The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.
Monthly Labor Review
PUBLIC LIBRARY
U N IT E D STATES DEPARTM ENT OF LABOR • BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
L aw rence
R.
K l e in ,
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Chief, Office of Publications
CONTENTS
Special Articles
229
235
240
244
Benefit Plans under Collective Bargaining
Illness Absenteeism in Manufacturing Plants, 1947
Salaries of Office Workers in Large Cities
Trade-Union Developments in Postwar Austria
Summaries of Special Reports
249
254
254
256
258
261
267
271
275
278
282
286
287
Prices in the Second Quarter of 1948
Man-Hour Trends in Selected Industries
Men’s Dress Shirts: Man-Hours per Dozen, 1939-47
Footwear Manufacture: Man-Hours per Pair, 1939-45
Fertilizer Manufacture: Man-Hours per Ton, 1939-46
Thirty-First Session of International Labor Conference, 1948
Textiles Manufacture: Earnings in April 1948
Ten Years Operations under Fair Labor Standards Act
State Minimum-Wage Legislation: Progress in 1947-48
Workmen’s Compensation Legislation, 1948
Rehabilitation and Placement of Handicapped Workers
1948 Survey of Consumer Finances
Labor-Management Disputes in August 1948
Technical Note
290 New Weekly Index of Wholesale Prices
Departments
III
299
305
308
314
The Labor Month in Review
Recent Decisions of Interest to Labor
Chronology of Recent Labor Events
Publications of Labor Interest
Current Labor Statistics (list of tables)
September 1948 • Voi. 67 • No. 3
This Issue in Brief. . .
The outstanding accomplishment of the T hirty F irst S essio n of I nternatio nal L abor C on
(p. 261), held in San Francisco, June 17
to July 10, 1948, was adoption of a Convention
guaranteeing workers and employers the right to
establish and join organizations of their own choice
without interference. A Convention and Recom
mendation on national employment services were
adopted, and Conventions dealing with night work
of women and young persons were revised. The
Director-General in his report emphasized the
need for pursuing international collaboration
wherever and whenever possible.
ference
million workers were covered by
some type of health, welfare, or retirement benefit
plan under collective bargaining by mid-1948—
more than twice the number in early 1947.
About 45 percent of these workers come under
plans providing health and welfare benefits,
about 11 percent are covered exclusively by
retirement or pension plans, and the remainder
by plans combining such provisions. B e n e fit
P lans U nder C ollective B argaining (p. 229)
traces the development of health and welfare plans
and describes the scope of services provided under
such plans.
To those seeking ways of providing financial
protection against earnings losses from nonoccupational illness or injury, I llness A bsen teeism in
M anu fa c tu r in g , 1947 (p. 235), is of interest.
Over two-thirds of the lost time and three-fifths
of the unscheduled absences from work were
ascribed to nonoccupational illness or accidents.
M ore T han 3
Salary levels for both men and women were
higher in San Francisco than in any of the other
10 cities surveyed by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics. On a cross-industry basis, S alaries
of O ffice W orkers in L arge C ities (p. 240)
shows that salary levels tended to follow a
uniform pattern among the various industries in
each city. In manufacturing and in transporta
tion, communications, and other public utilities,
salaries were above those in other individual
groups; in retail trade and in finance, insurance,
and real estate they were usually below all others.
M a n -H our T rends in S elected I nd u str ies
(p. 254) gives information on industrial productivity
in the manufacture of men’s dress shirts, footwear,
and fertilizer. Labor requirements per unit of
output were 5.96 man-hours per dozen in men’s
dress shirts, from 0.76 to 1.06 man-hours per pair
of shoes according to type manufactured, and
3.04 man-hours per ton of mixed fertilizer manu
factured. These studies are based on direct
reports from a cross-section of producers in each
industry.
ii
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
T rade -U n io n D evelopm ents
A ustria (p. 244) describes how
in
*
P ostwar
labor seeks to
carry out its economic and social aims. Before
World War II, the trade-union movement was
organized mainly along ideological or political
lines. After Liberation in April 1945, the unified
Austrian Federation of Trade-Unions v as formed.
It participated in wage-price stabilization, exten
sion of collective-bargaining, and economic plan
ning. Its membership jumped from 331,200 in
December 1945 to 1,238,100 in December 1947.
During T en Y ears O perations U n d er F air
L abor S tandards A ct (p. 271), the 40-cent hourly
minimum wage provided under the act was at
tained for all workers entitled to these benefits 15
months before it would have become mandatory.
Nearly 22 million workers engaged in interstate
commerce, or the production of goods for inter
state commerce, are thus assured a floor to wages
under the benefits of this act. Almost 112 million
dollars in back wages was restored to some 3
million employees during the 10-year period of
enforcement.
Observance of National Employ the Physically
Handicapped Week from October 3 to 9 draws
attention to R ehabilitatio n and P lacement of
H andicapped W orkers (p. 282). Among Federal
agencies engaged in rehabilitation work are the
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (Social Secur
ity Agency) for civilians, and the Veterans Ad
ministration for disabled veterans. Placements
of impaired workers made through the U. S.
Employment Service totaled some 236 thousand
during 1947. Many private groups engaged in
rehabilitation work are also making a considerable
contribution to the solution of this national
problem.
A.
«
The Labor Month
in Review
T he national labor market continued tight
in August 1948, and unemployment again fell
below 2 million, as the demand for goods and
services pushed nonfarm employment to new
high levels. Total production, according to
preliminary reports, increased during the month
to a volume considerably above that of a year
ago. There were, however, evidences of closer
adjustment in supply-demand relationships in a
number of industrial fields; and this, together
with declines in grain prices, with bumper crops
now a certainty, gave rise to growing concern as
to future economic developments. Except for
foods and farm products, the general movement
of primary market prices continued upward.
Wage changes reported during the month were
relatively limited in scope and fell within the
bounds marked out previously in other settle
ments; some agreements provided for no changes
in existing rates. Critical issues were shaping
up in a number of labor-management disputes
at the beginning of September, following a month
in which work stoppage activity, in terms of time
lost, totaled less than in either of the preceding
2 months.
The Department of Labor
Maurice J. Tobin, former Governor of Mass
achusetts and Mayor of Boston, was appointed
Secretary of Labor on August 7 to fill the post
made vacant in June by the death of Lewis B.
Schwellenbach. All groups of organized labor
approved the new cabinet appointee. In public
statements, Secretary Tobin urged the rebuilding
of the Department of Labor and modifications in
existing labor legislation.
Price Developments
The narrow fluctuation of the general level of
primary market prices, as indicated by a slight
change in the Bureau of Labor Statistics wholesale
price index for August, concealed divergent trends
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
in various commodity fields. Prices of farm prod
ucts and foods were down about 3 percent during
the month. Grain prices dipped sharply in the
face of forecasts of record crops, but recovered
and were higher at the end of the month than at
the beginning. Prices of livestock and poultry
dropped about 5 percent from the record highs
of July. With the exception of textiles, prices
of commodities other than farm and foods con
tinued their steady rise. Significant increases of
more than 1% percent were recorded for metals
and metal products, and the building materials
group was up almost 1 percent. Changes in
other commodity groups were minor.
By mid-July the Bureau’s consumers’ price
index had advanced to another new high point—
173.7 percent of the 1935-39 average—almost 10
percent above the level of a year ago and 30 per
cent above that of June 1946. Food price in
creases again were the most important reason for
the rise in the index. The price of meats, poultry,
and fish rose 2.6 percent during the month. These
latter items, which have shown the most spectac
ular increase since the end of price control, were
95 percent higher in July 1948 than in June 1946.
Favorable crop developments presage future
declines in many foods but, according to reports
of the Department of Agriculture, abundant meat
supplies—of major interest to the housewife—are
still many months in the future. In the mean
time, through July, costs of other items in the
family budget have risen persistently with minor
exceptions in all of the large cities surveyed by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of these costs,
especially for utilities and rent, are likely to rise
further.
Recent Wage Changes
Average weekly earnings in manufacturing of
$52.96 during July were practically unchanged
from the prior month. The increase in basic
hourly wage rates was about offset by a slight
decline in average hours worked. Recent in
creases granted in the automobile and certain
other heavy-goods industries were reflected in the
July statistics. Hourly earnings, excluding over
time, for the durable group of industries were 129.7
cents, an increase over the previous month of more
than 2 cents.
While wage increases during August probably
affected fewer workers than in some of the prior
m
IV
THE LABOR MONTH IN REVIEW
months of 1948, many wage settlements—includ
ing some of national importance—were reached
during the month. Agreements providing wage
increases were signed in the textile, aircraft, nonferrous metals, shipbuilding, and maritime indus
tries. On the other hand, wages were not in
creased in the new contracts in the meat-packing
industry, although reopening clauses for wage
negotiations in the coming year were provided.
The new contract of the International Ladies’
Garment Workers’ Union for the New York area
does not carry a wage increase, but provides for
automatic wage reopenings based on the Bureau
of Labor Statistics consumers’ price index.
An additional 3-cents-an-bour increase was
received by General Motors workers during
August in accordance with the cost-of-living
adjustment formula in the recent contract between
the company and the United Automobile Workers
(CIO). Under the formula, wages and salaries
in General Motors are adjusted quarterly in line
with the increase and decrease in the Bureau’s
consumers’ price index. General Motors salaried
employees, it was announced, were also given
cost-of-living adjustments at the same time.
Strike activity during August was lower than in
either June or July, with fewer than 2 million
man-days lost because of work stoppages during
the month. While wage demands were generally
at issue, several disputes assumed importance
because they involved controversy over provisions
of the Labor Management Relations Act.
against employees who are not members of labor
organizations. The Board held that the union
and its officials had not bargained in good faith
by insisting on a contract clause calling for a
continuation of the hiring hall practice, thus violat
ing section 8 (b) (3) of the act. Section 8 (b) (2),
which makes it an unfair labor practice for a union
“ to cause or attempt to cause an employer to
discriminate against an employee” was also vio
lated, the Board found, by the union’s insistence
upon and striking for the operation of the
discriminatory hiring ball.
Another recent NLRB decision interprets for
the first time the provisions of the act bearing
upon the eligibility of strikers to vote in collective
bargaining elections, under section 9 (c) (3) which
provides that “ employees on strike who are not
entitled to reinstatement shall not be eligible to
vote.” The Board ruled, in connection with a
representation election for employees of a New
York City merchandise chain, that striking em
ployees who have been replaced are not eligible
to vote in strike situations which are not caused
by unfair labor practices, i. e., in economic strikes.
A previous Board decision (in re Pipe Machinery
Co.) had set up a procedure for conducting elec
tions where an economic strike is in progress. In
the present case the Board stated that, since the
General Counsel had dismissed the charges against
the employer on the ground that they were brought
by individuals acting on behalf of a noncomplying
union, it was bound by that determination to assume
that the strike was not an unfair labor practice strike.
Taft-Hartley Act Year Old
The first anniversary of the Labor Management
Relations Act passed on August 22. Long-stand
ing practices on the part of many unions have
come into conflict with the restrictions on union
security in the act through the prohibition of the
closed shop and the limitations on the union shop.
An important decision handed down unanimously
by the National Labor Relations Board during
August ruled that the National Maritime Union
violated the LMRA by insisting that four Great
Lakes oil tanker firms continue hiring halls and by
striking in support of their demand.
The Board found that the NMU hiring hall, as
operated on the Great Lakes, has involved dis
crimination in the hire and tenure of employment
of unlicensed seamen, and that under the act
employers are not permitted to discriminate
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Nonfarm Employment Rises
In a continuing tight labor market, unemploy
ment declined by about 300,000 to a level less than
2,000,000, the lowest volume for August since
the end of the war, as nonagricultural employ
ment rose by almost 350,000 to a new high point
of 52,800,000, according to the Monthly Report
on the Labor Force. The withdrawal of large
numbers of temporary agricultural workers, in
cluding many unpaid family workers, from the
active labor force, accompanied the usual seasonal
decline in the demand for agricultural labor during
the month. Thus the total civilian labor force
contracted, in response to changing demands on
the agricultural side, while at the same time other
demands for labor pressed hard against the imme
diately available labor resources of the country.
Benefit Plans under Collective Bargaining”
Growth and Development of Plans,
Status and Characteristics of Plans in 1948, and
Regulation of Health and Welfare Funds
E van K eith R owe and A braham We is s 1
3 million w orkers —over twice the
number in early 1947—were covered by some type
of health, welfare, and/or retirement benefit plan
under collective-bargaining agreements by mid1948. This coverage includes benefit plans nego
tiated as a part of labor-management agreements,
and those originally established by employers and
later incorporated into an agreement.
This rapidly growing trend toward the inclusion
of such plans for employees in collective bargain
ing contracts represents a determined attempt by
unions to cope with the dangers of insecurity facing
workers and their families from wage loss and
medical expense due to illness or to injury not
covered by workmen’s compensation. The Social
Security Act and State workmen’s compensation
laws provide some measure of financial protection
against unemployment, dependent old age, death,
and job loss through work injury, but not against
nonoccupational illness or injury. Only three
States—Rhode Island, California, and New Jer
sey—have adopted such benefit systems for work
ers covered by unemployment insurance. Federal
legislation in this field applies only to railroad
workers, for whom benefits became effective in
July 1947.
The emphasis placed by unions and employers
on illness and injury benefits is widespread.
M ore than
i
Of the Bureau’s Division of Industrial Relations.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Adoption of such programs through collective
bargaining, however, is still a comparatively new
phenomenon in industrial relations, and has
created problems in labor-management relations
of the employers’ obligation to bargain collectively
on health-benefit and pension plans. Recent
decisions of the National Labor Relations Board
indicate that such benefits are subject to collective
bargaining, but the issues involved have been
submitted to the courts for final determination.
Growth and Development of Plans
Unions’ and employers’ concern with problems
affecting the health and welfare of workers is not
new. In fact, most of the older craft unions have
had for many years plans for rendering financial
aid to their members. Many of these unions
started as fraternal or benevolent associations.
Their objective was not only to raise wages and
improve working conditions, but also to supply
sickness, unemployment, old-age, and mortuary
aid to the members or their widows. Such plans
were financed entirely by union members, through
membership dues or special assessments. After
World War I rising benefit costs, financial insta
bility due to the depression, and the enactment of
the Social Security Act in 1935 led many unions
to revise or terminate their self-financed benefit
schemes. Others have continued and are still
effective.
229
230
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Employers also have for many years made
available, both with and without employee con
tributions, medical aid to workers in the form of
direct medical services, hospitalization, and cash
payments during disability, as well as group life
insurance and pension plans. The railroads or
companies closely associated with them were the
first to set up formal plans for old-age and disa
bility relief.2 Between 1900 and 1930, the num
ber of welfare plans sponsored by employers in
creased substantially. Organized labor, because
it had no voice in the administration and was not
protected by contractual obligations, never whole
heartedly endorsed such plans.
A Bureau survey of 15,636 manufacturing
establishments, in 1945 and 1946, disclosed that
47 percent had insurance or pension plans for
plant workers. Life insurance plans were found
in 37 percent, health insurance in 30 percent, and
retirement pension systems only in 5 percent of
the manufacturing plants.3
Employers have also assisted in the formation
of employee mutual benefit associations which, in
most instances, are supported solely by employ
ees, and which supply some financial assistance to
disabled ■workers.4
Health and welfare programs under collective
bargaining have been in effect, in isolated cases,
since the late twenties.5 On the whole, progress
was slow during the 1930’s, and at the outbreak
of World War II relatively few union agreements
made provision for health and welfare benefits
and/or old-age pensions.
The war period stimulated the growth of plans
and also brought a number of existing employer
plans within the scope of union agreements.
Wartime wage stabilization regulations limited
the amount of wage increases which employers
could grant, but, at the same time, permitted the
2 Murray W. Latimer: Industrial Pension Systems in the United States
and Canada, 1932 (p. 20).
3 Extent of Insurance and Pensions in Industrial Employment, in M onthly
Labor Review, July 1947.
4 Office space and clerical help are generally furnished by the employer.
* The first agreement, according to records of the Bureau of Labor Sta
tistics, involved employees of the Newburgh, N . Y ., Public Service Corpora
tion and was negotiated by the Amalgamated Association of Street and
Electric-Railway Employees (AFL) M ay 1,1926. This agreement provided
for a life insurance policy of $1,000 and weekly sick benefits of $15. (M onthly
Labor Review, February 1930, p. 10.)
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
adoption of reasonable employee insurance and
pension benefits. Early in 1945, the National
and Regional War Labor Boards, in a number of
cases, held that employers should not modify or
discontinue their group insurance plans during
the life of their union agreements. The Boards
also ordered employers, in some cases, to include
existing unilateral benefit plans within the agree
ment.
Other factors contributing to the growth of
health and welfare plans, whether employer spon
sored or established through collective bargaining,
were favorable tax regulations and a growing feel
ing, in many quarters, that existing social security
benefits, as provided by the Social Security Act
of 1935, no longer were adequate. Based on
experience with their own benefit schemes, as well
as the demands of their members, unions became
increasingly aware of the need for protecting their
members from the hazards of sickness and accident
and for providing medical-care assistance.
Health benefit plans put into operation through
collective bargaining are of two major types.
The first, and by far the most predominant pat
tern, is some form of a group insurance program.
Operated through commercial insurance com
panies, it provides cash reimbursement to the
workers to compensate them in part for loss of
wages resulting from sickness, for hospital expense,
cost of surgery, and, less frequently, for other
medical expenses. The second and less prevalent
type of plan provides service which includes
hospitalization and care rendered by a physician
in the home and clinic.
In a number of industries, the existence of
these plans is the direct result of union sponsor
ship and collective bargaining; in others, they
represent a pre-existing employer-sponsored plan
which has been incorporated into the union con
tract. Current programs differ from earlier union
or company welfare plans in several respects:
(1) The plans are part of the collective-bargaining
agreement and affect all the workers covered by
the agreement; (2) they are financed entirely or in
considerable part by the employer; (3) the funds
involved are union or jointly administered;
(4) benefits are generally more comprehensive in
coverage and amount.
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Status and Characteristics of Plans, 1948
About 45 percent of the 3 million workers
included under some type of employee-benefit
plan, it is estimated, are covered by plans which
provide health and welfare benefits, except retire
ment.6 Such plans include one or more of the
following benefits: Sickness or accident, hospitali
zation, surgical, maternity, medical care (services
or cash), accidental death or dismemberment,
welfare assistance, life insurance, and death.7
About 44 percent are covered by plans which
provide one or more of these specific benefits, as
well as pensions, and about 11 percent are covered
solely by retirement or pension provisions.
Health, welfare, and retirement benefit plans
under collective bargaining are known to exist
in some form, and in varying degrees, within the
jurisdiction of nearly 100 national and interna
tional unions surveyed having an estimated total
membership of slightly over 12,000,000. Of the
remaining 100 unions surveyed, at least 40 operate
in fields such as State or Federal Government
where written collective-bargaining agreements
do not generally exist, although some groups of
employees are covered by benefits, or on railroads
where health and retirement benefits are provided
by law. Some unions did not reply; others stated
no such plans existed; and still others furnished
insufficient information to determine whether
such benefit programs existed within their juris
diction.
Some plans are union-, industry-, or area-wide
in their coverage, as in the case of the United
Mine Workers (Ind.), the International Ladies
Garment Workers (AFL), and the Amalgamated
Clothing Workers (CIO). In the majority of
6 Estimates are based on a questionnaire survey made by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics as part of a continuing study of health and welfare benefits
under collective bargaining, conducted jointly with the Social Security
Administration and the U . S. Public Health Service. The questionnaire
was sent to 200 national and international unions (AFL, CIO, and independ
ent) during the later half of 1947 and early 1948, and was supplemented by
material on file in the Bureau as well as other available sources. A limited
amount of field work was also undertaken in connection with the study.
Previous Bureau estimates indicated that at least 600,000 workers were
covered by various types of health-benefit plans under collective-bargaining
agreements in 1945 (see BLS Bull. No. 841, p. 2) and that approximately
1,250,000 were covered by early 1947 (BLS Bull. No. 900, p. 1). The estimate
of 3 million is not directly comparable with the earlier figures, since the
present survey is of somewhat broader scope and includes life insurance and
pension or retirement plans not generally included in the earlier studies.
7 Inasmuch as the primary objective of the survey was to ascertain the
extent and coverage of workers under these plans, no attempt was made to
determine the coverage by specific type of benefit. Such data are not
available in most cases at the national or international union offices.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
231
instances, however, plans are confined to various
union locals in a particular area.
Large numbers of workers in the following indus
tries are covered by some type of health, welfare,
and/or retirement benefit plan under collective
bargaining: Coal mining, clothing (men’s and
women’s), textiles and hosiery, millinery, building
trades, machinery (particularly electrical), rubber,
office and professional workers, paper, furniture,
shipbuilding, steel, utilities, retail and wholesale
trade, local transportation, fur and leather, clean
ing and dyeing, hotel and restaurant, telephone
and telegraph, playthings, and jewelry.
About 450,000 workers in coal mining, at least
875.000 in clothing and textiles, and 150,000 or
more bus, street, and electric railway workers
are covered by some type of plan under collective
bargaining. In the steel industry, approximately
138.000 workers are covered in over 300 contracts;
about an equal number of workers are covered in
agreements of the United Electrical and Radio
Workers (CIO).
A uniform plan is sponsored by some national
and international unions for adoption in the col
lective bargaining agreements of their districts,
joint boards, councils, locals, etc. Currently,
between 25 and 30 unions are known to follow
this pattern. The majority of employee-benefit
plans, however, are negotiated on a local or
regional basis. Although a uniform plan may be
sponsored by a union, it does not follow that the
plan is incorporated in all of the various collectivebargaining agreements of its local affiliates. It is
often but a proposed goal, particularly where
collective bargaining is centered at the local level.
National unions, which do not sponsor a uniform
plan, assist their locals in negotiating a benefit
program. In some cases, the national union
supplies the local with information of a general
character and with copies of welfare plans in effect
in the same or a similar industry. In contrast,
other national unions make available their repre
sentatives to aid the local in negotiations, or provide
actuarial advice, information on costs and admin
istration of various plans, and technical assistance
in analyzing management proposals. Some unions
retain technical experts to assist in developing
these programs. As a result of this extensive aid
and close supervision by the parent organization,
considerable similarity is found among the plans
adopted by the variousdocal unions.
232
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
MONTHLY LABOR
Administration of existing benefit plans, with
few exceptions, fall into four basic types: (1) Those
administered solely by the union, (2) those admin
istered jointly by the union and employer, (3)
those administered by union and employer rep
resentatives and a neutral person, and (4) those
administered by a private insurance carrier which
undertakes the responsibility for determining eli
gibility claims and payments of benefits.8
Plans administered by the union, or jointly by
the union and employer, usually require that parti
cipants be union members in good standing. If
the benefit program is handled by an insurance
company, the coverage usually is not restricted
to union members unless the agreement provides
that the union shall purchase the insurance.
In the majority of plans underwritten by an
insurance company, benefit coverage (except life
insurance) generally ceases upon termination of
employment or at the end of the policy month.
Life insurance coverage generally terminates at
the end of the policy month following severance
of employment. Extended coverage for hospi
talization and surgery is often provided employees
disabled at the time of lay-off. In unionadministered plans, workers are quite often
eligible for benefits during slack seasons or
lay-offs provided they remain members in good
standing with the union. Under an area- or
industry-wide plan, employees can usually transfer
from employer to employer without loss of coverage.
Most of the plans created under collective
bargaining are financed entirely by the employer,
either through the contribution of a specified per
centage of his pay roll (usually 2 or 3 percent,
higher in some cases), or by outright purchase of
insurance policies. Payments into the bituminous
coal and anthracite funds are based on a flat con
tribution of 20 cents for each ton of coal produced
“for use or for sale.” The recent Kaiser-FrazerUAW-CIO agreement provides for payment by
the employer on the basis of 5 cents per hour
worked by each employee. If the plan is of a
contributory character, the amount the employer
contributes may be specified in detail or the em
ployer may assume all costs of the plan over and
beyond a stipulated contribution made by the
individual worker through regular wage deduc
tions. The present trend is toward complete
financing of the plan by the employer, or toward
lowering the employee’s share of the cost in a
contributory plan.
The present tendency is to increase the number
of different benefits provided, as well as to liberal
ize existing benefits. Medical services, particularly
of a preventive nature, and pension programs are
currently receiving special attention. The pro
gram of the St. Louis Labor Health Institute
which evolved from a plan sponsored by the local
joint council of the CIO Eetail and Wholesale
Department Store Union is a noteworthy example
of the trend toward furnishing more medical care
while the establishment of additional health cen
ters by the International Ladies’ Garment Work
ers’ Union (AFL) outside the New York market
area illustrates the manner by which preventive
medical services are being extended to greater
numbers of workers.9 Plans for the establishment
of health centers have recently been announced by
the Amalgamated Clothing Workers (CIO) and
the New York Clothing Manufacturers’ Exchange,
as well as by the AFL New York Hotel Trades
Council and the Hotel Association of New York
City.
Weekly disability benefits are usually based on
an employee’s average weekly earnings—ranging
to as high as 60 percent of his regular income.
Most benefits start on the eighth day in case of
illness and on the first day in case of accidents.
An increasing number of unions are proposing
that the waiting period for illness be shortened.
The maximum time allowed for receiving bene
fits is generally from 13 to 26 weeks (6 weeks in
case of pregnancy) for any one continuous dis
ability, although a number of plans allow con
tinuous coverage for 52 weeks, as in the case of
the Upholsterers’ (AFL) plan.
Hospital benefits may take the form either of
cash reimbursement for a specified period (often
31 days for any one continuous disability) or
the provision of service, such as characterizes
the various so-called Blue Cross plans. Surgical
insurance usually provides cash reimbursement
in accordance with a schedule of maximum bene
fits allowable for specific types of surgical opera
tions performed in a hospital. These maxima
may range from $5 for minor operations to as
high as $225 for major operations in a few plans.
8
See footnote 12, p. 234, for the provisions^ the Taft-Hartley Act dealing
with the administration of welfare funds.
8 For description of these plans, see M onthly Labor Review, January 1948
(P. 34).
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Hospital coverage for dependents is provided
in some plans, but additional contributions by
the employee are usually required.
Postwar Developments
During the war and the immediate postwar
period, organized labor stepped up its drive for
health and pension plans. Such demands no
longer were considered as “fringe” issues. Many
unions sought and, in a number of cases, obtained
new benefit plans or succeeded in bringing exist
ing plans within the scope of the collective bargain
ing agreement. The United Mine Workers
proposed the establishment of a welfare and retire
ment fund during the 1945 bituminous-coal con
tract negotiations. They obtained such a fund
in May 1946 in the Krug-Lewis agreement follow
ing Government seizure of the mines. The
United Automobile Workers (CIO), in negotia
tions with General Motors Corp. in August 1945,
proposed that the company finance a social
security fund. It created a social-security com
mittee to study various types of employee socialsecurity plans and to promote the union’s socialsecurity program.
In October 1947, the union and the Ford Motor
Co. reached agreement on a pension plan, but the
agreement was rejected by the workers in a
referendum vote. Employees were given the
choice of a 7-cent hourly wage increase and the
retirement program, or a 15-cent wage package as
agreed to by the other major automobile pro
ducers, consisting of an 11%-cent pay increase and
six paid holidays. The second alternative was
accepted by the workers. On June 11, 1948, the
UAW obtained its first major employee welfare
plan under collective bargaining when the KaiserFrazer Corp. agreed to put 5 cents for each hour
worked by its employees into a jointly admin
istered social-security fund.
In December 1945, the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers of America (CIO) concluded an agree
ment with the manufacturers and contractors of
men’s and boys’ clothing which provided retire
ment benefits, equal to those under Federal
Old-Age and Survivors Insurance, for approx
imately 150,000 employees. Payments under this
plan went into effect January 1, 1947. This is in
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
233
addition to death benefits, weekly disability pay
ments, and hospital expense and maternity
benefits which were obtained in previous years.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers (AFL) and the National Electrical Con
tractors Association negotiated an agreement in
September 1946 under which contractor members
of the association became contributors to the
IBEW pension fund (in existence since 1928).
Contributing union members reaching age 65,
after 20 years’ membership in good standing, are
paid $50 a month. The employer contributions
amount to 1 percent of gross pay rolls.
The United Steelworkers of America (CIO) and
the United States Steel Corp. reached an agree
ment in 1947 to participate in a joint study of the
problem of insurance coverage for the corpora
tion’s employees. It was further provided that
“ when agreement is reached with the union on the
elements of the new plan, methods of financing and
administration, it will be adopted and put into
effect.” 10 One of the first contractual insurance
plans in the basic steel industry was negotiated in
May 1947 by this union with the AlleghenyLudlum Steel Corp., providing life insurance,
accidental death and dismemberment, sickness and
accident, hospitalization, and surgical and matern
ity benefits. This agreement replaced a companyestablished, noncontractual, contributory insur
ance plan. This union also signed an agreement
in May 1947 with the Aluminum Co. of America,
providing death, sickness and accident, and
hospitalization benefits.
Regulation oj Health and Welfare Funds. The
pressure arising from union demands for “ health
and welfare” and the growth and increasing
importance of such plans 11 focused the attention
of Congress on the administration and disposition
of the funds built up by employer contributions.
Concern over the uses to which such funds might
be put if the union were sole administrator led
Congress to prescribe certain rules and regulations
Letter of April 19, 1947, from J. A. Stephens, vice president, U . S. Steel
Corp. of Delaware, to Philip Murray, president, United Steelworkers of
America, attached to basic agreement between the union and the corpora
tion.
n The number of workers covered by health-benefit plans negotiated
between employer and union, it is estimated, more than doubled from 1945
to early 1947.
234
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
governing the purpose and administration of
welfare funds in the Labor Management Relations
Act of 1947 (Taft-Hartley Act).12
Employer's Obligation To Bargain. Increased union
demands for the establishment of health and wel
fare plans or for a voice in administering or modi
fying existing employer plans has also brought to
a head the question of an employer’s obligation to
bargain collectively on such issues. The National
Labor Relations Board, in two recent cases,
ruled that employers must bargain on these
matters.
In the Inland Steel Co. case, the Board held on
April 12, 1948, that “under the Labor Manage
ment Relations Act, employers must bargain with
their employees on pension or retirement plans
if the employees request it.” 13 The union’s re
quest that the company bargain with it regarding
the application of, and amendments to, itfe exist
ing pension plan was rejected by the company.
The union specifically objected to the company’s
action in automatically retiring employees at age
65. The company contended that the establish
ment of its pension plan and the termination of
employment pursuant to the terms of the pension
plan were not proper subjects for collective
bargaining.
u Public Law 101 (80th Cong., 1st sess.), section 302. This section of the
act specifies that health and welfare arrangements must provide for a trust
fund established for the sole benefit of employees, their families, and depend
ents. The purposes for which payments may be made out of the trust are
limited. Except for plans established before January 1,1946, any plan must
be set out fully in writing and must provide for bipartisan administration,
with some arrangement for a neutral person to break deadlocks. Payments
intended to be used for purchasing pensions or annuities for employees must
be made into a separate trust which cannot be used for any other purpose.
13 N L R B Release R-62, dated April 13, 1948. The order to bargain was
conditioned upon the union’s compliance within 30 days with the filing and
affidavit requirements of the Labor Management Relations Act. The union
involved is the United Steelworkers of America (CIO).
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
The substance of the NLRB ruling was that
unions have a right to bargain collectively on
rates of pay, wages, hours of work, or other con
ditions of employment; that pensions are in
cluded in the term “wages” ; and that the union’s
interest in pensions is therefore no different from
its interest in the wage structure; and that the
age terms of retirement fall within the category
of “conditions of employment.”
The Board likewise held on June 17, 1948, that
the Labor Management Relations Act required an
employer to bargain with the representatives of
his employees on any group health and accident
insurance program covering them.14 This de
cision arose out of a complaint by the United
Steelworkers of America (CIO) that the W. W.
Cross and Co. had refused to bargain on the
union’s request for an insurance plan, but that
it had later unilaterally established the terms and
conditions of such a program. The Board ordered
the company “to refrain from taking any action
with respect to its group health and accident in
surance program which affects any of the employ
ees in the unit represented by the union, without
prior consultation with the union and, in addi
tion * * * to bargain collectively with the
union upon request.” 18
11 Shortly prior to this decision, a N L R B trial examiner (following the
reasoning in (the Inland Steel decision) ruled that group insurance was a
mandatory subject for collective bargaining when requested by the author
ized bargaining agent. (Case No. 7-CA-37, M ay 11, 1948.) In this case
(on which the N L R B as a whole has not yet ruled), the General Motors
Corp. announced a new group insurance plan to be effective February 1,
1948, after the union had requested the company to negotiate such a plan with
it. A temporary order, issued at the Board’s request, restrained the com
pany from putting into effect its new insurance plan insofar as it covered
or affected employees represented by the United Auto Workers (CIO).
18 N L R B Case No. l-C-2676 in the matter of W. W. Cross and Co. and
United Steelworkers of America (CIO). As in the Inland Steel case, the
Board’s order was conditioned upon the union’s compliance with the filin g
and affidavit requirements of the act.
Illness Absenteeism
in Manufacturing
Plants, 1947
F rank S. M cE lroy and
A lexander M oros1
resulted in
the loss of 9.6 days of working time for each
worker in manufacturing during the year 1947,
according to reports received in a survey of absen
teeism conducted jointly by the Social Security
Administration, the United States Public Health
Service, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. On
the average, each worker was absent 3.4 times
during the year. Three-fifths of the absences and
over two-thirds of the lost time for which the
reason was reported were ascribed to illness or
accidents not related to employment.
This survey was designed to determine generally
the extent and causes of work absenteeism under
peacetime operating conditions, with particular
reference to the volume of absenteeism and the
amount of lost time resulting from non-occupational illness or accidents.
Existing social insurance legislation, with few
exceptions, does not provide disability benefits
for temporary nonoccupational illness or accidents.
In 1947, two States, Rhode Island and California,
had such benefit systems for workers.2 Federal
legislation in this field applies only to railroad
workers, for whom benefits became effective in
July 1947.
Workmen’s compensation laws, on the other
hand, provide benefits for occupational accident
U nscheduled a bse n c e s from work
1 Of the Bureau’s Branch of Industrial Hazards.
2 In 1948 N ew Jersey passed a similar law under which benefit payments
will start in 1949.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
disability in all States. Most of these acts also
provide benefits for industrial diseases. Federal
employees, longshoremen and harbor workers, and
private employees in the District of Columbia are
protected by Federal workmen’s compensation
legislation.
Interest in the possible ways of providing more
widespread financial protection against the losses
in earnings arising from nonoccupational illness
and accidents has grown apace in recent years.
A considerable number of current union agree
ments contain such provisions and many unions
are pressing for the inclusion of this protection in
their negotiations for new agreements.3 Factual
information regarding the extent of absenteeism
arising from nonoccupational illness and accidents
is, therefore, of prime importance to both the
unions and the representatives of management
who must consider the probable costs of such a
program.
Preliminary information indicated that rela
tively few employers maintained sufficiently
detailed absenteeism records to enable them to
provide the information essential to this survey.
The restricted volume of available data, therefore,
prevented the development of representative ab
senteeism rates for individual industries or even
for major industry groups. As a result, the data
could only be summarized in the form of totals for
the entire reporting group.
About 260 manufacturing plants agreed to par
ticipate in the survey at the beginning of 1947.4
Of these, 246 continued to report throughout the
year. Because of the possibility that seasonal
influences would be reflected in the data, the final
tabulations were restricted to the reports which
covered the entire year and provided the same
type of information for each quarter. This insures
comparability among the averages for the different
quarters.
Employment in the 246 participating plants
averaged nearly 149,000 workers throughout 1947.
Three-fifths of the plants, and approximately the
same proportion of the reported employment,
were distributed relatively evenly among five
2 For examples of Medical Service Plans under Collective Bargaining see
M onthly Labor Review, January 1948 (p. 34).
< A preliminary report based upon the information furnished by these
plants for the first and second quarters of 1947 appeared in the M onthly Labor
Review, March 1948 (p. 265).
235
236
ILLNESS ABSENTEEISM
major industrial groups: chemicals and allied prod
ucts; food; iron and steel and their products;
machinery (except electrical); and paper and allied
products. The remainder represented a wide
variety of other manufacturing categories. The
sample, therefore, included a sufficient range of
manufacturing activities to minimize the peculiar
influences of any particular industry and may be
accepted as reasonably representative of manu
facturing generally.
Among the reporting plants there were sub
stantial differences in the scope and detail of the
absenteeism records from which they could pro
vide information. For example: While all re
porting plants were able to supply the total num
ber of man-days lost through absenteeism, only
about half were able to break down the data ac
cording to sex. Similarly, some plants were un
able to break down the absences by duration and
others were unable to classify the absences accord
ing to the reason for absence. These reporting
differences are reflected in the summaries presented
in the tables, which are perforce based upon
different proportions of the total sample.
MONTHLY LABOR
(1.9 percent) was ascribed to work injuries. On
this basis it was estimated that the average worker
was absent because of illness on two occasions
during the year and took time off for personal
reasons at least once during the period.
Nonindustrial accident or sickness was the
predominant reason given for absence for both
men and women, although the ratio of illness
absences for women (61.8 percent) was substan
tially higher than for men (53.7 percent). Con
versely, the proportion of personal-reason ab
sences for women (37.8 percent) was correspond
ingly lower than for men (44.5 percent). In
terms of absences, these ratios indicate for men
approximately 1.8 absences per worker because of
illness and 1.5 absences for personal reasons as
compared with approximately 3 illness absences
and 1.8 personal-reason absences per worker for
women.
1.—Absences per 1,000 workers in manufacturing
and distribution of explained absences by reason for
absence, by sex of absentees, and by quarters, 1947
T able
Number of
absences
(all reasons)
Explained absences
Absence Rates
Over the entire year t<liere were 3,380 unsched
uled absences 5 for every 1,000 workers in the
reporting plants, or approximately 3.4 absences
for each full-year worker. The more restricted
group of reports, which gave a sex break-down,
showed an average of 4.8 absences per worker for
women and an average of 3.4 absences per worker
for men.
About 61 percent of the total number of ex
plained absences were attributed to nonindustrial
accidents or illness; 37 percent were charged to
personal reasons; and a very minor proportion
Sex of workers, and
quarter, 1947
N um
ber of
work
ers
(aver
age)
Percent attributed
to—
Total
NonPer
1,000 N um Indus
trial indus
work
trial Per
ber
acci acci
ers
dent dent sonal
rea
or
or
sons
sick sick
ness
ness
All workers, 1947 1__ 64,107 216, 733 3,380 181,300
1.9
60.9 37.2
1st quarter. __
64,874 58, 927
1.7
65.9 32.4
910 49,347
2d quarter______ 63,838 52, 292
819 43,879
60.4 37.6
2.0
3d quarter______ 63, 564 50,460
793 41, 869
2.4
55.6 42.0
4th quarter..
64,151 55,054
858 46, 205
1.7
60.8 37.5
M en 2____
30, 235 102, 797 3,398 85,365
1.8
53.7 44.5
1st quarter...
30,169 26,341
874 21, 749
1.9
59.3 38.8
2d quarter___ . 29, 764 24,918
836 20, 708
1.6
52.4 46.0
3d q u arter... . . . 30,374 25,098
825 20, 527
49.1 48.9
2.0
4th quarter ____ 30, 632 26,440
863 22,381
1.8
53.6 44.6
Women 2__ ____
9, 563 45, 545 4, 757 36,178
.4
61.8 37.8
1st qu arter_____ 9,735 12, 878 1,323 10,315
.5
65.5 34.0
2d quarter_____
9,612 11,354 1,181
9,055
.4
60.6 39.0
5
An absence was defined as a failure to report for work at any time when
3d quarter______ 9,319 10,176 1,092
8,115
.4
60.3 39.3
the employee was scheduled to work. Included were all absences due to
4th quarter_____
9,584 11,137 1,161
8,693
.5
59.6 39.9
work injuries or industrial disease, accidents and illness not caused by em
ployment, and time taken out for the employee’s personal reasons—i. e.,
1 Based upon reports from 167 plants, Including those which did not provide
because of death or illness in the family, business matters, transportation
a sex break-down.
2 Based upon reports from 130 plants, which provided a sex break-down.
difficulties, etc. However, time out for authorized regular vacations, invol
untary lay-offs, lack of work, or work stoppages was not counted as absence.
Only absences lasting 1 full day or longer, and beginning during the speci
fied quarter, were counted. An absence which had started in an earlier
quarter was not counted as a new absence, but as a continuation of an existing
absence. Each absence, therefore, was counted only once in the computation
of the absence-frequency rate—in the quarter in which it began. Successive
absences by the same employee were counted as new absences only if the
employee returned to work for 1 full day before he was absent again. If he
worked less than a full day, the absence was regarded as continuous.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
The absence rates for the different quarters
showed some seasonal characteristics. The aver
ages for all workers as well as those for men and
women indicated that the greatest relative volume
of absence occurred in the first quarter. In the
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
ILLNESS ABSENTEEISM
second quarter, the absence rates declined substan
tially, and in the third quarter they reached their
lowest level of the year. In the fourth quarter the
rates moved upward, but not as high as their
first-quarter levels.
Seasonal influences were also apparent in the
reasons given for the explained absences, partic
ularly in respect to the men’s absences. In the
first quarter, 59 percent of the men’s absences
were due to nonoccupational illness and about 39
percent to personal reasons. In the second quar
ter, the proportion of illness absences dropped to
52 percent and the proportion of personal-reason
REASONS FOR ABSENTEEISM
IN MANUFACTURING
Percent of Time Lost
237
absences rose to about 54 percent while the
personal-reason absences dropped to about 45
percent of the total. Men’s absences ascribed to
industrial accidents or sickness reached their
greatest relative volume (2 percent of all ab
sences) in the third quarter. This corresponds
with the findings of the Bureau’s work-injury
surveys, which indicate that injury-frequency
rates tend to be higher in the late summer than
at other times during the year.
Seasonal shifts in the reasons for absence were
less pronounced for women than for men. In the
first quarter, nonindustrial accidents and sickness
were responsible for nearly 66 percent of the total
volume of women’s absences and personal reasons
accounted for 34 percent. In the second quarter,
the proportions changed to approximately 61 per
cent ascribed to nonindustrial accidents and sick
ness and 39 percent for personal reasons. This
ratio did not change significantly in either of the
two following quarters.
Annual Time Loss
U N ITE D S TA TES D E P A R TM E N T OF LAB O R
B U R E A U OF L A B O R S TA TIS T IC S
absences rose to 46 percent of the total, probably
reflecting the advent of good weather. In the
third quarter, illness absences declined further to
49 percent of the total, and personal-reason cases
rose to 49 percent. In the fourth quarter, the
trend was reversed and the proportion of illness
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
The total time lost through absenteeism during
1947 averaged 9.6 days per worker employed in
the reporting plants. In the plants providing a
sex break-down the average was 9 days for men
and 12.7 days for women.
Over two-thirds of the explained lost time was
reported as resulting from nonindustrial accidents
or sickness. Over 26 percent of the total was
ascribed to personal reasons and approximately 6
percent, to industrial accident or sickness. On the
average, this distribution indicates an annual loss
for all workers of about 6.5 days per worker be
cause of nonindustrial accident or sickness, 2.5
days for personal reasons, and 0.6 of a day on
account of work injuries.6
6
It should be noted that the lost time reported in this survey represents
only actual absence from work while the worker was still considered an active
employee and was expected to return. M ost employers have cut-off points
beyond which absentees are no longer considered active employees; the full
duration of extended illness or injury disability cases, therefore, is frequently
not recorded. As a result, the averages probably understate the real disabil
ity resulting from illness or accidents. Furthermore, as the recorded time
loss includes no allowance for the economic losses resulting from deaths or
permanent physical impairments, the averages presented here should not be
compared with other estimates which include such economic time charges.
238
ILLNESS ABSENTEEISM
About 63 percent of the explained lost time for
men was charged to nonindustrial accident or
sickness, nearly 30 percent to personal reasons,
and over 7 percent to industrial accident or sick
ness. For women the corresponding proportions
were 69 percent to nonindustrial accident or
sickness, 29 percent to personal reasons, and 2
percent to industrial accident or sickness. On the
basis of these ratios the time lost in 1947 because
of nonindustrial accident or sickness was estimated
as about 5.6 days for each man worker and about
8.7 days for each woman worker. For men, the
time taken for personal reasons was estimated as
about 2.7 days per worker, and for women, 3.7
days per worker. Industrial accident or sickness
was estimated to have caused the loss of about
0.7 day for each man worker apd 0.3 day for each
woman worker.
T a ble 2. —Average
days of absenteeism per worker in manu
facturing and distribution of explained absenteeism by
reason for absence, by sex of absentees, and by quarters, 1947
Explained lost time
Number of days
lost (all reasons)
Sex of workers,
and quarter
1947
N um
ber of
work
ers
(aver
age)
Total
All workers i_„
1st quarter.
2d quarter.
3d quarter.
4th quarter
M en 2____ . .
1st quarter.
2d quarter.
3d quarter.
4th quarter
Women 2_____
1st quarter.
2d quarter.
3d quarter.
4th quarter
148,840 1,422,824
154,807
417, 742
149, 291
339,825
147, 759
322,313
143,502
342,944
57,908
522,354
58,598
145,878
57, 531
124,365
57, 789
123,997
57,714
128,114
14,900
189,238
15,649
53,615
15,064
48, 724
14, 435
44,686
14,691
42, 213
Per
work
er
Number Indus N on
of days
trial indus
Per
lost
trial sonal
acci acci
rea
dent dent
or sick or sick sons
ness
ness
5.8
5.3
6.2
6.1
5.8
7.4
6.9
7.7
7.9
7.4
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.0
67.9
70.8
68.6
64.8
66.7
63.0
67.7
62.6
59.0
61.7
69.1
70.3
70.0
66.1
69.7
26.3
23.9
25.2
29.1
27.5
29.6
25.4
29.7
33.1
30.9
28.8
27.6
27.9
31.8
28.3
1 Based on reports from 246 plants, including those which did not provide
a sex break-down.
s Based on reports from 169 plants, which provided a sex break-down.
Work injuries assumed much greater importance
in respect to time lost than was indicated in the
break-down of absences. Only 1.9 percent of all
absences were attributed to work injuries, but
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
these absences were responsible for 5.8 percent of
the total lost time. Similarly, nonindustrial
illness resulted in more lost time (67.9 percent of
all time lost) than was indicated by the propor
tion of absences attributed to this reason (60.9
percent). On the other hand, personal reasons
accounted for a higher proportion of the absences
(37.2 percent) than of the total lost time (26.3
percent).
Variations in the average amount of time lost
during the quarters were relatively minor, but
tended to form a seasonal pattern similar to that
shown for absence rates. For all workers, the
average time loss was greatest in the first quarter;
the average dropped successively in the second and
third quarters, and then rose in the fourth quarter;
the low point was reached in the third quarter.
The men’s averages followed the same pattern.
The women’s averages, however, dropped consist
ently from a high point in the first quarter to a
low in the fourth quarter.
Length of Illness Absences
Percent of days lost
attributed to—
9.6 1,068, 730
2.7
312,543
2.3
262,025
2.2
238,115
2.4
256,047
9.0
385,844
2.5
107,148
2.2
93, 565
2.1
88, 700
2.2
96,431
12.7
144,821
3.4
41,662
3.2
37,277
3.1
34,426
2.8
31,456
MONTHLY LABOR
Approximately 55 percent of the nonindustrial
illness absences for which the duration was reported
lasted only 1 day and about 80 percent of the total
were terminated in less than 4 days. Less than 8
percent of the illness absences lasted as long as
8 days.7 As between men and women, the reports
showed men as having a somewhat higher pro
portion of 1-day illness absences.
The data on the duration of illness absences did
not form a clear-cut seasonal pattern, but the
variations among the quarters were sufficiently
regular to give some indication that seasonal
influences have an effect in determining the
length of illness absences. For example, the
proportion of 1-day illness absences was lowest
in the first quarter when weather conditions
usually are least favorable and was greatest in the
third quarter when the most favorable weather
generally prevails. Conversely, the proportions of
7
Because of varying practice in recording extended absences, the proportion
of long-term illness absences may be somewhat understated, particularly in
respect to absences extending beyond a month. (See footnote 5.)
2- to 5-day cases were highest in the first quarter
and generally were at their lowest levels in the
third quarter. The pattern of men’s illness
absences followed the all-workers’ distribution
very closely. The women’s absences, however,
deviated from this pattern in several respects.
Proportionately, women had fewer 1-day illness
T a ble 3. —Distribution
239
ILLNESS ABSENTEE ISM
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
absences and more 3- to 6-day absences in the
first quarter than in any other period. The
relative volume of 1-day absences for women
increased in each succeeding quarter, reaching
the highest level in the fourth quarter, at which
time the proportion of 2-day cases also reached its
maximum.
of absences ascribed to nonindustrial illness or accidents, by length of absence and by sex of
absentees, manufacturing, 1947
Percentage distribution of absences of—
Sex of workers, and quarter 1947
All workers 1 ________________________
1st quarter ______________________
2d quarter_________________________
3d quarter_________________
____
4th q u a rter .________ _____ ________
M en 2 ___________ ______ - ________
1st q u a rter __ _ _ . ______
2d quarter_________________ _____
3d qu arter____ ___________ ____
4th quarter _____ ________________
Women 2
_________________ ___
______ _____________
1st quarter
2d qu arter________________________
3d quarter________________________
4th quarter________________________
Number
of
of
workers absences
(average)
41,931
42,139
41,786
41,742
42,056
23,037
23,029
22,735
23,130
23,254
7,058
7,106
7,222
6,885
7,018
73,652
21,405
17,872
15,675
18,700
38,113
10,807
9,085
8,446
9,775
18,594
5,474
4,641
4,046
4,433
1 day
54.6
51.5
54.7
56.9
56.5
57.1
55.0
57.1
59.1
58.0
55.2
53.2
54.0
56.6
57.8
2 days
3 days
4 days
5 days
6 days
7 days
16.5
17.0
16.2
16.3
16.6
16.6
17.4
16.6
15.8
16.4
16.5
16.3
16.4
16.2
17.3
8.5
9.6
8.2
7.3
8.6
7.7
8.3
7.4
7.2
7.9
8.1
9.3
7.7
6.9
8.1
4.6
5.0
4.5
4.2
4.4
4.2
4.2
4.0
4.0
4.5
4.4
4.4
4.8
4.5
3.6
4.0
4.4
3.8
3.7
3.9
3.7
3.8
3.7
3.4
3.7
4.0
3.9
3.7
4.3
4.4
2.3
2.4
2.4
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.0
2.0
2.4
2.9
2.7
1.9
2.0
1.7
1.9
1.7
1.6
1.4
1.3
1.4
1.4
1.2
1.1
1.5
1.6
1.8
1.5
1.0
i Based upon 116 reports, including those which did not give a sex break-down.
« Based upon 100 reports which gave a sex break-down.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
8-14
days
3.8
4.0
4.1
3.8
3.1
3.7
4.1
3.9
3.6
3.2
3.4
3.9
3.7
3.5
2.4
15-21
days
1.6
1.7
1.9
1.6
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.7
1.3
1.1
1.9
2.2
2.1
1.8
1.3
22-28
days
0.9
.9
1.0
.8
.8
.9
.9
.8
.8
.9
.9
.9
1.3
.6
.6
29 days
and over
1.5
1.6
1.5
1.7
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.3
1.6
1.2
1.7
1.4
1.8
2.2
1.5
Salaries of
Office Workers in
Large Cities
K ermit B. M ohn 1
I nformation on salary levels in 23 selected office
occupations is provided in a series of studies of
office workers’ salaries, on a cross-industry basis,
made by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 11 large
cities.2 These occupations range in skill from
office boys and girls to hand bookkeepers. Data
on related practices and supplementary benefits
were also obtained. This article summarizes the
findings of these studies.
Intercity Differences in Salary Levels
The average salary of women general stenogra
phers in San Francisco in February 1948 was
$48.13.3 This was the highest wage level for the
job among 11 large cities studied on a cross-industry
basis (see table). At the other extreme, Boston
1 Of the Bureau’s Division of Wage Analysis.
2 The cities included in the study, together with the number of establish
ments studied in each, are as follows: Atlanta (186), Boston (329), Buffalo
(194), Chicago (425), Dallas (161), Denver (109), Milwaukee (161), N ew York
(884), San Francisco (168), Oakland (86), and Seattle (156). Establishments
in six broad industry groups were included—manufacturing; wholesale trade;
retail trade; finance, insurance, and real estate; transportation (except rail
roads), communication, and other public utilities; and selected service indus
tries. Establishments with total employment of 25 workers or less were
excluded from the scope of the survey, in all cities; in N ew York, San Fran
cisco, and Oakland, the minimum size was 51 workers. Higher minima were
observed in certain industries in each city.
Data pertained to pay-roll periods in specified months for the respective
cities, as follows: December 1947 (Atlanta); January 1948 (Boston, Buffalo
Denver, Milwaukee, and Seattle); January-February 1948 (New York);
February 1948 (Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, and Oakland).
Atlanta, New York, and San Francisco-Oakland data appeared in the
M onthly Labor Review, issues of M ay 1948 (p. 512), July 1948 (p. 26), and
August 1948 (p. 138), respectively.
A reprint of this article, together with additional tabular material, will be
available in the near future.
240
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
showed the lowest average salary, $37.31. The
median city average, as represented by Dallas, was
$40.72. Among 4 other cities, the averages for
this occupation ranged from $37.99 to $39.42, and
in the remaining 4 cities, from $43.37 to $46.81.
Hand bookkeepers, the highest-pay job among
women in 9 of the 11 cities, had average salaries
ranging from $55.11 in New York to $43.98 in
Buffalo. In addition to New York, 4 other cities
had averages above $50 a week, and the remaining
5 were grouped within a $4 range between $44.41
and $48.41.
Office girls (usually the lowest-pay or next to
the lowest-pay group) received average salaries of
$38.61 in San Francisco and $27.51 in Dallas.
The averages for the other 9 cities fell within this
range, with 3 cities in addition to Dallas showing
averages below $30.
The differences in average salaries between the
lowest- and highest-pay cities, for each job,
amounted to between $10 and $15 in all except
3 of the 21 occupations studied. The average
salaries for specific occupations in the 5 lowestpay cities were generally grouped within spreads
of from $1 to $4.
Men were employed in office occupations to a
much less extent than women. In only 6 occu
pations were sufficient numbers of men found in
all cities to warrant presentation of their salary
data. Men hand bookkeepers received average
salaries of $66.78 in San Francisco and $52.96
in Dallas. Three other cities had averages below
$60 for this occupation—Atlanta ($57.79), Bos
ton ($56.69), and Denver ($59.84). Office boys’
salaries ranged from an average of $39.78 in
Oakland to $28.09 in Dallas. This was the only
men’s occupation for which the difference be
tween the highest-pay and lowest-pay cities was
not between $13 and $14.
The weekly salary levels in San Francisco
exceeded those in all other cities for both men
and women. However, when men’s and women’s
salaries are considered separately, the ranking
3
All salary data relate to pay for work at regular rates (excluding overtime
premiums) for full-time workers; part-time workers were excluded from the
survey.
Occupational data are based on uniform job descriptions prepared by the
Bureau. These descriptions will appear in an appendix to the reprint of this
article. Information was collected by Bureau field representatives in visits
to each of the firms studied.
SALARIES OF OFFICE WORKERS
of the cities 4 differ greatly. On the basis of
women’s salary levels, the 11 cities ranked in this
order: San Francisco, Oakland, Chicago, Seattle,
New York, Dallas, Denver, Atlanta, Milwaukee,
Buffalo, Boston. Based on men’s salaries, Buf
falo ranked in fourth place behind San Francisco,
Oakland, and Seattle; New York and Chicago
were in fifth and sixth place, respectively, fol
lowed by Denver, Boston, Milwaukee, Dallas,
and Atlanta.
In order to allow for differences in number of
hours regularly worked, weekly salaries were
converted into hourly rates. The intercity rela
tionships resulting from a comparison on this
* These rankings were computed by adding the number of occupational
averages ranking first, second, third, etc., for all occupations for which aver
ages could be shown for all cities.
241
basis showed a number of important changes
from those indicated on the basis of weekly sala
ries. In women’s hourly rates, San Francisco
again was at the top. New York City ranked
second only to San Francisco, moving ahead of
Oakland, Chicago, and Seattle which preceded
it on a weekly basis. This difference reflected
the relative predominance in New York City
of a standard workweek of less than 40 hours.
Shorter average workweeks likewise changed the
relative position of Boston (from eleventh to
ninth), while the comparatively long average
workweek in Denver resulted in a drop of that
city from seventh to tenth place. The other 4
cities ranked as follows: Dallas, sixth; Atlanta,
seventh; Milwaukee, eighth; and Buffalo, elev
enth.
Average weekly salaries 1for selected office occupations, in selected cities, December 1947-February 19J+8 2
San FranciscoOakland
Sex and occupation
M il
New
Atlanta Boston Buffalo Chicago Dallas Denver waukee
York
Seattle
San
Fran
cisco
Oak
land
W om en
$36. 78
Billers (billing machine)__________________ . - __________
Billers (bookkeeping machine)------ ___ - - - - - - - - - _______ 37. 68
Bookkeepers, h a n d - - . ____ ___
------------- ------------- - 44.41
Bookkeeping-machine operators, class A ____ . . . ___________
43.54
Bookkeeping-machine operators, class B
36 65
Calculating-machine operators (Comptometer-type)_________
38.26
Calculating-machine operators (other than Comptometer typ e). 35.73
Clerks, accounting.-- ______ _______ _
___________ _____
37.83
Clerks, file, class A . .
__________ ________ _______ _ 36.34
Clerks, file, class B - - - - - - _____ . ______ . _
. ...
30.03
42.29
Clerks, general _________ . . __ __ _________ _ __________
Clerks, order
_______ ____
___
35.77
___
39.96
Clerks, pay roll. .
33.14
Clerk-typists_____________ ____ ____________ ____ _________
Office g ir ls __________________ ____ ___ ____ _____ ________ 30.16
Stenographers, general_________________ - ______________ 39. 42
Stenographers, technical . . . _______ ____ ________
_ _ 40. 95
Switchboard operators-.______ ________ ____ ___________ _ 34. 94
Switchboard operator-receptionists. ____________________ ._ 35.66
Transcribing-machine operators, general______ _______ _____
36.36
Transcribing-machine operators, technical ...
...
39.71
Typists, class A . . .
_____ . . . . . .
_ _____
36.66
Typists, class B__ __________ ____________________________
32.04
$34. 09
35.31
45.46
42.88
34.84
35.92
33.71
36. 24
37.87
28. 81
40. 52
35.90
37. 73
31.79
28.41
37.31
41. 24
36.09
35.56
34.65
35.00
37.44
29.99
$33. 74
34.46
43.98
41.87
33 52
36.67
35.80
37. 74
38.12
28. 81
34. 94
35.32
40.69
34.50
28.50
38.01
45.68
36. 72
35.42
36.47
56.69
62.60
52.04
39. 47
33.95
46.16
43.99
53.78
28.31
43.71
47.47
44.83
35.15
28. 27
42.88
28. 55
53.03
50.40
50.05
41.24
28.38
44. 89
37.26
30.24
$42. 77
42.74
52.10
52.15
41 65
43.19
42.07
43.84
41.82
34.86
42. 48
42. 81
45.61
38.15
32. 72
44.95
50. 54
40.89
41.10
42.33
45.17
43.70
37.82
$36.49
40.17
48.30
45.49
35 97
38. 5Ì
36.42
38.88
40.13
29.27
43.62
34.89
39.41
33.91
27. 51
40. 72
44.14
37.36
35.52
36.14
42.48
35.87
62.11
56.51
37.90
52. 96
52.93
38.04
38. 98
51.51
42.86
33.54
50.64
54.02
50. 57
40.14
32. 56
58.24
49.60
38.10
30.95
$35. 53
37. 40
46.05
47. 94
37 35
35.53
39.86
39. 79
32.90
30. 09
35.24
35.47
40.63
34.21
30.80
38.80
41.85
35.84
34.80
34.91
38.13
36. 57
31.50
$34.30
37.13
48.41
43.88
39 53
35. 22
36.19
39.21
40.10
29.39
37.02
34.63
38.30
33.07
28.40
37. 99
42.02
36.41
35.89
34. 79
41.91
38.46
32.40
$40.82
44.12
55.11
48.14
40 67
42. 37
38.40
41.75
40. 65
32.40
39. 72
40.97
46.57
37. 52
30. 56
43.37
48. 97
42.56
41.00
40. 95
43.36
41.36
34.96
$45. 75
49.62
55.02
51.63
44 23
47.78
43.80
47.83
45. 59
37.37
49.47
49. 75
50.31
42. 21
38.61
48.13
$43. 90
39.43
51.38
46.41
$41. 20
41.43
52.06
44.20
44.50
42.70
44.64
38.38
36.62
45.02
43.88
44.94
41.99
37.47
46. 81
47.15
44. 73
45.82
45.51
43.03
42.73
41.43
39. 95
42.80
42.52
33.55
43.95
42.10
44.96
39.37
33.19
45.62
50 92
40. 77
40.97
42.32
46.60
42.09
41.22
37.69
41.11
35.64
42.97
40.34
59.84
55.65
46.60
36. 56
45. 26
53. 59
42.00
60.85
64.43
57. 79
46.62
44.00
41.47
51.60
46.16
32. 71
47.81
52.33
55.44
39. 34
30. 52
50.05
51.58
45. 27
37. 77
66. 78
53.36
44. 22
56. 77
58.11
55. 52
49.11
44.25
55.74
56.98
56.47
46.48
37.85
50.80
M en
Billers (billing machine) _ ____________ _______ _____ .
Billers (bookkeeping machine)_____________________________
Bookkeepers, hand_______________ _______ _____________
Bookkeeping-machine operators, class A . . . . . . . . . . .
Bookkeeping-machine operators, class B
_
_ ___
Calculating-machine operators (Comptometer-type)
__Calculating-machine operators (other than Comptometer-type).
Clerks, accounting___*... _
______________________ .1.1
Clerks, file, class A .. ________
_____ ____________
Clerks, file, class B . .
. .
_ ____ ___ _
......
_
Clerks, general. _________ _____‘_________ ________ . . . .
Clerks, order. ______________ . . . . ------------------ ------Clerks, pay roll______ ____
. . . . . . . ------- --------Clerk-typists__________ ______ ___ __ _________ ___ _
Office boys_________ _____ __________________________ . . .
Stenographers, general _
__ . . . . ___ ____
. . .
Switchboard operators
...
. ___
Typists, class A
_
. . .
- - - - - - - . __
Typists, class B _
_
.
.
_
........... ..........
41.61
57. 79
53. 59
37.37
39.94
1 Excluding overtime premiums and part-time workers.
2 Data pertain to pay-roll periods, as follows: December 1947 (Atlanta);
January 1948 (Boston, Buffalo, Denver, Milwaukee, and Seattle); January-
802564 — 48-
-2
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
54.24
52.67
50.80
46.14
30.54
45. 71
40. 97
29.16
51.62
43.22
49. 78
36.47
28.09
43.67
50.75
47. 79
30.88
48.23
45.38
50.31
37. 75
30.98
44.47
31.87
42. 00
43.77
46. 71
40.17
29. 28
63.93
40. 23
58.81
62.50
48. 58
43. 71
52. 72
37. 98
57. 55
53.50
55. 78
55.19
51.96
55.52
58.44
39.78
32.98
45.24
February 1948 (New York); February 1948 (Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco,
and Oakland).
242
SALARIES OF OFFICE WORKERS
The only substantial difference between the
ranking of cities in men’s salaries on an hourly
rate basis and on a weekly basis was in New York
City. It ranked fifth on a weekly basis, but tied
for second place on an hourly basis. This dif
ference was largely influenced by the compara
tively high hourly rate structure in New York
City central and administrative offices.
Salary Levels Within Cities
Generally, ranges in salaries for specific occu
pations within the respective cities were quite
extensive. This condition reflected the influence
of two important factors—methods of salary
determination and industry differentials—although
it is recognized that other factors also contributed
to these variations.
Office worker salaries are usually not set up
within a formal rate structure. They are more
frequently determined on the basis of individual
considerations that do not apply to the occupa
tion as a whole. Formal structures are found
primarily in the very large establishments, or in
those, relatively small in number, in which the
office workers are covered by union agreements.
Salary levels in each city tended to follow a
uniform pattern among the various industries.
In practically all the cities, salaries in manufac
turing and in transportation, communication, and
other public utilities were above those in the
other industry groups, with the levels in retail
trade, and in finance, insurance, and real estate
usually below all others. No special attempt was
made to determine the reasons for these relation
ships, but undoubtedly the influence of the wage
levels among plant workers in the two higher-pay
industry groups had some effect.
Although the difference between the lowest and
highest-paid workers in an occupation within a
city, was generally marked, frequently amounting
to $30 or $40, sizable proportions of workers
received salaries falling within smaller ranges
around the occupational averages. For example,
in 9 of the 11 cities, salaries of at least two-thirds
of the women general stenographers fell within
spreads of $12.50 around the respective averages
for the occupation. Simarily, in all except one
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
city, more than 70 percent of the women clerktypists were included within a $12.50 range; in
4 of these, more than 80 percent were within this
range.
Neither size of establishment as measured by
total employment nor length of workweek appeared
to be among the important factors affecting salary
variations in most of the cities. Definite rela
tionships between size of establishment and wage
level, found quite generally in studies of plant
workers in industry, were apparent for office
workers on a fairly consistent basis in only a
few cities. Comparisons of salaries of workers on
a 5-day week with those working 5% or 6 days
failed to reveal any uniformity of variation.
Related Practices and Supplementary Benefits
The 40-hour week was the most common single
workweek standard found, in all cities. Other
regular workweeks generally ranged from 35 to 48
hours, with the proportions of establishments
having the shorter or longer schedules varying
considerably among cities. A workweek of more
than 40 hours was more prevalent than one of less
than 40 in Atlanta, Dallas, and Denver. The
reverse condition existed in Boston, Chicago, New
York, San Francisco, and Seattle. The propor
tions were about evenly divided in Buffalo and
Milwaukee. In Oakland only 3 establishments
had a workweek other than 40 hours. In New
York City, a workweek of less than 40 hours was
actually more prevalent than the 40-hour week;
women in about 60 percent of the establishments
had workweeks of less than 40 hours, with about
28 percent operating on a 35-hour basis. The
5-day week was observed in a majority of estab
lishments in all cities, although a longer week
(5K or 6 days) was found in Atlanta, Dallas, and
Denver in greater proportions than in other cities.
Paid vacations were provided for office workers
in all establishments studied in Buffalo, Dallas,
Milwaukee, San Francisco, and Oakland, and in
all except a very few companies in the other cities.
Two weeks’ vacation after a year of service was
the most prevalent provision in all cities.
Paid holidays, ranging from 2 to 17, were also
almost universally provided in all cities. Six days
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
SALARIES OF OFFICE WORKERS
were granted in the vast majority of the establish
ments studied in Buffalo, Chicago, Denver, and
Milwaukee; 5 or 6 days in Atlanta and Dallas, 6
to 8 in Seattle, San Francisco, and Oakland. A
majority of the Boston and New York City
establishments granted more than 8 holidays—11
was the most popular single standard. The in
fluence of the finance, insurance, and real estate
industries in these two cities was quite apparent.
In all cities this industry group was the most
liberal in its holiday provisions.
Formal provisions for paid sick leave were in
existence in at least a fifth of the establishments
studied in each city. In two cities, the propor
tions ran as high as 31 percent. Although many
plans provided for sick-leave pay after 3 or 6
months of service, the granting of paid sick leave
after a year of service was almost a standard
practice in those establishments providing this
benefit on a formal basis. One or 2 weeks, more
frequently the latter in all except two cities, after
a year of service, was customary. Some estab
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
243
lishments granted more than 2 weeks after a year
of service, and some granted additional time after
longer periods.
Insurance and/or pension plans were reported
by a majority of establishments studied in all
except Oakland. In most cities the proportions
having these plans actually were between threefifths and four-fifths. Life insurance was most
commonly provided, and health insurance was
also reported quite frequently. Retirement-pen
sion plans existed in more than a fourth of the
establishments in four cities (San Francisco was
highest, with 42 percent), in between a fifth and
a fourth in four others, and in between a sixth and
a fifth in the other three.
Nonproduction bonuses, usually of the Christ
mas or year-end type, were found in a slight
majority (the highest was 65 percent in Dallas)
of the establishments in five cities. In four others,
the proportions were slightly under a half. In
Seattle, 37 percent had this feature, but in Oak
land only 19 percent.
Trade-Union
Developments in
Postwar Austria
Oscar Weigert and T heodore Lit 1
L abo r ’s economic and social aims in postwar
Austria are carried out through three types of
institutions: nation-wide trade-unions, combined
in the Austrian Trade-Union Federation (Öster
reichischer Gewerkschafisbund); chambers of labor
within the States (Länder) forming the Republic;
and works councils and other forms of labor
representation within individual enterprises. The
trade-unions—the oldest, the most comprehensive,
and the most powerful of these institutions—
correspond most closely to labor organizations in
the western democracies. The chambers of labor
(Arbeiterkammern) are statutory public bodies,
directed by elected representatives of labor and
designed primarily to promote labor’s interests
with the public authorities and to investigate the
economic and social status of labor. Also manda
tory by law, though at first created spontaneously,
are labor-representation bodies within individual
enterprises, the most significant being works coun
cils (Betriebsräte) in every enterprise employing
regularly at least 20 employees.2
The unions had urged creation of chambers of
labor after the First World War as a counterpart
to existing chambers of commerce and agriculture,
and called for their early restoration after the
Liberation in April 1945. The Works Councils
1 Of the Bureau’s Office of Foreign Labor Conditions. This article is based
in part on material prepared by Herman B. Brotman, chief, Social Admin
istration Branch, Economics and Finance Divisions, United States Allied
Commission, Austria, and by Anton Proksch, executive secretary, Austrian
Trade Union Federation; and on Tätigkeitsbericht des Österreichischen
Qewerkschaftsbundes, 1945-1947, Vienna, 1948, and Die Österreichische
Gewerkschaftsbewegung, by Hans Fehlinger and Fritz Klenner, Vienna,
1948.
2 In smaller enterprises, the personnel is represented by elected shop
stewards ( V ertrauensm änner).
244
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Act, adopted in March 1947, authorized union
representatives and officials to participate, under
specified conditions, in shop meetings (Betriebsversammlungen), and to be elected as works council
members. Most works councillors and shop
stewards are union members. The Trade Union
Federation participates in an appeal’s procedure
provided for cases in which works councils’ pro
posals on production matters are not accepted by
the large employers.
Developments Prior to Liberation3
Of the three forms of labor representation, only
the trade-unions were in existence under the
Austro-Hungarian monarchy.
Under the First Republic,4 the trade-union
movement was divided into major groups (Richtungen), each representing a specific ideology and
closely connected with a political party. By far
the largest membership—more than a million at
the peak (1922) and 520,000 at the time of the
depression (1932)—belonged to the Free TradeLlnions connected with the Social Democratic
Party. Other sections of organized labor belonged
mainly to the Christian Trade-Unions affiliated
with the Christian Social Party, and to a national
ist group called German Trade-Unions.
Each group was composed of several constituent
unions of varying strength, most of which were
nation-wide. There was a tendency to create, by
amalgamation, strong, comprehensive industrial
unions, with strict separation between manual
and white-collar workers.
Each group was coordinated in a top federation
which gained in strength and cohesion during the
period of the First Republic. The individual
unions, however, had separate legal personality
and financial autonomy.
Collective bargaining was the most important
trade-union function. Strikes were relatively
infrequent. The Free Trade-Unions in particular
were instrumental in producing Austria’s highly
developed social legislation. All unions partici
pated in its administration. Most unions operated
effective benefit schemes and gave increasing
attention to educational problems.
3 See M onthly Labor Review, August 1926 (p. 289) and June 1934 (p. 1370);
Austria from Habsburg to Hitler, by Charles A. Gulick, Berkeley and Los
Angeles, University of California Press, 1948.
4 The first Austrian republic was established in November 1918. It was
destroyed by the Fascist coup d ’etat of February 1934, and in 1938 the country
was incorporated into the Nazi Reich.
245
AUSTRIAN TRADE-UNIONS
The Austro-Fascist regime (1934 to 1938)
destroyed the democratic trade-unions and works
councils and undertook to dominate industrial
relations by official organizations modeled after the
Italian corporate system. The chambers of labor
were placed under rigid government control.
After Austria’s “Anschluss” in 1938, the Nazis
abolished all economic representation of labor and
introduced the German Labor Front for political
control and indoctrination. Collective bargaining
was abolished, and wages and other employment
conditions were determined by government fiat in
the so-called “tariff” orders (Tarijordnungen).
land reform, nationalization of key industries, and
stabilization of wages and prices.
Membership in the Trade Union Federation
grew from 331,200 at the end of 1945 to 1,238,100
in 1947. (See table 1.) By that time, 61 percent
of the industrial workers, 52.9 percent of the
salaried employees in private jobs, and 17 percent
of the workers in agriculture and forestry were
organized. Forty percent of the Federation’s
membership lived in Vienna. (See table 2.)
T able
1.—Membership in Austrian Trade Union
Federation, 1945-4-7
Membership
(in thousands)
Developments Since Liberation
During the period of Fascist and Nazi rule, a
hard core of labor leaders maintained illegal con
tact with each other. Under their guidance, the
unions, works councils, and chambers of labor
sprang into existence soon after Liberation in
April 1945. At first, the various Allied com
manders granted the workers permission to or
ganize. Later, the Allied Council (established
summer of 1945 as supreme four-power authority)
ruled that there should be a uniform basic policy
on all labor matters in Austria. Actually, labor
organization was limited at first to a Land, or even
local, basis because of the difficulties of communi
cation and of the physical and legal barriers
between the various occupation zones. How
ever, the unions in Vienna established themselves
at the outset as the nucleus of an all-Austrian labor
organization, which expanded with the improve
ment of communications and the strengthening
of the indigenous Austrian Government. This
government, under the provisions of the Austrian
Associations Act, granted legal status, in the sum
mer of 1946, to the Austrian Trade Union Federa
tion on the basis of a preliminary constitution
drafted by the Viennese union leaders.5
Almost from the day of liberation, trade-unions
in all parts of Austria did their utmost to cooperate
in the economic restoration of the country, to
improve the living conditions of the workers, and
to restore national labor legislation. In various
policy statements (the first in December 1945),
the unions demanded a democratic and inde
pendent regime in Austria, economic planning,
s While discussing this draft, the Allied Council accepted a set of principles
for a democratic trade-union movement. See M ilitary Government, Austria,
Report of the U . S. Commissioner, April 1946 (p. 126).
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Industry and type of union
Dec.
1945 i
Total_______________________________
Dec.
1947
December 1947
Per
cent
in
crease
since
1945
Per Wo
cent men
as
dis- per
tri- cent
buof
tion total
331.2 1, 238.1
274
100
26
18.2
11.3
8.4
9.0
5.6
7.9
18.1
39.9
25.1
5.9
174.6
45.3
24.1
25.9
26.2
42.8
45. 7
189.9
89.9
34.1
861
301
186
187
364
441
153
376
258
478
14
4
2
2
2
4
4
15
7
3
6
25
44
13
58
21
27
12
64
75
49.9
10.3
151.0
27.4
202
165
12
2
40
32
26.5
34.2
46.3
14.5
112.1
97.9
112.0
39.3
322
186
142
171
9
8
9
3
30
31
6
27
M a n u a l workers
Construction and woodworking---------Chemical industries-------------------------Graphic and paper-working trade-------Commerce, transportation and traffic...
Hotels and restaurants_______
___
Agriculture and forestry___________ -______ --- Food industries______
Metals and mines. _ ------------------------Textiles, clothing, and leather.. --------Personal services. . . . --------- ------White-collar workers
Private industry________. . . -----------Professions . . . .
. ...
------M ixed u n io n s (public services)
Public employees --------- -------------Municipal employees------------------------R a ilr o a d --------------------- ----------------Postal and telegraph _ ------- ------- .
i Data partially estimated.
Source: Report of the U. S. High Commissioner, M ilitary Government,
Austria, No. 28, February 1948, (p. 70).
Following the national conventions of indi
vidual unions, the Federation held its first national
convention in May 1948 in Vienna, where its con
stitution, program, and leadership were confirmed.
Legal Status of Unions
Austria has no comprehensive statute regulat
ing the structure or activities of unions. As
private associations, trade-unions are subject to
the Associations Act of 1867, which survived all
political changes in Austria. The law requires
that the authorities be notified of elected officers
and of membership meetings, and that financial
reports be submitted. Associations held to be
246
AUSTRIAN TRADE-UNIONS
illegal or subversive may be prohibited, or may
be dissolved, subject to judicial review.5a
Of much greater practical importance for the
union movement is the Act on Collective Agree
ments of February 1947. Under this law, “ legal
capacity for closing collective agreements” is
limited to unions recognized by the Supreme
Mediation Office (a tripartite agency) as covering
a large economic and geographic area and “ having
decisive importance because of number of mem
bers and extent of activities.” While not estab
lishing a monopoly for collective bargaining, this
provision favors strong and comprehensive labor
organizations.
T a b l e 2. —Membership
tion,
by
in Austrian Trade Union Federa
Occupation Zones and b y Länder, 1947
Zone and land
T otal__________________
Percent Number (in thousands)1 Women
as per
distri
cent of
bution 1 Total
M en Women total
100 1,238.1
909.7
328.4
26
U . S. Z one.. . . ____
Upper Austria ____ _______
Salzburg________ _____
18
14
4
228.3
180.1
48.2
183.3
143.6
39.6
45.1
36.5
8.6
20
20
18
British Zone. ___________
Styria___________________
Carinthia _________ . _
20
15
5
246.2
189.3
57.0
197.3
149.6
47.7
49.0
39.7
9.3
20
21
16
Soviet Zone______________
Lower Austria __________
Burgenland________ _____
16
15
1
201.8
185.9
15.9
154.5
141.7
12.8
47.3
44.2
3.1
23
24
20
5
4
2
66.5
45.2
21.4
49.8
34.7
15.1
16.8
10.5
6.3
25
23
30
40
495.2
324.8
170.3
34
French Zone.......... . . . .
T yrol__________ .
Vorarlberg____________
Vienna________________
1Because of rounding, figures given do not in all cases add exactly to totals
given.
Source: Solidarität (Trade Union Federation), 1948, No. 53, p. 2.
Union activities of workers are protected by
the Works Councils Act of 1947. If an employee
is dismissed because of union activities, the works
council can contest the dismissal and the mediation
office can declare it null and void.
Character and Organization of Movement
Although the current movement has many
characteristics in common with that under the
First Republic and with labor organizations in
the western democracies, it differs in other aspects.
The movement is voluntary and free from
control by the government or employers. It is
financed exclusively by union members’ contri
butions. Membership is open to every wage and
salary earner. Only applicants with criminal
** The Coalition Act of 1870 permitted workers to conclude agreements
among themselves with the objective of obtaining through strikes, improve
ments in wages or other working conditions, but stated that such agreements
have no legal validity. Although this law has not been formally abrogated
the authorities consider it obsolete.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
records, or who are “ clearly harmful” to a union
or its members, may be rejected or expelled.
The membership, through elected delegates to
national conventions, defines fundamental poli
cies, elects the executive bodies, and exercises
final control over their activities.
The various federations of the pre-Fascist
period, with their diverse political allegiances,
have been replaced by a unitary movement
voluntarily agreed upon by all concerned. While
this movement is not connected with a single
political party, there is a conscious policy of giv
ing all political parties proportionate representa
tion. The predominant position which the
Socialists actually have is in line with what is
known about the political orientation of Austrian
labor in all parts of the country.6 The Federa
tion’s ideology, as expressed in its program, is
similar to that of the Socialist Party, which is the
main vehicle for the union’s legislative demands.
A significant feature of the present movement
has been called by friends and critics its “central
ization.” The Federation and its affiliated unions
form a single association with a single legal
personality. The constitution and the standing
rules of the Federation include also the funda
mental regulations for the unions. The consti
tution calls the unions “organs” of the Federation,
defines their number and jurisdiction, and con
tains the provision that the unions must operate
in accordance with the general principles and
directives of the Federation. The Federation
fixes uniform rates of membership dues for all
unions. Most of these proceeds are transferred
to the Federation, from which not only the Fed
eration’s expenses but also most of the affiliated
unions’ expenses, including officers’ salaries, are
paid. Leading representatives of the Federation
contend that under present conditions in Austria
an effective trade-union movement depends upon
this type of structure. Their position was ap
proved by the national convention in May 1948.
All evidence points to affiliated unions having the
8 This orientation is indicated by results of works council elections held in
the various zones during the last months of 1947, as reported in Solidarität,
official organ of the Trade Union Federation, 1948, N o. 51, p. 1:
Percent oj total works council members
Socialist
U . S. Zone.............................
British Zone_________
Soviet Zone,..............................
French Zone— .........................
V ienna...............
67.1
66.5
64.4
46.8
60.1
Communist
4.8
6.0
10.3
5.3
7.0
People’s No party
Party designated
2.8
2.5
4.3
14.3
2.7
25.3
25.0
21.0
33.6
30.2
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
AUSTRIAN TRADE-UNIONS
freedom to develop a high degree of initiative and
activity within the “centralized” framework of
the Federation.
Another characteristic of the movement is the
broad coverage of the unions, each of which in
cludes workers employed in a number of allied or
interdependent industries. This type of organi
zation is motivated by the proclaimed desire to
prevent a dissipation of energies, to increase the
unions’ effectiveness, and to improve the distribu
tion of risks. Each affiliated union is divided
into industry or occupation sections. The gen
eral tendency is to bring all workers of an enter
prise into the same union. However, whitecollar workers in private employment are organized
in separate unions, while unions in public services
include wage earners as well as salaried workers.
The two main organs of the Federation are the
national convention composed of elected delegates
from the constituent unions, and the executive
committee. The convention, which meets at
least every 3 years, passes on amendments to the
constitution and to the standing rules of the
Federation and elects its highest administrative
body. This four-man body and representatives
of the affiliated unions and of the minority groups
(the People’s Party and the Communists) form
the executive committee which has over-all
responsibility for the work of the Federation.
Between national conventions, the Conference of
Executive Committees (Vorstandekonjerenz), com
posed of Federation and union representatives,
defines policies on major issues.
The constitution provides for the creation of
“Land executives,” bodies elected by Land con
ventions of the Federation. These bodies cooper
ate with Land secretaries, officials of the Federa
tion charged with guiding trade-union activities
in their area according to the decisions of the
executive committee and of the national conven
tion. Where necessary, secretariats and execu
tives exist also for smaller areas (districts).
For the affiliated unions, a pattern of organiza
tion similar to that of the Federation is prescribed
by its constitution. The unions maintain Land
and district secretariats which cooperate with
the corresponding secretariats of the Federation.
Union locals may be confined to a single enterprise
or cover all enterprises within a given locality.
Where necessary, a council of locals is set up for
an industrial area.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
247
The functions listed in the constitution and
the standing rules of the Federation reflect the
broad conception of activities characteristic of
many European trade-union movements. In
addition to improving employment conditions by
collective bargaining and to adjusting grievances,
the Federation and its affiliated unions are to
participate in stabilization of the labor market,
preparation of economic and social legislation,
and creation of an “economic democracy,” parti
cularly in nationalized enterprises. They are to
nominate representatives to economic or social
institutions or to select the candidates for election
to such bodies; educate their membership and
train union officials, works councillors, and shop
stewards; collect and analyze statistical material;
provide legal protection; and assist members
financially under the Federation’s benefit scheme.
Most of these duties are to be performed by the
Federation if more than one union is involved,
and by the individual union if it alone is concerned.
Collective bargaining is carried out by each
union, in line with general policies established by
the Federation. Decisions about work stoppages
are made by the Federation if they “influence
the movement as a whole or the public interest.”
Accomplishments and Activities
To organize 1% million workers during the 3
years since Liberation was an absorbing task,
particularly in a country suffering from the rav
ages of war, divided into zones of occupation, and
subject to damaging interventions by one of the
occupying powers. No less absorbing for the
unions were the tasks arising from the extreme
scarcity of food and of other consumer goods, and
of raw materials and power. In all these matters,
the unions intervened continually and success
fully, so far as circumstances permitted, with the
Austrian and occupation authorities.
Outstanding among the emergency activities of
the unions were their efforts first to keep the
workers’ real earnings in line with the increasing
cost of living, and later to stop inflation by the
stabilization of prices and wages.7 The various
phases of this stabilization policy, from the
interim wage-price agreement in August 1947 to
the currency reform of December and the unions’
subsequent struggle for price reductions rather
than wage increases, were severely criticized by
i See M onthly Labor Review, January 1948 (p. 24), and July 1948 (p. 45.)
248
AUSTRIAN TRADE-UNIONS
the Communist minority in the trade-union move
ment but successfully defended by the Socialist
leadership, and overwhelmingly endorsed in the
national convention in May 1948.
Conspicuous progress has been made since Lib
eration in the restoration and improvement of
social legislation, at the instigation of the unions.
Among the laws passed were those governing
chambers of labor, works councils, labor courts,
collective agreements, unemployment compensa
tion, changes in social insurance, and paid vaca
tions for workers, the latter being considered
particularly important by the Federation. A
law enacted in June 1948, which the unions regard
as a step forward though not a definite solution,
regulates employment conditions of farm workers.
Work stoppages because of employment con
ditions have been infrequent since Liberation;
only four strikes have received official trade-union
recognition. Frequent wildcat stoppages, mainly
over food and clothing shortages, were in most cases
organized or supported by Communist elements.8
Collective bargaining, as compared with social
legislation, developed slowly because difficulties
in preparation delayed promulgation of the basic
law on collective bargaining until February 1947.
Other causes of the lag in bargaining were the
wage controls administered first by the Occupying
Powers, later by the Austrian Government; the
Federation’s own wage and price stabilization
policy; and, according to union reports, some
employer resistance to collective bargaining.
Although several nation-wide agreements have
been concluded recently, employment conditions
and particularly wages in many industries are
still regulated by “ tariff orders” of Nazi origin.
The Federation’s demands for economic plan
ning and nationalization of key industries have
not yet been realized. Planning is confined to
certain economic sectors. Labor is represented
in advisory committees of the Ministry of Com
merce, which controls production and allocation
of scarce industrial goods under a temporary
law enacted in the spring of 1948, and in similar
committees of the Planning Ministry, which is
preparing long-range economic plans for the iron
and steel and electric-power industries. A na
tionalization law listing 70 enterprises in key
8 Another unofficial but successful strike occurred in a Viennese firm under
Soviet administration, in protest against dismissal of the works council
chairman.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
industries was issued in July 1946. Its applica
tion has been delayed, partly because of differ
ences of opinion among the Austrian political
parties and partly because the Soviet military
government does not recognize nationalization of
enterprises which it considers “ German assets.”
Unions are represented in government-owned
holding companies which are being formed for the
enterprises in the iron, steel, and coal-mining in
dustries designated by the statute for national
ization.
The work of the Federation and its constituent
unions branched out in many additional direc
tions. Their education and youth departments
conducted evening classes and full-time courses
for union functionaries, works councillors, and
shop stewards; developed programs of adult
education and vocational training; and operated
some training shops of their own. Other special
departments dealt with problems of working
women, who formed 26 percent of the membership
at the end of 1947 (see table 1). Periodicals
published by the Federation and by the unions
reached a monthly circulation of more than a
million by the end of 1947. Under the Federa
tion’s welfare scheme, almost 6 million schillings9
were spent from 1945 to 1947 for various types of
benefits, one-sixth for strike benefits. A Labor
Bank, established by the Free Trade Unions and
the cooperatives under the First Republic (1923)
and revived in February 1947, had deposits of
approximately 80 million schillings and outstanding
loans of 30 million at the end of 1947.
Since Austria was readmitted to the Inter
national Labor Organization, the Federation as the
representative labor organization designated the
labor delegates to the International Labor Con
ferences. The Federation has belonged to the
World Federation of Trade Unions since its
establishment in the fall of 1945, and the con
stituent unions belong to the appropriate inter
national secretariats. The Federation participated
in the March 1948 London Trade-Union Confer
ence dealing with the European Recovery Pro
gram, and is represented on the advisory committee
established by that conference.10 A resolution
welcoming the Marshall Plan was adopted at the
Federation’s national convention in May 1948,
the Communist minority alone voting against it.
• The official exchange rate is 10.14 schillings per U. S. dollar.
10 See Notes on Labor Abroad, April 1948 (p. 60).
Summaries of Special Reports
Prices in the
Second Quarter of 1948
T he general price movement was one of slow,
steady rise from the pronounced dip in February
to new high levels in the second quarter of 1948.
The rise affected prices of raw materials, semi
finished and finished goods, farm and nonfarm
products, in exchanges and in wholesale and retail
markets.
Prices were influenced by a number of important
events. The European Recovery Program, en
acted in April, offered possiblities of far-reaching
effects on both domestic and world prices over the
next few years. During the same month, the
aircraft construction program was greatly en
larged through Congressional approval of a 70group airforce. A 5-percent increase in railroad
■freight rates, effective early in May, was almost
immediately reflected in the prices of some basic
articles. On the other hand, a decrease in pricse
of some finished steel products took place at
about the same time.
Two decisions of the United States Supreme
Court during the quarter will have a marked
effect on the prices of some commodities at a
later date. The first upheld the Federal Trade
Commission suit against the use of the basingpoint system of pricing in the cement industry.
As a consequence of this decision, the steel industry
announced its intention of shifting voluntarily to
f. o. b. mill pricing. The second decision ruled out
quantity discounts, except where such discounts
were directly the result of lowered costs.
In June 1948, the Congress passed an agricul
tural support bill providing for continuance
through the end of 1949 of existing measures for
the support of prices of farm products. Generally
the supports were set at 90 percent of the parity
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
price. The new legislation also provided for more
restricted price supports beginning in 1950.
The agricultural price outlook at the end of
June reflected exceptionally strong consumer de
mand for farm products, meat output about 10 per
cent below last year, and excellent crop prospects,
particularly in the feed grains. Pork production in
1949 has a good chance to exceed 1948, but this
larger pork output is not likely to offset smaller
production of beef, veal, lamb, and mutton. If feed
grains decline in price, the livestock feed price
ratios in 1948 and 1949 will be more favorable to
livestock producers, with consequent lower slaugh
ter of cattle and smaller beef production in 1949.
249
MONTHLY LABOR
PRICES IN SECOND QUARTER OF 19^8
250
Retail Prices
The consumers’ price index advanced steadily
to new highs during the quarter.
The increase was mainly the result of a very
sharp rise in the retail prices of foods, especially
meats. Only foods advanced more than the aver
age of all groups combined. The actual increase
in retail food prices during the second quarter of
1948 was about twice as great as the expected
seasonal rise.
Retail Food Prices, by Groups,
March to June 1948
Percent Change
+ I5
M eats, P o u ltry & Fish
+ I0
Consumers’ Price Index, by Groups,
March to June 1948
All F o o d s
+5
F a t s & O ils
F ru its & V e g e ta b le s
D airy P ro d u c ts
C e re a ls &
B akery P ro d u c ts
w
S u g a r & S w eets
Fuel, electricity, and ice costs increased mainly
because of higher prices for coal and gasoline.
By June, some signs of weakness were evident in
the prices of such cotton clothing as unbranded
shirts and pajamas. Rents advanced fractionally
as 15-percent voluntary increases were again
authorized under the Housing and Rent Act of
1948. Housefurnishings prices declined slightly
as a result of reductions in some electrical appli
ances and the reappearance of regular sales of
“ white goods.”
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
In the case of the retail prices of foods, as indi
cated in the chart above, the only group which
rose more than the average for all foods was meats,
poultry, and fish.
Within the meats, poultry, and fish group, the
rate of advance in the prices of individual items
was varied. Leg of lamb rose to a national aver
age price of 78 cents a pound, and round steak
was selling for more than a dollar a pound in some
stores in the middle of June. Pork and ham prices
did not rise as much as other meats, but pork
chops averaged more than 78 cents a pound in
June.
Not all food prices rose over the quarter. Al
though during this period grain prices dropped
about 4 percent in primary markets, wheat flour
dropped only 2 percent at retail, and bfead did
not change in price.
Primary Market Prices
Primary market prices advanced at a steady
rate, and in the last half of June the weekly
wholesale price index passed its previous postwar
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
PRICES IN SECOND QUARTER OF 19^8
peak. Farm product prices did not reattain the
levels which prevailed early in the year, but food
prices rose to a new all-time high in June, while
the average price of all commodities except farm
products and foods, each month, was consistently
above previous postwar peaks.
Retail M eat Prices, by Groups,
March to June 1948
from increases of 1.9 percent for building materials
and 1.7 percent for fuel and lighting materials to
a decrease of 0.3 percent for chemicals and allied
products. Important commodities, or groups of
commodities, showing appreciable price increases
over this period included hides and skins (15.6
percent), crude rubber (11.3 percent), coke (8.4
percent), and lumber (3.1 percent); anthracite
and bituminous coal increased more than 2 per
cent. Manufacturers’ shoe prices declined 4.1
percent, cotton goods were 2.4 percent lower, and
structural steel, reflecting the May price reduction,
was 1.6 percent below the March average price.
Average primary market prices of farm products
advanced more than 5 percent between March
and June 1948, a result of rapidly rising livestock
prices (14 percent) offsetting an appreciable decline
(4 percent) in the wholesale prices of grains.
Livestock prices declined between March and
April with lower prices for hogs, but advanced
very sharply in May and June.
Primary market prices of foods showed a general
average increase of 4.4 percent over this period,
almost completely the result of the meat price rise
Wholesale Price Index, March to June 1948
Percent Change
6
5
Average primary market prices of metals and
metal products rose approximately 2 percent.
This increase occurred despite a sizable reduction
in the prices of some steel products on May 1.
Trade estimates of the value of the reduction in
net sales, as a result of this voluntary price de
crease, placed it in about the same magnitude as
the increase in the price of semifinished steel
products which was announced during February
1948. The general course of metal prices was
greatly affected by the freight rate increase which
went into effect in May, plus higher costs for iron
ore and for other basic steel-making raw materials,
which have been creeping up for some time.
Changes between March and June 1948 in the
primary market prices of all commodities other
than farm products, foods, and metals, ranged
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
251
4
3
2
I
0
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
252
PRICES IN SECOND QUARTER OF 1948
of more than 11 percent. Meat prices did not
show a decline comparable to the decrease in live
stock prices between March and April. Cereals,
including flour and bread, slid slowly down during
the quarter with a net decline of only half that
which occurred in grain prices. The prices of
fresh fruits and vegetables fluctuated as crops
came to market, with a general upward tendency
over the quarter.
MONTHLY LABOR
from 94 cents to $1.03 a pound. (The previous
change in tin prices had been 14 cents in December
1947.) The increase in tin prices was made by a
Reconstruction Finance Corporation subsidiary in
line with a 10-percent advance in the price of
Wholesale Price Index, Farm Products,
March to June 1948
Commodity Exchange Prices
Organized exchange and market prices in April
held at about the same level to which they had
declined during the market break of February, but
started moving up again during May and June.
(See chart on p. 249.)
Wholesale Price Index, Metals and Metal Products,
March to June 1948
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
There were significant price increases in two
basic metals. In early April, the price of lead was
raised 16.7 percent, from 15 cents to 17.5 cents a
pound. (The last increase, from 14 cents, had
been made 13 months earlier.) On June 1, the
domestic selling price of tin was raised 10 percent,
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Straits tin made by the British at the end of May.
The price increases for lead and for tin were rapidly
passed on to other metals such as brass. Alumi
num (which is not traded on organized exchanges)
also increased; ingot prices were raised 1 cent a
pound to 16 cents at the end of the quarter, the
first increase in 11 years.
Grain prices on organized exchanges showed a
fairly steady downward trend over the quarter,
although the movements of individual grains were
extremely diverse. On June 30 the quotations for
wheat for December delivery were about the same
as the spot market prices, while for corn, Decem
ber futures at $1.67 were 25 percent cheaper than
the spot price of $2.30 a bushel. The July 1 crop
forecasts indicated a 3.3 billion bushel corn crop,
the largest in history, compared with 2.4 billion
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
PRICES IN SECOND QUARTER OF 19^8
bushels last year. The wheat crop forecast was
1.2 billion bushels, the second largest in history,
below the record 1.4 billion of last year but some
what higher than the June forecast. Oats, barley,
and rye were all estimated to be higher than the
1947 crops.
Both steers and hogs showed 27.5 percent in
creases over the quarter, but followed different
price patterns. Hog prices started the quarter at
253
Commodity Market Prices, Domestic Crops,
March 31 to June 30, 1948
Percent Change
Wholesale Price Index, Foods,
March to June 1948
Percent Change
+I2
Meats
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU.OF LABOR S TA TIS T IC S
Cereols
- 4 __________________________
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
the lowest level since October 1946, did not com
mence to rise until the middle of May when the
strike in the meat packers’ plants appeared due to
terminate, then rose very sharply, but did not
reach the previous postwar peak of September
1947. Steer prices, on the other hand, advanced
steadily throughout the entire quarter; by the end
of May they were above the previous postwar peak,
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
and in June continued to move ahead almost daily
into new all-time record highs. Lard and hide
prices followed steers and hogs in the upward
movement, but at a much slower rate. Inedible
tallow prices were sharply lower as purchases by
soap makers fell off.
Raw cotton prices moved within a very narrow
range—approximately 2 cents compared with a
7-cent range in the first half of 1948 and a 9-cent
range in 1947—and showed little change over the
quarter. Cottonseed oil prices moved up sharply
and at one time in mid-May were at the same
level as the previous postwar high. Print cloth
prices declined steadily, about 10 percent over the
quarter; the decline of print cloth prices had started
last January, and the June 30 price was 37 percent
lower than the January high point.
Man-Hour Trends in Selected Industries1
Men’s Dress Shirts:
Man-Hours per Dozen, 1939-47
IN 56 REPRESENTATIVE SHIRT FACTORIES, the 1947
average of 5.96 man-hours expended per dozen
shirts manufactured was about 16 percent below
the 7.06 man-hours required in 1939 (table 1).
The steady decline in man-hours per unit during
this 9-year period was due largely to wartime limi
tations on the variety of styles produced, to im
provements in manufacturing efficiency, and to
some increase in average skill of sewing-depart
ment operators during the years of declining
production, when less capable workers were
dropped. These gains were achieved despite
difficulties incident to shortages of materials of
uniform quality, high absenteeism rates, and
rapid labor turn-over.
in 1945, but by 1947 were again approximately the
same as in 1939. The principal cause for the
increase in indirect man-hours was the sharp
decrease in production in most of these factories,
which resulted in higher overhead costs per unit
manufactured.
Type of Labor
Virtually the entire reduction in man-hours
required per dozen was made in the direct operat
ing-labor category, which accounts for about 90
percent of total factory man-hours in the average
shirt-manufacturing establishment. The 1947
average of 5.31 direct man-hours per dozen shirts
was almost a fifth below the 1939 level. Indirect
(or overhead) labor requirements per unit rose
slightly during the years covered, reaching a peak
1 Prepared in the Bureau’s Productivity and Technological Development
Branch.
This series of studies on trends in average man-hours required per unit of
output is part of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ direct-productivity reports
program. The studies provide detailed statistics on the basis of type of
labor, principal products, methods of production, size of plant, geographic
area, price line (or product quality), extent of technological change, and other
categories significant in measuring productivity levels and trends, on im
portant segments of the American economy, never covered before.
All studies are based on reports submitted directly to the Bureau by a
cross-section of producers in each industry included in the series, supple
mented by factual information obtained by Bureau field representatives from
the reporting establishments. This information forms the basis for classi
fying company data into appropriate categories, and also provides an indica
tion of the factors underlying the pattern of variations in productive efficiency.
Initial reports for each industry summarize experience for a period of years,
in most instances relating current patterns to those of a common base year
(1939). Regular annual supplements will provide current data for each
Industry in which reporting has been established.
254
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Direct Man-Hours, by Department. The 3.95
direct man-hours expended per dozen in 1947 in
the sewing department amounted to about threefourths of all factory direct labor. As the result
of steady reductions, the 1947 level was about 14
percent less than that of 1939 (table 1). In the
cutting department, which accounts for about 7
percent of factory direct labor, direct man-hours
per dozen increased during the years 1942 to 1944,
but declined thereafter to 8 1947 level about 10
percent below that of 1939. The most drastic
MAN-HOUR TRENDS
decrease in man-hoar requirements occurred in
the pressing and boxing departments, dropping
to 0.98 man-hour in 1947, or only two-thirds of
the time required in 1939.
The increase in the level of cutting-department
man-hour requirements, and the subsequent de
cline were indicated to be due in part to the loss
of skilled cutters during the war years and their
return in 1946 and 1947. Difficulties in produc
tion incident to the use of nonuniform materials,
also contributing to the rise, were largely over
come by 1946.
1.—Men’s dress shirts: Man-hours expended per
dozen, by type of labor and department 1
T able
A v e r a g e m a n - h o u r s , b y t y p e o f la b o r
Y ear
T o ta l
fa cto r y
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
.
___________________________
_______________________
_________________________
___________
_________
___________________________
- - __________________ - . . . _________________ . .
______________________________
_________________________
7 .0 6 1
6 .8 0 0
6 .5 7 1
6 .5 6 6
6. 578
6 .3 1 9
6 .2 0 9
6 .0 4 3
5 .9 5 9
D ir e c t
6. 422
6 .1 9 3
5 .9 6 0
5 .9 5 0
5 .8 9 9
5 .6 3 1
5 .5 1 0
5 .3 6 7
5 .3 1 1
I n d ir e c t
0 .6 3 9
.6 0 7
.6 1 1
.6 1 6
.6 7 9
.6 8 8
.6 9 9
.6 7 6
.6 4 8
D ir e c t m a n -h o u r s, b y d e p a r tm e n t
C u tt in g
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
______________________________
______________________________
______ . . . ........ ................
.
