.4
0)
0)
.420
.402
0)
(>)
21.38
20.26
(>)
327
50.7
.416
21.09
56
177
(>)
8
147
0)
(>)
50.3
50.8
0)
50.3
48.1
0)
(')
.641
.774
(')
.673
.689
0)
0)
32. 24
39. 32
(0
33. 85
33.14
0)
22
495
47.6
.751
35. 75
3
12
4
4
4
48
639
43
245
64
50.4
50. 8
52. 3
48. 5
48.5
.455
.446
.495
.476
.385
22. 93
22. 66
25.89
23.09
18. 67
27
1,039
50. 2
.451
22. 64
1
4
7
1
4
4
1
T o tal.
(1)
40.6
(')
51.7
(>)
50.6
(>)
0)
117
8
T rim bench hands, male:
Illinois_____________
In d ian a------------------M ichigan_____ , -----N ew Jersey_________
N ew Y o r k ...- ---------Ohio_______________
W isconsin_________ _
49
18
1
4
2
1
T otal.
15
«
(')
(')
0)
15 6
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
U n io n S c a le s o f W a g es a n d H o u rs of L abor in 1931
P a r t 1. P r e l i m i n a r y R e p o r t f o r S e l e c t e d C it ie s
HE Bureau of Labor Statistics has collected, as of May 15, 1931,
information concerning the union scales of wages and hours of
labor in the principal time-work trades in 67 of the leading cities of
the United States. A full compilation of the figures is now in progress
and will be published as a bulletin of the bureau.
In this article an abridged compilation is made of the 1931 data
for 20 important trade groups in 40 localities, with comparative fig
ures for all but six of the preceding years back to 1913, in so far as
effective scales were found for the earlier years. Data for 1914, 1915,
1916, 19U, 1918, and 1921 are omitted for lack of space, but figures
for those years may be obtained by referring to the September, 1925,
issue of the Labor Review.
The trades here covered are:
T
B ricklayers.
Building laborers.
C arpenters.
C em ent finishers.
C om positors: Book a n d job.
C om positors, d ay w ork: N ewspaper.
E lectro ty p ers: Finishers.
E lectro ty p ers: M olders.
G ranite cu tters, inside.
H od carriers.
Inside wiremen.
P ainters.
P lasterers.
P la ste re rs’ laborers.
Plum bers.
S heet-m etal w orkers.
S to n ecu tters.
S tru ctu ral-iro n w orkers.
T ypesettin g -m ach in e o p e ra to rs: Book
a n d job.
T ypesettin g -m ach in e operators, day
w ork: N ew spaper.
The union scale represents the minimum rate and the maximum
hours agreed upon between the unions and the employers. Often,
however, a .higher rate was paid to some or perhaps all of the members
of a union in some particular city.
The union scale generally represents the prevailing rate for the
trade m the locality, even though all persons in the trade may not
be members of the union.
Two or more quotations of rates and hours are shown for some
occupations in some cities. Such quotations indicate that there
were two or more agreements with different employers and possibly
made also by different unions, or for subclassifications of a specific
occupation, such as building laborers.
The report affords 679 comparisons of wage rates per hour as
between 1930 and 1931. There are 99 cases of increase, 39 cases of
decrease, and 541 cases of no change in rates. There are 672 com
parisons of full-time hours per week. Of this number 7 are increases,
97 are decreases, and 568 instances of no change.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[642]
U N IO N S C A L E S O F W A G E S A N D H O U R S OE L A B O R IN S P E C IF I E D O C C U P A T IO N S , 1913 TO 1931, B Y C IT IE S
B r i c k la y e r s
R ates per hour (cents)
H ours per week
C ity
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
A tla n ta ____
B altim ore___
B irm ingham .
Boston .
Buffalo...........
45.0 70.0 112.5
62.5 100.0 125.0
70.0 87. 5 100.0
65. 0 80.0 100.0
65.0 85.0 100.0
100.0
125.0
100. 0
100. 0
100.0
f l l 2. 5
112.5 \125.0
150.0 150.0
112. 5 125.0
125.0 125. 0
125.0 125.0
112.5
125.0
150.0
137.5
125.0
137.5
Charleston,
S. C ______
Chicago------C in c in n a ti.. .
C leveland___
D allas______
40. 0 75.0
75.0 87.5
65. 0 90.0
65.0 90 0
87. 5 100.0
100. 0
125. 0
125. 0
125. 0
112. 5
85. 0
110.0
125. 0
125. 0
137. 5
100.0
110.0
125.0
140.0
150.0
100. 0
125.0
150. 0
150.0
150.0
D e n v er_____
D etro it_____
Fall R iv e r ...
Indianapolis _
Jacksonville—
75.0 100.0 125.0
65. 0 90.0 125. 0
55. 0 85.0 115.0
75.0 85.0 125.0
62.5 75.0 87.5
125.0
100. 0
95.0
115.0
87.5
137.5
135.0
110.0
135.0
87.5
K ansas C ity,
M o .. . ___
L ittle R o c k ..
Los A ngeles..
Louisville.. .
M an ch ester..
75. 0 100.0 112.5
75.0 100.0 125.0
75.0 87. 5 125.0
65.0 85.0 115.0
55.0 90.0 112. 5
112.5
125.0
125. 0
125. 0
112.5
M em p h is___
M ilw aukee .
M inneapolis
N ew ark,N . J_
New H a v en ..
75.0
67.5
65.0
65. 0
60.0
112.5
100. 0
100.0
125.0
100.0
1919
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
1913 1919 1920 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931
162.5
150. 0
140.0
137.5
140.0
162.5
150. 0
140.0
150.0
140.0
162.5
150.0
140.0
150.0
125.0
162.5
150. 0
150.0
150.0
125.0
175.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
53
44
125.0
175. 0 l 45 4 45
3
44
150.0
44
44
44
150.0
48 4 4 4
150.0
100. 0
150.0
150. 0
150.0
150.0
100.0
150.0
162. 5
150.0
162. 5
100. 0
162. 5
162.5
150.0
162.5
100. 0
162.5
162.5
162.5
162.5
100. 0
162. 5
162. 5
162.5
162.5
100.0
170.0
162. 5
162. 5
175.0
100. 0
170.0
162.5
162. 5
175.0
150.0
150. 0
110.0
150.0
100.0
150.0
150.0
125.0
150.0
125.0
150.0
150.0
125.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
157. 5
125.0
162.5
150.0
150.0
157.5
125.0
162.5
125.0
150.0
157.5
125.0
162.5
125.0
137. 5
125.0
125.0
125.0
112.5
150.0
137. 5
125. 0
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
137. 5
150.0
137.5
150.0
150.0
137. 5
150.0
137.5
150.0
150.0
137. 5
150.0
137.5
150. 0
150.0
137.5
150.0
137.5
125.0
125.0
125. 0
125.0
112.5
150.0
125.0
125.0
150.0
125.0
150.0
125.0
125. 0
150.0
125.0
162.5
125. 0
125. 0
162.5
137.5
162.5
140.0
125. 0
175.0
137.5
162.5
140.0
137.5
175.0
143.8
44
4 45
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44 2 44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
48
44
45
44
44
48
44
45
44
44
48
44
45
44
44
48
44
45
44
44
48
44
45
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
40
40
44
44
40
40
40
150. 0
157. 5
125.0
162.5
125.0
44
150.0
44
150. 0 s 48 6 44
48
44
125. 0
44
162.5
44
48
125.0
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
40
40
40
44
150.0
150.0
137.5
150.0
150.0
150. 0
150. 0
137. 5
150.0
150.0
162.5
125.0
137.5
150.0
150.0
44
7 44
44
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
40
44
44
40
40
40
40
44
40
40
40
162.5
140.0
137. 5
175.0
150.0
162.5
140.0
137.5
193.8
150.0
162. 5
140.0
137.5
193.8
165.0
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
40
44
40
40
44
40
40
44
44
N ew Orleans 62.5 75.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 125.0 125.0 125.0 125.0 150.0 150.0 150.0 100.0
44
44
New Y o rk __ 70. 0 87.5 125.0 125.0 150.0 150.0 150.0 175.0 175.0 175.0 187.5 192.5 192.5
44
44
70. 0 87. 5 125. 0 100. 0 125. 0 125.0 125. 0 125. 0 137. 5 137. 5 125. 0 125. 0 125. 0
O m aha.
44
44
P h ilad elp h ia. 62.5 80.0 130.0 125.0 137.5 150.0 150. 0 162.5 162.5 162.5 162.5 175.0 175.0
44
44
P itts b u rg h ... 70.0 90.0 112.5 130.0 130.0 140.0 155.0 162.5 162.5 170.0 170.0 175.0 175.0
4 44Yi hours per week, N ovem ber to M arch, inclusive.
4 48 hours per week, N ov. 16 to M ar. 15.
2 40 hours per week, Ju n e to A ugust, inclusive.
5 44 hours per week, October to April, inclusive.
s 48 hours per week, October to December, inclusive.
6 48 hours per week, December to February, inclusive.
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
40
44
40
44
44
40
44
40
40
44
40
44
40
40
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
87.5
90.0
87.5
87. 5
82.5
125.0
125. 0
125. 0
125. 0
100.0
o
Ö
44
1 45
44
44
4 44
53
44
45
48
44
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
1920
1913
7 48 hours per week, O ctober to A pril, inclusive.
Oi
^1
U N IO N SC A LE S OF W A G E S A N D H O U R S OF L A B O R IN S P E C IF IE D O C C U P A T IO N S , 1913 TO 1931, B Y C IT IE S —C ontinued
Ox
00
B r i c k l a y e r s — C o n tin u ed
H ours per week
R ates per hour (cents)
C ity
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
75.0 100.0 125.0
65.0 80.0 115.0
112.5
115.0
125.0
115.0
125.0
125.0
137.5
125. 0
137. 5
150.0
137. 5
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
150. 0
150. 0
150.0
150.0
150.0
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
40
44
40
44
40
40
65.0 87. 5 100.0
70.0 100.0 125.0
65.0 87.5 125.0
100.0
125.0
100.0
150.0
150.0
100.0
125.0
175.0
112.5
150.0
175.0
112.5
150.0
175.0
125. 0
125.0
175.0
125.0
150.0
175. 0
125. 0
150.0
175.0
125.0
150.0
175.0
125.0
150.0
175.0
125.0
45 s 45 8 45 8 45 8 45 8 45
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
45
44
44
45
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44 244
44
44
44
44
e 44
40
44
[644]
Salt Lake
C ity ______
San F r a n
cisco ______
Scranton _ _
S e a t t l e .. ___
W ashington—
75.0 100.0 125.0
112.5
125.0
137.5
137.5
137.5
137.5
137.5
137.5
137.5
137.5
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
87.5 112.5 125.0
60.0 75.0 112.5
75.0 112.5 125.0
62.5 87.5 100.0
125.0
125.0
112.5
137.5
137.5
137.5
125.0
137.5
137.5
150.0
137.5
150.0
137.5
150.0
137.5
162. 5
137.5
150. 0
137.5
162.5
137.5
150.0
145.0
162.5
137.5
150.0
150. 0
162.5
137.5
150.0
150.0
162. 5
137.5
150.0
150.0
175.0
137.5
44
150.0 io 44
150.0
44
175.0 12 45
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44 » 40 il 40 » 40 » 40
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
11 40
40
48
80.0
97.5
112.5 l 44
127.5
60
60.0
87.5
62. 5
65.0
44
44
44
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
50
44
44
44
50
44
44
44
50
44
50
44
50
44
50
44
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44
50
40
49}
49}
50
44
44
44
50
44
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50
44
44
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44
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44
44
45
40
44
44
48
50
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
44
44
40
40
1919
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
B u i l d i n g la b o r e r s
67.5
67.5
‘3 70.0 h 70. 0 } 65.0
Boston.
65.0
Chicago........- 40.0
57.5
72.5
72.5
72.5
82.5
C incinnati__ 2 0 .0
C leveland___
D en v er_____
D e tro it_____
40.0
57.5
50.0
65.0
40.0
57.5
45.0
87.5
52.5
87. 5
50.0
60.0
60.0
55.0
87.5
81.3
60.0
70.0
40.0
55.0
70.0
50.0
60.0
55.0
75.0
50.0
75.0
55.0
K ansas C ity,
M o_______ 27. 5 57.5
Louisville___ 27.9 35.0
M ilw aukee...
M inneapolis.
N ew ark, N . J .
N ew H a v en ..
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
75.0
50.0
65.0
75.0
50.0
75.0
55.0
100.0
74.0
74.0
( 90.0
87.5 ] 105.0
[120. 0
58.0
60.0
87. 5 87.5
81.3
60.0
60.0
75.0
50.0
75.0
55.0
112.5
75.0
50.0
75.0
55.0
112.5
75.0
74.0
90.0
105.0
120.0
60.0
87.5
80.0
90.0
105.0
120.0
60.0
87.5
80.0
97.5
112.5
127.5
60.0
87.5
60.0
60. 0
60.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
55. 0 j 65. 0
55.0 /\ 65.0
112.5 112.5 125.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
J
82. 5
40.0
75.0
65.0
125.0
70.0
48
48
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Portland,
Oreg______
Providence-..
R ichm ond,
V a_______
St. L ouis..
St. P a u l____
1913 1919 1920 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931
1920
1913
N ew Y o rk __ 22.5
P h iladelphia.
P itts b u r g h ... 25.0
Portland,
Oreg______ 37.5
St.. T,ouis
40.5
f 60.0
75.0 { 81.3
{ 87. 5
75.0
81.3
81.3 \J 100.
0
87. 5
100.0 } 70.0
60.0
81.3
100.0
105.0 f 90.60
117.5 <115.
1125. 0
70.0
12. 5
80.0 lfl 80.0
67.5
67.5
67.5
54.0 | 75.0
67.5
75.0
93.8
115.0
125.0
60. 0
112. 5
80.0
93.8
120. 0 Jl03.1
130. 0
60. 0 50. 0
112. 5 112. 5
80.0
80.0
68.8
75.0
18 61. 5 |
is 75. 0 | 87.5
1387. 5
1392. 5
f 55. 0
\ 65.0 | 55.0
70.0 /1 80.0
50.0
62.5
75.0
67.5
67.5
25.0 /40.3
\45. 0
54.0
67.5
54.0
57.5
61.3
55.0
50.0
55.0
55.0
68. 8
67.5
61.5
/
75.0
1
75.0
75.0 l 87.5 1 87.5
l 92.5
55.0
55.0
55.0
75.0
58. 5
75.0
62.5
60.0
62.5
62.5
60.0
62.5
62.5
70.0
62.5
62.5
70.0
62.5
68.8
62.5
68.8 \f 75.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
62.5 /\ 62.5
75.0
82.5
St. P a u l____
San F ra n
cisco______ 27.8
Scranton____ 25.0
Seattle______ 37.5
62.5
50.0
68.8
f
J
68.8
75.0
70.0
70.0
82.5
48
50. 0
112.5 } 54
80.0
44
44
44
44
44
40
40
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
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44
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44
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44
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48
44
44
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44
44
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87.5
44
44
44
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44
44
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49!
49!
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44
44
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48
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44
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44
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44
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40
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48
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44
55.0
68.8
54
75.0 ] 68.8
54
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
82.5
82.5 | 44
40. 0
43. 8
52. 5
50.0
50.0
60. 0 80. 0
80.0 90.0
65. 0 75.0
75.0 100.0
70.0 100.0
70.0
80.0
75.0
100.0
87.5
70.0
90.0
75.0
105.0
100.0
80.0
90.0
87. 5
110.0
112.5
80.0
100.0
87. 5
110.0
112.5
80.0
110.0
9.5. 0
125.0
112.5
80.0
110.0
100.0
125.0
112.5
80.0
110.0
100.0
125.0
112.5
80.0
110.0
100.0
137. 5
125.0
80.0
110.0
100.0
137. 5
125.0
90.0
110.0
100.0
137.5
125.0
C harleston,
S. C .............
Chicago_____
C in cin n ati__
C leveland___
D allas______
33.3
65.0
50.0
50.0
55.0
70.0
80.0
70. 0
85.0
87.5
80.0
125. 0
100.0
125. 0
100.0
70.0
110.0
95.0
104.0
100.0
70.0
125.0
105.0
125.0
100.0
80.0
125.0
115. 0
125. 0
100.0
70.0
70.0 /\ 75.0
125.0 137. 5
125. 0 131.3
125.0 125.0
100.0 112.5
70.0
75.0
150.0
135.0
137.5
112.5
70.0
75.0
150. 0
137. 5
137.5
112.5
60.0
75.0
150.0
137.5
137.5
112.5
60.0
75.0
162.5
140.0
137.5
112.5
60.0 ) 53
75.0 J
162. 5 44
140.0
44i
48
137.5
44
125.0
D enver ___
D e tro it___
F all R iver .
In d ia n a p o lis.
Jacksonville..
60. 0
50. 0
42. 0
50.0
31.3
87. 5 112. 5
80. 0
.0
75.0 100.0
75.0 100.0
65.0 80.0
100.0
85.0
85.0
92.5
80.0
112. 5
115.0
95.0
92. 5
80.0
112. 5
115.0
95.0
97. 5
90.0
112.5
115.0
95.0
110.0
90.0
125.0
115.0
100.0
110.0
100.0
125.0 125.0
115.0 115.0
100.0 100.0
122.5 122. 5
0
80.0 /\ 80.
70.0
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
44
75.0
A tla n ta _____
B altim o re..
B irm ingham
B oston______
Buffalo_____
K ansas C ity,
M o . _____ 55.0 85.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 112.5 112.5
90.0
90.0
80.0
80.0
L ittle R o c k .. 50.0 80.0 92.5
2 40 hours p er week, Ju n e to A ugust, inclusive.
8 44 ]/2 hours p er week, December to February, inclusive.
8 40 hours p er w eek, Ju n e to September, inclusive.
48 f 44 } 44
l 48
C a rp en ters
*
100
48
112. 5
115.0
100.0
110.0
100.0
112.5 125.0 125.0
100.0 100.0 100.0
10 48 hours per week,
11 44 hours per week,
125.0 125.0
115.0 100.0
100.0 100.0
122. 5 122.5
80. 0 | 80.0
70.0
50
48
48
44
48
44
48
48
44*
48
44
44
125.0 125.0 137. 5
80.0
44
100.0 100.0
48
Septem ber to April, inclusive.
Septem ber to April, inclusive.
44
44
44
44!
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44!
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
12 44J^ hours per week, October to A p ril, inclusive.
is Old scale; strike pending.
WAGES AND HOURS OF
45.0
103.1
40
44
CT*
CO
U N IO N SC A LES OF W A G ES A N D H O U R S OF LA B O R IN S P E C IF IE D O C C U PA T IO N S
1913 TO 1931, BY C IT IE S —C ontinued
I—4
05
o
C a r p e n te r s — C o n t i n u e d
Hours per week
R ates per hour (cents)
City
1913
Los Angeles. - 50.0
Louisville . . . 45.0
M an ch ester.. 40.0
[6461
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
75.0 87.5
60.0 80.0
60.0 100.0
100.0
80.0
90.0
112.5
100.0
90.0
112.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
112.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
48
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
75.0 75.. 0 87.5 100.0
85.0 95.0 100.0 100.0
80. 0 80. 0 90. 0
112. 5 112. 5 131.3 137.5
90.0 90.0 100.0 100.0
100.0 90.0 90.0 90.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
110.0
140.0
112.5
90.0
150.0
125.0
90.0
100.0
110.0
100.0
150.0 165.0
125. 0 125. 0
90.0 90.0
100. 0
44
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
100. 0
140.0
100.0
90.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
150.0
112.5
90.0
44
44
100. 0
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
40
40
44
165.0
100.0
125.0
150.0
165.0
100.0
125.0
150.0
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44 40
44 44
44 M4
44 40
40
44
2 44
40
M em phis___
M ilw aukee...
M inneapolis
Newark, N. J.
N e w IIa v e n ..
N ew Orleans.
50.0
50.0
50 0
50.0
47. 5
40.0
75.0
70.0
75 0
80.0
65.0
60. 0
100.0
100.0
75.0
New Y o rk ..
Omaha
P hiladelphia.
P ittsburgh.
Portland,
Oreg............
62.5
50.0
50.0
55.0
75.0
75.0
80. 0
80.0
112.5 112.5
112.5 90.0
112. 5 90.0
90.0 100.0
50.0
86.0 100.0
Providence...
Richmond
St. Louis___
St. Paul
Salt Lake
C ity ........ .
50.0
37. 5
62. 5
50. 0
70.0
62. 5
82. 5
75.0
San Francisco
Scran to n ...
Seattle.
W ashington .
100.0
100. 0
100. 0
100.0
72. 5
100.0
100.0
62.5 100.0 112.5
62.5
42.5
56. 3
50.0
1913 1919 1920 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931
1920
1919
87. 5
70.0
93. 8
87. 5
112.5
100.0
112. 5
120.0
131.3
100.0
112. 5
137.5
131. 3
100.0
112.5
137.5
150.0
100.0
125.0
150.0
150.0
100.0
125.0
150.0
150.0
100.0
125.0
150.0
150.0
100.0
125.0
150.0
112. 5
100.0
110.0
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
F
>
fcd
O
w
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44 1444
40
40
100.0
90. 0
150.0
90. 0
110.0
90.0
150.0
110.0 110.0 117.5
90. 0 90. 0 90.0
150.0 150.0 150.0
117.5
44
47
44
44
44
47
44
44
44
47
44
44
44
47
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
SJ
100. 0
44
48
44
44
44
47
44
100. 0
44
48
44
48
44
150.0
117.5
90.0
150.0
100.0
44
47
44
100. 0
117.5
90.0
150.0
90.0
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
112.5
112.5
112.5
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
<
44
44
h 40
40
40
44
40
40
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
44
106.3 104.4
87. 5 87.5
100.0 87.5
95.0 105.0
75.0 100.0
75.0 100.0
65.0 100.0
o
85.0
90.0
72. 5 80. 0
110.0 125.0
80.0 80. 0
90.0
100.0
104.4
93.8
100.0
112.5
104.4
112. 5
100.0
112. 5
104.4
112.5
112. 5
112. 5
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
125.0
112. 5
125.0
112.5
125.0
112. 5
125.0
100. 0
112.5
125.0
112.5
125.0
112.5
118.8
1112.5
137.5
112.5
125.0
112.5
137.5
44
48
44
44J
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44 44 44
44 44 44
44 n 40 n 40
44 44 44
100.0
137.5
137. 5
112.5
48
48
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
C e m e n t f in is h e r s
A tlanta B altim ore___
B o s to n ____ 62.5
Buffalo_____ 50.0
§
!zj
H
w
F
100.0
100.0
100.0
85.0
100.0
125. 0
105.0
100.0
100.0
125.0
110.0
112.5
100.0
125.0
110. 0
112. 5
100.0
125.0
137.5
112.5
100.0
125.0
137.5
112.5
100.0
125.0
137.5
112. 5
100.0
125.0
137.5
112.5
100.0
137. 5
137. 5
112. 5
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
44
Chicago_____I 65.0 80.0 125.0
C in cin n ati__ | 50.0 60.0 90.0
0
90.0
C leveland___ J60.
\50.0 [80.0
D allas______ 50.0 87.5 100.0
110.0
87.5
104.0
125.0
110.0
97.5
125.0
125.0
125.0
107.5
125.0
125.0
125.0
117.5
125.0
125.0
137.5
123.8
125.0
125.0
150.0
127.5
125.0
125.0
150.0
130.0
137.5
125.0
150.0
130.0
137.5
125.0
162.5
132. 5
137.5
137.5
100.0
100.0
95.0
90.0
112.5
112. 5
110.0
95.0
112.5
150.0
110.0
105.0
125.0
112. 5
125.0
105.0
125.0
112.5
125.0
105.0
125.0
137.5
125.0
50.0
87.5 100.0
80.0 125.0
85. e 115.0
70.0 90.0
110.0
125.0
137. 5
125. 0
112.5
125.0
112. 5
125.0
117.5
125.0
112. 5
125.0
117.5
62.5
87.5 107.5
100.0
100.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0 125.0 125.0
0
125.0 /125.
\137. 5 -125.0
125.0 125.0 125.0
137.5 137. 5 150.0
112.5 112.5 112.5
125.0
125.0
125.0
150.0
112.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
175.0
143.8
112.5
175.0
150.0
112.5
100.0
D en v er_____
D e tro it_____
Fall River
Indianapolis _
K ansas C ity,
M o . . ..........
68.8
50.0
55.6 87.5 100.0
62.5 .......... 100.0
45.0 70.0 80.0
90. 0 112. 5
87.5
50.0
112.5
112.5
90.0
112. 5
100.0
112.5
112.5
110.0
112. 5
100.0
125.0
125.0
110.0
150.0
112. 5
125.0
125.0
110.0
137. 5
112.5
125.0
125.0
125.0
137.5
112.5
M ilw aukee.-- 45.0
M inneapolis _
N ew ark, N . J 62.5
New H aven
N ew Orleans.
70.0 85.0
75.0 100.0
87. 5 125.0
82.5 100.0
100.0
100.0
125. 0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
125.0
112. 5
100.0
100.0
100.0
150.0
125.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
150.0
125.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
162.5
137.5
112.5
175.0
137.5
112.5
N ew York . . 62.5
O maha Philadelphia- 45.0
P ittsb u rg h - —
Portland,
Oreg--------- 62.5
75.0 112. 5
75.0 112. 5
72. 5 100.0
75.0 82.5
112. 5
100.0
100.0
87.5
112.5
100.0
112.5
112.5
131.3
112.5
112. 5
125.0
131.3
112. 5
112.5
125.0
150.0
112.5
125.0
135.0
150.0
112.5
125.0
135.0
150.0
112. 5
125.0
135.0
150.0
112. 5
125.0
135.0
165.0
112. 5
125.0
135.0
87.5 100.0
90.0
100.0
102.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
Providence
St. L ouis.. __ 60.0
St. P a u l____ 50.0
Salt Lake C ity 62.5
80.0
82. 5
75.0
87.5
100.0
125.0
100.0
112.5
87.5
100.0
80.0
100.0
125. 0
100. 0
100.0
115.0
150.0
100.0
100.0
125.0
1.50.0
100.0
106.3
115.0
150.0
115.0
150.0
115.0
150.0
115.0
150.0
125.0
157.5
100.0
100.0
112.5
115.0
157.5
125.0
112.5
112.5
150.0
112. 5
112. 5
112. 5
150. 0
112. 5
125.0
112.5
150. 0
112.5
125.0
L ittle R o c k ..
Los Angeles—
Louisville___
M anchester
M em phis___
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
104.4
100.0
100.0
112.5
125.0
100.0
112.5
112.5
150.0
112. 5
112.5
112.5
150.0
112.5
112. 5
112. 5
150.0
112. 5
112. 5
150.0
112.5
150.0
112. 5
112.5
2 40 hours per week, Ju n e to August, inclusive,
h 44 hours p er week, Septem ber to April, inclusive.
112.5
150.0
112.5
112. 5
100.0
100.0
100.0
HOURS OF LABOR
San Francisco 75.0 100.0 112.5
Scranton
Seattle______ 62.5 100.0 112.5
W ashington.. .......... 87.5 90.0
100.0
125. 0
193.8
150.0
h 40 hours per w eek, October to A pril, inclusive,
is 48 hours per week, O ctober to M arch, inclusive.
05
U N IO N SC A LE S O F W A G E S A N D H O U R S OE LA B O R IN S P E C IF IE D O C C U P A T IO N S , 1913 T O 1931, B Y C IT IE S —C ontinued
C o m p o s ito r s : B o o k a n d j o b
H ours per week
R ates per hour (cents)
C ity
1920 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 193
[6 4 8 ]
1913
1919
1920
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
A tla n ta_____
B altim ore___
B irm ingham .
B oston_____
Buffalo_____
34.4
37. 5
40. 6
41.7
39.6
43.8
54. 2
44. 8
55. 2
59.4
57.5
81.3
76.0
72.9
71.9
80.0
83.3
80.0
87.0
90.9
80.0
90.9
80.0
87.0
90.9
80.0
90.9
80.0
92.0
90.9
80.0
90.9
80.0
92.0
90.9
80.0
90.9
92. 5
92.0
100.0
100.0
90.9
92.5
96.0
100.0
100.0
90.9
92. 5
96.0
100.0
100.0
90.9
92.5
96.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
92.5
96.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
92.5
96.0
100.0
48
48
48
48
48
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
C h a r le s to n ,
S. C ______
Chicago_____
C incinnati__
C leveland___
D allas.............
33.3
46.9
40. 6
39. 6
52.1
37.5
75.0
51.0
62.5
70.8
37.5
95.8
75.0
87.5
88.5
98.9
106.0
104. 5
93. 8
93.2
90.9
110.0
104. 5
93.8
93.2
84.1
115.9
109. 1
100.0
93.2
90.9
115.9
109.1
104.5
93.2
84.1
115.9
109. 1
106. 8
93.2
84.1
122.7
113.6
109. 1
93.2
84.1
122. 7
113.6
109. 1
100.0
84.1
122.7
115.9
111.4
100.0
84.1
129.5
118. 2
111.4
100.0
90.9
129.5
118.2
111.4
100.0
48
48
48
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
D en v er_____
D etro it_____
F all R iv er__
Ind ian ap o lis.
Jacksonville..
54.2
38. 5
33.3
43.8
37.5
65. 6
72.9
41.7
54.2
52.1
81.3
92. 7
62. 5
75.0
75.0
95.5
105.0
72. 7
92. 7
81.8
95.5
105.0
72. 7
95.5
81.8
95.5
105.0
81.8
95.5
81.8
102.3
105.0
81.8
98.0
81.8
102.3
110.0
81.8
100.0
98.9
102.3
115.0
81.8
102.3
98.9
102.3
120.0
81. 8
104. 5
98.9
102.3
122.0
81.8
106.8
98.9
102.3
125.0
81.8
111.4
98.9
102.3
125.0
81.8
111.4
98.9
48
48
48
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
K ansas C ity,
M o _______
L ittle R o c k ..
Los Angeles..
Louisville___
M anchester. .
41.7
37.5
46. 9
37. 5
35.4
54.2
43. 8
58.3
45. 8
41.7
72.9
72.9
75.0
45 8
66.7
84.4
70.0
95.5
79. 0
79.5
88.6
70.0
95.5
79. 0
79.5
92.0
70.0
102.3
79.0
79.5
94.3
85.2
102.3
96.6
96.6
102.3
102.3
92.0
106.8
86.4
79.5
102.3
94.3
106. 8
86. 4
79.5
102.3
94.3
106.8
79.2
79.5
48
48
48
48
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
79.5
100.0
92.0
106.8
79.0
79.5
44
44
44
79.5
98.9
96.6
106. 8
79.0
79.5
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
M em p h is___
M ilw aukee..M inneapolis _
N ew ark, N .J .
N ew H av en ..
40.0
41. 7
43.8
47.9
40.6
55.4
54.2
54.0
72.9
45.8
93.8
72.9
87. 5
91. 7
58.3
82.3
93.2
95. 5
102. 3
86.4
82.3
93.2
95.5
109. 1
86.4
82.3
93.2
95.5
115.9
86.4
80.0
93.2
95.5
115.9
86.4
80.0
95.5
95. 5
118. 2
86.4
81.8
100.0
95.5
120.5
86.4
81.8
102.3
95. 5
122.7
86.4
81.8
102.3
95. 5
125.0
86.4
81.8
104.5
95.5
127.3
86.4
81.8
106.8
95.5
129.5
86.4
48
48
48
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
N ew Orleans.
N ew Y ork. _.
O m aha_____
Philadelphia.
P ittsb u rg h . _.
43.8
50.0
37.5
39.6
39.6
50.0
75.0
68.8
60. 4
60.4
71.9
93.8
87.5
89.6
81.3
78.4
113.6
93. 2
89.6
100.0
78.4
113. 6
93. 2
89.6
100.0
78.4
120.5
93.2
89.6
100.0
78.4
120.5
93.2
90.0
100.0
78.4
122. 7
93. 2
90.0
100.0
78.4
125.0
100.0
90.0
104.5
78.4
127.3
100.0
90.0
104.5
78.4
129.5
100.0
90.0
104.5
78.4
131.8
100.0
95.5
106.8
78.4
134. 1
100.0
95.5
113. 6
48
48
48
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Portland,
Ores?--------Providence__R ichm ond.
Stj Louis-- -S t. P a u l____
53.1
37.5
33.3
43.8
43.8
75.0
50.0
48.5
52.7
54.0
85.4
72.9
56.3
79.2
83.3
95.8
79.5
81.8
92.8
95.5
90.9
79.5
81.8
92.8
90.9
90.9
90.9
81.8
98.0
95.5
102.3
90.9
81. 8
98.0
95.5
102.3
90.9
San
F ra n cisco. __
Scranton - __
Seattle__ __
W ashington..
50.0
43.8
53.1
40.0
62.5 81.3
52. 1 71.9
75.0 87.5
62.5 83.3
104.5
85 2
93.8
90.9
104.5
90.9
93.8
90.9
104.5
90.9
93.8
90.9
115.9
100.0
93.8
90.9
115. 9
100.0
93.8
90.9
105.7
90.9
105. 7
90.9
105.7
90.9
105.7
90.9
98.0 103.0
95.5 —
103.0
95.5
103.0
95.5
115.9
104.5
100.0
100.0
115.9
104.5
100.0
102.3
115.9
102.3
100.0
100.0
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
103.0
95.5
105.7
90.9
90. 9
103.0
95.5
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
118. 2
104.5
100.0
104.5
118.2
104.5
100.0
104.5
48
48
48
48 n
48
48
48
48
48
48
48 17 48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
C o m p o s ito r s , d a y w o r k : N e w s p a p e r
>
A tla n ta _____
B altim ore___
B irm ingham .
B oston_____
Buffalo_____
43.8
50.0
52.5
63.0
50.0
60. 6
65.5
67.5
83.0
65.6
63. 8
93.3
67.5
95.0
71.9
86. 5
95. 5
82. 5
107.0
87.5
86.5
95. 5
82. 5
107.0
87.5
93.8
106.8
82. 5
112. 0
95.8
93.8
106. 8
82. 5
117. 0
95. 8
100. 0
110. 2
92. 5
117. 0
102. 1
100.0
110. 2
95.0
125.0
102. 1
100.0
110.2
97. 5
125. 0
102.1
103.1
114.8
100.0
125.0
106.3
103.1
114. 8
102. 5
125. 0
108.3
103. 1 48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
114. 8
42
42
44
44
44
44
44
44
45
44
44
44
102. 5 18 42 18 42 18 42 18 42 18 42 18 42 «42 18 42 18 42 18 42 18 42 is 42
125. 0 16 42 19 4 9 19 42 18 44 18 44 18 44 18 44 18 44 18 44 is 44 is 44 is 44
108.3
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
44
42
44
48
C h a rle s to n ,
S. C ______
S C hicago.. . .
i t C in cin n ati.
¿2 C leveland___
D allas______
33.3
62.0
52.1
53.8
55.0
42. 9 42.9
79.0 89. 0
87.5 107.3
68.8 87.5
76.0 88.5
90.6
115. 0
107. 3
96. 9
90.6
83. 3
115. 0
113. 3
103. 1
90.6
83.3
129.0
113. 3
107. 3
100.0
83.3
129.0
113. 8
107.3
100.0
83. 3
129. 0
113.8
116. 7
106.3
83.3
135. 6
113.8
116.7
106.3
92.7
138.0
118.3
119.0
106.3
92.7
140.0
118. 3
119.0
106.3
92.7
140. 0
122. 8
119.0
106. 3
48 18 42 18 42
94.0
140.0 20 45 18 45 18 45
122. 8 n 474 48
45
119. 0
48
48
48
48
106. 3
48
48
48
48
45
48
48
48
48
45
48
48
48
45
45
48
48
48
45
45
48
48
48
45
45
45
48
48
45
45
45
48
48
45
45
45
48
48
45
45
45
48
48
45
45
45
48
D enver_____
D etroit_____
F all R iv er__
Indianapohs _
Jacksonville..
63.3
55.0
37.5
50.0
37.5
72.7
74.5
49.0
60.4
65.6
97.8
87.0
75.0
8L 3
83.3
93.3
97.0
79.2
89. 6
83.3
93.3
97.0
79.2
100. 0
83.3
103.3
113.0
87.5
100.0
83.3
103. 3
113. 0
87. 5
100.0
89.6
103.3
120.0
87. 5
104. 2
100.0
103.3
125.0
87. 5
106. 3
100.0
110.6
125.0
87.5
106.3
100.0
114.8
130.0
87.5
110.9
100.0
119.9
131. 0
95.8
110.9
100.0
119. 9
45
131.0 22 48
95.8
48
48
110.9
48
100.0
45
48
48
48
43
45
48
48
48
48
45
48
48
48
48
45
48
48
48
48
45
45
48 23 48
48
48
48
48
48
48
45
45
48
48
48
45
45
48
48
48
44
45
48
46
48
44
45
48
46
48
48
45
45
45
48
44
45
48
46
48
Kansas C ity,
Mo
- L ittle Rock __
Los Angeles.
Louisville___
M an ch ester..
59.4
47.9
62.5
49.0
35.4
68.8
62.5
75.6
62.5
41.7
90.6
72.9
86.7
87.5
66.7
90.6
83.3
101. 1
87. 5
72. 9
90.6
83. 3
101. 1
87. 5
72.9
90. 6
83. 3
107. 8
93.8
80.2
95.8
84. 4
102. 1
84.4
108.3
91.3
117. 8
93.8
83.3
108.3
95. 5
117. 8
93. 8
88.9
108.3
95. 5
117 8
93.8
88.9
48
48
45
48
48
48
48
45
48
48
48
48
45
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
45
48
48
48
44
48
48
48
48
45
48
48
48
46
93.8
83.3
104. 2
87. 5
117 8
93.8
83.3
48
48
93.8
82.3
104.2
84.4
114. 0
93.8
83.3
48
48
48
45
48
44
45
48
45
M em p h is___
M ilw aukee...
M inneapolis
N ew ark, N . J.
N ew H a v en ..
57.8
45.8
54.0
60.9
46.9
100.0
106. 3
97.9
130.4
89.6
100.0
106.3
121.4
132.6
89. 6
100.0
110.4
121.4
134. 8
91.7
45 18 45 is 45 is 45 is 45 is 45
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
46
46
46
46
46
46
48
48
48
48
48
48
21 W ork 47?3 hours, paid for 48.
22 M axim um : m inim um , 7 hours per day.
22 M axim um ; m inim um , 45 hours per week.
48
48
48
46
48
45
48
48
46
48
45
48
48
46
48
45
48
42
46
43
45
48
42
46
48
45
45
42
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4S
45
45
42
46
48
86.7
88.9
88.9
93.3
93.3
93.3
77.1
93. 8
93.8
97.9 102.5 102.5
97.9
97.9
62.5 87.5
88.5
97.9
88.5
76.1 89.1 110.9 110. 9 110.9 119.6 121.7
79.2
85.4
85.4
87.5
50.0 72.9
79.2
17 44 hours per week for 3 m onths, betw een June 1 and Sept. 30.
18 M inim um ; maxim um , 8 hours per day.
16 A ctual hours worked ; m inim um , 6 maxim um , 8 hours per day.
20 A ctual hours worked; m inim um , 7 m axim um , 8 hours per day.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
66.7
56.3
100.0
117.8
121. 4
134.8
93. 8
100.0
117.8
123.8
134.8
95. 8
48
48
45
48
48
45
22 4 8
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
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48
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Ci
CO
U N IO N SC A LES O F W A G E S A N D H O U R S O F LA B O R IN S P E C IF IE D O C C U P A T IO N S , 1913 TO 1931, BY C IT IE S —C ontinued
H-*
Oi
C o m p o s ito r s , d a y w o r k : N e w s p a p e r — C o n tin u e d
^
H ours per week
R ates per hour (cents)
C ity
1913 1919 1920 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929
1919
1920
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
New Y o rk __
Omaha. . . .
Philadelphia.
P ittsb u rg h ..
Portland,
Oreg_____
66.7
50.0
41.7
55.0
96.7 122.2
68.8 87. 5
66.7 81.3
77.0 87.5
122. 2
87. 5
79. 2
111. 8
122. 2
87.5
79.2
118.9
128.9
90. 6
87.5
121. 1
133.3
90.6
87.5
121.1
133.3
90. 6
87.5
125.6
140.0
96.9
91. 3
126. 7
142. 2
97. 9
91. 3
126. 7
144.4
99.0
91. 3
126.7
144.4
100.0
91.3
128. 9
144.4
100.0
91.3
128.9
68.3 100.0 106.7
106. 7
106.7
106.7
106.7
106.7
106.7
106. 7
113.3
113.3
113.3
45
Providence. .
Richmond,
V a ____
St. L o u is...
St. P au l___
Salt Lake C ity
47.9
66.7
87.5
95. 8
95.8
104.2
104.2
104.2
108.3
108. 3
108.3
112. 5
116.7
48
33.3
58. 7
54. 5
62.5
45.8
63.4
63.0
71.9
58.3
91. 3
87. 5
87.5
87. 5
91. 3
88. 8
96. 9
87.5
91.3
88.8
96.9
87.5
102.2
93.8
96. 9
87.5
106.5
101. 3
104.3
94.8
110.9
101. 3
104.3
94.8
110.9
101.3
104.3
94. 8
114. 1
101. 3
104. 3
94.8
114.1
101.3
104.3
94.8
120. 7
101.3
104.3
94.8
120. 7
101. 3
104.3
4S
48
46
46
48 23 48
48
48
SanFrancisco
Scranton____
S eattle_____
W ashington..
64.4 75.6 93.3
47.9 60.4 81. 3
75.0 100.0 114. 3
60.7 92.9 104.0
107. 8
87. 5
114. 3
104. 0
107. 8
95.8
114.3
104.0
107.8
95.8
121. 4
110.0
115. 6
104. 2
121.4
110.0
115.6
110.4
121.4
128. 6
115.6
112. 5
123.2
128.6
120. 0
114. 9
123. 2
128. 6
120.0
114. 9
123.2
128. 6
120.0
114.9
123.2
128. 6
120.0
114.9
123.2
128.6
45
48
42
42
45
45
48
48
48
48
48 18 45
45
48
48
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
48
48
43
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
46
46
46
46
46
48 23 48 23 43 23 48 23 48
48
48
48
46
46
48
46
48
46
48
46
48
46
48
46
48
46
48
46
48
46
48
46
48
46
45
48
42
42
45
45
48
48
45
48
42
42
48
40
48
48
23
45
48
42
42
45
48
42
42
45
48
42
42
44
44
44
44
48
48
44
48
48
44
48
48
44
44
48
44
48
48
44
48
48
44
44
44
45
48
46
45
45
48
46
45
45
48
46
45
45
48
48
45
45
48
48
23
45
48
46
45
45
48
48
45
45
48
48
48
45
48
48
45
1931
45
44
46
45
45
48
42
42
45
48
42
42
45
48
42
42
45
47
42
42
45
47
42
42
45
47
42
42
45
47
42
42
44
48
44
48
48
44
48
44
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
48
48
44
48
48
44
44
48 \f 48
44
48
48
44
46p i
44
48
44
2<48
44
48
48
44
44
44
48
48
44
44
44
48
48
44
44
44
48
48
44
44
44
48
46
44
44
E le c tr o ty p e r s : F in is h e r s
45.8
41. 7
50.0
50.0
Buffalo_____ 43.8
57.3
50.0
50.0
52.5
56.3
88.5
81. 3
72.9
78. 1
72.9
49.0 77.1
43.8 52. 1
41. 7 58. 3
37. 5 65. 6
43.8 54.2
104.2
66. 7
83.3
72. 9
62.5
A tla n ta _____
Baltimore _
B irm ingham .
B o s to n ____
Chicago____
C incinnati. __
Cleveland___
Dallas _ _
D en v er_____
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
93.2
93.2
96.6
89.8
90.6
77.1
96.6
99.0
81.3
96.6
99.0
81.3
108.0
95. 5
75.0
129. 5
85.4
83.3
134. 1
89. 6
93.8
75.0
75.0
90.9
96.6
96.6
102.3
87. 5
96.6
99.0
87.5
102.3
87.5
102.3
99.0
87.5
102.3
96.0
102.3
99.0
91.7
102.3
99.0
93.8
105.7 105.7
2
99.0 /104.
\105. 7
93.8
97.9
138.6
91. 7
93. 8
113. 6
90.9
140.9
91. 7
93.8
113. 6
90.9
140.9
95. 8
97. 9
113. 6
90.9
140.9
97.9
100.0
113. 6
90.9
145.5
97.9
104.3
113. 6
90.9
150.0
100.0
111. 4
113. 6
90.9
102.3
/ 90.3
\ 96. 8 /}
108.0
104. 2 }
104. 5
100.0
150.0
116. 7
113.6
113. 6
90.9
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
44
48
44
44
44
44
42
44
44
44
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
[650]
1913
D etroit __
Indianapolis .
K ansas C ity
Mo
Los Angeles. _
56. 3
63.6
93.8
63.6
102.3
85.2
107. 5
100.0
113.6
95.5
113.6
95.5
113. 6
95.5
125.0
95.5
125.0
100.0
125.0
100.0
127.3
104.5
131.8
106.8
48
48
48
44
48
44
44
44
46H 44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
43.8
50.0
62. 5
70.8
90.6
86.4
89.6
86.4
89.6
102.3
100.0
102.3
104.5
102.3
73.9
104.5
102.3
102.3
104.5
113.6
102.3
104.5
113.6
102.3
104.5
113.6
96.6
109.1
104.2
102.3
109.1
113.6
90.9
48
48
48
48
48
44
48
44
48
44
46
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
43.8
36.1
56. 3 75.0
59.4 81.3
75.0 109.1
81. 3
91. 7
134.1
81.3
87.5
134.1
93.8
95.8
140.9
100. 0
93. 8
95. 8
140.9
102. 3
93.8
95.8
140.9
113. 6
93.8
97.9
140.9
113.6
93.8
97.9
140.9
113. 6
93.8
97.9
145.5
113.6
102.3
100.0
145.5
48
113.6
48
113.6
54
100.0
150.0 .........
48
48
48
44
48
48
48
44
48
48
44
48
48
44
48
48
44
44
48
48
44
44
48
48
44
44
48
48
44
44
48
48
44
44
48
48
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
48
44
62. 5
43.8
41.7
43.8
75.0 109. 1
66. 7 113. 6
70.0 103. 1
45.8 85.4
134. 1
102. 3
113.6
79.2
134. 1
97. 7
125.0
87.5
7Q F
140.9
102. 3
125.0
91.7
79 5
140.9
102.3
114.6
91.7
79 F
140.9
102.3
114.6
91.7
140.9
102.3
118.8
93.8
140.9
102.3
118.8
93.8
145. 5
102. 3
118.8
93.8
145.5
102.3
131.8
93.8
84. 2
150.0
102.3
134.1
104.2
54
44
48
48
48
53M
44
48
48
48
48
44
44
48
48
48
44
44
44
48
48
44
44
44
48
48
44
44
44
48
48
44
44
48
48
48
44
44
48
48
44
44
48
48
44
44
48
48
44
44
48
48
44
44
44
48
47J^
44
44
44
48
104.5
104 2
93.8
87.5
111.4
104 2
102.2
95.8
114.8
104. 2
109. 1
95.8
114.8
104. 2
111.4
95.8
119.3
119.3
119.3
119.3
44
48
48
48
44
48
48
48
44
48
46H
48
44
44
44
44
118.2
100.0
44
48
48
48
44
115.9
97.9
44
48
48
48
44
48
113.6
97.9
119.3
104.2
120.5
100.0
48
113.6
97.9
44
44
44
44
44
48
48
48
44
48
48
48
48
48
44
48
44
44 44
44 ____
44 44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
fi9
M ilwaukee
M inneapolis
N ew ark ,N .J __
-rra v e n ..
N ew H
N ew York
Omaha
P hiladelphia
P ittsb u rg h . __
F
,
Portland,
Oreg__
50.0
90.9 104.5
104.5
St. Louis
St. P a u l-.
45 8
43.8
55.0
85. 4
89.6
91.7
[651]
San Francisco
Scranton.Seattle___
W ashington,.
59.4
81.3
56.3 62.5 79.2
41.7 50.0 75.0
52. 1 77.8 104.5
50.0 58.3 93.8
113.6
90. 9
104. 5
90.9
113.6
90.9
90.9
113.6
97.7
113.6
102.3
125.0
97. 7
118.2
102. 3
,
125.0
102.3
118.2
113.6
125.0
102.3
119.3
113.6
125.0
106.8
119. 3
113.6
125.0
106.8
119.3
113.6
125.0
106.8
119.3
118.2
125.0
106.8
118. 2
122. 7
48
48
48
48
48
44
48
48
45
48
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
48
44
48
44
44
44
44
E l e c tr o ty p e r s : M o ld e r s
A tla n ta ..........
B altim ore___
B irm ingham .
B oston............
Buffalo___
Chicago_____
45.8
43.8
50.0
50.0
43.8
54.2
57.3 88.5 90.9
54.2 83.3
50.0 72.9 89.8
52.5 78.1 90.6
56.3 72.9 77.1
77.1 104.2 108.0
94.3
96.6
96.6
99.0
81.3
129.5
96.6
99.0
81.3
134.1
89.6
C in cin n ati__ 47.9 52.1 70.8 95. 5 85.4
93.8
83.3
43. 8 60.4 83. 3 75.0
C leveland..
43.8 65.6 72. 9
79. 5 98.9
D enver ___ 52.1 60.4 69. 8 79.5
D e tro it_____ 37.5 56.3 93.8 102.3 107.5 113. 6
18 M inim um ; m axim um , 8 hours per day.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
96.6
87.5
96.6
99.0
87.5
138. 6
91.7
93.8
113. 6
90. 9
113.6
102.3
87.5
102.3
99.0
87. 5
140.9
102.3
96.6
102.3
99.0
91. 7
140.9
102.3
99.0
93.8
140.9
96.6
96.6
105.7 105. 7
2
99.0 /104.
\105. 7
93.8
97. 9
145.5 150.0
97.9 100.0
97.9
95.8
91.7
97.0 100.0 104.3 111.4
93.8
113. 6 113. 6 113.6 113.6 113.6
90.9
90.9
90.9
90. 9 90.9
113.6 125.0 125.0 125.0 127.3
23 M axim um ; m inim um , 45 hours per
102.3
48
/ 90. 3
48
\ 96.8
108.0
48
104.2 } 48
104. 5
100.0
48
150.0
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
116.7
113.6
113. 6
90.9
131.8
week.
44
44
44
44
48
48
44
44
48
48
44
44
48
48
44
44
48
48
48
48
48
44
44
44
44
4 6^ 44
44
48
44
48
48
44
44
48
44
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
48
48
44
44
48
48
44
44
44
48
48 /\ 44
48 24 48
44
44
48
48
44
44
44
48
48
44
44
44
48
48
44
44
44
48
48
44
44
44
48
46
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
461
44
48
44
24 48
44
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
37. 5
43.8
42
44
44
44
44
24 44 h ours per week, June to September, inclusive.
05
Cn
U N IO N SC A L E S OF W A G E S A N D H O U R S O F L A B O R IN S P E C IF IE D O C C U P A T IO N S , 1913 TO 1931, BY C IT IE S —C ontinued
E le c tr o ty p e r s :
Hours per week
1929
95.5
100.0
104.5
102.3
102. 3
102.3
104.5
113.6
102. 3
113.6
104.5
125.0
102.3
113.6
93.8
95.8
140.9
79. 5
140.9
93.8
95.8
140.9
79. 5
140.9
93.8
97.9
140.9
102.3
125.0
91.7
102.3
114.6
91.7
104.5
104.2
111.4
104. 2
85.4 89.6
81.3 91.7
79.2 113.6
93.8
87.5
113.6
S cran to n .. _ 47.9 56.3 75.0 90.9
Seattle_____ 52. 1 77.8 104.5 104. 5
W ashington.. 50.0 58.3 93.8 90. 9
90.9
90.9
M ilw au k ee...
M in n eap o lis.
N e w a rk ,N .J .
N ew H aven
N ew Y o rk __
[ 652]
O m aha_____
Philadelphia.
P ittsb u rg h . .
Portland,
Oreg______
R ichm ond
1920
1922
1923
43.8
65.9
43.8
50.0
62.5
70.8
65.9
85.2
100. Ü
90.6
86.4
95.8
86.4
45.8
62.5
43.8
36.1
62.5
1925
1926
95.5
95.5
95.5
95.8
102.3
100.0
102.3
104.5
102.3
73.9
100.0
37.4
62.5
56.3 75.0 81.3
59.4 81.3 91.7
75.0 109.1 134.1
46. 7 62. 5 75. 0
75.0 109.0 134.1
81.3
87.5
134.1
79. 5
134.1
93.8
95.8
140.9
79. 5
140.9
43.8
45.8
50.0
66.7 113.6 102.3
70.0 113.1 113.6
53.1 87.5 79.2
102.3
125.0
87.5
50.0
90.9 104.5 104.5
60.4 78.1 93.8
St. Louis____ 47.9
St. P a u l... . 50.0
San Francisco. 56.3
57.3
59.4
62.5
1924
1930
1931
100.0
104.5
106.8
104.5
113.6
96. 6
113.6
109.1
104.2
102. 3
113.6
93.8
97.9
140.9
93.8
97.9
145.5
102.3
100.0
145.5
140.9
140.9
145.5
102.3
114.6
91.7
102.3
118.8
93.8
102.3
118.8
93.8
114.8
104.2
114.8
104. 2
119.3
102.2
95.8
113, 6
109.1
95.8
125.0
111.4
95.8
125.0
97.7
113.6
102.3
97. 7
118. 2
102. 3
102.3
118.2
113.6
1927
1913 1919 1920 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
113.6
113.6
90. 9
113.6
48
48
48
48
48
44
48
44
48
44
46
44
48
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
48
54
48
48
44
48
44
48
48
44
48
44
48
48
44
48
44
48
48
44
48
44
48
48
44
48
44
48
48
44
48
44
48
48
44
48
48
44
44
48
44
54
44
48
48
44
53V£
44
48
48
44
145.5
113.6
100.0
150.0
84. 2
150.0
44
44
44
44
44
48
44
47H
44
102.3
118.8
93.8
102.3
131.8
93.8
102.3
134.1
104.2
48
48
48
48
48
48
44
44
48
44
44
48
44
44
48
44
44
48
44
48
48
44
48
48
44
48
48
44
48
48
44
48
48
44
44
48
44
44
48
119.3
119.3
119.3
119.3
104. 2
48
48
48
44
48
44
48
44
48
44
48
44
48
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
48
113.6
97.9
125.0
113.6
97.9
125.0
115.9
97.9
125.0
118.2
100.0
125.0
120.5
100.0
125.0
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
44
48
48
44
46H
48
44
44
48
44
44
48
44
44
48
44
44
48
44
44
48
44
44
48
44
44
48
44
102.3
119.3
113.6
106.8
119.3
113.6
106.8
119.3
113.6
106.8
119.3
118.2
106.8
118.2
122. 7
48
48
44
48
45
48
48
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
G r a n ite c u tte r s , i n s i d e
B altim ore___
B oston_____
B uffalo____
C h a rle sto n ,
S. C ______
C incinnati,
50.0
45.6
43.8
75.0 100.0
75.0 100.0
75.0 100.0
100. 0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
112.5
100.0
100.0
112. 5
100.0
106.3
118.8
110.0
106.3
118.8
112.5
112.5
118.8
112.5
112.5
118.8
118.0
118.8
118.8
124. 0
118.8
118.8
124.0
118.8
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44.
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
45.0
50. 0
69.0 87.5
76. 3 86 3
75.0 100.0
100.0
112 5
100.0
100.0
112 5
100. 0
100.0
112 5
112. 5
100.0
100.0
100.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
112. 5
112.5
112.5
44
44
44
40
40
40
44
112. 5
44
44
44
40
112. 5
44
44
112. 5
105.0
150. 0
112. 5
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
26 4 4
44
26 4 4
26 4 4
44
44
26 4 4
26
44
44
26 4 4
44
44
44
26 4 4
44
44
26 4 4
44
26 4 4
44
44
44 2544
40
40
44
44
26 4 4
44 27 44
40
26 4 4
26
¡4
26 4 4
T
25 42
4(
2742
4'
26 42
O
¡2!
Hi
W
tH
LABOR R EV IEW
1928
Indianapolis .
K ansas C ity,
M o . ____
Los A ngeles..
T/onisville
M em p h is__
1919
05
05
R ates per hour (cents)
1913
I—t
M o ld e r s — C o n tin u ed
Cleveland___
D en v er..........
D etroit,
F all R iv e r__
K ansas C ity,
M o___
50.0
57.0
45.0
43.0
81.3
85.0
75.0
75.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
106. 3
100.0
100.0
87.5 100.0
72.5 100.0
79.0 100.0
112.5
112. 5
N ew Haven__
New O rleans.
N ew Y o rk -,Philadelphia.
P ittsb u rg h .--
72.5 87.5
75.0 80.0
79. 0 100.0
80.0 100.0
81.3 100. 0
100.0
100.0
112.5
100.0
100.0
100. 0
100.0
112. 5
112.5
112.5
70.0
70.0
100.0
70.0 82.5
75.0 100.0
Portland ,
Oreg- ___
Providence.
40.6
Richmond,
V a _______ 43.8
St. Louis____ 50.0
[653]
S t. Paul,
M in n . ___
S a lt L a k e
C ity ______ 62.5
Scranton ___
S eattle______ 62. 5
W ashington-. 45.0
112. 5
100. 0
106.3
106.3
100.0
100.0
112.5
100.0
115. 6
106. 3
100.0
100.0
115.6
112. 5
100.0
100. 0
115.6
112.5
112. 5
110.0
100.0
106.3
106. 3
100.0
112. 5
100.0
115.6
112. 5
112.5
110.0
118.8
112.5
112. 5
110.0
125.0
112.5
112. 5
115.0
106.3
112. 5
112. 5
112. 5
112.5
125.0
112. 5
112. 5
115.0
44
44
44$
45
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44 26 44 26 4 4 26 4 4 26 4 4 26 4 4 28 4 4 28 4 4
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44 29 4 4 29 4 4 29 4 4 29 4 4
44
44
44
44
44
44
106. 3
112. 5
112. 5
44
112.5
100.0
100. 0
112.5
137.5
137.5
137. 5
137.5
150.0
112. 5
112. 5
100. 0
150.0
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
100.0
100.0
112. 5
112.5
112.5
112.5
100. 0
112. 5
112. 5
112.5
112.5
100. 0
137.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
137.5
112.5
125.0
112.5
112.5
137.5
125.0
125.0
112.5
112.5
137.5
125.0
125.0
112.5
112. 5
150.0
125.0
125.0
112.5
112.5
150.0
125.0
125.0
44
45
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
100.0
100.0
100.0
110.0
112.5
110.0
112.5
115.0
112. 5
115.0
112. 5
115.0
112. 5
115.0
44
44
44
44
M0
33
44
2744
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
112.5
100.0
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
100.0
112.5
100.0
112. 5
112. 5
112. 5
112.5
112.5
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
34
44
44
100.0
100.0
81.3 100.0
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
44
44
44
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
112. 5
112. 5
112. 5
125.0
112.5
125.0
112. 5
125. 0
112.5
125. 0
112.5
125.0
44
112.5
100.0
112.5
125. 0
112. 5
125.0
44
87. 5 100.0
87.5 100.0
112.5
125.0
112.5
125.0
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
si 4 4
44
44
32 4 4
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
27 4 4
44
27 4 4
44
44
44
40
« 44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
31 4 4
44
100.0
44
44
44
44
44
30 4 4
32
44
44
44
40
244
44
40
32
44
40
44
44
44
44
44
44
44 27 4 4 22 44
44
44
40
44
H o d c a r r ie r s
Boston, - B u ffa lo ___
C h ic a g o .----C incinnati__
C leveland___
35.0
50.0 70.0
50.0 60. 0
40.0 57.5 100.0
/65.
