HD4975.N3"l922r"''>'''''"^^ ^f 9f s and hours in American manufacturin 3 1924 001 677 875 Hi THE LIBRARY OF THE NEW YORK STATE SCHOQL OF INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR RELATIONS AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924001677875 WAGES AND HOURS IN AMERICAN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES July, 1914 — January, 1922 Research Report Number 52 July, 1922 National Industrial Conference Board THE CENTURY CO. NEW YORK pub;lishers PROPERTY OF LIBRARY NEW YOBK STATE SOIfHOL mmmi m laeor relations CORNfTLL UNIVERSITY Copyright, 1922 National Industrial Conference Board Foreword The present report, the fifth wage study by the Conference Board, carries forward to the beginning of this year the com- prehensive survey of wages, hours and employment in Amer- ican manufacturing industries, published as Research Report No. 45. Like the preceding report, the present one sets forth reliable data portraying the movement of hourly and weekly earnings, hours of operation and worker hours as well as changes in employment, from the pre-war period to date, covering in special detail the period since June, 1920, when the industrial depression set in. The report therefore depicts the process of wage readjustment in American manufacturing in- dustries during a year and a half of declining business activity. In this readjustment the relation between wages and the cost of living has been of increasing interest, and in the present report the trend of real wages, which is the purchasing power of money wages, from 1914 onward is shown by a comparison between changes in money wages for all industries and changes in the cost of living for the country as a whole during the period studied. The broad statistical basis on which the preceding wage re- port by the Board was established has been continued in the present one and provides a stable foundation for comprehensive and scientific knowledge of wage conditions in American industry. HV N3 PROPERTY OF LIBRARY NEW YOHK FTiTE ^mdl ^ INDUSTCIAL A!:D [M>^ RELATIONS ^ 079i5 "^ CORNELL UNIVERSITY XU/CJO CONTENTS PAGE Introduction 1 Summary and General Conclusions 7 CHAPTER I. Foundry and Machine Shop Products 35 II. Automobile Manufacturing 43 III. Agricultural Implement Manufacturing 51 IV. Electrical Apparatus Manufacturing 59 V. Iron and Steel Manufacturing. . 67 VI. Cotton Manufacturing 75 A. North 75 B. South 83 VII. Wool Manufacturing 91 VIII. Silk Manufacturing 99 IX. Hosiery and Knit Goods Manufacturing 107 X. Rubber Manufacturing 115 XL Leather Tanning and Finishing 123 XIT. Boot and Shoe Manufacturing 131 XIII. Meat Packing 139 XIV. Chemical Manufacturing 147 A. Chemicals 147 B. Fertilizer Manufacturing 154 XV. Paint and Varnish Manufacturing 161 XVI. Paper Manufacturing 169 A. Paper and Wood Pulp Manufacturing 169 B. Paper Products Manufacturing 176 XVIL Printing and Publishing 183 A. Book and Job 183 XVIII. Printing and Publishing 190 B. Newspapers and Periodicals ... 190 XIX. Lumber Manufacturing and Millwork 197 XX. Furniture Manufacturing 205 XXI. Brick and Tile Manufacturing 213 XXII. Generation and Distribution of Electricity. 221 XXIII. Manufacture and Distribution of Gas 229 LIST OF SUMMARY TABLES AND CHARTS Tables PAGE Table A: Average Hourly Earnings, All Industries, Composite and Classified Groups of Labor 9 Table B: Average Weekly Earnings, Composite and Classified Groups of Labor 13 Table C: Composite and Classified Employment in 24 Industries 16 Table D: Average Actual Week per Wage Earner, Average Plant Hours, and Average Hours of the Nominal Week, All Industries, Classified and Com- posite Groups of Labor 19 Table E: Actual Hourly Earnings by Groups and In- dustries in July, 1914, at the Peak, and in December, 1921, with the Percentages of Decline from the Peak. 24 Table F: Actual Weekly Earnings by Groups and In- dustries in July, 1914, at the Peak, and in December, 1921, with the Percentages of Decline from the Peak. 25 Table G: Index Numbers of Cost of Living and Real Hourly and Weekly Earnings, All Wage Earners, All Male Wage Earners, and Classified Groups, All In- dustries 30 Charts Chart A: Index Numbers, Hourly and Weekly Earnings, All Industries, All Wage Earners and Classified Groups, July, 1914— January, 1922 10 Chart B: Average Actual Hourly and Weekly Earnings, All Industries, by Groups and for All Wage Earners, July, 1914— January, 1922 11 Chart C: Number of Wage Earners Employed and Average Hours of Work, All Industries, by Groups and for All Wage Earners, July, 1914 — January, 1922. ... 14 PAGE Chart D: Index Numbers of Changes in Employment by Industries, from July, 1914 as Base 100 to January, 1922 17 Chart E: Average Nominal Hours per Week, by Indus- tries, July, 1914 and December, 1921 21 Chart F: Average Hourly and Weekly Earnings, by In- dustries, July, 1914, at the Peak, and in December, 1921 23 Chart G: Cost of Living, Hourly and Weekly "Money" and "Real" Wages, All Wage Earners, All Industries, July, 1914— January, 1922 27 Chart H: Index Numbers, "Real" Hourly and Weekly Earnings, All Industries, by Groups and for All Wage Earners, July, 1914— January, 1922 29 Wages and Hours in American Manufacturing Industries July, 1914— January, 1922 INTRODUCTION Scope of Investigation The purpose of this investigation was to show the trend of wages, hours of work, and employment in the principal manu- facturing industries in the United States from July, 1914 up to January, 1922. As a wage investigation is incomplete with- out an inquiry also into hours and employment, the data con- tained in this report, therefore, deal not only with wages, but with the average hours of the nominal or standard week, the average week of plant operation, the average week per wage earner, and with fluctuations in employment. The National Industrial Conference Board has already pub- lished four reports dealing with wages, of which the first^ covered eight industries; the second,^ twelve; the third,' fifteen, and the fourth,^ twenty-six. The present report, also covering twenty-six major industries, closely follows that of Research Report No. 45, in scope, method and material. Wage schedules were sent to the same plants that furnished information in the previous investigation, and over 86% of these establishments furnished data for the present report. In order to make these data strictly comparable with the material presented in Research Report No. 45, a retabula- tion was made of the previous material, excluding the wage data from the establishments which did not furnish information 'Research Report No. 20. "Wartime Changes in Wages: September, 1914-March, 1919." ^Research Report No. 31. "Changes in Wages During and Since the War: September, 1914-March, 1920." 'Research Report No. 35. "Wage Changes in Industry: September, 1914-December, 1920." 'Research Report No. 45. "Wages and Hours in American Industry: July, 1914-July, 1921." 1 for the present investigation. In this manner a continuous study has been made from the 1914 base, giving data for the same firms from July, 1914 up to January, 1922. Some schedules were received in the present investigation from establishments which had not previously furnished in- formation. The data on certain of these schedules were then substituted for comparable data on schedules from the pre- ceding investigation which stopped with June, 1921, and were not continued in the present study. These substitutions were made only where the locality, the size of the establishment, and the average wage rates were practically the same as in the establishment for which the substitution was made. A total of 93 substitutions was made. This small group of substi- tutions, however, has had little or no effect upon the general trend or averages compiled, though in specific labor groups certain irregularities may be traced to this method. In every case, both in the retabulation and in the substitution method, an earnest effort has been made to make a thoroughly com- parable and scientific study showing continuous trends through the seven and one-half year period from July, 1914 up to January, 1922. The present investigation covered 3,801 plants, of which 3,708 furnished information for the preceding wage report. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month, during the period covered by the investigation, was 1,090,972 wage earners, at the general peak of industrial activity in June, 1920. Thus over 25% of the total number of wage earners reported by the 1919 Census of Manufactures for the twenty- six industries studied are covered by this report. Schedules were received from many other establishments, but on account of their incompleteness, were not included. In every case, the selection of industries has been determined by the availa- bility of data, and, in general, follows the latest United States Census of Manufactures. The representativeness of the present report is evidenced by the geographical distribution and the variety and size of establishments covered. Period Covered by Report The data cover the period from July, 1914 up to January, 1922 and present an authentic record of wage changes during this time, gathered from comparable sources, as described 2 above. July, 1914 was selected as the base of the study, because this date is the last period unaffected by the outbreak of the World War, and, in general, reflects American manufac- turing industries under fairly normal conditions. After July, 1914, the next period covered by this report is June, 1920. No attempt has been made to study the character of the rise from the base in 1914 to the general peak in the middle of 1920. During this time, industry was stimulated to super- normal production by the World War. It was felt that to study movements in wages and hours in this period would only bring out facts already well known. The principal interest today is in the trends from the pre-war base to the present, and hence this report shows the movement of wages, hours of work, and employment, month by month, from June, 1920 up to January, 1922, related to the common base of July, 1914. About 75% of the plants included in this report gave com- plete data from July, 1914 up to January, 1922. The remainder could not furnish 1914 data, but compiled returns for the period 1920-22. This group contained many firms in existence in 1914, but whose payroll records from 1914 to 1922 were un- obtainable, and included also firms that had started in business ' since 1914. A statistical problem, therefore, was involved in relating the data from the predominant 1914—22 group to the smaller 1920-22 group of firms. In regard to weekly and hourly earnings, the average week per wage earner, the average week of plant operation and the nominal week, careful tabulation showed little divergence between the data for these two groups, covering the period from June, 1920 up to January, 1922. It seemed justifiable, therefore, to tie these two groups together for 1920-22. The 1914 base supplied by the larger group was then taken as both the actual and index base for the entire group. Separate treatment, however, was given the two groups in regard to data covering employment. As three-quarters of the whole data cover the entire period, a predominant base is carried through the entire investigation, which is sufficient to outweigh any errors that might accrue by tying in a smaller group at June, 1920. In other words, the statistical method pursued does not involve changing the base, or a greater part of the base, between different periods. 3 Classification of Wage Earners The investigation did not include executives, office and sales force, foremen or assistants, clerical workers or others paid on a salary basis. The classification of wage data closely follows that pursued by the Conference Board in previous wage studies. The wage earners were first divided by sex, and then into the occupa- tional classifications of male "common or unskilled" labor, and male "all other" labor. "Common or unskilled" labor is de- fined as the general group that performs the cruder "muscle" tasks for which no previous training is required. "All other" labor is composed of the remainder of "semi-skilled and skilled" labor of all kinds, which has some degree of training. All kinds of workers are contained in the latter classification, from those who rank just above "common" laborers to the most highly skilled wage earners. The dividing line between these two groups is difficult to determine, but this classification follows the general understanding as to the distinction implied in these terms. In the charts and tables contained in this report, the word "skilled" refers to the male workers in the "all other" ■group. Treatment of Wage Data The report deals with "money wages," which are to be dis- tinguished from "real wages," or the purchasing power of money wages. The word "earnings," unless otherwise stated, means the total money wages derived from labor services. Hourly and weekly wages for each of the three classes, in each industry, are included in this report. Hourly earnings are obtained by dividing the total weekly payroll in money, for each group of wage earners, by the total actual man hours worked by each group; weekly earnings are obtained by dividing the total weekly payroll for each group of wage earners by the number of persons in each group. The tables and charts in this report show wage data in index numbers as well as in actual dollars and cents. Treatment of Employment Data As previously mentioned, while the 1914-22 and the 1920-22 groups of establishments were consolidated from 1920 onward 4 in regard to earnings and hours, such a procedure in regard to employment data would have been statistically incorrect. Here the problem deals with actual numbers rather than trends, and to use the base of the smaller group as the base for the whole group would lead to wrong conclusions. Hence, employment data for the total and the three classified groups individually are shown for the 1920-21 period only. In addition, a composite line, showing the total employment for the firms which furnished complete information from 1914-22, was also placed on the employment charts. Treatment of Data on Hours of Work As in the last report, three kinds of data regarding hours of work have been compiled: (1) the average week per wage earner, (2) the average week of plant operation, (3) the nominal or standard work week. The average week per wage earner is the average man hours worked per week, and was obtained by dividing the total man hours of each group by the total number of workers em- ployed in that group. In consolidating this information from individual plants into data for an industry, the number of wage earners in each plant was taken into account, thereby securing a weighted average for each industry. The average week of plant operation is the average hours of operation of all the plants covered in a specific industry, and was obtained by multiplying the total number of wage earners in each plant by hours of operation in that plant, and then dividing the sum of these products by the total number of wage earners for all the establishments covered in the indus- try. Properly weighted hours of plant operation for the industry were thus obtained. The nominal or standard work week in a plant is the num- ber of hours the plant is supposed normally to operate, and was obtained by multiplying the total number of wage earners in each plant by the hours of the regular or nominal work week in that plant, and then dividing the sum of these results by the total number of wage earners for all the establishments covered in the industry. Properly weighted hours of the nom- inal week for the industry were thus obtained. 5 Since the actual week per wage earner, week of plant opera- tion and the nominal week have each been weighted in relation to the number of wage earners, direct comparison can be made between these three averages. The comparison between the average hours per individual wage earner and the actual week of plant operation shows the divergence between the hours all the wage earners have actually wofked and the hours the plant has actually operated. It measures the inefficiency of plant operation due to any or all causes. In addition, the com- parison between the actual week of plant operation and the nominal week reflects broadly the economic condition of the industry. In determining the actual week of plant operation, full ac- count was taken of the time lost due to local and legal holidays, and to local and temporary plant disabilities. Losses due to these causes are not to be attributed to economic and indus- trial conditions, but to temporary and local circumstances. To compute average weekly hours of work and earnings on the basis of a week that has been reduced through a cause not re- lated to conditions governing working time in the industry, would result in lowering the average so that it would not be representative of other weeks in the month. On this account the wage schedules covered representative weeks which were, as far as possible, unaffected by legal and local holidays. Where such holidays occurred, the time lost was added to the hours of actual plant operation and to the average actual week per wage earner, and the normal week of hours and earnings was thus established. Note: Throughout the text of this study, the method has been uniformly employed of giving first the data for the base period, July, 1914, then the high point, which varies as to date, and finally the change to the end of the year 1921. SUMMARY AND GENERAL CONCLUSIONS The period covered in this investigation, from July, 1914, up to the beginning of 1922, was marked by great changes in the principal manufacturing industries of the United States. In July, 1914, manufacturing industries of the country were operating on a fairly normal scale under peace-time conditions. The next years witnessed a general industrial expansion in response to the demands of the World War. The peak of this expansion was reached by the spring of 1920 and the period since that time has been characterized by a widespread indus- trial depression. At the beginning of 1922 the process of deflation in many industries had been practically completed, and more permanent levels of production had been reached. The year 1921 was a time of general readjustment, and the tendency to more or less stable levels of wages and hours in the principal manufac- turing industries evidenced in that period is reflected in this report. The general results of this investigation are discussed under four headings: A. Composite data for all industries; B. Comparison of data between industries; C. Comparison of hourly and weekly earnings with the cost of living; D. General conclusions. A. Composite Data For All Industries In compiling the composite material for the twenty-six in- dustrial sections in this report, data from gas, and electric light and power companies were not included, as conditions in these public utilities are not quite comparable with those in manu- facturing industries. In public utilities, wages and hours are usually determined by local or state legislation, and the ne- cessity for continuous operation makes a study of working hours of little importance. Of the 44 iron and steel plants from which returns were received, data from eight plants have not been included in the composite returns, because the payroll returns of these 7 plants did not give a record of hours. Thus, only 3,520 plants have been included in the composite data in this section, although the entire investigation covered 3,801 plants. The total num- ber of wage earners covered in this composite section was 1,068,519 in June, 1920. In discussing the general results re- lating specifically to employment, wages a-( rfi ^ <* |^»0 0\ oor^ so »o VI lo vo >o vTi vn u^ JQ CO -^CM ^NO ^On SO rJ O CM NO CM CM o^^^ON^r^Qo r^o\ ^"cM ^"r;:^r^''oN"so'' vi ^.^H CM o r- ^ i-H ^ NO so \0 "^ to »0 ''t^o r^ co^so ON ON »o ON CO so *o ^N CM r^ ^^^ CO so r^ NO -<** ^ OO r-* o CO '-H »n On ^'-' r^ On n oC-'j^r-^r^No'or acE < ^z •2 MS ooo n '^ ^ ON t^ v^ so so so '^ »o *o CM CM CM CM CM CM CM ■^ 00 o\ SO rJ OO Tfi CO CM CM CM ^ CM CM CM CM CM Ol CS Ol CM •-< i-H .-< ■^ OS CM so i-i NO ^^ CO CO Tp Tj< Tp CO CO >o lo >o »o vo vo *o >o CO vt r^ On ^H O ONr-* o »o *o u^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ O '-' v^ OO -^ OO r^ VI OO ON CO On SO r^ VI ON r- CO r^ OO^CO^CM^vj^CO^C)^''*^ lyTr-TvTr^so'r-ror ^ -^."^ CO CM O OO CM CJ CM CM CM CM »-< r»-r^ ^ ON t^r^ On CO v^ "^ vt CM »-t O "^ l^ '-' so oT vTrrNfTcT ^ ^ NO so V% lO ^ so CMOSO 00 CO o vi CM o r-* OO 0» OO CMr^NO OO i'^ I OO OO On oi O OO VI ■^^ Tf -^ V^ V^ Tf ^ CM r^ CM CM CM CM CM OO CO NO ■-< OO "* CO CO CM CM .— I .—I CM CM CM CM CM CM »-< OO vi ,-t OO r^ '-I O O O ON On CM CM CM CM ^ ^ Vi NO I--. \o O v^ OO ■^ ^ Tt* Vl VI ^ CO NO SO so ^ ^ sO NO o\ NO r- Tf r^ r-^ 1— ' O OO r^No vt so NO VI V^ V^ VI ON CM CM CM NO CO ^-^COCM^ ^ •O v^ VI lo v^ v^ 13 < ^Z OS CN CS CO \C -^ CS O »,rj ^o *^ ^o v^ lo to CS CJ CN CS CS C*I CN o "* r^ ^^ OO ,«*< CS CS CN Ol (N n ^-H OO W^ 1— ( 0\ OO •^OOOCTXT. (S cs r4 c^ -^ »-< 3 CN CS ■* ^H r^ ro GO rt rf — ol — "O VO ^O ^ "O ^ ^o ^ "<*^ 0^ CN OO O O OO \0 ^O c^ O CS to yi »o »o tri vo CM ^O r^ On ■* C-l ^H O O GO OO OO vo »o -^ ^-^ Tji ^ 3 !—,►-,< cn O Z P 9 — .b 2; < ,a I— > p— >< tn O Z Q Chart A: Index Numbers, Hourly and Weekly Earnings, All Industries, All Wage Earners and Classified Groups, July, 1914— January, 1922 AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS (National Industrial Conference Board) 10 Chart B: Actual Average Hourly and Weekly Earnings, All Industries, by Groups and for All Wage Earners, July, 1914 — January, 1922 (National Industrial Conference Board) 11 of women were $A56. By June, 1920, they had risen 167% to ?.417. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 16.8%, the average earnings at the latter period being $.347. By January, 1922, therefore, the average hourly earnings of the three groups were respectively 92%, 9.8% and 122% above the July, 1914 levels. It will be noted that the net increase for women is far above the net increase received by men. The actual decline in money in average hourly earnings from the various peaks in the three groups up to January, 1922, were as follows: male common labor, |.148; male skilled labor, |.145; women, $.01. (b) Weekly earnings: Composite weekly earnings of all wage earners include returus faom all industries except the gas and electric light plants and certain iron and steel companies already mentioned, and cover the same number of plants as does the composite of hourly earnings. In July, 1914, the composite weekly earnings of all wage earners were $12.36. By July, 1920, they had risen 140% to $29.69. The decline from this period up to January, 1922 was 25%, the average weekly earnings at the latter period being %Tl.Tl or 80% above the July, 1914 level. Weekly earnings were well sustained through October, 1920. A decline began in November and December, 1920, followed by sharp reductions in the first months of 1921. This reduction was chiefly due to a great decline in working hours. During the last six months of 1921 weekly earnings were well sustained, although hourly earnings steadily declined. This was due to an increase in working hours. The result is that the average weekly pay of all wage earners has been fairly well sustained, although there has been a continual reduction in hourly rates. The actual money de- crease in weekly earnings from the peak in July, 1920 up to January, 1922 amounted to $7.42. The average weekly earnings of all male wag» earners in July, 1914 were $13.30. By July, 1920 they had risen 139% to $31.75. They then declined 24.9% to $23.84 from the latter period to January, 1922, leaving a net increase of 79% over the July, 1914 level. The declines from the peak and the net in- creases over July, 1914 have been practically the same for the 12 o •a «>' S O c <3 t o w §» S Sri 1^ 1 o r^ rJ »j^ (N o -^ ■^ c^ rr> m c^ cs ^ (N (N in \0 w^ »o r^ v£j oo Tf r-- u^ »y^ u-1 li^ in >o OJ (U ii: S « E en "OkX •«1 M . cd V HI bl •e MS 4" sz ■S "S < ^^ ^z c\ c*i vo ^ r-^ -^ d oo CO in r^ 1— CO vo "^■^ oo'^n* otTr^ oo" so ^O »J^ I'l -^ CO cs T*- r^ CO •-' CO CO cs r^ CO o so 0\ ^ VI CO On »— ' vn ■^SO ■* ON O O SO CS NO O •*< i-t r*- -* r^ ON ON CO NO so NO r^ VI r^ o CO CO CO CO CO c^ cs r4 c^ cs cs cs cs c-i VI o CO oo r^ "^ O O On oo oo oo CO -<** r>i »-< so — • ON so r>* o cs so cs cs o^-^ON^r-^oo^r^ON^ ■^cT i-Tr^^r-^oCscT VI "^ cs o r^ ^ ^H so so so so V) v^ lo ■^ O C^ CO i-tVO ON ON VI ON CO "O v^ — t (N t^ 1— I v^ Tt^^oT^iV^scT r^ so VI CO cs o CO so 1^ so -^ 1— < oor--o CO f-f vi ON^sq^w^r^ON^cs^ oC-^r^r^sfToT oo ON ON ono o CO CO CO CO ■^ "^ r^ ON ON ON r-- oo o -^ Tf Tt< -^ Tf CO CO CN CN CS CS CS CS CM o c^ r-- — * ON ^o 1— lO ON ON oo oo ON On 0\ ON OO OO r-^ VI o O On CO ON so r-^ VI On r^ CO t^ OO CO CS VI CO o •* vTr-^vTr^so^f^ON' ^ -^ T^ CO cs O oo (S (N CS CM CS CS ^ ON CO V^ -^ Vt CM '— ' o VI r^ 1— ' so so CM O O t^ CO O VI CM O CS oo CM oo CM r^ so oo oo 0\ ON ON r^ O CM CO CO CO CO CO CO CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM r^ T-H -tji On oo rt* O O On oo oo oo CMCM^^-i^^ O O O O oo O CO ■* -^ ■* -^ CO CO CM CM CM CM CS CM CM CM OO CM SO O ON SO O O On On OO oo i 13 ■g i—fiLt ,2; < ^ I— , I— ,< c/: O Z Q Chart C: Number of Wage Earners Employed and Average Hours of Work, All Industries, by Groups and for All Wage Earners, July, 1914— January, 1922 (National Industrial Conference Board) 14 composite group of all wage earners, which includes women, and for all male wage earners. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male unskilled labor were ?10.89. By August, 1920 they had risen 149% to 127.14. The decline from this period to January, 1922 amounted to 30.2%-, the average weekly earnings at the latter period being $18.95. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were |14.19. By July and August, 1920, they had increased 136% to $33.54, decHning 23.8% to $25.56 from the latter period to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $7.82. In June, 1920, they had increased 140% to $18.79. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 was 16.1%, the average weekly earnings at the latter period being $15.76. By January, 1922, therefore, the percentages of increase above July, 1914 levels for the three groups were respectively 74%, 80% and 102%. It will be noted that the net percentage increase for male common labor was considerably below that for male skilled labor, while the increase for women was considerably above that received by male wage earners. The actual money decreases in weekly earnings in the three groups, from their various peaks up to January, 1922 were as follows: male common labor, $8.19; male skilled labor, $7.98; women, $3.03. The decline in weekly earnings has been more extensive than in hourly earnings, due to part-time operations, plant shut- downs, and part-time employment. Wage trends indicate well sustained levels in most basic industries during 1920 with sharp reductions at the beginning of 1921. The last half of 1921 was dominated by continued declines in hourly earnings, with more or less sustained levels in weekly earnings. Wage reductions have affected women less than men, which may be accounted for by the progress which women made during the war through legislation and other means in bringing " their wages into closer equality with men. In general, this wage investigation shows that up to January 1922, the decline from the peak in hourly and weekly earnings has been from 20% to 25%, with net increases for all wage earners at the beginning of 1922 rangingfrom 80% to 100% above 1914 levels. 15 On CO \0 -^f r-^ -"J^ CS CO oo lo r*^ f— I CO vo u-i r^ r-- -^ i-H oo vo ■* r^ CO !-< CO CO csi>. oo o ^ o^ Th »^ CO ON i— ' *j^ ■^ VO ^ ^ O O \0 CS ^O VO "^ ^-^ co'^oCrTcX' co" C4 CM CS CO CO CO S3 ro-^(N ^\D ^ ON ^ r>i o CN ^o CJ cs o^ -^ ON^r--^ oo^r^^ ON^ •jT^cs o r^ ■* ^ o ^ "lO ^ "o >-n >>-i ■^ O (N CO ^^O On CT^ '^ On CO SO ■^ •— < CM r^ i-H in ■^"rT r-Tr-T i-TscT r-~ NO lo CO CM o CO NO r^ NO -^ i-t txj r^ o CO '— * »j^ ON NO^^'-H^r^^ON^CM oT -^"r^"!^ \£r oC oo ON On ON O O CO CO coco '^ -^ D u H o «■ 111" r-^ U-) O O :ON CO On ^X) r^ *o ON r^ CO r^ oo^co CM »jn f*^0 ■* »j-rr*ru-rr-rN£rr^ oT ■^ ■^ ■^ CO CM O QO CM CM CM CM CM CM T-i O On CM i-H »J-) -^ oo CO On j-i TjH vn CM »-( o *^ r^ •-< NO ^r-- CO CM CO CO On CN O "^ oo On r--^CM^CX5^'^CM '-H CO r-" co" ■^'^ — " ^^ ■^ CM 1— I ON r-- vn NO NO NO 'j^ "^ ^^ NO CM O NO OO CO o ^^ CM o r^ oo CM oo^cM r-* NO^OO, T^" T^"r^crcM''co' CO CO CO :^ -^ ■* C3N <» r^ CM CM ■^ GO CM CM ■^ On CO r-J^VO CO ■^'^^ T^'c^'" ■^'' oo^ oTco" CM CM CO CO Th «o \r^ Kf^ \r\ KT) ij~t ii/~t On CM c» >J^ CM OO O -H oo O oo NO oo r^ "J^ "J^ ON On CO ''^ O oo" -^"^O^Cm" "^ wi" NO "o CM O "^ On CO O O O O On c» oo u-)'^\OcO'— 'NO CO'^'— 1-— iCM-tJ^ '-< O oo Tp lO oo »J-1 VI ON — to -^ CN^CO^'-H^CO^-^r^ CJN^ON^O^'^^*^'* ■^"cToCo^orNo' r-T utT-^"^ cm" ^xT NO vi CO CM o r^ Tfi u-i vo r- oo oo r^ r^ r^ r~^ NO NO ^o no no no no no "S2 C fci- ^4 ffl n, r-' "J-i CO On NO CO O O O ON On ON O '—' C't CO >n "^ On On On Cn On On .— I oo oo CO On CO — ' r-- CO NO ON Tt* i^ r^ ^c^^r^un o NO^co^ »jt" no" o no" 00* o '-^" NO "^ CO '-' !>■ CM 00 oo CO 00 CO r-. t-^ NO fsj ,_! U-1 *-i CM ,-( ^ CM oo QO NO oo Nor^u^co-^r^ coooooonOni— I o^ON^NO^co^co^o^ r^ON^No o o o. ^C^oor^r-^c^ NcTcToo' ■"^""^"oo'"' CM ^ ON r- NO -^t* CM CO CO '^f w^ tn \C \D v^i \r^ >j^ XT) iow^to>-riu-i«j-) 2: 0\ E !>> tJO n 4j' > o >-,!—>< CO O Z H 16 3 a "3 3 8"",° Jj ^=,< C/3 O Z Q Chart D: Index Numbers of Changes in Employment by Indus- tries, from July, 1914 as Base 100 to January, 1922 FOUNDRIES AND AGRICULTURAL I IRON AND STEEL MACHINE SHOPS IMPLEMENTS ^^AUTOMOBILES -100 JULY I3t4 PAPER AND WOOD PAPER PRDDUCTS PRINTING-NEWSRAPER PRINTINB- -^ BOOK AND JOB ft^tf "'"' raad igai ragD raai fsai ^fi (National Industrial Conference Board) 17 Employment Composite data on employment include complete returns from all industries except gas and electric companies, and the eight iron and steel companies already mentioned. The total decline in employment in all industries from June, 1920, gener- ally the peak of industrial activity, up to January, 1922, amounted to 35.8%. Employment was fairly well sustained through October, 1920. A slight decline occurred in November, 1920. The next months witnessed extensive layoffs, which continued through July, 1921. From August, 1921 to the end of the year there was an increase of 3% in employment. The effect of the industrial depression in the metal trades, brick and tile, chemical and rubber manufacturing over- balanced the increase in textile industries during 1921. The general tendency, however, at the close of 1921 was toward a continuous increase of working forces. During the period from June, 1920 up to January, 1922, the percentages of decline in employment for the three groups were as follows: male common labor, 41.5%; male skilled labor, 37.4%; women, 20.8%. It will be noted that the end of the industrial depression has shown a smaller amount of unemploy- ment for women than for men, male common labor being the most severely affected by industrial conditions. The last half of 1921 was characterized by a considerable increase in employ- ment of women, which may be accounted for partly by the return of many piece-workers in textile industries. Employment declined 4% in 2,601 identical establishments whiih furnished information from July, 1914 to the end of the year 1921. In other words, in December, 1921, the industrial depression had forced employment in the identical establishments below the level of July, 1914. Hours The average hours of the nominal week have been compiled for all industries except gas and electric light plants and the entire iron and steel group. The former have been omitted from the composite returns as in other sections of the summary chapter for reasons mentioned above,' while the variable hours in the iron and steel industry make the compilation of the nominal week impossible. 'See p. 7, 18 Table D: Average Actual Week p.er Wage Earner, Average Plant Hours, and Average Hours of the Nominal Week, All Industries, Classified and Composite Groups of Labor PERIOD 1914 July 1920 June July Aug Sept...; Oct Nov Dec 1921 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug. . . .• Sept Oct Nov Dec Actual Week per Wage E rner Classified Male Un- Male skilled Skilled 52.7 47.1 45.2 44.6 45. 1 44.5 44.7 44.9 44.6 45.3 46.0 47.2 46.9 47.6 Women 50.6 48.7 48.7 48.6 47.9 48.1 46.9 45.9 44.1 43.9 43.6 43.4 43.8 43.8 43.6 43.9 44.1 45.4 45.0 46.0 50.1 41.0 41.4 42.5 42.8 42.8 44.0 44.1 43.7 44.2 44.3 44.7 44.3 45.5 All Male 51.2 49.1 49.2 49.1 48.4 48.5 47.3 46.4 44.4 44.1 44.0 43.7 44.0 44.1 43.8 44.3 44.6 45.8 45.5 46.4 Com- posite 51.0 48.5 48.5 48.3 47.8 47.8 46,5 45.4 43.9 43.8 43.8 43.6 44.0 44.1 43.8 44.3 44.6 45.6 45.3 46.2 Plant Hour? 53.8 49,8 45.2 44.9 45.2 44.8 45.6 45.5 46.7 44.7 45.5 47.0 46.9 47.2 Nomi- nal Vkeek 55.1 50.7 50.7 50.6 50.5 50.5 50,6 50.5 50.5 50.8 50.7 51.0 50.6 50.7 49.9 50.0 50.0 50.2 49.8 49.8 *See Introduction, p. 2. In July, 1914, 55.1 hours constituted the average nominal week. Following the general reduction of working hours during the war period, the average hours of the nominal week declined to SQ.l in June, 1920. This level remained. practically unchanged up to July, 1921. At this time, a great decline in the hours of the nominal week occurred in the foundry group, which brought down the average for the entire investigation, so that in July, 1921, the average hours were 49.9. In August and September they rose to 50, while in October they again increased to 50.2, but declined during November and December to 49.8. 19 Comparison of the trend of the nominal week with that of plant hours shows very clearly the general economic condi- tions existing in American manufacturing industries during the period covered by the investigation. The actual week of plant operation has been compiled for all industries except chemical, and iron and steel manufacturing, and paper and wood pulp mills. These three industries, whose normal method of production is on a two or three shift basis, are not comparable with industries operating on single shifts. The composite average hours of plant operation show a reduction from 53.8 in July, 1914, to 49.8 hours in June, 1920. Plant activity continued at a well sustained level through October, 1920. The following months were characterized by severe declines and depressed conditions which continued through September, 1921. During the remaining months of 1921 there was a considerable revival so that at the close of the year plant hours stood at 47.2. At the latter period they were still 2.6 hours below the peak of plant activity in 1920, or a decline of over 5%. An analysis of the trend of plant hours clearly reflects the condition in American manufacturing industries from July, 1914 to the middle of 1921. From 1914 to 1920 there was a considerable reduction in the length of working hours and a consequent decline in plant activity, while the industrial depression during 1920-21 brought the level of plant hours unusually low. The closing months of 1921, however, show a considerable increase in productive activity. The compilation of the hours of the average actual week per wage earner have been made from all industries except public utilities and eight iron and steel plants, which did not contribute hourly data. The average week per wage earner showed a decline from 51 hours in July, 1914 to 48.5 in June, . 1920. The latter level was well sustained through November, 1920, when the industrial depression and a decline in plant activity began to take effect. The next months showed even more severe reductions, so that by April, 1921 the average working hours were reduced to 43.6. The last five months of 1921 showed considerable revival, so that in December, 1921 the average wage earner was working 46.2 hours per week. This, however, is 2.3 hours below th€ level reached at the peak in 1920. The resump- 20 tion of working hours during the last months of 1921 helped maintain weekly earnings at more or less permanent levels. In the classified groups, the average hours of common labor in July, 1914 were 52.7. By June, 1920 they had decreased to 50.3, and in December, 1921 stood at 47.6. In July, 1914, the average male skilled laborer was working 50.6 hours. In June, 1920 the hours had fallen to 48.7 and in December, 1921 to 46 hours. In July, 1914 the average woman wage earner was working 50.1 hours. In June, 1920 the hours had fallen to 45.2, but a strong revival during the last six months of 1921 brought the hours back to 45.5 in December, 1921. This increase in the working hours of women helped maintain both the actual and real wages of women at increased levels, and, in general, women have been less affected by the in- dustrial depression than men. Chart E: Average Nominal Hours per Week, by Industries, July, 1914 and December, 1921 AVERAGE NOMINAL HaURS PCH WEEK FERTILIZER.. COTTON - SDUTM.. eniCK ANO TILE LUMBER AND MILLWORK . CHEMICALS RARER AND WOOD PULP- FURNITURE FOUNDRIES ANO MACH. SHOPS^ AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTsI LEATHER I AUTOMOBILES .1 HOSIERY AND KNIT PAINT AND VARNISH. PAPER PRODUCTS.. COTTON - NORTH fiOOTS ANO SHOES- SILK WOOL — ^^^^^^^^^^^^^—i ^M^^ PRINTING - NEIWSBAPCR ^^^^^^B^^WWIWWWW^^B ELECTRICAL APPARATUS l^^^^^^^^l^^^^^ll^^HHH MEAT PACKING ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Bi^^^^B RUBBER . ^BBBI^^^^B^^^^Wii^^BiB AND joB-_^^^^H^HiHll^HHi^^^^^^^l (National Industrial Conference Board) 21 B. Comparison of Data Between Industries Wages The data are presented in bar diagrams F, and in tables E and F, showing the actual hourly and weekly wages in July, 1914, at the peak, and in December, 1921. In addition, the tables show the percentage of decline from the peak. This section shows comparison of wages between industries and is a recapitulation of material contained in the text for the dif- ferent industries. PERCENTAGE INCREASES IN HOURLY AND WEEKLY EARNINGS IN DECEMBER, 1921, OVER JULY, 1914 Hourly Weekly Foundry and Machine Shop Products 85 69 Automobile Manufacturing 97 63 Agricultural Implement Manufacturing 81 56 Electrical Apparatus Manufacturing. 89 66 Iron and Steel Manufacturing 75 65 Cotton Manufacturing (North) 138 109 Cotton Manufacturing (South) 126 113 Wool Manufacturing 146 116 Silk Manufacturing 122 98 Hosiery and Knit Goods Manufacturing 118 105 Rubber Manufacturing 107 93 Leather Tanning and Finishing 108 95 Boot and Shoe Manufacturing 120 93 Meat Packing 106 79 Chemical Manufacturing 101 84 Fertilizer Manufacturing 46 38 Paint and Varnish Manufacturing 89 72 Paper and Wood Pulp Manufacturing 106 99 Paper Products Manufacturing 139 1 10 Printing and Publishing (Book and Job) 102 110 Printing and Publishing (Newspapers) 66 77 Lumber and Millwork Manufacturing 101 83 Furniture Manufacturing 106 103 Brick and Tile Manufacturing 85 79 Generation and Distribution of Electricity 96 88 Manufacture and Distribution of Gas 92 95 Percentages of Decline in Hourly and Weekly Earnings from the Peak up to January, 1922 Tables E and F show the actual hourly and weekly earnings in July, 1914, at the peak and December, 1921, together with the percentage of decline from the peak. In analyzing these declines, it will be noted that the greatest decline in hourly earnings has occurred among the following industries: 22 Chart F: Average Hourly and Weekly Earnings, by Industries, July, 1914, at the Peak, and in December, 1921 AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS CENTS PER HOUR ID POINTING - NEWSMPEP PRINTING - BDDK and J0B_ AUTOMOBILE'S RUBBER PAINT AND VARNISH ELECTRICAL APRARATUS_- FQUNDRIES and MACH. SHOPS- LUMBER AND MILLWORK BOOTS AND SHOES AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS FURNITURE PAPER AND WOOD PULP PAPER PRODUCTS IRON AND 5TEEI WDDI CHEMICALS MEAT PACKING LEATHER BRICK AND TILE SILK CDTTDN - NORTH HOSIERY AND KNIT GOODS FERTILIZER CDTTDN - SDUTM__ ALL INDUSTRIES.. AVERAGE WEEKLY EARNINGS DOLLARS PLR WEEK s ID 15 za gs PRINTING -NEWSPAPER.. PRINTING - BDDK and JOB. AUTOMOBILES RUBBER PAPER and wood PULP- PAINT and varnish CHEMICALS LUMBER AND MILLWORK IRON AND STEEL FOUNDRIES AND MACH SHOPS. FURNITURE. BODTS AND SHOES. ELECTRICAL APPARATUS BRICK AND TILE. LEATHER MEAT PACKING. V/OOL AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS PAPER PRODUCTS. SILK. COTTON -NORTH. HOSIERY AND KNIT GOODS. FERTILIZER COTTON - SOUTH. ALL INDUSTRIES (National Industrial Conference Board) 23 s •a e b u p £ "•cJpg 0lt^00*O O* nooo ^ C5 *^ ^ C*3 ^ M«5 t*i to f** ^ o ^ t*(0 ' dfOOlOiO *o fOO» CO o^ «o lOiO »o OOOM ioro*0 O-^ioO io«r»r* 0*r^*0 *ro I0<0>0 lOiO -HO-^Oro ■^OMo0^0>0^ ^. MfSO >OiO^ «0«t)oao »0*0>0 00^ >o«oo , iO« ■* M ro\O00 OtWD0 0\0^ <0(OMfSCS roio*-< W M 00 ©(■^ w^rh 00 i-l rt M Moesio "OiOWO OOiOt^ W—t .c.c OtS "lis Q- 00 OOOt^N N. \or» p- O 00 to 00 Ooot^vO OtOOOO 00 "#»0 P- 00'* 00 (0 0»0 O00O« 0»C»4(0(N ro^^io tot- 1^00 00 lOOOODsOOO to to 1010(0 ^HOitOfOtN » 0*(N»0(N Oi 00 ^ro»0»0^ »0 lO-* lO tO>Qt/ lO ^U lOM^OtO iOlO^« »OOwO ♦hmcscnO r-1 M CS M N *OiOt>-wtO 00 V00\000^0 ^ ^o\«o »HOO»OtOtO M»-l(0»-ltO "OiOtOOiO ■# CS (M to tO^iOiO fOiOtSiO t-.iOtO lOOO^ OOfS'^O'O lOlO <:^10-^ t- 0\«0 O^ O »-( Q00iOCSO\ to O ^^O^- ^OlO«-^00 ■*Tt"00 CSftN oo^to , lO 0*0*fO CS «0«0^0^0^« too 'Hr^\o (N to f-il— iHio O lO ^»OlO^ >— too o t-»0 00 io»o lO oooor« lO-^iO 0»o^ to OOOtOCN kOiOiO lO^tsOO CSOt- CS MN lOfO ^lO es« tOlO tO--i o-* »oto 00 00 too esr* OjtO rO*i 32 io»o >O00 lOiO tON-^lO poOtO «0 csftOri -^(Nto r^t-- ts»-*to^ csrscs csfs . ii ^^ S^ ^ 1^ c Q o «> ft, «^ .c.c w o •OS-, ■gtW I*- 8.3 .c ! "S 3 (J a u "IS b CI o *5» g.SE-15 0.0 so 0,(3 q2 >>3 ^t^OiVjO OO Oia to ^ WOiO >Or*ir->0'/» ^0 I CM ^ r*«cot>.t^ 00 \O00 «o inaO'^pOvH >oo0*4aot^*H. M>0^»^Ov tS esoo o^ «o^ -nil ^ es<-«cs ooio^Oto to oa O»»0«f0ro tOMMr»to t* ODN O doo ^ t>«st*o CNOOOlO 00iO*^Oit^ ■* OOtOO ^^lO O«ao «<»m2 5 2S Fertilizer Manufacturing -o^'J^ Iron'and Steel Manufacturing ii rw" Agricultural|Implement Manufacturing oi"?m Cotton (South) 30.5% Rubber Manufacturing ot'o^ Meat Packing „„?^ Cotton (North) 23.6% Paper and Pulp Manufacturing -iJ. J /o The smallest declines in hourly earnings have occurred among the following groups: Printing and Publishing (Book and Job) lo^ Manufacture and Distribution of Gas c cro Printing and Publishing (Newspaper) cl^ Paper Products Manufacturing 5.4% The largest declines from the peak in weekly earnings have occurred in the following groups: Iron and Steel Manufacturing " ^^'^^ Fertilizer Manufacturing _. ^^'^m Agricultural Implement Manufacturing 38.2% Cotton (North) 28.3% Foundry and Machine Shop Products 27.9% Cotton (South) 27.2% The smallest declines in weekly earnings occurred among the following groups: Printing and Publishing (Book and Job) 0.7% Generation and Distribution of Electricity 0.9% Printing and Publishing (Newspaper) 5.0% Boot and Shoe Manufacturing 8.2% Paper Products Manufacturing 8.3% C. Comparison of Composite Hourly and Weekly Earnings with the Cost of Living This investigation dealt primarily with hourly and weekly money wages of male labor, common and skilled, and women for various industries. Such data, however, do not directly reflect the economic status of the wage earner in the periods covered. In addition it is necessary to show the relation of money wages to the cost of living in order to ascertain the pur- chasing power of the wages received, or, in other words, to determine real wages. This is done by dividing the index of money wages at any given period by the index of the cost of living for that period. For example, if a weekly wage of J20 would buy one living at a time when' the wage earner's cost of living was ?20 a week, an increased weekly wage of J40 26 Chart G: Cost of Living, Hourly and Weekly "Money" and "Real" Wages, All Wage Earners, All Industries, July, 1914 — January, 1922 (National Industrial Conference Board) 27 would buy two livings if the cost of living were stationary, of would buy one living with an increase of the cost of living to J40 per week, or would buy one and one-third livings, if the weekly cost of living were to r;se to $30 per week. A worker whose wage rose from $20 to $25 while the cost of living remained stationary, would be able to purchase one living and a quarter at the latter time and thus be 25% better off in real wages. In the present report the composite hourly and weekly earnings in the various industries and for the classified groups are shown, together with the changes in the cost of living for the country as a whole, as ascertained by the National Industrial Conference Board^ and by combining the two, changes in rea/ wages during the periods studied are brought out. Comparison of wage changes in specific industries, with changes in the cost of living for the country as a whole, serve, in a general way, to reflect the real wages in these separate industries, but they do not necessarily portray the actual purchasing power of money wages in particular industrial centers. Since most in- dustries are highly localized, the real wages of the workers in them can be determined accurately only on the basis of a local- ized cost of living study. Table G and chart H show the composite and classified real hourly and weekly wages. Real Hourly Wages Starting in July, 1914, with index number 100 for cost of living, for money wages and for real wages, in July, 1920, when the cost of living had reached an index figure of 204.5, actual hourly earnings had increased to 252. Thus, in July, 1920, the index for the real wage on the basis of hourly earnings was 123. While the peak of the cost of living was reached in July, 1920, the peak of hourly earnings did not occur until September, 1920. The decline in the cost of living, subsequent to July, 1920, therefore, continued to increase the real hourly earnings, so that in March, 1921, they stood at 135. During the next three months, real hourly earnings remained at 132, but begin- ning in July, 1921 and continuing through the remaining months of the year, there was a continued decline, so that in •See Research Reports Nos. 9, 14, 17, 19, 25. 28, 30, 36, 39, 44. 28 Chart H: Index Numbers, "Real" Hourly and Weekly Earn- ings, All Industries, by Groups and for All Wage Earners, July, 1914— January, 1922 IDQ /'"S. I9SD msi 130 \Z5 ISO I IS I ID IDS 100 19 "F lEAL" WEEKU ( I .AR NING3 / t „... .-' f. V ? k 1 1 Sc^ f / \ / \ ''' s /■' •55 < /^ ^ C > N f > •^ ~i -< ^ y H V ^ V > ^ >" *. .^. •••■ r >■•■ JQ J m r H 1^ (National Industrial Conference Board) 29 e o a ^ c £ •§§ «*? I •a 3S in in 'H 3S CO VO -^ OO CO "^ CO ^ .-< (N ^ (N CS C^ <; CO O Z Q ^.fe 2 < 2 h^i ►=,: _^ ^•^ •V f' ;5s- ■■■. V AU. T!5 ^ 55 •■ — *»• as — — — ~ -- -- 5^07 >. "V •»■■ ..-< -— 'tV ^ "~ "•■- ■>•> — — ^ — -' i^ H A IB "i p r fT" V I T. .1 )N''f 'n f VI f x^T AY,| |N,I II • K ' ■R r T» ivn r ] 1! 321 (National Industrial Conference Board) 37 Composite Payroll Data- -Foundries and Machine Shops Number Wage Wages (All Wage Earners) • Period Earners Employed Average Hours One Week 1914-22 Establ. (1047 plants) 1920-22 Establ. (1353 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earnings In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 July.... 204,209 49.2 S3.2 SS.O S.27S SI 3. SI 100 100 1920 June ; . . 314,467 381,464 49.9 51.5 51.7 .630 31 Al 229 233 July.... ■317,123 385,078 49.9 51.5 52.5 .631 31.47 229 233 Aug 318,989 387,402 49.9 51.5 52,2 .634 31.63 231 234 Sept.... 321,093 388,560 48.5 50.6 51,6 .652 31.61 237 234 Oct 309,889 376,890 49.3 50.5 51,6 .644 31.72 234 235 Nov. . . . 292,671 356,560 47.9 49.6 51.9 .639 30,61 232 227 Dec... 111,111 333,544 47.2 47.7 51,8 ■ ,641 30.23 233 224 1921 Jan 239,896 292,945 44.4 45.7 51,3 .622 27.62 226 204 Feb.... 227,716 278,927 43.1 44.0 52,6 .617 26.55 224 197 March. . 213,884 263,749 42.1 43.5 52,4 .597 25.12 217 186 April. . . 197,936 244,615 41.3 42.4 53.3 .580 23.96 211 177 May . . . 184,156 228,113 41,9 43,0 52,3 .577 24.16 210 179 June . . . 176,195 216,687 41.3 42.4 52,7 .563 23.27 205 172 July*... 163,105 197,943 40.4 42.7 51,2 -.558 22.52 203 167 Aug. . . . 158,212 193,185 41,3 42.9 51,5 .541 ■22.35 197 165 Sept.... 160,001 193,599 41.8 43.8 51,9 .528 22.10 192 164 Oct 162,953 196,608 43.6 45,1 52,1 .517 22.54 188 167 Nov. . . . 169,709 204,214 43.8 45,8 50.7 .508 22.24 185 165 Dec... 173,307 208,459 45.0 46,4 50,6 ,508 22,87 185 169 *See Introduction, p. 2. tailment of working hours. During the last six months of 1921, weekly earnings were maintained on a level of between J22.00 and J23.00 because of the resumption of longer working hours, while hourly earnings continued to decline. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male common labor were J11.19. By August, 1920, they had increased 149% to $27.85. From the latter period up to January, 1922, they declined 31.6% to |19.04. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were ?14.74. By October, 1920, they had increased 135% to |34.59, and then declined 27.5% to J25.08 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings oi women were $7.14. By September, 1920, they had increased 156% to $18.30. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 27.6%, the average wage at the beginning of 1922 being $13.25. By 38 Foundry and Machine-Shop Products NUMBER OF WAGE EARNERS i¥SD iH^r (National Industrial Conference Board) 39 January, 1922, therefore, the weekly earnings for these three groups had increased respectively 70%, 70% and 86% over the July, 1914 levels. Employment Total employment in the establishments covered declined 45.4% from June, 1920 up to January, 1922. The percentages of decline for the three groups during this period were as fol- lows: male common labor, 47.4%; male skilled labor, 44.2%, and women, 48.5%. Reductions in the number of employees, have been severe throughout the entire period of the investi- gation. The largest decline in employment occurred in the first six months of 1921. The employment situation in the foundry and machine shop group reflects broadly the course of the general industrial depression. Indications point to the taking over by skilled labor of work formerly done by unskilled labor, and of a general return of women from industrial to domestic and other occupations. The total number of employees in identical establishments declined 15% between July, 1914, and the beginning of 1922. The efi^ect of the industrial depression is seen in this dropping off in employment. While the foundry and machine shop in- dustry increased tremendously in activity between 1914 and the middle of 1920, the tremendous decline during the industrial depression period brought employment in the same establish- ments below the 1914 level. Hours In July, 1914, 55 hours constituted the average nominal week. Following a reduction of hours during the war period, there was a decline of 51.7 hours by June, 1920. July and August witnessed increases to more than 52 hours, but the closing months of 1920 showed a decline again, so that by January, 1921, the average nominal week had declined to 51. .3. Considerable increases were noted in the succeeding five months, but the closing months of the year 1921 showed further declines, so that in December the average nominal week stood at 50.6 hours. The average hours of plant operation declined from 53.2 hours in July, 1914 to 51.5 hours in June, 1920. Industrial depression began to take effect in December, 1920, and the following months. In April and June plant hours had shrunk to 42.4. 