_________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
______________________________
.
____________________________
0 .4 3 3
.4 4 4
.4 3 1
.4 3 7
.4 7 6
.4 8 9
.4 2 0
.3 9 5
.3 8 9
• S e w in g
4 .6 3 5
4 .4 4 5
4 .2 7 2
4 .3 3 7
4 .3 6 5
4 .1 2 6
4 .1 1 7
4 .0 0 3
3 .9 4 9
P r e s sin g
a n d b o x in g
1 .4 6 8
1 .3 5 3
1 .2 8 4
1 .2 1 3
1 .0 8 2
1 .0 4 9
.9 8 8
.9 7 5
.9 8 0
1 Data indicate the relationship between man-hours expended and dozens
of shirts manufactured in the selected establishments. The firms covered
represent factories of all sizes, the various manufacturing methods in use, and
the production of all types of dress shirts. The man-hour averages in any
year and the year-to-year trends are determined by the combined influence
of a number of factors, including improvements in production methods and
equipment, changes in the distribution of the different styles manufactured,
management policies relating to production, skill and efficiency of the work
force, availability of materials, and others. Statistics are based on un
weighted averages of the man-hours per dozen reported by all companies
participating in the study.
The man-hour averages per dozen shirts include all factory man-hours as
tabulated from pay-roll records or as allocated to production. General
administration, office, engineering, and sales employees are excluded. Direct
and indirect man-hours are defined in a manner which conforms with general
accounting practice in the industry. Direct man-hours include all sewing
machine operators and other labor functions involved directly in shirt pro
duction, such as cutting, pressing, and boxing. Indirect man-hours include
supervision, maintenance, materials-handling, shipping and receiving, and
others not assignable directly to production.
The steady lessening of man-hours per dozen
required in the sewing department was traceable
chiefly to limitations in variety and styles of
shirts, basic simplifications of construction, in
creases in average efficiency of workers, and some
improvement in machines, equipment, and work
methods.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
255
In the pressing and boxing departments, the
decline in man-hours per dozen was a direct
outgrowth of a number of extreme simplifications
in operations, including substitution of flatpressed for stand-up collars, less careful pressing
of the shirt body, and less thorough finish pressing
and inspection. Final folding and pinning were
simplified, and a number of unessential packaging
features were eliminated. In most establish
ments the number of shirts packed in a box rose
from a maximum of three to between four and six.
Price Line, Plant Size, and Production Method
Statistics on average number of man-hours ex
pended per dozen in the individual reporting
establishments were classified according to pro
duction method, price line, and plant size, in order
to reveal the relationships between these factors
and the levels and man-hour trends. The results
indicated conclusively that the price line (or
quality) of shirt produced and the size of plant
were the most important determinants of the level
of average man-hour requirements per dozen.
Firms producing high-price, high-quality shirts
required approximately 20 percent more man
hours throughout the period than did producers
of medium-price shirts. The latter group, in
turn, required in 1939 about one-fourth more man
hours per dozen than did producers of low-price
shirts. However, the medium-price shirt firms
made relatively greater gains in productivity dur
ing the period covered than did the low-price
firms, and, by 1947, required only about 12 percent
more man-hours per dozen. Primary reasons for
these differentials were the variations, throughout
the production cycle, in number and quality of
operations, type of stitching used, and amount
of trimming and inspection. The wide range of
types, sizes, and styles, together with the small
lots characteristic of high-quality shirt production,
tended to heighten the levels of man-hour require
ments.
Data classified according to factory size indicate
that establishments producing less than 50,000
dozen shirts a year had consistently higher man
hour requirements throughout the period than
either the medium-sized or the large establishments
making over 100,000 dozen a year. In 1947, the
small plant’s average of 6.60 man-hours per dozen
was about 17 percent higher than that for medium-
256
MAN-HOUR TRENDS
size plants, and about 10 percent above that for
large plants. An even larger differential existed
during the early years of the period studied.
Detailed analysis of company data indicated that
small plants in every price-line group and every
production-method category required higher man
hours, on the average, than did medium-size or
large establishments. The principal reasons cited
for this difference were the extreme diversity in out
put of small plants and their lack of the labor-saving
equipment, orderly work flow, and efficient work
techniques which are generally associated with
standardized large-scale production.
SIZE OF PLANT COMPARISON
Men’s Dress Shirts
Factory M an-Hours Per Dozen
MONTHLY LABOR
the straight-line system reported much less signifi
cant declines in man-hours per dozen during the
period studied than did those using other produc
tion systems. This was attributed in part to
difficulties incident to operating the relatively
inflexible line system during a period of high turn
over, absenteeism, and shortage of materials.
Equally important was the fact that the lineproduction firms were not in a position to realize
the gains incident to reduction in number of styles,
types, and sizes of shirts that were effected by most
firms in the industry.
Footwear Manufacture:
Man-Hours per Pair, 1939-45
Shirts
Average Requirements in 1945
In 1947, average factory man-hours expended
per dozen shirts in establishments using the bundle,
progressive bundle, and combination systems in
the sewing department, were virtually identical;
all were grouped closely around the level of 6.0
man-hours per dozen. Plants using the straightline production system reported lower man-hour
levels, averaging 5.21 per dozen. This differential
was due chiefly to the fact that all establishments
operating on the line system manufactured a
relatively standardized range of shirts within the
medium- or low-price classifications. Firms using
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
An average of three-fourths man-hour was ex
pended per pair of shoes manufactured in 1945,
based on a summarization of reports from 166
representative shoe factories. Men’s dress and
work shoes combined required an average of 0.93
man-hour per pair. The level for dress shoes
(1.06 man-hours per pair) was practically double
that for work shoes. (See table 1.) The com
posite man-hour average for all types of women’s
shoes (0.90 per pair) was approximately the same
as that for men’s dress and work shoes combined,
while the average for youths’ and boys’ shoes
(0.76 per pair) was somewhat lower. As would be
expected, the average man-hours per pair for
misses’, children’s, and infants’ shoes and for
house slippers was well below the averages for
the other types; house slippers required less than
one-fourth of the man-hours required per pair
for men’s dress shoes.
A direct relationship exists between the level
of man-hours per pair and the price class of shoe,
the highest-price shoes requiring from three to
four times as many man-hours as the lowest
(table 2). The higher-quality shoes are custom
arily manufactured of better materials, which
require more care in handling throughout the
production cycle. More time and skill are also
required in the cutting and matching of leathers
for higher-quality shoes. The higher priced shoes
are characteristically produced in a greater range
of sizes, widths, and designs. This diversifica-
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
MAN-HOUR TRENDS
tion involves shorter runs on identical products
which results in higher average man-hour require
ments per pair.
Shoe manufacture: Average man-hours expended
per pair, selected types of shoes, 1945, by class of shoes
and factory price line
T a ble 2.-
257
pair. The general gains in productivity were ac
complished despite operating difficulties incident
to shortages of labor and materials which were
particularly severe during the war years.
T a ble 3.
Shoe manufacture: Indexes of man-hours expend
ed per pair; all shoes reported
Factory price line 1
Indexes of man-hours (1939=100)
Class of shoes
All
lines
All classes of shoes re
ported_______
M en’s _____
Dress___
Work___
Women’s ..
Youths’ and boys’
M isses’ and children’s ..
Infants’____
House slippers..
Low
Lowmedi
um
Medi
um
Highmedi
um
Type of labor
High
U nit man-hours (direct and
indirect labor)___
Direct m an-hours__
Indirect man-hours..................
0.75
T&T ----1 . 06
.55
.90
.76
.55
.34
.25
- ... .
- ■-
■■
-
0. 79
1.0 1
1.2 1
1.73
.53
.96
1.36
1.80
2.04
.39
.56
.70
.93
.46
0
.14
.32
0
,j,ifnen
^ow,
,$3.25; low-medium, $3.25 and under $4.00; medium,
$4.00 and under $5.25; high-medium, $5.25 and under 7.50; high, $7.50 and over.
«
-$i ' 25: !®.w‘medium, $2.25 and under $3.25; medium,
$3.25 and under $4.25; high-medium, $4.25 and under $6.00; high, $6.00 and
«9 nn w v
d
d
Lo,w ’ under *1-5°: low-medium, $1.50 and under
$2.00, high-medium, $2.00 and under $2.50; high, $2.50 and over.
Infants : low, under $1 .00; high, $1.00 and over,
aiid o! erSlii)PerS' l0W’ Under $TS0; medium, $1.50 and under $2.00; high $2.00
2 N ot shown to avoid disclosure of individual companies.
There are also significant variations in man
hours per pair for individual producers within any
given price class. These differences reflect the
composite influence of a great many conditions
relating to the operations of each establishment,
including the type and diversity of the product
pattern, volume of production, degree of plant
capacity utilization, rates of labor turn-over and
absenteeism, average experience and skill of the
work force, management efficiency, quality of ma
terials, age and condition of machinery, soundness
of factory layout, and effectiveness in scheduling
production.
Trends by Type of Labor
Average factory man-hours expended per pair
in the manufacture of all types of shoes combined
declined approximately 9 percent between 1939
and 1945 (table 3). Except for a slight rise in
1942, the man-hour index decreased each year dur
ing the period, the reductions being attributable
chiefly to the high level of output, the wartime
standardization of styles and types of shoes, and
the elimination of many fancy types which re
quired a relatively high number of man-hours per
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1941
1942
1943
1944
98.5
98.1
104.0
95.0
94.9
96.0
96.0
95.5
103.1
94.2
93.1
109.9
92.2
90.7
113.4
1945
91.2
89.3
118.3
0
**y®rager/ 5 cto!'y Price in 1945 was used to classify establishments by
= v i r0U* - The classifications for the different types of shoes were as
802564— 48----- 3
1940
The index for direct operating labor, which con
stituted over 90 percent of the man-hours ex
pended, declined somewhat more than the index
for total factory man-hours, particularly during
the years following 1942 (table 3); by 1945, the
level was 11 percent below the 1939 base. In
contrast, the index for indirect (or overhead) labor
rose over 18 percent during the same period, the
steady increase being interrupted only in 1941.
This indirect-labor increase was characteristic of
many other manufacturing industries during the
war years 1942 to 1945, and in some industries
extended into the reconversion period as well.
Trends by Type of Shoe
While man-hours expended per pair for shoes
of all types declined generally during the years
studied, substantial variations in detail occurred
in the trends for individual types. The most
substantial and consistent reductions took place
in establishments producing women’s shoes; the
indexes for high-medium-price and high-price
shoes declined somewhat less than those for the
lower-price classes (table 4). Indexes for the
various classes of juvenile shoes were generally
downward, but the changes were considerably more
erratic than for women’s shoes. The index for
men’s shoes declined somewhat during the years
1940 to 1943, but rose thereafter almost to the
1939 level. Trends in total factory man-hours
for men’s, dress shoes in the several price classes
varied only slightly. In contrast to the trend
for most other types of shoes, the man-hour index
for men’s work shoes rose during the years 1941
to 1944. The principal cause cited for this vari
ance in trends was the fact that men’s work shoes,
always a relatively standardized type, received
MAN-HOUR TRENDS
258
little or no benefit from the simplified wartime
styling applied to most other types.
T able 4. —Shoe
manufacture: Indexes of total (direct and
indirect) man-hours expended, by class and factory price
line 1
Indexes of total man-hours (1939 = 100)
Class and price line of shoe
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
All class and price lines----------------- 98.5
95.1
96.0
94.2
92.2
91.2
96.3 97.5
93.8 95.0
94.7 93.4
95 4 100.3
95.6 98.8
91.0 91.1
98.8
96.8
96.8
97.2
ATen’s shoes
______________
Dress shoes. ________________
Low priced______ ______
Low medium priced.............
Medium priced ________
High medium priced.
___
High priced 2
M en’s work shoes __________
Women’s shoes
______________
Low priced
______________
Low medium priced__________
ATedium priced
______ _
High medium priced ________
High priced ________________
Vnnths’ and bovs’ s h o e s _________
ATisses’ and children’s shoes_______
Low priced ________________
High priced _ ____ __________
Infants’ shoes ___________________
____________ House slippers _
101.8
101.9
101.3
98.4
100.6
106.5
101.5
94.2
94.4
92.5
92.8
99.6
93.6
103.8
100.7
103.5
95.9
92.8
(2)
98.4
97.7
98.6
96.8
100.4
95.8 96.1
98. 4 96.4
95.5 93.8
100.6
110.0
86.1
101.8
107.4 108.6
90.5 91.5 88.5
92.2 97.1 96.3 89.3
84. 2 82.9
87.8
88.7 82.4 84.0
93.8 93.5 89. 7 87.6
92.7 91.9 87.7 88.3
92.2 94.8 96.6 98.8
104. 5 98.0
104.7 95.8
99.0 100.9 104.3
99.5 95.8 103.0 99.0
(’) 118.3 116.4 101.7
88.1
86.6
100.8 102.1
101.8 102.8
101.8
1945
101.8
93.6
108.6
84.7
85.3
81.4
83.5
88.6
89.4
97.0
94.3
92.3
97.8
99.7
91.9
1 Average factory price in 1945 was used to classify establishments by price
•oups.
.
2N ot shown to avoid disclosure of individual companies.
Trends by Area and Plant Size
Analyses were made of man-hour trends in
the manufacture of various types of shoes, by
geographic area, size of plant, and method of
shoe construction. On the basis of geographic
area, it appeared that the major strides in reducing
man-hours per pair during the 1939-45 period
were made by New England establishments,
which reported favorable trends in production of
all types of shoes. Seasonal fluctuations charac
teristic of prewar operations in New England
establishments had been smoothed out to a
constant rate relatively close to capacity opera
tions. In addition, New England factories ap
parently had not operated as near to capacity
levels in 1939 as had firms in some of the other
areas; also, they had engaged in production to
customer specifications to a large degree. Conse
quently, wartime standardization and simplifi
cation, together with higher production levels,
contributed more substantially to reductions in
factory man-hour requirements in New England
than in other areas.
The indexes of man-hour requirements for var
ious sizes of factories varied considerably accord
ing to product. In manufacture of men’s shoes,
the large plants reported less favorable trends
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
than the small and medium-sized plants, but in
women’s and juvenile shoes the large facilities
made the greatest progress in reducing man-hours
per pair. One explanation cited was the fact that
large factories manufacturing women’s shoes,
which generally had a greater variety of styles in
prewar years, had more to gain in reduction of
man-hours per pair, from the wartime curtailment
of styles and patterns.
The most significant variation in trends in man
hour requirements by type of shoe construction
was found to exist between groups of producers of
women’s shoes. Firms using the cemented type of
construction, in which soles are attached to uppers
primarily by the use of some form of adhesive,
reported the greatest declines in man-hours ex
pended per pair. This was principally because
shoes of this type of construction had followed
style changes more closely than those of other
constructions; consequently the firms making
them benefited to a greater extent when style
simplification orders were issued during the war.
The least favorable man-hour levels were reported
by firms using the stitchdown method. This was
apparently due chiefly to the fact that this type of
production is concentrated mainly in the stand
ardized low-price-shoe area, and as a consequence
producers using this system were not in a position
to realize substantial benefit from any reduction
in styles and types manufactured.
Fertilizer Manufacture:
Man-Hours Per Ton, 1939-46
Average Requirements in 1946
The 82 fertilizer plants participating in the
Bureau’s study averaged 3.04 man-hours per ton
of mixed fertilizer, and 1.04 man-hours per ton of
superphosphate, produced in 1946. Direct pro
duction labor accounted for about four-fifths of
the total factory man-hours expended and indirect
labor for a fifth. During the years 1939 to 1946,
the proportion of indirect to total factory man
hours declined.
Plants in different size classes reported signifi
cant differences in man-hours expended per ton.
In 1946, man-hours required per ton in mixedfertilizer plants producing less than 11,000 tons a
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
259
MAN-HOUR TRENDS
year averaged 4.11 man-hours per ton, in firms
producing between 11,000 and 35,000 tons, 3.22
man-hours, and in those producing over 35,000
^ tons of mixed fertilizer, averaged 2.81 man-hours.
In superphosphate production, establishments
producing between 11,000 and 35,000 tons in 1946
averaged 1.02 man-hours per ton, while the group
of larger plants (over 35,000 tons in 1946) averaged
slightly higher—1.06 man-hours per ton. How► ever, the trends from 1939 to 1946 for these two
groups of producers were quite different. Labor
requirements declined about 15 percent during
the period in the smaller establishments, but in
creased 11 percent in the larger plants. It is
evident, therefore, that in 1939, man-hours per
*- ton were substantially higher in the smaller plants
than in the larger.
in man-hours per ton from 1943 to 1944 was
traceable chiefly to a leveling off in production,
the addition of a limited amount of new equip
ment, and a somewhat more experienced labor
force. The large increase in production from
1944 to 1945, together wdth greatly increased
labor turn-over and a shortage of men capable of
heavy labor, resulted in a rise in man-hour require
ments. It was reported that in 1945 most manu
facturers of fertilizer were forced to use emergency
sources for labor, including prisoners of war,
workers imported from Mexico and the West
Indies, and transients from rural areas in the
Southeast.
T a ble 5. —Fertilizer
manufacture: Indexes of man-hours
expended per ton, by type of fertilizer 1
Indexes of man-hours (1939=100)
Trends by Type of Labor
*
Man-hours expended per ton in manufacture
of all types of fertilizer covered by the study
(including mixed fertilizer, superphosphate, con
centrated superphosphate, and processed tank
age) declined almost 8 percent from 1939 to 1946
(table 5). Between 1939 and 1942, the index of
the average number of man-hours per ton dipped
about 3 percent (in 1940) and then rose again
almost to the 1939 level. This period was charac
terized by expanding production, some technologi
cal improvement, and considerable limitation in
the variety of grades produced. Many firms,
especially the smaller ones, installed labor-saving
machinery and lengthened their season as produc
tion increased. The slight rise in man-hours per
ton from 1940 to 1942 was due primarily to
shortages of labor and materials, as the industry
lost some of its skilled workers and supervisors to
war industries, and was forced to compete with
the munitions industry demand for chemicals, of
which nitrogen was the most important.
The index of man-hours expended per ton rose
over 4 percent from 1942 to 1943, dipped slightly
in 1944, and in 1945 again reached the 1943 high.
The difficulties incident to shortages of labor and
materials first encountered as early as 1941 became
more severe during this period, as production rose
beyond the levels of efficient operation. Ma
chinery and equipment required to handle the
expanding volume were generally not available
in sufficient quantity, and severe shortages devel
oped in storage facilities. The slight decrease
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Type of fertilizer and type of labor
1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946
ALL R E PO R T ED PR ODUCTS:
Total factory labor____________ 97.3 98.7 99.3 103. 6
103. 3 92.4
108. 5 109.3 97.0
Direct labor______ ____ _______ 97.8 101.9 103.9
Indirect (overhead) labor............ 96.0 87.6 85.0 81.4 81.4 85.2 78.0
111.0
Mixed fertilizer:
Total factory labor____________
Direct labor__________________
Superphosphate:
Total factory labor........................
Direct labor__________________
101.8
102.1
102.1
101.5
97.1 9S.8 99.5
91.2
97.3 101.7 103.0 108.7 106.9 107.0 94.4
101.8
107.9 96.9
97.6 97.2 99.0 109.3
98.8 101. 7 106.9 118.4 113.8 117.1 107.3
1
These indexes show the average relationship between man-hours expended
and tons of product for the selected types or fertilizer covered. The trends
are determined by the combined influence of a large number of factors,
including changes in equipment, production methods, management policies,
skill and efficiency of the work force, availability of materials, and others.
See text for description of methods used in compiling the indexes and for
discussion of factors affecting them.
Man-hours per ton include total factory man-hours, as generally classified
by factory accountants, which are charged to the specified products. General
administration, office, engineering, and sales employees are excluded. Direct
and indirect labor man-hours, the sum of which constitutes total man-hours,
are defined in a manner which conforms with general accounting practices
of respondents.
In addition to mixed fertilizer and superphosphate the index for all reported
products includes concentrated superphosphate and processed tankage
which could not be shown separately because trends for individual companies
might be revealed.
In 1946 average man-hour requirements fell
almost 11 percent largely because of adjustment
of industry operations to more normal postwar
conditions, the availability of a greater quantity
of new and improved equipment, and the general
alleviation of extreme shortages of labor.
The index for direct production labor decreased
slightly from 1939 to 1940, and then rose more
sharply than the total man-hours index from 1940
to 1945, with the 1943 peak 11 percent above 1939
(table 5). The decrease from 1945 to 1946 in
direct man-hours was slightly sharper than that
for total factory man-hours per unit, but the
direct man-hour index was still about 5 percent
above that for total factory man-hours.
260
MAN-HOUR TRENDS
The index for indirect or overhead labor de
creased steadily from 1939 to 1944, rose slightly
in 1945, and declined sharply in 1946 to a point
more than a fifth below the 1939 base. The large
increase in production of fertilizer was the most
important cause for this decrease in indirect man
hour requirements; on the other hand, the pro
duction increase caused direct man-hour require
ments per ton to drop and then to rise sharply as
the level of efficient operations was reached and
exceeded. The complete utilization of existing
capacity, a lengthening of the production period,
and shortening of the curing cycle also contributed
to the decrease in indirect man-hours per ton.
Trends by Product and Plant Size
There was a general similarity between the
trends of man-hours expended per ton for mixed
fertilizer and for superphosphate; each experienced
an initial decrease, followed by a rise during the
years 1943 to 1945, to levels higher than in 1939, and
a decline in 1946 to a point below the 1939 base.
However, the index for superphosphate shows a
more accentuated movement in the years 1943
through 1945; both the increases and decreases
were sharper than in the index for mixed fertilizer.
In 1946, the index for superphosphate was about
3 percent below the 1939 level, while that for
mixed fertilizer was 9 percent below 1939.
The more extensive increases in man-hours for
superphosphate production resulted from adverse
conditions which exerted a more marked effect
upon this branch of the industry. There was a
larger increase in demand for superphosphate than
for mixed fertilizer in the peak periods in 1943 and
1945. Producers indicated that the expansion in
production was effected in practically all cases
by lengthening hours of work, adding extra shifts,
and employing additional workers on existing
shifts, since specialized equipment needed to
expand capacity was generally not available in
adequate supply during the war period. In
addition, the superphosphate plants, generally
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
large and fully mechanized before the expansion
in production, could not realize the sizable gains
in efficiency achieved by smaller plans in convert
ing from hand to machine processes.
However, as operating conditions became more
normal after the war, man-hours per ton for super
phosphate production declined, the index for 1946
being slightly lower than that for 1939. New
equipment introduced after the war served to
decrease unit man-hour requirements.
The indexes of man-hours expended per ton in
establishments classified by plant size (in terms of
volume of production) indicate that large estab
lishments experienced less favorable trends than
did the smaller plants. This was particularly
evident among producers of superphosphate;
plants producing over 35,000 tons per year reported
substantial increases in man-hours per ton, the
index reaching a peak of 126 in 1943; in sharp
contrast, smaller establishments reported man
hour requirements below 1939 levels in all sub
sequent years. It should be noted, however,
that in the prewar years the larger plants were
generally more highly mechanized and had lower
average man-hour requirements than smaller
plants; therefore, most of the large plants were not
able to effect by technological improvements any
significant reduction in man-hours requirements
per ton. In the smaller plants on the other hand,
a considerable volume of new machinery and
equipment was introduced, and extensive im
provements in plant lay-out and production
techniques were effected, as volume increased in
the early years of the period studied.
It was also reported that wartime transportation
problems affected the larger plants more severely
than the smaller ones, especially the large facilities
on the Eastern seaboard, where sharp increases in
man-hour requirements for material handling
were caused by conversion from boat to rail trans
portation. Shortage of storage space was indi
cated to be more of a problem in the larger than
in the smaller establishments.
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
INTERNATIONAL LABOR CONFERENCE
Thirty-First Session of International
Labor Conference, 1948
P a ssa g e op a C o n v e n t io n guaranteeing the
right of workers and employers to establish and
join organizations of their own choice, without
interference, was the outstanding accomplishment
of the 31st International Labor Conference,1 held
in San Francisco, June 17 to July 10, 1948. The
adoption of this Convention is noteworthy not
only because of the importance of the fundamental
rights which it is designed to protect, but also
because the subject was considered by the ILO
as a result of a Resolution by the Economic and
Social Council of the United Nations.
Also adopted was a Convention establishing
standards for national employment services and a
Recommendation on methods of operation of such
services. Conventions dealing with night work
of women and of young persons were revised in
order to bring them into line with present in
dustrial practice, and in the case of young persons,
to provide a longer consecutive rest period and a
longer “ barred period” during which young per
sons may not work.
In addition to adopting these Conventions and
Recommendations, the Conference considered a
number of other questions, some of which will be
placed on the agenda of the 1949 Conference.
Among these are international minimum standards
governing vocational guidance, labor clauses in
public contracts, protection of wages, and the
application of the principles of the right to organize
and to bargain collectively.
Resolutions were adopted favoring continued
study of the equal-pay principle by the ILO;
endorsing the United Nations Appeal for Children;
drawing attention to the desirability of extension
of the guaranteed wage; and requesting action by
the Governing Body looking toward eventual
Conference consideration of such matters as
working conditions in the glass industry and in the
transport of passengers and goods by aircraft, the
working and living conditions of nonmanual
workers, the status and employment of domestic
workers, the social-security rights of migrants,
and the “ essential rights” of workers.
1 This was the fifth Conference held in the United States. The other four
took place in Washington, D . C. (1919), New York (1941), Philadelphia
(1944), and Seattle (1946).
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
261
ILO Conventions and Recommendations are
referred to the appropriate national authorities
for action. When ratified by member govern
ments, Conventions become international labor
treaties. Under the revised constitution of the
ILO, which has recently come into effect, stress is
no longer laid solely upon ratification. Now
there is also emphasis upon action by countries
which brings their labor standards into conformity
with those set in ILO Conventions and Recom
mendations, even when they have not ratified the
Convention. The new constitution provides in
creased recognition of the problems of federal
Governments, such as the United States, where
the subject matter of ILO Conventions may be
partly or wholly within the competence of the
governments of their constituent States. Conse
quently, the United States will now refer to the
States such Conventions and Recommendations
as are appropriate for State action.
The ILO is unique among international agencies
in its tripartite character; Governments, employ
ers, and workers are all represented, the latter two
groups in equal numbers. This not only gives a
sense of reality to the Organization’s deliberations
but also makes it an exceptionally valuable forum
for international discussion of social and economic
problems.
The value of the ILO as an international organ
ization was attested by the President of the United
States when, on June 13, he told the Governing
Body: “This Organization can make—and is
making—a greater contribution to peace in the
world than nearly any other organization of its
kind * * * ”
Conference Structure
Currently, the ILO membership is at the highest
level ever attained, with 59 member States.2
Of these, 51 had representatives at the Confer
ence, but not every State had its full quota of
delegates. Altogether, 91 Government delegates,
36 employer delegates, and 40 worker delegates
were accredited; in addition there were 271
accredited advisers.3
2 Ceylon was admitted to membership this year.
2 The United States Delegation to the Conference was composed as follows:
Government delegates: Hon. David A. Morse, Acting Secretary of Labor,
Hon. Elbert D . Thomas, Senator from Utah. G overnment substitute delegate:
Thaeher Winslow, U . S. Department of Labor. Advisers: Aryness Joy Wickens, G. Russell Bauer, Clara M . Beyer, Anna Faye Blackburn, Millard
Cass, Rachel F. Nyswander, Collis Stocking, and Oscar Weigert, of the
262
INTERNATIONAL LABOR CONFERENCE
Loon Jouhaux was seated as the French work
ers’ delegate, over a protest sent to the Con
ference by the French Confederation of Labor
(CGT) which was supported by the workers’
delegates of Czechoslovakia, Italy, and Poland.
The issue was whether or not Mr. Jouhaux repre
sented the French workers. He heads the CGT—•
Force Ouvrière, formed after a split in the CGT
in December 1947. Under the ILO constitution
(art. 3, paragraph 5), Governments are required
to appoint their workers’ delegates “in agreement
with the industrial organizations which are most
representative of * * * work people * * *
in their countries.” France has three labor con
federations which regard themselves as “most rep
resentative” ; there are no official membership stat
istics. The CGT had refused to attend a meeting
called by the French Government to select the
delegate, and did not fill two advisers’ seats which
were allocated to it by that Government. Pro
tests were also made against workers’ delegates
from Argentina, Greece, India, and Peru, but
were rejected by the Conference on the basis of
findings by the Credentials Committee.
Representatives were also present from the
United Nations, the International Monetary
Fund, and the UN Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Organization.
Justin Godart, French Government delegate,
was unanimously elected president of the Confer
ence. Edward Phelan, Director-General of the
ILO, acted as secretary-general. The vice presi
dents of the Conference were Nurullah Sumer,
Turkey, Government group; H. C. Oersted, Den
mark, employers’ group; and Percy Bcngough,
Canada, workers’ group. Group chairmen were
Rodolfo G. Valenzuela, Argentina, for the Govern
ments; Sir John Forbes Watson, United Kingdom,
for the employers; and Léon Jouhaux, president of
the French General Confederation of Labor
(CGT)—Force Ouvrière, for the workers.
The work of the Conference was carried on
through committees handling the following subU . S. Department of Labor; L. Wendell Hayes and Bernard Wiesman, of the
U . S. Department of State; Harry A. Jager, of the Federal Security Agency;
and Charles Sattler of the West Virginia State Department of Labor.
E m p lo y e rs’ delegate: J. David Zellerbach. A dvisers: William B. Barton,
L. E. Ebeling, Carroll French, M. M . Olander, Maitland S. Pennington,
H . M . Hamel, Thomas R. Reid, Charles E. Shaw and James Tanham.
W orkers’ delegate: Frank P. Fenton (died August 9, 1948). Advisers: Dave
Beck, Nelson Cruikshank, C. W. Doyle, H. W. Fraser, C. J. Haggerty, Bert
M . Jewell, George M eany, Seraflno Romualdi, Rose Scheiderman, John F.
Shelley, and E. M . Weston.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
jects: Selection, Credentials, Standing Orders,
Finance, Resolutions, Application of Conventions
and Recommendations, Employment Service Or
ganization and Vocational Guidance, Wages,
Freedom of Association and Industrial Relations,
Night Work of Women, and Night Work of Young
Persons.
Agenda. In addition to the report of the Direc
tor-General of the International Labor Office, the
following major items were on the agenda of the
Conference :
1. Employment service organization, including
(a) the second discussion of the principle of such
organization, looking toward a Convention and
Recommendation, and (b) revision of the 1933
Convention on fee-charging private employment
agencies.
2. Vocational guidance (for first discussion of a
report on principles).
3. Wages, including (a) a general report on the
range of problems which arise in this field, as a
background for subsequent action, (b) fair-wage
clauses in public contracts, and (c) protection of
wages. Topics (a) and (b) were on the agenda
for first discussion, for formulation of a Conven
tion and Recommendation; (c) was under study
by a committee, for formulation of “conclusions”
to be used as a basis for future action.
4. Freedom of association and protection of the
right to organize (for second discussion, and for
adoption of a Convention).
5. Application of the principles of the right to
organized and to bargain collectively, collective
agreements, conciliation and arbitration, and co
operation between public authorities and employ
ers’ and workers’ organizations (for first discus
sion) .
6. Revision of the Conventions on night work of
women and young persons.
7. Privileges and immunities of the Interna
tional Labor Organization (for adoption of a
Convention).
Report of the Director-General
Mr. Phelan’s report as Director-General of the
ILO emphasized the need for pursuing internation
al collaboration wherever and whenever possible.
The Organization’s objectives—better labor condi-
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
INTERNATIONAL LABOR CONFERENCE
tions and higher living standards—know no
political, economic, or ideological divisions.
The necessity for a better economic organization
of Europe was evident before the war, he said. The
Economic Commission for Europe, the European
Recovery Plan, and the machinery established by
the European countries themselves provide means
of meeting this need.
Temporary achievement of “ full employment”
has been attained in many countries, but there
are danger signs such as lack of skilled workers
in all countries and, in some, chronic underemploy
ment which, in the opinion of the Director-General,
can be solved only by a redistribution of the
workers. Food production has lagged, owing to
bad weather and to lack of fertilizers and farm
equipment. Similarly, industrial output has been
hampered by shortages of materials and capital
equipment and, in particular, by the lack of
“ hard” currencies. Inflation continues a major
challenge. Positive means of raising production
are vital to cope with this problem, as is also the
achievement of a proper balance between consump
tion and capital-goods expenditures. Existing
difficulties cannot be solved on the basis of un
coordinated national action.
The European Recovery Program was the
starting point of much of the discussion of the
Director-General’s report. The majority of the
speakers welcomed the plan as a necessary adjunct
to self-help. The delegates of Bulgaria, Czecho
slovakia, and Poland, however, called the program
discriminatory against central and eastern Europe
and contrary to United Nations policy.
The ILO was urged to take a greater interest in
the problems of Asia, central and eastern Europe,
and Latin America.
Other matters touched upon in the discussion
included agricultural problems, unemployment
(particularly in agriculture), the problem of dis
placed persons, and the attainment of the broadest
possible membership in the ILO. Specific reference
was made to the possible return to membership by
Germany and the Soviet Union.4
Action by the Conference
Freedom of Association. Characterized as “ the
most significant Convention ever adopted by the
ILO,” the Convention on Freedom of Association
4 For action on participation by Japan, see p. 266.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
263
and Protection of the Right to Organize guarantees
(a) the right of workers and employers to establish
and join organizations of their own choice without
previous authorization, (b) the right of workers’
and employers’ organizations to draw up their
constitutions and rules, elect their representatives
“ in full freedom,” organize their administration
and activities, and formulate their programs, (c)
the protection of workers’ and employers’ organiza
tions from dissolution or suspension by administra
tive authority, (d) the right to establish and join
federations and confederations and to affiliate with
international organizations of workers and employ
ers, and (e) the protection of free exercise of the
right to organize.
The Conference also adopted a Resolution
requesting the Governing Body to consult the
United Nations with regard to “ what develop
ments to existing international machinery may be
necessary to ensure the safeguarding of freedom of
association.”
The subject matter of the Convention was
referred to the ILO by the Economic and Social
Council in April 1947. At the 30th session in
Geneva in 1947, the Conference adopted a Resolu
tion concerning freedom of association and protec
tion of the right to organize and to bargain collec
tively, and a list of points which might form the
basis for an international Convention on the sub
ject. At this year’s session, further progress was
made.
Additional consideration will be given the ques
tion at the 1949 Conference, which will discuss the
application of the principles of the right to organize
and to bargain collectively, and also industrial
relations, including collective agreements, concilia
tion and arbitration, and cooperation between
public authorities and employers’ and workers’
organizations.
When ratified by member States, the Conven
tion on Freedom of Association and Protection of
the Right to Organize will go far toward guaran
teeing the rights of employer and worker organiza
tions freely to organize and pursue their programs.
In those countries in which such rights are not
fully enjoyed, ratification will bring additional
rights; and in those where such rights already
exist, it will provide a basis of international pro
tection against future deprivation. These are note
worthy and far-reaching achievements.
264
INTERNATIONAL LABOR CONFERENCE
The Conference adopted a
Convention providing for the establishment of a
free public employment service in ratifying
countries. Countries which adopt this Conven
tion pledge themselves to establish a national
system, under the direction of a national author
ity, acting with the advice of a committee on
which “representatives of employers and workers
shall be appointed in equal numbers.” In addition
to specialization by occupations and industries, the
Convention provides that the employment service
shall provide facilities for the placement of
disabled persons and juveniles. Use of the
facilities by the workers and employers is to be on
a voluntary basis. Direction of the service is to be
by qualified officials who are “independent of
changes of government and of improper external
influences.”
The Convention provides that the competent
authorities in each country are to “take the neces
sary measures to secure effective cooperation
between the public employment service and
private employment agencies not conducted with a
view to profit.”
The employment service Convention was sup
plemented by a Recommendation including a
number of provisions to be applied in each
country “as rapidly as national conditions allow.”
The3r deal with methods of operation, such as
general organization of the service, collection of
emplo37ment-market information of various kinds,
budget provisions, referral of workers, measures to
insure the mobility of labor for obtaining maximum
production, etc. The section on referral of work
ers provides that “the employment service should:
(a) observe strict neutrality in the case of employ
ment available in an establishment where there is a
labor dispute affecting such employment; (b) not
refer workers to employment in respect of which
the wages or conditions of work fall below the
standard defined by law or regulation, collective
agreement or prevailing practice; (c) not, in
referring workers to employment, itself discrimi
nate against applicants on grounds of race, sex or
belief.” United States laws and practices are
such that there should be no difficulty in rati
fying the Convention and applying the Recom
mendation.
Revision of a Convention of 1933, relating to
fee-charging private employment agencies—on
which there was considerable division of opinion—
E m p l o y m e n t S e r v ic e .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
was placed on the agenda of the next session of the
Conference for further consideration.
V o c a tio n a l G u id a n c e .
The committee handling
the subject of vocational guidance agreed that a
set of standards and general principles in relation
to vocational guidance, internationally accepted,
would be useful to guide member countries in their
vocational guidance services. The committee
proposed certain general conclusions as a basis for
a Recommendation, to be discussed and decided
upon at the next session of the Conference; a
resolution that the conclusions of this committee
be placed on the agenda of the next session was
adopted by the Conference.
A Convention on night
work of women was adopted, revising a 1919
Convention which had been amended in 1934.
The Convention prohibits night work of women
in “industrial undertakings” such as mines,
factories, shipbuilding, the generation and trans
mission of electric or other motive power, and con
struction work, leaving the competent authority
in each country to decide what is “industrial” as
distinguished from agricultural, commercial, and
other nonindustrial work. Exempt from the
Convention are (a) women employed in family
enterprises, (b) women holding responsible posi
tions of a managerial or technical character, and
(c) women employed in health and welfare serv
ices who are not ordinarily engaged in manual
work. Night is defined as a period of at least 11
consecutive hours, including an interval of at
least 7 consecutive hours falling between 10 p. m.
and 7 a. m.5 The Convention provides that
different “barred periods” may be prescribed for
different industries, with the proviso that when
such a period is authorized to begin after 11 p. m.
the workers’ and employers’ organizations con
cerned shall be consulted. The provisions of the
Convention may be suspended by a Government,
after consultation with the emplo37ers’ and workers’
organizations concerned, “when in case of serious
emergency the national interest demands it.”
General provision is made to cover countries not
yet having Government regulations on night work
N ig h t W o rk o f W o m e n .
* The hours were previously 10 p. m. to 5 a. m., with the provision that 11
p. m. to 6 a. m. could be substituted after consultation with workers’ and
employers’ groups. The purpose of the revisions was to make more flexible
the term “night” and thus permit the employment of women on the double
day-shift system which is being more and more widely used.
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
INTERNATIONAL LABOR CONFERENCE
of women; and separate modifications apply to
India and Pakistan.
A proposed resolution concerning the night work
of women employed in the transport industry was
referred to the Governing Body for examination
with a view to appropriate action.
Night Work oj Young Persons. Partial revision
was made in the 1919 Convention on the night
work of young people, the purpose being to provide
for a longer consecutive rest period and a longer
“barred period/’ and at the same time allow for
greater flexibility in order to permit the employ
ment of young persons on the double day-shift
system.
As unanimously adopted, the Convention adds
building construction and some types of transpor
tation to the former list of prohibited industries
(mines, factories, and the generation and trans
mission of motive power of any kind). Night is
defined (a) for persons under 16 years of age, as
the interval between 10 p. m. and 6 a. m., and (b)
for those over 16 but under 18 years of age, as an
interval of at least 7 consecutive hours falling
between 10 p. m. and 7 a. m. For the latter, the
competent authority in each country may pre
scribe a different “barred period” in various
industries, but if the period begins after 11 p. m.
the workers’ and employers’ organizations con
cerned must be consulted. Previous industry
exemptions, contained in the 1919 Convention,
were deleted; however, the Convention provides
that young people over 16 but under 18 may be
permitted to do night work, “for purposes of
apprenticeship or vocational training” in certain
industries or occupations, provided they are
granted a rest period of at least 13 consecutive
hours between two working periods. The pro
hibition of night work for persons in category (b)
may be suspended “when in case of serious
emergency the public interest demands it.”
Special provisions were made for India and
Pakistan, to permit them gradually to conform
to the Convention.
In the United States night work of women and
young persons is regulated by the States, and
these two Conventions will be referred to the
States for action.
Wages. Equal pay for equal work was the subject
of a Conference Resolution, inviting the Govern802564— 48------ 4
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
265
ing Body (1) to instruct the International Labor
Office to continue and develop its studies with a
view to facilitating the consideration, by the Con
ference and other bodies of the ILO, of “ themost
effective methods of securing the application in
the case of men and women workers of the principle
of equal remuneration for work of equal value,”
and (2) to place the matter of equal pay on the
Conference agenda at the earliest session possible.
The Conference adopted Committee recommen
dations for international regulations and “ con
clusions” (proposed for embodiment in a Con
vention and Recommendation) on labor clauses
prescribing rates of wages, hours worked, and
holiday and sick-leave provisions in public con
tracts. A Resolution to place this subject on the
agenda of the next session of the Conference was
also adopted.
The “ conclusions” of the Committee on Wages
in regard to a Convention and a Recommenda
tion on the protection of wages were also adopted
by the Conference, and will come up for action at
the next session of the Conference. These covered
such points as the form, time, place, and period
icity of wage payments, allowable deductions
from wages, provisions relating to company stores.
The employers’ group reserved its position as
regards the terms of the proposed Recommen
dation.
A Resolution on guaranteed wage adopted by
the Conference drew attention to the desirability
of extending the application of the principle of the
guaranteed wage, and requested the Governing
Body to make arrangements to have the industry
committees of the ILO study possible methods
of such extension. The Conference decided to
make a general report on wages part of the agenda
of its next session.
Working Conditions. The Conference passed four
Resolutions relating to working conditions. These
asked the Governing Body—
1. To instruct the International Labor Office to
undertake a study of the working conditions in all
branches of the glass industry, as well as a 10-year
review of the relevant Conventions with regard to
any revisions that may be necessary therein.
2. To call, at an early date, a preparatory tech
nical conference on the working conditions of per
sons employed on aircraft engaged in the transport
of passengers or goods.
266
INTERNATIONAL LABOR CONFERENCE
3. To consider the desirability of placing the
subject of the living and working conditions of
nonmanual (salaried and professional) workers on
the agenda of an early session.
4. To consider the advisability of placing on
the agenda of an early session (preferably that of
1950) the “ whole question of the status and em
ployment of domestic workers.’’
O th e r R e s o l u t i o n s .
The Conference endorsed
“ unanimously and wholeheartedly” and asked
public support for the United Nations Appeal
for Children. It also extended to the Supreme
Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan
an invitation to send a tripartite observer delega
tion to the Conference. This invitation was
acknowledged with appreciation by SCAP, but
was received too late to permit participation this
year. SCAP, however, expressed the hope for
participation in future sessions.
A request for priority for a study by the Inter
national Labor Office of the rights of migrants with
respect to social security and a Resolution
enumerating the “ essential rights of the workers”
were referred to the Governing Body.
There was some further discussion of the
tripartite character of the ILO, which has long
been regarded as one of its strongest features.
The principle was called into question by some
Eastern European delegates, who advocated
abolition of employer representation.
Nationalization of industry was recognized to
present problems of procedure for the ILO in
regard to its tripartite organization, particularly
in industry committees where labor, industry, and
government representation has also been in effect.
This applies, for example, to representation of
employers in the Inland Transport Committee,
in view of the fact that railroads are nation
alized in many countries.
Governing Body
At the 105th session of the Governing Body,
held immediately before the International Labor
Conference, David Morse, United States Acting
Secretary of Labor, was elected Director-General
of the ILO, to succeed Edward Phelan, who retired
in August 1948. Mr. Morse thus becomes the
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
fifth director6 of the Organization, and the second
United States citizen to hold this office.
At the same session, the Governing Body decided
unanimously that international nongovernmental
organizations having consultative relations with
the ILO may be invited to attend Governing
Body meetings, as well as meetings of regional
conferences, industrial committees, and advisory
committees appointed by the Governing Body.
After the Conference had begun, the Governing
Body adopted a resolution approving “ in principle
the establishment of consultative relationships
with the International Confederation of Christian
Trade-Unions, and the Inter-American Confed
eration of Workers” (CIT), contingent upon their
providing information required. In December
1947, the Governing Body had taken the same
action with regard to the World Federation of
Trade-Unions (WFTU).
Changes were also made in the composition of
the Governing Body for the next 3 years. The
United States, United Kingdom, France, India,
China, and Canada, being among the eight
States of major industrial importance, retain
their places on the Body. Brazil replaces the
Netherlands; and Belgium remains, pending a
review of the list before the 1949 session of the
Conference.
The 24 additional members selected to make up
the Governing Body are as follows: Government
representatives from Argentina, Australia, Cuba,
Denmark, Italy, Peru, Poland, and Turkey; 7
from the employer group, Pedro Chapa of Mexico,
W. Gemmill of the Union of South Africa, B. C.
Mehta of India, H. C. Oersted of Denmark, Julio
Pons of Uruguay, Pierre Waline of France, Sir
John Forbes Watson of the United Kingdom, and
David Zellerbach of the United States; and from
the worker group, Aftab Ali of Pakistan, Frank P.
Fenton8 of the United States, P. C. Finet of
Belgium, D. B. Ibanez Aguila of Chile, Léon
Jouhaux of France, A. E. Monk of Australia,
Konrad Nordhahl of Norway, and Alfred Roberts
of the United Kingdom.
6 The other four directors, in the order of their service, were Albert Thomas,
Harold Butler, John Winant, and Edward Phelan.
7 Countries having permanent Government members on the Governing
Body are not permitted to vote on the eight additional Government members.
8 Died August 9, 1948.
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
EARNINGS IN TEXTILE MANUFACTURE
Textiles Manufacture:
Earnings in April 1948 1
O ccupational hourly earning s data collected
for April 1948 in the three major textile industries 2
revealed that workers in weaving jobs averaged
up to $1.64 an hour, on a straight-time basis,
among the representative areas covered in the
study. Average earnings of weavers, varying by
area, type of equipment, and sex group, ranged
from 99 cents to $1.47 in cotton textiles, $1.11 to
$1.35 in the rayon and silk industry, and 99 cents
to $1.64 in woolen and worsted textiles manu
facture. Area averages for workers in loom-fixing
jobs, the highest paid workers studied, ranged
from $1.19 to $1.57 an hour in cotton mills, $1.26
to $1.53 in rayon and silk mills, and $1.20 to $1.82
in woolen and worsted mills. Average wage rates
paid to hand truckers ranged from 86 cents to
$1.02 among the cotton areas, 87 cents to $1.10
among the rayon and silk textiles areas, and 85
cents to $1.21 among the areas in which the woolen
and worsted industry was studied.
Each of the textile industries is of sufficient
importance in New England to provide a basis
for an interindustry comparison of occupational
rates in that region. Weavers and loom fixers in
woolen and worsted mills averaged higher hourly
earnings, on a straight-time basis, than in the
other textile industries studied. Although dif
ferences in type of equipment and job require
ments may account in part for the higher earnings
in these jobs, a wage advantage for workers in
the woolen and worsted industry was also indi
cated in jobs more general in character, such as
maintenance machinists and hand truckers. The
range of area rates within the New England region
for hand truckers, for example, was found to be
98 cents to $1.02 an hour in cotton mills, 99 cents
to $1.10 in the rayon and silk industry, and $1.09
to $1.17 in the woolen and worsted industry.
1 Prepared by Tovio P. Kanninen of the Bureau’s Division of Wage Analy
sis. Data for a limited number of occupations were collected by field repre
sentatives under the direction of the Bureau’s regional wage analysts.
Greater detail on wages and wage practices for each textile industry and wage
area presented here is available on request.
2 Cotton, rayon and silk, and woolen and worsted industries. About
200,000 workers, or nearly two-fifths of those employed in the cotton textile
industry were employed in the. 8 areas of the study; approximately 66,000
workers were employed in the 8 selected rayon and silk areas—three-fifths
of this industry’s total; about 118,000 workers, or two-thirds of all employed
in the woolen and worsted industry were reported in the 6 selected areas.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
267
The earnings of about a third of the mill workers',
in each of these industries are determined by their
individual output, paid for on a unit basis. Of
the selected occupations for which average hourly
earnings are presented in this report, weavers and
winders in all industries, spinners in cotton mills
and woolen and worsted mills, and slubber tenders
and spinning-frame doffers in the cotton textile
industry are commonly employed on an incentive
basis.
Comparisons of occupational earnings in April
1948 with those reported in wage studies conducted
in 1946 indicate that about three-fourths of the
area job averages in the cotton textile industry
had increased by 30 percent or more since April—
May 1946; a similar proportion of the rayon and
silk job averages had increased by 30 percent or
more since June-July 1946; and in woolen and
worsted manufacture job averages increased
somewhat less since April 1946.
Cotton Textiles
Straight-time average hourly earnings in the
weaving jobs in cotton textile mills ranged from
$1.17 to $1.47 among 3 New England areas and
from 99 cents to $1.25 among 5 Southern areas
studied in April 1948 (table 1). Men weavers
tending plain automatic looms (the type most
commonly reported in each area) averaged $1.30
an hour in northern New England, $1.24 in the
Fall River-New Bedford area of Massachusetts,
$1.15 in Charlotte, N. C., and northwest Georgia
and $1.08 in east central Alabama. Women em
ployed on similar equipment generally averaged
from 1 to 3 cents an hour less. The lowest and
highest area averages for the loom-fixing jobs
were $1.47 and $1.57 in New England and $1.19
and $1.32 in the South. Men janitors, the lowest
paid workers studied, averaged 97 cents an hour
in each of the 3 New England areas and from 84
to 86 cents among the southern areas.
Differences in wage levels among areas in the
South were greater than in New England, although
in neither region did a single area consistently rank
as the highest- or lowest-paid area on the basis of
job averages. Among 13 mill jobs for which
averages were available in each area studied, the
highest and lowest area averages in New England
differed by 5 cents or less in 11 jobs. In contrast,
the wage spread among the southern areas
MONTHLY LABOR
EARNINGS IN TEXTILE MANUFACTURE
268
40-hour workweek for first-shift plant workers in
April 1948. In contrast to New England, where
only 1 mill reported weekly hours in excess of 45,
a third of the southern mills scheduled a 48-hour
week.
Paid vacation leave was granted to mill and
office employees having a year or more of service
by all the New England establishments and about
90 percent of the southern mills. With few
exceptions, mill workers with a year of service
qualified for a 1-week vacation. Office employees
with the required service were granted a 2-week
vacation by a great majority of the New England
mills; the more common practice in the South
provided a week of vacation leave. Paid holidays,
generally 6 in number, were provided mill and
office workers by all but one of the New England
mills. Few southern mills granted paid holidays
to mill workers, but about two-thirds of the mills
provided from 1 to 6 paid holidays to office
employees.
amounted to 6 cents or more in 10 of these 13 jobs.
Among these 13 mill jobs, the lowest New England
average exceeded the highest area average in the
South by amounts ranging from 4 to 16 cents an
hour.
Earnings in office jobs in the southern
areas, however, were found to be about the same
as those in New England.
All mills operated a second shift, and seveneighths of these reported third-shift operations.
About a third of the mill workers in each area were
employed on the second shift; the third shift
accounted for proportions ranging from less than
a tenth to a fourth of the area work force. Very
few firms paid shift differentials to workers on the
second shift, whereas nearly two-thirds of the
southern mills and all except one of the New
England mills provided extra pay for third-shift
work. In most cases, the differential for thirdshift work amounted to 5 cents an hour in the
South and 7 cents an hour in New England. A
majority of the mills in both regions scheduled a
T a b l e 1.—Average
straight-time hourly earnings 1 for selected occupations in the cotton textile industry, by selected areas,
April 1948
S o u th
N e w E n g la n d
O c c u p a tio n a n d sex
C o n n e c ti
cut and
R hode
I s la n d
F a ll R iv e r N ew B ed
fo rd , M a s s.
N o rth ern
N ew
E n g la n d
C h a r lo tte ,
N . C.
E a s t c e n tr a l
A la b a m a
G r e e n v ille N o r th w est
S p a rta n G e o r g ia
burg, S. C .
S t a te s v ille ,
N . C.
P la n t occupations
M en:
C a r d g r in d e r s __________ ___________________________________
C a r d t e n d e r s . ______________________________ ______________
D o f f e r s , s p i n n i n g f r a m e ________________ ________________
J a n i t o r s _____________________________________________________
L o o m fix e r s , b o x ____ _____________ ______________________
L o o m fix e r s , J a c q u a r d _______ _______________ _____ _______
L o o m fix e r s , o t h e r t h a n J a c q u a r d a n d b o x ____________
M a c h i n i s t s , m a i n t e n a n c e ________________________________
M e c h a n i c s , m a i n t e n a n c e ________________________________
S l a s h e r t e n d e r s ____________________________________________
S l u b b e r t e n d e r s ____ ___________
_ __________ ________
T r u c k e r s , h a n d , i n c l u d i n g b o b b i n b o y s ________________
W e a v e r s , b o x _________ _______________________
W e a v e r s , d o b b y _______________________________
_________
W e a v e r s , J a c q u a r d ________________________________ _______
W e a v e r s , p l a i n a u t o m a t i c ______________ _________ ________
Women:
B a t t e r y h a n d s __________________ ________ ____________ _____
D o f f e r s , s p i n n i n g f r a m e _______ ________ ________ __________
S p i n n e r s , r in g f r a m e _____________________________________
W e a v e r s , b o x . ____________________________________________
W e a v e r s , d o b b y . ______________ ________________________
W e a v e r s , J a c q u a r d ______
______________________________
W e a v e r s , p l a i n a u t o m a t i c ________________________________
W i n d e r s , c o n e , h i g h s p e e d ______________________________
W i n d e r s , c o n e , s l o w s p e e d _______________________________
W i n d e r s , f il li n g , a u t o m a t i c _______________ _______________
Women:
$1.28
1.12
1.22
.97
(2)
(2)
1.47
1.37
(2)
1.31
1.26
1.02
(2)
1.47
(2)
1.29
( 2)
(2)
$1.28
1.10
1.24
.97
(2)
(2)
1.49
1.39
1.26
1.36
1.25
.98
(2)
(2)
(2)
1.24
$1.28
1.07
1.21
.97
1.53
1.57
1.47
1.42
1.34
1.34
1.27
.99
1.17
1.32
1.40
1.30
$1.13
.92
1.00
.85
1.31
1.27
1.27
1.23
1.12
1.13
1.05
.88
1.08
1.17.
1.25
1.15
1.00
1.01
1.17
1.13
1.21
1.18
.88
1.09
.95
1.09
1.20
1.18
1.12
.93
1.06
.95
1.05
1.00
1.06
1.01
.96
1.03
1.03
1.12
1.14
(2)
1.45
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
1.29
1.12
1.11
(2)
1.12
( 2)
1.22
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
1.38
1.27
1.20
$1.21
.95
1.06
.84
(2)
(2)
1.30
1.28
1.19
1.15
1.11
.86
(2)
(2)
(2)
1.08
$1.19
.92
1.04
.86
(2)
(2)
1.25
1.21
1.20
.97
1.08
.88
(2)
1.15
(2)
1.10
$1.23
.94
1.12
.86
(2)
(2)
1.30
1.33
1.21
1.14
1.11
.90
(2)
1.22
(2)
1.15
$1.09
.92
1.01
.84
(2)
1.19
1.32
1.29
1.10
1.12
1.01
.89
(2)
(2)
.99
1.14
.91
.94
(2)
1.00
.91
.91
.94
.90
(2)
( 2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
.99
(2)
(2)
(2)
.96
1.13
.97
1.09
.95
.87
.94
1.08
1.01
1.20
1.04
.95
1.13
1.07
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
1.17
( 2)
(2)
1.16
.97
1.03
( 2)
1.06
1.12
.91
.98
Office occupations
C le r k s , p a y r o l l ______________________________________ _____
C l e r k - t y p i s t . _____ ________ _____ ___________ ___________ _
S t e n o g r a p h e r s , g e n e r a l .......................... .............................................
1Excludes premium pay for overtime and night work.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1.10
.99
1.10
1.13
( 2)
1.21
1.14
1.07
1.06
*Insufficient number of workers to justify presentation of an average.
.99
1.02
1.06
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
EARNINGS IN TEXTILE MANUFACTURE
Rayon and Silk Textiles
New England ($1.33), Southern New England
($1.28), Western Virginia ($1.22); nonauto
matic box loom, Allentown-Bethlehem ($1.28),
Scranton-Wilkes-Barre ($1.27); automatic box
loom, Charlotte, N. C. ($1.25), GreensboroBurlington, N. C. ($1.22); and dobby loom,
Greenville, S. C. ($1.24). Women weavers tend
ing similar equipment averaged slightly less in
most of these areas. Average rates paid to
janitors ranged from 84 cents an hour in the
Allentown-Bethlehem area to $1.01 in southern
New England.
Area earnings in the weaving jobs in rayon and
silk mills ranged, in April 1948, from hourly
averages of $1.25 to $1.34 in New England,
$1.19 to $1.35 in Pennsylvania, and from $1.11 to
$1.31 in the South (table 2). The interarea wage
spread was found to be considerably narrowed
when measured by the most common type of weav
ing equipment employed in each area. For
example, the largest group of men weavers in each
area averaged: Plain automatic loom, Northern
T a b l e 2.—Average straight-time hourly earnings1 for
selected occupations in the rayon and silk textile industry, by selected area,
April 1948
New England
Occupation and sex
269
Northern
N ew Eng
land
South
Middle Atlantic
Southern Allentown- ScrantonNew Eng Bethlehem, Wilkesland
Pa.
Barre, Pa.
Charlotte,
N . C.
Greenville,
S. C.
Greensboro-Buriington,
N . C.
Western
Virginia
P la n t occupations
Men:
Janitors_________________________________________
Loom fixers, box_______________________________
Loom fixers, plain. _ ________________ ___________
Machinists, maintenance_________________________
Mechanics, maintenance___ ___________________
Slasher tenders__________________________________
Truckers, hand, general___________ _____________
Weavers, box, automatic_________________________
_____________
Weavers, box, nonautomatic____
Weavers, dobby _ . . . ___________________ ____ _
Weavers, plain, automatic________________________
Women:
Inspectors, cloth, machine________________________
Spinners, 5 -B _________________________________ .
Weavers, box, nonautomatic______________________
Weavers, dobby____ _ __________________________
Weavers, plain, automatic________________________
Winders, cone, high speed________________________
Winders, filling, automatic_______________________
Winders, filling, nonautomatic______ _______ _____ _
$0.98
(2)
1.50
(2)
1. 36
1. 45
.99
O)
(2)
1.33
1. 33
1.02
0)
(2)
(2)
1.31
1. 34
1.10
1.19
$1.01
1. 53
1.50
1. 45
1. 40
1.43
1.10
1.33
1. 27
1. 28
1. 28
$0. 84
1.47
(2)
1. 39
1.14
1.03
.89
1.35
1.28
1.29
«
$0. 92
1. 45
1.49
1.43
1.19
1. 31
.89
(2)
1.27
(2)
1. 34
$0. 85
1.43
1.37
1.28
1.11
1.09
.88
1.25
(2)
1.20
1.19
$0. 86
(2)
(2)
1.23
1.15
1.15
.91
(2)
(2)
1.24
(2)
$0. 86
1.44
1.45
(2)
1.19
1.20
.91
1.22
(J)
(2)
1.25
$0. 85
1.26
1.49
1.30
1.23
1.20
.87
(2)
0)
1.12
1.22
1.04
1.07
1. 25
1. 34
1. 25
1. 13
1.05
1.09
.93
.89
1. 27
1.21
.96
.95
1.24
.94
.92
1.03
.96
(2)
(2)
(2)
.95
(2)
1.03
.97
.91
.99
.96
.92
1.04
1.00
(2)
1.24
(2)
1.02
(2)
1.04
.98
.96
1.03
1.04
.97
1.23
.97
.89
1.02
(2)
(2)
(2)
.91
(2)
1.19
.92
.91
1. 02
(2)
(2)
1.16
m
(J)
1.11
1.31
1.07
1.01
.99
Office occupations
Women:
Clerks, pay roll__________________________________
Clerk-typists___________ ___________ ____ ________
Stenographers, general___________________________
1.05
(2)
1.00
1 E x c l u d e s p r e m i u m p a y fo r o v e r t i m e a n d n i g h t w o r k .
With few exceptions, job averages in New Eng
land were the highest among the 8 areas studied.
Levels of earnings in the southern areas, especially
among women’s mill and office jobs, were about the
same as those in Pennsylvania. Women filling
winders who tended nonautomatic equipment,
for example, averaged 91 cents and $1.02 an hour
in the Allentown-Bethlehem and Scran ton-Wilkes
Barre areas respectively, and from 92 cents to
$1.04 among the areas of the South.
Second shifts were reported by all mills, and
third-shift operation was found in more than
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1. 07
.97
1.19
(2)
.88
.99
1.00
.94
1.03
.96
.91
1.04
2 I n s u f fic ie n t n u m b e r o f w o r k e r s to j u s t i f y p r e s e n ta t io n o f a n a v e r a g e .
three-fourths of them in April 1948. About 30
percent of the mill workers in each area were on
the second shift. The pioportion of the work
force employed on the third shift ranged from 5
percent, in the Allentown-Bethlehem area, to
27 percent in the Greenville, S. C., area. With
the exception of the Allentown-Bethlehem area,
very few mills paid a differential for second-shift
work. All mills operating a third shift paid differ
entials, with 5 cents an hour additional payment
most commonly provided in the South, 7 cents in
the New England areas, and 10 cents in the Penn-
MONTHLY LABOR
EARNINGS IN TEXTILE MANUFACTURE
270
sylvania areas. A 48-hour workweek was sched
uled by a majority of the southern mills. Most of
the hi ew England and Pennsylvania mills reported
a 40-hour week.
Paid vacations were granted to employees with
a year of service by nearly all the mills studied.
With few exceptions, eligible mill workers received
1 week of paid vacation leave in each of the 8 areas.
Although a similar policy applied to office em
ployees in most of the mills, over 40 percent of the
establishments provided 2 weeks of leave. The
more libeial leave provisions were less common in
Pennsylvania than in New England and the South.
Paid holidays were granted to office workers in
nearly all mills. A policy of paying mill workers
for holidays was reported by all (7) of the northern
New England mills, 27 of 33 southern New Eng
land mills, 14 of 20 mills in the Allen to wnBethlehem area, and 8 of 23 establishments studied
in the Scranton-Wilkes Barre area. Few South
ern mills reported paid holidays for mill workers.
T a ble 3. —Average
Mill and office workers in northern mills were gen
erally paid for 5 or more holidays, whereas in
southern mills payment was more commonly
limited to 3 or 4 holidays.
Woolen and Worsted Textiles
Average hourly earnings of men weavers on
worsted fabrics ranged from $1.49 to $1.64 amoug
3 New England areas in April 1948. Earnings in
the same job group were recorded as $1.61 in
Paterson, N. J., $1.43 in Philadelphia, and $1.20
in the Virginia-North Caiolina area (table 3).
Women weavers on worsted fabrics averaged from
2 to 13 cents an hour less. Earnings in woolen
weaving jobs were found to be below worsted
weaving wages in Rhode Island, Philadelphia,
and the Virginia-North Carolina area; woolen
weavers in the Lawrence, Mass, and northern
New England areas, however, earned more than
worsted weavers. Earnings in the loom-fixing
straight-time hourly earnings 1for selected occupations in the woolen and worsted textile industry, by selected
areas, April 1948
Occupation and sex
Lawrence,
Mass.
Northern
New
England
South
M iddle Atlantic
N ew England
Rhode
Island
Paterson,
N . J.
Philadel
phia, Pa.
VirginiaNorth
Carolina
Plant occupations
Men:
tprulprs, wrtolert system
-______________
Dyeing-machine. tenders, cloth, woo Ion
_____________________
Dyeing-machine tenders, cloth, worsted__________________________________
Fuller tenders, woolen
_ ___________________________________________
T,nnm fixers other than JacQiiard, w o o le n ________________________________
J,nnm fixers other than Jacquard, worsted
____________________________
Machinists maintenance
______________________
Mechanics, maintenance________________________________________________
Spinners mule, woolen system
__ _ _____________________
Truckers hand
_ ___________________________________________
Weavers other than Jacquard, woolen
_ ___ ____________ __________
Weavers other than Jacquard, worsted
__ ___________________________
Women:
Do fiers frame, Bradford system _ ______________________________________
Spinners frame, Bradford system .
Spinner5 frame, woolen system ________________________________________
Weavers other than Jacquard, woolen____________________________________
Weavers other than Jacquard, worsted___________________________________
Winders cone, high speed__ ____________________________________________
Winders cone, slow speed
_ ______________________________________
Winders filling, automatic
_ _____________________________________
Winders, filling, nonautomatie
__ _ ________________________
Office occupations
Women:
PlprkSj pay roll
..
___ _ ___________________________________
Clerk-typists ________________________________________________________
Stenographers, general
_______ _____________________________________
i E x c l u d e s p r e m i u m p a y fo r o v e r t i m e a n d n i g h t w o r k .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$1.17
1.17
1. 21
1.23
1.71
1.82
1.52
(2)
1.66
1.17
1.63
1.59
$1.08
1.12
1.21
1. 12
1.60
1.61
1.46
1.35
1.53
1.09
1.49
1.49
$1.31
1.28
1.27
1.21
1.62
1.76
1.51
1.46
1.54
1.14
1.45
1.64
0
0$1.31
0 1.79
0
0
0 1.60
1.84
1. 56
1.57
0
1.21
0 1.61
1.63
1.43
1.29
0 1.01
0 1.43
1.13
1.20
(2)
1.07
1.18
1.22
0
0 1.21
0
0
0
0 1.55
0 1.20
0
1.20
0
1.07
1.13
1.17
1.41
1.36
1. 14
1.12
1.16
1.14
1.12
1.29
1.18
0 1.18
0
1.35
1.02
1.02
1.03
.99
0
0
0
1.09
.99
1.04
1.11
1.02
1.26
0
0
0
1.16
1.02
1.16
0 1.57
1.24
1.30
$1.08
0
$0.93
.90
1.11
1.04
.85
1.11
1.20
.91
.98
2 I n s u f f i c i e n t n u m b e r o f w o r k e r s t o j u s t i f y p r e s e n t a t io n o f a n a v e r a g e .
.98
1.20
1.33
0
0
0
.90
.95
.96
.99
.87
.85
1.11
.90
1.22
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
TEN YEARS OPERATIONS UNDER FLSA
jobs ranged from $1.60 to $1.84 an hour among
the northern areas and from $1.20 to $1.33 in the
Virginia-N orth Carolina area. Within individual
areas, loom fixers on worsted equipment averaged
from 1 to 14 cents an hour more than the average
for those working on looms used in woolen weaving.
With some exceptions, mill job averages in the
Paterson area were the highest among the 6 areas.
Workers generally earned less in northern New
England than in the Lawrence and Rhode Island
areas. Job averages in Philadelphia, except in
the loom-fixing jobs and office work, were the
lowest among the 5 northern areas studied. Mill
workers in the Virginia-N orth Carolina mill group
averaged from 1 to 49 cents an hour less than the
lowest northern area average among men’s jobs,
and from 1 to 21 cents an hour less than the lowest
average in the North, in the case of women’s jobs,
however, earnings in office jobs in the area were
about the same as in the northern areas.
Extra-shift operations were less common in
woolen and worsted mills than in the cotton or
rayon and silk industries. Second and third
shifts were reported by four-fifths and one-half
of the woolen and worsted mills, respectively, in
April 1948. The proportion of workers employed
on second shifts ranged from a fifth in Philadelphia
to about a third in Paterson, N. J. With the ex
ception of the Virginia-North Carolina area, less
than a sixth of the work force in each area was
employed on the third shift. Second-shift differ
entials, typically 4 cents an hour, were paid by
four-fifths of the firms operating this shift. Extra
pay for third-shift work, in most cases 7 cents an
hour, was reported by nine-tenths of the mills
operating a late-night shift. Nearly 90 percent
of the mills scheduled a 40-hour workweek in
April 1948.
Employees received vacations with pay in
nearly all establishments studied. Mill workers
with a year of service were generally limited to a
1-week vacation, whereas office employees in
most of the New England mills and a third or more
of the mills in the other areas received 2 weeks’
vacation leave. Six or more paid holidays were
granted to mill and office employees in most of the
mills in the New England and Paterson areas;
similar practice was reported by a smaller pro
portion of the mills in the Philadelphia and Vir
ginia-North Carolina areas.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
271
Ten Years Operations under
Fair Labor Standards Act1
I n O c to ber 1948 the Fair Labor Standards Act
will have been in effect for 10 years. This act,
passed by Congress in 1938, became the first
Federal legislation on the subject of minimum
wages, overtime pay, and child labor in private
employment, which has been sustained by the
United States Supreme Court.
During the decade in which the act has been
administered, its provisions have been generally
accepted by employers, employees, and the public;
and with few exceptions, major problems of general
interpretation have largely been decided. In par
ticular, the law’s basic principles have come to be
regarded as the special bulwark of the Nation’s
lowest-paid, unorganized workers. Its benefits
extend beyond them, however, to include almost
22 million workers who are assured a floor to
wages. Of these, 20 million are also assured over
time pay for excessive hours. To understand why
only these persons, out of the entire labor force,
receive the act’s protection, it is necessary to know
the principles on which coverage is based.
The minimum wage and overtime provisions of
the Fair Labor Standards Act apply to employees
engaged in interstate commerce or in the produc
tion of goods for interstate commerce, including
occupations necessary to such production. Cer
tain employees so engaged are, however, speci
fically exempted from these requirements. The
child-labor provisions apply to all producers,
manufacturers, and dealers who ship goods or
deliver goods for shipment in interstate commerce.
Early Achievement of 40-Cent Minimum
The present standards for minimum wages and
for hours after which overtime must be paid are
higher than those in effect in the earlier years of
the act’s operation. In order to allow time for
gradual adjustment to the new and untried legis
lation, Congress provided that the minimum
hourly wage rate set by section 6 should be 25
cents during the first year after October 24, 1938—
the act’s effective date— and 30 cents for the next
1 B y Dorothea Tuney of the Wage and Hour and Public Contracts D ivi
sions, Information and Compliance Branch, U. S. Department of Labor.
272
TEN YEARS OPERATIONS UNDER FLSA
6 years (or until October 24, 1945), when a 40-cent
rate was to become applicable. Likewise, the
maximum number of hours after which pay at not
less than one and one-half times the employee’s
regular rate became obligatory was shortened
from 44 hours in the first year to 42 in the second
year of operation, after which a 40-hour limitation
applied.
Under this legislation the minimum hourly wage
rate was to be increased up to 40 cents as rapidly
as possible in those industries where it was
economically feasible, by means of wage orders
issued by the Administrator on the basis of indus
try-committee recommendations. This industrycommittee program resulted in attainment of the
40-cent hourly wage rate for all workers entitled
to the benefits of the minimum-wage provisions
some 15 months before it would have become
mandatory under section 6.
Composed of an equal number of representatives
of employers and employees in the industry, and
of the public, the committees were appointed for
each industry, or group of industries, engaged in
interstate commerce or in the production of goods
for interstate commerce. They were authorized
to recommend the highest rate up to the 40-cent
limit which would not substantially curtail em
ployment in the industry, giving due regard to
economic and competitive conditions.
Under this program, 70 industry committees
met and made 113 recommendations, including
rates for subdivisions of industries and subsequent
rates in the same industry. All recommendations
were for raising the applicable rate, and only 6
were disapproved by the Administrator. The
willingness of employers to recognize the need for
increases is shown by the fact that in 83 percent of
the cases a majority of the employer members
concurred in the recommended rate.
About 2,700,000 individual pay raises resulted
from the wage order minima, and approximately
950,000 individual pay raises resulted from the
statutory minima of 25 and 30 cents. All told,
the benefits from these raises accrued to approxi
mately 1,700,000 vorkers, some of whom received
increases more than once.
None of the figures shown above includes
statistics for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The Administrator has issued wage orders for
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
tlnse areas under an amendment to the act which
authorizes him to set minimum hourly wage rates
lower than the statutory minima for the continen
tal United States, based on the recommendations
of special industry committees.
Enforcement Activities
In 1942, the Wage and Hour Division’s activi
ties were merged with those of the Public Con
tracts Division, which had been created to ad
minister the Walsh-Healy Public Contracts Act
of 1936. Provisions of this law include overtime
pay requirements, restrictions on child labor,
requirements for safe and sanitary working con
ditions, and an authorization for the Secretary of
Labor to issue industry minimum-wage deter
minations. The act applies to contracts awarded
by Government agencies for the manufacture or
furnishing of materials, articles, supplies, or
equipment in any amount exceeding $10,000.
The combination of these two Divisions of the
United States Department of Labor resulted in
economy of administration and the elimination of
the burden of duplicate inspections of industry.
Although the Divisions’ administration of the
acts has taken place largely during the abnormal
economy of war and reconversion, some general
conclusions as to how employers have adjusted to
operating under them can be drawn on the basis
of inspection results. Willful violations of the
Fair Labor Standards Act generally, and viola
tions of the minimum-wage provisions particularly,
are much less widespread than during the early
years of administration. A considerable decline
is also evident in the extent of inadvertent viola
tions of the overtime provisions. But in spite of
these gains, a satisfactory degree of compliance
has not yet been obtained. Although there is a
need for constant surveillance in order to assure to
covered workers the act’s benefits, this effort has
been impeded by the constant decline in the Divi
sions’inspection force since 1942. As a result, the rate
of inspections made has fallen below the rate of en
try of new establishments into covered activities.
Since an estimated 550,000 establishments, or
1 in 6 of all establishments in the United States,
have some employees covered by the Fair Labor
Standards Act, it has been necessary to plan the
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
TEN TEARS OPERATIONS UNDER FLSA
Divisions’ inspection program carefully so that
only those establishments are inspected in which
there is a high probability of violations occurring.
This selectivity was an important factor in the
finding of violations of the minimum-wage, over
time, and child labor provisions in more than half
the establishments inspected. However, the num
ber of flagrant violators, against whom legal
enforcement proceedings have been necessary, con
stitutes only 1 percent of the inspected establish
ments.
The proportion of closed inspection cases that
involved violations of minimum-wage provisions
has declined from year to year. Nearly one-third
of the inspections of covered establishments made
during the fiscal years 1941 and 1942 disclosed
violations of minimum-wage provisions. In con
trast, only 6 percent of the inspection cases closed
during the fiscal year 1948 disclosed violations of
minimum-wage provisions of either act or of both,
and some of these had been discontinued before
inspection had been made. Although there has
been no decline in the proportion of closed inspec
tion cases involving overtime violations, analysis
of data indicates that the proportion of overtime
hours worked for which proper compensation was
not made has declined considerably since 1941-42.
During the 10 years of enforcement of the Fair
Labor Standards Act and the 6 years in which the
Divisions have also enforced the Walsh-Healey
Act, restitution of almost $112,000,000 in back
wages owed some 3 million employees has been
agreed to or ordered to be paid by more than
150,000 employers. This does not include sums
collected by employees as a result of employee
suits. The restitution figure of $4,256,761 in
the fiscal year 1948 represents a substantial
decline from such amounts during the war years,
the peak of which was $20,920,956 in 1942. The
figures are not strictly comparable from year to
year because of the 2-year statute of limitations
provided for in the Portal-to-Portal Act of 1947,
and also because of the increasing difficulty in
obtaining voluntary agreement to pay restitution.
For example, during the fiscal year 1948, employers
agreed to make restitution of only 40 percent of
the total amount of back wages, as compared
with 62 percent during the fiscal year 1946 and
even greater percentages in earlier years.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
273
Child-labor inspections during the 10-year
period resulted in findings that over 16,000 of the
inspected establishments employed approximately
60,000 children in “oppressive child labor,” con
trary to the child labor provisions of the Fair
Labor Standards Act. Of the minors illegally
employed, four-fifths were under 16 years of age,
the minimum age for general employment, and
one-fifth were 16 or 17 years of age working in
occupations which had been declared hazardous
for workers under 18 years of age.
Coverage of Wage-and-Hour Provisions
The applicability of the minimum wage and
overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards
Act is determined on the basis of whether the
employee, as an individual, is engaged in interstate
commerce or in the production of goods for inter
state commerce. The applicability of exemp
tions, too, is in most instances determined on the
basis of whether or not an employee, as an individiial, meets all the qualifications required by
the particular exemption in question. The terms
“commerce” and “production of goods for com
merce” are broadly defined in the act and have
been construed broadly by the courts, whereas
exemptions have been construed narrowly.
Employees who are “engaged in commerce”
include workers in industries which serve as the
actual instrumentalities and channels of interstate
commerce, such as the telephone, telegraph, radio,
and transportation industries. In addition, cover
age extends to employees who directly facilitate,
aid, and contribute to interstate transportation,
transmission, and communication, and to those
whose work is an essential part of the stream of
interstate commerce.
Employees who are engaged in the “production
of goods for commerce” are typically employed in
manufacturing, processing, or distributing plants
whose goods, in whole or in part, move in com
merce out of the State in which the plant is
located. But it is not necessary that the employer
himself ship goods across State lines for coverage
to apply. Nor is coverage limited to workers who
are engaged in physical work on such goods; it
extends to those employees who are engaged in
occupations which are necessary to the production
274
TEN YEARS OPERATIONS UNDER FLSA
of the goods, among whom are such workers as
maintenance and repair men, watchmen, and
office workers.
Effect of Portal-to-Portal Act
Although numerous bills have been introduced
in the Congress to revise the Fair Labor Standards
Act, onty minor amendments had been enacted
until the passage of the Portal-to-Portal Act of
1947. This law, effective May 14, 1947, was
intended to dispose of certain back-wage claims
under the Fair Labor Standards Act for so-called
“portal-to-portal” activities, and to eliminate
“uncertainties as to employer liabilities” under
that act. It does not alter the basic provisions
of the earlier law.
The back-wage claims considered in the Portal
Act arose in numerous employee suits filed follow
ing the decision of the Supreme Court in Anderson
v. Mt. Clemens Pottery Co., in which it was held
that time necessarily spent by employees in walk
ing between time clocks and working places on the
employer’s premises, as well as time spent in makeready activities, constituted compensable work
ing time under the act. The Portal Act sought to
define employer liability for such activities by
providing relief for emplojmrs with regard to cer
tain past claims and by delimiting future liability.
The new act’s statute of limitations establishes a
2-year limit for the collection by employees of back
wages accruing on or after May 14, 1947.
Recommendations of the Administrator
An obvious deficiency in the act today is, of
course, the obsolete minimum wage of 40 cents an
hour. Current economic factors indicate that
an increase of the minimum wage to 75 cents, with
provisions for setting higher rates by industries
through industry committee procedure, is needed.
A decade of experience under the act also reveals
the need for other legislative changes. Among
these, the Administrator believes it desirable to
eliminate the present complete and partial mini
mum wage and overtime exemptions which apply
to the processing and handling of agricultural prod
ucts and fish. A single seasonal type of exemp
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
tion permitting work up to 56 hours a week with
out overtime payment would seem to be sufficient
to meet the congressionally recognized need of
these industries for overtime tolerance during
peak seasonal operations, while affording the
workers needed minimum wage and overtime
protection.
In addition, the Administrator has urged that
seamen, who now are exempt from the minimum
wage and overtime provisions, should receive
minimum wage protection. Another change ad
vocated would relax the act’s rather stringent
provisions regarding standards for agreements
providing for employment on an annual basis;
under such agreements, employers are partially
relieved from overtime payments. The Admin
istrator also believes that certain of the exempted
motor-carrier employees, whose hours of work are
not actually controlled by the Interstate Com
merce Commission under the Motor Carrier Act,
should be afforded overtime protection under the
Fair Labor Standards Act.
Specific legislation also is considered necessary
to define the “regular rate” of pay as used in the
act. At present, lack of a statutory definition
of this term, which is the basis for calculating over
time compensation, has caused some doubts
among employers and employees, particularly
with respect to overtime compensation in certain
cases in which premium payments are made for
work on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays. The
Administrator has submitted to the Congress the
language he deems necessary to clarify this con
cept as a whole.
The Administrator also urges amendment of the
child-labor provisions. At present, the act merely
prohibits shipment or delivery for shipment of
goods in interstate commerce which have been
removed from the producing establishment within
30 days after the employment of children, con
trary to the act’s restrictions. The Administrator
recommends the extension of coverage of the childlabor provisions to establishments which engage
directly in interstate commerce, but which do not
ship goods in commerce, and the outright prohi
bition of the employment of “oppressive child
labor.”
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
STATE MINIMUM-WAGE LEGISLATION
State Minimum-Wage Legislation:
Progress in 1947-481
R ev isio n of S tate minimum - wage orders pro
gressed rapidly in 1947 and the first half of 1948.2
Thirty-five new or revised orders became effective
in 12 States—California, Connecticut, District of
'Columbia,3 Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minne
sota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode
Island, Utah, and Wisconsin. No State enacted
a new minimum-wage law, but four States—
California, Massachusetts, New York, and Ne
vada—amended existing laws to strengthen their
basic provisions. In addition, the Vermont Legis
lature provided for an investigation concerning
the need for a State minimum-wage law for women
and minors.
Amendments to State Laws
Two measures enacted during the period con
cern points of administration on which the legisla
tive intent previously had not been clear. The
California law formerly had expressly required
the calling of a wage board to establish a mini
mum wage for an occupation not previously
covered by wage rates, but did not clearly require
that such a board be called for the revision of
existing rates. The policy of the California
commission in calling wage boards to revise exist
ing orders had therefore varied from time to time,
as successive State attorneys general differed in
interpretation of the law. The 1947 amendment
clarified the issue by expressly requiring the calling
of a wage board for the revision of orders, with
notice and public hearing as prescribed for an
original order. The amendment also raised pay
ment of wage-board members to $15 a day plus
the necessary traveling expenses.4
The Massachusetts amendment also related to
a point on which differing interpretations had
been given by State attorneys general—namely,
whether rates established under the minimumwage law could be enforced for workers in non
profit institutions. The 1948 amendment gives
1 B y Alice Angus and Loretta Sullivan of the Women’s Bureau, U. S.
Department of Labor.
a Tabular analysis of orders will appear in a reprint, which will be available
from the U. S. Women’s Bureau.
s To simplify the summarization of provisions in effect in various juris
dictions, the District of Columbia is counted as a State.
4 California Laws, 1947, Ch. 1188.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
275
legal recognition to the administrative policy of
the Massachusetts commission, which had long
endeavored to enforce coverage for such workers.
It expressly excludes, however, the “work of
persons being rehabilitated or trained under
rehabilitation or training programs in charitable,
educational or religious institutions, or work by
members of religious orders.” 5
New York amended its minimum-wage law in
1947 to eliminate the directory period and to
provide that within 60 days after issuance by the
commissioner, an order shall become mandatory.6
A further amendment, enacted in 1948, requires
the commissioner to file the wage board’s report
and recommended regulations with the secretary
of the department of labor prior to the prescribed
public hearing, and sets a time limit of 30 days
(formerly 10 days) after such hearing, within which
the commissioner must act on the wage board’s
report.7
The Nevada minimum-wage law, which in
cludes maximum-hour provisions, was amended
in 1947 to require two 10-minute rest periods in
the working day, one within each 4-hour work
period. Practically all private employment is
covered, but express exemption is made of the
communications industry.8
The house joint resolution adopted by the
Vermont Legislature in 1947 authorized the com
missioner of industrial relations to investigate
wages paid and hours worked in intrastate busi
ness, to study the need for a minimum-wage law
for such businesses, and to make a report of his
findings and recommendations to the Governor
on or before September 1, 1948.9 This action of
the legislature was of special interest because,
although United States minimum-wage legislation
originated in New England, Vermont remains
the only New England State without a minimumwage law.
Wage Orders
Coverage. Wage orders which became effective
from January 1, 1947, to June 30, 1948, applied,
with few exceptions, to workers in intrastate
service industries—chiefly laundry and dry-clean
ing establishments, restaurants, hotels, retail
* Massachusetts Laws, 1948, ch. 362.
8 N ew York Laws, 1947, ch. 221.
7 New York Laws, 1948, ch. 353.
8 Nevada Laws, 1947, ch. 68.
6 Vermont Laws, 1947, House Joint Res. N o. 27.
276
STATE MINIMUM-WAGE LEGISLATION
stores, and beauty shops. These are generally
low-wage and traditionally large woman-employ
ing industries, which have been the chief concern
of State minimum-wage administrators since the
adoption of the first minimum-wage law by
Massachusetts in 1912. Though the States have
the authority to do so, few issued orders for work
ers in interstate employment in this period,
despite the fact that the Federal 40-cent minimum
is almost universally recognized as being out of
line with present wage levels and living costs.
Even the four States which in the last decade have
extended their laws to men continued to con
centrate their activity on women’s industries, the
only order in these States applying to interstate
industry—the New York confectionery order—
being for an industry in which normally the greater
proportion of production workers are women.
Laundry and dry cleaning minimum-wage
orders were issued in the 18-month period in 6
States—California, Connecticut (2 orders), New
York (2 orders), North Dakota, Oregon, and Utah.
Hotel and restaurant orders were issued in 6
States—California, Massachusetts, New York (2
orders), Oregon, Rhode Island, and Utah (2
orders). In the retail trade or mercantile in
dustry, 5 States issued orders—California, District
of Columbia, Minnesota, Oregon, and Utah. In
beauty culture, 4 States issued orders—California,
Connecticut, District of Columbia, and New
York. Kentucky and Wisconsin revised orders of
general coverage. California revised orders ap
plicable to manufacturing; professional, technical,
clerical, and similar occupations; transportation;
amusement and recreation; after-harvest in
dustries; canning and preserving. Also revised
were the New York confectionery order and the
Wisconsin canning order (the latter is issued each
year on a seasonal basis).
The Massachusetts and the Rhode Island
public housekeeping orders cover occupations for
which no minimum-wage rates were previously in
effect. The Massachusetts order, in addition to
supplanting the previous “restaurant and hotelrestaurant order,” brings under coverage the large
group of hotel and lodging workers not previously
protected. The Rhode Island order which applies
to hotels and other lodging establishments, but
not to eating establishments, gives covered workers
minimum-wage protection for the first time. The
California recreation order added gymnasiums,
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
tennis courts, and carnivals to the list, and the
Utah public housekeeping order added cleaning
activities in building space rented for commercial
purposes.
All the other orders issued in this period
apply to industries and occupations for which
minimum-wage rates were already in effect.
Among them is the Minnesota retail trade order,
which, though newly issued as a separate industry
order, applies to workers who were previously
covered by the “any occupation” order.
Basic Bates. The long-time trend toward estab
lishment of a basic minimum wage on a weekly
basis rather than as a straight-time hourly rate
was continued in the 1947-48 orders. A weekly
minimum is applicable to work within a specified
span of hours or to any employment in the week.
The advantage of this basis is that when weekly
hours of work are decreased through some unfore
seen circumstance other than the worker’s volun
tary absence, the worker earns the basic weekly
amount which the wage board has determined to
be necessary to support her for a week. When,
on the other hand, the minimum rate is set on an
hourly basis, her pay for that week may fall
below a living wage.
Nine wage orders established as basic a
guaranteed weekly wage rather than an hourly
minimum rate. Connecticut provided it for
beauty shops; New York, for laundry, beauty
service, cleaning and dyeing industries; Minne
sota, for retail trade; North Dakota, for laundry,
cleaning and dyeing; Utah, for retail trade; the
District of Columbia, for retail trade and beauty
culture. In New York’s cleaning and dyeing
order the weekly rate supplanted an hourly rate.
In three of these orders the weekly rate was made
applicable to a considerably shorter workweek
than that specified in the previous orders. In the
District of Columbia, under the retail order the
workweek is 36 to 44 hours (previously 40 to 48
hours); and under the beauty culture order the
workweek is 34 to 44 hours (previously 36 to 48
hours). The New York beauty service order sets
a workweek of 40 hours or less (previously 45
hours or less).
With two exceptions, the revised guaranteed
weekly wages range from $22.50 under the
Minnesota retail order to $30.60 under the District
of Columbia beauty culture order, exclusive of any
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
STATE MINIMUM-WAGE LEGISLATION
established overtime rate. The North Dakota
laundry, cleaning and dyeing order sets $18 for
a week of 38 to 48 hours. Under the New York
cleaning and dyeing order, $17.25 is payable for a
week of 24 to 30 hours, and an hourly rate is set
for work after 30 hours.
Rates in the 25 orders that set wages on an
hourly basis usually range from 50 cents—in Ken
tucky, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Rhode Is
land—to 65 cents—in California and Oregon.
Outside the lower limit are the two Utah orders
for restaurant and public housekeeping which set
hourly rates averaging 43 cents and 47 cents
respectively, and the Wisconsin “any occupation”
order which sets 3 geographic differentials rang
ing from a high of 45 cents an hour to a low of 38
cents. In this period, as in 1945 and 1946,10 most
revisions raised basic minimum wages from a
third to a half above the rates in the orders re
placed; a few doubled such rates.
Overtime Rates. The practice of establishing an
overtime rate as an integral part of the minimumwage scale has been gaining ground for a num
ber of years. Women workers have special need
for moderate hours of work with payment for any
overtime required, since many of them carry the
double burden of home and job. Since minimumwage orders in most States apply only to women
and minors, and since in all States they relate
largely to the principal woman-employing indus
tries, it is reasonable to expect that such orders
will increasingly include overtime rates.
All but 5 of the 35 State minimum-wage orders
in the calendar year 1947 and the first half of 1948
provided for overtime rates. Overtime rates
were established in California, by all 10 orders;
in Connecticut, by the laundry, beauty shop,
cleaning and dyeing orders; in the District of
Columbia, for retail trade and beauty culture; in
Kentucky, for “any occupation” ; in Minnesota,
for retail merchandising; in New York, by orders
for the laundry, confectionery, beauty service,
cleaning and dyeing, restaurant, and hotel in
dustries ; in Oregon, for public housekeeping, mer
cantile establishments, laundry, cleaning and dye
ing; in Utah, for retail trade, laundry and clean
ing and dyeing, and public housekeeping; in
Wisconsin for canning.
m See M onthly Labor Keview, June 1947, Progress of State Minimum
Wage Legislation, 1946.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
277
The value of an overtime-pay provision is af
fected by the point in the workweek at which it
becomes applicable and by the amount of the
overtime rate in relation to the basic minimum.
Since all the minimum-wage States limit the
workweek of women, the significance of the hour
at which an overtime rate becomes applicable is
best gauged in relation to the maximum number
of hours which women may legally be employed to
work. In 5 States which set overtime rates—
California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, New
York, Utah—the maximum workweek for women
is 48 hours; in Minnesota and Wisconsin, it is 54
hours; in Kentucky, 60 hours. Oregon, by its
wage orders, has established a 44-hour maximum.
Overtime provisions in the revised orders fall
into two groups in relation to maximum-hour laws:
(1) Orders that provide for overtime to begin at
a point below the maximum number of hours per
mitted; (2) orders in which the overtime rate be
comes applicable at the maximum. The first type
is obviously of greater value since it results either
in increased pay for time within the legal work
week or in reduced hours of work. Overtime that
begins at the State’s standard legal maximum,
however, is of value when the hour law permits
extended employment in emergencies, or when the
wage order applies to an industry not covered by
the maximum-hour law. Connecticut, Kentucky,
Minnesota, New York, Utah, and the District of
Columbia have set overtime rates beginning at a
point below the maximum-hour limit. The point
at which such rates become payable ranges from
12 hours in Kentucky to 3 hours under one New
York order below the legal maximum workweek.
In California, all wage orders set an overtime rate
applicable after 48 hours, the general legal maxi
mum-hour standard. In two orders, however,—
those applying to after-harvest industries and can
ning and preserving—exceptions to the hour law
are allowed for specific periods.
In Oregon, although the minimum-wage orders
limit the workweek to 44 hours, a provision for
overtime after that period becomes applicable in
cases of emergency.
Another factor in the value of the overtime pay
provision is the basis on which such pay is estab
lished. Wage orders that base it on the worker’s
regular rate are of special significance. Two of
Connecticut’s three orders, two of Utah’s four
orders, and the 10 California orders have such a
278
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION
basis. The two Connecticut orders are outstand
ing in that overtime not only is based on the
worker’s regular rate but also is applicable to work
ing hours shorter than the legal maximum work
week.
In half of the orders that provided for an over
time rate, it was established as a specified propor
tion of the minimum rate, usually one and onehalf times the minimum. Kentucky, New York,
and Oregon have followed this practice generally,
Connecticut in one order, and Utah in one order.
In the District of Columbia and in Minnesota the
wage orders made effective in this period estab
lished the overtime rate as a specified money
amount.
Other Minimum-Wage Activity
In addition to the 35 wage orders that became
effective in the 18-month period, two directory
orders were made mandatory. In six jurisdic
tions, additional orders were in various stages of
preparation. Three States—the District of Co
lumbia, Massachusetts, and Washington—which
before the war had attained virtually complete
coverage of the major woman-employing occupa
tions, soon after the war set up long-range pro
grams for revision of all wage orders. Promulga
tion of revised rates began soon after VJ-day and
has gone steadily forward. Massachusetts con
vened a wage board and held a public hearing for
the mercantile industry, and also began work on
orders for amusement and recreation occupations
and cleaning and servicing of buildings. The
District of Columbia conference for manufacturing
and wholesaling occupations had submitted its rec
ommendations and a public hearing was scheduled;
Washington State completed a number of industry
wage surveys and was in process of making final
plans for calling wage boards.
Several other States also worked on revision of
orders to become effective at a later date. As of
June 30, 1948, Arizona had a wage board in session
for the laundry and dry cleaning industry; and
Illinois had held public hearings on wage board
recommendations for the retail trade industry.
In Ohio, a wage board for the hotel and restaurant
industry was convened in the fall of 1947, but
the commissioner subsequently rejected the wage
board’s recommendations and made plans for call
ing a new board.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
Regular annual cost-of-living surveys were
made in New York, by the State department of
labor, and in California, by the Heller Committee
of the State University. Washington State com
pleted its work of pricing a woman’s budget and
prepared a factual cost-of-living report for use in
connection with the current program for revising
all existing wage orders in the State. No other
State made a cost-of-living survey in which a
woman’s budget was priced for minimum-wage
purposes, but Utah revised its budget by use of
indexes. With the assistance of the U. S. Women’s
Bureau, budgets priced in previous years in
Arizona, Colorado, and the District of Columbia,
were revised and brought up to date on the basis
of the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumers’ price
index. The following table presents cost-ofliving budget figures of seven States, showing, as of
a specified period of 1947 or the first half of 1948,
the minimum amount necessary for a self-support
ing woman to maintain herself in health.
A m o u n ts needed per—
Year
W eek
Arizona: April 1948 __
California, (San Francisco): Sep
tember 1947__ __
Colorado: March 1947
District of Columbia: February
1948____________
New York: September 1947_ _
Utah: September 1947 __ __
Washington: May 1947_ _
$1, 953. 27
$37. 56
2, 164. 84
1, 691. 96
4L 63
32. 53
1,
1,
2,
2,
34.
38.
39.
39.
793.
990.
031.
048.
16
00
65
49
48
26
07
39
Workmen’s Compensation
Legislation, 1948 1
now has a law protecting workers
against the hazards of industrial employment.
The Mississippi law—the last enacted—provides
for compulsory coverage, unlimited medical care,
a second-injury fund to facilitate employment of
handicapped workers, and double compensation
for minors injured while illegally employed.2
E very S tate
1 Prepared by Alfred Acee of the Bureau of Labor Standards, U. S. Depart
ment of Labor.
2 For a summary of this act, see M onthly Labor Review, June 1948 (p. 639).
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION
Congress made important changes in the Federal
Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Act. The
amended act increases benefits payable to injured
workmen and in death cases to their dependents—
the only improvement, from the standpoint of
compensation or payment to the workers or their
families, since the act was originally passed in
1927. It also provides for life benefits in cases of
death and of permanent total disability.
Legislation to improve and strengthen existing
workmen’s compensation laws was enacted in
Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri,
New York, and Virginia. The Kentucky work
men’s compensation law was considerably revised
and provides for increases in benefits for both
disability and death. Increased benefits are also
provided under laws passed in Louisiana, Massa
chusetts, Missouri, and New York. In Louisiana
a special system of workmen’s compensation was
established for certain minors engaged in street
trades.
Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Act
Probably the most important of the amend
ments to the Longshoremen’s and Harbor Work
ers’ Act, is the provision specifying that benefits
shall be paid for life in cases of permanent total
disability, and during widowhood and the minority
of children in death cases. The total maximum
previously specified in these cases was eliminated.
Maximum weekly compensation for all types of
disability was increased from $25 to $35, and the
minimum raised from $8 to $12. The act also
provides that compensation for permanent partial
disability shall be in addition to compensation for
temporary partial disability.
For a nonscheduled permanent partial disability,
total maximum compensation payable was in
creased from $7,500 to $10,000. This maximum
is to include the additional compensation allowed
for temporary total or temporary partial disability.
For all other types of disability except permanent
total disability, the total maximum was increased
from $7,500 to $11,000. Benefits for permanent
total disability are to continue as long as the
worker is disabled.
The amended law provides larger benefits in
death cases for dependent children, particularly
where there is no surviving wife or dependent
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
279
husband. Compensation amounting to 35 per
cent of the average weekly wage of the deceased
workman is to be awarded to the first child, and
15 percent to each additional child. Formerly,
each child was allowed 15 percent. The addi
tional amount allowed to each child, when there
is a widow or a dependent widower, was increased
from 10 percent to 15 percent of the deceased
worker’s wage. However, the total amount pay
able, as previously, is limited to 66% percent of the
wage. The maximum amount for funeral expenses
was increased from $200 to $400. Benefits in
death cases are also increased as a result of the
increase in the amount of wages upon which
compensation is based. Hereafter, the maximum
weekly wage upon which benefits are based will be
$52.50, instead of $37.50 as previously specified;
the minimum was increased from $12 to $18 a
week. This will result in maximum weekly
benefits of $35 in death cases—the same as in
disability cases. The minimum benefit payable
to a widow with no children will be $6.30 a week,
and the maximum $18.38 a week.
The method of computing average weekly wages
was also changed. The average annual earnings
of a 5-day worker are to be determined by multi
plying the average daily wage by 260; for a 6-day
worker, the average daily wage is multiplied by
300. The average weekly wage is determined, in
any case, by dividing the total amount by 52.
Previously, the annual wage was determined by
multiplying the daily wage by 300, regardless of
the number of workdays in a week.
Kentucky Amendments
The Kentucky workmen’s compensation law
was amended to make it elective for employers
having 3 or more employees. Previously the act
was compulsory, but applied only to hazardous
employments. However, under an act passed in
1946, every employer of 3 or more engaged in a
“hazardous employment” who elects not to be
bound by the workmen’s compensation act is
required to insure the payment of any final judg
ment obtained by reason of an accident arising
out of and in the course of employment. The re
vised act does not cover silicosis to the same extent
as it covers accidents; instead, it provides that
employers and their employees may voluntarily
come under the act as to this disease.
280
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION
Maximum medical benefits were increased from
$400 to $500; the workmen’s compensation board
is authorized to increase such benefits up to $800
if an application is filed within 6 months from the
date of the accident. The provision concerning
waiting time was changed by providing that, if the
disability lasts more than 3 weeks (formerly, 4
weeks), compensation shall be paid from the date
of disability.
In death cases, the maximum weekly benefit
was increased from $15 to $20, the minimum from
$5 to $7, and the total maximum from $6,000 to
$8,000. Benefits to children are to terminate
when they become 20 years of age. Maximum
funeral benefits were raised from $150 to $300.
For total disability, the maximum weekly com
pensation was increased from $18 to $21, the
minimum from $5 to $7, and the total maximum
from $9,000 to $9,500. In the case of temporary
partial disability, compensation is to be paid for a
maximum of 450 weeks instead of 420 weeks.
The maximum weekly benefit in such cases was
increased from $15 to $18, and the total maximum
from $5,000 to $8,100.
Compensation for permanent partial disability
is to be paid in addition to any compensation paid
for temporary total disability for a period of not
more than 20 weeks. The maximum weekly
compensation in cases of permanent partial disa
bility was increased from $15 to $18 and the mini
mum from $5 to $7. In addition, 75 weeks’ com
pensation is provided for the permanent and total
loss of hearing of one ear. For permanent partial
disabilities not listed in the schedule of specific
injuries, the compensation is not to be affected by
the employee’s earnings after the accident.
Another amendment extends the period for
filing claims in silicosis cases from 1 year to 3
years after the last injurious exposure to silica
dust. It also eliminates the provision regarding a
medical committee, but authorizes the workmen’s
compensation board to appoint a physician to
make any necessary medical examinations of the
employee.
This amendment provides that procedure with
respect to disability and death, and the filing of
claims, is to be the same in silicosis cases as in
cases of accidental injury or death. Compensa
tion is to be payable if death follows continuous
disability within 10 years (instead of 7 years) after
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
last exposure. Compensation payments are to
begin from the date of the employee’s last injurious
exposure to silica dust or the date of actual dis
ability, whichever is later.
Other State Laws
Benefits. Increased benefits are provided under
laws enacted in Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mis
souri, and New York. In Louisiana the maximum
weekly compensation both in disability and in
death cases was increased from $20 to $30. An
amendment in Massachusetts increased the total
amount payable in cases of pulmonary dust dis
eases from $3,000 to $4,000. In addition, the
maximum amount allowed for burial expenses was
raised from $250 to $300.
Another Massachusetts law provides that a
dependent widow or a physically or mentally handi
capped child over 18 who has received the maxi
mum payment will continue to receive further
payments, but only during the time he or she is not
in fact self-supporting. Previously, payments to
the widow terminated after benefits had been paid
for 400 weeks or the maximum of $7,600 had been
exhausted. The effect of this amendment is to
provide life benefits for a widow who is not selfsupporting.