42.5 \57. 05 }85.0
31.3 57.5 87.5
70.0 ‘3 70. 0
70.0
70.0
79.0
75.0
75.0
72.5
72.5
72.5
82.5
87.5
82.5
72.5
90.0
92.5
95.0
87.5
87.5
87.5
87.5
60.0
2 40 hours per week, June to A ugust, inclusive.
448 hours per week, N ov. 16 to M ar. 15.
3 44 hours per week, O ctober to A pril, inclusive.
13 Old scale; strike pending.
23 40 hours per week, Ju ly to M arch, inclusive.
26 40 hours per week, N ovem ber to M arch, inclusive.
22 40 hours per week, October to M arch, inclusive.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
79.0
79.0
85.0
85.0
90. Ö
97.5
87.5
90. Ö
97.5
87.5
90.0
97.5
87.5
97.5
100.0
87.5
44
44
44 44
44
44
44
44
4 44 444
44
44
44
44
44 44
44
44
44
44
45
45
45 45
45
45
45
45
44
44 44
48
44
44
44
44
23 40 hours per week, June to February, inclusive.
29 40 hours per week, Oct. 16 to M ar. 15.
30 40 hours p er week, N ov. 16 to M ar. 15.
31 40 hours per week, N ovem ber to February, inclusive.
32 40 hours per week, Jan u a ry , F ebruary, June to A ugust, inclusive, and
33 40 hours per week, INovem ber to A pril, inclusive.
34 40 hours per week, N ov. 16 to A pr. 15.
85.0
55.0
97.5
100.0
87.5
44
44
44
44
44
45
44
44
45
44
44
45
44
44
45
40
December.
44
48
44
40
40
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
Los Angeles.- 62.5
M an ch ester.- 40.6
.M inneapolis
N ew ark, N . J_ 50. 0
41.0
45.0
50. 0
50.0
50.0
112.5
100.0
106.3
106.3
100.0
100.0
U N IO N SC A LE S OF W A G ES A N D H O U R S O F LA B O R IN S P E C IF IE D O C C U P A T IO N S , 1913 TO 1931, BY C IT IE S —C ontinued
Oi
H o d c a r r ie r s — C o n tin u ed
GO
R ates per hour (cents)
H ours per week
C ity
1913
[654]
Louisville___
M em phis___
Newark, N .J_
N ew H a v en ..
N ew Y ork__
1920
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
137.5
(40. 6 j-65. 6
35.0 65.0
J40.0 ^55.0
(42. 5
(75.0
(78.1
75.0
78. 1
75.0
72.5
75.0
81.3
84.4
75.0
82.5
87.5
81.3
84.4
75.0
81.3
84.4
75.0
82.5
81.3
84.4
81.3
84.4
81.3
84.4
87.5
92.5
87.5 } 92.5
100.0
95.0
81.3
84.4
65.0
82.5
44
(72. 5
(75.0
75.0
78. 1
75.0
67.5
70.0
81.3
84.4
100.0
44
44
90.0
80.0
90.0
90.0
90.0
90.0
99.0
44
44
65.0
62.5
125.0
75.0
123.8
44
44
44
44
37.5
(35.0
1.38. 0 j-50.0
30.0 50.0
35.0 50.0
28.0
37.5
75.0
90.0
62.5
100.0
100.0
65.0
70.0
65.0
85.0
75.0
87.5
62.5
75.0
87.5
90.0
62.5
112.5
67.5
62.5
112.5
75.0
112.5
90.0
90.0
62.5
62.5
112.5 112.5
75.0
75.0
112.5 (112.5
(118.8
62.5
125.0
85.0
(100.0 100.0
Philadelphia. 35.0 70.0 100.0
125.0 [■60.0 90.0
(40.0
85.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
80.0
100.0
100.0
112.5
112.5
75.0 93.8
62. 5
65.0 J70.0
90.0
85.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0 100.0 100.0
115.0
115.0
115.0
115.0
115.0
115.0
60.0
62.5
75.0
75.0
81.3
71.3
60.0
85.0
85.0
87.5 [lOO.O
93.8
77.2
77.2
60.0
70.0
85.0
85.0
P itts b u rg h ...
Portland,
Oreg______
St. Louis____
St. P a u l____
Salt Lake
C ity --------San Francisco
Scranton____
Seattle______
50.0
/42. 5
(45.0
(37. 5
(50.0
50. 0
30.0
43.8
68.8
75.0
50.0
75.0
80.0
87.5
93.8
93.8
58.5
75.0
85.0
85.0
85.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
87.5
70.0
87.5
70.0
87.5
70.0
( 85.0
112.5
1913 1919 1920 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931
87.5
70.0
87.5
44
44
44
40
40
48
40
44
44
44
44
40
40
40
40
44
40
44
40
40
40
40
85.0
44
44
44
44
44
112. 5
44
44
44
44
40
115.0
112.5
115.0
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
40
85.0
85.0
44
44
87.5
70.0
87.5
87.5
70.0
87.5
46H
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
1140 1140 11 40
44
44
40
44
40
85.0 [ 85.0
112.5 112.5
100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
87.5
70.0
87.5
44
49K 49^
I n s i d e w ir e m e n
A tla n ta _____
B altim ore___
B irm ingham .
B oston___ _
B uffalo_____
FRASER
43. 8
62. 5
55. 0
45.0
Digitized for
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
75.0 90.0
70.0 92. 5
80.0 100.0
77.5 100.0
70.0 90.0
90.0
100.0
85.0
100.0
90.0
90. 0
100.0
100.0
105.0
100.0
90. 0
120.0
112.5
110.0
112.5
90.0
131. 3
112. 5
110.0
112.5
90.0
131.3
112. 5
120.0
125.0
90.0
143. 8
125.0
125.0
125.0
100.0
143.8
125.0
125.0
137.5
112. 5
150.0
125.0
137.5
137. 5
112. 5
165.0
125.0
150.0
137.5
112.5
165.0
125.0
150.0
150.0
48
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
40
44
44
44
40
40
40
44
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
D enver_____
D etro it_____
In d ian ap o lis.
Kansas, C ity
M o_______
1919
75. 0 87.5 125.0
50. 0 71.9 100. 0
57. 5 90. 0 125. 0
56. 3 87.5 100.0
56.3 82.5 100.0
110.0
95.0
110.0
112.5
100.0
110.0
105. 0
125. 0
112.5
112.5
125. 0
115.0
137. 5
112.5
112.5
150. 0
125.0
143. 8
125.0
125.0
150.0
131.3
150.0
125.0
137.5
156.3
135.0
150.0
125.0
137.5
162. 5
137. 5
150.0
125.0
137.5
162. 5
137.5
150.0
137. 5
137.5
162. 5
140.0
150.0
137.5
137.5
162. 5
140.0
150.0
137.5
137.5
D e tro it_____
F all R iv e r__
In d ia n a p o lis.
Jack so n v ille..
K ansas C ity ,
M o . . ........ .
46.9 93.8 125.0
37. 5 70.0 85.0
47. 5 72.0 100.0
45.0 85.0 100.0
100.0
85.0
100.0
85.0
100.0
95.0
110.0
85.0
125.0
95.0
115.0
85.0
130.0
95.0
125.0
100.0
140.0
95.0
125.0
125.0
150.0
95.0
137.5
125.0
150.0
100.0
150.0
125.0
150.0
100.0
150. 0
125.0
155.0
100.0
150.0
125.0
62. 5
87.5 100.0
100.0
106.3
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
L ittle R o ck . _
Los A ngeles..
Louisville___
M an c h e ste r..
M em phis___
50.0 75.0 87.5
50. 0 80. 0 100.0
40. 0 75.0 75.0
31. 3 75.0 100.0
45.0 75.0 100.0
87.5
100.0
90. 0
80.0
87.5
87.5
112. 5
100. 0
100.0
87.5
87. 5
112. 5
100. 0
100. 0
87.5
87.5
112. 5
106. 3
100.0
100.0
87.5
112.5
106.3
100.0
100.0
87.5
112.5
115.0
100.0
100.0
87.5
100. 0
125.0
100. 0
112.5
87.5
100. 0
131. 3
100. 0
112.5
M ilw au k ee. .
M in n eap o lis.
N ew ark, N .J .
N ew H a v e n ..
N ew O rleans.
45.0
50.0
56.3
45.0
75.0 85.0
68.8 81. 3
75.0 100.0
75.0 82. 5
70.0 90.0
100.0
87.5
112. 5
85.0
100.0
100.0
87.5
112.5
90. 8
90.0
112.5
100.0
131.3
100.0
105.0
112.5
100.0
131.3
100.0
110.0
112.5
100.0
150.0
100. 0
110.0
112.5
100.0
156. 3
100.0
120.0
120.0
100.0
156.3
106.3
125.0
N ew Y o rk __
O m aha. _.
P h ilad elp h ia.
P ittsb u rg h . __
Portland,
Oreg______
56.3
50.0
45.0
57.5
75.0
87.5
75.0
75.0
112.5
100.0
90.0
112.5
112.5
112. 5
100.0
125.0
131.3
112.5
112. 5
125.0
131.3
112.5
112.5
143.8
150.0
112. 5
125.0
143.8
150.0
125.0
125.0
150.0
150.0
125.0
125.0
156.3
56.3
80.0 100.0
90.0
100.0
112.5
112.5
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
40
40
40
40
40
P ro v id e n c e ..
Richm ond, Va
St. L ouis___
St. P a u l____
Salt Lake
C ity ---------
43.8
43. 8
65. 0
46.9
70.0 85.0
75.0 75.0
87.5 100.0
68.8 81.3
90.0
75. 0
125.0
80.0
90.0
75.0
125.0
80.0
100.0
75.0
150.0
100.0
100.0
75.0
150.0
87.5
100.0
110.0
110.0
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
150. 0
100.0
110.0
87. 5
165.0
112. 5
44
150.0
100.0
110.0
87.5
165.0
112.5
44
150.0
100.0
110.0
87. 5
150. 0
100.0
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
56.3
87.5 112.5
90.0
100.0
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
62.5 87.5 112.5
46.9 75.0 95.0
62.5 100.0 112.5
55.0 100.0 100.0
100.0
87. 5
100.0
106.3
100.0
87. 5
106. 3
112.5
112. 5
112.5
125.0
137.5
112.5
112. 5
137.5
150.0
112. 5
112.5
137. 5
150.0
112. 5
112. 5
137. 5
165.0
44
48
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
40
44
44
40
40
40
44
40
40
40
44
40
40
San Francisco______
Scranton____
Seattle . . . .
W ashington..
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
112.5
112.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
112.5
112.5
125.0
100.0
112. 5
112. 5
137.5
106.3
112. 5
125.0
137.5
112. 5
112.5
125.0
137.5
2 40 hours per week, Ju n e to A ugust, inclusive.
11 44 hours per week, Septem ber to A pril, inclusive.
44
44*
48
44
44
44
44*
44
44
44
44
44*
44
44
44
44
44*
44
44
44
44
44*
44
44
44
44
44*
44
44
44
44
44*
44
44
44
44
44*
44
44
44
44
44*
44
44
44
44
44i
44*
44
44
44
44|
44 ~
40
44
44
44|
40
40
40
44
40
40
40
40
155.0
48
100.0
48
125.0 24 48
125.0
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
137.5
150.0
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
87.5
100.0
131. 3
100.0
125.0
87.5
100.0
131.3
100,0
125.0
48 35 48
48
44
44
48
48
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
40
44
40
125.0
100.0
162.5
106.3
125.0
125.0
112. 5
162.5
112. 5
125.0
125.0
112. 5
175.0
125.0
125.0
44
48
44
48
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
44
165.0
125.0
125.0
156.3
165.0
125.0
125.0
156.3
165.0
125.0
150.0
156.3
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44 244 244 244
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
40
40
44
40
40
40
44
40
40
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
*
>
IP
>
Ü
w
o
d
w
cc
OF LABOR
Chicago_____
C in cin n ati__
C leveland___
D allas______
D enver - ___
S4 44 hours per week, June to Septem ber, inclusive.
2« 44 hours per week, Ju ly to Septem ber, inclusive.
Cl
CO
U N IO N SC A LES OF W A G E S A N D H O U R S OF L A B O R IN S P E C IF IE D O C C U P A T IO N S , 1913 TO 1931, B Y C IT IE S —C ontinued
P a in t e r s
H ours per week
R ates per hour (cents)
1919
1920
1922
1923
1924
A tlan ta_____
B altim ore___
B irm ingham .
Boston_____
B uffalo_____
33.3
37. 5
45. 0
50.0
43.8
60.0 60.0
68.8 90.0
75. 0 87. 5
82. 5 100.0
62.5 87. 5
75.0
80. 0
75. 0
100. 0
87. 5
75.0
80. 0
87. 5
105. 0
87.5
75.0
90.0
87.5
110. 0
87.5
C h a rle sto n ,!
S. C _____ /
Chicago_____
C in c in n a ti...
Cleveland___
D allas______
150. 0 65.0
25.0 (65.0
80.0
65. 0 87. 5 125.0
50.0 62. 5 87. 5
50.0 75.0 112. 5
50.0 87.5 100.0
50.0
65.0
11C. 0
87. 5
100.0
87.5
55.0 } 55. 0
65.0
125.0 125.0
97. 5 107. 5
112.5 125.0
100.0 100.0
55.0
55.0
55.0
150. 0 150. 0 150. 0
125.0
117. 5
131. 3
125.0 13125. 0 125. 0
100.0 112. 5 112.5
D en v er____
D etroit
Fall R iv er.
Indianapolis _
Jacksonville..
50.0
45.0
37. 5
47.5
37.5
85.0
80.0
62. 5
70.0
75.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
87.5
100. 0
90.0
75.0
90.0
75.0
100. 0 112. 5
100. 0 112. 5
90. 0 90. 0
97. 5 105.0
75.0 —
117.5
112. 5
90. 0
105.0
75.0
115. 0
125. 0
90. 0
Kansas City,
M o_______
L ittle R o c k ..
Los A ngeles..
Louisville___
M anchester-.
60.
50.
43.
45.
0
0
8
0
82.5 ICO. 0
80. 0 100.0
75.0 87. 5
62. 5 75.0
62.5 80.0
100.0
87.5
100.0
87. 5
70.0
100.0
87. 5
100.0
100. 0
80.0
112. 5
87.5
100. 0
112. 5
90.0
125. 0
M em phis___
M ilw aukee. .
M inneapolis .
N ewark, N. J.
N ew H av en ..
50.0
50.0
50.0
44.0
40.9
75.0 100.0
70.0 85. 0
70. 0 100. 0
75. 0 100.0
62. 5 87.5
87. 5
85. 0
80. 0
100. 0
100. 0
87.5
100.0
90. 0
112. 5
90.0
100.0
100.0
90. 0
125. 0
100. 0
100. 0
100.0
100. 0
N ew Orleans.
N ew Y o rk __
Omaha .
Philadelphia.
P itts b u rg h ...
40.0
50.0
50. 0
42. 5
55.0
65.0
75.0
75.0
75. 0
87.5
80.0
112.5
90. 0
100. 0
100. 0
80.0
112.5
112. 5
100.0
125.0
85.0
131.3
100. 0
100. 0
137. 5
—
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
75.0
112.5
100.0
100.0
112. 5
1925
1926
75.0
80.0
100.0
100.0
100.0 100. 0
110.0 125. 0
100.0 100.0
100.0
100.0
112. 5
90.0
1928
1929
85.0
100.0 110.0
100.0 100.0
85.0
85.0
100.0
112. 5
125.0
112. 5
110.0
125. 0
125.0
90.0
115.0
100.0
100.0
125. 0
ICO. 0
125.0
1930
1931
85.0
85.0
112.5
110.0
100.0
44
40
40
40
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
40
44
44
44
40
40
44
44
44
40
40
40
44
44
40
40
40
40
125.0 125.0
125.0 125.0
75.0
90.0
125.0 125.0
75.0 \ 75.0
50.0
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
40
44
40
44
44
40
44
40
44
44
40
44
125.0
44
48
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
40
40
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44 30 44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
40
40
40
40
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
40
44
40
125.0 125.0
125.0 125. 0
90.0
90.0
122.5 122. 5
r
75.0 I 75.0
62.5
125. 0
125.0
137.5
87.5
100.0
100.0
112. 5
112. 5
112. 5
112. 5
112.5
112. 5
112.5
112.5
100.0
100.0
150.0
150. 0
100.0
100. 0 100. 0
90.0
90.0
(175. 0
(150. 0 >150. 0
100. 0 100. 0
105. 0
150. 0
44
40
40
40
40
48
44
44
44
44
112. 5
112. 5
15C. 0
44
40
44
40
44
48
44
44
44
44
100.0
100.0 100.0
100.0 131C0.0
44
40
44
40
44
0
55.0 ' 55.
75.0 ) 48
175.0 175. 0 J 44
44
133.8 133.8
44
131.3 137.5
44
112. 5 112.5
112.5
90.0
85.0
44
44
44
40
44
55.0
162. 5
131. 3
125. 0
112. 5
112. 5
90.0
85.0
131.3
44
44
44
40
44
55.0
162.5
131. 3
125. 0
112.5
137.5
125.0
112. 5
90.0
137.5
44
44
44
40
44
137.5
125.0
112. 5
90.0
100.0
44
44
44
40
44
137. 5
112. 5
112. 5
90.0
100.0
44
44
44
53
44
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
48
40
40
44
40
40
48 36 48 36 48 36 48 36 48
100.0
112. 5
90.0
125. 0
1913 1919 1920 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931
125.0
112. 5
100.0 100. 0 100.0 100.0
100. 0 100. 0 100. 0 1000 100. 0
112. 5
90.0
137. 5
143.8
1927
105. 0
150.0
100. 0
150. 0
100.0
100.0
150.0
112.5
90.0
90.0
0
150.0 /165.
1.150.0
90.0
165. 01
150.0/
100.0
100.0
100.0
105.0
150.0
105.0
1-50.0
112.5
150. 0
—
LABOR R EV IEW
[6 5 6 ]
1913
50.0
45.5
37.5
57.0
50.0
90.0 100.0
62. 5 90. 0
60. 0 65.0
75. 0 100.0
70. 0 100.0
90. 0
80. 0
67. 5
100.0
80.0
100.0
90. 0
80. 0
112. 5
90.0
100. 0
100. 0
80. 0
130. 0
90.0
100.0
100. 0
80. 0
130.0
90.0
112. 5 112.5
106. 3 106. 3
80.0
80. 0
135.0 143. 8
95. C 95.0
105. 0
106. 3
80. 0
143.8
95.0
1C5. 0
106. 3
80. 0
143.8
100.0
110. 0 110.0
112. 5 112.5
80. 0 80.0
150. 0 150.0
100.0 100.0
48
44
48
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
40
44
48
44
44
40
44
48
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
40
44
40
40
44
40
44
40
40
44
40
44
Salt Lake C ity
San Francisco
Scranton____
Seattle - - _
W ash in g to n ..
56.3
56.3
40.0
56. 3
50.0
90.0 100.0
87.5 106.3
65.0 87.5
90.0 100.0
75.0 90.0
90.0
100.0
87.5
93.8
100.0
100.0
104.4
87.5
100. 0
112.5
100.0
104.4
100.0
105. 0
112.5
100.0 100.0 100.0
0
104.4 /100.
\104. 4 }ll2. 5
112.5 112. 5 112.5
112.5 112. 5 112. 5
118.8 118.8 118.8
100.0
112.5
112.5
112.5
121.9
100.0
112.5
112.5
112. 5
125.0
100.0 100.0
112.5 112.5
112. 5 112.5
112. 5 112. 5
137.5 137.5
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
40
44
44
44
40
40
44
44
44
40
40
44
44
44
40
40
44
44
44
40
40
44
44
44
40
40
44
44
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
53
44
44
48
49|
44
40
44
44
44
40
40
44
44
40
40
44
44
40
40
44
44
40
40
44
44
40
40
44
44
40
40
44
40
40
40
44
40
40
40
44
40
40
40
44
40
40
40
44
40
40
40
44
44!
44
44
44
44
44!
44
44
44
44
44!
44
44
44
44
44!
44
44
44
44
44!
44
44
44
44
44!
44
40
44
40
44!
40
40
44
40
40
40
40
P la s te r e r s
[657]
A tla n ta ., . . .
B altim ore___
Boston.
Buffalo_____
45.0 60.0 100.0
62. 5 87.5 112. 5
65. 0 80. 0 100.0
60.0 85.0 100.0
100.0
125.0
112. 5
100.0
100.0
150.0
112.5
150.0
100.0
175.0
125. 0
150.0
100.0
175. 0
125.0
150.0
125.0
175.0
150.0
150.0
125.0
175.0
150.0
150.0
125.0
175.0
150.0
150.0
125.0
175.0
150.0
150.0
125.0
175.0
162.5
162.5
100.0
175.0
162.5
162.5
C harleston,
S. C ..............
Chicago_____
C in c in n ati__
C leveland___
D allas______
40.0
75.0
68.8
62. 5
75.0
75.0
87.5
87.5
90.0
112.5
100.0
125.0
100.0
125.0
112.5
85.0
110.0
112.5
125.0
137.5
100.0
150.0
125.0
125.0
150.0
100.0
150.0
150. 0
125.0
162.5
100.0 100.0
150.0 «150.0
150.0 150.0
156.3 162. 5
162.5 162.5
100.0
162.5
150.0
162.5
162.5
100.0
162.5
150.0
162.5
162.5
100.0
162.5
150.0
162.5
162.5
100.0
170.0
150.0
162.5
162.5
100.0 38 53
170.0
44
44J
162.5
44
162.5
44
162.5
48
44
44!
44
44
48
44
44!
44
44
48 /
44
44!
44
44
44
D en v er_____
D etroit
F all R iv e r .. .
In d ian ap o lis.
Jackson v ille „
75.0
68.8
55.0
62.5
56.3
87.5
87.5
85.0
87.5
75.0
125.0
125.0
115.0
100.0
87.5
125.0
112.5
95.0
112.5
87.5
125.0
150.0
110.0
131.3
100.0
150.0
156.3
110.0
150.0
125.0
150.0
156. 3
125.0
150.0
125.0
150.0
156.3
125. 0
150.0
175.0
150.0
162.5
125.0
155. 0
175.0
150.0
162.5
125.0
157.5
125.0
150.0
162.5
125.0
157.5
125.0
150.0
162.5
125.0
157.5
100.0
150.0
137.5
125.0
157.5
100.0
44
44
48
44j
48
44
44
44
44!
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
40
40
44
K ansas C ity,
M o ..............
L ittle R o c k ..
Los A ngeles..
Louisville___
M an c h e ste r..
75.0 100.0 120.0
62. 5 87.5 112.5
75.0 87.5 112. 5
65.0 75.0 100.0
50.0 90.0 112.5
112.5
112. 5
125.0
112.5
112.5
137.5
112. 5
125.0
150.0
112.5
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
150. 0
137.5
150.0
150.0
150.0
162.5
137.5
150.0
150.0
150.0
162.5
137.5
150.0
150.0
150.0
162.5
137.5
150.0
150.0
150.0
162. 5
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
162.5
150.0
162.5
125.0
150. 0
162.5
150.0
44
44
48 is 44
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
40
40
40
44
40
40
40
40
44
40
40
40
M em phis___
M ilw au k ee...
M inneapolis _
N ew ark, N. J .
N ew H a v e n ..
75.0
65.0
70.0
65.0
60.0
112.5
112.5
100.0
125.0
100.0
112.5
112.5
112.5
125.0
112. 5
137.5
125.0
125.0
150.0
125.0
156.3
137.5
125.0
150. 0
125.0
156.3
137.5
137. 5
162. 5
137.5
156.3
143.8
137.5
175.0
137.5
156.3
150.0
150.0
175.0
143.8
156.3
150.0
150.0
175.0
150.0
156.3
150.0
150.0
193.8
150.0
156.3
150.0
150.0
193.8
165.0
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
37 44 hours per week, N ov. 14 to M ay 14.
38 W ork 53 hours; paid for 54.
40
44
44
40
44
40
40
40
44
40
87.5
87.5
90.0
87.5
82.5
100.0
87. 5
112. 5
125.0
100.0
13 Old scale; strike pending.
15 48 hours per week, October to M arch, inclusive.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
30 40 hours per week, N ov. 16 to M ar. 15.
86 44 hours per week, Ju ly to M arch, inclusive.
44
44
44
44
44
37
44
44!
44
44
} 48
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
7 2 574°— 31 ------ 12
Portland, Oreg
P ro v id en ce.-.
R ichm ond, Va
St. Louis____
St. P a u l_____
U N IO N SC A LE S O F W A G E S A N D H O U R S O F L A B O R IN S P E C IF IE D O C C U P A T IO N S , 1913 T O 1931, B Y C IT IE S —C ontinued
(—*•
P la s t e r e r s — C o n tin u ed
to
H ours per week
R ates per hour (cents)
C ity
P o rtla n d ,
Oreg--------Providence...
R ic h m o n d ,
V a_______
St. Louis___
S t. P au l____
[658]
S a lt L ak e
C ity --------San F r a n cisco______
Scranton____
Seattle______
W ashington..
1919
1920
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
62.5
68.8
62.5
62.5
75.0
93.8
80.0
85.0
100.0
110.8
125.0
115.0
100.0
125.0
125.0
112.5
100.0
125.0
125.0
137.5
125.0
150.0
150.0
156.3
125.0
150.0
150.0
156.3
125.0
175.0
175.0
166.3
125.0
175.0
175.0
166.3
125.0
175.0
175.0
166.3
125.0
175.0
150.0
166.3
125.0
192.5
162.5
166.3
125.0
192.5
162.5
166.3
48
44
44
44
45
44
40
44
45
44
40
44
45
44
40
44
45
44
40
44
45
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
45
40
40
40
44
40
40
40
45
40
40
40
45
40
40
40
45
40
40
40
45
40
40
40
75.0 110.0 112.5
62.5 100.0 115.0
112.5
105.0
125.0
115.0
125.0
125.0
137.5
150.0
137.5
150.0
137.5
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
40
44
40
44
40
44
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
37. 5 62.5 75.0
75.0 100.0 125.0
62. 5 90.0 112.5
87.5
137.5
100.0
125.0
150.0
112.5
125.0
175.0
125.0
125.0
175.0
125.0
125.0
175.0
125.0
125.0
175.0
125.0
125.0
175.0
125.0
125.0
175.0
125.0
125.0
175.0
125.0
100.0
175.0
125.0
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
40
44
44
40
44
44
40
44
75.0 100.0 125.0
112.5
125.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
125.0
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
87.5 112.5 125.0
55.0 80.0 100.0
75.0 112.5 125.0
62.5 87.5 100.0
127.5
125.0
112.5
125.0
127.5
125.0
125.0
150.0
127.5
150.0
137.5
150.0
150.0
150.0
137. 5
162. 5
150.0
150.0
137. 5
162.5
150.0
150.0
137.5
162.5
150.0
150.0
150.0
162.5
137.5
150.0
150.0
162.5
137.5
150.0
150.0
162.5
137.5
150.0
150.0
175.0
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
40
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
44
40
40
44
44
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
P la s t e r e r s ’ la b o r e r s
Boston..........B u ffa lo __
C h ic ag o ____
C incinnati.
Cleveland__
D enver_____
/40.0
141. 5
D etro it_____
Indianapolis
K ansas C ity,
M o _______
L ouisville..FRASER
M em phis___
}o o .o
95.0
75.0
78.8
82.5
87.5
81.3
95.0
75.0
78.8
90.0
87.5
87.5
95.0
105.0
105.0
110.0
40
40
40
96.8
97.5
87.5
87.5
44
45
48
44
44
45
44
44
44
45
44
44
40
44
44
45
44
44
40
96.8
97. 5
87.5
87.5
40
44
44
45
44
44
40
96.8
97. 5
87. 5
87.5
40
44
44
45
44
44
40
93.8
95.0
87. 5
87.5
110.0
60.0
103.8
100.0
87.5
87.5
40
88.8
92.5
87.5
87.5
110.0
60.0
103.8
100.0
87.5
87.5
44
48.0
45.0
35.0
43.8
80.0
is 55. 0
78.8
72. 5
60.0
81.3
95.0
62.5 106.3
65.0 85.0
57. 5 87.5
68.8 81.3
44
45
44
44
44
45
44
44
44
45
44
44
44
45
44
44
44
45
44
44
40
44
44
45
40
44
40
40
44
40
40
40
37.5
75.0 100.0
55.0 75.0
75.0
70.0
100.0
75.0
100.0
87.5
87.5
87.5
87.5
87.5
87.5
90.0
90.0
90.0
82. 5
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
37.5
38.0
68.8
55.0
90.0
55.0
80.0
80.0
62.5
90.0
85.0
62.5
90.0
85.0
75.0
90.0
90.0
75.0
90.0
90.0
75.0
90.0
90.0
75.0
90.0
90.0
75.0
90.0
90.0
75.0
90.0
90.0
75.0
99.0
40.0
62.5
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
40
44
40
40
40
40
40
80.0
Digitized for
32.5 50.0 75.0
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
N ew Orleans.
New Y ork__
Philadelphia.
P itts b u rg h ...
1913 1919 1920 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931
1913
M ilw au k ee... 32. 5 55. 0
M inneapolis. 40. 6 60. 0
N ew ark ,N .J_
50.0
N ew H a v e n ,.
/35.0
N ew Orleans. 22.5 \45. 0
N ew Y o rk __ 40.6 62.5
70.0
85.0
87.5
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
85.0
87.5
50. Ö } 50.0
65.0
87.5
93.8
65.0
75.0
106.3
106.3
85.0
85.0
100.0
90.0
85.0
100.0
90.0
90.0
112.5
75.0
75.0
9
106.3 /121.
\125. 0
90.0
90.0
112.5
85.0
75.0
121.9
125.0
90.0
95.0
112.5
85.0
75.0
121.9
125.0
90.0
95.0
112. 5
85.0
75.0
121.9
125.0
90.0
90.0
95.0
95.0
125. 0 125.0
85.0
85.0
50.0
65.0
134.0 }l34.0
137.5
48 39 44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
48
45
45
45
45
45
45
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
45
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
45
44
44
44
44
45
44
44
40
44
45
40
44
40
40
45
40
40
40
40
40
40
62.5 110.0
60.0 90.0
100.0
80.0
100.0
100.0
112. 5
100.0
112. 5
100.0
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
112.5
106.3
112.5
106.3
112.5
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
75.0
75.0
90.0
100.0
100.0
112.5
100.0
125.0
100.0
125.0
112.5
125.0
112.5
125.0
112.5
125.0
112.5
125.0
112.5
125.0
112.5
125.0
85. 0
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
40
40
40
40
40
44
40
40
44
75.0 100.0
87.5
100.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
San Francisco 62.5
Scranton___
Seattle______ 50.0
W ashington.. 31.3
87.5 106.3
50. 0 58.5
87.5 87.5
50.0 75.0
95.0
60.0
87.5
75.0
83.2
60. 0
93.8
75.0
83.2
70.0
100.0
87.5
100.0
70.0
100.0
75.0
100.0
70. 0
100.0
75.0
100.0
70. 0
100.0
100.0
70. 0
100.0
100.0
70. 0
100.0
100.0
70. 0
100.0
75.0
100.0
70. 0
100.0
75.0
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
40
44
46H 46H 46^
44
44
44
40
40
40
44
44
44
93.8
87.5
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40 » 40 U 40 H 40
40
40
44
40
40
P lu m b e r s
A tla n ta _____
B altim ore___
B irm ingham .
B oston___ _
Buffalo____
44.4 75.0
50.0 75.0
68.8 112. 5
60.0 80.0
56.3 75.0
75.0
87. 5
150.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
93.8
125.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
150.0
105.0
100.0
112.5
118.8
150.0
112. 5
112.5
112.5
125.0
150.0
110.0
118.8
125.0
125.0
150.0
125. 0
137.5
125.0
125.0
150. 0
125.0
137.5
125.0
131.3
150.0
137. 5
137.5
125.0
137.5
150.0
137.5
137.5
125. 0
137.5
150.0
150.0
137. 5
125.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
137. 5
53
48
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
40
44
44
44
40
40
40
44
40
40
40
40
44
C h a rle s to n ,
S. C ._____
C h ic a g o .___
C in cin n ati. __
C leveland___
D allas_____
75. Ö
61.8
62. 5
68.8
75.0
84.4
75. 0
90. 0
100.0
100. 0
125. 0
100. 0
100. 0
125.0
100.0
110.0
100. 0
110. 0
125.0
100. 0
110. 0
112. 5
131. 3
125.0
100.0
125. 0
125. 0
137. 5
137.5
100.0
125.0
125. 0
137. 5
137.5
100. 0
150. 0
135. 0
150. 0
150.0
100.0
150.0
137. 5
150. 0
150.0
100.0
162. 5
137. 5
150. 0
150.0
100.0
162. 5
137.5
150.0
150.0
100.0
162. 5
140. 0
150. 0
150.0
100.0
170.0
140.0
150.0
150.0
44
44*
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
40
44
D e n v e r ___
D e tro it_____
F all R iv e r__
In d ian ap o lis.
Jacksonville..
62. 5
56.3
43.8
62. 5
62. 5
87.5
90.0
67.5
87.5
80.0
125.0 137.5 137. 5
130.0 140.0 150.0
100. 0 100.0 100. 0
135.0 135.0 142. 5
125.0 150.0 162. 5
to April, inclusive.
137.5
150.0
100. 0
142.5
137.5
137.5
150.0
100.0
150.0
137.5
137.5
150.0
100.0
150.0
100.0
44
44
44
137.5
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
150.0
44
100. 0
48
44
44
44
44
44
150.0
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
100.0
44
89 48 hours per week, N ovem ber to
40 For helpers.
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
A pril, inclusive.
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
44
40
44
40
40
40
40
44
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
100.0
125.0
100.0
100.0
93.8
106.3 118.8 118.8
100.0 125. 0 130.0
85. 0 100. 0 100. 0
115.0 122.5 130.0
100.0 112.5 125.0
11 44 hours per week, September
13 Old scale; strike pending.
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
Philadelphia- 43.8
P ittsb u rg h . __ 40.0
P o rtla n d ,
Oreg______ 50.0
St. L ouis____ «56. 3
St. P a u l____
S a lt L a k e
C ity ______ 56.3
-I
CO
U N IO N SC A LE S O F W A G E S A N D H O U R S O F LA B O R IN S P E C IF IE D O C C U P A T IO N S , 1913 T O 1931, B Y C IT IE S —Continued
P I u m b e rs — C ontin ued
H ours per week
R ates per hour (cents)
C ity
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
62.5 100.0 100.0
56.3 87. 5 125.0
56.3 81.3 112. 5
60. 0 70.0 80.0
31.3 70.0 100.0
112.5
100.0
112. 5
100.0
80.0
125.0
100.0
112.5
112.5
100.0
137.5
112. 5
112. 5
112. 5
100.0
137.5
112. 5
112.5
137. 5
100.0
137. 5
112.5
112.5
137.5
100.0
137.5
112.5
112. 5
137. 5
100.0
137.5
112.5
112.5
137. 5
105.0
137.5
112. 5
112.5
137.5
105.0
137.5
112.5
112.5
137.5
112.5
150.0
48
112.5 « 48
112.5
48
137.5
44
112.5
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
40
40
44
40
40
40
[660]
M em p h is___
M ilw aukee..
M inneapolis.
N ew ark, N .
J _________
N ew H aven..
62.5
62. 5
56.3
93.8 125.0
75.0 87. 5
75.0 100.0
112.5
90.0
87.5
125.0
100.0
100.0
125.0
112.5
100.0
131.3
112. 5
100.0
135.0
118.8
112.5
142.0
118.8
112.5
142.0
118.8
112.5
150.0
118.8
125.0
150.0
118.8
125.0
150.0
118.8
125.0
48
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
40
44
44
40
44
44
62.5
50.0
87. 5 112.5
75.0 87.5
112.5
87.5
112. 5
100.0
131.3
106.3
137.5
106.3
150.0
112.5
150.0
112.5
150.0
112.5
165.0
112.5
165.0
125.0
165.0
125.0
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
40
40
40
N ew Orleans.
N ew Y o rk ...
O m aha_____
Philadelphia.
P ittsb u rg h ...
56.3 80.0 90.0
68.8 75.0 112.5
68.3 87.5 125.0
/43. 8 }80.0 90.0
62.5 93.8 105.3
90.0
112.5
100.0
90.0
112.5
90.0
125.0
125.0
115.0
115.6
105.0
137.5
125.0
115.0
137.5
112.5 125.0 125.0
/137. 5
137.5 1150 0 } 150.0
125.0 125. 0 125.0
115.0 115.0 115.0
143.8 150.0 150.0
125.0
150.0
125.0
115.0
156.3
105.0
150.0
125.0
115.0
156.3
105.0
165.0
125.0
125.0
162.5
105.0
165.0
125.0
125.0
171.9
48
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44 .
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
40
44
40
44
40
40
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
40
44
40
44
40
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
40
40
44
40
44
44
48
48
44
48
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
40
44
40
44
40
40
1919
1920
P o rtla n d ,
Oreg______
P rovidence..
R ich m o n d . _.
St. Louis___
S t. P a u l-------
75.0 100.0 112.5
56.3 75.0 100.0
106.3
100.0
112.5
100. 0
125.0
112. 5
125. 0
125.0
125.0
125.0
137.5
127.5
137.5
127.5
137.5
127.5
137.5
127.5
66.3 100. 0 125! 0
62.5 75.0 87.5
125'. 0
100.0
125.0
100.0
150'. 0
100.0
150. 0
100.0
150. 0
112.5
1.50. 0
112.5
1.50.0
112.5
162.5
112.5
162.5
125.0
137.5
135.0
100. 0
162. 5
125.0
S a lt L ak e
C ity _____
San Francisco.
Scranton____
S eattle_____
W ashington..
75.0 100. 0 112.5
75.0 75. 0 81.3
50. 0 75. O' 87.5
81. 3 100. 0 112. 5
50.0 87. 5 100.0
100.0
100. 0
87. 5
100. 0
106. 3
112.5
125.0
93.8
112.5
125.0
112.5
125.0
112. 5
125.0
125.0
120.0
125.0
112.5
125.0
131.3
120.0
125. 0
118.8
125.0
137. 5
120.0
120.0
125.0
137.5
137.5
125.0
137.5
137.5
120.0
125.0
125. 0
137. 5
143.7
120.0
125.0
125.0
137. 5
150.0
120.0
125.0
125.0
137. 5
150.0
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
40
40
40
40
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
K ansas C ity,
M o..........
L ittle R o ck ..
Los Angeles..
Louisville___
M an c h e ste r..
1913 1919 1920 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931
1922
1913
S h e e t- m tta l w o r k e r s
40.0
55.0
55. 0
45. 0
65.0
80.0
75.0
80.0
62.5
75.0
90.0
85.0
100.0
87.5
110.0
90.0
85.0
105.0
C incinnati__
Cleveland___
D a lla s.,_____
D en v er_____
D etro it...........
45.0
45.0
50.0
56.3
40.0
80.0
56.0
70.0
85.0 » 125.0 104.0
87. 5 100.0 100.0
87.5 100.0 100.0
80.0 125.0 100.0
In d ia n a p o lis.
K ansas C ity,
M o_______
K ittle R o c k ..
Bos A ngeles..
Louisville___
47.5
60.0
100.0
57.5
50.0
56.3
40.0
70.0
80.0
68.5
65.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
80.0
M an c h e ste r..
M e m p h is ....
M ilw aukee. __
M inneapolis
N ew ark, N .J .
34.4
45.0
42. 5
50.0
60.0
44.3
75.0
60.0
70.0
87.5
100.0
100.0
67.5
100.0
100.0
N ew H avenN ew Orleans.
N ew Y o rk __
O m aha_____
P h ilad elp h ia.
P itts b u r g h ...
47.7
75.0
80.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
80.0
87.5
59.4
42. 5
50.0
55.0
112. 5
112. 5
80.0
100.0
100.0
87.5
125.0
110.0
110.0
110.0
125.0
120.0
100.0
110.0
110.0
137.5
120.0
112. 5
125.0
110.0
137.5
131.3
112. 5
125. 0
110.0
150.0
131.3
112.5
125. 0
115.0
150.0
131.3
115.0
137. 5
115. 0
150.0
^37. 5
115. 0
137.5
125.0
156.3
137.5
115.0
137.5
130.0
170.0
48
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
40
44
44
44
90.0
125.0
112. 5
112.5
112.5
100.0
125.0
115. 6
112. 5
112. 5
110.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
112. 5
116.3
125.0
125.0
125.0
125. 0
120.0
137.5
125. 0
125.0
125.0
122.5
137.5
125.0
125. 0
125.0
122.5
137.5
125. 0
125.0
125.0
125.0
137.5
137.5
125.0
125.0
125.0
137.5
137.5
125.0
125.0
44
48
48
44
48
48
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
48
40
40
44
40
92.5
97.5
105.0
105.0
107.5
115.0
122.5
122.5
127.5
115.0
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
100.0
90.0
112. 5
80.0
100.0
90.0
112.5
90.0
112.5
100.0
112. 5
100.0
112.5
90.0
112.5
100.0
112. 5
90.0
112.5
100.0
125.0
90.0
112.5
100.0
125.0
90.0
112. 5
100.0
125.0
90.0
112.5
100.0
125.0
90 0
112.5
110.0
137.5
90.0
112. 5
110.0
44
48
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44 - 44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
80.0
87.5
85.0
90.0
112.5
90.0
87.5
85.0
90.0
112. 5
90.0
105. 0
100.0
90.0
131. 3
100.0
112. 5
100.0
90.0
137.5
100.0
112. 5
100.0
100.0
150. 0
100.0
112.5
100.0
100.0
150.0
100.0 /100.0
1 90.0
112.5 125.0
100.0 105.0
100.0 106.3
150.0 150.0
100.0
90.0
137. 5
105. 0
112. 5
165.0
100.0
44
90.0 } 48
125. 0
48
44
105.1
48 « 4 8
112. 5
48
44
165.0
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
100.0
90. 0
112 5
100.0
100.0
117.5
106.3
90.0
131. 3
100.0
112. 5
131.3
106.3
90. 0
131.3
100.0
112. 5
143.8
112. 5
90. 0
150. 0
100.0
112. 5
150.0
112. 5
112. 5
112. 5
125.0
150. 0
100. 0
118. 8
150.0
150.0
90.0
87. 5
90.0
112. 5
100.0
90.0
100.0
125. 0
150.0
150.0
100.0
125.0
150.0
165.0
100.0
125.0
150.0
137.5
90.0
165. 0
100.0
130.0
156.3
100. 0
110. 0
100. 0
100.0
100. 0
100. 0
P o rtla n d ,
Oreg--------P ro v id en ce...
R ichm ond__
St. Louis____
St. P a u l.........
56.3
46.0
86.0
65.0
100.0
100.0
90.0
87.5
100.0
95.0
106.3
100.0
110.0
110.0
112.5
110.0
118.8
110.0
118.8
110.0
118. 8
135.0
60.0
50.0
75. 0
70.0
85.0
100.0
100.0
90.0
125.0
90.0
137.5
90.0
137.5
90.0
137.5
100.0
150.0
100.0
150.0
100.0
150.0
106.3
Salt Lake C ity
San Francisco
Scranton__
S eattle____
W ashington
57.5 87.5
68.8 100.0
43.8 75.0
56.3 90.0
50.0 75.0
100.0
112.5
87.5
100.0
92.5
90.0
106.3
87. 5
93. 8
100.0
100.0
106. 3
93. 8
100.0
106. 3
112.5
106. 3
120.0
100.0
106.3
112. 5
100.0
106.3
118.8
125.0
131.3
100.0
112. 5
125.0
125. 0
137.5
100.0
112. 5
125. 0
125. 0
137.5
100.0
112. 5
125.0
125.0
137.5
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
100. 0
106.3
13 Old scale; strike pending.
24 44 hours per weel£ June to September, inclusive.
44
35 4 8
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
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44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
40
44
40
44
150. 0
112.5
125.0
125.0
80. 0
150. 0
112.5
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
40
44
106.3
112.5
125.0
125.0
150.0
106.3
112. 5
125.0
125. 0
150.0
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
40
44
40
44
35 44 hours per week, Ju ly to Septem ber, inclusive
41 44 hours per week, June to A ugust, inclusive.
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
[ 661 ]
B altim ore___
B irm ingham .
B oston______
Buffalo___. .. .
Chicago___ ...
U N IO N SC A LE S OF W A G E S A N D H O U R S OF L A B O R IN S P E C IF IE D O C C U P A T IO N S , 1913 TO 1931, B Y C IT IE S —Continued
S to n e c u tte r s
H ours per week
R ates per hour (cents)
C ity
1913 1919 1920 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931
1919
1920
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
B altim ore . . .
B oston.. _
Buffalo___
C h ic a g o .__
50.0
56. 3
56. 3
62. 5
75.0
70.0
75.0
81.3
100.0
100.0
100. 0
125.0
90.0
100.0
100.0
102.5
100.0
110.0
100.0
102. 5
112.5
110.0
120.0
125.0
125.0
110.0
125.0
13-7.5
125.0
125.0
125.0
150.0
125.0
125.0
135.0
150.0
125.0
125. 0
137. 5
150.0
125.0
137. 5
137. 5
150.0
125.0
137.5
137.5
150.0
125.0
137. 5
137.5
150.0
44}
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
C in c in n ati..
C leveland...
D allas__ .
D e n v e r..
D etro it___
In d ian ap o lis.
56.3
60.0
62.5
62.5
62.5
56.3
77.5
80.0
87.5
87. 5
80.0
75.0
115.0
112.5
100. 0
100.0
125.0
100.0
125.0
110.0
125.0
100.0
112. 5
100.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
112. 5
125. 0
100.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
112. 5
125. 0
100.0
125.0
135.0
137. 5
125.0
137. 5
112.5
132.5
135.0
137. 5
125.0
137.5
125.0
150.0
137. 5
137. 5
125.0
137.5
125.0
150.0
137. 5
137. 5
125. 0
137.5
125.0
150.0
137. 5
137.5
125.0
137. 5
125.0
150.0
137.5
137.5
125.0
137.5
125.0
150.0
150.0
137.5
125. 0
137. 5
125.0
44J
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
40
44
44
44
44
40
40
44
44
44
44
Kansas City,
M o _______
L ittle R o c k ..
M em phis. _.
M ilw aukee—
56.3
55.0
65.0
50.0
75.0 100.0
65.0 100.0
75.0 100.0
100.0
100.0
80.0
112.5
90.0
100.0
87.5
125.0
106.3
100.0
112. 5
125.0
112.5
100.0
80.0
125. 0
112.5
100.0
125.0
125. 0
137.5
125.0
125.0
125.0
137. 5
125.0
125.0
125. 0
125. 6
125.0
125.0
125. 0
125.0
112. 5
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
137.5
125.0
100.0
125.0
137.5
125.0
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
Minneapolis. 56.3
N ewark, N. J . 68.8
N ew Orleans.
75.0 87. 5
84.4 112.5
100. 0
112. 5
125. 0
125.0
137.5
125. 0
125.0
150.0
125. 0
13,7.5
150.0
131.3
150.0
125.0
131.3
168.8
125.0
131.3
168.8
125.0
131.3
168.8
100.0
44
44
44
44
44
44
125. 0
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
N ew Y o rk __ 68.8
84.4 100.0
137. 5
150.0
150.0
150.0
168.8
168.8
168.8
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
40
P h ilad elp h ia. 50.0
82.5 135.0
112. 5 112.5
125.0 131.3
125. 0 125. 0
1125.
112.5 \112. 05 jl31. 3
100.0 112. 5 125.0
125.0
131.3
131.3
13.1. 3
131.3
131.3
131.3
125.0
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
R ic h m o n d ,
V a_______ 54.5
St. Louis____ 56.3
St. P a u l ___ 56.3
S a lt L ak e
75.0 87.5
85.0 100.0
75.0 87.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
112. 5
125.0
125.0
112.5
125.0
125.0
125. 0
125.0
137.5
125.0
125.0
131.3
137.5
125.0
131.3
137.5
125.0
131.3
137.5
125.0
131.3
44
44
44
44
44
44
44 . 44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
40
44
44
112.5
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
125.0
125.0
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
San
100.0
112.5
112.5
112.5
125.0
112.5
50.0
Scranton__
W ashington.. 54.0
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
44
125.0
F ran 60.0 90.0
87.5 100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
112. 5
112.5
112.5
112. 5
112.5
112. 5
112.5
112. 5
112.5
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
REVIEW
1913
S tr u c t u r a l - i r o n w o r k e r s
62.5 80.0 95.0
56.3 100.0 125.0
62. 5 80.0 100.0
62. 5 80. 0 100.0
60.0 85.0 100.0
Chicago.
..
C incinnati__
Cleveland___
Dallas______
D enver_____
D etro it_____
Indianapolis _
Jacksonville..
Kansas C ity,
M o_______
L ittle B ock _
Los Angeles..
50.0
100.0
100.0
80.0
112.5
105.0
105. 0
100.0
100.0
125.0
112. 5
110. 0
112.5
112. 5
137. 5
112. 5
110. 0
125.0
125.0
137. 5
112. 5
125. 0
125.0
125.0
150.0
125.0
125. 0
125.0
125.0
150.0
125.0
125. 0
131.3
125.0
150.0
125. 0
137. 5
137.5
125.0
165.0
125. 0
137 R
137.5
125.0
165.0
125. 0
137 R
137.5
68.0 87.5 125.0
62. 5 75.0 100.0
65.0 100.0 125.0
62.5 75.0 100. 0
56.3 87.5 100.0
105.0
95.0
110.0
100.0
103.1
105.0
105.0
137. 5
100.0
115.6
125.0
115.0
150.0
100.0
115.6
125.0
125.0
150.0
125.0
125.0
137.5
131.3
150. 0
125.0
125.0
150.0
135.0
150.0
125.0
125.0
150.0
137.5
150.0
125.0
125.0
150.0
137.5
150.0
125.0
125.0
162. 5
140.0
150. 0
125.0
125.0
44
162.5
140.0 4454
150.0 7 44
44
125.0
44
125.0
60.0
65.0
90.0 125.0
85.0 125. 0
100.0
112.5
112.5
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
137.5
135.0
137.5
140.0
137.5
145.0
125.0
150.0
145.0
125. 0
150.0
145.0
125.0
150.0 24 48
44
145.0
125.0
62.5
90.0 110.0
87.5 100.0
75.0 87.5
107.5
75.0
100.0
107.5
87.5
100.0
125.0
112.5
100.0
125.0
112.5
100.0
125.0
112.5
112.5
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
112.5
112.5
112.5
137.5
125. 0
112.5
44
112.5
Louisville___
M em phis___
M ilw au k ee...
M inneapolis.
Newark, N . J.
50.0 80.0 100.0
62.5 87.5 100.0
56. 3 80.0 100.0
56.3 87.5 87.5
62.5 87.5 112.5
100.0
100.0
90.0
100.0
112.5
125. 0
100.0
100.0
100.0
125.0
125.0
100. 0
112.5
100.0
150.0
125.0
112. 5
112. 5
100.0
150.0
125.0
112. 5
112. 5
100.0
150.0
125. 0
125.0
120.0
125.0
175.0
125.0
125.0
120.0
125.0
175.0
125.0
125.0
120.0
125.0
175.0
N ew H a v e n ..
N ew Orleans.
N ew Y o rk __
O m a h a..........
P hiladelphia.
62.5 92.5 106.3
62.5 75.0 100.0
62. 5 87.5 112. 5
58.8 90.0 115.0
60.0 92.5 112.5
100.0
100.0
112.5
100.0
100.0
106.3
100.0
112.5
112.5
112.5
125.0
106.3
150.0
112.5
125.0
125.0
112. 5
150.0
112. 5
125.0
125.0
125.0
150.0
112. 5
150.0
137.5
125.0
175.0
112. 5
150.0
137.5
125.0
175.0
112. 5
150.0
P itts b u r g h ...
Portland,
O reg--------P ro v id en ce...
Bichmond,Va_
St. Louis........
62.5 100.0 100.0
100.0
125.0
137.5
143.8
150.0
150.0
62.5 100.0 112.5
56.3 92.5 100.0
56.3 92.5 100.0
65.0 92.5 125.0
101.3
92.5
100.0
106.3
112.5
100.0
100.0
125.0
112.5
112.5
100.0
150.0
112.5
112.5
125.0
150.0
112.5
125.0
125.0
150.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
150.0
St. P a u l____
Salt Lake City.
San Francisco.
Scranton____
Seattle____
W ashington..
56.3
62. 5
75.0
56.3
62. 5
56.3
80.0
100.0
100.0
87.5
100. 0
92.5
100.0
90.0
112. 5
100.0
100.0
125.0
100.0
100.0
112. 5
100.0
112. 5
125.0
100.0
112.5
125.0
112. 5
112. 5
150.0
100.0
112. 5
125. 0
112. 5
112. 5
150. 0
100.0
112. 5
125. 0
137.5
112. 5
150.0
125.0
112.5
137.5
137. 5
112. 5
150.0
125.0
112. 5
137.5
137.5
125. 0
150. 0
100.0
112. 5
112. 5
100.0
112. 5
98.0
112. 5
2 40 hours per week, June to August, inclusive.
7 48 hours per week, October to A pril, inclusive.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
44
44
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44
48
44
44
44
44
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44
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44
44
44
44
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40
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40
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40
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44
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
125.0
125.0
120.0
125.0
187.5
125.0
48
125.0
44
120.0 39 44
125.0
48
44
200.0
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
137.5
125.0
175.0
112. 5
150.0
150.0
125.0
192. 5
112. 5
150.0
165.0
125.0
192. 5
112. 5
165.0
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44 2 44
40
44
40
44
150.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
125.0
125.0
137. 5
150.0
125.0
125.0
137.5
150.0
137.5
125.0
137.5
175.0
137.5
125.0
150. 0
175.0
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
40
40
40
44
40
125.0
112. 5
137.5
137. 5
125.0
165. 0
125.0
112. 5
137. 5
150. 0
125.0
165.0
125.0
112.5
137. 5
150.0
125.0
165.0
48
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
40
44
44
40
44
44
40
44
44
24 44 hours per week, June to Septem ber, inclusive.
a* 48 hours per week, N ovem ber to April, inclusive.
44
40
40
44
44
40
40
44
40
44
44
40
40
WAGES AND
A tla n ta _____
B altim ore___
B irm ingham _
Boston___ __
Buffalo_____
w
o
d
w
cc
o
d
d
►
W
40
^1
U N IO N SC A LE S OF W A G E S A N D H O U R S O F LA B O R IN S P E C IF IE D O C C U P A T IO N S , 1913 TO 1931, B Y C IT IE S —C ontinued
oo
T y p e s e ttin g - m a c h in e o p e r a to r s : B o o k a n d j o b
R ates per hour (cents)
C ity
1920
1922
1923
1924
43.8 46.9
46.9 60.4
52. 5 57.3
45.8 59.4
50.0 59.4
57.5
81.3
78.1
77.1
71.9
80.0
83.3
80.0
91.5
95.5
80.0
90.9
80.0
91. 5
95.5
80.0
90.9
80.0
96. 5
104.5
80.0
90.9
85.2
96. 5
109. 1
1913
A tlan ta__ . .
B altim ore----B irm ingham .
Boston______
Buffalo-------C h a rle sto n ,
S. C ______
Chicago_____
C incinnati__
C leveland---D allas........... .
[6 6 4 ]
54. 2
55.0
50.0
43.8
95.5
100.0
72. 7
92. 7
102.3
95.5
105.0
72. 7
95.5
81.8
K ansas C ity,
M o_______
L ittle R ock. _
Los Angeles..
Louisville___
M an ch ester..
55.2
50.0
58. 3
49. 0
35.4
69.8
50.0
70.8
54.2
41.7
78.1
72.9
81.3
54.2
66.7
89.6
70.0
104. 5
79. 0
79.5
94.3
97.2
104. 5
79.0
79.5
110.2
79. 0
79. 5
79.5
M ilw au k ee.._
M inneapolis.
Newark, N . J_
N ew H av en ..
N ew Orleans.
47.9
50.0
47.9
45.8
60.4 75.0
61. 5 87.5
72.9 91.7
45.8 58.3
53.3 76.7
95.5
95.5
102.3
86.4
78.4
95.5
95.5
109. 1
86.4
78.4
95.5
95.5
115.9
86.4
78.4
95.5
95.5
115.9
86.4
78.4
N ew Y o rk __
Omaha_____
Philadelphia.
P ittsb u rg h ...
Portland,
Oreg---------
54.2
50.0
43.8
47.9
75.0
68.8
64.6
68.8
93.8
87. 5
93.8
87.5
113.6
93.2
94. 1
106.8
113.6
93.2
94. 1
106.8
120.5
93.2
94.1
106.8
65.6 100.0 100.0
110.0
104.5
104.5
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
95.5 102.3
105.0 105.0
81.8
81.8
95.5
98.0
81.8 « 88. 6
1913 1919 1920 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
80.0
90. 9
92. 5
96. 5
111.4
100.0
90. 9
92. 5
100.0
115.9
100.0
90.9
92. 5
100. 0
115.9
100.0
90. 9
92. 5
100. 0
115.9
100.0
100. 0
92. 5
100.0
118.2
100.0
100. 0
92. 5
100.0
118.2
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
88. 6
88.6
88. 6
125.9 125.9 132.7
113.6 115.9 118.2
113.6 115.9 115.9
104.5 « 15.3 « 15. 5[
90. 9
132.7
118.2
115.9
«120.01
«105.7/
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
44
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
48
48
48
48
48
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
50.0 50.0 «103.4 « 95. 5 88.6 « 95. 5 88.6
88. 6
50.0 77.9 98.8 109.2 113.2 119.1 119.1 119.1 125.9
49. 0 58.3 81. 3 104. 5 104. 5 109. 1 109. 1 109.1 113.6
53.8 68.8 87.5
93.8
93.8 100.0 109.1 111.4 113.6
«12.5 «12.0 «15.0 « 15.0 « 15.0 « 15.0 « 15.0 « 15.0 « 15.0
65.6 81.3
85.0 100.0
46. 9 62.5
60.4 81.3
58.3 75.0
D enver...........