40 «0 .5 ft, •s «> z t 1 ^ c^ VI es \o vo oo ^H r^ oo r^ vn vt h- rJ u-i ^ o ^ vo ji u-t u-i vn u^ Lo iEa vp ■* vo vo M c^ -H ON uT«< n 1-^ Tt< i-~ vooN-Hr^aii^ > 00 CO 00 ON OS a\ 00 I^ NO WT^ TjH CO oi^^ooo 69. o* On CO so 1^ vo c*^ d v^oor^^Novo 00 cs ■<*< 00 ■* ^ 4l prj r- i-H ^ CO 10 oorJvor^oco vir^Tt^ocsco *>! CO •* 00 ON *^ 00 OS cs^onon^cs 00 00 Tfi on *o on o^ CO r^ »JT^ r^ r^ soon^onOco so^vio"t^ 1 < Is P 1 1 agaaaaa i^-SSS §92§^g _^ 1 aassasa saSiiS ggsHSS Av. Weekly Earn- ings 4i "o r-ooooornn>or- „2 ^ Si) V 1 ilill llllll IMI a en Z II 1 1 I^^IRsa §S§^s^ SS^S^g 1 1 g^SSSSI S§asS^ li22iS 2; PKSS^2:ss ssss^s ^sc;SSS g f5E5ftf3f5Siq aS?3S82 S22222 >ssa 49 *ll •v, 00 VO t^ CM ON t-- ^ Th^t-~01ntO OnOC-ION^O 5?' gooooN^v: ^gj-^jVjViV) 55J5^:5i^' III 1 liii liil lllli a, § t 5|" N iliiMU iUsii iiMi 41 The last six months of 1921, however, witnessed a revival, and in December the average hours of plant activity had risen to 46.4. The average actual week per wage earner showed an increase from 49.2 hours in July, 1914, to 49.9 hours in June, 1920. The general high level of working hours was maintained till No- vember, when the effect of the industrial depression began to be felt. The first six months of 1921 showed a continual de- cline in working hours to a level of 40.4 hours in July. During the last months of 1921, however, a revival took place so that in December an average of 45 hours was maintained. It will be noted that at this time working hours were still 4.9 hours below the level of June, 1920. An analysis of the accompanying chart on hours shows that working hours have closely followed those of plant activity. It would seem, therefore, that management has adopted the policy of employing wage earners at practically the full time of plant operation, though large numbers were laid off perma- nently during the depression period. Conclusion The foundry and machine shop group, the largest industry covered in this investigation, may be taken as a barometer of general wage conditions. A careful comparison should be made with other industries in this report. The study of wages and hours in foundries and machine shops shows that:. 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at ?.508 or 85% above the July, 1914 level of ?.275. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners stood at ?22.87 or 69% above the July, 1914 level of ^13.51. 3. Wage reductions from the peak, of 22.1 in hourly earn- ings and 27.9% in weekly earnings, were somewhat above the general average in other industries. The large decline in weekly earnings may be accounted for by the slump in working hours. 4. Total employment declined 45.4% between June, 1920 and the beginning of 1922, showing the effect of the industrial depression. 5. During the last six months of 1921 there was some indi- cation of a revival to more normal conditions shown by increased employment and lengthened working hours. At the close of 1921, however, working time was still 4.9 hours below the level of 49.9 hours reached in June, 1920, or a loss of 10%. 42 II AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURING The wage investigation in the automobile industry covered establishments manufacturing and assembling complete auto- mobiles, both passenger cars and motor trucks, and also plants producing automotive parts. The latter group, however, in- cludes plants engaged only in manufacturing parts directly used by the automobile industry, and does not include jobbers, dealers or rubber tire manufacturers. Returns were received from 86 plants, 82 of which supplied information for the last wage investigation. The largest number of wage earners em- ployed in any one month in the 82 plants was 95,739 in June, 1920. Approximately 24% of the wage earners reported- by the 1919 Census of Manufactures for the automobile industry are covered in this report. The geographical distribution within 13 states Is as follows: California 2 Nebraska 1 Connecticut 2 New Jersey 3 Illinois 6 New York 11 Indiana 11 Ohio 9 Massachusetts 6 Pennsylvania 5 Michigan 22 Wisconsin 5 Missouri 3 Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of all wage earners were |.291. By July, 1920, they had increased 139% to $.696. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 amounted to 17.8%, leaving the average hourly earnings $.572, an increase of 97% over July, 1914. A general high level of hourly earnings was sustained through October, 1920, but in the next months they declined rapidly. The la§t six months of 1921 witnessed more gradual declines, except that in December there occurred a reduction of .018 cents per hour. 43 In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male common labor were |.220. By October, 1920, they had reached 1.587, an increase of 167%, and then declined 24.9% to %M\ from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $.312. By June, 1920, they had reached $.765, a net increase of 145%, declining 20.7% to ?.607 from the latter period to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earn- ings of women were $.249. In September, 1920, they had reached $.423, an increase of 70%. The decline from this peak up to the beginning of 1922 was 15.1%, the average wage at the beginning of 1922 being $.359. By January, 1922, therefore, the hourly earnings for these three groups had increased re- spectively 100%, 95% and 44% over the July, 1914 level. (b) Weekly earnings: In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings oi all wage earners were $15.35. By July, 1920, they had reached $34.05, an increase of 122%. The decline from this period up to the beginning of 1922 amounted to 26.5%, the aver- age weekly earnings being $25.04 at the latter period, a net increase of 63% over July, 1914. During the last half of 1920 there was a gradual decline of weekly earnings from the peak. Weekly earnings during 1921 fluctuated considerably, due to the variation in working hours. The last five months of 1921, except for October, showed a consistent level of over $25.00 in average weekly earnings. Changes in the working week caused these changes in weekly earnings. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male common labor were $12.15. By July, 1920, they had reached $28.27, an increase of 133%. The dechne from the latter period up to 1922 was 24.1% to $21.47. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were $16.23. By July, 1920, they had increased 126% to $36.75, declining 28.8% to $26.18 from the latter period to the beginning of 1922. By June, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $12.03. By Sep- tember, 1920, they had increased 57% to $18.93. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 25.2%, at which time average earnings were $14.16. By January, 1922, therefore, the average weekly earnings of these three groups had increased respectively 77%, 61% and 18% over the July, 1914 levels. 44 Automobile Manufacturing AVERAGE HDUBLY EARNINGS (National Industrial Conference Board) 45 Composite Payroll Data — Automobile Manufacturing Number Wage Wages (All Wage Earner Period Earners Employed Average Hours s) One Week 1914-22 Establ. (S3 plants) 1920-22 Establ. (86 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earnings In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 July.... 23,138 52.7 S4.6 54.3 $.291 $15.35 100 100 1920 M June . . . 71,728 95,739 48.1 50.6 51.6 .692 33.27 238 217 July.... 72,147 95,700 48.9 50.1 50.5 .696 34,05 239 ^22 Aug.... 61,707 84,233 47.9 49.6 50,1 .694 33.27 238 217 Sept. . . . 56,252 71,734 47.4 49.0 50,9 .694 32,95 238 215 Oct 42,548 52,075 44.7 46.3 51,0 .688 30.74 236 200 Nov. . . . 33,231 41,554 43.4 46.1 50,5 .670 29.12 230 190 Dec... 26,832 34,917 43.6 46.4 50.7 .647 28.19 222 184 1921 Jan 24;439 31,575 39.8 40,3 50.9 .638 25.41 219 166 Feb 26,218 33,825 42.4 42,6 50.9 ,634 26.86 218 175 March.. 30,587 39,055 46.9 46.3 51.2 ,625 29.32 215 191 April... 34,168 45,518 46.8 44,6 50,9 ,613 28.71 211 187 May . . . 35,240 47,893 42.8 44,6 50,3 ,605 25.89 208 169 June . . , 34,155 46,791 43.3 43.6 51,1 .•594 25.76 204 168 July*... 26,135 36,952 45.2 47.4 50,0 ,602 27.20 207 177 Aug 30,929 41,322 43.1 45.2 50,7 ,596 25.69 205 167 Sept.... 32,554 43,676 43.4 44.6 50,6 ,588 25.51 202 166 Oct 31,686 42,802 46.0 47.1 50.3 ,590 27,16 203 177 Nov. . . . 31,158 41,422 43.0 45.1 50,3 .590 25,35 203 165 Dec... 29,472 39,365 43.8 45.7 50.3 .572 25,04 197 • 163 *See Introduction, p. 2. Employment Total employment in the establishments covered declined 58.9% from June, 1920 up to the beginning of 1922. The per- centages of decline for the three groups during this period were as follows: male common labor, 73.8%; male skilled labor, 53.9%; women, 62.7%. The great decline in employment in the automobile industry may be traced directly to the industrial depression. There was a rapid decline up to the beginning of 1921, and the year 1921 was characterized by variations due to the fluctuation of general economic conditions. It will be noted that in the classified groups common labor and women suffered more than skilled labor in employment reduction^. 46 so BD 70 / BO / / 50 / / 40 / /' 3D / / BO ID n IS 14 HOuns pen WEEK BD|— 55 50 45 40 35 3D e5 JULY igi4 Automobile Manufacturing NUMBER DF WAGE EARNERS '-'^f. — ^men %. %>•*=• y'^'^Si ^AU. WAGE EARNERS l9U-ei ESIAB. J UN. JUL AUG. SEP. DCT NOV. DEC . JAN. FEB. MM.MB.MAY JUN.JUL AUG. S fP nrr wnv nFP.. iseo igEi AVERAGE HOURS OF WORK Inomina,l_week_ J I ACTUAL WEEK Df" PLANT OPERATION ACTUAL WEEK PER WAGE EARNER ^S^ — !^ = .= JUN. JUL AU&3EB DCT.Nmt DEC. JAN.FEH.MAB.API1.MAYJUN.JULAUB.3ER OCT NOV. DEC . jgso (SE\ (National Industrial Conference Board) 47 Employment in identical establishments between July, 1914 and the end of 1921 increased 27.4%. The expansion of the automobile industry between 1914 and 1920 prevented em- ployment during the depression period from dropping to the level of 1914. Hours In July, 1914, 54.3 hours constituted the average nominal week. By June, 1920, the nominal week had declined to 51.6 hours and the general level of slightly more than 50 hours was maintained up to January, 1922. The average hours of plant operation declined from 54.6 hours in July, 1914 to 50.6 hours in June, 1920. A gradual decline occurred through September, 1920. In January, 1921, the low point of 40.3 hours was reached. An increase to 46.3 hours occurred in March, followed again by a decline in the next three months, with another increase in July. Fluctuations marked the entire course of plant activity during 1921. The average actual week per wage earner showed a decline from 52.7 hours in July, 1914 to 48.1 hours in July, 1920. There was a decline to 39.8 hours in January, 1921. The year 1921 wit- nessed various fluctuations in working hours, there having been several peak and depression periods during the year. In December, 1921, working hours were at practically the same level as in December, 1920. Conclusion The study of wages and hours in automobile manufacturing shows that: 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at |.572,'or 97% above the July, 1914 level of ?.291. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at ?25.04, or 63% above the July, 1914 level of ?15.35. 3. The decline of 17.8% from the peak in hourly earnings was on the general level with the decline in most basic industries, while thedecline of 26.5%in weekly earnings was somewhat above 48 ^ s i >23 2|l a a - • Li d 00 >■ :d C bo Q .-) Z D b) .3 c 01 • !-• C W > S £^ bo ma S V pd C flj C i s ^ oo oo oo oo \o VO '«0 CO ■* >JT^ ^ Tt* U-( urj Ul u^ CO tJ< I CO ^'^ r~» CO >— f r^ >j^ ^ ^ ^ (N (N ^O r^ \o v^ "^ »o Th CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO O ''t^ <7n On \o »o r^ r^ u-i u^ CO CO CO CO to CO i^ r- cs oo ^o OS CT\ VO VO CO CO cs ^ ) COC^l cscs o\ ^Ncr^r-''^ I CS 0\ OS CO CO ^O u^ CO o «N ON r- a\ CO On^OO^co^O\;*-*^»o_0^ CO* co" CO* c^rTi-Ti-r CO CO OO ^H OS CO O •— ' O COO CO t^ OS CJ ^ vo »^ ■^ »-i t^ «o OO r-^ r< o Os o» r^ o >o oor^ CO \D -^ I Tt< so i-H OS Tt^ ^ ri n cs rj '-t o OS oo CM c>» c^ rJ cs f-H i-H vi CO i-t •-< so CO so tH Tt< -^t* Tt< CO t^ so r^r^ NO^o m CO so SO so so so vo r^ ^ OS OS o r^ CO CO CM CM CO O \0 \0 ^ so so so lo \o CO CM OS SO r^ so O >— ' r^ CO ^ OO u-i i^ in CM 1— t > ^ OS O CM OS OS -^ -^ -<*< t^ OS r- r^ r^ OO r^ lo OO cM«oo i-H «-" •-» CM *n r^ CM in Tt^ OO OsO CM Os OO CO CM i—< OO 00 os^r^coso Tt^ in-^o CO Tf CM OO CM ^ so vo »-" I t^ CO Os OS OS O O f-H CO CM CM »-< ,-t ,-( CM CM CM CM CM CM CM OO SO OO CO CM 1-1 OO OS i-H O OOI^ »-t ^ CMCM^ i-H r^ CO t^ O t^ in "i^ CO in in so SO sD so CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CO SO -H CO in cJ in -^ ^ CO CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CMinO CO'*© CMi-hOOOO CM CM CM CM CM CM S H. i-H SO \o CO r^ -^ i-* CM in so r^ OO 00 OO m in in in in in in r^ »-i O CO so 00 in ^ CO i-H OS OO VI in in in ^ ^ OO CO OS r^ 00 »— I in OO O so CO r^ OS O O O CM so r^ CM OO 1-H so CM r^ ^ K ..-_,. mT cM'cM^cTr^co'os't^ CMCMCM^I-H ^OCMOCM CO CO coin CO SO SO O *^*^ OS ^ CO r^r^ 00* oCcTcT 0\OCMC0 00Tt< so 00 r- ^ osr^ "*« *^ '^^^^^'^ in so ^O so so sn Sc-SS ^ M[ ^A£^^^^, ^,^^8i,R 49 4y PROPERTY OF LIBRARY NEW YOOK ST^TE SOHOOL INDL'STHI/.L km LABOR BELATIOJJS ^WSMELL UNIVERSITY 10796 the general average. The latter decline was due chiefly to a slump in working hours. 4. Employment declined 58.9% from June, 1920 to January 1922, showing the effect of the economic depression. 5. The year 1921 was marked by considerable fluctuations as to employment and working hours, though a return to more stable conditions was indicated at the close of 1921. SO Ill AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT MANUFACTURING Wage data in this industry cover establisiiments manufac- turing plows, cultivators, tractors, harvesting implements, etc. They include, also, several plants where, in addition to agri- cultural implements, other products not distinctly agricultural, such as windmills, carriages and wagons, are made. The classi- fication practically follows that of the United States Census of Manufactures. Returns were received from 121 plants, 117 of which furnished information for the last wage investigation. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month was 45,430, in September, 1920. Over 78% of the wage earners reported by the 1919 Census of Manufactures for the agricultural implement industry are covered in this report. The geographical distribution within 20 states is as follows: Arkansas 1 Minnesota S California S Missouri 4 Georgia 3 Nebraska 2 Illinois 25 New Jersey 1 Indiana 8 New York 14 Iowa 11 Ohio 11 Kansas 1 Pennsylvania S Kentucky 3 Tennessee 1 Louisiana 1 Virginia. 1 Michigan 2 Wisconsin 17 Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly tarmngs oi all wage earners were. |.262. By September, 1920, they had increased 164% to ^.692. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 31.5%, leaving the average hourly earnings $.474, an increase of 81% over July, 1914. The general high level of hourly earnings was sustained through November, 1920. Beginning in December, 1920, and con- tinuing through to the spring of 1921, severe reductions in hourly earnings took place. The year 1921 was marked by severe 51 declines, there having been a total drop of $.194 cents per hour during the year. In July, 1914 the average hourly earnings of male common labor were $.220. By September, 1920, they had increased 167% to $.587. The decline from the latter period up to Janu- ary, 1922 was 30% to $.411. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $.283. By September, 1920, they had risen 162% to $.741, declining 32.4% to $.501 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of women were $.167. By September, 1920, they had risen 192% to $.488. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 30.7%, the average hourly earnings at the beginning of 1922 being $.338. By January, 1922, therefore, the average hourly earnings of these three groups had increased respectively 87%, 77% and 102% over July, 1914 levels. (b) Weekly earnings: The average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914 were $13.43. By September, 1920, they had increased 152% to $33.85. The decline from the latter period to January, 1922 was 38.2%, at which time the average weekly earnings were $20.93, a net increase of 56% over July, 1914. The general high level of weekly earnings was main- tained through November, 1920. Beginning in January, 1921, and continuing for the next six months, severe declines occurred, due to reduction in hourly rates and working hours. The last six months of 1921 showed a fairly sustained level of approximately $20.50. While hourly wages continued down- ward, working hours increased, which helped to maintain weekly earnings at a more or less stationary level. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male common labor were $11.34. By October, 1920, they had increased 160% to $29.53. From the latter period up to January, 1922, they declined 41.8% to $17.18. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were $14.49. By September, 1920, they reached $36.04, an increase of 149%, and then de- clined 37.4% to $22.56 from the latter period up to the begin- ning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $8.14. By September, 1920, they had increased 189% to $23.51. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922, amounted to 35.5%, the average wage at the beginning of 52 Agricultural Implement Manufacturing AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS (National Industrial Conference Board) S3 Composite Payroll Data — Agricultural Implement Manufacturing Number Wage Wq Period Earners Employed Average Hours W£i£ca (All Wage Earners) One Week 1914-22 Establ. (93 plants) 1920-22 Establ. (121 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earnings In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 July.... 29,692 51.3 51.9 55.4 $.262 $13.43 100 100 1920 June... 40,924 44,751 49.9 50.8 50.0 .672 33.49 256 249 July. . . . 40,576 44,643 49.2 50.5 49.9 .677 33.30 258 248 Aug. . . . 41,120 45,156 49.3 50.7 49.9 .686 33.81 262 252 Sept.... 41,472 45,430 48.9 50.2 50.2 .692 33.85 264 252 Oct 41,073 44,908 49.1 50.2 50.2 .679 33.38 259 249 Nov. . . . 41,045 44,453 48.8 49.5 50.8 .680 33.18 260 247 Dec... 37,099 39,419 45.6 46.4 50.5 .668 30.46 255 227 1921 Jan 34,717 37,372 43.0 44.3 51.0 .650 27.98 248 208 Feb.... 31,758 34,406 40.7 40.2 50.7 .633 25.77 242 192 March.. 29,075 31,557 40.8 41.2 50.5 .627 25.57 239 190 April . . . 23,880 25,568 40.1 40.0 51.0 .558 22.35 213. 166. May . . . 17,510 18,882 39.0 38.4 51.3 .541 21.11 206 157 June . . . 13,973 15,194 38.9 38.8 51.5 .532 20.69 203 154 July^.. 10,875 11,478 38.4 39.6 50.9 .535 20.54 204 153 Aug. . . . 10,748 11,377 39.3 40.2 50.7 .537 21.08 205 157 Sept. . . . 9,962 10,651 40.4 40.7 50.2 .509 20.52 194 153 Oct 9,706 10,417 40.6 40.4 50.5 .501 20.36 191 152 Nov 11,177 11,841 43.3 43.8 50.5 .473 20.45 181 152 Dec... 13,739 14,516 44.2 44.6 50.5 .474 20.93 181 156 *See Introduction, p. 2. 1922 being $15. 16. By January, 1922, therefore, the weekly earnings for these three groups had increased respectively 51%, 56% and 86% over the 1914 levels. Employment Total employment in the estabhshments covered declined 67.6% from June, 1920 up to the beginning of 1922. The per- centages of decline for the three groups during this period were as follows: male common labor, 70%; male skilled labor, 67.1%, and women, 55.7%. The decline in employment was greater than that in any other basic industry covered by the report. Extensive reductions took place down through Oc- 54 Agricultural Implement Manufacturing MUMBEH OF WAGE EARNERS (National Industrial Conference Board) 55 tober, 1921. In November, and particularly in December, increases occurred showing a trend toward resumption of pro- ductive activity. Hours In July, 1914, 55.4 hours constituted the average nominal week. In June, 1920, the hours had declined to 50, and this general level was maintained to the close of 1920. The first six months of 1921 showed slight increases to between 51 and 51>^ hours, followed by a decline in the last six months of 1921 to approximately 50^ hours. The average hours of plant operation declined from 51.9 hours in July, 1914, to 50.8 hours in June, 1920. The general level of plant activity continued through November, 1920. Begin- ning in December, there was a continued decline in plant ac- tivity down through June, 1921. Beginning in July, a percep- tible increase took place, so that by December, 1921, the average hours of plant operation stood at 44.6. The average actual week per wage earner showed a decline from 51.3 hours in July, 1914 to 49.9 hours in June, 1920. The general trend of working hours closely followed that of ' plant activity. The trough or depression period was reached in July, 1921. The succeeding months, however, witnessed a strong revival of working hours so that an increase to 44.2 hours was reached in December, 1921. The resumption of working hours has materially helped maintain weekly earnings at a fairly stationary level. Conclusion The agricultural implement industry was one of the basic industries most directly affected during the depression period. The deflation in the prices of farm products resulted in a curtailment of the buying power and credit of farmers, and hence stagnation occurred in the agricultural implement market. In addition, the stoppage of foreign credits and orders largely cut off exportation. Increased working hours and em- ployment in the last six months of 1921, however, point toward a revival. The study of wages and hours in the agricultural implement industry shows that: 56 1 1 m HI |>3 1 ^ y— cn ^—^ 0\ CO *j~i cA ro 00 -— < o ^'i Oi w-i r^ IT) so c^ vo ^ oocxDoooooor^i--- W-i-^-. OO O ON »J-) ■* Tt^ ^ w^^v£iO"*(~n oooo^oo^ oq cMncMc^co(N(N ooONr--r^*o t/i-n ^ CM CN CS CS CM CN CS CM CM i-h ^ ^ ^ ^^^^^^ Av. Hourly Earn- ings ^s. OCMr^OOONCMO no »J-1 OO v£) O ^ ON NO C^ '-' CO oo ^ NO oo r^ oo r-- r-- r- no no cm on on co r^ r-- r~- r~- co n *^ -^ Tt^ -^ -<*^ -:h TtH -^ -^ ■<*'-*' CO CO n cococofocoro >1i OO I^CXjO'-^O^^ cm CO OO ^ OO CO CTs CO CM 00 OO On oo oo t^ oo 00 ON r-- r^ -* co "o co ■* O ^ r^ p O ■* 3* ^2 *^ r^NOT^NOO^O\ CM CO (N OO ■«*- »^ r^ CM CM O CO NO 'N OO CO -^ ON CM CO CM NO NO C^ '^ ^ «^ ^ -* Ov OO O (N l-l Z B 1 ^ r^ u-1 00 On CO >J^ CM w^ On oo vo vn CO co O "^ ■* co ^ *-«.( CM CM CM CM CM CM CM cM ^ ^ t-i ,-h ^ ^^^^^^ 1 Ci ^ vo CT\ CM r^ r^ CO vo on r^ ^ »j-i cm u^ co ■* cm oo r- ^ lo U-) »o vO "jTjto tj^ CO CO 1^ O O O O On OM^ r^ '^ CM CM CM CM eS CM cm CM CM CM CM rl C^ (S ^1 ^ ^ w ^ Av. Weekly Earn- ings O, QO CO ON TJH 1-^ ^ cTv OONOrcMNO';S t^ uri iri NO u-i u-1 CM 0^ l^ f^ CO (N CM CM CO CM CM CM CM ^^ CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CMCMCMCMCMCM CM CM CM CM CM CM Av. Hourly Earn- ings Cr^ CM TjH Tt< ,-. OO OO NO r--NO^vO^CM ON "J^ On CM »J-1 t-H OO CM CM CO ■* CM CM ^ ON r- f^ ON OO I^ t^ t"- ■* t*i O O .bSS cvj »j-j On On r^ Tt* OO o no ^^ t^ i— i r^ r-> rf cm o cm on o >i e\oooooooooou-i CMOOOOOOO ooo^^co*^ \r, Tt^ Tt< Tf Tf TJH ^ Tt< ^^^^fi^pr, j^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 41 ^s -"^^ NO O CM 0^ NO CM co ^ "^ O ON CM r- NO CM *J^ -'f "^ CN CO CM CO OO o r^ On ■<*' ^ cm CO r-- cm TfONNOCMoo— < ^ CO'^r~--QO'^'— 'NO OO o^cm^on^no^cm^ OS^on^^-j^on^O^co^ <^ ^^"^"^"^"^r-^ vrr'*"cM'r-"cM''o" t^t-^r^^ooc> tVj CO CO CO CO CO CO CM CMCMCM^^-H ^ Q z" II 1 !S r- CO ^ On CO CO Tf CONOO'^^NO On r^ oo ^ cO OO "S NO t^ ■<** .-I »j^ CM OO lo CM r- OO "** o OO vo r-^ vo T-H ,-^ ^ OO OO ON On 0^ OO NO t^ CM ^ oo oo oo no no ^O no r- r-- ^ CMOIOICMC^CMCM OlCMCM^^^ ^^._^^^ Av. Hourly Earn- ings d T^Th'w-ir^ONNOO ONCONOr^cOCM COOOf-nCOcO*— < cNj so r^ OO OO r^ r- r-- ^^T^cor-r^NO ■* -* co cm ^ ^ t\j u-i lo iri ut "j-j to u^ un un tn -^ «^ Tt* -^ ■<*' t^ '■f '■^ -^ **N ooooN^ONr-- coi-hoonOnos oor^ooON^^ V) u-1 to u-1 Tf vr, -«f TjH T^ -* '^ CO CO CO CO CO CO CO ■* -^^ ■ So V >. O •-< CM CM CTs CM OO r^CMOOOr-' '^f ON r-- CM ■"** lO Do CO 00 OO "O r-- •'f ON NDCO'-hONOO^ T-HCOON^u-^r^ •^ CM^O^CM^CO^CM^O^^ ^„'^,.^„*^'*„*^ ^''X'^'-?-,*^*^- iC cm'cm''cm'cm''cm''cm''o' o''oroo"Ncr»JT''«**' CO cm''cm'co'co''co" f 1 §8 l|^ S| rnxMii ^Mimi allala 57 1 . Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at $A74, or 81% above the 1914 level of $.262. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners stood at 120.93, or 56% above the July, 1914 level of $13.43. 3. The wage reductions of 31.5% from the peak in hourly earnings, and of 38.2% in weekly earnings, were greater than the declines in other basic industries. 4. Employment declined 67.6% from June, 1920, to the beginning of 1922, reflecting the depression in the industry. 58 IV ELECTRICAL APPARATUS MANUFACTURING The data for this industry cover establishments engaged in the manufacturing of electrical apparatus, electrical machinery and electrical appliances. So far as possible, the study has been restricted to manufacturers of electrical equipment and supplies, not including manufacturers who assemble this class of material with other products. The survey covers no establishments engaged in jobbing in either wholesale or retail trade. The data includes 91 of the 107 plants covered in the last wage investigation. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month in the 91 establishments was 87,179 in October, 1920. Thus approximately 36% of the wage earners reported by the 1919 Census of Manufactures for the electrical ma- chinery and apparatus industry are covered in this report. The proportion actually covered is even greater, as the Census includes establishments engaged in miscellaneous manufactur- ing that have not been included in this investigation. The geographical distribution within 18 states is as follows: California 3 Missouri 1 Connecticut 7 New Hampshire 1 Illinois 10 New Jersey S Indiana 3 New York 9 Kentucky 1 Ohio 13 Maryland 1 Pennsylvania 13 Massachusetts 12 Tennessee 1 Michigan S Washington 1 Minnesota 1 Wisconsin 4 Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, average hourly earn- ings of all wage earners were $.27. By October, 1920, they had risen 134% to ?.632. The decline was 19.3% from the latter period up to January, 1922, at which time the average hourly earnings were $.510, an increase of 89% over July, 1914. The peak was reached in the fall of 1920, followed by a gradual decline through March, 1921, while increases occurred during 59 the next few months. But in August, 1921 a further wage re- duction occurred, of approximately 3 cents per hour, followed again by a further reduction in October, 1921, of approxi- mately 2 cents an hour. The general tendency in the year 1921 was one of wage reductions. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male common labor were $.121. By November, 1920 they had increased 157% to ^.5^8. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 28% to ^.409. In July, 1914, the average hourly earn- ings of male skilled labor were $.196. By October, 1920, they had risen 137% to ?.701, and then declined 20% to $.561 from the lat- ter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914 the average hourly earnings of women were $.167. In June, 1920, they had risen 143% to J.406. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 18%, the average earnings at the beginning of 1922 being $.333. By January, 1922, therefore, the average hourly earnings of these three groups had increased respectively 85%, 90% and 99% over the July, 1914 levels. (b) Weekly earnings: The average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914, were $13.44. By October, 1920, they had increased 125% to $30.25. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 26.3%, at which time the average weekly earnings were $22.30, a net increase of 66% over July, 1914. A general high level of weekly earnings was maintained through 1920. Beginning in March, 1922, severe reductions in weekly earnings occurred, due to reductions in both hourly rates and working hours. Weekly earnings continued to decrease throughout the rest of 1921, due to the same causes. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male common labor were $11.40. By October, 1920 they had increased 142% to $27.62. From the latter period up to January, 1922, they declined 35.7% to $17.76. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $14.67. In October, 1920, they had reached $33.95, an increase of 131%, declining 27.3% to $24.67 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $8.18. In November, 1920, they had increased 124%, to $18.35. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 22.5%, the average wage at the beginning of 1922 being $14.22. By January, 1922, therefore, the weekly earnings for these three 60 Electrical Apparatus Manufacturing 45 40 35 3D 25 80 15 10 5 AV ER AGE HOUflLY EARN IN 6£ i ^ ^*" ^ a ^ teg "*" t1 \ • SK ^ L._ ... 5n! s ''S . V — MEt*- S ... \ ■— - V ^- W Lme N — - k IN > II" / IR! Kl T( Ml r.. H> lUt.l IR.I. WJ JN..I IL.A ICS r. t a. NOV. HC. gac 1 AVERAGE WEEKLY EARNINGS 314 ISSO I9HI (National Industrial Conference Board; 61 Composite Payroll Data — Electrical Apparatus Manufacturing Number Wage \u Period Earners Employed Average Hours (All Wage Earners) One Week 1914-22 Establ. (63 plants) 1920-22 Establ. (91 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earinngs In Hrly. Wkly. 19M July.... 40,983 49.7 53.9 54.3 $.270 $13.44 100 100 1920 June. . 68,091 84,579 47.2 48.8 49.0 .613 2a. 93 227 215 July.... 68,731 85,632 47.4 48.7 49.1 .612 28.97 227 216 Aug 67,650 85,111 46.9 48.8 48.7 .620 29.11 230 217 Sept. . . . 68,174 85,928 47.6 49.2 49.0 .628 29.86 233 222 Oct 69,218 87,179 47.9 49.2 49,0 .632 30.25 234 225 Nov.... 68,978 85,928 47.9 48.8 48.9 .622 29.80 230 222 Dec... 67,602 83,235 47.1 48.3 49.0 .619 29.17 229 '217 1921 Jan 64,024 77,554 46.1 47.9 48.8 .612 28.21 111 210 Feb.... 57,030 69,274 45.9 47.5 48.7 .590 27.10 219 202 Mar. . . . 53,725 65,137 44.3 47.4 48.7 .557 24.68 206 184 April... 49,317 60,160 43.1 47.5 48.7 .561 24.22 208 180 May. . . 46,563 56,865 43.0 47.1 48.8 .561 24.13 208 180 June. . . 44,048 53,990 42.1 47.1 48.5 .559 23.53 207 175 July*... 41,655 49,880 41.1 46.8 48.5 .560 23.03 207 171 Aug 37,850 47,885 40.9 45.1 48.2 .531 21.73 197 162 Sept. . . . 37,153 45,740 41.0 45.9 48.4 .532 21.82 197 162 Oct 38,020 45,435 41.7 46.7 48.5 .513 21.41 190 159 Nov. . . . 37,525 46,571 42.1 46.6 48.6 .509 21.44 189 160 Dec... 38,312 47,286 43.8 46.4 48.5 .510 22.30 189 166 *See Introduction, p. 2. groups had increased respectively 56%, 68% and 74% over the July, 1914 levels. Employment Total employment in the establishments covered declined 44.1% from June, 1920 up to the beginning of 1922. The de- cline in the three groups during this period was as follows: male common labor 52.4%, male skilled labor 39.4%, and women 54.8%. The tendency during the depression period was to lay off common labor and women rather than skilled help. Employment underwent a steady decrease from the peak through October, 1921, while increases occurred in November and December, 1921. 62 THOUSANOB 90 1 BO 70 BD so 40 30 20 10 / 19 pawl 60 jiny 14 55 50 45 40 35 30 Electrical Apparatus Manufacturing MUMHER OF WAGE EARNERS AVERAGE HOURS aF WORK _..___••»., "OMINALWEEK ji»i.juLittiB.gpoirrwmoEc. . mrEB.M CO CO CO CO CO CO r-- CM cs wi \o CO v> in »j-> -^t* CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO > 3 a CM CO T-( 1— I vo CM VO T^ ^ CO ^ ^ vn Tji "O VO CO l^ oo in CO CO CM < ■.^ ^ -^ -. CO CM OO CS -^ 00 ZS vn ^H Th -^ 0^ \o »n CM ^H o O CO ^ »n r^oo vo viir^ o CM y^ ^J-^ ij^ tn *j^ %n -r^ O CM CO O On v> oo os r-^ r^ >n cs -O --H CO -^ ^ 1-* cM^i-TcTorooocr On NO CO ON i-H vn CS CO •-< >n Tft O oo^i-^Tt^^co^r^'-H^ N£rNO'NirNO*NO'r^ 3 1-H 1-H CO 0\ --« NO CM CM oi rJ CM CO cs cs CS CM CM CM CS (N CM CO VI ^0 CM CM r^ 1— I o oo oo 00 r-^ I On On CM ini^ i-H O CM CM CO CO CO CO CO r^ CM CM (N CM CM CN r^ ONVO oo oo (^ CMt-iOOOO CM CM CM r>l CM CM r^ Nor^ o Oi o O On ON On oo ON CM^ ^ ^^ ^ r-- On oo v^ .-H CO '-• r-" 1^ GO On o oo oo vo NO ^o 'o r*^ vo NO CM OO 1— t NO Ln CM r-^ ■* w ^ ^ T-« NO ^ NO NO NO NO ■* 0\CS COON ^ ^H r^ oo NO ^n NO v^ in *n - tH CO Th Tt^ CN CMVO ^ ^ "^ "^ ■^ ■" • Si, 41 o Sf a ^^1 CM 1-H ■ -^ r^ in On T-H in "^ r^i »-« »n oo ooONocor-cMON oot^r^ino^ NO o 00 o 00 r-- CM o^ON^r-1 "^o^in ^cS'-rScS'i-^r^-^ cTocToor-^r-rvo' 1— .i-i«t! c« O Z Q t-,(i( 2 <1 2 1-, 65 OO CM CO i-H CM i-H CO CS ^ OO On "O r^ in CO CO -^ »n in in lo lo in in HO B " fl 'n 3 •g 3 S'o o «j ►H.., / \ <^3 ** »•-' N ^^ ^ X s '— >*■' ■■■' '"*« ..- — — — J ;i> c XN KO j:.j iN.f M. H \H.l m.k AY,| IN..I IL A R R p n V DEC 3S[ J 351 (National Industrial Conference Board) 69 Composite Payroll Data — Iron and Steel Manufacturing Period One Week In 1914 July 1920 June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 1921 Jan Feb March April May June July* Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Number Wage Earners Employed 1914-22 Establ. (28 plants) 14,523 24,747 21,637 21,709 21,934 23,006 22,229 19,919 18,086 16,149 15,924 12,283 12,503 11,207 7,344 9,253 10,719 10,984 12,339 12,247 1920-22 Establ. (44 plants) 35,571 33,225 33,844 34,298 35,807 34,721 31,260 28,356 23,520 23,854 18,522 20,071 18,121 12,548 14,694 15,939 17,564 19,089 18,766 Average Hours Av. Week Per Wage Earner 53.9 55.6 57.3 60.0 58.0 58.5 56.5 51.5 49.8 51.3 47.1 44.2 44.5 42,0 37.0 42.5 45.4 46.4 40.8 46.0 Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation** 111.4 128.9 140.3 141.7 138.5 139.3 137.4 127.8 128.7 128.1 123.4 105.6 112.9 107.5 113.1 111.1 114.1 118,2 113.0 115.7 Wages (All Wage Earners) Av. Hrly. Earn- ings $.260 .699 .704 .713 .717 .713 .727 .681 .639 .617 .573 .570 .567 .545 .529 .502 .500 .492 .467 .456 Av. Wkly. Earn- ings** $13.97 42.68 44.54 46.26 44,36 45.06 43.16 39.89 34.42 31.20 30.01 29,51 26.22 24.32 22.86 22,86 23.46 25.02 21.90 23.01 Index Nos. Earnings Hrly. Wkly** 100 269 271 274 276 274 280 262 246 237 220 219 218 210 203 193 192 189 180 175 100 306 319 331 318 323 309 286 246 223 215 211 188 174 164 164 168 179 157 165 *See Introduction, p. 2. **44 plants. payroll data, which have been compiled with the data covering 44 plants and are given below. These data are included in order to give a slightly wider coverage than is afforded by the 44 plants previously discussed. Common Labor Skilled Labor -Composite Period Number Wage Earners Weekly Wages Number Wage Earners Weekly Wages Number Wage Earners Weekly Wages Plant Hours 1921 July 6,776 6,725 6,926 7,515 8,211 8,496 $19.01 18.57 18.82 18.73 17.33 17.59 22,492 24,240 25,401 27,318 28,824 28,240 $22.13 22.23 22.22 24.37 22.25 22.27 29,268 30,965 32,327 34,833 37,035 36,736 $21.41 21.44 21.49 23.15 21.16 21.19 144.5 Au£ 141.0 Sept 141.4 Oct 142.4 Nov 139.7 Dec 141.3 70 35 3D 25 /' ao / / 15 / 10 S n it ^4 Iron and Steel Ma NUMBER OF WAG nufacturin E EARNERS g / \ (!) S 0* r ^ \ N \ H U AU 191' WAS -> EA EST/ ^4 V s \ >■■ > / S \ > / / ■■ -. .... ... '•••. '"., \ r ^ \ \^' ''. — • .... -.., s r ^-; *Jh Lto ■■^tN- Jl N. . IL. A JG. 5a> OCT. NOV. Dl 1 I9E ] lai AVERAGE HOURS DF WORK JUrt JUL. AUG. SEP OCT. MOV HEC JAN rm MAB. /UW. MAY jUW. JUL AUE SEP OCT Nm DEC I9SD — (National Industrial Conference Board) 71 Employment Total employment decreased from June, 1920 to January, 1922, 47.2%. The percentages of decline in the two groupss were as follows: male common labor, 50.7%; male skilled labor, 45.3%. The effect of the industrial depression began to be felt in December, 1920, when a large decline in employment took place. The declines continued through July, 1921, but an increase occurred from that time through November, a slight decline again occurring in December. Employment decreased 15.7% in identical establishments between July, 1914 and the end of the year 1921. Hours The average hours of the nominal week cannot be calculated, as there is a great variety of standard hours in the iron and steel industry. Iron and steel manufacturing is primarily an industry of continuous operation, the standard week of production being approximately 168 hours. The full productive week, however, generally ranges from 144 to 168 hours. In July, 1914, the average hours of plant operation were 111.4. This was a period of depression. In June, 1920, the hours of plant operation were 128.9, and there were still larger advances during the summer months of 1920. It was not until December, 1920 that a decline took place, which continued throughout the year 1921. In December, 1921, the average hours of plant operation were 115.7, or 13.2 hours below the average in June, 1920. The average week per wage earner in 36 plants was 53.9 hours in July, 1914, and increased in June, 1920 to 55.6. The aver- age week was well sustained through November, but beginning in December and continuing through 1921, much lower levels was maintained. In December, 1921, the average wage earner was working 46 hours per week, or 9.6 hours below the level of 55.6 hours in June, 1920. This reflects the large decline in working hours suffered by the wage earner during the de- pression period. Conclusion The study of wages and hours in the iron and steel industry shows that: 72 I^Si « S ?? .3 C ^ 00 r~-- -^ •-< »-t ^ r^ vo CS CM (N cs ^ w oo -^ r^ oo i-H \o oo CO CO C4 ON ^O O ^O On o *o oo r^ I— I r^ CM Ol CM CM CS (N »-• *^r-- CM o cooo r^ \o CO so lo w-i 1-1 O «-! l-H 00 l-< o so ^o \o r^ CM so oo o Th CO -^ ON On O O 0\ "^ GOi^iO^CM^ I^ ON 1-t CM CM CM u-i o oo CO so CO On oo On On On On On r^ (N CM CM CM CM CM CM OO so 1—1 »ri so •—( CO CM 1-H ON ON QO CM CM CM «-( 1-1 T-i <£SS ^i^ oo oo ON oo r^ oo )0 CO »-t r^ o NO lo cs CO ON»-< o ^ ^ o so »-< CO "^ O^^D^^ rT CM* CM* cm" CO* cm" i-T »-< CO CN CM OO CO OO to CM so .-< so cT oeTofTr^r-^ so" OO 00 CO OO CM Tfi OOO CO CMiJ^ CM "T^r^ON^-JT^^CM^ "^Tt^ ■^"u-Tso' NO* .3 c; CO • )H c CO > S hi bA >2i On vo r- so so CM so so OO O On "ON ON CO CM CM CO CM CM CM CM O coin T}< ^ CM CM CM OO r^ r-- u-> CM CM r-1 ^ ^^ ^ ^ •N CO r^ CO -^ CO ON o vo so r^ r^ t-^ r^ so CM CM CM CM CM CM CM ,— ( ,— I ,— I CO O OO ■* COCM CM CM O CM CM CM CM CM CM »£> to ON ^ On CM O ON OO o\ r~- r^ CO r^ ■* so CO »-« "^ OO ON i-i 1-" 1-" CO r-- r^ r^ OO OO 00 OO i> ooi-^ o so r^o •—< 00 so so so CM r^ so so so so so •-' O CM ONCM CM ,-H 00 so so CO •-« vo u-j u-1 u-1 so iri ON ■«*^ ■r ►5* >3i 6 sa ^^1 wo ft," o ^ so CM T^ 00 CO r^ CM OnO ^O "-.O ON CM CO CO CO CO CO CM ON ^O T^ O '^ vo ■^ COr-. OO ON CM CM CM CM CM »-H Si *o r^ r^ O ON •* On OO OO OO ON OO On OO CM CM CM CM CM CM CM r^ lo ,— ( ,— I O CO so lO CO CO CO CO CM CM CM CM CM CM sor^so '^jH ^ o •— ' On On OO OO OO ^ ^ r^ On OO OO so t^ O -^ -^ On OO OO OO r^ r^ r~- 1-^ r^ OO r-^ u-1 so so so so so so CO CJN T-H CM O so CO O so so ^O so so so Tfl TjH Tfl -^ ^ '^ CM OOCM O CO On On so so so "^ CO CO CO CO CO so 1— < so On 0\ OO On OO ^ so CM "<** so r^ r-- CO CO so so O OO OO ON so Os ^ ^ '^ ^ ^ ^ g so r^ CO CM OO CO so r^ o onso so ON o o^ so so so o so 1—1 otT 00*00 OO On 00 OO r^ r^ CM so r^ CO so r-- ^ 1-1 -^ r^ OO t^ O i-< O NO 00 T*H ON CM OO ON CO -^ NO CO so 1-1 ON CO so OO ON ON SO so so so so Th CM CO CO CO CO CO 2: • t^>~i< c/3 O Z Q 3 5 ""►Si; 73 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922, stood at $.456 or 75% above the 1914 level of |.26. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922, stood at |23.01 or 65% above the July, 1914 level of $13.97. 3. Wage reductions from the peak, of 37.3% in hourly earnings and 50.3% in weekly earnings, were far above the average found in other industries in this investigation. This was primarily due to the fact that the iron and steel industry was more directly affected by the industrial depression than any other manufacturing group. 4. Further effect of the industrial depression was seen in the decline of 47.2% in employment between June, 1920 and January, 1922. In December, 1921, the average hours of plant operation were 13.2 hours below the level for June, 1920. In December, 1921, the average wage earner was working 9.6 hours less than in June, 1920. 5. The trough or depression period occurred in the middle of the summer of 1921, and while there was some improvement before the end of the year 1921, conditions in the iron and steel industry did not give promise of a rapid return to normal con- ditions of employment, production, or working hours. 74 VI COTTON MANUFACTURING A. North In considering wages in the cotton industry the differences between manufacturing and wage earning conditions in the northern and the southern mills must be borne in mind. In the southern mills company houses and other facilities usually are provided for the workers at nominal prices. This must be taken into account in measuring wages. In some of the nor- thern mills working hours are limited by law, while such re- strictions are not so general in the southern mills. There are also other differences in manufacturing conditions which make separate treatment of the two branches of the industry necessary. The northern cotton mill wage investigation was confined to establishments engaged in spinning and weaving and finishing of cotton fabrics. Returhs were received from 61 plants, all of which supplied material for the last wage investi- gation. The highest number of wage earners employed in any one month in the 61 establishments was 44,653 in June, 1920. Women were employed in all of the establishments. The geographical distribution within eight states is as follows: Connecticut 5 New Hampshire 6 Illinois 1 New York 4 Maine 3 Pennsylvania S Massachusetts 28 Rhode Island 8 Wages (a) Hourly Earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of all wage earners were J.171. By June, 1920, they had increased 212% to $.533. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 23.6%, leaving the average 75 hourly earnings at that time $A07, an increase of 138% over July, 1914. During 1920 there was only a slight decline in hourly earnings. At the beginning of 1921 there was ar. aver- age reduction of almost 10 cents an hour. The decline, however, during the remainder of 1921 has been moderate and gradual. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male common labor were $.166. By October, 1920, they had increased 196% to ^.491. The decline from the latter period up to January 1922 was 24.8% to ^.369. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $.193. By June, 1920, they had increased 217% to ?.612 and declined 21.9% to |.478 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of women were $.150. By June, 1920, they had increased 215% to $.473. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 24.5%, the average earnings at the beginning of 1922 being ?.357. By January, 1922, therefore, the average hourly earnings of these three groups had increased respectively 122%, 148% and 138% over the July, 1914 levels. (b) Weekly earnings: The average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914, were J8.90. By June, 1920, they had increased 191% to $25.94. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 28.3%, leaving the average weekly earnings at $18.59, an increase of 109% over July, 1914. The decline was gradual through September, 1920. Beginning in October, due to extensive reductions in working hours, weekly earnings began to decrease rapidly. This movement became very marked in January, 1921, when wide reductions in hourly rates were made. Except for a temporary decline in Apri , the succeeding months showed a steady increase in weekly earnings due to longer working hours, although hourly rates continued to decline. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male common labor were $8.85. By June, 1920, they had increased 185% 76 vutn RRNmJII IQD Cotton Manufacturing — {North) AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS (National Industrial Conference Board) 77 Composite Payroll Data — Cotton Manufacturing — {North) Number Wage Wages (All Wage Earner Period Earners Employed Average Hours s) One Week 1914-22 Establ. (S3 plants) 1920-22 Establ. (61 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earnings In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 July.... iS,785 52.0 53.5 55.8 $.171 $8.90 100 100 mo June . . . 36,548 44,653 48.7 49.1 48.8 .533 25.94 312 291 July.... 36,065 44,225 48.4 49.3 48.9 .527 25.51 308 287 Aug.... 34,087 42,059 47.6 48.6 48.3 .524 24.92 306 280 Sept. . . . 34,007 41,876 46.6 48.3 48.6 .525 24.48 307 275 Oct 29,296 37,180 43.4 43.8 48.6 .528 22.93 309 258 Nov. . . . 25,028 33,006 37.4 37.6 48.9 .527 19.74 308 222 Dec... 23,737 31,351 34.4 34.7 48.6 .528 18.16 309 204 1921 Jan 25,840 32,949 37.7 38.3 48.9 .430 16.21 251 182 Feb.... 27,827 35,091 40.7 40.9 48.3 .424 17.26 248 194 March.. 28,124 35,481 40.8 41.7 48.7 .424 17.32 248 195 April . . . 27,290 34,760 39.9 39.5 48.9 .425 16.94 249 190 May . . . 29,554 37,221 43.9 43.8 48.9 .418 18.32 244 206 June . . . 30,192 37,741 44.2 44.3 49.0 .414 18.29 242 206 July*... 34,054 36,875 44.5 45.0 48.9 .413 18.35 242 206 Aug 34,609 37,923 45.3 45.8 48.9 .407 18.45 238 207 Sept. . . . 35,449 38,975 46.1 47.6 48.7 .410 18.90 240 212 Oct 36,827 40,752 46.8 46.8 48.7 .408 19.08 239 214 Nov. . . . 37,262 41,302 46.8 46.5 48.7 .409 19.14 239 215 Dec... 36,699 40,660 45.7 45.9 48.9 .407 18.59 238 209 *See Introduction, p. 2. to $25.22. From the latter period up to January, 1922, they declined 31.2% to ^17.36. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were ?10.21. To June, 1920, they increased 194% to ^30.03 and from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922 declined 25.6% to |22.33. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $7.59. By June, 1920, they had increased 194% to ^22.31. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 29.1%, the average earnings at the beginning of 1922 being $15.82. By January, 1922, therefore, the average weekly earnings for these three groups had increased respectively 96%, 119% and 108% over the July, 1914 levels. 78 Cotton Manufacturing— {North) NUMBER OF WAGE EAHNEH3 JULY 1914 (National Industrial Conference Board) 19 Employment Total employment in the establishments covered decreased 8.9% from June, 1920 up to the beginning of January, 1922. During this period employment of common labor increased 8.4% while that of male skilled labor declined 15.8% and women 8.4%. The year 1921 was marked by a steady increase in employment. Employment in identical establishments between July, 1914, and the end of the year 1921 increased 2.6%. Hours In July, 1914, 55.8 hours constituted the average nominal week. In June, 1920, they had been reduced to 48.8, and a general level of from 48-49 hours was maintained up to January, 1922. The influence of legislation requiring the 48-hour week is partially responsible for the practically stationary level of the nominal week. The average hours of plant operation decreased from 53.5 in July, 1914, to 49.1 in June, 1920. Unquestionably the large decrease in hours during this period is to be accounted for mainly by the enactment in Massachusetts in 1919 of the 48-hour work week for women. The decline of plant activity became marked in October, 1920, and reached the depression point for the next three months. The year 1921 was marked by a steady increase to more normal hours of productive activity. The average actual week per wage earner showed a decline from 52 hours to 48.7 hours in June, 1920. The trend of hours showed a gradual decline through the summer of 1920, marked depres- sion during the winter, followed by revival in 1921. Conclusion The study of wages and hours in northern cotton mills shows that: 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at ?.407, or 138% above the July, 1914 level of J.171. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at |18.59, or 109% above the July, 1914 level of ?8.90. 80 ^ s Z -•2 c »> > oj >H bo I ■«t^ r-- ON oo vo c^i r^ ON oo r^ r^ VI cN ON (N CS n (N C^ (N --< vi ON -^ On ON t^ ON ^OOOOOO c*l CO CO O CO o rt 1— I to CO OO W-i CO CO ON ON 00 O O ,_(,_, ,_i ,-1 CS (N ONr^\0\0(N ON TjH Tt* Tt< Tt* -«*< CO r^ ^ 'sO c^ vi •' CO ■^ ■^ ■^ >JT^ (N 0\ ^ tHO OO CS CN (N CS C^ O) ONO CJ ^ On oo CO ■* Tt^ ■<** CO CO C^I (N C^ (N CN CS u-i 1^ \0 'lO "^ "^ ■ ih d CO > 3 G W ? CO CO ''O ■^ CO »-< CO r^ vo "^ ^ ^ "O NO CO '-H On ON CO oo i^ r-. NO vo ^D *^ CO CO CO CO CO CO oo o CO »-< On r^ •^ NO NO NO »0 >J^ CO CO CO CO CO CO CN O ■'^^ ^o O w^ CS oo lO VO VO O ^ ON (N w a\soco 5! ^^ ^ :$ 4; O (N On -*" tT* O ■* cs -^ CO O 00 vn Tf ■^ ^ON CO^'-J,*^*'), oC oCr-T co^D-^tn CO 00 NO 00 »o T*< 00 On «— I o '^ cs SO -^ .-H o r-- CO 00 r^ 1— « o »^ 00 CO oo^*^f^'^t~^, vri VI NO r^ I — r- o bO ^ S Q W ■^0*00 ON coo ON ON 00 00 VI C^ ,-H (N CS CJ (N CN 01 (N cs ■* V) o r-- r^ ■ 00 ON ON OnO O .-H »-l r-4 —I CM CS cs o r-- o CM ON ^^^CMCM^ (N CM CM CSCM CM r^ VI CM CO VI v^ r^ CO CO CO CO CO CO CO O CM VI NOi-t On NO w^ vn vi ir^ -^ CM CS CM CM CM CM O VI \o vi 00 00 V*fc ^^ Tt^ ^^ ^^ ^^ CM CM rJ CM CM CM •3 d w 3S * ON "* tJH NO CO NO Oi>cocMr^ON o-^t^vicot^ CM 00 CO r-* 00 -^ vi r^ 00 NO r^ ON VI r^ ■^ c- J r^ CO v> On -^ oo' 00" r^" r~r irTco' co" r- Tt^ r- r- r~> NO CM On CM vi vo •-< r-H CO 1— I CO V) On ■^"^ Vt" T^H^UT* wT i-H 00 On o oor^ On r^ r^ ON -^ rt* NO^O ^ O CO V) Tj^vfirTNo'^NO'vC 1^ o VI ,— I o 00 CO r-* CN 00 00 r-* V, \o CM o CM CM O) CM CM CM CM ON 00 CM o r-^ r-- 00 ON o o o o i-H i-H CM CM CM CM CO i-t ON 00 CO NO OOOOOOn cm cm cm cm cm 1-h CO '"jH '^ ON NO CO O On On On 00 On On On Ol CM CM CM CM CM CM CO 00 CO NO Vl «— I CO CO CO CO CO CO CM CM CM CM CM CM ,— I U-i V> CM CO CM CO CM CM CM CM CM ■ 3 *, M <; o rt c ND 00 00 ON i-t r-- CM 00 00 00 r^ On 00 00 v^ vi r^ ,— ( o CO On On 00 On ON 00 CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO -^ OnO ON CO r^ r~^ vo r^ ^o CO cO CO CO CO CO On O On t^ CO CM C>1 CO -^ i-H CO ON On on r-- "^ 00 no .-h ,— I vo r-* V) 00 CM CM NO On v^ On on O CO t^ NO^ CO^ i-H^ CO^ co^ CO NO**^ ^ no" vT -^ -^ ON On 00 vi ON 1^ CO ON CO ON On O 00 i-H vn CM r-^ O On r^ 00 no ON CO r^ ON ON CO ■* CO •^ VT} \r^ IT) \rt i^ NONON0r^I>-r^ ma HO el- s' • ^ 3 81 ^ fc-i '^ tS r% PJ *-• ^ l->tlH 2 < S H-, >* bD Q, 4J > u 3. The percentages of decline from the peak of hourly and weekly earnings were larger than in many other basic industries. 4. Employment declined 8.9% from June, 1920 up to. the beginning of 1922. 5. The industry showed a decline during the last half of 1920, marked depression during the winter of 1920-21, and a generally sustained recovery throughout 1921. Early readjust- ment brought the industry to a better condition at the end of 1921 than was found in many other basic industries. 82 B. South The wage investigation among cotton manufacturing plants in the southern states, as in the northern cotton mills, was confined to establishments engaged in spinning and weaving and finishing of cotton fabrics. The geographical distribution among 10 southern states is as follows: Alabama 2 North Carolina 1 Georgia 6 South Carolina 12 Kentucky 1 Tennessee 3 Mississippi 1 Texas 2 Maryland 2 Virginia 2 Returns were received from 32 plants, 31 of which supplied material for the last wage investigation. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month was 16,083 in De- cember, 1921. Women were employed in all of the establish- ments. Any comparison of wages in northern and southern cotton mills must take into consideration- the differences in conditions in the two sections of the country. In the average southern cotton mill town, company houses and accompanying facilities are usually provided by the operators, at a nominal price, while in northern cotton manufacturing centers, such provisions are generally not made. Furthermore, owing to the absence of legAl restrictions, hours of work are generally longer in the southern than in the northern mills. Wages , (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings, of all wage earners were $.128. By October, 1921, they had risen 225% to $.416. They declined 30.5% from the latter period up to January, 1922, at which time the average hourly earnings were ?.289, an increase of 126% over July, 1914. A general high level of hourly earnings was maintained through November, 1920, followed by a reduction of 5 cents per hour in December. The year 1921 was marked by gradual 83 reductions throughout the year, amounting to 5 cents. Indica- tions pointed to sHghtly increased hourly earnings at the close of 1921. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male common labor were $.095. In September, 1920, they had increased 246% to $.329.. From the latter period up to January, 1922 they declined 24% to $.250. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $.145. By October, 1920, they had increased 239% to $.492, and then declined 34.8% to $.321 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914 average hourly earnings of women were $.117. In October, 1920, they had reached $.348, an increase of 197%. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922, amounted to 25.6%, the average hourly earnings at the begin- ning of 1922 being $.259. By January, 1922, therefore, the average hourly earnings for these three groups had increased respectively 163%, 121%, and 121%. (b) Weekly earnings: The average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914 were $1.21. By July, 1920, they had increased 193% to $21.28. The decline amounted to 27.2% from the latter period up to January, 1922, at which time the average weekly earnings were $15.50, a net increase of 113% over July, 1914. The trend of weekly earnings shows moderate declines from November, 1920, with a sharp reduction occurring in December, amounting to $2.62, or 13.4%. The year 1921 was marked by further reductions through June. Beginning in July, and extending to the end of the year, there was a constant increase in weekly earnings due to longer work- ing hours. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male common labor were $5.57. By September, 1920 they had increased 213% to $17.41, then declining 22.6% to $13.48 from the latter period iip to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were $8.22. By September, 1920 they reached $25.47, an increase of 210%, and then declined 30% to $17.83 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $6.46. In July, 1920, they had reached $17.28, an increase of 167%. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 ainounted to 23.7%, the average earnings at the beginning of 84 Cotton Manufacturing — (South) go BO 70 . ft ED 5D 40 / // 3D SO //. /// y 10 r n \k % AVERAGE HDURLY EAHNIN JUN.jm-AUB.SER OCT. NOV. DEC . JW-FEaMAH-APn-MAYJUN-JUl. AUS-SEP. DCT. NOV. OEC GS 1920 ISEI AVEHABE WEEKLY EARNINGS JUN. JUL AUa BEB nCIWIK DB:. JAN. FEB. MAB.APB. MAY JUN. JUL AUG. stg (National Industrial Conference Board) 85 Composite Payroll Data— ■Cotton Manufacturing- -(Sou th) Number Wage Wages (All Wage Earners J . , Period Earners Employed Average Hours ) One Week 1914-22' Establ. (24 plants) 1920-22 Establ. (32 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Noa.. Earnings In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 July.... 10,977 56.6 S8.8 S9.2 $.128 $7.27 100 100 1920 June. . . 11,847 14,326 53.0 54,8 55.0 .388 20.56 303 283 July.... 11,861 14,363 53.2 54.2 55.0 .400 21.28 313 293 Aug 11,962 14,807 50.4 54.6 55.0 .402 20.27 314 279 Sept.... 11,747 14,705 50.5 53.8 55.1 .412 20.82 322 286 Oct 11,001 13,818 48.1 50.9 54,6 .416 19,99 325 275 Nov 10,982 13,494 47.9 50.4 54.9 .409 19,56 320 269 Dec... 10,728 13,115 48.1 50.0 54.5 .352 16,94 275 233 1921 Jan 10,453 12,483 50.9 51.9 54.2 .330 16,82 258 231 Feb.... 11,288 13,105 51.2 52.4 54.6 .323 16.54 252 228 March. . 11,211 13,158 50.6 51.7 54.7 .313 15,81 244 217 April. . . 11,186 12,994 49.9 51.0 54.7 .302 15,06 236 207 May. . . 11,142 13,250 51.6 52.1 54.7 .286 14.76 223 203 June. . . 11,571 13,603 51.4 52.3 54.7 .280 14,37 219 198 July*... 12,512 14,443 51.4 53.3 54.7 .284 14.62 222 201 Aug 12,237 14,250 51.5 53.3 54.6 .281 14.48 220 199 Sept. . . . 13,286 15,305 53.0 54.6 54.7 .280 14.84 219 204 Oct 13,418 15,632 52.7 54.3 54.6 .284 14.97 222 206 Nov. . . . 13,443 15,806 53.8 54.6 54.6 .287 15.47 224 213 Dec... 13,716 16,083 53.6 54.2 54,6 .289 15.50 226 213 *See Introduction, p. 2. 1922 being ^13.19. By January, 1922, therefore, the average weekly earnings for these three groups had increased respec- tively 142%, 117% and 104% over July, 1914. Employment Total employment in the establishments covered increased approximately 12.3% from June, 1920 up to the beginning of 1922. The last half of 1921 has shown a continuous increase in employment. During the period from June, 1920 to January, 1922, employment of male common labor increased 34.3%, male skilled labor 10.4%, and of women 7.2%. Employment in identical establishments between July, 1914 and the end of the year 1921 increased 25%. 86 TWaJlANIIB IB| — IB 14 le ID e 6 Cotton Manufacturing — (South) NUMHEH DF WftBE EARNERS I9T4 HOURS PCRWEZX BDi 55 5D 45 40 35 30 JUiST I9T4 JUN.MUI, AUe. aO! OCT. NOV. DEC . JAN. FEB. MM. APB.MAY JUN.illL Alir.. atp nnT NnvTgn I9S0 \3S\ AVERAGE HOURS OF WORK -*lv ill ■MI.JUI.,*UaatB OCT. W OK DCC JAItFEaM/UlWB.MAYJllN.JJLAUE.aO' OCT. NIK DtC . (National Industrial Conference Board) 87 Hours In July, 1914, 59.2 hours constituted the average nominal week. By June, 1920, the hours had declined to 55 per week. In December, 1920 they had been reduced still further to 54.5 hours, and the general level of slightly more than 54>^ hours, with the exception of January, was maintained during 1921. The average hours oj plant operation in July, 1914 were 58.8. In June, 1920, they had declined to 54.8. The industrial de- pression began to take effect in October, and continued through- out the remaining months of 1920. The first half of 1921 showed marked improvement in plant activity, while the latter half of 1921 showed a steady increase in plant hours, reflecting an approach to normal conditions of production. The average actual week per wage earner showed a decline from 56.6 hours in 1914, to 53 hours in June, 1920. The decline in actual hours began in August and continued throughout the closing months of 1920. The beginning of 1921, however, showed marked stimulation in working hours. The increase in the average week per wage earner during the last half of 1921 had a marked effect upon weekly earnings, so that the average earnings of employees in southern cotton manufacturing steadily increased. The early wage reductions during 1920 in this industry undoubtedly had the effect of stabilizing wages sooner than in many basic industries. Conclusion The study of wages and hours in the cotton manufacturing industry in southern mills shows that: 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922, stood at ?.289, or 126% above the July, 1914 level of J.128. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922, stood at ?15.50, or 113% above the July, 1914 level of fi.ri. 3. The decline in both hourly and weekly wages from the peak was more extensive than in many basic industries, but the increase received between 1914 and the peak of 1920 left the average wage earner comparatively well off at the beginning of 1922. s o CO c o S9) 2 W i ^'1 II 3 1 C) oo r^ 00 o cs On T-i ^ r-- -* ^-^ co O ^o u^ o (N oo -* ■o »o ^ "^ to -^ c^ O O O O CT^ C7N 0^ 0\ On O O O O »^ CS CS CN CS (N CN Ol CSCN -^JH -.^i T-H i^ r-- oJ \o v£)CM^*jnOoo os co co r^ .-< »^ "O r^OOC>iCT\OCT\'*i \0 CS O '-' ^ -^ O (N c^ ^ CO -^t* (N \0 »o On O "^ '-' 53™ tx OcSO*ooo(Noo lo oo ^o (N ^O CO \0 Ov On ■* On On •^ cN CO ■* -^ Th -* oo \o \D vo^ vn Tji Tji u-i T*H -"f lo vn lo •^^ CO CO CO CO CO CO rl CS (N (N (N CS ! NO -^ U-i U-i OOOiOOOO ONOi-t^^O v^ •j-no ■^ ■^ -^ ■<*< ■^ »o tn -^ ■^ »o >^ Tt* w^ »^ uiio u-i ^^1 ro ON ©"nC on M^ n£> so CO r- t^ #ro ur, w ro ^ w^ ^s oor^"^"^coGooN oo^onOi— ' r^'— iT^vocor-^ *o cocor--r~--^i— ION vor^^'^^or^ '~t,'^„'^„^ ^ 1 1— 1 tn t ^ ON o^ r~~ vo ON CO o\ON*or^o\co co-^^ooior^ i»-ii-h(Sc^cn 'N CO CO CO CO CO CO (N CS (N CS CS CJ (N C4 tEa »J-> 0^•— tOCSCNNOO OnOCS*^"— «i— ' ONOOW-iOO-— ' Mh vn r-- r-- 00 a\ CO cs onoosow^cocs .-h ^ ^ cs cs (N *N -.f ■* -^ -* ■<*^ -^ ■* cocococococo cocococococo ^11 0\ Th" 00 "j-i 00 Tf T^r-o^ONON CO ^ so -^ ^ so W-) u-i vn tn ui -^ Tf ■rf CO U-, u-no vn Lo vo 10 l^ ui »j-> 10 ^^1 0. >j-> so r^ CO ^n ON >o oocowtNo ^ r- r4 tjh r~- ^o 0, On (N !>■ CO "J-i -^ 01 CN CO -* 1-H f-- co ,-H-^ocou-io^ oooor-co'^oo CO *j-i ON 00 ON rJ <:i ■-* i-H ON >4-i cococN^OO^ tN CO CO CO CO CO CO (N CS CS CS Ol CM ? 3 oq t^ cs •— I On ^0 r^ CO vo i— 1 10 so "o t— 1 on OO -^ -^ ■*« (N CS CM ^ --HCSi-HWCS^ CS CS CO CO Tt^ CO K^ to to to 10 «J^ >0 W-j to >0 *0 »JTO 10 to to to to to to ^ll •^ cs r^ so CO to T-H p^ On Os 1— 1 so on 00 cs to ^t* cs Th so C3N to to to i-^ tor^tovo-^r^ 00 on r-- co r^ r-- v^ 00 00 CO oo^r^r^^^ r-;^r-;^r-;^r-;^cxj^oo^ ^<^r,^"*«'^'*„ § 89 4. There was an increase of 12.3% in employment between June, 1920 and the beginning of 1922, the last six months of 1921 showing a steady addition to working forces. 5. The increase in working hours during the last half of 1921 increased weekly earnings, while hourly earnings remained practically stationary. 6. The situation at the close .of 1921 indicated an approach to normal conditions of wages, employment and production. 90 VII WOOL MANUFACTURING Wage data for this industry were secured from establish- ments engaged in the spinning of woolen and worsted yarns and in weaving and finishing woolen and worsted fabrics. Returns were received from 70 establishments, 64 of which fur- nished information for the last wage investigation. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month in the 70 establishments was 44,517 in October, 1921. Thus, over 22% of the wage earners reported by the 1919 Census of Manufac- tures for the wool industry are covered in this report. The geographical distribution within 16 states is as follows: California 1 New Hampshire 5 Connecticut 6 New Jersey 4 Illinois 2 New York 3 Iowa 1 Ohio 1 Maine 4 Pennsylvania 7 Maryland 1 Rhode Island 7 Massachusetts 25 Vermont 1 Minnesota 1 West Virginia 1 Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of all wage earners were ^.185. By June, 1 920, they had increased 209% to $.571. The decline was 20.3% from the latter period up to January, 1922, at which time the average hourly earnings were 4.455, an increase of 146% over July, 1914. The period from June, 1920 up to January, 1922 showed a gradual decline from month to month, a wage cut of 6 cents per hour occurring in January, 1921, when the entire industry was going through a readjustment period. Another large reduction occurred in February, 1921. The last six months of 1921 were characterized by a practically stable condition. 91 In July, 1914 the average hourly earnings of male common labor were $.187. By November, 1920, they had increased 196% to J.553, and declined 24.8% to ?.416 from the latter period up to January, 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $.211. By October, 1920, they had risen 211% to $.657 and declined 18.7% to $.534 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of women were $.159. In June, 1920, they had risen 211% to $.494. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 21.7%, the average earnings at the beginning of 1922 being $.387. By January, 1922, there- fore, the average hourly earnings of these three groups had increased respectively 122%, 153% and 143% over the July, 1914 levels. (b) Weekly earnings: The average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914 were $9.11. By June, 1920, they had increased 160% to $25.46. The decline was 17.2% from the latter period up to January, 1922, at which time the average weekly earnings were $21.09, a net increase of 116% over July, 1914. The trend of weekly earnings was steadily downward from the peak through January, 1921. A stagnant period fol- lowed in the succeeding months, while the last half of 1921 was characterized by a practically stable level of weekly earnings of approximately $21.50 per week. Weekly earnings have been well sustained on account of the fairly regular working hours, even though there have been considerable wage reductions. In July, 1914 the average weekly earnings of male common labor were $9.75. By October, 1920, they had increased 154% to $24.75. From the latter period up to January, 1922, they declined 4 9.4%, to $19.94. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were $11.48. By June, 1920, they had reached $30.51, an increase of 166%, and declined 17.2% to $25.27 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings oi women were $8.18. By June, 1920, they had increased 159%, to $21.21. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 17.9%, the average wage at the beginning of 1922 being $17.41. By Janu- ary, 1922, therefore, the weekly earnings for these three groups had increased respectively 105%, 120% and 113% over the July, 1914 levels. 92 PER HOUR IPO| — 90 BO TO BO 50 40 30 za 10 I '.'it* JULY ISI4 DOLLARS PER WEEK 50 Wool Manufacturing AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS 45 4D 35 3D E5 SO IS 10 5 JUN.JUL.AUG. SEP OCT NO V DEC J AN. FEB MAR. APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEB PET NOV. tJEH 132D AVERA GE WEEKLY EARNINGS 1914 i i *•. ^-' ••> \ ME ^-s OL). i^ *-, ^^ ••«■ !^ > !* 5 1 ^ in !Tr Wf •> ■^ - r r ,^ — \ — -. ,1 1 t IR,f T> I XN KD ED.. M.f 3. MAR./ ■O.K AY,| In.) IkAias 'B"r '^^, TV n 'r 1 SI (National Industrial Conference Board) 93 Composite Payroll Data — Wool Manufacturing Period Number Wage Earners Employed Average Hours Wages (All Wage Earners) One Week 1914-21 Establ. (56 plants) Total All Establ. (70 plants) ■ Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earnings In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 July.... 36,891 52.8 53.3 53.6 $.185 $9.77 100 100 1920 - June . . . 40,116 42,546 44.6 4S.2 48.3 .571 IS. 46 309 260 July.... 38,969 41,192 43.6 45.1 48.5 .566 24.67 306 252 Aug 36,628 38,684 43,7 44.5 48.5 .569 24.88 308 254 Sept. . . . 37,018 39,085 43.3 44.5 48.5 .568 24.58 307 251 Oct 36,811 38,933 43.2 44.5 48.7 .566 24.46 306 250 Nov. . . . 35,001 36,575 40.9 41.6 48.5 .562 22.98 304 235 Dec. . . . 33,906 35,527 40.6 41.3 48.4 ,555 22.52 300 230 1921 Jan 33,707 34,911 42.8 44.9 48.4 .493 21.08 266 215 Feb.... 35,328 37,149 45.4 47.3 48.5 .465 21.13 251 216 March. . 35,271 37,288 45.2 47.1 48.6 .463 20.94 250 214 April. . . 38,457 40,854 45.8 47.4 48.5 .460 21.07 249 215 May . . . 40,698 43,195 47.1 48.6 48.9 .467 22.01 252 225 June . . . 41,651 44,385 47.5 48.6 49.0 .469 22.26 253 228 July'... 41,534 43,991 47.3 48.7 48.9 .456 21.58 246 221 Aug 41,409 43,822 47.0 48.2 48.7 .457 21.46 247 220 Sept. . . . 41,653 44,112 47.5 48.2 48.8 .459 21.78 248 223 Oct 41,999 44,517 47.6 48.5 49.0 .458 21.82 248 223 Nov. . . . 41,554 44,071 46.2 47.9 48.9 .456 21.06 246 216 Dec... 40,646 43,124 46.3 47.5 48.7 .455 21.09 246 216 *See Introduction, p. 2. Employment Total employment in the establishments covered increased 1.4% from June, 1920 up to the beginning of January, 1922. The percentages of increase for the three groups during this period were as follows: male common labor, 9.5%; male skilled labor, 1.9%; women, 1%. The trend of employment after the beginning of 1921 has shown a gradual rise. Employment in identical establishments increased 10.2% between July, 1914 and the end of the year 1921. Hours In July, 1914, 53.6 hours constituted the average nominal week. By June, 1920 the nominal week had declined to 48.3 94 45 40 35 30 as za IS ID 5 JULY 1914 BO Wool Manufacturing NUMBER OF WAGE EARNERS ^S&jiNaw«9. y' y' ^ J N. JUL AUG. 8ER OCT. NOV. DEC . JAN. FEB. MAB. APB. MXf JUN. JUL AUB. afU DCT. NOV DEC . isea lasi 55 SD 45 40 35 30 esi— lSf4 i^ AVERAGE HOURS OF WORK NOMINAL WEEK JW^LAua3 roTi[n:NaKDEc.j«i^TO.M} . 1 ^ oo vo oo vo O w^ ^oooooe^ CO CO CO CO 0) )-> bo ^ ^ .-H Qo r-- vo c^i ■* CO to o On ol o oo ■^ O OS On On CTv t^ r^ CO CM CM CM (N CM CM •<** OO o .OO r^ o OSON ooo Onco ■^' '^ -<^' tr^ to NO CS CM CM CM CM CM ^o cMO or-- CO CO ■* CM r^ CM to to NO NO to to CM C^ CM CM CM CM >- 5 H W CM r^ Th Tt* r^ i-i \o to '^ to to to to -*< \D \C VjO \0 'O ^O ^O toNor- oo^ to rococo CO-* ■* to to to to to to Tfi NO to ^ r^ 'tsa v£) NO O QO to vO rt* NO CM CO o r-- ON to CO -^ -<** ■^' -** ^' CM CM CS CM (N CM CM CM ON CM CM ■«** to I^ ONf^OO OO CM to OOOO COO ON Tj< 1-1 CM CO l> T-4 On CM CM C^C4 CM CS w^O OO OS CM CM CM CM CM -H 4i^ OO^^ OO OSCOO ■^ to to ■^ Tf to to to to to to to to to O ON toOcoto NO NO CM CM >. NO CM CM CM Ol ^ ^ TtH ■* ■* -«** -* ■* ^11 (NO^ON^l^O CO ;$ "^ CO to OS t-( Tt* -^ Tt* ■^ "^ CO -^ r^ CM OO CO On -*^ Tt* to NO NO r^ oo tff ■^ ■^ tJ^ ■* ■* O00'«*'0'*0 OnOOS osooco T^ lO -^ -^ -.^ Tjl ill r-t CO CM NO r^ CM mH '^ NO too CO ^^O tO^ ^ OS^OS^O^to^CO^ ■^'*' co" co'tjT co'co' O CO NO CM On |-^ ■^OCJ^CM^OO^OO^O^ CO CO* '*"'^'*'' to' ■^oooo-* toosr-o ^r^ CO^CM^^CM CO^CM OS^ u-Tto'to'to'iO*'^ p. D" o si a ii ^ •-.■■■ . j^ s >* m1=; xj > o * ..... >* bD n *-■" -^ o 97 3. Wage reductions from the peak, of 20.3% in hourly earn- ings and of 17.2% in weekly earnings, were in general accord with the reductions in many basic industries. 4. Earlier liquidation in prices and wages resulted in earlier resumption of productive activity. 5. An increase of 1.4% in employment from June, 1920, to the beginning of 1922, as well as the increase of 5.7 working hours between the close of 1921 and the beginning of 1922, was indicative of a return to normal conditions of production. 98 VIII SILK MANUFACTURING The data for this industry cover estabhshments engaged in silk throwing, spinning, weaving and finishing of silk fabrics. Returns were received from 72 plants, 67 of which supplied material for the last wage investigation. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month in the 72 establish- ments was 24,646 in September, 1921. Thus, approximately 18% of the wage earners reported by the 1919 Census of Manu- factures for the silk industry are covered in this report. Returns came from the centers of silk manufacturing, mainly concen- trated in the eastern states, the geographical distribution being as follows: Connecticut 8 New York 8 Massachusetts 8 Pennsylvania 29 New Jersey 18 Virginia 1 Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of all wage earners were $.193. By July, 1920, they had risen 168% to $.517. A decline of 17% took place from the latter period up to January, 1922, at which time the average hourly earnings were $.429, an increase of 122% over July, 1914. A general high level of hourly earnings was maintained during the last half of 1920. At the beginning of 1921 a sharp reduction occurred amounting to approximately 4>^ cents an hour, or 9%. The decline in hourly earnings continued during the spring and summer months of 1921. In October and November, 1921, a slight increase occurred, followed by a decline to a new low level in December. Regarding specific groups of employees, the study shows that in July, 1914, the average hourly earnings oi male common labor were $.201. In September, 1920, they had increased 160% over July, 1914, to $.523. From September, 1920, up to Jan- uary, 1922, they declined 19.7% to $.420. In July, 1914, the 99 average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were ^.243. By July, 1920, they had increased 162% to $.637, and from the lat- ter period up to the beginning of 1922, declined 18.7% to J.518. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings oi women were $.153. In June and October, 1920, they reached $.426, an. increase of 178% over 1914. The decline from these peaks up to January, 1922, amounted to 16.9%, the average earnings at the beginning of 1922 being $.354. By January, 1922, therefore, the average hourly earnings for these three groups had increased respec- tively, 109%, 113%, and 131% over the July, 1914 levels. (b) Weekly earnings: The average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914, were $9.88. By June, 1920, they had increased 122% to $21.92. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 10.7%, at which time the average weekly earnings were $19.57, a net increase of 98% over July, 1914. The trend of weekly earnings was marked by considerable fluctuations during the last half of 1920, reaching a low point in January, 1921. Gradual increases occurred in the spring of 1921, followed again by further declines in the summer months of 1921. The last months of 1921 were dominated by lower levels in both hourly and weekly earnings, although there was a sharp increase in weekly earnings in December, 1921. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male common labor were $12.07. In June, 1920, they had risen 104% over July, 1914 to $24.61. From June, 1920 to January, 1922 they declined 16.7%, the average weekly earnings being $20.50 by the latter period. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were $12.41. By September, 1920 they had risen 119% to $27.14 and from the latter period to the be- ginning of 1922 declined to $23.94, or 11.8%,. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $7.69. By April, 1921, they had risen 125% to $17.33. The dechne from this peak up to January, 1922, amounted to 9.5%, the average earnings at the beginning of 1922 being $15.68. By January, 1922, therefore, the average weekly earnings for these three groups had increased respectively 70%, 93% and 104% over the July, 1914 levels. As June, 1920 is the first period after July, 1914 covered in this report, it is quite possible that a reduction occurred prior to June, 1920, so that the actual decline in earnings from the 100 Silk Manufacturing AVERAGE HaUBLY EARNINGS 1951 (National Industrial Conference Board) 101 Composite Payroll Data— Silk Manufacturing Number Wage Average Hours Wages (All Wage Earners) Period Earners Employed Index Nos. Earnings One 1914-22 Establ. (41 , plants) 1920-22 Establ. (72 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Week In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 July.... ISfiOO 51.1 54.1 54.0 $.193 $9.88 100 100 1920 June . . . 15,150 23,514 42.5 46.1 48.1 .516 21.92 267 222 July.... 14,959 22,864 41.8 45.6 47.9 .517 21.58 268 218 Aug. . . . 14,563 22,266 40.2 44.2 48.1 .515 20.70 267 209 Sept. . . . 14,003 21,251 41.8 44.1 47.9 .514 21.49 266 217 Oct 13,779 20,801 41.7 44.0 48.6 .517 21.56 268 218 Nov 12,999 18,640 39.4 40.5 48.5 .516 20.34 267 206 Dec ... . 11,908 17,740 42.6 49.1 48.7 .508 21.61 263 219 1921 Jan 11,897 18,651 42.4 49.8 48.5 .464 19.67 240 199 Feb.... ,12,357 20,357 44.3 49.9 48.7 .456 20.18 236 204 March. . 13,659 22,296 46,8 49.6 48.1 .452 21.15 234 214 April. . . 14,231 23,358 46.7 49.6 48.6 .449 21.00 233 213 May . . . 14.372 23,914 46.8 49.7 49.1 .440 20,59 228 208 June . . . 14,491 24,186 46.7 49.9 48.6 .441 20.63 228 209 July*... 14,784 23,903 46.5 49.7 48.8 .437 20.32 226 206 Aug 14,792 24,646 45.1 46.4 48.8 .439 19.82 227 201 Sept. . . . 14,501 24,234 43.3 46.5 48.9 .440 19.05 228 193 Oct 13,977 23,358 43.7 46.4 48.5 .448 19.60 232 198 Nov. . . . 13,595 22,562 42.5 46.2 48.7 .444 18.87 230 191 Dec... 13,547 22,880 45.6 46.5 48.8 .429 19.57 222 198 *See Introduction p. 2. peak may be greater than that presented by the accompanying data. The year 1921 was marked by a gradual decline in earnings, more affected by curtailment of working hours than by reduction of hourly earnings. Employment Total employment in the establishments covered increased approximately 3% from June, 1920 up to July, 1921. This increase was sustained through September, 1921, followed by gradual declines during the remaining months of the year, so that employment at the beginning of 1922 was about 3% lower than it was in June, 1920. There were slight increases in em- 102 Silk Manufacturing NUMBER OF WAGE EARNERS (National Industrial Conference Board) 103 ployment of male skilled and. unskilled labor, and a decline in that of female labor. Employment in identical establishments between July, 1914, and the end of the year 1921 declined about 10%. Hours In July, 1914, 54 hours constituted the average nominal week. A general reduction in working hours took place during the war period so that by June, 1920 the average hours were 48.1. A general level of between 48-49 hours was maintained up to January, 1922. The average hours of plant operation in July, 1914, were 54.1. During the last half of 1920, there was a depression in plant activity, resulting in a decline to 40.5 hours in November, 1920. During December, 1920 there was a marked revival, which continued through July, 1921, followed again by declines during the last half of the year. The average actual week per wage earner showed a decline from 51.1 hours in July, 1914, to 42.5 hours in June, 1920. The trend during 1920 and 1921 closely followed that of plant activity. From July, 1921 through November, 1921, there was a considerable decline, followed by a resumption of activity in December. The general stability of actual working hours helped to maintain weekly earnings at fairly well sustained levels. Conclusion The study of wages and hours in the silk industry shows that: 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at $A29, or 122% above the July, 1914 level of 1.193. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at $19.57, or 98% above the July, 1914 level of $9.88. 3. The decline in average hourly earnings from the peak was in general accord with wage reductions in many indus- tries, while the maintenance of fairly regular working hours prevented severe reductions in weekly earnings. 104 O a i ,.•13 B (0 >. 3 3 - " J -"^1 I »^ c^ r^ <>i ^ VI (N CM CM O 1-1 CS O CS (N CM CS CS CS CM CM O O OS 0\ CO O CM CM '-H r-« ^ CM oo vo n CO oo r^ VI t^ r-^ r-- r^ r-- 1^ r-- CM CM (N CM CM CM CM vi i-H un vo r-^ i^ ■^ Tt^ Tt< Tf CO CO CM CM Q^ CM CM CM i-H CO i-H O -^ '-< CO CO CO Tft CO CO CM CM CS CM CM CM £j r-. r^ u-i \o r^ VI r^ lo \o r-- r^ \o"^o ^O VJ -^ W^ tJH u^ ^ ^o cor^ oovo Th .-I CM CM t-H .-t CM CM CM VI o^ V) w^ CM CO r-. vo r^ r-^ "o v£) CO CO CO CO CO CO CO vo cor^ oo -^ vo lo to ^O VI vj CO CO CO CO CO CO I^ Vi CM so O ' vi vo oo CM 1-H O r- O CM t-^ vi CM OS »-' \£i ^ CO CT\ '^ CM Tt^ vi o vi OO CO "O^CO^ON ^ CO OO CO OO 0\VO 00 "* oo CM Vi \0 OS ^ I^ oC oC^ ^ cM''r4" vi to oo r^ CO CO CM r^ 0\ r-- On CO vi On vo •-< ^0 oo K > 0) ^ bO >3S OO t^ 0\ OS OO i-H \o CM CM CM CM CM CM CM SO OO CJS\0^0 0\0 ^OOO i-i CM CM CM CM CM v> oo ^ v>0 CO O Os Os OS Os On CM 1-H T-H »-« t-l r-< Qj ^ OO CM O OS cy\ so OS V) so vo VI w^ u-i Tfc CM CM CM CM CM CM CM vn-H SO VI CO CO CO CO CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM O ^ CO I-* ^ CO CM CM CM CM CM 1-H CM CM CM CM CM CM ^4 oo r-- CO o OS 1-H \D CM CO CO CO CM CM O SO SO SO SO SO SO vo CM CM OO r^ i-H CO r^ so -* ■* Tt^ -* lo u^ u^ lo VI un vi so I— t oo r^ CO CO CO '^ CO CO I"* «j^ in VI VI vri VI O CO "-H i-H O CM CO '<*' CM ■* -^ CM ^ vioOViOOC^ r-^ so ^1 r- »-< CM ^ "^ so so VI i-H -^f CO OS vi^"^ ^^^'^^^ oToo'oo'oo^r-rr-^vir O -^OSSO CMO CM w COr-O Tt^ CM r^ CM^vi^OS^O r-ri-roo* oo'co' oC OO Tt< CO CO OO CO Os CO CM OS V) oo CM so VI I— < OO C3S Sw Q 3 M z Is .-I ^3 ^ K, > a> ^ ui >! ■ .•"C d to ■^ vno O O QO OS tn VI w-i vo so VI "«f CM CM CM C'l CM CM CM SO CM OS SO CO CO CO CO CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM OCO i-^so COOS CM CM CM CMCMO CM CM CM CM CM CM O CM CO CO CM OO O ^^^CMCM^O vo io vn VI in v% VI Tt* so 1— I vn OS OO r-- so so VI Tt* Tf CO OO •<** -^ Os o tH Tt< -^ v^ -^ CM •^ -^ ■^ ^ "^ ^ CO O OO so "^ O ^ 00 V^ VI CO ■^ Vl Tt* irj r-( 1— ( OO -^ r^ t^ CO CO •<*• Tt^ OO 3 OO r- OS 00 r^ OS VI CO vj Tt^ OO CO o r^ OS OS OO VI so vi^^ cM'cM^cM'rT cm'cm'cm' CO ^ i-l ^ OO QO o 00 a\ooTt*so CO ^ OS O Os^oq^ cm'^cm' cm" co'cm" cT o r^ CO 00 .