The section of the Massachusetts law relating
to medical services was amended to provide that
such services can be made available as long as
necessary, regardless of the fact that maximum
compensation under other sections of the law may
have been paid.
In Missouri, the maximum compensation for
disability and death was increased from $20 to $25
a week and the minimum from $6 to $8 a week.
The amended law limits the total amount payable
in death cases to $12,000. Previously, no maxi
mum was specified.
With respect to total disability, the Missouri
workmen’s compensation act provides that com
pensation at the rate of 66% percent of wage shall
be paid for 300 weeks. Thereafter, compensation
is paid at the rate of 25 percent of wages, for life.
Formerly, the same maximum benefit as during
the initial period ($20 a week) could be paid when
disability continued for more than 300 weeks.
The 1948 amendment limits the maximum weekly
benefit after compensation has been paid for 300
weeks to $18 a week.
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION
In New York, the maximum weekly compensa
tion for disability resulting from an employment
injury occurring after July 1, 1948, was increased
from $28 to $32. In death cases the aggregate
benefits payable to statutory dependents were
raised from $28 to $35 a week. Benefits payable
to a widow with no children were raised from 30
percent to 40 percent of the average weekly wage
of the deceased workman. Compensation for
dependent children was increased from 10 percent
to 20 percent of the wage. Increases were also
made in the compensation payable to orphans,
dependent grandchildren, brothers and sisters,
and parents and grandparents.
The chairman of the New York workmen’s com
pensation board is now authorized to require non
insured employers to deposit security to insure the
prompt and convenient payment of workmen’s
compensation to injured workmen. This pro
vision is also applicable to employers who are
liable for double compensation in cases in which
the claimant was an illegally employed minor.
Minors in Street Trades. In Louisiana, a special
law provides a compulsory system of workmen’s
compensation for minors between the ages of 12
and 18 who are engaged in specified street trades.
The street trades specified include the selling,
offering for sale, soliciting, or displaying of any
articles, goods, merchandise, commercial service,
posters, circulars, newspapers, or magazines,
or delivery of or collection for newspapers and
periodicals.
The act applies to any person or corporation
engaging more than 3 minors. “Engaging a
minor” is defined to include employing a minor or
permitting others to hire him, or receiving a bene
fit, monetary or otherwise, as a result of such em
ployment or permission to hire. A minor is cov
ered regardless of whether he is legally employed.
The law provides that a minor injured while en
gaged in a street trade shall be entitled to compention benefits from the person “engaging” the
minor. The benefit payable to an injured minor
or, in case of his death, to his dependents, is to be
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
281
computed according to the schedule in the work
men’s compensation law.
Increased Coverage. An amendment to the
Louisiana act entitles certain independent con
tractors, who formerly were not covered, to the
benefits of the workmen’s compensation law, if
such a contractor spends a substantial part of
his worktime in manual labor in carrying out
the terms of the contract. The workmen’s com
pensation act is to apply to all illegally employed
minors. Previously, minors employed in violation
of the minimum-age law were not covered.
In Missouri, increased coverage is provided by
an amendment which eliminates the former
provision that exempted employees earning $3,600
or more a year.
In Virginia, silicosis was replaced in the list of
occupational diseases by pneumoconiosis, a more
inclusive term. Another amendment provides
that the time limitation for filing notice of injury
and claim for compensation shall begin after the
workman first experiences a distinct manifestation
of the disease (as previously) or after a diagnosis
is made.
Procedure and Administration. Under amendments
to the Missouri act, the industrial commission
must inform an injured employee of his rights
under the law. In the event of a dispute as to the
payment of compensation, the commission is to
assist the employee in filing a claim and securing
an early adjudication of the case. The employer
is also required to notify the division of workmen’s
compensation as soon as payment of compensation
is commenced and when it is terminated. At the
time of notice of termination, the employer must
also file a physician’s report with the industrial
commission.
Another Missouri law extends the time for
filing a claim from 6 months to 1 year after
inj ury or death. In case payments have been made
on account of an injury or death, claims for addi
tional payment may be made within 1 year from
the date of the last payment.
282
HANDICAPPED WORKERS
Rehabilitation and Placement
of Handicapped Workers1
A t least 6 million handicapped are swelling the
labor force of the United States to new peaks.
An estimated million additional workers could be
employed if certain rehabilitation or training facili
ties and processes were available to them. Handi
capped persons have been estimated to total 28
million, including those too old or too young to
be in the labor force and those who cannot or do
not work. In addition, about a third of a million
persons, it is estimated, are disabled every year
through various causes. Toward this handi
capped population, more and more attention is
being given by the Federal and State Governments
and by public and private groups and agencies.
Some concern exists today that not enough is
being done to rehabilitate the handicapped, al
though all States and Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and
the District of Columbia are offering a wide range
of rehabilitation services under a plan in which the
States are to match Federal funds for case ser
vices, including training. The Federal Govern
ment pays for all costs of administration, place
ment, and vocational guidance. This program
comes under the vocational rehabilitation law
(Public Law 113, 78th Cong., 1st sess.), which
was passed to allow the States to rehabilitate
disabled citizens who are considered to have pos
sibilities for remunerative employment.
The expansion of services to the civilian handi
capped has proceeded apace since enactment in
1943 of the Barden-LaFollette amendments which
provided authority under the vocational rehabili
tation law for virtually every service essential to
the restoration, preservation, or development of
the disabled civilian’s work capacity.
Many Federal Government agencies expend
considerable time, effort, and money in behalf of
the handicapped. The major part of this work
is being done in the Federal Security Agency,
particularly since the transfer to that Agency in
July 1948 of the United States Employment
Service and the Veterans Employment Service.
In addition, many private groups or organiza
tions participate in the year-round program of
1
B y William P. McCahill (of the U. S. Department of Labor, Office of
the Secretary), assistant to the Chairman of the President’s Committee on
National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
the President’s Committee on National Employ
the Physically Handicapped Week, and devote
considerable effort toward rehabilitating and
placing handicapped persons.
Much still remains to be done, however, in edu
cating the public and the communities of the
Nation on this subject. A rehabilitated worker
pays back $10 in Federal income taxes alone for
each Federal dollar spent in his rehabilitation.
In the fiscal year 1949, the cost of the vocational
rehabilitation program will be approximately 25
million dollars. Of this total, the States’ share
will be about 7 million dollars. The average cost
of rehabilitation per person is less than $500, and
it costs more than that to keep a handicapped
person on a Federal, State, or community dole.
Federal Services for Physically Handicapped
Civilian Rehabilitation. The Office of Vocational
Rehabilitation (OVR) of the Federal Security
Agency has the primary responsibility for rehabili
tating civilians. It has a Federal-State relation
ship with 86 State rehabilitation agencies and
services for the blind. The United States Office
of Education, also in the FSA, administers Federal
aspects of the various acts pertaining to vocational
education, an important method of preparing per
sons for suitable employment, which is one of the
processes in vocational rehabilitation.
The services provided through the Federal-State
program of the OVR include medical examination;
individual counsel and guidance; medical, surgical,
psychiatric, and hospital care; artificial appliances;
any necessary training; maintenance and trans
portation of the disabled person while undergoing
treatment or training; occupational tools; equip
ment and licenses necessary for a fair start on the
job; placement on the right job; and follow-up
after placement. These services have been made
increasingly available to applicants. Several of
them are free under all circumstances; public
funds are used for the others to the extent of the
client’s inability to pay.
The keynote of the OVR program is cooperation
with existing establishments which include hos
pitals, rehabilitation centers, clinics, workshops,
and other facilities already in operation. Two
States (Virginia and Pennsylvania) have estab
lished their own rehabilitation facilities. Agree
ments have been signed between the OVR and
many public and private agencies and groups, in-
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
HANDICAPPED WORKERS
eluding many of the Federal agencies, which estab
lish a modus operandi toward maximum use of
existing facilities. State-OVR agencies also do
counseling, apply psychological tests of aptitude,
and determine physical capacities under medical
supervision.
The 1948 annual report of the OVR shows that
190,000 persons received some rehabilitation serv
ices and 62,000 completed rehabilitation into jobs.
Approximately 120,000 were receiving rehabilita
tion services on June 30, 1948. A total of 348,000
had actually been on rehabilitation registers during
the previous 12 months. During the month of
March 1948, there were 27,629 persons engaged
in training under OVR authority, although this
figure is misleading, since training is only one of
the rehabilitation processes.
Among other Government agencies contributing
to the work being done in behalf of the handi
capped is the Department of Agriculture. It has
asked handicapped workers to investigate the pos
sibilities of farm employment through county
agents, and though no statistics are available, a
considerable number of impaired workers are now
employed or self-employed on farms. The Farmers
Home Administration and the Office of Vocational
Rehabilitation work closely together in rehabili
tating disabled persons in the rural areas, and
have had considerable success in restoring indivi
duals and entire farm families to self-sufficiency
after disease or injury have wrecked their economy.
In December 1946, the Business Advisory
Council in the Department of Commerce drafted a
five-point statement of policy on the employment
of handicapped persons. This was particularly
important because it was a statement of business
men, emphasizing that it was sound economically
and important socially to employ the handicapped,
and calling upon employers to study the best
placement practices and to make every effort to
neutralize handicaps.
The Library of Congress has a special division
for the purchase and distribution of embossed
(braille) and talking (records) books for the blind.
Veteran Rehabilitation. The Veterans Administra
tion has the main responsibility in rehabilitating
disabled veterans, and through its system of hos
pitals exerts a profound influence on the Nation’s
disabled veterans. The service hospitals also
have definite rehabilitation and training programs
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
283
which make every possible effort to make patients
ready to assume full-fledged civilian status.
The Veterans Administration works closely
with the Veterans Employment Service; the VA
Administrator is chairman of the Veterans Place
ment Service Board. Through its administration
of Public Law 16 2 (vocational rehabilitation law),
the VA sees that a grateful nation’s debt to its dis
abled veterans is discharged insofar as is possible
in rehabilitating and training them to the point
where employment is not only desirable but pos
sible. Although VA has placement responsibility,
it generally uses the placement facilities of the
VES and the USES.
In this program the disabled veteran obtains
school training, both formal and vocational, and
“on the job” and “on farm” training. In June
1948, there were 224,993 veterans in training as
compared with 249,960 in May 1948 and 16,003
in July 1945, just before the end of hostilities.
Of the June 1948 total, 96,787 were in school train
ing, 31,545 in institutional on-farm training, and
96,661 on job training. These are all vocational
rehabilitation or Public Law 16 veterans as com
pared with 1,666,518 3 Public Law 346 (“GI Bill
of Rights”) veterans in training during June, and
2,333,766 in May when most colleges were still in
regular session.4
During June 1948, 12,491 disabled veterans ap
plied for vocational rehabilitation and 20,091
applications were pending advisement at the
month’s end. An additional 40,994 veterans who
completed or discontinued their training during
the month, presumably will enter the labor market
or continue further training or schooling. In all,
267,291 veterans were paid subsistence allowances
during June under the provisions of the Vocational
Rehabilitation Act.
The Department of the Army has a program
for the enlistment of specially trained amputees
or other disabled veterans for limited duty service.
The Surgeons General of both the Army and the
Navy keep continually abreast of the latest pro
grams for the rehabilitation of the physically and
mentally handicapped. The Department of the
Navy has recently completed an informal check
on many of its large civilian establishments, and
has found that the physically handicapped are
278th Cong. 1st sess., Mar. 24, 1943.
278th Cong. 2nd sess., June 22,1944.
i
1
Veterans Administration, Statistical Summary, June 30, 1948.
284
HANDICAPPED WORKERS
not only employed in large numbers but are doing
average and sometimes better than average work.
Placement. Certain overlapping of responsibility
in actual placement of the handicapped led to a
cooperative agreement between the United States
Employment Service and the Office of Vocational
Rehabilitation. Both have placement functions,
which in the former case are general, and in the
latter more specifically aimed at the handicapped.
The USES and OVR take the lead in publicizing
the employability of the handicapped. In the
fiscal year 1947, local employment offices held
counseling interviews with 1,368,000 handicapped
men and women, and approximately 236,000 im
paired workers were placed in jobs. The USES
April 1948 summary of activities for the handi
capped in the various States showed 38,077 nonagricultural referrals to jobs and 21,808 place
ments, of which 11,711 were disabled veterans—
an increase over the previous month of 15.1 percent
in total, and 14.4 percent in veteran placements.
Handicapped placements fluctuate, however, reach
ing a peak in October and dropping sharply in the
following months before gradually building up
again. In 1946 and 1947, approximately 30,000
placements of impaired workers were recorded for
October, the all-time high being 30,765 in 1947,
of which 17,802 were veterans.
The USES has developed a technique in which a
handicapped worker’s remaining physical abilities
are matched against the physical requirements of
the particular job under consideration. Informa
tion on the latest developments in connection with
the USES handicapped placement program is
made available in the Employment Service
Review.
Through the Veterans Employment Service,
the USES exerts considerable effort to influence
employers to hire qualified disabled veterans.
The major work of the VES is promotion and
stimulation, coupled with placement. The VES
cooperates quite extensively with private veterans’
organizations and places its limited field personnel
in areas of greatest veteran concentration so as to
exert maximum influence and obtain maximum
contracts and placements.
The Government has become the Nation’s larg
est employer of the handicapped, including a great
many disabled veterans. Civil Service Commis
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
sion records of placements outside the District of
Columbia show that from October 1942 to July
1948 more than 95,000 physically handicapped
workers, including 31,400 veterans, were placed in
Government employment. The ratio of disabled
veterans hired during this period, about one to two
nonveterans, is disproportionate, because the
peak of hiring came during the war years, while
veterans were in uniform. In June 1948, 403
veteran and 152 civilian handicapped were placed,
a much higher ratio of veterans. A break-down of
the placements in June 1948 and for the period
1942-48, by broad types of disabilities, shows that
persons with orthopedic defects had the highest
total employment, followed by those with defec
tive vision, defective hearing, arrested tubercu
losis, and coronary troubles, respectively.
Placements
June
1948
Orthopedic defects________
Upper extremities__ __ _
Lower extremities. _ _ __
Spinal co lu m n ____ __ _
Blind______________________
One eye____ _______ _ _
Both eyes. . . .
_____
Industrially blind ____
Hearing defects . . .
Hard of hearing
_____
Totally deaf
____ __ _
Tuberculosis arrested__
Heart disease compensated___
Total __ __ _
Oct. 1, 1942,
to J u n e SO,
1948
353
58, 327
128
19, 059
184
31, 837
41
7, 431
114
17, 905
110
16, 412
0
831
4
662
53
10, 186
51
8, 308
2
1, 878
23
4, 112
38
9, 466
i 581 1 99, 996
1 This figure exceeds the total number of placements because some handi
capped persons have more than one disability.
The Commission has a medical director and
staff, charged with the responsibility of giving the
impaired worker every possible employment and
advancement opportunity.
The Congress recently passed a law (Public 617,
80th Cong., 2d Sess.) prohibiting discrimination
in the Federal service against any worker or appli
cant merely because of a physical handicap, the
second time that the Civil Service Act has been
amended since 1883.
The Apprentice-Training Service of the U. S.
Department of Labor, while not directly respon
sible for placing apprentice applicants on the job,
reports that many handicapped persons are serving
apprenticeships satisfactorily.
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
HANDICAPPED WORKERS
Work-Performance Study. Several surveys made
by the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the
Veterans Administration compare the work per
formances of the handicapped and the nonhandi•capped on similar jobs. The most recent of these
studies has been released in the Bureau’s Bulletin
No. 923 which gives results of careful studies of
11,028 physically impaired workers and 18,258
unimpaired workers in 1,488 occupations in 109
plants. According to the report, workers with
serious physical impairments, who are placed so
as to stress what they can do rather than emphasize
what they cannot do, are every bit as desirable as
workers without such impairments. The study
was based on industry’s own records and shows
that, as a group, impaired workers are as efficient,
and as safe from injury, as the unimpaired workers.
Absenteeism of impaired workers was only
slightly higher—about one more day a year—
than that of unimpaired workers. No injuries to
the impaired were traced to the handicap, and not
a single impaired worker suffered a work injury
which rendered him permanently and totally
disabled. Although the study states what has
always been known, that there is discrimination
against the handicapped, it also points out the
need for rehabilitation and for the acquiring of
definite skills of impaired workers.
The NEPH Week
The Retraining and Reemployment Adminis
tration (terminated at the end of June 1947) did
considerable work in this field in 1946-47 and
initiated the Federal Inter-Agency Committee on
Employment of the Physically Handicapped.
This committee has coordinated the national
program for the observance of National Employ
the Physically Handicapped Week, observed
annually the first week in October through Presi
dential proclamation.
The President’s Committee on National Em
ploy the Physically Handicapped Week, function
ing since September 1947, operates a year-round
program of public information and education on
employment of the handicapped, working through
some 150 national groups or organizations repre
sented on the Committee. Many of these groups
have no connection whatever with the handicapped
and others devote their entire effort to such mat
ters as rehabilitation.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
285
Work of Private Groups
Private organizations working for and with the
handicapped are numerous.5 Many of them work
closely with government programs, such as that of
the President’s Committee on the NEPH Week;
others are strictly local or regional in character
and have no connection with government.
Among the outstanding organizations are the
American Federation of the Physically Plandicapped—which sponsored “ NEPH” Week legis
lation and a recent bill (S. 2896) by Senator
Sparkman and nine other Senators calling for a
coordinating “ Federal Commission on Services for
the Physically Handicapped”—and the Institute
for the Crippled and Disabled in New York—the
first rehabilitation center in the United States
under the modern concept. Both of these are on
the President’s Committee.
The Goodwill Industries of America has 93 local
units throughout the country which offer handi
capped people an opportunity for sheltered or
noncompetitive employment and then sell their
products to the public. Many communities have
sheltered workshops which are private rehabilita
tion centers. The Curative Workshop of Mil
waukee, Inc., is an outstanding example of private
initiative in behalf of the handicapped that has
lasted through three decades. Many groups help
the blind, while others devote their energies to
the correction of various ailments. Among the
latter groups are the American Hearing Society
of Washington, D. C.; and the National Tuber
culosis Association, The National Association to
Control Epilepsy, the American Occupational
Therapy Association, and the American Physio
therapy Association, all of New York.
To recount the excellent work being done by
private means would take volumes. Much is
being and has been accomplished. Much more
will be and needs to be done in the future in this
relatively new field. Working together, business
and industry, government and private groups,
communities and citizens are making a concerted
attack on the problem of rehabilitation and
employment of the disabled.
5
Some of the more prominent groups are listed in A Directory of Agencies
and Organizations Concerned with Rehabilitation and Services to the Handi
capped, compiled by Howard A. Rusk, M . D ., and Eugene J. Taylor, N ew
York Times, 1947. 133 pp.
286
SURVEY OF CONSUMER FINANCES
1948 Survey of
Consumer Finances 1
I: Expenditures for Durable Goods
A t the b e g in n in g of 1948 most consumers were
in a relatively strong financial position. Employ
ment and income were at peak levels and widely
distributed. Consumer income in the aggregate
was more than 10 percent greater in 1947 than in
the previous year. A large majority of all spend
ing units,2 more than two-thirds of the total, still
held reserves in the form of liquid assets in early
1948 with sizable amounts distributed among
people in all income groups.
Nevertheless, there were certain signs of weaken
ing in the financial status of consumers during 1947
as compared with the year before. Many con
sumers maintained that they were worse off
financially, in spite of increased incomes, because
of the higher cost of living. Although liquid
asset holdings in the aggregate increased some
what, for the first time since the war ended, a
small decline had occurred in the number of
spending units which held liquid assets. About 3
million fewer units held savings bonds at the
beginning of 1948 than a year earlier. The
aggregate amount of net saving by consumers
declined in 1947 as a result of heavy dissaving by
more than one-fourth of all spending units, and
smaller amounts saved by others. “Prospects are
for further heavy dissaving on the part of at least
one-fourth of all spending units, and no substantial
change in the aggregate amounts saved by other
spending units.”
Most consumers were optimistic in early 1948
about their income prospects and future business
conditions. Consumer expenditures for durable
goods and houses will continue in expanding vol
ume, the results of the survey indicate. Buying
intentions for both new cars and new houses still
exceeded the expected production of these items
in 1948. Although as many consumers planned
to buy automobiles and other selected durable
goods at the beginning of 1948 as in the year
1 This is the third annual survey of consumer finances conducted for the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Results of these surveys
have been published in the June, July, and August issues of the Federal
Reserve Bulletin for each of the years 1946, 1947, and 1948.
Defined as all persons living in the same dwelling and related by blood,
marriage, or adoption who pooled their incomes for the major items of expense.
2
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
before, approximately 20 percent fewer spending
units indicated their intentions to buy houses.
A larger proportion of consumer durable goods
is being bought on credit in 1948 as compared
with 1947, and a somewhat smaller proportion is
being bought through the use of accumulated
liquid savings. A further substantial increase will
be needed in the volume of mortgage credit for
the purchase of new houses this year. “In general,
consumer plans to buy both durable goods and
houses would indicate a continuation of heavy
demand in those areas which are strongly depend
ent upon availability of credit and liquid assets
for effective buying power.”
II: Distribution of Consumer Income, 1947
Personal money income increased by about 20
billion dollars in 1947 and half the spending units
showed gains. About 24 million of the approxi
mate 48 million spending units had larger money
incomes, and an estimated 9 million units had
lower incomes last year than the year before.
About two-fifths of all spending units reported
money incomes of $3,000 and over in 1947 com
pared with slightly more than one-third in 1946
and less than one-third in 1945. Approximately
60 percent of each of the categories of semiskilled
workers, professional persons, and clerical and
sales personnel reported increased incomes in 1947.
Farmers, self-employed, and unskilled workers
reported increases in income less frequently and
decreases more frequently than those in other
occupations.
The proportion of income received by the vari
ous occupation groups in relation to their number
in the total population did not seem to changes
from 1946 to 1947. In both years, the managerial,
self-employed, and professional groups received a
share of total income roughly equal to twice their
proportion of the total population. The income
share of the skilled and semiskilled workers and
clerical and sales personnel was roughly equal to
their proportion in the population; farmers, un
skilled workers, and other miscellaneous groups re
ceived shares somewhat smaller than their propor
tion of the population.
No apparent change occurred in the proportion
of total income going to the tenth of the spending
units with the highest incomes. In both years, thehighest tenth had about a third of total income.
¿EVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1048
LABOR MANAGEMENT DISPUTES
il: Consumer Ownership and Use of Liquid
nd Nonliquid Assets
Approximately 35 million of the 48.4 spending
units covered by the survey reported some type of
liquid asset, i. e., savings or checking account or
U. S. Government Bonds, at the beginning of
1948. The data showed that liquid assets are
still broadly distributed, but the pattern of dis
tribution was not much changed from the last
2 years.
Since the war’s end, pronounced shifts in the
types of liquid assets held may be noticed. A
slight increase in the number of spending units
holding checking accounts was found both in
1946 and 1947, but savings accounts increased
only in 1946, showing little change in 1947. A
significant decline however, was shown in the
holdings of government securities, 5 to 6 million
fewer spending units holding U. S. Government
savings bonds in early 1948 than 2 years before.
This drop resulted largely from the release from
urgent patriotic motives to buy bonds during the
war, and the more limited treasury bond selling
rograms. Increased solicitation on the part of
ommercial and savings banks and savings and
oan associations may have attracted added deosits to these institutions, but despite the over-all
decrease in bond holdings, they are still the most
widely held of the three types of liquid assets,
being owned by approximately 48 percent of all
spending units.
Significant differences in the amount of liquid
assets were found among occupational groups.
Professional and business people generally had
relatively large holdings; very few spending units
in this group had none at all. Holdings were
moderate in the clerical and sales personnel cate
gory, with few having very large holdings and a
few with none. Skilled and semiskilled workers
had fewer and smaller holdings than the other
groups. About half of the unskilled workers had
no holdings. In the past year, holdings in all
the groups showed some decline with the excep
tion of the business and professional people, who
held roughly two-fifths of the total, but who make
up only one-fifth of the population.
Of spending units which reported declines in
their liquid assets, more than half used the pro
ceeds exclusively for nondurable goods and serv
ices. One-seventh spent the withdrawn assets
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
287
on automobiles or other durable goods; oneseventh to purchase a house, other real estate, or
corporate securities, or to invest in business and
one-fifth for a combination of these things.
Wide variation was found in the ownership of
nonliquid assets, i. e., houses, farms, corporation
stock, bonds other than U. S. Government bonds,
unincorporated businesses, and life insurance.
At least one member in each of 78 percent of the
spending units was reported to carry life insurance;
45 percent reported ownership of either a house
or a farm, but only 9 percent reported ownership
of stocks and bonds other than Federal, and 9
percent reported either full or part ownership of
an unincorporated business.
The survey found that the great majority of
spending units indicated preference for assets with
fixed value (bank deposits and Government bonds)
to assets with changing values (real estate and
securities). The principal arguments advanced
were “safety” and “liquidity” for bank deposits,
and “safety” and “rate of interest” for Govern
ment bonds. Real estate was generally consid
ered to be too costly and too unsafe, and common
stock was thought too unfamiliar and also unsafe,
despite its high returns.
Labor-Management Disputes
in August 1948
in August involved about
25,000 workers at six plants of the International
Harvester Co., over suggested contract changes.
Among other stoppages of more than local interest
was a 7-day suspension of work by several thou
sand building-trades workers at the Los Alamos
(N. Mex.) atomic energy project and the termi
nation of the 3-month strike of about 650 workers
at the Univis Lens Co. in Dayton, Ohio, which
had been marked by occasional violence.
T h e largest strike
International Harvester Stoppage
Approximately 25,000 workers in six plants of
the International Harvester Co. in Illinois, Indiana,
Ohio, and Tennessee, were called out on strike
August 17 by the International Union, United
288
LABOR MANAGEMENT DISPUTES
Automobile, Aircraft and Agricultural Workers of
America (CIO). According to reports, wages were
not an issue, the workers having received an 11cent hourly increase recently. The union, how
ever, accused the company of speed-up and timestudy methods which reduced take-home pay.
Also under discussion were clauses in the contract
covering grievance procedure, arbitration, appren
ticeship, and holidays. The stoppage ended early
in September on the basis of agreements reached
in Chicago to cover the individual plants.
26. On the same day 9 union officials were foun
guilty and fined for contempt of court in connei
tion with the altercation of June 15. A few da1
later union officials were again cited for contem]
in connection with another disturbance.
After a plan to settle the strike, already agreed
to by union officials was rejected by the unioi
membership on August 2 the Governor announcec
that he would order out the National Guard tc
maintain order. The plant was reopened the
next day under protection of the National Guard
with final settlement reached on August 9.
Univis Lens Dispute
Michigan Foundry Strike
Production was resumed August 10 at the Univis
Lens Co. plant in Dayton, Ohio, after a prolonged
work stoppage which began May 5. The prin
cipal issue was a request for a 13-cent hourly wage
increase. Governor Thomas J. Herbert of Ohio,
Mayor Louis W. Lohrey of Dayton, and the Fed
eral Mediation and Conciliation Service were in
strumental in bringing about an agreement be
tween the company and the union which provided
for an 11-cent hourly increase, the return of all
workers without discrimination, or loss of senior
ity, to the same job, or an equivalent job, and
the arbitration of the cases of 11 workers who
were cited for contempt of court orders restrain
ing mass picketing.
The production workers were represented by
the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Work
ers Union (CIO) pursuant to an election held in
February 1946. Shortly after the stoppage began,
some of the employees indicated to the company
that the union no longer represented them and re
quested a decertification election, as the first step
in securing recognition of an independent union.
When the company issued a “return to work”
call on June 15, about 400 workers responded but
were restrained from entering the plant by 200
pickets. The union maintained that the large
number of pickets was in protest against a display
of police strength, but a court order was obtained
limiting the number of pickets to six.
On June 22, Mayor Lohrey urged the NLRB to
hold an election, as one means of expediting
settlement of the strike. In the election, held
July 23, the vote was 303 to 272 for decertification
of the CIO electrical workers’ union.
On the promise of an 11-cent-an-hour increase in
wages, 200 workers returned to the plant on July
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
The first strike of the year in the Muskegon
Mich., area began June 15 as a result of failur.
of the United Auto Workers (CIO) Local No. 439
and the Campbell, Wyant & Cannon Foundry Co
to reach an argeement on their 1948 contract
The 1947 contract previously had been extendec
twice after its expiration on May 15. The shut
down of all four plants of the company, and it;
subsidiary, the National Motor Castings Co. o
South Haven, idled over 3,000 employees. Tin
issues in dispute were wages, union shop, more
liberal insurance benefits, and various other fring.
benefits. A larger number of workers throughou
Michigan was made idle in automobile plants
using the struck company’s products.
The walk-out was termed illegal by the State
Labor Board which charged that the union
violated the Michigan law requiring a 10-day strike
notice. Attempts to settle the strike were still in
progress in late August.
Los Alamos Strike
Agreement was reached on August 24 in a
strike of about 3,300 members of the AFL buildingtrades unions which began August 18 at the Los
Alamos (N. Mex.) atomic energy project. The
walk-out of maintenance and construction workers
was in protest against the hiring of out-of-State
labor and refusal to negotiate with the union by
one of the contractors on the project. The
settlement provided that the contractors would
not be penalized for time lost during the walk-out,
and that there would be no discrimination against
those union employees who did not work. Al
though the workers reportedly acted without
approval of their union, officials of the New
ifVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
LABOR MANAGEMENT DISPUTES
.Mexico Building Trades Council interceded and
i rged their prompt return to work.
eamen Sign; Longshoremen Plan Strike
The Seafarers International Union (AFL)
•eached an agreement with the Atlantic and Gulf
Operators Association covering unlicensed sea
men on August 13, and on August 18 agreement
fdso was reached with shipowners covering Atlantic
and Gulf Coast members of the National Maritime
Union (CIO). The wage increases ranged from
$5.23 to $30.32 a month. The agreement reached
vith the AFL and CIO maritime unions also
lisposed tentatively of the controversial union
Hiring hall issue by retaining the existing contract
Provision pending a determination of its legality
»y a court of competent jurisdiction. These
settlements brought to a conclusion controversies
>f several months’ duration which had been
ubjected to the fact-finding procedures prescribed
y the Labor Management Relations Act.
On the West Coast, however, the dispute
ivolving the International Longshoremen’s and
Warehousemen’s Union (CIO) remained unsettled
802564— 48— —5
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
289
at the end of August, and a suspension of work
was threatened following the end of the 80-day
injunction period on September 2. Longshore
men instituted a policy of shunning Sunday work
and rejected a 5-cent wage increase advanced by
the Waterfront Employers Association.
Longshoremen on the East Coast, represented
by the International Longshoremen’s Association
(AFL) were brought within the emergency pro
visions of the Labor Management Relations Act
on August 17, when President Truman established
a board of inquiry to investigate the union’s dis
pute with its employers.1 In addition to revised
rates of pay, this dispute involved the application
of a Supreme Court decision in June 1948 concern
ing payment of so-called “overtime on overtime.” 2
The fact-finding board indicated in its report of
August 18 that if the major obstacle of “overtime
on overtime” was settled, other issues could be
disposed of and agreement reached between the
parties.
1The
members of this board were: Saul Wallen, Chairman; Joseph L.
M il l e r ; a n d J u l i u s K a s s .
» See M onthly Labor Review, August 1948, p. 165, for discussion of this
court decision.
Technical Note
New Weekly Index of
Wholesale Prices 1
has developed
a new weekly wholesale price index to be issued on
a current basis in the autumn of 1948, in place of
the weekly index which has been issued since 1932.2
The new index is designed as a weekly counterpart
of the Bureau’s monthly wholesale price index,
which will continue to be issued about 3 weeks
after the end of each calendar month. The new
series is based on an abbreviated sample of 115
commodities drawn from the nearly 900 commodi
ties included in the comprehensive sample on which
the monthly index is based. The new index is
scheduled for release every Friday, covering the
7-day period ended the preceding Tuesday. By
use of the abbreviated sample it is possible also
to estimate the level of the monthly index in the
first week after the close of each month, about 2
weeks ahead of the regular release of the compre
hensive monthly index.3
The new weekly index is directly comparable
with the monthly comprehensive index, but not
with the present weekly comprehensive index, and
it is not to be considered as a continuation of the
latter series. Table 1 and chart 1 present the
new and old weekly indexes for the 15-month
period January 1947 through March 1948.4
T he B uk ea u of L abok S tatistics
l By S. Eobert Mitchell of the Bureau’s Division of Prices and Cost of
Living.
1
A public announcement will be issued by the Bureau, at least 1 month in
advance, giving the date on which the new index will be initiated on a cur
rent basis and the present weekly series will be discontinued.
Since the new weekly index is based on a sample of about one-eighth of the
commodities in the comprehensive sample, it should be recognized that the
results are not so authoritative as if the full coverage of the comprehensive
index had been used. The Bureau, therefore, recommends that businesses
and other organizations with contracts under which payments are adjusted
in accordance with movements of the Bureau’s wholesale price index, should
use the monthly comprehensive wholesale price index for this purpose, and
not the new weekly series nor the monthly estimates based on data used in
this weekly index.
* This tabulation wi'l be brought up to date when the new index is initiates
this autumn. The new index will thereafter be available as a continuoud
series from the beginning of 1947.
3
290
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
The advantages of the new abbreviated index
over the present weekly comprehensive index are
summarized below:
1. It is a more reliable indicator of week-toweek changes in primary market prices, both
currently and historically, because of the exclusive
use of prices actually prevailing in each week for
every commodity included in the 115-commodity
sample.
2. There will not be the discrepancy that has
existed between the levels of the comprehensive
weekly and monthly indexes.
3. Its smaller coverage requires somewhat less
computation work and makes possible the issuance
of estimated indexes for each current week within
3 days after the close of the weekly period covered.
4. Data used in its computation will be used to
provide an estimate of the level of the monthly
index about 2 weeks before the comprehensive
index for that month becomes available.
Disadvantages of Comprehensive Weekly Index
The weekly index which is to be discontinued
has been computed since January 1932, while the
monthly index extends back to 1890. The two
series have included the same sample of com
modities (nearly 900 at the present time), classified
into the same 10 major groups, 49 subgroups, and
5 special groupings. In recent years similar
procedures have been followed in calculating both
indexes, but their levels are not directly com
parable because of certain past differences in
computation. Although this discrepancy between
the weekly and monthly index levels has not been
very large, it has, nevertheless, prevented direct
comparisons and has caused some confusion among
the users of the two series.
Despite the similarity of coverage and method,
the weekly index has been much less satisfactory
than the monthly index as an indicator of current
price movements because of certain differences in
291
NEW WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX
CHART I
W H O LES A LE PRICES
Comprehensive
Jan .
Feb.
Mar.
Monthly and W e e k ly
Apr.
M ay
Ju n e
J u ly
A ug
and
Abbreviated W e e k ly Indexes
S e p t.
Oct.
1947
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
INDEX
INDEX
210
190
200
180
190
170
180
160
1948
U NITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
M ar
1948
1948
292
NEW WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX
price reporting practices. Although all the com
modities were included in the calculation of the
old weekly index, price reports have been received
weekly in recent years for only a little over half
the quotations. Weekly quotations have covered
the basic products, including raw materials, partly
fabricated products, and many important manu
factured products subject to possible frequent
price changes. The remainder have been received
on a monthly basis or, for a few commodities with
very infrequent price changes, on a quarterly
basis. Quotations not reported on a weekly basis
were held constant in the computation of the
weekly index, until such time as reports were
received indicating that a change had occurred.
After such a change was reported, the new price
was used to compute the next weekly index, but
no correction was made in past weekly indexes
(even though the change may have become effec
tive one or more weeks earlier). Thus, the old
weekly index tended not only to be less sensitive
than it should be, but also to reflect certain price
changes with varying time lags. The monthly
index, on the other hand, is first computed only
after price reports for the month have been re
ceived for practically all the commodities included
in the index. As a further safeguard, the monthly
index is issued as preliminary and subject to cor
rection for a period of 2 months, in order to take
account of late reports, inaccurate reports, or
other errors in the prices used in the initial release.
Chart 1 indicates some of the effects of these
discrepancies between the comprehensive weekly
and monthly indexes during the period January
1947 through March 1948. It may be noted, for
instance, that in certain months the comprehen
sive weekly index very definitely fails to fluctuate
around the level of the average monthly index in
the manner that would be expected for comparable
weekly and monthly indexes. This is particularly
noticeable in the “all commodities” chart during
January, March, and October 1947, and in
January 1948.
To remedy these defects in the comprehensive
weekly index, it would be necessary to extend the
weekly reporting system to cover all quotations
in the index, which would require the solicitation
of all companies now submitting monthly or
quarterly price reports. To insure the prompt
receipt of this weekly price information for use
in a current weekly index, an elaborate follow-up
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
system would have to be developed and main
tained. Additional staff would also be needed
to make required corrections in past weekly indexes.
In the opinion of the Bureau, this is neither
possible nor necessary.
Development of the 115-Commodity Sample
Another approach toward the development of a
more satisfactory weekly wholesale price index,
considered by the Bureau as early as 1939, was
based on the use of a sample of the commodities
included in the comprehensive wholesale price
index. It was believed that a highly reliable
indicator of average changes in commodity prices
on a weekly basis could be obtained by properly
weighting a carefully selected sample of about
100 commodities for which accurate prices could
be collected promptly each week. Moreover, a
sample of that size would minimize the burden
on cooperating reporters and also save time in
carrying through the calculations each week in
the Bureau.
Considerable exploratory work in the selection
of such a sample from the complete list of com
modities in the comprehensive wholesale price
index was conducted by the Bureau in the late
1930’s. About 100 commodities were selected
at that time, after extensive experimentation which
involved the testing of the movements of various
combinations of commodities against the move
ments of the comprehensive monthly wholesale
price index. These experiments were conducted
for major groups as well as for the index as a
whole. In general, most of the commodities
selected from each group were the heavily weighted
commodities, but some commodities with smaller
weights were also selected when their inclusion
improved the results. The continuation of this
exploratory work was interrupted during the
defense period.
After the end of the war, experimental work was
resumed. The 100-commodity list selected for
this purpose before the war was reexamined, and
certain additions and deletions were found neces
sary to take account of changes in the coverage of
the monthly comprehensive index. As a result of
these further adjustments, the 115-commodity
sample was developed. (See table 2 for commodity
descriptions, by major groups.) This sample has
been designed to provide a highly reliable indicator
of average weekly price changes for “all commodi-
NEW WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
T able
1.— Weekly wholesale price indexes, comprehensive and abbreviated series, by group, January 1947-March 1948
Week-ending date All commodities Farm products
Compre
hensive
11
Jan.
(1947)18
25
Feb.
1
8
22
1
8
15
22
15
Mar.
Com- Abbre ComAbbre prehen
viated
viated prehen
si ve
sive
Jan. 7
(1947)14
Feb
May
June
May
21
July
5
12
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
2
9
16
23
30
Aug.
6
13
20
Sept.
27
4
11
18
25
1
8
15
22
133.2
135. 7
135. 7
135.8
137.7
135.5
135. 4
137.0
137.4
138.3
138. 7
138.7
136. 2
137.4
138.9
138.8
141.6
139.1
138. 8
139.0
140.2
140.3
140.5
140.6
98.0
98.3
98.5
98. 5
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.8
98.8
101.7
103.5
96.9
98.1
08.2
97. 5
98.0
98.2
98.2
98.2
98.0
98.0
101.6
102. 0
135.5
136.7
137.7
138.3
138.3
13S.4
138. 4
138. 6
139.7
140.2
140.3
140.3
140.2
139.2
138.4
138.6
138.9
139.3
139.7
139. 8
140.3
141.1
141. 4
141.3
158.1
164.5
165. 5
168.6
170.6
172.8
172.6
173.0
175.3
175. 3
176.7
177.0
162. 4
172.1
172.3
173.0
172. 5
174.8
174.8
175.3
176.8
177.7
178.0
177.3
124.5
124.6
125.2
124.9
124.5
124.8
125.2
125.9
126.2
127.4
128.9
129.0
148.8
148.1
147.2
146.8
146.7
146. 7
147.0
146.9
147.4
147.9
147.6
147.8
147.6
149.3
149.4
147.8
147.2
147. 7
147.6
146.9
146.9
147.7
147.8
147.6
147.6
147.6
181.2
180.1
175.4
177.6
174. 6
176.3
176.9
177. 2
178.4
179.5
178.3
178.7
179.0
180.1
181.7
174. 5
174.6
176.5
175.8
174.2
173.1
177.2
177.5
177.0
177.6
178.7
164.4
163. 0
162.2
160.3
162.7
161. 1
161.1
160.3
161. 6
163. 1
162.4
162.6
162.2
164.9
162.8
162.8
161.1
162.6
163.0
158.6
158.0
159.0
160.4
161.2
162.1
161.8
132.3
132.1
132.4
132.0
131.8
131.7
132.1
132.2
132.3
132.2
132.1
132.1
132.0
132. 5
132.8
132.4
132.2
132.1
131.8
132.3
132.5
132.5
132.3
131.8
131.3
131.3
139.3
139. 6
138.8
137.8
138.0
138.0
138. 5
138. 3
138. 5
138. 5
138. 5
138.4
138.4
140.7
142.4
141.0
139.2
138. 5
138.9
140.4
140.0
139.9
140.2
137.6
141.0
140.5
103.9
104. 0
104.1
103.9
104. 0
104.0
104.1
104.3
104.1
104.4
104.4
104.5
104.5
103.0
103.1
103. 3
103.3
103.3
103.1
103.0
103.4
103. 5
104.3
105.0
103.1
103.0
140.3
140.3
140.9
140.8
140. 7
140. 7
141.8
141.8
142. 3
142.5
142.3
141.5
141.4
141. 2
141.5
141.4
141.2
141.1
141.0
141.9
142. 1
142.3
142.1
141.8
142. 1
142.0
177.8
177.9
178.4
178.0
178. 5
178. 6
177.4
177.0
178.0
177.5
176.1
176.3
175.4
177.2
178.6
178.5
178.2
177.6
177.3
177.1
175.8
175.2
175. 4
174.3
173.6
174.4
128.8
128.4
128.0
128.2
128.3
127.1
127.6
128.4
128.7
128.6
128.7
127.1
126.9
148.0
148.3
150.3
150.6
151.3
152.2
152. 7
153. 5
154.0
147.8
148.6
149.9
151.6
152.0
152. 4
154.0
153.4
154.0
179.5
178.2
182.4
182.0
180.8
181.2
181.4
181.4
181.7
178.1
178.7
181.6
183.9
182.1
180.4
183.0
180.1
182.1
164.6
165. 8
168.0
167.1
168.0
171.1
172.3
172.3
172.1
162.9
165.6
166. 8
168.4
167.1
170. 2
173.2
173.2
171.2
132.1
132.1
132.9
133.7
134.7
135.2
135. 4
136.6
137.3
131.4
131.7
132.5
134. 0
135.5
135.4
136.0
135.7
136.8
138.4
138.3
138.4
138.6
139.0
139.5
139. 7
140.1
140.1
140.6
140.4
140. 0
140.3
141.2
141.2
141.9
141. 9
141.8
105.1
105.8
107.1
108.9
109.7
110.7
103.3
105.5
107.2
111.0
114.1
114.2
111.7
111.9
112.4
112.3
113.3
141.6
141.6
142.9
143.6
146.1
146.7
146.7
147.0
149.8
142.1
141.9
141.7
141.9
146.3
146.7
148.1
147.7
150.1
175. 2
175.4
174.8
174.8
176.6
178.0
178.9
179.1
179.3
174.1
174.8
174.8
175. 4
176.8
177.5
178.8
178.5
181.1
126.3
125.1
126.0
126.4
126.8
126.2
126.6
126.1
126.2
154.9
157. 4
158. 1
156.2
157.1
158.0
157.9
158.0
157.4
157.9
158. 5
159.2
159.8
154.7
157.0
158.8
157.2
157.5
158.1
158.7
159. 3
158. 2
157.9
158. 5
159.8
159.8
182.4
187.3
189.8
184.7
187.5
190.1
190.9
190.7
187.7
186.1
186.9
188.6
190.3
182.0
186.1
188.2
184.8
187.6
188.8
191.6
191.6
188.4
185.8
185.4
187.8
188.4
174.1
180.9
182.3
177.6
178.3
180,0
178.5
176.2
173. 8
176.3
178.0
178.8
178.3
173.2
178.8
183.5
178.8
177.3
179.2
178.8
178.6
175.6
174.7
176.3
180.1
177.1
137.9
138.1
138.0
138. 2
138. 6
139.0
139.3
140. 2
140.9
141.3
141.5
142.0
142.6
137.1
137.7
138. 5
138.6
138.8
139.2
139.4
140.5
140.7
141.3
142.0
142.0
142.5
140.3
140.4
140.7
140.8
141.0
141.2
141.2
142.1
142.7
142.9
142.9
144.0
144.7
141.9
142.0
142.5
142.7
142.7
143.1
143.1
143.7
143.7
144. 1
144.3
145.3
145.8
114.4
114.4
115.0
115. 0
115.3
115. 4
115.7
117.4
118.3
118.4
118.7
118.7
119.1
113.2
113.4
114.5
114.5
114.8
114.5
114.5
117.3
117.4
117.8
118.3
118.2
118.6
150.4
150.4
150.3
150.4
150.7
150.7
151.1
151.3
151.3
151.3
151.3
151.3
151.3
150.0
150.1
150.1
150.1
150.1
150.2
150.2
150.6
150.9
150.7
150. 2
150.8
150.9
180.1
179.4
180.9
182.0
182.3
183.3
184.0
184.4
185.2
185.2
185.3
186.1
187.2
182.5
183.5
183.2
183.4
183.8
185. 6
185.3
185. 7
186.3
187.0
187.5
187.8
187.8
127.0
128.2
129.4
129.5
130.1
130.9
131.5
132.0
132.3
133.9
135.3
135.6
136.6
161.0
161.4
162. 5
163.0
164.4
164.5
165.5
164.4
163.7
161.0
162.6
162. 6
163.2
164.5
165. 5
166.8
166.5
164.5
193.6
196.2
196.9
197.0
199.2
197.0
201.5
199.2
195.1
192.6
196.2
196.4
196.3
199.0
198.0
203.3
.1
196.3
179.6
179.0
178.2
177.8
181.3
182.1
181.2
177.4
176.5
179.8
179.2
178.2
175.7
179.2
182. 9
182.0
180.1
176.2
143.1
143.5
145. 4
146.0
146.4
146. 9
147.4
147.6
148.0
142.8
144.4
145.1
146.5
146.7
147.2
148.3
148.9
148.4
145.3
146.3
146.9
146.9
147.5
145.8
145. 7
145.5
145.8
146.3
146.5
147.5
149.1
149.4
147.2
148.6
148.6
147.8
120.2
119.4
126.2
127.7
128.5
130.0
130.0
130. 4
131.2
117.9
122.3
122.9
126.5
127.7
128.5
129.8
130.4
130.7
151.3
151.5
151.6
152. 0
152.0
152.8
153.2
153.9
154.1
150.9
151.0
151.0
151.8
151.9
153.9
154.3
154.2
154.6
187.6
188.4
189.1
189.1
189.4
189.7
191.1
191.3
191.3
187.8
188.8
190.8
192.3
192.6
193.5
194.2
194.7
191.6
137.4
137.9
138.1
138.0
137.5
137.8
139.2
140.4
139.9
10
163.8
159. 7
159.2
159.2
164.6
160.9
159.9
159.9
195.5
180.9
181.7
182.8
195.6
182.5
182.7
183.5
177.9
173.3
170.3
170.5
177.6
174.3
170.0
170.3
147.8
147.5
147.5
147.3
148.6
147.7
147. 5
147.5
147.0
146.7
146.9
146.2
148.5
149.5
149.4
148.3
131.4
131.6
131.6
131.7
130.9
130.8
130.8
130.8
154.2
154.8
155.5
155.6
154.4
154.8
155.6
155.6
192.1
192.0
191.9
192.1
191.8
192.2
192.9
193.0
138.9
136.5
135.1
134.9
2
160.4
159.8
161.5
161.1
160.1
161.4
161.0
161.7
162.4
160.8
187.1
184.9
187.6
186.2
183.9
189.3
187.1
188.8
185.4
182.6
172.2
171.2
176.4
174.8
172.4
173.0
171.8
173.6
176.9
173.6
147.3
147.3
147.3
147. 4
147.7
147.4
147.6
147.7
147.8
148.0
145.9 3 150.5
145.9 150.0
145.6 149.9
145.2 149.6
145.1 149.5
131.7
131.7
131.7
131.7
131.7
130.9
130.9
130.9
130.9
130.9
155.7
155.9
156.0
156.0
156.6
155.7
155.6
155.8
156.0
156.2
192.1
192.5
192.6
192.5
193.2
192.9
193.1
193.1
193.1
193.1
134.6
134.9
134.9
135. 3
135.5
28
4
11
1
8
22
29
6
13
20
27
3
10
1
8
22
29
5
12
2
9
16
23
30
Oct. 7
14
21
28
4
11
18
25
29
2
6
20
Dee.
27
Jan.
3
(1948)
17
24
31
10
Jan.
(1948)13
Feb.
Feb.
Dec.
13
7
14
9
16
23
30
6
20
27
21
Apr.
6
13
20
27
3
3
17
24
28
Mar.
Mar.
ComComCom
ComCompre- Abbre Com Abbre pre- Abbre pre- Abbre pre- Abbre pre- Abbre Abbre
hen- viated prehen viated fi en- viated 3 hen- viated hen- viated hen- viated viated
sive
sive
sive
sive
sive
sive
127.2
128.5
128.9
128.8
129.0
129.1
129.3
129.6
130.1
130. 8
132.3
132.4
19
26
Nov.
All
other 1
125.0
126.6
127.0
127.5
128.1
128.1
128. 3
128.7
129.4
130.0
131.3
131.9
15
19
26
Building
materials
157.8
158. 2
156. 1
154.2
156.3
160. 0
161. 7
164.3
172.2
171. 1
167.4
165.6
17
24
28
Metals and
metal prod
ucts
158.1
157.8
155.9
154. 1
156.7
160.9
162.5
167. 5
170.7
166.5
166.2
166.5
15
June
Fuel and
lighting ma
terials
164.7
167.6
164.9
162.8
165.1
165. 4
170.2
173.7
182.5
182.6
183.9
183.1
11
10
17
24
31
7
14
Textile
products
165.8
166.0
164.2
164.8
165. 5
168.9
171.7
176. 1
181.8
184. 2
182.9
183.8
18
25
Apr.
5
Ail commodities
other than farm
and foods
141.3
142.8
142.2
141.4
142.7
143.6
145.1
146.4
150.0
150.1
150. 5
150.0
18
25
Mar 4
12
19
26
3
Abbre
viated
Foods
140.0
140.8
140.3
140.3
141.7
143.1
144.3
146.4
148.7
148.3
119.0
149.4
21
29
Apr.
293
9
16
23
30
1
201
Includes hides and leather products, chemical and allied products, house
furnishing goods, and commodities in the miscellaneous group. A weekly
index for this combination of groups has not been computed for the compre
hensive series.
As described in the textile section of the monthly wholesale price report
for March 1948, price collection was resumed in March 1948 for an important
broadcloth included in the m onthly comprehensive index for which no quota
3
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
111.2
tions were available during the war years. Due mainly to this réintroduc
tion, the abbreviated weekly indexes beginning with the first week of March
1948 are not strictly comparable with those shown for earlier weeks. If this
réintroduction (and certain minor revisions of several other price series) had
not been made, the textile indexes for weeks ending in March 1948 would
have been as follows: Mar. 2, 147.5; Mar. 9, 147.0; Mar. 16, 146.9; Mar. 23,
146.6; and Mar. 30,146.5.
294
NEW WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX
ties” and “all commodities other than farm prod
ucts and foods,” and reasonably reliable indicators
for six major groups separately and for four other
groups combined. The latter four groups include
the miscellaneous group and the three groups with
smallest relative importances in the year 1947,
namely, hides and leather products, chemical and
allied products, and housefurnishing goods. The
sample coverage is not sufficient to provide satis
factory results for these four groups separately or
for any of the subgroups.
In using the 115-commodity sample to indicate
average price changes from one period to another,
constant weight factors or “multipliers” are first
applied to the commodity prices in each pricing
period and the resulting values totaled for each
period. The percentage change in the total aggre
gate values thus obtained is the weighted average
percentage price change from the earlier to the
later period. The multipliers used with the 115
commodities were derived from data used in com
puting the average monthly comprehensive index
for the year 1947. For each commodity included
in the sample, its own 1947 value (or product of
its 1947 average price and the multiplier used in
the comprehensive index) was combined with the
1947 values of certain closely related commodities
in the comprehensive index which were not in
cluded in the sample. In addition, the 1947 values
of those commodities in the comprehensive index
which were not directly assigned to sample com
modities in this manner were allocated to the
sample commodities within the same major group.
The resulting 1947 total value thus assigned to
each of the 115 commodities was then divided by
the average 1947 price of the commodity to obtain
its weight factor or multiplier. The effect of this
procedure was to impute the weights of all com
modities in the comprehensive index to the 115
commodities.
The relative importance in 1947 of each sample
commodity among all 115 commodities and among
the sample commodities in each major group is
given in table 2. Since the values of all the com
modities in the comprehensive index have been
imputed to these sample commodities, the relative
importance shown for each group total is therefore
the same as the 1947 relative importance of the
group in the comprehensive index.
The 115-commodity sample has thus been made
as nearly as possible the counterpart of the monthly
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
comprehensive index, both in its price behavior and
in its weighting system. A close correspondence
may be expected, therefore, between the monthly
percentage changes in average prices based on the
115-commodity sample and on the monthly com
prehensive index. This is illustrated in chart 2
which compares these monthly percentage changes
for “ all commodities” from January 1947 through
March 1948. It will be observed that even in this
period of unusually rapid price fluctuations, the
two sets of percentage changes are highly related,
their directions being the same in every month
and their magnitudes being quite similar in most
months. The percentage changes for the two
series, with the monthly deviation between the
percentages, follow:
Percent change
Deviation
116Monthly
comprehen commodity in percent
change
sample
sive index
January to February 1947—
February to March 1947-----March to April 1947— April to May 1947__ ---------May to June 1947— _
June to July 1947_____
July to August 1947________
August to September 1947—
September to October 1947__
October to November 1947. _
November to December 1947.
December 1947 to January
1948__________ _______
January to February 1948—
February to March 1948------
+ 2. 3
+ 3. 3
-1 . 3
-. 5
+ .3
+ 2. 0
+ 2. 1
+ 2. 4
+.7
+ •7
+ 2. 3
+ 2. 2
+ 3. 3
-. 9
-. 3
+ .3
+ 2. 0
+ 2. 1
+ 2. 1
+ 1. 0
+ .3
+ 2. 6
0. 1
.0
.4
.2
.0
.0
.0
.3
.3
.4
.3
+ 1. 5
-2 . 9
+ 1. 0
-3 . 2
.5
.3
+ .3
+ .9
.6
It will be observed that the deviations are 0.3 or
less for 10 out of the 14 monthly comparisons.
The average of the 14 deviations is 0.24. The
largest deviation is 0.6 for February to March
1948, a period during which exceptionally violent
and irregular price fluctuations occured following
the sharp break in the commodity markets in
February.
Nature of New Abbreviated Index
The new weekly abbreviated index is timed to
be issued every Friday covering the 7-day period
ended the preceding Tuesday. The old weekly
comprehensive index has been issued on Thursday,
covering the week ended the preceding Saturday.
This change was considered desirable, since the
majority of the quotations used are reported as of
Monday or Tuesday.
Only current prices, reported weekly, are used
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
NEW WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX
in the weekly abbreviated index. Excellent co
operation has been received from the companies
from which weekly price reports are needed (in
place of their monthly or quarterly reports) to
compute the weekly abbreviated index on a cur
rent basis. Since the number of quotations
involved in this new index is relatively small, it is
possible to follow up (if necessary) to obtain cur
rent prices in time for inclusion in the current
weekly index.
The weekly historical series for the period from
January 1947 through March 1948, presented in
295
table 1, was computed by relating the weekly
aggregates (used in deriving average percentage
price changes, as previously discussed) for the
115-commodity sample to their corresponding
monthly comprehensive indexes. This ties the
weekly data to the monthly indexes. However,
because of certain small differences between the
movement of the average weekly aggregates and
the corresponding monthly comprehensive indexes
(see chart 2), it was necessary to make small
adjustments in the weekly data so that the weekly
indexes would be in strict conformity with the
WHOLESALE PRICES
Average Monthly Percentage Changes
PERCENT
PERCENT
+4r
“ 1+4
-4
JanrFeb. FebrMar.
Mor.-Apr. Apr-M ay
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
M ay-June June-July
July-Aug. Aug-Sept. S e p t-O ct
1947
monthly comprehensive indexes. These adjust
ments were made according to a specially devised
mathematical procedure, which preserves the
continuity of the weekly indexes from one month
to the next while adjusting the weekly indexes
within each month.5 The adjusted weekly ab
breviated indexes falling within each calendar
month will average the same as the comprehensive
index for that month, after allowances have been
made for any weeks that overlap into adjoining
months. Chart 1, which plots these adjusted
1 This procedure was developed by Sidney W. Wilcox, Chief Statistician,
Bureau of Labor Statistics. A description of this procedure is in preparation.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Oct-Nov. Nov.-Dec Dec.-Jan
J a n -F e b . Feb-M ar
1948
weekly indexes with the comprehensive weekly
and monthly indexes, clearly illustrates the com
parability of the new weekly series with the
monthly index.
The mathematical procedure for adjusting
weekly indexes to conform with monthly com
prehensive indexes requires data for both series
for corresponding periods of time. Since these
adjustments cannot be made immediately for
current weeks (because the corresponding monthly
comprehensive index is not available), the weekly
indexes when first issued will be based on the
comprehensive index for an earlier month. For
296
NEW WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX
example, the indexes issued for current weeks in
January 1949 will be derived by relating the
movements of the weekly aggregates of the 115commodity sample to the comprehensive index
for November 1948. This procedure involves the
calculation of the percentage change in the ag
gregates from the average for the month of
November to each current week, and then the
application of this percentage change to the
November comprehensive index. Current weekly
indexes in February and March 1949 will also be
computed in the same manner.
No revisions in current weekly indexes will be
issued during the same quarter of the calendar
year. At the beginning of the next quarter, how
ever, the weekly indexes for the preceding quarter
will be revised to agree with the latest available
monthly comprehensive indexes. For instance,
with the release of the abbreviated index for the
first week of April 1949, revised weekly indexes
will be issued for the first quarter of 1949, adjusted
to conform to the preliminary monthly indexes
which will then be available for January and
February. The finally adjusted historical series
of weekly indexes for the first quarter of 1949 will
not be issued until the first week of July 1949,
when the comprehensive index will no longer be
preliminary for any month in the quarter.
At the beginning of each quarter of the year,
therefore, the Bureau will issue a special tabula
tion presenting revised weekly abbreviated indexes
for the preceding two quarters. The revised in
dexes for the earlier of these quarters will always
be issued as final, while for the more recent quarter
T a b l e 2. — Commodities
MONTHLY LABOR
revised indexes will continue to be preliminary
and subject to further revision to conform to
later corrections in the monthly index. The
weekly indexes previously issued for these two
quarters will therefore be completely superseded.
All the initial weekly indexes issued in a quarter
will be tied to the comprehensive index for the
middle month of the preceding quarter, thus
making them comparable from one week to the
next during the entire quarter. These current
weekly indexes may be compared directly with
the weekly indexes of the preceding quarter (using
the revised indexes issued at the beginning of the
current quarter), and also with any of the final
weekly indexes available back to January 1947.
Separate weekly abbreviated indexes will be
provided in the current releases for “ all commodi
ties” and for the 8 groupings shown in table 1.
If the need is sufficiently great, the Bureau might
develop separate samples and provide weekly
indexes for several of the more important sub
groups.
In the release for the first week of each month,
an estimated level of the comprehensive index for
the preceding month will also be provided. This
monthly estimate, available about 2 weeks ahead
of the regular monthly comprehensive release,
will be derived by projecting the latest available
comprehensive index according to the movement
of the average monthly aggregates for the 115commodity sample. Each monthly estimate is
superseded when the corresponding monthly com
prehensive index becomes available in the third
week of the current month.
included in the abbreviated wholesale price index, classified by groups in the comprehensive wholesale
price index
Relative importance, year
1947 2—
Code 1
Commodity description
Within group
All commodities- _________________________________________ __________
3
4.1
7
13
15
18
23
24-1
31.1
36.2
38
44
55.1
63.1
See footnotes at end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
100 00
. _
Farm Products_______________ __________ ____________________________________ ______ ________
Corn, No. 3 yellow, Chicago - ____ __________________________________ _____ ___________________
Oats, No. 3 white, Minneapolis_____________________________________________ ____ _____________
Wheat, No. 2 hard winter, Kansas C ity____________________________________________________ ___
Cows, fair to good, Chicago_____________________________________________________________ ____ _
Steers, fair to good, Chicago__________________ ____ _____ __________________________ ___________
Hogs, light butchers, good to choice, Chicago__ ____ ___________________________________________
Poultry, live fowls, New Y ork,. _________
________________ . . . __________ _______ _ _ . . .
Cotton, middling, 15/16-inch (average of 10 spot markets) - ______________________________________
Eggs, fresh, U. S. Standards, New Y ork. _______ _ _______ . . ____________ _ . . . ___ _ _____
Apples, Portland, Oreg., good condition. . . .
______________________________________________
Oranges, California, average all grades, Chicago___________________________________________ _____
Milk, fluid, f. o. b. New York ______________________________________________________ ________
Potatoes, white, U . S. No. 1, Boston. . . . _ _
...
________ _________________________________
Wool, domestic, territory, staple, scoured basis, fine combing, Boston____________________________
Among all
commodities
100. 00
5.14
1. 57
10.14
4. 86
. 71
20. 67
2.94
17. 86
. 47
2.60
1. 95
12. 30
2.97
8
6
1.82
21. 37
1.10
.34
2.16
1.04
1.86
4.42
.63
3. 81
1.38
.56
.42
2.62
.64
.39
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
T a b l e 2. —Commodities
NEW WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX
297
included in the abbreviated wholesale 'price index, classified by groups in the comprehensive wholesale
price index— Continued
Relative importance, year
1947 3—
Code 1
Commodity description
Within group
Among all
commodities
44
71
90
95.1
107.1
36.2
38
55.1
53.2
125. 2
132.2
139.1
142.1
145.1
150.1
153.1
160
157
179
185
31.1
Poods.. ___ ___________ __ _____________ .
M ilk, fluid, f. o. b. New York 3
_________ ___ _______
Butter, creamery, 92 score, f. o. b. Chicago_______________________
Milk, evaporated, 48 14J-i-ounce tins, f. o. b. New York ________
.......
Bread, loaf (baked weight), delivered New York_______________________ . . .
Flour, wheat, spring standard patents, f. o. b. Minneapolis______________________________________
Apples, fresh, Portland, Oreg., good condition A ___________________________________________
Oranges, California, average all grades, Chicago * . .
. _______ . . . _ . . .
Potatoes, white, U. S. No. 1, Boston *__ __________
Onions, Chicago. .. __________ . . . ___
Pineapple, canned, Hawaiian, fancy, sliced, No. 2¡4, f. o. b. cannery. _________
Bananas, Central American, f. o. b. N ew York___________ _____________ .
Tomatoes, canned, standard, No. 2, f. o. b. cannery_____________________ ______
Beef, steer carcass, fresh, good grade, New York_______________ _____ _______ ____________________
Pork, cured, bacon, square cut, No. 1 grade, Chicago_______________________ . . . .
Pork, fresh, loins, under 12 pounds, No. 1 grade, Chicago____ __________ . . . .
Poultry, dressed fowls, New York. ___ . . . . . .
_____________ . _
Coffee, green, Brazilian, Santos No. 4, f. o. b. N ew York_____________________________
Cocoa, beans, Accra, f. o. b. New Y o rk .. . . _________ .
Sugar, granulated, f. o. b. New York___
_ _____________________________
Cottonseed, prime, summer, tank, delivered New York____________ _________
Eggs, fresh, U . S. Standards, N ew York 3__________________________________ _______
100. 00
8. 49
7. 51
1.03
5.62
8. 37
1.82
1.36
.24
2.07
1.73
2. 25
1.54
13. 26
5.81
13.12
2.35
2. 34
3.04
9. 66
2.82
5. 57
22.09
1.88
1.66
.23
1.24
1.85
.40
.30
.05
.46
.38
.50
.34
2.92
1.29
2.90
.52
.52
.67
2.13
.62
1.23
201.1
206. 2
207.1
211
215.1
219.1
221.1
Hides and Leather Products______________________ _____ ______________ _____ _____ ________________
Shoes, men’s oxfords, Goodyear welt, calf upper, leather outsole, f. o. b. factory. __________________
Shoes, women’s, leather outsoles, tie, kid, f. o. b. factory________________________________________
Shoes, women’s, leather outsoles, pump, patent leather, f. o. b. fa c to r y _________________ ____ _
.
Hides, packer, green salted, cow, light, native, f. o. b. Chicago_________________________________
Skins, goat, Amritsars, c. i. f. New York. . . _____________ ______________
Leather, kid, glazed, grade No. 2, light medium and medium, f. o. b. tannery___________________ .
Leather, side, chrome tanned, No. 1 grade, f. o. b. tannery_______ . . .
_ ____________ .
100.00
25.32
16.18
9.24
17.23
4.59
10.33
17.11
3.36
.85
.55
.31
.58
.15
.35
.57
239-1.1
241
244.1
24Q.4
268
271
283.1
290-1.4
291-6.1
295-6.1
301
319.2
326
317-1
327.1
Textile Products_______________ . . . ____________________ _____ ___ _____ _
Overalls, bib, denim, 8 ounce/yard, f. o. b. destination___________________________________________
Shirts, men's, dress, white broadcloth, f. o. b. factory___________________________________________
Suits, men’s, 3 piece, 13 ounce unfinished worsted, f. o. b. Chicago_______________________________
Suits, youth’s, 2 piece, 12-14 ounce, all wool, f. o. b. New York_________________________________ .
Print cloth, 38}4-inch, 64 x 60, 5.35 yard/pound, f. o. b. m ill...
______________________ __________
Sheeting, wide, bleached, 10/4, 68/72, 1.34 yard/pound, f. o. b. m ill..
...
. ___________. . .
_
Yarn, cotton, carded, 40/1, skeins, f. o. b. mill_________ ____________________________________ _
Hosiery, nylon, women’s, full fashioned, 45 gauge, 30 denier, f. o. b. mill_________________ . . . _
Union suits, cotton, knit, men’s, f. o. b. shipping point__ ___ _______ . . . . . . . . . . _
Yarn, rayon, first quality, viscose, cones, f. o. b. producer’s plant, freight a llo w e d .._______________
Silk, Japan, raw, white, in bales, 13/15 denier, 78 percent, f. o. b. N ew York. . . ________ ________
Serge, piece dyed, 12—12L6 ounce/yard, all wool, 58 inch, f. o. b. m ill. _ ______
_____
Yarn, worsted, Bradford system, weaving, 2/50s, fine, f. o. b. m i l l .. ______________________________
Coating, all wool, men’s knitted, 17-ounce/yard, 55-inch, f. o. b. m ill.. _____ ______ ______ ______
Burlap, 10 ounce, 40-inch, spot, carlots, ex dock or ex warehouse N ew York___ ____________ . . . . .
100.00
4. 73
3.61
10.76
4. 58
10.15
15.22
14.50
4.84
3.60
3.45
4. 25
6.90
5.51
2. 49
5.41
8.39
.40
.30
.91
.38
.86
1.28
1.22
.40
.30
.29
.36
.57
.46
.21
.45
343
346
351
353
354.1
356
361-1
365
Fuel and Lighting Materials:
Anthracite, chestnut, on tracks, destination ________ ___________ . __________________ _ _
Bituminous coal, mine run, on tracks, destination. ____________________________________________
Coke, byproduct, foundry, f. o. b. oven Newark, N . J ______ __________________________________
Electricity, commercial and industrial sales of light and power___________________________________
Gas, manufactured and n atu ral... __________ . __________ _________________________________
Fuel oil, Pennsylvania, 36-40 gravity, f. o. b. refinery___________________________________________
Gasoline, Pennsylvania, regular, f. o. b. refinery______________ _______________________________
Petroleum, crude, Kansas-Oklahoma, 33°-33.9°, f. o. b. w ell_____ . __________________ _ . _ _ .
100.00
8.14
29.17
7.15
8.60
4.26
10.09
13. 74
18.85
12.56
1.02
3.66
.90
1.08
.53
1.27
1.73
2.37
404. 2
415
427.1
445.1
446.3
447.3
452.2
455.1
472.1
484
488
489. 3
462.1 to 467.1
Metals and Metal Products___________________________________________ . ________________________
Bars, steel, hot-rolled, merchant, f. o. b. m ill____________ .
_ .
_ _____________________
Cans, sanitary, No. 2, f. o. b. fa cto ry ..._____ __________________________________________________
Pig iron, basic, f. o, b/producing area___________________________________________________ _ _
Scrap, steel, heavy melting, f. o. b. Pittsburgh.. .
_ ___________________________ _ „ _
Sheets, steel, hot-rolled, No. 11 gauge, f. o. b. m ill. .. _______________ ___ _ _
_ _ ___
Sheets, steel, cold-rolled, No. 20 gauge, f. o. b. m ill____________
_
. . . _______ . . . ....
Structural steel, shapes, f. o. b. m ill_____________________
_
. _
____________________
Tin plate, f. o. b. m ill____ .
___________________________________ _______________
. . .
Copper, electrolytic, delivered Connecticut Valley_________________
_______________________
Tin, pig, f. o. b. New York__________ __________ ______
. . . _____________________________
Zinc, pig, slab, f. o. b. New York_______ ____ ___________________________ ___________ _ _ ___
._ . ___________________ ._
Boilers, heating, f. o. b. factory________________________ . . . __ _.
1
Motor vehicles, passenger cars'________________________________________________________________
100.0
6. 67
2. 29
3. 36
2.13
13. 44
3.28
5. 65
6. 37
9. 77
2. 75
2. 08
1.80
40.41
13. 31
.89
.30
.45
.28
1.79
.44
.75
.85
1.30
.37
.28
.24
5.37
S e e fo o tn o te s a t e n d o f ta b le .
802564— 48
6
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
NEW WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX
298
T a b l e 2. —Commodities
included in the abbreviated wholesale price index, classified by groups in the comprehensive wholesale
price index— Continued
Relative importance, year
1947 2—
Code 1
Commodity description
W ithin group
Among all
commodities
498
500.1
509
515-2
522-1. 3
522-4. 2
520-2.1
535
548
552
489.3
452.2
434.2
487
562
574.3
581
Building Materials___ - __________________________________________________________________
Brick, common building, f. o. b. plant__________________________________________ _____________
Brick, front, light-colored, f. o. b. N ew York______________________ .
.
Cement, Portland, f. o. b. destination_________________________________ __ . __ _____________
Lumber, Douglas fir, dimension, No. 1 common, f. o. b. mill__ ___ _______ _ __________________
Lumber, pine, yellow, southern, boards, No. 2 common, f. o. b. m ill___________________________ . .
Lumber, pine, yellow, southern, dimension, No. 2, f. o. b. m i l l ______________ _ _______ _______
Lumber, cedar, red, western, shingles, No. 1, f. o. b. m ill___________
_______________________
Varnish, floor, bulk, 5’s, f. o. b. plant___ ______________ ________________ ____ _____________
Lead, white, in oil, kegs, delivered east of Rocky M ountains____ _ . . . _____________ _____ _____
Oil, linseed, raw, drums, f. o. b. New York__________________ _________ . . . . . _______________
Boilers, heating, f. o. b. factory
________ . . . ______ _
. _____
______________
Structural steel, shapes, f. o. b„ mill *____ . ______________ _____ __________________________
Pipe, cast iron, 4-inch, f. o. b. foundry__________________________________ ___________________ ._
.
____ _______
.
__________
Wire, copper, solid, f. o. b. basing point______
Doors, Ponderosa pine, 5-panel, No. 1, f. o. b. destination_______________________________________
Roofing, prepared, individual shingles, f. o. b. factory___________________________________________
Stone, crushed, lk&-inch, f. o. b. New York_____________________________ ______________________
100.00
2.42
2. 59
4. 82
16. 67
10. 05
9. 59
3. 65
7. 94
6.07
3. 42
2.95
2.98
5. 92
3. 34
6. 02
4. 64
6. 93
6.49
.16
.17
.31
1.09
.65
.62
.24
.52
.39
.22
.19
.19
.38
.22
.39
.30
.45
593-1
592
608-7
627
645
663.1
664
671-3.1
671-10
Chemicals and Allied Products
Alcohol, specially denatured, formula No. 1, 190-proof, f. o. b. eastern works___ . . _______________
Acid, sulfuric, 66° commercial, tanks, f. o. b. eastern works________________
____________ ______
Coal tar, coal-gas, refined, f. o. b. works. ____________________
. . . . _____________ ________
Sodium compound, caustic, 76 percent, solid, drums, f. o. b. works______________ . ______________
Glycerin, chemically pure, drums, delivered______ _____ ___ _______________ . __________________
Sodium nitrate, crude, imported, f. o. b. cars_________________________ . _______________________
Superphosphate, pulverized, 16 percent basis, bulk, f. o. b. Baltimore___. . . ______ _____ . . . ______
Oil, coconut, Manila, crude, bulk, c. i. f. New York_____________ _____ _____________ . . . _ _____
Tailow, inedible, packers prime, f. o. b. Chicago__________ ____________________________________
100.00
8. 91
16.12
16.12
16.12
3. 94
10.82
8.93
8. 56
10.48
1.68
.15
.27
.27
.27
.07
.18
.15
.14
.18
678-2. 7
699.5
716-1.1
727.3
717-1.1
724.3
Housofurnishing Goods
Rugs, Axminster, 9- by 12-foot, f. o. b. m ill___ _________________________________________________
Stoves, cooking, gas, f. o. b. factory__________________________________ _. ___________________
Dresser, bedroom, f. o. b. factory______________________________________________________________
Sofa, living room, upholstered, f. o. b. factory_______________ . ______________ . . . _ ________ _
Mattress, innerspring, f. o. b. factory____ _ ________ _____________________ __ . . . ___________
Refrigerator, electric, 7 cubic feet, f. o. b. factory_______ ____________________ . . . ______________
100.00
19. 71
11.47
26.54
13. 59
14.17
14.52
2.24
.44
.26
.60
.30
.31
.33
733.1
735-2
736
741-2
743.1
746.1
748.1
753
777-1. 2
780-2. 2
779
766
Miscellaneous Commodities________________ ____________________________________________________
Tires, passenger automobile, 6:00 x 16, 4-ply, f. o. b. factory_____________ . . . . ________________
Tubes, truck and bus, 8:25 x 20, f. o. b. factory___________ ___________
_______________
Cattle feed, bran, f. o. b. Minneapolis__________________________________________________________
Paperboard, chip, single manila lined, Eastern territory________________ _________ __ _________
Paper, book, sheets, Zone 1, f. o. b. mill, freight allowed_________________________________________
Paper, wrapping, standard, Kraft rolls, Zone 1, f. o. b. m ill__ _______. . . . . . _____________ ._
Wood pulp, sulfite, domestic, unbleached, delivered ______ ________ ____ ______________ _____ ____
Rubber, crude, plantation, ribbed smoked sheets, New York____________________ _______________
Soap, toilet, bars or cakes, delivered_______________________ ___________________________
____
Cigars, popular brands, delivered_________________ _____ ______________________ _______________
Cigarettes, delivered_______________ . . . _________________________ _ . . . ____________ . . .
Oil, lubricating, neutral, Pennsylvania, 180 viscosity at 100° F., f. o. b. refinery______ _____ _______
100.00
12.18
4.14
9. 55
5.13
6.39
8. 82
3. 76
3. 75
8.38
12.11
17. 79
8.00
8. 51
1.03
.35
.82
.43
.55
.75
.32
.32
.72
1.03
1. 51
.68
1 T h e s e c o d e s c o r re sp o n d to th o s e u s e d in t h e c o m p r e h e n s iv e in d e x . A
c o m p l e t e l i s t i n g o f a ll c o m m o d i t i e s i n t h e c o m p r e h e n s i v e i n d e x , i n c l u d i n g
c o d e n u m b e r s a n d c o m m o d ity d e s c r ip tio n s , w a s p r o v id e d a s a n a t ta c h m e n t
t o t h e m o n t h l y w h o l e s a l e p r i c e r e p o r t for D e c e m b e r 1947.
C a l c u l a t e d for e a c h c o m m o d i t y b y m u l t i p l y i n g i t s a s s ig n e d w e i g h t f a c t o r
(fo r t h e a b b r e v i a t e d i n d e x ) a n d a v e r a g e 1947 p r ic e , a n d t h e n e x p r e s s i n g t h e
1
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
r e s u l t i n g v a l u e a s a p e r c e n t a g e o f t h e t o t a l o f s u c h v a l u e s for: (1) a ll c o m m o d
i t i e s l i s t e d i n t h i s t a b l e i n t h e p a r t ic u l a r g r o u p , a n d (2) a l l 115 c o m m o d i t i e s
in th e a b b r e v ia te d in d e x .
s T h i s c o m m o d i t y i s a l s o i n c l u d e d i n t h e p r e c e d in g g r o u p . I t s f u ll r e l a t i v e
i m p o r t a n c e a m o n g a ll c o m m o d i t i e s in t h e a b b r e v i a t e d i n d e x i s t h e s u m o f
t h e p e r c e n ta g e s ( in t h e r ig h t-h a n d c o lu m n ) in b o t h o f t h e s e g r o u p s .
R e c e n t D e c is io n s
o f In te r e st to L a b o r'
Wages and Hours2
Portal Act Constitutional. Two recent decisions of
the Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the
validity of the Portal-to-Portal Act of 1947. The
Fourth and Sixth Circuits had previously reached
the same conclusion.
Section 2 of the Portal Act provides that an
employer shall not be liable under the Fair Labor
Standards Act for failure to pay an employee
minimum wages or overtime compensation for any
activities on his premises except those which were
made compensable either by an express provision
of the employment contract or by a custom or
practice in effect at the place of employment.
The first case3 concerned activities before and
after the scheduled working hours which were
performed prior to enactment of the Portal Act.
These included, among others, walking to and
from work, changing clothes, washing, receiving
instructions. No allegation was made that such
activities were compensable by contract, custom,
or practice.
The court held that claims for compensation for
such activities were barred by section 2 of the
Portal Act. It also held that the Portal Act is
constitutional, although it applies to activities
performed before its enactment; that if the right
to overtime compensation were considered purely
1 Prepared in the Office of the Solicitor, 17. S. Department of Labor. The
cases covered in this article represent a selection of the significant decisions
believed to be of special interest. No attempt has been made to reflect all
recent judicial and administrative developments in the field of labor law or
to indicate the effect of particular decisions in jurisdictions in which contrary
results may be reached, based upon local statutory provisions, the exist
ence of local precedents, or a different approach by the courts to the issue
presented.
1 This section is intended merely as a digest of some recent decisions involv
ing the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Portal-to-Portal Act. It is not to
be construed and may not be relied upon as interpretation of these acts by
the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division or any agency of tbe
Department of Labor.
* Battaglia v. General Motors Corp. (U. S. C. C. A. (2d), July 8, 1948).
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
statutory (under the Fair Labor Standards Act),
it could be extinguished by subsequent legislation.
Any contractual right, which might have existed
through reading the Fair Labor Standards Act
and the portal to portal decisions of the United
States Supreme Court into the employment con
tract, was subject to modification by Congress in
the exercise of its power over interstate commerce.
All contracts made, it was stated, contain the
implied reservation that they are subject to the
exercise of Federal power; otherwise, private
parties could by contract exempt themselves from
the application of anticipated Federal laws. The
court held that the Portal Act was not an inter
ference by Congress with the judicial power, but
rather an amendment of existing legislation.
Previous judgments for overtime compensation,
it stated, were expressly excluded from the applica
tion of the act. Nor was there any attempt in
the act to impose upon the courts any rule of deci
sion not in conformity with basic legal concepts.
Thus, employment contracts expressly providing
compensation for portal-to-portal activities re
mained untouched.
Another case 4 involved sections 9 and 11 of the
Portal Act. These sections relieve an employer
from liability under the Fair Labor Standards Act
for overtime compensation and liquidated damages
because of any act or omission made, in good faith,
in reliance upon an administrative regulation,
order, ruling, interpretation, practice, or enforce
ment policy of any agency of the United States.
Elevator employees of a life insurance company
sued for overtime compensation. The employer
contended that, despite its interstate transactions
as an insurance company, it was not subject to the
provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. In
reliance on two decisions of the United States
Supreme Court,5 the court held that the insurance
business was commerce and that insurance policies
were produced for commerce and were “goods”
within the meaning of section 3 of the Fair Labor
Standards Act. Thus, elevator employees were
held to be covered by the act, since they were
engaged in an occupation necessary to the produc
tion of goods for commerce.
Because of the policy of the Wage and Hour
Administration of the United States Department of
1Barr v. M utual Life Ins. Co. (U. S. C. C. A.
(2d), July 8,1948).
* United States v. Southwestern Underwriters Association, 322 U. 8. 533,
and Western Union Telegraph Co. v. Lenroot, 323 U. S. 490.
299
300
DECISIONS OF INTEREST TO LABOR
Labor not to enforce the Fair Labor Standards
Act against insurance companies, the court held
that the employer was not liable. That was an
administrative practice or enforcement policy
within the meaning of sections 9 and 11 of the
Portal Act, the court concluded. The act was
held constitutional because of the power of Con
gress to regulate commerce.
Labor Relations
Refusal To Bargain. Two recent decisions dealt
with charges of refusals by employers, to bargain
in violation of the Taft-Hartley Act. (1) The
amended National Labor Relations Act (Title I
of the Taft-Hartley, or Labor Management Re
lations Act, 1947) makes it an unfair labor practice
to refuse to bargain collectively. Under section
8 (d) of the act, a party to a collective agreement
who desires to terminate or modify the agreement,
must notify the other contracting party of such
desire 60 days before the agreement expires, or if
there is no expiration date, 60 days before the
time proposed for termination or modification.
During such 60-day period the terms of the agree
ment must be continued in full force without strike
or lock-out, and any employee who strikes in
violation of this provision loses his status as an
employee under the act. A Federal District
Court denied 6an injunction sought by the General
Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board,
to compel an employer to bargain with a union
whose members had gone on strike without having
given the 60-day notice required by section 8 (d)
of the act. The court held that the strikers had
lost their status as employees by striking in viola
tion of the law. It therefore concluded that the
employer was not compelled to bargain, because the
union had called the strike without complying with
section 8 (d) and had failed to bargain collectively;
and that the union had lost the right to represent
the strikers, who were no longer employees entitled
to the act’s protection.
(2)
The NLRB reiterated the rule7 that an
employer may in good faith insist on a Board
election as proof of the union’s majority; but
that if his insistence on such an election is moti
vated not by a bona fide doubt as to the union’s
majority, but rather by a rejection of the principle
• G raham v. Boeing A irp la n e Co. (U. S. D . C., W. D . of Wash., June 19-22,
1948).
? I n re A rtcra ft H osiery Co. (78 N L R B No. 43, July 16, 1948).
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
of collective bargaining or a desire to gain time to
undermine the union he is guilty of unlawfully
refusing to bargain. In this instance coercive
conduct and interference of the employer with the
rights of his employees first occurred 5 months
after his refusal to bargain; hence, such subsequent
unlawful conduct did not support the conclusion
that the employer’s refusal several months earlier
to bargain without a Board election was motivated
by a desire to gain time in which to undermine
the union.
Discriminatory Discharges. Several decisions have
concerned the issue of discriminatory discharges
in violation of the Taft-Hartley act. (1) Em
ployees struck in protest against what they
believed to be the demotion of their immediate
foreman resulting from appointment of a general
foreman to act as his superior. The Board held8
that the appointment of the general foreman was
not discriminatory. The strike was not protected,
because it was called not to advance the interests
of the striking employees, but merely to protect
their immediate foreman.
(2) An employer initiated a change in the sched
ule of working hours without prior negotiations
with the union. The employees refused to work
under the new arrangement, and walked off the
job, whereupon they were discharged. The
Board held9 that the walk-out was an economic
strike protected under the act, and that the dis
charges therefore were unlawful because they were
discriminatory.
(3) A Federal district court held10 that an
employer is not prohibited from putting into
effect, unilaterally, a pension plan requiring com
pulsory retirement of designated classes of em
ployees, because of an existing provision in the
collective bargaining agreement that seniority
rules shall be the basis for lay-off and rehiring.
A union sued an employer for having breached
a collective-bargaining contract by compelling
certain employees to retire although under its
seniority provisions they could not have been
discharged at that time. The court based its
decision on the conclusion that a compulsory
retirement is not equivalent to a discharge, and
pointed out that if the union alleged that the
8 I n re Fontaine Concerting W orks, In c. (77 N L R B No. 2X6, June 24, 1948).
9 I n re M assey G in & M achine W orks, Inc. (78 N L R B No. —, July —, 1948).
i° B a kery U nion v. N a tio n a l B iscu it Co. (TJ. S. D . C., E. D . Pa., June 29,
1949).
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
DECISIONS OF INTEREST TO LABOR
301
employer had committed an unfair labor practice,
9 (h) of the amended National Labor Relations
remedy should be sought by resort to the NLRB.
Act which requires union officials to file non(4)
The Board ordered reinstatement and back Communist affidavits as a prerequisite to appeal
pay for an employee discriminatorily discharged
ing to the NLRB.13 The noncomplying union
because of a union’s pressure.11 A union having
sought an injunction to prevent the Board from
a closed shop agreement demanded that the em
holding a representation election which a rival
ployer discharge a worker whom the union had
complying union had requested and in which the
declared to be not in good standing. The em
noncomplying union would not appear on the
ployer refused. Thereupon the union represent
ballot. The assertion that the requirement of a
atives ordered the employee out of the plant
non-Communist affidavit was unconstitutional was
under threats of violence, the employer acquies
overruled by the court, which relied on the earlier
cing and accepting the situation. The real
decision in N a t i o n a l M a r i t i m e U n i o n v. H e r z o g , u
reason for the union’s pressure was held to be
that the employee was active on behalf of a rival
N a tio n a l V e r s u s S ta te L a b o r R e la tio n s B o a r d s .
A
union. The Board held that the employer had
union which had not complied with the non-Com
created a situation in which he was under a duty
munist affidavit requirements of the Taft-Hartley
to protect the employee, and that having failed
Act petitioned the Utah industrial commission for
to do so, he had adopted and ratified the acts of
certification as bargaining representative for the
the union. Thus, in effect, he had discharged the
employees of an employer engaged in interstate
employee in violation of the act.
commerce. The NLRB was simultaneously con
sidering a similar petition concerning the same
“ U n f a i r ” L i s t a s S e c o n d a r y B o y c o t t.
A union
employees, filed by a complying rival union.
and the trade-union council of which it was a
Upon the Utah commission’s insistence upon pro
member were involved in a dispute with an
ceeding with its certification election, the National
employer. The council published the contractor’s
Board asked a Federal court to enjoin the State
name in a list of “unfair” employers, omitted his
board certification. The court granted 16 the in
name from a list of “fair” employers, distributed
junction, holding that the National Board was
both lists among other employers and employees,
“vested with exclusive jurisdiction of all questions
informed certain subcontractors and suppliers
concerning the representation of employees for
of the employer of their action, and asked for
collective bargaining for purposes which affect
their cooperation in dealing only with contractors
[interstate] commerce” but that the State com
on the “fair” list. The NLRB General Counsel
mission was without such jurisdiction, and that
sought an injunction against these practices
its action invaded and infringed the exclusive
pending a decision by the Board. The court
jurisdiction of the National Board and hence was
found 12 that, as a result of the publication of the
unconstitutional.
“unfair” and “fair” lists, the unions which made
A p p r o p r i a t e U n i t f o r U n i o n S h o p E l e c tio n .
The
up the council and their employee members had
NLRB again decided 18 that a unit appropriate for
been “induced, encouraged, and directed not to
the purposes of a union-shop election need not in
work for any subcontractor or supplier upon
every case be identical with the unit appropriate
any contract” with the disputing employer; and
for purposes of collective bargaining. The union
held that there was reasonable cause to believe
involved
was certified as bargaining representative
that these acts of the union and the council,
for
all
the
production and maintenance employees
among others, constituted an unfair labor practice
of
the
plant.
It desired, as did also the employer,
in violation of the Taft-Hartley Act which
to
execute
an
agreement covering all of said em
forbids secondary boycotts.
ployees but applying the union-shop clause to the
foundry workers exclusively. The Board granted
N o n - C o m m u n is t A ffid a v its .
Once again a Federal
court sustained the constitutionality of section
13 Wholesale W orkers U nion v. D ouds (U. S. D . C., So. D ., N . Y ., June 29,
!1 I n re C alifruit C anning Co. (78 N L R B No. 22, July 8, 1948).
12
Craveft eld v. Bricklayers U nion (U. S. D . C., W. D . M ich., June 23,
1948).
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1948).
14 See M onthly Labor Review, June 1948 (p. 649).
1» N L R B v. In d u stria l C om m ission o f Utah (U. S. D . C., D . of Utah, July
9, 1948).
13 I n re B en ja m in Eastw ood Co. (77 N L R B N o. 215, June 23, 1948).
302
DECISIONS OF INTEREST TO LABOR
a request for a union-shop election for the foundry
employees alone, on the ground that they consti
tuted an appropriate unit for such an election in
view of the clearly identifiable distinction between
them and the other employees in the bargaining
unit.
S u b le s s e e s o f T r a p p i n g L a n d H e l d to be E m p l o y e e s .
The amended National Labor Relations Act, in
defining the term “employees” to distinguish
those who are entitled to the act’s protection,
specifically excludes independent contractors and
agricultural laborers. A fur dealer leased fur
trapping land, and in turn subleased parcels of
the land to individual trappers. The latter had
been granted these subleases on a yearly basis,
for several years. They worked under the ulti
mate control of the fur dealer and turned over the
skins to him. He determined the amount of
their earnings, and inspected and checked their
equipment. The Board held17 that the subleasing
trappers were employees under the act, entitled
to its protection, and were neither independent
contractors nor agricultural laborers. The Board
pointed out that an employer-employee relation
ship exists if the person for whom the services are
performed has the right to control the manner
and means by which the result is accomplished.
Conversely, an employer-independent contractor
relationship exists if the control is limited merely
to the result to be accomplished and does not
apply to the method and manner of the services
rendered. The Board held that the trappers were
not agricultural laborers, because they were as
signed their areas under the subleases solely for
the purpose of securing the skins by trapping and
preparing them for market; hence, they were not
engaged in the “raising of fur-bearing animals,” an
activity expressly included in the definition of
agriculture in the Fair Labor Standards Act.
One Board member dissented, contending that
the trappers were independent contractors, but
that if, for the sake of argument it was conceded
that they were employees, they were nevertheless
“agricultural laborers” excluded from the act’s
protection.
The Board concluded that the fur dealer had
refused to renew the leases of the trappers for
merly employed by him because of his opposition
to their union-organizing activities, and that this
17 i n re Steinberg & Co. (78 N L R B No. 35, July 14, 1948).
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
constituted the unfair labor practice of refusing,
because of employees’ union connections, to re
employ or reinstate them.
P r iv a te I n ju n c tio n s U n d e r T a jt-H a r tle y A c t.
A
labor union brought suit in a Federal court18for
an injunction to compel the employer to refrain
from alleged violations of the collective-bargain
ing agreement. The court found that, actually,
the union was complaining of the employer’s en
gaging in the unfair labor practice of refusal to
bargain concerning a wage adjustment. The
court held that whether the alleged acts of the
employer were regarded as contract violations or
as unfair labor practices, it had no jurisdiction to
issue an injunction. It pointed out, first, that the
Taft-Hartley Act permits unions to sue for dam
ages in the Federal courts for violations of collec
tive-bargaining contracts, but does not permit
the granting of injunctions in connection with
such suits; and secondly, that the NLRB has
exclusive jurisdiction to proceed with respect to
unfair labor practices, and the courts may not,
on the original petition of a private party, grant
injunctive relief against them. Furthermore, the
controversy in this case was a labor dispute within
the meaning of the Norris-LaGuardia Act, which
forbids the Federal courts to issue injunctions
unless the petitioner complies with certain con
ditions which that act prescribes and which were
not complied with in this instance.
Decisions of State Courts
C a lifo r n ia — P r iv a te I n ju n c tio n s U n d e r T a ft-H a r tle y
An employer engaged in interstate com
merce brought suit in the State court to enjoin
a union from peaceful picketing and from engaging
in a secondary boycott. He alleged that the
union was making an effort to organize his em
ployees, none of whom were members of the
union or on strike; and that it was violating the
Taft-Hartley Act by engaging in a secondary
boycott, by seeking to compel the employees to
join the union, and by failure to comply with the
filing and affidavit requirements.
The lower court refused to grant the injunction,
whereupon the petitioner sought a writ of manda
mus from the State Supreme Court directing the
lower court to grant the injunction. The State
A c t.
is Packinghouse W orkers v. W ilson & Co. (U. S. D . C., N . D . of 111., July
2,1948).
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
DECISIONS OF INTEREST TO LABOR
Supreme Court sustained19 the lower court’s
refusal on the ground that the suit involved a
matter for initial determination by the National
Labor Relations Board exclusively, and one in
which State action is precluded except as expressly
authorized by the act. Furthermore, the court
held that the act does not confer on any court the
power to grant injunctions at the request of private
parties; and that under the California law, peace
ful picketing and secondary boycott engaged in
by an uncertified and noncomplying union in an
effort to organize nonunion or nonstriking em
ployees are not unlawful.
N e w Y o r k — L ib e l A g a in s t U n io n ; D e n ia l o f U n io n
M e m b e r s h ip ;
C a r r y in g
O ver
U n io n -S h o p
A gree
Several decisions by the New York courts
deal with matters closely affecting labor unions.
(1) A union sued 20 to recover damages for alleged
libel. This, it claimed, the employer committed
in sending a circular letter to his employees asking
whether they wished to belong to a union con
trolled by people holding un-American ideas,
exploiting the members, and living in luxury on
the dues. The employer contended that his letter
was a privileged statement in that it was relevant
to a proper carrying out of the employer’s manage
ment duties. The court sustained the employer’s
contention. It held that the letter, which was
related to a matter of common interest in con
nection with employment and working conditions,
was not an abuse of the qualified privilege which
the law of libel permits to be used as a defense,
since the union had not shown that the letter
interfered with its organizing activities in the
manner and to the extent prohibited by the New
York Labor Relations Act.
(2) An applicant for union membership sued
the union 21 and its officers for refusing to admit
him to membership, charging that such refusal
was the result of fraud and conspiracy on their
part. The court dismissed the complaint on the
ground that the applicant had failed to indicate
facts showing that he had all the necessary qualifi
cations for membership, and reiterated the princi
ple that membership in a labor union, despite its
m e n t.
18Gerry v. Superior Court (Calif. Sup. Ct., June 16,1948).
20Meyers v. Huschle Brothers (N . Y. Sup. Ct., App. D iv., 1st D ept., June
22, 1948).
si Colson v. Gilbert (N . Y . Sup. Ct., Special Term, N . Y. County, July
14, 1948).
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
303
economic importance, is a privilege which may
be granted or withheld by a union.
(3)
A bus company which had a closed-shop
agreement with a CIO union purchased the assets
of a bankrupt bus company, whose employees,
members of an AFL union, had been discharged
by the trustee in bankruptcy who was disposing
of the bankrupt company’s assets. The purchas
ing company offered the discharged employees jobs
on condition that they join the CIO union pursuant
to the closed-shop agreement. They refused and
appealed to the State labor relations board, charg
ing unfair labor practice. The State board found
that the purchasing company had committed an
unfair labor practice and ordered it to refrain from
requiring membership in the CIO union as a con
dition of employment of the discharged employees.
In a proceeding brought by the board to enforce
the order, the court held 22 that the order was not
justified and denied the board’s application for its
enforcement. The court based its decision on the
premise that the bankruptcy adjudication which
resulted in the sale of the bankrupt company’s
assets and the subsequent discharge of the em
ployees terminated the employer-employee rela
tionship. This termination, it held, dissolved the
bargaining unit which up to that time had been
appropriate, because no collective-bargaining unit
may be created or recognized under the New York
State Labor Relations Act unless there is an
existing employer-employee relationship.
O h io —E m p l o y e r ’s D u t y T o B a r g a i n . An employer
sought an injunction against picketing by a union
which had not complied with the filing and affi
davit requirements of the Taft-Hartley Act. The
court directed 23 the union to refrain from mass
picketing, which prevented access to and egress
from the employer’s premises, and limited the
number of pickets to be stationed at each entrance
and exit. It went further, however, and ordered
the employer to refrain from hiring new employees
to replace the strikers or using its office employees
on their work. It held that strikers have a right
to retain their jobs until such time as the employeremployee relationship actually ceases to exist. It
22 N ew York State Labor Relations Board v. Club Transportation Corp.
(N . Y . Sup. Ct., Westchester County, July 16, 1948).
22Hoover Co. v. Electrical Workers (Ohio Ct. of Com. Pleas, Stark County,
June 22, 1948).
DECISIONS OF INTEREST TO LABOR
304
overruled the employing company’s contention
that it was not required to bargain with a union
which had not complied with the filing and affidavit
requirements of the Taft-Hartley Act. It pointed
out that until such time as the appropriate public
authority determines that the union is no longer
the bargaining agent, a refusal to bargain violates
the spirit of the act, which is designed to promote
collective bargaining as the best way of eliminat
ing labor disputes which interfere with interstate
commerce.
T en n e sse e— P ic k e tin g f o r
an
U n la w fu l
O b je c tiv e ;
Two different
aspects of picketing have been dealt with by
the Tennessee Supreme Court. (1) That court
had previously sustained the constitutionality of
the State “open-shop statute” making it unlawful
for an employer to deny employment because of
membership or nonmembership in a labor union.24
Subsequently, in order to permit peaceful picketing,
the court on a petition for rehearing, modified
U n tru e
S ta te m e n t
in
P ic k e tin g .
11 M ascari v. International Team sters U nion (see M onthly Labor Review,
M ay 1948, p. 540).
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
an injunction which had been granted against
a union. Thereupon the employer petitioned
the court for a clarification of the modified
injunction, seeking to learn whether peaceful
picketing for a closed shop was permitted
under the modification. The court held25 that
picketing for the purpose of compelling employers
to sign a closed-shop contract in violation of the
open-shop statute was unlawful, because even
when carried on peacefully, it constituted picket
ing for an unlawful purpose.
(2) The same court ruled 26 that among other
requirements, picketing must be truthful in order
to be immune from injunction. The company
seeking the injunction against union picketing
employed no union labor. The picket signs stated
that the company was unfair to the union. The
court held that the union could continue to picket
but ordered it to make its signs more definite by
stating merely that the employer was not employ
ing union labor.
85 M ascari v. International Team sters U nion (Term. Supreme Ct. June 12,
1948.)
84 liaison Co. v. W ilson (Tenn. Supreme Ct., June 12, 1948).
C h r o n o lo g y o f
R ecen t L a b o r E v e n ts
July 13, 1948
T he NLRB ruled, in the case of Massey Gin and Machine
Works, Inc., of Macon, Ga., and the International Union
of Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers (CIO), that the dis
charge of strikers protesting a change in working hours
constituted a discriminatory practice in violation of the
LMRA of 1947, even though the work stoppage was not
authorized. (Source: U. S. Law Week, 17 LW, p. 1018.)
July 16
T h e U n it e d S t e elw o r k e r s of A m erica (CIO) and the
United States Steel Corp. negotiated an agreement, under
a wage reopening clause, providing for a 13-cent average
hourly wage increase for 170,000 workers. The present
contract was extended until April 30, 1950, with provision
for a wage and social-insurance reopening in July 1949
and for freeing the union of its “no-strike” obligation if
negotiations fail at that time. Immediately thereafter
the Steelworkers won a similar wage increase in “Little
Steel”—affecting 80,000 in the Bethlehem Steel Corp. and
55,000 in the Republic Steel Corp. (Source: CIO News,
July 19, 1948, and New York Times, July 17, 1948.)
July 22
T h e F ord M'otor Co. and the United Automobile Workers
(CIO) reached a 1-year agreement, effective July 16, pro
viding for a 13-cent hourly wage increase and “fringe”
concessions, thereby averting the danger of a strike. This
settlement affected 116,000 workers. (Source: CIO News,
July 26, 1948, p. 12.)
T h e U n it e d P a c k in g h o u se W orkers of A merica (CIO)
reached a 1-year agreement with Swift & Co., effective
August 11, which covered 30,000 workers. No general wage
increase was granted, but provision was made for reopening
wage negotiations; dues check-off; and triple pay for
holiday work. (For earlier strike settlement, see Chron.
item for May 21, 1948, in MLR, July 1948.) Similar con
tracts were subsequently signed with the Cudahy and
Armour companies by August 11. (Source: New York
Times, July 22, 1948, and CIO News, Aug. 16, 1948, p. 10.)
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
On June 30, the UPWA adopted a resolution at its con
vention to comply with the non-Communist affidavit re
quirements of the LMRA of 1947. (New York Times,
July 1, 1948.)
July 23
I n d u st r ia l U n io n of Marine and Shipbuilding
Workers (CIO) accepted a 7-cent hourly wage increase
(plus fringe adjustments) in an agreement made with the
Bethlehem Steel Co., under a wage reopening clause by
which the “no-strike” provision expired on July 23, 1948.
(The 28,000 members in 9 East Coast shipbuilding yards
had previously rejected the 7-cent increase, demanding
13 cents granted by Bethlehem to 80,000 United Steel
Workers (CIO) on July 16.) In 6 other shipyards the
union had previously settled for a 5-cent increase. (Source:
New York Times, July 24 and Aug. 10, 1948.)