D etro it-------Fall R iver . .
In d ian ap o lis.
Jacksonville..
H ours per week
102. 3
120.0
81. 8
100.0
98.9
102.3
125.0
81.8
102.3
98.9
102.3
125. 0
81. 8
104. 5
98.9
102.3
130.0
81. 8
106. 8
98.9
102.3
131.0
81 8
111.4
98.9
102.3
131. 0
81. 8
111.4
98.9
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
101.7
96.6
116.6
105.1
92.0
120.5
79. 0
79.5
107.4
92. 0
120.5
86 4
79.5
107.4
94. 3
120. 5
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
79.5
107.4
94. 3
120. 5
79 2
79.5
44
79.5
104.0
96.6
116.6
79.0
79.5
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
48
44
95.5
95.5
118.2
86.4
78.4
100.0
95. 5
120. 5
86.4
78.4
102.3
95.5
122.7
86.4
78.4
102.3
95.5
125.0
86.4
78.4
104.5
95. 5
127.3
86.4
78 4
106.8
95.5
129.5
86.4
78.4
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
45
48
48
48
48
45
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
120. 5
93.2
94. 1
106.8
122.7
93.2
94. 1
106.8
125.0
100. 0
94.1
111.4
127.3
100.0
94.1
111.4
129.5
100.0
94. 1
111.4
131.8
100.0
100.0
113.6
134.1
100.0
100.0
113.6
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
111.4
111.4
114.8
114.8
114.8
114.8
114.8
48
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
99.4
85. 2
110.2
48
48
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
1919
•
1925
Providence.. .
R ichm ond__
St. Louis____
St. P au l____
47.9
41. 7
50. 0
50.0
San Francisco______ 64.4
S c ra n to n ___ 45.8
Seattle
__
W ashington.. 50.0
54.2 72.9
54. 2 62. 5
63.8 87. 5
61.5 83.3
86.4
81.8
101.0
95.5
86.4
81.8
101.0
90.9
97. 7
81.8
106.0
95.5
97.7
81.8
106.0
95. 5
97. 7
103.4
106.0
95.5
97. 7
97. 7
97. 7
97.7
48
48
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
111.0
95.5
48
48
48
48
44
111. 0
95.5
48
48
48
48
44
111.0
95.5
97. 7
90.9
111.0
95. 5
44
111. 0
95.5
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
68.8
54. 2
81.3
81.3
104. 5
85.2
104.5
90.9
104.5
90.9
115.9
110.0
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
95. 5
95.5
95.5
115.9 118.2 118. 2
104. 5 104. 5 104. 5
123. 2 42133.9 42133. 9
104.5 106.8 105. 8
48
48
95.5
115.9
104.5
123.2
102.3
48
48
87.5
115.9
102.3
123. 2
102.3
45
48
75.0
115.9
100.0
93.8
95.5
48 47 48 47 48
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
48
48
48
48
48
48
44
44
44
44
44
44
42 48 42 48 42 48 42 48 42 48 42
44 48 44 is 4 4 48 44 48 44 is 4 4
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
44
18 42
48 44
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48 } 45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
48
48
45
45
45
45
45
18 36 18 36 48 36 48 36 48 36
48 36 48 36
48
45
45
45
48 36
T y p e s e ttin g - m a c h in e o p e r a to r s , d a y w o r k : N e w s p a p e r
« 8 .5 « 8.5 43 9.0 A 10. 0 4310. 0 43 10. 5 « 12. 0 « 12. 0 49 12. 0 43 12. 0 43 12. 0 43 12. 0 43 12. 0
48
53.6 65.5 93.3
95. 5
95. 5 106.8 106.8 110.2 110.2 110. 2 114.8 114.8 114.8
42
52. 5 67. 5 67.5
82. 5
82.5
82.5 4312.0
92.5
97. 5 100.0 102. 5 102. 5 48 42
95.0
63.0 83.0 95.0 107.0 107.0 112.0 117.0 117.0 125.0 125.0 125. 0 125. 0 125.0 49 42
50.0 65.6 71.9
87.5
87.5
95.8
95.8 102.1 102.1 102.1 106.3 108.3 108.3
48
C h a rle s to n ,
S. C ______
Chicago_____
C in cin n ati__
C leveland___
D allas______
43 9.0 43 9.0 57.1
94.8
87.5
87.5
87.5
87.5
87.5
92.7
92.7
92.7
94.0 48 39 18 39
115.0 129.0 129.0 129.0
140.0 140.0 140.0
18 45
4750.0 «64.0 «72.oj 49115.0
96. 0 49 96. 0 5»113.0 50113.0 50113.0 j-135.6|
50113.0 50113.0 50113.0 } 48
52.1 87. 5 107.3 107.3 113. 3 113.3 113. 8 113.8 113.8 118. 3 118. 3 122. 8 122.8 24 47f 48
53.8 68.8 87. 5
96.9 103.1 107. 3 107.3 111. 6 116. 7 119.0 119.0 119.0 119.0
48
48
«12.5 «12.0 4315.0 43 15. 0 43 15. 0 43 15. 0 4315. 0 4316. 3 4316. 3 «16. 3 43 16. 3 43 16. 3 4316. 3
39 51 39
48
42
42
42
48
5 e»
bo
D en v er_____ 63.3
D e tro it_____ 55.0
F all R iver__ 45.8
Indianapolis _ 50.0
Jacksonville.. « 9 . 0
72.7
74. 5
50. 0
60.4
58.3
97.8
87.0
75.0
81.3
83.3
93.3
97.0
79.2
89.6
83.3
93.3
104.5
79. 2
100.0
83.3
103.3
113.0
87. 5
100.0
83.3
103.3
113.0
87. 5
100.0
89.6
103.3
120. 0
87. 5
104. 2
100.0
103.3
125.0
87. 5
106.3
100.0
110.6
125. 0
87.5
106. 3
100.0
114.8
130. 0
87.5
110.9
100.0
119.9
131. 0
95.8
110.9
100.0
119.9
131.0
95.8
110.9
100.0
45
48
48
48
45
K ansas C ity,
M o_______ 59.4
L ittle R o c k .. « 9 . 5
Los A ngeles.. 62. 2
Louisville___ 49.0
M anchester.., 35.4
68.8
78.6
75.6
62. 5
41.7
90. 6
90.5
86.7
87. 5
66.7
90.6
102.4
101.1
87. 5
72.9
90.6
102.4
101.1
87. 5
72.9
90.6
102.4
107.8
93. 8
80.2
95.8
107.1
107.8
93. 8
82.3
102.1
103.6
114.0
93.8
83.3
104.2
103. 6
114.0
93.8
83.3
104.2
107.1
117.8
93.8
83.3
108.3
102. 3
117.8
93.8
83. 3
108.3
102. 3
117.8
93.8
88.9
108.3
102. 3
117.8
93.8
88.9
48
42
45
48
48
17 44 hours per week for 3 m onths, betw een June 1 and Sept. 30.
18 M inim um ; m axim um , 8 hours per day.
19 A ctual hours w orked; m inim um , 6; m axim um , 8 hours per day.
21 W ork 47% hours, paid for 48.
22 M axim um ; m inim um , 7 hours per day.
24 44 hours per week, Ju n e to Septem ber, inclusive.
42 M achinist operators.
43 Per 1,000 ems nonpareil.
44 Linotype.
45 M onotype.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
18
19
22
45
48
48
48
48
48
42
45
48
48
18
19
18
18
51
22
48 22 48
45
44
42 48 42
42
44
48
48
22
18
48
44
42
44
48
42
48
48
45
48{ 24 48
48
45
45
45
48
48
48
39 48 36 18 36
45
48
48
48
48
48
42
45
48
48
22
45
48
48
48
48
48
42
45
48
48
22
45
48
48
48
48
48
42
45
48
48
22
18
48
44
42
44
48
22
18
48
45
24 4 5
22
45
48
48
48
48
48
42
45
48
48
24
22
45
45
48 22 48
48
48
48
48
48
48
45
45
48
48
48
45
45
48
48
48
44
45
48
46
48
44
45
48
46
48
44
45
48
46
48
48
42
45
48
48
48
42
45
48
48
48
42
45
48
48
48
44
45
48
48
48
44
45
48
45
48
44
45
48
45
48
42
45
48
48
46 Per 1,000 ems minion.
47 For 3,500 ems per hour; for 4,500 ems per hour, 55 cents and 1 cent bonus for each
additional 100 ems per hour.
48 F or 3,500 ems p e r hour; for 4,500 ems per hour, 70 cents and 1 cent bonus for each
additional 100 ems per hour.
. 49 F or 4,000 ems per hour; for 4,500 ems per hour, $1.06 and 1 cent bonus for each addi
tional 100 ems per hour.
so For 4,500 ems per hour; 1 cent bonus for each additional 100 ems per hour.
51 M axim um ; m inim um ,5% hours per day.
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
[665]
A tla n ta _____
B altim ore___
B irm ingham .
B oston______
B uffalo_____
O
U N IO N SC A LE S O F W A G E S A N D H O U R S O F LA B O K IN S P E C IF IE D O C C U P A T IO N S , 1913 TO 1931, B Y C IT IE S —Continued
T y p e s e t t i n g - m a c h i n e o p e r a to r s , d a y w o r k : N e w s p a p e r — C o n tin u ed
H ours per week
R ates per hour (cents)
C ity
1913
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
1913 1919 1920 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931
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48
48
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79.2
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[666]
96.7 122.2
68.8 87.5
66.7 81.3
77.0 87.5
122.2
87.5
79.2
111.8
122.2
87. 5
79.2
118.9
140.0
96.9
91. 3
126.7
68.3 100.0 106.7
106.7
95.8
106.7
106.7
106.7
1C6. 7
113.3
111.1
104.2
1C8. 3
1C8. 3
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87.5
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£4.5 63.0 94.0
89.8
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93.8 101.3 101.3
94.8
110.9
101.3
94. 8
114.1
101.3
94.8
114.1
101.3
66.7
50.0
45.8
55.0
Providence...
Richmond,
V a _______
St. Louis___
St. P a u l.........
Salt Lake
C ity .............. .
47.9
66.7
87.5
128.9
90.6
87.5
121.1
133.3
90.6
87.5
121.1
106.7
106.7
95.8
104.2
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47.9 60.4 81.3
75.0 100.0 114. 3
60.7 92.9 104.0
107.8
87.5
114.3
104.0
107.8
95.8
114 3
104.0
43 M inim um , m axim um , 3 hours p er day.
22 M axim um , m inim um , 7 hours p er day.
43 Per 1,000 ems nonpareil.
53 M inim um ; m axim um , 7% hours p er day.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
107.8
95. 8
121.4
110.0
115. 6
104.2
121.4
110.0
142.2
97.9
91.3
126.7
144.4
99.0
91. 3
126.7
133.3
90.6
87.5
125.6
New Y o rk ...
O m ah a... . .
P hiladelphia.
P ittsb u rg h ...
Portland,
Oreg...........
San Francisco
Scranton____
S eattle-------W ashington..
1920
144.4
1C0.0
91. 3
128.9
144.4
ICO. 0
91.3
128.9
45
45
48
48
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112.5
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94.8
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120.0
114.9
123. 2
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120.0
114.9
123.2
128.6
120.0
114.9
123. 2
128.6
120.0
114.9
123.2
128.6
48
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54 M axim um ; m inim um , 7 lA hours per day.
55 P er 1,000 ems nonpareil and $1 per day bonus.
36 M axim um ; m inim um , 6H hours per day.
57 M axim um ; m inim um , 40J4 hours per week.
45
48
42
42
45
48
42
42
45
48
42
42
45
47
42
42
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
M em p h is.- .
M ilw aukee...
M inneapolis.
N ewark, N .J .
New H aven..
1919
181
W AGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
R e c e n t C h a n g e s in W a g es a n d H o u r s of L abor
NFORMATION received by the bureau regarding wage changes is
presented below in two distinct groups: Part 1 relates to manufac
turing establishments that report monthly figures regarding volume of
employment, while part 2 presents data obtained from new trade
agreements and other miscellaneous sources. Although the effort is
made, it is not always possible to avoid duplication of data as between
parts 1 and 2.
I
Part 1. Wage-Rate Changes in Manufacturing Industries
F i v e establishments in four industries reported wage-rate in
creases during the month ending July 15. These increases averaged
8.1 per cent and affected 365 employees, or 22 per cent of the
employees in the establishments concerned.
Two hundred and thirty-eight establishments in 46 industries
reported wage-rate decreases during the same period. These de
creases, averaging 9.7 per cent, affected 33,238 employees, or 69 per
cent of all employees in the establishments concerned. Twenty-two
of these wage-rate decreases were reported in the food group, 43 were
in the textile group, 27 in the iron and steel group, and 46 in the
lumber group. Seventeen establishments in the boot and shoe
industry reported decreases in wage rates over the monthly period
averaging 6.9 per cent and affecting 4,090 employees. The brick,
tile, and terra cotta industry also reported 17 wage-rate decreases
averaging 11.5 per cent and affecting 697 employees.
W A G E C H A N G E S O C C U R R I N G B E T W E E N JU N E 15 A N D JU L Y 15, 1931
Per cent of increase
or decrease in
wage rate
Establishm ents
Em ployees affected
Percentof employees
In d u stry
N um ber
reporting
increase
T otal
or de
num ber
reporting crease in
wage
rates
Range
Aver
age
Total
num
ber
In estab
lishm ents
reporting
increase or
decrease in
wage rates
In all
estab
lish
ments
report
ing
Increases
Hoots and shoes __ ___________
Paper boxes
__________ Printing, hook and jo b ________
Automobiles.^
--- ----
271
302
592
209
T o tal____________ ______
1
1
2
1
10.0
10.0
9. 7-10.0
5.5
10.0
10.0
9.8
5.5
141
16
55
153
100
9
12
17
5
5. 5-10. 0
8.1
365
22
8.0
10.5
5.5
10.0
7.4
10.5
372
350
11
125
452
4, 817
2,120
220
769
18
89
69
100
26
53
96
70
31
0)
0)
(')
(')
Secrea ses
Slaughtering and m eat packing.
C onfectionery. _______ _____
Tee cream
_____________ __
Flour
- __
- ____
Baking
______ _________
__ ______
Cotton goods
Hosiery and k n it goods_______
Silk goods
________ _______
Woolen and worsted goods.- --
202
318
315
380
698
492
340
249
196
5
7
1
2
7
15
7
2
6
1 Less th a n one-half of 1 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[667]
5. 0-10.0
10.0-25.0
5.0- 6. <5
10.0
5.0-20. 0
10. 0-15. 0
7. 0-10.0
10.0
6. 0-22. 6
8.7
10.0
10.3
(')
1
(')
1
1
3
3
1
1
182
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
W A G E C H A N G E S O C C U R R IN G B E T W E E N JU N E 15 A N D JU L Y 15, 1931—Continued
Per cent of increase
or decrease in
wage rate
Establishm ents
Industry
Em ployees affected
1
Per cent of employees
N um ber
reporting
Total
num ber increase
or de
reporting crease
in
wage
Range
Aver
age
Total
num
ber
In estab
lishments
reporting
increase or
decrease in
wage rates
In all
estab
lish
ments
report
ing
Decreases
D yeing and finishing textiles__
Clothing, m en’s______________
Shirts and collars_____________
Clothing, w om en’s ___________
M illinery and lace goods______
Iron and steel________________
Cast iron p ip e _________ ______
Structural-iron w ork__________
F o u n d ry and machine-shop
products___________________
M achine tools________ _____
Steam fittings and steam and
hot-w ater heating ap p aratu s. _
Stoves_______________________
Lum ber, saw m ills____________
Lum ber, m illw ork____________
F u rn itu re ____________________
Boots and shoes______________
Paper and p u lp ______________
Paper boxes__________________
Printing, book and jo b ________
Printing, new spapers_________
Chemicals___________________
Fertilizers___________________
C em ent_____________________
Brick, tile, and terra co tta____
P o ttery ______________________
Stam ped and enameled ware
Brass, bronze, and copper prod
u c ts_______________________
Cigars and cigarettes_________
A gricultural im plem ents_____
Electrical machinery, apparatus,
and supplies_______________
Pianos and organs____________
Shipbuilding_________________
Jew elry______________________
P ain t and v a rn ish ____________
R ubber goods, other th a n boots,
shoes, tires and inner tu b es. _ Cash registers, adding m a
chines, and calculating m a
chines_____________________
Typew riters and supplies_____
T o tal________ _________ |
Y
4
127
324
110
380
125
191
42
166
3
4
1
3
2
4
1
2
7.0-10.0
5.0-20.0
10.0
10.0
10. 0-15. 0
4. 5-15. 0
10.0
9. 2-10. 0
10.0
11.6
10.0
10.0
11.3
9.5
10.0
9.2
1,277
173
25
240
332
CC7
515
102
92
00
100
92
59
51
100
100
1,046
148
15
2
4. 5-10. 0
10.0
9.5
10.0
1, 140
11
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23
104
130
633
321
442
271
367
302
592
431
159
205
107
703
113
80
1
2
25
11
10
17
9
3
8
6
1
8
2
17
7
3
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8. 0-25.0
10.0-11.1
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5. 0-25. 0
5. 0-10. 0
10. 0-20. 0
10. 0-25. 0
5. 0-15. 0
5.0
8. 0-20. 0
10.0
7. 5-25. 0
10. 0-20.0
10.0
10.0
12.1
11. 5
10.2
9.7
6.9
8.9
18.3
10.5
10.0
5.0
12.4
10.0
11.5
10.2
10.0
224
428
3, 782
025
888
4,090
1,083
77
130
677
363
531
222
697
2, 083
702
100
100
97
93
80
72
100
68
38
52
100
95
100
91
100
82
0)
(>)
160
182
77
2
1
3
10.0
21.0
10.0
10.0
21.0
10.0
677
20
252
100
100
41
(>)
213
59
89
151
292
3
1
2
1
3
4.0- 6.0
18.0
7. 5-10. 0
10.0
11.5-15.0
5.2
18.0
7.8
10.0
14.4
007
7
117
8
97
54
18
100
100
69
(0
(0
0)
0)
81
1
10.0
10.0
177
100
46
16
1
1
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
5
325
50
100
238
4. 0-25. 0
9.7
33, 238
69
1
(')
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1
3
0
(')
l
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4
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1
1
9
1
2
17
4
2
3
1
1
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3
1
1Less th a n one-half of 1 p er cent.
Part 2. Wage Changes Reported by Trade-Unions since May, 1931
U n i o n , and in a few instances municipal and other, wage and hour
changes received during the past month and covering the months of
May to August were reported to the bureau for 21,070 workers,
8,117 of whom adopted the 5-day week indefinitely and 7,245 tem
porarily.
Practically all changes in wages were reductions. In the building
trades these reductions ranged from 5 to 37% cents per hour; street
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[668 ]
183
WAGES AND HOURS OP LABOR
railways, from 2 to 7 cents per hour; municipal employees, from $20
•to $30 per month; and longshoremen, 10 cents per hour._ Pocketbook
workers, a few printing trades, and in two localities miners reported
increases. Details may be had from the table following:
R E C E N T W A G E C H A N G E S, BY IN D U S T R Y , O C C U P A T IO N , A N D L O C A L IT Y , M A Y TO
A U G U ST, 1931
H ours per week
R ate of wages
In d u stry or occupation, and locality
A irplane pilots, Eastern U nited States.
Bakers, Chicago, 111-------------------------------B uilding trades:
Bricklayers and masons, Chicago, 111.,
and v ic in ity ---------- ------ -----------------Carpenters—
B irm ingham , A la________________
Racine, W is., and v icinity-----------Engineers, Beaum ont, Galveston, H ous
ton, and Po rt A rth u r, Tex--------------Laborers—
D enver, Colo-----------------------------Toledo, O hio------------------------------Painters—
D ayton, Ohio-----------------------------W ilm ington, D e l------------------------Plasterers, W ashington, P a ----------------Plum bers and steam fitters—
K enosha, W is----------------------------R acine, W is_____________________
Syracuse, N . Y ---------------------------U tica, N . Y _____________________
Structural-iron workers—
D ayton, O hio-----------------------------Pittsb u rg h , Pa., and v icin ity-------Clerks, Lansford and Philadelphia, P a -----Glass molders, W inchester, In d ------- --------Leather, pocketbook workers, Philadelphia,
P a ____________________________________
D ate of
change
After change
Per month
Per month
Per week
Per week
i$170.00-$238.00 2$125.00-$200.00
M ay
-.do_Aug.
Before change
1
54. 00-63. 00
48. 00-56. 00
Per hour
Per hour
1.70
1.17%
.85
1.17%
M ay 18
1.25
1. 12%
44
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
1.25
1.62%
1.25
.95
1. 25
M ay
M ay
Ju ly
M ay
1.37%
1. 37%
1.50
1.25
1.18%
1.25
1.50
1-37%
M ay
June
Ju ly
M ay
0
1.50
0
. 63-1. 00
Per week
June 20
8.00-30. 00
40
40
40
44
0
1. 50
0
. 63-1. 00
Per week
10.00-35. 00
49
Per hour
Per hour
Longshoremen:
0.60
0.70
D u luth , M in n ________________________ M ay 5
.60
.70
Superior, W is----------------------------------------- do-----M iners:
Per day
Per day
Coal miners—
3.50
4.00
( 3)
(3)
M ay 14
Dillonvale, Ohio............. ................ —
». 30
». 25
M organtow n, W . V a _ .------- ---------- M ay 29
5.
30
»
.
27
...d o ___
Osage, W . V a---------------------------8.45
8.50
W hit well, T e n n __________________ June 24
M ine, mill, and sm elter workers, Burke,
Kellogg, M ullan, and Wallace, Idaho—
65
4. 75
5.00
M iners__________________________ M ay 16
85
4.25
4.50
M uckers----------------------- ------ ------- ...d o ___
Per
week
Per
week
M otion picture operators:
45%
42.50-71. 50
50. 00-82. 50
M ay 1
H ouston, T e x _______________________
Rochester, N . Y.-—
40
25.0057. 00
N eighborhood theaters------------------- June 1
40
60.0093. 50
O ther th eaters_______ - - -----------do
36
50.00
64.29
Spokane, W ash-------- --------June 20
Printing and publishing:
C ompositors—
Charleston, I l l 35.00
30.00
Job w o rk ------ ------M ay 31
35.00
30.00
N ew spaper______________________ do-----St. Joseph, M o.—
46.00
45. 50
N ew spaper, d a y ---------------------- Aug. 9
49.00
48.50
N ew spaper, n ig h t------------------------ do.
Photo-engravers—
50.80
56.00
M ilwaukee, W is__________________ June 1
50.80
56.00
Racine, W is--------------------------------------do__
1 Plus 5 cents per mile, day flying; 10 cents per mile, night flying-.
5 Per ton.
2 Plus 4% cents per mile, day flying; 7% cents per mile, night flying.
D ays per week
3 N o t reported.
7 12%
for tem porary
----------- period.
l
. ‘ ¿ 7 1 Per
p c i cent
> ireduction
o u u v « .» u ™
7% per cent reduction for tem porary period.
48 per cent reduction.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[6 6 9 ]
48
.50
.50
M ay
Ju ly
M ay
1.00
48
40
1.10
.62%
.40
0
0
(3)
June
M ay
M ay
M ay
Before After
change change
44
184
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
R E C E N T W A G E C H A N G E S, BY IN D U S T R Y , O C C U P A T IO N , A N D L O C A L IT Y , M A Y TO
A U G U ST, 1931—C ontinued
R ate of wages
In d u stry or occupation, and locality
D ate of
change
Street railw ay workers:
Pittsfield, M ass., barnm en, bus and
trolley operators, track m en --------------- ___do___
Portland, Oreg —
Trainm en—
First 3 m onths in platform service______________
____
M ay 1
N ext 9 m onths in platform service
______
__ do
T h e re a fte r______
__
_ do
Before change
After change
Per week
Per week
(3)
(9)
Per hour
Per hour
-_
_ do
_ do
Agents, clerks, e tc ______ . . ____
M unicipal workers:
Chicago, 111., city employees____ ____
H ouston, Tex., street and bridge departm ent employees___________________
San Joaquin, Calif., laborers.. _____. . .
Zeigler, 111.—
Bookkeepers___ _______
C lerks. . . . . . . . . . .
.....
Chiefs of police________
Fire chiefs_________ ___ _____ _.
N ight police______ _
Ju ly 12
(3)
48
48
12.57
12.60
. 48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
M ay
_ do
do
do
do
Per hour
0. 64. 57. 64.69.64. 62. 65. 52. 52.52.52.52. 52-
0. 84
. 77
. 88
. 75
. 77
. 74
. 83
. 69
. 72
.83
,84
.72
. 84
4
M ay 23
111.00
153. 00
Per hour
0. 59.53.59.64. 59.57)4. 60.50.50.50.50.50.50-
0. 77
.71
.81
.69
. 71
.68
.76
.64
.68
.76
.77
.66
.77
Per month
48
48
(3)
(3)
48
13 40
48
40
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
48
56
56
82. 00-190. 00
(3)
(3)
Per day
Per day
Per month
Per month
100.00
100. 00
200.00
150. 00
180. 00
Per week
Textiles: Silk workers, F all R iver, M ass..
Per month
Per month
4. 00-4. 50
(3)
los
» $0. 55
88. 50-206. 70
_do
109
ii. 62
ii. 65
120. 00
165. 00
B lacksm ith shop____ __do
- do
P ain t shop ______
_ do
C arpenter shop.
T ru ck sh o p ..
___ ____
__do_ _
W ire shop
___ . . .
do
__do
Air room _____ _______
A rm ature room___
..
. .
do
D elivery and lab o r______
_ do
C ar houses .
______ _
do
Garages. . _ ... ________
_ do
R ip tra c k ... .
...
-_-do
Bridge and building m e n __________ - -do___
T rack force______ ._ ___ . . .
_ do
Before After
change change
ii $0. 60
Per month
E x tra m en_____________
C lerks____________________
Hours per week
33. 00
5.00
75.00
75. 00
170. 00
130. 00
150. 00
Per week
29.00
3 N o t reported
s N o change.
10 H ours per day.
111-man car operators and bus operators receive 7 cents per hour more.
121-man car operators and bus operators receive 6 cents per hour more.
13 Tem porary change.
F a r m W a g e a n d L ab or S it u a t io n o n J u ly 1, 1931
ARM wages continued to decline during the quarter ending July
1, reaching the lowest level recorded since 1916, according to the
United States Department of Agriculture, which discusses the farm
wage and labor situation as follows in the July, 1931, issue of Crops
and Markets:
F
C ontinued nonseasonal declines since A pril 1 b ro u g h t farm wages dow n to th e
low est level recorded in th e p a st 15 years. On Ju ly 1 th e d e p a rtm e n t’s farm
w age index w as only 123 p e r cen t of th e p re-w ar level, as com pared w ith 127 p e r
cent th ree m o n th s earlier, 160 p er cen t a y ear ago, a n d a n index of 112 p e r cent
back in 1916.
T he decline in wages p aid hired farm w orkers du rin g th e la s t th re e m o n th s is
especially significant in view of th e fa c t t h a t farm wages usually ad v an ce from
[670]
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185
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
A pril to Ju ly 1. F o r th e five y ears 1926-1930 th e ad v an ce d u rin g th is period
averaged 4.6 points. T h e farm w age decline of 4 p o in ts, o r 3 p e r cen t, betw een
A pril 1 a n d Ju ly 1, 1931, w as accom panied by a 12 p er c e n t decline in th e general
level of farm prices, w hich m aterially cu rtailed th e incom e from c u rre n t sales of
ag ricu ltu ral com m odities a n d forced farm ers to do as m uch of th e ir ow n h arv estin g
a s possible.
.. „ , ,
On Ju ly 1 all ty p e s of farm w age p a y m en ts were su b sta n tia lly below a y ear ago.
W ages p e r d ay , w ith board , suffered th e m o st d rastic reductions, averaging 25
p e r c en t down" for th e c o u n try as a whole, 27 p e r c en t fo r th e C e n tra l S tates, 25
p e r c e n t in th e fa r W est, 24 p er c en t in th e S o u th A tlan tic group, a n d 19 p e r cent
in th e N o rth A tlan tic division.
T hese reductions w ere th e resu lt of a plen tifu l supply of w orkers a n d a m uch
low er dem an d for farm help. C rop corresp o n d en ts re p o rted a su p p ly of farm
w orkers 111.1 p er cen t of n o rm al on Ju ly 1, com pared w ith 99 p e r cen t of norm al
a y e a r ago. On th e o th e r h an d , th e dem an d fo r farm lab o r w as re p o rted a t 73.4
p e r c e n t of norm al on th e first of th is m o n th , com pared w ith 84.8 p e r c en t on
J u ly 1, 1930. Supply, expressed as a p ercentage of d em and, w as 151.3 p er cent
of norm al, com pared w ith 127 p e r c en t a y ear ago.
Table 1, taken from Crops and Markets for July, 1931, gives farm
wage rates and index numbers, by years, from 1910 to 1930, and by
quarters, 1929 to July, 1931.
T a ble 1 .— F A R M W A G E R A T E S A N D IN D E X N U M B E R S , 1910 TO 1931
Average yearly farm wage 1
Year
Per day
Per m onth
W ith
board
W ithout
board
W ith
board
W ithout
board
W eighted
average
wage
rate per
m onth 2
Index
num bers
of farm
wages
(19101914=100)
1910 __ __________________
1911
________________ _
1912__________ ____ - ------ --------
$19. 58
19.85
20.46
$28. 04
28. 33
29.14
$1.07
1.07
1.12
$1.40
1.40
1.44
$23. 08
23. 25
24. 01
97
97
101
1913
______________________
______________________
1914
1915__________________________
21.27
20. 90
21.08
30.21
29. 72
29. 97
1.15
1.11
1.12
1.48
1.44
1.45
24.83
24. 26
24. 46
104
101
102
1916
______________________
1917
____________________
1918__________________________
23. 04
28. 64
35.12
32. 58
40.19
49.13
1.24
1.56
2.05
1.60
2. 00
2.61
26. 83
33. 42
42.12
112
140
176
1919
_ ________________
1920
_ _________________
1921__________________________
40.14
47.24
30.25
56. 77
65. 05
43.58
2. 44
2.84
1.66
3.10
3. 56
2.17
49.11
57.01
35.77
206
239
150
1922
_ __________________
1923 _ ______________________
1924__________________________
29.31
33.09
33. 34
42.09
46. 74
47. 22
1.64
1.91
1.88
2.14
2.45
2.44
34.91
39. 64
39.67
146
166
166
1925
- __________________
1926
- __________________
1927________ _____ ___ ________
33.88
34. 86
34.58
47. 80
48.86
48.63
1.89
1.91
1.90
2.46
2. 48
2.46
40.12
40.88
40.60
168
171
170
1928
. ________ ________
1929 ________________________
1930 ________________________
1929—Jan u a ry ------------- ---------April
_____ _ ___Ju ly __________________
October___ _ __ 1930—Jan u ary ------- -----------------
34. 66
34. 74
31.14
33.04
34. 68
36. 08
35. 90
32.29
33. 83
33.47
31. 23
26. 03
25.99
25. 35
48.65
49. 08
44. 59
47. 24
49. 00
50. 53
50. 00
46. 80
47.81
47.24
44. 28
39. 04
38. 37
37.00
1.88
1.88
1.65
1.78
1.79
1.89
1.92
1.73
1.72
1.72
1.61
1.38
1. 33
1.29
2.43
2.42
2.16
2. 34
2. 34
2.43
2.46
2. 27
2. 27
2. 23
2.12
1.87
1.80
1.73
40.44
40.52
36.24
38. 75
39.80
41.42
41.49
37.88
38. 66
38.26
35. 90
30. 86
30. 25
29. 30
169
170
152
162
167
173
174
159
162
160
150
129
127
123
Ju ly __________________
October _ ______________
1931—January . . _______
J u ly ____________________
1 Y early averages are from reports b y crop reporters, giving average wages for th e year in th eir localities,
except for 1924-1930, w hen th e wage rates per m o n th are a straight average of quarterly rates, A pril, Ju ly ,
October of th e current year, and Jan u a ry of th e following year and th e wage rates per day are a w eighted
average of q uarterly rates. A pril (weight 1), Ju ly (weight 5), October (weight 5), January of th e following
year (weight 1).
. ,
.
. . . .
. ,
2 T his colum n has significance only as an essential step in com puting th e wage index.
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[671]
186
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Wage rates on July 1, 1931, per month and per day, with board and
without board, together with figures on farm labor supply and
demand, are shown by States and geographic divisions in Table 2,
reproduced from a press release of the United States Department of
Agriculture.
T a ble 2 —F A R M W A G E R A T E S A N D F A R M LA B O R S U P P L Y A N D D E M A N D , JU L Y 1,1631
F arm labor supply and
dem and
Wage rates
Per
m onth,
w ith
board
S tate and division
Per
m onth,
w ith o u t
board
P er day, P er day, Supply, D em and, Supply,
cent
w ith
w ithout per cent per cent per
of de
board
board of norm al of norm al m
and
M aine _ ------- -------New H am p sh ire.. .
V erm ont ------- ---------- -------M assachusetts------- _ ---------R hode Islan d __________ _ .
C onnecticut_________________
New Y ork________________ . .
New Jersey_____ ___________
Pennsylvania_______________
N o rth A tla n tic .. ---------
$39. 75
38. 75
34. 75
44. 50
44. 00
39. 75
37.00
38. 00
30. 50
36.13
$57. 50
61. 50
53. 25
73. 25
75. 00
65. 25
55. 00
59. 50
47. 00
55. 47
$2. 10
2. 20
1. 80
2. 40
2. 40
2. 45
2. 25
2.00
1.80
2.09
$2.80
2. 90
2. 60
3.45
3. 25
3. 20
2.95
2.80
2. 45
2. 82
108
114
115
112
109
112
107
114
115
111. 2
80
81
83
83
85
82
79
92
77
80.4
135
141
139
135
128
137
135
124
149
138.3
Ohio------------------------------ -----In d ian a___. .
_______ _______
Illinois _____ _ . . . --------M ichigan.. _ . . .
. . . ------- .
W isconsin.__ ------------------ ._
E a st N o rth C entral___ _
26. 75
27. 75
32. 00
26.00
31.00
29.05
40. 50
37. 50
43.00
39. 00
45.00
41. 30
1. 55
1. 45
1. 60
1.45
1.50
1. 52
2. 05
1.95
2. 10
2. 00
2.15
2. 06
114
122
111
120
115
115.7
72
77
79
72
79
76.1
158
158
141
167
146
152.0
M innesota___________________
Iow a------------ ---------------------M iss o u ri_____ _______ . . .
N o rth D akota . . . .
.. ..
South D a k o ta..
N ebraska___ _______________
K ansas_____ . . . ____ ______
W est N orth C entral____
31. 75
36. 25
27.00
27.25
32. 50
33.00
28. 50
31.02
44.00
46. 00
36.25
38. 75
46.00
45. 75
40. 50
42. 14
1. 60
1. 75
1.30
1.20
1.55
1. 70
1. 65
1. 54
2. 25
2.30
1. 65
1.85
2.15
2. 25
2. 25
2.09
111
111
107
112
112
114
116
111. 1
71
81
74
59
68
77
71
73.2
156
137
145
190
165
148
163
151.8
N o rth C entral__________
30.05
41. 73
1. 53
2.07
113.4
74.6
151.9
Delaw are_______ . . .
. ...
M ary lan d ___________________
Virginia----------------- . . .
. .
W est V irginia. _____________
N o rth C arolina.. . . . ____ . .
South C arolina______ _______
Georgia------------------ . . . ___
F lo rid a........... ........... . . . _____
South A tlantic _______
29. 75
29. 50
23. 50
25. 00
17. 25
12.50
12. 50
17. 50
17.58
42. 25
43.00
33. 75
38. 25
25. 50
18.25
18. 75
30.75
26.17
1. 70
1. 50
1.20
1. 20
.90
.60
.70
.90
.91
2.10
2.00
1. 60
1. 65
1. 15
.80
.90
1. 35
1.20
107
108
108
106
105
103
103
113
105.4
84
84
81
68
73
74
72
75
74.9
127
129
133
156
144
139
143
151
140.7
K e n tu ck y .._ -----------------------Tennessee . ------ --------------A labam a----------------- ------ . . .
M ississippi___ ____ _ . _____
A rkansas________ . . . . . . __
Louisiana----------- -------------- .
Oklahom a____
_.
___ _
Texas_______ _ ____________
South C en tral__________
21. 75
18.25
13.00
14.25
17. 50
16.00
20. 50
20.00
17.88
30. 50
26. 00
18.00
21. 50
26. 50
25. 00
29. 50
29.00
25.99
1.05
.90
.65
.70
.80
.80
1.05
1.00
.88
1. 40
1.15
.85
.95
1.05
1.05
1.35
1. 30
1.15
102
112
112
102
106
111
113
113
109. 4
72
75
70
73
65
78
62
64
69.2
142
149
160
140
163
142
182
177
158.1
M o n tan a ________ _________
Id ah o ____________ ________
W yoming---- -------- . . . _____
Colorado________ . . . . . . .
New Mexico___ . . . .
Arizona________________ _____
U ta h ________________________
N evada____________ ________
W ashington..
. . . . .
Oregon.. _ . ---------------- . .
California . . . ____ ___
W estern________________
36.50
39. 75
39. 50
32. 50
29. 50
38.00
48. 50
47.00
33. 00
35. 00
47. 00
40. 17
51.00
59. 00
55.00
51. 25
41.50
56.25
68.00
74.00
55.25
56.00
74.00
61. 84
1. 65
1.95
2.00
1. 60
1.25
1. 60
2.15
1.80
1. 85
1.75
1.95
1.81
2. 35
2. 40
2. 75
2. 25
1. 50
2.15
2. 80
2.55
2.60
2. 35
2.80
2. 50
126
127
119
120
115
122
126
131
129
122
117
120.9
55
70
75
73
75
74
70
76
67
70
79
73. 2
229
181
159
164
153
165
180
172
193
174
148
165.2
25. 35
37. 00
1. 29
1.73
111. 1
73.4
151.3
U nited States___
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. .. ..
[672]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
187
W age D e t e r m in a t io n in t h e C oal In d u str y
N A report entitled “ Principles and Methods of Wage Determina
tion in the Coal-Mining Industry/’ the International Labor Office
presents 1 the results of an international survey dealing with the sub
ject of wage determination in the coal industry. The main object of
the report is stated to be to facilitate the orderly consideration of the
possible forms of international action relative to the_ determination
of wage questions in coal mines, and the principles applied to the ques
tion of wage setting in a number of countries are discussed.
I
Difficulties Involved
T he difficulties encountered in fixing coal miners’ wages are classi
fied as (1) those arising in connection with collective bargaining, (2)
those connected with the principles of wage determination, l. e., the
means adopted for securing to coal miners an equitable share m the
proceeds of the industry and preventing wages from falling to unduly
low levels, and (3) those concerning the methods of wage payment,
including the additions and deductions to which these payments are
SUAttention is directed to the fact that peculiar circumstances have
made the question of wage determination in the coal industry a mat
ter of special importance. It is stated that wages constitute an
unusually high proportion of the total cost of producing coal (as much
as 70 per cent of the cost in some localities), that the amount of fixed
capital invested in coal mining is small compared with the value of
annual output and accordingly a slight change m the value of output
either up or down represents a large change in the return on capital
invested, and that the price of coal is subject to wider fluctuations
than wholesale prices in general.
Owing to the fact that increases in the price of coal are so quickly
reflected in the profits of the producer and decreases may cause great
losses, it is of special importance that there be some equitable basis
for determining wages in this industry. _ .
. ,
.
A fact further complicating wage relations m the coal industry is
that the long-time trend is toward stationary per capita productivity.
This situation, the author of the report states, must lead to one of two
results: Either the price of coal must be kept above prices of othei
commodities in the manufacture of which productivity is increasing,
in order that miners’ wages may be kept at a fair level, or the miners
standard of living must be reduced. Whichever the choice^ the coal
miners stand to lose, for in the one case many will lose their jobs
since substitutes for coal will be used increasingly if the price of coa
is high, and in the other case, as has been stated, the miners must
content themselves with a lower standard of living.
Principles Advanced and Applied
T he principal basis suggested for the determination of coal miners
wages is that workers should receive an equitable share of the pi oceeds
of operation and that their wages should be subject to change accord
ing as the economic position of the industry changes; it is, however,
i
Studies and Reports, Series D (wages and hours of w ork), No. 20, Geneva, 1931.
72574°— 31----- 13
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[673]
188
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
recognized that wages must not be forced to unduly low levels.
Other propositions advanced are that wages should be adjusted
according to changes in the selling price of coal or in the cost of living,
that there should be the same pay for the same work, that wages
should be adjusted to take inferior working conditions into account
in some measure, that wages in mines should not fall below those paid
in occupations where equivalent skill, effort, and risk are involved,
that wage changes in one locality should justify corresponding
changes elsewhere, and that wages should be set according to the
respective bargaining power of the two parties.
Great Britain .—The report states that Great Britain has gone
farther than any other country in developing principles of wage
determination. In that country, wages are made up of a basic wage
plus a percentage, the amount of the percentage being determined
according to the economic position of the industry. In the last
quarter of the nineteenth century the percentages were fixed in the
various districts by reference to the selling price of some standard
quality of coal. Dissatisfaction with this method led to the setting
up of conciliation boards to fix the amount to be paid. Such boards
took into account the facts, such as prices, but were not formally
bound to fix percentages to be paid on the basis of any one set of facts.
Moreover, if the boards could not agree, the impartial chairman could
make the final decision. In 1921 a new method was adopted for
fixing wages. This method is still in force, with some modifications,
and provides that wages shall make up a definite proportion of the net
proceeds of the industry, varying by districts from 85 to 87 per cent.
Thus, by determining the net proceeds in a given district for a given
period of time, it may be calculated by how much the basic wage shall
be supplemented in order to give the workers the amount of wages
to which they are entitled. Further provision was made that wages
should never be allowed to fall below a certain figure, and that if the
wage rate was not sufficient to furnish subsistence to certain low-paid
day workers an extra allowance per shift should be made.
Belgium .—In Belgium a national agreement was reached in 1920
whereby wage adjustments were authorized according to fluctuations
in the official cost-of-living index. Until 1926 wage changes were
made on this principle. In October, 1926, the basis was changed to
take into account economic conditions as well as cost of living. The
new index is made up of the cost-of-living index, with a weight of
three-quarters, and the price of a given grade of bituminous coal,
with a weight of one-quarter.
Other countries.—No automatic or semiautomatic system of wage
setting has been adopted in other countries. However, examples are
cited showing that in most wage negotiations in other countries the
economic position of the industry and changes in the cost of living are
taken into consideration. For example, it is stated that in France
fluctuations in cost of living are taken into consideration in setting
rates. This is equally true in Germany and in the latter country
equitable adjustment of rates is further facilitated owing to the fact
that wage settlements are usually arrived at by decisions of an
arbitration board. Another interesting method of wage fixing is
that in force in South Africa, where the rates of pay of coal-mine
workers are generally based on the minimum rates laid down for gold
miners.
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[674]
189
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
W a g es a n d H o u r s o f L abor in G r e a te r S h a n g h a i, 1929
STUDY of wages and hours of labor in Greater Shanghai in 1929
. made by the Shanghai Bureau of Social Affairs shows that the
woman wage earners in cotton spinning constituted the largest single
group of industrial workers. On September 25, 1929, the average
working hours of these women were approximately 12 hours per day,
for which they received about 45 cents (United States currency,
18.9 cents).1 Their average monthly earnings in 1929 were approxi
mately $12.50 (United States currency, $5.24).
I t is reported that 67 per cent of the total number of laborers in
Shanghai are paid less than 10 cents (United States currency, 4.2
cents) per hour.
Of the 2,326 factories in Greater Shanghai employing 285,700
workers (84,786 men, 173,432 women, and 27,482 children), 274
factories employing 97,042 workers (31,053 men, 58,473 women, and
7,516 children) are covered by the investigation under review. The
average hourly and daily rates for September 25, 1929, given in Table
1, and average monthly earnings for 1929, given in Table 2, are taken
from the report of this survey.
Earnings are defined by the investigators as “ the regular wages
plus, if any, rice allowance, allowance for board and lodging, reward,
or bonus, deducting for absences and for work rejected upon inspec
tion.” The tabulations do not include the office staff and technicians,
but only those actually engaged in manufacturing work.
A
T a b l e 1 .— A V E R A G E H O U R L Y A N D D A IL Y W A G E R A T E S A N D N U M B E R O P H O U R S
W O R K E D P E R D A Y IN V A R IO U S IN D U S T R IE S IN G R E A T E R SH A N G H A I, S E P T E M B E R
25, 1929
[Conversions into U nited States currency on basis of exchange rate of yuan dollar, September, 1929=
40.1 cents]
Average wage
rates per day
A verage
N u m b er
num ber
of w ork
of hours
ers inves C hi United worked C hi United
tigated nese States per day nese States
cur
cur
cur
cur
rency rency
rency rency
Average wage
rates per hour
In d u stry
T y p e of
worker
W oodworking: Sawing______ _______
M etallurgy: F o u n d ry .--------------------------M achinery, etc.: M achinery-----------------Construction of boats, etc.: Shipbuilding.
M anufacture of bricks, etc.: Glass m aking.
M ales__ . . .
____do_____
_ __do__ ____do______
. ...d o _____
C hildren-----
M anufacture of chemicals, etc.:
Soap making
_ _____ ___ _______ Males______
Females____
M atch making
_________ Males______
Females____
C hildren___
Enam eling _ ___ ___ ____ ___ - ___ Males______
Females____
C hildren___
Textiles:
Pilk rpp.ling
__ ___________ Males______
Females____
Children .
Ootton spinning
_______ M ales____
Females____
C hildren. _.
^ilk weaving
______ __ ___ M ales.
Females____
2.8
3.4
3. 5
4. 5
3.4
1.6
568
241
559
818
342
1, 007
186
59
5.9
3.5
8.6
2.7
2.5
5.9
4.7
3.6
2.4
1.4
3.4
1.1
1. 0
2.4
1.9
1.4
m
518
14,643
4,873
7, 558
27, 574
1,161
1, 002
566
6.1
4.9
3. 0
4.7
3.8
2. 5
12. 0
8.6
2.4
2. 0
1. 2
1.9
1.5
1.0
4.8
3.4
12
11
11
i Conversions into U nited States currency on basis of Chinese cen t=0.42 cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[G75]
Cents
Cents Cents
6.9
8.6
8.7
11.3
8.4
4.0
1,183
540
2,958
2,040
466
499
9 $0.621
.774
9
.783
9
9 1.017
8
.672
8
. 320
24.9
31. 0
31. 4
40. 8
26.9
12.8
.543
.322
.803
.240
.203
.555
.423
.324
21.8
12.9
32.2
9.6
8. 1
22.3
17.0
13.0
.732
.539
.330
.552
liU
ID io .452
. 3C0
12
ion 1. 230
.£94
29.4
21.6
13. 2
22. 1
18.1
12.0
50.5
35.8
9H
9J4
89/10
8Mo
9%
9
9
ion
190
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T a b l e 1 .— A V E R A G E H O U R L Y A N D D A IL Y W A G E R A T E S A N D N U M B E R OE H O U R S
W O R K E D P E R D A Y IN V A R IO U S IN D U S T R IE S IN G R E A T E R SH A N G H A I, S E P T E M
B E R , 25, 1929—C ontinued
T ype of
worker
In d u stry
Textiles— C ontinued.
C otton w eaving-
______ __________
Silk and not,ton k n ittin g
_
M ales____
Females____
ChildrenM ales__ ___
Fem ales.—
M ales__
___do___
Bleaching and dyeing
M anufacture of leather, etc.: Tanning
M anufacture of food, etc.:
___ do_____
Flour
- Oils and th eir by-products______ _ _ ___ do_____
Eggs and egg products_____ _ __ _ _ __do__ _
Fem ales... .
M a le s .___
Tobacco
__
__ _ -- - Females—
C hildren---Paper and printing:
M ales__
Paper m aking
______ _ _ _
Fem ales.._ .
Printing__________________
______ M ales___ _
Females
C hildren___
Average wage
rates per hour
N u m b er
of work
ers inves C hi U nited
tigated nese States
cur
cur
rency rency
Average wage
rates per day
A verage
num ber
of hours C hi United
worked
States
per day nese
cur
cur
rency rency
Cents Cents
Cents
6.5
4.7
3. 1
8.1
6.6
6.0
6.9
2.6
1.9
1. 2
3. 2
2.6
2.4
2.8
11Ho $0. 722
.545
l l 3/5
.357
1m
10Ho .818
.634
m
.468
7Vs
.621
9
29.0
21.9
14.3
32.8
25.4
18.8
24.9
1, 521
1,421
341
764
1, 356
4,401
113
5.1
6.9
6.7
5.1
7.9
7.0
4.2
2.0
2.8
2.7
2.0
3. 2
2.8
1.7
11
8Ho
9Mo
9
10%
8'Mo
9*Mo
.561
.600
.623
.459
.822
.581
.416
22.5
24.1
25.0
18.4
33.0
23.3
16.7
792
270
2,058
288
125
6.0
3.2
14.6
10. 2
4.1
2.4
1.3
5.9
4.1
1.6
11
11
. 660
.352
1.226
8Mo .826
10i/5 .418
26. 5
14.1
49.2
33.1
16.8
2,558
7,128
394
572
1, 594
1,443
592
m
T a b l e 2 .— A V E R A G E M O N T H L Y
E A R N IN G S O E E A C T O R Y W O R K E R S IN V A R IO U S
IN D U S T R IE S IN G R E A T E R S H A N G H A I, 1929
[Conversions into U nited States currency on basis of exchange rate of y uan dollar for 1929=41.9 cents]
Average m onthly
earnings
T ype of worker
In d u stry
nited
Chinese UStates
currency currency
M a le s 1
- .
____do
____
$19.25
23.81
$8.07
9. 98
____d o ______
____do
___
Fem ales_____
C hildren 2 —_
Children
29.53
23.49
12.72
12.95
38.20
15.25
12.37
9.84
5.33
5. 43
16. 01
6.39
M a le s 1 ___ Children
M a le s 1 ____
16. 25
9.44
19.09
6.81
3.96
8.00
____do_____ _
__ _do .. _ .
25.89
27.97
10.85
11.72
____do
Females _
M ales 1____ _
C hildren.
_ __
M atches
___
__ _ _ _ _ ____ ____ ___ _ M ales 1
Females
Children
Enam eling
_ __ _____ ________ ____ _ - - ____ - M ales 1___
Fem ales, _
M ales 1
Toilet preparations
____
_
____________
Females
. .
18.72
8.75
18. 37
11.51
21.39
5.51
11.38
18.03
8.31
19.65
8. 76
7.84
3.67
7. 70
4.82
8. 96
2.31
4.77
7. 55
3.48
8.23
3.67
W oodworking: Sawing
____
_____ _
M etallurgy: Fou n d ry
M achinery, m etal tools, and utensils:
M achinery
_
Electrical machines and appliances
__________
___________ ______ _
_ _
__
___ ____ -
C onstruction of boats, ships, and vehicles fcr land and transport:
Shipbuilding.
M anufacture of brick, earthenw are, glass, etc.:
Glass
_
- - - _______ - ______
C em ent and tiles
_____
_ _ __
____ _
E lectricity and w aterw orks:
E lectricity
_ _____ _
__ _______ _____ -- -- W aterworks
_____
_____ __
- __ ____ _____ M anufacture of chemicals and allied products:
_____
- -________ ___
Soap and candles
P ain t and varnish
M ales 1
_______ ___ _ _ _______________ _____
1 C onstituted principal ty p e of workers in th e in d u stry .
2 Only 1 factory in in d u stry of electrical m achines and appliances employs children.
of labor suspended in F eb ru ary and December.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[6 7 6 ]
W ork for this type
191
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
T \ b l e 2.—A V E R A G E M O N T H L Y E A R N IN G S
O F F A C T O R Y W O R K E R S IN V A R IO U S
IN D U S T R IE S IN G R E A T E R S H A N G H A I, 1929—C ontinued
Average m onthly
earnings
T ype of worker
In d u stry
Textiles:
Silk reeling____
C otton spinning.
Silk weaving.
C otton w eaving------------------------------------------Silk and cotton k n ittin g -------------------------------Wool w eaving______________________________
Bleaching and dyeing----------------------------------M anufacture of leather, skin, and rubber: Tanning.
M anufacture of food, drinks, and tobacco:
F lour_____________________________
Oils and th eir by-products---------------Eggs and egg products--------------------C anned goods_____________________
Cold drinks and refrigerating----------Tobacco__________________________
Paper and printing:
P a p e r_________
Printing.
nited
Chinese UStates
currency currency
Females L .
C h ild re n ...
M ales____
Females L .
C h ild re n ...
M ale s1___
Fem ales__
C hildren 3_.
M ales1___
Fem ales__
C h ild re n ...
M ales1___
Fem ales__
M ale s1___
Fem ales__
M ale s1___
____do____
Fem ales__
C h ild re n ..
$13.21
8.37
15.28
12.50
8.07
30.31
20.17
$5. 53
3. 51
6.40
5.24
3.38
12. 70
8.45
23. 54
11.69
18.09
18.83
15.41
16.54
9.43
21.60
20.39
12. 32
8.41
9.86
4.90
7.58
7.89
6.46
6.93
3.95
9.05
8.54
5.16
3. 52
M ale s1___
____do____
____do____
Fem ales__
M ale s1___
Fem ales__
M ale s1___
M ales____
Females L.
C h ild re n ..
17.61
17.28
20. 89
11.65
25.81
11.05
18.94
23.86
12.82
9.38
7. 38
7. 24
8.75
4.88
10.81
4.63
7.94
10.00
5. 37
3. 93
M ales L..
Females..
Children.
M ales !...
Females..
20.60
8.72
9.46
47.50
31.24
8.63
3.65
3.96
19.90
13.09
1 C onstitu ted principal ty p e of workers in the in dustry.
3 Wages of children in silk w eaving have been increased to th e level of ad u lt workers.
W ages in F r a n c e in O c to b e r , 1930
HE annual wage study made by the General Statistical Bureau
of France 1 gives the average wages of certain classes of workers
who are represented in nearly all localities and which furnish, there
fore, uniform elements of comparison. The information is furnished
by officers of trade councils, employers’ organizations, and mayors
or other competent persons.
Table 1 gives the hourly wages in different occupations in October,
1929 and 1930, in Paris and other cities:
T
1 France. M inistère du T ravail.
1931, pp. 2i6-232.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
B ulletin de la S tatistique Générale de la France, January-M arch,
192
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
T a ble 1.—A V E R A G E H O U R L Y W A G E S IN F R E N C H C IT IE S , O C T O B E R , 1929, A N D
O C T O B E R , 1930, B Y O C C U P A T IO N
[Conversions into U nited States currency on basis of franc=3.92 cents]
Average hourly wages in
Cities other th a n Paris
Paris and its environs
occupation
1929
1929
1930
1930
nited French U nited French U nited French U nited
French UStates
States
States
States
cur
cur
cur
cur
cur
cur
cur
cur
rency rency
rency rency
rency rency
rency rency
Males
B re w e rs_______ ___ ____________ Printers, compositors
___________
Bookbinders __ _
_ ____
T anners____
__ _ _ __ ___
Saddlers, harness m a k e r s ..______
S h o e m a k e rs_____________ . ____
Tailors _____
____________ ______
D yers, scourers_________ _____ _
___ ____
W eavers _ ____ _____
R ope m akers___________
W heelw rights____________ ___ -W ood turners _________
C o o p ers______________________ . .
Cabinetm akers________________
U pholsterers_____________
______
P it saw yers____________ _____
C arpenters___________________ _
Joiners
_________ ___
_ _
Coppersm iths____________ . . .
T insm ith s_________ __________ „
Plum bers ________________
_____
B lacksm iths______________
......
Farriers
_______________
Stove m a k e rs___ _______
_____L ocksm iths_______________________
_____
M etal tu rn e rs____________
W atchm akers__ _________
. . ._
Q uarrym en ____________
Stonecutters_________________ ____
M asons______________ ___ ._ __ ._
N avvies __
T ilers. . _______________
H ouse painters __ ________
O rnam ental carvers_____
_____ .
B rickm akers___________
Potters___________________
Glaziers
Laborers________________________ _
Average all occupations
__ _
Francs
Cents
Francs
6. 25
5.10
24. 5
20.0
6. 60
5. 35
25.9
21.0
6.00
23.5
6.50
25.5
Cents
6. 25
24.5
6.75
6.75
26.5
6. 75
26.5
6. 25
6.00
5. 75
24. 5
23. 5
22.5
6. 25
6. 25
6. 25
24. 5
24. 5
24.5
5. 75
6. 25
22. 5
24.5
6. 50
6. 45
25.5
25.3
5. 75
6. 25
6. 50
5. 75
7. 50
6. 00
6. 00
5. 75
5. 50
6. 50
5. 75
22.5
24. 5
25. 5
22. 5
29. 4
23. 5
23. 5
22. 5
21.6
25. 5
22.5
6. 50
6. 45
25. 5
25.3
6. 50
9. 25
6. 50
6. 25
6. 50
6. 50
7. 50
6.50
25. 5
36.3
25. 5
24. 5
25. 5
25. 5
29.4
25.5
6.00
23.5
6. 65
26.1
6. 07
23.8
6.61
25.9
26.5
Francs
Cents
Francs
3. 36
4.19
4.01
3. 48
3. 52
3. 42
3. 75
3. 56
3. 11
3. 40
3. 74
3. 94
3.78
4. 02
3. 96
3. 82
4. 06
3. 89
4.09
3. 84
3. 92
3.91
3. 72
3. 86
3. 78
4.03
4. 20
3. 78
4. 29
4. 03
3. 45
4. 00
3. 82
4. 79
3. 70
3. 56
3. 72
2.95
13. 2
16. 4
15. 7
13. 6
13. 8
13. 4
14. 7
14. 0
12. 2
13. 3
14. 7
15.4
14. 8
15. 8
15. 5
15.0
15.9
15. 2
16.0
15. 1
15. 4
15. 3
14.6
15.1
14.8
15.8
16. 5
14.8
16. 8
15. 8
13. 5
15. 7
15.0
18. 8
14. 5
14.0
14. 6
3. 60
4. 45
4. 27
3. 80
3. 80
3. 65
4.10
3. 83
Cents
11.6
3. 27
3. 48
4.00
4.20
4.03
4. 50
4. 20
4. 10
4. 23
4.16
4. 37
4.05
4.20
4. 22
4. 00
4.10
4.10
4.37
4. 47
4.07
4. 67
4.42
3. 75
4. 32
4.17
5. 27
4. 00
3. 87
4.15
3.18
14.1
17. 4
16. 7
14. 9
14. 9
14. 3
16. 1
14.8
12. 8
13.6
15.7
16.5
15.8
17.6
16. 5
16.1
16.6
16.3
17. 1
15.9
16.5
16.5
15. 7
16. 1
16.1
17.1
17.5
16.0
18. 3
17.3
14. 7
16.9
16. 3
20. 7
15. 7
15. 2
16. 3
12. 5
15.0
4.08
16.0
8.9
9. 4
8. 8
2. 48
2. 45
2. 29
2. 43
2.47
2. 39
2. 46
9. 7
9. 6
9. 0
9. 5
9. 7
9. 4
9.6
8.9
2. 42
9. 5
3. 77
Females
Ironers_______
_________ _
..