-I Tt« OO CO i-H OO i-H so O^O^O^Os^O^O, CO* CO* Co' CM CO Co" Wo Si «C3 105 ■^ C-^ rt b oi C ^ M o, *J > o a 3 Qj tJhS ^ 4. At the beginning of 1922, employment in the silk industry was only about 3% below the level of June, 1920, reflecting fairly stable conditions. 5. A marked revival of activity during the first half ot 1921 was followed by depression in the latter half of that year. 105 IX HOSIERY AND KNIT GOODS MANUFACTURING The wage investigation in this industry included establish- ments manufacturing hosiery, underwear, sweaters and other knitted wear. While conditions varied considerably between hosiery and underwear plants, wage differentials were reflected only in the earnings of common labor. The composite group, therefore, made up of both hosiery and underwear plants, has been used for this investigation. Returns were received from 80 plants, 69 of which furnished information for the last wage investigation. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month in the 80 establishments was 22,737 in June, 1920. The geographical distribution within 15 states is as follows: Connecticut 3 North Carolina 2 Georgia 1 Ohio 4 Maryland 1 Pennsylvania 24 Massachusetts 4 South Carolina 1 Michigan 4 Utah 1 Minnesota 2 West Virginia 1 New Jersey 2 Wisconsin 5 New York 25 Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of all wage earners were |.179. By June, 1920, they had increased 155% to |.456. The decline was 14.5% from the latter period up to January, 1922, when the average hourly earnings were ?.390, an increase of 118% over July, 1914. A stationary condition of hourly earnings existed through 1920, with a reduction of approximately 10% occurring in January, 1921. The year 1921 showed a practically unchanged situation. In July, 1914 the average hourly earnings of male common labor were $.163. By December, 1920, they had increased 202% 107 to ^.492. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 22.2% to ?.376. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $.242. By December, 1920 they had increased 165% to $.642, declining 12.1% to $.564 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of women were $.159. By June, 1920, they had increased 148% to $.395. The decline from this peak up to the beginning of 1922 amounted to 13.2%, leaving the average earnings $.343. By January, 1922, there- fore, the average hourly earnings of the three groups had in- creased respectively 131%, 133% and 116% over the July, 1914 level. (b) Weekly earnings: The average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914 were $8.59. By June, 1920, they had increased 140% to $20.59. The decline amounted to 14.3% from the latter period up to July, 1922, when the average weekly earnings were $17.65, a net increase of 105% over July, 1914. Weekly earnings remained practically stationary through Octo- ber, 1920. In November, 1920, there was considerable reduc- tion due to shorter working hours, and the opening months of 1921 showed continued depression. The fluctuations occurring during the remainder of 1921 were due to the variation in the length of working hours. Weekly earnings were only moder- ately affected by the decline in hourly earnings. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male common labor were $8.54. By December, 1920, they had increased 166% to $22.71. The decline from this period up to January, 1922 amounted to 17.9%, at which time the average weekly earnings were $18.35. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were $12.36. By August, 1920, they had in- creased 135% to $29.01, and then declined 14.9% to $24.69 from the latter period up to 1922. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $7.40. By June, 1920, they had increased 135% to $17.41. The decHne from this peak up to 1922 amounted to 11%, the average earnings at the latter time being $15.49. In January, 1922, therefore, weekly earnings' for the three groups had increased respectively 115%, 100% and 109% over the July, 1914 levels. 108 Hosiery and Knit Goods Manufacturing CCNTS PER HDUn IDDr 90 BO 70 BO 5D 40 30 EO 10 JULY 1914 DOLUMIS Ptn WEEK 50| 45 40 35 3D E5 50 15 m 5 19 14 A\ /CRAGC WEE KL.\ r EARNINGS -JA atsjijit S. \ ^.*' s. -•*' ■**. ^i-^^m H- ,••" \, ... *••' > N <; V*** ... '■■■. !•■ ^ ■^ k" -■vfes^ ^m i^ —a vriM en! ^, ^ .^ — ■ ,^ *N '" .1 II A m s 'P r TT-N IV. D IC. J \H.y -H. MAB. ^ 3M.h AY.l JN..: JL. AUG. E :p r n'. r ivn n„ 1! E[ 3 1 3E) (National Industrial Conference Board) 109 Composite Payroll Data — Hosiery and Knit Goods Manufacturing Number Wage \Maa Period Earners Employed Average Hours yvagco (All Wage Earners) One Week 1914-22 Establ. (48 plants) 1920-22 Establ. (80 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earnings In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 July.... 13,934 47.9 34.1 56.1 $.179 $8.59 100 100 1920 June . . . 17,156 22,737 45.1 49.3 49.1 .456 20.59 255 240 July.... 16,560 22,330 43.3 47.6 49.2 .448 19.41 250 226 Aug. . . . 15,353 21,116 44.5 49.4 49.6 .441 19.63 246 229 Sept. . . . 15,257 20,816 44.0 48.9 49.4 .444 19.57 248 228 Oct 12,114 17,764 43.8 46.5 49.4 .445 19.48 249 227 Nov. . . . 11,967 17,145 40.3 44.3 49.7 .438 17.66 245 206 Dec... 9,204 13,962 40.9 44.6 49.7 .448 18.32 250 213 1921 Jan 8,766 13,700 41.4 45.7 50,0 .402 16.64 225 194 Feb.... 10,961 16,392 43.3 48.3 49.9 .398 17.23 222 201 March. . 12,072 17,777 42.3 47.2 49.8 .408 17.29 228 201 April... 13,136 19,124 43.0 47.0 49.6 .400 17.19 223 200 May . . . 13,184 19,358 44.5 49.1 49.7 .404 17.96 226 209 June . . . 13,248 19,709 44.0 49.1 49.7 .406 17.86 227 208 July'... 12,486 18,792 42.3 46.9 49.9 .386 16.31 216 190 Aug 1?,?,32 18,420 44.4 48.8 50.1 .394 17.53 220 204 Sept. . . . 13,267 19,611 45.1 48.8 49.8 .399 17.98 223 209 Oct 13,522 21,552 45.3 49.2 49.8 .394 17.83 220 208 Nov. . . . 14,929 21,723 45.4 48.7 50.0 .391 17.75 218 207 Dec... 15,042 21,515 45.2 48.2 50.1 .390 17.65 218 205 *See Introduc -tion, p. 2. Employment Total employment in the establishments covered declined 5.4% from June, 1920 to January, 1922. During this time male common labor increased 31.1%, while male skilled labor declined 22.4% and women 2.9%. The increase in common labor during this period is probably attributable to the fact that many companies changed the status of skilled and semi- skilled laborers to those of common laborers on their payrolls. The depression period of employment was reached at the begin- ning of 1921. Employment increased during 1921, particularly in the last three months. no Hosiery and Knit Goods Manufacturing NUMBER OF WABE EARNERS (HBD '■ I9EI (National Industrial Conference Board) 111 Employment in identical establishments between July, 1914, and the end of the year 1921 increased 8%. Hours In July, 1914, 56.1 hours constituted the average nominal week. Following the general reduction of working hours during the war period, there was a drop to 49.1 hours in June, 1920. At this point, the hours of plant operation were above those of the nominal week. A general level of from 49-50 hours has been maintained up to January, 1922. The average hours of plant operation decreased from 54.1 to 49.3 in June, 1920. Plant activity was well sustained through September, 1920. The remaining months of that year showed a decline, but there was a revival during January and February of 1921. The remaining months of 1921 showed considerable fluctuations, but there was a general tendency to increased activity during the year. The average actual week per wage earner showed a decline from 47.9 in July, 1914, to 45.1 hours in June, 1921. There was a marked decline in working hours during 1920, apparently due to the industrial depression. The year 1921 showed con- tinued improvement, though there were fluctuations, due chiefly to piece-work production. Conclusion The study of wages and hours in hosiery and knit goods manu- facturing shows that: 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at ^.390, or 118% above the July, 1914 level of ?.179. 2. The average weekly earnings of all wage earners on Janu- ary 1, 1922 stood at J17.65 or 105% above the 1914 level of ?8.59. 3. The decline from the peak, of 14.3% in weekly earnings was far less than the reductions in many other basic industries, particularly the textile group. 112 3 O X I *^ ■^ NO t^ l^ Tf* CS C^ CS (N > s S ^ p^ ^ vn o "^ fO v^ oo CM ON oo r^ i^ r^ \o r^ CO CO CO CO CO CO CO ON CO CO ■* lO ^O CO ■^ vo -^ WMO CO CO CO CO CO CO cs r^ onf-^ vo CO CO CO ■<*< Tt^ Tt* Tt< CO CO CO CO CO CO 1 CM-CS ■3c to • (1 C 01 > S ^ bO «n oo t^ i-t ^ CM CM O O ON ^ ^ »-i ■-** \0 NO m NO NO NO NO ON -^ in O r^ QO r^ in \o r- ■<*< -^ vo in in to ui u^ m u-i in in NO NO r^ CM r^ r^o ^ ONr^ -* 1— I ^ CO «— < m in 1^ CO CO i^in Qo CO ^ -^^ ■*' in CO ■^ ^ "^ ^ ^ ^ cs tjh CM r> '-''-' r^ vo O •— ' O in i-H vo NO ^ ^^^^^ vTu-Tin'vr'^'^ CO NO o On ON in o O rJ NO ^in in CO ON CM NO NO t^ OO -^ CM CO .-< T^ OO NO NO t^ .-H ON On On 1—1 ^ tn CO CO CO ^ ^ -"f -^ CO CO -^ "^ ■^ ■^ O to £w Q ffi Si CSO -^ ^ ■* ONNO \0 in m in in in NO CM CM CM CM CS CM CM NO 1— ' T-( OO CM O CM CM CM CM CM CM 00 NO CO m NO in O '-' '-I .-" ,-1 r-H CM CM CM CM CM CM tJ* NO OO NO O i-t CM C3N On OO On ON ON O CM CM CM CM CM CM CO w ONr^ ONTt* -^ r^ in»n CO CO "^ CM CM CM CM CM CM NO in r^ in CO 1— < CO CO CO CO CO CO CM CM CM CM CM CM > oi ^ U ^ V (4 C r-^ CO 00 r^ r-^ r^ t^ OO OO OO OO OO • bi d m >- 3 M U O CO O CM CM»ncM OO OO r^ CO r^ r;- c\ ■^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ CM CM ON O CM r^ in CO r- CO ON NO "^cmi-honcoon oooooooor^r^ -<*< Tt< -^ CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO Hi PJQ WO 5S£ *o vo 1— I CM in o r^ CM oo oo ON in CO CM O i-H On ON r^ oo r*. OO ON no ON rH i-t o^ »— I in «— I Tt< NO r^ m NO in m cM o On *S4 1— I T— I T NO ON CO CM ■* -"f CM CO OO ON T^ CO i-< T^ T-i CO O CM r^ T-< O CM O On NO r^ CO o »— < o '^*'),*~^^ ^ o 'U3 ■S n ' h-jfa g <5 2 1-, >-,<; go O Z p 4. Employment declined 5.4% from June, 1920 up to the beginning of 1922, due chiefly to layoffs in the male skilled group. 5. Increased working hou^s and employment in hosiery manufacturing indicated an approach to normal activity at the end of 1921. 114 X RUBBER MANUFACTURING The data for this industry cover establishments engaged in the manufacture of rubber tires, rubber footwear, mechan- ical rubber goods, rubberized fabrics and sundries. Returns were received from 80 plants, 77 of which furnished data for the last wage investigation. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month in the 80 establishments was 73,501 in June, 1920. Thus, over 41% of the wage earners reported by the 1919 Census of Manufactures for the rubber industry are covered in this report. The majority of the plants are in the largest centers of rubber manufacturing. The geographical distribution within 16 states is as follows: California 1 Micliigan. 1 Connecticut 8 New Jersey 10 Delaware 2 New York 7 Illinois 1 Ohio 19 Indiana 1 Oregon 1 Iowa 1 Pennsylvania 6 Maryland 1 Rhode Island ^. 4 Massachusetts 15 Wisconsin 2 Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of all wage earners were $.256. By June, 1920, they had risen 174% to $.702. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 amounted to 24.4%, at which time the average hourly earnings were $.531, an increase of 107% over July, 1914. The general high level of hourly earnings was main- tained through October, 1920. In November occurred a decrease of 2.3 cents, followed in December by a further reduction of 2 cents. In February, 1921, occurred a still further reduction of 2.1 cents, while the largest decrease during the last six months of 1921 occurred in September, when there was a decline of 3.8 cents. The general trend of hourly earnings was 115 steadily downward during 1920 and 1921, dominated by the reductions in the periods noted. In July, 1914 the average hourly earnings of male common labor were $.218. By June, 1920, they had increased 170% to $.589. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 30.7% to $.408. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $.288. By June, 1920, they had risen 176% to $.794, declining 22% to $.619 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of women were $.180. In Septem- ber, 1920, they had risen 149% to $.449. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 23.8%, the average earnings at the beginning of 1922 being $.342. By January, 1922, therefore, the average hourly earnings for these three groups had increased respectively 87%, 115% and 90% over the July, 1914 levels. (b) Weekly earnings: The average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914 were $12.75. By June, 1920, they had increased 144% to $31.09. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 20.7%, at which time the aver- age weekly earnings were $24.66, a net increase of 93% over July, 1914. The trend of weekly earnings has been affected both by reductions in hourly earnings and working hours. Industrial conditions in the automobile industry have had a dominant influence upon rubber manufacturing. The majority of wage schedules covered in this investigation came from rub- ber tire manufacturers whose productive activity is dependent upon conditions in the automobile industry. In July, 1914 the average weekly earnings of male common labor were $11.56. By July, 1920 they had increased 142% to $21.96. From the latter period up to January, 1922 they declined 33.2% to $18.69. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were $14.27.. In July, 1920, they had increased 142% to $34.57, then declining 17.5% to $28.54 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $8.79. In July, 1920, they had increased 124% to $19.65. The de- cline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 16.8%, the average earnings at the beginning of 1922 being $16.35. 116 Rubber Manufacturing AVEHABE HDUBLY EARNINGS (National Industrial Conference Board) 117 Composite Payroll Data — Rubber Manufacturing Number Wage Wages \11 Wage Earner Period Earners Employed Average Hours ( i) One Week 1914-21 Establ. (49 plants) Total All Establ. (80 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earnings In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 July.... 23,535 49.9 52.5 52.8 $.256 $12.75 100 100 1920 June . . 56,415 73,501 44.3 44.4 48.4 .702 31.09 274 244 July. . . . 52,769 65,844 43.6 44.1 48.3 .690 30.14 270 236 Aug 44,100 53,434 43.3 44.3 48.2 .681 29.51 266 231 Sept. . . . 38,265 47,164 43.6 44.8 48.4 .680 29.65 266 233 Oct 35,084 42,502 42.0 43.9 48.2 .671 28.21 262 221 Nov. . . . 29,999 36,713 39.8 41.3 48.1 .648 25.82 253 203 Dec. . . . 27,193 32,800 37.6 39.4 48.1 .628 23.62 245 185 1921 Jan 25,602 31,074 38.2 40.6 48.6 .626 23.90 245 187 Feb. . . . 22,734 28,930 38.9 40.7 48.1 .605 23.52 236 184 Mar. . . . 24,030 31,078 42.8 44.5 48.9 .605 25.88 236 203 April . . . 25,903 35,317 44.7 45.8 48.9 .606 26.98 237 212 May . . . 27,993 38,812 43.9 46.3 48.7 .608 26.68 238 209 June . . . 22,714 33,170 45.4 46.4 48.9 .611 27.75 239 218 July*... 28,758 40,665 45.5 45.9 47.1 .590 26.80 230 210 Aug 29,223 43,305 46.2 46.9 47.4 .594 27.44 232 215 Sept. . . . 28,771 42,555 45.3 47.7 47.5 .556 25.20 217 198 Oct 29,625 41,552 45.4 47.5 47.3 .536 24.29 209 191 Nov. . . . 29,704 40,527 45.1 47.3 47,5 .533 24.06 208 189 Dec... 30,481 41,873 46.4 47.1 47.6 .531 24.66 207 193 *See Introduction, p. 2. By January, 1922, therefore, the average weekly earnings for these three groups had increased respectively 62%, 100% and 86% over the July, 1914 levels. Employment Total employment in the establishments covered declined 43% from June, 1920 up to the beginning of 1922. There was a steady decline from the peak through February, 1921. April and May showed an increased number of employees, followed by another decline in June. The last six months of 1921 showed more or less fluctuating, but on the whole, steadily improving conditions in regard to the number of people em- ployed. The percentages of decline in the three groups from 118 Rubber Manufacturing NUMBER OF WAGE EAHNEHB (National Industrial Confcrcnrp Board) 11<3 June, 1920 up to the beginning of 1922 were: male common labor, 41%; male skilled labor, 47.2%; women, 27.1%. Employment in identical establishments between July, 1914, and the end of the year 1921 increased 29.5%. Hours In July, 1914, 52.8 hours constituted the average nominal week. Following the general reduction of hours during the war period, the nominal week declined 48.4 hours in June, 1920, and the latter level of more than 48 hours was maintained through June, 1921. In July, 1921, there was a decUne to 47.1 hours, which continued until the close of the year due to re- duction of hours in several of the larger plants. The average hours of plant operation in July, 1914, were 52.5. In June, 1920, they had dropped to 44.4. Between June aijd December, 1920 there was a decline of 5 hours in plant activity. The year 1921 was marked by steady improvement in plant activity, so that in December, 1921, the average plant was operating 2.7 hours lohger than in June, 1920. The average actual week per wage earner declined from 49.9 hours in July, 1914 to 44.3 hours in June, 1920. The slump in productive activity began to take effect in November, 1920, and the trough of 37.6 hours per week was reached in December. The trend of working hours closely followed that of plant activity, showing improved conditions throughout 1921, par- ticularly during the closing months. Conclusion ' The study of wages and hours in the rubber manufacturing industry shows that: 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at ?.531, or 107% above the July, 1914 level of ?.256. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at J24.66, or 93% above the July, 1914 level of 112.75. 120 i II CM 1 1 r^ "^ O cs oo r^ lo OOOn viOCM CO CM CM 00 CM 00 so 00 00 r- 00 r^ 00 1 vo -^ -^ On oo r^ O ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ t*l CO CM Ol CM C^^ CS CM cs ■^ so »-H CM CM CO CM CM rJ CM CM CM 00 -^.-H ossoo OS OS OS Av. Weekly Earn- ings R k O VD CO ^O CM CO CM 0^ CT\ 0\ 0\ 0^ t^ ^ r-* «— 1 1— t 1— I ,— ( .— 1 f— ( soocoos^o OS OS-* 00 OS v> OS 0\ so OS so CO in -<*< in ■*** vj SO ,-( ,— 1 ,— 1 ,-t l-H 1— 1 inmvjvi viso *||t S! 9 25 21 C;; >g ^ ^ ^ CO ^ ^ CM T— ) ■*. T ^. T ^. ^ "*. -^T-^OCO^-* or^ 00 so 00 00 -^ CO CO CO CO CO -^r^ CM OS CM CM r^ so so in v^-* CO CO CO CO CO CO rs, ^r^o w-iooo CO r- r-» CO »-< r-. a\ 00 r^ ^' OS ^ CO CO -^ ■'^ CO ■* 00 in CM VI so 00 5! 5354: ^5; CO 00 -* OD CO CM r-» vo o\ \o ^ Tf 00 co^r^ON^co^--^ Tj^^r-;^ ■<*< CO CO CM '^t^ so o-^r^r^r^ CO OS CM ^ ^*^« SO r-- VI 00 OS SO CM 00 in^ CM CM^">*«^'*^OS^OO^O^ r^r^co 00 00 OS Q i ll 1 ^ CM CO CM r^ NO 00 ■<*' CO to CO CM OS CM CS CS CM CM CM ^ inco '^ ^so\o OSOS ^CM ^ w ^.-. CM CM CM CM OSCMvit^ v^O 1 1 SO •-• 1-1 CO ■* cxj ^ 00 00 in Q OS ■^ Tj4 in ^H -.^i ■* in CM CM CM CM CM CM ill r^ »ri OS Th CM CM U-) VI CM 00 CO ^ »-< Tt^ CO CO CO CM On r- CO CO CO CO n CM CM •^ini^co -^CM 00 in ■* in 00 00 ^-^osr^r^-* cMr^^o oovi ^ »-i osQor^ 00 CO CO CM CM CM CM 4i.i 1 ■^ ^^^ 00 CM CM On 00 00 00 cxj r^ 10 r^ 1^ r^ r^ r- 1^ r^ r^r^r^sososo •*t< so so SO VI OS r- r- CO »-i --« ^ so SO so sO sO SO ^11 vO^O-^^O-^-H CO CM CM CO ^ 00 so ■^ ■^ -^ -^ "* CO CO -* so CM r- OS 00 COOSOS V) CO ^ r^oo CO VI -^in coco-*-^-*-* »eJ< "* 'f "* ■* ^j"* ^11 1 , 10 r^ »o 'I** ^ CO VI -^ !> ^ OS CO cm" w-Tu-T cTncT cm'oT UT^ COCO CM CM w CM C7S 00 GO VI in inoo CO •-' ^ CO ^^^^SO^-^^CM^OS^ 0\ ocTovco so CO w ^ ^ CMCM CM so OsO Oscoso inmco^cocM Os^co ■* CM in vi CM CO CM CM CM CM Q to 1 1 QOCMT-- ''^'J^ CM CM r^r^sor^-^cM 0000 OsOsOsO ^r^ OS-* CM CM SO so so SO SO so 1 1 OS r-. 00 CO -^ r^ so so vnn 10 Tt^ CM CM CM CM CM (N CM OSO CM OS »-H CM v^O ^ r-^ 0\ OS OS OS OS CO Av. Weekly Earn- ings ^ a "^ SO OS 1— « .— < Vi 00 v^ OS CO OS OS V^ ^H CM CM CM CM CM CM CM I-^^VO CO Oste- in so so 00 CO CO '-H w CM CM CM CO CM riCMCMMCM oor^^or-^Os vicM vior-so 00 0\ OS OS CO 00 as™ 4i so CM CO »-H -* CM 00 00 00 SO Vi -^ CO co-^^cMin^O CM ^0000 in VI in in in vi so OS v> in r** CO ^ rH CM ^»-H ** ■* "^ ^^ ^^ ^T" .•3 2 "N ^ 00 r^ ^ CM i-f r^ so t^ r^ so VI in ^H CM^CMCMt^r^ ^ CM in in '■^^ so ■^^ "^ ^* ^^ "^ '^* SO OS CO 00 * so vi vn vn v, * ■*■**■** CO 0\0 OsO OS VI w *-H c^ CM r- CO 0^ -^O, CM^sq^^O^O^ oToo'r^so' vT^iT ^ oooor^r^ coos 1-H OS so CM CM OS os^r^^r-^O so CO OsQ viin w w *r--r^cM in^vi^so^co^^co^ in'u-rvrin'vi'in' ll^ w . . ■ . . 121 3. The decline of 24.4% in hourly earnings and 20.7% in weekly earnings was in general accord with wage reductions in many basic industries. 4. There was a total decline in employment of 43% between June, 1920 and the beginning of 1922. 5. The depression period in the industry occurred during the closing months of 1920, and the year 1921 showed considerable improvement in productive activity, working hours and employment. 122 XI LEATHER TANNING AND FINISHING The investigation covered establishments engaged in the tanning and finishing of leather hides, but did not include the manufacturers of leather. Returns were received from 70 of the 75 plants which supplied, material for the last wage investigation. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month in 70 establishments was 10,280 in June, 1920. Thus, approximately 13% of the wage earners reported by the 1919 Census of Manufactures for the leather tanning industry are covered in this report. The geographical distribution within 22 states is as follows: California 7 New Jersey 3 Connecticut 2 New York 7 Delaware 1 North Carolina 2 Illinois 3 Ohio 4 Maine 3 Oregon 1 Maryland 1 Pennsylvania 6 Massachusetts 15 Tennessee 1 Michigan 2 Virginia 1 Minnesota 1 Washington 1 Missouri 1 West Virginia 1 New Hampshire 1 Wisconsin 6 There are peculiar difficulties connected with any compilation of wage data in the leather tanning industry. The greater proportion of the work in tanneries is of "muscle" labor re- quiring more or less skill. Therefore, the dividing line of occu- pational classification between common and skilled labor is difficult to fix. In the second place, the proportion of women is small, and the data for this group, therefore, are relatively un- important. Finally, in many plants, men are employed, in the course of one day, on both day and piece work. This com- bination of piece rates and per diem earnings makes data on average hourly earnings of minor significance. Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of all wage earners was |.214. By August, 1920, they 123 had increased-168% over July, 1914 to ?.573. Hourly earnings declined 22.2% from the latter period up to January, 1922, at which time the average hourly earnings were ?.446, an increase of 108% over 1914. The general high level of hourly earnings was held during the last half of 1920. The beginning of 1921 was characterized by a general 10% reduction followed by gradual declines throughout the rest of the year. The low point occurred in November, 1921. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male common labor were ?.199. In August, 1920, they had increased 163% oyer July, 1914, to J. 523. From the latter period up to January, 1922, they declined 26.6% to ?.384. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $.235. By September and November, 1920 they had risen 170% to $.634, dechning to $.503, or 20.7% from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of women were $.146. In June, 1920, they reached $.427, an increase of 192%. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 30.7%, the average earnings at the beginning of 1922 being $.296. By January, 1922, therefore, the average hourly earnings of these three groups had increased respectively 93%, 114% and 103% over the July, 1914 levels. (b) Weekly earnings: Average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914 were $11.24. By July, 1920 they had increased 146% to $27.69. There was a gradual decline during the last half of 1920. At the beginning of 1921 there was a greater decline, due to the reduction in hourly earnings. The decline from July, 1920 up to January, 1922 was 20.8%, at which time the average weekly earnings were $21.93, a net increase of 95% over July, 1914. The general level of $22.00 was maintained throughout 1921, due to the fact that though there was a decline in hourly earnings, working hours increased. In July, 1914, average weekly earnings of male common labor were $11.01. In June, 1920, they had increased 140% to $26.46. From the latter period up to January, 1922, they declined 26.2% to $19.54. In July, 1914, average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were $11.92. By June, 1920 they had increased 153% to $30.20, then declining 20% to $24.16 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the aver- 124 Leather Tanning and Finishing AVERAGE HDUBLY EARNINGS 45 4D 35 3D es SO IS 10 5 D & 19 14 A\ /EHAGE WEE s ». -- S -- — "«s ^, ixs ^ •■•■■ >•» — —- ''' \ — — - ■' ^- "•«» •^ -^ •^ II f II) ! !T.H KI E.J IN.F AK m( ■R.t "J IN.J 11,* B.E :r ( ;t.» ivr n 3 1 3ei (National Industrial Conference Board) 125 Composite Payroll Data- —Leather Tanning and Finishing Period Number Wage Earners Emoloved Average Hours Wages (All Wage Earners) One 1914-22 Establ. plants) 1920-22 Establ. (70 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earnings Week In Hrly. Wkly. I9U July.... 7,521 52.5 56.7 57.6 S.2/4 sn.24 too 100 1920 June.. . . 8,763 10,280 M.l 49.3 50.3 .572 11. n 267 243 July.... 8,109 9,576 48.6 50.7 50.4 .570 27.69 266 246 Aug. . . . 7,792 9,229 47.4 50.0 50.3 .571 27.07 267 241 Sept. . . . 7,398 8,669 46.4 50.3 50.8 .573 26.58 268 236 Oct 6,788 8,149 45.4 48.7 50.6 .565 25.65 26'4 228 Nov. . . . 6,318 7,576 44.2 49.0 50.5 .571 25.27 267 225 Dec 6,069 7,239 44.5 48.3 50.5 .555. 24.71 259 220 /92J Jan 5,847 6,919 43.7 47.4 50.7 .501 21.85 234 194 Feb 5,478 6,532 44.4 47.2 50.8 .500 22.19 233 197 March. . 5,534 6,703 45.5 48.7 50.8 .497 22.61 232 201 April . . . 5,927 7,324 45.2 47.2 50.1 .487 22.05 228 196 May.. . . 