T he
T h e 5- m em ber National Labor Relations Board ruled
unanimously, in a precedent decision, that Local No. 1 of
the Distillery, Rectifying, and Wine Workers International
Union (AFL), New York City, was guilty of an unfair
labor practice, under the LMRA of 1947 (sec. 8 (b) (4)
(A)), in conducting a secondary strike and boycott against
the Schenley Distillers Corp. (Source: NLRB release
R-110, July 24, 1948.)
July 24
T h e I n t e r n a t io n a l T r a n spo r t W or k er s F e d e r a t io n
ended its 6-day biennial congress, held in Oslo, Norway.
United States delegates from the Railway Labor Executive
Association and the Seafarers International Union (AFL)
attended, as well as labor advisers of the Economic Co
operation Administration. (Source: Labor, July 24, 1948,
p. 3.)
On July 31 the international trade-union conference of
the 16 ERP countries of Western Europe closed a 2-day
meeting, held in London. AFL, CIO, and other union
representatives and ECA labor advisers attended. It was
voted to establish a Paris office, headed by Léon Jouhaux,
to work with the Organization for European Economic
Cooperation. (Source: CIO News, Aug. 16, 1948, p. 8.)
On August 5, European labor attachés of the United
States Foreign Service closed a 3-day annual meeting in
Paris. Present were labor attachés from U. S. embassies
in England, France, Belgium, Italy, Austria, and Ger
many; Military Government labor officials; ECA labor
advisers; and representatives of the U. S. Departments of
State and Labor. Participants reported on European
labor conditions and discussed relationships between labor
attachés and ECA officials. (Source: Department of
Labor records.)
July 26
T he P r e s id e n t , by Executive Order 9980, provided for a
fair employment practices program within the executive
branch of the Government, to be administered by the several
305
CHRONOLOGY OF LABOR EVENTS
306
departments, with final appeal to a Fair Employment
Board in the Civil Service Commission. Another execu
tive order (9981) provided for an advisory committee on
equality of treatment and opportunity in the armed
services. (Source: Federal Register, July 28, 1948, pp.
4311, 4313.)
On August 12, the Acting Secretary of Labor, in General
Order No. 40 implementing the President's directive,
established a fair employment office and procedures (under
a designated official) for the Department of Labor.
(Source: U. S. Dept, of Labor release, Aug. 13, 1948.)
July 28
T h e F e d e r a l D i s t r i c t C o u r t in Hartford, Conn., upheld
the ban under the LMRA of 1947 on political spending by
labor unions in Federal elections in the case of Local 481,
Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators, and Paperhangers of
America (AFL) and its international president, indicted
for buying political advertising in a local newspaper and
over the radio. (See U. S. Supreme Court decision on
this subject, in MLR, Aug. 1948, p. 167.) (Source: Labor
Relations Reporter, 22 LRRM, p. 2372.)
Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union
(AFL) and three employer associations of greater New
York signed a 3-year “no-strike” contract (to June 1, 1951),
covering 47,000 members of the Cloak Joint Board. Re
quests for wage increases are to be made with rises of 5
percent in the BLS consumers’ price index, the first rise to
become effective in the spring of 1949. Changes were
adopted to conform with the LMRA of 1947, including
the union shop (instead of the closed shop), and a joint
labor-management board for the health and vacation fund
instead of exclusive union control. (Source: AFL Weekly
News Supp., July 30, 1948.)
T
h e
I
n t e r n a t io n a l
July 30
T h e U n i t e d A u t o W o r k e r s (CIO) ratified an agreement
giving 16,500 employees of the Caterpillar Tractor Co. a
13-cent an hour wage rise. On March 15, the company
had ceased negotiations for a new contract with the United
Farm Equipment and Metal Workers (CIO) because its
officials had refused to sign the non-Communist affidavit,
under LMRA of 1947. On May 13, the FEMW called off
a 35-dav strike, after the UAW won an NLRB representa
tion election, from which the noncomplying FEMW was
barred. (Source: BLS Records and daily press.)
T h e NLRB took jurisdiction in a case involving a city
transit system and Lodge 1368 of the International Asso
ciation of Machinists (Ind.), and ordered a representation
election requested by the employer, holding that the enter
prise affects interstate commerce. (Source: Labor Rela
tions Reporter, 22 LRRM, p. 1257, and NLRB release
R-112, Aug. 4, 1948.)
On April 9, the Board in its first decision on the extent
of its jurisdiction under the LMRA, unanimously held
that it had authority over a retail truck firm (the Liddon
White Truck Co., Inc., Nashville, Tenn.) to hold an elec
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
tion sought by the IAM. (Source: NLRB release R-55
April 9, 1948.)
On June 11, an NLRB 3-member panel unanimously
accepted, in a precedent decision, jurisdiction over a con
struction project, in the case of Ozark Dam Constructors,
Houston, Tex., and the Little Rock, Fort Smith, and
Springfield Joint Council (AFL), and directed representa
tion elections among four separate employee voting groups.
(Source: Labor Relations Reporter, 22 LRRM, p. 1121.)
T h e NLRB upheld a petition for a decertification election,
under the LMRA of 1947, in a case involving some 600
engineers and field employees of the Southern Bell Tele
phone Co., Atlanta, Ga., represented by Southern Division,
No. 49 of the Communications Workers of America (Ind.).
The Board held that the engineers (including junior and
student engineers) were professional, and ordered an elec
tion to determine whether they wished to be represented
in a separate unit, whereas the field employees were held
not to be professional. (Source: Labor Relations Reporter,
22 LRRM, p. 1277, and New York Times, Mar. 1, 1948.)
August 2
T h e N a t i o n a l A i r L i n e s , Inc., rejected the recommenda
tion of a Presidential emergency board (created May 15,
1948, under the Railway Labor Act) to reinstate 145 mem
bers of the International Air Line Pilots Association (AFL)
who struck February 3 because of prolonged deadlock over
dispute adjustments and had been discharged. The com
pany virtually accepted the recommendation to rehire
some 800 striking mechanics and clerks, represented by
International Association of Machinists (Ind.), who had
walked out on January 23 because of failure to negotiate
a contract and had been replaced. The Board held that
the strikes were legal. On July 27, an agreement was
made with the IAM, effective Aug. 2. (Source: Report
of the Emergency Board, July 9, 1948, in Labor Relations
Reporter, 10-LA, p. 691, and daily press.)
August 3
T h e M i c h i g a n Circuit Court in Detroit held, in the case
of the United Auto Workers (CIO) v. McNally, that the
strike-vote requirements of the Bonine Tripp (State strikecontrol) Act (and criminal penalties thereunder) were
invalid, as abridging freedom of speech, as well as quali
fying the election policies of the LMRA of 1947. Prose
cution of UAW members, emanating from the Chrysler
strike (see Chron. item of May 28, 1948, in MLR, July
1948), was enjoined. (Source: Labor Relations Reporter,
22 LRRM, p. 2389.)
August 7
T h e P r e s i d e n t appointed Maurice J. Tobin of Massa
chusetts to be Secretary of Labor, to succeed Lewis B.
Schwellenbach, deceased (see Chron. item for June 10,
1948, in MLR, Aug. 1948). (Source: U. S. Dept, of Labor
release, Aug. 12, 1948.)
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
CHRONOLOGY OF LABOR EVENTS
August 9
L o c a l N o . 6 , International Typographical Union (AFL)
and the Publishers Association of New York City signed a
1-year agreement (to Sept. 24, 1949), which provided for a
$9-a-week wage increase for 2,500 composing-room workers
on 12 local newspapers. The contract supersedes one
which expired March 31, 1948, and provides the maximum
union security permitted under LMRA of 1947; it also
provides for a joint advisory commission. (Source: Labor
Relations Reporter, 22 LRR, p. 204 and daily press.)
T h e NLRB (by unanimous 3-member panel) issued a con
sent order, approving an agreement of May 27 between
Local 627 of the Plasterers and Cement Finishers Inter
national Association (AFL) and R. H. Parr & Son of Los
Angeles, building contractor, which provided for reim
bursement of wages exacted of the employer for work not
performed. The agreement followed the issuance of a
Board complaint against the union for “feather-bedding.”
(Source: NLRB release, R-114, Aug. 9, 1948.)
NLRB ruled, in the case of the Dearborn Glass Co.,
Chicago, and Amalgamated Local 453, United Auto
Workers (CIO) and Local 73, General Service Employees
International Union (AFL) that the employer’s refusal
to reemploy a striker is not discriminatory under the
LMRA of 1947 when the striker had participated in mass
picketing which had the effect of barring entrance to the
plant. (Source: Labor Relations Reporter, 22 LRRM,
p. 1284.)
T
h e
T h e U. S. D i s t r i c t C o u r t in New York City issued a
5-day restraining order against the International Alliance
of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local No. 1 (AFL) in a
jurisdictional dispute with the National Association of
Broadcast Engineers and Technicians (Ind.), which
threatened to disrupt the premiere of the National Broad
cast Co.’s television station. The NLRB General Counsel
sought the order on the company’s complaint of unfair
labor practices under LMRA of 1947, holding that recog
nition strikes are barred when there is a certified union in
an establishment. (Source: Labor Relation Reporter,
22 LRR, p. 209).
L o c a l 786, United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers
of America (CIO) accepted the proposal of the Univis
Lens Co., Dayton, Ohio, to end the 97-day strike, which
began over wage demands following a contract expiration.
The settlement included an 11-cent-an-hour wage increase,
rehiring of workers without discrimination or loss of
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
307
seniority, and arbitration of 11 contempt cases. (For
further details, see p. 228 of this issue.) (Source: CIO
News, Aug. 9, 1948, p. 8; daily press.)
August 10
h e
P r e s i d e n t approved an act to extend the deadline
(from January 2 to March 1, 1949) for the final report of
the congressional Joint (“watchdog”) Committee on the
Taft-Hartley Act, as provided under section 403. (Source:
Public Law 902, 80th Cong.)
T
T h e P r e s i d e n t approved “The Housing Act of 1948,”
which amended the National Housing Act. This measure
partially revives Title VI mortgage insurance; eases down
payments for purchases of lower- and moderate-cost homes
under Title II; and establishes a yield-insurance system to
promote investment in rental housing for moderate-income
families. (Source: Public Law 901, 80th Cong., 2d sess.)
T h e S o l i c i t o r of the United States Department of Labor
issued a comparative analysis of servicemen’s reemploy
ment rights under the Selective Service Act of 1948 (see
Chron. item for June 24, 1948, in MLR, Aug. 1948) and of
1940. The effect of the new act is to permit service-dis
abled veterans, if prevented by disability from filling their
former jobs, to claim jobs unlike their former ones. (Source:
U. S. Dept, of Labor, Bureau of Veterans’ Reemployment
Rights, Field Letter No. 6, Aug. 10, 1948; and Labor Rela
tions Reporter, 22 LRR, p. 243.)
August 13
T h e T h i r t y - f i r s t a n n u a l c o n v e n t i o n of the Interna
tional Association of Governmental Labor Officials closed
a 3-day session, held at Charleston, W. Va. Representa
tives from 28 States, Canada, and Puerto Rico attended.
(Source: Daily press.)
T h e S e a f a r e r s ’ I n t e r n a t i o n a l U n i o n (AFL) and the
Atlantic and Gulf Ship Operators Association reached a 2year agreement, covering 9 companies and 10,000 seamen,
which provided for a $25 monthly wage increase for boat
swains and $12.50 for other classes of unlicensed personnel,
and for a reopening of wage negotiations. On June 28,
retention of hiring-hall employment provisions and waiving
of membership in the union as a prerequisite to work
had been announced. (Source: New York Times, June 29
and Aug. 15, 1948, and American Federation of Labor
Supplement, July 2, 1948.)
P u b lic a tio n s
o f L a b o r In te r e st
Special Reviews
The Labor Force in the United States, 1890-1960. By John
D. Durand. New York, Social Science Research
Council, 1948. 284 pp., bibliography, charts. $2.50.
Labor force analysis as a separate discipline in the social
sciences is no more than 10 years old. Those 10 years,
however, have witnessed tremendous strides in the develop
ment of concepts and techniques in this field, spurred by
marked changes in the size and composition of the working
population under the impact of depression, war, and
peacetime levels of high employment. While emerging as
a clearly defined area of work, studies of the labor force
have had the benefit of bringing to bear the combined
talents of the sociologist, demographer, and economist
in assessing how the economically active segment of our
population goes about making a living. Mr. Durand’s
monograph systematically brings together a good deal of
this progress and thought of the past decade.
That many different points of view are needed in
appraising the factors underlying the activities of the
heterogeneous group we call the labor force seems evident
from what has happened in the past 50 years or so. Since
the turn of the century, three basic forces have been
operating to bring about substantia] changes in the pattern
of labor market participation among the different age and
sex groups in the population. The first involved a wide
variety of social changes ranging from acceptance of
women workers in industry to the marked tendency for
increasing proportions of young people to complete high
school or even college prior to entering the job market.
The second reflected long-range economic developments
including great gains in productivity, expansion of whitecollar and professional occupations, declines in selfemployment, etc. Finally, there have been important
demographic changes, i. e., changes in the characteristics
of the population itself, including its age and sex composi
tion, color and nativity, and marital and family status
of women. Many of these forces, of course, worked in
opposite directions, some tending to increase the size of
the labor force, others cutting down the workers’ period
of labor-market activity. The interplay of all of these
factors up to the present decade, the effects of the war
and postwar periods, and the outlook for labor-force
growth are the central themes of Mr. Durand’s book.
E d i t o r ’ s N o t e . —Correspondence regarding the publications to which
reference is made in this list should be addressed to the respective publishing
agencies mentioned. Where data on prices were readily available, they have
been shown with the title entries.
308
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Especially in terms of historical analysis and techniques,
extensive discussion is given to a view of the labor force
in its demographic setting. Data on basic population
characteristics, of course, are available in much greater
quantity and are more amenable to current techniques of
projection than are materials on social and economic
change. The author gives full treatment to the adjust
ment of gainful worker statistics to 1940 and more current
labor force estimates, a factorial analysis of the impact of
various demographic changes on the size of the labor force,
and calculations involved in projecting labor force trends.
These same population factors are, moreover, of major
importance in terms of public policy regarding future labor
force growth. One of the more noteworthy trends in this
connection is an expected increase of 2,000,000 men in the
labor force between 1950 and 1960, as compared with an
increase of about 2,500,000 women in the same period of
time. In the years ahead of us, therefore, women will be
the chief source of additions to the working force of the
United States. This one fact alone opens up a range of
problems involved in the shift of women from the status
of homemakers to that of breadwinners, its implications
concerning the status of the family as a social institution,
and its possible depressing effect upon the birth rate.
— S. L. W.
Why Men Work.
By Alexander R. Heron. Stanford,
Calif., Stanford University Press, 1948. 197 pp.
$2.75.
“What’s the incentive to work?” is the age-old, pat
challenge which the heckler hurls at the soap-box orator.
Mr. Heron raises the question more urbanely but none
theless trenchantly. He feels that “outside the scope of
what money can buy, there must be a cause for which
men will work,” and he is impatient with the inability of
educators and psychologists to provide the explanation.
He then proceeds, through a series of brief essays, to hazard
the answer himself, sounding much like both an educator
and a psychologist in the process.
Mr. Heron makes a ready concession to the obvious:
men work for power and for pelf and for status, and some
times just for the fun of it. But Americans, he feels, re
quire further motivations. “The material things which
are the extreme substance of the homes of a billion people
across the world are the common starting line for us . . .
the whip of hunger and cold is not an effective stimulant
toward willing work.”
American workers, he maintains, are halfway through a
revolution in their relationships with management, em
bodying a new concept in which the “thinking power” of
workers will be utilized and encouraged by management.
Men work in the hope that the work they do is creative
and that their relationship with management is respon
sive to this aspiration. They will incidentally also pro
duce better. He feels too that workers who are invited
to think more about their work will think more clearly
generally and thus help preserve our form of political
democracy. In a phrase, he says that preservation of the
ballot box is dependent on a bigger suggestion box.
— L. R. K.
PUBLICATIONS OF LABOR INTEREST
Cooperative Movement
Cooperation— What it Means and How it Works.
By
Margaret Digby. London, Longmans, Green &
Co., 1947. 96 pp., bibliography, illus. 2s. 6d.
Describes the different types of cooperatives (market
ing, credit, distributive, workers’ productive, farming,
and services) in a country or countries in which the par
ticular types are well developed. Contains some unusual
sidelights on methods of operation and control.
Europe's Co-ops as We Saw Them.
Chicago, Cooperative
League of the USA, [1948?]. 96 pp., illus. $1.
Accounts of the cooperative movement in Switzerland,
Sweden, Great Britain, Scotland, Netherlands, and Fin
land, written by United States delegates to the Interna
tional Cooperative Congress at Zurich, 1946, and based
on the waiters’ personal visits to the countries concerned.
The editor has provided additional material.
Nationale Cooperatieve Raad, 1947— Tiende Jaarverslag.
[The Hague?], Nationale Cooperatieve Raad, 1948.
12 pp.
General review (no statistics) of the activities of the
National Cooperative Council of the Netherlands, wdiich
embraces the national federations of cooperatives in that
country.
Beretning for 194-7 av Norges Kooperative Landsforening.
Oslo, Norges Kooperative Landsforening, [1948].
64 pp.
Detailed report of operations of Norwegian Coopera
tive Wholesale (N K L) and its subsidiary organizations.
Third Annual Report of Department of Cooperation and
Cooperative Development, Province of Saskatchewan,
for 11 Months Ended March 31, 1947. Regina, 1948.
100 pp., map, charts.
Review of the Department’s work, with discussion and
statistics of the various types of cooperatives in the
Province.
Economic and Social Problems
Aging and Employability.
Address by Ewan Clague,
Commissioner of Labor Statistics, during Charles A.
Fisher Memorial Institute on Aging, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, July 22, 1948. Washington,
U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1948. 9 pp.;
processed. Free.
Financing Old Age.
By Henry W. Steinhaus. New York,
National Industrial Conference Board, Inc., 1948.
63 pp., chart. (Studies in Individual and Collective
Security, No. 4.) 50 cents.
The author envisages a rapid increase of the population
over 65 within the next few decades, and consequent
mounting costs of retirement, and explores both individual
and collective means of financing old age. He suggests
deferment of the retirement age until 70, with an increase
in Federal old-age benefits if retirement is deferred, and
with provision for disability pensions after 60 if necessary.
Various governmental “incentives” are suggested for en
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
309
couraging employment of the aged and for stimulating
savings.
Old People.
Report of a survey committee on the prob
lems of ageing and the care of old people, under the
chairmanship of B. Seebohm Rowntree. London,
Oxford University Press (for Nuffield Foundation),
1947. 202 pp., illus. 3s. 6d.
Presents information concerning the individual, social,
and medical problems of the aged and the work being done
in Great Britain for their care and welfare, with suggestions
for future action. Includes statistics and discussion of
employment of elderly people.
Displaced
Persons—A Selected Bibliography, 1939-47.
Compiled by Felicia Fuss. New York, Russell Sage
Foundation Library, 1948. 12 pp. (Bibliography
No. 4.) 20 cents.
Work Adjustment in Relation to Family Background— A
Conceptual Basis for Counseling. Report of an in
vestigation sponsored by the Family Society of Greater
Boston. By Jeannette G. Friend and Ernest A.
Haggard. Stanford, Calif., Stanford University Press
(for American Psychological Association), 1948. 150
pp., charts. (Applied Psychology Monograph No.
16.) $2.
Employment Agencies
Employment Service Organization.
Fourth item on agenda,
International Labor Conference, 31st session, San
Francisco, 1948, Report IV (1) and (2). Geneva,
International Labor Office, 1947 and 1948. 70 and
89 pp., respectively. 50 cents each. Distributed in
United States by Washington Branch of ILO.
International Labor Conference, 31st Session, San Francisco,
1948: Report of the Governing Body of the International
Labor Office Upon the Working of the Convention (No.
34) Concerning Fee-Charging Employment Agencies
(1933). Geneva, International Labor Office, 1948.
15 pp. 25 cents. Distributed in United States
Washington Branch of ILO.
by
Handicapped Workers
Handbook of Job Descriptions in Rural Activities Suitable
for the Employment of Blind Persons. Handbook
of Representative Industrial Jobs for Blind Workers.
Washington, Federal Security Agency, Office of
Vocational Rehabilitation, 1948. Two pamphlets,
variously paged; processed. (Rehabilitation Service
Series, Nos. 52 and 58.) Free.
Take Up Thy Bed and Walk.
By David Hinshaw. New
York, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1948. 262 pp., bibliog
raphy, illus. $2.75.
Popularized report on the growth and work of the
Institute for the Crippled and Disabled, New York City,
in restoring, retraining, and placing the injured in em
ployment, together with a discussion of the whole move
ment. Emphasizes the experience of the Institute with
the new rehabilitation concept.
310
PUBLICATIONS OF LABOR INTEREST
Vocational Rehabilitation for Civilian Disabled in Ohio.
Columbus, State Department of Education, Board for
Vocational Education, Bureau of Vocational Rehabili
tation, 1948. 32 pp., illus.
MONTHLY LABOR
Bibliography of Industrial Ophthalmology.
{In Occupa
tional Medicine, Chicago, October-December 1947,
pp. 455-457. 75 cents.)
Cardiovascular Problems in Railroad Industry.
C. I. 0 . Council, [1947?]. 8 pp.
Describes the Ontario workmen’s compensation admin
istration’s rehabilitation program for injured workers, and
recommends the plan for Ohio.
By R. W.
Edmonds, M. D., and Harold Feil, M. D. {In
Industrial Medicine, Chicago, January 1948, pp. 7, 8.
75 cents.)
Findings in some 300 cases of cardiovascular disease
among the employees of a railroad company, 1935-47.
Rehabilitation of the Disabled in Mining Industries.
Industrial Air Sampling and Analysis.
The Ontario Story—A Plan for Ohio.
Columbus, Ohio
(In
International Labor Review, Geneva, JanuaryFebruary 1948, pp. 43-61. 50 cents.)
Gives data on mine accidents and injuries (including
degree of disability or length of disability period) in
Czechoslovakia, Great Britain, the Union of South Africa,
and the United States, and describes rehabilitation
facilities.
E
—An article on p. 282 of this issue reviews
public and private rehabiliation and placement activ
ities for the handicapped in the United States.
d it o r
’s
N
o t e
.
By Leslie Silverman. Pittsburgh, Pa., Industrial Hygiene Founda
tion, 1947. 72 pp., bibliography, diagrams, illus.
(Chemistry and Toxicology Series, Bull. No. 1.)
Report of National Executive Committee of National Union
of Mineworkers, [London], to Annual Conference, 1948.
London, National Union of Mine Workers, 1948.
91 pp.
A section on health and welfare includes a lengthy
memorandum on pneumoconiosis, presented by the union
to a national joint committee on the disease.
Industrial Accident Prevention
The International Safety Movement. By J. E. Wheeler.
{In Industrial Safety Survey, International Labor
Office, Geneva, January-March 1948, pp. 1-12.
50 cents. Distributed in United States by Washing
ton Branch of ILO.)
Support of Ground, Iron-Ore Mines, Lake Superior District.
Industrial Relations
Collective Bargaining Provisions: Incentive Wage Provisions;
Time Studies and Standards of Production. Washing
ton, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1948. 68 pp.
(Bull. No. 908-3.) 20 cents, Superintendent of
Documents, Washington.
By Max S. Petersen and Frank E. Cash. Washing
ton, U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of
Mines, 1948. 29 pp., diagrams; processed. (In
formation Circular No. 7459.)
Collective Bargaining Provisions: Union-Management Co
operation, Plant Efficiency, and Technological Change.
Underground Metal-Mine Fires From Cutting and Welding.
Management Procedures in the Determination of Industrial
Relations Policies. By Helen Baker. Princeton, N.
By Allen D. Look. Washington, U. S. Department
of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, 1948. 9 pp.; proc
essed. (Information Circular No. 7453.)
Washington, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1948.
56 pp.; processed. Free.
J., Princeton University, Industrial Relations Section,
1948. 81 pp. (Research Report Series, No. 76.)
$
Oxy-Acetylene on the Job: Three Basic Factors in Safe
Welding and Cutting. By J. I. Banash. {In National
Safety News, Chicago, July 1948, pp. 24, 25, et seq.,
illus. 67 cents.)
Interim Report of the Committee on the Safeguarding of
Milling Machines, [Great Britain]. London, Ministry
of Labor and National Service, 1947. 43 pp., illus.
Is. 6d. net, H. M. Stationery Office, London.
Industrial Hygiene
A Better Place to Work: Transactions of Twelfth Annual
Meeting of Industrial Hygiene Foundation of America,
Inc., November SO, 1947. Pittsburgh, Pa., Industrial
Hygiene Foundation, [1948?]. 85 pp. (Transactions
Bull. No. 9.) $2.
Among the papers given are Industrial Health Programs
in Action, describing the medical program of the Cater
pillar Tractor Co.; and Sick Absenteeism Among a Sample
of Member Companies of Industrial Hygiene Foundation,
with data for five companies for 1946 and earlier years.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2.
How policies are initiated and formulated, who makes
the final decision, and the impact of outside influences,
are some of the points discussed.
Pay for
Union-Management Meetings. By James J.
Bambrick, Jr. {In Management Record, National
Industrial Conference Board, Inc., New York, June
1948, pp. 308-317, charts.)
Of the 313 post-Taft-Hartley contracts examined for this
article, 134, or nearly half, provide pay for the time of
union members serving on grievance committees during
working hours.
Strengthening Management's Channels of Communication.
New York, American Management Association, 1948.
47 pp. (Personnel Series, No. 116.)
The First Six Months Under the Taft-Hartley Act.
By
Harold S. Roberts. Honolulu, University of Hawaii,
1948. 34 pp. (Occasional Paper No. 45.)
Who, Mel—A Guide for Improving Human Relations. By
Arthur O. England. Deep River, Conn., National
Foremen’s Institute, Inc., 1948. 24 pp., illus.
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
PUBLICATIONS OF LABOR INTEREST
Recent Collective Agreements.
(In Ministry of Labor
Gazette, London, May 1948, pp. 158-161. 6d, net,
H. M. Stationery Office, London.)
Summarizes agreements recently concluded in Great
Britain in the nationalized electric power industry, pro
viding for negotiating machinery at national, district,
and local levels; the iron and steel industry, adapting the
cost-of-living sliding scale set by previous agreements to
the interim index of retail prices; the light castings indus
try, introducing an incentive bonus scheme; the pottery
industry, adopting a 44-hour week in principle, but con
tinuing in effect the existing hours schedule and providing
a bonus of 5 percent of earnings to all workers who work
44 hours or more in a week; and the cotton industry,
authorizing part-time evening shifts in the weaving section.
311
Reports on the Application of Conventions (Article 22 of the
Constitution [of the International Labor Organization]).
Third item on agenda, International Labor Confer
ence, 31st session, San Francisco, 1948, Report III.
Geneva, International Labor Office, 1948. 187 pp.
$2. Distributed in United States by Washington
Branch of ILO.
Labor Legislation and Court Decisions
The New Labor Laws.
U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1948. 179 pp.,
charts. (Bull. No. 915.) 55 cents, Superintendent
of Documents, Washington.
By Benjamin L. Masse and
Charles W. Anrod. New York, America Press,
[1948]. 93 pp. 25 cents.
This pamphlet has two parts, the first entitled “Some
Moral Aspects of the Taft-Hartley Act,” and the second,
“An Estimate of Recent Labor Legislation.”
Secondary Boycotts and the Taft-Hartley Law. (In Lawyers
Guild Review, New York and Washington, MarchApril 1948, pp. 371-375. 50 cents.)
Reviews two decisions by the United States District
Court in the Southern District of New York, and furnishes
documentation of references.
Portal-to-Portal Act—Good Faith Provisions. (In Columbia
Law Review, New York, April 1948, pp. 443-450. $1.)
UFWA Economic Report—An Analysis of the Furniture
Industry. New York, United Furniture Workers of
Vested Rights and the Portal-to-Portal Act. By Ray A.
Brown. (In Michigan Law Review, Ann Arbor,
Industry Reports
Construction in the War Years, 1942-45— Employment,
Expenditures, and Building Volume. Washington,
America, CIO, 1948.
55 pp., charts.
Cotton Manufacturing Commission—Interim Report of an
Inquiry into Wages Arrangements and Methods of
Organization of Work in the Cotton Manufacturing
Industry, [Great Britain]. London, Ministry of Labor
and National Service, 1948. 63 pp. Is. 3d. net,
H. M. Stationery Office, London.
The Moelwyn Hughes Commission’s report and recom
mendations on a new wage structure for the British
cotton-weaving industry
The London Compositor: Documents Relating to Wages,
Working Conditions, and Customs of the London Print
ing Trade, 1785-1900. Edited by Ellic Howe. Lon
don, Oxford University Press (for the Bibliographical
Society), 1947. 528 pp. 30s.
Norges Bergverksdrift, 1946.
Oslo, Statistisk Sentralbyrff,
(Norges Offisielle Statistikk, X, 147.)
1948. 57 pp.
I. 25 kroner.
This report on the Norwegian mining industry in 1946
includes information on employment and wages in the
industry.
International Labor Organization
Privileges and Immunities of the International Labor Organi
zation. Twelfth item on agenda, International Labor
Conference, 31st Session, San Francisco, 1948, Report
X II. Geneva, International Labor Office, 1948. 38
pp. 25 cents. Distributed in United States by
Washington Branch of ILO.
The proceedings of the 31st International Labor Con
ference are summarized on p. 261 of this issue of the Monthly
Labor Review.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
April 1948, pp. 723-754.
$1.)
Court Decisions on Teacher Tenure Reported in 1947.
Washington, National Education Association, Com
mittee on Tenure and Academic Freedom, 1948. 16
pp. 25 cents.
Codigo de Trabajo. Panama City, Imprenta Nacional,
1948. 208 pp.
Official text of the Panamanian Labor Code (enacted as
law No. 67 of November 11, 1947) which became effective
March 1, 1948, with a comprehensive alphabetically
arranged subject index.
Medical Care and Sickness Insurance
Agricultural Workers’ Health Associations—Report of
Activities, January-December 1946. Washington,
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Production and
Marketing Administration, Information Branch, 1947.
22 pp., maps, chart; processed.
During the period covered by the report, comprehensive
health service, including medical and dental care, was
furnished to an average of 74,000 persons monthly, through
six non-profit health associations. The report describes
the various services and gives data on costs.
Bibliography for Study of Voluntary Health Insurance
Plans. New York, Committee on Research in Medi
cal Economics, September 1947. 23 pp.; processed.
The committee also has available a bibliography of
general references in medical economics.
The Issue of Compulsory Health Insurance.
By George
W. Backman and Lewis Meriam. Washington,
Brookings Institution, 1948. 271 pp. $4.
The authors present issues, analyses, and conclusions on
certain socio-economic and administrative aspects of two
312
PUBLICATIONS OF LABOR INTEREST
major congressional measures. One of these proposes the
adoption of a Federal compulsory health insurance system;
the other would provide Federal grants-in-aid to the States
to finance medical care for the indigent or “medically
indigent.” The issue before the Congress is not, the
writers point out, “whether it shall be the policy to make
medical care available to those who cannot afford to pay
its full cost, but how the activities in this field shall be
planned, integrated, and systematized.”
Syketrygden, 1944-
Oslo, Rikstrygdeverket, 1948. 78 pp.
(Norges Offisielle Statistikk, X, 155.) 1.50 kroner.
Report on the 34th year of operation of the Norwegian
sickness-insurance system. A French translation of the
table of contents is provided.
Occupations and Occupational Adjustment
Occupational Pamphlets—An Annotated Bibliography.
By
Gertrude Forrester. New York, H. W. Wilson Co.,
1948. 354 pp. Rev. ed. $2.50.
Comprehensive bibliography of occupational information,
selected on the basis of criteria established by the National
Vocational Guidance Association. Includes listings by
publisher and by occupation, with recommendations by the
author on the more outstanding publications.
Your Job—A Guide to Opportunity and Security.
By
Fritz Kaufman. New York, Harper & Bros., 1948.
238 pp. $2.75.
Directed to the person seeking employment, this volume
presents in outline form recommended techniques and
procedures in job-seeking, with special emphasis on the
assistance afforded by various State and Federal agencies.
Highway Jobs: A study of Employment in Highway Con
struction and Maintenance. By R. E. Royall. Chi
cago, Science Research Associates, 1947. 48 pp.,
bibliography, illus. (American Job Series, Occupa
tional Monograph.) Rev. ed.
Real Estate and Housing—An Occupational Brief.
Pasa
dena, Calif., Western Personnel Institute, 1948. 40
pp., bibliographies. $1.
Work
Experience—Preparation for Your Career. By
Thomas E. Christensen. Chicago, Science Research
Associates, 1947. 48 pp., illus. (American Job
Series, Occupational Monograph.)
Population
Forecasts of the Population of the United States, 1945-75.
By P. K. Whelpton. Washington, U. S. Depart
ment of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, 1947.
113 pp., charts. 45 cents, Superintendent of Docu
ments, Washington.
A revision of an earlier report. The new study takes
account of the period from 1940 to 1945 and the unfore
seen effects of the war. Major changes are summarized
as follows: (1) A decrease in the amount and rate of popula
tion growth; (2) a large increase in the number of persons
in the older age groups; and (3) either a small increase or
decrease in the number of children and youth, but with
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR
erratic fluctuations at certain ages. A chapter on impli
cations of expected trends discusses, among various sub
jects, the effects on school enrollment, number of persons
entering the labor market, number of families and the
housing situation, levels of living, business cycles, social
security requirements, and productivity of the labor force.
Europe on the Move: War and Population Changes, 1917-47.
By Eugene M. Kulischer. New York, Columbia
University Press, 1948. 377 pp., bibliography, maps.
$5.
Prices and Price Control
Commodities Included in the Wholesale Price Index of the
Bureau of Labor Statistics for September 1947. Wash
ington, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1948. 34 pp.;
processed. Free.
This list may be kept up to date by referring to the
section on changes in individual price series in the Bureau’s
monthly release on Average Wholesale Prices and Index
Numbers of Individual Commodities.
Wholesale Prices, 1946.
Washington, U. S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics, 1948. 137 pp. (Bull. No. 920.) 25
cents, Superintendent of Documents, Washington.
Indexes of Manufacturers’ Prices, 1913-48: Bedding, Wood
Household Furniture, Upholstered Living Room Furni
ture, Wood Office Furniture. Washington, U. S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1948.
processed. Free.
56 pp., charts;
Prices, Wages, and Inflation. (In Proceedings of the Acade
my of Political Science, New York, Vol. X X III, No. 1,
May 1948, pp. 1-96. $2.50.)
The papers reproduced include one on Commodity
Prices and the Commodity Price Structure, by Frederick
C. Mills, and one on Wages and Prices, by Sumner H.
Slichter.
Problems in Price Control: Stabilization Subsidies.
Edited
by Peter G. Franck. Washington, 1948. 242 pp.
(Historical Reports on War Administration: U. S.
Office of Temporary Controls, Office of Price Adminis
tration, General Publication No. 10.) 45 cents,
Superintendent of Documents, Washington.
Production and Productivity of Labor
Productivity and Unit Labor Cost in the Bituminous Coal
Mining Industry, 1935-47. Washington, U. S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1948. 5 pp.; processed.
Free.
Reports for the same period are also available for the
mining of anthracite, copper, iron, and lead and zinc, and
for steam railroad transportation.
Productivity in the Footwear (Except Rubber) Industry,
[1939-47]. Washington, U. S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics, 1948. 2 pp.; processed. Free.
Similar reports were issued recently for the cement, coke,
and clay construction products industries.
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
PUBLICATIONS OF LABOR INTEREST
313
Trends in Man-Hours Expended per Unit for the Manufac
ture of Selected Types of Leather, 1939-46. Washing
Supplementary Wage Practices in American Industry,
1945-46. Washington, U. S. Bureau of Labor
ton, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1948. 44 pp.,
charts; processed. Free.
Selected types of fertilizer are covered in another recent
report in this series.
Statistics, 1948. 17 pp. (Bull. No. 929.) 10 cents,
Superintendent of Documents, Washington.
Social Security
Selected Readings on Group Insurance.
Compiled by Ruth
K. Bray. Washington, Federal Security Agency,
Library, July 1948. 13 pp.; processed.
Trends in Employee Health and Pension Plans.
York, American Management Association, 1948.
pp. (Personnel Series, No. 118.) 75 cents.
New
30
The New Czechoslovak Miners' Pensions Insurance. Prague,
Orbis, August 1947. 30 pp., illus.
Presents several articles discussing the benefits for
miners and their dependents under the Miners’ Pensions
Insurance Act of March 6, 1947.
From Social Insurance to Social Security: Evolution in
France. By Pierre Laroque. (In International
Labor Review, Geneva, June 1948, pp. 565-590.
50 cents. Distributed in United States by Washing
ton Branch of ILO.)
Agreement on Social Security Between the Government of the
United Kingdom and the French Government (with
Protocols), Paris, June 11, 1948. London, 1948.
11 pp. (Cmd. 7455.) 3d. net, H. M. Stationery
Office, London.
The agreement provides that British nationals in France
and French nationals in Great Britain shall be eligible,
with certain exceptions, to benefits of social security legis
lation in the respective countries. A summary of the
agreement was published in the Ministry of Labor Gazette,
July 1948 (p. 230).
Social Security Monetary Benefits and War Pensions in
New Zealand (1948 edition). Wellington, Social
Security Department, 1948.
51 pp.
Wages and Hours of Labor
Hourly Earnings in 11 Industries: Selected Wage Areas,
J une-December 1947. Washington, U. S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics, 1948. 16 pp. (Serial No. R.
1923; reprinted from recent issues of Monthly Labor
Review.) Free.
Union Wages and Hours: Motortruck Drivers and Helpers,
July 1, 1947. Washington, U. S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics, 1948. 32 pp. (Bull. No. 928.) 15 cents,
Superintendent of Documents, Washington.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Experience of 117 Companies with Wage Incentive Plans.
Chicago, Dartnell Corporation, 1948. In 2 parts,
variously paged, charts; processed. (Report No.
561.)
The report describes different types of plans, and dis
cusses such problems as the proper method of selecting
an incentive plan; importance of selling the plan to the
unions, supervisors, and employees; and reasons for failure
of some plans.
Average Weekly Salaries and Wages of Persons Employed
in Manufacturing, Mining, and Logging [in Canada]
in 1939, and in 1943-47 (Preliminary Statistics).
Ottawa, Department of Trade and Commerce,
Dominion Bureau of Statistics, 1948. 10 pp.; proc
essed. 25 cents.
Wage trends and Wage Policies: Various Foreign Coun
tries. Washington, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,
1948. 54 pp., map, charts. (Bull. No. 934.) 25
cents, Superintendent of Documents, Washington.
Women in Industry
International Labor Conference, 31st Session, San Francisco,
1948: Report of the Governing Body of the International
Labor Office Upon the Working of the Convention (No.
41) Concerning Employment of Women During the
Night (Revised 1934) and of the Convention (No. 4)
Concerning Employment of Women During the Night
(1919). Geneva, International Labor Office, 1948.
17 pp. 25 cents. Distributed in United States by
Washington Branch of ILO.
How to Be a Successful Advertising Woman: A Career
Guide for Women in Advertising, Public Relations,
and Related Fields. Edited by Mary Margaret
McBride. New York, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc.,
1948. 259 pp., bibliography, illus. $3.
The Outlook for Women in Physics and Astronomy. Wash
ington, U. S. Department of Labor, Women’s Bu
reau, 1948. 32 pp., bibliography, illus. (Bull. No.
223-6.) 15 cents, Superintendent of Documents,
Washington.
What Comes of Training Women for War.
By Dorothy
Schaffter. Washington, American Council on Edu
cation, 1948. 223 pp., illus. $3.
Discussion of the effects of wartime training of women
on their position in civilian life, with emphasis on appli
cation of wartime teaching methods to peacetime uses.
Current Labor Statistics
A.—Employment and Pay Rolls
316 Table A -l: Estimated total labor force classified by employment status, hours
worked, and sex
317 Table A-2: Estimated number of wage and salary workers in nonagricultural es
tablishments, by industry division
317 Table A-3: Estimated number of wage and salary workers in manufacturing indus
tries, by major industry group
318 Table A-4: Estimated number of wage and salary workers in manufacturing indus
tries, by State
319 Table A-5: Estimated number of production workers in manufacturing industries
322 Table A-6: Indexes of production-worker employment in manufacturing industries
324 Table A-7: Indexes of production-worker weekly pay rolls in manufacturing
industries
327 Table A-8: Estimated number of employees in selected nonmanufacturing
industries
328 Table A-9: Indexes of employment in selected nonmanufacturing industries
328 Table A-10: Indexes of weekly pay rolls in selected nonmanufacturing industries
329 Table A -ll: Total Federal employment by branch and agency group
330 Table A-12: Total Federal pay rolls by branch and agency group
331 Table A-13: Total Government employment and pay rolls in Washington, D. C.,
by branch and agency group
332 Table A-14: Personnel and pay in military branch of Federal Government
B. —Labor Turn-Over
332 Table B -l: Monthly labor turn-over rates (per 100 employees) in manufacturing
industries, by class of turn-over
333 Table B-2: Monthly labor turn-over rates (per 100 employees) in selected
industries
C. —Earnings and Hours
335 Table 0-1: Hours and gross earnings in manufacturing and nonmanufacturing
industries
346 Table C-2: Estimated average hourly earnings, gross and exclusive of overtime, of
production workers in manufacturing industries
346 Table C-3: Average earnings and hours on private construction projects, by type
of firm
314
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
CURRENT LABOR STATISTICS
315
D.—Prices and Cost of Living
348 Table D -l: Consumers’ price index for moderate-income families in large cities, by
group of commodities
349 Table D-2: Consumers’ price index for moderate-income families, by city, for
selected periods
350 Table D-3: Consumers’ price index for moderate-income families, by city and
group of commodities
Indexes of retail prices of foods, by group, for selected periods
Indexes of retail prices of foods, by city
Average retail prices and indexes of selected foods
Indexes of wholesale prices, by group of commodities, for selected
periods
354 Table D-8: Indexes of wholesale prices, by group of commodities, by weeks
355 Table D-9: Indexes of wholesale prices, by group and subgroup of commodities
351
352
353
354
Table
Table
Table
Table
D-4:
D-5:
D-6:
D-7:
E.—Work Stoppages
356 Table E -l: Work stoppages resulting from labor-management disputes
F.—Building and Construction
356 Table F -l: Expenditures for new construction
357 Table F-2: Value of contracts awarded and force-account work started on federally
financed new construction, by type of construction
358 Table F-3: Urban building authorized, by principal class of construction and by
type of building
359 Table F-4: New nonresidential building authorized in all urban places, by general
type and by geographic division
360 Table F-5: Number and construction cost of new permanent nonfarmdwelling units
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
started, by urban or rural location, and by source of funds
MONTHLY LABOR
A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS
316
A: Employment and Pay Rolls
T able
A -l: Estimated Total Labor Force Classified by Employment Status, Hours Worked, and Sex
Estimated number of persons 14 years of age and over 1 (in thousands)
1947
1948
Labor force
July
June
M ay
Apr.
Mar.
Feb.
Jan.
Dec.
N ov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
July
Total, both sexes
Total labor force 3_________________________
65,135
64, 740
61, 660
61. 760
61,005
61,004
60,455
60, 870
61,510
62, 219
62,130
63,017
64,035
Civilian labor force________________________
U nemployment_______________________
Employment ______ ______ ____________
Nonagricultural___________________
Worked 35 hours or more_______
Worked 15-34 hours. __________
Worked 1-14 hours3__________ _
With a job but not at work *_ . .
Agricultural _____ _ . . ________
Worked 35 hours or m o r e .._____
Worked 15-34 h o u r s __________ _
Worked 1-14 hours3___ ______
With a job but not at work *____
63, 842
2,227
61,615
52, 452
32,404
12,147
1,394
6, 508
9,163
7,011
1,767
203
184
63, 479
2,184
61, 296
51. 899
43, 240
4,910
1,403
2,348
9, 396
7, 390
1,669
182
154
60, 422
1,761
58, 660
50, 800
42, 726
4,886
1,637
1, 550
7, 861
5, 936
1, 513
201
211
60, 524
2,193
58,330
50, 883
42,179
4,902
1, 776
2,027
7, 448
5, 670
1,336
187
255
59, 769
2, 440
57, 329
50,482
42, 576
4,467
1,684
1,753
6, 847
4, 754
1,397
265
431
59, 778
2, 639
57,139
50,368
40, 977
5,255
1,798
2,338
6, 771
3, 844
1, 759
386
782
59, 214
2,065
57,149
50,089
42, 242
4,614
1,513
1,721
7,060
4, 729
1, 765
250
315
59, 590
1, 643
57, 947
50,985
43,144
4, 674
1,631
1,534
6, 962
4,590
1, 631
320
421
60, 216
1,621
58, 595
50,609
42,616
5,147
1,470
1,376
7,985
5,709
1,781
298
198
60,892
1,687
59, 204
50, 583
43,102
4, 534
1.391
1,556
8,622
6, 867
1,383
204
167
60, 784
1,912
58, 872
50,145
42, 796
3, 988
1,312
2,050
8, 727
7,297
1,077
165
187
61, 665
2,096
59, 569
50, 594
41,068
4, 574
1,224
3, 726
8,975
6, 734
1,687
193
362
62, 664
2, 584
60,079
50,013
39, 602
4, 630
1,150
4.631
10,066
8,067
1,653
171
174
Males
Total labor force2 ______________________
46, 715
46,039
44, 519
44, 589
44,228
44, 236
44,071
44,156
44,426
44, 754
44, 881
45, 874
46, 213
Civilian labor force__________________ _____
U nem ploym ent-........ ....................... .............
Em ploym ent_________________________
Nonagricultural___________________
Worked 35 hours or m o r e ........... Wrorked 15-34 hours____________
Wrorked 1-14 hours A. . . . ______
With a job but not at work *___
Agricultural_______________________
Worked 35 hours or more_______
Worked 15-34 hours ___________
Worked 1-14 hours3.. _________
W ith a job but not at work * ___
45, 437
1,448
43, 989
36,633
24,344
7, 766
563
3,962
7, 356
6,152
903
145
157
44, 794
1,375
43, 420
36,162
31, 700
2, 535
597
1,332
7, 257
6,310
707
111
129
43, 298
1,239
42,058
35, 386
31,006
2, 565
709
1,105
6, 673
5, 525
862
136
150
43, 369
1,567
41,801
35, 352
30, 575
2, 525
787
1,465
6,450
5, 321
816
124
189
43,009
1,765
41, 244
35,063
30, 649
2,390
729
1,294
6,181
4, 548
1,035
211
387
43,026
1,889
41,137
35,046
29, 592
2, 800
899
1, 755
6,091
3, 698
1,375
330
688
42, 848
1,574
41, 273
35, 018
30, 719
2,414
610
1,275
6,254
4,505
1,255
202
292
42, 892
1,239
41,653
35,484
31,147
2,411
738
1,187
6,169
4,376
1,177
252
364
43,148
1,176
41, 972
35, 323
31,020
2,709
622
972
6,649
5,236
1,638
194
180
43, 443
1,183
42, 260
35, 340
31, 476
2, 212
630
1,022
6, 920
5,913
736
128
142
43, 551
1,393
42,158
35, 202
31,232
2,094
522
1,355
6,955
6,175
523
87
169
44, 540
1, 518
43,022
35, 452
30, 302
2, 506
487
2,156
7, 570
6,191
937
141
303
44,861
1,789
43.071
34, 937
29, 041
2, 555
446
2,895
8,134
7,130
775
98
130
Females
18,420
18, 701
17,141
17,171
16, 777
16, 768
16,384
16, 714
17,084
17,465
17, 249
17,143
17, 822
Civilian labor force__________________ _____ 18,405
Unemployment_______________________
779
Employm ent______________ _____ _____ 17,626
Nonagricultural___________________ 15,819
Worked 35 hours or more_______
8,060
Worked 15-34 hours____________
4,381
Worked 1-14 hours3__ _______
831
With a job but not at work *____ 2,546
Agricultural_____ ________________ 1,807
Worked 35 hours or more_______
859
Worked 15-34 hours____________
864
Worked 1-14 hours 3 __________
58
W ith a job but not at work *........
27
18, 685
809
17, 876
15, 737
11, 540
2,375
806
1,016
2,139
1,080
962
71
25
17,124
522
16, 602
15,414
11,720
2,321
928
445
1,188
411
651
65
61
17,155
626
16. 529
15, 531
11,604
2,377
989
562
998
349
520
63
66
16, 760
675
16,085
15,419
11,927
2,077
955
459
666
206
362
54
44
16,752
750
16,002
15,322
11,385
2, 455
899
583
680
146
384
56
94
16,368
491
15, 876
15, 071
11,523
2,200
903
446
806
224
510
48
23
16, 698
404
16, 294
15, 501
11,997
2, 263
893
347
793
214
454
68
57
17,068
445
16,623
15,286
11, 596
2, 438
848
404
1,336
473
743
104
18
17,449
504
16,944
15, 243
11,626
2,322
761
534
1,702
954
647
76
25
17, 233
519
16, 714
14,943
11, 564
1,894
' 790
695
1,772
1,122
554
78
18
17,125
578
16,547
15,142
10, 766
2,068
737
1,570
1,405
543
750
52
59
17, 803
795
17, 008
15,076
10, 561
2,075
704
1,736
1,932
937
878
73
44
Total labor force3_________________________
1 Estimates are subject to sampling variation which may be large in cases
where the quantities shown are relatively small. Therefore, the smaller
estimates should be used with caution. All data exclude persons in institu
tions. Because of rounding, the individual figures do not necessarily add to
group totals.
* Total labor force consists of the civilian labor force and the armed forces.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
3 Excludes persons engaged only in incidental unpaid fam ily work (less than
15 hours); these persons are classified as not in the labor force.
♦ Includes persons who had a job or business, but who did not work during
the census week because of illness, bad weather, vacation, labor dispute, or
because of temporary lay-oil with definite instructions to return to work
within 30 days of lay-off. Does not include unpaid family workers.
Source; U . S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census.
A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
T able A -2 :
317
Estimated Number of Wage and Salary Workers in Nonagricultural Establishments,
Industry Division 1
by
[In thousands]
1948
Annual
average
1947
Industry division
July
June
M ay
Apr.
Mar.
Feb.
Jan.
Dec.
N ov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
July
1943
1939
T o t a l e s t i m a t e d e m p l o y m e n t ................................
45,074 45,046 44,626 44, 299 44. 600 44, 279 44, 603 45, 618 44, 918 44, 758 44, 513 44,125 43, 686 42,042
30, 287
M a n u f a c t u r i n g ____ _____________________ ______
M i n i n g ................. ........... .....................................................
A n t h r a c i t e ............................................. ....................
B i t u m i n o u s c o a l . . . ......................................... ..
M e t a l ......... ................................ ..................................
Q u a r r y i n g a n d n o n m e t a l l i c ................ ...........
C r u d e p e tr o le u m a n d n a tu r a l g a s p r o
d u c t io n 1...................................................... ...........
C o n t r a c t c o n s t r u c t i o n 3_________ _____________
T r a n s p o r t a t i o n a n d p u b l i c u t i l i t i e s 4_______
T r a n s p o r t a t i o n 4.................................. .................
C o m m u n i c a t i o n .....................................................
O t h e r p u b l i c u t i l i t i e s ............ ............. ...............
T r a d e ...................................... ........... ................................... .
F i n a n c e ..................................................................................
S e r v i c e .............. ..................................................................
G o v e r n m e n t 4.................................................. .................
F e d e r a l .......... ........................... ..................................
S t a t e a n d l o c a l 4............ ........................................
16,155 16,161 15,904 15,950 16, 269 16,183 16, 267 16, 354 16, 256 16, 209 16,175 15, 902 15, 580 17,381
922
948
933
817
924
914
922
922
925
923
921
923
890
917
82
81
82
82
81
81
81
81
81
81
81
82
79
83
424
421
415
395
309
419
422
421
417
412
415
408
379
437
104
103
102
103
101
102
100
100
100
99
100
102
101
126
97
95
93
90
87
97
89
94
96
97
98
99
98
90
10, 078
845
89
388
103
76
246
2,217
4,135
2, 872
745
518
9, 647
1,754
4, 645
5, 599
1,833
3, 766
241
2,164
4, 106
2, 861
734
511
9,671
1,726
4,663
5.607
1,804
3,803
234
2,052
4,042
2,809
731
502
9, 617
1, 716
4,738
5,624
1,788
3,836
230
1,933
3,974
2, 744
731
499
9, 576
1,704
4,768
5, 577
1,771
3,806
231
1,805
4,032
2,808
728
496
9, 598
1,697
4, 729
5, 546
1, 758
3,788
i Estimates are based upon reports submitted by cooperating establish
ments and therefore differ from employment information obtained by house
hold interviews, such as the M onthly Report on the Labor Force. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates of employment in nonagricultural
establishments differ from those of the M onthly Report on the Labor Force
(table A -l) in several important respects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics
estimates cover all full- and part-time wage and salary workers in private
nonagricultural establishments who worked or received pay during the pay
period ending nearest the 15th of the month, in Federal establishments during
the pay period ending just before the first of the month, and in State and local
government during the pay period ending on or just before the last of the
month. Persons who worked in more than one establishment during the
reporting period would be counted more than once. Proprietors, self-em
ployed persons, domestic servants, unpaid family workers, and personnel of
the armed forces are excluded. These estimates have been adjusted to levels
indicated by Federal Security Agency data through 1946 and are not compar
able with data published in mimeographed releases dated prior to June 1948
or the M onthly Labor Review dated prior to July 1948. The estimates have
T able A -3 :
230
1,731
4,019
2,802
723
494
9, 520
1,690
4,730
5, 492
1,746
3, 746
229
230
1,871 1,978
4,020 4,071
2, 809 2. 858
719
719
492
494
9, 622 10, 288
1, 680 1,676
4, 723 4.688
5, 498 5, 638
1,743 1,985
3, 755 3, 653
229
2, 046
4, 077
2,872
713
492
9, 886
1,673
4,670
5, 387
1,751
3,636
230
2, 099
4,097
2,899
707
491
9,684
1,671
4,662
5, 414
1, 744
3,670
230
2,107
4, 134
2, 929
713
492
9, 471
1,668
4,634
5, 403
1, 761
3,642
232
2, 096
4, 163
2,946
722
495
9, 356
1,6S8
4,619
5.318
1, 795
3,523
233
2, 043
4, 155
2, 943
721
491
9,316
1,675
4, 686
5,341
1,828
3, 513
181
1,567
3, 619
2, 746
488
385
7,322
1,401
3,786
6,049
2,875
3,174
189
1,150
2,912
2, 080
391
441
6, 705
1.382
3,228
3,987
898
3,089
been carried forward from 1946 bench-mark levels, thereby providing con
sistent series. Comparable data from January 1939 are available upon request
to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data for the current and immediately
preceding months are subject to revision.
2 Includes well drilling and rig building.
3 These figures cover all employees of private firms whose major activity is
construction. They are not directly comparable with the construction em
ployment estimates presented in table 2, p. 1111, of the June 1947 issue of this
publication, which include self-employed persons, working proprietors, and
force-account workers and other employees of nonconstruction firms or public
bodies who engage in construction work, as well as all employees of con
struction firms. An article presenting this other construction employment
series appeared in the August 1947 issue of this publication, and will appear
quarterly thereafter.
4 Figures are not strictly comparable with those of preceding months be
cause of the transfer of some companies from private to municipal operation
in October 1947.
Estimated Number of Wage and Salary Workers in Manufacturing Industries, by Major
Industry Group 1
[In thousands]
1948
Annual
average
1947
Major industry group
July
June
M ay
Apr.
Mar.
Feb.
Jan.
Dec.
N ov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
July
1943
All manufacturing---------------------------------- 16,155 16,161 15,904 15,950 16, 269 16,183 16, 267 16,354 16, 256 16, 209 16,175 15, 962 15, 580 17, 381
Durable goods. ____________________ 8,145 8,131 8,114 8.164 8, 258 8,167 8, 256 8,274 8,194 8,126 8, 070 7,987 7, 874 10, 297
Nondurable goods ___________ ____ . 8,010 8,030 7,790 7, 786 8,011 8,016 8,011 8,080 8, 062 8,083 8,105 7, 975 7, 706 7,084
Iron and steel and their products_________ 1,895
Electrical m achin ery___________________
713
Machinery, except electrical. ____ _ _____ 1, 561
Transportation equipment, except automobiles. _____. . . ___________________
556
984
Automobiles .
... .
. . ____
Nonferrous metals and their products_____
456
Lumber and timber basic products_______
912
542
Furniture and finished lumber products__
Stone, clay, and glass products___________
526
Textile-mill products and other fiber manufaetures-. . __________ ____ . _________ 1,366
Apparel and other finished textile products. 1,235
Leather and leather products __________
422
F o o d ._________ _ . __________________ 1,912
Tobacco manufactures__________________
96
475
Paper and allied products_______________
Printing, publishing, and allied industries..
716
Chemicals and allied products. _________
748
Products of petroleum and coal__________
245
Rubber products_______________________
238
Miscellaneous industries_________________
557
10,078
4,357
5, 720
1,906
725
1, 586
1,894
727
1, 568
1,897
742
1,562
1,929
756
1,587
1,920
763
1,591
1, 925
767
1,583
1, 922
773
1, 589
1,908
772
1,569
1,896
763
1, 565
1,892
752
1,560
1,884
745
1,552
1, 854
742
1,519
2,034
914
1, 585
1,171
355
690
560
923
467
880
550
534
565
964
467
851
548
530
589
979
475
833
561
526
589
985
482
827
576
527
589
914
478
813
581
518
598
989
47S
816
580
520
591
983
482
829
578
527
578
961
479
828
573
526
552
964
472
827
565
522
540
960
468
821
557
520
530
926
463
821
549
517
527
941
462
793
534
502
2, 951
845
525
589
429
422
193
466
283
465
385
349
1,418
1,263
419
1, 828
98
476
720
757
246
243
562
1,416
1,247
405
1,620
97
476
719
759
242
243
566
1,425
1, 268
418
1,562
99
476
718
767
238
246
569
1, 435
1, 334
442
1,655
100
480
722
773
238
253
579
1, 428
1, 333
448
1, 658
101
479
724
773
237
257
578
1, 413
1, 311
445
1,688
101
482
726
774
238
259
574
1, 409
1, 305
446
1, 735
102
484
732
778
238
261
590
1, 391
1, 277
442
1, 769
104
479
726
777
239
259
599
1, 368
1, 287
438
1,833
103
476
720
773
237
257
591
1, 341
1, 251
435
1, 964
100
470
713
763
238
252
578
1, 320
1, 222
429
1, 922
99
469
710
750
238
252
564
1, 305
1,141
417
1, 785
97
462
706
752
237
250
554
1, 330
1,080
378
1,418
103
389
549
873
170
231
663
1, 235
894
383
1,192
105
320
561
421
147
150
311
1 Estimates include all full- and part-time production and nonproduction
workers in manufacturing industries who worked or received pay during the
pay period ending nearest the 15th of the month. These estimates have been
adjusted to levels indicated by Federal Security Agency data through 1946
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1939
and are not comparable with data published in mimeographed releases dated
prior to June 1948 or the M onthly Labor Review dated prior to July 1948.
Comparable data from January 1939 are available upon request to the Bureau
of Labor Statistics.
A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS
318
MONTHLY LABOR
T able A-4: Estimated Number of Wage and Salary Workers in Manufacturing Industries, by State1
[In th o u sa n d s]
1947
1948
Region and State
June
New England;
Maine 3 __ _________________
New Hampshire____________ ...
V erm ont3____________________
M assachusetts... _____________
Rhode Island...................................
Connect ic u t3_______ _____ ____
Middle Atlantic:
N ew York____________________
N ew Jersey___________________
Pennsylvania_________________
East North Central:
O h io ........... ................................... Indiana ___________ ________
Illinois................................................
Michigan ___ _______________
Wisconsin s. . _______________
West North Central:
M inuesota3___________________
Io w a 3
___________________
M issonri8____________________
North Dakota__________ ____ _
South D akota_________________
Nebraska __________________
Kansas _ ___________________
South Atlantic:
D elaw are____________________
Maryland _
- ____________
District of Columbia__________
Virginia
__________________
West Virginia_________________
North Carolina_______________
South Carolina________________
Georgia _____________________
Florida 3 _________ _____ ______
East South Central:
Kentucky ___________________
Tennessee __________________
Alabam a3
___________ ____
M ississippi___________________
West South'Central:
A rkansas3
- _ ______________
Louisiana . __________________
Oklahoma 1
. ______________
Texas _ _ _ _________________
Mountain:
Mon tana___________ _______ __
Idaho
___________________
W yoming__ ________________
Colorado_____________________
New M exico3. .....................
Arizona 3 . . _______________
Utah
________ _____ _______
N ev a d a 3 ___________________
Pacific:
W ashington___________________
Oregon
_ __________________
California-------------------------------
115.2
82.7
37.8
725.5
146.5
396.5
M ay
108.2
81.6
37.8
723.4
147.0
401.1
Apr.
106.7
82.6
38.1
729.7
149.9
406.4
Mar.
115.2
84.4
38.7
745.7
153.6
412.5
.’„Feb.
116.5
85.6
38.8
746.0
154.5
412.1
116.9
85.8
39.1
747.3
163.5
413.2
Dec.
118.5
86.3
40.0
757.2
154.6
417.8
N ov.
117.4
83.9
39.5
753.2
154.3
415.7
Oct.
116.9
82.9
39.3
741.6
152.9
414.8
Sept.
119.6
82.1
39.2
732.5
148.1
409.2
Aug.
119.4
80.7
39.1
720.4
143.0
406.0
July
112.9
77.6
37.2
707.2
141.4
403.3
June
108.2
79.3
38.4
724.7
147.0
410.4
144.4
77.0
41.3
835.6
169.4
504.2
1,831.7 1,829.0 1,850.4 1,902.6 1,906.4 1,905.8 1,924. 6 1,918.6 1,922. 8 1, 900.1 1,870.8 1, 801.9 1,841.6 2,115.7
757.4
751.4
745.2
749.2
764.0
735.9
719.6
757.8
757.3
740.7
746.0
753.7
951.1
742.3
1, 492.4 1.487.3 1,495. 5 1,512. 2 1,510.9 1,513.4 *1,527.3 *1,523.1 1,517.9 1,504.5 *1,490. 7 *1,471.1 1,487.2 1, 579.3
1,228.1 1.221.3 1, 230.7 1, 244.0 1, 243.9 1, 246.0 1, 250.9 1, 247.3 1,244.7 1,244.0 1, 238.1 1,232.0 1, 244. 5 1,363.3
553.4
558.7
561.0
580.0
559.0
552.3
550.0 *553. 6
556.3
546.4
552.8
633.1
540.0
541.9
1, 228.7 1, 203. 5 1,198.0 1,253.5 1,267.0 1. 271.0 1,273.6 1, 266.3 1, 257.0 1, 249.0 1, 237.8 1, 228.6 1,238.3 1,263. 7
997.0 1,013.1 1,181.8
998.5 1,002. 7 1,010. 9
970.7 1,019.6 1,024.2 1,019.0 1,021.8 1,023.3 1,004.6
962.7
434.2
436.1
433.3
452.0
446.6
461.5
427.9
433.9
433.1
429.7
432.5
442.8
426.3
420.0
203.3
149.8
343.9
7.1
11.9
43.0
84.5
190.9
135.1
339.3
6.7
11.3
36.1
77.0
188.7
133.8
339.9
6.4
11.3
34.9
73.3
198.0
153.7
346.6
6.3
11.0
42.4
77.6
199.0
154.7
349.2
6.4
11.1
43.0
78.3
200.0
165.5
350.3
6.6
11.2
43.8
80.5
202.0
156.3
351.7
6.7
11.3
46.3
81.9
201.3
153.9
352.7
6.8
11.5
45.9
79.9
200.2
151.3
351.9
6.7
11.4
46.1
79.8
210.6
152.3
348.7
6.7
11.3
43.1
79.4
206.8
151.3
348.9
6.9
11.5
43.2
80.0
205.6
149.8
343.5
6.8
11.8
43.4
80.7
194.5
148.6
345.4
6.8
11.5
43.1
81.0
215.1
161.7
412.9
5.6
10.3
60.8
144.2
46.5
229.4
17.1
211.9
133.9
381.7
200.5
252.7
90.0
45.7
228. 5
17.2
210.8
132.4
381.4
199.3
252.0
93.2
46.5
228.2
17.4
212.8
131.9
382.6
199.3
252.4
96.5
46.5
228.9
17.1
213.7
130.9
385.8
200.5
257.3
99.4
45.9
228.5
16.8
213 5
130.3
380.4
196.9
258.5
98.9
45.7
226.9
17.3
213.6
132.4
382.7
198.3
259.4
100.3
46.1
229.6
17.5
215.1
132.5
380.8
198.9
257.4
97.8
45.8
231.1
17.4
217.3
133.0
378.7
197.6
256.7
95.0
45.8
229.3
17.5
217.0
133.4
374.1
194.8
253.9
90.4
48.2
232.4
17.5
214.5
132.8
368.1
192.3
251.9
88.6
48.4
228.2
17.3
211.6
132.5
366.6
192.0
248.5
86.8
45.2
217.4
17.4
208.2
131.0
365.2
191.5
238.2
85.7
45.4
224.3
17.2
207.9
132.6
366.0
188.9
246.2
88-2
55.2
348.8
15.6
231.9
132.2
399.9
191.8
302.9
136.0
127.0
250. 7
228.3
89.5
125.9
250.8
228.0
88.1
128.2
251.5
227.3
88.6
129.5
252.8
231.8
90.0
129.4
252.8
231.1
90.5
129.5
252.1
233.7
95.5
130.4
252.4
231.9
95.7
130.7
253.0
231.8
95.5
130.3
253.8
228.9
94.1
128.2
251.8
226.5
95.0
125.8
250.8
221.4
95.3
122.4
246.2
219.6
91.4
123.6
245.2
221.1
90.9
131.7
255.9
258.5
96.1
76.6
139.6
68.9
354.8
75.1
137.8
65.2
341.7
74.8
138.3
65.5
338. 7
74.3
137.2
62.6
337.1
74.4
137.0
62.6
340.2
75.3
140.2
64.0
342.9
76.1
142.2
64.7
346.8
77.1
141.2
64.9
347.6
77.1
143.5
64.3
339.9
81.2
142.7
64.1
337.8
80.5
142.6
64.0
341.5
75.1
140.9
62.9
335.1
74.2
138.6
62.6
339.3
76.7
166.1
99.7
424.8
17.7
19.8
6.8
56.3
10.0
16.0
25.8
3.4
17.1
18. 7
6.5
53.3
9.3
15.7
24.2
17.1
17.9
6.3
54.0
8.8
15.3
22.6
17.2
17.8
6.2
17.3
18.2
6.1
65.1
8.7
*14.6
23.9
17.7
18.6
6.1
57.2
8.7
*14.7
25.1
18.5
19.2
7.0
61.0
8.6
14.7
26.8
3 .3
3 .3
3 .3
3 .3
3 .3
19.1
20.4
7.1
60.6
*8.8
14.0
29.4
3.5
18.1
19.3
6.8
57.9
*9.1
13.8
30.1
3.4
18.2
19.5
6.8
56.6
*9.3
13.4
26.3
3.4
18.4
20.8
6.7
55.9
*9.1
14.0
29.1
3.4
17.8
20.1
6.3
54.6
*9.1
14.8
24.9
3 .3
18.7
20.1
7.2
60.3
*8.6
14.6
27.3
3.5
15.7
15.9
5.1
67.5
7.9
19.4
33.5
7.9
163.4
112.8
712.9
152.4
110.7
696.3
175.3
110.2
695.8
173.7
173.0
109.2
703.5
173.0
109.8
705.0
174.6
111.4
715.1
178.2
112.2
717.7
183.9
117.2
736.4
191.7
122.2
744.8
185. 0
122.4
760.2
176.5
116. 6
704.0
5 5 .5
8.3
‘ 14.8
23.9
1 1 0 .2
700.4
i R e v i s e d d a t a in a l l e x c e p t t h e f ir s t t h r e e c o l u m n s a r e i d e n t i f i e d b y a n
a s t e r i s k fo r t h e f ir s t m o n t h ’s p u b l i c a t i o n o f s u c h d a t a . C o m p a r a b l e s e r ie s ,
J a n u a r y 1943 t o d a t e , a v a i l a b l e u p o n r e q u e s t to U . 8 . D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r ,
o r c o o p e r a tin g S t a te A g e n c y lis te d b e lo w .
» 1943 a v e r a g e s m a y n o t b e s t r i c t l y c o m p a r a b le w i t h c u r r e n t d a t a fo r t h o s e
S t a t e s n o w o n S t a n d a r d I n d u s t r ia l C l a s s if ic a t io n .
J S e r ie s b a s e d o n S t a n d a r d I n d u s t r i a l C l a s s if ic a t io n . D a t a fo r I o w a ,
M i n n e s o t a , M i s s o u r i , a n d O k la h o m a m a y n o t b e s t r i c t l y c o m p a r a b le w i t h
t h o s e p u b l i s h e d p r io r t o t h e c u r r e n t r e p o r t .
* R e v is e d .
Cooperating State Agencies:
A l a b a m a — D e p a r t m e n t o f I n d u s t r i a l R e l a t i o n s , M o n t g o m e r y 5.
A r iz o n a — U n e m p lo y m e n t C o m p e n s a t io n D iv is io n , E m p lo y m e n t S e c u
r it y C o m m is s io n , P h o e n ix .
A r k a u sa s — E m p lo y m e n t S e c u r it y D i v i s i o n , D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r ,
L ittle R o c k .
C a lifo r n ia — D iv is io n o f L a b o r S t a tis tic s a n d R e s e a r c h , D e p a r t m e n t o f
I n d u s t r ia l R e la tio n s , S a n F r a n c isc o 2.
C o n n e c t ic u t — E m p lo y m e n t S e c u r it y D iv is io n , D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r a n d
F a c t o r y I n s p e c t i o n , H a r t f o r d 15.
D e l a w a r e — F e d e r a l R e s e r v e B a n k o f P h i l a d e l p h i a , P h i l a d e l p h i a 1, P a .
F lo r id a — U n e m p lo y m e n t C o m p e n s a t io n D iv is io n , I n d u s t r ia l C o m m is
s io n , T a lla h a s s e e .
G e o r g ia — E m p l o v m e n t S e c u r i t y A g e n c y , D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r , A t l a n t a
3.
I d a h o — E m p lo y m e n t S e c u r it y A g e n c y , I n d u s t r ia l A c c id e n t B o a r d ,
B o is e .
I l l i n o i s — D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r . C h ic a g o 1.
I n d i a n a — E m p l o y m e n t S e c u r i t y D i v i s i o n , I n d i a n a p o l i s 9.
I o w a — E m p l o y m e n t S e c u r i t y C o m m i s s i o n , D e s M o i n e s 8.
K a n sa s— S ta te L a b o r D e p a r tm e n t, T o p e k a .
L o u is ia n a — B u r e a u o f B u s in e s s R e s e a r c h , L o u is ia n a S t a te U n iv e r s it y ,
B a to n R o u g e 3.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Jan,
Annual
average
1943 «
3 .3
285.6
179.3
119.1
192.1
689.3 1,165.5
Maine—Unemployment Compensation Commission, Augusta.
M
M
M
M
a r y l a n d — D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r a n d I n d u s t r y , B a l t i m o r e 2.
a s s a c h u s e t t s — D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r a n d I n d u s t r ie s , B o s t o n 33.
i c h i g a n — D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r a n d I n d u s t r y , L a n s i n g 13.
in n e s o t a — D iv is io n o f E m p lo y m e n t a n d S e c u r it y , D e p a r t m e n t o f S o
c ia l S e c u r i t y , S t . P a u l 1 .
M is s o u r i— D iv is io n o f E m p lo y m e n t S e c u r it y , D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r a n d
I n d u s t r i a l R e l a t i o n s , J e ff e r s o n C i t y .
M o n t a n a — U n e m p lo y m e n t C o m p e n s a t io n C o m m is s io n , H e le n a .
N e b r a sk a — D iv is io n o f P la c e m e n t a n d U n e m p lo y m e n t In su r a n c e , D e
p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r , L i n c o l n 1.
N e v a d a — E m p lo y m e n t S e c u r it y D e p a r t m e n t, C a r so n C it y .
N e w J e r s e y — D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r , T r e n t o n 8.
N e w M e x ic o — E m p lo y m e n t S e c u r it y C o m m is s io n , A lb u q u e r q u e .
N e w Y o r k — D iv is io n o f P la c e m e n t a n d U n e m p lo y m e n t I n s u r a n c e , D e
p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r , N e w Y o r k 17.
N o r t h C a r o l in a — D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r , R a l e i g h .
O k la h o m a — E m p l o y m e n t S e c u r i t y C o m m i s s i o n , O k la h o m a C i t y 2.
P e n n s y lv a n ia — F e d e r a l R e s e r v e B a n k o f P h ila d e lp h ia , P h ila d e lp h ia 1
( m a n u f a c t u r in g ) ; B u r e a u o f R e s e a r c h a n d I n f o r m a t i o n , D e p a r t m e n t
o f L a b o r a n d I n d u s t r y , H a r r isb u r g (n o n m a n u f a c t u r in g ) .
R h o d e I s l a n d — D i v i s i o n o f C e n s u s a n d I n f o r m a t io n , D e p a r t m e n t o f
L a b o r , P r o v id e n c e 2.
T e n n e s s e e — D e p a r t m e n t o f E m p l o y m e n t S e c u r i t y , N a s h v i l l e 3.
T e x a s — B u r e a u o f B u s i n e s s R e s e a r c h , U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s , A u s t i n 12.
U t a h — D e p a r t m e n t o f E m p lo y m e n t S e c u r it y , I n d u s tr ia l C o m m is s io n ,
S a l t L a k e C i t y 13.
V e r m o n t — U n e m p l o y m e n t C o m p e n s a t io n C o m m i s s i o n , M o n t p e l i e r .
V i r g in ia — D i v i s i o n o f R e s e a r c h a n d S t a t i s t i c s , D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r a n d
I n d u s t r y , R i c h m o n d 21.
W a s h in g to n — E m p lo y m e n t S e c u r it y D e p a r t m e n t , O ly m p ia .
W i s c o n s i n — S t a t i s t i c a l D e p a r t m e n t , I n d u s t r i a l C o m m i s s i o n , M a d i s o n 3.
W y o m in g — E m p lo y m e n t S e c u r it y C o m m is s io n , C a sp e r .
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
T able
A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS
319
A-5: Estimated Number of Production Workers in Manufacturing Industries 1
[In thousands]
1948
Annual
average
1947
Industry group and industry
uly
A l l m a n u f a c t u r i n g 1.....................................................
D u r a b l e g o o d s 1......................................................
N o n d u r a b l e g o o d s 1..............................................
June
M ay
Apr.
Mar.
Feb.
Jan.
Dec.
Nov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
July
1943
Ï, 973 12, 955 12, 740 12,791 13,131 13,066 13,150 13,263 13,176 13,143 13.125 12,928 12,562 14, 560
i, 6C7 6,658 6,642 6,683 6,791 6,711 6,795 6,816 6,746 6,681 6,630 6,555 6, 452 8,727
Î, 306 6,297 6,098 6,108 6,340 6,355 6,355 6,447 6,430 6,462 6,495 6,373 6,110 5i 834
1939
8,192
3,611
4; 581
Durable goods
I r o n a n d s t e e l a n d t h e i r p r o d u c t s 1__________
B la s t fu r n a c e s , s te e l w o r k s , a n d r o llin g
m i l l s . . ........................................................................
G r a y - i r o n a n d s e m i s t e e l c a s t i n g s ...............
M a ll e a b l e - i r o n c a s t i n g s .....................................
S t e e l e a s t i n g s ............................................................
C a s t - ir o n p i p e a n d f i t t i n g s .............................
T i n c a n s a n d o t h e r t i n w a r e ...........................
W i r e d r a w n f r o m p u r c h a s e d r o d s ..............
W i r e w o r k __________________________________
C u t l e r y a n d e d g e t o o l s .......... .................. .........
T o o ls (e x c e p t e d g e t o o ls , m a c h in e t o o ls ,
f il e s , a n d s a w s ) ....................................................
H a r d w a r e . ...................................................................
P l u m b e r s ’ s u p p l i e s ....... ........... ............................
S t o v e s , o il b u r n e r s , a n d h e a t in g e q u ip
m e n t , n o t e l s e w h e r e c l a s s i f i e d ...............
S te a m a n d h o t -w a t e r h e a t in g a p p a r a tu s
a n d s t e a m f i t t i n g s ............ .................. ..............
S ta m p e d a n d e n a m e le d w a r e a n d g a l
v a n i z i n g ...................................................................
F a b r ic a te d s tr u c tu r a l a n d o r n a m e n ta l
m e t a l w o r k . . ............. .................. _____________
M e t a l d o o r s , s a s h , f r a m e s , m o ld i n g ,
a n d t r i m .......... .................. .....................................
B o l t s , n u t s , w a s h e r s , a n d r i v e t s _________
F o r g i n g s , ir o n a n d s t e e l __________________
W r o u g h t p ip e , w e ld e d a n d h e a v y r i v e t e d ______________ ___________ ________ „
S c r e w -m a c h in e p r o d u c ts a n d w o o d
s c r e w s .......................................................................
S t e e l b a r r e ls , k e g s , a n d d r u m s .....................
F i r e a r m s . . .................................................. ................
,601 1,610
__
1,634
1,628
511.8
110.7
37.2
68.6
27.6
42.1
30.1
41.9
23.7
516.1
113.9
37.9
69.3
28.3
44.5
30.6
43.4
24.0
25.1
49.8
40.3
25.2
51.9
39.3
25.5
53.0
39.4
25.7
64.3
40.2
25.8
54.1
40.0
1,634
508.5 508.8
114.5 114.4
37.8
37.9
68.6
67.7
28. C 28.7
45.7
47.4
30.9
31.4
42.5
43.5
24.6
24.7
1,633
1, 619
1,609
1, 604
1,597
1,569
1,761
991
506.5
113.8
37 . e
67.0
28.7
47. S
31.6
42.4
25.0
505.6
113.1
36.7
66.4
28. Í
47. 1
31. 2
40.5
24.8
505.1
113.1
36. 1
66.2
28.1
47. C
31. (
40.6
24.5
505.1
112.4
35.6
66. 2
27.8
48.4
30.5
41.1
23.9
508.6
113.6
35.4
65.5
27.5
47.6
30.8
40.3
23.3
503.0
113.0
33.7
64.0
27.1
44.3
30.6
39.0
21.5
516.7
88.4
28.8
90.1
18.0
32. 4
36.0
32.8
21.8
388.4
62.2
19.2
32.1
17.6
31.8
22.0
30.4
15.4
25.9
53. 2
40.0
25.9
52.6
40.0
25.4
51.1
39.6
25.0
50.2
38.7
24.6
49.3
38.4
24. 4
48.3
38.5
23.9
49.1
38.3
27. 8
45.3
25.0
15.3
35.7
26.2
49.2
78.7
79.5
77.8
83.1
86.5
88.5
90.9
91.5
91.1
90.3
86.4
82.7
60.4
60.5
60.8
59.8
62.7
63.2
62.6
62.5
61.8
61.7
61.2
61.3
60.3
64.4
32.3
110.6
110.9
112.2
114.1
115.1
115.5
117.1
116.4
115.3
114.7
111.9
109.2
97.0
59.2
59.6
60.0
60.6
60.7
60.2
60.5
60.7
60.5
59.8
60.3
60.3
59.1
71.0
35.5
10.4
28.5
34.9
10.2
28.6
35.1
10.1
28.9
36.7
10.5
28.9
37.5
10.2
28.7
37.6
10.8
28.7
37.8
10.9
28.6
37.4
10.7
28.4
36.8
10. 5
27.8
36.7
10. 3
28.3
36.3
10.1
28.4
36.2
9.6
27.7
35.9
12.8
31.6
43.6
7.7
15 2
16.4
20.3
18.8
18.8
19.2
19.1
19.8
19.6
18.9
18.4
17.8
17.7
17.3
28.4
8.9
35.9
7.9
21.4
36.4
7.6
21.2
36.8
7.7
21.0
36.8
7.9
20.8
36.6
8.1
20.4
36.1
8.4
20.0
35.8
8.2
19.7
35.5
8.0
19.3
35.4
8.0
19.0
35.3
8.2
18.5
35.4
8.3
18.3
36.0
8.4
19.3
53.8
8. 5
71.7
18.0
6.5
5.3
546
356 2
88.9
90.2
548
357.4
90.0
90.0
563
364.9
93.4
93.9
577
371.7
97.6
96.5
584
376.5
99.2
97.2
588
378.4
100.3
98.2
596
382. 2
104.8
98.2
595
380.3
106.3
97.5
588
377.1
104.3
95.6
578
373.7
99.6
93.6
569
368.2
96.8
93.3
567
368.8
93.3
94.0
741
497.5
124.1
119.3
259
182.7
44.0
32.5
535
M a c h i n e r y , e x c e p t e le c t r i c a l *........ .......................
M a c h in e r y a n d m a c h in e -s h o p
pro
d u c t s ........................... ...............................................
E n g i n e s a n d t u r b i n e s ..........................................
T r a c t o r s . . . ........................... .....................................
A g r i c u lt u r a l
m a c h in e r y ,
e x c lu d in g
t r a c t o r s .......... ...........................................................
M a c h in e t o o l s ................ ..........................................
M a c h i n e - t o o l a c c e s s o r ie s ...................................
T e x t i l e m a c h i n e r y ................................ ................
P u m p s a n d p u m p i n g e q u i p m e n t ............ ..
T y p e w r i t e r s _____ __________________________
C a s h r e g is t e r s ; a d d i n g , a n d c a lc u l a t in g
m a c h i n e s ___________________________ _____
W a s h in g
m a c h in e s ,
w r in g e r s,
and
d r ie r s , d o m e s t i c _____ ____________________
S e w i n g m a c h in e s , d o m e s t i c a n d i n
d u s t r i a l . ..................................................... ..............
R e f r ig e r a t o r s a n d r e f r i g e r a t i o n e q u i p
m e n t ............................................................................
199 1,217
430
1,603
517.7
107.1
37.3
68.4
28.4
42.8
29.4
41.1
23.1
E le c t r ic a l m a c h in e r y
............................................
E l e c t r i c a l e q u i p m e n t ......... ................................
R a d i o s a n d p h o n o g r a p h s ________________
C o m m u n i c a t i o n e q u i p m e n t _____________
T r a n s p o r ta tio n e q u ip m e n t, e x c e p t a u t o
m o b i l e s i . . . ......................................... ................ ...........
L o c o m o t i v e s .............................................................
C a r s , e le c t r i c - a n d s t e a m - r a i l r o a d ______
A i r c r a f t a n d p a r t s , e x c l u d i n g a ir c r a f t
e n g i n e s ..................................................................
A i r c r a f t e n g i n e s ............... ........... ............................
S h i p b u i l d i n g a n d b o a t b u i l d i n g . .................
M o t o r c y c l e s , b i c y c l e s , a n d p a r t s . .............
1,600
523.0
108.8
37.9
69.6
28.9
44. 7
28.8
40.2
22.1
1,207
1,202
1,232
1,237
1,231
1,235
1,218
1,214
1, 209
1,198
1,171
1,293
529
493.2
52.1
60.4
489.6
53.5
56.3
495.9
53.9
44.8
500.1
54.7
62.2
502.8
54.4
61.9
500.2
54.6
61.4
498.9
54.5
60.3
497.3
53.0
58.6
498.8
53. 3
58.0
498.7
53.5
57.1
495.1
53.6
55.7
490.8
53.1
56.8
586.0
79.5
52.4
207.6
18.7
31.3
76.3
47.0
55.4
42.0
67.7
23.7
75.2
47.5
65. 4
41.6
69.3
23.8
76.2
47.7
55. 5
41.4
69.9
24.1
75.9
49.2
55.9
41.4
71 3
24.9
74.6
50.4
56.3
40.8
73.0
25.1
72.3
50.4
56.4
40.7
73.1
25.8
71.0
51.3
56.3
40.6
72.8
25.9
68.0
51. 1
55.8
39.8
72.2
25.2
67.5
52. 1
55. 6
39.3
72.3
24.8
67.6
52.3
56.0
37.3
73.9
24.2
66.4
52.5
56.4
36.4
73.3
23.6
64.4
50.6
55.4
36.4
74.1
14.5
45.1
109. 7
105.4
28.5
92.8
12.0
28.5
36.6
25.8
21.9
24.9
16.2
45.8
45.6
46.3
46.1
45.9
45.3
45.2
44.1
43.0
42.1
41.0
37.9
34.8
19.7
16.4
16.0
16.2
16.3
16.5
16.2
16.3
15.8
15.3
14.9
15.1
14.6
13.3
7.5
14.0
13.9
13.8
13.7
13.5
13.4
13.3
13.0
12.6
12.1
12.1
12.0
10.7
7.8
84.8
82.5
79.7
81.0
81.6
82.6
81.5
80.1
79.7
79.1
78.6
77.2
54.4
35.2
434
26.3
55.0
438
26.4
53.9
462
26.6
53.9
465
26.6
54.4
464
26.5
54.0
472
26.3
55.9
463
26.3
56.9
452
26.0
56.8
427
25.9
55.2
414
25.1
55.4
405
24.4
54.6
403 2,508
23.8
34.1
55.1
60.5
159
6.5
24.5
127.6
25.9
108.7
12.4
125.1
25.1
116.1
12.9
137.3
24.8
122.5
14.4
136.1
24.6
125.8
14.8
135.3
24.9
127.7
14.6
134.7
25.3
132.9
14.5
133.2
25.9
125.7
14.7
133.4
25.9
117.6
14.4
133.9
26.2
100.2
14.1
129.7
26.6
93.0
13.9
130.7
26.7
87.1
13.6
129.3 794.9
26.8 233.5
87.7 1,225.2
13.0
10.0
39.7
8.9
69.2
7.0
A u t o m o b i l e s 1.................................................................. ..
828
737
767
772
784
720
789
785
766
764
767
741
753
714
402
N o n f e r r o u s m e t a l s a n d t h e ir p r o d u c t s 1..........
S m e lt in g a n d r e fin in g , p r im a r y , o f
n o n f e r r o u s m e t a l s _______________________
A l l o y i n g ; a n d r o ll i n g a n d d r a w i n g o f
n o n fe r ro u s m e ta ls, e x c e p t a lu m in u m .
C l o c k s a n d w a t c h e s _______________________
J e w e lr y (p r e c io u s m e t a ls ) a n d j e w e le r s ’
f i n d i n g s ......................................................................
S i l v e r w a r e a n d p l a t e d w a r e ............. ..............
388
398
398
406
413
409
409
413
410
404
400
396
393
449
229
See footnote at end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
41.9
41.4
41.0
40.8
40.2
39.9
40.0
39.7
39.7
39.8
39.9
40.8
56.4
27.6
52.5
28.3
52.6
28.3
53.7
28.5
54.6
28.8
53.1
28.6
53.6
28.6
53.4
28.6
52.9
28.4
53.0
28.1
53.2
27.8
53.4
27.2
54.3
24.8
75.8
25.2
38.8
20.3
26.1
27.3
26.4
27.2
27.1
27.5
27.6
27.5
27.5
27.1
27.3
26.8
27.7
27.1
28.1
26.5
27.5
26.1
26.4
25.5
25.6
25.01
24.7
23.7
20.5
15.1
14. 4
12.1
A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS
320
MONTHLY LABOR
Estimated Number of Production Workers in Manufacturing Industries 1—Continued
T able A -5 :
[In th o u sa n d s]
Annual
average
1947
1948
In d u str y grou p a n d in d u stry
J u ly
June
M ay
Apr.
Mar.
Feb.
Jan.
Dec.
N ov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
July
1943
1939
D u r a b le g o o d s— C o n tin u e d
N o n fe r r o u s m e t a l s a n d t h e ir p r o d u c t s '— C o n .
30.8
42.2
L i g h t i n g e q u i p m e n t .............................. ..............
A l u m i n u m m a n u f a c t u r e s ------------------------S h e e t -m e ta l w o r k , n o t e ls e w h e r e c la s s i
f i e d - ..................- ....................... - ........... - ..............-
30.4
42. 7
31.3
44.2
33.1
45.2
33.9
45.2
33.6
45.3
34.1
44.8
34.3
43.6
34.9
43.1
35.2
42.4
35.3
41.0
36.4
40.0
28.2
79.4
20.5
23.5
35.0
35.2
36.0
36.8
36.9
37.3
39.4
39.2
38.8
37.6
37.7
37.6
37.9
18.7
799
573.1
137.5
772
552.2
136.2
754
538.9
135.3
749
536.6
135.3
736
526.7
134.5
738
531.3
134.6
750
544.4
133.6
751
547.3
132.4
751
550.2
129.8
745
549.6
128.1
745
551.5
127.1
721
531.3
126.5
535
435.8
99.2
42.0
313.7
79.1
F u r n i t u r e a n d f in i s h e d l u m b e r p r o d u c t s
452
M a t t r e s s e s a n d b e d s p r i n g s - ........................................
F u r n i t u r e ----------- -------------- ------------------- ---------------W o o d e n b o x e s , o t h e r t h a n c i g a r . . . ................. ..
C a s k e t s a n d o t h e r m o r t i c i a n s ’ g o o d s --------------W o o d p r e s e r v i n g — ................................ ........................
W o o d , t u r n e d a n d s h a p e d ---------------------------------
459
31.2
231.7
33.4
18.1
15.7
33.1
458
31.2
233.3
32.5
18.6
15.4
32.1
470
32.7
239.7
33. 7
19.0
15.1
32.8
485
34.6
246.9
34.6
19.6
15.6
33.5
490
36.2
249.4
35.2
19.4
15.7
32.9
489
36.3
248.6
35.5
19.7
16.5
32.2
487
36.0
246.8
34.8
39.8
36.9
32.8
483
35.9
243.6
35.3
19.7
17.4
32.5
475
34.9
238.6
36.0
19.4
17.9
31.6
466
33.3
233.1
35.8
19.6
18.2
31.4
460
31.5
230.3
35.6
19.4
18.9
31.5
445
28.5
223.9
35.1
19.1
18.8
30.2
366
21.7
200.0
35.4
14.2
12.4
26.4
32.8
20.
177.
28.
13.
12.
24.
8 t o n e , c l a y , a n d g l a s s p r o d u c t s ' ------------------- 450
G la s s a n d g l a s s w a r e -------------------------------------------G la s s p r o d u c t s m a d e f r o m p u r c h a s e d
g l a s s ...................... ............................ ..................................
C e m e n t ------------- ---------------------------------------------------B r i c k , t il e , a n d t e r r a c o t t a . ........................... ............
P o t t e r y a n d r e la t e d p r o d u c t s ....................................
G y p s u m -------------------------- -------------------------------------W a l lb o a r d , p l a s t e r ( e x c e p t g y p s u m ) ,
a n d m in e r a l w o o l . -------- ------------------- ------------L i m e ---------- ---------------------------------------------------------M a r b le , g r a n ite , s la te , a n d o th e r p r o d
u c t s ............ ................ ............................................................
A b r a s i v e s ___________ _________ - -------- ------------------A s b e s t o s p r o d u c t s . . . .......................................- .............
458
116.5
454
117.5
451
117.9
452
117.8
443
115.1
445
117.2
454
119.7
452
120.1
449
120.0
447
118.9
444
118.2
430
113.1
360
99.8
294
71.4
12.3
37.6
80.5
57.6
6.6
12.2
37.1
77.7
57.1
6.5
12.4
36.6
76.1
56.6
6.6
12.5
36.4
75.5
57.6
6.6
12.4
36.6
73.7
56.5
6.6
12.5
36.3
76.3
56.1
6.6
12.7
36.7
76.3
57.6
6.6
12.6
36.8
75.8
57.2
6.5
12.2
36.8
75.6
56.1
6.4
12.0
37.0
75.4
55.9
6.1
12.0
36.8
75.1
56.1
6.1
12.4
35.7
73.3
54.3
6.1
11.3
27.1
52.5
45.0
4.5
10.0
24.4
58.0
33.8
4. £
12.6
9.3
12.6
9.5
12 6
9.6
12.4
9.5
12.5
9.3
12.6
9.3
12.7
9.3
12.7
9.5
12.3
9.1
12.1
9.2
11.8
9.2
11.5
9.3
11.1
9.3
8.1
9.5
18.4
17.8
21.6
18.2
17.5
21.8
17.9
17.5
21.9
18.4
17.5
22.0
17.9
17.1
21.8
18.0
13.8
21.9
18.3
16.8
21.7
18.5
16.5
21.3
18.4
16.5
21.3
18.5
16.9
21.0
18.4
16.2
20.6
16.8
17.0
19.5
12.5
23.4
22.0
18.5
7.7
15.9
L u m b e r a n d t im b e r b a s ic p r o d u c ts '
S a w m i l l s a n d l o g g in g c a m p s ------P l a n i n g a n d p l y w o o d m i l l s ............
828
N o n d u r a b le goods
T e x t i l e - m i l l p r o d u c t s a n d o t h e r f ib e r m a n
u f a c t u r e s 1 ------------------- ----------- ------------ -------C o t t o n m a n u fa c tu r e s , e x c e p t s m a llw a r e s .......... .......................................... ....................
C o t t o n s m a l l w a r e s ...............................................
S i l k a n d r a y o n g o o d s . . . --------------------------W o o le n a n d w o r ste d m a n u fa c tu r e s, e x
c e p t d y e i n g a n d f i n i s h i n g --------------------H o s i e r y . . . ............. ............. ....................... - .............
K n i t t e d c l o t h __________________________ _
E m itte d o u te r w e a r a n d k n it t e d g lo v e s ..
K n i t t e d u n d e r w e a r ----------------------------------D y e in g a n d fin is h in g te x t ile s , in c lu d in g
w o o l e n a n d w o r s t e d .......................................
C a r p e t s a n d r u g s , w o o l .....................................
H a t s , f u r - f e lt ---------------------------------- -----------J u t e g o o d s , e x c e p t f e l t s .......... .................. —
C o r d a g e a n d t w i n e . . ...................... ....................
A p p arel
and
o th er
f in i s h e d t e x t i l e p r o d -
1 ,2 4 3
1,070
M e n ’s c l o t h i n g , n o t e ls e w h e r e c l a s s i f i e d .
S h i r t s , c o lla r s , a n d n i g h t w e a r ----------------U n d e r w e a r a n d n e c k w e a r , m e n ’s ----------W o r k s h i r t s ..................... ............. ............................
W o m e n ’s c l o t h i n g , n o t e ls e w h e r e c la s s i
f i e d ________________________ _______________
C o r s e t s a n d a l li e d g a r m e n t s ............... ...........
M i l l i n e r y .................................. .................. ................
H a n d k e r c h i e f s . -------- --------------------------------C u r t a i n s , d r a p e r ie s , a n d b e d s p r e a d s —
H o u s e f u r n is h in g s , o th e r t h a n c u r ta in s ,
e t c ............... ...............................................................
T e x t i l e b a g s . ............................................................L e a t h e r a n d l e a t h e r p r o d u c t s ' .................... .
L e a t h e r . .................................................. .............
B o o t a n d s h o e c u t s t o c k a n d f in d in g s
B o o t s a n d s h o e s _____________ ________ _
L e a t h e r g l o v e s a n d m i t t e n s ______ . . .
T r u n k s a n d s u i t c a s e s _________________
Food ' ---------- ------ -----------------------S la u g h te r in g a n d m e a t p a c k in g ..
B u t t e r . ............... ............. .............................
C o n d e n s e d a n d e v a p o r a te d m ilk
I c e c r e a m ................................................ ..
F l o u r ________________ _________ ______
F e e d s , p r e p a r e d .. ....................................
S e e f o o t n o t e a t e n d o f t a b le .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
376
1,367
1,295
1,293
1,301
1,312
1,306
1,292
1,290
1,271
1,249
1,223
1,202
1,187
1,237
1,144
527.7
14.0
112.6
524.7
14.4
111.8
526.4
14.6
111.7
529.4
14.9
111.6
525.3
14.9
110.8
523.6
14.6
107.4
523.2
14.3
108.2
516.9
13.9
106.9
508.2
13.7
105. 7
498.9
13. 4
103.3
494.1
13.1
101.5
492.6
13.1
99.9
526.3
17.8
104.1
418.4
14.1
126.6
173.8
135.3
11.2
30.9
48.1
173.2
136.6
11.5
31.4
4S.6
175.0
139.2
11.8
31. 0
50.0
178.3
141.2
11.7
31. 6
50.3
179.5
140.2
11. 7
31.5
49.8
177.4
139. 1
11.6
30.6
49.1
177.3
138.4
11.5
31.3
48.8
174.2
136.2
11.5
31.4
47.8
170.9
133.4
11.2
30.8
46.9
168.7
130.2
11.0
29.6
45.6
162.9
128.2
10.9
67.9
45.0
158. 1
125.9
10.3
27.0
43.6
174.1
125.9
12.6
34.8
44.9
157.7
168. C
11.5
29.7
40.7
86.5
37.2
13.9
4.3
16.2
87. 5
36.9
12.9
4.2
16.4
88.3
36.6
12.7
4.3
16.7
88.5
36.6
13.7
4.1
17.1
88.9
36.2
13.7
4.2
17.2
87.9
35.7
13.7
4. C
16.8
87.5
35. 4
13.8
3. 1
16.5
85.9
34.4
13.6
3.6
16.1
81.2
32. 4
13.3
3. C
14.9
80.2
31.9
12.8
4.1
14.8
80.2
24.5
11. C
4.2
18.3
70.6
27. C
15.4
3. S
12.8
1,095 1,082 1,103 1,165 1,166 1,147 1,143 1,117 1,127 1,096 1,071
314.4 309.8 310. C 314.5 311.3 308.1 310.5 309.2 306.9 299.4 294.7
82. C 81.6
77.2
82.4
81.1
79.3
75. 1
80.9
82. C 82.2
80.0
18.4
18.1
18.7
19. C 18.7
18.1
17.3
17. 1
16.6
18.4
18.2
16.8
15.8
15.5
15.5
15.8
15.9
15.6
17.5
18.2
17.9
18.6
992
278.2
71.7
15.4
14.0
958
265.!
67.2
16.3
18.5
790
229.6
74. (
17. (
14.1
452.1 440.4
18. 1
17.5
23.8
23.6
5. C
4.6
28.7
27.3
400.2
16.!
20.5
4.2
23.2
345.3
16.5
23.3
5.7
25.2
286.2
18. Í
25.5
5.1
17.8
85.1
33.6
13.6
3. C
15.4
83.0
32.9
13.2
2.9
14.7
435.4
18.1
20.3
4.9
26.4
427.6
18. 5
20.5
5.0
26.4
440.0
19.2
23. 6
5.1
27.7
481.7
19.!
27.6
5.1
30.6
485.3
20. 1
27.!
5.C
33.8
476.2
19.7
26.4
4.!
31.6
470.5
19.6
23.5
5. 1
32.2
452.1
19.4
21.6
5.2
32.1
462.3
18.8
25.2
5.1
30.9
27.9
27.3
27.7
26.8
29.0
26.8
30.4
27.3
29.2
27.8
30.0
28.2
30.6
28.6
30.0
28.4
31.6
28.1
30.6
27.8
29.4
27.3
26.6
26.9
24.0
19.6
11.2
12.6
374
44.5
17.7
214. 0
12.9
13.2
360
44.1
17.;
204. 2
12.:
13.
372
44.:
17.7
212.9
12.2
13.3
396
45.8
18.!
229.
12.5
13. S
402
46.8
19.5
233. 1
12.5
14.0
399
46.8
19.7
231.8
12.2
13.3
400
46. !
19.8
231.;
13. (
14.2
396
46.9
19.8
227. 5
13.2
14.8
393
46.9
19.6
225.8
13. 1
14.4
390
46. 7
19.:
225.1
12.8
13.5
385
46.0
19.2
223.4
12.7
12.7
373
45.4
340
46. 5
19.2
205.6
15.4
13.7
347
50. (
20. C
230.9
10. C
8.3
1,259 1,091 1,047 1,149 1,159 1,191 1,255 1,288 1,353 1,483 1,442 1,311 1,056
97.1 180.
187. ( 196. 7 203.7 191.7 183. ( 182. ( 182.9 182.3 174. (
188.9 116.2
*34.3
33.9
34.8
35.8
37.8
38.8
33.2
32. (
32.6
32.!
39.2
36.!
40.
23.5
19.5
21.2
22.7
19.9
19.;
18.8
18.'
18.6
20.5
21 (
20.5
23.
33.'
23. (
24.!
26.:
27. S
31.1
32.8
29.2
24.23.
23.6
27.1
31 C
39.'
39.8
39. C 39.:
32.
39.2
39.'
39.7
37.
38.2
37.3
37.5
38.
29. S
28.5
28.9
29.6
29.6
25.0
26.5
27.4
29.3
29.1
27.
26.6
28 . e
855
135.0
20.1
10. S
17.6
27.8
17.3
is . :
216. !
11.9
11.7
A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1M8
321
T able A-5: Estimated Number of Production Workers in Manufacturing Industries 1—Continued
[In thousands]
1947
Annual
average
1948
Industry group and industry
July
June
May
Apr.
Mar.
Feb.
Jan.
Dec.
N ov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
July
1943
2
0
8
5
8
7
0
7
13 1
216 6
20 8
8 1
57 9
35 5
74 0
246.2
11
211
16
10
59
32
54
188
85
32. 9
44. 5
84
32 9
43.0
1939
N ondurable poods—Continued
Food '—Continued
Cereal preparations _
Baking
Sugar refining, cane ______ ___ _____
Sugar, beet
____
- ..