Dressmakers . .
___ _
Seamstresses
. ____________
W aistcoat m akers_____. .
___
Lace m akers
E m broiderers.. _
_ ____
M illiners____________________ .
2. 27
2. 39
2.16
2. 26
2. 26
2. 29
2.24
Average, all occupations____ .
2. 26
8. 5
8. 9
8. 9
9.0
Table 2, furnished for the study by the employment service of the
clothing industries, shows the average weekly wages paid to female
workers in dressmaking and lingerie shops and the average monthly
wages paid in fashionable dressmaking shops in 1929 and 1930:
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 678]
193
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
T a ble 2 .—A V E R A G E W E E K L Y A N D M O N T H L Y W A G E S IN F R E N C H D R E S S M A K IN G
1 ABLE a. a v l b a u b S H 0 P S ) O C T O B E R , 1929 A N D O C T O B E R , 1930
[Conversions into U nited States currency on basis of franc=3.92 cents]
October, 1930
October, 1929
O ccupation
Francs
U nited
States
currency
Francs
U nited
States
currency
Weekly rates
D ressm aking and lingerie shops:
First hands, female----------------------------------Second hands, female------------------------ -------Helpers, female--------------------------- ------------A pprentices, female----------- ----------------------
208.80
156. 00
110. 00
50.40-79. 00
$8.18
6.12
4.31
1. 98-3.10
218. 40
163. 20
115. 20
52. 80-82.80
$8. 56
6. 40
4. 52
2.07-3. 25
Monthly rates
Fashionable dressmaking shops:
Skilled fitte rs----------- ------------------------------W orkers of m edium skill----------------------------
832.00
776. 00
500.00
160.00-222.
00
A ppren tices..---------- ---------------------------------
$32. 61
30. 42
19. 60
6. 27-8. 70
936.00
748. 40
520. 00
208.00-260. 00
$36. 69
29. 34
20. 38
8.15-10. 19
A comparison of wages and. cost of living (Table 3) as repiesented
by the cost of board and lodging for an unmarried worker in the same
localities for which data for wages were secured shows that there was
some improvement during the year in the purchasing power of wages,
as living costs increased only about 3 per cent while the average daily
wages of men and women had increased approximately 7 and 8 per
cent, respectively. The retail price index (based on 13 articles),
however, increased nearly 9.8 per cent from November, 1929, to
November, 1930.
T arte 3 —A V E R A G E D A IL Y W A G E S A N D CO ST O F B O A R D A N D L O D G IN G IN F R A N C E ,
O C T O B E R , 1929 A N D 1930, A N D IN D E X N U M B E R S T H E R E O F A N D O F R E T A IL P R IC E S
IN N O V E M B E R , 1929 A N D 1930
[Conversions into U nited States currency on basis of franc—3.92 cents]
October, 1929
October, 1930
Index num
bers
(1911 = 100)
Item
nited French U nited Octo Octo
French UStates
ber,
ber,
States
currency currency currency currency 1929
1930
Francs
D ailyw ages:
Cost of board ^and lodging per m o n th ---------------------
31.34
18. 30
520. 00
Francs
$1.23
.72
20. 38
33.56
19. 79
537. 00
$1.32
.78
21.05
685
800
744
584
732
866
767
641
i For N ovem ber, 1929 and 1930, respectively.
A study of the wages of domestic servants was made by the General
Statistical Office during the third quarter of 1930 in cities of more
than 10,000 inhabitants. In addition to the cash wages these workers
receive board and lodging, the cost of which for the country as a whole
averaged about 3,500 francs ($13/.20) in 1930.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[679]
194
MONTHLR LABOR REV IEW
^ Table 4 shows the average wages of different classes of servants in
France in the third quarter of 1930:
T a b l e 4 .—W A G E S OF S E R V A N T S IN F R A N C E IN 1930
[Conversions in to U n ite d States currency on basis of franc=3.92 cents]
Average annual
wages 1
Class of servant
French
currency
Cooks, m ale________________
Cooks, female_____ _____
Cooks’ assistants, male
_______
Cooks’ assistants, fe m a le ______
V alet__ _
___ ______ . . . _
L ad y ’s m a id _________________
Coachmen_____ ______
Chauffeurs__ _________________
General servants, m a l e ______ _____
General servants, female
___
C h arw o m en _______ _______
U nited
States cur
rency
Francs
10,088'
4,849
5,183
3, 309
5, 512
3,683
5,657
7,128
4,564
3,141
2 266
$395.45
190. 08
203.17
129. 71
216. 07
144. 37
221. 75
279.42
178.91
123.13
2. 10
1 Board and lodging in addition.
2 P er hour.
Wages in French coal mines were reduced in 1927 because of the
unfavorable condition of the coal market, but in the course of 1929
the commercial situation of the coal companies had improved and
wages were raised in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais on April 16 and
October 1, and in the Loire, October 1. Table 5 shows the average
daily wages of underground and surface workers in 1929 and 1930, by
quarters :
T a ble 5 .—A V E R A G E D A IL Y W A G E S O F U N D E R G R O U N D A N D OF S U R F A C E W O R K E R S
IN F R E N C H C O AL M IN E S , 1929 A N D 1930, B Y Q U A R T E R S
[Conversions in to U nited States currency on basis of franc=3.92 cents]
Average daily wages of—
U nderground
workers
Date
Surface w ork
ers
U nderground
and surface
workers
French U nited French U nited French U nited
States
States
States
cur
cur
cur
cur
cur
cur
rency
rency rency rency rency rency
1929:
First qu arter_____ _____ . . .
Second quarter . . .
T hird quarter __ . . . .
Fo u rth q u a rte r,.
1930:
First q u arter______
Second quarter
T h ird q u a rte r,._
_ .
F o u rth q u arterC .
____
Francs
35.01
36. 58
37. 34
39.74
$1.37
1.43
1.46
1. 56
39. 85
39. 97
40. 16
40. 32
1.56
1.57
1.57
1.58
Francs
25. 83
26. 99
27. 57
29.44
$1. 01
1. C6
1.08
1.15
29.58
29. 71
29. 84
29. 84
1.16
1. 16
1.17
1.17
1 B ulletin de la Statistique Générale de la France, A p r-J u n e , 1931, p. 346.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[680]
Francs
32. 32
33.71
34.43
36.70
$1. 27
1. 32
1. 35
1.44
36. 86
36.94
37. 06
37.16
1. 44
1. 45
1.45
1.46
195
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
In connection with the law of December 15, 1922, extending the
workmen’s compensation law to cover agricultural workers, each
prefect is required to furnish a table of wages classified by occupa
tions and, when possible, by locality. These reports are made every
two years. The average wages of agricultural workers vary greatly
in the different departments. The lowest yearly wages reported for
day laborers were 3,060 francs ($119.95) in the Department of Alpes
(Haute) while the highest, 9,750 francs ($382.20) with board and lodg
ing, were paid in the Department of the Seine. The wages of farm
hands varied from 4,112 francs ($161.19) in the Department of LoireInférieure to 11,000 francs ($431.20) in the Department of Aveyron,
while the annual wages of teamsters ranged from 4,800 francs ($188.16)
in the Department of Dordogne to 11,250 francs ($441) in the De
partment of the Seine, in the latter case board and lodging also being
furnished. Among woman farm laborers, the lowest wages, 1,300
francs ($50.96), were found in the Department of Finistère, and the
highest, 7,500 ($294), in the Department of Maine-et-Loire, while
the wages of farm servants ranged from 2,500 francs ($98) in
Ariège to 8,000 francs ($313.60) in Aveyron. In addition to the cash
wages, farm workers also receive various payments in kind.
Table 6 shows the average daily and yearly wages of the different
classes of farm workers in 1928 and 1930:
T a b l e 6 . -A V E R A G E D A IL Y A N D Y E A R L Y W A G E S OF D IF F E R E N T CLA SSES OF A G R I
C U L T U R A L W O R K E R S IN F R A N C E IN 1928 A N D 1930
[Conversions in to U nited States currency on basis of franc=3.92 cents]
Average wages in—
1930
1928
Per year
Per day
Sex and occupation
French
cur
rency
Francs
Males20. 60
L aborers. _ ________ _
18.94
F arm hands
- - ---- ------21. 56
T eam sters..- -------------------------Females:
14.20
Laborers
___ _____- - -13.58
F arm se rv a n ts ...-------- -------------
Per year
P er day
U nited French U nited French U nited French U nited
States
States
States
States
cur
cur
cur
cur
cur
cu r
cur
rency rency
rency rency
rency rency
rency
Francs
Francs
$0.81
.74
.85
.56
.53
Francs
5,642 $221.17
5, 993 234.93
6,699 262.60
22. 50
20.85
23.73
$0.88
.82
.93
6,202
6,690
7,437
$243.12
262. 25
291. 53
140.92
169.50
15.41
14.74
.60
.58
3,933
4,806
154.17
188. 40
3,595
4,324
W a g es a n d H o u r s in t h e T e x tile I n d u s tr y in G e r m a n y , 1930
results of an investigation of wages and hours in the textile
industry in Germany, undertaken in accordance with the wage sta
THE
tistics act of 1922, have recently been published by the German
Federal Statistical Office.1 The investigation covered 55,795 textile
workers employed in 466 establishments in 121 localities in Septernber, 1930.
1 G erm any.
Statistisches Reichsamt.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
W irtschaft und Statistik, Berlin, 2. Juni-H eft, 1931, pp. 459-462.
[681]
196
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
The figures in Table 1 show the average hours of work per week,
average hourly earnings, agreement hourly rates, and the average
weekly earnings:
T a b l e 1 .— W A G E S A N D H O U R S O F S P IN N E R S A N D W E A V E R S , 1930
[Conversions into U nited States currency on basis of m ark=23.8 cents, pfennig=0.238 cent]
Average hourly earnings
Occupation, sex, and age
Including al
lowances
Ger
m an
cu r
rency
Spinners:
Pfennigs
M ale_______________
92.1
Fem ale_____________
60.7
W eavers:1
M ale ______________
93.9
Fem ale_____________
71.7
Assistants:
M ale, over 20 years___
70.0
Female, over 20 years.
51.3
U nited
States
cu r
rency
E xcluding al
lowances
G er
m an
cu r
rency
U nited
States
cu r
rency
Cents Pfennigs
21.9
14.4
90.9
60.3
22.3
17.1
16.7
12.2
Agreement
hourly wage
or wage on
piece-rate
basis
G er
m an
cur
rency
Cents Pfennigs
21.6
14.4
80.5
53.3
92.3
70.5
22.0
16.8
68.9
50.9
16.4
12.1
U nited
States
cur
rency
A ver
age
w ork
ing
hours
per
week
Cents
19.2
12.7
42.51
40.74
73.1
60.7
17.4
14.4
62.8
46.8
14.9
11.1
Average
w eekly
earnings
G er
m an
cur
rency
U nited
States
cur
rency
Marks
39.14
24. 73
$9. 32
5.89
43. 60
41.59
40.94
29. 57
9.74
7.04
45.41
43.04
31.80
22.06
7. 57
5.25
1 Including fram e workers and tw ist hands.
As is seen from the above, the average hourly earnings, without
allowances, exceeded hourly agreement rates by varying amounts,
from 26.4 per cent and 16.7 per cent, respectively, for male and female
weavers to 9 per cent for female assistants.
Table 2 shows the number of workers covered, the average number
of hours worked per week, the average hourly earnings, the average
agreement wages per hour, and the average weekly earnings in each
of the 10 branches of the textile industry investigated.
T a b l e 2.
W A G E S A N D H O U R S , BY IN D U S T R Y , O C C U P A T IO N , A N D SE X , S E P T E M B E R
i non
*
[Conversions into U nited States currency on basis of m ark=23.8 cents, pfennig=0.238 cent]
In d u stry , occupation, and sex
Average hourly Agreement hour
ly wage or wage
AverN um - age
on piece-rate basis
ber workof
ing
work- hours
U nited
U nited
ers
per German States G erman States
week currency cur- currency currency
rency
Average weekly
earnings
Ger- U nited
m an States
curcurrency rency
Cotton
Spinners:
M ale. _
____ .. _______ _
Fem ale______________
Weavers:
M ale_____ . . . _ __ ___ _
Fem ale____ _______
Assistants:
M ale, over 20 years__
Female, over 20 years_______
942
4,782
40.14
40.53
6,766
'6,574
Pfennigs Cents Pfennigs
87.9
61.9
20.9
14.7
78.2
41. 92
41.39
80. 6
68.2
19.2
16.2
2,738
2,139
44.13
42.55
66. 4
48.9
15.8
11.6
673
1,174
45.58
42. 39
96.2
57.3
22.9
13.6
646
403
48.92
46. 98
70.7
46.6
16.8
11.1
Cents Marks
18. 6
35. 75
25. 26
$8. 51
6. 01
69.7
OI.
16. 6
14.6
8. 16
6. 76
61.3
45.6
14.6
10.9
34. 29
28. 42
on nr\
on’ no
7. 07
4.99
12. 0
44.18
24. 50
10. 51
5.83
15.0
106.4
35. 03
22.15
8. 34
.20
Worsted spinning
Spinners:
M ale___________________
Female . .
Assistants:
M ale, over 20 years___
Female, over 20 years___________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 682 ]
63.2
43.9
197
WAGES AND HOUES OF LABOR
T a b l e 2 .—W A G ES A N D H O U R S , B Y IN D U S T R Y , O C C U P A T IO N , A N D SE X , S E P T E M B E R ,
1930—C ontinued
Ind u stry , occupation, and sex
Average hourly
A ver
earnings
N u m age
ber working
of
work hours
United
ers
per German States
week currency cur
rency
Wool
Spinners:
387
M ale---- ---------------------- ----------721
Female________________________
Weavers:
M ale. -------- --- -- ----------------- 9,085
Female_____ - ------- --------------- 2,788
Assistants:
Male, over 20 years--------------- . . .
930
Female, over 20 years________ ._T_ 1,137
42.93
45.64
Agreement hour Average weekly
ly wage o r wage
earnings
on piece-rate basis
U nited Ger U nited
German States m an States
currency cur
cur
cur
rency rency rency
Pfennigs Cents Pfennigs Cents Marks
88.0
54.2
20.9
12.9
73.4
49.7
17.5
11.8
38.61
24.98
$9.19
5.95
44.73
43.98
93.7
77.0
22.3
18.3
73.0
63.0
17.4
15.0
42.26
34.01
10.06
8.74
49.07
45.84
73.3
55.0
17.4
13.1
66.9
50.5
15.9
12.0
36.73
25.38
8.74
6.04
Linen
Spinners, female- -------------------------723
Weavers:
M ale-------- ---------------------733
Fem ale_________ ______ ____ ____ 1,270
Assistants:
M ale, over 20 y e a r s ------------------446
Female, over 20 years----------------425
34.57
61.3
14.6
50.0
11.9
21.31
5.07
36.64
36.89
74.6
59.3
17.8
14.1
66.8
54.2
15.9
12.9
27.41
21.92
6.52
5.22
41.18
35.67
67.3
49.4
16.0
11.8
60.1
44.1
14.3
10.5
28.18
17.70
6.71
4.21
990
26
45.99
45.12
101.0
74.8
24.0
17.8
79.6
60.5
18.9
14.4
48.77
34.18
11.61
8.13
46
328
43.75
45.68
72.5
50.3
17.3
12.0
63.4
48.3
15.1
11.5
32.56
23.15
7.75
5.51
47.32
43.46
113.7
63.4
27.1
15.1
74.7
44.8
17.8
10.7
55.13
27. 63
13.12
6.58
49.90
43.53
67.3
49.1
16.0
11.7
58.4
41.0
13.9
9.8
33.68
21.51
8.02
5.12
591
596
43.93
40.90
107.7
64.6
25.6
15.4
73.7
50.7
17.5
12.1
47.65
27.28
11.34
6.49
284
535
46.51
41.44
74.2
53.1
17.7
12.6
64.2
46.9
15.3
11.2
34.81
22.21
8.28
5.29
430
116
29.02
29.05
124.3
65.1
29.6
15.5
85.6
56.2
20.4
13.4
36. 47
18.90
8.68
4.50
60
220
40.38
36.92
67.2
47.7
16.0
11.4
63.5
44.6
15.1
10.6
20.69
17.65
4. 92
4.20
W eavers, m ale______ - ------- ------ - 1,031
Assistants:
M ale, over 20 y e a r s ------------------30
Female, over 20 years--------- -------11
45.44
106.1
25.3
87.0
20.7
50.58
12.04
42.67
44.43
62.2
54.0
14.8
12.9
66.0
53.5
15.7
12.7
27.00
24.18,
6.43
5.75
45.89
42.67
89.2
78.7
21.2
18.7
71.6
65.3
17.0
15.5
42.06
34.03
10.01
48.56
47.03
72.7
58.0
17.3
13.8
65.0
50.7
15.5
12.1
36.74
27.67
8.74
6.59
Ribbon weaving
Weavers:
M ale................ - ..................................
Fem ale________________________
A ssistants:
M ale, over 20 years — ------------Female, over 20 years---------- ------
Hosiery
Fram e workers:
M ale___________ __________- ......... 1,554
Female----- - -- --------------- 288
Assistants:
M ale, over 20 y e a r s ------------ -----17
Female, over 20 years----------------99
Knit goods
Fram e workers:
M ale.. ------------------ ----------------Female________________________
Assistants:
M ale, over 20 years-------------------Female, over 20 years--- -------------
Lace making
Tw ist hands:
M ale- ---------- ------ -- - ...............
Female________________ ____ ___
Assistants:
M ale, over 20 years-----------------Female, over 20 years................. .
Velvet weaving
Silk weaving
Weavers:
M ale------ -------------------------------- 1,002
Fem ale______________________ _ 1,765
A ssistants:
M ale, over 20 years----- -----------124
Female, over 20 years___________
170
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[683]
a 10
198
M O N TH LY LA BO R R E V IE W
In certain restricted areas common to the present and to earlier
wage investigations, the average hourly earnings in 1913, 1927, and
1930, the agreement wage rates in 1927 and 1930, and the percentage
comparison between agreement rates and earnings for each of these
two years are given in the following table :
T a ble 3 — C O M P A R IS O N O F A V E R A G E H O U R L Y E A R N IN G S A N D A G R E E M E N T W A G E
S E P T E M B E R , 1927 A N D 1930
[Conversions into U nited States currency on basis of m ark=23.8 cents, pfennig=0.238 cent]
Agreement hourly rate
or rate on a piece-rate
basis
Average hourly earnings
September,
1927 1
1913
Occupation
and sex
September,
19301
September,
1927
P er cent ac
tu a l earnings
form of agree
m ent rate
September,
1930
Ger U nited Ger U nited Ger U nited Ger U nited Ger U nited
man States m an States m an States m an States m an States
cu r
cur
cur
cur
cu r
cur
cur
cur
cur
cur
rency rency rency rency rency rency rency rency rency rency
Spinners:
M ale_____
Fem ale___
W eavers:2
M ale.Fem ale___
A ssistants:
Male, over
20 y e ars..
F e m al e ,
o v e r 20
years____
Pfen
nigs Cents
44.6
28.1
10.6
6.7
44.8
31.6
Pfen
nigs Cents
87.0
56.4
20.7
13.4
10.7
7.5
84.3
63.8
34.6
8.2
25.1
6.0
Pfen
nigs Cents
95.0
61.2
22. 6
14.6
20.1
15.2
94.8
72.0
63.6
15.1
45.1
10.7
Pfen
nigs Cents
71.4
47.9
17.0
11.4
22.6
17.1
64.7
53.2
70.2
16.7
50.7
12.1
i Including agreem ent supplem ents.
Sep
tem
ber,
1927
Sep
tem
ber,
1930
Pfen
nigs Cents
80.6
53.7
19. 2
12.8
118.9
115.9
116.3
113.2
15.4
12.7
74.1
62.0
17.6
14.8
127.0
118.4
125.6
115.2
55.6
13.2
62.8
14.9
110.3
110.0
41.4
9.9
46.3
11.0
107.3
108.9
2 Including frame workers and tw ist hands.
Thus the average hourly earnings in September, 1927, were about
double those in 1913, while during the time from 1927 to 1930 a
further increase of about 10 per cent for all classes took place.
The following table shows the average weekly hours and the
average weekly earnings in 1913, 1927, and 1930:
T a b l e 4 —A V E R A G E W E E K L Y H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S , 1913 A N D S E P T E M B E R , 1927
A N D 1930
[Conversions into U nited States currency on basis of m ark=23.8 cents, pfennig=0.238 cent]
Average working hours
per week
1913
O ccupation and sex
Sep
tem
ber,
19271
Sep
tem
ber,
19301
57.3
56.8
50.9
49.8
42.5
41.7
57.2
57.0
49.9
49.3
57.5
56.3
53.1
49.6
1913
Spinners:
M ale________ ________
F em ale.. .
.
_ ___
W eav ers:2
M a le ... __________ . . .
Fem ale________________
Assistants:
M ale, over 20 years_____
Female, over 20 years___
1 Including agreem ent supplem ents.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Average weekly earnings
Ger
m an
cu r
rency
September, 1927 September, 1930
U nited
States
cur
rency
Marks
25. 74
15.96
$6.13
3.80
43.1
40.2
25. 63
18.00
46.0
42.2
19.91
14.14
Ger
m an
cur
rency
U nited
States
cur
rency
Marks
44.29
28.08
$10.54
6.68
6.10
4.28
42.09
31.45
4. 74
3. 37
33. 78
22.40
Ger
m an
cur
rency
Marks
40. 36
25. 50
$9.61
6.07
10.02
7. 49
40.79
29. 52
9.71
7.03
8.04
5. 33
32.29
21. 41
7. 69
5.10
2 Including frame workers and tw ist hands.
[684]
U nited
States
cur
rency
199
W A G E S AND H O U R S O F LABOR
The considerable decline of weekly working hours between 1913 and
1927 is accounted for by the introduction of the normal working week
of 48 hours, while the decline between 1927 and 1930 is explained by a
trade depression, during which short-time work was practiced in a
number of branches of the textile industry.
The weekly earnings in September, 1927, show increases over those
in 1913 in varying percentages from 58.4 for female assistants to
75.9 for female spinners. But during the period between 1927 and
1930 the earnings fell by about 10 per cent for spinners, about 3 per
cent for male weavers, about 6 per cent for female weavers, and about
4% per cent for male and female assistants.
The table below compares actual earnings for each group of workers
in 1913, 1927, and 1930. The comparison is based upon weekly earn
ings after all taxes and insurance contributions have been deducted
and upon the German Federal cost-of-living index figures, which were
147.1 in September, 1927, and 146.9 in September, 1930. The com
parison is expressed both as money wages and as index numbers by
taking the year 1913 as a base or 100.
T able 5 .—A C T U A L W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S FO R S P E C IF IE D O C C U P A T IO N S , 1913, A N D
S E P T E M B E R , 1927 A N D 1930, A N D IN D E X N U M B E R S T H E R E O F
[Conversions in to U nited States currency on basis of m ark=23.8 cents, pfennig=0.238 cent]
1913
Occupation and ses
Ger
m an
cur
rency
Spinners:
Marks
M ale _____. _________________ 24. 30
Fem ale__ ____ __ ___ _
15.10
W eavers:1
M ale..
24. 19
.......................
17.14
Female .
Assistants:
Male, over 20 years
18.99
Female, over 20 years__
. ..
13. 52
Septem ber, 1927
U nited
States
cur
rency
Ger
m an
cur
rency
Marks
$5. 78
3. 59
Septem ber, 1930
U nited Index
um
States nber
cur
rency (1913=
100)
27.21
17. 30
$6. 48
4. 12
112.0
114.6
5. 76
4.08
25. 74
19. 25
6. 13
4. 58
4. 52
3. 22
20. 79
13. 92
4. 95
3. 31
U nited Index
States num
ber
cur
rency (1913=
100)
Ger
m an
cur
rency
Marks
24. 62
15. 69
$5.86
3. 73
101.3
103.9
106. 4
112. 3
24. 78
17. 96
5. 90
4. 27
102.4
104.8
109.5
103.0
19.78
13.21
4.71
3.14
104. 2
97.7
1 Including frame workers and tw ist hands.
The table below shows various deductions from weekly gross earn
ings in 1913, 1927, and 1930, as a percentage of gross earnings.
T a b le 6 .—P E R C E N T OF D E D U C T IO N F R O M GROSS E A R N IN G S ON A C C O U N T OF W A G E
T A X A N D P U B L IC IN S U R A N C E C O N T R IB U T IO N S
Per cent deducted from gross income for—
O ccupation and sex
Spinners:
M ale_______ ___
________
Fem ale________________________
W eavers:1
Male_ _____ ________________
Fem ale________ _____
- ..
Assistants:
M ale, over 20 years. __ _ ----------Female, over 20 y e ars...
. ..
Wage (income) tax,
September
All deductions,
Septem ber
1913
1927
1930
1913
1927
1930
1913
1927
2. 0
1.3
2.9
1.5
2.0
0.7
3.6
3.6
6.7
7.9
8.4
8.9
5.6
4.9
9.6
9.4
10.4
9.6
2.0
1.3
3. 1
2. 4
2.4
1.8
3.6
3.6
6.9
7.6
8.4
8.9
5. 6
4.9
10.0
10. 0
10.8
10.7
1.0
0.6
1.8
0.3
1. 3
0.4
3.7
3.8
7. 6
8.3
8.7
9.0
4.7
4.4
9.4
8.6
10.0
9.4
1 Including frame workers and tw ist hands.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Public insurance
contributions, Sep
tem ber
[685]
1930
200
M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W
The considerable increase in workers’ social insurance contributions
is chiefly due to the repeated increases in the contributions for unem
ployment insurance.
H o u r s a n d W a g e s P r o v isio n s o f E n g lis h C oal M in e s A ct
A
CCORDING to the Ministry of Labor Gazette for July, 1931, the
l. new coal mines act, having passed both houses of Parliament,
received the royal assent and became law on July 8. The coal mines
act of 1930 had reduced hours from 8 to 7 y2 a day from January 1,
1931, till July 8, the date at which the prolongation of hours set up
by the act of 1926 would come to an end, and it also permitted a
“ spreadover ” of hours involving a different arrangement than the
7%-hour day, provided no more than 90 hours a fortnight were
worked. The new act continues the 7%-hour day, without the spreadover, for one year or until the coming into effect of the Geneva
convention establishing a 7%-hour day, wluchever is the shorter period.
The act further provides that for the same period the minimum
percentage additions to the basic rates of wages, and the subsistence
wage rates, shall not be less than those in force in any district on an
“ appointed day,” with a proviso safeguarding the operation of any
agreement entered into or custom existing before the commencement
of the act.
T h e “ a p p o in te d d a y ” is defin ed a s (1) t h e d a y b e fo re t h e c o m m e n c e m e n t of
th e a c t, in re la tio n to a n y d is tr ic t fo r w h ic h w ag es w e re re g u la te d o n t h e b a sis
of a d a ily lim it of 7% h o u rs ’ w o rk b e lo w g ro u n d o n t h a t d a y ; a n d (2) th e firs t d a y a f te r
th e c o m m e n c e m e n t of th e a c t o n w h ich w ages a re so re g u la te d , in o th e r d is tric ts .
Scotland, North Wales, and Cumberland are the most important
of the “ other districts” referred to, the spreadover having been in
effect in these fields. It is believed that for these the bill will involve
a downward readjustment of wages. Nevertheless, the delegates
from Scotland and North Wales, being fully aware of this probable
result, voted in the miners’ conference for the acceptance of the terms.
W a g es in H u n g a r y in 1931
HE following table shows money wages offered at employment
offices in Budapest, the capital of Hungary.1
T
W E IG H T E D
A VERAGE
H O U RLY M O N EY W AGES O F F E R E D
O F F IC E S IN B U D A P E S T , H U N G A R Y
AT
EM PLO Y M EN T
[Conversions into U nited States currency on basis of pengo=17.5 cents]
M o n th ly average
in 1929
July, 1930
M arch, 1931
G roup of workers
H unga U nited
H unga U nited
H unga U nited
rian cur States
rian cur States rian cur States
rency
rency
currency
rency
currency
currency
Plum bers__ . . . . __
C abinetm akers__ ____ _______ _____
Tailors__________ ____ . . . _ . . .
B ricklayers_____ . . . ______ ____ _ . __
D ay lahorers, male__ ....................... . . .
D ay laborers, female______ . ____. .
F actory hands, f e m a le ...____ . ______
Pengo
0.81
.66
.55
.85
.50
.43
.32
Cents
14. 2
11. 6
9. 6
14. 9
8.8
7. 5
5. 6
Pengo
0. 70
.71
.53
.83
.44
.35
.24
Cents
12. 3
12. 4
9. 3
14. 5
7. 7
6. 1
4. 2
Pengo
0. 66
.60
.49
.78
.43
.32
.22
Cents
11. 6
10. 5
8.6
13. 7
7. 5
5. 6
3.9
1 Economic B ulletin of the C entral Corporation of Banking Companies, B udapest, Vol. V II (1931),
No. 2, p. 88.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[686]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
201
W a g es in C e r ta in O c c u p a tio n s a n d I n d u s tr ie s in Ita ly
Textile Industry
present article is supplementary to an article in the July,
1931, Labor Review (pp. 161-175), giving the latest available
T HE
data regarding wages in the textile industry in various European
countries.
Leghorn1
Silk spinning.— The 23 silk-spinning mills m the Province of Lucca
employ about 700 workers, most of whom are women, the rates ot
wages for an 8-hour day, as fixed by a commercial agreement, are as
follows:
D aily wage r a te 2
W om en: enticeS___________________
3.85 lire [ 20.
3 cents’].
A s s is ta n t s p in n e rs, c la ss 1---------------------- 4-60 l i r e [24. 2 c en ts].
A s s is ta n t s p in n e rs , c la ss 2 ---------------------- 5. 20 li r e [27. 4 c en ].
M e d iu m s p in n e rs , c la ss 1--------------------- 5.80 l ir e [30- 5 c e n ].
S
Z
spinners’ class 2------------- : : :
ISpertspinMrV.:;::::----------------
i l l " S i! 1 “ J :
Cotton mills.— Wages for an 8-hour day in the Department of
Tuscany, as regulated by the national cotton labor contract, since
December 1, 1930, have been as follosvs.
__
D aily wage rate
M e d iu m w o rk e rs --------------------------- 16 t o 20 lire [$0. 8 4 - |l . 05].
S k ille d w o rk e rs ------------------------------22 lire
181.
J.
W ° mM e iiu m w o rk e rs________________ - 6 to 12 lire [$0. 32-$0. 63j.
S k ille d w o rk e rs ------------------------ —
13 lire
[8 .
The wages paid in cotton mills are regulated by the capacity of the
individual workers.
Milan3
Silk industry.— This industry is operating from 3 to 4 days per
week. Average wages for an 8-hour day are from 15 to 16 lrre
(78.9 to 84.2 cents) for male operatives and from 7 to 7.40 lne (36.8
to 38.9 cents) for female operatives.
} 94
Ravon industry.— This industry is operating 7 days a week, 24
hour/a day. The average wages of operatives for an 8-hour day are
18 lire (94.7 cents) for males and 8 lire (42.1 cents) for fema es
Velvet
industry .-T he velvet industry operates 5K a.week and
all operatives are women. The average wages for an 8-hour day are
15 to 20 lire ($0.79 to $1.05) for skilled operatives and 8 to 10 lne
(42 1 to 52.6 cents) for unskilled operatives.
_
Velveteen
.- T h is industry is operating 6 days a week
For an 8-hour day male operatives receive an average of from 10 to
18 lire (84.2 to 94.7 cents) and female operatives from 10.40 to 12
lire (54.7 to 63.1 cents).
______________________
i n d u s t r y
A merican consul a t Leghorn, under date of June 20,
T
20, 1931.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[6S7]
202
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Cotton industry .—This industry is operating 4 days a week. Aver
age wages for an 8-hour day are 9.50 to 10.50 lire (50 to 55.2 cents)
for male operatives and 8 to 9 lire (42.1 to 47.3 cents) for female
operatives.
Naples4
Silk industry .—In Caserta, in the Naples consular district, three
factories report average wages per 8-hour day for machine operatives
to be from 14 to 16 lire (73.6 to 84.2 cents) for males and from 7 to
8 lire (36.8 to 42.1 cents) for females. The greater part of the work,
however, is reported to be handwork for which piece rates are paid
as follows: Silk tissues, 8 lire (42.1 cents) per meter (39.37 inches),
and silk damask bed covers, 30 lire ($1.58) per piece. On this basis,
by working 14 hours, a maximun of from 50 to 60 lire ($2.63 to $3.16)
may be earned. These factories are operating only from 3 to 4 days
a week.
Cotton industry .—In the Province of Salerno, wages as reported by
three plants employing about 3,000 workers are for an 8-hour day.
Rates for males are from 12 to 16 lire (63.1 to 84.2 cents) and for
females from 8 to 10 lire (42.1 to 52.6 cents).
Hemp tissue.—Two factories in Salerno producing hemp textiles
report wage rates of from 12 to 14 lire (63.1 to 73.6 cents) for male
operatives and from 8 to 9 lire (42.1 to 47.3 cents) for females for an
8-hour day.
Turin5
Cotton-velvet industry .—Reports from four manufacturers in the
Province of Turin show that hourly wages range from 0.90 to 1.50
lire (4.7 to 7.9 cents) for women and from 1.80 to 2.50 lire (9.5 to 13.2
cents) for men. Three of the four firms operate on an 8-hour day
basis 4 days per week, while one firm operates 5 days per week and
5 hours per day.
Certain Classes of Agricultural Workers in the Province of Rome
T h e following wage scale, printed in II Lavoro Fascista, July 26
1931, became effective July 15, 1931, for machine workers on the farms
in the Province of Rome: Licensed machinists and conductors, 33
lire ($1.74) per day of 10 hours; firemen and plowmen on machines,
25 lire ($1.32) per day; licensed gas engine conductors, 27 lire ($1.42)
per day; nonlicensed gas engine conductors, 25 lire ($1.32) per day.
Piecework rates are to be arranged so as to give the normal worker
20 per cent more than day workers. For overtime on week days, 15
per cent extra will be paid; on holidays, 30 per cent extra; and for
night work, 35 per cent extra.
Selected Occupations in Milan, Italy
A c c o r d in g to a report from James W. Gantenbrin, American vice
consul at Milan, sent February 28, 1931, the prevailing wages in the
Milan district as computed by the consulate following the recent
changes in scales are as follows:
4 D ata for this section furnished by R alph A. Boernstein, A merican consul a t Naples, under date of July
18, 1931.
5 D ata for this section furnished b y W illiam W . H eard, American consul a t T urin, under date of Ju ly 8,
1931.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 688]
203
WAGES AND HOUES OE LABOE
P R E S E N T W A G E SC A LES A T M IL A N , IT A L Y
[Conversions into U nited States currency on basis of lira=5.26 cents]
—--------------------------------------- -------------- Î
In d u stry and occupation
U nited States
currency
Lire
Lire
In d u stry and occupation
Rate per day
Rate per hour
C onstruction:
M asons ________
Carpenters ______
W hite w a s h e r s ____
A pprentices
___
M echanical industries:
Skilled laborers____
U nskilled laborers
F u rn itu re makers:
Skilled laborers____
U nskilled lab o rers..
3.18
3.41
3. 64
3. 36
$0.17
.18
.19
.18
.15
3.13
2.17
.17
3.30
2.08
.17
2.86
U nited States
currency
.11
.11
Textile industries:
W eavers (females) __
Spinners (females) _.
9-12
8-10
$0.47-0. 63
. 42- . 53
Clerks and m inor officers
Rate per month
in banks and similar
institutions:
2,500-5,
000 $132.00-263. 00
First class ________
53. 00-132.00
Second c la s s ___ - 1,000-2, 500
400-1,
000 21. 00- 53. 00
T hird class ___ 21. 00- 63. 00
400-1,200
Store salesmen
17.00- 53.00
Store salesw om en... 300-1,000
W a g es in L ith u a n ia , F ir st Q u a r te r o f 1931
T
HE Central Statistical Bureau of the Lithuanian Ministry of
Finance gives the following average wages paid at the end of the
first quarter of 1931, as compared with the wages in December, 1930:
A V E R A G E D A IL Y W A G E S IN L IT H U A N IA IN D E C E M B E R , 1930, A N D M A R C H , 1931
Average rate per day
Class of labor
December, M arch, 1931
1930
Female laborers---------------------------Laborers w ith horse-----------------------
$0. 45
.30
1. 14
$0.425
.275
1.06
W a g es in M a n c h u r ia , D e c e m b e r , 1929
HE South Manchuria Railway Co. has on the pay rolls of its
various enterprises approximately 20,000 Japanese employees
and 13,000 regular Chinese employees. Furthermore, some 60,000
Chinese coolie day laborers are paid wages by the company which
total from 5,500,000 to 6,000,000 yen per annum (United States cur
rency $2,750,000 to $3,000,000).2 The aggregate amount of wages
paid by the company in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1930, was
28,800,000 yen (United States currency $14,400,000), one-fourth ot
which was paid to Chinese employees.
„
The company’s report for 1930 states that the Chinese laborers^ ol
the South Manchuria Railway and its affiliated corporations receive
higher wages and have better living conditions than the Chinese em
ployed by native undertakings. The same publication states:
T
C hinese lab o r is one of th e im p o rta n t facto rs in th e in d u stria l life of M anchuria.
O rdinary laborers, especially in ag ricu ltu re, m ining, a n d fishery, a re alm o st ail
Chinese. E ven in th e Jap an ese R ailw ay Zone, th e leased te rrito ry a n d consular
districts, w here Jap an ese are in a m ore fav o rab le condition, m ore th a n 93 p er
cen t of farm ing lab o r, m ore th a n 70 p er c e n t of fisherm en, 96 p e r c e n t of m iners
an d 88 p er cen t of facto ry laborers w ere Chinese, as calcu lated a t th e end ot 19m .
i Inform ation forw arded by R udolph W . H efti, A m erican C onsulate, Kovno, L ithuania, in report
dated M ay 31,1931.
2 Y en= approxim ately 50 cents.
72574°— 31----- 14
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[689]
204
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
Table 1, taken from the report, shows the industrial distribution
of the Chinese and Japanese day laborers employed in manufacturing
establishments in the Japanese leased territory, railway zone, and
consular districts. The substantial increase in the number of Chinese
laborers from 1924 is one of the conspicuous features of this tabulation.
Most of the Japanese listed are skilled workers or foremen.
T a ble 1 .— D IS T R IB U T IO N O F JA P A N E S E A N D C H IN E S E D A Y L A B O R E R S IN V A RIO U S
M A N U F A C T U R IN G E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN M A N C H U R IA , 1929
N um ber
of fac
tories
M anufacturing plants and mills
N um ber of day laborers
Japanese
Chinese
Total
Kind of plant
Spinning and w eaving _______ . .
________
M etal w orks_________________
___ . _________
M achinery and fu rn itu re _ . __ ____ ________
Bean oil and other chem ical works __ _________ _
Food a n d d rin k ________________ . . ___________
M iscellaneous________________________________
Special industries_____________________________ _
T otal
__________ _____ _____ ____________
65
79
72
206
177
164
26
135,004
367, 505
418,155
201, 880
87, 555
231, 451
109, 967
2, 530, 986
1,964, 374
1, 626, 727
2,868, 745
1, 317, 572
1, 286,310
425, 088
2, 665, 990
2,331, 879
2,044,882
3, 070, 625
1,405,127
1, 517, 761
535,055
789
1, 551, 517
12,019,802
13,571,319
748
717
655
653
634
1,455, 751
1, 507, 070
1,779, 349
1,419, 299
1, 376, 697
10, 513,330
10,486, 723
9, 550, 201
8,897, 912
8, 302,850
11, 969, 081
11, 993, 793
11,329, 550
10,317,211
9,679, 547
Year
1928___________________________________________
1927___________________________________________
1926___________________________________________
1925.................. ........................ ..........................................
1924___________________________________________
It will be noted from Table 2 that the wages of the skilled Japa
nese workers, as given in the report, are considerably higher than
those of the skilled Chinese workers.
T a ble 2 .—D A IL Y W A G E S O F JA P A N E S E A N D C H IN E S E S K IL L E D W O R K E R S IN T H R E E
M A N C H U R IA N C IT IE S , D E C E M B E R , 1929
[Conversions in to U nited States currency on basis of y e n = approxim ately 50 cents]
D aily wages a t—
O ccupation and n ationality
D airen
M ukden
C hangchun
nited Japanese U nited
U nited
Japanese UStates
States Japanese
States
currency currency currency
currency currency currency
C arpenter:
Yen
Japanese___________________ _______
4. 00
Chinese_______ ____________________
1.40
M ason:
Jaoanese___________________________
4. 50
Chinese____________________________
1. 80
Joiner:
Japanese___________________________
3. 75
Chinese________ _____ ____________
1.40
Painter:
Jap an ese.__________________________
3.30
Chinese________ ______ ____________
1.30
P rin ter:
Japanese_________ ._ _____________
3. 00
Chinese____________________________
1. 40
Iron worker:
Japanese____________ _____________
3. 50
Chinese___________________________
1.90
Shoemaker:
Japanese ______ __________ ________
C h in e se ... _______ _________________
1. 60
Tailor:
Japanese___________________________
3. 50
Chinese ______ _ . . . . . . _______
3. 00
Sawyer: C hinese.. _. _____ ______ _____
1. 40
R icksha-puller: Chinese__
1. 00-1. 50
Coolie: Chinese. _______________ _
.55
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$2.00
. 70
Yen
3.35
1.20
Yen
$1.68
.60
2. 25
. 90
$1. 88
. 53
5 00
1.35
2 KO
.68
1. 88
.70
3.35
1.30
1. 68
.65
3. 50
1. 05
1. 75
. 53
1. 65
.65
3.90
1.00
1.50
.50
3. 50
1. 25
1. 75
.63
1.50
.70
2. 50
1.05
1. 25
.53
2.50
1. 08
1. 25
. 54
1. 75
.95
3. 55
1.40
1. 78
.70
3. 50
1.25
1. 75
.63
2.10
1.10
1 OK
2 00
1.50
1 KO
.80
1. 53
3.00
.60
1.50
.55
1.50
.6 5 - . 85 1.00-1. 80
.25
.55
1.50
. 75
. 75
. 50- . 90
.28
1. 75
3. 05
1. 50
1.20
. 70
1.10
. 50- . 75 1. 30-1. 70
.28
.50
[690]
3. 75
1. 05
.55
! 75
205
W AGES AND HOURS O F LABOR
Japanese workers in the Manchurian factories are paid more than
the Chinese, according to the report, but the wages of Chinese
workers in the Japanese factories are in some instances over thiee
times as much as those paid by Chinese mills or factories. This is
shown in Table 3:
T a b l e 3 .—M IN IM U M , M A X IM U M , A N D A V E R A G E D A IL Y W A G E S O F C H IN E S E IN
JA P A N E S E A N D C H IN E S E F A C T O R IE S , D E C E M B E R , 1929
[Conversions into U nited States currency on basis of y e n —approxim ately 50 cents]
Chinese factories
Japanese factories
Averagfe rate
R ange of wages
Range of wages
Average rate
K in d of establishm ent
Japanese
currency
Jap a U nited
States Japanese
nese
cur currency
cur
rency rency
U nited
States
currency
Yen
Yen
Spinning---------------------D yeing and w eaving-----M etal ------------------------P o tte ry -----------------------Bean oil----- --------------- M a tc h ------------------------Paper -. - ------ ------ -Rice cleaning....... .............B rew ing--------------------P rinting ..............- ..........
Railw ays -------------------T ra m w a y s.............- .........-
0. 57
.41
.88
.66
.74
.39
.56
.54
.57
.76
.63
.57
0. 34-1. 85 $0.17-$0.93
.10- .45
. 20- . 89
. 13- 1. 43
. 25-2. 85
.14- .92
. 28-1. 84
.2 3 - .75
. 45-1. 50
.13- .41
. 26- . 82
.13- .95
. 25-1. 90
.2 3 - .40
. 45- . 80
.23- .41
. 46- . 82
. 15- 1. 29
. 30-2. 58
.16- .98
. 33-1. 96
.1 6 - .52
. 32-1. 04
U nited
States
currency
Jap a
nese
cur
rency
Yen
Yen
$0. 29 0. 25-0. 58 $0.13-$0. 29
.10- . 25
.22 . 19- . 50
.0 4 - .80
.44 . 08-1. eo
. 09- . 12
.33 . 17- . 24
. 04- 1. 01
.37 . 07-2. 02
. 20
.10- .35
.28 . 20- . 70
.08- .39
.27 . 16- . 67
.11- .24
.29 .2 2 - . 47
.03- .75
.38 . 07-1. 50
.32 . 29-1. 15 .15- . 58
.07- .49
.29 .14- . 97
0. 46
.29
.31
. 19
.31
.30
.47
.49
.31
.27
.41
.47
U nited
States
cur
rency
$0.23
. 15
. 16
. 10
. 16
. 15
.24
.25
. 16
. 14
.21
.24
The daily working hours of the Chinese employed in Japanese
factories and of those employed in Chinese factories are given in
Table 4:
T a b l e 4 .— D A IL Y W O R K IN G H O U R S O F C H IN E S E IN JA P A N E S E A N D IN C H IN E S E
l a b l e a . u a u j x vvv F A 0 T 0 R I E g IN m a n o H U R IA , JU L Y , 1928
D aily hours in —
Factories
Jap a n Chinese
ese
factories factories
W eaving and dyeing establishm ents--------B ean oil an d other chem ical w orks-----------Food and d rin k factories---------- ------ --------
A.verage
___________ -
10.53
9. 35
10. 27
9. 48
10. 10
9.00
13.40
10.45
10. 48
11.40
13.00
9. 58
11.28
Chinese in Japanese factories in Manchuria are not only paid
higher wages and have a shorter workday than those employed in
Chinese factories, the report states, but they are also eligible for
accident and sick benefits, workmen’s compensation for depenaen s,
and regular allowances in addition to wages, and have improved
sanitary conditions, recreational facilities, and other welfare services.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[691]
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
S u m m a r y fo r J u ly , 1931
MPLOYMENT decreased 2 per cent in July, 1931, as compared
with June, 1931, and pay-roll totals decreased 4.8 per cent.
The industrial groups surveyed, the number of establishments
reporting in each group, the number of employees covered, and the
total pay rolls for one week, for both June and July, together with
the per cents of change in July, are shown in the following summary:
E
SU M M A R Y OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A L S , J U N E A N D JU L Y , 1931
E m ploym ent
In d u strial group
Establishments
June,
1931
July,
1931
1. M a n u fa c tu r in g ------------- - 2. Coal m in in g . -------- --------A nthracite_______________
B itum inous — -------------3. M etalliferous m in in g
4. Q uarrying a n d n o n m e ta llic
m in in g - ________________
5. C rude p etro leu m pro d u cin g
6. P u blic utilities
---- -----Telephone and telegraph..Power, light, and w ater___
Electric railroad operation
and maintenance, exclusive of car shops_______
7. T r a d e ... ----------------- -W holesale.. ____________
R etail. ______ _________
8. H otels___ _ ______________ .
9. C a n n in g a n d preserving___
10. L a u n d ries_________________
11. D y ein g a n d c le a n in g ___
14,402 2,894,593 2,822,092
287,827
207,870
1.450
104. 217
89, 062
160
183, 610
178. 808
1,296
30, 773
34,430
300
T o ta l_________________
40,058 4,584,074 4,491,521
P ay roll in 1 week
Per
Per
cent of
cent of
change June, 1931 July, 1931 change
- i 2.5 $00,506,782 $02,637,578
- 6 .9
5,819,971
5, 185,571
-1 4 .5
2, 648, 925
2,133, 662
- 2 .6
3,171, 046
3,051,909
- 6 .4
859,340
708,870
- i 5.4
-1 0 .9
-1 9 .5
- 3 .8
-1 0 .5
772
499
12, 320
8,091
3,716
29, 742
24,842
094,205
308,164
241, 308
29,211
24,954
092,201
306, 875
240, 021
- 1 .8
+ 0.5
- 0 .3
- 0 .4
- 0 .5
644,358
890,068
21,305, 670
9,108,081
7, 605,413
614,941
840,619
20,988,944
8, 942, 866
7, 536,043
- 4 .6
- 5 .6
- 1 .5
- 1 .8
- 0 .9
519
12,027
2, 353
10, 274
2,005
878
453
214
144, 733
384,815
69, 787
315,028
141,030
43,277
38,057
8, 313
145,365
300,440
69, 558
296, 882
143,735
02,634
39,015
8,279
+ 0.4
- 4 .8
- 0 .3
- 5 .8
+ 1.9
+44.7
+ 0.9
- 0 .4
4, 592,176
9, 658,243
2,140, 712
7,517, 531
2 2,258,355
644,928
720,447
187,721
4, 510, 035
9,270, 506
2,119,676
7,150, 832
2 2,253,436
816,234
722,341
181,595
- 1 .8
- 4 .0
- 1 .0
- 4 .9
- 0 .2
+26. 6
+ 0.3
- 3 .3
- 2 .0 109,555,883 104,280,547
- 4 .8
R e c a p i t u l a t io n
by
G e o g r a p h ic D iv is i o n s
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION 3
N ew England ________________
M iddle A tlantic __________ . . .
East N orth C entral____
W est N orth C entral...... .............. .
South A tla n tic -- _______ ____
E ast South C entral ___________
W est South C entral— _______
M o u n tain ,
_______ _____
Pacific__________________ ______
6,533
502, 097
498, 251
7, 394 1, 340, 563 1, 302,423
9, 953 1, 258,114 1, 221, 532
287, 693
4, 728
290, 455
4, 659
480, 630
473, 627
2, 336
189, 318
187, 093
3, 278
170, 656
166, 509
1,614
82, 078
82,171
5,563
272, 222
270,163
All divisions ____________
46,058 4,584,074 4,491,521
- 0 .8 $11, 724,304 $11, 539, 228
- 2 . 8 33,724, 200 32,128,966
- 2 .9 31, 717, 549 29, 327, 516
- 1 .0
7,018, 045
6, 851, 699
- 1 .5
9, 076, 616
8, 761,064
- 1 .2
3, 226, 785
3, 086, 663
- 2 .4
3, 955, 769
3,829, 247
+ 0.1
2, 063, 285
1, 987, 563
+ 0 .8
7, 049, 330
6, 768, 601
- 1 .6
- 4 .7
- 7 .5
- 2 .4
- 3 .5
- 4 .3
- 3 .2
- 3 .7
-4 .0
- 2 .0
- 4 .8
109,555,883 104,280,547
1 W eighted per cent of change for th e combined 54 m anufacturing industries, repeated from Table 2,
p. 212, the rem aining per cents of change, including total, are unweighted.
2; Cash paym ents only; see note 3, p. 225.
3
New England: C onnecticut, M aine, M assachusetts, New H am pshire, R hode Island, 'Vermont. Middle
Atlantic: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania. East North Central: Illinois, Indiana, M ichigan, Ohio,
Wisconsin. West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, M innesota, M issouri, N ebraska, N orth D akota, South
D akota. South Atlantic: Delaware, D istrict of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, M aryland, N orth Carolina,
South Carolina, ’Virginia, W est Virginia. East South Central: Alabam a, K entucky, M ississippi, T en
nessee. West South Central: A rkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Mountain: Arizona, Colorado,
Idaho, M ontana, New Mexico, N evada, U tah, W yoming. Pacific: California, Oregon, W ashington.
206
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[6 9 2 ]
207
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
The per cents of change shown for the total figures represent only
the changes in the establishments reporting, as the figures for the
several industrial groups are not weighted according to the relative
importance of each group.
Inventory taking and repairs in many manufacturing plants over
an extended Fourth of July holiday period, together with a curtail
ment in retail-trade and coal-mining operations at this season ol the
year, cause a seasonal decrease in employment in July and an even
more pronounced decrease in pay-roll totals. _
.
Increased employment in July was shown m 5 ol the 15 industrial
groups: Crude petroleum producing, 0.5 per cent; electric-railroad
operation, 0.4 per cent; hotels, 1.9 per cent; canning and preserving,
44.7 per cent; and laundries, 0.9 per cent.
. .
. .
Decreased employment was shown in the remaining 10 industrial
groups: Manufacturing, 2.5 per cent; anthracite mining, 14.5 per
cent; bituminous coal mining, 2.6 per cent; metalliferous mining, 6.4
per cent; quarrying and nonmetallic mining, 1.8 per cent, telephone
and telegraph, 0.4 per cent; power, light, and water, 0.5 per cent,
wholesale trade, 0.3 per cent; retail trade, 5.8 per cent; and dyeing
and cleaning, 0.4 per cent.
, ,.
Increased earnings in July as compared with June were reported m
only 2 of the 15 industrial classifications; canning and preserving
reported a seasonal increase of 26.6 per cent, and laundries showed a
gain of 0 3 per cent in pay-roll totals. The remaining 13 groups
reported decreased pay rolls over the month interval, anthracite
mining showing the greatest loss, 19.5 per cent.
.
,
Decreased employment and earnings were shown m each ol the
nine geographic divisions, with the exception of the Mountain and
Pacific divisions, which reported small increases in employment com
bined with decreased pay-roll totals. The greatest losses m both
items were shown in the East North Central division, which reported
a decrease of 2.9 per cent in number of employees, coupled with a
decline of 7.5 per cent in earnings; these decreases were due largely
to the falling off in employment and earnings reported m the
automobile manufacturing industry.
P F R C A P IT A W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S IN JU L Y , 1931, A N D C O M P A R IS O N W IT H JU N E , 1931,
1r
A N D JU L Y , 1930
________________________
Per capita
weekly
earnings in
July, 1931
Industrial group
--- tlt----- r t 1
2. Coal m ining:
4. Q uarrying and nonm etallic m in in g ---------------------------------------o. t^ruae petroleum p iu u u u u g ----------------------------6. Public utilities:
- 9 .8
23.96
17.07
22. 33
21.05
33.69
- 5 .8
—1.2
—4.3
- 2 .9
- 6 .0
-1 0 .0
-1 5 .7
—17. 7
—15.1
—7.8
29.14
31.40
31.03
- 1 .5
- 0 .4
- 2 .1
+ 1 .0
—0.1
—3.0
-- - -
[693]
J u ly ,1930
- 3 .1
i The additional value of board, room, and tips can not be com puted.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
June, 1931
$22.11
7. Trade:
8. Hotels (cash paym ents only) _
------ —
9. Canning and preserving------------------
Per cent of change,
July, 1931, compared
w ith—
30.47
24.09
15. 68
13.03
18. 51
21.93
23. 22
- 0 .6
+ 1 .0
- 2 .0
-1 2 .5
- 0 .7
- 2 .9
- 2 .8 1
-4 .0
—3. 6
—7.3
—18.6
(2)
(21
(2)
2 D ata not available.
208
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Per capita earnings for July, 1931, given in the preceding table
must not be confused with full-time weekly rates of wages; they are
actual per capita weekly earnings computed by dividing the total
number of employees reported into the total amount of pay roll in
the week reported, and the “ number of employees” includes all
persons who worked any part of the period reported—that is, parttime workers as well as full-time workers.
Comparisons are made with per capita earnings in June, 1931, and
with July, 1930, where data are available.
For convenient reference the latest data available relating to all
employees, excluding executives and officials, on Class I railroads,
drawn from Interstate Commerce Commission reports, are shown in
the following statement. These reports are for the months of May
and June, instead of for June and July, 1931, consequently the figures
can not be combined with those presented in the summary table.
E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A L S, CLASS I R A IL R O A D S
N um ber on pay roll
In d u stry
Class I railroads________________
M ay 15,
1931
June 15,
1931
1, 321, 683
1, 301,902
Per
cent of
change
- 1 .5
A m ount of pay roll In
entire m onth
M ay, 1931
June, 1931
$179,131, 761
$175, 321,519
Per
cent of
change
- 2 .1
The total number of employees included in this summary is 5,793,423 whose combined earnings in one week amounted to approximately
$145,000,000.
1.
E m p lo y m e n t
C o m p a r is o n
of
in
S e le c te d M a n u fa c tu r in g
J u ly , 1931
E m p l o y m e n t a n d P a y - r o ll T o t a l s
I n d u s t r i e s , J u n e a n d J u l y , 1931
In d u s tr ie s
in
'
in
M a n u fa c tu r in g
MPLOYMENT in manufacturing industries in July, 1931,
decreased 2.5 per cent as compared with June, and pay-roll
totals decreased 5.4 per cent.
These changes are based upon returns from 13,460 identical estab
lishments in 54 of the principal manufacturing industries in the
United States, having in July 2,684,421 employees whose combined
earnings in one week were $59,354,085.
The bureau’s weighted index of employment for July, 1931, is
70.4, as compared with 72.2 for June, 1931, 74.1 for May, 1931, and
81.6 for July, 1930; the index of pay-roll totals for July, 1931, is 59.1,
as compared with 62.5 for June, 1931, 66.6 for May, 1931, and 75.9
for July, 1930.
Decreases in employment and earnings have been reported regu
larly in manufacturing industries in July of each of the nine years for
which the bureau’s records are available. These seasonal decreases
are due largely to the usual July closing for inventory taking and
repairs, together with the July 4 holiday period and the beginning of
the regular vacation season.
E
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[694]
TREND OF EM PLOYMENT
209
Increased employment and earnings were reported m only 1 of the
12 groups of manufacturing industries on which the bureau s indexes ot
employment and pay roll are based; the leather group reported an
increase of 6.1 per cent in employment and an increase of 8.8 per cent
in pay-roll totals. The remaining 11 groups reported decreased
employment ranging from 0.5 per cent in the tobacco-products group to
5.7 per cent in the stone-clay-glass group. An additional group of
10 manufacturing industries, surveyed but not yet included m the
bureau’s indexes of employment and pay-roll totals, will be found at
the end of Table 1. The per cents of change for this group have not
been computed, for the reason that the industries included are not
weighted according to their relative importance m the group, aud the
trend shown by the group totals reflects, therefore, the changes
occurring in the establishments reporting.