Confectionery
__
Beverages, nonalcoholic ___ ____
Malt liquors
___
_____
Canning and preserving___ ________
13.0
224.6
18.3
7.1
57.3
41.0
74.8
167.2
12.8
219.7
17.7
6.5
56.0
38.5
66.3
137.8
12.2
217.5
17.3
5.4
61.0
36.1
69. 8
126.7
12.1
219.7
19.6
5.6
65.9
34.2
67.6
122.1
12.4
217.2
20.2
6. 5
70.3
32.1
66.9
123.4
12.1
215.4
18.4
10. 6
74.7
33.4
68.0
128.5
12 1
220. 8
20.0
20. 9
78. 7
33.3
69. 7
148. 9
12 8
224.8
20.8
26. 2
79. 5
34. 3
73. 3
172.0
12 8
224 5
20 5
26 3
76 4
35 8
74 7
240.1
14 0
219 8
20 8
11 9
68 3
39. 3
76 2
384.3
85
33.3
43.6
84
33.1
43. 7
86
33.2
45.2
87
33.2
46.2
88
33. 5
46.2
87
33.6
45.8
88
34. 2
45. 6
90
34.0
47.8
89
33.4
47.0
86
32. 6
45. 5
14
218
20
10
62
39
76
349
4
3
7
1
5
2
3
5
84
190 4
15 9
116
55 7
23 8
40 5
150 3
91
33 9
47.5
93
27 4
55.8
Vbacco manufactures 1_________________
83
8 Cigarettes__________________________
Cigars _____________________________
Tobacco (chewing and smoking) and
0
snufi______________________ _______
3
aper and allied products 1______________ 388
Paper and p u lp _________ ______ _____
Paper goods, other_________________
Envelopes _____ ____________________
Paper bags___ _____ ________________
Paper boxes_________________________
7.7
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
7.9
s. 3
8.2
8.2
8. 0
8. 0
7. 8
9 3
10 1
389
200.3
57.1
12.5
17.5
92.7
389
201.1
56.9
12.7
17.6
91. 2
389
200.2
56.8
12.7
18.0
92.7
393
200.4
57.3
12.7
18.2
95.2
392
199.7
57.3
12.5
18.0
96.5
395
199. 8
57.9
12.4
18.1
97.7
398
199.6
59.1
12.4
18.2
99.6
394
197.6
58.8
12.4
17.9
99.0
392
196.9
58.6
12.2
17.9
98.1
388
197.0
57.3
12.0
17.7
96.0
387
196. 6
56. 7
11. 8
18.0
95.6
380
194. 2
56 4
11 6
17. 8
92 6
324
160 3
50. 2
10 2
13.1
89.6
265
137 8
37 7
8.7
li. i
69.3
Printing, publishing, and allied industries1. 430
i Newspapers and periodicals_________
Printing; book and job . _______ _____
Lithographing_____________________
/ Bookbinding__ __________________
434
146.7
176.4
31.0
35.1
433
146. 2
176.3
30.9
35.1
432
145.0
175.3
31.3
35.9
435
144.8
177.5
31.4
37.2
438
144.1
179.7
31.8
37.4
439
143.6
181.7
32.0
37.6
445
145. 6
183.4
32.9
38.3
444
145.1
182.0
33.0
38.7
441
144.6
180.7
32.6
38. 5
437
144.4
177.5
32.4
38.2
434
143.0
175. 7
32. 6
38. 3
430
142. 2
176. 4
31. 5
37 0
331
113 0
138. 7
25 9
29 4
328
118
127
26
25
7
6
3
8
Chemicals and allied products ' ..................... 564
Paints, varnishes, and colors._______
Drugs, medicines, and insecticides____
Perfumes and cosmetics______________
Soap____ __________ _______________
Rayon and allied products . .
____
Chemicals, not elsewhere classified__
Explosives and safety fuses. _______
Compressed and liquefied gases
Ammunition, small-arms____________
Fireworks... ____________ _____ ___
Cottonseed o il___________________
Fertilizers__________________________
572
51.2
63.5
10.9
22.0
64.2
193.2
23.1
10.1
7.8
2.5
12.6
24.8
572
50. 7
63.6
11.0
21. 7
63.4
195.6
22.2
10.0
7.8
2.6
13.6
29.4
580
50.1
64.2
11.2
21.8
03.5
198.0
22.1
10.0
7.8
2.4
15.2
33.4
587
50.7
65.2
11.6
24.9
63.7
196.3
22.4
9.9
7.8
2.4
17.6
34.7
588
51.5
65.6
12.1
25.4
63.7
196.5
22.1
9.8
7.8
2.6
19.5
32.3
588
50. 7
65.7
12.0
25.5
63.2
197.7
22.0
9.9
7.7
2.5
21.7
30.4
592
50.6
65.9
12.9
25. 5
63.5
198.1
21.9
9.9
7.4
2.8
24.4
28.0
589
50.2
66.4
13.9
25.8
63.1
196.4
21.7
9.7
7.2
2.9
24.5
26.7
586
49.9
67.1
13. 5
25. 3
62.9
195. 0
21.4
9. 7
7.2
2.9
24.0
26.8
576
49.6
67.1
12.6
24. 7
62.1
195.1
21.2
9.9
7.0
2. 5
18.3
26.7
563
49.0
66.2
12.1
23.9
61.1
196. 3
21.1
10.1
4.4
2.1
13.1
25.1
562
48. 6
66. 7
11. 7
24.0
61.0
197 7
19. 6
9. 8
6. 9
2. 4
11. 6
23.8
734
38 2
56. 0
14.1
17. 9
54 0
144 5
112.0
7. 8
154.1
28. 2
20. 4
27. 5
288
28
27
10
15
48
69
7
4
4
1
15
18
3
5
4
3
3
9
3
0
3
2
3
8
Products of petroleum and c o a l'_________
Petroleum refining__________________
Coke and byproducts_______ . .
Paving materials____________________
Roofing materials_____ __ ___
170
170
113.7
31.6
2.7
17.6
167
111.9
31.0
2.4
17.2
164
110.9
29. 7
2.3
17.4
165
110.8
30.7
1.8
17.4
163
109.4
30.3
1.8
17.6
164
109.7
30. 5
2.0
18.0
165
109.9
30.0
2.7
18.3
165
109.7
30.0
3.4
18.5
165
109.7
29.6
3.4
18.4
166
110.8
29.3
3.4
18.4
166
111.9
29. 2
3.3
18. 2
165
111.8
29.0
2. 8
18.2
125
83.1
25. 5
2.1
13.1
106
73 2
21 7
2 5
Rubber products ' ____ __________________ 190
Rubber tires and inner tubes________
Rubber boots and shoes_______ ______
Rubber goods, other ________________
195
103.9
21.9
82.0
195
103. 3
21.8
81.9
198
104.6
22.1
84.0
204
108.8
22.6
85.7
208
111.6
22.8
86.5
210
113.5
22.5
86.8
212
114. 8
22.5
87.7
210
115.1
22.0
86.1
208
114.4
21.7
84.0
203
112.5
21.0
81. 9
203
116. 6
18.9
79.6
200
115.1
20.1
76.8
194
90.1
23.8
79. 9
121
54. 2
14 8
51 9
Miscellaneous industries '_______________ 425
Instruments (professional and scientific), and fire-control equipment
Photographic apparatus . .
Optical instruments and ophthalmic
goods_____ . . . ________________ ...
Pianos, organs, and parts______ ______
Games, toys, and d o lls ______________
B uttons. . . . . ____________________
Fire extinguishers___________________ —
429
432
436
447
445
443
459
466
459
447
435
426
445
244
-7
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1
27.5
38.1
27.5
37.8
27.6
38.4
27.7
38.8
27.7
39.0
27.7
38.9
28.1
39.2
27.8
38.8
28.0
38.7
27.7
38.2
27. 5
38.3
27. 5
38.3
86. 7
35. 5
11 3
17.7
25.5
13.5
40.9
12.9
2.7
26.7
13.7
40.2
12.8
2.7
27.0
13.3
40.3
13.1
2.7
27.2
14.8
38.5
13.8
2.6
27.4
15.7
36.3
13.4
2.5
27.8
16.8
33.5
13.3
2.6
28.0
17.6
38.5
13.4
,7
27.6
17.8
43.4
12.7
2.7
27.5
17.4
42.3
12.1
2.8
27.5
16.5
40.9
11.6
2.8
27.6
14. 6
38. 6
11.4
2.8
27.9
14. 9
36.1
10. 7
2.9
33.3
12. 2
19 1
13.1
9.3
11 9
7. 8
19.1
11. 2
1.0
1 Data are based upon reports from cooperating establishments covering
both full- and part-time production and related workers who worked or
received pay during the pay period ending nearest the 15th of the
month. Major industry groups have been adjusted to levels indicated by
Federal Security Agency data through 1946 and are not comparable with
data shown in mimeographed releases dated prior to June 1948 or the M onthly
Labor Review dated prior to July 1948. The estimates have been carried
forward from 1946 bench-mark levels, thereby providing consistent series.
In the tobacco manufactures group, the individual industry data are adjusted
802564-48-
8
to Federal Security Agency data through 1946 and are not comparable with
data published in mimeographed releases dated prior to July 1948 or the
M onthly Labor Review dated prior to August 1948; the remaining industries
are adjusted to data through 1945. Comparable data for all series from Janu
ary 1939 are available upon request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Such
requests should specify the series desired. Data shown for the two most
recent months are subject to revision without notation. Revised data in
any column other than the first three are identified by an asterisk.
^Revised.
A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS
322
T able A -6 :
MONTHLY LABOR
Indexes of Production-Worker Employment in Manufacturing Industries 1
[1939 a v e r a g e = 1 0 0 ]
An
nual
aver
age
1947
1948
Industry group and industry
July
June
M ay
Apr.
Mar.
Feb.
Jan.
Dec.
Nov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
July
1943
All manufacturing >-------------------------- ------------ — 158. 4
Durable goods 1-------- -------------------- — ............ 184.6
Nondurable goods i.................................................. 137.7
158.1
184.4
137.5
155.5
183.9
133.1
156.1
185.1
133.3
160.3
188.1
138.4
159. 5
185.8
138.7
160.5
188.2
138.7
161.9
188.8
140. 7
160.8
186.8
140.4
160.4
185.0
141.1
160.2
183.6
141.8
157.8
181.5
139.1
153.3
178.7
133.4
177.7
241. 7
127.4
162.4
134.6
174.8
197 0
217.1
164.5
140.8
131.0
132.4
143. 6
161.4
133.3
172.2
194. 2
213.6
161.6
134. 9
134,0
135.2
149.9
161.7
131.8
177.9
193.6
214.1
157.0
132.4
137.1
137.9
153.8
164.8
132.9
183.0
197.0
216.3
160.8
140.0
139.4
142.9
155.9
164.2
130.9
184.0
196. 7
214.2
159.1
143.8
140.5
139.9
159.4
164.9
131.0
183. 9
197.2
211.3
162.9
149.1
142.7
143.0
160.3
164.7
130.4
183.0
195.5
208.9
163.4
150.3
143.7
139. 4
162.2
163.3
130.2
181.8
191.1
207.3
160.6
148.3
141.8
133.2
161.0
162.3
130.0
181.7
187.7
206.7
159.5
148.0
141.0
133. 6
158.9
161.7
130.0
180.6
185.1
206.7
157.8
152.3
138.8
135.3
154.7
161.0
130.9
182.6
184. 4
204.5
156.4
149.8
140.2
132.5
151.2
158.2
129.5
181. 7
175. 5
199.8
154.0
139.4
139.1
128.4
139.8
177.6
133.0
142.1
149. 6
281.1
102.5
102.0
163.8
108.0
141.3
163.9
139.7
153.7
164.7
145.5
149.8
166.7
148.6
150.3
167 9
152.5
153.2
168.8
151.7
152.6
169.2
149.4
152.5
169.5
147.5
152.5
166.1
143. 4
150.9
163.0
141.1
147.4
160.9
138.4
146.2
157.3
135.6
146.7
156.0
137.6
146.0
181.5
127.1
95.3
160.2
161.7
158.2
169.1
175.9
180.0
184.9
186.2
185.2
183.7
175.8
168.2
122.9
187.4
187.0
188.2
187.4
185.2
1S9.6
194.2
192.8
195.7
194.6
194.0
195.2
193.7
198.0
191.3
196.8
191.2
194.9
189.7
193.9
189.8
189.1
186.8
184.6
199.4
163.9
167.9
133.7
187.3
213.3
228.2
199.1
121.8
402.6
169.0
131.4
187.8
214.2
211.0
202.1
117.7
397.9
170.7
130.6
189.8
223.9
210.8
204.4
119.5
395.1
170.9
135.4
190.0
228.8
215.5
203.9
121.9
390.0
169.4
131.2
188.2
229.5
214.6
203.2
125.5
383.9
170.3
139.3
188.4
231.0
222.5
200.1
130.3
375.4
171.0
141.0
187.4
228.3
219.7
198.7
126.4
369.8
170.2
138.3
186.5
225.0
212.5
196.8
123.5
361.6
168.4
135.8
182.3
223.8
206.6
196.4
123.8
357.4
169. 7
132.8
185.6
221.6
200.0
195.9
127.3
347.6
169.6
130.6
186.6
221.0
198.6
196.3
128.4
343.3
166.4
123.8
182.1
219.0
193.8
199.6
129.1
362.2
200.0
164.9
207.4
266.3
318.5
298.5
131.8
1346. 4
Electrical machinery 1.................................................... 206.4
Electrical equipm ent.. ________ _______ ___
T?ad ins and phonographs __________________
Communication equipment_________________
210.8
195.0
202.0
277.8
211.6
195.7
204. 6
277.3
217.4
199.8
212.2
289.3
222.9
203.5
221.9
297.4
225.4
206.1
225. 5
299.3
227.0
207.2
228.0
302.4
230.2
209. 2
238.2
302.7
229.7
208.2
241.7
300.3
226.9
206.5
237.0
294.6
223.0
204.6
226.3
288.3
219.6
201.6
220.0
287.3
218.9
201.9
212.1
289.5
285.9
272. 4
282.0
367.5
Machinery, except electrical1............... ....................... 226.9
Machinery and machine-shop products______
Engines and turbines.. . .
_______________
Tractors
______ ________________________
Agricultural machinery, excluding tractors.......
Machine tools
. _ _____________________
Machine-tool accessories.__
___________
Textile m achinery.. _______________________
Bumps and pumping equipment____________
Typewriters
__________________________
Cash registers; adding and calculating mach ines
______________ _____ _______
Washing machines, wringers, and driers, dom e s tic ________________________ ____ _____
Sewing machines, domestic and industrial____
Refrigerators and refrigeration equipment
230.4
237. 5
279.5
193.0
267. 4
128.4
214.4
191.6
272.3
145.9
228.5
235.8
286.7
180.1
263.7
129.7
214.4
189.8
278.7
147.0
227.4
238.8
289.1
143.4
267.0
130.4
214.8
189.2
280.9
148.7
233.1
240.9
293.3
198.8
266.1
134.5
216.6
187.6
286.8
153.5
234.0
242.2
291.6
197.9
261.6
137.6
218.0
186.2
293.5
154.9
233.0
240.9
292.9
196.4
253.5
137.6
218.6
185.8
293.9
158.8
233.8
240.3
292.4
192.8
248.8
140.2
218.1
185.3
292.7
159.5
230.5
239.5
283.9
187.5
238.4
139.5
216.2
181.9
290.3
155.5
229.7
240.2
285.8
185.3
236.6
142.4
215.3
179.3
290.5
152.7
228.8
240.2
286. 6
182. 5
236.9
142.9
216.8
170. 5
297.3
149.4
226.8
238. 4
287.0
178.0
232.8
143.2
218. 5
166.1
294.7
145.8
221.7
236.4
284. 6
181.7
225.7
138. 2
214.4
166.3
298.0
89.2
244.7
282. 2
426.4
167. 5
158.1
299.5
408.1
130.1
372. 9
73.8
232.9
231.8
235.2
234.2
233.4
230.2
229.4
224.1
218.5
213.9
208. 3
192.5
177.0
220.0
178.6
241.3
214.6
177.2
234.6
217.0
175.9
226.7
218.4
174.8
230.4
221.1
172.5
232.2
216.8
171.0
234.9
218.1
170.1
231.8
211.2
165.7
227.7
205.1
160.2
226.6
200.1
154.6
225.0
202.2
153.7
223.7
195. 5
152.9
219.6
178.8
136.6
154.9
Transportation equipment, except automobiles ' . .. 270.6
L ocom otives______________________________
Cars, electric- and steam-railroad____________
Aircraft and parts, excluding aircraft engines..
Aircraft engines __________________________
Shipbuilding and boatbuilding______________
Motorcycles, bicycles, and parts_____________
273.7
406.5
224.4
321.5
290.8
157.0
177.5
276.0
407.7
219.6
315.3
282.4
167.6
185.2
290.9
410.5
219.7
346.0
278.4
176.8
206.0
292.7
411.3
221.8
342.9
276.9
181.6
211.7
292.6
409.1
220.2
341.1
280.1
184.4
209.4
297.3
406.7
228.0
339.5
284.0
191.9
207.6
291.6
406.2
231.8
335.8
291.0
181.5
210.1
284.6
402.0
231.4
336.2
291.0
169.9
207.0
269.2
400.5
225.2
337.4
294.8
144.7
201.8
260.7
388.1
225.7
327.0
299.2
134.3
200.0
255.0
377.2
222.8
329.3
299.9
125.8
195.3
253.7
368.0
224.8
326.0
301.1
126.6
186.0
1580.1
526.8
246. 5
2003.5
2625.7
1769.4
143.7
Automobiles 1.................................................................... 195.0
183.2
190.5
191.9
195.0
178.9
202.6
195.2
190.4
190.0
190.5
184.1
187.3
177.5
Nonferrous metals and their products 1..................... 169.1
Smelting and refining, primary, of nonferrous
metals___________ ________________ _____
Alloying; and rolling and drawing of nonferrous
metals, except aluminum_________________
Clocks and watches________________________
Jewelry (precious metals) and jewelers’ findin g s .____________________________________
Silverware and plated ware_________________
Lighting equipm ent________________________
Aluminum m anufactures__________________
Sheet-metal work, not elsewhere classified____
173.8
173.7
176.9
180.0
178.5
178.4
180.3
178.8
176.3
174.7
172.8
171.4
196.0
151.6
149.8
148.4
147.8
145.4
144.5
144.6
143.7
143.9
144.0
144.4
147.7
204.3
135.3
139.3
135.6
139.2
138.3
140.7
140.6
141.9
136.9
141.1
138.2
140.8
137.5
140.8
136.3
139.9
136.6
138.6
136.9
137.0
137.6
134.2
140.0
122.4
195.2
124. 2
180.9
225.2
150.6
179.3
186.5
182.6
224. 2
148. 4
181.5
187.8
187.6
226.8
152.7
187.7
192.0
191.0
226.5
161.7
192.1
196.4
190.4
223.1
165.4
192.0
196.9
189.3
221.0
164.1
192.2
199.0
191.6
223.5
166.6
190.1
209.9
194.6
218.8
167.3
185. 4
209.1
190.2
215.3
170.2
183.0
207.1
182.9
210. 2
171.7
179.9
200.3
177.0
205.7
172.3
174.0
200.8
171.0
195. 5
177.7
170.0
200.7
141.8
124. 5
137.8
337.4
201.9
Lumber and timber basic products 1_____________ 196.9
Sawmills and logging camps ________________
Planing and plywood mill’s ____________ _____
190.0
182.7
173.8
183.6
176.0
172.1
179.4
171.8
171.1
178.3
171.1
171.1
175.0
167.9
170.1
175.6
169.4
170.2
178.4
173.6
168.8
178.5
174.5
167.4
178.6
175.4
164.1
177.3
175.2
161.9
177.3
175. 8
160.7
171.5
169 4
160.0
127.3
139 0
125.4
D urable goods
Iron and steel and their products *---------------------- 161.4
Blast furnaces, steel works, and rolling mills. __
Gray-iron and semisteel castings_____________
Steel castings.._____ ______________________
Cast-iron pipe and fittings_________________
Tin cans and other tinware_________________
Wire drawn from purchased rods____________
Tools, "(except edge tools, machine tools, files,
and saws) ______________________________
Hardware_________________________________
Plumbers* supplies
- _____________
Stoves, oil burners, and heating equipment,
not elsewhere classified___________________
Steam and hot-water heating apparatus and
steam fittings _ __________________________
Stamped and enameled ware and galvanizing..
Fabricated structural and ornamental metalwork
_ ___________ _____________ ______
Metal doors, sash, frames, molding, and trim ..
Bolts, nuts, washers, and rivets______________
Forgings, iron and s t e e l.___________________
Wrought pipe, welded and heavy-riveted_____
Screw-machine products and wood screws____
Steel barrels, kegs, and drums_______________
Firearms
_______________________________
See footnote 1. table A-5.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS
323
T able A-6: Indexes of Production-Worker Employment in Manufacturing Industries 1—Continued
[1939 average» 100]
An
nual
aver
age
1947
1948
Industry group and industry
July
June
M ay
Apr.
Mar.
Feb.
Jan.
Dec.
Nov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
July
1943
137.8
139.8
152.3
130.3
117.8
130.1
124.8
134.5
139. 7
152.0
131.1
114.8
133.5
122.6
130.5
143.4
159.4
134.7
119.0
136.4
120.4
133.4
147.8
168.8
138.8
122.2
140.6
124.3
136.2
149.2
176.7
140.2
124.3
139.6
124.8
133.7
149.1
177.1
139.8
125.3
141.4
131.1
131.1
148.3
175.8
138.7
122.7
142.2
134. 8
133.4
147.1
174.9
136.9
124.6
141.5
138.8
132.1
144.8
170.3
134.1
127.1
139.6
142.4
128.5
141.9
162.3
131.0
126.3
140.6
145.1
127.9
140.1
153. 5
129.4
125.6
139.2
150.4
128.2
135.7
139.2
125. 9
123.8
137.4
149.4
123.0
111.7
105.9
112.4
125.0
102.4
98.7
107.4
Stone, clay, and glass products 1___________ ____ _ 153. 2
Glass and glassware
Glass products made from purchased g la s s ___
Cement
. -- ________________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta__________________
Pottery and related products________________
Gypsum ___________ _____________________
Wa'llboard, plaster (except gypsum), and mineral wool
Lime
--__
________________
Marble, granite, slate, and other products
Abrasives
_ __________________________
Asbestos p rod u cts................................................... —
156.0
163.2
123. 2
154. 5
138.6
170.3
133.7
154.7
164. 7
122.2
152. 2
133.8
168.9
132. 3
153.7
165.2
123.4
150.6
131.1
167.2
132.8
153.9
165.2
124.8
149.4
130. 1
170.2
134.3
150.9
161.3
123.8
150.3
126.9
166.9
133.8
151.6
164.3
125.0
149.1
131.4
166.0
132.7
154.7
167.8
127.1
150.5
131.4
170.3
134.6
154.0
168.4
125.8
151.0
130.6
169.0
132.4
152.8
168.2
122.0
151.1
130.2
166.0
128.7
152.3
166. 7
120.1
152.1
129.8
165.2
124.2
151.2
165.7
120.2
151.1
129.4
165. 9
123.5
146. 5
158.5
123.5
146.5
126.3
160.4
124.2
122.5
139.9
113.1
111.5
90.5
132. 9'
91.2
155. 5
98.3
99.6
230.4
136.0
155.4
100.8
98.2
226.0
137.1
155.2
101.6
96.6
226.3
137.5
153.1
100.0
99.3
226.4
138.2
154.1
98.0
96.5
221.0
137.4
155.7
97.8
97.5
178.0
137.8
156.9
98.6
99.0
217.6
136.3
156.4
99.9
100.1
213.7
134.1
151.2
95.8
99.2
213.8
134.4
149.4
97.0
99.9
217.9
132.0
145.3
97.0
99.4
208.8
129.9
141.3
98.0
90.5
220.0
122.7
137.2
98.7
67.4
302.2
138.2
Textile-mill products and other fiber manufactures >. 108.7
Cotton manufactures, except smallwares______
Cotton sm a llw a res.._______________________
Silk and rayon goods . . __________________
Woolen and worsted manufactures, except dyeing and finishing__________________________
Hosiery __________________________________
Knitted cloth__________ . ________________
Knitted outerwear and knitted gloves________
Knitted underwear________ ___ __________
Dyeing and finishing textiles, including woolen
and worsted
. .
____
Carpets and rugs, wool________ ____________
Hats, fur-felt
. _______ . . _______
Jute goods, except felts______________________
Cordage and twine
113.2
126.1
99.2
89.0
113.0
125.4
102.3
88.3
113.7
125.8
103.6
88.2
114.7
126. 6
105. 8
88.1
114.2
125.6
105.8
87.6
113.0
125.2
103.8
84.9
112.7
125.1
101.8
85.5
111.1
123.6
98.6
84.4
109.2
121.5
97.2
83.5
106.9
119.3
95.2
81.6
105.1
118.1
93.3
80.2
103.8
117.7
93.3
79.0
108.2
125.8
126.6
82.2
110.3
80.5
96.8
103.8
118.1
109.9
81.3
99.4
105.8
119.3
111.0
82.8
101.9
104.4
122.7
113.1
84.1
101.4
106. 4
123.5
113.9
83. 5
101. 8
106. 0
122.2
112.5
82.8
100.4
102.9
120.6
112.4
82.3
99.9
105. 5
120.0
110.5
81.1
99.4
105.5
117.5
108.4
79.4
97.1
103.5
115.3
107.0
77.5
95.2
99. 5
111.9
103.3
76.3
94.2
94.0
110.5
100.3
74.9
89.6
90.7
107.0
110.4
74.9
109.4
117.2
110.4
122.5
137.6
90.3
114.2
127.0
123.9
136.4
84.2
112.0
128.7
125.0
135.4
82.7
112.8
130.9
125. 2
135. 5
89.3
109.3
134.1
125. 8
134.0
89. 0
110.3
124. 7
124.4
132.2
89.1
105.1
131. 6
123 8
130. 9
89. 7
80. 6
128 8
121 6
127.1
88. 5
79. 4
125 7
120 5
124. 4
88 4
79. 5
199 4
117. 6
121. 7
85. 8
76. 6
11?; s
114.9
119.7
86.3
78.1
116. 5
113.5
117.9
83. 3
107. 5
116.0
113.6
90.8
71.3
110.6
143. 4
135.6
138.6
136. 9
108.2
107.4
137.1
134.9
109.4
108.3
139.8
135.0
110.9
110.1
147.5
137.0
111.2
112.0
147.7
135. 5
110. 8
110. 3
145.3
134. 2
110. 4
106. 6
144.8
135. 2
111. 4
108. 8
141.5
134. 7
109. 7
100. R
142.7
133. 6
107. 2
102.3
138.9
130. 4
104. 4
101.1
135.6
128.3
lni.fi
97 9
125.7
121.1
96.9
91.0
121.4
115.8
90. 9
96.3
1 3 1 .4
1 5 2 .1
9 6 .5
7 9 .4
9 6 .6
1 4 8 .9
2 4 9 .9
2 1 6 .4
1 2 9 .2
1 4 9 .4
9 8 .8
8 0 .4
9 9 .2
1 4 8 .8
2 4 8 .2
2 1 2 .8
1 2 6 .4
1 5 3 .7
1 0 2 .4
9 2 .3
9 9 .8
156. 0
2 5 9 .8
2 1 2 .4
123. 8
1 6 8 .3
1 0 6 .1
108. 3
9 9 .6
1 7 2 .1
2 7 2 .0
2 1 6 .9
119. 0
169. 5
1 0 7 .0
109. 2
97. 9
190. 5
261. 5
220. 2
1 1 2 .0
166. 4
1 0 4 .9
103. 4
9 5 .7
1 7 8 .0
268. 6
2 2 3 .7
109. 8
164. 4
104. 4
9 2 .0
1 0 1 .1
181. 3
2 7 4 .3
2 2 6 .8
109. 4
1 5 8 .0
1 0 3 .3
84. 7
1 0 2 .2
180. 9
2 6 8 .7
2 2 5 .3
1 1 2 .1
161. 5
100. 2
9 8 .9
1 0 0 .9
173. 7
2 8 3 .4
2 2 2 .6
112. 4
1 5 8 .0
96. 5
93. 4
9 8 .3
1 6 1 .4
2 7 4 .0
2 2 0 .1
110. 7
153. 9
9 3 .4
92. 6
90. 6
153 9
2 6 3 .5
216. 5
9 9 .1
139. 8
9 0 .1
80. 4
8 2 .9
1 3 0 .4
2 3 8 .2
2 1 3 .0
1 3 1 .3
120. 6
8 8 .1
91. 5
1 1 3 .1
141 9
2 1 4 .9
1 5 5 .7
1 0 7 .8
8 8 .8
8 8 .5
9 2 .7
1 2 8 .6
1 5 8 .5
1 0 3 .7
8 8 .2
8 6 .5
88. 5
1 2 3 .5
1 5 7 .9
1 0 7 .1
8 8 .5
8 8 .7
9 2 .2
1 2 1 .9
1 6 0 .1
1 1 4 .1
9 1 .6
9 4 .7
9 9 .4
1 2 5 .4
1 6 6 .4
1 1 5 .8
93. 6
97. 8
1 0 1 .0
1 2 4 .9
1 6 8 .6
1 1 4 .9
93. 5
9 8 .8
1 0 0 .4
1 2 1 .9
1 5 9 .3
1 1 5 .3
9 3 .8
9 9 .4
100. 2
1 3 0 .1
1 7 0 .1
1 1 4 .1
93. 7
9 9 .0
98 5
1 3 1 .8
1 7 7 .9
1 1 3 .2
93. 7
9 8 .1
9 7 .8
1 3 1 .5
1 7 2 .5
1 1 2 .2
9 3 .3
9 6 .9
97. 5
1 2 8 .1
1 6 2 .6
nui
9 1 .9
9 6 .3
96. 7
1 2 6 .8
1 5 3 .1
1 0 7 .5
9 0 .7
9 4 .4
93. 9
1 1 8 .9
1 4 1 .0
9 8 .1
9 2 .9
9 6 .0
8 9 .0
1 5 3 .7
1 6 1 .2
1 4 7 .4
1 3 9 .9
2 0 1 .2
2 1 1 .2
1 7 9 .1
1 3 9 .1
1 6 5 .7
1 5 5 .2
1 1 8 .0
1 1 5 .3
6 1 .5
1 0 2 .9
172. 2
1 8 5 .0
111. 2
1 2 7 .7
8 6 .0
1 9 4 .5
1 9 8 .3
1 6 6 .0
1 3 4 .2
1 6 0 .7
1 5 2 .6
115. 4
111. 7
5 5 .8
100. 5
1 6 1 .7
1 6 3 .9
9 1 .7
1 2 2 .6
7 1 .9
1 8 3 .3
1 8 8 .3
1 5 3 .9
1 3 5 .0
1 5 3 .9
1 4 6 .4
1 1 4 .3
109. 2
4 6 .9
109. 5
1 5 1 .3
1 7 2 .4
8 4 .3
1 3 4 .5
1 3 4 .0
* 1 7 0 .5
1 7 7 .2
1 3 8 .5
1 3 6 .0
1 5 2 .0
1 4 4 .7
1 1 5 .4
1 2 3 .2
48. 4
1 1 8 .3
1 4 3 .6
1 6 7 .0
8 1 .2
1 3 5 .6
1 3 8 .5
1 5 8 .8
1 7 2 .5
1 3 3 .8
137. 5
158. 7
1 4 7 .8
1 1 4 .1
1 2 7 .2
5 6 .3
1 2 6 .2
1 3 4 .9
165. 5
8 2 .1
1 3 9 .3
145. 7
1 6 2 .0
1 6 9 .3
1 3 3 .7
1 4 1 .3
1 6 9 .4
1 4 5 .0
1 1 3 .1
1 1 6 .2
91. 5
1 3 4 .1
1 4 0 .1
168. 2
8 5 .5
1 4 6 .9
150. 8
1 6 3 .6
1 7 0 .6
1 4 1 .4
141. 9
1 6 8 .4
1 4 4 .3
1 1 6 .0
1 2 6 .2
179. 7
1 4 1 .2
139. 7
1 7 2 .4
9 9 .1
1 5 0 .7
1 4 2 .0
1 6 8 .2
1 7 9 .7
1 4 9 .1
1 4 3 .1
1 6 5 .3
153. 7
1 1 8 .1
1 3 1 .1
225. 5
1 4 2 .7
1 4 3 .8
1 8 1 .3
1 1 4 .4
1 5 8 .3
1 3 5 .6
1 7 2 .9
1 8 8 .9
1 5 7 .8
1 4 3 .3
167. 7
1 5 3 .6
1 1 7 .9
1 2 9 .0
2 2 6 .4
1 3 7 .2
1 5 0 .4
1 8 4 .6
1 5 9 .8
1 7 3 .6
1 3 4 .7
1 7 8 .0
194. 5
1 7 6 .8
1 4 0 .4
171. 2
1 6 8 .0
115. 5
1 3 1 .3
1 0 2 .9
1 2 2 .6
164. 9
1 8 8 .4
255. 7
1 6 8 .8
1 3 5 .5
1 8 8 .0
2 0 8 .8
1 8 5 .9
1 4 1 .6
1 7 3 .1
169. 7
114. 5
131. 2
90. 2
1 1 2 .8
1 6 6 .4
1 8 7 .9
2 3 2 .7
1.53.4
1 3 5 .0
1 9 2 .7
2 1 6 .3
1 8 9 .4
1 4 2 .0
1 7 1 .4
156. 5
1 1 3 .7
1 3 0 .9
69. 7
1 0 3 .9
1 4 9 .1
182. 8
1 6 3 .8
1 2 3 .5
1 2 8 .9
165. 2
1 8 2 .6
1 3 0 .7
118 5
1 4 5 .0
186. 0
9 0 .6
121. 2
7 8 .1
7 6 .1
9 0 .5
1 2 0 .7
7 8 .3
7 5 .9
9 2 .4
1 2 1 .1
8 1 .0
7 7 .0
9 3 .4
1 2 1 .1
8 2 .7
7 7 .3
9 3 .9
1 2 2 .1
8 2 .8
7 8 .3
9 3 .6
1 2 2 .6
8 2 .1
7 8 .9
9 4 .4
1 2 4 .5
8 1 .7
8 2 .1
9 6 .5
1 2 4 .0
8 5 .5
8 1 .3
9 5 .1
121. 7
8 4 .2
8 1 .8
9 2 .3
1 1 8 .7
81. 5
7 9 .8
9 1 .6
1 2 0 .0
7 9 .8
7 9 .3
8 9 .8
1 2 0 .1
7 7 .0
7 7 .4
9 7 .2
1 2 3 .8
8 5 .0
9 2 .5
D urable goods—Continued
Furniture and finished lumber products 1________
Mattresses and bedsprings
Furniture
_
_______________
__________
Wooden boxes, other than cigar
Caskets and other morticians’ goods _ _______
Wood preserving
_______________________
Wood, turned and shaped _________________
N ondurable goods
Apparel and other finished textile products 1..........
M en’s clothing, not elsewhere classified______
Shirts, collars, and nightwear_______________
Underwear and neckwear, men’s
...
Work shirts _ ........................ ..... .......
W o m e n ’s c l o t h i n g , n o t e ls e w h e r e c l a s s i f i e d _____
C o r s e t s a n d a l l i e d g a r m e n t s _______ _______________
M i l l i n e r y ____________________________________________
H a n d k e r c h i e f s . . _____ ____________________________
C u r t a i n s , d r a p e r ie s , a n d b e d s p r e a d s
H o u s e f u r n i s h i n g s , o t h e r t h a n c u r t a i n s , e t c _____
T e x t i l e b a g s ___1 . 1 ........................................................ ......... ..
L e a t h e r a n d l e a t h e r p r o d u c t s 1................................................
L e a t h e r ........ ............................................................... ..............
B o o t a n d s h o e c u t s t o c k a n d f i n d i n g s ___________
B o o t s a n d s h o e s . ................................. .1 .............. .
L e a t h e r g l o v e s a n d m i t t e n s .................... ........... ......... ..
T r u n k s a n d s u i t c a s e s ............................................................
1 0 8 .3
F o o d 1_________________________ _________________ _____
S l a u g h t e r i n g a n d m e a t p a c k i n g __________________
B u t t e r ___
............... . . 1 ..............1 _______ ____ _____
C o n d e n s e d a n d e v a p o r a t e d m i l k ...................... ...........
I c e c r e a m ___________1 ....................... ....................... .........
F l o u r _________________________________________________
F e e d s , p r e p a r e d _____ ________ _____ _____________
C e r e a l p r e p a r a t i o n s _____ ___________
___ _
B a k i n g . . __________________________________________
S u g a r r e f i n i n g , c a n e ________________________________
S u g a r , b e e t . ." ! ............... .................. .. ........................................
C o n f e c t io n e r y ......... ....................... ................ ........... ...........
B e v e r a g e s , n o n a l c o h o l i c ___________________________
M a l t l i q u o r « . _______ _______________________________
C a n n i n g a n d p r e s e r v i n g ___________________________
1 6 0 .0
T o b a c c o m a n u f a c t u r e s 1...............................................................
C i g a r e t t e s ___________________________________________
C i g a r s . ___________________________________ ______
T o b a c c o ( c h e w in g a n d s m o k i n g ) a n d s n u f f _____
88.8
1See footnote 1, table A-5.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
111.0
1 0 5 .1
8 6 .8
1 0 6 .7
1 3 5 .1
1 3 4 .1
125 4
A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS
324
MONTHLY LABOR
T able A-6: Indexes of Production-Worker Employment in Manufacturing Industries 1—Continued
[1939 average=100]
1948
A n
nual
aver
age
1947
I n d u s tr y g r o u p a n d in d u s t r y
J u ly
June
M ay
A p r.
M ar.
F eb.
Jan.
D ec.
N ov.
O ct.
S e p t.
A ug.
J u ly
1943
P a p e r a n d a llie d p r o d u c ts 1_________________________
P a p e r a n d p u l p ______ _________________ _________
P a p e r g o o d s, o th e r _____________________________
E n v e lo p e s
_____________ ____________________
P a p e r b a g s ______________________________________
P a p e r b o x e s _____________________________________
146.1
146.7
145.4
151.3
143.7
157.5
133.6
146.4
146.0
15 0.7
145.5
158.2
13 1.6
146.8
145.3
150.4
145.6
162.3
133.7
148.0
145.5
152.0
145.7
164.1
137.3
147.8
144.9
151.9
143.9
162.0
139.1
148.7
145.0
153.6
142.0
163.2
140.8
149.9
144.8
156.6
142.6
163.9
143.7
148.6
143.4
155.9
142.5
161.3
142.7
147.8
142. 9
155.3
140.6
160.7
141.5
146.2
142. 9
151.9
137.4
159.2
138.5
145.7
142. 7
1 50. 3
136.0
161.6
137.9
143.3
140 9
149. 5
1 3 2.7
160. 5
133 6
122.2
116. 3
133.1
116.9
118.0
129.3
P r in tin g , p u b lis h in g , a n d a llie d in d u s tr ie s 1 ______
N e w s p a p e r s a n d p e r io d ic a ls_____________ _______
P r in tin g ; b o o k a n d j o b _____ _ - _____________
L ith o g r a p h in g ____ ______________________________
B o o k b in d in g __________________________________
131.1
132 3
123.6
138.2
118.2
136.2
132.2
123.2
138.1
117.5
136.0
131.8
122.2
137.4
119.0
144.1
132.8
122.0
139.1
119.5
144.5
133. 5
121.4
140.8
121.2
145.1
134.0
121.0
142.3
121.7
145.9
135.7
122.7
143.7
125.3
148.8
135.4
122.2
142.6
125.8
150.3
134.6
121.8
141.6
124.2
149.3
133.2
121.7
139.1
123.4
148.1
132.3
120. 5
137 7
124.0
148.7
131.2
119 8
138 2
119 8
143.6
100.8
95. 2
m s. 7
98. 5
114.1
C h e m ic a ls a n d a llie d p r o d u c ts i _____________________
P a in t s , v a r n ish e s , a n d co lo r s___________________
D r u g s , m e d ic in e s, a n d in s e c tic id e s ___________ .
P e r fu m e s a n d c o s m e tic s __ ________ __
_ _
S oap
_ - - - - - - - ________________ _____
R a y o n a n d a llie d p r o d u c ts __ ________________
C h e m ic a ls , n o t e lse w h e r e c la s s ifie d _____________
E x p lo s iv e s a n d s a fe ty f u s e s _____________________
C o m p r e ssed a n d liq u e fie d g a s e s ________________
A rrvmnnitinn sm a ll-a r m s
F ir e w o r k s
______ __
_______ - __________
____ ____ ____ ________
-- C o tto n s e e d o il
F e r tiliz e r s
______ - ____ __ - - - ____ -
195.7
198.4
180. 9
230.6
104.7
144.3
132.7
283.5
3 1 6.5
253.7
181.1
2 1 1.8
82 .8
131. 4
198.4
179.4
231.1
1 0 5.2
142.2
131.2
2 7 9.8
305.7
250. 9
1 8 1.6
219.7
89 .1
156.1
2 0 1.4
2 0 3.6
179.4
177.1
233.3 '2 3 6 .9
107.6
111. 2
142.9
163.1
131.4
131.8
28 3 .2
2 8 0.8
30 3 .7
3 0 6.8
25 2 .4
250.1
182. 5
182.8
210.1
203.9
9 9 .5
115.0
177.4
184.4
2 0 4.2
182.1
238.3
116.2
166.3
131.8
281.0
3 0 3.3
246.2
182. 2
221. 8
127.7
171.5
204.1
179.3
238. 5
115.4
167.0
130.8
2 8 2.8
3 0 1.3
249.9
178. 7
213.4
142.1
161.3
2 0 5.4
178.9
2 3 9.2
123.6
167.4
131.4
283.3
300. 7
248.8
172. 7
24 3 .5
159.5
148. 7
2 0 4 .5
177.7
241.3
133.1
168.9
130. 5
2 8 0.9
298.0
2 4 4.9
168. 7
249.0
160. 5
141.6
203.2
176. 5
243.7
129.9
165.7
130.1
2 7 8.9
293. 6
243. 5
167. 2
2 4 9.9
157. 2
142.1
199.9
175.4
243.6
121.3
161.7
128.4
279.0
29 1 .4
249.0
163. 5
214.0
119. 8
142.0
195.3
173 4
240. 5
116 5
157.0
126 4
2 8 0.8
290 1
253 2
103 8
177 5
85 9
133 4
195.0
171 9
242 1
112 2
157. 2
126 1
282.8
269.1
246 8
160 9
207 6
76 0
126 2
2 54.5
136.1
203. 6
13.1 8
117.1
111.7
206.7
1636.9
197.3
3595. 4
9496. 5
133. 4
146. 2
P r o d u c t s o f p e tr o le u m a n d c o a l 1 __ _ _ _ _
P e tr o le u m r e fin in g _
___ ____ ____ _____ C n ko a n d b y p r o d u c t s _
_ ___________ ____
P a v in g m a te r ia ls _ ________
_____________
"Roofing m a te r ia ls
_________________________
160.7
160.4
155.3
145.7
110.2
218.0
157.3
152.9
143.1
9 7 .0
213.0
154.9
151.5
136.8
92 .7
214.6
155.4
151. 3
141.4
75 .3
2 1 5.3
153.9
149. 5
139.6
73 .2
2 1 7.5
155.0
149.9
140. 6
83. 2
2 2 2.7
155. 5
150.1
138.3
109.4
226. 2
156.1
149.8
138. 2
138.1
228.0
155.8
149. 8
136. 5
137 4
227. 7
156.4
151 4
135 1
140.0
226. 8
157.0
152 8
134 7
133 9
224 9
156.
152
133
114
225
2
6
7
0
3
117.6
113. 4
117. 4
87 .0
161.2
---------------------- ----------R u b b e r p r o d u c ts L ----R u b b e r tir e s a n d in n e r t u b e s ___________________
R u b b e r b o o ts a n d s h o e s ______ __________________
R u b b e r g o o d s, o th e r . _______
____________ ____
1 5 7.5
161. 4
191.6
147.4
158.1
160.8
190.4
146.8
158.0
163.8
192.9
149.0
161. 9
168.9
200.7
152.4
165.3
172.0
2 0 5.8
153.8
166.9
173. 5
209. 2
151.5
167.4
175.3
211. 7
151. 4
169.1
174.0
212. 2
147.9
166.0
171.7
211.0
146.1
162.0
168.1
207. 5
141.6
157. 8
167.9
214 9
127. 2
153 5
165.1
212 3
135 1
148 0
1 60.3
166. 1
160. 5
154. 1
M is c e lla n e o u s in d u s tr ie s 1 ______
___ _____ _____
I n s tr u m e n t s (p r o fe ssio n a l a n d s c ie n tific ), a n d
fire-con trol e q u ip m e n t ________________________
P h o to g r a p h ic a p p a r a tu s
- __ _________
O p tic a l in s tr u m e n ts a n d o p h th a lm ic g o o d s ____
P in n o s , organ s, a n d p a r ts. _ _ _ _ _ _
__
G a m e s, t o y s , a n d d o lls ___
_ __________
B u tto n s
- - - - - - _______ __
F ir e e x tin g u is h e r s_____________________ _________
173.6
Nondurable goods— C o n tin u e d
175.4
1 7 6.6
178. 4
182.6
181.9
180.9
187.5
190.4
187.5
182.8
177.7
174.1
181.7
243.4
215.6
214. 6
172.9
213.8
114.8
269.3
24 2 .8
214.1
224.1
1 7 5.2
210.3
114.2
2 6 0 .9
244.1
217.1
226.9
170.5
210.7
116. 3
266.8
24 4 .6
2 1 9.8
229.1
189.7
2 0 1.2
122.6
258. 6
245. 2
220.9
230.0
201.5
189. 9
119.4
249.3
245. 3
220.4
2 3 3.6
215.2
175. 0
118. 7
253.5
248.1
221.8
235.4
226. 3
201.3
119.1
268.0
246.1
219. 5
232.1
2 2 8.6
226. 9
113.0
269.5
247.4
218. 8
231.6
223.8
221.4
107. 7
273.2
245.0
216 1
231. 6
211. 4
213. 9
103. 4
2 7 7.6
243 4
216 5
231 8
187 2
202 1
101 9
277.3
243 1
217 0
234 6
191 6
188 8
95 4
2 8 4.9
766. 4
900 9
280. 3
156 2
99 7
116. 6
913.1
1 See footnote 1, table A-5.
*Revised
T able A-7 : Indexes of Production-Worker Weekly Pay Rolls in Manufacturing Industries 1
[1939 average=100]
1948
An
nual
aver
age
1947
Industry group and industry
July
June
M ay
Apr.
Mar.
Feb.
Jan.
Dec.
Nov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
July
1943
All manufacturing 1----------- ------------------------------ 360.1
Durable goods 1______ _ --------------------------- 403.1
Nondurable goods 1---- ------ -------------------------- 318.1
359. 2
401.3
318.0
346.9
390.9
303.9
347.1
393.4
301.9
358.4
402.0
315. 7
354.1
393.1
316.0
358.7
403.1
315. 3
365.7
411.0
321. 4
353.4
395. 0
312.8
3,50.1
389. 9
311.2
345.3
282.2
309.2
331.5
366. 8
297.0
321.8
359.4
285.1
334. 4
469.5
202.3
340.5
268.4
400.1
468.1
469.5
422.0
310.8
242.4
295.7
343.6
334.4
265.4
374.3
460.3
454.2
401.4
286.1
249.8
298.2
357.8
329.6 340.8 337.6
253.0 260.9 257.5
394.6 421.7 414.9
453.0 469.7 467.6
453. 2 456. 8 442. 3
370.0 *397. 5 *392.5
274. 9 289.8 302.4
255. 3 269.1 268. 7
302.0 316.4 309.0
364.6 370.6 377.2
341.9
261.2
416.4
480.1
442.1
394.4
320.0
271.6
320. 5
381.9
345.8
257.8
420.7
479.8
443. 3
404.0
336.7
280. 3
321.9
386.3
335.1
255.1
399.3
459. 6
429. 5
381.4
320. 7
270.1
297.4
384.1
331.6
251. 9
406.7
448. 7
423.1
382.3
331.9
267. 6
289.0
372.2
327.7
254. 5
403.0
425.9
414.2
366.6
349.2
259. 5
290.1
359.1
316.8
254. 2
384.1
392.1
396.9
352. 5
334.9
254. 3
271.6
333.3
307.2
237 6
396. 3
397. 2
398. 7
365 6
297 6
240. 4
264.0
314.2
311.4
222 3
261.1
278 9
493 5
177. 2
161 6
255 3
202. 6
279.5
D urable goods
Iron and steel and their products L _ ----------- ------ 336.9
Blast furnaces, steel works, and rolling mills
Gray-iron and semisteel castings_____________
Malleable-iron castings _______ __________
Steel castings____
___ _____ ____________
Cast-iron pipe and fittings_____________ __
T in cans and other tinware.
_ _______ .
Wire drawn from purchased rods __________
Wirework
_ __
__ ___ _ _ ___
Cutlery and edge tools-------- _ _ _ ----- _
1See footnote 1, table A-5
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
T able A -7 :
A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS
Indexes of Production-Worker Weekly Pay
R o lls
325
in Manufacturing Industries1—Con.
[1939 a v e r a g e = 1 0 0 ]
An
nual
1947
1948
a v e r
age
Industry group and industry
July
June
M ay
Apr.
Mar.
F e b .
Jan.
D e c .
N o v .
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
July
3 7 0 .8
3 1 8 .6
3 2 9 .0
3 6 6 .6
3 2 5 .8
3 2 4 .0
3 7 2 .4
3 4 2 .2
3 2 2 .2
3 7 8 .4
3 5 5 .1
3 2 9 .0
3 7 9 .0
3 5 3 .5
3 2 0 .3
3 8 1 .0
3 5 2 .5
3 2 1 .8
3 8 1 .0
345. 9
3 3 1 .9
3 6 3 .0
3 2 8 .7
3 2 4 .1
3 5 2 .6
3 2 1 .2
3 0 6 .8
3 4 7 .9
3 0 8 .4
2 9 1 .6
3 2 9 .6
2 9 1 .8
2 7 8 .6
3 1 8 .1
3 0 0 .2
2 9 1 .4
1943
D urable goods— Continued
Iron and steel and their products >—Continued
Tools (except edge tools, machine tools, files,
and saws)
______ __________________
Hardware
- _________________________
Plumbers* supplies
_
____________
Stoves, oil burners, and heating equipment,
not. elsewhere classified
_______________
Steam and hot-water heating apparatus and
steam fittings
- _______________
Stamped and enameled ware and galvanizing
Fabricated structural and ornamental metal___ _____________
work
Meta! doors, sash, frames, molding, and tr im ...
Bolts, nntsTwashers, and rivets
Forgings, iron and steel
Wrought pipe, welded and heavy-riveted........ - —
fierew-maehine products and wood serews
fit,eel barrels, kegs, and drums
Firearms
3 3 4 .1
2 4 5 .8
161. 7
3 5 9 .9
3 5 2 .5
3 4 5 .4
3 6 8 .6
3 8 7 .2
3 9 5 .8
4 2 2 .7
4 0 4 .5
4 1 7 .6
3 9 9 .3
3 5 5 .9
3 4 6 .6
2 1 0 .9
4 0 9 .5
4 3 9 .9
4 0 6 .0
4 4 0 .6
3 9 3 .8
4 3 9 .8
4 1 6 .5
4 4 7 .0
4 2 5 .1
4 4 7 .4
4 0 3 .7
4 5 6 .0
4 3 0 .9
4 7 2 .8
4 1 9 .4
4 5 3 .7
4 0 3 .0
4 4 5 .2
3 9 4 .1
4 3 7 .1
3 6 5 .8
4 1 5 .0
3 7 3 .8
4 0 2 .9
3 6 0 .6
3 0 7 .0
3 4 5 .2
3 0 9 .1
4 1 2 .8
4 5 4 .1
4 7 2 .1
4 3 6 .9
3 1 5 .6
9 4 5 .9
3 4 5 .7
2 8 8 .6
4 0 8 .2
4 4 3 .7
4 4 3 .1
4 4 5 .4
3 0 2 .6
9 1 5 .6
3 4 0 .6
283. 9
4 1 6 .7
4 6 7 .6
4 3 7 .7
4 5 2 .0
2 9 8 .1
9 0 0 .0
3 4 3 .4
2 9 2 .2
4 2 2 .4
4 8 7 .5
4 5 5 .3
4 5 6 .5
3 0 2 .0
9 1 1 .3
3 3 5 .4
2 7 6 .9
4 0 6 .0
4 9 6 .2
4 3 3 .2
4 5 2 .1
3 0 0 .5
8 7 2 .2
3 3 9 .7
2 9 6 .7
3 9 3 .1
502. 4
4 5 7 .2
4 4 6 .1
3 3 3 .7
8 4 6 .7
3 6 0 .1
3 1 3 .2
4 0 6 .0
5 0 6 .9
4 7 2 .7
4 4 2 .9
3 3 4 .0
8 3 5 .0
3 5 0 .5
2 9 8 .1
3 9 1 .5
4 8 4 .8
4 4 3 .1
4 2 1 .7
3 0 8 .6
7 9 6 .1
3 4 7 .7
2 9 0 .0
3 8 6 .0
4 8 5 .5
4 2 7 .3
4 2 4 .3
2 9 9 .6
7 8 0 .3
3 3 9 .4
2 8 0 .3
3 6 9 .4
4 5 6 .3
3 9 6 .6
4 1 3 .4
3 2 5 .6
7 6 6 .9
3 3 9 .3
2 6 6 .4
3 6 7 .3
4 1 9 .0
3 8 8 .7
4 0 2 .6
3 1 7 .6
7 3 4 .8
3 2 0 .1
2 4 4 .5
3 5 5 .1
4 2 7 .2
3 8 7 .8
4 1 4 .5
3 1 7 .2
7 7 6 .8
3 6 4 .3
2 9 2 .6
3 8 2 .0
5 0 7 .9
6 1 0 .9
560. 4
2 4 7 .0
2934. 8
4 7 1 .9
4 2 3 .9
5 3 9 .6
5 9 7 .8
4 6 4 .6
4 1 7 .8
5 3 3 .2
5 8 4 .5
450. 5
4 1 1 .0
5 0 1 .9
5 5 1 .1
4 2 8 .1
3 9 3 .7
459. 7
5 2 3 .8
4 3 0 .0
396. 3
4 6 0 .8
5 2 1 .3
4 8 8 .0
4 7 5 .6
5 0 5 .0
5 3 8 .2
459. 6
4 8 1 .5
6 0 1 .9
3 3 6 .9
4 8 2 .5
2 5 3 .3
3 8 0 .2
3 9 6 .3
6 0 7 .7
3 5 8 .2
4 5 8 .0
4 8 0 .0
5 7 6 .0
3 3 3 .1
504. 6
2 5 7 .5
3 7 9 .0
3 8 1 .7
6 1 1 .1
3 4 2 .3
4 5 1 .4
4 7 7 .9
5 9 1 .3
322. 2
4 9 4 .1
2 5 7 .4
3 8 0 .5
3 6 6 .0
6 2 7 .1
3 2 1 .6
4 3 4 .5
4 6 2 .1
597. 2
306. 5
4 7 1 .5
2 5 3 .6
3 6 2 .9
3 3 0 .2
6 0 9 .6
3 0 9 .6
4 2 7 .4
4 5 6 .2
5 7 8 .6
3 1 4 .2
4 6 2 .8
2 4 2 .3
3 6 1 .7
3 4 8 .9
6 1 4 .1
1 8 6 .9
4 4 3 .7
5 0 1 .8
8 4 9 .4
2 5 6 .7
2 9 8 .6
5 0 3 .9
6 7 1 .1
2 3 0 .1
761. 8
1 4 3 .8
1-%!
Electrical machinery 1
. _________________
Fleetrieal equipment
P Adins and phonographs
Com mn nie,at ion equipment
4 3 6 .5
4 3 8 .2
4 0 4 .9
4 5 8 .0
5 3 4 .1
4 3 1 .6
3 9 8 .1
4 5 1 .4
5 3 0 .0
4 4 4 .3
4 0 8 .1
4 6 8 .5
5 5 1 .2
4 5 9 .1
4 1 9 .6
4 8 8 .4
5 7 8 .6
4 6 5 .1
4 2 4 .0
4 9 5 .6
5 9 3 .7
4 7 1 .0
4 3 0 .6
5 0 7 .3
5 8 6 .4
4 8 1 .2
4 3 4 .3
5 4 2 .9
6 0 4 .6
Machinery, except electrical L
_ __________
IVTaohinery and machine-shop products
Fnvines and turbines
Tractors
APricnUnral machinery, excluding tractors
IVtachine, tools
Machine-tool accessories
Textile machinery
Pumps and pumping equipment
Typewriters
Cash registers; adding, and calculating mach incs
Washing machines, wringers, and driers, domestic
fiewing machines, domestic and industrial
Hefriperators and refrigeration equipment
4 6 9 -5
4 8 0 .7
5 0 0 .7
6 0 1 .4
3 5 5 .5
5 9 5 .4
2 4 2 .9
3 8 5 .1
4 5 9 .1
5 9 6 .5
3 2 5 .2
4 6 6 .4
4 9 1 .0
6 1 7 .6
2 8 5 .4
5 7 1 .2
2 4 0 .7
3 8 9 .9
4 4 4 .8
6 1 0 .3
3 2 5 .0
4 6 3 .8
4 9 3 .6
6 1 1 .7
2 4 8 .9
5 7 1 .9
2 4 0 .2
392. 6
4 4 1 .3
6 1 0 .0
3 3 6 .8
4 7 5 .2
4 9 6 .4
6 3 2 .3
3 5 3 .8
5 7 6 .8
249. 2
3 8 8 .9
*443. 2
617. 7
3 4 7 .5
4 7 1 .9
4 9 5 .5
6 2 2 .1
3 5 1 .9
550. 5
2 5 4 .4
3 9 8 .0
4 2 0 .9
6 2 7 .0
3 5 7 .6
4 7 3 .8
4 9 4 .9
6 2 5 .5
3 5 4 .3
5 3 4 .9
2 5 0 .1
3 9 8 .6
4 1 7 .9
6 2 2 .0
3 6 6 .1
4 7 9 .9
5 0 0 .7
6 0 7 .4
3 4 7 .0
5 2 2 .7
2 6 2 .2
3 9 7 .7
* 417. 4
6 2 8 .1
3 0 9 .6
5 0 5 .9
4 8 9 .4
5 0 4 .7
4 9 9 .9
4 8 9 .0
4 9 1 .9
4 9 0 .7
4 6 3 .5
4 5 5 .8
4 4 1 .9
4 0 5 .2
3 7 8 .0
3 4 1 .6
4 8 0 .9
4 4 4 .2
5 0 8 .9
4 5 4 .2
4 2 8 .0
4 7 2 .3
465. 3
4 0 9 .9
4 5 0 .4
4 5 4 .0
4 1 4 .5
4 5 4 .7
4 7 0 .4
4 0 4 .0
4 3 3 .7
4 6 4 .3
3 9 7 .9
4 7 9 .2
4 8 4 .2
3 9 8 .8
4 6 5 .9
4 4 9 .7
3 8 2 .1
4 3 4 .3
4 3 0 .5
3 6 9 .9
4 4 6 .6
4 0 0 .0
3 4 8 .2
4 2 6 .6
3 9 3 .3
323. 2
4 0 8 .7
3 9 5 .5
3 3 1 .1
4 2 6 .3
3 0 1 .5
2 8 2 .3
2 6 4 .5
Transportation equipment, except automobiles1—
Locomotives
C!arQ electric- end steam-railroad
Aireraftand parts excluding aircraft engines
Aircraft engines____________________________
phipbnilding and boatbuilding
Motorcycles, bicycles, and parts
5 5 2 .4
5 6 1 .2
9 1 3 .7
4 9 2 .5
6 4 9 .2
5 1 7 .5
3 2 0 .1
3 4 5 .7
5 6 6 .4
9 1 6 .4
478. 5
6 3 4 .2
4 9 3 .5
3 4 5 .7
3 7 0 .5
6 0 1 .4
9 2 8 .1
4 8 3 .8
695. 2
4 8 1 .0
3 7 3 .6
4 1 8 .2
6 0 0 .4
9 0 8 .6
4 9 0 .3
6 7 5 .9
4 7 3 .9
3 8 3 .7
4 2 6 .6
5 9 3 .3
8 6 9 .2
4 7 9 .5
6 6 7 .3
4 6 9 .4
3 8 5 .4
4 2 0 .6
6 1 1 .2
8 8 3 .0
5 0 0 .6
6 5 7 .4
4 8 2 .9
4 1 0 .7
4 1 4 .5
6 0 0 .2
9 0 0 .3
5 2 2 .4
6 6 8 .7
5 0 3 .5
3 7 8 .9
4 4 8 .2
5 5 5 .1
8 6 3 .1
5 0 3 .5
6 5 3 .8
4 7 9 .2
3 1 8 .6
4 4 1 .3
5 4 1 .5
8 7 0 .1
4 9 3 .6
6 6 3 .8
4 9 9 .9
2 8 9 .9
4 3 0 .8
5 0 9 .8
8 7 5 .3
4 6 8 .8
6 2 3 .3
5 0 1 .3
2 6 2 .0
4 0 4 .9
4 9 2 .4
8 1 1 .9
4 3 6 .3
6 3 7 .6
4 8 6 .7
2 4 1 .8
3 9 2 .8
4 9 2 .5
7 6 0 .3
4 8 2 .1
6 2 2 .4
4 8 5 .1
2 4 3 .1
3 7 9 .4
3 0 8 0 .3
1 1 0 7 .3
4 5 7 .9
3 4 9 6 .3
4 5 2 8 .7
3 5 9 4 .7
2 5 3 .6
4 2 3 .3
3 8 0 .9
3 6 2 .6
3 8 6 .2
3 9 6 .5
3 5 7 .6
4 0 8 .7
4 2 7 .7
3 9 5 .6
3 8 5 .8
3 8 0 .6
3 4 5 .1
3 5 5 .3
3 2 1 .2
Nhnferrons metals and their products 1 _ _______ 3 6 1 . 2
Smelting and refining, primary, of nonferrous
mefals
Alloying; and rolling and drawing of nonferrous metals, except aluminum
Clocks and watches
Jewelry (precious metals) and jewelers’ findmgs
Silverware and plated ware
Lighting equipment
_________ _______
Aluminum manufactures
Sheet-metal work, not elsewhere classified.......... ..........
3 6 8 .1
3 6 2 .5
3 6 8 .3
3 7 7 .1
3 7 2 .9
3 7 2 .7
3 7 7 .8
3 6 7 .3
3 5 9 .3
3 4 9 .5
3 3 5 .3
3 3 2 .1
354.f i
3 2 9 .3
3 2 1 .6
3 1 4 .1
3 0 7 .2
3 0 3 .7
3 0 3 .1
2 9 9 .9
3 0 0 .3
2 9 6 .0
3 0 2 .5
2 9 2 .4
2 9 9 .4
3 5 3 .9
2 7 7 .9
3 3 1 .7
2 6 8 .9
3 2 7 .4
2 7 1 .7
3 3 6 .8
2 8 3 .5
3 3 9 .1
2 7 3 .2
3 3 3 .4
2 7 3 .4
3 2 6 .2
2 7 1 .9
3 3 3 .3
2 6 3 .7
3 3 0 .5
2 6 0 .6
3 2 0 .1
2 5 7 .6
3 1 1 .7
2 5 0 .9
2 9 3 .1
2 6 2 .7
2 6 4 .3
3 5 3 .4
2 3 8 .4
3 6 6 .5
5 2 6 .7
3 0 5 .5
3 3 8 .0
4 1 8 .9
3 6 2 .4
5 2 2 .4
2 9 3 .3
3 4 7 .0
4 1 3 .2
3 7 7 .7
5 2 9 .4
3 0 8 .3
3 5 6 .8
4 1 7 .8
3 9 1 .8
5 4 3 .3
3 2 8 .4
3 6 2 .0
4 3 3 .0
3 9 6 .2
5 2 5 .6
3 3 3 .7
3 6 6 .8
4 2 9 .7
3 8 3 .4
5 2 0 .5
3 3 7 .8
3 7 1 .3
4 3 6 .8
4 1 5 .6
5 3 5 .5
3 4 3 .0
3 6 4 .7
4 5 9 .8
4 0 3 .6
5 0 7 .4
3 3 3 .9
3 5 1 .7
4 3 8 .0
3 9 3 .4
4 9 6 .2
3 3 3 .8
3 4 5 .5
4 4 1 .6
3 6 0 .2
4 8 0 .6
325. 9
3 2 5 .5
4 1 9 .0
3 2 1 .2
4 4 1 .7
3 1 8 .5
3 1 1 .8
4 2 0 .0
2 9 7 .0
4 3 1 .0
3 2 0 .4
3 0 1 .6
4 1 7 .6
2 1 1 .8
2 1 2 .8
2 4 0 .4
5 9 1 .6
3 5 7 .6
5 1 1 .7
Lumber and timber basic products L ____ ____
Sawmills and logging camps
Planing and plywood m ills--------------------------- —
4 9 7 .9
4 8 7 .5
4 3 0 .4
4 6 2 .0
4 4 7 .2
4 2 1 .0
4 3 3 .4
4 1 5 .4
4 1 2 .9
4 2 7 .6
4 1 2 .4
4 0 3 .8
4 1 7 .2
4 0 1 .1
4 0 2 .5
4 1 3 .5
4 0 0 .3
3 9 8 .7
4 3 1 .8
4 2 2 .0
4 0 3 .6
4 2 9 .1
4 2 5 .3
3 8 5 .5
4 2 7 .2
4 2 5 .2
3 8 1 .2
4 2 7 .4
4 3 0 .5
3 6 8 .1
4 2 9 .7
4 3 5 .3
3 6 5 .8
3 9 4 .2
3 9 7 .4
3 4 5 .1
2 1 5 .1
2 3 8 .3
1 9 7 .8
Furniture and finished lumber products1________
Mattresses and bedsprings
__ _
Furniture
Wooden boxes, other than cigar . __ ________
Caskets and other morticians* goods
Wood preserving
Wood, turned and shaped _________________
3 2 0 .4
3 2 6 .0
3 2 4 .9
3 0 4 .2
3 0 5 .9
2 6 1 .9
3 3 4 .5
3 0 1 .5
325. 6
3 1 8 .0
3 0 7 .2
2 8 1 .4
2 7 0 .3
3 2 8 .6
3 0 3 .9
3 3 3 .0
3 3 6 .4
3 1 4 .6
2 8 5 .2
2 8 1 .0
3 1 2 .6
3 1 0 .4
3 4 9 .2
3 6 3 .2
3 3 0 .9
3 0 0 .1
2 9 5 .6
3 1 0 .5
3 1 7 .4
3 5 0 .2
3 8 5 .0
3 3 3 .6
2 9 2 .2
2 9 1 .0
2 9 2 .1
3 0 7 .3
3 5 2 .2
3 8 8 .3
3 3 3 .4
3 0 4 .2
2 9 4 .9
3 3 0 .4
2 9 8 .3
3 5 5 .7
3 9 5 .0
3 3 4 .3
3 1 2 .1
2 9 9 .6
3 4 7 .2
3 0 5 .3
3 4 3 .0
3 7 2 .6
3 2 3 .2
3 0 1 .9
2 8 7 .3
3 5 3 .0
2 9 0 .8
3 3 8 .8
3 7 8 .7
3 1 5 .0
3 0 8 .8
2 8 1 .4
3 8 4 .2
2 8 7 .8
3 2 4 .3
3 5 6 .0
2 9 7 .9
3 0 5 .0
2 8 3 .4
3 9 3 .7
2 8 1 .2
3 1 1 .6
3 2 3 .0
2 8 4 .7
304. 7
2 7 1 .6
4 0 4 .2
2 8 1 .4
2 9 8 .6
2 8 7 .3
2 7 4 .4
3 0 1 .8
2 6 0 .6
3 9 2 .7
2 6 8 .5
1 8 3 .9
1 6 5 .7
1 8 5 .3
2 1 5 .8
1 5 9 .3
1 8 1 .9
1 7 5 .5
Stone, clay, and glass products 1_________________
Glass and glassware
- __________ ____
Glass prodnets made from purchased g la s s .__
Cement
.
- _____________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta
_____
Pottery and related products________________
3 3 5 .5
3 4 7 .9
3 4 8 .5
2 6 5 .9
3 2 3 .5
3 3 2 .7
3 5 6 .7
3 4 3 .4
3 5 2 .5
2 6 4 .5
3 1 4 .3
3 2 0 .8
3 5 1 .1
3 3 7 .9
3 5 5 .3
2 5 9 .9
2 9 7 .2
3 0 5 .6
3 4 8 .7
3 3 6 .6
358. 2
2 6 7 .6
2 8 7 .3
2 9 7 .1
3 5 2 .9
3 2 1 .4
3 4 0 .0
2 6 7 .0
2 8 2 .8
2 7 9 .6
3 3 7 .4
3 2 2 .9
3 4 3 .4
2 7 1 .6
284. 7
2 9 6 .9
3 3 7 .8
3 3 5 .7
3 5 6 .5
2 8 7 .1
2 9 1 .3
3 0 1 .9
3 5 4 .4
3 3 1 .2
3 5 7 .2
2 6 9 .4
2 9 4 .0
2 9 6 .7
3 4 9 .8
3 2 8 .2
351. 2
2 6 4 .0
2 9 4 .7
3 0 0 .2
3 4 2 .7
3 2 0 .2
3 4 2 .8
2 5 1 .5
2 9 8 .3
2 9 4 .1
3 2 6 .5
3 1 5 .5
3 3 4 .1
2 4 6 .4
2 9 7 .0
2 8 9 .1
3 3 0 .4
2 9 8 .8
3 1 2 .8
2 4 7 .2
2 8 3 .5
2 7 6 .4
3 0 8 .6
1 8 0 .1
2 0 8 .3
1 6 5 .9
156. 5
1 3 5 .8
1 9 1 .9
Autom obiles1 _
__
________________________
1 S e e f o o tn o t e 1, t a b le A - 5 .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
—
Mt, if.’
«■
A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS
326
T able
MONTHLY LABOR
A-7 : Indexes of Production-Worker Weekly Pay Rolls in Manufacturing Industries 1—Con.
[1939 average=100]
1948
An
nual
aver
age
1947
Industry group and industry
July
June
M ay
Apr.
Mar.
Feb.
Jan.
Dec.
N ov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
July
1943
D urable goods—Continued
Stone, clay, and glass products '—Continued
Gypsum
Wa’llboard, plaster (except gypsum), and
min oral won]
Lime
Marble granite, slate, and other prod nets
A hrasives
A shp.stos prod 11 et.s
304.7
304.8
298.6
285.4
278.4
283.0
290.2
284. 5
278.1
258.3
260.4
260.2
151.7
418.4
270.7
184.4
502.4
334.3
403.8
273.3
182.7
490.6
329.9
406.6
273.3
176.6
474.9
328.9
390.1
262.1
179.3
487.0
327.0
375.5
243.8
169.5
457. 4
322.3
374.1
249.5
173. 5
363.2
325.0
386. 5
256.9
183.3
462.1
318.7
381.5
259. 5
175.9
418.2
313.6
368.4
258. 9
183 5
408.0
305.6
357 8
245 5
180 9
498 2
299.2
353 9
243.3
176 4
375 6
301.7
333 6
237 7
156 7
386 0
293.2
223 8
171 6
90 8
480 2
254.6
304.6
365.9
237.5
271.5
303. 8
369.7
238.3
268.6
307.1
374.7
243.0
267.4
315.6
385.1
249.1
267.8
310.6
377.0
249.3
262.4
303.0
378.7
243.8
252.6
302.0
376.4
234.1
248.1
288.2
362.1
215.1
236.6
271.8
329.1
213.6
227.6
262.9
317.4
210.6
220. 2
246.2
305. 7
195. 4
208. 5
243.7
302.6
200. 5
203.0
178.9
215. 9
214 6
138.6
311.5
185. 6
223.2
243.0
301.8
307.9
183.6
223.1
247.6
303.4
308.6
189.2
237.1
242.8
320.3
322.1
197.6
243.3
249.9
323.7
321.1
190. 5
242.6
250. 3
311.0
292.0
188.8
236.5
234.3
306.6
294.4
193.5
231.6
241.6
306. 9
276.6
186. 4
221.7
243.0
295.4
270.4
177.2
214.4
237.0
282.8
268. 5
166.4
207.8
215.3
274.3
233.6
158. 6
204.1
200.6
258.0
243. 0
148. 5
192.8
188.4
250. 2
190. 5
109. 6
174. 7
192. 7
183.3
297.8
345.4
208.9
277.5
306.5
299.0
332.8
184.6
272.2
303.4
305. 6
324.2
176.4
275.9
311.4
308.8
327.9
197.5
264.2
330.4
311. 2
321.8
202.2
265. 7
337.6
304.1
316.8
195.8
250.1
330.6
298.1
311.6
202.1
175.4
320.0
279. 8
297. 6
181.9
170.1
300.6
271.3
288.7
185.9
168.7
282.0
269. 5
276. 5
177. 2
163. 7
258.6
248. 7
246.3
171.4
162.0
256.0
241 1
254. 6
171.8
232. 2
252. 7
174. 9
145. 2
121. 5
196. 4
240.3
N ondurable goods
Textile-mill products and other fiber manufactures . ____ __________________ _____________
Cotton manufactures, except smallwares
Cotton smallwares
Silk and rayon goods
Woolen and worsted manufactures, except dyeins’ and finishing __
U osierv
Knitted cloth
Knitted outerwear and knitted gloves.
Knitted underwear
Dyeing and finishing textiles, including woolen
and worsted
Carpets and rugs, wool.
Hats, fur-felt
Jute goods, except felts _
Cordage and twine
285.4
Apparel and other finished textile products '_____
M en’s clothing, not elsewhere c la ssifie d ..___
Shirts, collars, and nightwear .
Underwear and neckwear, men’s _
Work shirts__ _____
___ _
W omen’s clothing, not elsewhere classified .
Corsets and allied garments. _
Millinery
Handkerchiefs _ .
Curtains, draperies, and bedspreads
___ _
Housefurnishings, other than curtains, etc __
Textile bags _____________ _____ ______ _
303.6
303.6
312.9
258.5
289.1
330.9
310.7
210.8
133.2
231.0
339.2
587.3
470.8
297.9
311.5
266.8
296.7
325. 8
299. 3
213.0
127.9
239.1
334.8
544.2
464.8
306.5
317.1
274.6
297.0
316 1
307.1
229.1
171.3
251. 5
348. 5
584.6
446.4
343.2
324.8
279.7
313.7
305.6
376.4
241.6
212.5
259.4
397.0
609.2
449.3
345.2 337.0
316.4 313.4
272.0 273.0
300.0 292.0
284.6 247.5
387.1 374.8
237.7 234. 5
236.0 204.4
243.4 222. 5
431.4 *419.1
572.9 597.8
461.7 481.1
327.3
309.5
281.3
304.0
248.2
355.9
230. 5
157.4
251.2
424.7
653.1
492.9
304.8
301.5
266.0
292.9
253.1
319. 3
226.8
123.6
260. 4
422.2
590.1
484. 8
320.5
303. 5
258. 9
280. 2
262.0
349. 5
219.0
195.2
251.4
412.1
632.2
472.6
303.8
284.9
243.2
261.3
266.9
334.7
205. 4
173.1
239 4
371. 9
604 6
458 8
288.4
264.8
225. 5
240. 7
263.6
323.1
194. 7
171. 2
210 6
334 7
573 5
443 6
266.2
260. 0
219 3
230.8
247. 2
283.1
187.4
145. 5
196 7
283 9
496 7
43&2
185.2
174. 9
143 6
166. 5
220. 4
184 4
137 1
123 3
184 0
230 2
370 3
233 0
Leather and leather products'.....................................
..
____
Leather. . ________ ___
Boot and shoe cut stock and findings
Boots and shoes. _____ _______ 1 .
Leather gloves and m ittens_______________ .
Trunks and su itca ses__________________ .
236.9
234.5
190 5
178.9
204.0
274.5
337.7
216.5
186.8
168.9
183.7
257.0
338.3
227.1
184.1
173.4
198.1
241.3
347.2
251.7
192.1
187.9
225.6
252.8
364.1
262.5
201.6
198.6
235.9
252.2
366.9
258.7
200.3
201. 4
233.8
245.3
321.6
259.6
203.0
202.6
231. 9
262.4
369.3
202.5
199 8
190 3
223 5
264.1
406.0
251.8
199.1
189. 6
223. 8
267. 5
381.8
248.1
198 5
191 4
221 5
253. 5
335. 9
235.8
189 8
189 8
209 9
242 3
309 1
229.0
187 2
182 4
204 8
227 2
274 3
154.2
140 6
142 2
142 0
239 4
240 3
Food '................. ............................................................
Slaughtering and meat packing___ ____ _____
B u tter... . . . . ______ 2_____ “.........................
Condensed and evaporated milk.................... .
Ice cream____________________ ____ _____
Flour_________ ______________________ _____
Feeds, prepared.......................................................
Cereai preparations.................................... .
Baking__________ ____ ____________ _ .
Sugar refining, c a n e ......................................
Sugar, b e e t ..._____________ ____________
Confectionery_______________ ________
Beverages, nonalcoholic......... ................ ............
Malt liquors________ ___________________
Canning and preserving.....................................
353.5
330.1
315.4
429.8
520.3
341.5
317.3
385.3
353.7
245.4
243.4
125. 6
231.1
304. 2
351.0
282.4
281.3
211.3
407.2
477.9
311.3
294.0
363.8
333.6
235.1
227.9
114.2
210.1
277.0
299.9
234.2
267.4 285.8 288.5
179.9 276. 6 263.3
381.0 *348. 2 332.7
438.1 403.0 388.1
286.4 261.3 250.9
285.1 275.8 298.3
337.1 329.6 314.7
313.0 297.8 322. 2
227.6 227.1 234.1
229.3 248.4 232.3
96.7
98.9 126.7
241.1 260.1 *275.6
257.9 241.0 226.7
316.0 293.0 289.9
216.9 204.6 216.5
296.6
304.2
330.3
369. 8
248 0
305. 9
379 0
307. 8
221. 5
216. 9
188.0
295 3
237.1
289 4
216.2
321.9
338. 9
342.2
364.0
258. 5
319.4
381.4
306 3
229 2
248.9
392.8
326 6
236.3
307 7
250.2
323.5
317.4
346.0
377.8
269.9
336. 9
346.9
313 7
227 8
302.3
516.8
325 1
240 0
326 8
265. 7
332.8
271. 7
353.4
402.5
288. 5
336 4
358 6
304.4
230 8
279 1
464 0
312 2
258 7
344 1
437.9
356.1
271 9
364 8
419 8
326 2
334 7
382 9
337 5
223 2
278 7
214 3
271 3
295 6
370 3
683 8
349.3
270 0
391 3
446 0
346 0
336 1
364 1
361 2
218 4
284 2
286 7
233 4
298 0
365 1
653 7
317.1
280 9
387 7
470 6
343 7
326 1
366 8
329 9
218 0
275 0
131 3
211 4
257 4
349 6
401 8
180.9
188 6
231 0
268 5
170 6
182 9
230 0
223 3
153 0
152 8
119 6
157 6
163 2
180 5
216 0
Tobacco manufactures ' ______ _____ ___________
Cigarettes__________ _____ ____ _
.. .
Cigars.. _________ _______________ . . . ____
Tobacco (chewing and smoking) and snuff____
205.5
205.8
263.1
175.8
166.7
201.3
253.1
175.1
161.8
205. 7
254. 3
182. 7
161.6
204.6
246. 5
186. 6
159.6
195.7
219 2
189. 4
162.2
210.5
259 6
188. 2
161.2
219.8
267 9
196 7
175.8
216.3
253 3
201. 7
169.0
214. 5
252 8
196. 4
178.1
205.3
243 7
185 4
177. 0
203.0
248 5
179 4
169. 9
200.0
253 7
169 6
171.0
151.0
172 0
141 0
132 3
Paper and allied products 1____________________
341.7
Paper and pulp__ _____________ _________ . .
Paper goods, other_______________________ __
Envelopes______________________________ .
Paper bags_______________________ _
.
Paper boxes........................................... ..................
338.3
342.6
331.3
283. 5
363.7
304.2
331.9
338. 9
328. 2
282.9
354. 8
289.9
325.7
327. 7
324.4
282.1
365.3
292. 5
330.8
330.0
327.8
283.7
373. 7
305.4
328.9
328. 3
326.6
282.8
357.8
307.1
328.0
325. 0
328. 8
278.0
368 1
309 1
334.0
327. 3
335. 7
284.1
370 2
321 9
325.9
319. 9
327.4
281. 5
347 4
314 5
320.5
317 3
320 4
279 8
350 0
340 2
315.5
317 0
311 7
273 7
333 9
291 5
307.2
312 3
292 7
258 8
337 6
280 1
304.2
309 6
297 2
250 7
338 6
273 6
184.8
181 6
193 2
165 7
183 4
189 6
Printing, publishing, and allied industries 1_______ 260.1
Newspapers and periodicals_________________
Printing; book arid job____________________ .
Lithographing_______ _______________ _____
Bookbinding ______________________ ______
265.1
237.8
286.3
230.0
309.6
262.6
236.2
283.9
223. 9
302.6
259.5
234. 6
278.6
221.4
304.0
258.5
229.2
280.0
227. 2
313.4
254.7
224 6
278. 6
219.0
307.7
255.3
218 9
283.4
224 0
315.3
263.1
230 0
285. 3
237 1
326.6
257.2
224 0
279. 3
236.1
325.1
252.8
221 6
272 8
226 2
325.4
249.7
221 6
266 6
225 9
322.9
240.0
214 0
254 8
215 7
311.9
238.0
208 9
258 9
207 4
299^2
124.7
111 7
137 3
124 9
1718
i See footnote 1, table A-5.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
T able
327
A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
A-7: Indexes of Production-Worker Weekly Pay Rolls in Manufacturing Industries 1—Con
[1939 average=100]
An
nual
aver
age
1947
1948
Industry group and industry
July
June
May
Apr.
Mar.
Feb.
Jan.
Dec.
N ov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
July
1943
Chemicals and allied products 1________________ - 430.2
Paints, varnishes, and colors _______________
Drugs, medicines, and insecticides___________
Perfumes and cosmetics _ __________________
Soap
______________________________
Rayon and allied products —
___________
Chemicals, not elsewhere classified________
Explosives and safety fuses ________________
Compressed and liquefied gases______________
Ammunition, small-arms. __________________
Fireworks
____________________________
Cottonseed oil
_________________________
Fertilizers
_____________________________
432.6
349.7
485.7
213.2
329.8
279.7
585.9
638.4
504.3
410.3
571.3
227.8
377.3
422.5
343.9
481.5
209.7
322.9
275.1
563.2
592.0
491.7
404.1
594.9
245.9
428.3
422.1
329.4
479.9
215.1
321.8
274. 6
564. 8
561.5
483.7
398.8
572.5
270.2
482.9
425.1
332.9
487.6
222.0
359. 0
271. 9
558.6
585.0
473.6
396.8
625.8
316.4
492.3
425.6
338.5
489.2
231.2
376.4270.2
559.2
587.8
475.5
388.7
610.2
338.0
439.6
426.7
332.6
490. 7
230.9
379.3
268.6
561.3
580.2
465.0
380.5
591.6
397. 4
433.4
424.1
329.8
488.5
240.5
381.3
265.9
555.8
565.0
459. 6
411.9
633.8
448.4
393.0
416.4
327.4
489.9
265.3
371.0
260.5
540.8
566.2
458. 0
398.0
711.6
448.7
362.5
409.6
318.6
499.1
250.1
357.6
257.8
529.8
542.8
445.6
393.3
747.3
443.1
373.9
403.1
315. 0
484. 7
228.2
351.6
259.9
527.3
545.6
455.3
381.4
577.7
315.8
390.9
390.2
312.7
469.7
211.2
325.0
252.2
527.0
539.4
448.1
206. 5
447.7
221.6
354.5
387.7
308. 2
449.5
205.0
310.2
249.8
533.7
495.0
437.4
359.1
534.3
193.8
334.5
422.5
197. 2
286.3
180.6
174.5
168.2
336.9
2361. 8
325.3
6734. 4
6ytj3.9
230.4
272. 2
Products of petroleum and coal1------------------------- 353.4
Petroleum refining__ ______________________
Coke and byproducts_______________________
Paving materials__ ________________________
Roofing m aterials... _______ ______________
342.1
322.7
329.7
248.9
522.6
335.7
318.3
320.3
222.5
507.9
316.7 320.0 315.4
303.4 299.3 295.0
287.3 314.6 312. 3
206.5 *173.1 *160. 6
495.6 502.7 500.7
318.1
296. 8
309.8
168. 2
508.3
313.3
293.4
294.8
224.8
535.7
309.5
288.9
292.7
268.8
526.4
301.8
279.7
288.1
295.9
523.1
307.5
287.6
289.9
297.9
510.5
302.1
282. 8
280.0
273.2
502.5
300.5
286.1
270. 5
236. 6
493.8
184.3
176.7
183.4
144.8
267.2
Rubber products 1_____________________________ 329.1
Rubber tires and inner tubes________________
Rubber boots and shoes __________________
Rubber goods, other________________________
332.6
364.2
330.8
344.8
320.9
345.5
329.1
338. 7
312.8
323.6
333.9
347.1
320.6
330.2
347. 0
356.2
337.2
355.9
345.0
366.2
354.9
388.4
342.8
368.3
373.6
412.1
367.1
379.9
361.4
407.5
322.4
362.2
354. 4
398.0
331.7
352.3
348.3
397.9
314.4
338.3
337.6
396.0
268.4
321.5
331.2
389. 5
290.0
304.9
263.9
265.7
268.8
255.8
Miscellaneous industries 1________________ . ----- 373.8
Instruments (professional and scientific), and
fire-control equipment____________________
Photographic apparatus-_ _________________
Optical instruments and ophthalmic goods____
Pianos, organs, and parts
_________________
Games, toys, and dolls______________________
Buttons
______________________________
Fire extinguishers__________________________
386.1
384.2
382.6
394.0
393.9
388.2
405.1
403.9
394.1
378.2
355.9
349.2
322.7
494.2
416.2
438.1
357.9
487.6
269.4
575.5
489.3
422.3
444.8
396.0
463.7
284.3
541.0
487.1
424.2
446.3
421.1
450.1
285. 5
523.2
507.5
418.1
452. 3
455.5
399.7
275.7
546.8
499.2
421.1
458.5
513.4
469.5
280.8
520.4
480.8
416.8
445.3
500.1
525.9
262.5
560.6
478.9
405.1
443. 5
475.6
518.7
245.8
555.4
469.3
394.3
442.3
460.2
482.3
230.2
558.9
460. 3
385.1
426.5
384.8
431.4
220.7
583.7
453.3
385.9
433.7
402.7
410.1
209.2
600.0
1356. 9
311. 5
439.0
295.1
169.7
204.1
1622.9
N ondurable goods—Continued
488.8
436.3
419.6
361.1
508.2
271.6
590.8
492.6
431.0
426.7
367. 8
496.7
269.4
563.4
1 See footnote 1, table A-5.
* Revised.
T able
A-8: Estimated Number of Employees in Selected Nonmanufacturing Industries 1
[In thousands]
July
June
M ay
Apr.
Annual
average
1947
1948
Mar.
Feb.
Jan.
Dec.
N ov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
July
1943
M inin g:8 3
Coal:
78.4
74.2
76.7
76.2
76.0
76.2
76.5
77.4
76.6
76.2
77.4
76.4
76.9
Anthracite — . _________________ 76.1
419
363
394
390
397
399
402
404
401
397
296
406
403
B itum inous____________________ 378
90.6 112.7
91.0
89.6
88.7
89.4
89.8
91.4
90.2
89.7
92.8
91.7
91.7
91.1
M etal _____ ______________________
¿5. 6
32.6
32.4
32.7
32.4
31.3
32.0
30.9
31.5
32.5
31.0
34.0
32.7
33.7
Iron _ ________________________
33.3
25.7
25.7
25.7
25.8
26.1
26.6
26.9
26.9
26.8
27.0
26.1
26.3
26.6
Copper
_____________________
16.3
21.6
16.5
15.5
14.9
15.4
15.6
16.3
16.3
15.7
16.4
16.3
16.3
15.1
Lead and zinc____ ______________
7. 7
8.3
8.1
8.2
8.0
8.5
8.1
8.6
8.5
8.7
8.7
8.1
8.3
8.3
Gold and silver__________________
7.9
14. 8
7.9
7.7
7.6
7.9
7.8
7.8
7.7
7.9
7.7
7.9
7.7
8.0
Miscellaneous__ ________________
80.9
88.6
88.9
87.3
88.1
86.4
83.9
79.9
83.9 *80.0 *76.8
85.1
86.8
86.8
Quarrying and nonmetallic__________
Crude petroleum and natural gas pro
133.5 128.7 127.2 127.2 127.1 126.4 126.3 126.4 127.1 128.7 131.0 130.8 103.2
duction 3
______ - _ _________ 136.9
Transportation and public utilities:
1,383 1,355
Class I steam railroads 8__ ___________ 1, 362 1, 351 1,321 1,258 1,316 1,311 1,318 1,331 1,340 1,357 1,364 1,381
227
253
254
251
249
249
249
249
250
249
249
249
249
246
Street railways and busses 8__________
402
614
616
613
609
614
620
623
620
627
634
630
630
Telephone___________________ _____ - 643
38.2
46.9
37.6
37.8
36.9
36.7
36.6
36.6
36.8
36.9
36.9
36.1
36.3
36.0
Telegraph 7___________ _____ ________
211
267
269
268
268
267
269
268
273
269
274
271
279
283
Electric light and power_____________
Service:
344
382
379
379
378
380
381
378
375
377
377
374
379
377
Hotels (year-round)_________________
252
245
250
243
241
238
235
237
232
231
230
238
233
Power laundries 5 ________________ - 239
97.7
78.0
93.1
94.3
95.6
92.7
88.9
91.0
86.8
93.4
92.5
90.0
92.6
94.8
Cleaning and dyeing *------ ---------------1 Includes all employees unless otherwise noted. Data for the three most
recent months are subject to revision without notation. Revised data for
earlier months are identified by an asterisk.
8 Includes production and related workers only.
• Estimates have been adjusted to levels indicated by Federal Security
Agency data through 1946.
* Docs not include well drilling or rig building.
» Includes all employees at middle of month. Excludes employees of
switching and terminal companies. Class I steam railroads include those
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1939
83.6
372
92.6
21.1
25. 0
10.3
26.0
4.2
68.5
114.4
988
194
318
37.6
244
323
196
58.2
with over $1,000,000 annual revenue. Source: Interstate Commerce Com
mission.
• Includes private and municipal street-railway companies, and affiliated,
subsidiary, or successor trolley-bus and motor-bus companies.
i Includes all land-line employees except those compensated on a commis
sion basis. Excludes general and divisional headquarters personnel, trainees
in school, and messengers.
•Revised.
328
A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS
T able
MONTHLY LABOR
A-9: Indexes of Employment in Selected Nonmanufacturing Industries 1
[1039 average=100]
1948
An
nual
aver
age
1947
Industry group and Industry
M in in g :22
C o a l:
A n t h r a c i t e _________________________________
B i t u m i n o u s - ............................................ ...........
M e t a l ______________________ __________________
I r o n __________________
1V.V-~.IV_.
C o p p e r ..........................
VVV.
L e a d a n d z i n c ________ ________ _____
G o ld a n d s ilv e r ____ _________ ___________
M is c e l la n e o u s ............................................. ........
u a r r y i n g a n d n o n m e ta l lic _________________ V I'.
r u d e p e t r o le u m a n d n a t u r a l g a s p r o d u c t i o n 8
T r a n s p o r t a t i o n a n d p u b li c u tilit ie s :
C la s s I s te a m r a ilr o a d s 8_______ ________________
S tr e e t r a i lw a y s a n d b u s s e s 8____ _______________
T e le p h o n e ___________ _____ _______ ___________
T e le g r a p h 7..........
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIH l
E l e c t r i c l i g h t a n d p o w e r .....................
T ra d e: *
....................
W h o l e s a le ______________ _________________
R e t a i l ____________________ _____ _________ "
F o o d _________________
::::::::::::::
G e n e r a l m e r c h a n d is e ________________
”
A p p a r e l _________ _____ ______________
F u r n i t u r e a n d h o u s e f u m i s h i n g s __________
y
A u t o m o t i v e . . . __________
L u m b e r a n d b u il d in g m a te r i a ls . . .
S e rv ic e :
H o te l s ( y e a r - r o u n d ) __________________________
P o w e r la u n d r ie s 2___________________________ V V
C le a n in g a n d d y e i n g 2______________________
8
1 See footnote 1,
2 See footnote 2,
3 See footnote 3,
8 See footnote 4,
8 See footnote 5,
table
table
table
table
table
T able
July
June
M ay
Apr.
91.1
101. 7
99.1
159. 6
106.6
92.6
32.0
191.3
126.7
119. 7
92.6
109.1
100. 2
160.8
105. 4
100.3
31.9
188.6
126. 8
116. 7
91.4
108.5
98.4
155.0
104.7
100.8
31.3
182.9
124.2
112.5
137.9
127.2
202. 5
95.7
115.7
136.8
128.3
199.6
96.0
114.0
116.2
111. 9
113.8
121.3
107. 9
90. 6
109. 8
128.2
116.0
122.1
159. 2
Mar.
Feb.
Jan.
Dec.
Nov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
July
1943
91.9
92.6
91.6
79.7 108.0 106.8
99.0
98.7
97.4
153.7 149.4 146.8
107.2 107.9 108.2
100.4 100.2
99.9
32.5
33.3
33.4
182.8 189.1 187.0
122.5 *116.8 *112.2
111.2 111.1 111.1
91.1
108.7
96.9
146.5
107. 5
96.2
33.1
183.0
116.7
110.5
91.5
108.3
97.0
148.0
106.6
95.8
32.5
187. 2
122.6
110.4
91.2
107.4
96.5
151.3
104.4
94.8
31.3
185. 7
126.2
110.5
91.2
106.8
95.8
153.3
103.1
91.8
30.9
181.6
127.6
111.1
91.0
106.0
96.8
153.6
103.0
95.5
31.5
184.6
128.7
112.5
91.7
105.0
98.3
154.6
102.8
101.4
31.8
188.3
129.8
114.5
88.7
97. 5
97.8
154.3
102.9
100.0
31.3
187.9
129.4
114.3
93.7
112.6
121.7
167.4
133.2
132.7
29.7
352.0
118. 2
90.2
133.8
128.5
198.4
96.3
112.3
127.3
128.3
198.3
97.9
111.7
133.3
128.7
197.4
98.2
110.9
132.7
128.6
196.2
97.8
110.3
133.4
129.2
195.0
97.2
109.8
134.8
128.6
195.0
97.6
110.3
135. 7
128.7
193.3
97.2
109.7
137.4
128.8
191.6
98.1
109.4
138.1
129.6
192.9
99.8
109.9
139.8
130.7
193.8
100.5
110.2
140.0
130. 9
193.3
101.5
109.3
137. 2
117.0
126.7
124.7
86.3
115.3
113.6
115. 5
124.8
115. 4
92. 0
108. 5
126.3
114.5
113.1
116.3
123. 7
115.2
91.9
107.0
123.7
114.8
112.8
116.1
123.4
114.6
91.6
107.1
121.9
115.3
113.8
116.7
124. 5
116.8
91.9
105.8
119.4
116.1
111.8
113.9
122.9
108.2
91.0
105.7
118.8
116.3
114.4
114.4
129.4
111.5
93.6
106. 5
122.5
117.1
130.2
117.4
175. 5
136.7
97.4
109.9
126.1
116.5
119.8
116.1
143.6
124.0
92.4
107.6
126.4
115.5
115.8
115.0
131.5
119.4
89.5
105.6
126.9
113.3
112.4
112.6
122.8
113. 5
87.5
104.8
124.5
112.2
110.0
114. 7
115.7
103.4
85.9
105.1
123.1
111.1
110. 2
113.0
116.7
106.8
86.0
104. 2
121.4
95.9
99.9
106.2
116.9
110.1
67.7
63.0
91.5
117.6
121.5
163.1
117.0
119.0
160.6
116.9
118.3
159.0
116.4
117.7
154.8
116.8
117.6
149.3
117.2
120.1
152.8
118.1
120.9
156.5
117.1
121.3
159.4
117.7
123.1
164.4
117.4
124.3
162.1
117.6
125.0
160.1
118.3
127.8
167.9
106.6
128.7
134.0
A-8.
A-8.
A-8.
A-8.
A-8.
8 See footnote 6, table A-8.
2 See footnote 7, table A-8.
1 Includes all nonsupervisory employees and working supervisors.
‘ Revised.
A-10: Indexes of Weekly Pay Rolls in Selected Nonmanufacturing Industries 1
[1939 average =100]
1948
A n
nual
aver
age
1947
Industry group and industry
J u ly
M in in g :2 2
C o a l:
A n t h r a c i t e ______________________ _
1 9 2 .7
B i t u m i n o u s . ..........................
................
293. 8
M e t a l _____________
IIIIIIIII
2 0 2 .2
I r o n ................................. -VVVVVVVV
3 3 3 .1
C o p p e r ____________ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1
242. 4
L e a d a n d z i n c . .............. ............. 1VV1WVW1V. 1 9 3 .7
G o ld a n d s ilv e r __________________ V V V W .
55. 2
M is c e l la n e o u s ____________ I _____ V W W W . 3 8 3 .0
Q u a r r y in g a n d n o n m e t a l l i c __ I I I I I I I I I I Z I I I I I !
3 2 2 .3
C r u d e p e t r o le u m a n d n a t u r a l g a s p r o d u c t io n 8 2 4 1 .1
T r a n s p o r t a t i o n a n d p u b li c u ti lit ie s :
C la s s I s te a m r a i lr o a d s _________________________
S t r e e t r a i lw a y s a n d b u s s e s 8___ V
232. 2
T e le p h o n e ___________ _____ _______
3 3 6 .4
T e le g r a p h 2_______________ I I VV.VV.VVVVVVV'. 233. 2
E le c tric lig h t a n d p o w e r. . .
202. 5
T ra d e: «
......................................
W h o l e s a le ______________________
2 1 5 .3
R e t a i l ______________________ : : :
218. 9
F o o d ___________
IIIIIIIIIIIIIII-!
2 3 2 .9
G e n e ra ] m e r c h a n d is e ______ I I I I I I I
¿34. U
A p p a r e l _________________________ VVVVVVVV. 2 0 2 .3
F u r n i t u r e a n d h o u s e f u m i s h i n g s ___________
178. 8
A u t o m o t i v e _______ _____
I I I I I I 213. 4
L u m b e r a n d b u il d i n g m a t e r i a l s . . . .
2 5 7 .3
S e rv ic e :
H o te l s ( y e a r - r o u n d ) •...........................................
2 3 4 .7
P o w e r la u n d r ie s 2..............................................
240. 6
C le a n in g a n d d y e i n g 2_____ _____ I I I I I I I I I ............ 308. 0
G)
1 See footnote 1, table A-8.
2 See footnote 2 table A-8.
8 See footnote 3, table A-8.
8 See footnote 4, table A-8.
*N ot available.
8See footnote 6, table A-8.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
June
M ay
A p r.
M ar.
F eb.
Jan.
D ec.
N ov.
O ct.
S ep t.
A ug.