.
Employment increased in July in 18 of the 64 manufacturing
industries now included in the bureau’s monthly employment suivev,
and pay-roll totals increased in 14 industries. The greatest increases
in employment over the month interval were largely seasonal and were
reported in the following industries: Beet sugar, 15.1 per cent; radio,
10.3 per cent; boots and shoes, 6.9 per cent; flour, 6.1 per cent; woolen
and worsted goods, 4.8 per cent; beverages, 4.7 per cent; ice cream,
4.6 per cent; cane-sugar refining, 4.3 per cent; and mens clothing,
4.1 per cent.
.
. ,,
The greatest decrease in employment m July was shown in me
agricultural-implement industry, which reported a falling oft of 19.8
per cent. The aircraft industry reported a drop of 13.7 per cent m
number of employees, and the women’s clothing and the _stove
industries reported decreases of over 12 per cent each. Confectionery
showed a seasonal loss in employment of 10.5 per cent, the glass in
dustry decreased 9.2 per cent; and the pottery industry declined 8
per cent in number of employees in July as compared with June.
Employment in the automobile industry decreased 7.4 per cent,
foundry and machine-shop products showed a falling off of 5 per cent
in employment, the iron and steel industry reported 1.4 per cent
fewer employees, and the cotton-goods industry decreased 1.1 pei
cent over the month interval.
. .
...
The Mountain division was the only geographic division m which
decreased employment was not reported in July, employment m this
district showing an increase of less than one-tenth of 1 per cent,
coupled with a slight increase in earnings. The remaining 8 geo
graphic divisions reported both decreased employment and pay-i oil
totals, the South Atlantic division reporting the smallest decrease m
number of employees (0.9 per cent) and the East North Central
division reporting the greatest loss (4.3 per cent).
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[695]
210
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T able 1.—C O M P A R IS O N OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN ID E N T IC A L
M A N U F A C T U R IN G E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN JU N E A N D JU L Y , 1931, B Y IN D U S T R IE S
In d u stry
E stab
lishm ents
N um ber on pay roll
Per
cent of
change
June, 1931 July, 1931
A m ount of pay roll
(1 week)
June, 1931
July, 1931
Per
cent of
change
Food a n d kindred p r o d u c ts .
Slaughtering and m eat
packing-------- ----------Confectionery____________
Ice cream .. --------------------Flour____________________
B aking____ . . . ------- . .
Sugar refining, cane----------
1,925
216,134
213,920
$5,413,973
$5,312,222
202
318
315
380
698
12
82, 671
33, 077
14,021
14,857
64, 662
6,846
81,624
29, 592
14, 668
15,768
65,130
7,138
-1 . 3
-1 0 .5
+ 4 .6
+6. 1
+ 0 .7
+ 4 .3
2,122, 338
584, 826
455, 598
367, 973
1, 683,074
200,164
2, 085,781
481,818
473,185
391, 542
1, 667,022
212, 874
- 1 .7
-1 7 .6
+ 3 .9
+ 6 .4
-1 .0
+ 6 .3
T extiles a n d th eir p r o d u c ts..
C otton goods..
.
---- -Hosiery and k n it goods____
Silk goods____
_____ . . .
Woolen and worsted goods .
C arpets and rugs ___
D yeing and finishing textiles.
Clothing, m en’s . . _______
Shirts and collars_____
Clothing, w om en’s ___ . . .
M illinery and lace goods----
2,373
492
340
249
196
30
127
324
110
380
125
546,544
189,066
87,042
45, 651
56, 940
18, 397
34, 531
56, 382
17, 239
28,512
12,784
538,218
186, 910
84, 887
43,078
59, 679
17, 945
33, 227
58, 688
16, 932
24, 882
11,990
0)
- 1 .1
-2 .5
-5 .6
+ 4 .8
-2 .5
-3 .8
+4.1
- 1 .8
-1 2 .7
-6 .2
9,280,845
2, 620, 690
1, 428, 030
811,491
1,164, 212
394, 028
768, 515
1,026, 356
226, 704
592,429
248, 390
9,077,371
2, 532, 236
1, 269, 774
776, 927
1, 228,815
378,002
742, 770
1,147, 350
232, 801
542, 988
225,708
0)
- 3 .4
-1 1 .1
- 4 .3
+ 5.5
- 4 .1
- 3 .3
+ 11.8
+ 2.7
- 8 .3
- 9 .1
1,921
191
42
166
505,777
202, 961
9,047
22,104
488,953
200, 220
8,858
22, 322
0)
- 1 .4
-2 . 1
+ 1 .0
11,455,547
4, 618,299
172,896
539,819
10,438,059
4,127,714
173,072
561, 077
0)
-1 0 .6
+ 0.1
+ 3 .9
1,046
94
148
183,863
25,931
21,186
174, 720
25,037
19, 832
- 5 .0
-3 .4
-6 .4
4,247,181
491,291
507,548
3,831,182
446,105
492,400
- 9 .8
- 9 .2
-3 .0
104
130
23,735
16,950
23,123
14,841
-2 .6
-1 2 .4
510,826
367, 687
491, 747
314, 762
- 3 .7
-1 4 .4
L u m b er a n d its p r o d u cts___
Lum ber, s a w m i l l s ...----Lum ber, m illw ork________
F u rn itu re _______________
1,396
633
321
442
160,321
87, 603
23,012
49, 706
154,458
83,765
22, 516
48,177
(0
- 4 .4
- 2 .2
- 3 .1
2,857,537
1,485,357
479, 213
892,967
2,672,811
1,371, 677
452, 218
848,916
0)
- 7 .7
-5 .6
- 4 .9
L eather a n d its p r o d u cts___
L eath er. . . ---- --------Boots and shoes------ ---------
418
147
271
124,312
24, 503
99,809
131,801
25,096
106, 705
(')
+ 2 .4
+ 6 .9
2,404,212
578, 521
1,825, 691
2,615,624
587, 397
2,028, 227
0
+ 1 .5
+ 11.1
Paper a n d p r in t in g ---- . . .
Paper and p u lp _________ .
Paper boxes________ ____
Printing, book and job . . .
Printing, new spapers_____
1,692
367
302
592
431
231,256
76,827
23,126
54, 553
76,750
229,496
76,911
22, 895
54,163
75,527
0)
+ 0.1
- 1.0
-0 .7
-1 .6
7,034,921
1, 777, 889
500,738
1,779,258
2,977,036
6,808,194
1, 701, 581
482, 704
1,733,822
2,890,087
0)
- 4 .3
- 3 .6
- 2 .6
- 2 .9
C hem icals a n d allied produ c ts ___________ . ________
C hem icals.------ ---------------F ertilizers-. .
-------------Petroleum refining ______
457
159
205
93
86,423
34,238
6, 664
45, 521
85,194
34, 506
6,187
44,501
0)
+ 0 .8
- 7 .2
-2 .2
2,448,234
916, 356
119,742
1,412,136
2,408,849
910, 998
110,236
1,387,615
(*)
-0 .6
- 7 .9
- 1 .7
S to n e , clay, a n d glass produ c ts _______________________
C em ent __________ ___
Brick, tile, and terra co tta . _
P o ttery ............... .....................
Glass_______ ____________
1,109
107
703
113
186
110,022
19, 220
30,405
16,752
43,645
103,558
19, 309
29,225
15,405
39, 619
(')
+ 0 .5
-3 .9
-8 .0
-9 .2
2,403,399
521,439
556, 299
323,434
1,002, 227
2,148,406
485, 766
507, 583
270, 626
884,431
0)
- 6 .8
- 8 .8
-1 6 .3
-1 1 .8
240
46,261
45,270
0)
1,005,983
922,005
80
17,009
16, 590
-2 .5
350,193
314, 284
-1 0 .3
160
29, 252
28, 680
-2 .0
655,790
607,721
-7 .3
209
56,575
56,255
(')
845,810
832, 725
«
27
182
8,270
48,305
8.160
48,095
- 1 .3
- 0 .4
129,057
716,753
128,430
704,295
- 0 .5
- 1 .7
Iron a n d steel a n d th eir
p r o d u cts. _ ______________
Iron and steel ___________
Cast-iron p ip e ---- ------------Structural-iron w ork______
F o u n d ry and machine-shop
products_______________
H ardw are. --------------------M achine tools___ ____ ____
Steam fittings and steam
and hot-w ater heating
ap p aratu s___________
Stoves. _ -------------------------
M etal p rod u cts, oth er th a n
iron a n d s te el_____________
Stam ped and enameled
w are------- ----------- -------Brass, bronze, and copper
products__________ _____
T ob acco p r o d u cts_____ . . . .
Chewing and smoking tobacco and snuff..................
Cigars and cigarettes ____
See footnotes a t end of table.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[696]
0)
(>)
(0
211
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
1 .— C O M P A R IS O N O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN ID E N T IC A L
M A N U F A C T U R IN G E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN JU N E A N D JU L Y , 1931, B Y IN D U S T R IE S —
Continued
»
T able
E stab
lishm ents
In d u stry
V ehicles for la n d tr a n s
p o r ta tio n ----- -------------------Autom obiles_____________
Carriages and wagons_____
Car building and repairing,
electric-railroadCar building and repairing,
steam -railroad_____ ____
1,236
209
48
N um ber on pay roll
Per
cent of
change
June, 1931 J u l y , 1931
405,080
283, 270
724
380,104
262,430
743
A m ount of pay roll
(1 week)
June, 1931
July, 1931
$10,963,562
(')
- 7 .4
7,539,650
15, 738
+ 2.6
$9,651,056
6,467,946
15, 295
Per
cent of
change
0)
-1 4 .2
- 2 .8
440
27,678
26,849
- 3 .0
830,455
790,118
- 4 .9
539
93,408
90,082
- 3 .6
2,577, 719
2,377,697
-7 .8
484
77
267,272
11,208
257,194
8,984
(»)
-1 9 .8
7,001,032
226,096
6,466,763
194, 708
(')
-1 3 .9
213
59
8
153,198
3,879
12,151
148,234
3,550
12,296
- 3 .2
- 8 .5
+ 1 .2
4,032,397
90, 526
205,402
3,807,555
76,320
218,476
- 5 .6
-1 5 .7
+ 6.4
38
89
50,999
35,837
49,492
34,638
- 3 .0
- 3 .3
1,486,384
960,227
1,271, 521
898,183
-1 4 .5
- 6 .5
T o ta l—54 in d u s tr ie s
used in c o m p u tin g
index n u m b e r s o f
e m p lo y m en t and
pay roll______________ 13,460
2,755,977
2,684,421
0)
63,115,055
59,354,085
1,002
18
50
37
151
292
13S,616
23, 684
20, 773
8,101
12,348
16,457
138,271
23,983
22,908
6,988
12,123
15, 547
(>)
+ 1.3
+10.3
-1 3 .7
- 1 .8
- 5 .5
3,451,727
479,085
504,515
267,106
265, 454
450,353
3,283,493
476,985
521,037
220,067
221,465
413, Oil
(>)
- 0 .4
+ 3.3
-1 7 .6
-1 6 .6
- 8 .3
81
53
258
16,031
2,724
12,416
15, 789
3,136
13,000
- 1 .5
+15.1
+ 4.7
346,594
84,821
376,050
337,625
91,010
405,166
- 2 .6
+ 7.3
+ 7.7
46
16
16,193
9,889
15,378
9,419
- 5 .0
- 4 .8
464,618
213,131
406,070
191,027
-1 2 .6
-1 0 .4
14,462
2,894,593
2,822,692
66,566,782
62,637,578
(2)
M iscellaneous in d u str ies___
A gricultural im plem ents—
Electrical m achinery, ap
paratus, and supplies- . .
Pianos and organs - - - . .
R ubber boots and shoes----A utomobile tires and inner
tubes---------- --------------Shipbuilding------ ------ -----
In d u stries added sin ce F eb
ruary, 1929, for w h ic h data
for th e ind ex-base year
(1926) are n o t available____
R ayon____ - -------------Radio- ____
A ircraft_______
Jew elry, -----------------------P aint and v a rn ish ---R ubber goods, other than
boots, shoes, tires, and
inner tubes _ ---------------Beet sugar.
. ---------Beverages_______
Cash registers, adding m a
chines, and calculating
m achines------ ------------Typew riters and su p p lies...
All in d u str ies-
______
R e c a p it u l a t io n
(2)
0)
G e o g r a p h ic D iv is io n s
by
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISIONS 3
New E nglan d ---------- --------M iddle A tlantic--------------------E ast N orth C entral---------------W est N orth C entral --- - - ---South A tlantic
--------------E ast South C entral---- --------. .
W est South C en tral-- ---------M ountain ------------------ -------Pacific_____________ _____
All d iv isio n s.--
_
1,641
3,630
3,546
1,312
1,750
675
789
284
835
350, 719
825, 577
922, 321
153,792
327,013
105,355
80,182
26, 569
103,065
346,123
809,018
882,911
151, 687
324,089
104, 338
76,983
' 26,583
100,960
- 1 .3
- 2 .0
- 4 .3
- 1 .4
- 0 .9
- 1 .0
- 4 .0
+ (4)
- 2 .0
$7, 494,446
20,036, 509
22,860, 765
3,685,928
5,691,127
1, 768,191
1, 722, 272
672, 766
2,634,778
$7,312,484
19,169,037
20,679,960
3, 560,281
5,457, 286
1,680, 770
1,641,971
673, 745
2,462,044
- 2 .4
- 4 .3
- 9 .5
- 3 .4
- 4 .1
- 4 .9
- 4 .7
+0.1
- 6 .6
14,462
2,894,593
2,822,692
(2)
66,566,782
62,637,578
(2)
1 The per cent of change has not been com puted for the reason th a t the figures in the preceding columns
are unw eighted and refer only to the establishm ents reporting; for the weighted per cent of change, wherein
proper allowance is made for the relative im portance of the several industries, so th a t the ligures m ay
represent all establishments of the country in the industries here represented, see Table 2.
2 The per cent of change has not been com puted for the reason th a t the figures in the preceding columns
are unw eighted and refer only to the establishm ents reporting.
3 See footnote 3, p. 206.
4 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[697]
212
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T a ble 2 .—P E R C E N T OE C H A N G E , JU N E TO JU L Y , 1931, 12 G R O U P S O J M A N U F A C
T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S A N D T O T A L O F 54 IN D U S T R IE S
[Com puted from the index num bers of each group, which are obtained b y w eighting the index numbers of
the several industries of the group, by the num ber of employees, or wages paid, in the industries]
Per cent of change,
June to July, 1931
Per cent of change
June to July, 1931
Group
G roup
Food and kindred p roducts___
Textiles and their p roducts____
Iron and steel and their prod
u cts_______________________
Lum ber and its p roducts--------Leather and its products______
Paper and p rin tin g ___________
Chemicals and allied pro d u cts..
C o m p a r is o n
of
N um
ber on
payroll
A m ount
of pay
roll
- 0 .6
- 1 .8
-1 .5
-2 .0
- 3 .4
- 3 .9
+6.1
- 0 .8
- 1 .1
-9 .0
- 6 .4
+ 8 .8
- 3 .1
- 1 .5
Stone, clay, and glass products, _
M etal products, other than iron
and steel__ ____ .
Tobacco products___ _
,,,
Vehicles for land transportation.
Miscellaneous industries,.
T o ta l: 54 in d u s tr ie s ___
E m p l o y m e n t a n d P a y - r o ll T o t a l s i n
I n d u s t r i e s , J u l y , 1931, w i t h J u l y , 1930
N um
ber on
payroll
A m ount
of pay
roll
- 5 .7
-1 0 .8
- 2 .2
- 0 .5
- 5 .4
- 3 .8
- 8 .1
- 1 .7
-1 1 .0
- 7 .6
-2 . 5
- 5 .4
M a n u fa c tu r in g
E m p l o y m e n t in manufacturing industries in July, 1931, was 13.7
per cent below the level of July, 1930, and pay-roll totals were 22.1
per cent lower.
Decreased employment and earnings were shown in each of the 12
groups of manufacturing industries. The textile group reported the
smallest loss in employment and earnings over the 12-month interval,
a decrease of 1.9 per cent in number of employees and 4.6 per cent in
pay-roll totals. The lumber group showed the greatest loss in em
ployment over the year period (23.6 per cent), while the iron and steel
group of industries showed the greatest falling off in earnings (36.5
per cent).
Of the 54 industries on which the bureau’s general indexes of em
ployment and pay roll are based, three industries only—cotton goods,
woolen and worsted goods, and carpets and rugs—had more em
ployees at the end of the 12-month period than they had at the
beginning. These three industries, together with the dyeing and
finishing industry, reported increased pay-roll totals over the corre
sponding month of the previous year. The remaining industries re
ported both decreased employment and earnings over the year inter
val. The greatest decrease in both items was shown in the agricul
tural implement industry, in which employment was 55.7 per cent
below the level of July, 1930, and pay-roll totals were 56.7 per cent
lower.
Decreases in employment ranging from 31.9 per cent to 37 per cent
were shown in the fertilizer, machine tool, carriage and wagon, and
piano industries. The structural-iron work, foundry and machineshop products, stove, sawmill, petroleum refining, steam-railroad
car building and repairing, and brick industries reported losses in
employment ranging from 21.4 to 27.6 per cent. Employment in
the automobile and the iron and steel industries was 17 per cent and
16.9 per cent, respectively, below the level of the corresponding month
of 1930.
With but one exception (dyeing and finishing textiles), those in
dustries in which decreased employment was reported over the year
interval showed even more pronounced losses in pay-roll totals.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[6981
213
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Each of the nine geographic divisions reported decreased employ
ment and pay-roll totals in this year-to-year comparison, the de
creases in employment ranging from 6.7 per cent in the New England
division to 20.4 per cent in the West South Central division. _ With
the exception of the Mountain division, the decreases in earnings in
the several divisions were greater than the losses in employment.
IN M A N U FA C
T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S , JU L Y , 1931, W IT H JU L Y , 1930
[The per cents of change for each of th e 12 groups of industries and for th e total of all industries are weighted
in th e same m anner as are th e per cents of change in T able 2]
T a b l e 3 —C O M P A R IS O N OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S
Per cent of change
July, 1931, com
pared w ith July,
1930
July, 1931, com
pared w ith July,
1930
In d u stry
In d u stry
N u m A m ount
of pay
ber on
roll
pay roll
Food a n d kindred p r o d u cts.
Slaughtering and
m eat
packing-------- ------ - ..........
Confectionery..................... Ice c re a m ..................... ..........
F lo u r ..................................... .
B aking........ ......................—
Sugar refining, cane---------Textiles a n d th eir p ro d u cts.
C otton goods.------- ---------Hosiery and k n it goods-----Silk goods__________ _____
Woolen and worsted goods.
C arpets and rugs------------- ...
D yeing and finishing tex
tiles____________ _______
Clothing, m en’s ---------------Shirts and collars_________
Clothing, w omen’s -----------M illinery and lace goods. . .
Iron an d steel a n d th eir
p r o d u cts-------------------------Iron and steel.........................
Cast-iron p ip e------- ------ Structural-iron w ork______
Foundry and machine-shop
products.-------- ------------H ardw are............................
M achine tools-----------------Steam fittings and steam
and hot-w ater heating
apparatu s--------------------S to v e s.......... ...................—
L u m b er a n d its p ro d u cts.
Lum ber, saw m ills--------Lum ber, m illw ork_____
F u rn itu re _____________
- 7 .5
-1 2 .0
- 8 .0
- 9 .7
- 8 .1
- 7 .4
- 5 .7
-1 5 .6
—11.1
-1 8 .9
-1 1 .4
-1 2 .9
-1 1 .0
-1 6 .2
- 1 .9
+ 0.4
- 1 .2
-1 9 .1
+ 9 .6
+ 9.5
- 4 .0
+ 1 .5
- 9 .0
—17.9
+8.1
+19.4
- 1 .8
- 4 .3
- 6 .2
- 4 .9
- 3 .1
+ 1.2
-1 1 .5
— 8. 9
-1 2 .8
- 7 .1
-2 2 .5
-1 6 .9
-1 7 .5
-2 4 .8
-3 6 .5
—35.1
-2 8 .1
-3 1 .1
-2 7 .4
-1 5 .4
-3 6 .1
-4 0 .0
-2 7 .7
-4 1 .5
-1 1 .9
-2 7 .4
-2 9 .5
23 6
-2 7 .6
-1 6 .5
-1 7 .3
-3 3 .8
-4 0 .2
-2 5 .0
-2 5 .7
L eather a n d its p r o d u cts.
L eather_______________
Boots and shoes...............
— fi
- 2 .5
2
- 1 .5
- 7 .6
—9. 7
- 7 .0
Paper a n d p rin tin g .
Paper and p u lp__
Paper boxes_____
—8 3
- 9 .8
- 8 .4
-1 2 .7
-1 8 .9
-1 4 .9
Paper a n d p r in tin g —contd.
Printing, book and job . . .
Printing, new spapers_____
C hem icals a n d allied produ c ts______________________
Chem icals- _
----Fertilizers ------------ ------------- ---- Petroleum refining________
S to n e, clay, a n d glass produ c ts_______________________
Coment ____ - _____ _________
Brick, tile, and terra c o tta ..
P o ttery__________________
Glass -----------------------------------------------M etal p rodu cts, oth er th a n
iron a n d steel
Stam ped and enameled
w are____________ _________
Brass, bronze, and copper
pro d u cts.-. -------------------------- .
T obacco produ cts .. _ _____
Chewing and smoking tobacco and snuff_________
Cigars and cigarettes ---------------Vehicles for la n d tran sp orta ti o n
_____
Automobiles_______ _______
Carriages and wagons__ . .
Car building and repairing,
electric-railroad. _
__
Car building and repairing,
steam -railroad_____
N um
ber on
A m ount
of pay
roll
12.2
-1 7 .0
- 4 .6
-1 6 .6
- 7 .8
-3 7 .0
-21. 7
-1 9 .3
-1 5 .9
-1 9 .7
-2 4 .5
-25.9
-27.1
-39.8
-21.3
-
- 3 .1
-
10.2
-
-4 2 .7
-24. 2
6.0
- 7 .6
-1 3 .5
-
-
10.2
22.8
- 8 .4
-1 4 .3
-1 6 .0
-2 6 .0
- 9 .9
-1 7 .6
6.8
-1 0 .3
- 9 .4
-1 8 .5
-1 9 .7
-1 7 .0
-3 2 .9
-2 6 .6
-2 6 .4
-3 9 .1
-
-1 4 .2
-2 3 .1
M iscellaneous in d u str ies___
A gricultural im plem ents ------Electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies -------Pianos and organs________
R ubber boots and shoes -------Automobile tires__________
Shipbuilding_____________
-1 9 .0
-5 5 .7
-2 8 .2
-5 6 .7
-1 8 .6
-3 1 .9
- 7 .5
-2 8 .6
—45.2
-2 1 .7
-1 5 .9
—25.9
AH in d u str ie s_________
-1 3 .7
-
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION—COntd.
West South Central______
M ountain______ .
Pacific____ ______
-- —
-2 0 .4
-1 7 .6
-1 6 .4
-2 7 .2
-1 3 .5
-2 4 .0
AH division s_____ - . . .
-1 3 .7
-2 2 .1
-
11.2
-
20.6
22.1
R e c a p it u l a t io n b y G e o g r a p h ic D iv is io n s
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
T'Tew P tigland
TVtjddl^ Atlantic
Past North Central
West North Central--------------South Atlantic
East South Central___________
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
- 6 .7
-1 4 .4
—17.2
-1 4 .1
-8 . 5
-1 1 .1
-1 3 .9
-2 3 .9
—26. 2
-1 7 .8
—15.3
-1 8 .3
[699]
214
m onthly
P e r C a p ita
labor
E a r n in g s i n
r e v ie w
M a n u fa c tu r in g
I n d u s t r ie s
A c t u a l per capita weekly earnings in July, 1931, for each of the
64 manufacturing industries surveyed by the Bureau of Labor Sta
tistics, together with per cents of change in July, 1931, as compared
with June, 1931, and July, 1930, are shown in Table 4.
Per capita earnings in July, 1931, for the combined 54 chief manu
facturing industries of the United States, upon which the bureau’s
indexes of employment and pay rolls are based, were 3.1 per cent less
than in June, 1931, and 9.8 per cent less than July, 1930.
The actual average per capita weekly earnings in July, 1931, for
the 54 manufacturing industries were $22.11; the average per capita
earnings for all of the 64 manufacturing industries surveyed were
$22.19.
Per capita earnings given in Table 4 must not be confused with
full-time weekly rates of wages. They are actual per capita weekly
earnings, computed by dividing the total number of employees
reported into the total amount of pay roll in the week reported, and
the “ number of employees” includes all persons who worked any
part of the period reported—that is, part-time workers as well as
full-time workers.
T a b l e 4 —P E R C A P IT A W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S IN
JU L Y , 1931, A N D C O M P A R IS O N W IT H JU N E , 1931, A N D JU L Y , 1930
cent of change July,
Per capita Per
1931, compared w ith—
weekly
earnings in
July, 1931 June, 1931 July, 1930
In d u stry
Food and kindred products:
Slaughtering and m eat p a c k in g _____________________ _______
C onfectionery______________ _____
_ _
__________
Ice cream _________________
_ __ _
_____
___
F lour________________ ___________
B aking_______
Sugar refining, cane
__ __ _____ __
Textiles and their products:
C otton g o ods._ _
_________________________ _ _ _
Hosiery and k n it goods- ______ _ _ __ _ _ _ _
Silk goods _____A - ..
Woolen and w orsted goods__
C arpets and rugs
____
D yeing and finishing te x tile s __ _______ _ _ ______
Clothing, m en’s _
Shirts and collars,- _ ________ _____
______ ___
_________
.
Clothing, w om en’s.-M illinery and lace goods .
_____________________ ________
Iron and steel and th eir products:
Iron and steel____________
_ _.
Cast-iron p i p e __________
Structural-iron w ork ..
_____
...
Fou n d ry and machine-shop products
H ardw are . _____
M achine tools_____ _____. ____ . . . ____________
____
Steam fittings and steam and hot-w ater heating ap p aratu s___.
__ _______ ___ _
. . . ____
___
S to v e s .__ _
Lum ber and its products:
Lum ber, sawmills . . . __ ____
Lum ber, m illw o r k ._________
.
. . .
F u rn itu re __
Leather and its products:
L eather___________________ . . . . . . .
....
Boots and shoes_______________ . . ______
. . .. .
Paper and printing:
Paper and p u lp ___
_
...
__ .
_____
Paper boxes _____
._ . . .
Printing, book and jo b -- ___ __ _________
Printing, new spapers_______ _________________ _____ _____
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[700]
$25. 55
16.28
32.26
24. 83
25.60
29. 82
- 0 .5
- 7 .9
- 0 .7
+ 0 .2
—1.7
+ 2 .0
- 3 .4
-1 0 .0
-3 . 6
—6.2
- 5 .7
- 0 .6
13. 55
14. 96
18.04
20. 59
21.06
22. 35
19. 55
13. 75
21.82
18.82
- 2 .2
- 8 .8
+ 1 .5
+ 0 .7
- 1 .7
+ 0.4
+ 7.4
+ 4 .6
+ 5 .0
- 3 .1
+ 1.3
- 7 .9
+ 1.2
-1 . 5
+ 8.6
+ 2.8
- 7 .8
-3 . 2
—8. 6
- 3 .9
. 62
19. 54
25.14
21.93
17.82
24.83
21.27
. 21
20
21
- 9 .4
+ 2.3
+2. 9
—5.1
- 6 .0
+ 3.6
- 1 .2
- 2 .2
-2 1 .6
—12. 6
- 8 .6
-1 7 .4
-14. 7
-8 . 5
—17. 6
-1 0 .1
16. 38
20.08
17. 62
- 3 .4
- 3 .6
- 1 .9
-1 7 . 5
-10. 4
-1 0 .4
23.41
19.01
- 0 .8
+ 3.9
- 3 .9
—5. 5
22.12
21. 08
- 4 .4
—2.6
—1.9
- 1 .3
—10. 2
—7. 0
—5. 4
- 1 .6
32. 01
38.27
215
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
T able 4 —P E R C A P IT A W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S IN MANUFACTURING IN D U S T R IE S IN
1
JU L Y , 1931, A N D C O M P A R IS O N W IT H JU N E , 1931, A N D JU L Y , 1930—Continued
Per capita
weekly
earnings in
July, 1931
In d u stry
Chemicals and allied products:
Chemicals
__ _______________
— -
__________________________
Petroleum rutin in g
Stone, clay, and glass products:
d em en t
_
_ __ _____ __ __________
Brick tile and terra cotta
_ _ _____ ___ ___ - —
P ottery
--- ------------------ ------------------------M etal products, other th an iron and steel:
Stam ped and enameled ware
_ _
__ _________ -
Tobacco products:
Chewing and smoking tobacco and snuff
_____________
r.igar^ and cigarettes
______________________ ______
Vehicles for land transportation:
Automobiles
_ ______ ___________________
Carriages and wagons
__ _ ______________
Car building and repairing, electric-railroad
______________
Car building and repairing, steam-railroad
______________
M iscellaneous industries:
A gricultural im plem ents_____________________ ______________
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies--------------------- -Pianos and organs----------------------------- ------ ------------------------R ubber boots and shoes-----------------------------------------------------Automobile tires and inner tu b es----------------------------------------Shipbuilding--------------------------------------- ,--------------- Industries added since February, 1929, for which d ata for the index
base year (1926) are not available:
Rayon
_ _ ________ _____ - _ -- --------- --------__ -- ----------- Radio
__ __ __
Aircraft
________ ___ -- - - ------ -Jewelry
- ______________ __________
P aint and varnish
__ _ _ _ ____
R ubber goods, other th a n boots, shoes, tires, and inner tubes __
—
Beet sugar
____ ____
Beverages
--- __ ______ ____
Cash registers, adding machines, and calculating machines----T ypew riters and supplies
_______ _____ ____ - -
Per cent of change July,
1931, compared w ith—
June, 1931
July, 1930
$26. 40
17.82
31.18
- 1 .3
- 0 .8
+ 0.5
- 2 .5
- 9 .1
- 3 .6
25.16
17.37
17.57
22. 32
- 7 .3
- 5 .1
- 9 .0
- 2 .8
- 9 .1
-2 0 .3
-1 6 .0
- 2 .8
18.94
21.19
-8 .0
- 5 .5
-6 .5
-1 2 .1
15.74
14. 64
+ 0.8
- 1 .3
- 2 .6
- 9 .1
24.65
20.59
29.43
26.39
- 7 .4
- 5 .3
- 1 .9
- 4 .4
-1 1 .4
- 9 .1
- 4 .6
- 5 .6
21. 67
25.69
21.50
17.77
25. 69
25.93
+ 7.4
- 2 .4
- 7 .9
+ 5.1
-1 1 .9
- 3 .2
- 2 .4
-1 2 .2
-1 9 .7
-1 5 .1
-1 0 .5
-1 1 .8
19. 89
22.74
31.49
18. 27
20. 57
21.38
29. 03
31.17
26.41
20.28
- 1 .7
- 6 .4
- 4 .5
-1 5 .0
- 2 .9
- 1 .1
- 6 .8
+ 2.9
- 7 .9
- 5 .9
-6 .0
-1 2 .5
+ 5 .5
-2 6 .2
- 2 .1
- 3 .4
0)
0)
(>)
(>)
1 D ata not available.
In d ex
N u m b e r s o f E m p l o y m e n t a n d P a y - r o ll T o t a l s i n
In d u s tr ie s
M a n u fa c tu r in g
T a b l e 5 shows the general index of employment in manufacturing
industries and the general index of pay-roll totals, by months, from
January, 1923, to July, 1931, together with the average indexes for
each of the years 1923 to 1930, inclusive.
Index numbers showing relatively the variation in number of per
sons employed and in pay-roll totals in each of the 54 manufactur
ing industries upon which the bureau’s general indexes are based and
in each of the 12 groups of industries, and also general indexes for
the combined 12 groups of industries, are shown in Table 6 for July,
1930, and May, June, and July, 1931.
In computing the general indexes and the group indexes the index
numbers of separate industries are weighted according to the relative
importance of the industries.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
17011
216
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T a ble 5 .— G E N E R A L IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN M A N
U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S , JA N U A R Y , 1923, TO JU L Y , 1931
[M onthly average, 1926=100]
Em ploym ent
Pay-roll totals
M onth
1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931
J a n ...
F e b ...
M ar...
A p r ...
M ay_.
J u n e ..
Ju ly ...
A u g ...
Sept _.
O ct__
N o v ...
D e c ...
106.6 103.8 97.9 100.4
108.4 105.1 99. 7 101.5
110.8 104.9 100.4 102.0
110.8 102. 8 100.2 101.0
110.8 98.8 98.9 99.8
110.9 95.6 98.0 99.3
109. 2 92.3 97.2 97.7
1U8. 5 92. 5 97.8 98.7
108. 6 94.3 98.9 100.3
108.1 95. 6 100.4 100.7
107.4 95. 5 100.7 99.5
105.4 97.3 100.8 98.9
97.3
99.0
99.5
98.6
97.6
97.0
95.0
95.1
95.8
95.3
93.5
92.6
91.6
93.0
93.7
93.3
93.0
93.1
92.2
93.6
95.0
95.9
95.4
95. 5
95.2
97.4
98.6
99.1
99.2
98.8
98.2
98.6
99.3
98.3
94.8
91.9
90.2 73. 1 95.8 98.6 93.9 98.0 94.9
90.3 74.1 99.4 103.8 99.3 102.2 100.6
89.8 74.8 104.7 103.3 100.8 103.4 102.0
89. 1 74.5 105.7 101.1 98.3 101.5 100.8
87.7 74. 1 109.4 96. 5 98.5 99.8 99.8
85. 5 72.2 109.3 90.8 95.7 99.7 97.4
81.6 70.4 104.3 84. 3 93.5 95. 2 93. 0
79.9
103. 7 87.2 95.4 98.7 95.0
79. 7
104.4 89.8 94.4 99. 3 94. 1
78.6
106. 8 92.4 100.4 102.9 95. 2
76. 5
105. 4 91.4 100.4 99.6 91.6
75.1 —
103.2 95.7 101.6 99.8 93.2
89.6 94. 5
93.9 101. 8
95.2 103. 9
93. 8 104. 6
94. 1 104. 8
94. 2 102. 8
91. 2 98. 2
94. 2 102. 1
95.4 102. 6
99. 0 102. 3
96.1 95.1
97.7 92.0
87 6
00 7
90 8
89 8
87 6
84 1
75.9
73. 9
74. 2
72. 7
68. 3
67.4
09. 3
07 0
08 5
07 4
00 0
02 0
59 1
Av__ 108.8 98.2 99.2 100.0 96.4 93.8 97.5 83.7 173.3 104. 3 94.6 97.7 100.0 96.5 94.5 100.4 80.3
‘64.8
1Average for 7 m onths.
Following Table 6 are two charts which represent the 54 separate
industries combined and show the course of pay-roll totals as well as
the course of employment for each month of the years 1926 to 1930,
and January to July, 1931, inclusive.
T a b l e 6 .—IN D E X E S O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G
IN D U S T R IE S , JU L Y , 1930, A N D M A Y , J U N E , A N D JU L Y , 1931
[M onthly average, 1926=100]
E m ploym ent
In d u stry
1930
July
G eneral index __
Pay-roll totals
1931
M ay
June
1930
July
July
1931
M ay
June
July
81.6
74.1
72.2
70.4
75.9
66.6
62.5
59.1
F ood a n d kindred products
Slaughtering and m eat packing...
Confectionery__ _
Ic e c re a m ..
F lo u r. _. . .
B aking... . . .
Sugar refining, cane_____
91.7
96.8
76.6
102.8
97.7
98.1
99.8
83.0
90.6
78.6
83.7
86.3
91.7
79.1
88.1
90.2
77.3
90.3
85.3
91.9
80.7
87.6
89.1
69.2
94.5
90.5
92.5
84.2
97.6
100. 7
73.7
102.4
99. 5
99.8
103.6
87. 3
91.6
73.3
82.6
84.1
89. 7
79.5
87 2
91*0
72.5
87.3
81. 5
89.7
81.6
85 Q
Textiles a n d th eir p ro d u cts___
C otton goods...
Hosiery and k n it goods...
Silk goods . _.
Woolen and worsted goods
Carpets and rugs___
D yeing and finishing textiles____
Clothing, m en’s__
Shirts and collars
Clothing, women’s
M illinery and lace goods................
77.6
75.9
80.9
78.6
77.4
68.7
84.2
79.7
76.1
77.9
70.1
79.8
79.1
81.4
76.9
77.4
78.2
91.2
72.8
74.9
93.2
76.5
77.5
77.0
81.9
67.4
80.9
77. 1
86.0
73.3
72.7
84.9
72.4
76.1
76.2
79.9
63.6
84.8
75. 2
82.7
76.3
71.4
74.1
67.9
67.3
64.8
70.8
67. 7
72. 7
50. 6
72.8
70.2
65.2
65. 6
55.3
68 9
72.6
74. 7
66.9
72. 4
65. 4
84. 7
50. 7
62. 7
72. 4
60.9
05 5
68.1
72.4
58. 1
74 5
63 0
76! 2
55 6
57. 8
62 4
56.6
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[7021
8
Q 5
59. 8
90. 7
86. 7
88.8
86.8
04 2
65.'8
64 4
55.6
78 6
60 4
73 7
62 1
59 4
51! 4
217
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
T a b l e 6 —IN D E X E S O P E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L TO T A L S IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G
IN D U S T R IE S , JU L Y , 1930, A N D M A Y , JU N E , A N D JU L Y , 1931—C ontinued
E m ploym ent
In d u stry
1930
Ju ly
I r o n a n d steel a n d th e ir p ro d u c ts .
..
_ ...
Iron and steel____
Cast-iron p ip e ... . . .
________
Structural-iron w ork_______ . . .
Foundry and machine-shop prod
ucts__________________ _____
H a rd w are..
. . . . . . ________
M achine tools_________ .
_ .
Steam fittings and steam and hotw ater heating apparatus______
S to v e s.. _________ _________ .
Pay-roll totals
1931
M ay
June
1930
Ju ly
July
1931
M ay
June
July
84. 0
83.9
70.3
95.6
70.3
74.2
61.0
72.5
67.4
70.7
59.2
71.2
65.1
69.7
58.0
71.9
74.5
74.4
67.6
88.5
57.8
62.1
55.8
60.8
52.0
54.1
48.6
58.7
47.3
48.3
48.6
61.0
87.2
76.1
95.6
69.5
68.0
68. 7
66.6
66. 7
65.3
63.3
64.4
61.1
77.5
61.3
84.0
56.4
53.2
54.5
51.6
48.8
50.6
46.5
44.3
49.1
60.4
69.7
55.8
64.8
54.6
62.6
53.2
54.8
53.0
55.9
41.9
50.3
40.0
46.0
38.5
39.4
L u m b e r a n d its p r o d u c ts ________
Lumber, saw m ills___________
Lum ber, mill w o rk .. . . . . . .
F u rn itu re ____________ _________
68.1
68.1
63.6
70.7
54.6
51.6
56.0
61.5
54.1
51.6
54.3
60.4
52.0
49.3
53. 1
58.5
62.1
64.7
59.5
58.7
45.0
41.8
49.1
48.7
43.9
41.9
47.3
45.8
41.1
38.7
44.6
43.6
L e a th e r a n d its p r o d u c ts ______ _
L eather. __________ ______ ..
Boots and shoes.. _ . . .
___
85,7
84.4
86,0
79.9
77.3
80.6
78.8
77.3
79.2
83.6
79.2
84.7
76.0
82.2
74.2
66.5
73.8
64.4
64.5
73.1
62.1
70.2
74.2
69.0
P a p e r a n d p rin tin g '______________
Paper and p u lp . _ . . . . . . . .
Paper boxes_________ _____ _
Printing, book and job
Printing, newspapers__ ._ ___
97.6
89.9
87.4
100.3
107.8
92.0
82.6
81.4
91.5
107.7
90.2
81.0
80.9
88.7
106.2
89.5
81.1
80.1
88.1
104.5
99.4
84.0
90.4
102.6
109.8
92.7
75.2
81.7
90.9
110.3
89.6
71.2
79.8
87.5
107.9
86.8
68.1
76.9
85.2
104.8
C h e m ic a ls a n d allied p r o d u c ts ___
Chemicals__
.
.
___
Fertilizers _
______
Petroleum refining . . . ______
89.3
91.6
65.6
94.1
80.6
85.0
72.9
78.1
75.3
83.8
44.5
75.4
74.5
84.5
41.3
73.7
91.8
89.6
71.0
97.4
79.8
82.9
66.5
79.2
75.2
81.0
44.2
75.1
74.1
80.5
40.7
73.8
S to n e , clay , a n d glass p r o d u c ts . _.
C e m e n t_______ _____ _ . . . _.
Brick, tile, and terra cotta____ .
P o ttery _______ __________ . . .
Glass____________________ _____
72.8
80.3
67.4
76.3
74.8
65.1
66.1
52. 7
82.1
74.0
64.9
64.2
52.9
77.9
76.1
61.2
64.5
50.9
71.7
69.1
64.5
77.2
57.5
62.1
68.3
55.7
61.1
39.4
69.0
69.0
53.6
60.4
37.9
58.5
69.5
47.8
56.3
34.6
48.9
61.3
M eta l p ro d u c ts , o th e r t h a n iro n
a n d s te e l_____ ________________
Stam ped and enameled ware
Brass, bronze, and copper pro
ducts____ ________
78.4
77.3
70.4
72.3
69. 3
72.6
67.8
70.8
68.9
64.9
61. 6
63.9
57.9
62.0
53.2
55.6
52.2
T o b a c c o p r o d u c ts ______________
Chewing and smoking tobacco
and snuff__ _______________
Cigars an d c ig a re tte s ._______
V ehicles fo r la n d t r a n s p o r ta tio n ..
A utom obiles__________________
Carriages and wagons__________
Car building and repairing, elec
tric-railroad_________
C ar building and repairing,
steam-railroad_______ _______
M isc e lla n eo u s in d u s tr ie s ________
A gricultural im p le m e n ts.. . . .
Electrical m achinery, apparatus,
and supplies________
.. ...
Pianos and organs____ .
...
R ubber boots and shoes. _.
A utomobile tires and inner tubes
Shipbuilding_____ ____________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
78.9
69.5
67.7
66.3
70.5
60.7
56.3
90.2
82.7
81.7
81.3
86.7
72.3
72.6
71.4
86.6
90.7
84.6
82.4
81.8
81.7
80.7
81.4
84.8
86.9
78.7
71.5
77.1
72.0
76.8
70.8
77.0
82.9
56.8
68.3
79.1
41.5
65.3
74.3
37.1
61.8
68.8
38.1
70.3
70.4
63.7
65. 6
73.5
42.6
58.0
60.4
40.0
51.6
51.8
38.8
86.5
77.7
76.5
74.2
86.3
76.2
74.4
70.8
71.1
58.2
56.7
54.7
69.1
56.9
54.4
50.1
90.9
79.4
78.0
49.7
76.5
43.9
73.6
35.2
87.9
63.8
72.0
36.3
68.3
32.0
63.1
27.6
97.9
42.7
72.4
80.1
112. 7
84.3
39.1
63.5
72.5
98.2
82.4
31.8
66.2
73.3
98.0
79.7
29.1
67.0
71.1
94.8
96.5
35. 2
65.3
75.8
113.3
78.1
27.4
45.6
69.4
96.6
73.0
22.9
48.1
70.5’
89.8
68.9
19.3
51.1
60.2
84.0
218
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
MANUFAC.TUR.lHG
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
INDUSTRIES.
MONTHLY INDEXES,
MONTHLY
AVERAGE!
1926-1931.
192.6 = IOO
105
100
95
90
65
60
75
70
[704]
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
7 2 5 7 4 °— 3 1 ------ 15
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[7 0 5 ]
219
220
MONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
T im e W o rk ed in
M a n u fa c tu r in g
I n d u s tr ie s in
J u l y , 1931
R eports as to working time of employees in July were received from
11,641 establishments in 64 manufacturing industries. Three per
cent of the establishments were idle, while employees in 54 per cent
were working full time, and employees in 43 per cent were working
part time.
Employees in the establishments in operation in July were working
an average of 89 per cent of full time, this percentage showing no
change in average full-time operation over the month interval.
Employees in the 43 per cent of the establishments working part
time in July were averaging 75 per cent of full-time operation.
T a b l e 7 —P R O P O R T IO N OF F U L L T IM E W O R K E D IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S
BY E S T A B L IS H M E N T S R E P O R T IN G IN JU L Y , 1931
E stablishm ents
reporting
Industry
Total Per cent
num ber
idle
Food a n d kindred p ro d u cts____
Slaughtering and m eat packing.
Confectionery________________
Ice cream _____ ______ ________
F lo u r_____________ __________
B aking______ _____ __________
Sugar refining, cane___________
1,610
164
237
250
335
613
11
Textiles a n d th eir p rod u cts____________
1, 868
431
279
218
169
26
109
246
81
230
79
1, 683
132
41
150
948
61
139
Cotton goods_____________________ I
Hosiery and knit goods_________ ' 7 7
Silk goods________________________
Woolen and worsted goods__________
Carpets and ru g s...________________
Dyeing and finishing textiles___ 7777777
Clothing, men’s____________________
Shirts and collars________________ 7~
Clothing, women’s_________________
Millinery and lace goods____________
Iron a n d steel a n d th eir p ro d u cts
Iron and steel______________________
Cast-iron pipe_______________ 7777777!
Structural-iron work________________
Foundry and machine-shop prcducts.” !
Hardware_________________________
Machine tools_______________ 7777777!
Steam fittings and steam and hot-water
heating apparatus_________________
Stoves____________________
L um b er a n d its p ro d u cts.
Lum ber, sawmills______
Lum ber, mill w ork_____
F u rn itu re ___ ____ ______
L eather an d its p ro d u cts.
L eather_______________
Boots and shoes_______
Paper a n d p r in tin g _____
Paper and p u lp _______
Paper boxes__________
Printing, book and job.
Printing, n ew spapers...
C hem icals a n d allied p ro d u cts.
Ohemicals.-___ ___ __________
Fertilizers____ _____________
Petroleum refining__________
1
Full
tim e
P a rt
tim e
Average per cent of
full tim e reported
by—
All op erating establishm ents
Establishm ents operating
part time
79
76
43
82
82
91
82
20
24
54
96
79
86
74
18
9
18
96
98
95
76
82
75
5
4
4
12
1
4
1
3
2
11
1
2
6
12
1
1
3
3
59
53
61
58
66
46
44
69
54
66
52
24
27
10
37
25
16
18
36
43
35
30
33
50
55
28
43
23
47
74
67
78
62
74
80
79
92
89
91
95
94
89
87
94
94
93
90
76
77
66
87
75
73
75
78
76
76
85
81
78
76
79
87
75
79
68
68
62
79
67
67
69
99
112
2
4
17
19
81
78
71
77
65
71
1 010
421
248
341
3
4
1
4
40
46
36
36
57
51
63
60
84
84
85
82
72
70
77
71
364
115
249
3
1
2
59
60
58
40
39
40
92
92
92
79
79
79
1
4
65
54
40
62
93
34
43
59
38
7
93
89
87
94
99
81
74
79
83
91
3
1
6
63
60
52
95
34
39
42
5
92
93
89
99
78
80
76
88
1, 308
192
242
516
358
379
135
178
66
Less than one-half of 1 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
l
Per cent of estab
lishm ents in
w hich employees
worked—
[7 0 6 1
3
1
0)
221
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
rpi ble 7 - P R O P O R T I O N O F F U L L T IM E W O R K E D IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S
I ABLE 7.
J 3 Y E S T A B LIS H M: E N T S R E P O R T IN G IN JU L Y , 1931-C ontinued
Establishm ents
reporting
P er cent of estab
lishm ents in
w hich employees
worked—
Average per cent of
full tim e reported
by—
In d u stry
T otal Per cent
idle
num ber
P a rt
tim e
Full
tim e
All oper Establish
ating es m ents op
tablish
erating
m ents
p art tim e
S to n e , clay, a n d glass p r o d u cts.
C em ent_____________________
Brick, tile, and terra cojta------P o tte ry _____________________
Glass_______________________
690
82
380
99
129
M etal p rod u cts, oth er th a n Iron a nd
ste el.......................: -------------------------------Stam ped and enam eled w are--------------Brass, bronze, and copper products------
201
64
140
T obacco p ro d u cts------------------------ - - - - - Chewing and smoking tobacco and snuft.
Cigars and cigarettes----------------- ------
193
25
168
V ehicles for la n d tr a n sp o r ta tio n ---------A utom obiles------- ---------------------------"Carriages and w agons-----------------------Car building and repairing, electric-railroad______________________________
Car building and repairing, steam-rail
road....... ----------------------------------------
1,085
161
41
M iscellan eou s in d u s tr ie s ............ ................
A gricultural im p le m e n ts................ ..........
Electrical m achinery, apparatus, and
supplies___________________________
Pianos and organs____________________
R ubber boots and shoes________ _____ Autom obile tires and inner tubes--------Shipbuilding-------------------------------------
105
70
76
74
175
45
7
27
81
77
In d u stries add ed in 1929 a n d 1930---------R adio------------------------- --------------------R ay o n --------- ------ ----------------------------A ircraft---------- ------------ --------------------Jew elry_____________________________
P ain t and varn ish _______ :----------------—
R ubber goods, other th a n boots, shoes,
tires, a n d inner tu b es______________
B eet sugar------------------------------------- -Beverages_________________ _________
Cash registers----------------------------------T ypew riters________________________
T o t a l------------------------------------------
813
45
15
34
75
79
74
(')
80
80
80
0)
79
70
79
97
68
76
85
85
79
87
77
80
73
82
121
257
71
46
216
32
87
79
0)
(')
(0
6
11, 641
51
89
80
77
82
84
64
75
i Less th a n one-half of 1 per cent.
2.
E m p lo y m e n t
in
N o n m a n u f a c t u r in g
1931
I n d u s tr ie s
in
J u ly ,
N THE following table the bureau presents by geographic divisions
the data for 14 nonmanufacturing industries, the totals for which
also appear in the summary of employment and pay-roll totals, page
206. The seasonal increase in the canning and preserving industry
continued in July, with substantial increases in both employment
and pay-roll totals. Employment in anthracite mining showed a
decrease of 14.5 per cent, metalliferous mining, 6.4 per cent, retail
trade, 5.8 per cent, and bituminous coal mining, 2.6 per cent. The
remaining groups reported fluctuations in employment of less than
2 per cent.
I
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[707]
222
M O N TH LY LA BO R REVIEW
T able 1 .—C O M P A R IS O N O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L TOTALS IN ID E N
T IC A L N O N M A N U F A C T U R IN G E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN JU N E A N D JU L Y , 1931,
B Y IN D U S T R IE S
Geographic division
E sta b
lish
ments
N um ber on pay roll
Per cent
of change
June, 1931
July, 1931
A m ount of pay roll
(1 week)
June, 1931
Per cent
of change
July, 1931
A N T H R A C IT E M IN IN G
M iddle A tla n tic_________
160
104,217
89,062
-1 4 .5
$2,6-'8, 925
$2,133,662
-1 9 .5
B IT U M IN O U S COAL M IN IN G
M iddle A tlan tic__________
E ast N orth C en tral_______
W est N o rth C e n t r a l_____
South A tlantic __________
E ast South C e n tr a l___ __
W est South C en tral______
M o u n tain _________ ___ __
Pacific_____________ _ . .
All division s_______
372
164
47
332
226
27
116
12
53,118
24,328
3,364
49,153
38,907
1,899
11,321
1,520
51,927
24,992
3, 573
46, 236
38,416
1,731
10,431
1,502
- 2 .2
+ 2 .7
+ 6 .2
- 5 .9
- 1 .3
- 8 .8
- 7 .9
-1 .2
$873,898
467,487
62,846
867, 223
569,211
28,911
262, 508
38,962
$867,251
442,178
63,346
850, 307
540,944
29,956
224,369
33,558
- 0 .8
- 5 .4
+ 0 .8
- 2 .0
-5 .0
+ 3 .6
-1 4 .5
-1 3 .9
1,296
183,610
178,808
- 2 .6
3,171,046
3,051, 909
- 3 .8
M E T A L L IFE R O U S M IN IN G
M iddle A tlan tic________ __
E a st N o rth C en tral___ __
W est N o rth C entral___ __
E ast South C entral___ __
W est South C en tral______
M o u n tain _______________
Pacific________ _______ .
All division s_______
7
40
59
14
58
97
31
1,054
8,262
5,551
2,452
1,867
15,465
2,122
801
8,057
5,739
2,454
1,394
13,859
2,126
-2 4 .0
-2 .5
+ 3 .4
+ 0 .1
-2 5 .3
-1 0 .4
+ 0 .2
$20,974
143,474
136,856
46,367
32, 758
417, 795
61,116
$14,986
123,919
146,012
46, 791
27,675
353,481
55,916
-2 8 .5
-1 3 .6
+ 6.7
+ 0.9
-1 5 .5
-1 5 .4
- 8 .5
306
36, 773
34,430
-6 .4
859,340
768,780
-1 0 .5
Q U A R R Y IN G A N D N O N M E T A L L IC M IN IN G
New E n g lan d ____________
M iddle A tlan tic__________
E ast N o rth C en tral_______
W est N orth C e n tra ls ___
South A tlantic . ...
E ast South C en tral_____ _
W est South C en tral___ _ _
M o u n tain ________ _____
Pacific_________________
All d iv isio n s_______
105
122
213
90
94
65
43
3
37
3,997
6, 217
7,068
1, 528
4, 974
2,855
2,149
57
897
4, 025
6,170
6,847
1,534
4,667
2,885
2,128
68
887
+ 0 .7
- 0 .8
-3 . 1
+ 0.4
- 6 .2
+1.1
-1 .0
+19.3
- 1 .1
$101, 780
137,491
179, 593
32, 290
81,173
42, 204
44, 754
906
24,167
$111,392
138, 667
156,073
31,890
71, 569
36, 601
43, 656
1,819
23,274
+ 9 .4
+ 0.9
-1 3 .1
- 1 .2
-1 1 .8
-1 3 .3
-2 .5
+100.8
- 3 .7
773
39,743
29,211
- 1 .8
611,358
614,941
- 4 .6
C R U D E PE T R O L E U M PR O D U C IN G
M iddle A tlan tic__________
E ast N o rth C entral _____
W est N o rth C e n t r a l____.
South A tlantic ____ ______
E a st South C en tral_______
W est South C en tra l______
M o u n tain ________________
Pacific_____ __________ . . .
40
5
7
15
5
316
20
91
695
26
46
415
204
16,885
273
6,298
555
29
48
396
198
17, 619
281
5,828
-2 0 .1
+11. 5
+ 4 .3
-4 .6
- 2 .9
+ 4 .3
+ 2 .9
- 7 .5
$16, 897
545
794
10, 694
4, 271
593,886
9,823
253,158
$14,157
513
917
10, 235
4,117
582, 528
9, 215
218,937
-1 6 .2
- 5 .9
+15.5
- 4 .3
-3 6
- 1 .9
-6 .2
-1 3 .5
All d ivision s_______
499
24,843
24,954
+ 0 .5
890,068
840,619
- 5 .6
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TREND OF EM PLOYM ENT
T a b l e 1 .—C O M P A R IS O N OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A L S
IN ID E N
T IC A L N O N M A N U F A C T U R IN G E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN JU N E A N D JU L Y , 1931,
BY IN D U S T R IE S —C ontinued
Geographic division
E stab
lish
m ents
N um ber on pay roll
Per cent
of change
June, 1931
A m ount of pay roll
(1 week)
June, 1931
Ju ly , 1931
Per cent
of change
July, 1931
T E L E P H O N E AND T E L E G R A PH
New E ng lan d . ___
___
M iddle A tlan tic________
E ast N orth C en tral___ _
W est N orth C entral ____
South A tlantic _____
E ast South C entral-- W est South C e n tra l.- -----M ountain ______ _ _ - - Pacific____ - - ______ --All division s_____
724
1,257
1,436
1,375
560
618
725
483
913
27, 567
98,842
68, 764
28, 953
19, 778
9,927
17,173
7, 269
29,891
27, 737
98.098
68, 024
29, 046
19,815
9,884
17, 113
7, 327
29,831
+ 0 .6
- 0 .8
- 1 .1
+ 0.3
+ 0 .2
- 0 .4
- 0 .3
+ 0 .8
- 0 .2
$877, 312
3, 277, 533
1,924, 264
732, 333
554,463
226, 015
398, 620
180, 300
937, 241
$866,852
3,230,468
1, 867,176
726,445
542, 512
221,123
392, 971
179, 736
915, 583
-1 .2
- 1 .4
- 3 .0
- 0 .8
- 2 .2
-2 . 2
-1 . 4
- 0 .3
- 2 .3
8,091
308,1S4
306,875
- 0 .4
9, 108,081
8,942,866
- 1 .8
PO W ER, LIG H T, A N D W A TER
274
360
660
451
281
169
565
117
839
22, 397
61, 390
56, 201
27,858
21, 669
6, 955
16, 091
5, 752
22, 995
22, 234
61,920
55,807
27, 602
21, 727
7,044
16, 254
5, 704
21, 729
-0 . 7
+ 0 .9
- 0 .7
- 0 .9
+ 0.3
+ 1 .3
+ 1 .0
- 0 .8
- 5 .5
$725, 757
2, 035, 273
1,825,005
807, 524
668, 571
173, 942
449, 310
177, 774
742, 257
$721, 233
2, 041,034
1,809,926
798, 517
663,825
176, 300
444, 629
177, 341
703, 238
- 0 .6
+ 0.3
- 0 .8
-1 . 1
- 0 .7
+ 1.4
- 1 .0
- 0 .2
- 5 .3
3,716
341,308
40,021
- 0 .5
7,605,413
7, 536,043
- 0 .9
New E n g lan d ___ _ ____
M iddle A tla n tic ..
----E ast N orth C entral
W est N orth C entral______
South A tlantic - _ - ___
E ast South C entral_______
W est South C en tral. ____
M ountain
______
Pacific_______________ --All divisions.
E LEC TR IC R A IL R O A D S 1
New E n g lan d ____ _______
M iddle A tlantic .
E ast N orth C entral
W est N orth C entral
- South A tlantic . _
___
E ast South C entral_______
W est South C en tral_____
M ountain .........
------Pacific___________________
All division s_______
47
153
104
59
56
13
34
15
38
13, 724
36,942
42, 286
14, 104
11, 738
2, 703
5, 045
2, 005
16,186
13,850
37, 418
42, 356
13, 896
11, 933
2, 706
5, 108
2, 000
16, 098
+ 0 .9
+ 1.3
+ 0 .2
-1 . 5
+ 1 .7
+0.1
+ 1.2
-0 . 2
-0 . 5
$491,160
1, 193, 887
1, 377, 237
431,211
333, 753
75, 200
137, 511
54, 100
498,117
$492,967
1,191, 013
1, 339, 605
413, 269
328,109
72, 670
134, 298
54,012
484,192
+ 0.4
- 0 .2
- 2 .7
- 4 .2
- 1 .7
-3 . 5
- 2 .3
-0 .2
- 2 .8
519
144, 733
145,365
+ 0.4
4, 592,176
4,510,035
-1 .8
W HOLESALE T R A D E
606
291
293
206
168
57
290
85
357
15,086
9,124
11,309
11,905
3, 214
1,562
5,710
1,815
10,062
14,992
9,069
11, 246
11,934
3,240
1,552
5, 634
1,834
10, 057
- 0 .6
- 0 .6
- 0 .6
+ 0 .2
+ 0 .8
-0 .6
- 1 .3
+ 1 .0
- ( 2)
$459, 166
294, 483
347, 838
345, 249
94, 626
43,022
164, 720
60, 389
331,219
$458,151
294, 559
339,108
347, 771
93, 797
42,102
161, 949
60, 216
322,023
- 0 .2
+ ( 2)
- 2 .5
+ 0.7
- 0 .9
- 2 .1
- 1 .7
- 0 .3
- 2 .8
2,353
69,787
69,558
- 0 .3
2,140, 712
2,119,676
- 1 .0
N ew England _____ .
M iddle A tlan tic__________
E ast N orth C entral_______
W est N o rth C e n tra l-.. . .
South A lantic- __ ........ East South C entral_____ West South C en tral___
M o u n ta in ......................
Pacific------- ---------- ---------All division s------- -
See footnotes at end of table.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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224
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T able 1 — C O M P A R IS O N
OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L TO T A L S IN ID E N
T IC A L N O N M A N U F A C T U R IN G E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN JU N E A N D JU L Y , 1931
BY IN D U S T R IE S —C ontinued
Geographic division
E stab
lishm ents
A m ount of pay roll
(1 week)
N um ber on p ay roll
Per cent
of change
June, 1931
July, 1931
June, 1931
Per cent
of change
July, 1931
R E TA IL T R A D E
N ew E n g lan d_____
M iddle A tlan tic___
E ast N o rth C en tra l
W est N orth Central.
South A tlan tic____
E ast South C entralW est South Central.
M ou n tain ________
Pacific____________
2,861
393
2,742
681
1,053
328
229
189
1, 798
55, 373
78, 905
73,463
20,422
20, 950
8,026
12, 572
4,881
40,436
53, 578
70,067
70, 958
18, 728
19,854
7, 568
11,812
4, 754
39, 563
- 3 .2
-1 1 .2
- 3 .4
- 8 .3
- 5 .2
- 5 .7
- 6 .0
- 2 .6
-2 . 2
$1, 336, 757
2,031,006
1, 817, 783
433, 886
460, 086
151, 329
250, 695
104, 743
931, 246
$1, 311,509
1 853,793
1, 754,887
401, 838
440,188
141, 814
240, 652
99,952
906,199
- 1 .9
- 8 .7
- 3 .5
- 7 .4
- 4 .3
- 6 .3
-4 .0
- 4 .6
- 2 .7
Ail divisions _
10,274
315,028
296,882
- 5 .8
7,517,531
7,150,832
- 4 .9
H O T E LS s
N ew E ngland_____
M iddle A tlan tic___
E ast N orth C entralW est N o rth Central.
South A tlan tic_____
E ast South Central..
W est South C entral .
M o un tain_________
Pacific____________
142
406
391
285
164
89
145
110
333
8,394
43, 623
29, 932
14,805
11,179
5,927
8, 359
3,442
15, 369
10, 698
45,151
29,568
14, 455
10, 681
5, 756
8,170
3,599
15, 657
+27.4
+ 3.5
- 1 .2
- 2 .4
- 4 .5
- 2 .9
- 2 .3
+ 4 .6
+ 1 .9
$133, 986
742, 069
502, 625
205, 020
160, 288
69, 302
105, 879
58, 751
280, 435
$159,312
747,556
486,560
198,387
151,965
66,755
102,072
60,923
279, 906
+18.9
+0.7
- 3 .2
- 3 .2
-5 .2
- 3 .7
- 3 .6
+ 3.7
- 0 .2
All division s-.
2,065
141,030
143, 735
+ 1 .9
2,258, 355
2,253,436
- 0 .2
C A N N IN G A N D PR E SE R V IN G
N ew E n g lan d_____
M iddle A tlan tic___
East N orth C entral.
W est N orth Central.
South A tlan tic____ _
E ast South C entralW est South CentralM oun tain_________
Pacific____________
65
90
251
59
90
27
30
54
212
1,154
7,997
7, 379
1,902
3,538
1,487
1,507
1,219
17,094
1,340
10, 342
13,893
3,236
3,804
1,218
1,330
3,725
23, 746
+16.1
+29.3
+88.3
+70. 1
+ 7 .5
-1 8 .1
-1 1 .7
+205. 6
+38.9
$22, 522
145, 183
135, 100
29, 769
40, 066
15, 904
6, 678
27, 015
222, 691
$23,868
165,190
193,348
51,319
35,417
14,044
6,900
56, 877
269, 271
+ 6.0
+13.8
+43. 1
+72.4
-1 1 .6
-1 1 .7
+3.3
+ 110.5
+20.9
All d iv isio n s-
*878
43,277
62,634
+44, 7
644, £28
816,234
+26.6
LA U N D R IES
N ew E n g lan d _____
M iddle A tlan tic___
E ast N o rth C en tral.
W est N orth Central.
South A tlan tic_____
E ast South Central..
W est South CentralM o untain_________
Pacific____________
All division s-_
45
89
83
62
53
36
11
20
54
2,496
11, 309
5,411
5,191
5,834
2, 325
842
1,731
3,518
2, 505
11, 260
5,502
5, 211
5,973
2,436
864
1,723
3, 541
+ 0.4
- 0 .4
+ 1 .7
+ 0.4
+ 2.4
+ 4.8
+ 2.6
- 0 .5
+ 0.7
$53, 328
230, 815
104, 590
91,090
92, 336
30,195
12,092
29, 709
76, 292
$54, 029
230, 680
105, 269
89, 570
92, 957
31, 221
12, 565
29, 444
76, 606
+1.3
- 0 .1
+ 0.6
- 1 .7
+ 0.7
+ 3.4
+ 3.9
- 0 .9
+ 0.4
453
38,657
39,015
+ 0 .9
720,447
722,341
+ 0.3
See footnotes at end of table.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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225
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
T a b l e 1 — C O M P A R IS O N
O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A LS IN ID E N
T IC A L N O N M A N U F A C T U R IN G E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN JU N E A N D JU L Y , 1931,
BY IN D U S T R IE S —Continued
Geographic division
E stab
lish
ments
A m ount of pay roll
(1 week)
N um ber on pay roll
Per cent
of change
June, 1931
June, 1931
July, 1931
Per cent
of change
July, 1931
D Y E IN G AND C LEANING
New England -- ---- . . M iddle A tlan tic____
___
E ast N orth C entral- . W est N orth C en tral-.
South A tlan tic. - - ---------E ast South C entral. ------W est South C entral_______
M ountain________________
Pacific .- ----------- -All division s_______
23
24
25
35
43
14
16
21
13
1,190
1,553
1,364
1,034
1,175
633
375
279
710
1,169
1, 565
1,342
1,004
1, 212
638
369
283
697
- 1 .8
+ 0 .8
- 1 .6
- 2 .9
+3.1
+ 0 .8
- 1 .6
+ 1.4
- 1 .8
$28, 090
39, 257
31, 243
23, 249
22, 210
11, 632
7, 683
6, 706
17, 651
$27,431
36, 913
28, 994
22,137
22, 897
11,511
7,425
6,433
17,854
-2 . 3
- 6 .0
- 7 .2
- 4 .8
+3.1
-1 .0
- 3 .4
- 4 .1
+ 1 .2
214
8 ,313
8,279
- 0 .4
187,721
181,595
- 3 ,3
1 N ot including car building and repairing; see m anufacturing industries, Table 1, p. 211 et seq.
2 Less th an one-tenth of 1 per cent.
2 The am ount of p ay roll given represents cash paym ents only; the additional value of board, room, and
tips can not be com puted.
1 Included in the total of 878 establishm ents reporting in Ju ly were 59 establishm ents which were closed
in June b u t had resumed aeration in July, and 15 establishm ents which were operating in June and
reported a seasonal closing in July, 1931. There were also 227 additional canning establishm ents whose
reports were not included in the total num ber of reporting establishm ents, as the plants had been sea
sonally closed for a period of 2 or more months.
T a b l e 2 —C O M P A R IS O N OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A LS IN N O N M A N U
F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S JU L Y , 1931, W IT H JU L Y , 1930
Per cent of change
July, 1931, com
pared w ith July,
1930
Per cent of change
July, 1931, com
pared w ith July,
1930
In d u stry
In d u stry
A nthracite m in in g___ - _____
B itum inous coal m ining_____
M etalliferous m in in g_______
Q uarrying and nonmetallic
m ining ______
... .
C rude petroleum producing. _
Telephone and telegraph
Power, light, and w ater.
N um ber
on pay
roll
A m ount
of pay
roll
-2 8 .9
-1 3 .2
-3 0 .2
-3 6 .1
-2 6 .9
-42. 6
-2 1 .0
-2 7 .4
-1 3 .4
- 8 .7
-2 4 .1
-3 3 .1
-1 2 . 5
- 8 .7
N um ber A m ount
on pay
of pay
roll
roll
Electric railroads _________
Wholesale tra d e ____________
R etail tra d e . . . _ ____: . . .
H o te ls... . .
C anning and preserving ____
Laundries .
___________
D yeing and cleaning________
-1 0 .2
- 9 .6
- 5 .7
- 7 .9
-1 9 .1
(>)
0)
-1 2 .9
-1 3 .2
- 9 .2
-14. 6
-3 4 .2
(')
(P
1D ata n o t available.
In d e x e s o f E m p lo y m e n t
and
P a y - R o ll T o t a l s fo r
I n d u s t r ie s
N o n m a n u fa c tu r in g
T a b l e 3 shows the index numbers of employment and pay-roll
totals for anthracite, bituminous coal, and metalliferous mining,
quarrying, crude petroleum producing, telephone and telegraph,
power, light, and water, electric railroads, wholesale and retail trade,
hotels, and canning and preserving, by months, from January, 1930,
to July, 1931, with the monthly average for 1929 as 100.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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226
T a b le 3 .—IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A L S F O R N O N M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S , JA N U A R Y , 1930, TO JU L Y , 1931
IM onthly average, 1929=100]
A nthracite B itum inous M etallifer
m ining
coal mining ous mining
Quarrying
and nonmetallic
mining
C rude
petroleum
producing
Telephone
and tele
graph
Power,
light, and
w ater
Y ear and m onth
O peration
and m ain
tenance
of electric
railroads 1
Wholesale
trade
R etail
trade
H otels
Canning
and pre
serving
1930
Jan u ary -------------------- 102.1 105.8 102.5 101.4
February
_ ---- 106.9 121. 5 102.4 102.1
M arch _______________ 82.6 78.5 98.6 86.4
95.7
92.3
90.9
92.7
92.5
90.8
79.6
79.8
83.0
71.9
83.5
80.0
92.7
9J.8
89.3
94.0 101.6 105.1
88.6 100.2 101.9
91.3 99.4 105.8
99.6 99.7
98.8 100.4
99.7 102.1
97.1
95.1
94.4
97.8 100.0 100.0
95.7 98.7 98.3
95.4 97.7 99.7
98.9
94.4
93.0
99.7 100.4 100.3
96.0 102.4 103.8
95. 5 102.4 104.4
46.1
45.7
49.7
50.3
51.5
50.8
74.8
65.7
83.0
72.6
66.9
81.5
84.1
93.8
90.8
75.0
98.8
94.3
94.4
90.4
88.4
81.7
77.5
75.6
89.3
87.5
84.6
88.3
85.6
81.6
87.4
90.8
90.3
85.4
90.2
90.9
86.8
89.8
90.2
86.6
85.4
87.1
98.9 103.4 100.7 102.6
99.7 103.2 103.4 104.5
99.8 103.4 104.6 107.8
95.2
95.2
94.8
97.1
96.0
97.0
97.3
96.8
96.5
97.9
97.4
98.6
97.3
96.7
93.9
97.5 100.1 100.3
97.3 98.0 98.4
96.8 98.0 98.1
Ju ly -------------------------A ugust______________
S ep tem b er..- - - ---- ---
91.6
80.2
93.8
84.0 "88.0
78.8 89.2
91.6 90.5
68.9
71. 1
74.9
80.5
79.0
78.1
71.9
71.0
69.9
89.9
89.3
87.7
85.5
85.8
82.5
89.9
87.7
85.0
88.5 100.0 106.6 105.9 106.7
86.0 98.8 102.5 106.4 106.6
84.0 96.8 102.2 105.2 106.1
95. 3
92.9
91.8
95.6
92.1
90.5
96.0
95.0
94.8
96.0
93.6
93.6
89.0
85.6
92.0
91. 7 101.3
87. 6 101.5
92.4 100.1
October.
_____ . . .
N ovem ber__ ______
December____________
99.0 117.2
97.2 98.0
99.1 100.0
91.8
92.5
92.5
79.4
79.1
77.7
77.2
72.8
70.1
68.6
63.4
59.9
84.7
78.3
70.2
79.3
66.8
59.9
85.2
83.6
77.4
82.6
80.0
77.2
94.5 100.9 104.8 105.6
93.0 97.7 103.4 103.7
91.6 101.3 103. 2 106.3
91.0
89.3
88.8
89.9
87.7
88.6
94.2
92.6
92.0
92.9 95.5 95.1
91.0 98.4 96.8
91.3 115.1 107.7
97.5
95.2
93.5
95.5 164.7 140.0
93.6 96.7 82.9
91.5 61.6 57.4
93.4
[712]
r—; A p ril.-. --- ----------- £2 M a y -----------------------hi J u n e -------------------------
99.8 126.3 112.7
98.6 185.7 172.0
97.1 246.6 214.8
95.3
93 4
81.3
83.2
78.0
84.3
79.3
87.4
85.9
97 9 103.9 103.0 104.3
93.4
93.5
96.0
95.9
95.9
98.2
99.2
98.5 103.9
96.1
1931
J a n u a ry .._ _____. . . _
February ___ ____ _
M a r c h - . ____ ______
90.6 89.3
89.5 101.9
82.0 71.3
93.9
91.5
88.8
73.3
68.3
65.2
68.3
65.3
63.5
55.0
54.6
52.8
64.4
66.6
70.0
50.4
54.4
58.2
74.8
73.2
72.2
71.5
70.0
73.2
90.5
89.2
88.6
96.3
94.8
97.9
99.2 98.6
97.8 99.7
96.7 102.4
86.9
86.6
86.4
85.6
87.1
88.1
89.5
88.2
87.4
87.5
88.4
89.1
90.0
87.1
87.8
89.4
86.7
87.5
95.0
96.8
96.8
91.0
93.7
93.4
48.9
48.3
53.0
46.1
48.6
50.3
A pril________ _____
M a y ____
Ju n e.
Ju ly _________________
85.2
80.3
76.1
65.1
85.9
82.4
78.4
76.4
58.6
54.4
52.4
50.4
63.9
62.4
60.0
56.2
51.4
49.3
46.1
41.3
76.1
75.0
72.3
71.0
62.6
62.3
60.1
57.3
69.8
67.8
65.0
65.3
66.3
64.7
62.7
59.2
88.1
87.4
86.9
86.6
95.0
94.1
95.0
93.3
97.1
97.6
97.2
96.7
86.8
85.9
85.3
85.6
86.6
85.1
84.8
83.3
87.4
87.1
87.1
86.8
85.2
84.7
84.1
83. 3
90.1
89.9
89.1
83.9
88.3
88.0
87.6
83.3
95.9
92.5
91.6
93.3
89.9 59.6
87.7 56.0
85.4 70.6
85.2 102. 2
57.1
56.0
58.6
74.2
A verage_______
75.2
76.1
66.7
53.7
97.6
98.7
98.3
97.4
1 N ot including electric-railroad car building and repairing; see vehicles group, m anufacturing industries, T able 1, p. 211 et seq.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
E m P ay E m P ay E m P ay E m P ay E m P ay E m P ay E m P ay E m P ay E m Pay E m P a y E m P a y E m P ay
ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll
ment totals ment totals ment totals m ent totals m ent totals m ent totals ment totals m ent totals m ent totals ment totals m ent totals m ent totals
227
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
E m p lo y m e n t in B u ild in g C o n s tr u c tio n in J u ly , 1931
ATA for each of the 25 localities surveyed by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, together with similar information supplied by
three cooperating State bureaus, which collect this information within
their respective jurisdictions, appear in the following table. This
table shows the number of identical firms reporting for both months,
the number of employees and the amount of earnings in one week
in June and July, 1931, together with the per cents of change over
the month period. The results of the compilation for the 25 localities
surveyed by the Federal bureau have been issued in a preliminary
press release, and therefore, to avoid any seeming contradiction of
reports, the totals of the two groups are shown separately. How
ever, to present as much available information as possible concerning
the building-construction industry, a combined total of the two
groups, together with the per cents of change occurring from June
to July, is given at the end of the table.
D
fO M P A T in O N OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN ID E N T IC A L F IR M S
C O M P A R IS O N
U C T IO N IN D U S T R Y , JU N E A N D JU L Y , 1931
Localities
A tlanta
_________ -- Birm ingham
Clbari otta, Nh 0 ___
Cleveland ______ - - ___
D allas
______ _____ ___ D enver
D ps Moinps
_
H artford
__ _ _ _ _ - In d ia n a p o lis______ - ____ Jacksonville__________ - - Tmn is villa
_____ ________
-- - - M am phis ______
1VTinn a,apolis ___
__ _
New Orleans
_ ___
O klahoma C ity____- - - - - O m aha______________________
Portland, M a
_____
Portland, Orag
_ _
_ __
Providence
_ _ _ _ - ___
Richm ond ___ - ___
St Ron is
______ ____
Salt Rake C ity _____________ Seattle
______ ___ W ashington ______
_ _
W ilm ington, D e l-------------------
A m ount of pay roll
N u m N um ber on p ay roll
Per
(1 week)
Per
ber of
cent of
cent of
firms
change
change
report
June, 1931 Ju ly , 1931
June, 1931 Ju ly , 1931
ing
115
08
37
403
116
172
59
230
181
52
121
88
242
121
77
109
82
178
213
136
471
85
176
445
100
1,755
932
694
6,170
1,826
1,365
1,099
1,981
2,224
385
1,234
833
3,764
2,600
1,195
1,253
679
1,579
2,702
1,890
4,483
454
2,892
11, 206
1,606
- 0 .6
1,744
-9 .0
848
614 -1 1 .5
+ 0 .6
6,208
1, 552 -1 5 .0
-2 . 1
1,337
- 6 .6
1,027
-2 .9
1,924
+ 7 .8
2, 398
- 2 .6
375
- 1 .5
1,215
-5 .0
791
+ 3 .6
3,898
+ 4 .0
2,703
974 -1 8 .5
- 0 .8
1,243
- 9 .0
618
- 5 .3
1,496
- 9 .3
2,451
+ 1.5
1,919
-0 .9
4,443
+ 0 .4
456
2, 592 -1 0 .4
-5 .2
10, 628
-1 .9
1,575
$33,543
17,885
14, 268
229, 803
47,866
38,231
31,740
64,052
74, 526
7,178
28,909
17, 559
114, 293
55,033
35,400
34,554
20,293
49,194
78,927
46, 689
164, 808
12,381
90, 939
344,931
45,208
$32,662
17,027
14, 554
222, 158
39, 513
39, 025
30,833
64,221
77,058
6, 623
28,010
17, 303
111, 455
52,718
28, 214
37, 693
18,982
47, 626
75, 447
48, 589
160, 021
11,639
80,175
322,651
44,855
- 2 .6
- 4 .8
+ 2 .0
- 3 .3
-1 7 .5
+ 2.1
- 2 .9
+ 0.3
+ 3.4
- 7 .7
- 3 .1
- 1 .5
- 2 .5
- 4 .2
-2 0 .3
+9.1
- 6 .5
- 3 .2
- 4 .4
+4.1
- 2 .9
- 6 .0
-1 1 .8
- 6 .5
- 0 .8
T otal—25 cities--------------
4,082
56,801
55,029
- 3 .1
1,629,052
1,698, 210
- 4 .1
Baltim ore, MdA _____ ___ _
M assachusetts 1 ____
____
Wisconsin 1__________________
73
755
74
2,128
10, 380
3,034
1,938
10,457
2,991
-8 .9
+ 0 .7
-1 .4
51,709
325,347
73,786
44,189
368, 644
74, 629
-1 4 .5
+13.3
+1.1
Total—3 cooperating State
bureaus_______________
902
15,542
15,386
-1 .0
450,842
487,462
+8.1
70,415
- 2 .7
2,079,894
2,185,672
+5.1
'Potai—all localities______
4,984
72,343
1
1 D ata supplied b y cooperating S tate bureaus.
Data concerning the building-construction industry, shown in the
foregoing table, have not been included in the summary table, page
206. The several industrial groups in the summary table are not
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[7 1 3 ]
228
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
weighted according to their relative importance, and the bureau’s
monthly employment survey of the building-construction industry,
while being steadily expanded, has not yet attained sufficient volume
to represent its proper proportion in comparison with the other 15
industrial groups in the summary table.
E m p lo y m e n t o n C la ss I S t e a m R a ilr o a d s in t h e U n ite d S ta te s
HE monthly trend of employment from January, 1923, to June,
1931, on Class I railroads—that is, all roads having operating
revenues of $1,000,000 or over—is shown by the index numbers pub
lished in Table 1. These index numbers are constructed from
monthly reports of the Interstate Commerce Commission, using the
monthly average for 1926 as 100.
T
T a b l e 1 —IN D E X O F E M P L O Y M E N T ON CLASS I ST E A M R A IL R O A D S I N T H E U N IT E D
ST A T E S , JA N U A R Y , 1923, TO J U N E , 1931
[M onthly average, 1926=100]
M onth
Ja n u a ry __________
Febru ary _________
M arch_----------------A pril............ ..............
M ay ----- ------ -------J u n e _______ _____
July
Angust
September
Oetober
NovemberD ecem ber___ _ .
A verage____
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1930
98.3
98.6
100.5
102.0
105.0
107. 1
108. 2
109. 4
107.8
107. 3
105.2
99.4
96.9
97.0
97.4
98.9
99.2
98.0
98.1
99.0
99. 7
100. 8
99. 0
96.0
95.6
95.4
95.2
96.6
97.8
98.6
99.4
99. 7
99.9
100. 7
99.1
97.1
95.8
96.0
96.7
98.9
100. 2
101. 6
102.9
102.7
102.8
103.4
101.2
98.2
95.5
95.3
95.8
97.4
99.4
100.9
101.0
99.5
99.1
98.9
95.7
91.9
89.3
89.0
89.9
91.7
94. 5
95.9
95.6
95.7
95.3
95.3
92.9
89.7
88.2
88.9
90.1
92.2
94.9
96. 1
96.6
97.4
96.8
96.9
93.0
88.8
86.3
85.4
85.5
87.0
88. 6
86.5
84. 7
83.7
82. 2
80.4
77.0
74.9
73.7
72.7
72.9
73.5
73.9
72.8
104.1
98.3
97.9
100.0
97.5
92.9
93.3
83.5
1 73.3
1929
1931
1Average for 6 m onths.
Table 2 shows the total number of employees on the 15th day
each of June, 1930, and May and June, 1931, and pay-roll totals
for the entire months.
In these tabulations data for the occupational group reported as
“ executives, officials, and staff assistants” are omitted.
T a b l e 2 .—E M P L O Y M E N T A N D E A R N IN G S O F R A IL R O A D E M P L O Y E E S , J U N E , 1930,
A N D M A Y A N D J U N E , 1931
[From m o n th ly reports of In te rsta te Commerce Commission. As d ata for only the more im portant occu
pations are show n separately, th e group totals are no t the su m of the item s under the respective groups]
N um ber of employees a t
m iddle of m onth
T otal earnings
O ccupation
June, 1930 M ay, 1931 June, 1931 June, 1930
Professional, clerical, and general-----C lerks________________________
Stenographers and ty p ists____
M aintenance of w ay and stru ctu res-.
Laborers, extra gang a n d work
train __
___
.
. Laborers, track, and roadw ay
section_______________ .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
256, 686
142, 980
23,811
394,934
227,838
124, 284
21, 219
308, 317
M ay, 1931 June, 1931
224, 357 $37,421,105 $33, 616,285 $33, 202, 013
122, 216 19, 614, 331 17, 251, 169 17, 021, 539
20,933
3, 099, 865
2, 780, 258
2, 766, 491
310, 044 36,706,745 27, 963,239 28, 360, 419
65,464
37, 276
39, 040
4, 965, 985
2, 583, 532
2, 752, 381
201, 585
164,113
165, 031
14, 422, 788
11, 087,960
11,319,432
[714]
229
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
T a b l e 2 - E M P L O Y M E N T A N D E A R N IN G S O F R A IL R O A D E M P L O Y E E S , JU N E , 1930,
1 a b l e 2* l , -v ir la ;
A N D M AY A N D J U N E , 1931—Continued
N um ber of employees at
m iddle of m onth
T otal earnings
Occupation
June, 1930 M ay, 1931 June, 1931 June, 1930
M aintenance of equipm ent and stores.
C arm en------------ --------------------M achinists........................................
Skilled trades helpers--------------Laborers (shops, engine houses,
power plants, and stores)------(Common laborers (shops, engine
houses, power plants, and
s to r e s ) _____________ _______
Transportation, other th a n train,
engine, and y a rd ------- ------ - ............
S tation agents— ..........- ...........—Telegraphers, telephoners, and
tow erm en------------------ ---------Truckers (stations, warehouses,
and platform s)------------------- Crossing and bridge flagmen and
gatem en------------------------- - - —
T ransportation (yardm asters, switch
tenders, and hostlers)-------7—
T ransportation, tra in and engine
R oad conductors---------------R oad brakem en and flagmen
410, 674
87,465
51,380
90, 382
355,740
74, 062
46,916
78,128
33,703
29,073
343,686 $53,606,881 $44, 599,187 $42,927,953
71,450 12,883,925 10,385,232 10, 022,263
6, 564,094
6,825,478
7,928,924
45,540
7, 827,501
8,172,276
9,963,655
74,978
2,563,417
2,701,841
3,163,351
28,307
45,709
38,039
36,794
3,490,479
2, 783,144
2,707,268
183,210
28,797
162,283
27,768
161,739
27,685
22,804,754
4,521,767
20,495,068
4,396, 355
20,171,680
4, 386,370
21,904
19,850
19,520
3,361,993
3,127,198
2,999,497
23,928
2,638,651
2,198,584
2,136,118
18,946
1,562,279
1,472,853
1,466,999
17,633
244,443
28,042
54,106
41,019
32,959
33,590
3,967, 522
55, 553, 538
7, 596, 539
10,564,100
7,976, 858
10,049, 274
7, 356,153
24,228
28,660
18,996
19,996
17,937
249, 568
28,491
54,871
42,227
33,455
34,136
20, 370
281, 683
32,140
62,346
47,165
38,146
38, 694
R oad engineers and m o to rm o n ._
R oad firem an and helpers---------
M ay, 1931 June, 1931
3, 374,149
3,498,946
48,959, 036 47,285,305
6, 583,298
6,761, 511
8,964,152
9,237, 374
6,654, 722
6,943, 799
8, 660,129
8,947, 758
6,265, Oil
6,485,153
179,131, 761 175, 321, 519
. 1,547, 557 1,321,683 1,301,902 210,060, 545
All employees.
C h a n g e s in E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y R o lls in V a r io u s S ta te s
HE following data as to changes in employment and
¿oils
have been compiled from reports received from the various State
T
labor offices:
P aJ
P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y R O L L S IN S P E C IF IE D ST A T E S
Monthly period
P e r cent of change,
J une to Ju ly , 1931
Per cent of change,
June to Ju ly , 1931
State, and in d u stry group
State, and in d u stry group
E m ploy
m ent
E m ploy
m ent
P a y roll
A rk a n s a s —C ontinued
A rkansas
A uto dealers, g a ra g es...
A uto bodies, wood p a rts—
Bakeries a n d cafes----------B ev e ra g e s..------------------B rick a n d tile ------ v--------C andy a n d confections---Cooperage, heading, ve
n e e r .. ................
—
C otton compresses, gins,
a nd p ro d u cts------ -------Coal m ines-------------------F u rn itu re manufactures—
Flour, grain, feed, fertilizer.
Glass factories...... ........... —
H andles, hubs, spokes----H otels.....................................
L aun d ries--------- ------------L um ber m ills------------.—
M achinery,
foundries,
parts, sm elters------------
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
P a y roll
+ 1 .5
-2 5 .9
+ 0 .2 ! Newspapers a n d printers.
+ 3 .0
+ 2 .9
-5 .3
-2 1 . 5
+ 1 .9
+20.3
+ 9 .2
-3 .8
+11.7
+21.3
+2.2
+18.7
+ 7 .7
+15. 8
+ 4 .2
-
8.6
- 2 .5
- 3 .2
-
6.8
2.1
-4 .6
- 5 .8
+. 6
-9 .2
-1 .4
+ 2 .7
-2 4 .2
-
1.1
+ .2
-4 .2
-5 .6
+10.4
- 9 .6
- 4 .2
+ 2.4
-1 3 .1
M ay to June, 1931
+26.8
+ 6 .7
- 9 .2
-2 .3
-
+ 1.1
+ 6 .4
+ 22. 1
- 2 .3
-2 7 .1
- 4 .2
- 6 .3
-1 4 .7
+ 1.1
Packing houses-------------Petroleum p ro ducts-------Sand, gravel, stone--------Textile mills, g arm ent----Public utilities - - ................
Wholesale a n d retail..........
M iscellaneous---------------C ontractors-------------------
C alifornia
Stone, clay, a n d glass prod
u c ts ..................................-M etals, m achinery, and
conveyances---------------F u rn itu re a n d fixtures-----
[715]
-0 .4
+0.2
-5.3
-3.1
-9 .2
r-6.9
230
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y R O L L S IN S P E C IF IE D S T A T E S —
C ontinued
Monthly 'period— C ontinued
Per cent of change,
M ay to June, 1931
Per cent of change,
June to July, 1931
State, and in d u stry group
State, and in d u stry group
E m ploy
m ent
E m ploy
m ent
P ay roll
M a r y la n d
C alifornia—Continued
O ther wood m anufactures.
Leather and rubber goods.
Petroleum producing and
refining ______ _
O ther miscellaneous chemical products_______ . . .
P r in tin g ________________
Publishing______________
Paper g o o d s..___________
Textiles______ _____ _____
Clothing, millinery, and
laundering ___
____
Foods, beverages, and tob acco ... _. .......................
M otion pictures_________
M iscellaneous.......................
+ 2 .5
-2 .2
+ 7 .3
+ 4 .3
All industries______
- 6 .1
-4 .7
-2 .6
- 3 .1
-1 .4
+ .5
-.8
+ .6
-3 . 1
-2 .8
-1 . 1
-.8
- 6 .1
- 7 .8
+ 8 .2
+ 6 .4
+ 7 .8
- 4 .4
+ 8 .6
+16.7
-.5
-2 .9
June to Ju ly , 1931
Illin o is
Stone, clay, and glass produ c ts__________________
M etals, m achinery, and
conveyances.- ________
V ood p ro d u c ts _________
Furs and leather goods___
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.
Printing and paper goods..
Textiles__________ ____
Clothing and m illinery___
Foods, beverages, a n d tobacco ..................... ............
M iscellaneous.............. .........
-3 .8
-5 .7
-6 .3
-7 .3
+ 3 .1
- 1 .3
+ .7
- 1 .9
+ 1 .5
-8 .4
-7 .6
+ 5 .0
+ 2 .1
+ .4
-5 .7
+20.8
+ 1 .1
- 8 .8
- 2 .5
-6 1 .1
All m a n u factu rin g ...
- 2 .5
-3 .5
Trade, wholesale a n d retaiL
Services___ ___________
Public u tilities. ______
Coal mining
...
____
Building an d co n tractin g ..
- 1 .9
- 3 .0
- 3 .1
- 1 .0
- 7 .2
-.0
-5 .2
- 6 .9
+ .7
- 7 .3
A ll n o n m a n u f a c tu rin g ___________
- 2 .9
- 5 .5
All industries______
-2 . 6
-4 .4
Iow a
Food and kindred produ c ts. _____________
Textiles . . _______
Iron and steel works
Lum ber products
L eather products
Paper products, printing
and publishing
P a te n t medicines, chemicals, and compounds
Stone a n d clay p ro d u c ts ...
Tobacco a n d cigars
R ailw ay car shops _
Various industries
All industries
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
P ay roll
+ 0 .4
-8 .3
-2 . 9
+ .4
-1 . 3
- 1 .0
-1 0 . 9
-4 .4
-2 . 0
+ 1. 8
-2 . 4
----- — -----
- 0 .1
-1 .4
+ 1 .6
- 3 .1
+ .5
-6 .5
+ 3 .5
-.1
+ 3 .3
- 7 .7
-4 .0
+ .04
-3 .3
-2 .3
Food products___________
T e x tile s .-. ________ -- .
Iron a n d steel, a nd th eir
products___________
L um ber and its p ro d u c ts._
L eather and its p ro d u cts..
R u b b er tires_______ _____
Paper and printing _______
Chemicals and allied produ cts___ _
______
Stone, clay, a n d glass produ c ts_________ _____ M etal products, other th a n
iro n and steel . . .
Tobacco products________
T ransportation equipm ent.
Car building an d repairing.
M iscellaneous________
- 8 .3
- 9 .9
-1 2 .3
-2 4 .6
+ •1
+■ 9
-2 0 .6
+ 2.0
-1 2 .5
+13.0
+ 5.3
-2 3 .6
- 5 .1
-1 3 .1
All m anufacturing. _.
- 1 .8
- 6 .1
R etail establishm ents
Wholesale establishm ents..
Public u tilities________ _
Coal m ines....................... H o te ls --------- --------------Quarries.............
.
B uilding construction-----Laundries_________
Cleaning and dyeing establishm ents______________
- 4 .7
+9.1
+ .8
+ 1.8
- 2 .4
+ .4
- 8 .8
+ 1.3
+ .6
- 2 .5
-.2
+16.5
- 7 .6
+ 8.9
-1 3 .5
+ .6
+ 6.1
+ 3 .6
E m p lo y m e n t—index
num bers (1925-1927
= 100)
M ay, 1931 June, 1931
M a s s a c h u s e tts
Boot and shoe c u t stock
and findings. _ . . -----Boots and shoes_________
B read and other bakery
products______________
Clothing, m e n ’s _________
Clothing, w om en’s _______
Confectionery............ ..........
C otton g oods.. ______ . .
D yeing and finishing textiles___________ _____
Electrical m achinery, app aratus, and supplies___
Fou n d ry and machineshop p roducts___ F u rn itu re . . _________
H osiery and k n it goods---Leather, tanned, curried,
and finished.
Paper and wood p u lp —
P rinting and publishing. __
R ubber footw ear_____ . . .
R u b b er goods, tires, and
tu b es____ ____. . .
Silk goods___ ________ . . .
Textile m achinery and
p a rts___ ______ .- -----Woolen and worsted goods.
-1 . 2
All industries_____
[716]
86.3
66.2
78.9
60.1
97.9
51.4
99.5
80.9
58.1
99.8
58.4
95.3
82.6
54.5
92.0
87.6
66.2
64.9
83.8
70.2
70.0
81.3
67.4
70.0
94.6
81.3
98.0
60.6
94.0
78.1
95.0
66.7
60.3
60.3
58.7
53.6
61.9
69. 3
61.5
71.8
70.8
69.0
231
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y R O LLS IN S P E C IF IE D S T A T E S —
Continued
Monthly period— C ontinued
P er cent of change,
Ju n e to Ju ly , 1931
Per cent of change,
June to Ju ly , 1931
State, and in d u stry group
State, and in d u stry group
E m ploy
m ent
E m ploy
m ent
Pay roll
M ic h ig a n
Paper and printing ___ . . .
Chemicals and allied produ c t s . ..
___ _________
Stone, clay, and glass
products____ ________
M etal products, not iron
and steel______________
Iron and steel p roducts___
L um ber and its products __
Leather and its products.
Food and kindred products
Textiles and th eir products.
Tobacco products__
Vehicles for land transporta tio n ___ _ . . . . . __
Miscellaneous____ ______
All industries...........
N ew J e rse y
Food and kindred products___________________
Textiles and their products
Iron and steel and their
products______________
Lum ber and its p ro d u cts..
L eather and its products .
Tobacco products____ . . .
Paper and p rin tin g . . . . .
Chemicals and allied produ c ts_______________ _
Stone, clay, and glass produ c ts____ ____ . . . ..
M etal products other than
iron and steel__________
Vehicles for land transporta tio n . . . . . . . . .
M iscellaneous....................
All industries______
N ew Y o rk
Stone, clay, and glass_____
Miscellaneous stone
and m inerals____ _
Lime, cement, and
plaster___ _____
Brick, tile, and p o ttery .
Glass____ . . . _
M etals and m achinery.
Silver and jew elry____
Brass, copper, and
alu m in u m _____
Iron and stee l. ____
Structural and architectural iro n _______
Sheet m etal and hardw are______________
Firearm s, tools, and
cutlery ___________
Cooking, heating, and
ventilating apparatu s __________ ___
M achinery, including
electrical ap p aratu s..
New York—C ontinued
- 1 .1
- 4 .7
- 2 .0
- 3 .1
+ 1 .8
+ .4
- 6 .4
-8 .9
- 2 .5
+ 6 .7
+ 2 .5
-7 .2
- 2 .3
-1 6 .1
-1 4 . 1
+ 3 .3
+10.6
+ 2 .9
-1 6 .4
- 4 .5
-1 1 .0
-4 .6
-2 8 .7
-2 0 .8
- 9 .2
-2 4 .1
M av to June. 1931
- 3 .4
- 2 .6
+ 2 .2
- 8 .5
-2 .2
- 2 .3
- 7 .7
+ 2.3
+ .1
- 5 .1
- 3 .8
- 4 .7
+ 6 .0
- 1 .8
- 3 .3
- 2 .7
- 1 .3
- 7 .0
- 2 .5
- 6 .0
- 6 .9
-.1
-1 7 .4
- 4 .8
- 2 .3
- 5 .6
June to Ju ly , 1931
- 9 .0
-1 0 .2
- 5 .7
-1 2 .4
+ 1 .0
-1 0 .0
-1 8 .2
-5 . 1
-1 2 . 6
+. 1
-1 0 .7
-1 6 .8
- 6 .9
-1 7 .4
- 2 .1
- 5 .8
- 5 .8
+1. 1
+ 4 .0
+10.9
-3 .7
- 6 .0
- 7 .8
-9 .4
- 1 .1
+ 3 .9
- 4 .4
- 7 .9
M etals and m achinery—
C ontinued.
Automobiles, carriages,
and a ir p la n e s .,____
R ailroad equipm ent
and rep air___ B oat and ship building.
Instrum ents and appliances______________
Wood m anufactures_____
Saw and planing m ills.
F u rn itu re and cabinetw ork. . . . .
Pianos and other musical instrum ents___ _
M iscellaneous w o o d ...
Furs, leather, and rubber
goods.........
L eath er____ _________
Furs and fur goods___
S h o e s__________
O ther leather and
canvas goods _____
R ubber and guttapercha_____________
Pearl, horn, bone, e tc ..
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc..
Drugs and chem icals. _
P ain ts and colors_____
Oil products_________
Miscellaneous chemicals_______________
P aper____ ______ ________
P rin tin g and paper goods.
Paper boxes and tubes.
Miscellaneous paper
goods______________
P rinting and bookm aking____________
Textiles
Silk and silk g o o d s __
Wool m anufactures___
Cotton goods. ___
K n it goods (excluding
silk)___________ . . .
O ther textiles________
Clothing and m illinery___
M en ’s clothing_______
M en ’s fu rn ish in g s__
W om en’s clothing____
W omen’s u n d erw ear...
W om en’s headwear
Miscellaneous sew ing._
Laundering and cleaning-----------------------Food and tobacco________
Flour, feed, and cereal.
Canning and preserving-----------------------O ther groceries_______
M eat and dairy produ cts_______ _____ _
B akery p ro d u cts. ___
C andy .........................
Beverages_____ ____ _
Tobacco_____________
W ater, light, and p o w e r...
’No change.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
P ay roll
[717]
All industries______
- 6 .1
—6. 6
- 7 .1
(’)
-9 . 0
-1 0 . 2
-6 .6
- 1 .5
+ 1.0
-8 . 9
—. 2
+. i
- 2 .1
+4. 7
+ 1 .2
- 4 .3
—10 4
—1 6
+ 2 .2
+ 6.4
+ 6.9
+ 3 .0
+ 8 .0
+8. 7
+ 14. 3
+10. 0
- 4 .1
—1.1
-.4
-.4
- 1 .3
+ 2.4
-4 .2
- 2 .4
-1 . 4
—1. 0
—1. 0
+7. 8
—6. 4
-4 . 2
- 2 .1
+ .4
-2 . 1
- 3 .9
—2. 7
+2. 3
- 3 .6
—6. 0
- 4 .2
- 4 .9
- 1 .6
- .4
+ 3 .0
- .8
+ 2 .9
- 3 .3
+• 2
+ 4.1
+ .4
+10.9
- 1 .1
- 2 .4
- 2 .3
+ 5 .2
+ 2.1
- 8 .0
- 9 .6
-1 8 .4
- 9 .1
- 2 .4
- 2 .5
+ 4.3
+18.3
+ 4.3
+ 4.0
-1 2 .3
-1 9 .4
- 7 .7
-.6
+ 3.8
-1 . 1
- 1 .0
+ .2
+ 3 .2
+71.7
-.1
+31. 6
+ .3
-.7
- 1 .0
- 3 .4
- 4 .8
- 4 .4
+ .1
- 1 .0
- .7
-1 3 .0
+ 6.2
- 5 .1
+ 2.3
- 2 .0
- 1 .9
232
M O N TH LY LA BO R R E V IE W
P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y R O L L S IN S P E C IF IE D S T A T E S M o n th ly p e r io d — C ontinued
Per cent of change,
June to July, 1931
State, and in d u stry group
P er cent of change,
June to July, 1931
State, and in du stry group —------------
1
Em ploy
m ent J P ay roll
E m ploy
m ent'
O k la h o m a
Texas—C ontinued
Cottonseed-oil m ills .Food production:
Ice and ice cream . .
M eat and poultry
Oil industry: R efineries...
Public utilities:
Steam-railroad shops_
Street railw ays . .
W ater,light,and power
Stone, clay, and glass:
B rick and tile
Cem ent and p laster__
Glass m anufacture___
Textiles and cleaning:
Textile m a n u fa c tu re ...
W oodworking:
S a w m ills ...____
M illw ork, e tc ..
+32 1
+37.1
+20. 9
+28.1
+ 1. 1
-1 1 .3
-4 6 .0
+25.6
+22. 3
+1. 1
-1 3 .3
.0
—. 2
- 6 .6
-. 2
- 3 .0
- 7 .3
-2 2 .7
-1 2 .5
-1 2 .6
—21.9
-3 0 .8
- 8 .4
+37.1
.0
- 1 .4
- 9 .0
P en n sy lv a n ia
M etal products
T ransportation eq u ip m en t.
Textile products.
Foods and tobacco
Stone, clay, and glass
p ro d u c ts ___
L um b er products. _
Chemical products
Leather and ru b b er products
Paper and p rin tin g . .
+ 8 .8
- 2 .5
All m an u factu rin g ...
- 2 .7
—3.8
- 3 .5
-4 . 3
- .6
—5. 8
+ 4 .0
- 1 .8
Texas
A uto and body works
Confectioneries. .
P ure food p ro d u c ts ...
Ice cream factories.
Flour m ills ..
Ice factories..
M eat packing and slaugh
tering__
C otton oil m ills..
C otton compresses
M en’s clothing m anufac
tu re . . .
W om en’s clothing m an u
facture. ___
Brick, tile, and terra cotta
Foundries and machine
shops___.
Structural-iron works
R ailroad car shops
Electric-railw ay car shops
Petroleum refining
Sawmills . . .
Lum ber m ills.
F urnitu re m anufacture___
Paper-box m anufacture..
Cotton-textile mills
C em ent plants
Commercial printing
N ew spaper publishing___
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
P ay roll
1
Quarrying
Public u tilitie s ,.
R etail stores
Wholesale stores
H otels, . ..
M iscellaneous.,
-3 . 8
+ .8
- 6 .4
-2 . 5
2. 6
+ 5 .4
All industries___
M ay to June, 1931
W isconsin
M anual
Logging_________
M ining:
-2 1 . 6
Lead and z in c ..
-2 2 .6
Iro n .
Stone crushing and quarryi n g . .. __________
. M anufacturing:
- 6 .9
Stone and allied indus
- 8 .3
tries____.
-1 3 .6
- 2 .8
Wood
R u b b er____
-1 5 .0
Leather.
+ 3 .4
_____
Paper
- 4 .6
Textiles
Foods______
+ 4 .7
P rin tin g and publish- 6 .1
Chemicals (including
- 8 .3
soap, glue, and ex
plosives) ____
All m an ufacturing...
- 3 .4
- 2 .5
-5 6 .9
-1 9 . 2
-2 .3
+11.7
+24. 1
- 2 .0
-1 2 .6
+ 8 .0
-3 .0
- 9 .4
+ 5.8
- 1 .7
+ 4 .2
- 5 .7
- 2 .4
+L5
-. 1
- 3 .1
—4.0
- 8 .3
- 6 .1
-L I
- 1 .7
—. l
- 1 .4
- 4 .1
- 2 .3
- .7
- 1 .8
- 4 .0
+15.1
+13.7
+ 3.9
+ 6.0
+19.1
+ 6.5
C onstruction:
H ighw ay______
Kalll odd____
M arine dredging, sewer digging--------------C om m unication:
- 5 .0
-17. 2
+17.3
E x p re ss, te le p h o n e,
telegraph____ .
+ 8 .8
Light and pow er. _
Wholesale tra d e __
H otels and re s ta u ra n ts ..
L aundering and dyeing___
—36. 6
+ 9 .1
-8 . 2
-3 . 1
—1.8
- 4 .2
-. 1
- 7 .5
+10.5
+ 1 .7
-3 .6
-3 .3 _
-7 . 6
+ 8 .8 .
-2 . 6 .
—33. 3
—1.3
+1. 4
+13. 6
+2 3
+11.9
- 2 .2
- 3 .7
- 3 .1
-1 . 2
+ 4 .8
+ .6
-4 .5
- 1 .3
+. 3
•^
—2. 3
-3 . 7
-3 3 .6
1. 5
- 2 .8
N onm anual
M a n u fa c tu rin g ,
m in es,
Wholesale trade
R etail trade—sales force
only
M iscellaneous professional
services
1
[ 718]
- 4 .0
—. 3
+ .3
233
T R E N D O P E M PL O Y M E N T
PE R . C E N T O F C H A N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y R O L L S IN S P E C IF IE D ST A T E S
C ontinued
Y e a r l y p e r io d
E m p lo y m en t—index
num bers (1925-1927
Per cent of change,
June, 1930, to June,
1931
= 100)
State, and in d u stry group
State, and in d u stry group
E m ploy
m ent
June, 1930 June, 1931
P a y roll
M assach u setts—Contd.
C alifornia
Stone, clay, and glass prod
u c ts—
M etals, m achinery, and
conveyances---------------Wood m anufactures-------Leather and ru b b er goods..
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.
Printing and paper goods..
Textiles------------------------Clothing, m illinery, and
laundering------------------Foods, beverages, and to
bacco________________
M iscellaneous1~ - ........... All industries.
Public u tilities-------Wholesale and retail.
-1 5 .9
-2 3 .8
-2 1 .2
-2 1 .1
- 6 .9
-2 4 .9
- 9 .4
- 6 .3
-3 0 .6
-30. 5
- 8 .3
-32. 8
-1 3 .3
-1 3 .4
- 6 .6
-1 4 .3
-1 7 .4
-12. 7
-2 4 .7
-1 5 .5
-18. 1
-2 6 .1
- 9 .8
- 7 .9
-1 2 .9
-1 4 .5
tiles__________________
llectrical m achinery, ap
paratus, and su p p lie s...
fo u n d ry a n d m achineshop p ro d u c ts .----------Leather, tanned, curried,
and finished----------------Paper and wood p u lp -----Printing and p u b lishing...
R ubber fo o tw ear.----------R ubber goods, tires, and
tu b e s ..----------------------Silk goods______________
T e x tile m a c h in e ry an d
p a rts _________________
Woolen and worsted goods.
Illin o is
78.6
66.8
86.2
60. 5
88.6
92.9
107. 3
84.4
75.8
65.2
45.1
98.7
80.6
88.9
91.6
74.5
Foods, beverages, and to
bacco___________
88.8
77.0
All m anufacturing. . .
85. 7
70.5
1.
69.0
102.1
64. 1
73.4
63.9
92.9
68.1
43.7
87.3
74.7
All industries.
M ich ig a n
P ap er and p rin tin g ---------Chemicals and allied prod
u c ts__________________
Stone, clay, and glass prod
u c ts.............................r ----M etal products, not iron
a n d steel______________
Iron and steel p roducts---Lum ber and its products..
Leather and its products..
Food and kindred products
Textiles and th eir products.
Tobacco products-----------Vehicles for lan d transpor
tation
Miscellaneous
All industries.
June, 1930 June, 1931
M a ssa c h u setts
and findings. ..
Boots and shoes.
N ew Y ork
y
products________
Clothing, m en’s ---Clothing, wom en’s .
Confectionery------1 Includes m otion pictures.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
87.6
80.3
64.9
102.8
81.3
67.4
70.0
87. 5
77.9
76.5
94.0
78. 1
95.0
66.7
80. 2
81.4
58.7
53.6
69. 1
73. 2
61.5
71.8
95.8
90. 7
102. 6
P e r cent of change,
June, 1930, to June,
1931 '
July, 1930 Ju ly , 1931
Public utilities .
Coal m ining—
54.5
92.5
All industries---------
E m p lo y m e n t—index
num bers (1925-1927
= 100)
Stone, clay, and glass prod
ucts ------ -----------M etals, m achinery, and
conveyances----------Wood pro d u cts---------Furs and leather goods
Chemicals, oils, paints, ..
Printing and paper goods.
Textiles__________
58.6
86. 2
,70.3
78.9
60. 1
108. 2
66. 1
100.4
79.9
99.8
58.4
95.3
82.6
Stone, clay, and g la ss..—
M isc e lla n eo u s s to n e
and m inerals---------L im e , c e m e n t, a n d
plaster____________
Brick, tile, and pottery
Glass
[719]
234
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
P E R G E N T O F C H A N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y R O L L S IN S P E C IF IE D S T A T E S —
C ontinued
Y e a r l y p e r io d — C ontinued
Per cent of change,
July, 1930, to July,
1931
Per cent of change,
July, 1930, to July,
1931
State, and in d u stry group
State, and in d u stry group
Em ploy
m ent
E m ploy
m ent
P ay roll
New York—C ontinued
New York—C ontinued
M etals and m achinery-----Silver and jew elry-----Brass, copper, and alu
m in u m __________
Iron and steel________
Structural and archi
tectural iro n ...............
Sheet m etal and h a rd
ware_______________
Firearm s, tools, and
cu tlery ____________
Cooking, heating, and
v en tilatin g ap p ara
tu s ________________
M achinery, including
electrical ap p aratu s. _
Automobiles, carriages,
and airplanes______
R a ilro a d e q u ip m e n t
a n d repairs________
B oat and ship buildinginstrum ents and appli
ances______________
Wood m anufactures--------Saw and planing m ills.
F u rn itu re and cabinet
w ork................... .........
Pianos, and other m u
sical in stru m e n ts___
M iscellaneous w ood__
Furs, leather, and rubber
goods--------------------------L eather_______ ______
Fu rs and fur goods___
Shoes________________
O ther leather and can
vas goods__________
R u b b er and g u tta
percha_____________
Pearl, horn, bone, etc.
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc..
Drugs and chem icals..
P ain ts and colors_____
Oil products_________
M iscellaneous chem i
cals................. .............
P a p e r____________ ______
P rintin g and paper goods.
Paper boxes a n d tu b es.
M iscellaneous paper
goods______________
P rin tin g and bookm a k in g ..................
T ex tiles_________________
Silk and silk goods___
Wool m anufactures___
C otton goods________
K n it goods (excluding
silk )_________ _____
O ther textiles________
Clothing and m illinery___
M en’s clothing_______
M en’s furnishings........
W om en’s clothing____
W om en’s u n d erw ear...
W om en’s headw ear___
Miscellaneous sew ing..
Laundering and clean
ing----------- ---------
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
P ay roll
21.1
-3 1 .9
-4 9 .0
20.8
-1 3 .6
-2 9 .1
-2 9 .1
-2 7 .7
-3 3 .1
-1 9 .4
-2 7 .8
-2 8 .5
-4 1 .3
-
10.2
-1 8 .6
-
21.1
-3 4 .3
-
-2 8 .4
-
20.1
-2 9 .8
-2 4 .9
-3 0 .1
-3 2 .4
-4 0 .3
-1 9 .7
-2 1 .4
-2 7 .4
-2 9 .2
-2 7 .1
-2 5 .6
-3 4 .7
-3 3 .7
- 9 .7
-4 6 .5
- 8 .4
-
22.1
-
- 5 .8
6.1
-
+ 3 .2
- 2 .4
-4 .4
-1 0 .9
-1 8 .1
-2 6 .3
- 9 .7
- 9 .4
-1 6 .9
-2 0 .3
-1 5 .9
11.1
-
+ 8.8
+ .2
- 7 .7
-1 3 .0
- 6 .7
-
-1 6 .1
-7 .7
-2 2 .3
-1 3 .4
10.6
-
10.2
-1 8 .8
-
-
11.1
11.1
-1 0 .9
-1 7 .0
-1 5 .1
-1 7 .3
-9 .9
- 3 .8
-1 6 .4
-
1.2
+45.9
+ 5 .0
-1 7 .9
- 6 .7
11.1
-
-5 .2
- 4 .8
- 7 .1
+ 3 .5
-1 9 .5
-
1.0
-
10.1
-5 .8
-2 5 .4
+ 7 .0
+60.2
-.9
-
21.6
-1 1 .3
-1 4 .9
- 6 .4
-1 2 .3
-1 4 .3
-5 .8
-
21.8
- 1 .5
Food and tobacco----------Flour, feed, and cereals.
Canning and preserv
in g ---------------- -------O ther groceries_______
M eat and dairy prod
u c ts__________ ____
B akery products_____
C andy______________
B everages.____ ______
Tobacco_______ _____
W ater, light, and p o w e r...
All in d u stries.............
-1 7 .2
+ .1
-2 1 9
- 7 .9
-4 2 .7
-2 4 .6
-6 1 .9
-2 6 .7
-1 6 .0
-1 2 .3
-.3
- 2 .4
-.4
- 9 .0
-1 3 .9
-1 9 .3
-1 2 .4
-1 7 .1
- 4 .4
-8 .9
- 4 .2
-2 0 .2
-2 3 .9
-3 4 .0
- 5 .7
- 5 .4
-40.1
-5 2 . 7
- 8 .7
-1 0 .0
-1 8 .7
-2 2 .0
- 3 .6
-2 9 .8
-2 8 .8
-1 5 .2
- 2 .9
- 7 .4
-17. 2
- 8 .1
-1 5 .1
-3 1 .5
P e n n s y lv a n ia
M etal products__________
T ransportation equipm ent.
Textile products...................
Foods and tobacco_______
Stone, clay, and glass prod
u c ts __________ ________
L um ber p ro d u c ts ...............
Chemical p roducts..............
Leather and rubber prod
u c ts___________________
Paper and p rin tin g ---------All m a n ufacturing...
T exas
Auto and body w orks.........
Bakeries.................................
C onfectioneries....................
Pure food p roducts_______
Ice-cream factories...............
Flour m ills ......... .................
Ice factories_____________
M eat packing and slaugh
tering_________________
Cotton-oil m ills..................
Cotton compresses_______
M en’s clothing m anufac
tu re . __________________
W omen’s clothing m anu
facture________________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta..
Foundries and machine
shops_________________
Structural-iron w orks.........
Railroad-car shops_______
Electric-railw ay car shops..
Petroleum refining_______
Sawmills_______ ______ _
Lum ber m ills......................
F u rn itu re m anufacture___
Paper-box m anufacture___
Cotton-textile mills______
C em ent p la n ts____ ______
Commercial p rin tin g ..........
Newspaper publishing____
Q uarrying________ ______
Public u tilities................ .
R etail stores__________ _
Wholesale stores...................
H otels__________________
R estau ran ts...........................
All in d u stries..........
[720]
-
8.2
- 9 .7
-5 2 .5
-2 7 .3
-5 .5
-1 3 .8
+ 4.1
- 6 .7
+• 8
+64.8
+12.5
+39.0
20.2
-
-6 0 .7
-2 7 .4
-1 1 .7
- 9 .5
-1 4 .3
-5 0 .8
-8 .9
- 7 .1
-1 0 .7
-4 1 .3
-
1.2
- 5 .4
- 5 .1
+ 1 .7
12.0
-
- 3 .3
-8 .4
-
8.6
-1 5 .4
-1 7 .7
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES
R e ta il P r ic e s o f F o o d in J u ly , 1931
HE following tables are compiled from simple averages of the
actual selling prices 1 received monthly by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics from retail dealers.
Table 1 shows for the United States retail prices of food July 15,
1930, and June 15 and July 15, 1931, as well as the percentage changes
in the year and in the month. For example, the retail price per
pound of pork chops was 36.5 cents on July 15, 1930; 29.4 cents on
June 15, 1931; and 31.8 cents on July 15, 1931. These figures
show a decrease of 13 per cent in the year and an increase of 8 per
cent in the month.
The cost of various articles of food combined shows a decrease of
17.5 per cent July 15, 1931, as compared with July 15, 1930, and an
increase of 0.5 per cent July 15, 1931, as compared with June 15, 1931.