J u ly
1943
2 4 8 .1
346. 7
206. 9
3 4 5 .1
229. 6
2 3 6 .0
54. 2
360. 7
321. 7
2 2 7 .1
2 4 6 .2
3 4 3 .4
2 0 4 .9
3 3 6 .3
2 3 0 .0
2 3 6 .2
54. 6
3 5 2 .5
3 1 2 .5
2 2 3 .4
1 9 5 .4
1 6 7 .4
2 0 1 .7
3 1 9 .7
2 3 2 .6
2 3 5 .8
5 5 .2
3 4 3 .1
2 9 5 .4
2 1 3 .4
2 5 5 .9
3 4 2 .0
2 0 1 .3
3 1 3 .8
234. 8
2 3 2 .8
5 6 .7
3 4 9 .2
*272. 7
*208. 3
232. 8
3 2 0 .0
2 0 1 .7
3 1 0 .3
2 4 1 .7
2 3 5 .0
5 8 .4
3 4 7 .4
2 6 2 .0
2 1 9 .9
2 4 2 .4
3 5 0 .5
1 9 8 .9
3 0 2 .7
2 3 8 .0
2 2 8 .1
5 6 .4
348. 4
* 2 7 2 .8
2 1 5 .5
2 3 9 .4
345. 8
1 9 8 .8
3 0 1 .1
2 3 6 .5
2 3 1 .6
5 6 .5
3 4 9 .2
2 9 5 .3
2 0 3 .2
2 2 4 .4
3 2 7 .4
1 9 4 .8
3 1 0 .2
2 2 4 .7
2 2 0 .6
5 3 .7
3 4 6 .7
3 0 5 .7
2 1 1 .0
2 5 2 .7
3 2 7 .5
1 9 2 .7
315. 5
2 2 2 .9
2 0 9 .7
5 1 .7
3 3 8 .1
3 1 9 .2
1 9 9 .9
2 3 7 .9
3 2 1 .6
1 9 3 .6
311. 0
2 2 5 .3
2 1 6 .0
6 2 .1
3 3 9 .6
3 1 5 .9
2 0 6 .5
2 4 4 .0
314. 7
1 9 3 .3
313. 0
2 1 9 .0
2 2 0 .5
5 2 .1
3 4 5 .0
3 1 7 .2
2 0 4 .0
2 0 0 .3
2 2 9 .7
1 8 6 .1
307. 5
211. 6
210. 5
47. 2
327. 6
3 0 7 .0
2 0 4 .9
146 1
203 3
184 9
257 9
214 6
226 7
37 2
500 7
199 6
12810
m
G)
G)
G)
«
(f)
(•)
231. 2
3 2 8 .2
2 2 8 .5
1 9 6 .3
2 2 7 .1
3 1 7 .7
2 2 4 .8
1 8 8 .6
2 3 2 .6
3 1 4 .7
2 1 3 .0
1 8 4 .4
2 3 4 .7
3 1 6 .3
212. 6
1 8 8 .2
2 3 0 .1
3 1 5 .8
209. 5
1 8 7 .9
2 2 6 .7
3 1 3 .0
2 0 7 .8
1 8 5 .7
(*)
( 5)
2 2 8 .1
3 2 6 .1
2 3 1 .1
1 9 1 .9
2 2 3 .6
3 2 1 .5
2 0 6 .8
1 8 7 .6
2 2 3 .2
3 1 4 .2
2 0 8 .1
1 8 2 .8
2 2 4 .1
3 1 2 .3
2 1 1 .8
1 8 3 .1
225. 2
306. 2
213. 5
1 8 2 .9
2 2 2 .1
302 2
2 1 5 .2
1 7 8 .4
155
144
159
109
7
9
3
2
2 1 1 .8
2 1 8 .3
231. 9
236. 6
214. 7
180. 2
209. 5
252. 8
2 1 1 .8
2 1 3 .8
2 2 7 .0
2 2 9 .2
2 1 1 .8
1 8 0 .3
2 0 5 .3
2 4 2 .6
2 1 1 .0
2 1 1 .1
2 2 5 .5
2 2 5 .8
2 0 9 .2
1 7 5 .6
2 0 4 .7
2 3 4 .9
2 1 0 .8
2 1 0 .4
2 2 6 .1
2 2 5 .5
2 0 8 .8
1 7 3 .7
1 9 7 .5
2 2 8 .6
2 1 4 .9
2 0 8 .4
2 2 1 .5
221. 4
1 9 4 .3
1 7 7 .8
1 9 6 .8
2 2 7 .6
2 1 1 .7
2 0 9 .4
2 1 9 .4
233. 0
1 9 8 .8
1 7 4 .5
1 9 3 .9
2 2 8 .0
2 1 3 .9
2 3 7 .6
221. 5
3 1 4 .0
2 4 8 .8
1 9 2 .9
2 0 4 .2
2 3 8 .1
2 1 3 .6
2 1 6 .5
2 2 0 .0
251. 1
2 2 2 .7
1 7 7 .3
1 9 8 .6
233. 5
2 0 6 .9
2 0 7 .1
2 1 3 .8
2 2 5 .2
2 1 3 .5
1 6 7 .6
1 9 3 .8
2 3 8 .8
2 0 3 .3
2 0 2 .5
2 0 9 .2
2 2 0 .4
2 0 3 .5
1 5 9 .8
1 8 8 .5
2 3 1 .8
1 9 8 .2
197. 6
2 1 2 .2
2 1 2 .0
1 8 2 .9
1 5 5 .1
188. 5
2 2 9 .0
196. 5
198. 5
2 1 3 .8
2 1 4 .1
192. 0
155. 8
184. 8
2 1 8 .8
127
120
129
135
0
6
2
9
84 7
1 2 0 .7
2 3 6 .5
2 3 8 .3
325. 2
2 3 4 .6
2 3 2 .3
3 1 2 .4
233. 4
2 3 1 .5
3 0 8 .0
2 2 9 .0
2 2 7 .5
2 9 1 .2
2 3 3 .2
2 2 5 .4
2 7 1 .9
2 3 0 .4
2 3 2 .9
2 8 5 .6
2 3 3 .2
2 3 3 .6
2 9 2 .8
2 2 8 .6
2 2 6 .8
2 9 3 .7
2 2 6 .9
2 3 2 .3
3 0 3 .8
2 2 2 .4
2 3 6 .2
3 0 1 .7
221. 0
2 3 1 .3
2 8 5 .0
222 0
238. 5
3 1 0 .5
138 7
167 0
1 8 5 .4
w
«
0)
0)
133 Ö
86 5
7 See footnote 7, table A-8.
8 See footnote 8, table A-9.
»M oney payment only; additional value of board, room, uniforms, and
tips, not included.
* Revised.
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
T able
A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS
329
A - l l : Total Federal Employment by Branch and Agency Group 1
Execiiti ve
Year and month
All branches
Total
Defense
agencies *
Post Office
D epartm ent8
All other
agencies
Legislative
Judicial
Government
corporations3
Total (including areas outside continental United States)
1939___________________
1943___________________
968, 596
3,183, 235
935,493
3,138, 838
207, 979
2,304, 752
319, 474
364,092
408, 040
469, 994
5,373
6,171
2,260
2,636
25, 470
35,590
1947: July_____________
A u g u st...................
September_______
October. _______
N o v em b er........... .
December_______
2,103, 246
2,067, 228
2, 020,873
2,002, 385
2,006,412
2, 229,164
2, 062, 275
2, 026,071
1, 980, 084
1, 962,042
1,966,339
2,189, 436
936, 533
923, 080
906, 989
901, 197
905, 251
894,855
439, 617
442, 289
425, 449
425, 005
429, 789
667,912
686,125
660, 702
647, 646
635, 840
631, 299
626, 669
7,254
7, 230
7,184
7,118
7, 068
7,046
3,074
3, 404
3,406
3, 430
3, 453
3,450
30, 643
30, 523
30, 199
29, 795
29, 552
29, 232
1948: January_________
February________
March____ ____ _
April____________
M a y ____________
J u n e . . . ___
July--------------------
1,985, 797
1, 992, 216
2, 004, 228
2,020, 715
2, 038, 960
2,053,850
2, 084, 333
1,946, 076
1, 952, 533
1,964, 374
1,980, 998
1, 999, 234
2, 014, 453
2,044, 747
890, 719
895,850
897, 958
903,814
909. 885
916,864
919, 784
432, 920
432, 696
439, 517
449, 260
455, 707
458, 244
471, 255
622,437
623, 987
626, 899
627. 924
633, 642
639, 345
653, 708
7,051
7,125
7,210
7, 184
7,246
7, 308
7,305
3, 461
3, 470
3, 462
3, 461
3,468
3,459
3,477
29,209
29,088
29, 182
29,072
29,012
28, 630
28, 804
Continental United States
1939___________ _____
1943___________________
926,659
2, 913, 534
897,602
2,875, 928
179, 381
2,057,696
318, 802
363, 297
399,419
454, 935
6, 373
6,171
2,180
2,546
21, 504
28,889
1947: July_____________
A u g u st... ______
September_______
October . . . ___
N o v em b er______
December_______
1, 848,469
1,815, 905
1,781, 733
1, 764, 384
1,771,360
2,005, 567
1,815, 222
1, 782, 410
1, 748, 530
1, 731,411
1, 738, 587
1, 973, 066
718, 523
708,681
704, 575
699, 815
706,418
708,099
438,110
440, 773
424, 005
423,473
428, 252
665, 662
658, 589
632. 956
619, 950
608, 123
603, 917
599,305
7, 254
7,230
7,184
7,118
7,068
7,046
3,006
3, 332
3,334
3, 358
3,381
3, 377
22, 987
22, 933
22, 685
22, 497
22,324
22,078
1948: January_________
February________
March___________
April____________
M ay __________
June_____________
July. .......... ...........
1, 763, 300
1, 766, 184
1, 778, 593
1, 791, 763
1, 808, 768
1, 823, 896
1,858, 221
1, 730, 871
1, 733, 698
1, 745, 910
1, 759. 094
1, 776,138
1, 791,494
1,825,587
704, 251
705, 792
708,975
710,991
717, 072
724,683
732, 217
431, 389
431, 214
437, 942
447, 678
454,122
456,633
469, 662
595, 231
596, 692
598, 993
600, 425
604,944
610,178
623, 708
7,051
7,125
7,210
7,184
7,246
7,308
7, 305
3,388
3, 396
3,388
3, 387
3, 394
3, 388
3,406
21,990
21, 965
22, 085
22,098
21, 990
21,706
21, 923
1 Employment represents an average for the year or is as of the first of the
month. Data for the legislative and judicial branches and for all Govern
ment corporations except the Panama R. R. Co. are reported directly to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data for the executive branch and for the Pana
ma R. R. Co. are reported through the Civil Service Commission but differ
from those published by the Civil Service Commission in the following
respects: (1) Exclude seamen and trainees who are hired and paid by private
steamship companies having contracts with the Maritime Commission,
included by Civil Service Commission starting January 1947; (2) exclude
substitute rural mail carriers, included by the Civil Service Commission since
September 1945; (3) include in December the additional postal employment
necessitated by the Christmas season, excluded from published Civil Service
Commission figures starting 1942; (4) include an upward adjustment to Post
Office Department employment prior to December 1943 to convert temporary
substitute employees from a full-time equivalent to a name-count basis,
the latter being the basis on which data for subsequent months have been
reported; (5) the Panama R. R. Co. is shown under Government corpora
tions here, but is included under the executive branch by the Civil Service
Commission; (6) employment published by the Civil Service Commission
as of the last day of the month is presented here as of the first day of the next
month.
Data for Central Intelligence Agency are excluded starting August 1947.
2 From 1939 through June 1943 employment was reported for all areas
monthly and employment within continental United States was secured by
deducting the number of persons outside the continental area, which was
802564— 48-
■8
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
estimated from actual reports as of January 1939 and 1940 and July of 1941,
and 1943. From July 1943, through December 1946, employment within
continental United States was reported monthly and the number of persons
outside the country (estimated from quarterly reports) was added to secure
employment in all areas. Beginning January 1947, employment is reported
monthly both inside and outside continental United States.
3 Data for current months cover the following corporations: Federal Reserve
banks, mixed ownership banks of the Farm Credit Administration, and
the Panama R. R. Co. Data for earlier years include at various times the
following additional corporations: Inland Waterways Corporation, Spruce
Production Corporation, and certain employees of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation and of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency,
Treasury Department. Corporations not included in this column are under
the executive branch.
4 Covers the National Military Establishment, Maritime Commission,
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, The Panama Canal, and
until their abolition or amalgamation with a peacetime agency, the agencies
created specifically to meet war and reconversion emergencies.
5 For ways in which data differ from published figures of the Civil Service
Commission, see footnote 1. Employment figures include fourth-class post
masters in all months. Prior to July 1945, clerks at third-class post offices
were hired on a contract basis and therefore, because of being private em
ployees, are excluded here. They are included beginning July 1945, how
ever, when they were placed on the regular Federal pay roll by congressional
action
MONTHLY LABOR
A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS
330
T able
A-12: Total Federal Pay Rolls by Branch and Agency Group 1
[In thousands]
E xecutive8
Year and month
Legislative
All branches
Total
Defense
agencies 4
Post Office
Department *
Judicial
All other
agencies
Government
corporations *
Total (including areas outside continental United States)
1939___________________
1944»__________________
$1, 757, 292
8, 301, 111
$1, 692, 824
8, 206, 411
$357, 628
6,178, 387
$586,347
864,947
$748,849
1,163, 077
$14, 767
18,127
$6, 691
9, 274
$43,010
67,299
1947: July_______ ______
August _________
September-............October__________
November........ .......
December________
494, 351
464,076
470, 515
481, 401
451, 502
*531, 452
484, 811
454, 723
461,157
471, 938
442,171
*521, 924
213, 772
199, 247
201, 582
203, 892
192, 111
*214,051
96, 591
96,145
96, 485
99, 713
98, 666
143, 537
174, 448
159,331
163, 090
168,333
151,394
*164,336
2,483
2, 421
2, 448
2, 457
2,457
2,461
1,329
1,259
1, 284
1,334
1,192
1,336
5, 728
5,673
5, 626
5,672
5, 682
5,730
1948: January__________
February________
March___________
April____________
M ay_____________
June_______ - -July------ -------------
482, 987
445,150
498, 272
477, 580
474, 725
502,235
505,818
473, 466
435, 894
488, 676
468,100
465, 356
492, 681
496,142
211, 495
191, 372
218, 706
204, 606
205, 912
222, 329
224, 853
100,395
98, 054
102,124
100,894
100. 925
102, 653
103, 605
161, 576
146, 468
167, 846
162, 600
158, 519
167, 699
167, 684
2,451
2,404
2,496
2, 480
2, 469
2, 536
2,600
1, 292
1,195
1,343
1,322
1,207
1,279
1, 301
5, 778
5,657
5, 757
5, 678
5, 673
5,739
5,775
Continental United States
$7, 628, 017
$7, 540,825
$5, 553,166
$862, 271
$1,125,388
$18,127
$8, 878
$60,187
1947: July_____________
August__________
Septem ber______
O ctober_________
November_______
December________
453, 649
423, 545
430, 555
443, 408
414,020
491, 702
444, 743
414, 898
421, 857
434. 545
405, 485
482, 860
180, 976
166, 681
169, 441
173, 717
162, 219
182, 091
96, 260
95, 819
96,138
99, 356
98, 313
143, 057
167, 507
152, 398
156, 278
161, 472
144, 953
157, 712
2,483
2,421
2, 448
2,457
2,457
2,461
1, 293
1, 223
1, 248
1, 297
1,154
1,301
5,130
5, 003
5,002
5,109
4, 924
5, 080
1948: January__________
February________
March. _________
A p r il.......................
M ay...........................
June_______ --- July...... ................ ..
443,175
408, 628
456, 824
439, 652
434. 637
461,406
464, 953
434, 366
399, 975
447, 901
430, 845
426,011
452,529
455,914
179,395
161, 996
185, 284
174. 409
174,209
189,974
192, 514
100, 052
97, 703
101, 765
100, 543
100, 570
102,306
103, 251
154, 919
140, 276
160, 852
155, 893
151,232
160, 249
160,149
2, 451
2,404
2,496
2, 480
2, 469
2, 536
2,600
1,255
1,160
1, 304
1,288
1,174
1,242
1,263
5,103
5, 089
5,123
5,039
4,983
5,099
5,176
1944 *_______ ________-
i Data are from a series revised June 1947 to adjust pay rolls, which from
July 1945 until December 1946 were reported for pay periods ending during the
month, to cover the entire calendar month. Data for the executive branch
and for the Panama R. R. Co. are reported through the Civil Service Com
mission. Data for the legislative and judicial branches and for all Govern
ment corporations except the Panama R. R. Co. are reported directly to
the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data for Central Intelligence Agency are
excluded starting July 1947.
8 From 1939 through M ay 1943, pay rolls were reported for all areas monthly.
Beginning June 1943, some agencies reported pay rolls for all areas and some
reported pay rolls for the continental area only. Pay rolls for areas outside
continental United States from June 1943 through November 1946 (except
for the National Military Establishment for which these data were reported
monthly during most of this period) were secured by multiplying employ
ment in these areas (see footnote 2, table A-1I, for derivation of the employ-
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
ment) by the average pay per person in March 1944, as revealed in a survey
as of that date, adjusted for the salary increases given in July 1945 and July
1946. Beginning December 1946 pay rolls for areas outside the country are
reported monthly by most agencies.
8 See footnote 3, table A -ll.
1 See footnote 4, table A -ll.
» Beginning July 1945, pay is included of clerks at third-class post offices
who previously were hired on a contract basis and therefore were private
employees and of fourth-class postmasters who previously were recompensed
by the retention of a part of the postal receipts. Both these groups were
placed on a regular salary basis in July 1945 by congressional action.
• Data are shown for 1944, instead of 1943 as in the other Federal tables,
because pay rolls for employment in areas outside continental United States
are not available prior to June 1943.
‘Revised.
A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
T able A -1 3 :
331
Total Government Employment and Pay Rolls in Washington,
Agency Group 1
D . C ., b y
Branch and
Federal
Year and month
District of
Total
Columbia
government Government
Executive
Total
All agencies
Defense
agencies3
Post Office
Depart
ment 3
Legislative
All other
agencies
Judicial
E m ploym en t4
1939____________________________
1943____________________________
143, 548
300,914
13,978
15, 875
129, 570
285, 040
123,773
278,363
18,761
144,319
5,099
8,273
99, 913
125, 771
5,373
6,171
424
506
1947: July__ ____ _______________
August_______________ ____
September_______ ____ _____
October. __________________
November_________________
December______________ . . .
231,112
223, 728
221, 862
221, 236
221, 481
224,375
18, 454
17,807
18, 074
18,303
18, 381
18, 418
212, 658
205, 921
203, 788
202, 933
203.100
205,957
204,831
198, 099
196, 033
195,239
195, 448
198,331
67, 968
65, 062
64, 651
64, 505
64, 548
64, 715
7,093
7,342
7,120
7,284
7, 281
10,156
129,770
125, 695
124, 262
123, 450
123, 619
123, 460
7,254
7, 230
7,184
7,118
7, 068
7,046
673
592
571
576
584
580
1948: January___________________
February__________________
March_____________________
April______________________
M a y ______________________
June______________________
July_______________________
221, 799
224, 541
226, 249
227, 627
228, 842
229,312
233,110
18, 448
18,625
18, 668
18, 628
18, 669
18, 634
19, 090
203,351
205,916
207, 581
208, 999
210,173
210,678
214,020
195, 714
198, 201
199, 743
201, 227
202,350
202, 782
206,116
65, 065
65, 543
66, 050
66, 635
67,212
67, 592
69,056
7, 258
7, 235
7, 412
7,396
7, 380
7,387
7,499
123, 391
125, 423
126, 322
127,196
127, 758
127, 803
129, 561
7, 051
7,125
7,210
7,184
7, 246
7,308
7,305
586
590
587
588
588
588
599
Pay rolls (in thousands)
1939____ ______ ___________ ____ _
1943____________________________
$305, 741
737, 792
$25, 226
32, 884
$280, 515
704,908
$264, 541
685, 510
$37, 825
352, 008
$12, 524
20, 070
$214,192
313, 432
$14, 765
17, 785
$1, 209
1,613
1947: July_______________________
August____________________
September_________________
October___________ ________
November_________________
December_________ ________
64, 577
58, 624
59, 911
64, 467
59, 400
64, 111
3, 381
3,187
4,382
4,496
4,223
4,570
61,196
55, 437
55,529
59,971
55,177
59,541
58, 503
52,817
52, 876
57,298
52, 525
56, 861
18, 536
15, 705
16, 651
16, 806
16,110
17,235
2, 297
2, 283
2, 239
2, 744
2, 606
3,135
37, 670
34,829
33,986
37, 748
33, 809
36,491
2,483
2, 421
2,448
2, 457
2, 457
2,462
210
199
205
216
195
218
1948: January.......... ...........................
February__________________
M arch____________________
April______________________
M a y ______________________
June______________________
Ju ly____ _______ ___________
63, 304
57,981
65, 333
62,985
63,492
66, 658
65, 748
4,499
4,281
4,518
4, 495
4,422
4, 561
3,477
58, 805
53, 700
60, 815
58, 490
59.070
62,097
62, 271
56,141
51, 099
58,104
55, 799
56,400
59, 350
59,455
16, 656
15,910
17,900
16, 324
18,045
19, 250
19,548
2, 776
2,165
2,340
2, 277
2.234
2, 300
2,298
36,709
33, 024
37,864
37,198
36,121
37,800
37,609
2,451
2, 404
2, 496
2, 480
2,469
2, 536
2,600
213
197
215
211
201
211
216
1 Data for the legislative and judicial branches and District of Columbia
Government are reported to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data for the
executive branch are reported through the Civil Service Commission but
differ from those published by the Civil Service Commission in the following
respects: (1) Include in December the temporary additional postal employ
ment necessitated by the Christmas season, excluded from published Civil
Service Commission figures starting 1942; (2) include an upward adjustment
to Post Office Department employment prior to December 1943 to convert
temporary substitute employees from a full-time equivalent to a namocount basis, the latter being the basis on which data for subsequent months
have been reported; (3) exclude persons working without compensation or
for $1 a year or month, included by the Civil Service Commission from
June through November 1943; (4) employment published by the Civil
Service Commission as of the last day of the month is presented here as of
the first day of the next month.
Beginning January 1942, data for the executive branch cover, in addition to
the area Inside the District of Columbia, the adjacent sections of Maryland
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
and Virginia which are defined by the Bureau of the Census as in the metro
politan area. Data for Central Intelligence Agency are excluded starting
August 1947 for employment and July 1947 for pay rolls.
3 Covers the National Military Establishment, Maritime Commission,
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, The Panama Canal, and
until their abolition or amalgamation with a peacetime agency, the agencies
created specifically to meet war and reconversion emergencies.
* For ways in which data differ from published figures of the Civil Service
Commission, see footnote 1.
♦Yearly figures represent averages. M onthly figures represent (1) the
number of regular employees in pay status on the first day of th° month plus
the number of intermittent employees who were paid during the preceding
month for the executive branch, (2) the number of employees on the pay roll
with pay during the pay period ending just before the first of the month
for the legislative and judicial branches, and (3) the number of employees on
the pay roll with pay during the pay period ending on or just before the last
of the month for the District of Columbia Government.
332
B: LABOR TURN-OVER
T a ble A -1 4 :
MONTHLY LABOR
Personnel and Pay in Military Branch of Federal Government1
[In thousands]
Personnel (average for year or as of first of month) 3
Type of pay
Year and month
Total
Army and
Air Forces *
Marine
Corps
N avy
Coast
Guard
Total
Fam ily al Leave pay
Pay rolls 4 Musteringout pay s lowances *
ments 7
1939_________________________
1943__________________ ______
345
8,944
192
6,733
124
1,744
19
311
10
156
$331, 523
11,173| 186
$331, 523
10,140,852
1947: July___________________
August_________________
September_____________
October________________
November______________
December______________
1,592
1,575
1, 557
1,543
1,490
1,463
990
972
955
941
920
911
490
492
491
491
459
*445
93
92
92
92
92
87
19
19
19
19
19
20
339,128
334,129
332, 804
355, 961
309, 705
300,257
259,172
248,670
248, 928
271,040
252,112
246, 532
$12, 670
10, 498
9, 632
9, 954
9, 117
13, 293
25, 036
24, 502
24. 210
25,145
23,127
23, 827
$42,250
50, 459
50, 034
49, 822
25, 349
16,605
1948: January___________ ____
February ________ _____
March......... .........................
April__________________
M ay----------------------------June___ _______________
July----------------- ------ -----
1,422
1,419
1,422
1,417
1,419
1,439
1,463
898
905
909
906
916
930
940
*421
*414
*413
*412
*403
407
420
83
80
80
79
80
82
83
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
300, 241
281, 423
285.011
285, 210
278.995
277, 368
277,084
250,953
240, 493
242,969
247, 452
242, 292
243, 239
246, 422
13, 465
11, 838
13, 050
9,751
9.085
5, 756
2,581
23, 454
23. 566
24,997
25.414
25, 736
26, 476
26,343
12,369
5, 526
3,995
2,593
1,882
1,898
1,738
1 Except for Army personnel for 1939 which is from the Annual Report of
the Secretary of War, all data are from reports submitted to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics by the various military branches.
2 Includes personnel on active duty, the missing, those in the hands of the
enemy, and those on terminal leave through October 1, 1947, when lump-sum
terminal-leave payments at time of discharge were started.
* Prior to March 1944, data include persons on induction furlough. Prior
to June 1942 and after April 1945, Philippine Scouts are included.
4 Pay rolls are for personnel on active duty; they include payment of per
sonnel while on terminal leave through September 1947. For officers this
applies to all prior periods and for enlisted personnel back to October 1, 1946,
only. Beginning October 1, 1947, they include lump-sum terminal-leave
payments made at time of discharge. Coast Guard pay rolls for all periods
and Army pay rolls through April 1947 represent actual expenditures. Other
data represent estimated obligations based on an average monthly personnel
$1,032,334
count. Pay rolls for the N avy and Coast Guard include cash payments for
clothing-allowance balances in January, April, July, and October.
s Represents actual expenditures.
eRepresents Government’s contribution. The men’s share is included In
the pay rolls.
7 Leave payments were authorized by Public Law 704 of the 79th Congress
and were continued by Public Law 254 of the 80th Congress to enlisted per
sonnel discharged prior to September 1, 1946, for accrued and unused leave,
and to officers and enlisted personnel then on active duty for leave accrued
in excess of 60 days. Value of bonds (representing face value, to which in
terest is added when bonds are cashed) and cash payments are included.
Lump-sum payments for terminal leave, which were authorized by Public
Law 350 of the 80th Congress, and which were started in October 1947, are
excluded here and included under pay rolls.
B : Labor Turn-Over
T able
B -l: Monthly Labor Turn-Over Rates (Per 100 Employees) in Manufacturing Industries,
by Class of Turn-Over 1
Class of turn-over and year
Total accession:
1948_________________________
1947_________________________
1946____________________
1943___________________
1939 3.......................................
Total separation:
1948_________ _____ ________ ____
1947_______ ____ ________
1946___________________
1943________________________
1939 3__________________
Quit: 4
1948___________________
1947___________ ___________
1946 ________________
1943_______________ ____
1939 *.............................
Discharge:
1948____________________
1947_____________________________
1946_________________________
1943_______________________
1939 s___________________
Lay-off: *
1948__________________________
1947________________________
1 9 46.____________________ _______
1943-__________________ _______
1939 3________________________
Miscellaneous, including m ilitary:4
1948_________________________
1947________________________________
1946______________________ _____
1943______________________
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
M ay
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
4.9
7.4
7.8
4.2
5.3
7.0
7.6
5.1
5.9
7.1
7.7
6.2
5.5
6.8
7.2
5.9
4.8
5.7
6.6
4.1
8.6
4.3
5.2
2.8
4.6
5.8
7.6
3.3
5.3
6.6
8.3
3.0
5.9
6.9
8.1
2.8
5. Ö
6.3
7.0
2.9
4.0
4.9
6.4
3.0
3.7
4.5
6.6
3.5
Oct.
N ov.
Dee.
4.6
6.0
8.5
8.3
4.1
3.9
5.0
6.8
7.9
3.1
4.0
5.1
7.1
8.3
3.3
4 0
5.1
6.7
7.4
2.9
4.1
4.8
6.1
7.2
3.3
s 5. 5
5.5
6.7
8.4
3.9
4.3
4.9
6.8
7.1
3.2
4.2
4.5
6.3
7.1
2.6
4.5
4.9
6.6
7.7
3.1
4.7
5.2
6.3
7.5
3.5
4.3
5.4
6.3
6.7
3.5
34 2
2.6
3.5
4.3
4.5
.9
2.5
3.2
3.9
4.7
.6
2.8
3.5
4.2
5.4
.8
3.0
3.7
4.3
5.4
.8
2.8
3.5
4.2
4.8
.7
3 2.8
3.1
4.0
5.2
.7
3.1
4.6
5.6
.7
4.0
5.3
6.3
.8
4.5
5.3
6.3
1.1
3.6
4.7
5.2
.9
2.7
3.7
4.5
.8
2.3
3.0
4.4
.7
.4
.4
.5
.5
.1
.4
.4
.5
.5
.1
.4
.4
.4
.6
.1
.4
.4
.4
.5
.1
.3
.4
.4
.6
.1
2 .4
.4
.3
.6
.1
.4
.4
.7
.1
.4
.4
.7
.1
.4
.4
.6
.1
.4
.4
.6
.2
.4
.4
.6
.2
.4
.4
.6
.1
1.2
.9
1.8
.7
2.2
1.2
.8
1.7
.5
1.9
1.2
.9
1.8
.5
2.2
1.2
1.0
1.4
.6
2.6
1.1
1.4
1.5
.5
2.7
2 .9
1.0
.6
.5
2.5
.8
.7
.5
2.1
.9
1.0
.5
1.6
.9
1.0
.5
1.8
.8
.7
.7
2. 0
.9
1.0
1.0
2.7
.1
.1
.2
1.4
.1
.1
.2
1.4
.1
.1
.2
1.2
.1
.1
.2
1.0
.1
.1
.2
.8
21
.1
.2
.1
.2
.8
.i
.1
.2
.7
.1
.2
.7
.i
.2
.8
.6
.1
.1
.6
1 Month-to-month changes in total employment in manufacturing indus
tries as indicated by labor turn-over rates are not precisely comparable to
those shown by the Bureau’s employment and pay-roll reports, as the former
are based on data for the entire month, while the latter, for the most part,
refer to a 1-week period ending nearest the 15th of the month. The
turnover sample is not so extensive as that of the employment and pay-roll
survey—proportionately fewer small plants are included; printing and pub
lishing, and certain seasonal industries, such as canning and preserving, are
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Apr.
4.7
5.7
7.1
3.3
l.i
1.2
.5
2.5
.8
a
not covered. Plants on strike are also excluded. For coverage, see table B-2.
3 Preliminary figures.
3 Prior to 1943, rates relate to wage earners only.
4 Prior to September 1940, miscellaneous separations were included with
quits.
5 Including temporary, indeterminate (of more than 7 days’ duration),
and permanent lay-oils.
333
B: LABOR TURN-OVER
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
T able B-2: Monthly Labor Turn-Over Rates (Per 100 Employees) in Selected Industries 1
Separation
Total accession
Total
Industry
Discharge
Quit
June 2
1948
Miscellaneous,
including
military
Lay-off
M ay
1948
June 2
1948
M ay
1948
June 2
1948
M ay
1948
June 2
1948
May
1948
J u n e2
1948
M ay
1948
June 2
1948
M ay
1948
5.6
5.4
4.2
4.1
4.4
4.0
4.5
4.1
3.0
2.6
2.8
2.8
0.4
.4
0.4
.3
0.9
.9
1.2
.9
0.1
.1
f t -1
Iron and steel and their products........................... ...........
Blast furnaces, steel works, and rolling mills ____
Gray-iron castings____ ______ ______ ___________
Malleable-iron castings___________________ _____
Steel castings_________________________________
Cast-iron pipe and fittings______________ _______
Tin cans and other tinware____________________
Wire products___________ _____________________
Cutlery and edge tools........................... .....................
Tools (except edge tools, machine tools, files, and
saws)............ .................................................................
Hardware_______________________ ____________
Stoves, oil burners, and heating e q u ip m e n t_____
Steam and hot-water heating apparatus and
steam fittings_______________________________
Stamped and enameled ware and galvanizing........
Fabricated structural-metal products_____ _____ _
Bolts, nuts, washers, and riv ets.._______________
Forgings, iron and steel......... .................................... .
5.3
5.2
6.3
7.1
6.3
(3)
8.1
3. 7
2.1
3.8
3.3
4.5
5.3
4.6
4.9
7.2
2.6
2.2
3.9
3.1
5.2
5.5
4.3
(3)
5.3
3.0
3.8
3.7
2.7
5.5
5.2
4.2
4.3
4.5
3.6
5.1
2.8
2.5
3.9
4.5
3.5
(3)
3.1
1.6
1.3
2.7
2.2
3.8
4.5
3.3
3.7
3.0
1.9
2.0
.4
.3
.6
.4
.6
(3)
.7
.2
.4
.3
.2
.5
.5
.6
.3
.6
.3
.3
.5
.1
.6
.4
.1
(3)
1.3
1.0
2.0
.6
.1
1.1
.1
.2
.2
.8
1. 2
2.7
.2
.2
.1
.2
.1
(3)
.2
.2
.1
.1
.2
.1
.1
.1
.1
.1
.2
.1
3.7
4.4
7.0
2.5
2.8
6.0
3.4
4.2
6.1
3.3
4.9
5.1
2.6
2.6
3.4
2.3
3.0
3.4
.4
.4
.5
.4
.5
.4
.3
1.0
2.1
.5
1.3
1.2
.1
.2
.1
.1
.1
.1
5.6
7.6
5.4
2.4
3.8
6.2
5.6
3.5
2.6
2.8
5.9
5.3
3.6
3.0
3.5
5.8
6.1
5.0
3.0
4.4
3.9
3.8
2.2
2.0
1.6
3.3
3.9
2.3
2.0
1.9
.8
.4
.4
.4
.4
.5
.6
.3
.4
.5
1.0
1.0
.8
.4
1.4
2.0
1. 5
2.3
.4
1.9
.2
.1
.2
.2
.1
Electrical machinery__________ _______ _____________
Electrical equipment for industrial use__________
Radios, radio equipment, and phonographs...........
Communication equipment, except r a d io s ............
3.4
2.5
5.8
1.8
2.5
1.6
4.1
1.1
3.7
2.3
4.9
4.0
4.0
2.6
6.2
3.6
2.1
1.5
2.9
2.0
2.1
1.5
2.9
1.8
.2
.1
.4
.1
.2
.1
.4
.2
1.3
.5
1.4
1.8
1.6
.9
2.8
1.6
.1
.2
.2
.1
.1
.1
.1
.1
Machinery, except electrical___ ________ ____ _______
Enaines and turbines__________________________
Agricultural machinery and tractors........ ..........
Machine tools.. _________ ____________ ____ _
Machine-tool accessories_____ _____ ____________
Metalworking machinery and equipment, not
elsewhere classified_____________________ ____ _
General industrial machinery, except pumps_____
Pumps and pumping equipment________________
4.4
5.0
5.7
2.5
3.1
3.3
3.3
4.1
2.2
3.8
3.6
5.8
4.6
2.9
2.9
3.6
4.9
4.9
2.2
3.2
2.3
2.0
3.7
1.3
1.5
2.4
2.1
3.8
1.3
1.6
.4
.5
.4
.2
.3
.3
.3
.4
.2
.4
.7
2.4
.3
1.2
1.0
.8
2.1
.5
.6
1.1
.2
.9
.2
.2
.1
.1
.4
.2
.1
.1
3.6
5.0
2.6
2.8
3.2
2.5
2.6
3.4
4.9
2.5
3.6
3.7
2.1
2.3
1.4
2.0
2.3
1.8
.3
.4
.4
.3
.3
.5
.1
.6
2.9
.1
.9
1.2
.1
.1
.2
.1
.1
.2
Transportation equipment, except automobiles______
Aircraft_______________________________ _____ _
Aircraft parts, including engines________________
Shipbuilding and repairs.. ____________ _____ _
6.2
5.7
3.7
(3)
6.2
4.8
3.6
9.9
6.3
4.0
2.8
(3)
7.1
3.8
2.4
13.8
2.6
2.8
1.5
(3)
2.8
2.6
1.7
3.7
.3
.2
.3
(3)
.5
.3
.3
.9
3.3
.9
1.0
(3)
3.7
.9
.3
9.1
.1
.1
(<)
(3)
Automobiles________________________________ ____ _
Motor vehicles, bodies, and tr a ile r s...__________
Motor-vehicle parts and accessories_____________
8.1
7.9
8.5
4.4
4.3
4.4
5.2
5.6
4.4
4.5
3.6
6.0
3.9
4.4
2.8
2.4
2.3
2.4
.5
.4
.6
.4
.3
.5
.6
.6
.8
1.6
.9
2.9
.2
.2
.2
.1
.1
.2
Nonferrous metals and their products_______________
Primary smelting and refining, except aluminum
and m agnesium _________ __________________
Rolling and drawing of copper and copper alloys..
Lighting equipment__________________ ____ ____
Nonferrous-metal foundries, except aluminum
and magnesium---------------------------------------------
4.8
3.5
3.7
4.0
2.5
2.4
.4
.4
.7
1.1
.1
.1
3.9
2.5
9.6
2.9
1.4
5.7
2.7
1.6
3.7
2.6
2.1
5.1
1.9
1.2
2.3
1.6
1.4
3.0
.4
.1
.5
.5
.2
.2
.2
.2
.8
.3
.4
1.9
.2
.1
.1
.2
.1
5.1
4.7
4.7
5.4
3.0
3.2
.5
.5
1.1
1.5
.1
Lumber and timber basic products_________________
Sawmills______________________________ _______
Planing and plywood mills______ _______ _______
7.5
6.3
5.1
6.7
6.8
3.8
5.5
4.2
4.7
5.2
5.2
3.5
4.4
3.6
3.1
4.3
4.4
2.8
.3
.2
.4
.3
.3
.3
.7
.4
1.1
.6
.4
.3
.1
Furniture and finished lumber products ___________
Furniture, including mattresses and bedsprings...
6.4
6.2
5.2
5.0
5.7
5.8
7.2
7.4
4.0
4.0
4.4
4.4
.5
.6
.6
.7
1.1
1.1
2.1
2.2
.1
.1
.1
.1
Stone, clay, and glass produ cts.................................. .
Glass and glass products_______________________
Cement______________________________________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta_____________________
Pottery and related products______ ____ ________
4.7
3.8
5.5
6.5
4.4
4.1
3.9
4.4
5.4
4.0
3.9
4.3
3.7
4.4
4.2
4.0
5.3
3.2
4.3
3.5
2.6
2.0
3.0
3.5
3.2
2.6
2.1
2.6
3.7
2.7
.4
.3
.4
.6
.4
.3
.3
.4
.5
.4
.8
1.8
.2
.3
.6
1.0
2.8
.1
.1
.3
.1
.2
.1
,i
.i
,i
M A N U F A C T U R IN G
Durable goods-- _________ ____ _______ __________Noudurable goods, ..............................................................
0.1
Durable goods
S ee fo o tn o te s a t e n d o f ta b le .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
«
0)
w
«
.1
.1
.2
.1
.1
(<)
.1
.1
(*)
.2
(*)
.1
«
.1
.1
334
B: LABOR TURN-OVER
T able
MONTHLY LABOR
B-2: Monthly Labor Turn-Over Rates (Per 100 Employees) in Selected Industries 1—Continued
Separation
Total accession
Total
Industry
Quit
Discharge
Miscellaneous,
including
military
Lay-off
June 2
1948
M ay
1948
Ju n e2
1948
Textile-mill products._____ __________ ____ ________
Cotton.................... ................................. .........................
Silk and rayon goods.....................................................
Woolen and worsted, except dyeing and finishing..
Hosiery, full-fashioned..................................................
Hosiery, seamless........................ ................. ................
Knitted underwear_____________ ______________
Dyeing and finishing textiles, including woolen
and worsted________________ ________________
4.2
4.6
4.3
4.0
4.1
4.4
4.0
4.1
4.9
4.4
3.0
2.8
3.6
3.4
3.8
4.4
3.6
3.0
2.8
6.5
4.2
4.2
5.1
3.7
3.1
3.0
6.1
4.3
2.8
3.4
2.7
1.6
2.1
3.6
3.0
3.1
4.0
2.5
1.6
2.1
3.5
3.4
.3
.4
.3
.4
.1
.2
.4
.3
.4
.3
.3
.2
.1
.3
.6
.5
.5
.9
.5
2.5
.8
1.1
.6
2.4
.6
2.0
2.6
2.3
2.9
1.4
1.5
.3
.5
.4
.8
Apparel and other finished textile products. _______
M en’s and boys’ suits, coats, and overcoats______
M en’s and boys’ furnishings, work clothing, and
allied garments______ _______ ________________
4.2
2.8
4.4
3.4
4.5
2.4
4.4
3.4
3.0
1.9
3.3
2.3
.3
.2
.2
.2
1.2
.3
.9
.9
0
0
4.3
5.0
5.6
4.4
3.7
3.6
.2
.2
1.7
.6
0
Leather and leather products. ___________________
Leather._________ ____ _____ __________________
Boots and shoes________ _____ _________________
5.0
3.6
5.3
3.4
2.6
3.6
3.7
2.5
3.9
4.8
3.0
5.0
3.1
1.6
3.4
3.1
1.5
3.3
.2
.2
.2
.2
.2
.2
.3
.6
.2
1.4
1.2
1.4
Food and kindred products________________________
Meat products________________________________
Grain-mill products__________________________
9.8
12.4
7.1
6.3
6.0
4.5
6.2
7.8
3.8
5.5
5.2
4.0
3.6
3.8
2.9
3.6
3.4
2.9
.7
1.0
.4
.4
.6
.3
1.8
2.8
.5
1.4
1.0
M ay
1948
June 2
1948
M ay
1948
June 2
1948
M ay
1948
June 2
1948
M ay
1948
Ju n e2
1948
.7
.1
.1
.1
.1
.1
.2
M ay
1948
M A N U F A C T U R IN G —Continued
Nondurable goods
.6
.7
.7
0
.1
.1
.2
.1
.1
.1
0
.2
,i
0
0
0
.1
.1
.1
.1
.1
,i
.1
.1
.2
.2
.1
0
Tobacco manufactures.............................................. ...........
4.0
3.3
4.0
4.6
2.7
3.1
.2
.3
1.0
1.1
.1
,i
Paper and allied products_______ __________________
Paper and pulp___________ ___________________
Paper boxes_____ _____ ______ ______________ _
4.8
4.6
5.1
3.5
3.5
3.4
3.0
2.8
4.0
3.4
2.9
4.2
2.0
1.7
3.0
2.3
2.0
2.8
.4
.4
.4
.4
.3
.4
.5
.6
.5
.6
.5
.1
.1
.9
.1
1
,i
.i
Chemicals and allied products__ ___________________
Paints, varnishes, and colors___________________
Rayon and allied products...... ....................................
Industrial chemicals, except explosives__________
3.1
3.8
2.5
3.3
2.2
2.2
1.7
2.4
2.1
2.3
1.3
2.5
2.0
2.0
1.2
2.2
1.3
1.5
1.2
1.3
.2
.2
.2
.4
.5
.5
.9
.9
1.4
.1
.1
1.3
.1
.3
.3
.7
.4
.2
.1
.5
.1
.1
.2
.1
.1
,i
.1
Products of petroleum and coal_____________________
Petroleum refining____________________________
2.6
2.1
2.0
1.2
1.0
.9
.8
.7
.6
.6
.5
.1
.1
.1
.1
.1
.9
.1
.1
.1
.1
.1
.1
.1
Rubber products. ..............‘. ............................... ..............
Rubber tires and inner tubes _________________
Rubber footwear and related products__________
Miscellaneous rubber industries________________
3.8
3.2
5.5
4.3
3.1
2.9
4.6
2.7
3.0
1.8
6.1
4.1
3.2
2.1
4.8
4.3
2.2
1.5
4.2
2.8
2.1
1.4
3.7
2.7
.2
.1
.2
.4
.2
.1
.2
.3
.4
.1
1.0
.8
.7
.5
.3
1.2
.2
.1
.7
.1
.6
.1
Miscellaneous industries____________ _______ _______
3.9
2.5
2.3
3.0
1.6
1.6
.3
.2
.3
1.1
.1
.1
M etal mining_______________________________ ____ _
Iron-ore____________________ _________________
Copper-ore____________________________________
Lead- and zinc-ore_____________________________
5.9
4.4
7.5
6.7
5.3
3.4
6.4
5.9
4.6
2.3
6.4
6.0
5.0
2.7
5.9
6.3
4.0
1.8
6.0
5.1
4.4
2.1
5.3
5.6
.3
.1
.2
.7
.3
.1
.2
.5
.1
(4)
.1
.1
.1
.1
.2
.1
.2
.4
.1
.1
.1
Coal mining
Anthracite................. ................................. ......................
Bituminous-coal____ __________________________
1.3
2.8
1.4
3.4
1.4
3.0
2.0
3.3
1.1
2.5
1.3
2.8
.1
.1
.2
.2
.3
.5
.2
.1
.1
.1
.1
Public utilities:
Telephone___________________ ________________
Telegraph. ________ _______ __________________
4.0
2.2
2.0
1.5
2.0
2.2
2.0
2.5
1.7
1.2
1.7
1.2
.1
.1
.1
.1
.1
.8
.1
1.1
.1
.1
.1
N O N M A N U F A C T U R IN G
1 S i n c e J a n u a r y 1943 m a n u f a c t u r i n g f ir m s r e p o r t i n g l a b o r t u r n - o v e r in fo r
m a t i o n h a v e b e e n a s s ig n e d i n d u s t r y c o d e s o n t h e b a s is o f c u r r e n t p r o d u c t s .
M o s t p l a n t s i n t h e e m p l o y m e n t a n d p a y - r o ll s a m p le , c o m p r i s in g t h o s e w h ic h
w e r e i n o p e r a t i o n i n 1939, a r e c la s s i f i e d a c c o r d in g t o t h e ir m a jo r a c t i v i t y a t
t h a t t i m e , r e g a r d le s s o f a n y s u b s e q u e n t c h a n g e in m a jo r p r o d u c t s . L a b o r
t u r n - o v e r d a t a , b e g i n n i n g i n J a n u a r y 1943, r e fe r t o w a g e a n d s a la r y w o r k e r s .
E m p l o y m e n t i n f o r m a t i o n fo r w a g e a n d s a la r y w o r k e r s i s a v a i la b l e fo r m a jo r
m a n u f a c t u r i n g i n d u s t r y g r o u p s ( t a b l e A -3 ); fo r i n d i v i d u a l i n d u s t r i e s t h e s e
d a t a r e fe r t o p r o d u c t i o n w o r k e r s o n l y ( t a b l e A - S ) .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
0
2 P r e l i m i n a r y f ig u r e s .
3 N o t a v a i la b l e .
4 L e s s t h a n 0 .0 5 .
Coverage
R a t e s fo r t h e m o n t h o f M a y a r e b a s e d o n 6 ,8 0 0 m a n u f a c t u r i n g e s t a b l i s h
m e n t s w i t h 4 ,4 0 0 ,0 0 0 e m p l o y e e s ; a n d 490 m i n i n g e s t a b l i s h m e n t s w i t h 25 0 ,0 0 0
e m p lo y e e s .
335
C: EARNINGS AND HOURS
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
C: Earnings and Hours
T able C—1: Hours and Gross Earnings in Manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing Industries1
M A N U F A C T U R IN G
Iron and steel and their products
All manufacturing
Durable goods
Nondurable goods
Total: Iron and steel
and their products
Blast furnaces, steel
works, and rolling
mills
Gray-iron and semi
steel castings
Year and month
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn hours
ings
1939: Average_____ $23. 86
1941: January......... - 26.64
37.7
39.0
49. 33
48. 98
49.17
50.47
51.05
51.29
52. 69
40.2
39.8
39.8
40.4
40.6
40.4
41.2
52.07
1948: January____
February____ 51.75
M arch.. ____ 52.07
April________ 51.79
M a y ___ ____ 51.86
J u n e .............. 52.95
40.5
40.2
40.4
40.1
39.9
40.2
1947: June_______
July_________
A ugust______
September___
O ctober_____
November___
December.......
Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. wkly.
earn earn hours
ings
ings
Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. wkly.
earn earn hours
ings
ings
Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. wkly.
earn earn hours
ings
ings
Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. wkly.
earn earn h o u r s
ings
ings
Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. wkly.
earn earn h o u r s
ings
ings
Avg.
hrly.
earn
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
69.8 $21. 78
74.9 22. 75
37.4
37.3
63.3 $26.50
68.3 30.48
38.0
40.7
122.6
123.0
123.6
124.9
125.8
126.8
127.8
52.99
52.19
52. 46
54.06
54. 69
54. 86
56.48
40.7
40.0
40.0
40.6
40.9
40.7
41.7
130.3
130.5
131.2
133.1
133.7
134.6
135.4
45. 31
45. 61
45.78
46.80
47. 29
47. 56
48. 72
39.8
39.7
39.5
40.2
40.2
40.1
40.8
128.5
128. 7
128.9
129.2
130.2
131.7
55. 46
54. 77
55. 25
54. 96
54. 80
56.32
40.9
40.5
40.9
40.5
40.1
40.7
135.5
135.2
135. 2
135. 7
136.6
138.5
48. 45
48. 56
48. 66
48. 33
48.66
49.39
40.0
39.9
39.9
39.6
39.5
39.8
84.5 $25.93
86.9 30.45
37.1
41.2
69.9
73.9
147.2
147.8
148.8
151.3
150.2
151.0
151.9
56.79
55.64
53. 77
56. 86
56.66
55. 51
58.16
42.3
41.6
40.3
41.7
41.9
40.9
42.5
134.5
134.1
133.5
137.1
136.5
135.9
136.8
153.3
151.3
151.0
151.3
151. 5
151.5
57.31
57.24
58.47
56.39
55.15
57.85
41.6
41.2
41.8
40.2
39.3
40.7
137.9
139.0
140.1
140.4
140.3
142.2
35.3
38.7
73.9 $29. 88
76.9 33.60
58.2 $27. 52
61.0 31.07
37.2
40.4
114.0
115.0
115.8
116. 5
117.5
118.5
119.6
55.18
53.67
54. 53
56. 21
56. 61
56. 93
58.13
40.5
39.3
39.6
40.3
40.5
40.5
41.2
136.3
136.5
137.6
139.6
139.7
140.4
141.2
58.12
55. 23
58. 25
58.96
58. 56
59. 52
60. 01
39.5
37.4
39.2
39.0
39.0
39.4
39.5
121.0
121.7
122.0
122.0
123.1
124.2
57. 43
56.99
57. 28
56.49
57.40
57. 70
40.6
40.4
40.6
39.9
40.3
40.3
141.4
140.9
141.2
141.6
142.3
143.1
60. 58
59. 74
59. 26
58. 37
60.54
59.54
39.5
39.5
39.4
38.6
39.9
39.3
in g s
Iron and steel and their products—Continued
Malleable-iron
castings
Steel castings
Cast-iron pipe and
fittings
75.9 $21.33
78.0 25.42
36.4
40.5
52. 27
49.65
46. 79
48. 34
49.60
48. 93
50.98
43.0
41.4
39.9
40.5
41.4
40.7
42.2
67.1 $27.97
70.7 32.27
36.9
41.4
40. 3
41. 2
41 2
41.8
136.5
136. 4
137.2
139.0
141. 1
141. 7
141.4
56.18
56. 25
54. 71
56.50
58.15
58. 73
60.05
40.5
40.3
39.1
39.9
40.7
41.0
41.6
138.7
139.5
139.9
141.5
142.9
143.4
144.3
41. 5
40.8
40 8
39.8
40. 5
40.1
142.0
140. 5
141.4
142.4
142.0
143.6
59. 48
58. 52
59. 88
60.13
60.49
61.60
41.1
40.5
41.3
41.2
41.3
41.7
144.6 49. 67
144.5 *50. 42
145.0 *50. 21
145.8 48. 52
146.3 51.07
147.9 52.74
$24.16
28.42
36.0
40.2
1947: June--------July______
August____
39.8
40 4
S e p t e m b e r ..
O c t o b e r ____
N o v e m b e r ..
D e c e m b e r ..
54 36
55 08
51 68
55 66
57 73
58 06
59! 18
1948: January__
February..
March____
April...........
M a y ............
June............
50 03
57 44
57 70
56 77
57 91
57.46
37.7
58.1 $23.61
62.6 25. 31
38.8
39.8
Cutlery and edge
tools
Wirework
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
1939: Average___
1941: January___
T in cans and other
tinware
61.1 $25.96
63.9 28. 27
38.1
39. 7
68.3 $23.11
71. 2 25.90
39.1
40.5
60.1
65.2
121.5
119.6
118.4
118. 4
119.8
120.1
120.6
47. 61
51.34
53. 57
55.28
53. 74
52.16
53.92
40.3
41.5
42. 5
43.4
42.5
41.1
42.5
118.1
124.1
125.9
127.5
127.0
126.8
126.5
52.19
51. 85
51. 45
53. 70
54. 36
56. 10
57.83
40.1
39. 7
39. 6
40. 3
41. 0
42.0
42.6
130.0
131.1
130.0
132. 3
132. 6
133. 5
135. 6
48.85
47. 45
46. 56
49.20
49. 57
50.48
50.26
41.9
41.2
40.2
42.2
42.1
42.3
42.0
116.4
115.1
115.8
117.1
117.5
119.2
119.7
40.4 122.5
*40.3 *125.0
40.1 *124.8
38.5 125.8
40.2 127.1
41.0 129.1
51.45
50.44
49. 76
49.65
50. 98
53.04
40.7
40.1
39.8
39.8
40.2
41.0
126.3
126.3
125.1
125.0
127.3
129.5
56. 36
55. 47
55. 70
54. 96
55.11
55. 82
41.8
41.1
41.0
40. 4
40. 5
40. 5
134.7
134. 9
135. 5
136.0
136. 7
138. 2
49. 91
60.09
50. 20
49.90
50.22
50.36
41.8
41.6
41.5
41.4
41.2
41.4
119.2
119.3
120.7
120.5
121.7
121.6
Iron and steel and their products—Continued
Tools (except edge
tools,
machine
tools, files, and
saws)
$24. 49
29.49
39.7
44.7
1947: June.........
July______
August........
September-.
October___
November..
December..
51. 22
49. 40
50 10
52. 39
52. 47
52 97
54.44
42.4
41.0
41.0
42.2
42.1
42.2
43.0
1948: January----February...
March____
A pril..........
M a y............
J u n e .......... .
54. 24
54.02
54. 68
54.15
54. 01
54.96
42.6
42. 3
42.6
41.9
41.6
42.1
See footnotes at end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
61.8 $23.13
66.2 25.24
38.9
40.9
120.7
120.4
122.1
124.3
124.8
125.5
126.6
49. 53
49.29
48.19
50. 43
51.22
51. 58
52. 55
41.4
41.0
40.2
41.3
41.7
41.6
42.2
127. 3
127.8
128.7
129.3
129.9
130.8
53.29
52. 79
52. 63
52. 05
50.84
51.66
42.4
42.3
42.0
41.6
40.4
40.6
Stoves, oil burners,
and heating equip
ment, not else
where classified
59.3 $25. 80
62.1 27.13
38.2
39.0
119.5
120.1
121.0
122.2
122.8
123.3
124.5
51.81
52. 45
49. 93
52.38
54. 65
56.42
57.00
40.4
40.3
38.9
40.0
40.7
41.4
41.6
125. 6
124.9
125.2
125.1
125.3
127.0
55.61
55. 26
56. 54
56. 27
56.93
56.51
40.8
40.4
41.2
40.6
41.0
40.4
Steam
and hotwater heating ap
paratus and steam
fittings
67.6 $25. 25
69.6 26.07
38.1
38.7
128.3
130.1
128.5
131.0
134.3
136.4
137.0
51.00
50. 65
49. 75
53. 32
55.15
53. 39
56. 22
40.2
40.0
39.0
40. 9
41. 6
40.1
42.0
136.5
136.7
137.4
138.6
138.8
140.1
54.24
54. 59
54.12
54. 34
54.18
55.95
40.3
40. 2
40.1
39.9
39.7
40.2
Stamped and enam
eled ware and gal
vanizing
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
1939: Average___
1941: January.......
Plumbers’ supplies
Hardware
66.6 $26.19
67. 8 30.98
37.6
42.5
126.9
126. 6
127. 5
130. 5
132. 6
133.1
133.9
53. 72
52. 74
50. 60
54. 54
55.46
57.64
58.66
40.8
39.6
38.1
40.4
41.1
41.8
42.2
134.5
135. 8
135. 2
136. 3
136. 6
139. 2
54. 87
57.07
56. 53
56.13
56.90
57.68
40.3
41.3
40.9
40.7
40.7
40.7
69.7 $23.92
73.2 26. 32
38.1
39.4
62.7
66.5
131.6
133.1
132.9
135.2
135.0
138.0
138.9
50. 34
50.11
50.40
51. 72
52. 40
52.81
54. 72
39.9
39.3
39.5
39.9
40.4
40.5
41.5
126.1
127.4
127.6
129.7
129.8
130.5
132.0
136.3
138.3
138.0
137.8
139.6
141.8
53. 65
52. 42
52. 78
52. 93
53. 75
53.79
40.7
40.0
40.3
40.1
40.3
40.4
131.9
131.1
131.1
132.1
133.2
133.3
336
0: EARNINGS AND HOURS
MONTHLY LABOR
T able C -l: Hours and Gross Earnings in Manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing Industries
Con.
MANUFACTURING—Continued
Iron and steel and their products—Continued
Year and month
F abricated stru c
tural and orna
mental metalwork
M etal doors, sash,
frames, molding,
and trim
Bolts, nuts, wash
ers, and rivets
Forgings, iron and
steel
S c r e w - m a c h in e
p r o d u cts and
wood screws
Steel barrels, kegs,
and drums
Avg.
w kly. wAvg.
kly.
earn
ings hours
Avg. Avg.
hrly. w kly. Avg.
earn earn w kly.
ings
ings hours
Avg. Avg.
hrly. w kly. Avg.
earn earn w kly.
ings
ings hours
Avg. Avg.
hrly. w kly. Avg.
earn earn w kly.
ings
ings hours
Avg. Avg.
hrly. w kly. Avg.
earn earn w kly.
ings
ings hours
Avg. Avg.
hrly. w kly. Avg.
earn earn w kly.
ings
ings hours
$27. 95
31.01
38. 5
41.8
Cents
72.7
74.3
Cents
Cents
1947: June............
July.............
August___
September .
October___
November.
December..
54.90
53. 54
55. 04
55. 87
57. 60
57.31
58. 81
42.0
40. 7
41. 7
41. 6
42. 6
42. 0
42. 7
130.6
131. 6
133.4
134. 4
135. 2
136.8
137.8
55. 45
52. 42
54.12
55. 75
56. 48
57.11
58.97
$42.7
40.8
41.2
42.0
42.0
42.7
43.5
1948: January___
February.—
55. 76
55.31
56.15
55. 77
57.16
57. 84
41.1
40.9
41.1
40. 8
41. 2
41. 2
135.6
135.3
137.1
136. 5
138. 8
139. 5
56.49
55. 88
57. 35
57.97
58. 55
61.49
42.0
41.7
41.1
41.2
41.0
42.7
1939: Average1941: January.
M a r c h _____
A p r il..............
M a y........ .
J u n e...........
$26.04
29. 58
37.7
41.9
Cents
69.0 $29. 45
70.6 36. 75
38.4
45.0
Cents
76. 7
81.8
129.1
128.6
131.5
132.8
134.4
133.9
135.4
54. 49
51. 88
52. 45
53.08
56. 52
55.98
57. 79
41.5
40.0
40.0
40.2
42.1
41.3
42.5
131.1
129.5
131.0
131.7
133.9
135.3
135.9
61.93
59.07
57. 42
62. 38
65. 54
65.00
67.20
41.1
39.7
38.7
40.9
41.8
41.4
42.2
150.8 $53. 79
148.9 52.93
148.4 52. 38
152.6 53. 91
156.9 55. 02
157.2 54. 55
159.1 56. 77
42.1
41.4
40.8
41.9
42.1
41.6
43.0
127.8 $53. 49
127.8 63. 04
128.4 53. 38
128.5 55. 08
130. 6 52.13
131.1 53.81
131.9 57.08
41.0
40.3
40.3
40. 7
39. 4
40.8
42. 5
130. 5
131. 6
132. 4
135. 3
132 2
132.0
134.4
134.6
134. 2
138.5
139.2
141 2
142.6
55.68
57.38
59. 20
58. 44
57. 88
58.76
40.6
42.0
43.1
42.5
42.2
42.3
136.9
136. 4
137.2
137.5
137.1
138.6
65. 74
65. 51
64. 42
63.10
62. 64
64. 74
41.6
41.4
40.8
40.0
40.0
40.7
158.1
158.3
157.9
157.7
156. 6
158.0
42.7
42.8
42.9
42.4
42.1
41.9
132.4
132. 4
132. 7
132.7
133.1
132.9
41.0
38. 2
39. 5
39. 2
40.0
40.4
135. 6
134. 3
134.4
136.1
137. 9
138.3
Iron and steel and
their products—
Continued
56. 54
56.62
56.99
56. 30
56. 06
55.72
Electrical equipment
55.31
51.35
53.16
53. 49
55.13
55.58
Machinery, except
electrical
Electrical machinery
Total: Electrical
machinery
Firearms
Avg.
hrly.
earn
ings
Radios and phono
graphs
Communication
equipment
Total: Machinery,
except electrical
1939: A verage...
1941: January....
$27. 28
35.09
41.3
48. 6
Cents
66.0 $27.09
72. 2 31.84
38.6
42.4
Cents
70.2 $27.95
75.1 33.18
38.7
43.4
Cents
72.2 $22. 34
76.5 24.08
38.5
38.2
Cents
58.1 $28. 74
63.2 32. 47
38.3
41.4
Cents
75.1 $29. 27
78.4 34.36
39.3
44.0
Cents
74.6
78.1
1947: June.......... .
July......... .
August___
September.
October__
November.
December..
57.54
56. 69
56. 65
58. 51
57. 90
68. 53
60. 01
41.6
41.0
40. 8
41.8
41. 2
41.1
42.0
138.3
138. 4
138.9
140.1
140. 5
142. 4
142.9
51.57
52.00
51. 53
53. 46
54. 10
54.32
55.34
39.8
39.8
39.2
40.4
40.6
40.6
41.1
129.5
130.8
131. 4
132.5
133.1
133. 9
134.6
54. 04
53.84
53.50
55. 05
55. 35
55. 76
56. 99
40.5
40.1
39.6
40.5
40.6
40.6
41.2
133.5
134.4
135.0
136.0
136.4
137.4
138.4
43. 98
46.17
44. 29
47.24
47. 98
47.61
48. 59
38.2
39.6
38.0
40.0
40.2
39.8
40.4
115.1
116.6
116.7
118.2
119.3
119.7
120.3
49. 62
50. 57
51.18
53. 66
55. 81
55. 94
56.15
38.8
38.7
38.9
40.2
41.4
41.4
41.7
127.7
130.6
131.6
133. 5
135.0
135.2
134.8
56. 30
56. 06
55. 74
57.36
57.87
57. 92
59.67
41.3
40.9
40.5
41.1
41.3
41.2
42.2
136.3
137.1
137.7
139. 6
140.0
140. 4
141.3
1948: January__
February..
March____
April_____
M a y _____
June_____
59.88
60. 80
62.33
61.16
61. 42
63.10
41.8
42.1
42.7
41.8
41.9
42.1
143.4
144. 6
146. 0
146.3
146. 6
148.9
54.82
54. 50
54. 41
53. 8Ö
53. 70
54. 67
40.5
40.4
40.3
39.9
39.6
39.9
135.2
134.8
135.0
135.0
135.7
137.1
56. 77
56.11
56. 23
55. 70
55. 41
56.34
40.8
40.6
40. 5
40.2
39.9
40.1
139.1
138.2
138.8
138.7
139.0
140.8
47. 56
47.00
47.00
47.01
46. 97
48.10
39.6
39.2
39.2
39.1
38.8
39.1
120.2
120.0
119.9
120.1
121.1
122.9
54. 64
55. 83
54. 78
53. 49
53. 59
53. 69
40.5
41.1
40. 5
39.6
39.3
39.5
135.1
135.9
135.5
135.3
136. 4
136.1
59.13
58. 65
59.12
59. 30
59. 25
60.52
41.8
41.4
41. 6
41.4
41.1
41.4
141. 5
141. 7
142.1
143.1
144.1
146.1
Machinery, except electrical—Continued
Machinery and ma
chine-shop products Engines and turbines
Tractors
A g ricu ltu ra l m a
chinery, excluding
tractors
Machine tools
Machine-tool accèssories
1939: Average___
1941: January___
$28. 76
34.00
39.4
43.7
Cents
73.0 $28. 67
77.7 36.50
37.4
44.1
Cents
76.7 $32.13
82.7 36.03
38.3
41.5
Cents
83.9 $26. 46
86.8 29.92
37.0
39.5
Cents
71.6 $32. 25
75.7 40.15
42.9
50.4
Cents
75.2 $31.78
79.7 37.90
40.9
50.0
Cents
77. 7
75.8
1947: June............
July.............
August........
September.
October___
November,
December—
55. 53
55. 00
55.07
56. 41
56. 75
57. 03
59. 22
41.5
40. 8
40. 9
41.3
41. 3
41. 4
42. 7
133.6
134. 9
135.3
137.0
137. 4
138.1
139.1
60.20
59. 51
61.34
60.16
58. 72
62.04
61.14
41.2
40.3
40.9
40.5
39.6
41.2
40.5
146.0
147.7
151.0
149.4
148.9
151.6
151.9
57. 57
57. 77
57.67
59.08
60.17
60.13
60 24
40.0
40.1
40.0
40.7
41. 1
41.1
41.3
144.7
144.0
144.3
145.0
146.5
146.4
145.9
55. 80
56.83
56.29
57.97
58.36
55. 91
57.85
40.8
41.0
40.3
40.6
40.9
39.6
40.6
136.8
138.5
139.2
141.7
143.9
141.5
142.4
58.31
56.78
57. 77
58. 69
59. 25
59.53
61.34
42.2
41.6
41.4
41.8
42.1
41.9
43.1
138.1
136.6
139.4
140. 5
140.8
141.2
142.4
59.14
58. 42
57. 43
61.16
61.42
61.30
63.47
41.6
41.2
39.9
41.2
41.4
41.1
42.4
143. 2
143.0
144.7
148.6
148.2
149. 4
149.7
1948: January__
February..
M arch____
April.........
58. 33
58. 11
58. 29
58. 57
59 05
59.51
42.0
41.8
41. 8
41. 6
41.6
41.6
138.9
139. 2
139. 5
140. 8
141.8
143. 2
62. 79
62. 66
63.31
62. 47
63. 46
63.59
41.3
41.6
41.6
41.0
41.2
40.2
152.9
152.7
152.5
153.0
154.3
158.1
60.10
59. 40
59. 43
60. 08
54.12
61.83
41.1
40.6
40.6
39.4
35.5
40.8
146.2
146.4
146.4
152.6
152.6
151.6
57. 84
57. 80
59. 55
58. 87
59. 44
61.31
40.4
40.4
41.0
40. 5
40.7
41.1
143.3
143.2
145.1
145.5
146.1
149.3
59. 64
60.54
60.58
60.29
60.63
61.75
42.0
42.3
42.3
42.0
42.0
42.0
142.0
143.2
143.3
143.7
144.3
146.9
63. 58
63. 59
62.30
63.50
63.19
62.14
42. 2
42.2
41,8
42.0
41.8
41.5
150.8
150.8
149.1
151.3
151.4
150.6
M a y ............
June_____
See footnotes at end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
G: EARNINGS AND HOURS
337
T able C -l: Hours and Gross Earnings in Manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing Industries1—Con.
MANUFACTURING—Continued
Machinery, except electrical—Continued
Textile machinery
Fear and month
Typewriters
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn- hours
ings
Cash registers; add
ing, and calculat
ing machines
Washing machines,
wringers, and dri
ers, domestic
Sewing machines,
domestic and in
dustrial
Refrigerators and re
frigeration equip
ment
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn- hours
ings
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn- hours
ings
Avg. Avg.
w kly. wkly.
earn- hours
ings
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wklv.
earn- hours
ings
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn- hours
ings
Avg.
hrly.
earnings
1939: Average____
1941: January........
$26.19
30.13
39.8
44.6
Cents
66.0 $23. 98
67.7 26.40
37.3
39.1
Cents
64.3 $30.38
67.5 34. 78
37.2
41.4
Cents
81.2
84.6
1947: J u n e.............
J u l y . . ..........
A ugust_____
Septem ber..
October____
N ovem ber. ..
D ecem ber...
54.88
54. 79
61.91
56, 08
55. 77
56. 88
58. 56
42.6
41.9
40 2
42 2
42 1
42.1
43.1
128.9
130.1
129. 1
132. 9
132.5
135.5
135.8
51.58
52. 33
51. 22
51.91
54. 04
55.54
65.89
42.8
43.7
40.5
40.6
42.0
42.5
42.9
120.9
119.8
126.5
128.0
128.8
130.6
130.1
63.67
60.35
59.52
63. 21
63.82
63. 29
65.67
41.9
40.6
40.2
42.1
42.3
42.1
42.9
151.0 $55.16
149.0 54. 85
148.7 52.82
151.3 54.17
152.3 57.13
151.8 57.96
153.7 60.42
41.8
41.6
40.1
41.0
42.4
42.7
43.7
131.8 $58.97
131.8 58. 43
131.6 56.35
132.0 60. 72
134. 6 62. 27
135.8 62.17
138.4 63. 21
41.7
41.0
40.0
42.0
42.5
42.4
42.9
141.5 $54. 77
142. 5 55.37
140.9 52. 22
145.4 54.18
146.9 56.33
146.5 54.41
147.2 57.05
40.4
40.8
38.5
39.5
40.7
39.8
41.2
135.6
135.6
135.6
137.3
138.3
136.7
138.4
1948: January........
February___
M arch_____
April_______
M ay...............
June_______
59. 21
59. 50
61.40
61.01
61.28
62.53
43.1
42.8
43.7
43. 5
43.3
43.3
137.4
139.0
140.6
140 3
141.7
144.3
55.59
55.68
54.62
64.63
53. 31
53. 75
42.6
42.4
42.0
42.0
41.2
41.2
130.5
131.2
130.1
130.1
129.4
130.5
65.39
64.11
65.30
65.62
64.55
66.43
42.4
41.6
42.2
42.1
41.5
41.5
155. 7
155. 4
156.1
157.3
157.0
161.4
42.6
41.8
41.2
42.1
41.3
41.8
136.9
138. 2
137.0
138.3
139.0
141.7
62. 74
63.14
63. 90
62. 59
64. 89
66. 80
42.4
42.8
43.0
42.3
41.8
42.5
147.6
147.6
148.3
147. 2
155.1
156.6
41.6
38.1
39.9
40. 2
40.5
40.5
138.6
137.8
139.2
139.1
140.2
146.7
Avg.
hrly.
earnings
Avg.
hrly.
earnings
Avg.
hrly.
earnings
Cents
58. 28
57. 69
56. 38
58.15
57. 39
59.29
Avg.
hrly.
earnings
Cents
Avg.
hrly.
earnings
Cents
57. 62
52. 55
55. 51
55.99
56. 72
59. 47
Transportation equipment, except automobiles
Total: Transporta
tion equipment,
except automobiles
1939: Average-........ - $30. 51
1941: January............ 35.69
38.9
43.1
Locomotives
Cars, electric- and
steam-railroad
Aircraft and parts,
excluding aircraft
engines
Aircraft engines
Shipbuilding and
boatbuilding
Cents
78 5 $28.33
82.8 34. 79
36.7
42.8
Cents
77.1 $26. 71
81.4 29. 67
36.0
38.5
Cents
74,1 $30.34
76.« 34.13
41.5
44.7
Cents
74.5 $36, 58
77.6 42.16
44.1
47.2
Cents
83.5 $31. 91
89.2 37. 69
38.0
42.0
Cents
83.5
89.3
1947: June- ______
Ju ly ____ ____
A ugust.............
September___
October______
November___
December____
55.59
56. 02
55. 75
56. 54
58.07
56.42
59. 79
40.1 138.7
40.1 139. 5
39.6 ■140. 6
39.7 142. 4
40.4 143.7
38.6 146.2
40.8 146.5
69.10
59. 26
61.75
64.69
62.32
61.64
63.63
40.0
39.7
40.6
41.3
40.6
39.8
40.7
147.8
149.4
152.2
156. 7
153. 4
154. 9
156.5
55. 76
56.83
51.89
55.03
58.09
57. 61
59.84
41.1
41.7
38.6
39.9
41.4
40.4
41.4
135.6
136.4
134.3
137.8
140.4
142.5
144.7
52. 58
54.48
55.30
54.44
56. 01
55.48
57.12
39.2
39.7
40.0
39.3
40.2
39.3
40.6
134.1
137.2
138.1
138.6
139.5
141.3
140.6
55. 44
56.19
56. 58
58. 43
59.19
57.52
60.39
38.8
39.2
39.2
40.0
40.5
39.4
41.2
142.8
143.5
144.3
146.0
146.1
146.1
146.5
57. 79
56. 77
50. 93
57. 71
59.31
55.20
61.74
40.7
39.9
39.3
39.5
39.8
36.1
40.5
142.1
142.1
144. 7
146.2
149.0
152.9
152.5
1948: January..........February____
M arch_______
April________
M ay________
June____ _ ..
59. 56
58.67
59.40
59. 89
59. 30
59. 25
40.3
39.6
40.3
40.5
40.0
39.8
62.34
61.01
63.46
64.96
64. 57
64.58
40.1
39.2
40.2
40.5
40.1
39.7
155.3
155. 5
157. 9
160.4
161.0
162.6
58. 51
58.02
58.90
68. 70
58.07
58.46
40.7
40.2
40.9
40.9
40.2
39.9
143.9
144.2
143.9
143.7
144.6
146.7
55. 53
56.13
56. 71
57. 75
57. 74
57. 92
39.4
39.9
40.1
40.6
40.4
40.4
140.8
140.6
141.4
142.1
142.8
143.6
59. 30
58.29
59.53
60. 33
61.02
62.14
40.6
40.1
40.6
40.5
40.9
40.6
146.1
145. 2
146.7
149.1
149.4
153.2
64.05
61.54
62. 07
62.04
60.40
69. 72
40.9
38.9
40.3
40.2
39.4
39.2
156.7
158.2
153.9
154.1
153.1
152.3
147.9
148.2
147.2
147.8
148.1
148.8
T r a n s p o r t a tio n
equipment, except
automobiles—Con.
Nonferrous metals and their products
Automobiles
Total: Nonferrous
metals and their
products
Motorcycles, bicycles,
and parts
Cents
1939: Average_____
1941: January_____
Smelting and refining, primary, of
nonferrous metals
Alloying; and rolling
and drawing of
Clocks and watches
except aluminum
$32.91
37.69
35.4
38.9
Cents
92.9 $26. 74
96.9 30.47
38.9
41.4
Cents
68. 7 $26. 67
73.6 29. 21
38. 2
38. 7
Cents
69. 9 $28. 77
75.5 35.96
39. 6
44.0
Cents
72 9 $22 27
81. 8 23 90
37 9
38 9
Cents
1947: June.................
July..................
August______
September___
October...........
Novem ber___
December____
$55.52
56.35
55.58
55. 94
58.94
58.94
58.96
41.4
42.3
41.0
41.0
42.5
42.0
42.3
134.1
133.3
135.5
136.6
138.8
140.4
139.3
57.48
56.44
55.76
69.35
60.30
61.30
64.64
38.7
37.7
37.2
39.2
39.5
39.8
41.4
148.5
149.6
150.0
151.5
152.6
154.0
156.3
52. 06
51.12
51.07
52. 62
53.59
54.27
55.63
40.5
39.7
39.5
40.2
40.8
41.1
41.8
128.6
128.9
129.4
130.9
131.2
132.0
132.7
54. 20
53.89
63.98
55. 82
54.89
55.69
55.44
41.6
41.3
40.8
41.2
40.9
41.2
41.2
130.3
130.4
132.2
135. 5
134.2
135.1
134.6
55.10
54.13
52. 62
54. 37
55.19
55.93
57.26
39.7
39.2
38.0
38.9
39.4
39.7
40.5
137.9
138.1
138.4
139.0
140.1
141.0
141.2
45.82
44. 58
45.03
46.87
47.54
48. 64
48. 69
40.0
39.1
39.1
40.4
40.8
41.4
41.9
114.5
114.0
115.1
116.0
116.7
117.5
116.4
1948: January..........
February____
M arch. ..........
April________
M a y ________
June_________
55.33
55.65
55.88
56.36
55. 54
54.07
40.3
39.8
40.4
40.3
39.4
37.5
137.3
140.0
138.4
139.8
141.0
144.2
60. 96
59.00
59.81
59. 14
54. 44
61.23
39.6
38.1
38.9
38. 6
35.2
38.1
153.8
154.8
153.9
153.3
154.8
160.9
55.06
55.07
55.23
54.87
54.95
55.77
41.2
41.2
41.1
40.9
40.6
40.8
133.6
133.8
134.4
134.3
135.4
136.8
55. 85
55.58
55.31
56. 49
57.33
57.96
41.1
41.0
40.5
41.1
41.5
41.3
136.0
135.7
136.6
137.5
138.0
140.3
57.30
57. 73
58.25
56. 84
57. 42
59. 35
40.4
40.6
40.8
40.0
40.1
41.2
141.8
142.2
142.9
142.2
143.1
144.0
47. 63
48. 59
49.15
49 09
48.27
48.89
40.2
41.0
41.1
40.8
40.1
40.1
118.5
118.6
119.6
120.5
120.5
121.9
See footnotes at end of table
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
G: EARNINGS AND HOURS
338
MONTHLY LABOR
T able C -l: Hours and Gross Earnings in Manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing Industries1—Con.
MANUFACTURING—Continued
Nonferrous metals and their products—Continued
Year'and month
Jewelry
(precious
and plated
metals) and jewel Silverware
Lighting equipment
ware
ers’ findings
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn
ings hours
Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. Avg.
earn earn wkly.
ings
ings hours
Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly.
earn earn wkly.
ings
ings hours
Avg.
hrly.
earn
ings
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
47.34
44.44
46.40
50.32
52. 97
53.39
55. 53
40.7
39.0
39.8
42.0
43.6
42.7
44.4
117.6
114.7
117.2
120.4
122.2
125.5
125.4
58.97
58.72
57.20
60. 93
61.31
61.65
63.80
45.7
45.3
44.1
46.1
46.4
45.9
47.2
1948: January............
February------M arch.......... .
April.................
M ay------------June..................
51.69
52.98
52.17
51.31
50. 59
51.84
41.9
43.6
42.2
41.2
39.8
40.6
123.7
124.9
123.7
124.6
127.1
127.2
62. 54
62. 52
63.81
62.09
61.85
62.24
46.3
46.1
46.5
45.7
45.6
45.5
66.0 $26.03
66.4 27.37
40.7
41.4
64.3 $25.73
66.6 28.19
37.1
39.3
129.2
130.0
129.9
132.1
132.1
134.4
135.3
50.44
47.74
48.78
50.02
51. 73
52. 51
54.11
38.7
36.7
37.4
38.4
39.3
40.0
40.5
130.5
130.2
130.5
130.4
131.7
131.4
133.6
49.20
48. 86
49.34
49.74
52. 02
52.15
52. 86
39.0
38.4
38.9
38.6
39.7
39.8
40.1
135.4
135.6
137.4
136.0
135.7
136.1
53.92
52. 86
53.22
52.90
51.75
53.13
39.8
39.3
39.2
38.8
37.7
37.3
135.6
134.5
135.9
136.4
137.3
142.2
53.35
52. 75
52.05
52.53
52.83
52.13
40.2
39.6
39.4
39.7
39.7
39.1
Lumber and timber
basic products—Con.
Planing and
plywood mills
44.1
42.6
44.2
43.8
44.3
43.2
44.8
1948: January...........
February.........
March______
April________
M a y ..................
June________
50. 67
51.31
51.06
51.94
52. 53
53.18
43.9
43.8
43.8
44.0
43.9
43.8
69.3 $27.49
71.7 32.85
39.3
42.0
69.9 $19.06
78.2 20.27
39.0
38.9
126.7
127.2
126.6
128.7
130.0
130.9
132.0
45.04
43. 57
45.32
45.41
45.23
45.30
45.65
42.8
42.2
43.3
42.8
42.6
42.2
43.2
132.9
133.0
132.2
132.3
133. 2
133.3
44.49
45.01
45.32
45. 59
47. 47
49.46
42.4
41.7
42.3
42.1
42.5
43.6
48.9 $18.29
52.1 19.59
38.4
38.4
47.6
51.0
105.3
103.3
104.8
106.2
106.3
107.4
105.6
44.14
42. 86
45.05
44.58
44.09
44.27
44.20
42.5
42.1
43.1
42.5
42.2
41.9
42.8
104.0
101.8
104.4
104.9
104.6
105.6
103.2
105.0
108.0
107.1
108.3
111.6
113.5
42.94
43.41
43.86
43. 99
46.23
48. 58
42.0
41.1
42.0
41.6
42.2
43.5
102.3
105.5
104.6
105. 7
109.5
111.6
Stone, clay, and
glass products
Furniture and finished lumber products
Total:
Furniture
and finished lum
ber products
Caskets and other
morticians’ goods
Furniture
Cents
Cents
48.84
46. 58
48.89
48.94
50.12
49.60
51.61
Sawmills and
logging camps
Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly.
earn earn wkly.
ings
ings hours
1947: J u n e...............July— ..............
August-........ -September___
O ctober..........
November___
December------
1947: June..................
J u ly...... ...........
A u g u st...........
September___
October............
November----December........
Total: Lumber and
timber basic products
Avg. Avg.
hrly. w kly. Avg.
earn earn wkly.
ings
ings hours
39.4
39.1
41.1
40.5
Aluminum manu
factures
Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. Avg.
earn earn wkly.
ings hours
ings
1939: Average........... $26.36
1941: January............ 26.43
1939: Average............ $22.17
1941: January............ 22. 51
Lumber and timber basic products
Cents
Cents
51.8 $20. 51
54.0 21.42
Wood preserving
Cents
53.0
55.2
54.0 $19. 95
55.4 20.90
38.5
38.7
110.7
109.3
110.7
111.8
113.2
114.7
115.1
44.24
43.51
44.09
45.38
46.53
46.32
47. 72
41.7
41.1
41.2
41.5
42.1
41.8
42.7
106.1
105.8
107.0
109.3
110.5
110.8
111.7
45.04
44.12
44.58
46.24
47.76
48.07
49.10
41.6
40.9
41.0
41.4
42.3
42.3
42.9
108.5 $16.99
107.9 44.32
108.9 45.69
111.7 47.06
113.0 47.00
113.7 47.35
114.5 49.01
42.2
40.2
40.6
41.6
41.1
40.9
42.2
111.1 $41.14
110.3 41.05
112.2 42.10
112.8 42.41
113.9 42.19
115.0 39. 98
115.7 40. 50
41.8
41.6
42.0
42.2
41.5
39.7
39.8
115.2
117.1
116.6
118.1
119 7
121.3
47.02
46.68
47.08
46.34
46.39
46.53
41.9
41.4
41.8
41.0
40.8
40.6
112.2
112.7
112.6
113.1
113.6
114.5
48. 54
48.38
48. 58
47.64
47. 60
47. 57
42.2
41.9
42.1
41.1
40.8
40.6
115.1
115.5
115.6
116.1
116.7
117.4
48. 52
48.85
49. 21
48.23
47. 48
47. 41
41.8
41.8
42.3
41.3
40.7
40.4
115.7
115.5
115.6
116. 7
116. 5
116.6
39. 71
36.95
39. 59
41.09
42. 29
42.30
39.2
35.8
38.6
39.8
40.3
40.3
38.9
39.0
Total: Stone, clay,
and glass products
C ents
$23.94
25.02
37.6
37.4
63.7
66.9
98.4
97.8
100.1
100.5
101.7
100.7
101.7
48. 54
48.00
49.06
49.57
50. 38
50.47
51.00
40.8
40.1
40.6
40.4
40.8
40.5
41.0
119.0
119.8
120.8
122.7
123.4
124.7
124.5
101.4
103.1
102.6
103.3
105.0
105.0
50.10
49.98
51.41
51.77
52. 27
52. 47
40.0
39.8
40.8
40.7
40.7
40.6
125.3
125.5
126.0
127.1
128.5
129.2
Stone, clay, and glass products—Continued
Glass and glassware
Glass products made
from purchased glass
Cents
Cents
1939: Average...
1941: January...
$25.32
28.02
35.2
36.3
1947: June_____
J u ly ..........
August—
September.
O ctober...
November.
December.
50.42
49.34
50.40
51.57
52. 27
53.05
53.07
40.0
38.6
39.5
39.2
39.4
39.2
39.5
126.4 $42.93
128.1 40.87
128.0 41.88
131.7 42.91
132.8 44.41
135.4 43.87
134.4 46.16
40.8
39.6
40.2
40.1
41.1
40.4
42.3
1948: January...
February..
March___
April____
M ay..........
June_____
52. 49
53.00
54.42
54.12
53.44
53. 32
38.0
38.8
40.0
39.9
39.3
39.2
138.3
136.8
136.2
135. 5
136.0
136.1
41.1
40.0
40.5
39.6
40.4
40.1
See footnotes at end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
72.1
77.2
44.48
44.18
43. 96
43.16
44.37
44. 25
Brick, tile, and
terra cotta
Cement
Cents
Pottery and
related products
Cents
Gypsum
Cents
Cents
$26.67
26.82
38.2
37.9
105.3
103.1
104.2
107.1
108.1
108. 5
109.2
51.59
51.72
52.93
52.68
52.32
52.19
51.94
42.7
41.9
42.5
41.8
42.0
41.9
42.0
120.8
123.5
124.4
126.1
124.5
124.5
123.7
45.66
45.25
46.06
46. 51
47.37
46.81
47. 46
41.0
40.5
40.9
40.9
41.3
40.5
41.2
110.9
111.3
112.1
113.3
114.3
114.8
114.6
45. 78
44.86
46.48
46.14
48.18
48. 25
48. 55
38.7
37.9
38.8
38.5
39.6
39.4
39.2
118.6 $52. 55
119.2 54.91
120.1 55.39
120.7 54.68
122.1 56.70
122.7 56. 35
123.8 56.53
45.3
46.1
45.7
45.0
45.9
45.3
45.6
116.1
119.1
121.2
121.5
123.4
124.5
124.1
108.3
110.5
108.5
108.9
109.9
110.4
51.21
51.07
51. 72
53. 27
55. 85
56. 38
41.4
41.7
42.0
42.0
42.6
42.7
123.7
122.6
123.1
126.9
131.1
132.1
46.74
45.52
47. 54
48.39
49. 75
49. 82
40.5
38.9
40.5
40.6
41.1
40.9
115.0
116.3
116.6
118.6
120.6
121.6
47.32
46.9S
48.17
48.45
48.09
48. 47
38.2
38.5
39.4
39.2
38.7
38.6
123.4
123.0
123.3
124.9
126.3
127.4
45.3
44.4
45.0
46.8
47.3
45.9
123.4
122.9
123.7
126.1
127.7
130.1
69.9 $20. 55
70.9 21.74
37.8
36.9
64.3 $22. 74
58.7 22.92
37.2
36.4
62. 5
63. 5
55.94
54. 58
55. 71
58.98
60. 35
59. 95
339
C: EARNINGS AND HOURS
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
T able C -l: Hours and Gross Earnings in Manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing Industries1—Con.
M A N U F A C T U R IN G —Continued
Textile-mill products and other fiber
manufactures
Stone, clay, and glass products—Continued
Marble, granite, slate,
and other products
Lime
Tear and month
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn hours
ings
Avg.
hrly.
earn
ings
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn hours
ings
Cents
] Q2Q* Avtvragfi
1941! January
$26.18
24. 29
36.9
34.6
Asbestos products
Abrasives
Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly.
earn earn wkly.
ings
ings hours
Avg.
hrly.
earn
ings
Cents
Cents
71.4
70.8
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn hours
ings
Avg.
hrly.
earnings
Total: Textile-mill
products and other
fiber manufactures
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn hours
ings
39.0
41.3
Avg.
Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn hours
ings
62.7 $16. 84
66.0 18.01
36.6
36.9
Avg.
hrly.
earn
ings
Cents
Cents
Cents
$24. 43
27. 26
Avg.
hrly.
earn
ings
Cotton manufactures,
except smallwares
46.0 $14. 26
48.8 15.60
36.7
37.2
38.9
41.9
1947: June.............. .
July_________
A u g u st...____
September___
October______
N o v e m b e r __
December........
$48.45
47.23
48. 90
49. 23
51.96
50 33
50.48
46.0
44.9
44.8
45.0
46.1
45.8
46.4
104.5
104.2
106.9
108 1
108.5
108.9
108.5
46.07
45. 48
46. 61
47. 56
48.60
46. 27
48.68
42.2
42.1
41.4
42.2
42.5
40.2
4i. 9
108.5 $18.66
107.9 50.00
112.6 51.26
112.7 54. 57
114.3 54.30
115.2 55. 68
116.0 60.68
39.1
39.3
39.2
40.3
40.4
40.7
44.0
124.4
127.3
130.6
135.6
134. 5
137.0
137.3
54.21
54.90
53. 53
52.30
52. 57
54. 05
53.85
42.9
43.3
42.2
41.3
41.3
41.9
41.8
126.4
126.8
127.7
126.6
127.3
129.2
128.9
39. 54
39.48
39.44
41.39
41.94
43. 73
45.15
38.6
38.4
38.2
39.5
39.7
40.1
41.0
102.4
102.8
103.2
104.8
105.5
109.0
110.0
37.10
37. 21
37. 50
38. 55
39. 22
42. 47
43. 64
38.3
38.3
38.4
39.2
39.6
40.4
41.1
97.0
97.3
97.7
98. 5
99.1
105.1
106.1
1948: January______
February.........
M arch...........
A p r il...............
M a y ________
June_________
49.10
47. 86
50. 58
52.08
52.41
53.32
44.2
43.7
45.8
46.3
46.1
45.9
109.4
109.1
110.2
112.7
113.6
115.3
46.89
46.23
47. 57
47.97
48.82
48. 59
40.6
40.4
40.9
40.9
41.1
40.6
115.3
114.6
116.2
116.0
118.3
118.8
44.4
42.6
42.6
41.5
41.9
42.1
133.1
137.2
142.4
142.3
145.7
145.7
53.98
54. 04
54.49
55.11
55.45
56.66
41.4
40.9
41.3
41.2
41.3
41.7
130.5
132.2
131.8
133.8
134.0
135.2
45.19
45.79
46.32
45. 46
45.19
45. 29
40.5
40.2
40.6
39.9
39.6
39.5
111.5
113.9
114.0
113.8
114.1
114.7
43.81
43.43
43.98
43.08
42.57
42.03
40.7
40.1
40.7
40.1
39.6
39.1
107.7
108 3
108.1
107.6
107.6
107.5
59.07
58. 38
60.62
59.02
61.04
61.32
Textile-mill products and other fiber manufactures—Continued
Cotton smallwares
Silk and rayon
goods
Woolen and worsted
manufactures, ex
cept dyeing and
finishing
47.4 $15.78
50.3 16. 53
36.5
35.7
42.9 $19. 21
46.1 21.78
36.4
37.9
$18. 22
19.74
39.0
39.3
1947: June...........
J u ly ...........
August___
September.
O ctober...
November.
December.
38. 85
39. 68
38.58
40. 67
40.49
40.13
42. 35
38.5
39.1
38.2
39.7
39.1
38. 7
40.5
101.0
101. 6
100.9
102.4
103. 5
103.6
104.5
40.97
41.17
41.65
43.23
43. 57
44.84
46. 48
40.3
40.3
40.0
40.9
41.0
41.2
42.3
101.7
102.3
104.3
105.7
106.2
108.8
110.0
45. 75
45.33
42.28
46. 99
46. 70
46. 95
49.12
39.4
39.1
36.6
40.2
39.7
39.6
41.2
1948: January...
February..
M arch___
April..........
M a y _____
June..........
43.15
43.23
43.31
43.03
42.72
44.09
40.3
40.4
40. 2
39.6
39.3
39.9
107.1
107.2
108.0
108.7
108.9
110.6
47.55
47. 92
48. 53
48. 31
48.38
48.47
41.9
41.8
42.2
41.8
41.8
41.8
113.7
114.7
115.1
115.6
115.7
115.9
48.79
52.82
53.49
52.33
52.61
53.10
40.8
40.8
40.7
39.9
40.1
40.3
Knitted outerwear
and knitted gloves
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
1939: A verage...
1941: Janu ary...
Knitted cloth 2
Hosiery
53.6 $18.15
55.0 19.90
38.4
37.9
Cents
46.8 $17.14
50.3 17.65
52.8 $18. 89
57.6 18. 51
35.6
33.8
116.0
116.0
115.6
116.9
117.8
IIS. 8
119.2
35. 39
36.37
38 08
39. 48
41.00
42.11
42. 95
35.2
35.3
36.8
37.7
38.3
38.7
39.1
100.5
103.0
103.4
104.9
106.9
108. 7
109.8
40.32
40.91
41.11
41.71
42. 21
42. 53
44.18
40.3
40.8
40.7
40.5
41.1
40.8
41.9
98.2
99.1
100.1
102.7
102.1
103.5
104.5
119.5
130.3
131.3
131.1
131.4
132.0
41.76
41.72
42.80
41.61
41.14
42.05
37.9
37.6
38.6
37.4
36.7
36.6
110.3
110.8
110.8
111.2
112.0
114.7
44.65
45.23
45.84
44.39
42.79
43. 95
42.1
41.9
41.9
41.4
39.7
40.7
106.2
107.9
109.4
107.2
107.8
108.1
37.0
35.8
46.1
48.9
35.11
34.51
35.42
35.86
38.01
38.30
38.02
37.0
36.8
37.6
37.5
38.8
38.7
38.5
94.1
92.6
92.6
95.1
96.9
98.0
97.8
37.94
39.18
39.08
38.73
38.84
38.60
37.7
38.7
38.6
38.4
38.5
38.3
99.2
100.1
100.4
100.7
100.7
100.4
Textile-mill products and other fiber manufactures—Continued
Knitted underwear
Dyeing and finishing
textiles, including Carpets and rugs, wool
woolen and worsted
36.9
36.0
41.0 $20.82
44.6 21.65
38.6
39.3
1947: J u n e.________
J u ly - _______
August______
September___
O cto b er-____
Novem ber. -_
December____
34.85
34.65
34.60
36.30
36. 50
37. 41
38.17
38.8
38.4
38.2
39.5
39.3
39.5
40.2
90.1
90.2
90.4
91.8
93.0
94.7
95.1
46.13
44.37
45.31
47. 89
47.16
48.16
50.25
41.6
40.1
40.5
41.9
41.5
41.2
42.7
1948: January_____
February____
M arch_______
April________
M ay _
June______ _
37. 77
37. 76
38.89
38. 72
37.88
38.09
39.4
38.9
39.5
39.1
38.3
38.4
95.9
96.9
98.1
98.8
98.7
99.4
51.04
51.80
51.85
51.44
50.67
51.05
42.3
42.2
42.3
41.8
41.3
41.5
See footnotes at end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Jute goods, except felts2 Cordage and twine
64.4 $22. 73
67.5 27.12
32.2
36. 2
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
1939: Average_____ $15.05
Hats, fur-felt
70.7
75. 5
53.5 $23. 25
55.1 25.18
36.1
37.3
110.9
110.4
111.6
114.2
113.6
116.7
117. 5
49.02
49.80
47. 43
52. 38
53. 53
53.99
54.91
41.3
40.6
39.4
41.0
41.4
41.6
42.2
118.8
122.8
120. 6
127.9
129.5
130.1
130.6
48.88
47.47
45. 67
47.44
48.33
47.10
51.52
37.5
36.5
34.7
35.9
37.0
36 2
39.1
131.1 $41.13
130.2 37.92
131.2 36.40
133.4 37. 51
131.1 37. 27
130.3 37.60
132.1 38.21
43.0
41.0
41.0
41.4
41.1
41.5
41.2
120.4
122.7
122.7
122.9
122.6
122.9
55.23
55.35
55. 79
55.18
56.22
57.86
41.9
42.0
42.1
41. 4
41.8
42.0
132.2
131.9
132.7
133 6
134.8
138.0
50.17
51.79
50.36
48. 58
49.94
52.52
37.8
3S. 7
37.2
35.3
36.7
38.3
132.8
132.8
134.8
137.9
136.4
137.7
41.75
42.28
42. 44
42.93
42.69
42.65
40.8
40.1
40.0
40.6
40.1
40.2
97.4 $38.26
94.1 38. 71
90.8 39.10
90.6 40.00
90.6 41.70
90.6 42.55
92.7 44.13
102.4
105.3
106.0
105.7
106.4
106.0
44. 63
44. 44
43.65
42.21
41. 82
42.68
37.9
38.2
38.6
38.8
40.1
40.4
41.3
101.2
101.4
101.4
103.0
104.1
105.3
106.8
41.3
40.8
40. 6
39.1
38.5
39.0
108.1
109.1
107.9
107.9
108.4
109.4
340
G: EARNINGS AND HOURS
T able
MONTHLY LABOR
C -l: Hours and Gross Earnings in Manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing Industries 1—Con.
MANUFACTURING—Continued
Apparel and other finished textile products
Year and month
Total: Apparel and
other finished tex
tile products
M en’s clothing, not
elsewhere classi
fied
Shirts, collars, and
nightwear
U n d erw ea r and
neckwear, men’s 2
Avg.
wkly. Avg.
earn w kly.
ings hours
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn
ings hours
Avg.
wkly.
earnings
Avg.
wkly.
hours
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earnings hours
58.1 $13. 75
60.7 14. 22
34.6
33.0
39.8 $14.18
43.1 14.85
35.4
33.6
Avg.
hrly.
earn
ings
Cents
Avg.
hrly.
earnings
Cents
Avg.
hrly.
earnings
Cents
1939: Average............ $18.17
1941: January............ 18. 76
34.5
33.5
1947: J u n e............... July....... ..........
August______
September----October............
November___
December........
35. 77
36. 50
36. 57
37. 64
38.78
37. 09
39.00
36.0
35.8
35.2
36.0
36.9
36.4
37.1
99.4
102.0
103.8
104.6
105.1
101.9
105.2
41.35
40.17
38. 66
41.06
42. 78
42.24
43.11
37.2
36.5
35.1
36.8
37.9
37.5
37.7
110.4
109.8
109.0
110.6
112.0
111.6
113.6
31. 54
31.24
30. 74
32. 38
33.42
33. 75
34.12
36.8
36.3
36.0
36.9
37.8
38.0
38.1
85.7
86.2
85.2
87.8
88.5
88.9
91.8
33.55
33.79
31.51
33.05
35. 00
35.09
35. 56
1948: January........... 40.00
February____ 40.23
M arch_______ 40. 09
April............. . 37. 61
M a y ________ 37. 24
J u n e................. 37. 61
36.6
36.7
36.7
36.2
35.8
35.6
109.4
109.8
109.2
104.0
104.0
105. 5
44.11
44. 05
44.73
44. 31
43. 50
43.19
37.0
37.1
37.4
37.3
36. 8
36.4
117.8
117.6
118.8
117.3
117.1
116.9
34.45
34.20
35.02
34. 39
33.83
32.86
36.9
36.8
37.4
36.9
36.3
35.5
92.9
92.8
93.4
92.8
92.7
92.8
35.03
34. 78
35. 77
34.35
34.80
34. 00
52.7 $19.32
56.0 20.40
33.2
33.4
Avg.
hrly.
earnmgs
Women’s clothing,
not elsewhere clas
sified
Work shirts
Avg.
wkly. wAvg.
kly.
earnings hours
Cents
Avg.
hrly.
earnings
Avg.
wkly.
earnings
Avg.
wkly.
hours
Avg.
hrly.
earnings
Cents
40.1 $11.03
44.2 12. 33
35.8
33.6
30.9 $19. 20
36.7 19.47
33.9
33.2
51.9
55.3
36.4
36.0
34.5
35.5
36.9
36.5
37.3
91.6
93.8
91.4
93.2
94.9
96.1
95.3
24. 91
26. 56
25.54
25. 59
25.15
24. 90
24.32
34.3
36.2
35.4
34.6
33.7
34.1
34.1
72.6
73.5
72.2
74.0
74.5
72.8
71.2
41.87
43. 81
45.49
45. 78
46.91
43.82
46.76
35.0
34.8
34.6
35.0
35.8
35.3
36.2
118.2
124.1
128.5
127.9
127. 9
121.7
127.0
36.4
35.5
36.3
36.0
36.8
36.0
95.7
97.4
98.4
95.4
94.6
95.0
23.73
25. 69
26. 50
26. 85
27. 22
27.18
32.7
35.6
36.9
36.8
36.5
36.7
72.5
72.1
71.8
73.0
74.4
73.9
48. 52
49. 09
48. 10
43. 20
43. 27
43. 94
36.0
36.1
36.1
35.1
35.1
35. 0
132.7
133.4
131.0
120.1
120.6
123.9
Apparel and other finished textile products —Continued
Corsets and allied
garments
M illinery
Cents
Cents
1939: Average......... $17.15
1941: January........... 17. 24
37.5
35.6
45.6 $22.19
48.2 22.31
33.8
30.5
1947: June..................
July..................
August______
September___
October............
November___
December........
35.72
34. 95
34.80
35. 75
36. 76
36.80
36.89
38.0
37.5
36.7
37.5
38.5
38.6
39.0
94.1
93.5
94.2
95.4
95.6
95.5
94.8
32.5
36.2
36.3
35.8
38.2
31.3
35.0
1948: January_____
February____
M arch..........
April________
M a y ________
J u n e................
37.37
37.07
38.14
37.39
35. 85
36. 58
38.0
37.9
38.5
37.8
35.8
36.2
43.62
48. 58
49. 52
49. 74
53. 20
39.14
46.03
98.5 53.14
97.9 *57.84
99.3 52. 77
99.1 49 95
100.3 42. 82
101.3 45.14
Handkerchiefs
H ou sefu rn ish in gs,
other than cur
tains, etc.
Cents
Cents
Cents
63.6
64.8
127.1 $29. 94
129.8 31.13
131.4 30. 40
134.0 31.85
133.7 32. 57
121.3 33.31
125.6 32. 55
37.3 136.5
39.3 *141.5
30.9 139.4
36.0 135. 3
31.5 133.3
32.5 135.1
Curtains, draperies,
and bedspreads
30. 46
32. 66
34. 21
33.09
31. 66
31.40
Textile bags
Cents
35.2
36.3
35.5
36.7
37.5
37.7
37.0
85.1 $26. 72
85.7 29. 09
85.7 28.93
86.7 30. 64
86.8 31.55
88.4 31. 26
88.1 31.28
31.4
36.1
36.1
37.3
37.5
37.2
37.1
84.9 $37.87
81.6 36. 44
81.1 37. 74
83.0 38.33
84.4 38. 72
83.9 38.03
84.3 41.34
38.1
38.4
38.6
38.2
38.3
38.3
40.5
98.9 $34.02
94.5 35. 48
97.7 35. 34
99.6 35. 86
100.4 36. 76
98.3 37. 25
101.2 37.60
37.1
38.3
37.8
38.1
38.9
38.9
39.5
91.8
92.5
93.6
94.1
94,4
95.8
95.3
34.4
36.4
37.1
36.1
34.8
34.3
88.4 *31. 44
89.7 *30.69
92.2 *31.40
91.7 30.17
90.9 30.41
91.7 30.67
36.8
35.9
35.4
33.1
32.9
33. 7
85.6
85.4
88.2
89.1
91.2
91.0
38.2
37.7
38.1
38.2
37.2
39.1
99.9
96.5
100.0
100.1
99.8
101.9
38.9
38.0
37.1
37.2
38.4
38.1
95.6
95.2
96.4
97.7
98.7
99.2
38. 54
36.83
38. 29
38.46
37. 52
40.19
37.20
36.23
35.80
36.35
37.94
37.86
Leather and leather products
Total: Leather and
leather products
Boot and shoe cut
stock and findings
Leather
Cents
Cents
Cents
1939: Average_____ $19.13
1941: January_____ 20. 66
36.2
37.3
1947: June..................