T
T a b l e 1 .— A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D FO O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R C E N T
OF IN C R E A S E OR D E C R E A S E JU L Y 15, 1931, C O M P A R E D W IT H JU N E 15, 1931, A N D
JU L Y 15, 1930
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given in whole numbers]
Average retail price on—
U nit
Article
Sirloin steak
R ound steak
R ib roast
___
C huck roast - __
P late beef
_
July 15,
1930
June 15,
1931
July 15,
1931
Cents
Cents
Cents
Pound _. ._
_ _____ _ __do ____
._ _ _
__ ____do_______
____ _____ ___ _do___
____do____
_______ -
46.3
41.1
34.0
26.6
18.1
Per cent of increase
(+ ) or decrease (—)
July 15, 1931, com
pared w ith—
July 15,
1930
June 15,
1931
38.7
33.7
28.3
20.9
13.6
39.2
34.4
28.3
20.8
13.4
-1 5
-1 6
-1 7
-2 2
-2 6
+1
+2
0
-1
-1
Pork chops ____
_____ - - __ __do_______
Bacon, sliced
__ _
__ __ _ ____do___ ___
_do_____
H am, sliced
__ _ _
do ____
Lam b, leg of
_ _ _____ ____
Hens _ _
_______________ ____do_______
36.5
42.3
53.8
35.7
34.4
29.4
36.9
45.9
30.6
31.1
31.8
37.0
46.1
30.0
30.8
-1 3
-1 3
-1 4
-1 6
-1 0
+8
+ 0.3
+ 0.4
-2
-1
_ _ _do______
Salmon, red, canned
___
M ilk, fresh
_ _ __
_ _ Q u art___ . 16-oz. can____
M ilk, evaporated _ _____
P o u n d .. . . . .
B utter
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r substi__do__ ____
tu te s)- _ _ _ ___________ --
31.9
14.0
10.0
43. 7
33.6
12.0
9.2
30.9
33.4
12.1
9.2
31.8
+5
-1 4
-8
—27
-1
+1
0
+3
25.7
19.0
18.4
—28
—3
____do _ ____
Cheese _ _
_______do_____
Lard
__ __do______
Vegetable lard su b stitu te _ __
D ozen.. ___
TCggs, stric tly fresh
B read_____ --- --------------------------- P o u n d _______
1 In add itio n to m o n th ly retail prices of food and coal,
gas and electricity for household use in each of 51 cities.
in June and D ecember of each year.
34.3
16.3
24.3
35.1
8.8
26.5
13.0
23.3
25.8
7.6
26.2
13.0
23.2
28.6
7.5
-2 4
-2 0
-5
-1 9
-1 5
-i
0
- 0 .4
+11
-1
72574°— 31----- 16
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[721]
the bureau publishes periodically the prices of
A t present this information is being collected
235
236
m onthly
labor
r e v ie w
T a b l e I.- A V E R A G E r e t a i l p r i c e s o f s p e c i f i e d p o o d a r t i c l e s a n d p e r c e n t
TTFr
D E C R E A S E JU L Y 15, 1931, C O M P A R E D W IT H JU N E 15, 1931, A N D
JULY 15, 1930— Continued
UUifiUF011
Average retail price on—
Article
U nit
Ju ly 15,
1930
June 15,
1931
Ju ly 15,
1931
Cents
Cents
Cents
Per cent of increase
(+ ) or decrease ( —)
Ju ly 15, 1931, com
pared w ith—
Ju ly 15,
1930
June 15,
1931
3.6
4.5
8.0
8.8
23.9
-2 2
-1 5
-8
-6
-6
-3
0
0
—1
- 0 .4
F lo u r_____________
Corn meal_________
Rolled oats________
Corn flakes________
W heat cereal_____ _
Pound
____
____do _______
____do
8-oz. package..
28-oz. package.
M acaroni_________
R ice______________
Beans, n a v y _______
Po tato es.......... ...........
Onions____________
P o u n d _____
_do _____
___do _____
___do _____
_ __do __ __
19.3
9.5
11.5
3.3
5.8
16.9
8.2
8.0
2.4
4.8
16.6
8.1
7.9
2.3
4.9
-1 4
-1 5
-3 1
-3 0
-1 6
-2
-1
-1
-4
+2
C abbage__________
Pork and beans____
Corn, canned______
Peas, canned______
No. 2 can . . .
_ -do _____
___do ____
4.4
11.0
15.3
16.2
4.0
10.3
13.3
13.9
3.7
10.3
13.2
13.9
-1 6
-6
-1 4
-1 4
-8
0
—1
0
Tom atoes, c an n e d ...
Sugar_____________
T e a _______________
Coffee_____________
_ _do
P o u n d ..
-__do _ _ _
__ _do __ _ _
12.4
6.1
77.6
40.4
10.1
74.4
33.1
10. 1
5.6
74.6
32.5
-1 9
-8
-4
-2 0
0
0
+ 0.3
-2
Prunes____________
R aisins___________
B ananas__________
Oranges___________
-_ .do __ ___
___do _____
Dozen . _.
---- do. ___ _
16.5
11.9
30.6
64.0
11.8
11.1
26.1
37.6
11.8
11.3
25.6
38.0
-2 8
-5
-1 6
-4 1
0
+2
—2
+1
4.6
5.3
8.7
9.4
25.4
3.7
4.5
8.0
8.9
24.0
5.6
W eighted food index
Table 2 shows for the United States average retail prices of specified
food articles on July 15, 1913, and on July 15 of each year from 1925
to 1931, together with percentage changes in July of each of these
specified years compared with July, 1913. For example, the retail
price per pound of lard was 15.9 cents in July, 1913; 23.5 cents in
July, 1925; 22.9 cents in July, 1926; 18.8 cents in July, 1927; 18 4
cents m July, 1928; 18.3 cents in July, 1929; 16.3 cents in July, 1930and 13.0 cents in July, 1931.
’
As compared with July, 1913, these figures show increases of 48
per cent m July, 1925; 44 per cent in July, 1926; 18 per cent in July
1927; 16 per cent in July, 1928; 15 per cent in July, 1929; and 3 per
cent in July, 1930. In July, 1931, there was a decrease of 18 per
cent as compared with July, 1913.
The cost of the various articles of food combined showed an increase
of 19.5 per cent in July, 1931, as compared with July, 1913.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
r
[7223
237
W HOLESALE AND BETA IL PRICES
3 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D FO O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R C E N T
OF IN C R E A S E JU L Y 15 OF C E R T A IN S P E C IF IE D Y E A R S C O M P A R E D W IT H JU L Y 15,
1913
.
.
.
,
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given in whole num bers]
table
Per cent of increase Ju ly 15 of each
specified year compared w ith July
15, 1913
Average retail prices on Ju ly 15—
Article
1913 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931
Sirloin steak pound-Round steak ,
do
R ib roast - - do
Chuck roast
do
P late beef-------- d o -.-.
Pork chops
--do
Bacon, sliced
doH am , sliced
-do
Lam b, leg of- - do H ens___ _____do ----Salmon, red, canned
M ilk, fresh___ q u a rt. _
M ilk , e v a p o r a te d
as.
26.4
23.2
20.2
10.4
12.2
as.
42.2
36.5
30.4
22.4
14.0
as.
42.0
36. 3
30.7
22.7
14.5
as.
43.6
37.9
31.7
23.9
15.3
as.
49.7
43.9
36.0
28.9
19.1
as.
52.5
47.0
38.2
31.3
21.5
as.
46.3
41.1
34.0
26.6
18.1
as.
39.2
34.4
28.3
20.8
13.4
60
57
50
37
15
69
56
52
38
19
65
63
57
46
25
88
89
78
76
57
99
103
89
91
76
75
77
68
62
48
48
48
40
27
10
21.7
28.0
28.1
19.7
21.7
39.2
48.7
54.4
39.3
36.6
41.7
52.3
60.9
40.3
39.2
34.9
46. 6
54.6
40.3
35.6
37.3
43.9
53. 4
41.1
36.7
39.5
44.3
56.4
41.1
39.9
36.5
42.3
53.8
35.7
34.4
31.8
37.0
46.1
30.0
30.8
81
74
94
99
69
92
87
117
105
81
61
66
94
105
64
72
57
90
109
69
82
58
101
109
84
68
51
91
81
59
47
32
64
52
42
31 5 38 1 32 3 35 3 31. 5 31. 9 33. 4
8.8 13.8 13.8 14.0 14. 1 14.3 14.0 12.1
11.4 11. : 11. 5
B u tte r____ ..p o u n d ... 34.8 53.2 50.1 51.4
O le o m a rg a rin e (all
b u tte r substitutes)
pound
29 9 30 2 28 0
Cheese. . . . ---d o ---- 21.9 36.6 35.6 36.9
L a r d ... - -. --d o ---- 15.9 23.5 22.9 18.8
Vegetable lard substi25.8 25.9 25. 0
Eggs, strictly fresh
__________ dozen-. 29. S 46.2 42.1 36.9
B read_______ pound
5.6 9.4 9.4 9.3
3. a 6.1 6.0 5.5
F lour______ _ do-.
Corn m e a l ------ do----- 3.0 5.4 5.1 5.2
9.2 9.1 9. C
Corn flakes
ft-nun op, package
W heat cereal
2ft-ounce package
Macaroni
pound
R ice.- ----------- do----Beans, nav y
do
11 1 10.9
98
57
57
59
60
63
59
38
11 1 10. 9 10.0 9.2
54.3 53.4 43.7 31.8
53
44
48
56
53
26
i9
27, 2 27. 2 25. 7 18.4
38.3 37.9 34.3 26.2
18.4 18.3 16.3 13.0
67
48
63
44
68
18
75
16
73
15
57
20
3 i 18
55
68
85
80
41
68
82
70
23
66
67
73
39
64
70
77
47
61
52
77
17
57
39
77
i4
34
9
50
29
34
23
15
11
9
i7
121
21
105
74
21
35
42
6C
33
42
65
If
42
6f
11
43
36
37
9
44.'
19.5
24.9 24. 8 24. 3 23.2
41.6 44.1 35.1 28.6
9.2 9.0 8.8 7.5
5.6 5. C 4.6 3.6
5.3 5.3 5.3 4.5
ft 9 8. 8 8. 7 8. C
9 5
9. 5
9. 4
8. 8
24 6 25 4 25 A 25 6 25. 5 25.4 23. (
20. 5 20. 2 20. 0 19. 8 19. 7 19. 3 16.6
8.7 11.2 11.7 10.7 10.0 9.7 9.5 8.1
10 £ 9 2 9 A 12 5 14. c 11. 5 7. i
Potatoes. _____do----- 1.9
Onions
do _
Cabbage
_ do__ _
Pork and beans
No. 2 can
Corn, canned
do
Peas, canned
do
Tomatoes, canned
No. 2 can
Sugar, granulated
__________ p o u n d .. 5.
T e a ___________ do----- 54.'
Coffee_________ do----- 29.!
Prunes _______ do__
Raisins
____do __
B a n a n a s _____dozen
Oranges
do
4.4
9. 5
6. 5
4.1
6. 8
5. 1
4.2
7. 8
5. 5
2.3
59
4. 3
3. S
7. (
4. 8
3.3
5. f
4. 4
2.3
4. <
3.7
12. ‘ 11. { 11. 5 11.
18. 3 16. 4 15. 15.
18 4 17.4 16.
16.
11.
15.
16.
11. t io. :
15. 13.
16. 13.
11. f 12.
132
11.
13.1
12. < 10.
7.
6.!
7.'
75.
77. ( 77.,
50. ! 51. : 47.
17.
17. 15.
7.
77.
49.
13.
6.
77.
49.
14.
6.
77.
40.
16.
5. !
74.1
32.,
11. f
__
14.
36.
61.
13.
32.
62.
32.
44.
h.
11.
30.
64.
11.
25.
38.
—
13.
14.
35.
49.
14.
33.
50.
All articles combined 2
2f
3!
7i
60.
Ilf
2.
4:
7
57.
54.
53.
59.
1 Decrease.
2 Beginning w ith January, 1921, index num bers showing the tren d in th e retail cost of food have been
composed of the articles shown in Tables 1 and 2, weighted according to the consum ption of the average
family. From January, 1913, to December, 1920, th e index num bers included the following articles: Sir
loin steak, round steak, rib roast, chuck roast, plate beef, pork chops, bacon, ham, lard, hens, flour, corn
meal, eggs, bu tter, milk, bread, potatoes, sugar, cheese, rice, coffee, and tea.
Table 3 shows the trend in the retail cost of three important groups
of food commodities, viz, cereals, meats, and dairy products, by years,
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[723]
238
MONTHLY LA B O R REV IEW
from 1913 to 1930, and by months for 1929, 1930, and 1931. The
articles within these groups are as follows:
Cereals: Bread, flour, corn meal, rice, rolled oats, corn flakes,
wheat cereal, and macaroni.
Meats: Sirloin steak, round steak, rib roast, chuck roast, plate
beef, pork chops, bacon, ham, hens, and leg of lamb.
Dairy products: Butter, cheese, fresh milk, and evaporated milk.
T a b l e 3 .—IN D E X N U M B E R S O F R E T A IL CO ST O F C E R E A L S , M E A T S , A N D D A IR Y
P R O D U C T S F O R T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S , 1913 TO JU L Y , 1931
[Average cost in 1913=100.0]
Y ear and m onth
1913: Average for year___
1914: Average for year___
1915: Average for year , ,
1916: Average for year___
1917: Average for year___
1918: Average for year___
1919: Average for year___
1920: Average for year___
1921: Average for year___
1922: Average for year___
1923: Average for year___
1924: Average for year___
1925: Average for year___
1926: Average for year___
1927: Average for year. ,
1928: Average for year___
1929: Average for year___
J a n u a r y ___________
F ebruary _ ______
M arch _____________
A pril_______ _ .
M a y _______________
J u n e .- __________
J u ly _______________
A ugust ______ . Septem ber, __ . .
Cereals M eats
100.0
106. 7
121.6
126.8
186.5
194.3
198.0
232. 1
179.8
159. 3
156. 9
160. 4
176. 2
175. 5
170. 7
167.2
164. 1
164. 1
164. 1
164. 1
164. 1
163. 5
103. 0
163.5
164.7
165.2
100.0
103.4
99.6
108.2
137. 0
172.8
184.2
185.7
158.1
150.3
149.0
150. 2
163.0
171.3
169.9
179.2
188.4
180.9
180. 3
182.8
187. 5
191. 2
192. 4
195. 9
196. 0
194.2
D airy
prod
ucts
100.0
97.1
96.1
103. 2
127.6
153.4
176.6
185. 1
149.5
135.9
147.6
142.8
• 147.1
145. 5
148.7
150. 0
148.6
151. 9
152. 6
152. 4
148.9
147.5
146.8
146.8
147.1
148.1
Y ear and m onth
1929—Continued.
October ______ _
N ovem ber_________
D ecember_________
1930: Average for year___
Jan u ary _____ _____
F eb ru ary ____ ______
M arch_____________
A pril______________
M ay _______________
Ju n e _______________
Ju ly ----------------------A ugust____________
Septem ber________
October____________
N ovem ber_________
D ecember______
1931:
Jan u ary __________
F e b ru a ry , __ ___
M arch___________ ,
A pril_____________
M ay _____________
Ju n e _______ . . . .
J u l y . , , ___________
Cereals M eats
Dairy
prod- ]
ucts
163.5
163.6
162. 9
158. 0
162. 9
161.6
160. 9
160. 3
159. 8
160. 1
158.6
156. 9
156.4
154. 4
152. 4
151.6
189.2
184. 1
181.8
175.8
183.6
183. 1
183.0
183.3
181.5
179.9
175.2
169.9
173.3
171. 1
164.0
161. 6
149.3
147.0
144.9
136. 5
138.9
138.5
137.6
138.9
137.0
133.7
133.9
137.4
138.8
137.8
135.3
129.8
147. 1
144. 6
142. 4
138. 9
137. 7
136. 3
134. 3
159.5
153.4
152. 5
151. 4
149.3
145.7
147.8
123.6
120. 2
120.5
116.5
110.3
108.3
109. 7
I n d e x N u m b e r s o f R e t a il P r ic e s o f F o o d i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
I n T able 4 index numbers are given which show the changes in
the retail prices of specified food articles, by years, for 1913 and 1920
to 1930,2 by months for 1930 and 1931. These index numbers, or
relative prices, are based on the year 1913 as 100.0, and are computed
by dividing the average price of each commodity for each month and
each year by the average price of that commodity for 1913. These
figures must be used with caution. For example, the relative price
of sirloin steak for the year 1930 was 182.7, which means that the
average money price for the year 1930 was 82.7 per cent higher than
the average money price for the year 1913. As compared with
the relative price, 196.9 in 1929, the figures for 1930 show a decrease
of 14.2 points, but a decrease of 7.2 per cent in the year.
In the last column of Table 4 are given index numbers showing
changes in the retail cost of all articles of food combined. Since
January, 1921, these index numbers have been computed from the
average prices of the articles of food shown in Tables 1 and 2, weighted
according to the average family consumption in 1918. (See March,
1921, issue, p. 25.) Although previous to January, 1921, the number
of food articles varied, these index numbers have been so computed
2 For index num bers of each m onth, January, 1913, to D ecem ber, 1928, see B ulletin No. 396, pp. 41 to
61; and B ulletin No. 495, pp. 32 to 45. Index num bers for 1929 are published in each L abor Review, Feb
ruary, 1930, to February, 1931.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[724]
239
WHOLESALE AND R ETA IL PRICES
as to be strictly comparable for the entire period. The index num
bers based on the average for the year 1913 as 100.0 are 118.3 for
June, 1931, and 119.0 for July, 1931.
T a b l e 4 .—IN D E X N U M B E R S O F R E T A IL P R IC E S OF P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F FO O D
BY Y E A R S, 1913, 1920 TO 1930, A N D BY M O N T H S F O R 1930 A N D 1931
[Average for year 1913=100.0]
Year and
m onth
Sirloin Round Rib C huck Plate
steak steak roast roast beef
1913
____
1920
____
1921
_____
1922
____
1923 _______
1924
______
1925
______
1926 _______
1927
______
1928 ________
1929
______
1930 _
___
January __
February _
M arch,
A pril_____
M a y ____Ju n e ______
J u l y _____
A ugust..
September
O ctober.. .
November..
D ecem ber..
1931:
January___
F e b ru a ry .
M a r c h ___
A p ril. . . .
M ay . . . . .
June . . .
J u ly ______
Year and
m onth
1913__________
1920
1921 _______
1922 _________
1923__________
1924__________
1925
______
1926
1927 _________
1928 . .
1929
1930
January ..
February
M arch . . . .
A pril_____
M a y . __
June . . . _
July. .. . . .
A ugust____
Septem ber.
O ctober___
N ovem ber
D ecem ber..
1931:
Jan u ary .. .
F e b ru a ry .
M arch ____
A p ril_____
M ay
June
J u ly .......
Pork Bacon H am Lam b, Hens
leg of
chops
M ilk B u tte r
100.0
172.1
152.8
147.2
153.9
155.9
159.8
162. 6
167.7
188. 2
196.9
182. 7
192.9
191.3
190. 6
190. 2
190. 2
188.6
182. 3
175.6
177.2
175.2
170.5
168.9
100.0
177.1
154.3
144.8
150. 2
151.6
155.6
159.6
166.4
188.3
199.1
184.8
195.5
194.2
192.8
193.3
192.8
191.5
184.3
176.7
178.0
176.2
170.9
169.1
100.0
167.7
147.0
139.4
143.4
145.5
149.5
153.0
158.1
176.8
185.4
172.7
183.3
181.8
181. 3
181.3
179.8
177.3
171.7
163.1
166.7
164.1
160.6
159.6
100.0
163.8
132.5
123.1
126.3
130.0
135.0
140.6
148.1
174.4
186.9
170.0
184.4
184.4
182.5
182.5
179.4
175.6
166.3
155.6
160.0
158.7
154.4
153.8
100.0
151.2
118.2
105.8
106.6
109.1
114.1
120.7
127.3
157.0
172.7
155.4
172.7
171.9
170.2
168.6
164.5
160.3
149.6
138.8
142.1
142.1
139.7
139.7
100.0 100.0
201.4 193.7
166.2 158.2
157.1 147.4
144.8 144.8
146.7 139. 6
174.3 173.0
188. 1 186.3
175.2 174.8
165.7 163.0
175.7 161.1
171.0 156.7
168.1 157.0
167.6 157.8
171.9 157.8
176.7 157.4
171.9 156.7
174.3 156.7
173.8 156.7
174.8 155.6
186.2 158.1
180.5 157.8
156.2 155.9
149.5 153.0
100.0
206.3
181.4
181.4
169. 1
168.4
195.5
213.4
204.5
196.7
204.1
198.5
199.3
200.7
201.1
200.4
200.7
200.7
200.0
198.1
198.9
197.4
193.7
191.4
100.0 100.0
207. 9 209.9
178.3 186.4
193.7 169.0
194. 2 164.3
196.3 165. 7
204. 2 171.8
206.3 182.2
205.8 173.2
208.5 175.6
212.2 186.4
185. 7 166. 7
206.9 178.4
201.6 179.3
193.7 179.8
189.4 179.3
189.9 175.6
193.7 167.6
188.9 161. 5
178.3 158.7
179.9 159.6
173.5 158. 7
166.1 153.1
164.6 150.2
100.0
187.6
164.0
147.2
155.1
155.1
157.3
157.3
158.4
159.6
160. 7
157.3
159.6
158. 4
157. 3
157.3
157.3
157.3
157.3
157.3
157.3
157. 3
157.3
151.7
100.0
183. 0
135.0
125. 1
144.7
135.0
143.1
138.6
145.2
147. 5
143.9
120.4
121.9
122.7
121.9
125.6
120.9
113.1
114.1
123.8
127. 2
124.8
118. 5
111.0
167.3
161.4
158.7
157.5
155. 5
152.4
154.3
168.2
161.0
157.8
156.5
154.7
151.1
154.3
159.1
154.0
153.0
150.0
147.0
142.9
142.9
152.5
145.6
141.9
139.4
135.6
130. 6
130.0
138.0
131.4
128. 1
124.8
119.8
112.4
110.7
141.9
131.4
140.0
141.4
143.3
140.0
151.4
148.9
145.2
143.0
141.1
139.3
136.7
137.0
188.1
183.3
178.4
175. 5
172.9
170.6
171.4
166.1
164.6
164.0
165.6
165.1
161.9
158.7
153.5
148.8
150.2
153.1
148.8
146.0
144.6
149.4
146.1
144.9
141.6
138.2
134.8
136.0
98.4
94.8
97.4
91.9
81. 5
80. 7
83.0
Eggs. Bread Flour
Corn
meal
Rice
Pota Sugar
toes
Tea
a r
Coffee All
ticles 1
100.0 100.0
245.5 216. 7
175.8 150.0
154.5 130.0
142.4 136.7
148.5 156.7
184.8 180.0
181.8 170.0
166.7 173. 3
163.6 176.7
154. 5 176.7
142.4 176.7
154.5 180.0
154.5 176 7
151.5 176. 7
148.5 176. 7
145.5 176.7
145.5 176.7
139.4 176.7
136.4 176.7
133.3 176.7
130.3 176.7
127.3 173. 3
124.2 173.3
100.0
200.0
109.2
109.2
109.2
116.1
127.6
133.3
123.0
114.9
111.5
109.2
110.3
110.3
109.2
110. 3
109.2
109. 2
109. 2
109.2
110. 3
109.2
106.9
105.8
100.0
370.6
182.4
164.7
170.6
158.8
211.8
288.2
223.5
158.8
188.2
211.8
229.4
229.4
229.4
241. 2
252.9
247. 1
194.1
182.4
188. 2
182.4
170.6
170.6
100.0 100.0 100.0
352.7 134.7 157. 7
145.5 128.1 121.8
132.7 125. 2 121.1
183.6 127.8 162.5
167.3 131.4 145.3
130.9 138.8 172.8
125.5 141.0 171.1
132.7 142.5 162.1
129.1 142.3 165.1
120.0 142.6 164.8
112.7 142.5 136.2
120.0 143.4 147.0
118.2 143.2 143.3
116.4 142.8 140.6
114.5 142.5 138.9
114.5 142.5 137.2
110.9 143.0 136.2
110.9 142.6 135.6
110.9 142.3 134.6
107.3 142.1 132.6
105.5 141.9 131.2
107.3 141.4 129.9
107.3 141.4 129.2
100.0
203.4
153.3
141.6
146.2
145.9
157.4
160.6
155.4
154.3
156.7
147.1
155.4
153.0
150.1
151. 2
150.1
147.9
144.0
143.7
145. 6
144. 4
141.4
137.2
170.0
166.7
166.7
163.3
153. 3
150.0
150.0
102.3
102.3
98.9
96.6
95.4
94.3
93.1
170.6
158.8
158.8
164.7
164.7
141.2
135.3
107.3
107.3
105.5
103.6
101.8
101.8
101.8
126.8
125.2
121.8
116.1
112.4
111. 1
109.1
132.8
127.0
126. 4
124. 0
121. 0
118. 3
119. 0
Cheese Lard
100.0
188.2
153.9
148.9
167.0
159.7
166. 1
165. 6
170. 1
174.2
171.9
158.8
169.2
167.0
164. 7
162. 9
162. 0
157. 9
155. 2
153.4
154.8
154.8
152.9
150. 2
145. 2
141. 2
137. 1
132. 6
124.0
119.9
118.6
100.0 100.0 100.0
186.7 197.4 205.4
113.9 147.5 176. 8
107.6 128.7 155.4
112.0 134.8 155.4
120.3 138.6 157.1
147. 5 151.0 167.9
138.6 140.6 167.9
122. 2 131. 0 166.1
117.7 134.5 162.5
115.8 142.0 160. 7
107.6 118.8 155.4
108.9 160.6 158.9
108. 2 136.8 157.1
107. 0 102.3 157.1
106.3 100.0 157.1
97.7 157.1
105. 7
105. 1 97.4 157.1
103. 2 101. 7 157.1
104. 4 112.5 155.4
110.8 124. 9 155.4
112.0 129. 9 153.6
110.8 140.3 151.8
105. 7 120.6 151.8
99.4
91.8
89.9
89.9
85.4
82.3
82.3
104.6
78.8
82.6
79.4
71.9
74.8
82.9
146.4
142.9
141.1
137.5
137.5
135.7
133.9
'
121.2
121. 2
118.2
115.2
112.1
112.1
109.1
i 22 articles in 1913-1920; 42 articles in 1921-1931.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[725]
141. 0
140.6
139. 7
138. 2
136.9
136.8
137. 1
240
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
The curve shown in the chart below pictures more readily to the
eye the changes in the cost of the food budget than do the index
numbers given in the table.
C o m p a r is o n o f R e t a i l F o o d C o s t s i n 51 C i t i e s
T a b l e 5 shows for 39 cities the percentage of increase or decrease
in the retail cost of food 3 July, 1931, compared with the average
cost in the year 1913, in July, 1930, and June, 1931. For 12 other
cities comparisons are given for the 1-year and the 1-month periods;
these cities have been scheduled by the bureau at different dates since
1913. The percentage changes are based on actual retail prices
1b5
145
12 5
105
JAN. F E B MAR. A PR MAY JU N JU L
AUG S E P
OCT
NOV.
DEC
secured each month from retail dealers and on the average consump
tion of these articles in each city.4
Effort has been made by the bureau each month to have all sched
ules for each city included in the average prices. For the month of
July, 99 per cent of all the firms supplying retail prices in the 51
cities sent in a report promptly. The following-named 35 cities had
a perfect record: that is, every merchant who is cooperating with
the bureau sent in his report in time for his prices to be included in
the city averages: Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Bridgeport, Buf
falo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit,
Fall River, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Louis
ville, Manchester, Memphis, Mobile, Newark, New Haven, New
York, Norfolk, Omaha, Peoria, Philadelphia, Providence, Richmond,
Rochester, St. Paul, Salt Lake City, Scranton, Springfield (111.), and
Washington.
3 For list of articles see note 2, p. 237.
4 T he consum ption figures used for Jan u ary , 1913, to December, 1920, for each article in each city are
given in the Labor Review for N ovem ber, 1918, pp. 94 and 95. T he consum ption figures which have been
used for each m onth, beginning w ith Jan u ary , 1921, are given in the Labor Review for M arch, 1921, p, 26.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[726]
241
W HOLESALE AND R ETA IL PRICES
TURTE k —P E R C E N T A G E C H A N G E IN T H E R E T A IL COST OF FO O D IN JU L Y , 1931, C O M
P A R E D W IT H T H E C O ST IN JU N E , 1931, JU L Y , 1930, A N D W IT H T H E A V E R A G E COST IN
T H E Y E A R 1913, BY C IT IE S
C ity
Percent Percent
Percent age de
age in
age in
crease
crease
crease
Ju ly ,
July,
July,
1931, com
1931,
com
1931, com pared
pared
pared
w ith
w ith
w ith 1913 July,
1930 June, 1931
U nited States . . .
19.0
17.5
0.5
A tla n ta .. ----------B altim ore________
B irm ingham . . . . .
B o s to n ---- ----------B ridgeport____ . .
19.6
23.8
16.1
21.4
18.1
16.6
22.4
18.4
15.3
i.2
.6
1.5
1.1
1 .7
Buffalo_____
B u tte
. .
Charleston, S C . . .
Chicago.. .............
C incinnati_______
21.3
Cleveland________
Colum bus . . . ___
D allas______ ____
D enver____ ____ _
D e tro it----- -----------
13.3
Fall R iv er-----------H ouston _ _ __
Indianapolis--------Jacksonville. .
.
K ansas C ity .. . . . .
L ittle Rock __ -----Los Angeles______
Louisville . --------M anchester--------M em p h is.. . ------
23.3
32.2
26.8
11.8
10.3
17.6
15.6
15.1
11.3
19.1
10.4
5.8
12.4
19.8
9.0
i Decrease.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
17.1
16.0
17.3
15.2
16.9
.2
i .1
.0
1.7
.9
19.8
19.2
22.3
15.5
19.9
.5
1.8
1.4
1.6
1.5
19.1
20.9
20.4
19.0
12.4
21.2
19.2
19.1
16.6
21.5
1.0
.0
2.1
i 1.3
1.6
.3
.4
.5
1.0
1.5
C ity
Percent P ercent
Percent age de
age in
age in
crease
crease
crease
July,
July,
July,
1931, com
1931,
com
1931, com pared
pared
pared
w ith
w ith
w ith 1913 July, 1930 June, 1931
M ilw aukee_____ .
M inneapolis______
Mobile
N ew ark .. _ ------New H a v e n ... _
23.7
23.9
N ew Orleans_____
New Y o r k . . . ------
14.3
25.7
21.0
24.8
N o r f o lk
O m a h a ____ _____
Peoria ___ _ _
14.8
Philadelphia-------P ittsb u rg h ----------Portland, M e ------Portland, Oreg. . . .
Providence_______
26.3
19.8
Richm ond ---------P o oh ester
St. Louis_________
St. Paul
Salt Lake C ity ------
21.1
San Francisco____
Savannah
Scranton. _ - . . . . .
Seattle---- -----------Springfield, 111-----W ashington____ .
20.9
8.2
19.8
23.1
5.7
25.1
15.1
28.5
15.0
13.6
19.2
13.2
14.6
1.6
2.4
1 .2
1.0
.8
20.0
14.3
18.1
15.5
19.5
1.9
.7
1.8
.7
.8
' 12.6
16.3
14.9
17.2
18.1
.0
.2
2. 7
i 1.0
1.6
18.8
18.8
14.9
13.7
15.7
1.8
.5
i.i
2.0
i 1.3
15.9
20.8
17.6
17.0
20.9
14.8
.0
i 2.1
1.3
i 1.4
.6
.6
242
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
R e ta il P rices o f C oal in J u ly , 1931 1
HE following table shows the average retail prices of coal on
July 15, 1930, and June 15 and July 15, 1931, for the United
States and for each of the cities from which retail food prices have
been obtained. 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.
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 sold for household use.
T
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF C O AL P E R T O N O F 2,000 PO U N D S, F O R H O U S E H O L D
U SE , ON JU L Y 15, 1930, A N D JU N E 15 A N D JU L Y 15, 1931 '
1931
1931
C ity, and kind of coal
1930,
July
15
C ity, and kind of coal
June
15
July
15
1930,
July
15
June
15
C incinnati, Ohio:
B itum inous—
Prepared sizes—
$5.80 $5. 30
H igh volatile. _____
Low volatile_________
7. 75
7.28
Cleveland, Ohio:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove___ _
_
_ ___ 14.56 14.00
C h esn u t_______________ 14. 31 14.00
B itu m in o u s Prepared sizes—
H igh volatile ________ 6. 75. 6.58
Low volatile______ . _ 9. 25
8. 57
A tlanta, Ga.:
Bitum inous, prepared sizes- $7. 14 $6.69 $6.67 Colum bus, Ohio:
B itum inous—
Baltimore, M d.:
Prepared sizes—
Pennsylvania anthracite—
H igh v o l a t i l e . . . .
5.79
5.36
Stove__________ ___
14.00 13.25 13.50
7.00
Low volatile____ _ . . 7.19
C h estn u t_______ _ ____ 13. 50 13.00 13. 25
Dallas, Tex.:
Bitum inous, run of m ine—
Arkansas anthracite—Egg. _ 14. 25 14. 50
High volatile_______ ___ 7.61
7.61
7. 61
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 12.17 12. 25
B irm ingham , Ala.:
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 6.96
6. 35
6. 36 Denver, Colo.:
Colorado anthracite—
Boston, Mass.:
Furnace, 1 and 2 m ixed. 14.94 15.13
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove, S and 5 mixed .. . 14.94 15.13
S t o v e ___ ______
15.50 14. 75 14. 95
B
itum
prepared sizes. 9.89
8. 24
C hestnut . . . . . .
15.00 14.69 14. 95 D etroit, inous,
M ich.:
Bridgeport, Conn.:
Pennsylvania
anthracite—
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove______________ . . . 14.25 14.50
Stove. _____ _ _ __ _ _ 14.50 14.00 14.00
C h e s tn u t______________ 14. 25 14. 50
C hestnut
.
14. 50 14. 00 14.00
B
itum
inous—
Buffalo, N . Y.:
Prepared sizes—
Pennsylvania anthracite—
H
igh
volatile___ _ . . 8.09
6. 97
Stove__
____________ 13. 42 12.80 13.00
Low volatile_______ _ 9. 46
8.06
C h estn u t____________ __ 12.92 12.80 13.00
R u n of m ine—
B utte, M ont.:
Low volatile.................. 7.67
7.13
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 11.09 10. 47 10.49 Fall River, M ass.:
C harleston, S. C.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 9. 67
9. 67
9. 67
S to v e .. _______ _____ 16.00 15. 25
Chicago, 111.:
C h e stn u t.......... _ _____ 15. 75 15.25
Pennsylvania anthracite—
H ouston, Tex.:
S tove__________________ 16.38 16.00 16. 25
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 11. 60 10.20
C h estn u t______ ______ 15.93 16.00 16. 25 Indianapolis, Ind.:
B itu m in o u s B itum inous—
Prepared sizes—
Prepared sizes—
H igh volatile_________
7. 78
7. 45
7.54
5.84
H igh volatile_________ 5.80
Low volatile. ______ . 10. 29 10. 14 10. 36
Low volatile.
.. ...
8. 21
7. 75
R u n of mine—
R u n of mine—
Low volatile
______
7. 75
7.23
7.23
Low volatile___ ____ _ 6.90
6. 65
1 Prices of coal were formerly secured sem iannually and published in the M arch and Septem ber
of th e Labor Review. Since June, 1920, these prices have been secured and published m onthly.
U nited States:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
S to v e Average p rice________ $14.84 $14. 33 $14. 61
Index (1913=100)_____ 192. 1 185. 5. 189.1
C hestn u t—
Average price. _ . ____ $14. 53 $14. 31 $14. 59
Index (1913=100)_____ 183.6 180.8 184.3
B itum inous—
Average price___
_ __ $8. 65 $8.00 $8.09
Index (1923=100)_______ 159. 1 147.3 148.9
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 728]
Ju ly
15
$5. 30
7.28
14. 06
13.94
6. 53
8.79
5.54
6. 75
13. 50
11.92
15.13
15.13
8. 23
14. 50
14.50
7.03
7.94
7.13
15.25
15.25
10.20
5.82
8. 25
6.70
issues
243
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES
A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F C O AL P E R T O N O F 2,000 PO U N D S, F O R H O U SE H O L D
'
U SE, ON JU L Y 15, 1930, A N D J U N E 15 A N D JU L Y 15, 1931—Continued
C ity, and kind of coal
1930,
July
15
1931
June
15
July
15
Jacksonville, Fla.:
B itum inous, prepared sizes. $ 12.00 $10.00 $ 10.00
Kansas C ity, M o.:
A rkansas anthracite—
Furnace_______________ 12.00 11.69 11.38
Stove No. 4____________ 12. 75 13.00 12.50
6. 27
6.69
7.04
B itum inous, prepared sizes
L ittle Rock, Ark.:
Arkansas anthracite—E g g .. 12.50 12.50 12.00
9.00
9.17
B itum inous, prepared sizes. 9.20
Los Angeles, Calif.:
15.75
16.25
B itum inous, prepared sizes.
Louisville, K y.:
B itu m in o u s Prepared sizes—
5.08
4.88
6.18
High volatile________
7. 75
7.50
8.50
Low volatile_________
M anchester, N . H .:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove---------- ------ -------- 16.50 15.50 16.00
16.50 15.50 16.00
C hestnut_____________
M emphis, Tenn.:
7.03
6.91
B itum inous, prepared sizes. 7.85
M ilwaukee, Wis.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
15.75 15.39 15. 65
Stove............ ................ .
C h e s tn u t.............. ......... 15.30 15.39 15.61
B itu m in o u s Prepared sizes—
7.45
7.45
7.68
High volatile...... ..........
9. 75
9.54
Low volatile.................. 10.43
M inneapolis, M inn.:
Pennsylvania an thracite—
17.75 17.41 17. 61
Stove________________
17.30 17.41 17.61
C hestn u t_____________
B itu m in o u s Prepared sizes—
9.91
9.92
10.26
High volatile-----------Low volatile__________ 13.14 12.34 12.34
Mobile, Ala.:
8. 25
8.19
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 8.90
N ewark, N . J.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove__________________ 13.63 13.06
C hestn u t______________ 13.13 13.06
N ew H aven, Conn.:
Pennsylvania an thracite—
Stove--------------------------- 14.65 14.15
C hestn u t______________ 14.65 14.15
N ew Orleans, La.:
8.07
8.07
B itum inous, prepared sizes. 9.11
N ew York, N . Y.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove__________________ 13.58 13.17
C h estn u t..------------------- 13.08 13.17
Norfolk, Va.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove---------- ---------------- 14.00 13.50
C hestnut____ _____ ____ 14.00 13.50
B itu m in o u s Prepared sizes—
6.50
7.38
High volatile_________
7.75
8.50
Low volatile_________
R un of mine—
6.50
6.50
Low volatile--------------- 7.00
Omaha, Nebr.:
9.04
9.11
Bitum inous, prepared sizes.
Peoria, 111.:
6.13
6.13
6.27
Bitum inous, prepared sizes
Philadelphia, Pa.:
Pennsylvania an thracite—
Stove.................................. 13.25 12.25
7
12.75 12.25
C h estn u t_____________
C ity, and kind of coal
1930,
July
15
1931
June
15
July
15
Pittsburgh, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
C hestn u t_____ ----- -- $14. 75 $14.25 $14.00
4.64
4.86
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 5.11
Portland, Me.:
Pennsylvania an th racite1—
Stove--------. . . ------------- 16.56 16.32 16.32
C hestnut . ----------------- 16.56 16.32 16.32
Portland, Oreg.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 13.09 12.43 12.54
Providence, R. I.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove________________ - 15.75 15.25 15.25
C h e s tn u t............................ 15.75 15.25 15.25
Richmond, Va.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
14.50 13.50 14.00
Stove,- .........................
C hestn u t....... ...................... 14.50 13.50 14.00
B itu m in o u s Prepared sizes—
7.25
7.67
High volatile-------------- 8.25
7.83
8.31
L ow volatile.................... 8.37
R un of mine—
6.75
6.75
Low volatile--------------- 6.75
Rochester, N . Y.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove------ -------------------- 14.45 13.78 13.78
C hestn u t— ........................ 13.95 13.78 13.78
St. Louis, Mo.:
Pennsylvania an thracite—
Stove______ ______ _____ 16. 25 15.63 16.47
C hestn u t...................... ....... 16.00 15.50 16.47
5.06
5.51
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 6.00
St. Paul, M inn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove__________________ 17.75 17.45 17.65
C h estn u t....... ..................... 17.30 17.45 17.65
B itum inous—
Prepared sizes—
9.62
9.60
H igh volatile-------------- 10.08
Low volatile--------- 13.15 12.51 12.51
Salt Lake C ity, U tah:
7.58
7.63
B itum inous, prepared sizes. 8.40
San Francisco, Calif.:
New Mexico anthracite-—
Cerillos egg------------------- 25.00 25.00 25.00
Colorado an thracite—
24.50 24.50 24.50
Egg------ ---------- --Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 15. 75 16.00 16.00
Savannah, Ga.:
B itum inous, prepared sizes. 2 9.62 2 9.62 2 9.62
Scranton, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
9.70
9.80
Stove
______________ 9.87
9.68
9.78
C hestnut ______________ 9.50
Seattle, W ash.:
9.59
9.80
B itum inous, prepared sizes. 10.68
Springfield, 111.:
4.34
4.34
4.37
Bitum inous, prepared sizes
W ashington, D . C.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
_____________ 315.23 13.12 314.91
C hestnut
__________ 314.73 13.12 314.9:
B itu m in o u s Prepared sizes—
7. 36 3 8 .3e
3 8. 38
High v o la tile .______
9.25 3io. r
Low volatile_________ 3 10.93
R u n of mine—
7.10 3 7. r
M ixed........................... - 3 7. 81
1 T he average price of coal delivered in bins is 50 cents higher th an here shown
Practically all coal is
d621 A llcoaiso /d in Savannah is weighed by the city. A charge of 10 cents per ton or half ton is made,
additional charge has been included in the above price.
3 Per ton of 2,240 pounds.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
T his
244
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
In d e x N u m b e r s o f W h o le sa le P r ices in J u ly , 1931
HE recent downward movement of wholesale prices halted in
July, as shown by the index number as computed by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor. This
index number, which includes 550 commodities or price series weighted
according to the importance of each article and based on the average
prices for 1926 as 100.0, was 70.0 for July, there being no change from
the June figure. When compared with July, 1930, with an index of
84.0, a decrease of 16% per cent has been recorded.
Farm products as a group averaged three-fourths of 1 per cent
below June prices. Increases for corn, rye, light hogs, sheep and
T
T R E N D OF W HOLESALE P R IC E S .
DEC.
J A N . FEB.
MAR.
APR.
MAY
JUNE JULY
AUG. SEPT.
OCT.
NOV.
DEC.
lambs, live poultry, cotton, eggs, oranges, and onions were more
than offset by decreases for barley, oats, wheat, beef cattle, lemons,
clover and timothy hay, hops, and white potatoes.
Price increases among foods were reported for butter, cheese,
dressed lamb, mutton, veal, dressed poultry, corn meal, raw and
granulated sugar, and vegetable oils, resulting in a net increase of
practically 1 per cent for the group as a whole. Food articles aver
aging lower than in June were cured beef, bacon, coffee, smoked and
canned salmon, rye and wheat flour, oleomargarine, and rice.
Hides and skins and leather moved upward during the month,
while boots and shoes eased off slightly. No change was reported for
other leather products. The group as a whole advanced 1%per cent.
In the group of textile products cotton goods, woolen and worsted
goods, and other textiles showed further minor decreases, while silk and
rayon moved upward, causing no change in the group within the month.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[730]
245
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES
Only slight price fluctuations took place in the fuel and lighting
group, resulting in a small fractional increase from June to July.
Among metals there were negligible increases in iron and steel, nonferrous metals, and automobiles, while small decreases weie shown
for agricultural implements and other metal products. The group
as a whole showed a slight advance. _
Lumber, brick, cement, paint materials, and other building mate
rials continued to move downward in July. No change was reported
for structural steel. A decrease of more than 2 per cent is shown for
the group as a whole.
Further price recessions during July for chemicals, drugs and piiarmaceuticals, mixed fertilizers, and fertilizer materials caused the
chemicals and drugs group to decline nearly 1 per cent. Both furni
ture and furnishings in the group of house-furnishing goods continued
to move downward in the month.
.,
A marked decrease took place in the prices of cattle feed, while
paper and pulp, rubber, and other miscellaneous articles declined
slightly. No change was reported for automobile tires.
Raw materials as a whole averaged lower than in June, while semimanufactured articles averaged higher, with no change being recorded
for finished products.
.
In the large group of nonagricultural commodities, including all
articles other than farm products, and among all commodities other
than farm products and foods, the July prices showed practically no
change from those for the month before.
.
.
,
Between June and July increases took place in 133 instances, de
creases in 155 instances, while in 262 instances no change occurred.
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S B Y G R O U P S A N D S U B G R O U P S OF
C O M M O D IT IE S
[1926=100.0]
Groups and subgroups
July, 1930
June, 1931
July, 1931
Purchasing
power of the
dollar,
July, 1931
84.0
70.0
70.0
$1.429
83.1
74.1
81.8
86.9
86.3
92.0
91.8
80.7
100.7
94.0
100.1
102.9
105. 2
80.0
87.4
60.4
88.0
65.5
75.4
86.5
88.8
84.0
99.4
61.0
65.4
56.0
61.9
70.8
72.4
79.1
71.3
70.1
87.8
65.5
87.8
94.7
101.3
65.4
72.6
43.8
75.9
53.1
58.1
88.8
83.2
81.5
101.9
30.7
64.9
49.0
63. 0
71.3
73.1
80. 9
73.4
69. 7
89. 2
72. 7
89.8
93. 5
101.3
65. 4
72.4
45.0
75.3
52.1
58.2
90.8
83.5
81. 5
0)
30.3
All com m odities--------------------------------------------F arm products
_______________ __________________ - —
G rains
Livestock and po u ltry
_______________
tit her farm products
___________________ Foods
__- _______ _____ -- B utter cheese and m ilk
_______ ____ _
M eats
-__- ________ - Other foods
_ _____ - - ___________
Hides and leather products
_______ _______
Hides and skins
_______ ____ - —
---- - Leather
_____
Boots and shoes
____ _______ ________
Other leather products
____
______
Textile products
- ______________ ________ ______
Cotton goods
Silk and ra y e n
_____ ________
W oolen and worsted goods
_______ ______
O ther textile products
- ____- ________
Fuel and lighting m aterials
_____ ___________
Anthracite coal
_______ __________
B itum inous cna.1
_ _______
—Coke-------- -------------------------------- ---------------------Petroleum products. .......................... ............................
i Data not yet available.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[731]
1.541
2.041
1.587
1.403
1.368
1.236
1.362
1.435
1.121
1.376
1.114
1.070
.987
1.529
1.381
2.222
1.328
1.919
1.718
1.101
1.198
1. 227
3.300
246
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S BY G R O U P S A N D S U B G R O U P S OF
C O M M O D IT IE S —C ontinued
Groups and subgroups
M etals and m etal products_________________________
Iron and steel_____________ ___________________
Nonferrous m etals ________________ _____ _ . .
A gricultural im p lem en ts-. _____________________
A utom obiles______ ____________________ ______
O ther m etal products ________
Building m aterials------- ------ ------ -------- ---------- Lum ber_______________ ____ ________________
B rick ______________ ___________________________
C em ent____________ _ - ____________________ Structural steel _____P ain t m aterials
____________ __ _____________
O ther building m aterials ----_ _
Chemicals and drugs.
------------- -----------------------C hem icals.
_ ______________________________
Drugs and pharm aceuticals
Fertilizer m aterials___ _ ____ _____
M ixed fertilizers
--- .
- ___________
House-furnishing goods. _________________________ _
____ ____
----------- . .
F u rn itu re .
Furnishings_______ ___________ _____ ____ _____
Miscellaneous. -------------------------- --------------C attle feed_____ . . . ----------------------------------------Paper and p u lp ---------- --------- --------------- .
__
R u b b er. _ ____________ .
--------------------------A utomobile tires_______________________________
O ther miscellaneous____ _ _ ---------- ----------- .
R aw m aterials...... ....................................................
Semimanufactured articles--- ------ -- ------ -- ----------Finished products----- -- ------ --------- ------ . . . ---------N onagricultural commodities -- - - . -----------------All commodities less farm products and foods-------------
July, 1930
June, 1931
94.3
90.7
73.5
94.9
105.5
98.4
88.9
83.3
82.9
91.7
84.3
87.1
99.4
87.8
92.5
67.3
84.3
93.1
96.2
96.5
95.8
71.7
94.8
83.8
23.6
52.0
97. 2
81.1
79.7
86.7
84.4
84.3
87.4
86.9
58.9
94.6
98.6
94.4
77.5
67.8
80.8
77.7
84.3
70.1
91.7
77.9
80.2
62.1
79.8
82.4
88.6
92.8
85.0
61.8
61.1
80.3
13.3
45.7
84.0
64.7
68.5
74.0
71.4
71.9
Purchasing
of the
July, 1931 power
dollar,
July, 1931
87.5
87.1
59.4
94.5
98.9
92.5
75.8
66.3
80.5
75.8
84.3
69.5
88.7
77.3
80.1
61.6
78.7
80.2
88.0
92.4
84.3
61.0
55.8
80.1
13.2
45.7
82.6
64.3
69.5
74.0
71.5
71.8
$1.143
1.148
1.684
1.058
1.011
1.081
1.319
1.508
1. 242
1. 319
1. 186
1.439
1.127
1.294
1. 248
1.623
1.271
1.247
1.136
1.082
1.186
1.639
1.792
1.248
7.576
2.188
1.211
1.555
1. 439
1. 351
1.399
1.393
W h o le sa le P r ic e s in t h e U n ite d S t a t e s a n d in F o r e ig n C o u n tr ie s,
1923 to J u n e , 1931
N THE following table the more important index numbers of
wholesale prices in foreign countries and those of the United States
Bureau of Labor Statistics have been brought together in order that
the trend of prices in the several countries may be compared. The
base periods here shown are those appearing in the sources from which
the information has been drawn, in most cases being the year 1913
or some other pre-war period. Only general comparisons can be made
from these figures, since, in addition to differences in the base periods,
there are important differences in the composition of the index
numbers themselves.
I
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[732]
247
W HOLESALE AND R ET A IL PRICES
in d e x n u m b e r s o f w h o l e s a l e p r ic e s in t h e u n it e d s t a t e s a n d in c e r t a in
f o r e ig n c o u n t r ie s
C o u n try ___
United
States
Czecho D en
C anada A ustria Belgium slovakia m ark
M inis
D om in
B ureau ion B u Federal try of
C om puting of Labor reau of Statis Indus
tical
agency.— Statis Statis
and
Bureau try
tics
Labor
tics
C entral
Bureau
of Sta
tistics
Finland
France
Ger
m any
Statis Central General Federal
tical
B ureau Statis Statis
D e
tical
tical
of Sta
p a rt
tistics B ureau B ureau
m ent
Base period.
1926
1926
JanuaryJune,
1914
April,
1914
July,
1914
1913
1926
1913
1913
C o m m o d ities______
550
502
47
132
69
118
139
45
400
Year and
month
1923 ...........
1924
1925
1925
1927
192,S
1929
1930_______
1923
January -----A pril---------j u iy ---------O ctober------
100.6
98.1
103. 5
100. 0
95.4
97.7
96.5
86.3
124
136
136
123
133
130
130
117
98.0
99.4
102.6
100.0
97.7
96.4
95.6
87.0
9ft 4
102 9
104 3
1926
J anuary____
April
Inly
O ctober____
1927
Jan u a ry ___
July
October . .
1928
Jan u ary ____
July
October____
1929
Jan u ary ____
A pril _____
July
October____
1930
January ____
A pril______
J u ly ..............
October........
1931
Jan u ary ___
F e b ru a ry ..
M arch _____
A pril______
M a y ______
J u n e ...........
103. 6
103.0
100.1
101.2
100. 2
122
977
997
1008
955
979
979
924
2 118. 5
210
163
153
153
150
130
100
101
102
98
90
419
488
551
703
617
620
611
532
137. 3
141.8
134. 4
137. 6
140.0
137. 2
116.3
Riccar
do
Bachi
138
i 503. 9
i 497. 4
i 612. 0
i 618. 2
i 466. 7
i 453.1
i 439.7
383.0
949
960
387
415
407
421
516.1
525.7
503.9
499.6
580
555
566
555
974
1008
953
999
494
450
481
497
504.4
510.3
497.4
522.0
559
538
559
575
1045
1009
989
212
179
514
513
557
572
568.2
570.1
612.0
617.1
560
621
876
856
966
923
948
972
172
157
158
178
634
650
836
751
135.8
132. 7
133.1
136.2
608.0
590.0
618.2
596. 7
622
636
621
587
135.9
134.8
137. 6
139.8
558. 2
521.3
466.7
407.5
138.7
139. 5
141. 6
140.1
463.5
464.4
453.1
463.3
434
480
504
515
1924
J an Uai y ——
1925
J ail uai y ------
497
573
558
744
847
843
851
744
Ita ly
991
1012
1020
243
230
98.1
119
126
125
96.6
93.7
94.1
97.0
97.8
97.5
98.6
97.2
130
135
140
129
856
846
845
839
979
979
992
966
157
152
152
154
96.3
97.4
98.3
97.8
96.9
98.3
96.2
95.4
129
131
133.
129
851
847
841
835
982
984
979
971
153
154
155
150
103
103
101
607
624
624
617
100
99
97
96
630
627
613
590
138.9
137.1
137.8
137.2
461.2
455.0
439.7
435.8
99 5
99.4
100
1«)
101
101
102
97.2
96.8
98.0
96.3
93.7
94.1
96.0
96.7
128
134
132
127
867
862
858
838
953
963
922
895
151
150
149
149
93.4
90.7
84.0
82.6
95.6
91.7
85.8
81.4
125
119
119
808
777
739
705
2 126.1
2 119. 7
2 113. 3
143
135
129
123
94
92
90
86
564
548
538
508
132.3
126. 7
125.1
120. 2
417.4
396.1
374.9
364.4
77.0
75.5
74.5
73.3
71.3
70.0
76. 7
76.0
75. 1
74.5
73.0
105
107
107
108
107
661
658
660
652
640
642
2 108. 9
2 108. 8
2 110. 5
2 110.3
2 108. 7
118
117
116
115
113
86
86
86
85
84
484
482
482
484
470
468
115.2
114. 0
113. 9
113. 7
113. 3
112. 3
341.7
338.1
339.0
337.0
332.0
327.0
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
112
110
2 121.0
110
2 In gold.
1July.
[733]
248
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S A N D IN C E R T A IN
F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S —Continued
C o u n try___
N eth N or
er
lands w ay
Spain
Cen Cen In sti
tu te
tral
tral
of
B u
B u
C om puting reau
Geog
reau raphy
agency----of
of
and
Sta
Sta
tistics tistics Sta
tistics
Swe
den
Sw it U nited
zer
K ing
land
dom
A us
tralia
New
Zea
land
South
Africa Japan China India
N a
Fed
Bureau Cen Office
tional
C ham eral
of
sus
of
B ank Tariff
Board
ber of Labor
Census and Census
of
Com
of
Com D e
and
Sta
and Japan, mis
merce p a rt T rade
Sta tistics
Sta Tokyo sion,
m ent
tistics Office tistics
Shang
hai
Base period.
1913
1913
1913
1913
July,
1914
1913
July,
1914
1913
C o m m o d i
ties______
48
95
74
160
118
150
92
180
151
156
155
145
148
149
142
117
232
268
253
198
167
161
153
143
172
183
188
181
172
168
171
172
122
157
156
145
148
223
229
231
235
170
174
170
171
156
154
151
161
251
263
265
273
160
151
155
154
Labor
Office,
Bom
bay
1913
1913
July,
1914
188
56
3117
44
127
129
128
123
124
202
1913
Year and
month
1923.......... .
1924_______
1925.............
1926..............
1927...............
1928......... .
1929_______
1930-............
1923
Jan u a ry ____
A p r i l _______
J u ly . ____
O ctober____
1924
Jan u a ry . . .
A pril__ _
J u ly _______
October____
1925
Jan u a ry ____
A pril_____
J u ly _______
O ctober____
1926
Jan u a ry ____
A pril. _____
J u ly _______
O c to b e r___
1927
Jan u a ry ___
A pril. _ . _
J u ly ----------October____
1928
Jan u a ry ____
A pril_____
J u l y .. -----October____
1929
Jan u a ry ____
A pril__ _
J u l y . . . ........
O ctober____
1930
Jan u a ry ____
A pril______
J u l y .. -----O ctober____
1931
Jan u a ry ____
February
M a rc h .. . . .
A pril____ .
M ay . _____
Ju n e. _
163
162
161
149
146
148
140
181
175
162
145
142
145
141
126
158.9
166. 2
159.1
148.1
141.4
140.3
136.5
119.5
170
165
162
161
159
157
158
140
163
168
162
161
157. 0
162. 0
156. 5
158.1
163
167
180
171
131
126
178
184
182
186
161
161
157
167
165.4
164. 7
162 6
170. 0
174
166
163
163
131
279
273
254
223
191
190
188
187
169
163
161
154
171 1
161 9
156 9
153.9
163
158
162
163
166
162
161
162
124
200
159.0
158
153
143
141
143
214
199
192
198
186
179
178
179
153
150
148
148
153
145
145
144
151.3
143.6
148.7
152.1
161
168
162
154
159
156
156
153
124
120
122
192
181
179
174
164.0
162.8
156.9
171.1
154
151
149
147
145
143
151
150
174
164
165
165
184
177
168
169
146
143
146
147
141
140
140
145
143.6
139.8
141.1
141.4
154
151
161
173
151
147
146
146
128
126
170
170
170
170
172.8
173.1
171.0
168.7
146
145
147
146
153
153
148
146
164
162
162
157
166
166
164
174
148
151
150
145
145
146
144
145
141.1
142.9
141.1
137.9
163
162
157
152
150
147
148
149
123
169
170
169
174
163.1
163.1
159.2
158.8
141
142
147
150
146
144
141
140
154
154
152
154
171
174
169
172
144
141
140
138
143
140
143
142
138.3
138.8
137.4
136.1
157
158
159
161
147
146
147
148
121
119
120
120
172
170
166
163
160.1
161.2
162.7
168.0
148
144
145
146
131
122
115
111
150
145
142
140
172
172
170
175
131
124
121
136
129
126
122
151
146
144
130
147
146
144
142
107
104
118
131.0
123.7
119.2
113.0
152
147
134
124
169.6
174.2
190.1
182.3
139
134
124
117
105
104
103
135
133
131
130
128
127
173
175
174
172
115
114
113
115
115
114
106.9
106. 2
105. 9
105. 7
104.4
103. 2
124
140
137
136
134
102
102
102
112
111
112
111
3 147 items.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[7 3 4 ]
122
123
117
158
165
161
154
146
147
147
143
179
170
171
166
137
156.4
153.9
159.4
164.1
170.4
160.7
163.7
179.7
181
182
163
149
147
146
145
126
184
196
192
162 7
167 7
166 4
187
180
178
156.1
181
211
207
7OS
166 8
163 7
161 6
188
184
184
133
213
152.8
181
130
130
127
214
121
116
103
124
125
126
125
127
120
122
117
115
113
100
99
99.1
199
206
212
173
169 3
198
120
119
120
119
116
111
112
111
110
IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION
S t a t is t ic s o f I m m ig r a t io n , Y ea r E n d in g J u n e 30, 1931
By J. J. K u n n a , C h i e f S t a t i s t i c i a n , U n i t e d S t a t e s B u r e a u
of
I m m ig r a t io n
HE statistics for June, 1931, show 3,534 immigrant and 12,809
nonimmigrant aliens admitted to the United States, a total of
16,343. Alien departures this month numbered 22,705, including
5,893 emigrants and 16,812 nonemigrants. During the same month
25,588 American citizens—13,791 males and 11,797 females—returned
to the United States, and 29,579—14,831 males and 14,748 females—departed for foreign countries.