July....... ..........
August.............
September___
October_____
November___
December____
40.12
40. 30
40. 25
41. 89
42.18
41.93
42.67
38.1
38.2
38.1
39.1
39.0
38.3
39.1
105.3
105. 5
105.7
107,2
108. 2
109.5
109.2
50. 44
61. 11
51. 19
52. 66
62. 52
52. 82
53. 65
40.5
40.4
40.0
41.0
40.7
40.6
41.3
124.1 $38.62
126.1 39.06
127.7 39.86
128.3 40.14
128.7 39.19
129.7 38. 92
130.0 41.36
38.1
38.4
39.1
39.2
38.3
37.2
39.3
1948: January_____
February____
42.63
42. 99
41.87
40. 34
39.82
41. 47
39.0
39.0
37.8
36.2
35. 4
37.0
109.5
110.2
110.6
111.6
112.4
112.0
53. 06
53. 38
51. 01
51. 59
52. 53
53. 07
40.8
40.5
39.4
39.1
39.3
39.4
129.9
131.7
131.5
131.8
133 5
134.5
38.9
38.4
37.6
36.5
36.3
37.4
March_____
April.................
M a y ________
June...............
See footnotes at end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
52.8 $24. 43
55.4 25. 27
38.7
38.3
Boots and shoes
63.4
66.2
41.36
41.23
40. 55
39. 90
39. 72
41. 24
Leather gloves and
mittens
Cents
Trunks and suit
cases
Cents
Cents
$17. 83
19. 58
35.7
37.0
102.5
103.1
103.4
103.2
103.7
106.0
106.3
38. 30
38. 49
38.32
40.12
40.41
39.98
40.87
37.7
37.8
37.7
38.8
38.7
37.8
38.7
102.0 $31.42
101.8 32.42
101.8 32.33
103.5 33.45
104.6 34.43
105.9 33.88
105.6 33. 91
35.0
35.6
35.7
36.3
36.4
36.3
36.3
90.7 $42. 34
91.4 40. 62
91.2 42. 09
92.7 43. 07
94.5 46.15
93.4 47. 61
93.1 45.53
39.6
38.4
39.4
39. 5
40.9
42. 2
40.9
106.6
105.6
106. 7
109.5
111.4
112.9
110.9
107.5
108.0
108.6
110.7
110. 5
110.8
41.09
41.35
40. 21
38.09
36.91
39.08
38.8
38.8
37.5
35.3
34.2
36.4
105.9
106.5
107.1
108.0
108.1
107.6
35.7
36.0
36.0
35.4
35. 4
36.0
94.7
94.1
94.0
93. S
98.9
99.8
38.4
40.6
40. 6
40.1
39.6
39.0
110.5
112.9
113.5
113.0
113.7
115.0
50.3
53.0
33. 75
33.67
33. 82
33.18
34. 83
35.83
42.33
45.61
45.83
45.35
45. 06
44. 86
341
G: EARNINGS AND HOURS
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
T able C -l: Hours and Gross Earnings in Manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing Industries1—Con.
MANTJFACTTJRING-Continued
Food
Slaughtering and
meat packing
Total: Food
Year and month
Condensed and
evaporated milk
Butter
Flour
Ice cream
Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. wkly. hrly. wkly. wkly. hrly.
hrly. wkly.
hrly. wkly.
wkly. wkly.
hrly. wkly.
earn earn wkly. earn earn wkly. earn earn hours earn earn hours earn
earn hours earn earn wkly.
ings
ings ings
ings
ings ings hours ings ings hours ings ings hours ings ings
1Q39: Average
$24.43
24.69
40.3
39.0
1047: June........ ......
July.... ...........
August_____
September___
October_____
November___
December.......
48. 27
48.40
49.45
49.04
49. 61
49.90
50.93
43.2
43.2
43.4
43.4
42.8
42.5
43.3
1948: January_____
February____
March _____
April______
May- ______
June.- ____
49.44
49.18
49. 36
50. 95
51.21
52.03
42.0
41.6
41.6
42.4
42.4
42.8
Cents
Cents
68.6 $22. 60
68.1 22. 84
60. 7 $27. 85
63.3 26. 84
40.6
39.3
111.9
112.1
114.0
112.9
115.9
117.3
117.6
54. 40
56.82
54.33
55.31
54.98
61.31
61.57
44.5
44.5
43.0
43.4
43.2
46.9
47.7
122.2
128.2
126.7
127.6
127.3
130.5
129.1
45.60
44. 75
46.20
45.65
45. 58
46.05
46.98
117. 7
118.1
118.7
120.1
120.6
121.7
57.12
51.88
56. 62
68.51
67. 66
62.14
44.8
40.7
43.6
48.1
46.7
44.2
127. 5
127.7
130.1
142.5
142.4
137.9
5.92
47. 28
*45.92
47.16
47. 52
48. 48
46.7
44.6
47.4
47.0
47.7
47.4
46.3
46.1
46.5
Cents
Cents
48.4
50.9
95.9 $50. 57
95.5 50.18
96.4 49. 21
96.1 49.66
98.1 49.24
99.5 48. 54
100.4 49.32
45.9 99.5
46.3 101.1
45.8 *101 1
45.6 103.2
45.9 103.3
46.5 104.3
50.20
51.68
52.28
,53.51
55. 36
56.66
$29.24
29.41
46.2
44.2
Cents
62.6 $25. 80
65.3 25. 27
42.3
41.0
Cents
60.5
60.8
48.7
48.1
47.2
46.9
46.5
45.7
45.9
103.9
104.4
104.2
105.9
105.8
106.2
107.4
48. 81
49.62
50.84
50.12
49. 86
49. 40
49.87
46.7
46.7
46.9
45.7
45.5
44.3
44.8
102.1
103.4
105.2
105.9
106.4
107.2
107.3
55. 55
57. 71
59. 69
59.91
59.01
59.15
56.45
49.8
50.5
50.1
49.9
49.0
48.6
47.6
111.5
114.5
119.3
120.1
120.3
121.8
118.7
45.5
45.9
46.4
46.7
47.5
48.5
110.3
112.5
112.6
114.7
116.5
116.8
50.50
51.12
51.44
50.86
51.13
51.87
45.3
45.0
45.4
45.3
44.9
45.5
107.9
109.3
109.5
108.7
108.8
110.2
54.43
54.56
50.99
53.07
55.12
57.70
46.4
45.9
43.7
45.3
46.1
47.8
117.5
118.9
116.7
117.3
119.6
120.5
Food—Continued
Cents
1939: Average __
1941: January___
Sugar refining,
cane
Baking
Cereal preparations
$25. 70
26.46
41.7
41.1
Cents
62.1 $23. 91
64.4 22.73
37.6
35.0
Confectionery
Sugar, beet
Cents
63.6 $24. 68
65.0 24.03
42.9
36.5
Cents
58.5 $18. 64
63.0 19.19
38.1
37.6
Beverages, non
alcoholic
Cents
49.2 $24.21
51.1 25. 28
43.6
42.0
Cents
55.6
60.2
1047: June_______
July________
August_____
September___
October__ _
November___
December___
$50. 79
63.83
54.32
61.28
50. 54
52.05
64.13
40.8
43.2
42.4
40.5
39.7
40.3
40.8
124.4
124.6
128.1
126.6
127.3
129.1
132.8
45.50
45.81
45. 52
46.14
46. 85
46.26
47.43
42.6
42.7
41.9
41.9
41.9
41.6
42.3
106.7
107.4
109.1
110.4
111.5
111.5
111.9
52.14
50.33
51.89
50. 87
53.03
56.39
48.24
45.6
45.5
46.3
44.0
45.3
46.0
41.2
114.2
110.5
112.1
115.6
116.8
122.4
117.1
47. 38
46. 34
50. 88
51.55
50. 59
56. 47
53. 87
40.8
39.2
41.7
40.8
44.8
48.2
46.1
116.2
118.4
122.0
126.3
113.0
117.2
116.8
39. 34
37. 66
38.39
41.20
42.24
42. 24
42.96
39.3
37.8
38.8
40.4
41.1
40.8
41.5
100.4
99.8
99.3
102.1
102.9
103.6
103.5
44.48
45.98
47.89
47.91
45.85
44.60
45.22
44.2
45.0
46.6
46.0
44.3
43.3
43.7
100.4
102.0
103.6
104.9
103.9
103.2
103.2
1948: January_____
February____
March______
April______
May_______
June . ___
54.10
55. 58
52.46
54. 50
55.64
58.00
40.5
40.6
38.7
39.8
40.4
41.5
133.5
136.9
135. 6
137.0
137.7
139.8
47.03
49. 30
47. 38
48.00
49. 30
50. 25
41.6
43.6
41.9
42.1
42.7
42.9
113.1 45.66
113.2 44.66
113.1 49.30
113.8 52. 57
114.7 51.08
116.6 52.88
38.0
37.9
41.0
43.2
41.9
43.5
120.1
111.7
120.2
121.7
122.0
121.4
50. 45
55.30
50.11
50.19
49.79
49. 72
39.0
42.4
38.7
38.9
37.6
38.6
129.3 40. 82
130.5 *40. 45
129.6 *40.48
130.2 40.83
133.7 38.76
130.1 41.56
39.6
*38.9
39.1
38.6
37.5
39.1
103.4
104.5
105.0
106.0
103.6
106.4
45.05
44.99
44.93
45. 46
45. 75
47.27
43.0
42.9
43.0
43.7
43.9
45.0
105.5
104 8
104.4
104.1
104.1
105.3
Tobacco manufactures
Food—Continued
Malt liquors
Canning and pre
serving
Cents
91.6 $16.77
95.2 16.67
37.0
33.0
Total: Tobacco
manufactures
Cents
46.4 $16. 84
51.0 17.89
1939: Average____ $35.01
1941: January_____ 34. 57
38.3
36.4
1947: June
___
July . _____
August_____
September___
October_____
November___
December___
64. 57
67. 52
68. 98
69. 54
66.10
64.03
63.54
44.4
45.1
45.3
45.2
43.5
42.1
42.1
145.1
149.3
152. 3
153.9
151.7
152.3
151.1
39.37
39. 96
45. 88
43. 69
44. 75
37.94
41.14
37.8
39.9
42.6
42.8
40.9
35.9
37.7
104.5
100 3
108.3
102.5
110.0
106.2
109.3
36. 30
37. 74
37. 26
37.33
37.90
37. 67
39.16
1948: January_____
February____
March______
April_______
May_______
June___ __
61.03
62. 25
62. 57
65. 24
65.31
67.88
40.4
40.9
41.2
42.5
42.5
42.9
151.0
152 0
151.6
153.2
153.7
157.8
41.10
42.73
40. 77
41.63
41.35
41.21
37.3
38.4
36.5
37.0
36.8
38.1
110.2
111.8
112.0
113.0
112.5
109.0
37.97
35.04
36. 52
37.19
37.12
37.90
See footnotes at end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Cents
Cents
37.4
37.4
37.3
37.7
38.3
38.6
39.3
85.4
84.7
85.3
85. 7
86.3
86.8
86.8
34. 49
38. 21
37.13
38.39
37.78
36.10
37.16
36.9
39.9
40.1
41.2
40.6
38. 5
39.1
93.7
96.8
92. 8
93.3
93.1
93.9
05.0
38.1
37.9
37.5
37.4
36.9
36.9
86.0
85.7
85.2
85.7
85.8
86.2
35.38
¿5. 89
35. 78
36. 32
36. 91
37.93
37.1
37.2
36.9
37.1
37.3
37.6
95.5
96.5
97.1
97.9
99.1
100. 9
32.08
31.25
32.00
32. 42
33.21
33.69
34.24
113.5 32. 64
112.0 32. 59
112.4 32.12
111.9 32.13
113.9 31.80
117.2 31.78
38.2
39.6
39.2
39.2
39.7
39.4
39.9
95.0 41.67
95.3 44.67
95.1 43. 74
95.2 43. 36
95.4 43. 92
95.6 43.15
98.3 45.45
39.4
42.2
41.2
40.7
41.3
40.6
40.6
105.7
196.0
106.1
106.6
106.3
106.3
111.9
38.6
36.2
37.7
38.2
37.7
37.8
98.4 44.74
96.8 37.93
06.8 42.99
97.3 44.35
98.4 44. 32
100.2 45.84
39.4
33.9
38.2
39.6
38.9
39.1
Cents
34.1
34.9
34.7
35.0
37.2
37.3
Cents
41.9 $17.53
43.2 18.60
56.1 $14.59
60.0 15.13
47.6 $20.88
50.1 22.38
35.4
35.7
Tobacco (chewing
and smoking) and
snuff
Cigars
Cigarettes
61.4
53.7
342
C: EARNINGS AND HOURS
MONTHLY LABOR
T able C -l: Hours and Gross Earnings in Manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing Industries1—Con.
M A N U F A C T U R IN G -C ontin ued
P r in tin g , p u b lis h in g ,
a n d a llie d in d u s tr ie s
P a p e r a n d a llie d p r o d u c ts
Y e a r a n d m o n th
T o ta l: P a p e r a n d
a llie d p r o d u c ts
A vg.
w k ly .
earn
in g s
A vg.
w k ly .
hours
1939: A v e r a g e .............
1941: J a n u a r y .............
$23. 72
2 5 .1 6
4 0 .1
4 0 .0
1947: J u n e ___________
J u l y ...................
A u g u s t . ..............
S e p t e m b e r ___
O c t o b e r . ...........
N o v e m b e r ____
D e c e m b e r ____
49. 95
5 1 .0 6
50. 72
5 1 .9 9
5 2 .2 2
52. 80
5 3 .6 9
1948: J a n u a r y ............ .
F e b r u a r y _____
M a r c h ________
A p r i l ................... .
M a y .................... .
J u n e . ............. ..
5 3 .2 0
53. 61
5 3 .8 2
5 3 .3 6
54. 52
5 5 .5 2
A vg.
h r ly .
earn
in g s
P a p e r a n d p u lp
E n v e lo p e s
Paper bags
A vg.
w k ly .
earn
in g s
A vg.
w k ly .
hours
5 9 .2
6 2 .9
$ 2 4 .9 2
27. 02
4 0 .3
4 0 .8
6 2 .0
6 6 .2
4 2 .9
4 2 .9
42. 4
4 2 .9
4 3 .0
43. 2
4 3 .8
1 1 6 .5
1 1 9 .0
1 1 9 .6
1 2 1 .0
121. 5
122. 2
1 2 2 .6
54. 83
56. 36
5 6 .3 0
57. 14
57. 10
57. 40
58. 21
44. 5
4 4 .5
4 4 .1
4 4 .5
44. 4
44. 4
4 4 .9
1 2 3 .1
1 2 6 .6
1 2 7 .6
1 2 8 .3
1 2 8 .7
1 2 9 .2
1 2 9 .5
$45. 96
44. 72
4 4 .9 6
4 7 .0 2
46. 97
4 6 .5 2
47. 35
4 3 .0
4 2 .1
4 1 .0
4 2 .2
42. 1
4 1 .9
4 2 .2
1 0 7 .3
107. 4
1 1 0 .7
1 1 2 .5
1 1 2 .8
1 1 2 .0
1 1 2 .2
$ 4 1 .6 9
42. 30
4 1 .8 9
4 2 .0 5
4 3 .6 7
43. 17
45. 29
3 9 .6
3 8 .8
38. 4
3 8 .2
3 9 .3
3 9 .0
4 0 .7
4 3 .1
43. 1
4 3 .1
42. 7
4 2 .8
4 2 .8
1 2 3 .5
1 2 4 .5
1 2 4 .9
1 2 5 .0
1 2 7 .3
1 2 9 .7
5 7 .7 5
58. 41
58. 50
5 8 .0 2
5 9 .8 7
60. 80
44. 4
44. 5
4 4 .5
44. 1
4 4 .6
4 4 .1
130. 1
1 3 1 .0
1 3 1 .3
131. 3
1 3 4 .0
1 3 7 .6
4 6 .5 0
4 6 .6 8
4 6 .3 0
46. 26
4 6 .3 7
4 7 .1 0
4 1 .4
4 1 .3
4 1 .1
4 0 .8
4 0 .8
4 1 .2
1 1 3 .9
1 1 4 .6
1 1 4 .4
1 1 4 .9
1 1 5 .0
1 1 6 .3
45. 23
4 4 .3 4
4 5 .6 9
4 5 .1 4
4 4 .9 3
4 6 .2 9
4 0 .8
3 9 .5
4 0 .7
4 0 .5
3 9 .8
4 0 .8
Cents
A vg.
h r ly .
earn
in g s
A vg.
w k ly .
earn
in g s
A vg.
w k ly .
hours
Cents
A vg.
h r ly .
earn
in g s
A vg.
w k ly .
earn
in g s
A vg.
w k ly .
h ours
Cents
N ew sp a p ers an d
p e r io d ic a l s
P r in tin g ; b o o k a n d
jo b
Cents
Cents
1 0 0 .4
1 0 5 .2
$30. 30
3 1 .6 4
3 8 .3
3 9 .6
1947: J u n e . . . ................
J u l y . . . ..................
A u g u s t . ...............
S e p t e m b e r ____
O c t o b e r _______
N o v e m b e r ____
D e c e m b e r _____
6 7 .1 6
66. 53
67. 74
6 9 .4 0
69. 18
6 9 .7 8
7 1 .4 5
3 8 .4
3 8 .2
3 8 .5
3 9 .0
3 8 .7
3 8 .6
3 9 .1
1 7 1 .9
1 7 1 .3
1 7 3 .6
175. 3
1 7 5 .8
1 7 7 .6
1 7 9 .1
5 6 .8 1
56. 77
55. 95
5 8 .3 2
5 8 .6 3
5 9 .3 5
6 0 .2 2
40. 6
4 0 .5
4 0 .0
4 0 .8
4 0 .7
4 0 .7
4 1 .1
1 4 0 .6 $58. 31
57. 55
1 4 0 .8
1 4 0 .6
5 7 .5 6
1 4 3 .6
60. 51
145. 1
60. 16
6 2 .1 9
1 4 6 .9
6 2 .9 1
1 4 7 .9
4 1 .3
4 0 .5
4 0 .1
5 1 .2
4 1 .1
4 2 .4
4 2 .3
1948: J a n u a r y . . ...........
F e b r u a r y _____
M a r c h ________
A p r i l ___________
M a v __________
J u n e ___________
68. 96
70. 36
7 1 .3 2
72. 79
72. 78
7 3 .3 6
3 7 .8
3 8 .3
3 8 .4
3 8 .5
3 8 .3
3 8 .0
1 7 9 .7
1 8 1 .2
1 8 4 .3
1 8 7 .0
1 8 7 .5
1 8 9 .5
60. 23
60. 13
60. 96
61. 26
6 1 .9 2
62. 25
4 0 .7
3 9 .8
4 0 .3
39. 9
3 9 .8
3 9 .7
1 4 9 .3
1 5 2 .8
1 5 2 .8
15 5 .1
1 5 7 .0
1 5 7 .9
4 0 .4
3 9 .8
40. 3
3 9 .5
3 9 .5
4 0 .0
8 0 .4
8 1 .0
6 1 .0 3
6 0 .0 4
62. 92
6 1 .7 8
63. 24
6 5 .0 0
A vg.
w k ly .
hours
$21. 78
2 2 .2 6
4 0 .2
3 8 .8
1 0 5 .4
1 0 9 .4
1 0 9 .3
1 1 0 .2
1 1 1 .3
1 1 0 .6
1 1 1 .3
4 4 .8 7
45. 44
4 4 .9 2
46. 53
47. 37
48. 66
49. 44
1 1 1 .2
1 1 2 .0
1 1 2 .1
1 1 1 .3
1 1 2 .6
1 1 3 .0
4 8 .3 5
4 8 .7 5
4 9 .1 4
48. 32
48. 64
50. 27
T o ta l: C h e m ic a ls
a n d a llie d p r o d u c ts
Cents
3 6 .1
3 5 .4
A vg.
w k ly .
earn
in g s
A vg.
h r ly .
earn
in g s
A vg.
w k ly .
earn
in g s
A vg.
w k ly .
hours
54. 7
5 7 .6
$32. 42
33. 49
37. 4
3 7 .8
86. 6
8 8 .6
4 1 .3
4 1 .4
4 0 .8
4 1 .6
4 2 .1
4 2 .7
4 3 .3
1 0 8 .8
1 0 9 .9
1 1 0 .4
1 1 2 .2
1 1 2 .7
1 1 4 .3
1 1 4 .4
5 9 .7 6
5 9 .3 7
5 9 .4 8
6 1 .6 1
6 1 .6 2
62. 30
63. 37
3 9 .9
3 9 .6
3 9 .4
4 0 .2
4 0 .0
4 0 .0
4 0 .4
149. 9
1 4 9 .8
1 5 0 .8
153. 4
154. 0
1 5 5 .6
1 5 6 .8
4 2 .0
4 1 .9
4 1 .8
4 1 .0
4 0 .7
4 1 .6
1 1 5 .5
1 1 6 .7
1 1 7 .7
1 1 8 .0
1 1 9 .9
1 2 1 .4
62.
62.
63.
64.
65.
65.
3 9 .5
3 9 .1
3 9 .5
3 9 .2
3 9 .1
3 9 .1
1 5 7 .9
1 6 0 .4
1 6 2 .1
1 6 4 .6
1 6 6 .4
1 6 7 .7
Cents
A vg.
h r ly .
earn
in g s
Cents
41
72
97
62
04
50
C h e m ic a ls a n d a llie d p r o d u c ts
L it h o g r a p h in g
1939: A v e r a g e . ............. $37. 58
1941: J a n u a r y _______ 3 8 .1 5
A vg.
h r ly .
earn
in g s
Cents
P r in tin g , p u b lis h in g , a n d a llie d in d u s tr ie s — C o n tin u e d
T o ta l: P r in tin g , p u b
lis h in g , a n d a llie d
in d u s tr ie s
P ap er boxes
P a in t s , v a r n ish e s ,
a n d c o lo r s
Cents
D r u g s , m e d ic in e s ,
a n d in s e c t ic id e s
Cents
Cents
$ 2 5 .5 9
27. 53
3 9 .5
39. 9
6 4 .9
6 9 .0
$ 2 8 .4 8
2 9 .8 6
4 0 .5
40. 3
7 0 .4
7 4 .1
$ 2 4 .1 6
2 4 .6 8
3 9 .7
3 9 .3
5 9 .2
6 1 .9
1 4 1 .1
1 4 2 .1
143. 6
1 4 6 .7
1 4 6 .2
1 4 6 .7
1 4 8 .6
50. 59
5 1 .0 0
51. 27
5 1 .8 1
52. 67
5 3 .1 5
53. 73
4 1 .1
4 0 .9
4 0 .9
4 1 .0
4 1 .4
41. 3
4 1 .5
1 2 3 .2
1 2 4 .7
1 2 5 .2
126. 3
127. 3
1 2 8 .7
1 2 9 .3
52. 81
53. 37
5 3 .7 6
53. 55
5 3 .9 3
55. 06
5 5 .1 1
4 2 .5
4 2 .3
4 2 .1
4 1 .8
4 1 .9
4 1 .9
4 2 .0
1 2 4 .4
1 2 6 .3
1 2 7 .9
1 2 8 .4
1 2 9 .0
1 3 1 .6
1 3 1 .4
43. 49
4 3 .5 0
45. 68
46. 43
4 7 .9 0
4 7 .3 5
4 7 .9 0
3 9 .9
3 9 .1
3 9 .9
3 9 .5
40. 4
4 0 .0
40. 4
1 0 9 .1
1 1 1 .4
1 1 4 .4
1 1 7 .5
1 1 8 .5
1 1 8 .3
118. 5
1 5 1 .1
150. 9
1 5 6 .0
156. 5
160.1
1 6 1 .6
54. 31
5 4 .1 2
5 4 .1 5
5 4 .3 8
5 5 .2 4
5 6 .7 0
41. 4
4 1 .1
4 1 .2
4 1 .0
4 1 .0
4 1 .4
1 3 1 .1
1 3 1 .5
131. 5
1 3 2 .7
1 3 4 .7
1 3 6 .9
55. 34
5 5 .7 3
55. 71
55. 54
5 7 .2 2
5 7 .8 4
4 2 .0
4 1 .8
4 1 .7
4 1 .5
4 2 .2
4 2 .4
1 3 2 .1
1 3 3 .4
1 3 3 .8
1 3 4 .4
1 3 5 .8
1 3 6 .5
48. 31
48. 42
48. 44
4 8 .3 6
48. 91
4 9 .2 2
4 0 .4
40. 2
4 0 .2
3 9 .8
3 9 .4
3 9 .5
1 1 9 .6
1 2 0 .6
1 2 0 .5
1 2 1 .6
1 2 4 .1
1 2 4 .9
C h e m ic a ls a n d a llie d p r o d u c ts— C o n tin u e d
R a y o n a n d a llie d
p ro d u cts
Soap
Cents
1939: A v e r a g e .............. $ 2 8 .1 1
1941: J a n u a r y .............. 2 9 .5 8
3 9 .8
4 0 .0
7 0 .7
7 4 .0
C h e m ic a ls , n o t e ls e
w h e r e c la s s i f i e d
Cents
$24. 52
2 7 .2 6
3 7 .9
3 9 .2
6 4 .6
6 9 .6
E x p lo s iv e s a n d s a fe ty
fu ses
Cents
$ 3 1 .3 0
3 3 .1 0
4 0 .0
4 0 .3
78. 4
8 2 .2
A m m u n it io n , s m a llarm s
Cents
$29. 99
3 1 .5 6
3 8 .8
3 7 .8
7 7 .3
8 3 .5
C o t t o n s e e d o il
Cents
$22. 68
2 4 .0 5
3 9 .0
3 8 .6
6 1 .2
6 2 .3
Cents
$ 1 3 .7 0
15. 55
4 4 .3
4 4 .6
3 0 .2
3 3 .8
¡L
1947: J u n e .....................
J u l y . . .................
A u g u s t ________
S e p t e m b e r ____
O c t o b e r . ...........
N o v e m b e r ____
D e c e m b e r ____
5 7 .9 8
5 6 .3 0
5 9 .0 4
62. 05
6 1 .5 8
6 2 .6 6
6 5 .0 1
4 3 .3
4 2 .0
4 3 .0
4 4 .0
4 3 .5
4 4 .1
4 4 .7
1 3 3 .8
1 3 4 .0
137. 4
1 4 1 .0
1 4 1 .4
1 4 2 .0
1 4 5 .6
4 8 .6 3
4 8 .6 9
4 9 .0 4
4 9 .7 4
4 8 .7 1
4 9 .0 7
4 9 .7 3
3 9 .6
39. 6
4 0 .0
3 9 .6
3 9 .0
3 9 .2
3 9 .2
1 2 2 .9
1 2 3 .0
1 2 2 .6
1 2 5 .7
1 2 4 .9
125. 2
1 2 6 .8
5 6 .8 0
5 7 .7 3
5 7 .4 4
5 7 .9 8
5 8 .4 6
59. 21
6 0 .0 7
4 0 .9
4 1 .1
4 0 .7
4 0 .5
4 0 .8
4 0 .9
4 1 .2
1 3 9 .0
1 4 0 .4
1 4 1 .0
1 4 3 .2
1 4 3 .2
1 4 4 .8
1 4 5 .7
54. 77
56. 47
5 7 .0 8
5 7 .3 9
56. 65
58. 20
5 7 .3 6
4 0 .4
4 1 .2
4 1 .9
4 1 .6
40. 5
4 0 .7
4 0 .0
1 3 5 .7
1 3 7 .1
1 3 6 .1
1 3 8 .1
1 4 0 .0
1 4 3 .0
1 4 3 .3
49. 62
50. 42
44. 96
5 2 .6 9
5 3 .1 3
53. 30
53. 85
4 1 .8
4 1 .6
4 1 .0
4 2 .1
4 2 .9
4 3 .1
4 3 .3
1 1 8 .6
1 2 1 .3
1 0 9 .8
1 2 5 .0
1 2 3 .9
1 2 3 .8
1 2 4 .3
3 5 .8 3
35. 29
3 5 .7 6
36. 30
3 8 .8 4
3 8 .4 7
3 8 .6 8
4 8 .6
4 8 .3
4 8 .9
5 1 .0
5 3 .8
5 2 .6
5 2 .9
7 3 .7
7 3 .0
7 3 .2
7 1 .2
7 2 .2
7 3 .1
7 3 .1
1948: J a n u a r y .............
F e b r u a r y _____
M a r c h ________
A p r i l __________
M a y ..................
J u n e ........... ..........
6 4 .6 9
64. 54
62. 83
64. 29
6 4 .9 9
65. 46
4 4 .1
4 3 .8
4 2 .8
4 2 .1
4 2 .1
4 2 .1
1 4 6 .6
1 4 7 .5
1 4 6 .7
1 5 2 .8
1 5 4 .3
1 5 5 .3
50. 36
50. 33
5 0 .6 8
5 1 .2 9
5 1 .4 6
5 1 .7 2
3 9 .2
3 9 .3
3 9 .5
3 9 .8
3 9 .7
3 9 .8
1 2 8 .4
1 2 8 .0
1 2 8 .4
1 2 8 .7
1 2 9 .6
1 2 9 .8
60. 80
60. 82
60. 84
60. 97
6 1 .4 8
6 3 .1 5
4 1 .2
4 1 .1
4 1 .0
4 1 .1
4 1 .2
4 1 .9
1 4 7 .7
1 4 7 .9
1 4 8 .3
1 4 8 .4
1 4 9 .3
1 5 1 .2
5 8 .8 5
5 9 .2 0
5 8 .2 4
56. 47
5 9 .3 4
6 1 .4 4
4 0 .8
4 1 .2
4 0 .5
3 9 .6
4 0 .6
4 1 .8
1 4 4 .1
1 4 3 .8
1 4 3 .7
1 4 2 .7
1 4 6 .2
1 4 7 .3
4 8 .0 9
4 8 .1 9
4 9 .0 4
4 9 .3 7
50. 28
5 1 .4 8
4 0 .5
4 0 .6
4 0 .7
4 0 .8
4 1 .3
4 1 .2
1 1 8 .8
1 1 8 .7
1 2 0 .4
1 2 0 .9
1 2 1 .8
1 2 4 .3
3 8 .8 6
36. 59
37. 95
3 7 .5 0
3 8 .0 7
3 7 ,9 4
5 2 .2
4 8 .8
5 0 .3
4 9 .4
4 9 .0
4 8 .0
7 4 .6
7 5 .0
7 5 .5
7 5 .9
7 7 .8
7 9 .1
S e e f o o t n o t e s a t e n d o f t a b le .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
343
C: EARNINGS AND HOURS
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
T able C -l: Hours and Gross Earnings in Manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing Industries1—Con.
M
C h e m ic a ls
a n d
A N U F A C T U R I N G — C o n tin u e d
a llie d
P r o d u c ts o f p e tr o le u m
a n d
R u b b e r p r o d u c ts
co a l
p r o d u c ts— C o n .
T o ta l:
F e r tiliz e r s
Y e a r a n d
A v g .
A v g .
w k ly .
w k ly .
ea r n
h o u r s
in g s
A v g .
A v g .
h r ly .
w k ly .
ea r n
ea r n
in g s
in g s
a n d
A v g .
w k ly .
h o u r s
3 4 .8
1 4 .8 9
r e fin in g
a n d
b y
R o o f in g
m a te r ia ls
T o ta l:
R u b b e r
p ro d
u c ts
p r o d u c ts
$ 3 2 .6 2
4 1 .2
4 2 .9
A v g .
A v g .
h r ly .
w k ly .
ea r n
ea r n
in g s
in g s
A v g .
w k ly .
h o u r s
3 6 .5
3 2 .4 6
3 6 .6
89
4
8 8 .7
A v g .
A v g .
h r ly .
w k ly .
ea rn
ea r n
in g s
in g s
A v g .
w k ly .
h o u r s
3 4 .4 6
3 6 .1
3 5 .7
A v g .
h r ly .
w k ly .
ea r n
in g s
in g s
A v g .
w k ly .
h o u r s
A v g .
A v g .
h r ly .
w k ly .
ea r n
ea r n
in g s
in g s
A v g .
w k ly .
h o u r s
Cents
Cents
Cents
$ 3 4 .9 7
A v g .
ea r n
A v g .
h r ly .
ea r n
in g s
Cents
7 5 .4
9 7 .4
$27. 84
3 6 .9
9 7 .0
3 0 .3 8
3 9 .0
7 7 .9
1 2 5 .1
5 5 .4 9
3 9 .1
1 4 1 .9
1 3 4 .5
$54. 87
43. 9
4 1 .8
8 7 .1
5 9 .6 4
4 0 .7
1 4 6 .4
6 2 .1 7
4 0 .6
1 5 3 .2
$ 5 3 .8 3
______________
3 7 .0 4
4 1 .8
8 8 .6
60. 57
4 0 .5
1 4 9 .5
6 4 .1 2
4 0 .7
1 5 7 .0
5 1 .3 4
3 7 .8
1 3 6 .4
5 6 .0 9
4 4 .5
1 2 6 .0
5 5 .7 4
3 8 .6
1 4 4 .5
A u g u s t ___________
3 7 .1 7
4 0 .9
9 0 .8
6 0 .6 2
4 0 .6
1 4 9 .4
6 3 .1 2
4 0 .3
1 5 6 .7
5 4 .1 5
3 9 .8
1 3 6 .3
5 7 .1 7
4 4 .6
1 2 8 .2
5 5 .9 2
3 8 .7
1 4 4 .5
S e p t e m b e r ______
3 8 .8 5
4 1 .8
9 3 .0
6 1 .8 4
4 1 .0
1 5 0 .9
64. 75
4 0 .7
1 5 9 .1
5 3 .0 8
3 8 .6
1 3 8 .1
5 7 .5 6
4 4 .7
1 2 8 .7
57. 76
3 9 .9
1 4 4 .7
J u n e ________________
J u lv
1948:
P e tr o le u m
co a l
Cents
Cents
3 5 .8
$ 1 4 .7 1
1947:
C o k e
P r o d u c ts o f
p e tr o le u m
m o n th
3 6 .4 1
3 9 .8
O c t o b e r _________
36. 85
4 0 .5
9 0 .9
6 0 .9 4
4 0 .5
1 5 0 .5
63 . 51
3 9 .9
1 5 9 .3
5 3 .8 3
3 9 .9
1 3 5 .0
5 8 .8 8
4 5 .2
1 3 0 .2
57. 62
4 0 .1
1 4 3 .8
N o v e m b e r ______
3 5 .5 3
3 9 .2
9 0 .7
6 2 .5 4
4 1 .2
1 5 1 .8
65. 86
4 1 .0
1 6 0 .7
5 4 .0 6
3 9 .8
1 3 5 .9
58. 74
4 5 .4
1 3 0 .6
5 7 .9 9
3 9 .9
1 4 5 .4
D e c e m b e r ...............
36. 56
4 0 .7
8 9 .7
63 . 21
4 0 .8
1 5 5 .1
6 6 .3 2
4 0 .3
1 6 4 .7
5 4 .3 7
3 9 .7
1 3 7 .1
6 0 .6 0
4 5 .5
1 3 3 .1
5 9 .4 7
4 0 .9
1 4 5 .4
5 8 .3 5
4 4 .4
1 3 1 .4
5 7 .3 3
3 9 .7
1 4 4 .4
3 7 .2 3
4 1 .5
8 9 .7
4 0 .7
1 5 8 .6
6 7 .5 4
3 9 .8
1 6 9 .9
*56. 70
* 4 0 .4
* 1 4 0 .4
F e b r u a r y ________
3 4 .9 6
3 9 .7
8 8 .1
64. 58
4 0 .8
1 5 8 .1
6 7 .6 4
4 0 .0
1 6 8 .9
* 5 7 .0 6
* 4 0 .9
* 1 3 9 .5
5 8 .6 7
4 4 .1
1 3 3 .2
54. 70
38. 5
1 4 2 .1
M a r c h ___________
36. 25
4 1 .6
8 7 .1
6 4 .6 2
4 0 .6
1 5 9 .3
67. 77
4 0 .1
1 6 9 .2
56. 74
4 0 .3
1 4 0 .8
5 9 . 51
4 4 .3
1 3 4 .2
53. 24
3 7 .8
1 4 0 .8
A p r i l _______________
36. 49
4 1 .5
8 8 .0
64. 45
4 0 .3
1 6 0 .0
6 8 .5 0
4 0 .2
1 7 0 .4
53. 54
3 8 .4
1 3 9 .5
5 8 .8 4
4 4 .0
1 3 3 .8
53. 39
3 7 .8
141. 2
37. 40
4 1 .4
9 0 .4
6 7 .1 2
4 1 .2
163. 0
7 1 .1 4
4 0 .9
1 7 4 .0
5 7 .0 1
4 0 .2
1 4 1 .9
60. 55
4 4 .9
135. 4
55. 77
3 8 .9
143. 5
3 9 .3 4
4 1 .2
9 5 .4
67. 09
4 0 .7
1 6 4 .9
7 1 .0 3
4 0 .2
1 7 6 .3
5 7 .6 2
4 0 .3
1 4 3 .4
6 0 .8 0
4 4 .6
1 3 6 .9
57. 53
3 9 .7
1 4 5 .1
J a n u a r y ___________
M
a y
____________
J u n e ________________
6 4 .4 7
M is c e lla n e o u s in d u s tr ie s
R u b b e r p r o d u c ts — C o n tin u e d
In str u m e n ts
R u b b e r
R u b b e r b o o ts
tir e s a n d
in n e r
a n d
T o ta l:
R u b b e r
g o o d s
o th er
M is c e lla n e o u s
s io n a l
(p r o fe s-
a n d
tific ), a n d
in d u s tr ie s
sh o es
tu b e s
s c ie n
P ia n o s , o r g a n s,
a n d
p a r ts
fir e -c o n -
tr o l e q u ip m e n t
1947:
1948:
3 5 .0
9 5 .7
$ 2 2 .8 0
3 7 .5
6 0 .7
$ 2 3 .3 4
3 8 .9
6 0 .5
$24. 48
3 9 .2
62. 4
3 7 .7
9 7 .5
26. 76
4 1 .9
6 3 .9
2 4 .9 7
3 9 .4
6 3 .9
2 5 .3 5
3 9 .3
6 4 .5
$ 3 5 .3 3
4 5 .7
6 1 .3 5
3 7 .7
1 6 1 .5
4 9 .6 2
4 1 .4
1 1 9 .8
4 8 .9 5
4 0 .5
1 2 0 .9
4 7 .0 0
4 0 .3
1 1 6 .7
5 4 .1 5
3 9 .5
1 3 5 .1
$ 5 2 .7 1
4 1 .3
62. 06
3 7 .9
1 6 4 .0
4 8 .4 6
4 0 .5
1 1 8 .7
4 8 .2 2
3 9 .1
1 2 3 .2
4 6 .3 7
3 9 .4
1 1 7 .8
53. 55
4 0 .1
1 3 5 .0
5 1 .5 7
4 0 .8
6 2 .1 5
3 7 .8
1 6 4 .0
4 7 .2 3
3 9 .9
1 1 8 .3
4 9 .1 7
3 9 .7
1 2 3 .7
46. 32
3 9 .3
1 1 7 .7
5 4 .2 7
3 9 .9
1 3 5 .3
5 0 .8 8
4 0 .7
1 2 5 .9
5 5 .0 0
3 9 .8
1 3 6 .1
53. 81
4 1 .9
129. 5
5 5 .6 7
3 9 .9
1 3 7 .5
52. 64
4 0 .8
1 3 0 .1
1 3 1 .8
J a n u a r y ----------------
3 6 .6 7
J u n e
______________
____________
A u g u s t ____________
J u ly
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
1941.
7 7 .3
1 2 7 .7
1 2 6 .9
S e p t e m b e r ____
6 4 .7 5
3 8 .9
1 6 6 .1
4 9 .9 2
4 1 .8
1 1 9 .4
5 0 .4 0
4 0 .9
1 2 3 .4
4 7 .9 1
4 0 .2
1 1 9 .1
O c t o b e r _________
6 3 .7 8
3 8 .7
1 6 4 .7
5 1 .2 8
4 2 .4
1 2 1 .1
5 1 .0 3
4 1 .4
1 2 3 .2
4 8 .7 4
4 0 .6
1 2 0 .0
N o v e m b e r ______
6 4 .8 6
3 8 .9
1 6 6 .1
4 9 .2 6
4 0 .6
1 2 1 .3
5 1 .2 7
4 1 .0
1 2 5 .2
4 9 .1 4
4 0 .7
1 2 0 .7
5 6 .0 6
4 0 .0
1 3 6 .9
5 4 .2 4
41. 6
D e c e m b e r _______
6 5 .7 4
3 9 .5
1 6 5 .8
5 4 .7 2
4 4 .5
1 2 3 .1
5 2 .9 3
4 1 .8
1 2 6 .1
5 0 .2 1
4 1 .2
1 2 1 .9
5 7 .9 9
4 0 .8
1 3 9 .1
5 6 .2 5
4 2 .9
1 3 2 .6
J a n u a r y
_________
62. 72
3 8 .2
1 6 4 .6
5 1 .0 8
4 2 .1
1 2 1 .4
5 1 .7 9
4 1 .1
1 2 6 .0
4 9 .6 0
4 0 .4
1 2 2 .7
5 9 .5 9
4 1 .2
1 4 1 .9
52. 52
4 0 .4
1 3 1 .1
F e b r u a r y ________
5 8 .2 2
3 6 .0
1 6 1 .3
5 0 .6 5
4 1 .7
1 2 1 .4
5 1 .3 3
4 0 .8
1 2 5 .8
5 0 .1 1
4 0 .8
1 2 3 .0
5 7 .2 0
4 0 .0
1 3 8 .8
5 1 .8 8
4 0 .0
1 3 0 .5
M a r c h _____________
5 5 .5 4
3 4 .8
1 5 9 .9
5 1 .4 2
4 2 .2
1 2 1 .9
50. 60
4 0 .4
1 2 5 .1
4 9 .8 4
4 0 .6
1 2 2 .9
57. 54
4 0 .1
1 4 0 .7
5 1 .8 2
4 0 .3
1 2 8 .8
1 2 2 .8
5 8 .1 6
4 0 .5
1 4 1 .3
5 2 .3 4
4 0 .8
1 2 8 .6
_________
56. 54
3 5 .3
1 6 0 .3
5 0 .5 9
4 1 .7
1 2 1 .4
5 0 .1 6
3 9 .9
1 2 5 .6
49. 60
4 0 .4
a y ______________
6 1 .1 5
3 7 .4
1 6 3 .6
5 0 . 61
4 1 .7
1 2 1 .4
50. 34
4 0 .0
1 2 6 .0
5 0 .1 9
4 0 .3
1 2 4 .4
5 8 .3 5
4 0 .2
1 4 3 .0
5 2 .3 6
4 0 .8
1 2 8 .6
5 0 .9 0
4 0 .4
1 2 6 .1
57. 73
3 9 .7
1 4 3 .4
5 2 .1 1
4 0 .9
1 2 8 .0
A p r il
M
. .
J u n e ________________
3 8 .8
6 3 .9 6
1 6 5 .1
5 1 .0 2
4 1 .8
1 2 1 .5
5 1 .1 5
4 0 .2
N O N M
1 2 7 .2
A N U F A C T U R I N G
M in in g
M e ta l
C o a l
B itu m in o u s •
A n th r a c ite
1941:
1947:
2 5 .1 3
J a n u a r y ______
2 7 .7
2 7 .0
9 2 .3
9 2 .5
$ 2 3 .8 8
2 6 .0 0
2 7 .1
2 9 .7
8 8 .6
8 8 .5
30. 63
4 0 .9
4 1 .0
7 0 .8
7 4 .7
$ 2 6 .3 6
2 9 .2 6
3 5 .7
3 9 .0
z in c
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
$ 2 8 .9 3
a n d
6 8 .3
$ 2 8 .0 8
4 1 .9
6 7 .9
$ 2 6 .3 9
3 8 .7
7 5 .0
3 0 .9 3
4 1 .8
7 4 .9
2 8 .6 1
3 8 .2
7 4 .9
1 3 6 .2
5 9 .0 9
4 5 .3
1 3 0 .5
5 5 .4 5
4 2 .3
1 3 1 .2
7 3 .8
5 6 .3 7
4 2 .6
5 5 .6 8
4 0 .9
5 8 .1 0
3 7 .0
1 5 7 .5
5 4 .8 7
3 1 .8
1 7 4 .0
5 4 .0 4
4 1 .2
1 3 1 .1
5 2 .8 6
3 9 .2
1 3 4 .8
57. 79
4 4 .7
1 2 9 .4
5 2 .8 1
40. 5
1 3 0 .4
J u l y .........................
68 . 51
3 8 .5
1 7 8 .0
7 0 .2 3
3 9 .1
1 7 8 .7
5 6 .0 9
4 1 .4
1 3 5 .4
5 4 .0 9
4 0 .0
1 3 5 .2
6 0 .0 1
4 3 .8
1 3 6 .9
54. 75
3 9 .8
1 3 7 .6
A u g u s t ________
6 7 .3 7
3 8 .2
1 7 6 .5
7 1 .1 9
3 9 .1
1 8 1 .9
5 7 .0 1
4 1 .6
1 3 7 .0
5 4 .1 2
3 9 .6
1 3 6 .8
6 1 .5 7
4 4 .2
1 3 9 .3
5 6 .6 7
4 1 .0
1 3 8 .3
S e p te m b e r ..
6 0 .7 8
4 4 .8
1 3 5 .7
5 7 .4 8
41. 5
1 3 8 .6
1 4 1 .6
J u n e .........................
6 2 .3 9
3 9 .2
1 5 9 .6
6 7 .0 9
4 3 .7
1 4 8 .9
1 3 2 .3
O c t o b e r ______
7 1 .4 0
4 0 .0
1 7 8 .4
7 1 .9 1
3 9 .9
1 7 9 .8
5 7 .3 9
4 2 .3
1 3 5 .6
5 5 .1 1
4 0 .7
1 3 5 .5
N o v e m b e r ..
63. 43
3 6 .2
1 7 5 .4
7 1 .7 7
3 8 .5
1 8 5 .1
57. 55
4 1 .7
1 3 8 .0
5 4 .8 3
3 9 .9
1 3 7 .6
6 0 .4 9
4 4 .0
1 3 7 .5
5 8 .5 8
4 1 .4
6 2 .3 9
4 5 .5
1 3 7 .0
6 0 .8 3
4 3 .3
140. 6
62. 21
4 5 .2
1 3 7 .7
5 9 .8 8
4 2 .0
1 4 2 .5
4 1 .9
141
D e c e m b e r ..
948:
$25. 67
A v e r a g e ______
L e a d
C o p p e r
Iro n
M e ta l
Cents
Cents
1939:
T o ta l:
6 7 .4 2
3 8 .4
1 7 5 .6
7 5 .7 8
4 1 .2
4 0 .9
1 8 2 .6
5 8 .1 1
4 2 .7
4 2 .5
1 3 6 .0
54. 26
4 0 .3
1 3 7 .1
5 4 .9 9
4 0 .5
1 3 5 .6
6 8 .7 9
3 9 .0
1 8 4 .7
5 8 .2 3
F e b r u a r y ...
65. 78
3 6 .2
1 8 1 .7
7 0 .5 4
3 8 .7
1 8 2 .6
5 8 .7 9
4 2 .9
1 3 7 .0
56. 40
4 1 .4
1 3 6 .1
6 2 .8 4
4 5 .8
1 3 7 .3
5 9 .1 6
M a r c h .................
7 1 .5 9
4 0 .3
1 7 7 .6
7 4 .8 4
40. 6
1 8 4 .2
5 7 .9 0
4 2 .4
136. 6
5 6 .0 4
4 1 .3
1 3 5 .7
6 1 .2 5
44. 7
1 3 7 .1
5 9 .0 4
4 1 .6
141. 5
1 4 3 .0
J a n u a r y _____
1 7 6 .4
7 5 .2 2
1 3 4 .6
2
1 7 0 .8
49. 53
2 7 .0
1 8 2 .1
57. 84
4 2 .1
1 3 7 .3
5 5 .4 8
4 0 .7
1 3 6 .4
6 1 .0 4
4 4 .6
1 3 6 .9
59. 58
4 1 .7
69. 89
3 9 .4
1 7 7 .4
7 4 .0 9
4 0 .3
1 8 4 .1
5 9 .1 4
4 2 .7
1 3 8 .6
5 7 .9 1
4 2 .1
1 3 7 .7
6 1 .2 5
4 4 .8
1 3 8 .1
59. 79
4 1 .2
1 4 4 .2
a y ......................
3 9 .4
1 7 4 .9
74. 53
4 0 .3
1 8 4 .8
5 8 .5 9
4 2 .3
1 3 8 .5
5 7 .2 8
4 1 .5
1 3 8 .0
6 0 .7 3
4 4 .4
1 3 7 .9
6 0 .3 6
1 4 5 .1
6 8 .9 1
4 1 .2
J u n e .......................
A p r i l ......................
M
S ee
fo o tn o te s
5 5 .0 5
a t e n d
3 2 .1
o f ta b le .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
344
T able
C: EARNINGS AND HOURS
MONTHLY LABOR
C -l: Hours and Gross Earnings in Manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing Industries *—Con.
N O N M A N U F A C T U R IN G —Continued
M inlng—C ont inued
Q uarrying and
nonm etallic
Year and m onth
Public utilities
C rude petroleum and
n atu ral gas production
Street railw ays
and busses1
Avg.
w kly. wAvg.
kly.
earn hours
ings
Avg. Avg.
hrly. w kly. Avg.
earn earn w kly.
ings
ings hours
Avg.
hrly.
earn
ings
1939: A verage___
1941: Ja n u a ry ___
$21. 61
22.06
39.2
38.2
Cents
55.0 $34.09
57.6 33. 99
38.3
37.7
Cents
87.3 $33.13
88.5 33.63
1947: Ju n e ............
Ju ly .............
A ugust........
S eptem ber.
O ctober___
N o vem ber.
D ecem ber..
50. 92
51.26
52. 99
53. 45
54.44
53. 05
52. 39
45.6
45.2
46.1
46.1
46.4
44.6
44.4
112.1
112.9
114.6
115.6
116.9
117.8
117.6
61.46
60.01
59. 54
61.37
60. 51
62. 94
60.90
41.9
40.6
40.1
40.3
40.0
40.9
39.5
147.5
148.1
148.6
151.0
149.4
155.4
154.3
1948: Ja n u a ry ___
F e b ru a ry ..
M a rc h ____
A p ril...........
M a y ______
Ju n e ______
*50. 92
*50. 39
*51. 04
52.83
54. 73
55.24
42.7 *118. 7
42 1 *119.9
*42.9 *119.0
43.7 120.6
44.4 122.6
44.7 122.5
64.53
65. 77
63. 44
63.96
65.88
64.53
39.9
40.4
39.7
40.0
40.2
39.5
162.7
163.8
160.5
159.9
164.6
164.0
Avg.
w kly. wAvg.
kly.
earn hours
ings
Telephone 8
T e le g ra p h «
Avg. Avg.
hrly. w kly. Avg.
earn earn w kly.
ings
ings hours
Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. Avg.
earn earn w kly.
ings
ings hours
Avg.
hrly.
earn
ings
45.9
45.3
Cents
71.4 $31. 94
73.1 32. 52
39.1
39.7
Cents
82.2
82.4
Cents
57. 71
57. 65
58.00
58. 57
58.69
58. 27
60.11
47.4
46.3
46.6
46.1
45.7
45.4
46.8
121.2
123.1
124.1
126 5
126.5
127.6
128.8
45. 58
46.51
46. 92
48. 02
48. 77
49. 44
47.83
37.5
38.4
38.7
39.1
39.3
39. 5
39.0
121.8 $55. 36
121.1 54.88
121.5 55. 01
123.0 54. 95
124.1 54.92
125.4 55.10
122.9 55.14
44.8
44.8
44.8
44.5
44.8
44.0
43.9
60.73
62.15
61.36
60.10
60. 32
61.21
46.3
47.7
47.3
46.6
46.8
47.2
129. 9
129.5
129.5
129.3
130.2
131.5
48. 20
47. 82
47.31
47. 56
48. 82
48. 86
38.9
38.7
38.7
38.8
39.4
39.7
124.1
123.8
122.3
122.5
124.0
123.4
44.4
44.5
44.4
44.1
45.0
45.1
55. 81
56. 26
56.19
59. 45
62.12
61.63
Electric light
and power
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn
ings hours
Avg.
hrly.
earn
ings
$34.38
35. 49
39.6
39.4
Cents
86.9
90.3
123.6
122 6
122.8
123.4
122.7
125.3
125.7
57. 84
66. 99
57. 97
58. 29
58.44
60.33
59.01
42.2
42.1
42.4
42.0
42.1
42.4
42.2
138.3
137.4
137.8
139.0
139. 2
142.8
141.4
125.7
126. 5
126.7
134.9
138.1
136.7
59. 87
59.60
58. 27
59. 10
59. 77
60.22
42.4
42.2
41.6
41.8
41.7
41.7
142.6
142.8
140.8
142.7
144.3
145.6
Trade
Retail
w noiesaie
Total: Retail
Food
General merchandise
1939: A v erag e...
1941: J a n u a ry ...
$29. 85
30. 59
41.7
40.6
Cents
71.5 $21.17
75.6 21.53
43.0
42.9
Cents
53.6 $23. 37
64.9 23.78
43.9
43.6
Cents
52.5 $17. 80
53.7 18.22
38.8
38.8
1947: Ju n e ............
J u ly .............
A ugust___
Septem ber.
O cto b er__
N o vem ber.
D ecem ber..
52. 88
52. 22
52.05
53. 65
53. 68
54. 70
54. 97
41.6
41.1
41.1
41. 2
41.3
41. 4
41.6
126.2
125. 7
125. 8
128.1
128 9
131.4
130.0
37. 82
37. 99
38.14
37 06
36.74
37.14
37. 51
40.8
41.1
41.0
40.0
40.0
39.5
39.7
99.6
100.3
100.3
101.2
101.3
102. 5
101.6
44. 57
45. 07
45. 37
44.15
44.08
44.92
44.74
41.0
41.6
42.1
40.1
40.2
39.6
39.9
105.7
106.2
104.3
105.1
105. 8
108.6
107.9
32. 41
32. 59
32.50
31.85
31.59
31.15
31,87
37.2
37.6
37. 2
36.3
36.1
35.5
36.0
1948: Ja n u a ry ___
F e b ru a ry ...
M a rch ____
A p ril..........
M a y ______
J u n e ............
54. 36
55. 87
55. 17
55.84
56. 61
56.00
41.0
41.1
40. 9
41.0
41. 2
41.1
130.9
134.3
133.4
134.6
136. 3
134.9
37. 62
38.33
38. 89
39. 27
39.84
40. 52
39.8
40.0
39.8
39.8
39.9
40.3
104.4
105.0
104.4
105. 5
106.4
107.0
45.46
46. 33
46.14
46.66
47. 08
48. 52
39.9
39.7
39.5
39.2
39.2
40.0
110.8
111.9
112.3
115.0
115.5
116.4
32. 09
32. 09
32. 28
33.17
34. 04
35.04
35.9
35. 7
35.3
35.3
35.2
35.8
See footnotes:at end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Furniture and housefurnishings
Apparel
Cents
45.4 $21.23
46.6 21.89
38.8
39.0
Cents
54.3 $28.62
56.0 27. 96
44.5
43.9
Cents
66.0
. 66.6
84.8
85.5
85.9
85.4
86.0
85.6
85.3
37.86
37. 82
36.74
37.02
37.20
37. 40
38.18
37.2
37.3
37.1
36.9
36.8
36.5
37.2
100.9
99.8
99. 4
101.1
102.3
102.7
102.4
50. 20
49. 51
49. 41
50. 23
51.43
52.13
53. 79
43. 2
43.0
42. 6
42. 6
42. 4
42. 5
43.2
120 2
119. 9
119 4
121. 5
124. 3
125 5
128.8
88.9
88.3
87.8
89.5
90.7
91.5
37. 68
37.94
37.50
38.23
38. 54
39.33
36.9
37.3
36.2
36.6
36.5
36.9
100.7
100. 2
102. 5
103.0
104.0
104.9
50. 62
53.05
51.30
50.24
50.96
50.86
42.3
43. 9
43. 7
43. 5
43. 4
43.4
125. 4
125 3
124Í.2
126J .
128.1
128.1
345
G: EARNINGS AND HOURS
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
T able C - l : Hours and Gross Earnings in Manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing Industries 1—Con.
N O N M A N U F A C T U R IN G —Continued
Finance7
Trade—Continued
Service
Retail—Continued
Year and month
Automotive
Avg.
w kly. Avg.
kly.
earn w
ings hours
Lumber and build
ing materials
Brokerage
Insur H o tels8 (year-round)
ance
Power laundries
Avg. Avg.
hrly. w kly. wAvg.
kly.
earn earn hours
ings
ings
Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. w kly. wkly. wkly. wkly.
earn earn earn earn hours
ings
ings
ings
ings
Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. wAvg.
kly.
earn earn hours
ings
ings
Avg.
hrly.
earn
ings
Cents
32.4 $17.69
33.8 18.37
Cents
41.7 $19. 96
42.9 19.92
1939: Average........................ . $27. 07
1941: January........................ . 28. 26
47.6
46.8
Cents
57.1 $26. 22
60.6 26.16
42.7
41.7
Cents
61.9 $36.63 $36. 32 $15. 25
63.4 38. 25 37.52 15.65
46.6
45.9
1947: June_______________
Ju ly ........................... .
August______ ____ _
September.....................
October.........................
November__________
December___________
52. 25
50. 59
51.50
51. 55
52.37
52. 62
52. 71
46.0
45.4
45. 5
45.3
45.7
45.3
45.5
114.1
114.6
115.2
115.9
116.5
117.4
116.8
47. 43
46. 46
48. 49
48. 24
48. 70
47.65
49. 03
43.3
42.5
43.0
42.3
42. 9
42.1
42.7
110.4
110.5
112. 2
113.5
113.6
113.9
114.3
63.72
62. 11
58. 42
59. 32
61.38
64. 51
62. 85
53. 75
52.60
52. 55
51.47
51.96
53. 98
53. 92
29. 85
29. 36
29.50
29.86
30. 45
30.54
30. 89
45. 2
44.9
45.0
44.1
44.0
44.4
44.1
65.0
65.2
66.0
67.2
68.4
68.7
69.3
33. 21
32. 95
32.79
33. 44
32. 97
32. 86
33. 88
42.8
42.6
42. 2
42.4
42.3
41.7
42.6
76.7
76.9
77.1
78.6
78.7
78.6
79.7
1948: January..____ ______
February___________
March______________
A p r il.. _________ _
M ay________________
June______________ .
51.66
53. 03
52. 98
54.53
54.49
54.65
44.4
45.0
44.6
45.5
45.5
45.5
117.9
118.6
120. 2
121.6
122.0
122.1
48.19
49.56
49. 24
49.64
50.32
51.08
41.8
42.1
42.5
42.6
42.8
43.2
115.4
117. 4
117.0
117.5
119.3
120. 2
62.35
63. 37
62. 60
65. 76
71.15
70.00
55. 09
56. 63
55. 51
54.94
56. 22
54.90
30. 55
31.19
30. 96
31.59
31.70
31.81
43.9
44.6
44.0
44.2
44.0
43.8
69.5
69. 5
69.5
70.0
71.0
71.6
33. 99
33.54
33. 74
34.29
34.22
34.36
42.3
41.9
42.0
42.2
41.8
41.8
80.7
80.2
80.5
81.0
81.7
82.3
1 These figures are based on reports from cooperating establishments cover
ing both full- and part-time employees who worked or received nay during
the pay period ending nearest the 15th of the month. As not all reporting
firms supply man-hour data, the average weekly hours and average hourly
earnings for individual industries are based on a slightly smaller sample
than are average weekly earnings.
For manufacturing, mining, power laundries, and cleaning and dyeing
industries, the data relate to production and related workers only. For the
remaining industries, unless otherwise noted, the data relate to all nonsupervisory employees and working supervisors. The size of the reporting
sample, methods of computation, and additional tables on ‘‘real” and “net
spendable” weekly earnings are contained in the Bureau’s monthly mimeo
graphed release, “ Hours and Earnings—Industry Report,” which is avail
able upon request. Data for 1939 and January 194!, for some industries, are
not strictly comparable with the periods currently presented. All series, by
month, are available upon request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Such
requests should specify the series desired. Data for the two current months
are subject to revision without notation. Revised data for earlier months are
identified by an asterisk.
* New series beginning with month and year shown below; not comparable
with data shown for earlier periods:
Knitted cloth.—September 1947; comparable August data are 101.2 cents.
Jute goods, except fe lts—September 1947; comparable August data
are 89.1 cents.
Underwear and neckwear, men’s.—August 1947; comparable July data
are $32.42, 35.1 hours, and 92.3 cents.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Cleaning and dyeing
42.7
42.9
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn hours
ings
Avg.
hrly.
earn
ings
41.8
41.9
Cents
49.0
48.8
38.10
37.34
35. 86
37.67
37.70
37. 23
37.70
42.9
42.1
40.8
41.9
41.5
40.9
41.5
89. 8
89.9
89.2
91.1
91.9
92. 5
92.1
37.64
36. 55
37.96
39.18
39.13
40.14
41.4
40.5
41.5
42.1
42.0
42.5
92.4
92. 3
92.4
93.3
93.6
94.8
8 April 1948 data reflect work stoppages.
4 Data include private and municipal street-railway companies and affil
iated, subsidiary, or successor trolley-bus and motor-bus companies.
8 Prior to April 1945 the averages of hours and earnings related to all em
ployees except executives; beginning with April 1945 these averages reflect
mainly the hours and earnings of employees subject to the Fair Labor Stand
ards Act. At the same time the reporting sample was expanded to include
a greater number of employees of “long lines.” The April 1945 data are
$40.72, 42.9 hours, and 95.2 cents on the old basis, and $37.50, 40.6 hours, and
92.6 cents on the new basis.
8 Data relate to all land-line employees except those compensated on a
commission basis. Excludes general and divisional headquarters personnel,
trainees in school, and messengers.
TData on average weekly hours and average hourly earnings are not avail
able.
8 M oney payments only; additional value of board, room, uniforms, and
tips, not included.
*Revised.
346
G: EARNINGS AND HOURS
MONTHLY LABOR
T able C-2: Estimated Average Hourly Earnings, Gross and Exclusive of Overtime, of Production
Workers in Manufacturing Industries 1
[In cents]
All manufacturing
Year and month
Gross
Exclud
ing over
time
Durable goods
Gross
Nondurable goods
Exclud
ing over
time
Gross
Exclud
ing over
time
January 1941_____
January 1945_____
July 1945...................
June 1946________
68.3
104.6
103.3
108.4
66.4
97.0
96.9
105.3
74.9
114.4
112.7
116.5
72.2
105.3
105.2
113.4
61.0
89.1
90. 2
100.3
60.1
84.0
85.4
97.2
1941:
1942:
1943:
1944:
1945:
1946:
1947:
72.9
85.3
96.1
101.9
102.3
108.4
122.1
70.2
80.5
89.4
94.7
3 96.3
104.9
118.2
80.8
94.7
105.9
111.7
77.0
88.1
97.6
102.9
> 104.2
112.2
125.0
64.0
72.3
80.3
86.1
90.4
101.2
114.5
62.5
69.8
76.3
81.4
J 85.8
97.8
110.9
Average_____
Average..........
A v e r a g e .___
Average_____
Average_____
Average_____
A v e r a g e .___
111.1
115.6
129.2
i Overtime is defined as work in excess of 40 hours a week and paid for at
time and one-half. The method of estimating average hourly earnings exclusive of overtime makes no allowance for special rates of pay for work done on
holidays.
All manufacturing
Durable goods
Nondurable goods
Year and month
Gross
Exclud
ing over
time
Gross
Exclud
ing over
time
Gross
120 1
1947: June
July
August
Septem ber...
October.........
November__
December___
122. 6
123.0
123.6
124.9
125.8
126.8
127.8
118. 7
119. 5
120.1
120.9
121.6
122.7
122.8
130.3
130 5
131 2
133.1
133.7
134.6
135.4
127 0
127 5
114 O
115 0
115 8
128.9
129.2
130. 2
129.9
116.5
117.5
118.5
119.6
1948: January
February___
M arch
April
M ay 3______
June 3. . ..........
128. 5
128.7
128 9
129. 2
130. 2
131.7
124.3
124.7
124. 8
125.3
126.3
127.5
135. 5
135. 2
135 2
135 7
136.6
138.5
130 8
130.9
130 0
131 4
132.4
134.0
121 0
121.7
199 0
199 0
123. 1
124.2
Exclud
ing over
time
110 fi
111 6
112 4
112.7
113.7
114.7
115.2
117 3
118.1
118 3
118 4
119.6
120.4
8 Eleven-month average only; August 1945 excluded because of VJ-dav
holiday period,
3 Preliminary,
T able C-3: Average Earnings and Hours on Private Construction Projects, by Type of Firm 1
Building construction
AH types, private
construction projects
Special building trades
Total building
General contractors
All trades 8
Year and month
Aver Aver Aver Aver
Aver
Aver Aver
age
age
age
age
age
age hourly
age hourly
wkly. wkly.
wkly. wkly.
w kly.
earn hours earn earn
earn earn
ings «
ings ings 3 hours ings
ings 3
1940: Average____
1941: January____
(*)
1947: June.-............
July_______
August..........
Septem ber..
October____
N ovem b er..
D ecem ber...
$62. 25
63. 26
64. 36
65.09
66.03
64. 02
66.47
(4)
1948: January____ 65.73
February..!? 66.17
March_____ 66. 73
April______ 67. 25
M a y 6______ 67. 90
J u n e 7______ 70. 62
«
(*)
$31. 70
32.18
33.1 $0. 958 3$30. 56
32.6
.986 « 30.10
Painting and deco
rating
Aver Aver Aver Aver
Aver Aver Aver
Aver Aver
age
age
age
age
age
age
age hourly
age hourly
age hourly
wkly. wkly.
wkly. wkly.
wkly. wkly.
earn hours earn earn
earn earn
earn
hours
hours
ings 3
ings ings 3
ings ings 3
ings
3 33.3 «$0.918 $33.11
«32.7
« .946 33. 42
32.7 $1.012 $32.87
32.6 1.025 34.16
34.6 $0. 949 $33. 05
.955 31. 49
35.8
32.5
29.7
$1.016
1.062
38.2 $1.631
38.4 1. 648
38.6 1.668
38.3 1.697
38.5 1. 716
36.9 1.736
38.0 1. 748
62. 71
63.60
64. 71
65. 36
66. 36
64.55
67.31
37.8
38.0
38.2
37.9
38.1
36.6
37.9
1. 661
1.676
1. 694
1. 723
1. 743
1. 765
1.774
58. 55
60. 08
61.33
61.16
62.25
60. 55
62.86
36.9
37.6
38.0
37.2
37.4
35.8
37.1
1.585
1. 596
1.614
1.646
1. 665
1.690
1.695
67.69
67. 99
69.01
70.61
71.32
69. 36
72.64
38.7
38.4
38.5
38.9
38.9
37.5
38.9
1. 749
1.772
1.794
1.816
1. 833
1.851
1.865
67.73
68.63
69. 60
71.19
71.98
71.90
76.61
38.9
38.7
38.9
39.1
39.2
38.4
40.6
1.739
1.774
1.791
1.819
1.836
1.872
1.887
63. 52
63.52
66.32
66.13
67.29
63. 56
65.33
37.4
36.9
37.4
37.4
37.6
35.0
36.0
1.697
1.722
1. 774
1.767
1.792
1. 818
1.812
37.3
37.0
37.4
37.5
37.5
38.5
66.28
66.31
66. 89
67. 31
68.13
70.51
37.2
36.7
37.1
37.0
37.1
37.9
1.781
1.806
1.805
1.818
1.835
1.858
62.05
62.70
63. 28
63. 62
64.74
66. 99
36.4
36.3
36.7
36.5
36.5
37.4
1.707
1. 727
1.724
1.745
1.772
1.789
71.43
70. 99
71.47
72.08
72.67
75.18
38.2
37.3
37.5
37.7
37.9
38.6
1.868
1.899
1.905
1.909
1.916
1.947
75. 79
74.17
74.01
74. 64
75. 55
78.90
40.7
39.1
39.0
38.9
39.1
40.0
1.862
1.895
1.897
1.919
1.933
1.972
65. 79
65.03
66. 80
68. 29
69.76
70.20
35.7
34. 7
35. 7
36.3
36.6
36.4
1.840
1.872
1.870
1.880
1.906
1.931
See footnotes at end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
(‘)
«
Aver Aver
age
age
wkly. hourly
earn
hours
ings
Plumbing and heat
ing
1.762
1.788
1.786
1.795
1.812
1.834
347
C: EARNINGS AND HOURS
-REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
T able C-3: Average Earnings and Hours on Private Construction Projects, by Type of Firm 1—Con.
Building construction—Continued
Special building trades—Continued
Plastering and
lathing
Masonry
Electrical work
Year and month
Roofing and sheet
metal
Carpentry
Excavation and
foundation
Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. •Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg.
w kly. wkly.
hourly w kly. wkly. hourly w kly. wkly. hourly wkly. wkly. hourly wkly. wkly. hourly w kly. wkly. hourly
earn hours earn earn hours earn earn hours earn earn hours earn earn hours earn earn hours earn
ings
ings ings 1
ings ings *
ings ings *
ings ings *
ings ings *
ings *
28.5 $1. 286 $31. 23
27. 5. 1.287 30.40
29.8 $0. 988 $36. 60
25.3 1.012 35. 36
33.0 $0. 947 $28. 07
.974 27. 60
31.2
1940: Average......... . $41.18
1941: January_____ 43.18
34.5 $1.196 $29. 47
36.5 1.184 25. 66
1947: June_________
July_________
A ugust--.........
September___
October_____
N ovem ber___
December____
77. 81
77.17
76. 96
79. 92
81. 87
79. 64
81.20
40.6
39. 7
39.3
40.3
40.8
39.9
40.6
1.917
1. 946
1.960
1.985
2.006
1.995
2.000
63. 54
63. 26
65. 89
66.68
67. 19
65. 39
66. 69
37.2
37.3
38.2
38. 1
37.7
36.0
36.3
1. 706
1.697
1. 727
1. 752
1.781
1.817
1.836
73. 67
73. 14
75. 61
76. 05
75 60
73. 27
76.63
38.2
37.5
38.0
38.1
37.4
35.3
36.5
1.927
1. 950
1.992
1. 995
2. 019
2. 075
2.100
62. 29
61.97
65. 99
65. 75
66. 55
66. 50
64. 94
38.3
37.7
39. 5
39.0
38.9
38.4
37.8
1. 625
1.645
1. 670
1. 684
1.710
1.733
1.718
58.13
59. 58
60. 86
63. 27
62. 48
57. 76
60. 64
1948: January_____
February____
March_______
April___ . . .
M ay 6_______
June 7________
81.62
82. 10
83. 75
81.76
81.44
82. 77
40.6
40.0
40.6
39. 7
39.7
39.9
2. 012
2. 052
2. 064
2.061
2.051
2.077
61.51
59 50
61.38
64.61
66. 91
71.77
33.0
31.6
32.6
34.3
34.8
36.7
1.862
1.881
1.883
1.885
1.923
1.956
75. 84
74.81
75. 10
76.61
79. 22
83.25
36.7
35.9
36.0
36.6
37.1
38.2
2. 069
2. 087
2. 087
2.094
2.137
2.179
63.94
61. 60
62.93
68.41
69. 55
70. 48
36.5
35.2
35.4
38.0
38.8
39.6
1. 750
1.752
1. 778
1.799
1.795
1.782
56.54
55. 38
55. 86
58. 33
59. 89
63.04
31.8 $0.883 $26. 53
.910 23. 86
30.3
30.9
29.1
$0. 859
.820
37.6
37.2
37.4
37.9
38.4
35.4
37.1
1.547
1.602
1. 629
1.669
1.626
1.631
1.634
60. 48
60. 33
63.12
64. 27
63. 51
60. 08
63. 33
37.9
38.1
39.1
39.8
38.8
36. 7
37.8
1.594
1. 583
1.616
1.613
1.638
1.636
1.676
34.5
33.7
34.4
35.3
35.9
36.8
1.638
1.643
1.622
1. 652
1.669
1.711
63. 79
64.37
61.57
63.40
65. 72
69.14
37.7
37.3
36.4
37.9
39.3
40.3
1.690
1. 725
1.689
1.672
1.671
1.723
Nonbuilding construction
H ig h w a y a n d s tr e e t
T o t a l n o n b u ild in g
O th er
H e a v y c o n s tr u c tio n
Y e a r a n d m o n th
1940: A v e r a g e _____ ___________
1941: J a n u a r y . . .............. .................
A vg.
w k ly .
earn in g s*
A vg.
w k ly .
hours
A vg.
h o u r ly
ea rn in g s
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
A vg.
h o u r ly
ea rn in g s
A vg.
w k ly .
e a r n in g s 3
A vg.
w k ly .
h o u rs
A vg.
h o u r ly
ea r n in g s
A vg.
w k ly .
earn in g s*
A vg.
w k ly .
hours
A vg.
h o u r ly
ea rn in g s
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
( 4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
A vg.
w k ly .
earnin gs*
A vg.
w k ly .
hours
(4)
(4)
1947: J u n e _____________________
J u l y ________ ________ ____
A u g u s t . ______ __________
S e p te m b e r _______________
O c to b e r ........................... ........
N o v e m b e r . .......................
D e c e m b e r ....... ................... ..
$ 6 0.17
6 1 .76
6 2 .82
6 3 .8 5
64. 53
61.67
6 2 .8 3
40 .0
40 .3
40. 2
40. 2
4 0 .3
3 8 .2
3 8 .4
$1. 504
1.533
1. 562
1. 587
1.602
1.615
1.638
$56.92
58.18
.58. 57
5 9 .68
60.66
57. 55
60. 21
4 0 .4
40.6
40.1
39 .9
40.2
3 7 .7
3 8 .4
$1. 408
1. 434
1. 459
1.495
1.510
1.528
1.570
$61. 34
64 .0 9
65. 53
66. 84
67. 11
64.03
65.24
3 9 .6
40.1
40 .2
40.1
4 0 .0
38.1
3 8 .4
$1. 548
1.597
1.632
1.666
1.676
1.680
1.697
$60.09
58.49
58.92
58 .2 6
60. 08
58. 50
58.35
40 .8
40. 5
40. 5
4 0 .9
41.1
3 8 .9
3 8 .2
$1.474
1.445
1. 454
1. 425
1. 461
1. 502
1. 528
1948: J a n u a r y .________________
F e b r u a r y ________________
M a r c h ___________________
A p r il___________________
M a y 6____________________
6 3 .28
6 5 .4 2
65. 85
6 6 .92
66. 72
71.10
3 7 .8
3 8 .5
3 8 .9
3 9 .6
39 .1
4 1 .0
1.676
1.700
1.692
1.691
1 .706
1.733
61.25
60. 96
60. 71
61.63
63.09
6 7 .68
3 7 .9
37 .4
37. 7
38 .5
3 8 .8
4 1 .4
1.618
1. 629
1.609
1.601
1.627
1.6 3 6
65. 57
6 8 .78
6 8 .7 9
69. 53
69. 30
7 4 .16
3 7 .6
3 8 .6
39 3
3 9 .9
3 9 .4
4 1 .5
1.745
1.781
1. 750
1.743
1.760
1.787
58.14
61.24
62.89
65.08
63. 86
66.50
38 .1
3 9 .0
38. 9
3 9 .8
3 8 .8
3 9 .6
1.524
1. 570
1.615
1.637
1 .647
1 .679
June 7___________ _____
> Covers all contract construction firms reporting to the Bureau during the
months shown (over 11,000), but not necessarily identical establishments.
The data include all employees of these construction firms working at the
site of privately financed projects (skilled, semiskilled, unskilled, superin
tendents, time clerks, etc.). Employees of these firms engaged on publicly
financed projects and off-site work are excluded.
1 Includes types not shown separately.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
s Hourly earnings, when multiplied by weekly hours of work, may not
exactly equal weekly earnings because of rounding.
* N ot available prior to February 1946.
« Includes general contracting as well as general building maintenance, and
other special building data.
6 Revised.
7 Preliminary.
348
D: PRICES AND COST OF LIVING
MONTHLY LABOR
D: Prices and Cost of Living
T able D - l :
Consumers’ Price Index 1 for Moderate-Income Families in Large Cities,
Commodities
by
Group of
[1935-39=100]
Fuel, electricity, and ice
Year and month
items
Food
Apparel
Rent
Total
1913: A v e r a g e ...........
1914: J u l y . ..................
Gas and
electricity
Other fuels
and ice
Housefurnishings
Miscel
laneous
70.7
71.7
79.9
81.7
69.3
69.8
92.2
92.2
61.9
62.3
0
0
0
0
59.1
60.8
60.9
52.0
118.0
149.4
122. 5
97.6
149.6
185.0
132.5
86. 5
147.9
209.7
115.3
90.8
97.1
119.1
141.4
116.9
90.4
104.8
112.5
103.4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
121.2
169.7
111.7
85.4
83.1
100.7
104.6
101.7
J a n u a r y 1 ___
D ecem b er 15.
99.4
98.6
100.2
105. 2
100.8
110. 5
95.2
93.5
96.6
105.5
97.6
113.1
100.5
100.3
101.7
106.3
101.2
114.8
104.3
104.3
104.6
106.2
105.0
108.2
99.0
97.5
99.7
102.2
100. 8
104.1
98.9
99.0
98.0
97.1
97.5
96.7
99.3
96.3
101.6
107.4
104.0
111.3
101.3
100.6
100. 5
107. 3
100.2
116.8
100.7
100.4
101.1
104. 0
101. 8
107.7
A v e r a g e _____
A v e r a g e ............
A v e r a g e ............
A v e r a g e _____
A u g u s t 15___
116.5
123.6
125. 5
128. 4
129.3
123.9
138.0
136.1
139.1
140.9
124.2
129.7
138.8
145.9
140.4
108.5
108.0
108.2
108.3
0
105.4
107.7
109.8
110.3
111.4
96.7
96.1
95.8
95.0
95.2
113.9
119.0
123.4
125.1
127.2
122.2
125.6
136.4
145. 8
146.0
110.9
115.8
121.3
124.1
124.5
1940: A v e r a g e ...........
139.3
133.3
152.2
159.6
145.6
187.7
160.2
157.2
171.0
108.6
108.5
0
112.4
110. 5
114.8
92.4
92.1
91.8
132. 0
128.4
137.2
159.2
156. 1
171.0
128. 8
127.9
132. 5
159.2
158.4
160.3
163. 8
163. 8
164. 9
167.0
193.8
193.1
196. 5
203. 5
201.6
202.7
206.9
185.8
184.7
185.9
187 6
189.0
190. 2
191.2
111.2
110.0
111.2
113.6
114.9
115.2
115.4
121.1
119.5
123.8
124.6
125.2
126. 9
127.8
92.0
91.7
92.0
92.1
92.2
92.5
92.6
149. 5
146.6
154.8
156. 3
157. 4
160.5
162.0
184.4
184.3
184.2
187.5
187.8
188. 9
191.4
139.9
139.5
139.8
140.8
141.8
143.0
144.4
168.8
167. 5
166.9
169.3
170. 5
171. 7
173.7
209.7
204.7
202.3
207 9
210.9
214.1
216.8
192.1
195.1
196. 3
196.4
197. 5
196.9
197.1
115.9
116.0
116.3
116.3
116.7
117.0
117.3
129.5
130.0
130.3
130.7
131.8
132.6
134.8
93.1
93.2
93.8
93.9
94.1
94.2
94.4
165.0
165.9
166.0
166. 7
168.6
170.1
174.2
192.3
193.0
194.9
194.7
193. 6
194.8
195.9
146.4
146.4
146.2
147.8
147. 5
147.6
150.8
1918:
1920:
1929:
1932:
D e c e m b e r ___
J u n e ...................
A v e r a g e _____
A v e r a g e _____
1939: A v e r a g e _____
A u g u s t 15___
1940: A v e r a g e _____
1941: A v e r a g e ............
1942:
1943:
1944:
1945:
J u n e 1 5 ............
N o v e m b e r 15.
1947: A v e r a g e ______
J u ly 15..............
A u g u s t 15___
S e p te m b e r 15.
O cto b e r 15___
N o v e m b e r 15.
D e c e m b e r 15.
1948: J a n u a r y 1 5 . . .
F e b r u a r y 1 5 ..
M a r ch 15.........
A p r il 1 5 ...........
M a y 15______
J u n e 1 5 ...........
J u ly 1 5 . . ..........
1 The “consumers’ price Index for moderate-income families in large cities,”
formerly known as the “cost of living index” measures average changes in
retail prices of selected goods, rents, and services weighted by quantities
bought in 1934-36 by families of wage earners and moderate-income workers
in large cities whose incomes averaged $1,524 in 1934-36.
Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin 699, Changes in Cost of Living in Large
Cities in the United States. 1913-41, oontains a detailed description of methods
used in constructing this index. Additional information on the consumers’
price index is given in a compilation of reports published by the Office of
Economic Stabilization, Report of the President’s Committee on the Cost
of Living.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Mimeographed tables are available upon request showing indexes for each
of the cities regularly surveyed by the Bureau and for each of the major
groups of living essentials. Indexes for all large cities combined are available
since 1913. The beginning date for series of indexes for individual cities varies
from city to city but indexes are available for most of the 34 cities since World
War T.
1 Data not available.
* Rents not surveyed this month.
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
D: PRICES AND COST OF LIVING
349
T able D-2: Consumers’ Price Index for Moderate-Income Families, by City,1 for Selected Periods
[1935-39=100]
City
July 15, June 15, M ay 15, Apr. 15, Mar. 15, Feb. 15, Jan. 15, Dec. 15, Nov. 15, Oct. 15,, Sept.15, Aug. 15, July 15, June 15, Aug. 15,
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1947
1947
1946
1947
1947
1947
1947
1939
Average....... .................... .........
173.7
171.7
170.5
169.3
166.9
167.5
168.8
167.0
164.9
163.8
163.8
160.3
158.4
133.3
98.6
Atlanta, Oa---------------------Baltimore, M d ___________
Birmingham, Ala-------------Boston, M ass..........................
Buffalo, N . Y „ ____ _______
Chicago, 111----------------------Cincinnati, Ohio__________
Cleveland, Ohio____ ______
Denver, C o lo .. ---------------Detroit, M ich_____________
Houston, T ex---- ---------------
(2)
(2)
177.0
168.6
173.1
178.6
175.9
(2)
172.5
175.9
173.7
(2)
176.1
174.7
166.1
(2)
176.2
173.5
f2)
(2)
174.5
172.5
170.8
(!)
173.7
164.1
(l)
174.9
172.3
173.7
(!)
173.2
171.5
(2)
(2)
172.7
163. 6
167.2
172.1
170.8
(2)
168.5
171.8
171.4
(2)
170.9
172.0
160.8
(2)
169.0
169.3
(2)
<*)
168.7
170.0
169.2
(2)
172.8
161.3
(2)
168.8
170.1
171.6
(!)
169.0
170.4
(s)
(!)
174.4
163.1
167.4
171.5
171.2
(2)
167.0
170.6
170.8
(2)
171.3
173.8
160.4
(2)
170.1
170.3
(2)
(s)
169.0
169.3
167.5
(2)
171.6
158.3
(2)
168.3
167.1
166.9
(!)
166.6
165.8
(2)
(2)
169.7
157. 5
162.6
107.3
167.1
(!)
160.4
166.7
163.4
0)
167.8
169.1
158.6
(2)
168.3
166.3
(2)
(2)
164.2
162.1
162.2
(!)
166.6
154.5
(2)
162. 7
162.2
163.0
(!)
162.8
159.7
(*)
(*)
164.1
151.9
159.1
160.1
100.4
(2)
155. 7
160.2
158.4
133.8
135.6
136.5
127.9
132.6
130. 9
132.2
135.7
131.7
136.4
130.5
98.0
98.7
98.5
97.1
98.5
98.7
97.3
100.0
98.6
98.5
100.7
Indianapolis, In d ________
Jacksonville, Fla__________
Kansas City, M o_________
Los Angeles, Calif.................
Manchester, N . H ___ _____
M emphis, T enn____ _____
Milwaukee. W is__________
Minneapolis, M inn_______
M obile, Ala______________
New Orleans, La _________
New York, N . Y __________
176.5
(2)
166.3
170.3
178.1
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
172.6
f2)
178. 3
C)
168.8
(2)
174.7
(2)
171.4
173.5
(2)
169.1
(!)
(2)
(!)
169.1
(2)
(2)
171.1
(2)
(»)
176.5
167.5
172.5
(2)
163.3
169.3
172.0
(2)
«
(*)
(2)
(2)
167.0
(')
172.8
(2)
167.4
(2)
172.4
(•)
167.7
169.9
(2)
164.3
(l)
(2)
(2)
168.1
(2)
(2)
166.9
(2)
C)
177.1
166.4
172.3
(!)
162.4
167.6
172.5
(2)
(*)
(2)
<2)
(2)
167.1
(!)
173.9
(!)
166.0
(2)
173.5
(2)
166.2
170.3
(2)
164.9
(2)
(2)
(2)
164.1
(2)
(2)
164.0
(!)
(2)
173. 2
163.3
167.8
(J)
157.9
161.3
166.1
(2)
(2)
)
(2)
(2)
161.7
(*)
168.5
(2)
161.6
(2)
169.0
(2)
162.1
164.3
(')
161.9
(2)
(!)
(2)
157.8
(!)
(2)
159.0
(2)
(2)
168.5
158.6
159.5
(2)
150 5
157.2
162.1
(2)
(*>
(2)
(2)
(2)
157.5
131.9
138.4
129.4
136.1
134.7
134.5
131.2
129.4
132.9
138.0
135.8
98.0
98.5
98.6
100.5
97.8
97.8
97.0
99 7
98.6
99.7
99.0
Norfolk, V a .............................
Philadelphia, P a __________
Pittsburgh, P a____ _______
Portland, M a in e.._____ . . .
Portland, Oreg-----------------Richmond, Va____________
St. Louis, M o__ _____ ____
San Francisco, Calif_______
Savannah, O a. __________
Scranton, P a _____________
Seattle, W ash_____________
Washington, D . C ________
(2)
172.9
177.8
(2)
180.3
168.9
(2)
(2)
180.2
(2)
(2)
(*)
(2)
172.1
175.7
167.4
(2)
(2)
172.1
174.2
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
171.9
170.4
173.5
(s)
(*)
(2)
(2)
(*)
(2)
170. 2
174.3
166. 7
(2)
169.3
171.9
(2)
175.8
163.4
(2)
«
177.6
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
165.5
170.1
162.7
(2)
(2)
167.8
171.4
(!)
(2)
(2)
(2)
170.1
166.6
170.1
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
166.5
170.7
163.2
(s)
168.4
172.3
(!)
174.4
165.1
(2)
(!)
175.6
(!)
(2)
(2)
(2)
166.3
170.2
162.0
(2)
168.2
164.2
168.1
(2)
(!)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
165.2
166.2
161.7
(2)
162.2
167.8
(2)
166.5
161. 7
(!)
(!)
171.5
(2)
(!)
(!)
(*)
163.2
108.2
159. 2
)
(!)
165.4
165. 7
(2)
(?)
(!)
(>)
163.6
159. 5
164.9
(2)
)
(*)
(!)
(2)
(2)
162.8
161.8
159.1
(•)
158.3
162.6
(2)
162.1
153.8
)
(2)
165.9
(2)
(2)
(2)
135.2
132.5
134. 7
128.7
140.3
128.2
131.2
137.8
140.6
132.2
137.0
133.8
97.8
97.8
98.4
97.1
100.1
98.0
98.1
99.3
99.3
96.0
100-3
98.6
1 T h e in d e x e s are b a se d on tim e -to -tim e c h a n g e s in th e c o s t of g o o d s a n d
se r v ic e s p u r c h a se d b y m o d e ra te -in c o m e fa m ilie s in large c it ie s . T h e y d o n o t
in d ic a t e w h e th e r it c o s ts m o re to liv e in o n e c it y th a n in a n o th er.
2 T h r o u g h J u n e 1947, c o n s u m e r s ’ p rice in d e x e s w e r e c o m p u te d m o n th ly for
*
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
(21
167.9
168.9
(2)
(!)
(2)
(2)
0
0
0
0
21 c ities a n d in M a r c h , J u n e , S e p te m b e r , a n d D e c e m b e r for 13 a d d itio n a l
c ities; b e g in n in g J u ly 1947 in d e x e s w e r e c o m p u te d m o n th ly for 10 c itie s and
o n c e e v e r y 3 m o n th s for 24 a d d itio n a l c itie s a c c o rd in g to a s ta g g e r e d sc h e d u le .
D: PRICES AND COST OF LIVING
350
MONTHLY LABOR
Table D-3: Consumers’ Price Index for Moderate-Income Families, by City and Group of Commodities1
[1935-39= 100]
F u ( sl, e l e c t r i c i t y a n d i c e
Food
A p p arel
R ent
T o ta l
C ity
J u ly
1 5 ,1 9 4 8
June
1 5 ,1 9 4 8
J u ly
1 5 ,1 9 4 8
June
1 5 ,1 9 4 8
J u lv
1 5 ,1 9 4 8
June
1 5 ,1 9 4 8
J u ly
1 5 ,1 9 4 8
June
1 5 ,1 9 4 8
1 1 7 .3
1 1 7 .0
1 3 4 .8
1 3 2 .6
9 4 .4
0
1 1 4 .5
0
1 1 2 .6
0
131. 5
1 1 2 .1
0
0
0
0
1 4 7 .2
1 4 4 .3
1 3 5 .6
1 4 9 .4
1 3 9 .1
1 3 0 .1
14 1 .1
1 4 2 .6
109. 3
1 4 7 .3
9 8 .4
1 4 4 .3
1 4 2 .3
1 3 1 .8
1 4 8 .7
132. 6
126 .1
137. 4
139. 5
1 0 6 .7
1 4 3 .3
9 4 .3
7 7 .0
1 2 1 .2
7 9 .6
1 1 2 .1
9 6 .0
8 3 .5
9 5 .1
1 0 5 .6
6 9 .2
8 6 .7
8 1 .8
0
1 2 4 .3
0
0
0
1 2 6 .8
0
1 2 5 .9
1 2 4 .0
0
0
1 5 2 .1
1 4 7 .3
1 2 7 .0
9 4 .3
1 5 2 .8
1 2 8 .1
1 4 1 .9
1 3 8 .1
1 2 7 .8
1 1 3 .0
1 3 1 .0
148. 5
1 4 5 .2
1 2 0 .7
9 4 .3
152. 2
1 2 8 .1
1 4 1 .7
139. 2
1 2 7 .3
1 1 2 .9
1 3 0 .0
0
0
0
1 1 1 .7
0
0
1 1 6 .3
114. 5
1 4 7 .8
1 3 6 .1
1 3 7 .2
1 4 5 .0
1 2 7 .2
1 4 2 .3
1 3 7 .1
8 3 .1
1 5 1 .4
1 3 8 .3
1 2 3 .1
1 3 2 .0
1 4 5 .5
136. 1
1 3 4 .4
1 4 4 .6
1 2 7 .0
1 3 8 .2
1 3 4 .9
8 3 .1
1 5 1 .4
1 3 6 .1
1 2 2 .9
1 3 1 .2
A v e r a g e .......... ..............-
2 1 6 .8
2 1 4 .1
1 9 7 .1
1 9 6 .9
A t l a n t a , O a _________
B a l t i m o r e , M d _____
B ir m in g h a m , A la ..
B o s t o n , M a s s ______
B u f f a l o , N . Y ______
C h ic a g o , 111_________
C in c in n a t i, O h io . ..
C l e v e l a n d , O h io ___
D e n v e r , C o l o _______
D e t r o i t , M i c h .......... H o u s t o n , T e x ______
2 1 2 .4
2 2 7 .7
2 1 8 .0
210. 2
2 1 2 .9
2 2 4 .7
220. 4
226. 2
2 1 7 .0
213. 2
2 2 2 .1
2 0 9 .9
2 2 5 .3
2 1 2 .7
2 0 4 .1
211. 6
2 2 1 .3
2 1 6 .3
2 2 3 .7
2 1 6 .5
2 1 1 .3
2 2 0 .0
0
0)
2 0 5 .4
1 8 8 .5
1 9 7 .2
1 9 7 .8
1 9 3 .2
0
1 9 6 .1
1 9 4 .3
2 0 8 .2
0
1 9 8 .5
205. 3
1 8 8 .5
0
1 9 9 .2
1 9 2 .7
0
1 9 5 .2
2 0 8 .8
1 2 2 .6
125. 3
I n d ia n a p o lis , I n d . . .
J a c k s o n v ille , F l a ....
K a n sa s C ity , M o ,.
L o s A n g e le s , C a lif ..
M a n c h e ste r , N . H _.
M e m p h i s , T e n n ___
M ilw a u k e e , W i s . . .
M in n e a p o lis , M in n .
M o b i l e , A l a _________
N e w O r le a n s, L a . . .
N ew Y ork, N . Y „ .
2 1 2 .6
2 2 2 .8
2 0 4 .4
2 1 3 .1
2 1 8 .4
2 2 9 .8
2 1 8 .3
2 0 8 .2
2 2 2 .5
2 3 3 .2
2 1 7 .9
211. 5
2 2 2 .9
2 0 4 .4
2 1 2 .1
213. 0
226. 7
2 1 5 .3
2 0 6 .2
2 1 9 .8
227. 3
2 1 3 .9
1 9 1 .1
0
1 8 6 .4
1 9 5 .7
1 9 1 .4
0
0)
0
(')
1 2 8 .5
N o r f o l k , V a _________
P h ila d e lp h ia , P a . . .
P i t t s b u r g h , P a _____
P o r t la n d , M a i n e . . .
P o r t l a n d , O r c g ..........
R i c h m o n d , V a _____
S t . L o u is ,
S a n F r a n c is c o , C a lif.
S a v a n n a h , G a ______
S c r a n t o n , P a . . ..........
S e a t t l e , W a s h .......... ..
W a s h in g to n , D , C .
2 1 6 .9
2 1 0 .9
2 2 2 .3
2 0 9 .7
2 3 3 .7
2 0 9 .4
2 2 4 .2
2 2 3 .2
2 2 8 .3
2 1 8 .2
2 2 3 .4
2 1 5 .1
2 1 4 .4
2 0 9 .4
2 1 9 .6
2 0 4 .1
2 2 8 .2
2 0 5 .3
2 2 2 .0
2 2 1 .6
2 2 4 .5
2 1 6 .1
220. 3
2 1 5 .4
Mo__ .
(>)
(')
1 9 6 .8
(0
1 9 3 .3
2 2 4 .2
(')
1 9 4 .8
1 9 8 .2
(0
0
1 9 4 .0
0(1)
(*)
(>)
193. 9
0
0
(2)
0
1 2 1 .3
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(>)
122. 2
1 9 6 .2
(0
2 0 9 .0
(0
204. 5
2 0 2 .2
0)
1 9 5 .9
1 1 1 .4
0
0
0
0
0
1 0 7 .1
0)
1 9 3 .2
2 2 4 .0
1 9 7 .2
(')
(0
1 9 6 .8
1 9 0 .8
(>)
0
(i)
0
0
0
1 1 8 .5
0
123. 2
1 1 3 .0
0
0
1 1 7 .0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1 Prices of apparel, housefurnishings, and miscellaneous goods and services
are obtained monthly in 10 cities and once every 3 months in 24 additional
cities according to a staggered schedulei
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
G as and
e le c t r ic it y
J u ly
1 5 ,1 9 4 8
O t h e r f u e ls
a n d ic e
H ou se
f u r n is h i n g s
M is c e lla n e o u s
J u ly
1 5 ,1 9 4 8
June
1 5 ,1 9 4 8
J u ly
1 5 ,1 9 4 8
June
1 5 ,1 9 4 8
J u ly
1 5 ,1 9 4 8
9 4 .2
1 7 4 .2
1 7 0 .1
1 9 5 .9
1 9 4 .8
150. 8
1 4 7 .5
7 7 .0
1 2 1 .7
7 9 .6
1 1 1 .7
9 6 .0
83. 5
9 5 .1
1 0 5 .6
6 9 .2
8 3 .9
8 1 .8
2 1 1 .7
1 6 3 .0
1 7 7 .3
169. 3
1 7 7 .4
1 7 8 .5
1 8 5 .0
178. 0
1 5 5 .1
1 9 3 .4
1 4 6 .1
2 0 6 .1
158. 9
1 7 0 .7
1 6 8 .4
1 6 5 .2
170. 5
1 7 7 .8
1 7 1 .9
149. 6
1 8 8 .4
1 2 8 .0
0
(0
1 9 1 .7
1 8 6 .4
2 0 2 .3
1 8 1 .5
1 9 1 .5
0)
2 1 7 .3
2 0 5 .5
1 9 9 .1
0
2 0 0 .1
1 9 0 .9
1 8 4 .8
0
1 7 9 .8
1 9 0 .6
(0
0)
2 0 4 .4
1 9 8 .8
(>)
(')
0)
1 4 5 .5
1 4 2 .9
1 4 2 .6
0
1 4 7 .0
1 4 9 .4
0
0
1 6 2 .2
1 4 9 .7
8 6 .6
1 0 0 .2
6 6 .4
8 9 .3
9 4 .6
7 7 .0
1 0 4 .5
7 5 .8
8 4 .0
7 5 .1
1 0 0 .5
8 6 .6
1 0 0 .2
6 6 .5
8 9 .3
9 4 .6
7 7 .0
1 0 4 .5
7 8 .5
8 4 .0
7 5 .1
1 0 0 .5
1 9 0 .7
1 8 8 .1
1 8 2 .4
1 1 8 .0
1 8 1 .9
156. 4
1 6 7 .6
1 7 8 .5
1 6 2 .0
1 5 3 .2
1 7 7 .7
1 8 4 .9
1 8 4 .2
1 7 0 .3
1 1 8 .0
1 8 0 .9
1 5 6 .4
1 6 7 .3
1 7 8 .6
1 6 1 .0
1 5 3 .1
1 7 5 .4
1 8 7 .8
183. 5
1 8 5 .9
2 0 0 .0
0
(0
0
(0
0
1 8 4 .1
0
184. 8
0
1 8 5 .5
(0
180. 4
9 7 .8
1 0 3 .0
1 0 3 .4
1 0 0 .4
9 5 .7
9 5 .6
94. 1
7 2 .7
9 1 .2
9 1 .8
91. 5
9 4 .4
9 7 .8
103. 0
103. 4
1 0 0 .5
95. 5
9 5 .6
9 4 .1
7 2 .7
9 1 .2
9 1 .8
91. 5
9 4 .4
1 8 7 .1
1 6 1 .4
195. 5
1 6 6 .8
1 6 5 .8
1 7 0 .8
1 7 5 .2
1 2 6 .9
1 8 6 .3
1 6 6 .7
149 5
1 5 7 .0
1 8 3 .1
1 6 1 .4
1 8 7 .8
1 6 6 .2
1 6 5 .8
1 6 4 .1
1 7 1 .0
1 2 6 .9
1 8 6 .3
1 6 3 .2
149 1
1 5 5 .7
June
1 5 ,1 9 4 8
(■)
0
1 9 8 .9
203. 0
0
1 8 6 .4
2 0 8 .4
0
(>)
2 0 2 .3
0
0
(0
(>)
1 9 0 .7
1 7 3 .4
0)
1 8 3 .1
(0
1 9 7 .1
2 0 0 .0
1 8 9 .7
0)
0
1 7 1 .0
161. 4
0
(')
0
0
1 4 3 .8
1 4 2 .9
1 5 2 .8
1 5 0 .9
1 5 2 .2
0)
1 4 9 .0
1 6 3 .9
1 5 1 .1
158. 2
CO
1 5 0 .1
1 5 0 .2
144. 8
0
(0
(1)
0
(0
1 5 5 .3
(O
1 4 8 .2
145. 0
0
1 5 3 .9
1 4 1 .7
0)
0
1 5 3 .4
0
(1)
0
June
15,1 9 4 8 -
0
1 5 6 .7
0
146. 3
(0
1 3 7 .2
0
1 5 2 .4
1 3 8 .2
0
1 4 6 .7
0
1 4 7 .4
143. S
1 4 7 .4
0
0)
1 4 0 .8
1 5 8 .7
0
(>)
0
(0
2Rents are surveyed every 3 months in 34 large cities according to a staggered schedule.