For the first time in over half a century (since 1862) the annual
immigration to the United States dropped below 100,000. During
the fiscal year just ended, 97,139 immigrant aliens were admitted, as
compared with 241,700 in the preceding year, a decrease of 144,561,
or 59.8 per cent. In 1914, just before the World War and the last
year with a total immigration of over a million, the influx during
seven different months exceeded the number for the entire fiscal year
1931. In the single month of April, 1914, the new arrivals from
Hungary, Italy, and the Russian Empire (67,023) exceeded the num
ber of immigrants admitted from all European countries (61,909)
during the whole year 1930-31. For every 100 newcomers from
Europe who came to the United States in 1914, only 5 are now ad
mitted. About 200 unskilled wage earners entered this country
during the period of unrestricted immigration for every 3 now ad
mitted. Among the immigrant aliens entering in the year 1914,
514,460 gave their occupation as that of laborer, while during the
year 1931 only 7,925 immigrant laborers were admitted and less than
one-fifth of these came during the last six months.
During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1931, a total of 280,679
aliens entered the country, of whom about one-third, or 97,139, were
classified as immigrants, coming initially for permanent residence,
while 183,540 were nonimmigrants. Of the latter class, 91,701 were
residents of the United States returning from a temporary sojourn
in foreign countries, and 91,839 were visitors for .a temporary stay
here and persons passing through the country on their way elsewhere.
In the same year, 290,916 aliens departed, including 61,882 emigrants
and 229,034 nonemigrants, resulting in an excess of departures over
admissions of 10,237. During the preceding year, the total admis
sions exceeded the departures by 173,789.
The peak month of the past year for arriving aliens was September,
when 47,151 were admitted, and February, with 12,212, was the low
month. August was the high period for aliens departed 34,411 leav
ing in that month, while March, during which 17,444 left, was the
low month of the fiscal year.
[735]
249
T
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250
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Of the 97,139 immigrants admitted during the last fiscal year,
61,909 came from European countries, a drop of 59.8 per cent from
the 147,438 immigrants from Europe during the previous year. The
principal sources show a larger proportionate decrease. The number
of immigrants admitted in 1930-31 from the various countries showed
the following decreases as compared with the previous year: Great
Britain, from 31,015 to 9,110, or 70.6 per cent; Germany, from
26,569 to 10,401, or 60.8 per cent; Irish Free State, from 17,971 to
6,121, or 65.9 per cent; Scandinavian countries from 6,919 to 3,133,
or 54.7 per cent; and Italy from 22,327 to 13,399, or 40 per cent.
Canadian and Mexican immigration declined nearly two-thirds and
three-fourths, respectively, that from the former country dropping
from 63,502 to 21,687, or 65.8 per cent, and from the latter from
12,703 to 3,333, or 73.8 per cent.
The principal nationalities contributing immigrant aliens during
the fiscal year 1931 were as follows: Italian, 13,970; German, 13,813;
English, 12,703; Irish, 10,814; Scotch, 7,618; Hebrew, 5,692;
French, 4,908; and Scandinavian, 3,947. Of every 100 immigrants
now entering the United States, about 14 are Italian and 14 German,
while the English comprise about 13, Irish 11, Scotch 8, Hebrew 6,
French 5, and Scandinavian 4. The other races or nationalities
contribute about 25 of every 100 present-day immigrant aliens. Of
every 100 immigrants admitted two years ago (in 1929), about 20
were German; 14 Mexican; 11, each, Irish and English; 8 Scotch,
7, each, Scandinavian and Italian; 6 French; and 4 Hebrew. The
other nationalities formed about 12 of every 100 immigrants then
admitted.
While the greatest number of newcomers enter the United States
through the port of New York, a large percentage enter by way of
the northern and southern land boundaries. The New York figures
for the fiscal year just ended show 63,392 immigrant aliens landed at
that port, with the other ports on all coasts minor in comparison.
At Boston, for instance, 3,053 immigrants entered the country; at
Providence, 928; at Key West, 556; at New Orleans, 549; at San
Francisco, 2,156; at Seattle, 544; and at San Diego and other
southern California ports, 783. Only 14 immigrants were admitted
at ports in Alaska, 195 in Hawaii, and 146 in Porto Rico. Immigrants
reaching the United States by way of the Canadian border numbered
21,251, principally through the Montreal and Detroit districts, while
3,075 came over the Mexican border, mainly through the San Antonio
and El Paso (Tex.) districts.
Nearly two-thirds of the newcomers continue to settle in the North
Atlantic States, 61,195 immigrants admitted during the past fiscal
year giving that section of the country as their destination. New
York received the largest number by far, 35,867, while 7,225 went to
Massachusetts, 6,381 to New Jersey, and 6,359 to Pennsylvania.
Michigan received 5,591 immigrants; Illinois, 5,850; Ohio, 2,889;
and other North Central States, 4,555. California, which comes
second only to New York in number of immigrants, received 7,788
newcomers. The Southern States will check up a gain of only 5,399
new residents from immigration during the fiscal year ended June
30, 1931.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[736]
IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION
251
1
Less than 14 per cent of the immigrants for the past fiscal year
were past the prime of life, only 12,719 of the newcomers giving their
age at the time of arrival as 45 years and over, while 17,320 were
under 16 years of age, 21,156 ranged in age from 16 to 21 years, 25,956
from 22 to 29 years, 14,097 from 30 to 37 years, and 5,891 from 38 to
44 years. The single immigrants numbered 56,564, married 35,700,
widowed 4,573, and divorced 302.
The immigrants admitted last year represented nearly all imagi
nable callings, but those listed as having no occupation, which includes
mainly women and children, predominated, 53,012, over one-half of
the total, being of this class. The professional group numbered
4,773, the skilled workers 13,549, and the servants 9,740, while 7,925
were laborers, and 2,743 were farmers.
Of the 280,679 aliens of all classes admitted last year, 54,118 came
in under the immigration act of 1924 as immigrants charged to the
quota, 21,139 as natives of nonquota countries, principally Canada,
and 17,264 as husbands, wives, and unmarried children of American
citizens, these three groups comprising the bulk of the newcomers for
permanent residence in this country. Other principal groups included
91,442 returning residents, 55,636 temporary visitors for business or
pleasure, 32,169 persons passing through the country, and 4,973
Government officials, their families, and employees.
A total of 439,897 American citizens returned to the United States
during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1931, the males numbering
217,788 and the females 222,109. The outgoing citizens last year
included 220,560 male and 225,826 female, a total of 446,386 going to
foreign countries. The largest movements were during July, August,
and September, 1930, 38,822, 69,957, and 80,900 returning during
these respective months, the bulk of these passengers being tourists
on pleasure bent to European countries.
There were 9,744 aliens debarred from entering the United States
during the past fiscal year, the major portion of whom were turned
back at points along the northern and southern land borders, 7,133
to Canada and 1,290 to Mexico. The remaining 1,321 were rejected
at the seaports of entry. While 4.6 per cent of the applicants for
admission at all ports were barred during the year, less than ninetenths of 1 per cent, or about 88 out of every 10,000 of the alien
arrivals at the seaports, were denied admission. The percentage
was still smaller for New York, the bulk of the aliens arriving there
having been preexamined abroad. At this port 189,070 aliens sought
admission during the year and 698 were rejected, or a little less than
four-tenths of 1 per cent of the applicants debarred.
A record number of deportations was recorded during the fiscal
year 1931, a total of 18,142 persons having been deported from the
United States under warrant proceedings. This is an increase of 1,511
over the previous year, and approximates the total deportees for the
entire five years following the World War or from 1919 to 1923. Over
one-third of the deportees during the past fiscal year entered the
country without proper inspection (surreptitious_ entries), 6,849
having entered without proper immigration visas or inspection, 2,835
remained here longer than permitted, 2,701 were of the criminal and
immoral classes, and 952 were mentally or physically defective. Of
the remainder, 2,066 (over 16 years of age) were unable to read,
1,240 were likely to become a public charge, 1,003 had previously
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[7 3 7 ]
252
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
been deported, and 496 were removed from the country for miscel
laneous causes under the general immigration laws. These deportees
were sent to nearly every section of the globe, 8,409 going to Mexico,
6,162 to European countries, 2,276 to Canada, 710 to Asia, and 585
to other countries. The majority of the deportees in 1931 entered
the United States via the land borders, 8,789 coming in over the
Mexican border, and 5,016 over the Canadian border, while 3,302
entered at Atlantic ports, mainly New York, 533 at Gulf of Mexico
ports; 447 at Pacific ports, and 55 at ports in Alaska, Hawaii, and
Porto Kico.
During the last fiscal year, 541 (402 male and 139 female) indigent
aliens were at their own request returned to their native land, the
major portion (522) being destined to European countries, principally
Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, and Italy.
IN W A R D A N D O U T W A R D P A S S E N G E R M O V E M E N T F R O M JU L Y 1, 1930, TO J U N E 30
1931
Inw ard
Period
O utw ard
Aliens
Aliens
de
de
Aliens adm itted
Aliens departed
U nited
barred
ported
U nited
States
from
after
States
citi T otal enter
enter
N on
citizens T otal ing i
N on
zens
Im m i im
ing 2
E m i em
m i T otal arrived
i
T
otal
de
grant grant
grant grant
parted
1930
Ju ly _________
A ugust____
Septem ber___
October. - ._
N ovem ber___
D ecem ber____
13, 323
14, 816
17,792
13,942
9,209
6,439
16, 466
19, 724
29, 359
23, 304
13, 032
9,939
1931
Jan u a ry ___ __
F e b ru a ry ____
M arch ___ A pril________
M a y .. . . . . .
J u n e . . ____
4,091
3,147
3, 577
3, 470
3, 799
3, 534
, 724
9, 065
12, 767
14, 289
14, 062
12,809
8
68
29, 789
34, 540
47, 151
37, 246
22, 241
16, 378
38, 822
69, 957
80,900
40, 702
22,381
28, 535
, 611
104, 497
128, 051
77, 948
44, 622
44,913
881
837
929
854
734
806
4,818
5,245
5,100
5, 352
4,951
5,450
22, 588
29,166
24, 604
22, 938
19, 285
17, 603
27, 406
34,411
29, 704
28, 290
24, 236
23. 053
55, 366 82, 772
, 372 122, 783
56, 526
, 230
32,988 61, 278
24,420 48, 656
21,140 44,193
12,815
, 212
16, 344
17, 759
17, 861
16, 343
19. 844
27, 508
34, 861
28, 281
22,518
25, 588
32, 659
39, 720
51, 205
46, 040
40, 379
41, 931
693
689
597
809
4,397
4, 720
4, 693
5,647
5,616
5,893
17,169
16, 170
12, 751
14, 346
15, 602
16, 812
21,566
20, 890
17,444
19, 993
, 218
22, 705
24, 885
33,172
32, 278
24. 418
23, 242
29, 579
12
T o tal__ 97,139 183, 540 280, 679 439,897 720, 576
1,001
914
21
88
86
46,451
54,062
49, 722
44, 411
44. 460
52, 284
1,440
1,208
1, 552
1,526
1. 405
1,377
1.517
1,210
1, 726
1,897
1.767
1.517
9,744 61,882 229, 034 290,916 446,386 737, 302 18,142
1 These aliens are no t included among arrivals, as th ey were not perm itted to enter th e U nited States
2 These aliens are included am ong aliens departed, th e y having entered th e U nited States, legally or
illegally, and later being deported.
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[738]
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
O fficia l— U n ite d S t a te s
I dAHO — Inspector of M ines.
o f I d a h o , f o r th e y e a r 1 9 3 0 .
T h ir ty - s e c o n d a n n u a l r e p o r t o f th e m i n i n g i n d u s t r y
[ B o is e , 1 9 3 1 ? ].
308 pp.
P resents detailed info rm atio n concerning m in eral resources, d a ta on a n n u a l
m etal o u tp u t in th e S ta te from 1903 to 1930, accid en t a n d w age d a ta , a n d
a directory of m ining com panies.
I l l i n o i s .— D e p a rtm e n t of M ines a n d M inerals. A c o m p i l a t i o n o f th e r e p o r ts o f
th e m i n i n g i n d u s t r y o f I l l i n o i s f r o m th e e a r lie s t re c o rd s to th e c lo s e o f th e y e a t
1 9 3 0 . S p r in g f ie ld , 1 9 3 1 . 1 7 7 p p .
I n d i a n a .—
In d u stria l B oard.
30, 1930.
A n n u a l r e p o r t f o r th e f is c a l y e a r e n d in g S e p te m b e r
F o r t W a y n e , [1 9 3 1 ? ]. 6 8 p p .
R eview ed in th is issue.
------ L egislative B ureau. Y e a r b o o k o f th e S ta te o f I n d i a n a , f o r th e y e a r 1 9 o 0 .
F ort W a y n e , 1 9 3 0 .
1 3 1 8 p p .; m a p s.
P resents th e essential p a rts of th e a n n u a l re p o rts of all of th e S ta te offices,
boards, commissions, d ep a rtm e n ts, b u reau s, a n d in stitu tio n s, except th e ed u ca
tional, benevolent, an d correctional in stitu tio n s, w hose re p o rts a re issued
sep arately .
K e n t u c k y .— W orkm en’s C om pensation B oard. A n n u a l r e p o r t, J u l y 1 , 1 9 2 9 , to
* J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 3 0 . F r a n k fo r t, [1 9 3 0 ? ]. 3 7 p p .
Review ed in th is issue.
M a s s a c h u s e t t s .— E m ergency C om m ittee on U nem ploym ent.
T h e fin a l re p o rt
f r o m O c to b e r 2 9 , 1 9 3 0 , to A p r i l 1 5 , 1 9 3 1 .
B o s to n , 1 9 3 1 .
104 p p d m a p s.
T his re p o rt shows th e m eth o d of organization, activ ities, a n d expen d itu res
of th e com m ittee.
N e w Y o r k .— B oard of H ousing. R e p o r t. A l b a n y , 1 9 3 1 . 7 2 p p . ; p la n s , i l l u s .
( L e g is la tiv e d o c u m e n t, 1 9 3 1 , N o . 8 4 -)
In addition to a review of th e m odel housing enterprises u n d er c o n stru ctio n in
1930, an d of those com pleted in th a t y ear or earlier, th e re p o rt con tain s a stu d y
of th e sta n d a rd of living of 400 fam ilies in th e housing p ro je c t of th e A m algam ated
H ousing C orporation, a ta b u la r p rese n ta tio n of th e m ain ten an ce costs of low -cost
housing projects, an d a stu d y of th e relatio n of re n ts to la n d prices, la n d coverage,
construction costs, an d room sizes.
O k l a h o m a .— In d u stria l Comm ission. S u m m a r y r e p o r t, f r o m J a n u a r y 1 , 1 9 3 0 ,
to J a n u a r y 1 , 1 9 3 1 .
[O k la h o m a C ity ] , 1 9 3 1 .
R eview ed in th is issue.
R h o d e I s l a n d .— D ep a rtm e n t of L abor.
1931.
15 p p .
R e p o r t f o r th e y e a r 1 9 3 0 .
P r o v id e n c e ,
4 7 PP -
S tatistics of o p eratio n of th e S ta te w o rk m en ’s co m p en satio n a c t, ta k e n from
-this re p o rt, are given in th is issue.
W i s c o n s i n .— In d u stria l Comm ission.
W o r k m e n ’s c o m p e n s a tio n : F if te e n th re
p o r t, J u l y 1 , 1 9 2 8 , to J u n e SO, 1 9 3 0 .
[ M a d i s o n , 1 9 3 1 ? ].
29 pp.
D a ta from th is re p o rt are given in th is issue of th e Review.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
S t a t e s .— Congress. H ouse of R ep resen tativ es. R e p o r t N o . 2 5 9 0
y 1 s t C o n g ., 3 d s e s s .) : P r o h i b i t io n o f im p o r t a t i o n o f g o o d s p r o d u c e d b y c o n v ic t,
f o r c e d , o r ¡ a n d in d e n tu r e d la b o r .
( R e p o r t b y M r . H a w le y , C o m m itte e o n W a y s
a n d M e a n s , to a c c o m p a n y H . R . 1 6 5 1 7 .)
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
2 pp.
U n it e d
Senate. C om m ittee on Finance. P r o h i b i t io n o f i m p o r t a t i o n o f
g o o d s p r o d u c e d b y c o n v ic t, f o r c e d o r ¡ a n d in d e n tu r e d la b o r .
H e a r in g (7 1 s t
C o n g ., 3 d s e s s .) o n H . R . 1 6 5 1 7 , F e b r u a r y 2 4 , 1 9 3 1 .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1
26
p p
.
D e p a rtm e n t of A griculture. M is c e lla n e o u s P u b l i c a t i o n N o . 1 1 6 : R u r a l
s ta n d a r d s o f l i v i n g — a s e le c te d b ib lio g r a p h y , c o m p ile d b y L o u is e 0 . B e r c a w .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
84 pp.
D e p a rtm e n t of Com m erce. B ureau of Mines. B u lle tin 3 3 8 : Q u a r r y a c
c id e n ts i n th e U n ite d S ta te s d u r in g th e c a le n d a r y e a r 1 9 2 9 , b y W i l l i a m W .
A dam s.
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
102 pp.
R eview ed in th is issue.
------ D e p a rtm e n t of L abor.
B ureau of L abor S tatistics. B u lle tin N o . 5 4 4 :
U n e m p lo y m e n t-b e n e fit p io n s i n th e U n ite d S ta te s a n d u n e m p lo y m e n t in s u r a n c e
i n f o r e i g n c o u n tr ie s .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
385 pp.
R eview ed in th is issue.
— M omen s B ureau. B u lle tin N o . 8 7 : S a n i t a r y d r i n k i n g f a c i l i t i e s w ith
s p e c ia l re fe r e n c e to d r i n k i n g f o u n t a i n s , b y M a r i e C o r r e ll.
W a s h in g to n 1 9 3 1
26 pp.
’
T his bulletin sum m arizes in vestigations of different ty p es of d rin k in g facili
ties, p articu larly th e different ty p e s of d rinking fou n tain s, sta n d a rd s w hich h a v e
been developed, an d legislation re la tin g to th e q uestion in th e different S tates.
------ ;--------------- W o m e n ’s p la c e i n i n d u s t r y i n 1 0 S o u th e r n S ta te s , b y M a r y
A n d erso n .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
12 p p .
F ederal B oard for V ocational E d u catio n .
B u lle tin N o . 3 9 , T ra d e a n d
I n d u s t r i a l S e r ie s N o . 9 : C o a l- m in e g a s e s — te c h n ic a l in f o r m a tio n f o r u se i n
v o c a tio n a l t r a i n i n g c la s s e s .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 . 3 9 p p . ; U lu s .
T his is a revision of a b u lletin first published in 1919. T he b u lletin is p lanned
as a guide for use in trade-extension courses for coal m iners a n d p resen ts in n o n
technical language th e p rincipal facts regarding m ine gases.
B u lle tin N o . 4 2 , T r a d e a n d I n d u s t r i a l S e r ie s N o . 1 2 : F la m e s a f e ty
l a m p s , d e v ic e s f o r d e te c tin g f ir e d a m p , a n d m i n e r s ’ e le c tr ic l a m p s .
W a s h in a to n , 1 9 3 1 .
65 pp.
( R e v is e d e d itio n .)
T his b u lletin is p lan n ed fo r use in evening trad e-ex ten sio n courses for m iners.
I t was prep ared w ith th e assistance of engineers of th e U n ited S ta te s B ureau of
Mines.
, Federal F a rm B oard.
b y S ta n le y R eed.
C ir c u la r N o . 4 - F i n a n c i a l s tr u c tu r e o f c o o p e r a tiv e s ,
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
16 p p .
O fficia l— F o r e ig n C o u n tr ie s
A u s t r a l ia .
B ureau of Census a n d S tatistics.
th e S ta te o j
p a g in g .]
l a s m a n i a f o r th e y e a r
T asm an ia b ran ch . S t a t i s t i c s o f
1 9 2 9 -3 0 .
H o b a r t,
[1 9 3 1 ? ]
[ V a r io u s
Includes sections on p ro d u ctio n a n d wages in m an u factu rin g , education,
hospitals, etc., an d friendly societies.
M inistère de 1 In té rie u r e t de l’H ygiène.
B e lg iq u e e t d u C o n g o B e lg e , 1 9 2 9 - 3 0 .
A n n u a i r e s ta t i s t iq u e d e la
B r u s s e ls , 1 9 3 0 . [ V a r io u s p a g in g .]
1he B elgian sta tistic a l yearbook for 1929—30 includes sta tistic s rela tin g to
education, savings, cooperation, cheap dwellings, strik es a n d lockouts, an d
in d u strial accidents.
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255
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
B u d a pest
( H u n g a r y ) . — K om m unal
tr a tiv e s J a h r b u c h , 1 9 3 0 .
S tatistisch es A m t.
B u d a p e s t, 1 9 3 0 .
S ta tis tis c h -A d m in is
475*, 1009 pp.
C ontains sta tistic a l in fo rm atio n fo r th e c ity of B u d ap est on housing, public
h ealth , cost of living, w orking conditions of salaried em ployees in com m ercial
u ndertakings, unem ploym ent, la b o r organizations, social insurance, w ages,
w elfare w ork, etc. T h e te x t of th e volum e is in H u n g arian b u t th e sta tistic a l
section h as ta b le of conten ts, ta b le heads, a n d index in G erm an.
B u l g a r i a .— D irection G énérale de la S tatistiq u e.
A n n u a i r e s ta tis tiq u e d u
R o y a u m e d e B u lg a r ie , 1 9 2 9 —1 9 3 0 a n n é e s .
S o fia , 1 9 3 0 .
513 pp.
C o n tain s sta tistic a l d a ta , for th e y ears 1929 an d 1930, on in d u stries an d
occu p atio n s, w orkers engaged, wages, in d u stria l disputes, in d u strial accidents,
cooperation, social insurance, etc., in B ulgaria.
G e r m a n y .— A usschuss z u r U n tersu ch u n g der E rzeugungs- u n d A bsatzbedingungen der deutschen W irtsch aft. III. U n terau ssch uss. D a s d e u ts c h e H a n d w erk .
B e r lin , 1 9 3 0 .
4 v o ls .
A re p o rt on p ro d u ctio n a n d conditions in th e G erm an h a n d ic ra ft industries, by
a sub co m m ittee of th e C o m m ittee on In v estig atio n of P ro d u ctio n a n d C onditions
of G erm an In d u stries. T h e first volum e describes h an d ic ra fts in general an d gives
a h isto rical background; th e second volum e c o n tain s sta tistic s on h an d ic ra fts; th e
th ird volum e review s in d e ta il h a n d ic ra fts in baking, confectionery, bu tch er,
shoem aking, tailoring, a n d bookbinding tra d e s; th e fo u rth volum e covers sad
dlery, blacksm ithing, carp e n try , cab in etm ak in g , a n d electrical trad es.
------ Statistisches R eichsam t. S o n d e r h e f te z u W ir ts c h a f t u n d S t a t i s t i k , N r . 8 :
I n d u s t r i e l l e P r o d u k tio n b is z u m J a h r e 1 9 3 0 .
B e r lin , 1 9 3 1 .
2 0 7 p p . ; c h a r ts .
C ontains sta tistic a l in fo rm atio n in reg ard to in d u stria l p ro d u ctio n in G erm any
u p to th e y ear 1930, giving th e volum e an d v alue of various pro d u cts.
G r e a t B r i t a i n .— In d u s tria l H e a lth R esearch B oard. E le v e n th a n n u a l r e p o r t, to
J u n e SO, 1 9 3 1 ,
London, 1931.
8 5 p p . ; d ia g r a m s .
T he re p o rt covers th e specific stu d ies carried o u t b y th e b o ard du rin g th e y ear
ending Ju n e 30, 1931, a n d includes also a n analysis of th e resu lts of special inves
tig atio n s m ade during th e 5-year period, 1925-1930. A classified list of th e p u b
lications of th e b o ard is appended.
------ M in istry of L abor. M e m o r a n d u m o n th e s h o r ta g e , s u r p l u s a n d r e d is tr ib u tio n
o f j u v e n i l e la b o r i n E n g la n d a n d W a le s d u r in g th e y e a r s 1 9 3 0 - 1 9 3 8 .
1931.
18 p p .
Review ed in th is issue.
- — O versea S ettlem en t C om m ittee.
M arch 3 1 , 1931.
L ondon, 1931.
London,
R e p o r t f o r th e p e r io d J a n u a r y 1 , 1 9 3 0 , to
4® PP( C m d . 3 8 8 7 .)
T he p a st year, th e com m ittee rep o rts, has been th e m o st unfav o rab le for m igra
tion since th e w ar. N o t only th e D om inions, b u t practically all countries, have
ta k e n m easures to re s tric t im m igration, a n d u n til in d u stria l a n d economic con
ditions im prove, em igratio n is n o t likely to increase. U n d er th e circum stances,
th e com m ittee in ten d s to keep in to u ch w ith th e situ a tio n , preserve as fa r as pos
sible th e good w ill w hich its w ork h ith e rto h as secured, a n d be read y to u n d ertak e
effective action as soon as conditions w a rra n t a resu m p tio n of th e m igration
m ovem ent.
------ R oyal C om m ission on L abor in In d ia. R e p o r t. L o n d o n , 1 9 3 1 .
5 8 0 p p .;
m a p s.
{ C m d . 3 8 8 3 .)
D a ta relatin g to th e trad e-u n io n m ovem ent in In d ia, ta k e n from th is rep o rt,
are given in th is issue.
------ T reasury. C om m ittee on Finance an d In d u stry . R e p o r t. L o n d o n , 1 9 3 1 .
322 pp.
{ C m d . 3 8 9 7 .)
A discussion of th e B ritish a ttitu d e to w ard wage reductions as a rem edy for
depression, tak en from th is rep o rt, is given in th is issue of th e Review.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
G r e a t e r S h a n g h a i ( C h i n a ) . — B ureau of Social Affairs.
W a g e s a n d h o u rs o f
la b o r , G r e a te r S h a n g h a i, 1 9 2 9 .
S h a n g h a i, [1 9 8 0 ? ].
E n g lis h s e c tio n , x v , 1 5 8
pp.
(I n C h in e s e a n d E n g lis h .)
S tatistics from th is re p o rt are given in th is issue.
I n d i a .— D e p artm en t of C om m ercial Intelligence a n d S tatistics.
S ta tis tic a l
a b s tr a c t f o r B r i t i s h I n d i a , w ith s t a t i s t ic s r e la tin g to c e r ta in I n d i a n S ta te s , f r o m
1 9 1 9 - 2 0 to 1 9 2 8 - 2 9 .
London, 1981.
778 pp.
( C m d . 8 8 8 2 .)
I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a b o r O f f i c e .— A n n u a l r e v ie w , 1 9 3 0 .
-
G en eva, 1 9 3 1 .
505 pp.
Beginning w ith his re p o rt to th e fiftee n th session of th e In te rn a tio n a l L ab o r Con
ference, th e d irecto r of th e In te rn a tio n a l L ab o r Office decided to divide his a n n u al
re p o rt in to tw o sep a ra te docum ents, th e m ajo r p o rtio n to be jm blished in th e
form of a lab o r yearbook. T h e p re se n t volum e is th e first n u m b er of th is y e a r
book; it consists of tw o sections, covering, respectively, th e general a c tiv ity of
th e In te rn a tio n a l L ab o r O rganization a n d th e social m ovem ent, th e m a te ria l
on th e social m ovem en t including in fo rm atio n on th e follow ing su b je c ts: T h e
economic situ atio n ; conditions of w o rk ; social in su ran ce; w ages; un em p lo y m en t,
placing, m igration; w orkers’ living conditions; a n d w orkers’ general rig h ts.
------ T h e r e g u la tio n o f h o u r s o f w o r k o n b o a r d s h i p . ( F ir s t i te m o n a g e n d a o f
I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a b o r C o n fe r e n c e , se c o n d d is c u s s io n , R e p o r t I . )
231 p p .
G eneva, 1 9 8 1 .
------ S t u d i e s a n d R e p o r ts , S e r ie s C (e m p lo y m e n t a n d u n e m p lo y m e n t) , N o . 1 6 :
U n e m p lo y m e n t p r o b le m s i n 1 9 3 1 .
G en eva, 1 9 3 1 .
2 8 0 p p . ; c h a r ts .
T he volum e contain s t h a t p a r t of th e re p o rt of th e d irecto r of th e In te rn a tio n a l
L abor Office to th e fifteen th session of th e In te rn a tio n a l L ab o r C onference
concerning unem ploym ent, to g e th e r w ith a series of m em o ran d a su b m itte d in
Ja n u a ry , 1931, to th e u n em p lo y m en t co m m ittee of th e governing body of th e
In te rn a tio n a l L abo r Office. T h e m a te ria l is p resen ted u n d er th e follow ing
general heads: U nem p lo y m en t problem s in 1931 (ex tract fro m th e d ire c to r’s
re p o rt); u nem ploym en t a n d m o n e ta ry flu ctu atio n s; in eq u alities in th e in te rn a
tio n a l d istrib u tio n of c a p ita l as a cause of u n em p lo y m en t; d istu rb an ce s in in te r
n a tio n a l tra d e an d th e ir effects on u n em p lo y m en t; p o p u la tio n a n d unem ploy
m e n t; th e effects of ra tio n alizatio n on em plo y m en t; a n d wages a n d em ploym ent.
------ S t u d i e s a n d R e p o r ts , S e r ie s C (e m p lo y m e n t a n d u n e m p lo y m e n t) , N o . 1 7 :
U n e m p lo y m e n t p r o b le m s i n th e U n ite d S ta te s , b y H . B . B u tle r .
112 pp.
G en eva, 1 9 3 1 .
T his rep o rt, by th e d e p u ty d irecto r of th e In te rn a tio n a l L ab o r Office, opens
w ith a discussion of th e e x te n t of u n em p lo y m en t in th e U n ited S tates, -which is
followed by ch ap ters on th e decline of consum ption, m ach in ery a n d em ploym ent,
som e aspects of technological unem ploym ent, rem edial m easures, a n d regulariza
tion of em ploym ent.
------ S tu d ie s a n d R e p o r ts , S e r ie s D ( w a g e s a n d h o u r s o f w o r k ) , N o . 2 0 : P r i n c i p l e s
a n d m e th o d s o f w a g e d e te r m in a tio n i n th e c o a l- m in in g i n d u s t r y ; a n i n te r n a tio n a l
su rvey.
G en eva, 1 9 3 1 .
1 0 4 PP-
R eview ed in th is issue.
L e a g u e o f N a t i o n s .— C hild W elfare
c o u r ts .
G en eva, 1 9 3 1 .
128 p p.
C om m ittee.
A u x i l i a r y s e r v ic e s o f j u v e n i l e
In A ugust, 1929, th e secretary general of th e child w elfare co m m ittee sen t a
questionnaire to all governm ents, req u estin g in fo rm atio n as to th e auxiliary
services m ain tain ed in connection w ith juv en ile courts. F ifty -fo u r replies -were
received, of w hich 23 co n tain ed in fo rm atio n on som e or all of th e p o in ts covered
by th e questionnaire. T his re p o rt gives a su m m ary of these replies, w ith a
ta b u la r p resen tatio n of th e countries h av in g such services, w h a t th e y a re and
w hen established. T h e m an n e r in w hich th e services are used is discussed by
countries.
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L e a g u e o p N a t i o n s .— E conom ic an d F in an cial Section.
R e m e w o f th e le g a l
a s p e c ts o f i n d u s t r i a l a g r e e m e n ts , b y H e n r i D e c u g is { F r a n c e ) , R w e r t E . O t s
( U n ite d S t a t e s ) , a n d S i e g f r i e d T s c h ie r s c h k y { G e r m a n y ) . G e n e v a , 1 9 3 0 . 9 5 p p .
L o d z ( P o l a n d ) — Service d e S ta tistiq u e .
A n n u a i r e s t a t i s t iq u e d e l a
L o d z, an n ée 1929.
L odz, 1931.
229 p p .
{ I n F r e n c h a n d P o lis h .)
v ille
de
C ontains statistics on p ublic h e a lth , c h a rity , cost of living, unem ploym ent,
em ploym ent service, etc., in th e city of Lodz in 1929.
M a n i t o b a ( C a n a d a ) . — W orkm en’s C om pensation B oard.
R e p o rt fo r 193 0 .
W in n ip e g , 1 9 3 1 .
32 pp.
R eview ed in th is issue.
N ew Z e a l a n d — C ensus an d S tatistics Office.
W e llin g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
S t a t i s t i c a l r e p o r t f o r th e y e a r 1 9 2 9 .
x lv i, 1 9 9 p p .
D eals w ith prices, w ages a n d h o u rs of labor, em p lo y m en t an d u n em ploym ent,
in d u stria l accidents, building societies, b a n k ru p tc y , incom es an d incom e tax ,
an d lan d and land tax . Includes a sta tistic a l su m m ary for th e D om inion from
1880 to 1929.
N o r w a y — R ik s tr y g d e v e r k e t.
I n d u s tr ia r b e id e r tr y g d e n u l y k k e s tr y g d e n / o r i n dustriarbeidereM .V .,1928. O s lo , 1931. I l l p p . ( N o r ges O ffic ie lle S ta tistik k
V I I I , 1 5 4 .)
.
.
. XT
A nnual re p o rt on insurance ag ain st in d u stria l accidents m N orw ay during
th e y ear 1928.
N ova S cotia ( C a n a d a ) . — W o rk m en ’s C o m pensation B oard.
H a lif a x , 1 9 3 1 .
R e p o rt fo r 1 9 3 0 .
32pp.
R eview ed in th is issue.
d u T ra v a il e t de L ’A ssistance Sociale.
P o l a n d — M inistère
t r a v a il e n 1 9 2 9 .
W a rsa w , 1930.
I x x v iii, 2 2 3 p p .
L ’in s p e c ti o n d u
( I n P o lis h .)
A re p o rt on facto ry in spection in P o lan d in 1929, in clud in g la b o r law s, w ages,
in d u stria l disputes, la b o r unions, m ed iatio n a n d co nciliation, a n d a special
acco u n t of lab o r conditions in ag ricu ltu re.
S a x o n y ( G e r m a n y ) .— S tatistisches L andesam t.
S t a tis tis c h e s J a h r b u c h f u r d e n
F r e is ta a t S a c h s e n , 1 9 3 0 .
D resd en , 193 1 .
360 pp.
C ontains sta tistic a l info rm atio n on vocatio n al guidance, em p lo y m en t service,
unem ploym ent, social insurance, wages, hours, in d u stria l disputes, etc., in th e
S ta te of Saxony in 1930.
S w e d e n — [Social D ep artem en tet.]
Socialstyrelsen. Y r k e s in s p e k tio n e n s v e r k sam h et d r 192 9 .
S to c k h o lm , 1 9 3 1 .
1 2 6 p p . ; d ia g r a m s , i l l u s .
A nnual rep o rt, for 1929, on fa cto ry inspection in Sweden, including in fo rm a
tion on organization a n d personnel, in d u stria l accidents an d diseases an d m easures
for th e ir prevention, etc.
U n o ffic ia l
A m e r i c a n A s s o c i a t i o n f o r O l d A g e S e c u r i t y . O ld a g e s e c u r ity p r o g r e s s , 1 9 3 1 .
R e v o r t o f p r o c e e d in g s o f th e F o u r th N a t i o n a l C o n fe r e n c e o n O ld A g e S e c u r i t y ,
h e ld i n N e w Y o r k , A p r i l 1 0 , 1 9 3 1 .
N e w Y o r k , 2 2 E a s t S e v e n te e n th S tr e e t,
19 3 1 . 91 p p .
A m e r i c a n C o u n t r y L i f e A s s o c i a t i o n . S t a n d a r d s o f liv in g .
P r o c e e d in g s o f th e
T h ir tie th A m e r i c a n C o u n tr y L i f e C o n fe r e n c e , M a d i s o n , W i s O c t o b e r 7—1 0 y
1930.
N e w Y o r k , 1 0 5 E a s t T w e n ty - s e c o n d S tr e e t, 1 9 3 1 .
165 pp.
T he general su b jects covered a t th e conference in clu d ed th e rela tio n of th e
ab ility to p a y to sta n d a rd s of liv in g ; electrification a n d tra n sp o rta tio n ; m aking
th e m o st of hom e resources; th e a rtistic in co u n try life; co m m u n ity o p p o rtu n ities
a n d policies; public relief a n d ru ra l fam ilies; a n d basic elem ents of ru ra l cu ltu re.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
A m e r i c a n I r o n a n d S t e e l I n s t i t u t e . A n n u a l s t a t i s t ic a l r e p o r t, fo r
N e w Y o r k , 7 5 W e s t S tr e e t, 1 9 3 1 .
120 pp.
1930.
Gives d a ta on pro d u ctio n , im p o rts a n d exports, a n d prices in th e iron a n d
steel a n d allied in d u stries of th e U n ited S ta te s a n d C a n a d a fo r 1930 a n d p re
ceding years, w ith som e sta tistic s fo r foreign countries.
A m e r ic a n S o c ie t y o f M e c h a n ic a l E n g i n e e r s .
B ib lio g r a p h y o f m a n a g e m e n t
lite r a tu r e , in c l u d i n g a n a u th o r in d e x , u p to J a n u a r y , 1 9 3 1 , c o m p ile d b y R M
B erg.
N e w Y o r k , 2 9 W e s t T h i r t y - n i n t h S tr e e t, 1 9 3 1 .
142 pp.
A m e r ic a n S t a n d a r d s A s s o c ia t io n . A m e r ic a n s ta n d a r d s y e a r b o o k , 1 9 3 1 .
Y o r k , 2 9 W e s t T h i r t y - n i n t h S tr e e t, 1 9 3 1 .
102 pp.
N ew
Review s th e accom plishm ents of th e association d u rin g 1930 a n d th e coopera
tiv e activ ities of tra d e associations, tech n ical societies, a n d G o v ern m en t d e p a rt
m ents, a n d describes th e d ev elo p m en t of n a tio n a l a n d in te rn a tio n a l sta n d a rd i
zation. I t also con tain s a lis t of th e sta n d a rd s a p p ro v ed so fa r, in cluding th e
46 approved in 1930, a n d th e p ro je c ts u n d e r co n sid eratio n , giving th e m em
bership of sectional com m ittees w here th e personnel h a s been ap p ro v ed . U p
to Ja n u a ry 1, 1931, th e A m erican S ta n d a rd s A ssociation h a d ap p ro v ed 181
A m erican sta n d a rd s a n d h a d before i t 179 incom pleted projects.
B olger, B .
O r g a n is a to r is c h e v e r h o u d in g e n tu s s c h e n w e r k g e v e r s e n a r b e id e r s
H a a r le m , H . D . T je e n k W i l l i n k & Z o o n , 1 9 2 9 . 4 6 8 p p .
( I n D u tc h .)
A historical review a n d analy sis of th e organized m o v em en ts of em ployers
an d w orkers (by in d u strie s a n d occupations) in th e N eth erlan d s, of th e m eth o d s
used an d th e resu lts o b tain ed as to th e im p ro v em en t of la b o r condition, in clu d
ing legislation, public la b o r offices, wages, h ealth , etc.
B u il d in g
T rades
E m p l o y e r s ’ A s s o c ia t io n o f t h e C it y o f N e w Y o r k
B u l l e t i n N o . 1 1 : F a c ts o n i n d u s t r i a l
a c c id e n ts , 1 9 3 1 e d itio n .
N e w Y ork, 2 P a rk A ven u e, 1 9 31.
12 pp.
C om m ittee on A ccident P rev en tio n .
R eview ed in th is issue.
C h a m b e r l a i n , W il l ia m H e n r y .
T h e S o v ie t p la n n e d e c o n o m ic o r d e r .
W o r ld P e a c e F o u n d a tio n , 1 9 3 1 .
pp.
243
B o s to n
D eals w ith econom ic p lan n in g in Soviet R ussia, especially w ith th e 5-year p lan
for in d u strial expansion, a n d th e resu lts o b tain ed a n d expected in th e fu tu re.
C o l t o n , E t h a n T.
4 2 3 p p . ] illu s .
The X
Y Z o f c o m m u n is m .
N e w Y o r k , M a c m il l a n C o
1931
C ontains a descriptive analysis of th e com m unist th eo ry a n d com m u n ist
practices in R ussia up to th e p resent.
C o m it é C e n t r a l d e s H o u il l è r e s d e F r a n c e e t C h a m b r e S y n d ic a l e F r a n
ç a is e d e s M in e s
M é t a l l i q u e s . A n n u a i r e : H o u illè r e s — m in e s d e f e r —
m in e s m é ta lliq u e s .
T r e n te - d e u x ie m e a n n é e ( 1 9 3 1 ) .
P a r is , 3 5 R u e S a in tD o m in iq u e , 1 9 3 1 .
[ V a r io u s p a g i n g .]
T his an n u al re p o rt of th e cen tral co m m ittee of coal o p erato rs con tain s sta tistic s
of wages a n d prod u ctio n in coal a n d lig n ite m ines in F ran ce in 1928 an d m in eral
pro duction in F ran ce a n d its colonies from 1926 to 1930.
D a v i e s M a r g a r e t L l e w e l y n , E d ito r.
L i f e a s w e h a v e k n o w n i t , b y c o o p e r a tiv e
w o r k in g w o m e n .
L o n d o n , H o g a r th P r e s s , 1 9 3 1 .
p p . ; U lu s .
141
A ccounts of th e lives a n d w orking a n d liv in g conditions of a n u m b er of m em
bers^ of th e C ooperative W om en’s G uild, w ritte n b y them selves. T his book
furnishes in terestin g side lig h ts on w h a t th e guild h as m e a n t in th e lives of th ese
w orking w om en, in th e w ay of ed u catio n a n d broad en in g of outlook, a n d also
th e reform s these w om en h av e w orked to b ring ab o u t, as a re su lt of th e ir m en tal
aw akening.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[744]
259
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
• F eldm an, H erm a n .
to n , 1 9 3 1 .
A p e r s o n n e l p r o g r a m f o r ih e F e d e r a l c iv il s e r v ic e .
289 pp .
( H . D o c . N o . 7 7 3 , 7 1 s t C o n g ,, 3 d s e s s .)
W a s h in g
T he a u th o r, who w as econom ic ad v iser to th e field survey division of th e P e r
sonnel Classification B oard during th e stu d y of th e field service m ad e in accord
ance w ith th e W elch A ct, assum es full responsibility fo r th e view s p resen ted .
H is re p o rt contains a stu d y of th e existing situ atio n , w ith a review of th e G overn
m e n t’s w age policy, an d a discussion of im p o rta n t aspects of an y far-reaching
w age policy, such as th e problem of geographic differentials, th e p rinciples on
w hich salary levels m ay be determ ined, financial incentives, salary a d m in istra
tion, an d th e like. A second p a r t deals w ith th e evolution of a personnel program ,
selection an d placem ent in th e G o vernm ent service, th e general su b ject of secur
ing efficiency from F ederal em ployees, th e m a tte r of grievances, group rep resen
ta tio n , a n d em ployee cooperation, a n d organizing fo r personnel ad m in istratio n .
ic h a e l T .
T h e e n d o f th e R u s s i a n E m p i r e .
N e w H a v e n , Y a le
U n iv e r s ity P r e s s , 1 9 3 1 . 2 7 2 p p .
( C a r n e g ie E n d o w m e n t f o r I n t e r n a t i o n a l P e a c e ,
D i v i s io n o f E c o n o m ic s a n d H i s t o r y , E c o n o m ic a n d S o c ia l H i s t o r y o f th e W o r ld
W a r , R u s s i a n s e r i e s .)
F l o r in s k y , M
D escribes an d analyzes economic an d political conditions in th e form er R ussian
E m pire prior to an d durin g th e W orld W ar, including a ch a p te r on la b o r condi
tions, such as wages, cost of living, in d u stria l disputes, lab o r o rganizations, etc.
T he p ea san t lan d hunger a n d asp iratio n of su b ject races a n d n atio n s fo r freedom
as revo lu tio n ary issues are to u ch ed upon.
F o r e m a n , C l a r e n c e J. E ffic ie n c y a n d s c a r c ity p r o f its : A n e c o n o m ic a n d le g a l
a n a l y s i s o f th e r e s id u a l s u r p lu s .
34-3 p p .
G erm an
C om m erce
C h ic a g o , U n iv e r s ity o f C h ic a g o P r e s s ,
Y e a r b o o k , 1930-1931.
S t r u p p e & W in c k le r , 1 9 3 1 .
E d ite d
by
H . K u h n e r t.
1930.
B e r lin ,
2 6 4 PP-
C ontains descriptive in fo rm atio n on various phases of economic life in G erm any
for 1930 a n d th e early p a r t of 1931, co n trib u te d by a n u m b er of w riters. S ta tis
tics on G erm an-A m erican ex p o rt a n d im p o rt tra d e an d G erm an p ro d u ctio n for
1930 a n d earlier years are also given.
H
A r b e i t s w i s s e n s c h a f t . B a n d V . O b je k ts p s y c h o te c h n ik . H a n d b u c k s a c h p s y c h o lo g is c h e r A r b e its g e s ta ltu n g , v o n F r i t z G ie s e .
H a lle , C a r l
M a r h o ld , 1 9 3 0 .
8 3 3 p p . ; d ia g r a m s , il l u s .
a n d b t jc h d e r
A psychological stu d y of Avorkers, divided in to th re e p a rts: 1. L ab o r a n d oc
cupational psychology; II . P sychotechnics of o rganization; a n d I I I . Psychotechnics of m anagem ent. A decided d istinction is m ade betw een indiv id u al and
m ass psychology.
H a r p e r , E l s i e D. O u t o f a j o b ; p r o p o s a ls f o r u n e m p lo y m e n t in s u r a n c e .
N ew
Y o r k , W o m a n ’s P r e s s , 1 9 3 1 .
52 pp.
T his p am p h let contain s a review of several of th e la te st rep o rts of unem ploy
m e n t benefit an d insurance system s a n d discusses proposed unem p lo y m en t
insurance legislation in th e U n ited S tates.
H o f f m a n , F r e d e r ic k L.
T h e o c c u p a tio n a l in c id e n c e o f c a n c e r .
C o n tr ib u te d to
th e I n t e r n a t i o n a l O c c u p a tio n a l D is e a s e
N e w a rk , P r u d e n tia l P r e s s , 1 9 3 1 . 2 3 p p .
C o n fe re n c e ,
G eneva,
S w itz e r la n d .
T his p ap er gives a sum m ary of th e lite ra tu re relatin g to occupational cancer
to g e th e r w ith som e sta tistic s of th e incidence of cancer due to th e occupation
in th e U n ited States.
H u m p h r e y , E d w a r d F r a n k . A n e c o n o m ic h is to r y o f th e U n ite d S ta te s . N e w Y o r k ,
C e n tu r y C o ., 1 9 3 1 .
6 3 9 p p .; m a p s , illu s .
T h e chief purpose of th is book, as s ta te d by th e publisher, is to discover in th e
record of th e economic grow th of th e U n ited S tates an ex planation of p resen t-d ay
conditions, em phasis being placed u pon personalities, descriptions, a n d m ove
m e n ts ra th e r th a n upon sta tistic s a n d form ulae. T h e m ain su b je c t heads of th e
[745]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
260
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
volum e are: A m erica a p a rt of th e old w orld sy stem — an a g ricu ltu ral era, 14921819; A m erica’s m odification of th e ag ric u ltu ra l age, 1819-1860; Origins of big
business, 1860-1900; C om m ercialism — w orld m a rk e ts a n d th e su p e rtru st, 19001914; a n d W orld pow er, 1914-1931.
I n d u s t r ia l R e l a t io n s C o u n s e l o r s ( I n c .) . L i b r a r y B u lle tin N o . 8 : S u r v e y o f th e
c u r r e n t li t e r a t u r e o f i n d u s t r i a l r e la tio n s , 1 9 3 1 s e m ia n n u a l r e v ie w .
165 B roadw ay, 1931.
3 8 p p . , m im e o g r a p h e d .
N e w Y o rk ,
I n s t it u t e
f o r G o v e r n m e n t R e s e a r c h . S e r v ic e M o n o g r a p h s o f th e U n ite d S ta te s
G o v e r n m e n t, N o . 6 4 : T h e P e r s o n n e l C la s s if ic a tio n B o a r d — i t s h is to r y , a c tiv itie s ,
a n d o r g a n iz a tio n , b y P a i d V . B e tte r s .
W a s h in g to n , B r o o k in g s I n s t i t u t i o n ,
1931.
160 pp.
Gives th e histo ry of th e Personnel C lassification B oard, its functions, its
organization, th e ch a ra c te r of its activ ities, a com pilation of th e law s governing
its operations, financial sta te m e n t show ing a p p ro p riatio n s, a n d a full b ibliography
of th e sources of inform ation, official a n d p riv a te , bearing on th e service a n d its
activities.
J e n k in s o n , M a r k W e b s t e r .
C o . { L t d . ) , [1 9 3 1 ? ].
J o h n s e n , J u l ia E .
1931.
206 pp.
S o m e d a n g ers o f ra tio n a liz a tio n .
L o n d o n , G ee &
16 pp.
S t a b i l i t y o f e m p lo y m e n t.
N e w Y o rk , H .
{ T h e R e fe r e n c e S h e lf, V o l. V I I , N o . 2 .)
W.
W ils o n
C o .,
A com pilation of articles, briefs, a n d bibliographies on th e various m eth o d s of
stabilization, w ith sections d evoted to arg u m en ts for a n d a g ain st th e need for
stabilization.
L a b o r R e s e a r c h A s s o c ia t io n .
lis h e r s , 1 9 3 1 .
N
a t io n a l
B ureau
L a b o r f a c t book.
N e w Y o rk , I n te r n a tio n a l P u b
222 pp.
of
C asualty
and
Surety
U n d e r w r it e r s .
S e r ie s , V o l. V : A g u id e b o o k f o r s a f e t y e d u c a tio n .
1931.
E d u c a tio n a l
N ew Y o rk , 1 P a r k A ven u e,
89 pp.
P resents a p rog ram fo r safety ed u catio n in th e elem en tary , secondary, a n d
vocational schools in connection w ith th e various su b jects of th e reg u lar cu rric
ulum a n d th e activ ities of th e school life.
------ E d u c a tio n a l S e r ie s , V o l. V I I I : S a f e t y a n d h e a lth i n o r g a n iz e d c a m p s , b y
J . E d w a rd S a n d ers.
N e w Y o rk , 1 P a rk A ven u e, 1 9 31.
133 pp.
C ontains a n analysis of accidents a n d h e a lth conditions in m ore th a n 500
sum m er cam ps, w ith a su m m ary of th e problem s a n d possible rem edial m easures,
ad v o catin g th e estab lish m en t of a cam p safety code.
N
a t io n a l
I n d u s t r ia l C o n f e r e n c e B o a r d ( I n c .).
U n ite d S ta te s , 1 9 1 4 - 1 9 3 0 .
c h a r ts .
N
N ew
T h e c o s t o f l iv in g i n th e
Y o rk , 2 4 7 P a r k A ven u e, 1931.
1 7 0 p p .;
E d w in P. F o r d m e n a n d m e th o d s .
D o ra n & C o. { I n c .) , 1 9 3 1 .
2 0 1 p p . ; i l lu s .
orw ood,
G a r d e n C i t y , N . Y ., D o u b le d a y ,
Includes descriptions of m ethods of han d lin g m aterial, accid en t p rev en tio n ,
sa n itatio n , a n d w aste salvage; of w eight a n d q u a lity sta n d a rd s w hich m u s t be
m e t in connection w ith food sold to th e em ployees in th e p la n t by p riv a te p a rtie s;
of th e em ployee-investm ent p lan ; a n d of th e tra d e school, in th e R iv er R ouge
p la n t of th e F ord M otor Co.
N o u r s e , E d w in G., a n d K n a p p , J o s e p h G.
T h e c o o p e r a tiv e m a r k e tin g o f liv e
s to c k .
W a s h in g to n , D . C ., B r o o k in g s I n s t i t u t i o n , 1 9 3 1 .
4 3 6 p p . ; c h a r ts .
S ta te d to be “ th e first exten d ed analysis of one of th e n a tio n a l m ark e tin g
sy stem s se t up b y th e F ed eral F a rm B o ard .” Gives a d etailed h isto rical b a c k
gro u n d of th e cooperative m o v em en t am ong livestock producers a n d an analysis
of th e s tru c tu re an d o p eratio n of th e re cen tly reorganized a n d ex p an d ed coopera
tiv e agency. In th re e p a rts, dealing respectively w ith cooperative shipping,
cooperative selling, a n d c u rre n t developm ents.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[746]
261
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
P
r in c e t o n
U n iv e r s it y .
In d u s tria l
R elatio n s
Section.
T r a d e - u n io n h is t o r y a n d p o lic ie s a n d la b o r le g is la tio n .
1 9 p p . , m im e o g r a p h e d .
P u l l e r it s , A l b e r t .
E s t l a n d v o lk , k u ltu r , W ir tsc h a ft.
{I n G e r m a n .)
i l lu s .
S e le c te d
booh l i s t :
P r in c e to n , J u ly , 1 9 3 1 .
T a llin n , 1 9 3 1 .
3 5 6 p p .;
A tex tb o o k on E sto n ia. C ontains d escriptive a n d sta tistic a l in fo rm atio n ,
th e subjects covered including education, cooperation, lab o r p ro tectio n , social
welfare, public h ealth , etc.
R o g in , L e o .
T h e in tr o d u c tio n o f f a r m m a c h in e r y i n i t s r e la tio n to th e p r o d u c
t i v i t y o f la b o r i n th e a g r ic u ltu r e o f th e U n ite d S ta te s d u r in g th e n in e te e n th c e n
tu r y .
B e r k e le y , U n i v e r s i t y o f C a lif o r n ia P r e s s , 1 9 3 1 .
2 6 0 p p .; illu s . { U n i
v e r s i t y o f C a lif o r n ia P u b lic a tio n s i n E c o n o m ic s , v o l. 9 .)
P a rt 1 is d evoted chiefly to th e d ev elopm ent of th e plow an d o th e r tillage
im plem ents, an d P a r t I I to th e w heat-grow ing in d u stry .
S outh M
a n c h u r ia
D a ir e n , 1 9 3 1 .
R a il w a y . S e c o n d r e p o r t o n p r o g r e s s i n M a n c h u r ia to 1 9 3 0 .
3 0 7 p p . ; m a p s , c h a r ts , i l lu s .
D a ta on wages a n d h o u rs of lab o r from th is p u b licatio n are given in th is issue.
T
aylor,
P a u l S. M e x ic a n la b o r i n th e U n ite d S ta te s : B e th le h e m , P a .
B e r k e le y ,
U n i v e r s i t y o f C a l if o r n ia P r e s s , 1 9 3 1 .
{ U n i v e r s i t y o f C a l if o r n ia P u b l i c a t i o n s
i n E c o n o m ic s , vo l. 7 , N o . 1 , p p . 1 - 2 4 - )
Verband
der
B u c h b in d e r
und
P a p ie r v e r a r b e it e r
s c h ä f ts b e r ic h t ü b e r d a s J a h r 1 9 3 0 .
B e r lin , [1 9 3 1 ? ].
D
eu tsch la n d s.
G e
181 p p .
A nnual re p o rt on th e activ itie s of th e G erm an b o o kbinders’ an d p a p er w orkers’
u n ion d u ring 1930, including info rm atio n on m em bership, tra d e agreem ents,
wages, hours, unem ploym ent, social insurance, etc.
V e r b a n d d e r M a l e r , L a c k ie r e r , A n s t r e ic h e r , T ü n c h e r u n d W e is s b in d e r
D e u t sc h la n d s. Jah rbu ch , 193 0 . H a m b u rg , 1 9 3 1 . 1 6 3 p p .
T he yearbook contains a re p o rt of th e activ ities of th e G erm an p a in te rs,
varnishers, house pain ters, a n d w hitew ashers union during 1930, w ith d a ta on
em ploym ent conditions, wages, hours, organization, finances, etc.
W
d e p r e s s io n — r e m e d ie s .
agel,
S r in iv a s R a m .
W o r ld e c o n o m ic
A r t h u r H i l l { I n c .) , 1 9 3 1 . 1 5 2 p p .
W i l l ia m s , I o l o A .
T h e f i r m o f C a d b u r y , 1 8 3 1 —1 9 3 1 .
S m i t h { I n c .) , 1 9 3 1 . 2 9 5 p p . ; c h a r ts , i l lu s .
N ew
N ew
Y ork,
Y o r k , R ic h a r d R .
A history of th e developm ent of th e business an d in d u strial experim ents of th e
firm, in w hich n atu ra lly m uch space is given to its la b o r policies.
W
o o ster,
H a r v e y A ., a n d W h i t i n g , T h e o d o r e E . F lu c tu a tio n i n e m p lo y m e n t
i n C le v e la n d a n d C u y a h o g a C o u n ty , 1 9 2 3 - 1 9 2 8 . A n n A r b o r , M i c h ., E d w a r d s
B r o s . { I n c .) , [1 9 3 0 ? ]. 1 2 6 p p . ; c h a r ts . { D is tr ib u te d b y D e p a r tm e n t o f E c o n o m
i c s , O b e r lin C o lle g e .)
D a ta from th is re p o rt are given in th is issue.
Y e n c h in g
U n iv e r s it y .
D
epartm ent
of
D e v e lo p m e n t o f a g r a r ia n le g is la tio n i n
H . L a m b . P e i p in g , 1 9 3 1 .
155 pp.
S o c io l o g y
C h in a
and
S o c ia l
{1 9 1 2 -1 9 3 0 ), by
W
ork.
J e ffe rso n
D.
In his conclusion th e a u th o r declares t h a t th e N an k in g G o v ern m en t’s g reatest
achievem ent along th e line of ag rarian reform is th e ad o p tio n of th e new ag ricu l
tu ra l policy a n d th e p rom ulgation of th e lan d law.
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o
[747]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
@FedFRASER