(
T able
351
D: PRICES AND COST OF LIVING
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
D-4: Indexes of Retail Prices of Foods,1by Group, for Selected Periods
11935-39=100]
Year and month
Cere Meats,
als
poul
All
and
try,
foods bakery and
Total
prod fish
ucts
Fruits and vegetables
Meats
Beef
and
veal
Chick Fish
ens
Pork
Lamb
Dairy
prod
ucts
Eggs
Sugar
Bever Fats
and
and
ages
oils sw eets
Total
Fresh
Can
ned
Dried
136.1
141.7
143.8
82.3
91.0
90.7
93.8
169.5
210.8
169.0
103.5
94.5
92.4
96.5
173.6
226. 2
173.5
105.9
95.1
92.8
97.3
124.8
122.9
124.3
91.1
92.3
91.6
92.4
175.4
152.4
171.0
91.2
93.3
90.3
100.6
131.5
170.4
164.8
112.6
95. 5
94.9
92.5
126.2
145.0
127.2
71.1
87.7
84.5
82.2
175.4
120.0
114. Î
89 6
100.6
95.6
96.8
96.6
95.4
94.4
101.1
99.6
102.8
88.9
88.0
81.1
99.5
98.8
99.7
93.8
94.6
94.8
101.0
99.6
110.6
129.4
127.4
131.0
84.9
95.9
93.1
101.4
110.8
114.4
123.6
124.7
118.7
118.4
118.5
100.1
103.2
120.4
119.9
112.2
112.6
112.6
106.6
108.1
124.1
136.9
134.5
136.0
136.4
102.1
100.5
122.6
146.1
151.0
154.4
157.3
124.5
138.9
163.0
206.5
207.6
217.1
217.8
112.0
120.5
125. 4
134.6
133.6
133.9
133.4
112.2
138.1
136.5
161.9
153.9
164.4
171.4
103.2
110 5
130.8
168.8
168. 2
177.1
183.5
104.2
126.0
133.8
129.9
131.2
131.8
106.5
109.7
122.5
124.2
117.9
118.0
118.1
132.8
178.0
177.2
188.2
196.2
97.9
106.3
121.6
130.6
129.5
130.2
130.3
106.7
118.3
136.3
158.9
164.5
168.2
168.6
101.5
114.1
122 1
124.8
124.3
124.7
124.7
94.0
108.5
119.6
126.1
123.3
124.0
124.0
106.4
114.4
126.5
127.1
126.5
126.5
126.6
125.0
122.1
140.6
161.3
134.0
203.6
150. 8
120.4
197.9
150.5
121.2
191.0
148.2
114.3
207.1
163.9
139.0
205.4
174.0
162. 8
188.9
236.2
219.7
265.0
165.1
147.8
198.5
168.8
147.1
201.6
182.4
183.5
184.5
190.7
196.7
182.3
140.8
127.5
167.7
190.4
172.5
251.6
139.6
125.4
167.8
152.1
126.4
244.4
143.9
136.2
170.5
193.8
193.1
196.5
203 5
201.6
202. 7
206.9
155.4
155.0
155.7
157.8
160.3
167 9
170.5
217.1
220.2
228.4
240.6
235. 5
227.0
227.3
214.7
219.7
229.8
241.9
234.9
223.6
223.2
213.6
220.8
230.5
239.7
233.6
226.3
227.6
215.9
216.4
229.3
245.9
240.9
219.7
218.2
220.1
228.6
232.1
244.0
226.2
227.1
221.5
183.2
181.9
180.5
191.4
189.5
184.6
190.7
271.4
260.6
262.4
275. 7
286.5
302.4
302.3
186.2
178.8
183.8
195.2
190.1
198.4
204.9
200.8
203.0
212.3
235. 9
232.7
224.7
236.1
199.4
202.0
199.8
198.2
196.6
199.6
205.3
201.5
204.2
202.1
202.4
201.1
205.0
212.1
166.2
168.5
165.7
157.3
155.2
156.5
157.3
263.5
263.6
263.4
261.2
255.6
251.7
255.4
186.8
180.8
181.7
187.0
190.8
194.7
198.5
197.5
182.0
178.5
176.6
190.0
196.4
208.2
180.0
179.7
179.8
181.8
181.8
183.2
183.7
209.7
204. 7
202.3
207.9
210.9
214.1
216.8
172.7
171.8
171.0
171.0
171.1
171.2
171.0
237.5
224.8
224.7
233.8
244.2
255.1
261.8
233.4
218.0
218.2
229.5
242.0
255.2
263.0
239.7
228.2
228.5
241.2
255. 8
273.9
280.9
225.9
202. 2
204.3
212.3
219 1
223. 5
233.8
231.5
223.4
216.8
232.6
253. 5
271.2
275.0
200.0
196. 4
194.7
198.4
202.1
207. 6
209.3
310.9
315.0
313.6
307.2
305.0
299.3
301.6
205.7
204.4
201.1
205.8
204.8
205. 9
209.0
213.6
189.2
180.3
184.7
184.9
194.2
204.3
208.3
213.0
206. 9
217.4
218.0
214.9
213.4
215.7
222.0
214.2
228.4
229.4
225.2
223.2
158.0
157.7
157. 7
156.4
156.4
157.4
157.7
256.8
256 0
253. 9
252.1
250.0
248.0
248.0
201.9
204.0
204.4
204.4
204.6
205.1
205.2
209.3
194.2
191.7
191.4
196.6
200. 5
200.8
183.4
176.8
174 4
173 6
173.0
170 6
170.9
Average- 124.0
137.4
Average___
Average.
132. 5
86. 5
Average____
Average - ........ 95.2
August---------- 93. 5
1940: Average--------- 96.6
105. 5
115. 7
107. 6
82.6
94.5
93.4
90.8
101.2
117.8
127.1
79.3
96.6
95.7
95.8
1941: Average--------December........
1942: Average_____
1943: Average_____
1944: Average_____
1945: Average_____
A ugust.............
105.5
113.1
123. 9
138.0
136.1
139.1
140.9
97.9
102. 5
105.1
107.6
108.4
109 0
109.1
107.5
1946: Average......... . 159.6
June.................. 145.6
November___ 187.7
1947: Average--------J u ly ..................
August______
September___
October........ _
November___
December____
1948: January_____
February.........
M arch............ .
A pril................
M a y ________
J u n e................
July_________
1923:
1926:
1929:
1932:
1939:
111.1
i The Bureau of Labor Statistics retail food prices are obtained monthly
during the first three days of the week containing the fifteenth of the month,
through voluntary reports from chain and independent retail food dealers.
Articles included are selected to represent food sales to moderate-income
families.
The indexes, based on the retail prices of 50 foods, are computed by the
flxed-base-weighted-aggregate method, using weights representing (1) rela
tive importance of chain and independent store sales, in computing city aver
age prices; (2) food purchases by families of wage earners and moderate-
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
111.0
income workers, in computing city indexes; and (3) population weights, in
combining city aggregates in order to derive average prices and indexes for all
cities combined.
Indexes of retail food prices in 56 large cities combined, by commodity
groups, for the years 1923 through 1945 (1935-39= 100), may be found in Bulletin
No. 899, “ Retail Prices of Food—1944 and 1945,” Bureau of Labor Statistics,
U. S. Department of Labor, table 2, p. 4. Mimeographed tables of the same
data, by months, January 1935 to date, are available upon request.
MONTHLY LABOR
D: PRICES AND COST OF LIVING
352
T able
D-5: Indexes of Retail Prices of Foods, by City
[1935-39=100]
J u ly
1948
June
1948
M ay
1948
A p r.
1948
M ar.
1948
F eb.
1948
Jan.
1948
D ec.
1947
N ov.
1947
O ct.
1947
S e p t.
1947
A ug.
1947
J u ly
1947
June
1946
A ug.
1939
U n ite d S ta te s ------------------ -
216.8
214.1
2 1 0.9
207.9
202.3
2 0 4.7
209.7
2 0 6.9
2 0 2.7
2 0 1.6
203.5
196.5
193.1
145.6
9 3 .5
A tla n ta , O a _________________
B a ltim o r e, M d ______________
B ir m in g h a m , A l a . . . ----------B o s to n , M a s s . , . ____ _______
B r id g e p o r t, C o n n . . . .............. ..
212.4
2 2 7 .7
218.0
21 0 .2
214.4
2 0 9.9
225. 3
2 1 2 .7
204.1
2 1 0 .3
207.9
221. 6
209.6
199.2
2 0 7.5
2 0 4.7
217.8
207.5
198.2
20 1 .4
201.1
212.3
207.2
192.2
195.6
205.6
214.5
211.1
195.0
197.5
211.9
220.2
218.0
200.3
204.5
211.1
217.8
217.0
1 9 5.7
199.0
206.9
211.8
2 1 2.7
192.4
196.5
211. 1
211. 5
2 1 0.7
191.8
195.6
209. 4
212.8
210.9
195. 3
196.8
198.9
206.9
204.8
187.9
191.3
194.5
204.6
201.8
183.5
187.7
141.0
152. 4
147.7
138.0
139.1
92. 5
94 7
9 0 .7
9 3 .5
9 3 .2
B u ffa lo , N . Y ...............................
B u t t e , M o n t _______________ C ed ar R a p id s , I o w a 1..............
C h a rle sto n , S. O . ............ ..........
C h ic a g o , U L . ........................... ..
21 2 .9
216.6
224.4
211.4
2 2 4 .7
2 1 1.6
2 1 4 .7
224.3
208.1
2 2 1.3
2 0 7.9
207.4
219.7
20 6 .7
218.4
200.2
201.3
2 1 7.0
204.8
212.2
196.6
200.5
208.2
199.1
204.3
196.7
202 1
2 0 8.9
200.2
204.8
202.1
204.8
214.6
2 0 6.6
213.2
200.3
195. 8
2 1 3.0
203. 1
210.5
194.8
194.2
209.1
198.9
2 0 7.8
193.3
195 0
208.7
201.4
207.1
196. 5
195. 7
212.0
198.0
211.0
192.4
193.8
204.4
189.8
203.1
188.7
188.9
203. 7
190.6
198.4
140.2
139. 7
14 8 .2
140.8
142.8
94.5
94.1
C in c in n a ti, O h io .------- --------C le v e la n d , O h io .......... ...............
C o lu m b u s , O h io ____________
D a lla s , T e x _ _ --------- -------------D e n v e r , C o lo ...............................
2 2 0.4
2 2 6.2
2 0 1.9
213.3
217.0
21 6 .3
2 2 3 .7
199.2
21 0 .8
21 6 .5
213.5
2 1 8.0
195.3
210.5
213.3
210.1
2 1 3.0
193.1
2 0 6.7
208.5
206.1
209. 3
190.8
203. 0
202.3
20 9 .0
212.5
192.6
205.7
203.4
213.0
217.6
196. 7
210.3
2 0 8.6
211.6
212 3
194.4
208.2
205.6
204.2
206.1
190.1
204.4
20 1 .0
2 0 6.9
2 0 8.7
192.0
201.6
197.2
2 0 6.7
211.0
190. 0
200.3
199.0
198.3
204.3
184.9
195.5
195.8
194.3
199.7
179.3
192.8
191.6
141.4
149.3
136.4
142.4
145.3
9 0 .4
9 3 .6
88.1
9 1 .7
9 2 .7
D e t r o it , M ic h _______________
F a ll R iv e r , M a s s ____________
H o u s to n , T e x ----------------------I n d ia n a p o lis , I n d ----------------J a c k so n , M is s .1__________ __
213.2
214. 1
222.1
212.6
220.8
211.3
211.3
2 2 0 .0
211.5
216.7
2 0 8.0
207.2
218.1
208.0
2 1 8.0
203.9
2 0 1.2
219.3
2 0 5.7
2 1 8.3
1 9 7.7
197.2
21 6 .0
203.8
21 4 .6
199.4
198.4
218.1
204.2
221.3
205.1
202.6
2 2 1.5
208.2
223.3
2 0 2.0
199.0
218.1
208.8
223.2
19 6 .7
195.0
210.2
204.3
213.1
199.0
195.6
2 0 8.7
2 0 4.5
2 1 2.6
197.4
195. 8
206.4
2 0 3.0
212.0
195.5
190.0
200.8
195. 5
209. 5
191.4
188.7
198.7
191.7
205.6
145.4
138.1
144.0
141.5
150.6
9 0 .6
9 5 .4
9 7 .8
9 0 .7
J a c k s o n v ille , F l a -----------------K a n s a s C it y , M o ----------------K n o x v ille , T e n n .1___________
L it t le R o c k , A r k ____ _______
L o s A n g e le s, C a l i f - . ..............
2 2 2.8
204.4
241.7
213.4
213.1
2 2 2 .9
2 0 4.4
238.4
210.0
212.1
217.3
2 0 2.2
2 3 6.2
209.2
212.6
2 1 4.7
197.9
2 3 3.9
206.4
213.9
208.1
193.0
23 0 .0
203. 8
208.9
212.2
192.5
2 3 9.6
206.1
210.9
2 1 6.2
199.4
244.3
211.4
212.2
216.6
197.3
243. 5
211.8
211.1
211.0
194.2
2 3 5.6
200.4
2 0 6.7
2 1 4.7
193.5
236.9
200.4
201.9
209.1
183.5
235.9
201.3
2 0 4.2
205.0
183.5
225.9
195.1
195.4
2 0 1.8
181.3
225.8
193.6
193.8
150.8
134.8
165. 6
139.1
154.8
9 5 .8
9 1 .5
L o u is v ille , K y ............ .................
M a n c h e s te r , N . H ---------------M e m p h is , T e n n ------------------M ilw a u k e e , W is_ _ _ ..................
M in n e a p o lis , M in n ...................
206.8
218.4
229.8
218.3
208.2
2 0 3 .8
2 1 3.0
226.7
2 1 5.3
2 0 6.2
201.6
208 9
223.2
213.7
206.0
198.2
2 0 4.9
2 2 2.2
210.9
2 0 3.0
193.9
202.0
219.9
204.6
198.1
198.0
2 0 3.2
2 2 4.5
203.4
197.2
200.1
208.8
230. 7
206.4
202.6
198.9
20 4 .7
229.7
204.6
199.3
195.8
199. 0
226.2
2 0 0.7
1 9 3.7
196.2
198.0
223.6
197.6
194.6
198.2
201.3
220.5
200.1
197.2
189.7
196.8
213.5
196.8
187.4
185.4
192.6
210.1
193.4
182.5
135.6
144.4
153.6
144.3
137.5
92.1
9 4 .9
8 9 .7
91.1
9 5 .0
M o b ile , A la ....................................
N e w a r k , N . J _____ _________
N e w H a v e n , C o n n __________
N e w O rlean s, L a . . .................. ..
N e w Y o r k , N . Y ........................
2 2 2 .5
212.8
208.3
233. 2
217.9
2 1 9 .8
2 0 9 .9
205.4
227.3
2 1 3.9
2 1 7.0
2 0 4.7
2 0 1.2
2 2 3.0
2 1 0.0
216.3
2 0 3.0
197.7
2 2 8.7
208.6
212.2
196.4
193. 0
224.3
2 0 1.2
215.5
200.3
195.8
225.6
2 0 6.7
219.6
201.4
201.5
226.4
209.7
216.3
199.4
198.9
222.1
206.1
2 0 6.8
197.4
193.4
2 2 0.2
2 0 3.9
209.3
194.6
193.8
219.5
200.6
206.8
196.8
196.1
216.8
20 3 .0
200.8
190.0
191.2
211.0
194.3
198.6
186.3
187.8
2 0 7.2
191. 7
149.8
147.9
140.4
157.6
149.2
9 5 .5
9 5 .6
9 3 .7
9 7 .6
9 5 .8
N o r fo lk , V a ....................................
O m a h a , N e b r ........................... ..
P e o r ia , 111........... ..........................
P h ila d e lp h ia , P a . .......................
P itt s b u r g h , P a ______________
216.9
208. 6
224.9
210.9
222.3
214.4
210.1
227.3
209.4
2 1 9.6
2 1 3.3
2 0 7.2
223.8
2 0 5.0
213.7
21 0 .5
202.5
2 1 7.0
202.8
2 0 9.8
2 0 6.0
197.7
2 0 5.8
196.3
204.8
210.2
197.7
208.9
199.3
205.4
216.5
204.2
219.5
2 0 5.6
212.8
216.1
202.6
224.1
201.8
209.6
2 1 0.6
198.1
2 2 0.3
197. 5
2 0 5.2
214.3
195.6
212.3
1 9 6.2
206.1
210.7
197.9
212.9
199.8
209.8
203.2
191.1
211.4
191.7
202.0
199.5
187.2
205. 5
188.9
199.9
146.0
139.5
151.3
143.5
147.1
9 3 .6
9 2 .3
9 3 .4
9 3 .0
9 2 .5
P o r tla n d , M a i n e . . .....................
P o r tla n d , O reg______________
P r o v id e n c e , R . I .........................
R ic h m o n d , V a ______________
R o c h e s te r , N . Y ______ ______
209.7
233.7
2 2 4.9
209.4
2 1 1.2
204.1
2 2 8.2
2 2 2.0
2 0 5.3
2 0 8.8
199.4
229. 5
217.9
203.4
205.1
197.0
2 2 3.2
213.1
200.6
2 0 0.8
192.4
220.4
205.5
197.6
196.7
193.5
219.2
210.5
201.3
196.9
199.6
223.0
215.0
209.1
202.1
195 2
219.0
210.5
20 7 .6
200.1
190.7
2 1 4.2
206.1
2 0 1.0
194.9
190.9
208.7
206.5
205.1
192.3
193.6
209.9
208.2
20 3 .8
195.5
191.0
205.0
200.6
194.3
192.2
188.4
202.7
199.3
188.4
187.4
138.4
158. 4
144.9
138.4
142. 5
9 5 .9
96.1
9 3 .7
9 2 .2
9 2 .3
S t. L o u is, M o ........................ ..
S t. P a u l, M in n .......... ............... ..
S a lt L ak e C itv . U t a h ..............
San Francisco", C a lif________
S a v a n n a h , G a ..............................
2 2 4.2
204.7
217.1
2 2 3 .2
2 2 8.3
2 2 2.0
203. 7
2 1 5.8
22 1 .6
2 2 4 .5
218.2
203. 5
216.8
223. 4
223.3
2 1 3.6
200.5
212.9
2 1 9.5
221.4
210.9
195. 3
207.3
215.3
2 1 3.6
212. 8
1 9 4.0
207.9
215. 4
219.6
2 1 7.2
198.6
211.3
218.9
222.9
215.2
195. 9
2 0 9.7
2 1 5.7
2 2 2.2
209.9
191.2
202. 6
214.4
2 1 7.5
209.4
191.0
199.4
208.8
219.2
2 1 5.9
192 1
200.7
210.4
220.3
2 0 5.0
183.4
197.6
200.4
215.1
200.9
179.3
192.2
200.4
20 7 .4
147.4
137.3
151.7
155. 5
158.5
93.8
9 4 .3
9 4 .6
93.8
9 6 .7
S c r a n to n , P a ......... .......................
S e a ttle , W a s h _____ ______ _
218.2
223.4
224.9
215.1
226. 7
2 1 2.9
216.1
2 2 0.3
224.4
215.4
226.4
2 0 9 .5
212.2
221.4
219.3
209.7
225. 3
208.4
208.9
215. 5
212.6
205.1
220.3
206.0
201.8
212.5
209.1
198.9
215.9
2 0 2.7
203.2
214.7
211.4
213.1
218.4
217.9
209.5
222.4
214.5
210.0
213.4
217.3
207.4
221.6
2 1 1.3
2 0 2.8
2 0 7.6
213.2
202.0
215.1
207.1
199.1
205. 4
213.6
200.9
213.8
208.4
206.6
206.0
217.1
202.9
213. 8
205.8
199.5
200.3
211.0
197.1
201.8
199.0
196.1
197.1
205. 9
190.2
199. 8
1 9 5.0
144.0
151.6
150.1
145.5
154.4
145.3
92.1
94 .5
94.1
94.1
S p r in g fie ld ,
1 1 1 ______________________
W
a s h in g to n , D .
W
ic h ita ,
W
in s to n -S a le m , N .
i J u n e
C ________________
K a n s > _____________________
O f f .................
1 9 4 0 = 1 0 0 .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2 0 2 .0
2 1 5 .1
2 0 7.9
95.1
9 2 .3
9 4 .0
9 4 .6
T able
353
D: PRICES AND COST OF LIVING
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
D-6: Average Retail Prices and Indexes of Selected Foods
a g e
C o m m o d ity
C e r e a ls a n d
b a k e r y
p r ic e
p r o d u c ts:
J u ly
J u ly
J u n e
1948
1948
1948
M
a y
1948
A p r.
M a r .
F e b .
J a n .
D e c .
N o v .
O c t.
S e p t.
A u g .
J u ly
A u g -
1948
1948
1948
1948
1947
1947
1947
1947
1947
1947
1939
2 0 9 .6
2 0 4 .8
1 9 4 .0
1 8 7 .4
Cents
C e r e a ls :
8 2 .1
1 8 6 .9
1 8 8 .4
1 8 9 .4
1 9 2 .4
1 9 7 .3
2 1 0 .9
1 8 9 .2
1 8 7 .0
f l a k e s . ........................... ______1 1 o u n c e s —
1 6 .7
1 7 6 .8
1 7 7 .2
1 7 5 .7
1 7 5 .8
1 7 3 .3
1 7 2 .8
1 7 2 .9
1 6 9 .3
1 6 4 .3
1 5 7 .9
1 5 1 .7
1 4 4 .9
1 4 0 .7
m e a l _________
___________ p o u n d . .
1 1 .1
2 1 5 .5
2 1 3 .7
2 1 5 .7
2 1 6 .4
2 1 6 .6
2 1 9 .9
2 1 9 .9
2 1 8 .1
2 1 7 .5
2 1 1 .9
2 0 4 .5
1 9 2 .4
1 8 2 .1
1 ______________________ ----------------------d o ______
2 1 .5
1 2 0 .6
1 1 9 .6
1 1 8 .6
1 1 8 .4
1 1 8 .1
1 1 8 .4
1 1 7 .3
1 1 6 .9
1 1 6 .8
1 1 4 .0
1 1 1 .5
1 0 6 .8
1 0 0 .0
( 2)
o a t s 3 ...................... ... --------- 2 0 o u n c e s . .
1 7 .1
1 5 5 .2
1 5 5 .0
1 5 4 .8
1 5 4 .8
1 5 3 .5
1 5 3 .4
1 5 3 .6
1 5 2 .6
1 5 1 .1
1 4 3 .4
1 3 5 .6
1 3 0 .9
1 2 8 .3
( 2)
B r e a d , w h i t e ....................... ___________ p o u n d . .
1 3 .9
1 6 3 .1
1 6 3 .5
1 6 3 .5
1 6 3 .2
1 6 3 .1
1 6 3 .1
162. 3
1 5 9 .8
1 5 7 .5
1 4 9 .3
1 4 7 .9
1 4 6 .8
1 4 6 .7
V a n illa
4 4 .3
1 9 2 .1
1 9 0 .3
1 8 8 .8
1 8 9 .2
1 8 7 .9
1 8 7 .7
1 8 3 .7
1 8 0 .2
1 7 8 .7
1 7 6 .2
1 7 6 .3
1 7 4 .9
1 7 4 .9
s t e a k . . . ---------------------- d o ______
9 9 .5
2 9 4 .4
2 8 7 .6
2 6 7 .3
2 5 0 .7
r o a s t ___________ ---------------------- d o ______
7 9 .6
2 7 6 .6
2 6 6 .7
2 4 9 .9
2 3 8 .2
2 2 7 .0
2 2 7 .9
2 4 2 .3
2 3 1 .7
2 2 9 .9
2 3 7 .0
2 4 1 .7
2 3 1 .8
2 2 0 .4
9 7 .4
7 0 .8
3 1 5 .5
3 0 9 .6
2 8 3 .4
2 6 3 .3
2 4 9 .6
2 5 0 .6
2 6 3 .1
2 5 1 .5
2 5 3 .5
2 6 0 .1
2 5 8 .9
2 4 8 .5
2 3 3 .3
9 7 .1
1 5 5 .8
1 5 1 .3
1 4 5 .3
2 2 2 .6
2 1 2 .0
2 1 0 .2
1 0 1 .1
2 2 6 .4
9 0 .8
F l o u r , w h e a t ___________
C o r n
C o r n
R ic e
R o lle d
c o o k i e s ________ ----------------------d o ______
M e a ts , p o u ltr y , a n d
M e a ts:
______5 p o u n d s . .
4 8 .2
1 8 9 .6
9 2 .7
9 0 .7
9 3 .2
V)
fis h :
-
B eef:
R o u n d
R ib
C h u c k
r o a st
. . . .......................... _ d o ______
H a m b u r g e r 3 . . . ---------------------- d o ______
2 3 4 .0
2 3 1 .4
2 4 8 .4
2 3 6 .4
2 3 4 .2
2 4 3 .8
6 1 .6
1 9 9 .3
1 9 4 .7
1 7 8 .6
1 6 6 .3
1 5 8 .0
1 5 7 .3
1 5 9 .7
1 5 1 .5
1 5 0 .3
1 5 4 .4
1 0 2 .1
2 5 6 .1
252. 5
2 4 5 .6
2 3 4 .9
2 2 6 .8
2 2 8 .0
2 3 0 .0
2 1 3 .1
2 1 1 .8
2 1 7 .7
2 5 6 .4
2 4 7 .6
2 3 6 .7
1 0 2 .7
( 4)
V e a l:
C u t l e t s . . ....................... ---------------------- d o ______
P o rk :
C h o p s ________________ .......................... - d o ______
8 3 .3
2 5 2 .7
2 3 8 .1
2 3 3 .5
2 2 3 .2
2 1 2 .1
2 0 0 .1
2 1 9 .4
2 0 6 .2
2 1 4 .7
2 4 8 .8
2 5 7 .9
B a c o n , s l i c e d . _ _ ----------------------d o ______
7 7 .9
2 0 4 .5
2 0 1 .9
1 9 9 .1
1 9 1 .3
1 8 5 .7
1 9 4 .7
2 2 7 .7
2 2 8 .8
2 2 7 .6
2 3 0 .4
2 2 4 .7
2 0 8 .4
1 9 5 .5
8 0 .9
2 1 8 .2
2 4 4 .2
2 5 6 .7
2 4 5 .3
2 3 9 .2
2 3 1 .2
9 2 .7
H a m , w h o l e ______ .......................... . d o ______
7 1 .8
2 4 4 .2
2 3 1 .2
2 2 3 .7
2 2 0 .9
2 1 3 .6
2 1 2 .0
2 3 4 .8
2 2 3 .3
S a l t p o r k ___________ ---------------------- d o ______
4 0 .9
1 9 6 .0
1 9 6 .6
2 0 3 .5
2 0 9 .9
2 1 4 .7
2 3 8 .2
2 5 9 .6
2 7 5 .3
2 6 5 .6
2 4 3 .7
2 2 7 .7
1 9 4 .9
1 8 8 .3
6 9 .0
7 9 .3
2 7 9 .4
2 7 5 .6
257. 6
2 3 6 .3
2 2 0 .3
2 2 6 .9
235. 2
2 2 5 .0
2 3 0 .7
2 2 9 .8
2 4 7 .9
2 3 5 .8
2 3 2 .3
9 5 .7
6 3 .1
2 0 9 .3
2 0 7 .6
2 0 2 .1
1 9 8 .4
1 9 4 .7
1 9 6 .4
2 0 0 .0
1 9 0 .7
1 8 4 .6
1 8 9 .5
1 9 1 .4
1 8 0 .5
1 8 1 .9
9 4 .6
2 5 1 .8
2 6 1 .3
2 6 4 .9
2 7 4 .4
2 7 6 .3
2 7 0 .5
2 6 0 .7
2 6 2 .3
2 4 8 .8
2 4 2 .7
2 3 1 .8
2 3 1 .5
9 8 .8
c a n ..
( 6)
5 3 .5
2 5 3 .9
4 0 8 .1
4 0 5 .2
3 9 9 .7
3 9 7 .1
3 9 4 .1
393. 7
3 9 4 .9
3 9 1 .0
3 8 6 .7
3 6 5 .6
3 4 2 .2
3 2 3 .1
3 1 7 .5
9 7 .4
-----------------p o u n d . .
9 1 .7
2 5 2 .0
2 4 9 .8
2 5 4 .2
2 5 5 .4
2 3 7 .4
2 4 8 .4
2 5 8 .1
2 6 2 .0
2 4 2 .2
2 2 2 .4
2 5 1 .7
2 2 2 .1
2 1 0 .6
L a m b :
L e g ------------------------------- ----------------------d o ______
P o u lt r y :
R o a s tin g
c h i c k e n s ________ d o ______
F is h :
F is h
(fr e sh , fr o z e n )
-----------------
.d o ...
S a l m o n , p i n k 5_________ . 1 6 - o u n c e
D a ir y
p r o d u c ts:
B u t t e r ....................................................
8 4 .0
C h e e s e ................ .......................................... ..............................d o ______
6 8 .2
2 6 2 .1
2 5 4 .6
2 4 8 .1
2 4 1 .5
2 4 3 .7
2 4 7 .9
2 4 2 .2
2 3 6 .1
2 3 0 .9
2 2 6 .2
2 2 1 .0
2 1 5 .6
2 1 5 .6
9 2 .3
M ilk , fr e sh
( d e l i v e r e d ) . ------------------- q u a r t . .
2 1 .5
1 7 7 .1
1 7 4 .0
1 7 1 .5
1 7 4 .3
174. 6
1 7 4 .3
1 7 3 .3
1 7 1 .2
1 7 1 .0
1 6 7 .5
1 6 3 .0
1 5 8 .8
1 5 5 .9
9 7 .1
M ilk , fr esh
( g r o c e r y ) ____ ----------------------d o ______
2 0 .6
1 8 2 .1
1 7 9 .3
1 7 7 .3
1 7 9 .0
1 7 9 .5
179. 7
1 7 8 .5
1 7 6 .3
1 7 5 .2
1 7 1 .8
1 6 7 .2
1 6 2 .4
1 5 9 .5
9 6 .3
M
i l k , e v a p o r a t e d _________1 4 1 ^ - o u n c e c a n . .
1 5 .2
2 1 2 .8
2 1 0 .9
2 0 2 .1
1 9 7 .2
1 9 7 .1
1 9 5 .8
1 8 9 .6
1 8 6 .4
1 8 2 .3
1 7 7 .2
1 7 5 .3
1 7 5 .2
1 7 5 .1
9 3 .9
E g g s:
E g g s , f r e s h .................................. ..........................d o z e n . .
7 0 .8
2 0 4 .3
1 9 4 .2
1 8 4 .9
1 8 4 .7
1 8 6 .3
1 8 9 .2
2 1 3 .6
2 3 6 .1
2 2 4 .7
2 3 2 .7
2 3 5 .9
2 1 2 .3
2 0 3 .0
9 0 .7
1 3 .9
F r u its
a n d
v e g e ta b le s :
F r e sh
fr u its :
2 6 5 .3
2 6 9 .2
2 2 9 .1
2 0 8 .2
2 0 5 .6
2 0 8 .6
2 1 9 .2
2 2 1 .8
2 1 4 .3
2 1 6 .1
2 1 9 .7
2 0 9 .8
2 5 9 .6
1 6 .3
2 6 9 .3
2 6 1 .7
2 5 7 .8
2 5 6 .3
255. 3
2 5 7 .4
2 5 7 .9
2 5 7 .8
2 5 6 .9
2 5 4 .6
2 5 2 .3
2 4 5 .9
2 4 7 .1
9 7 .3
. . — ................. d o z e n . .
4 7 .8
1 6 9 .2
1 5 5 .1
1 4 9 .2
1 4 2 .9
1 4 5 .1
1 3 5 .9
1 3 3 .5
1 3 3 .4
1 4 7 .9
1 7 2 .2
1 7 4 .1
1 8 1 .0
1 5 1 .1
9 6 .9
B e a n s , g r e e n . . ................... ___________ p o u n d . .
2 0 .4
2 3 7 .1
2 1 5 .4
A p p l e s . ....................... ................. .......................p o u n d —
B a n a n a s
. . . ___________ ---------------------- d o ______
O r a n g e s, s iz e
F r e sh
200
8 1 .6
v e g e ta b le s :
257. 2
1 9 9 .9
1 5 7 .4
1 2 2 .2
1 3 8 .3
6 1 .7
C a b b a g e ...................................... ----------------------d o ______
5 .9
1 5 5 .1
1 8 0 .1
2 0 2 .3
250. 5
1 7 4 .8
191. 5
2 2 2 .9
2 3 7 .2
1 9 2 .9
1 6 5 .3
1 7 0 .0
2 3 4 .8
1 6 8 .9
1 0 3 .2
C a r r o t s _____________________ .......................b u n c h —
1 0 .9
2 0 2 .1
2 6 3 .2
3 1 0 .1
2 5 4 .3
2 2 7 .8
2 6 1 .3
2 4 6 .3
3 1 1 .3
2 6 1 .3
2 4 1 .8
2 0 5 .7
1 7 9 .4
1 8 0 .2
8 4 .9
1 4 6 .3
9 7 .6
1 8 7 .7
1 8 5 .1
2 2 9 .1
2 2 9 .5
1 9 1 .2
1 8 6 .7
1 7 7 .8
1 6 4 .1
2 0 0 .7
1 5 9 .9
1 3 8 .0
153. 5
2 0 1 .0
1 7 9 .9
1 7 0 .8
1 8 9 .1
1 7 2 .4
1 0 .4
2 5 1 .9
2 6 2 .4
2 9 1 .0
440. 9
3 8 6 .2
3 6 4 .8
2 8 5 .6
2 6 0 .7
2 2 9 .3
1 9 4 .5
1 8 8 .9
1 9 0 .2
1 8 4 .7
p o u n d s —
8 9 .2
2 4 8 .4
2 6 3 .5
2 6 1 .7
253. 6
2 4 7 .0
2 4 6 .9
2 3 4 .4
2 2 2 .5
2 1 1 .1
2 0 1 .7
2 0 2 .7
2 1 4 .8
2 5 2 .2
9 1 .9
S p i n a c h ___________________ .......................p o u n d . .
1 2 .5
1 7 4 .7
1 4 5 .0
1 5 8 .4
167. 4
1 7 1 .5
2 2 1 .5
1 9 1 .4
1 6 7 .5
1 5 4 .1
1 7 2 .2
195. 5
1 7 4 .4
1 6 5 .7
1 1 8 .4
( 8)
2 8 6 .9
2 7 3 .4
2 2 5 .2
2 1 3 .1
2 0 8 .3
2 0 7 .2
1 9 6 .4
1 8 3 .9
1 7 3 .3
1 7 4 .2
1 9 5 .8
2 3 4 .9
2 2 6 .7
1 1 5 .7
3 1 .2
1 6 1 .6
1 6 0 .8
1 6 0 .8
1 6 0 .6
1 6 1 .0
1 6 1 .5
1 6 2 .4
1 6 1 .9
1 6 2 .1
1 6 2 .4
1 6 3 .8
1 6 8 .1
1 6 8 .6
9 2 .3
1 6 8 .5
1 6 8 .1
1 6 6 .7
166. 3
1 6 4 .3
1 6 3 .0
1 6 2 .1
1 6 0 .1
1 5 8 .2
1 5 4 .6
1 5 2 .8
1 5 1 .7
1 5 2 .0
9 6 .0
1 5 8 .2
1 5 6 .9
1 5 7 .0
1 5 6 .6
1 5 5 .5
152. 5
1 4 9 .8
1 4 6 .9
1 4 7 .1
1 4 6 .5
8 8 .6
8 9 .8
L e tt u c e ..
______________ ............................. h e a d —
O n i o n s ________________ _
-----------------p o u n d —
P o t a t o e s ___________________ . . . 1 5
S w e e t p o t a t o e s _________ ..............................d o ______
C a n n e d
fr u its :
P e a c h e s . ..................................... . . N
o .
2
Yi
c a n ..
P i n e a p p l e ________________ .........................._ d o ______
C a n n e d
1 4 .6
( 8)
1 5 1 .6
8 6 .8
v e g e ta b le s :
1 9 .7
1 5 8 .6
1 5 7 .9
156. 6
P e a s ..................................................... ..............................d o ______
1 4 .8
1 1 3 .5
1 1 2 .8
1 1 2 .3
113. 5
1 1 6 .9
1 1 8 .3
1 1 8 .7
T o m a t o e s ________________ —
................- d o ______
1 6 .6
1 8 4 .7
1 8 4 .8
1 8 3 .0
183. 2
1 8 6 .2
1 8 5 .0
1 8 5 .9
1 8 5 .5
1 8 5 .4
1 8 3 .9
1 9 1 .8
2 1 3 .2
2 2 0 .6
P r u n e s _____ ---------------- p o u n d . .
2 0 .9
2 0 4 .9
2 0 4 .3
2 0 6 .9
2 0 8 .6
2 1 1 .2
2 1 6 .0
2 1 7 .8
2 1 9 .4
2 1 9 .0
2 2 8 .7
2 3 6 .8
2 4 5 .3
2 4 6 .4
9 4 .7
2 2 .7
3 0 9 .7
3 1 0 .5
3 1 1 .6
3 1 4 .3
3 1 4 .9
3 1 2 .9
3 1 1 .9
3 0 6 .0
2 9 7 .5
2 9 2 .3
2 9 4 .2
2 8 6 .6
2 8 5 .4
8 3 .0
C o r n ________________________ ______N o . 2 c a n . .
D r ie d
fr u its :
D r ie d
v e g e ta b le s :
N a v y
b e a n s . . . d o ______
1 1 5 .5
1 1 8 .0
1 1 8 .0
1 1 7 .9
1 1 7 .9
1 1 8 .0
9 2 .5
5 1 .5
2 0 4 .8
2 0 4 .7
2 0 4 .2
2 0 4 .0
2 0 4 .0
2 0 3 .6
2 0 1 .5
1 9 8 .1
1 9 4 .3
1 9 0 .5
1 8 6 .6
1 8 1 .3
1 8 0 .5
9 3 .3
L a r d ________________________________ ______________ d o ______
2 9 .5
1 9 8 .1
1 9 8 .5
1 9 8 .2
1 9 4 .1
1 9 1 .9
1 9 6 .0
2 3 8 .8
2 4 2 .7
2 2 8 .6
2 1 5 .9
1 8 1 .3
1 6 6 .8
1 7 0 .3
6 5 .2
H y d r o g e n a te d
4 5 .7
2 2 0 .3
2 1 8 .2
2 1 1 .4
2 0 7 .1
2 1 4 .4
2 1 2 .5
9 3 .9
4 0 .8
1 6 8 .4
1 6 7 .1
1 6 4 .4
159. 8
1 5 9 .0
1 5 8 .8
1 5 6 .1
1 5 2 .4
1 5 0 .2
1 4 9 .7
1 5 0 .3
1 5 1 .8
1 5 4 .2
4 3 .7
2 4 0 .1
2 4 2 .0
2 3 2 .6
2 2 3 .9
2 2 4 .0
2 2 7 .8
2 3 0 .5
2 2 8 .9
2 1 4 .4
2 0 8 .9
1 9 8 .0
2 1 9 .1
2 1 9 .9
( 4)
9 3 .6
9 .2
1 7 1 .8
1 7 1 .4
1 7 3 .8
1 7 4 .5
1 7 5 .3
1 7 7 .7
1 8 4 .3
1 8 4 .6
1 8 4 .1
1 8 2 .7
1 8 2 .0
1 8 0 .7
1 8 0 .6
9 5 .6
B e v e r a g e s:
F a ts
a n d
C o f l e e ________________ ................... . . . d o ______
o ils:
S a la d
v e g . s h o r t e n i n g 7 _ _ d o ______
d r e s s i n g ________________ ..............................p i n t . .
O l e o m a r g a r i n e ................................ .......................p o u n d . .
S u g a r a n d
1 9 4 7 = 1 0 0 .
2 In d e x
2 2 5 .8
2 2 0 .0
1 9 7 .7
1 9 1 .5
1 9 0 .9
2 0 3 .6
sw e e ts:
S u g a r ............................................................... ....................... — d o ______
1 J u ly
2 1 7 .6
n o t c o m p u te d .
3 F e b r u a r y
4 N o t p r ic e d
1 9 4 3 = 1 0 0 .
in
e a r lie r p e r io d .
802564— 48------9
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
3
1 9 3 8 -3 9 = 1 0 0 .
6 A v e ra g e
p r ic e n o t c o m p u te d .
7 F o r m e r ly
p u b lis h e d
8 In a d e q u a te re p o r ts.
a s s h o r te n in g
in
o th e r c o n ta in e r s .
354
D: PRICES AND COST OF LIVING
MONTHLY LABOR
D-7: Indexes of Wholesale Prices,1 by Group of Commodities, for Selected Periods
T able
[1926=100]
A ll
A ll
Y e a r a n d
F a rm
c o m
m o n th
p r o d
m o d i
tie s
F u e l
H id e s
2
T e x
a n d
tile
lig h t
p r o d
in g
a n d
F o o d s
u c ts
le a th e r
p ro d
u c ts
u c ts
m a te
r ia ls
C h e m
M e ta ls
B u ild
a n d
m e ta l
p ro d
u c ís
2
ic a ls
in g
a n d
m a te
a llie d
r ia ls
p r o d
u c ts
H o u se fu r n ls h in g
M is .
S e m i-
c e lla -
R a w
n e o u s
m a te
c o m
r ia ls
m a n u -
fa c
fa c -
tu r e d
tu r e d
p r o d
a r t ic le s
u c ts 2
m o d i
g o o d s
tie s
M a n u
A ll
c o m
c o m
m o d i
m o d i
tie s
tie s
e x c e p t
ex c ep t
fa r m
fa r m
p ro d
p ro d
u c ts
2
u c ts
a n d
fo o d s
1913:
A v e r a g e ....................
1914:
J u l y ________________
6 7 .3
7 1 .4
6 2 .9
6 9 .7
5 5 .3
5 5 .7
7 9 .1
5 2 .9
7 7 .9
5 6 .7
8 8 .1
9
65. 7
65.
1918:
N o v e m b e r _____
1 3 6 .3
150. 3
1 2 8 .6
1 3 1 .6
1 4 2 .6
1 1 4 .3
1 4 3 .5
1 0 1 .8
1 7 8 .0
9 9 .2
1 4 2 .3
138
8
1 6 2 .7
130. 4
1 3 1 .0
129.
170.
6 9 .8
7 1 .5
6 4 .2
6 8 .1
5 7 .3
6 1 .3
9 0 .8
5 6 .7
8 0 .2
5 6 .1
9 3 .1
68
8
7 4 .9
6 7 .3
6 7 .8
6 9 .4
66
6 9 .0
70.
1920:
M
a y . - .......................
1 6 7 .2
1 6 9 .8
1 4 7 .3
1 9 3 .2
1 8 8 .3
1 5 9 .8
1 5 5 .5
1 6 4 .4
1 7 3 .7
3
1 7 6 .5
1 6 3 .4
2 5 3 .0
1 5 7 .8
165. 4
1929:
A v e r a g e ....................
9 5 .3
1 0 4 .9
9 9 .9
1 0 9 .1
9 0 .4
8 3 .0
1 0 0 .6
9 5 .4
9 4 .0
9 4 .3
8 2 .6
9 7 .5
9 3 .9
9 4 .5
9 3 .3
91.
1932:
A v e r a g e ....................
6 4 .8
4 8 .2
6 1 .0
7 2 .9
5 4 .9
7 0 .3
8 0 .2
7 1 .4
7 3 .9
7 5 .1
6 4 .4
5 5 .1
5 9 .3
7 0 .3
6 8 .3
70
143
1939:
A v e r a g e ....................
7 7 .1
6 5 .3
7 0 .4
9 5 .6
6 9 .7
7 3 .1
9 4 .4
9 0 .5
7 6 .0
8 6 .3
7 4 .8
7 0 .2
7 7 .0
A u g u s t .......................
7 5 .0
6 1 .0
6 7 .2
9 2 .7
6 7 .8
7 2 .6
9 3 .2
8 9 .6
7 4 .2
8 5 .6
7 3 .3
66. 5
7 4 .5
7 9 .1
77. 9
80
1940:
A v e r a g e ....................
7 8 .6
6 7 .7
7 1 .3
1 0 0 .8
7 3 .8
7 1 .7
9 5 .8
9 4 .8
7 7 .0
8 8 .5
7 7 .3
7 1 .9
7 9 .1
8 1 .6
8 0 .8
83.
1941:
A v e r a g e . ................
8 7 .3
8 2 .4
8 2 .7
1 0 8 .3
8 4 .8
7 6 .2
9 9 .4
1 0 3 .2
8 4 .4
9 4 .3
8 2 .0
8 6 .9
8 9 .1
8 8 .3
89
D e c e m b e r ______
9 3 .6
9 4 .7
90. 5
1 1 4 .8
9 1 .8
7 8 .4
1 0 3 .3
1 0 7 .8
9 0 .4
1 0 1 .1
8 7 .6
9 2 .3
9 0 .1
9 4 .6
9 3 .3
9 3 .'
A v e r a g e _________
9 8 .8
1 0 5 .9
9 9 .6
1 1 7 .7
9 6 .9
78. 5
103. 8
1 1 0 .2
9 5 .5
1 0 2 .4
8 9 .7
1 0 0 .6
9 2 .6
9 8 .6
9 7 .0
95.
1942:
83. 5
80. 4
79. 5
81.
1943:
A v e r a g e _________
1 0 3 .1
1 2 2 .6
1 0 6 .6
1 1 7 .5
9 7 .4
8 0 .8
1 0 3 .8
1 1 1 .4
9 4 .9
1 0 2 .7
9 2 .2
1 1 2 .1
9 2 .9
1 0 0 .1
98. 7
96
1944:
A v e r a g e _________
1 0 4 .0
1 2 3 .3
1 0 4 .9
1 1 6 .7
9 8 .4
8 3 .0
1 0 3 .8
1 1 5 .5
9 5 .2
1 0 4 .3
9 3 .6
1 1 3 .2
9 4 .1
1 0 0 .8
9 9 .6
98.
1945:
A v e r a g e ................ ...
1 0 5 .8
1 2 8 .2
1 0 6 .2
1 1 8 .1
1 0 0 .1
8 4 .0
1 0 4 .7
117
8
9 5 .2
1 0 4 .5
9 4 .7
1 1 6 .8
95. 9
1 0 1 .8
1 0 0 .8
A u g u s t . . ................
1 0 5 .7
1 2 6 .9
1 0 6 .4
1 1 8 .0
9 9 .6
8 4 .8
1 0 4 .7
1 1 7 .8
9 5 .3
1 0 4 .5
9 4 .8
1 1 6 .3
9 5 .5
1 0 1 .8
1 0 0 .9
A v e r a g e ................ ...
1 2 1 .1
1 4 8 .9
1 3 0 .7
1 3 7 .2
1 1 6 .3
9 0 .1
1 1 5 .5
1 3 2 .6
1 0 1 .4
1 1 1 .6
1 3 4 .7
1 1 0 .8
1 1 6 .1
1 1 4 .9
J u n e _______ ________
1 1 2 .9
1 4 0 .1
1 1 2 .9
1 2 2 .4
1 0 9 .2
8 7 .8
1 1 2 .2
1 2 9 .9
9 6 .4
1 1 0 .4
9 8 .5
1 2 6 .3
105. 7
1 0 7 .3
106. 7
105.
N o v e m b e r _____
1 3 9 .7
1 6 9 .8
1 6 5 .4
1 7 2 .5
1 3 1 .6
9 4 .5
1 3 0 .2
1 4 5 .5
1 1 8 .9
1 1 8 .2
1 0 6 .5
1 5 3 .4
1 2 9 .1
1 3 4 .7
1 3 2 .9
1 2 0 .'
A v e r a g e ...................
« 1 5 2 .1
« 181. 2
1 6 8 .7
« 1 8 2 .4
« 1 4 1 .7
« 1 4 6 .0
1946:
1947:
1948:
1 0 8 .7
« 1 4 5 .0
100
3
9 9 .”
99. £
109.
« 1 7 9 .7
1 2 7 .3
« 1 3 1 .1
« 1 1 5 .5
1 6 5 .6
1 4 8 .5
J u l y . . . .......................
1 5 0 .6
1 8 1 .4
1 6 7 .1
« 1 7 9 .1
«140. 5
« 1 0 9 .0
« 1 4 3 .1
« 1 7 5 .5
1 1 8 .8
1 2 9 .8
« 1 1 3 .2
1 6 5 .3
« 1 4 6 .1
«144. 2
«143. 7
« 133.
A u g u s t ___________
« 153. 7
« 1 8 1 .6
1 7 2 .3
« 182. 8
« 1 4 1 .8
« 1 1 2 .6
« 148. 5
« 179. 6
1 1 7 .5
« 1 2 9 .9
« 1 1 3 .1
1 6 7 .0
« 1 4 8 .8
« 1 4 7 .9
« 147. 3
«136.
S e p t e m b e r _____
1 5 7 .4
1 8 6 .4
« 179. 2
« 1 8 5 .6
« 1 4 2 .4
« 1 1 4 .2
1 5 0 .1
« 183. 4
1 2 2 .3
« 1 3 1 .3
1 1 5 .9
« 1 7 0 .9
« 150. 5
« 1 5 1 .8
150. 8
«138.
«140.
« 145. 5
« 135.
O c t o b e r __________
1 5 8 .5
1 8 9 .7
« 177. 7
« 1 9 3 .1
« 1 4 3 .4
« 1 1 6 .1
150. 5
1 8 5 .8
1 2 8 .6
« 1 3 2 .4
1 1 7 .1
«175. 2
« 1 5 2 .6
« 1 5 1 .2
1 5 1 .5
N o v e m b e r _____
«159. 6
1 8 7 .9
« 1 7 7 .9
« 2 0 2 .5
« 145. 2
« 1 18. 2
1 5 0 .8
« 187. 7
135. 8
« 1 3 7 .5
1 1 8 .8
1 7 5 .5
« 1 5 4 .9
« 1 5 2 .4
« 1 5 3 .1
«142.
D e c e m b e r ______
1 6 3 .2
1 9 6 .7
1 7 8 .4
« 2 0 3 .4
« 1 4 8 .0
« 1 2 4 .6
« 1 5 1 .5
1 9 1 .0
1 3 5 .0
« 1 3 9 .4
1 2 1 .5
1 8 2 .0
« 1 5 6 .5
« 1 5 4 .9
« 1 5 5 .6
«145.
1 7 9 .9
« 1 9 3 .3
138. 8
«148.
J a n u a r y . ................
1 6 5 .7
2 0 0 .3
« 1 4 8 . 4
1 3 0 .0
1 5 4 .3
« 1 4 1 .3
« 1 2 3 .6
1 8 3 .9
« 156. 8
«157. 8
' 158. 2
F e b r u a r y _______
« 1 6 0 .9
1 8 5 .3
1 7 2 .4
1 9 2 .8
« 1 48. 9
« 1 30. 8
1 5 5 .3
«192. 7
1 3 4 .6
1 4 1 .8
« 1 2 0 .1
1 7 4 .9
« 155. 2
1 5 4 .5
« 1 5 5 .3
1 6 1 .4
1 8 6 .0
1 7 3 .8
185. 4
1 4 9 .8
130. 9
155. 9
« 1 9 3 .1
1 3 6 .1
1 4 2 .0
1 2 0 .8
1 7 4 .7
1 5 2 .9
1 5 5 .8
1 5 5 .7
147.
_______
« 1 6 2 .8
1 8 6 .7
1 7 6 .7
1 8 6 .1
« 1 5 0 .3
1 3 1 .6
1 5 7 .2
« 1 9 5 .0
136. 2
1 4 2 .3
1 2 1 .8
1 7 5 .5
« 1 5 4 .1
« 1 5 7 .6
1 5 7 .3
c 148.
a y _______________
« 1 6 3 .9
1 8 9 .1
1 7 7 .4
« 1 8 8 .4
« 1 50. 2
132. 6
1 5 7 .1
« 1 9 6 .4
134. 7
1 4 2 .6
1 2 1 .5
1 7 7 .6
« 1 5 3 .8
« 1 5 8 .5
«158. 2
«149.
J u n e _______ ________
1 6 6 .2
1 9 6 .0
1 8 1 .4
« 1 8 7 .7
1 4 9 .6
1 3 3 .1
« 1 5 8 .8
1 9 6 .8
« 1 3 5 .8
« 1 4 3 .5
« 1 2 1 .5
1 8 2 .6
« 1 5 4 .5
« 1 5 9 .7
« 1 5 9 .5
« 149.
J u l y ------------------------
1 6 8 .6
1 9 4 .9
1 8 8 .3
1 8 9 .2
1 4 8 .9
135. 7
1 6 2 .8
1 9 9 .4
1 3 4 .4
1 4 4 .5
1 2 0 .3
1 8 4 .1
1 5 5 .9
1 6 2 .7
1 6 2 .6
M a r c h __________
A n r il...
M
1 9 9 .2
1 BLS wholesale price data, for the most part, represent prices in primary
markets. They are prices charged by manufacturers or producers or are
prices prevailing on organized exchanges. The weekly index is calculated
from 1-day-a week prices; the monthly index from an average of these
prices. M onthly indexes for the last 2 months are preliminary.
The Indexes currently are computed by the fixed base aggregate method,
with weights representing quantities produced for sale in 1929-31. (For a
detailed description of the method of calculation see “ Revised Method of
Calculation of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Wholesale Price Index,” in
the Journal of the American Statistical Association, December 1937.)
Because of past differences in the method of computation the weekly and
monthly indexes should not be compared directly. The weekly index is
T able
A ll
com
m o d i
tie s
F arm
prod
u c ts
164.2
164.9
165.3
16 6.7
16 6.7
16 6.8
168. 9
168. 2
168.3
169. 2
169.0
169 2
168.4
192.4
193.5
194.5
198.4
1 9 7 .2
196.1
198.1
1 9 4.6
19 2 .2
193.6
190.4
191.0
189.3
19i8
J u n e 5 ............................
J u n e 12...........................
J u n e 19______ _____ _
J u n e 26_____________
J u ly 3 ______________
J u ly 10 ................ ........
J u ly 1 7 .____ _______
J u ly 24_____________
J u ly 31...........................
A u g . 7 . . ................ ..
A u g . 14_____________
A u g . 21_____ _______
A u g . 28_____________
1See footnote 1, table D-7.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 5 1 .1
useful only to indicate week-to-week changes and to provide later data on
price movements. It is not revised to take account of more complete reports.
Mimeographed tables are available, upon request to the Bureau, giving
monthly indexes for major groups of commodities since 1890 and for subgroups
and economicgroupssince 1913. Weekly indexes have been prepared since 1932.
2 Includes current motor vehicle prices beginning with October 1946. The
rate of production of motor vehicles in October 1946 exceeded the monthly
average rate of civilian production in 1941, and in accordance with the an
nouncement made in September 1946, the Bureau introduced current prices
for motor vehicles in the October calculations. During the war, motor
vehicles were not produced for general civilian sale and the Bureau carried
April 1942 prices forward in each computation through Spetember 1946.
0 Corrected.
D-8: Indexes of Wholesale Prices,1by Group of Commodities, by Weeks
[Indexes 1926=100.
W e e k e n d in g
«147.
N ot directly comparable with monthly data.
See footnote 1, table D-7]
Foods
H id e s
and
lea th e r
prod
u c ts
T ex
tile
prod
u c ts
F uel
and
lig h t
in g
m a te
rials
M e ta ls
and
m e ta l
prod
u cts
B u ild
in g
m a te
rials
C h em
ica ls
and
a llie d
prod
u c ts
H ou sefurn is h in g
goods
M is .
c ella neous
com
m o d i
t ie s
R aw
m a te
ria ls
S e m im anufactu r ed
prod
u cts
M anu
fac
tu r ed
prod
u c ts
178.0
180.1
180.7
183.0
184.1
185.3
191.2
190.4
1 8 7.7
190.0
190.3
189.5
1 8 7.8
187.0
186.7
187.7
188.6
1 8 8.3
188.1
189.1
189. 5
189.6
188.5
188.3
189.6
189.9
149.2
148.8
148.5
149.1
148.1
148.1
148.0
148.1
148.3
148.1
147.8
148.0
147.7
133.8
133.8
134. 0
134.0
134.1
134.7
135.8
136.5
136.8
136.9
137.3
137.3
137.4
156.8
157.1
157.6
1 5 8.8
159. 4
1 5 9.4
1 6 0.9
160.9
167.3
169.2
170.9
171. 5
171.7
196.6
196.9
197.2
197.4
1 9 7.6
197.5
197.9
198.0
20 0 .7
201.6
202.0
2 0 2.0
202.3
135.2
137.1
136.0
135.5
135. 5
134. 5
134. 5
132.9
133.1
132.0
131.6
131.7
132.2
145.1
145.1
145.1
145.0
145.0
145.8
145. 9
145.9
146.0
146.4
146.8
146.8
146.8
121.0
120.9
121.1
1 2 1.2
121.1
120.3
119.4
119.2
118.6
118.2
118.3
118.7
118.4
180.9
181.6
182.7
185. 2
1 8 4 .3
184.2
186.4
184.6
183.4
184.3
182.5
182.8
181.7
153.0
153.0
153. 6
153.9
154.0
154.0
154.7
154. 5
« 156. 9
158.8
159.7
159.3
159.0
158.6
159.3
159. 5
160. 5
16 0 .9
161.1
163. 4
163.1
«163. 5
164.3
164.7
164.9
1 6 4.2
A ll
c o m A ll eom m o d i m o d ilie s
excep t
tie s
farm
excep t
farm products
and
prod
foods
u c ts
158.0
158 5
158 8
159. 7
159 9
160. 3
162 4
162 3
162 9
163. 8
164 3
164.3
163.8
149 3
149 2
149 5
149 9
149 «
149 9
1 *50 4
i fin fi
152 1
159 A
152 9
153 1
153.2
T able
355
D: PRICES AND COST OF LIVING
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
D-9: Indexes of Wholesale Prices,1by Group and Subgroup of Commodities
[1 926= 100]
1946
1939
July
June
Aug.
1947
1948
Group and subgroup
July
June
M ay
Apr.
Mar.
Feb.
Jan.
Dec.
N ov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
A.11 commodities 3_.................
168.6
166.2
«163.9
«162. 8
161.4
«160. 9
165.7
163.2
«159. 6
158.5
157.4
«153. 7
150.6
112.9
75.0
Farm products____________
Grains.- _____________
Livestock and pou ltry..
Other farm products___
194.9
190.6
250.8
161.9
196.0
209.2
239.2
165.4
189.1
213. 5
219.0
163.3
186.7
217.9
204.4
166.4
186.0
218.0
209.4
162.2
185.3
220.0
210.0
159.9
199.2
256.3
232. 9
162.4
196.7
252.7
226.3
162.5
187.9
245.5
211.0
157.2
189.7
241.4
224.5
153.7
186.4
230.3
224.8
150.3
«181.6
208.8
215.9
152.6
181.4
202.3
209.9
157.5
140.1
151.8
137. 4
137.5
61.0
51. 5
66.0
60.1
Foods_________ _________
Dairy products________
Cereal products_______
Fruits and vegetables . .
M eats___________ ____
Other fo o d s..................
188.3
182.9
154.5
151.2
263.8
148.5
181.4
181.3
155.1
« 147. 7
241.3
148.1
177.4
176.6
156.3
147.0
233.2
144.2
176.7
181.0
158.0
148.6
226.0
144.4
173.8
179.8
158.6
145.7
217.1
144.3
172.4
184.8
160.2
»144. 5
206.2
146.7
179.9
183.9
170.1
«140. 7
222.3
155.0
178.4
183. 5
170.6
135.4
214.8
160.0
«177.9
175.9
• 172.1
135. 5
217.6
159.4
«177. 7
167.3
«166. 7
130.8
230.0
157.2
«179. 2
170.6
«158. 2
130.1
244.8
150.7
172.3
164.3
153.3
133.0
234.6
140.7
167.1
«153. 0
«154. 4
139.7
217.9
«141.8
112.9
127.3
101.7
136.1
110.1
98.1
67.2
67.9
71.9
58.5
73.7
60.3
Hides and leather products..
Shoes__________ ______
Hides and skins...............
Leather_______________
Other leather products..
189.2
186.3
220.3
189.2
149.9
«187. 7 «188.4
185.8
185.6
215. 2
218.0
186.9
188.2
« 150. 9 «150. 9
186.1
191.7
199.3
183.6
143.3
185.4
193.8
186.2
185.9
143.8
192.8
194.7
207.2
«199. 6
143.8
200.3
194.3
238.9
«209. 4
143.8
« 203.4
190.7
256.9
«217.2
141.8
« 202. 5
187.0
« 263.2
«216.9
141.3
«193.1
«180.6
243.7
' 205. 0
139.6
«185. 6
«176.8
221.1
197.4
139.5
«182. 8
»176. 5
«214.5
«191.1
139.1
«179.1
«174.8
203.5
187.4
138.8
122.4
129.5
121.5
110.7
115.2
92.7
100.8
77.2
84.0
97.1
Textile products__________
Clothing........................ .
Cotton goods........... .......
Hosiery and underwear.
R ayon________________
Silk__________________
Woolen and worsted
goods_______________
Other textile products...
148.9
146.7
209.2
104.6
40.7
46.4
149.6
145.2
213.1
105.3
40.7
46.4
«150. 2
145.8
«217.8
105.4
40.7
46.4
«150.3
145.8
«219. 2
105.4
40.7
46.4
149.8
144.6
218.3
105.4
40.7
46.4
«148.9
«144. 7
214.9
105.0
40.7
46.4
«148.4
«143. 4
214.8
104.4
40.7
46.4
• 148. 0
«137. 8
«213.7
103.0
40.0
73.3
«145. 2
«137.1
»209.3
101.4
37.0
73.3
«143. 4
«136. 2
« 204. 7
100.0
37.0
71.2
«142. 4
«135. 9
« 202. 5
99.9
37.0
68.3
«141.8
«135.8
«201.8
99.9
37.0
68.2
«140. 5
«135. 8
«198. 5
100.4
37.0
68.2
109.2
120.3
139.4
75.8
30.2
(3)
67.8
81.5
65.5
61.5
28.5
44.3
147.5
184.5
147.5
183.1
147.5
174.2
147.5
170.0
145.7
174.7
«143.0
180.2
«141.9
181.2
139.6
«178.3
134.9
«174.9
«134.3
«175. 6
133.8
«175.0
133.3
«171.2
130.1
171.2
112.7
112.3
75.5
63.7
Fuel and lighting materials..
Anthracite____________
Bituminous c o a l...........
Coke....... .........................
Electricity____________
Gas__________________
Petroleum and products.
135.7
131.6
192.8
212.3
(3)
(3)
122.1
133.1
<=127.1
182.6
206.6
0
90.7
122.1
132.6
» 125. 5
181.8
205.4
65.4
89.3
122.1
131.6
124.6
178.9
197.5
66.1
89.1
121.8
130.9
124.6
177.9
190.6
65.7
88.7
121.8
«130.8
«124. 5
«177. 9
190.6
66.6
85.8
121.7
130.0
124.2
176.8
190.6
66.4
84.5
120.7
«124. 6
123.4
174.3
183.4
66.5
85.4
112.0
«118.2
«123. 4
«173.7
182.2
66.3
83.6
99.9
«116.1
«123.1
«172. 6
182.0
64.9
86.8
96.5
«114.2
122.5
'170.3
181.9
65.2
87.0
93.7
«112.6
121.7
' 169. 9
170.2
64.5
86.0
92.2
«109. 0
114.2
«163. 2
160.7
65.0
85.5
89.8
87.8
106.1
132.8
133.5
67.2
79.6
64.0
72.6
72.1
96.0
104.2
75.8
86.7
51.7
Metals and metal products3.
Agricultural machinery
and equip m ent1_____
Farm m achinery'...
Iron and steel...... ............
Motor vehicles >...............
Nonferrous metals_____
Plumbing and heating..
162.8
c 158. 8
157.1
157.2
155.9
155.3
154.3
«151. 5
150.8
150.5
150.1
«148. 5
«143.1
112.2
93.2
133.9
136.1
153.1
169.9
153.7
145.3
« 132. 2
o 134.1
° 149. 4
164.5
152.1
145.3
« 130. 5
«132.1
«148. 9
«161. 7
150.0
143.2
129.8
131.3
149.4
161.6
149.8
138.7
129.3
130.8
147.7
161.6
146.8
138.7
128.9
130.4
146.3
161.6
146.8
138.7
128.6
130.0
144.6
161.6
145.5
«138.8
127.0
128.6
140.2
' 160.8
143.0
136.1
125.5
127.0
139.5
160.3
142.2
«136.1
122.8
124.1
139.3
159.9
142.0
• 136.1
121.6
122.8
139.0
159.4
142.0
' 136.0
120.4
121.6
138.3
«156.4
141.8
«129. 4
119.9
121.2
131.7
«150.4
141.8
123.4
104.5
104.9
110.1
135.5
99.2
106.0
93.5
94.7
95.1
92.5
74.6
79.3
199.4
157.9
130.8
316.7
196.8
153.3
128.8
313.2
«196. 4
152.8
128.2
312.9
«195. 0
152.5
127.5
309.2
193.1
151.6
127.4
303.8
«192. 7
151.1
127.2
303.8
«193.3
150.9
«126. 5
307.3
191.0
148.8
121.6
303.2
«187. 7
«148.1
120.6
«296. 0
185.8
«146. 4
120.1
« 290. 2
«183. 4
145.4
«119.1
« 286. 5
«179. 6
144.3
116.9
• 276. 9
•175.5
143.3
114.9
«268. 8
129.9
121.3
102.6
176.0
89.6
90.5
91.3
90.1
157.8
145.3
159.6
158.7
145.3
153.3
«158. 4
143.2
153.3
«158.6
138.7
155.8
156.7
138.7
155.8
159.6
138.7
149.4
163.2
«138. 8
143.0
164.0
136.1
143.0
161.8
«136.1
143.0
«160. 7
«136.1
143.0
• 157.1
«136.0
143.0
«154.2
«129. 4
143.0
«155.4
123.4
130.8
108.6
106.0
120.1
82.1
79.3
107.3
166.9
163.5
163.1
162.2
161.8
«159. 8
«157.9
155.5
152.6
152.5
«150. 7
150.1
146.1
118.4
89.5
Building materials________
Brick and tile_________
Cement_________ _____
Lumber______________
Paint and paint mate
rials................ .................
Plumbing and heating..
Structural steel________
Other building mate
rials____ ____ _______
Chemicals and allied prod
ucts_________ __________
Chemicals........................
Drug and pharmaceu
tical materials_______
Fertilizer materials____
Mixed fertilizers_______
Oils and fats...... ..............
134.4
127.8
« 135.8
126.2
134.7
125.9
136.2
126.8
136.1
126.8
134.6
126.5
138.8
125.8
135.0
124.1
135.8
124.3
128.6
122.1
122.3
118.2
117.5
117.5
118.8
119.9
96.4
98.0
74.2
83.8
153.6
115.0
104.4
193.2
153.7
113.9
o 103. 2
212.7
153.3
115.0
103.2
205.0
153. 8
115.2
103.1
212.3
154.4
114.9
103.1
211.4
154.3
«115.1
102.8
201.5
154.4
«115. 7
102.4
236.7
154.9
114.4
101.5
215.9
151.1
«112.4
100.8
226.7
137.5
«111.5
97.7
193.4
136.6
109.8
97.2
163.3
136.6
«105. 7
97.3
«133.1
137.4
«103 8
97.2
«134. 9
109.4
82.7
86.6
102.1
77.1
65. 5
73.1
40.6
Housefurnishing goods_____
Furnishings............... .......
Furniture 1........................
144.5
148.5
140.6
»143. 5
147.1
• 140.0
«142. 6
145.8
«139.6
142.3
145.2
«139.6
142.0
144.7
139.4
141.8
144.4
139.4
«141.3
«143. 8
139.1
«139.4 «H37.5
142.8 «140. 5
«136. 2 «134. 7
«132. 4
«139. 4
134.1
«131. 3
138.5
131.3
«129. 9
«138.0
129.1
129.8
138.1
128.9
110.4
114.5
108.5
85.6
90.0
81.1
Miscellaneous_____ ______ _
Automobile tires and
tubes r______________
Cattle feed____________
Paper and pulp_______
Rubber, crude________
Other miscellaneous___
120.3
0121. 5
121.5
121.8
120.8
«120.1
•123.6
121.5
118.8
117.1
115.9
«113.1
«113. 2
98.5
73.3
66.2
239.6
166.8
49.6
130.0
« 63. 5
292.4
167.3
47.1
129.8
«63.5
291.1
167.4
47.6
129.7
63.4
296.9
167.5
46.7
130.2
63.4
284.2
«167.3
42.3
130.2
63.4
262.0
«167. 4
42.7
«130.8
63.4
336.0
168.1
44.7
«130. 7
63.4
308.2
164.7
44.5
130.0
61.0
282.7
160.7
49.3
«128.5
60.8
280.5
159.8
43.0
126.6
60.8
287.2
159.5
36.4
124.6
60.8
261.3
«158.1
33.7
«122.0
60.8
269.4
«156.6
34.6
•121.9
65.7
197.8
115.6
46.2
101.0
59.5
68.4
80.0
34.9
81.3
i S e e f o o t n o t e 1, t a b le D - 7 .
3 S e e f o o tn o te 2 , ta b le D - 7 .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
3 N o t a v a ila b le .
r R e v is e d .
c C o r r e c te d .
E: WORK STOPPAGES
356
MONTHLY LABOR
E: Work Stoppages
T able
E - l: Work Stoppages Resulting From Labor-Management Disputes 1
Number of stoppages
Man-days idle during month
or year
Workers involved in stoppages
M onth and year
Beginning
in month or
year
1935-39 (average)_______________________ ______________
1945— ________________________________________ _____ _
1946......................................... .................................................. .......
1947........................................... .........................................................
1947: June___________________________________________
July-----------------------------------------------------------------August____ _____ _____________________ _________
September______________ _______________________
October________________________________________
November______________________________________
December_____ _______________________________
1948: January 2_______________________________________
February 2_________ ___________________________
March 2 _______________________________ _______
A pril2- . __________________ _______ ___ _________
M a y 2 _______________________________________
June 2__ ______________________________ ____ ____
July 2______________________ ___________ _____
Beginning
in month or
year
In effect dur
ing month
2,862
i, 750
4,985
3^693
'379
315
336
219
219
178
119
175
200
225
275
275
310
335
1,130,000
3, 470,000
4, 600,000
2,170,000
448,000
242,000
113,000
79, 200
64, 300
57, 200
32, 300
75,000
70, 000
500,000
175,000
165,000
165,000
225,000
701
581
583
435
393
328
236
250
300
350
400
425
475
525
1 All known work stoppages, arising out of labor-management disputes,
involving six or more workers and continuing as long as a full day or shift
are included in reports of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Figures on “work
ers involved” and “man-days idle” cover all workers made idle in establish-
In effect dur
ing month
Percent of
estimated
working time
Number
1fi 900 000
38 000’ 000
11 o’ ooo’ 000
34 OOO’ 000
3’ 960’ 000
3,970,000
2, 520,000
1,970,000
1, 780, 000
829, 000
590,000
1,000, 000
725,000
6,000,000
8,000, 000
4,100,000
2,000,000
2,200,000
597,000
615,000
259,000
187,000
171,000
139, 000
56, 900
100,000
110,000
550,000
625,000
350, 000
240,000
300,000
0 27
47
1 43
41
.5 7
.54
.35
.28
.23
.13
.08
.1
.1
.8
1.1
.6
.3
.3
ments directly involved in a stoppage. They do not measure the indirect
or secondary effects on other establishments or industries whose employees
are made idle as a result of material or service shortages.
2 Preliminary estimates.
F: Building and Construction
T able F - l :
Expenditures for New Construction1
[Value of work put in place]
Expenditures (in millions)
Type of construction
1948
1947
Aug . 2 July 3 June 3 M a y 3 Apr . 3 Mar.
Feb.
Jan.
Dec.
N ov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
1947
1946
Total
Total
Total new construction *_______________ $1, 785 $1, 719 $1,616 $1,461 $1,311 $1,166 $1,009 $1,157 $1,320 $1,432 $1,497 $1,423 $1,364 $13,977 $10,458
Private construction___________________ 1,355
Residential building (nonfarm)_____
690
Nonresidential building (nonfarm) *___
338
Industrial_____________________
117
Commercial____________ _____
129
Warehouses, office and loft
buildings________________
35
Stores, restaurants, and garages____________________
94
92
Other nonresidential building.......
Religious_______ _____ _____
22
Educational___
_________
24
Hospital and institutional___
10
Remaining types 8____ ____
36
Farm construction____ ____________
82
Public utilities______ _______ ____ _
245
Railroad_______________________
36
Telephone and telegraph________
57
Other public utilities___________
152
Public construction__ ______________ .
430
Residential building______________
5
Nonresidential building (other than
92
military or naval facilities)________
Industrial 7___________ _____ ___
2
Educational____________ _______
50
Hospital and institutional_______
20
20
A ll other nonresidential_________
M ilitary and naval facilities________
16
Highways_________________________
190
Sewer and water___________________
41
Miscellaneous public-service enterprises 8__________________________
9
63
Conservation and development_____
A ll other p u b lic 8........ .............. ..............
14
1,320
675
331
114
127
1,235
635
305
1,12 0
110
111
116
30
97
90
21
22
11
940
475
266
97
1,024
525
264
116
87
28
25
88
72
69
16
17
79
18
19
10
585
277
10
120
88
837
400
265
125
84
948
500
273
130
85
1,097
610
284
134
91
1,141
630
287
136
93
1,129
590
275
137
82
1,086
540
267
138
75
1,042
500
260
139
69
10, 893
5,260
3,131
1, 702
'835
23
22
22
24
22
19
14
14
15
216
309
64
61
14
16
9
66
62
56
54
52
12
11
21
37
198
25
63
20
14
158
20
20
74
58
13
17
9
19
25
199
30
53
116
291
61
54
22
69
59
13
17
9
68
15
9
61
58
13
16
9
16
9
17
65
214
33
54
127
337
16
9
16
75
207
33
46
128
322
619
594
118
164
107
205
450
2,052
318
510
1, 224
3,084
182
801
547
72
115
81
279
350
1,374
258
305
811
2, 205
369
49
45
505
25
275
81
124
204
1, 233
331
325
84
117
396
116
87
240
30
36
81
233
33
55
145
399
5
32
62
233
30
63
140
381
5
341
5
287
6
23
176
23
54
99
226
5
86
2
79
77
71
65
48
17
19
14
169
41
10
60
14
2
43
15
19
11
167
40
10
56
13
26
50
208
26
60
122
2
40
15
20
13
136
39
11
47
13
110
2
37
13
19
13
98
38
9
41
11
1 Joint estimates of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of
Labor, and the Office of Domestic Commerce, U. S. Department of Com
merce. Estimated construction expenditures represent the monetary value
of the volume of work accomplished during the given period of time. These
figures should be differentiated from permit valuation data reported in the
tabulations for urban building authorized and the data on value of contract
awards reported in table F-2.
3 Preliminary.
3 Revised.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
58
13
15
9
1
36
12
8
15
188
28
55
105
223
6
14
161
24
45
92
209
9
8
8
18
50
214
32
59
123
368
9
49
53
52
50
53
21
48
89
172
1
10
30
7
12
11
11
18
56
13
17
57
33
41
25
9
36
9
28
6
6
1
32
7
13
14
56
27
8
33
9
0
32
8
12
17
65
28
8
36
9
0
29
8
13
19
119
32
1
1
27
9
16
23
178
35
26
10
11
12
45
14
41
7
8
1
8
25
7
22
12
22
14
159
32
12
149
32
12
44
42
12
12
8, 253
3| 183
3; 346
1 , 689
1 ,1 1 0
101
85
55
188
772
194
4 Includes major additions and alterations.
5 Excludes nonresidential building by privately owned public utilities.
8 Includes social and recreational buildings, hotels, and miscellaneous
buildings not elsewhere classified.
7Excludes expenditures to construct facilities used in atomic energy projects.
8 Covers primarily publicly owned electric light and power systems and
local transit facilities.
8 Covers miscellaneous construction items such as airports, monuments,
memorials, etc.
T able
357
F: BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
F-2: Value of Contracts Awarded and Force-Account Work Started on Federally Financed
New Construction, by Type of Construction 1
Value (in thousands)
Conservation and
development
Building
Nonresidential
Period
Total
new con Air
struc
ports 3
tion 2
Total
Resi
den
tial
Total
Edu
ca
tional 4
Total
1936
. ................. .
1939
................. .
1942 ...........................
1946 ...........................
1947................................
$1, 533,439
1, 586,604
7i 775; 497
l', 450; 252
i; 294,069
Total
(s) $189, 710
(8)
(8)
$561,394 7 $63,465 $497, 929 (8)
(s)
(8)
(7)
225,423
(8)
(8)
(8)
$4,753 669, 222 231,071 438,151
(«)
(8)
(8)
217, 795
(8)
(8)
(8)
(*)
579,176 6,130,389 549,472 5, 580,917 (8)
(8)
300,405
(8)
(8)
(8)
It; 859 549,656 435,453 114,203 (8)
(*)
(8)
24; 645 276,514 51,186 225,328 $47, 692 $101,831 $96,123 $5, 708 $31,159 $44,646 308,029
1947: .Tnlv
________
A ugust_______
September____
October_______
November____
December_____
70, 596
121, 083
89| 262
HE 191
114', 096
112,388
1,230
R 346
i; 109
4', 503
'772
806
6,459
34,055
5,153
7,928
16,351
32, 973
409
4,347
409
586
711
104
6,050
29,708
4,744
7,342
15,640
32,869
2,575
1,304
1,155
1,198
912
913
1948: January_______
February_____
March ______
April_________
M ay
______
June *
July if________
105,737
155; 428
145, 350
154,375
114,040
134,800
128,129
808
045
5,322
2,521
1,199
2, 003
(8)
14,136
46,632
63,193
9, 867
24, 712
35, 989
8,885
149
859
61
553
361
825
255
13,987
45, 775
63,132
9,311
24, 348
35,161
8,630
253
168
256
12
468
81
0
1 Excludes projects classified as “secret” by the military, and all construc
tion for the Atomic Energy Commission. Data for Federal-aid programs
cover amounts contributed by both the owner and the Federal Government.
2 Includes major additions and alterations.
3 Excludes hangars and other buildings, which are included under building
construction.
4 Includes educational facilities under the Federal temporary reuse educa
tional facilities program.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Administration Other
and
Vet Other gen
erans'
eral 3
Hospital and
institutional
559
1,218
24,466 24,281
217
249
705
668
9,991 9,961
26,433 26,378
659
185
32
37
30
55
8,603
41, 557
58, 920
5, 049
20,045
13, 739
1,476
215
205
211
557
17C
1,417
5,190
8, 818
41, 762
59,131
5,606
20, 215
15,156
6, 666
Rec
lama
tion
River,
har
bor,
and
flood
control
High
ways
All
other 3
$73, 797 $115, 913 $511,685 $270,650
115,612 109, 811 355, 701 331, 505
150,708 67, 087 347, 988 500,149
169, 253 131,152 535, 784 49, 548
77, 095 230, 934 657,087 27, 794
374
1,420
775
3,861
1,231
2,191
3,869
19,412
22,197
20, 650
46,049
19, 541
1,763
16,186
1,699
3, 967
628
6,928
2,106
3,226
20,498
16, 683
45,421
12,613
57, 845
65, 742
59, 827
73, 720
49, 220
54,349
1,193
528
976
4,390
1,704
4, 719
1,961 2,955
1,735 2,108
1,230 2, 515
1,863 1,833
1,861 1,804
9,696 10, 223
792
1,172
41, 585
57, 361
21, 793
79, 782
10, 309
23,628
41, 392
4,667
1,229
6,639
56, 934
4, 738
8,877
1,229
36,918
56,132
15,154
22, 848
5, 571
14, 751
40,163
47, 268
49, 426
51, 561
58, 247
75, 648
68, 486
76,428
1,940
1,364
3,481
3,958
2,172
4, 694
1, 424
1,883
2, 518
2,565
1,578
3, 506
3, 332
3 Includes post offices, armories, offices, and customs houses. _
« Includes electrification projects, water supply and sewage-disposal sys
tems, forestry projects, railroad construction, and other types of projects not
elsewhere classified.
7 Included in “All other.”
8 Unavailable,
s Revised.
i° Preliminary.
358
F: BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION
T able
MONTHLY LABOR
F-3: Urban Building Authorized, by Principal Class of Construction and by Type of Building
N u m b e r o f n e w d w e llin g u n it s — H o u s e
k e e p in g o n ly
V a l u a t i o n ( in t h o u s a n d s )
N e w r e s id e n tia l b u ild in g
P e r io d
Privately financed
T o t a l a ll
c la s s e s s
H o u s e k e e p in g
P r i v a t e l y f in a n c e d d w e l l i n g u n i t s
T o ta l
1042................ .
1946.....................
1947...................... .
1947:
1948:
1 - fa m ily
$2, 707, 573 $598, 570 $478, 658
4, 743,414 2,114, 833 1, 830, 260
5, 549, 718 2,880, 926 2, 361, 509
2 - fa m
ily *
$42, 629
103,042
156,408
M u ltifa m i
ly 4
P u b lic ly
f in a n c e d
d w e ll
in g
u n its
b u ild in g
in g »
Addi
tions,
altera
tions,
and
repairs
Total
1-fam
ily
$77, 283 $296, 933 $22,910 $1, 510, 688 $278, 472 184,892 138, 908
181,531 355, 587 43, 369 1, 458,602 771,023 430,195 358,151
363,009
35,177 29,831 1, 712,672 891,112 501, 353 393, 550
J u n e _______
J u l y ...............
A u g u s t ____
S e p te m b e r .
O c t o b e r ___
N ovem ber.
D ecem ber-
488, 843
537, 317
567, 979
661, 536
604. 165
501, 556
479,881
252, 854
271,142
297,022
303, 186
340, 627
256, 728
227, 675
198,408
221, 264
238, 222
251, 286
275, 691
201, 262
179,806
13, 997
14, 268
16, 432
14, 780
18,032
15, 724
11, 951
40,449
35,610
42,368
37.120
46,904
39, 742
35,918
6,517
315
1,604
2,229
3, 795
6,519
2,992
J a n u a r y ___
F e b r u a r y ..
M a r c h _____
A p r i l ..........
M a y 8...........
J u n e r______
426,531
414, 339
631, 621
714, 954
657, 480
685, 772
198, 698
202,050
321, 562
411,300
349. 949
364, 517
150,879
146,934
252, 778
317,892
291, 208
301, 032
11, 501
8, 954
20,016
34, 372
17, 895
16, 014
36, 318
46,162
48, 768
69, 036
40, 846
47,471
6,616
9,237
597
1,960
5, 393
2, 531
Building for which building permits were issued and Federal contracts
awarded in all urban places, including an estimate of building undertaken in
some smaller urban places that do not issue permits.
The data cover federally and non-federally financed building construction
combined. Estimates of non-Federal (private, and State and local govern
ment) urban building construction are based primarily on building-permit
reports received from places containing about 85 percent of the urban popula
tion of the country; estimates of federally financed projects are compiled from
notifications of construction contracts awarded, which are obtained from
other Federal agencies. Data from building permits are not adjusted to allow
for lapsed permits or for lag between permit issuance and the start of con
struction. Thus, the estimates do not represent construction actually started
during the month.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Nonhousekeep-
New
nonresidential
1,723
1, 809
2-fam M ulti
ily 3 family 4
Pub
licly
fi
nanced
15, 747
24, 326
34,159
30. 237
47, 718
73,644
95, 946
98, 310
6,100
4,080
3, 450
6,620
2,284
141, 919
170,181
182,041
162. 234
168, 334
166, 472
177, 315
85,830
93. 870
84, 346
89,807
87, 957
66, 217
69, 615
45, 981
47,167
51,121
51,877
55, 870
41,010
36,088
34, 591
36, 973
39, 233
40,834
42, 825
30, 284
26, 596
3,480
3,053
3, 521
2,992
3,536
3,316
2,443
7,910
7,141
8, 367
8,051
9,509
7,410
7,049
1,005
36
192
275
460
865
364
3,224
1,441
4,082
6,166
2, 729
4,696
152,086
141,188
222, 565
196,095
205, 619
213,112
65,907
60, 423
82, 815
99, 433
93, 790
100, 916
32, 523
32,166
50, 788
64, 387
52,811
53,949
23, 704
22,180
37, 520
45, 700
41,423
42, 073
2,280
1.863
4, 092
6,997
3, 769
3, 239
6, 539
8,123
9,176
11, 690
7,619
8,637
820
1,125
85
254
733
331
2,
Urban, as defined by the Bureau of the Census, covers all incorporated
places of 2,500 population or more in 1940, and, by special rule, a small number
of unincorporated civil divisions.
2 Covers additions, alterations, and repairs, as well as new residential and
nonresidential building.
3 Includes units in 1-family and 2-family structures with stores.
4 Includes units in multifamily structures with stores.
3 Covers hotels, dormitories, tourist cabins, and other nonhousekeeping
residential buildings.
« Revised.
7 Preliminary.
T able
359
F: BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION
REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1948
F-4: New Nonresidential Building Authorized in All Urban Places,1by General Type and by
Geographic Division2
Valuation (in thousands)
Geographic division and
type of new nonresi
dential building
1947
1948
June 3
M ay
Apr.
Mar.
Feb.
Jan.
Dec.
Nov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
July
June
1947
1946
Total
Total
All typ es........ ................. $213,112 $205,619 $196,095 $222, 565 $141,188 $152,086 $177,315 $166,472 $168,334 $162,234 $182,041 $170,181 $141,919 $1, 712, 674 $1, 458, 602
New England-------M iddle Atlantic___
East North Central.
West North Central.
South Atlantic-----East South Central.
West South Central.
M ountain_________
P acific.......................
Industrial buildings A . .
New England--------M iddle Atlantic___
East North Central.
West North Central
South Atlantic------East South Central.
West South Central.
M ou n ta in ................
Pacific____________
Commercial buildings A
New England......... .
Middle Atlantic----East North Central.
W est North Central.
South Atlantic------East South Central.
W est South Central.
M ountain-------------Pacific____________
Community buildings A
New England...........
M iddle Atlantic___
East North Central.
West North Central.
South Atlantic____
East South Central.
West South Central.
M ountain_________
Pacific. ........ .............
Public buildings A..........
New England-------M iddle Atlantic___
East North Central.
W est North Central.
South Atlantic____
East South Central.
West South Central.
M ountain_________
Pacific____________
Public works and utility
buildings 8__________
New England-------M iddle Atlantic___
East North Central.
West North Central.
South Atlantic.........
East South Central.
West South Central.
M ountain....... ...........
Pacific____________
All other buildings 8___
New England .........
M iddle Atlantic___
East North Central.
W est North Central.
South Atlantic.........
East South Central.
West South Central.
M ountain..... ............
Pacific........................
20,058
30,037
54,186
13, 410
23, 781
7,974
19, 739
4,405
39, 522
32,792
2,365
4,896
15, 602
2,039
2,159
1,465
1,025
248
2, 993
82, 213
7,307
13, 282
17,903
4,647
10,361
3,232
8,153
2, 761
14, 567
66,009
8, 780
8, 753
14,095
3,994
6,508
2, 591
8, 780
566
11,942
8, 234
159
400
241
493
297
321
893
451
4,979
10,142 10,279
50,897 27,338
37, 567 45,082
12,079 14,985
19,745 22,840
7,798
6,176
24, 584 21,805
6,240
7,818
34,989 41,350
26,233 26,899
971
2,360
7,518
8,375
9,262
7,997
3,081
908
1,519
1,496
691
225
1,316
760
79
147
3,484
2,943
84,424 83, 852
3,401
3, 275
10, 550 11,506
14, 660 15,198
6,022
5,692
11, 923 13,498
3,891
3,375
13, 455 10,441
3, 275
3,747
17,889 16,478
66,775 51,410
4,255
3,457
26,082
4,373
10,354 13, 954
2,528
2,665
4,761
2,887
2,931
1,243
7,999
7,359
1,299
3,907
6,630 11,601
4,296
5,508
121
90
1,147
659
101
475
26
1,500
91
648
413
209
333
203
36
341
2,059
1,352
8,956
55, 770
33, 614
16,434
25, 267
9,902
21, 558
8, 724
42,340
32,910
1,806
6, 823
9,513
1,728
4, 469
1,088
2, 409
383
4,691
82, 366
2, 547
12, 753
10,010
8, 286
9,118
3, 245
10,917
4,998
20, 492
78, 226
3,477
32, 780
8, 707
3, 796
9, 623
1,134
6,463
2, 778
9, 468
7, 055
455
488
849
124
394
3,374
496
61
814
5, 236
20, 497
26, 458
16, 566
14, 562
3,928
27,433
3,826
22, 682
16,883
1,051
3,699
3,859
1,205
1, 640
330
1,637
119
3, 343
47, 315
1,257
5,411
7,891
2, 586
8,170
2,027
8,062
2, 093
9,818
58, 606
1,465
10, 049
10,989
11,998
3,341
675
16, 591
608
2,950
5,323
1,250
112
568
77
349
417
566
259
1, 725
26, 689
9, 305
21, 268
8,813
18, 547
7,152
27,121
2, 761
30,460
17, 453
803
2, 250
5, 477
971
1,927
466
1, 641
380
3, 568
72, 617
12,431
5, 412
10,188
5,171
7,445
4,172
12,036
1,484
14, 278
34, 404
5, 944
666
2,623
787
7, 57C
1,757
11, 007
409
3, 641
5,577
2,28£
214
684
535
3(
206
1, 023
113
483
6,307 14, 753
42, 529 23, 513
29, 084 36,414
19, 008 12, 263
21, 403 15,958
7, 327
5, 076
17, 923 26,079
4,067
3,828
29,669 28, 590
33,524 22, 702
1,642
2, 601
3, 067
7, 053
9,012
10,137
1,384
1,781
3,851
1,410
1,489
981
2, 666
1, 456
181
359
4,724
2, 432
65, 591 66, 927
1,804
3, 367
8,114
13,222
11, 618 13, 767
6,885
5,215
7,949
7, 721
1,978
2, 582
8,292
8, 705
2,753
1,651
11,879 15,116
49,975 48, 969
938
5,110
20, 629 10, 419
4, 336
5, 355
7, 752
3, 760
3, 617
5,151
709
3,239
4,313 13, 456
392
1,270
3,881
4, 617
4, 556
4, 920
502
834
219
200
802
900
26
200
92
244
166
150
1,842
551
18C
0
1,762
806
12,395
21, 465
44,187
13, 476
19,182
6,159
15,366
5, 449
30, 657
26,194
1,920
4, 963
9, 342
1,671
1,714
717
1, 282
257
3,328
78, 647
4,203
10, 739
15, 739
5, 960
10, 423
3, 619
9,968
2, 950
15,046
37, 262
4, 214
2,418
9, 798
4,174
5,149
1,427
2,907
1,659
6,516
1, 767
355
3
386
86
237
65
165
99
381
10,949
18,845
36, 338
12, 217
17, 791
6,175
19,454
6,039
34, 424
27,806
2, 504
4, 668
9, 538
2,010
1,304
1, 557
1, 516
504
4,205
82, 681
4, 233
7, 641
14, 846
6,342
11,353
2,997
11,651
3, 370
20, 248
23,340
788
4, 538
3, 553
1,410
2,991
1, 111
4,193
1,117
3, 639
3,744
0
10
1,444
168
7
135
615
362
1,003
6, 541
40,322
49, 539
10,752
16, 321
6,936
11,9)5
9,646
30, 071
40, 407
892
7, 615
21, 767
3, 078
1, 315
1,207
1, 657
200
2, 676
69, 641
3,264
9, 780
17,196
4, 585
10, 031
3, 821
6, 477
2, 431
12, 026
49, 750
1,437
20, 718
3, 802
1,549
3, 659
974
2,218
5,212
10, 181
3,398
77
324
1,332
177
306
17
314
282
569
10, 540
28, 357
39, 079
10, 799
19, 831
8,342
19,141
3, 906
30,184
25, 762
1, 616
6, 743
9, 764
2.137
1,818
839
686
164
1,995
72,884
3, 440
9,316
14, 647
5,624
12, 358
4,762
7,502
1,727
13, 508
38, 567
1,740
3, 415
8, 707
1,739
3, 239
1,436
9,827
1,080
7, 384
2,769
182
244
476
222
871
3
35
181
555
11, 363
19, 729
27, 858
15,416
18, 827
6, 801
18, 335
3, 224
20, 365
28,120
5,018
4, 640
8, 827
1, 745
1, 646
1, 657
913
322
3, 352
55, 599
3, 222
7,357
7, 795
6,089
11,691
3, 475
7,897
1,811
6, 262
33, 205
1,574
3, 444
4,451
5,568
2, 959
1,059
8, 481
672
4, 997
7, 544
21
1, 740
1,147
344
1,675
128
366
0
2,123
109,831
271, 742
372,866
132,163
200, 042
73,138
193,072
58,162
301, 658
321, 847
25, 952
57, 755
118, 666
19,890
20, 549
13, 573
17,519
2, 852
45, 091
686, 920
32, 853
90, 725
119, 958
57,240
106, 788
34, 680
91, 548
26,855
126, 273
406, 890
25, 759
80,190
62, 541
34, 639
40,161
16, 895
65, 309
18, 366
63, 030
40, 669
3, 418
4,712
8,171
1,696
6,285
830
4,430
2,416
8, 741
103, 716
195.151
338, 659
112,927
171,247
65, 583
132, 641
40, 287
298, 391
397,237
19, 477
77, 845
133, 599
29,161
34, 612
14, 688
13,145
4,417
70, 293
669, 574
43,164
74, 569
119,011
51, 822
87, 405
34, 647
82,156
26, 057
150, 743
190,163
19, 739
21, 247
42, 412
19,160
22, 570
12, 954
25, 963
5,367
20. 751
12, 042
371
1,493
880
190
988
116
665
70
7,269
9,270
530
1,216
2,549
1,082
3,051
11
322
8
501
14,594
917
1,490
3, 796
1,155
1,405
354
566
371
4,540
10,167
119
3,045
1,094
1,055
2, 572
86
669
2
1,525
13, 724
841
1,698
3,361
1, 540
776
302
812
451
3,943
15,639
581
1,839
2,692
701
1,556
315
2,099
238
5,618
12, 787
950
1,443
3,501
1,346
858
293
943
536
2,917
12, 715
309
1,784
2,889
1,762
592
702
688
155
3,834
9, 293
362
1,142
1, 646
738
1,071
359
585
349
3,041
7, 483
75
671
2,481
459
670
325
208
575
2, OK
5,518
138
555
670
241
392
154
36£
172
2,827
16, 284
5,113
365
1, 64t
1,035
1,125
41C
814
50
5, 723
5,751
109
398
647
314
45(
141
600
325
2,767
16, 942
1,092
576
1,211
1,803
5,347
307
1, 241
499
4, 866
6,729
329
83C
982
587
547
164
447
286
2, 557
12,128 12,889
741
2, 723
608
1,205
5,413
3, 541
552
1,036
1,434
813
51
125
339
740
158
C
2, 524
3, 014
13, 338 11, 772
962
701
1,380
2,137
3,416
3,509
1,251
1,033
702
846
29C
25C
739
705
528
484
3,372
2,805
7,452
147
681
2, 767
282
346
55C
720
1,147
812
11, 395
694
1,204
2, 675
1,081
664
367
529
374
3,807
18,263
2, 922
7,202
2,203
98
759
1,024
616
455
2,984
11,933
640
1,437
3, 282
979
785
278
475
299
3,758
8,294
909
1,378
3,100
810
372
285
59
21
1,360
9,156
619
1,170
2, 538
860
484
197
619
398
2,271
143,827
15, 086
24, 968
35, 972
8, 738
19, 046
4,154
7, 648
3, 520
24,695
112, 491
6,764
13,392
27, 556
9,961
7,213
3, 005
6, 618
4,153
33,829
102,241
15, 638
10, 052
23, 383
6,108
20, 037
862
5,048
1, 486
19,627
77,345
5, 328
9,944
19, 374
6,485
5,635
2, 316
5, 664
2,889
29, 710
1 Building for which permits were issued and Federal contracts awarded in
all urban places, including an estimate of building undertaken in some
smaller urban places that do not issue permits. Sums of components do not
always equal totals exactly because of rounding.
2 For scope and source of urban estimates, see table F-3, footnote 1.
2 Preliminary.
< Includes factories, navy yards, army ordnance plants, bakeries, ice plants,
industrial warehouses, and other buildings at the site of these and similar
production plants.
s Includes amusement and recreation buildings, stores and other mercantile
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
13,105
2, 243
518
5, 544
508
872
413
411
13
2, 583
9, 851
598
1,195
1, 934
1,370
56C
225
622
311
3,036
buildings, commercial garages, gasoline and service stations, etc.
6 Includes churches, hospitals, and other institutional buildings, schools,
libraries, etc.
7 Includes Federal, State, county, and municipal buildings, such as post
offices, courthouses, city halls, fire and police stations, jails, prisons, arsenals,
armories, army barracks, etc.
8 Includes railroad, bus and airport buildings, roundhouses, radio stations,
gas and electric plants, public comfort stations, etc.
8 Includes private garages, sheds, stables and barns, and other buildings
not elsewhere classified.
F: BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION
360
T able
F-5: Number and Construction Cost of New Permanent Nonfarm Dwelling Units Started, by
Urban or Rural Location, and by Source of Funds 1
Number of new dwelling units started
Estimated construction cost
(in thousands)a
All units
Period
Total
nonfarm
Urban
1925 8_____ ____ ________________
1933 4__________________________
1941 «__________________________
1944 8__________________________
1946___________________________
1947-------------- ------ --------------------
937,000
93,000
706,100
141,800
670, 500
849,000
1947: First quarter______________
January.......... .............
February---- ------ --------March-----------------------
Privately financed
Rural
nonfarm
Total
nonfarm
752,000
45,000
434,300
96, 200
403, 700
479,800
185,000
48, 000
271, 800
45,600
266,800
369, 200
937,000
93,000
619, 511
138,692
662, 473
845, 560
752,000
45, 000
369,499
93, 216
395,673
476,360
185,000
48,000
250,012
45, 476
266,800
369,200
138,100
39,300
42,800
56,000
81,000
24, 200
25, 000
31,800
57,100
15,100
17, 800
24,200
137,016
38, 216
42,800
56,000
79, 916
23,116
25,000
31,800
Second quarter____________
A pril.------- ---------------M ay__________________
June........................ ............
217, 200
67,100
72, 900
77,200
119,100
37,600
39,300
42, 200
98,100
29, 500
33,600
35,000
217,000
67,100
72, 900
77,000
Third quarter_____________
J u ly ...................................
A ugust--------- ------------September-------------------
261,200
81,100
86,300
93, 800
142, 200
44, 500
47,400
50,300
119,000
36,600
38,900
43, 500
Fourth quarter-----------------October----------------------November--------------- .
December_____________
232, 500
94,000
79, 700
58, 800
137, 500
53, 200
48,000
36,300
1948: First quarter 7------------------January 7--------------------February 7__________ .
M arch7- - ------ --------
177,300
52, 600
49,600
75,100
Second quarter 8-------- -------April_________ .- ____
M ay____________ ____
June 8_________________
285,000
92,000
97,000
96,000
Rural
Total
Rural
nonfarm nonfarm Urban nonfarm
Total
Privately
financed
Publicly
financed
0 $4,475,000 $4,475,000
0
0
86, 589
3,108
8,027
3,440
0
0
64, 801
2,984
8,027
3,440
0
21, 788
124
0
0
285,446
2, 825,895
495,054
3, 769, 767
5,642, 798
285,446
2, 530, 765
483, 231
3, 713, 776
5,617,425
57,100
15,100
17,800
24,200
1,084
1,084
1,084
1,084
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
808, 263
223, 577
244,425
340, 261
800, 592
215, 906
244, 425
340, 261
7.671
7.671
0
118, 900
37, 600
39,300
42,000
98,100
29, 500
33,600
35,000
200
200
0
0
0
200
0
0
1,360, 477
418,451
452, 236
489, 790
1, 20C
200
1, 361,677
418,451
452, 236
490,990
260, 733
81,100
86,108
93,525
141,733
44, 500
47,208
50,025
119,000
36,600
38,900
43,500
467
467
0
0
0
192
275
0
0
1, 774,150
539,333
589, 470
645,347
1, 770, 475
539,333
587, 742
643,400
3,675
0
192
275
95, 000
40, 800
31, 700
22, 500
230, 811
93, 540
78, 835
58, 436
135,811
52,740
47,135
35, 936
95,000
40, 800
31, 700
22, 500
1,689
460
865
364
1,689
460
865
364
0
0
1,698,708
678, 687
584,731
435,290
1,685,881
675,197
578,324
432,360
12,827
3,490
6, 407
2,930
101, 200
30, 400
28,800
42,000
76,100
22,200
20, 800
33,100
174,996
51, 776
48, 445
74, 775
99,052
29, 603
27, 774
41, 675
75,944
22,173
20, 671
33,100
2,304
824
1,155
325
2,148
797
1,026
325
156
27
129
0
1, 287, 460
372, 657
363, 421
551,382
1, 268, 661
365,886
354, 218
548, 557
18, 799
6,771
9,203
2,825
163, 600
54,300
56, 400
52, 900
121,400
37, 700
40, 600
43,100
283,121
91, 726
95, 792
95,603
162,310
54,062
55, 667
52, 581
120, 811
37, 664
40,125
43,022
1, 879
274
1,208
397
1,290
238
733
319
589
36
475
78
2,151, 095
682, 549
737,182
731, 364
2,134,181
680,376
725, 745
728,060
16,914
2,173
11, 437
3,304
1 The estimates shown here do not include temporary units, conversions,
dormitory accommodations, trailers, or military barracks. They do include
prefabricated housing units.
These estimates are based on building-permit records, which, beginning
with 1945, have been adjusted for lapsed permits and for lag between permit
issuance and start of construction. They are based also on reports of Federal
construction contract awards and beginning in 1946, on field surveys in
nonpermit-issuing places. The data in this table refer to nonfarm dwelling
units started, and not to urban dwelling units authorized, as shown in table
F-3.
All of these estimates contain some error. In 1948, for example, if the
estimate of nonfarm starts is 50,000, the chances are about 19 out of 20 that
an actual enumeration would produce a figure between 47,600 and 52,400.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Urban
Publicly financed
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
295,130
11, 823
55, 991
25,373
C
0
0
1,200
0
1, 728
1, 947
In 1946 and 1947, the range of error was approximately twice as large. The
reduction was achieved by improvements in estimating and survey tech
niques.
8 Private construction costs are based on permit valuation, adjusted for
understatement of costs shown on permit applications. Public construction
costs are based on contract values or estimated construction costs for individ
ual projects.
8 Housing peak year.
4 Depression, low year.
8 Recovery peak year prior to wartime limitations.
* Last full year under wartime control.
7 Revised.
8 Preliminary.
U. S. GOVERNMENT P R IN TI NG O F F I C E : 1 9 4 8
@FedFRASER