6,122 7,530 46.9 49.4 50.3. .471 22.08 220 196 June 6,444 7,812 48.5 49.7 50.8 .468 22.69 219 202 July*. . . 6,575 . 7,834 48.7 49.3 50.3 .456 22.19 213 197 Aug 6,694 8,041 48.6 49.6 50.2 .459 22.32 214 199 Sept.... 6,665 8,077 47.7 49.7 50.1 .455 21.74 213 193 Oct 6,856 8,259 48.9 49.2 50.0 .445 21.73 208 193 Nov. . . . 7,034 8,396 47.7 49.1 50.3 .439 20.91 205 186 Dec. . . . 7,167 8,638 49.2 49,6 50,3 .446 21.93 208 195 *See Introduction, p. 2. age weekly earnings of women were JS6.46. By June, 1920, they had reached $18.06, an increase of 180%. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 19.3%, the average earnings, at the beginning of 1922 being |14.58. By January, 1922, therefore, average weekly earnings for these three groups had increased respectively 77%, 103% and 126% over the July, 1914 levels. Employment Total employment in establishments covered declined 16% from June, 1920 up to the beginning of 1922. The greatest period of unemployment was reached in February, 1921. This period of stagnation was followed by gradual increases up to the beginning of 1922. The percentages of decline from June, 126 THaUBANDfl I l| JULY 1914 Leather Tanning and Finishing NUMBER OF WAGE EARNERS ^' Ss ^f^* '^^. "Mai '■""■Cit — ~» WOMEN >^>--' ^ JUN. JUL Aua am per, hov. dec . jaN. feb. mx 55 SO 45 4D 35 3D E5 JU 19 I9ED laai AVERAGE HOURS OF WORK NOMINAL WtEK ■MM. JUL AU&gg Oi;T.Nm( DEC.JAItFEaM«a«Pll.MA»'JUH.JUL.«UG.3D'. OCT.NOH DCC 330 IIET (National Industrial Conference Board) 127 1920 up to 1922 in the various groups were as follows: Male common labor, 19.1%; male skilled labor, 10.7%; women 37.7%. Employment in identical establishments declined 4.7% be- tween July, 1914 and the end of the year 1921. Hours In July, 1914, 57.6 hours constituted the average nominal week. By June, 1920, the hours had shrunk to 50.3 and the general level of from 50 to 51 hours was maintained till the close of 1921. The average hours of plant operation in July, 1914 were 56.7. In June, 1920, they declined to 49.3. There was a further de- cline in plant activity between November, 1920 and March, 1921. April, 1921 witnessed a temporary depression, but the general level of the hours of plant operation was well above 49 hours during the remaining months of 1921, showing stabilized conditions. The average week per wage earner show a decline from 52.5 hours in July, 1914, to 47.7 hours in June, 1920. The general trend closely followed that of plant operation. There was a marked improvement in working hours during 1921 . A com- parison of hours in Decembei-, 1920 and December, 1921 shows that the average wage earner was working 4.7 hours longer in the latter period than in the preceding year. Conclusion The study of wages and hours in the leather tanning industry shows that: 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at |.446, or 108% above the July, 1914 level of ^.214. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at ^21.93, or 9i% above the July, 1914 level of $1 1.24. 3. From June, 1920 up to January, 1922 the decline in the total number of wage earners employed wag 16%, 128 < II 1 *». oo r^ o -^ in Ttt c-^ CS CS CM cs cs cs cs ^ cocMr-u-i 00 ON OOOnOnO O inONTHcoooNo CS wOt-hOCM CM CM CM CM CM CM •& ■1 CN lo (N a\ ^ Tt< Oi CT\ CO oo oo r^ r^ lo CS CM CM fS CM CS CM oo CO On 00 oo o CMCMCMC^CN CM w CO CM On in CO OOOe^ONQ CM CM CM r^ »-< CM Av. Weekly Earn- ings « s O Vi -^ 0\ CO O CM oo r- r-^ i>) \o v£) to ,—(,—(,—( f—( 1-H i-H .-H CO On oo in NO CO CO r^ CO r^ CM -^ CM w CM CM CO CO CO ^ O -^ CO oo in i-H CM r-^ ■<*< in '^ Tit^* CO CO CO -^ I^ \0 i-H CM V£» O CO ■^ ■^ '^ -^ ro -^ n ooi-fO oo -* \0 '-'— iCM wOO CO CO CO CO CO CO TtHf^in winNO ON On On On oo On CM CM C^ C^ CM CM >1l K ^ CO CM '^f r-- CO i-H CO CM CM CM r^ ^ o d tJ< ^ -T^ CO ^ ^ ^ oo ONt^ i-H NO ON '<*< t^ OO CO w CM oor^ 00 oco CO CO CO CO -^-^-^ CN r-^ Tt4 r-- r^ o ^ >^ ^ ^ ^ ^ J 1^ tr vo o oo o\ vo OOO t^VO ^ CN^O t-, r^ vo ^o «n -"i^ Tt< O CM NOOO h- oo CMI^NO -^cMr^ ^ CO CO ^ ^ "^ OO ON CJN CM NO O NO OO oo CT\ ON C7N ■^ ^^ ^* ^^ "^ ■^ 3 II l»4 1 1 CO i-f r^ oi o r^ ^ tr, UT* ■* CO CM CM C^I CM CM CM CM CM n ■"^ONO v-hO \0 ONOOOOO ^CM CM CM CM CM in o r-' »j^ "^ CO ^ s !§ 1 OOV£)r^O^ O CO \o ^ so r^ ^ r-- \o CM CM CM CM CM CM CM cor^-* (M CTs OO CO CO coco '-t ^ CM CM CM CM CM C^ On O On ^ ^-t Tt< CM CM CM CM CM CM Av. Weekly Earn- ings O ^ OS 1-1 CO CM 0\ CM 0^ CO CT\ -^ O CO O CTv ON oo r^ r^ vo CO CM CM CM CM CM CM '^r^NOO'n ch ^ oo w-ja\ooin -^Ot^'!*'CM w R?5?;?i?]?; ■^m-^-^to^ CM CM CM CM CM CM 4i^ 6^ O ^ r^ "st^ "^ ^ oo to CM CM CO CM CO ^ ^O ^O ^ ^O ^ ^ ^ OnI^ ^inTt< CM ininvn-* ^ ^ ioin>nin»nin in t^ -* cor^ CO ,_! 1— ( ^H o Cn O vrnninin -^in .-as ^11 00 o\ o ON vo o vo r-- r^ OO VO VI "^ CM CM -^CsNOOs^O in -^ wvor-. w 1— 1 CM "^ to NO CO r^CO 00 OONO oo Tt< Tt« TtH tH -^ TtH ^11 CM CM O *n CM VO vCl oo »n oo CO r^ rvi NO ^« '-^^ON^^^ ^^ ^^ ON^ vflO TP Tt^ -^ TJH CO »n o r^ vo o ^ >no incM -^ oo oo r^ ^-^ "^^^ co'co'co'-^"'^'^'' CO CM •'J^ CO CM CO ON-* w C3N ONOO -* NO vo lo r^ CTn 1 1 II 1 1 t^Oco^NO^t^ in COCOON ON in ON On C3N oo oo On o NO oo T-i oo r~- oo r~^ NO rv NO r^ 1 »N ON CO CO »-• O ON CM u-» vO \0 NO vo »JTJ^ CM CM CM CM 0» M CM i-^ ■* CO I--. i> r^ CM CM CM .-H ^ T-i CM CM CM CM CM CM ooooin i-io CO On On On On 00 On Av. Weekly Earn- ings § S in NO -* NO r^ r-^ CM o^ tt \o ■<** 00 CO c^ rt* NO w-i* u-J TjH -^ CO CM CM CM CM CM r^ CM ON --^^ CM OO OO OO ■^ CM cMr^i> -^ CO <-< CO CO Th Tt< CO r^w-i ooirnn CM CM CM r^ CM CM C3N ON oo oo oo ON r-H rH 1-H 1— 1 <— 1 1— 1 Mi 1 NO CO CO On r-- NO i-H wcMol-H^^O 1-1 NO CO CM CM ^ in -«*< Tt^ CO CO CO ^. "* '^. ^ ■*. ^. to -»*< 0\ O NO "* ONON oooor^oo CO to CO to CO CO -^ NOO ^ ^ CM OO GO o ON ON DO r^ r^, ■<** m ^ -^ Tfi Tt« Th t^Noa\-i WON i^r^r^oo GO ON CM CM r^ in CM CO O ^ r^ On On o lo -<** '^ ■* •* in „2 41 1 f-t o CO ■* ON •-< r^ ON r--^in^co^cM^ON^oo^ co" co" CO co" CO cm"cm" -^O oo CO CO '^Noooin vo in NO -^in |> ooo oTcm' c-TcT cm" CO COO -* '^ oo to 1^ wr^r--ONO oo On On O i— 1 I— < CM^CM^CM^co^coco" p 8 a|5 ^i iUMi MMii 129 4. The depression period occurred in February, 1921, fol- lowed in the spring and summer months by a gradual approach to more normal conditions. 5. Indications at the beginning of 1922 pointed to a fairly tabilized condition of employment, earnings and production. 130 XII BOOT AND SHOE MANUFACTURING The wage investigation in the boot and shoe industry covered establishments manufacturing only leather footwear. The returns covering the manufacture of rubber footwear are in- cluded in tabulations for the rubber industry. Returns were received from 101 plants, 98 of which supplied material for the last wage investigation. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month was 55,629 in June, 1920. Thus over 22% of the wage earners reported by the 1919 Census of Manufactures for the boot and shoe industry are covered in this report. The plants covered in this investigation are repre- sentative in the number of wage earners employed and in distribution and size, located principally in centers of boot and shoe manufacturing such as Bingham ton, N. Y.; Boston and environs; Chicago; Cincinnati; Manchester, N. H.; Phila- delphia, and St. Louis. The geographical distribution within 11 states is as follows: Illinois 8 New Jersey 3 Maine 3 New York 13 Massachusetts 31 Ohio 7 Michigan 1 Pennsylvania 7 Missouri 10 Wisconsin 5 New Hampshire 13 Compilation of hourly wage data in the boot and shoe indus- try is exceedingly difficult. A record of hours worked and hourly earnings is kept by only a few establishments. The frequent combination of piece and per diem rates and task and bonus systems makes any compilation of actual hourly data practically impossible. Only a few of the schedules received in the investigation included actual hours. In order, however, to give some conception of average hours and average hourly earnings, an estimate has been made by multiplying the plant hours by the number of people, thus securing actual man hours based on the time of plant operation. As many plants work their employees practically the full time 131 of plant operation, it was felt that this method of compilation would give a fairly accurate estimate of hourly earnings and hours. In addition, the few plants that reported actual hours on their schedules were included in the total, but they did not predominate in the group. The average hourly earnings and average hours given for this industry are, therefore, an ap- proximation, but have been included in the composite or sum- mary chapter with the hourly earnings of other basic industries. Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of all wage earners were $.218. By February, 1921, they had increased 152% to $.SS. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 was 12.9%, leaving the average hourly earnings at $.479 or 120% above the 1914 level. During 1920 hourly earnings stood at practically a constant level. From February, 1921, there was a gradual decline. The study shows that in July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male common labor were $.187. By June, 1920, they had increased 121% to $.414. From this period they declined 16.7% to $.345 up to January, 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $.246. They increased 154% to $.626 by February, 1921, and declined 12.3% to $.549 from the latter period up to January, 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of women were $.171. By February, 1921, they had increased 154% to $.434. The decline from this period up to January, 1922 amounted to 14.3%, making the average hourly earnings at that time $.372. By January, 1922, therefore, the percentages of increase for these three groups respectively were 84%, 123% and 118% over the 1914 levels. (b) Weekly earnings: In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of all wage earners were $1 1.60. By June, 1920, they had risen 111% to $24.43. The decline from this period up to January 1, 1922 was 8.2%, making the average weekly earnings $22.43 or 93% above the July, 1914 level., In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male common labor were $9.86. By June, 1920, they had increased 99% to $19.61, falling again 18.8% to $15.93 by January, 1922. In 132 CENTS PER HOUR IDQi — 90 BO TO 8D SO 40 30 80 10 Boot and Shoe Manufacturing AVERAGE HOURLY EABNINBS 1914 "~' -JStfM. AVER ABE WEEKLY EABNINBS jwtjiui. A"B. ggi raiED "^eN-u 1921 m-Nnve DEC. JWl FEB. M«ll.Mi:M<¥ji]W..I ULI>lid BEB bEFJi (National Industrial Conference Board) 133 Composite Payroll Data- —Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Number Wage Wages (AH Wage Earners) Period Earners Employed Average Hours One Week 1914-22 Establ. (77 plants) 1920-22 Establ. (101 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earnings In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 July.... 41,169 53.1 54.5 54.5 $.218 $11.60 100 100 1920 June . . . 46,083 55,629 47.3 48.2 48.5 .sn 24.43 237 211 July.... 42,015 49,865 46.1 47.1 47.7 .519 23.90 238 206 Aug. . . . 40,055 48,431 45.1 46.2 48.3 .519 23.37 238 201 Sept. . . . 36,658 44,619 44.3 46.6 48.4 .514 22.78 236 196 Oct 35,032 42,708 43.0 45.5 48.6 .511 21.95 234 189 Nov 32,841 40,177 41.7 43.3 48.6 .516 21.52 237 186 Dec... 33,251 39,867 41.2 41.5 48.6 .523 21.54 240 186 1921 Jan 30,892 36,791 40.1 41.3 48.4 .545 21.85 250 188 Feb.... 35,336 42,760 44.0 45.8 48.7 .550 24.20 252 209 Mar. . . . 36,519 44,456 44.8 45.7 48.5 .544 24.38 250 210 April. . . 36,699 45,118 45.7 46.9 48.5 .516 23.56 237 203 May . . . 38,428 47,454 47.3 48.1 48.6 .493 23.35 226 201 June . . . 40,092 49,330 47.4 48.3 48.5 .490 23.23 225 200 July*. . . 42,252 51,238 47.2 48.2 48,5 .474 22.36 217 193 Aug. . . . 43,986 53,482 47.4 48.2 48.3 .485 22.98 222 198 Sept.... 44,479 53,639 46.9 47.7 48.5 .484 22.70 222 196 Oct 43,387 52,646 46.2 48.3 49.0 .478 22.06 219 190 Nov 45,130 54,048 45.9 47.1 48.3 .471 21,60 216 186 Dec. . . . 46,484 55,397 46.9 48.0 48.8 .479 22.43 220 193 *See Introduction, p. 2. July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were |13.18. By June, 1920, they had increased 113% to $28.01. The dedine from this point up to January, 1922 was 8.2%, making the average weekly earnings 5525.72 at the latter period. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $8.97. By March, 1921, they had increased 115% to $19.32., The decline from this period up to January, 1922, amounted to 9.6%, leaving the average earnings $17.47 at the latter period. By January, 1922, therefore, the average weekly earnings of theSe three groups had increased respectively 62%, 95% and 95% over the July, 1914 levels. 134 THOUSANDS 55 SD 45 ^^-'' 4D 35 3D E5 aa 15 ID 5 n Ji jy 1914 60 55 50 45 40 35 3D E5 19 Boot and Shoe Manufactur ng NUMBER DF WAGE EARNERS JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP OCT. MOV DEC . JAN. FEB. MAR. Affi. MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEH OCT. NOV DEC . I9ED laai AVERAGE HOURS OF WaRK "* PJ CS CS (N C^ CN (N ONTj* ^ 0\NO ON ■^ truo CO CM i-H CNOICJCNCMOJ CM I>- 1— 1 NO to CJO CM CM C^ C^ rl CM *||t ■* ■* CO rl CN ^ u-1 oo u-i o^ vo 1— t O -^ oo 00 1-^ r- r^ r^ r-^ w-» CO CM QO OO O ^ ^ CO tn .-ir- r^ ononoo oor^ ■* CO NO CO On r-^ ONO OOO OO -tt* t^ t~^ vo r-- NO r^ if ; 4» OO CO c» (N VD ^o O 0^0 O^O^O^Q (N CO ■* CO CO CO ^ '^ CM cocoo oor-- Tj^-^ -^Tf coco CM ^oor^cM NO r-* NO r~- NO r-- CO CO CO CO CO CO "^ 03' CO O 1-H O CO O \0 f- ^O lo »0 CO C^ ^ ^ 00\-^ i-HCO 1— ■ to OO 1— 1 O ON f 1 1 O '^ -^ »J-i l^ t^ r^r^NONONONo r^ o Tt^ o CO ON cs ^ OS »o OO lO >J-» oo crccTr-^ u^ vo -^ Tt^ tN ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ O CM -^ CM O CO 1— « 1— 1 1— 1 .— . ,— I r-l NOCMr^CM OOCO C^l '^ CO CM O ^ CM ON^CM to to CO On On O ON On O Q i si 1^ 1 1 CO oo -.^^ r-^ O -^J* CO »-< O O On a» oo oo tN CS I CM C^ NO NO NO to tH to CM C^ CM CM CM CM • Ih C CO (4. eN cs ^o O "^ ■* o 0\ On 0\ ON oo c» 0\ in to »o cr, i^i vo »^ CO ^ 1— i^o ^ r^ rJ Ol CM OO VONO NO V£> \0 lO to W-» •-< CO On ^ r-^ ON to NO NO *o CO Tf to to to to to to (5 L .US CO CS (SO OO^O ON r~-.\o u-i ■<*< (N .-H o ■* -4^ -^ ■<**"* "*"* C»ONI>00 -* to C^I too CM ON On 43 1" o\co-^ior^r^ r^ t^ r-- NO to NO -st^ Tt* -^ Tji -^ -rt^ ^n 1 OO OO T^ CO ^o oo ^o On »j-> CO oo to c^ r^ I> -«JH ^ >o O^OO^CS co^o^oCr-"^" -*" rf" CO CO (N C4 CS CS (N O ^NO C0>^0 r^ -^co tnt^ On -^T-J^OO^CM^CO^TjH^ CSCMCMCSCMOI o ooooNo or^ -*^r^o-HcMO rt^ OO OO vO 1— 1 NO O ^- i— < 1— ' CO CO CO coco CO CO CO 1' 3 D s < - II 1 1 ON lO OO CO O "O OO ON r^ -o r^ CO !>■ oo CO I^ On C>1 OO CM oo GO t^ oo r^ oc OONONO*OCOCM NO <0 vo NO tr. NO ,_(,-(,_, ,—1 _ ,—1 1 g 1 cs ^ ^ ^ ^ ^CJ (N CM n cs cs CM n ^ooSo^o Olr^CMCM^CM ON r^ 00 rt< CO -^ CO OO CO OO OO OO u § ^ yt a\i^\D ^ cor^ vo (N •J^ O I^ CO w^ o\ t^ ^o r^ r^ r-^ oo triNOr^to oocM O -^NO ONto ON r~-No NO ONo CO ^COCOCOOON oo oo r^ r^ r^ r-- NO»ONONO«OlO >• 3 i, M ^ ^ •* --« r-. CO VD O CO ■^ O OnOnO ■-< ^ ■* '^ CO CO -^ ''i* '^ cMwcocMc^vo O CJN CO ON ^0 r-- ■«** CO CO CO CO CO COO CM to CO »o to to to Ttl ^ ■^ CO CO CO CO CO CO ■^^r^^i^eoo\ r^ CO w CO CO CM -^ ^ ^ ^ "^ "^ ■^ ^ ONCM to OONO t^ ONONVOCOO'-H ^r^io tor^t^ ^^ ^^ ^^ NO CO NO r^ '^ NO Tf '^ ^* '^ "^ -^ 1 TtH t^ CO ^ ON O ON ^ ^Tt^iO ononO cM^ON o^cTs r- r^ oo NO 00C0*O0\N0 OO ON o^o^o^^ (N CM ■* ooor*^ r^No ONO cMr^ »O^NO^to to -^ Tf H 1 1- 1- cs ■ • i • • - ! *■■.::: : j ^ 2P a "■ fe " 137 4. Employment in December, 1921, stood at the same level as in June, 1920, there having been a decided decrease during 1920 and a marked increase during 1921 . While hourly earnings declined, weekly earnings and working hours were well sustained. 5. The boot and shoe industry during 1921 was marked by considerable fluctuations, but, on the whole, showed a gradual tendency to improvement as compared with the conditions in 1920. 138 XIII MEAT PACKING The wage investigation in the meat packing industry in- cluded those establishments engaged in the slaughtering, dress- ing and packing of meats. Returns were received from 50 plants, 47 of which supplied material for the last wage in- vestigation. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month in the SO estabhshments was 36,139 in June, 1920. Thus, over 21% of the wage earners reported by the 1919 Census of Manufactures for the packing industry are covered in this report. The data are representative of the industry, covering 10 of the largest plants in the Chicago stock yards, and a good selection of independent plants scattered through the country. The geographical distribution of plants within 22 states is as follows: California 1 Missouri 3 Colorado 1 New Jersey Illinois 13 New York Indiana 2 Ohio Iowa .' 3 Oklahoma Kansas 2 Pennsylvania Kentucky 1 Rhode Island Maine 1 Tennessee Massachusetts 1 Texas Michigan 1 West Virginia 2 Minnesota 2 Wisconsin 2 Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of all wage earners were $.216. By July, 1920, they had risen 171% to $.586. They declined 23.9%, from the latter period up to January, 1922, at which time the average hourly earnings were |.446, an increase of 106% over July, 1914. A general high level of hourly earnings was maintained during the last half of 1920. In March, 1921, a marked decline was shown, principally as a result of the \2}4% to 15% wage reduction made in the Chicago meat packing industry. The minimum 139 wage for this locality dropped from $.53 to $A5 an hour. As ten of the largest companies included in the present investiga- tion are Chicago meat packing houses, the entire wage trend was affected by this local situation. The drop in weekly earnings is also due to the wage cut made at this time. The general trend of hourly earnings during the last half of 1921 was gradu- ally downward, with a reduction of 3^ cents occurring in December. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of ma/e common labor were $.183. In June, 1920, they had increased 197% over July, 1914, to $.544. From June, 1920 up to January, 1922, they declined 31.7% to $.387. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $.269. By June, 1920, they had increased 148%, to $.667. They declined 20.1% from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922, bringing the average earnings down to $.533. In July, 1914, the aver- age hourly earnings of women were $.123. In October and November, 1920, they had reached $.432, an increase of 251%. The decline from these peaks up to January, 1922, amounted to 33.1%, the average earnings at the beginning of 1922 being $.289. By January, 1922, therefore, the average hourly earn- ings for these three groups had increased respectively 111%, 98% and 135% over the July, 1914 levels. (b) Weekly earnings: Average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914, were $12.07. By July, 1920, they had risen 137% to $28.66. The dechne was 24.6% from the latter period up to January, 1922, at which time the average weekly earnings were $21.62, a net increase of 79% over July, 1914. The trend of weekly earnings throughout the last half of 1920 and the entire year of 1921 was gradually downward, and was affected by the decline in hourly earnings rather than by a shortening of working hours. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male common labor were $10.25. In September, 1920, they had risen 160% over July^ 1914, to $26.63. From September, 1920 up to January, 1922, they dechned 29.9%, to $18.66. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were $15.12. By July, 1920, they had increased 119% to $33.04, declining to $26.19 or l^.'iP/o from the latter period up to the beginning of 140 Meat Packing AVERAGE HDUBLY EARNINGS (National Industrial Conference Board) 141 Composite Payroll Data — Meat Packing Period Number Wage Earners Employed Average Hours Wages (All Wage Earners) One Week 1914-22 Establ. (29 plants) 1920-22 Establ. (SO plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earnings In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 July.... 21,349 5S.9 58.8 59.3 $.216 $12.07 100 100 1920 June . . . 30,464 36,139 48.9 49:6 49.1 .583 28.52 270 236 July.... 30,662 36,122 48.9 49.5 49.1 .586 28.66 271 237 Aug 30,559 35,898 47.6 48.9 49.1 .580 27.62 269 229 Sept. . . . 30,025 35,269 49.2 49.3 49.1 .579 28.49 268 236 Oct 30,046 35,277 49.4 50.0 49.2 .577 28.47 267 236 Nov. . . . 29,013 34,327 48.6 49.5 49.4 .582 28,32 269 235 Dec... 27,982 33,241 47.3 48.5 49.1 .574 27.13 266 225 1921 Jan 25,834 30,972 48.2 49.2 49.3 .568 27.34 263 227 Feb. . . . 25,735 30,713 45.8 48.0 49.3 .568 26.06 263 216 March. . 24,011 28,693 47.2 48.5 49.3 .518 24.44 240 202 April. . . 22,112 26,436 47.2 48.7 49.4 .507 23.93 235 198 May . . . 23,441 27,993 46,1 48.7 49.4 .503 23.22 233 192 June . . . 23,842 28,458 48.2 49.4 49.6 .493 23.74 228 197 July'... 25,247 29,700 47.0 47.0 47.9 .484 22.73 224 188 Aug 25,336 29,703 46.3 46.6 48.1 .486 22.48 225 186 Sept. . . . 26,034 30,483 46.8 47,5 48.0 .487 22.81 225 189 Oct 26,351 30,952 47.2 47.6 47.9 .485 22.89 225 190 Nov. . . . 24,897 30,410 47.0 47.6 48.0 4.81 22.62 223 187 Dec... 22,310 26,760 48.5 48.2 47.9 .446 21.62 206 179 *See Introduction, p. 2. 1922. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $6.68. By October, 1920, they had increased 212% to $20.89. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 35.3%, the average earnings at the beginning of 1922 being $13.52. By January, 1922, therefore, the average weekly earnings for these three groups had increased respectively 82%, 73% and 102% over July, 1914 levels. Employment The total decline in employment from June, 1920 up to January, 1922 was 26%. The trend shows a steady decline from the peak through April, 1921. The spring and summer months of 1921 showed an increase in the number of wage 142 Meat Packing 35 30 S5 / / / y SD . 15 10 5 n ^t ^ 45 40 35 30 E5 I9t4 IBEI AVERAGE HOURS OF WORK ACtUALWEEK OF PLANT DPERATIDN ACTUAL WEEK PEH WAGE EAONEH JUN. JUL AUS. aeg DCT. NOV. do:. J«t FEfl.M«B. APB.MAf Jim. JUL AUa SEP. OCT. ND« DEC . rasn BET (National Industrial Conference Board) 143 earners employed. In December, 1921, however, a severe cur- tailment in working forces occurred, which was most marked- in the male skilled labor group. The largest decline in em- ployment from the peak, however, occurred among women, there being a decrease of 44.4% in the number employed. Employment in identical establishments between July, 1914, and the end of the year 1921, increased 4.5%. The decline in these same establishments between June, 1920, and January, 1922, was 26.8%. Hours In July, 1914, 59.3 hours constituted the average nominal week. Following the general reduction in length of working hours during the war period, the nominal week fell to 49.1 hours in June, 1920, and a general level of slightly more than 49 hours was maintained through June, 1921. In July, 1921, there was a further decline in the hours of the nominal week to approximately 48 hours, which was maintained till the close of the year 1921. Average hours of plant operation in July, 1914, were 58.8 hours. By June, 1920, they had been reduced to 49.6 hours. There were considerable fluctuations in the hours of plant opera- tion, but on the whole they held close to the average hours of the nominal week. The meat packing industry was little affected, therefore, by the economic depression existing in basic industries. The demand for meat and meat products was fairly steady, even though industry in general was passing through a period of retrenchment. The average actual week per wage earner showed a decline from 55.9 hours in July, 1914, to 48.9 hours in June, 1920. The trend during 1920 and 1921 closely followed that of plant activity. A marked increase in actual working hours occurred in Decem- ber, 1921. On the whole, hours in the meat packing industry showed only a slight decline in comparison with the large reduc- tion of hours in metal working trades and textiles during the depression period. 144 i ^. en CO cs CO CO CO cs NO ^ lO -<* ON U^ ON I^ vn -4* CO -^ CM-6^ CM CM CM CM g IB ^ o or^ oo ^ ^ ^o U^ U-l -^ Ttl lO U-1 -.^ CO CO CO CO CO CO CO NO ■* CM OO rh »o Tt^ -<** O OO OO OO coco CO CM CM CM NO •* too ^ to rt* \C) as a\ ^^ t>- CO vo O *J^ oo cs «J^ o o (> d d d o\ CM CN t-H (N CS (N ^ \o o ^ -f* v^ tn r^^OcoONco OO r-. CM '^t' 00 CM ONoocMi^r^ to <|^.S On OO r^ NO "^ NO T_< ,_H ,— 1 1— ( 1— 1 1— ( to to NO to to CO ^ll-t !? ^ W in CO »-H '^j^ ON o CM CM r^ UT<*< to ■^ -^ CO coco CO CM c^ ^ -^t^ NO CT\ to-^to-^-^oo CO CO coco CO CM # •^ s; O On oo i-H CO On On t^ r^ vo oo oo \o »j-i li^ OO ON f-H r^ t^ to to CM r--- NO OO NO CM W-i NO VO NO to to NO to to NO ^11 ^ ^^O^ ^ON oo O r^ »-< ■'f oo CO On -*" ■'i^'' ■*"-*" •*" co' co" ■> 1 r^ vo -* CO NO OO ON NO NO U-1 VO Tt* UO CO VO NO NO NO NO NO NO CO r^ ^n OO NO 1-i en coooNor-^ NO NO vO "^ "^ trj lo CO C3N I^ CO CO CO Tji Tt* Tf -"^^ ■* CO lOto toto to to ? Tt< r-. ^ vr, CM T-H OO On On OO On O On r-^ OsvONO 0\0 OO r^ocMONON^ 1 } OO NO r^ r-^ NO OO TtH -^ -^ -^ -* rfH :§^^:;S^5! %1 1 r^ CM ON OO NO OO o» '^ r^ \o o 'J^ rJ ^ OO -^ "^fHs*^„^^r^ irj \0 \0 ^ -O NO vri <-" in r^ O OO ■<** '^ NO NO CO U^ NO I^NO^UT^UT^ ^ ""1, ■«*^'<4^'co'cm''co'co ONCOO ONOOTt* OO O (NNO 00 VO^O^CO^OO^-<1^^CM^ Tt« irTtfTto to CM 1 go II 1 1 oor^o ONO -^No *o u-i vn vo »Jl tr, T}< CM CM (N (N CM CM CM -^ CM 00»n 00 ^ ^ CO r-H ^ O ^ CM CM CM CM CM (N OOCOONOfO CM 1 0\ 0\ On On ON ON On CM (N (N CM (N CM (S r^ Tt< o 00 T-H NO OO OO NO lO to T^ CM CM CM CM CM CM CDCM tOTt*0\ w ^ ^ ■^ ^ CO ^ CM CM CM CM CM (N >|^a in ,— I u-i CO -^ CM On TjH CO NO NO CM O ^ NO NO *^ NO NO NO "^ CM (N CM (N CM CM CM CM O OOW-icM OO O OO CO O CO to to CO CM CM 1-^ r-t CM CM CM C^^ C^ CM O OO NO On to vo CO !>■ -^ '^ OO NO 1— I O i— t »-< O 00 CM CM CM CM CM -r-i 6^ ■* CO CO CM OO u-i X^ ■^■^Tf -^^^ CO CO CO in un u-i uo un irno to O^ CM O --< CM CM r-- I-- NO «J-l tovo-^ ^^-^ to CO ON r^ OO r-^ >1l NO '^ CM ^ r^ NO ON OO OO r-^ On 00 CO NO r^r^ or-^ -^ON r^ tor^No vo t^ 00 cy\ 00 NT) CM r^ NO r-^ 00 r--. 00 ^11 ^ Onco viO O ^ ON r- '-H ^ -"f NO CO vq^O^ oo^no^On^ co^ O^ r~- to NO OO to -^ O O ■* to»ri On CM^^C^CO^O cO_ Co'co'(S"^CM cm" CM Tt^ wr-. ooa^ CM 00 CO r^ ^ ON^'^^OO^NO^tO 0\ Q O §p •* • » .■■'.'. 145 Conclusion A study of wages and hours in the meat packing industry shows that: 1 . Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at $.446, or 106% above the July, 1914 level of $.216. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at $21.62, or 79% above the July, 1914 level of $12.07. 3. ^Employment declined 26% from the peak up to Jan- uary, 1922. 4. The trend of hours remained fairly steady during 1920 and 1921. 5. The general wage reduction is fairly comparable with that in many other basic industries. 14(6 XIV CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING A. Chemicals Wage data in this industry cover establishments engaged in the manufacture of acids, salts, dyestufFs, and other chemical products. An analysis of wage conditions in fertilizer manu- facturing has been made in a separate section Returns were received from. 74 establishments, of which all but one furnished information for the last wage investigation. The largest num- ber of wage earners employed in any one month was 17,232 in July, 1920. Thus, approximately 26% of the wage earners reported by the 1919 Census of Manufactures for the chemical industry are covered in this, report. The geograph cal distri- bution within 22 states and the District of Columbia is as follows: Alabama 1 Massachusetts 5 California 2 Michigan 2 Colorado, Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia. Georgia Kansas Illinois . Missouri 2 New Jersey 17 New York 12 North Carolina 1 Ohio S Pennsylvania. . ; 8 Rhode Island 1 Indiana 2 West Virginia 3 Kentucky 2 Wisconsin 2 Maryland 2 Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, average hourly earn- ings of all wage earners were S.226. By August, 1920, they had increased 161% to $.589. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 amounted to 22.9%, leaving the average hourly earnings at |.454, an increase of 101% over July, 1914. The decline was gradual throughout the entire period, the most severe reductions in hourly earnings occurring in January, February and March, 1921. 147 The average hourly earnings of male common labor in July, 1914 were J.214. By August, 1920 they had increased 161% to ^.559. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 26.1% to ^.413. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $.266. By August, 1920, they had increased 149% to $.662, and declined 19.9% to $.530 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of women were $.133. By June, 1920, they had increased 156% to $.340. The decline from this peali up to January, 1922 amounted to 13.5%, the average earnings at the beginning of 1922 being $.294. By January, 1922, therefore, the average hourly earnings of these three groups had increased respectively 93%, 99% and 121% over the July, 1914 levels. (b) Weekly earnings: The average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914 were $12.77. By September, 1920, they had increased 137% to $30.25. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 22.3%, leaving the average weekly earnings at $23.49, a net increase of 84% over July, 1914. The trend showed a gradual decline from the peak during 1921. Although hourly earnings decreased, the lengthening of working hours maintained average weekly earnings. For specific groups of employees, the study shows that in July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male common labor were $11.89. By August, 1920, they had increased 138% to $28.34. From the latter period up to January, 1922 they declined 23.6% to $21.66. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were $15.59. By September, 1920, they had increased 131% to $36.07, and from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922 declined 24.5%o to $27.22. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $6.99. By September, 1920, they had increased 103%, to $14.19. The, decline from this peak up to 1922 amounted to 0.8%, the aver- age earnings being $14.07. By January, 1922, therefore, the weekly earnings for these three groups had increased respec- tively 82%, 75% and 101% over the July, 1914 levels. Employment Total employment in the establishments declined 38.1% from June, 1920 up to the beginning of 1922. The percentages of 148 CENTS PER HOUR IDD Chemical Manufacturing average: hourly earnings (National Industrial Conference Board) 149 Composite Payroll Data — Chemical' Manufacturing Period Number Wage Earners Employed Average Hours Wages (All Wage Earners) One Week 1914-22 Establ. (55 plants) 1920-22 Establ. (74 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner AV. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earnings In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 July.... 6,344 56.4 94.3 56.6 $.226 $12.77 100 100 1920 June . . . 12,812 17,068 50.4 ■97.8 51.6 .580 29.24 257 229 July. . . . 12,974 17,232 50.9 96.9 51.6 .588 29.90 260 234 Aug 12,634 16,634 51.2 100.7 51.6 .589 30.16 261 236 Sept. . . . 12,632 16,250 51.7 99.2 51.5 .585 30.25 259 237 Oct 13,140 16,377 51.9 99.6 51.8 .576 29.87 255 234 Nov. . . . 12,096 14,962 49.8 97.5 52.4 .576 28.69 255 225 Dec ... . 9,443 11,862 46.9 91.0 52.4 .571 26.80 253 210 1921 Jan 7,812 9,837 46.8 89.8 52.3 .544 25.50 241 200 Feb.... 7,859 9,814 47.9 85.8 52.1 .526 25.18 233 197 March . . 7,732 9,614 50.1 86.4 52.7 .500 25.01 221 196 April . . . 7,263 8,984 49.6 87.9 52.1 .496 24.64 219 193 May . . . 7,377 8,863 48.8 87.0 52.5 .490 23.90 217 187 June . . . 7,207 8,774 49.9 90.9 52.5 .485 24.20 215 190 July*... 7,204 8,911 50.0 92.1 51.2 .481 24.08 213 189 Aug. . . . 7,666 9,281 49.8 88.0 51.7 .467 23.28 207 182 Sept. . . . 7,714 9,237 51.0 86.9 51.1 .466 23.73 206 186 Oct 8,580 10,435 52.1 89.4 51.0 .453 23.63 200 185 Nov 8,834 10,773 51.2 89.9 51.3 .450 23.07 199 181 Dec... 8,647 10,568 51.8 93.2 51.7 .454 23.49 201 184 *See Introduction, p. 2. decline in the three groups during this period were as follows: n\ale Common labor, 35.3%; male skilled abor, 40.3%; women, 46%. Employment in identical establishments between July, 1914, and the end of the year increased 36.3%. Hours In July, 1914, 56.6 hours constituted the average nominal week. Following a decline of hours during the war period, by June, 1920 the average nominal week dropped to 51.6 hours. This general level was maintained through October, 1920, but in November there was an increase to 52.4 hours, and the general 150 Chemical Manufacturing inOUSANDS IB IE 14 la ID JULY ISK IDS lOQ 95 SD 3Za J N. JUL AUE 3EI! GCT. NIK OEC . JAW. FEB. MM. AW. MAY JUN. JUL MIS. S TP IICT. wnv nFC 1921 p J jj/ ri -i: r m JJ iv m ri V / N \ \ \ \, AC- UAL IT — • )PEC / EK ATI '^Li X \ / jiy 1 \ / ^ — . ,^ ■ — 1 L- — . L (National Industrial Conference Board) 151 1 1 w 1" Zc cm S 1 CO vo ^O CO (N O ON On On CM \0 CO t-^ r^ OO CTs OO OO OO OO CM OO CO in i-H r^ e» CO On ooO o ^ (N CS CS CS CS (N CN . CM CM OnO COCM -^COCM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM Ol ■«** CM r^ OO in ^^ ^ (N ^ ^ T^ CM CM CM CM CM CM CM Av. Weekly Earn- ings oo \o CM o^ 0\ r~- cs i-t ^O t^ i-H O On r-H •^ tn en ^ rii en r~t COO-^COONO in CM ■* O oc O CM CO CO CO CM CO T-H in ^ NO or> ^ r** •— ' ^ On o CM CM CO CO r^' ■* o r^ CO ^ >j^ > 1 >N ON -^ r^ i-H oo oi r^ »-* (N (S CO C>J CS O CS CM CM C^ CS CM CM CM i-H O ON CO Tfi ON ONONCO QO OO 1— 1 1— I 1— t 1— 1 T-H l-H vo -<*^ r^ 1-4 in in t^r^r-oor^i^ 1— 1 l-H T-( T-l 1— 1 1— < "in § B5 ^ \£) r^ 0\ in •* ■* ^ oi C^ ^ ci CM C^ CM CM r^ r- vo »-• CM CO CM <— 1 1— 1 »— 1 T— I CS CM CM CM CM CM O O^CJT-tONON ^ ^O O On C7N CM CM CM CM *-^ i-H Si ^ o o r^c^ oo ^ (N a\ ^ O ^ v> CM T^ -^ vri \o "^ Tt< CM CO CO CO CO CO CO CO ■ tJ* in in NO OO CM c?N OO \o -^ in NO CO S NO CM CM Ol r-' r--" r-" oo" i> r-* CM CM CM CM CM CM in r^ CM CM 0\ CO CM »o tj^ vO in ^ Tt^ tj< \0 VO vo "^ VO "O VD ON OO in in On O in in --^^ CO CM CO u-nnin in imn •3E CS ^ »n Tf O^ Tj* CM CM CO CO in 'I** CO O lo vo u-i »n tn vo in VO Tf ^ IT) OO ON ^ 1^ vr, vn »j^ VI OO r^ NO r- Tt* ■* OO OO O CM i-H ^ -^J^ -^ in in m in {5 to ■* On ^ QO ■* CM a\ r-H o r^ CO r- CO ^ .-il^ '^ CO ON M) ^^^<^o'^o"^o'ln -^^ O OVOOVOONTl" c*3 c*) CO n n c*^ ■* ON T-H O »-i ^ On CMr^ ^hO On ^^r-;^NO^^^COCM^ co'co CO ■* "^ -^ Q z II 1(§ 1 1 t-^ *0 CO w^ in ^ (N CM CMCM SScMCM Ti) CM CM CM C3 Tf O OONO O CM Ol C-1 ?5 ?J ?J r^r^o CM T-H CO O On O On On On Av. Weekly Earn- ings ^ S ■^ ^ Tt< VO OO CO NO O O CO ON On CO CM r-- oo oo r-^ r^ NO in CM CM CM CM CM CM (N O tNOO — 1 ■* rO QO u-t o n ON CJN cs r^ On 1-* OO NO^ON ON VO CO^NO^ ■^'^'^■^''in'irrin' Hi § sp 152 average of over 52 hours was maintained through June, 1921. The last six months of 1921 showed a decline below 52 hours. The average hours of plant operation increased in this two-shift industry from 94.3 in July, 1914, to 97.8 in June, 1920. Plant hours were well sustained through November, 1920. The year 1921 was marked by a much lower level. The tendency, dur- ing the last three months of 1921, was toward a resumption of more normal activity. The average actual week per wage earner showed a decline from 56.4 in July, 1914, to 50.4 in June, 1920. Working hours were somewhat irregular during 1920-21. The last six months of 1921 showed a return to more normal and sustained work- ing hours. Conclusion The study of wages and hours in chemical manufacturing shows that: 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922, stood at J.454 or 101% above the July, 1914 level of ?.226. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at $23.49 or 84% above the July, 1914 level of ?12.77. 3. The wage reductions, of 22.9% in hourly earnings and 22.3% in weekly earnings, from the peaks were in general accord with reductions in many basic industries. 4. Employment decreased 38.1% from June, 1920 to the beginning of January, 1922, showing the effect of the indus- trial depression upon this industry. 5. The gradual increase of working hours during the latter half of 1921 helped maintain weekly earnings at a more or less stationary level. 153 B. Fertilizer Manufacturing Conditions in establishments manufacturing agricultural chemicals and fertilizers are so different from those in other branches of chemical manufacturing that separate classifica- tion has been made of this industry. The fertilizer industry is generally confined to plants in southern states employing a large proportion of common labor. Seasonal fluctuations are characteristic of this industry, and naturally all wage data are affected by such changes. A total of 51 plants was covered out of the dd establishments which furnished data for the last wage investigation. The largest number of wage earners em- ployed in any one month in the 51 establishments was 6,152 in August, 1920. The number of female wage earners was not tabulated, as the total number in this group is relatively small. Thus, approximately 27% of the wage earners reported by the 1919 Census of Manufactures for the fertilizer industry are covered in this report. The geographical distribution within 21 states is as follows: Alabama 1 New Hampshire 1 Arkansas 1 New Jersey 3 California 3 New York. 1 Connecticut 1 North Carolina S Florida 3 Ohio 6 Georgia 11 Pennsylvania 1 Illinois 1 South Carolina 5 Indiana 1 Tennessee 1 Louisiana 1 Texas 1 Maryland 2 Virginia 1 Michigan 1 Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of all wage earners were $.206. By September, 1920 they had risen 136% to J.486, The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 38.1%, at which time the average hourly earnings were |.301, an increase of 46% over July, 1914. The trend of hourly earnings showed a well-sustained level through November, 1920. Beginning in December, wage adjustments began to take effect, with more severe reductions occurring throughout 1921. In July, 1914 the average hourly earnings of male common labor were J. 196. By September, 1920 they had increased 137% to J.464. The decline from the latter period up to 154 Fertilizer Manufacturing AVERAGE HOURLY EAHNIKIBS (National Industrial Conference Board) 15S Composite Payroll Data— Fertilizer Manufacturing Number Wage UTorroc Period Earners Employed Average Hours (All WagTiarners) One Week 1914-22 Establ. (35 plants) 1920-22 Establ. (61 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Karner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earnings In Hrly. Wkly. 19/4 July.... 2,951 55.4 59.4 60.0 $.206 $11.42 100 100 IP20 June . . . 3,480 4,540 53.7 55.7 55.8 .473 25.40 230 222 July.... 3,710 4,882 55.4 58.0 56.4 .474 26.22 230 230 Aug. . . . 4,624 6,152 53.3 56.2 56.1 .480 25.55 233 224 Sept. . . . 4,208 5,628 54.0 55.5 55.6 .486 26,27 236 230 Oct 3,941 5,281 53.4 53.7 55.6 .478 25.53 232 224 Nov. . . . 3,63S 4,871 52.6 55.0 55.3 .474 24.96 230 219 Dec. . . . 3,570 4,576 54.5 54.7 55.2 .450 24.53 218 215 /(>2/ Jan 3,136 4,134 52.0 54.0 55.3 .398 20.71 193 181 Feb.... 3,242 4,110 51.0 54.2 55.5 .381 19.41 185 170 March. . 4,050 5,540 49.9 54.1 55.1 .350 17.45 170 153 April . . . 3,199 4,179 48.7 53,7 55.1 .343 16.68 167 146 May . . . 1,994 2,565 51.3 54.2 55.3 .341 17.29 166 151 June . . . 1,819 2,309 51.0 51.0 55.4 .340 17.33 165 152 July*. . . 1,777 2,159 49.9 53.0 54.9 .342 17.07 166 149 Aug 1,886 2,370 50.0 53.1 55.0 .329 16,46 160 144 Sept. . . . 2,366 3,046 49,9 54.5, 54,7 .316 15.74 153 138 Oct 2,106 2,921 50.9 54.2 54.5 .305 15.53 148 136 Nov. . . . 1,867 2,648 50.8 S3. 5 54. 6 ,312 15,86 151 139 Dec... 2,076 2,955 52.4 54,3 54.6 ,301 15.78 146 138 *See Introduction, p. 2. January, 1922, was 42% to $.269. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $.223. By August 1920 they had risen 165% to $.592 declining 32.8% to f.398 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. By Janu- ary, 1922, therefore, the average hourly earnings of male com- mon labor and male skilled labor had increased respectively 37% and 78% over the July, 1914 levels. (b) Weekly earnings: The average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914 were $11.42. By September, 1920 they had increased 130% to $26.27. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 39.9%, at which time the average weekly earnings were $15.78, a net increase of 38% over July, 1914. Weekly earnings maintained a high level through October, 1920. Beginning in November, due to reduc- 156 Fertilizer Manufacturing B,5QD 6,DDD S.SDD S,QDa 4.50D 4.DDD 3,5DD 3.D0D 2.5QD 2.DDD I.5DD I.DDD 500 Dl juiy 1914 BS — N M BEH _Jk. DF w Ala Lt ^ Nt Ht —^ — — ^ / ^t /, 1 1 %• y / \ A. A \ ./ \ .::^, s U 1 1 Vi ^ * r j' ^\ 19 4-5 ES TAB. LHS s f* \ ll h — — — \ y ^ / s N ^/St, ^ ~. ^£^ riSK s x">' ? ■•« ILLED ^. - ■**■ — *»». ^•H ^ ».. .^ ^., __. _.. J N. JUL AUG SEP OCT NW OEC. JftN, FIB MM.APP MAY JUN..IIJL AUG. SfJ QHT NflY DFr 3SD ISEI EH 55 50 45 40 35 3D 191 AVERAGE HOURS OF WORK asu JUW. JUL. AUG. an? DCT. NDV. dec. JAN^FEH. M) to CM C-t »0 CM O O '-* O NO '-H 1-^ ■<*< -<*^ Tt< CM r^ CM ^ CD n c^ CO r^ con CM CM C^ r^ CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM m ^ ■*0(N C3\-<^r^ -* OOO ■*'OCM Tt^ OnOO ONONNO OO rJH u-i cj\ r^ t^ oo in O O oo CO to to < 4i in "J^ tn LTj to lo to to to-* -^-^Th ■*-*■*■*'* CD Mm E M. CD Tf" 00 -tJ^ in ^O ci CD'O -^^O O ^ ^ "* NO CD-* CM t^ O (N O O C\ I~~- CO N£) NO OO Th -* lO NO NO r^ "o '^ 1--- Ti so vo 'O vjD »n to tn to to to to to to to to to to to to 23 ^ o ONr^o OO ■2 2f Ji •^ NO ■* to r^ r^ OO 11 § O 0^ CT\ On CT\ ON 0^ On o\oooor^ to to NO NO NO NO NO NO ^ w •5 ^ CM On to r-* CD On ^ OONO VO ONOO (NCMOJ>» vs NO 00 OO 00 .— t to NO CM -^ONtM-^ ►J «3.S « -* CD NO ■<*< to r- Tt^ CD On -.a VO NO NO -H Q r^ ON 3 tx NOTt^CMOOON C7N OO OO r-^ r-^ NO HI *N ^H '^ '^ ^^ ^^ ^^ '^ CD CD CD CD CD CM CMC^CMOICM CM < 69. tri On t^ OM~^ O ■* 'O t^^^ Tt* ^ CD ^ r4 «N w CD O On ocr^O On r^r^r^0N0\O •^ to ■* ■* t:^ to -* lU 01 £ =0 CM vo ■<*< O O »o I^ lo NO CM t*^ r^ NO oo CM oo T < r^ ->*H cDOi^ ■* oor^- ^ U V O *o 1— < to ON O oo ON CD CO ■* r-^ vo 6|S S -<** r^ CD CM On CM ■-1 CD^CD^vo"-*"-^ cd^cd" CDCD-^CD^^ \l u-i^ 5; : ^ ; '; ^ ° 1" 1— » O U IziQ Marc April May. June. 159 considerable increase followed again by a decline in the summer months. The last six months of 1921 showed a sustained level of from 53 to 54 hours per week. The average week per wage earner showed a decline from 55.4 hours in July, 1912 to 53.7 hours in June, 1920. The trend from June, 1920 closely followed that of plant activity. The effect of the industrial depression was shown in working hours, particularly during the last six months of 1921. Conclusion The study of wages and hours in the fertilizer manufacturing industry shows that: 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on' January 1, 1922, stood at |.301 or 46% above the July, 1914 level of ?.206. 2. Average ro^f^/y earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922, stood at ?15.78 or 38% above the July 1914. level of $11.42. 3. The reductions from the peak, of 38.1% in hourly earn- ings and 39.9% in weekly earnings, were far greater than the average in many basic industries. 4. Employment declined 34.9% from June, 1920 up to the beginning of 1922. 5. The fertilizer industry has been very directly affected by the industrial depression. The deflation of agricultural prices curtailed the buying power and credit of farmers and the con- sequence was an early cessation of demand for agricultural chemicals. The tendency within the industry was to reduce employment rather than to curtail plant activity. 6. While the industry was directly affected by industrial conditions, the indirect effects of seasonal fluctuations were shown in the irregularities of employment and plant activity. 160 XV PAINT AND VARNISH MANUFACTURING The wage investigation in this industry covered plants en- gaged in the manufacture of white lead, colors, paint and varnish. Returns were received from 58 plants, 54 of which supplied material for the last investigation. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month in the 58 estab- lishments was 3,978 in August, 1921. Thus, approximately 17% of the wage earners hsted in the 1919 Census of Manu- factures for the paint and varnish manufacturing industry are covered in this report. Geographically, the distribution within 14 states is as follows: California 3 Missouri 4 Colorado 1 New Jersey 4 Delaware 1 New York 9 Illinois 5 Ohio 11 Indiana 2 Pennsylvania 8 Massachusetts 3 Texas 1 Michigan 4 Wisconsin 2 Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of all wage earners were f.Xll. By July, 1920 they h^d risen 112% to ?.578. The decline was 11.2% from the latter period up to January, 1922, at which time the average hourly earnings were |.513, an increase of 89% over July, 1914. The decline throughout 1920 and 1921 was moderate and gradual, and far less than in many other basic industries. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male common labor were f.lSl. By July, 1920, they had increased 119%, 161 over July, 1914 to $.S5\. From July, 1920 up to January, 1922 they declined 14.7% to J.47. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $.351. By June, 1920, they had risen 102% to $.1\ and from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922 decHned 11% to ?.632. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of women were ?.179. By January, 1921 they had risen 105% to $.261. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 6.5%, the average earnings at the beginning of 1922 being |.343. By January, 1922, therefore, the average hourly earnings for these three groups had increased respectively 87%, 80%, and 92% over the July, 1914 levels. (b) Weekly earnings: The average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914 were $13.96. By July, 1920, they had increased 101% to |28.00. They declined 14.2% from the latter period up to January, 1922, at which time the average weekly earnings were $24.03, a net increase of 72% over July, 1914. The trend in weekly earnings was characterized by gradual and moderate declines resulting more from the reduc- tion in working hours than from wage decreases. In July, 1914 the average weekly earnings of male common labor were $13.03. In July, 1920, they had increased 110% to $27.34. Froiji the latter period up to January, 1922 they decHned 19.4% to $22.04. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were $17.88. By September, 1920, they had risen 87% to $33.38, and declined 10.1% to $30.02 frcm the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $8.74. In Novem- ber, 1920, they reached $16.77, an increase of 92%. They de- clined 10.4% from this peak up to January, 1922, when the average weekly earnings were $15.03. By January, 1922, therefore, the average hourly earnings for these three groups had increased respectively 69%, 68% and 72%, over the July, 1914 levels. 162 CCNTB FCQ HOUR IDD| — BD 7D BD 5D 40 30 20 10 Paint and Varnish Manufacturing AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS JULY 1914 'MEN-SKILLED 4^UN5K,Lrco "t"- ^ JUN JUL, AUG. SEP OCT. NOV C JAN. niB MAR, APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT: NOV. DEE 45 40 35 / / 30 / / / ' /' 85 / /' / // SO / / A 15 // y ^ 10 y S n ji -Y 19 4 lasD igai AVERA GE WEEK LY EA RNINGS ® I9SD I9SI (National Industrial Conference Board) 163 Composite Payroll Data — Paint and Varnish Manufacturing Period Number Wage Earners Employed Average Hours Wages (AH Wage Earners) iTlrlttir ^J^^o One 1914-22 Estabh C (37 plants) 1920-22 Establ. (58 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wfcly. Earn- ings inaex in OS. Earnings Week In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 July.... 1,073 51.3 52.1 53.1 $.272 $13.96 100 100 1920 June . . . 1,838 3,819 48.6 50.9 49.6 .575 11.92, 211 200 July.... 1,855 3,931. 48.4 50.0 49,9 .578 28.00 212 201 Aug 1,936 3,978 48.0 49.4 49.7 .569 27.31 209 196 Sept.... 1,963 3,821 48.1 50.0 50,0 .568 27.34 209 196 Oct 1,901 3,603 48.7 50.4 47,3 .525 24.81 193 178 Nov. . . . 1,729 3,285 48.0 48.4 49.4 .555 26,62 204 191 Dec... 1,586 2,879 46.9 47.8 49.6 .558 26.19 20'5 188 1921 Jan 1,472 2,708 45.7 47.0 49.4 .555 25.37 204 182 Feb.... 1,488 2,711 46.3 47.6 49.4 .546 25.27 201 181 March. . 1,416 2,673 47.1 48.0 49.8 .543 25.58 200 183 April. . . 1,454 2,708 45.7 48.2 50.2 .535 24.43 197 175 May . . . 1,422 2,704 46.3 46.9 49.5 .535 24.79 197 178 June . . . 1,452 2,732 46.4 47.5 49.4 .527 24.46 194 175 July*... 1,420 2,554 46.5 48.5 49.9 ,526 24.44 193 175 Aug 1,410 2,521 47.0 48.4 49.6 .524 24.63 193 176 Sept.... 1,391 2,479 46.8 48.8 49.7 .525 24.56 193 176 Oct 1,419 2,508 48.1 48.9 49.5 .523 25.14 192 180 Nov 1,385 2,453 46.4 48.0 49.6 .522 24.17 192 173 Dec. . . . 1,310 2,391 46.8 47.7 49,8 .513 24,03 189 172 *See Introduction, p. 2. Employment Total employment decreased 37.4% from' June, 1920 up to January, 1922. The trend of employment shows a gradual curtailment of working forces during 1920 and 1921, the low level being reached at the close of the present study in Decem- ber, 1921. During the period from June, 1920, to the begin- ning of 1922, the numbers of male common labor employed dropped 42%, those of male skilled labor 27%, and of women 37.2%. Employment in identical establishments between July, 1914 and the end of the year 1921 increased 22.1%, but the decline 164 4.0DDr 3.50D- Paint and Varnish Manufacturing • NUMBER DF WAGE EARNERS 3,DDQ- E,5DD- E,aDD- I.SQQ- I.ODD- SOD- JULY 1914 HOURS PER WEEK BDi 55- JUN. JUL AUG. SEP DCT. NOV DEC . JAN. tTB. MAH . APR. MAY J UN. JUL. AUG. SEP DCT NnvTrr . issD igai AVERAGE HDUBS OF WaPK 5D- 45- 4D- 35- 3D- S5L JUH IS -—NDMJNALJ^EK. JUN JULAUB3n?0CT.Na«lia:.JAN.FtB.MAB.APIl.MAYJUW..IlJL/U]E3gl OCTNDVDtC . 920 I9EI (National Industrial Conference Board) 165 between June, 1920 and January 1, 1922 in these same es- tablishments amounted to 28.7%. Hours In July, 1914, 53.1 hours constituted the average nominal week. Following a general reduction in length of working hours during the war period, the workweek fell to 49.6 hours in June, 1920 and the latter standard was practically maintained to the close of the year 1921. The average hours of plant operation in July, 1914 were 52.1. By June, 1920 they had been reduced to 50.9. By the beginning of 1921 there was a considerable decline in plant activity. There was a revival of production during the summer months of 1921, followed by a decrease at the close of the year. The average week per wage earner showed a decline from 51.3 hours in July, 1914, to 48.6 hours in June, 1920. The depression which took effect in December, 1920 continued for the entire year, so that the average week per wage earner reached in December, 1921 the low level of 46.8 hours. There were slight increases during the spring and summer months of 1921. The decline in hours affected earnings more directly than did wage reductions, yet the tendency was to reduce the number of wage earners rather than to cut hours severely. Conclusion The study of wages and hours in paint and varnish manu- facturing shows that: 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at ^.513, or 89% above the July, 1914 level of ?.272. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners on January 1 , 1922 stood at ^24.03, or 72% above the 1914 level of ^13.96. 166 Id i III a > 3 u bO .§» e a > S 7i I I Cv] CS T-H r-l Ol CS vo "^ *^ vo 'O vo vn U-) lO U-> Wl IT) lO ■^ "^ Vi W^ lo til O c^ c*i CO CO ^o r^ tn lo w-1 w^ lo lo "-n n CO CO CO CO CO CO r^ O CO vo oo CO ^o 'O ^n wi vo u-i CO CO CO CO CO CO ■^ "^ 1— I oo vn CO -^ '^ »r> Tf -^ -rt* CO CO CO CO CO CO ^ O CO -^ ^O CS Ol CO CN ON (N O O 0^ r^ Tt< O CO ON vo c^ir^tN o^ Tj^r^cooo^ OS wOOOOO (N CS CS Ol CS CS ^.s •a e ft. Q • > g £ u fflW >3 3 o ^ (N CS CO --H ^^O O O ON 0\ OS ON 0\ CS CS »-< i-H .^ r-H »-» 1^ ^o ^ ^ r-- 0. r^ r^ so r^ r-- so so so so so 'i^ V) '■^ Tj* On C^ ■* "<*^ -^ ■* CO CO so so so so so ^ OnOO ^0\^ cs •-I Lo OO CO cs ^o ■-H O CO CS O "^ O oo .-H .-H r^ 10 o r^ o T-fi OS '— < ^o Q ,_, ,_! o oo oo r^ ON oi cs CO r^ CO ^ COCS COCS ■* r-- r- r^ r^ r-- r^ cs CO r^ cs Tt< i-H ONf-^ r^ ON OO OO r-- r^ r^ r^ !>■ r-^ -§■ •a S 09 a zl Q W • w Z ■ P < ■ ^|i3-s ^3g 0iQ HO S »> e O^ Si oo o ^A ol o^ oo in O <->000 0^0^ CS CN CS C>J CS ^ ^ r^ 0^ oo oo oo CO ^ d CS CS C^l cs rJ cs •-H t^ r^ (T) n a^ *-< O O O O CJ^ C-l CN Ol (N Ol ^H 3 oo 1— I o O O r^ On ■^ ir» vo w^ ^o CO CO u-j u-i in vo in *J^ "^ .-H r-l r-« ^ CS (N CO CM C>» i-H i-H O in w^ wi VI in >-n so '*< -^ Tt* o o oo oo oo oo oo r^ T^ so *0 ON -^ O •-< O O ^ oo oo «-i CS i-H ON (N r^ ON g so o CO so ^ r-- in i-t t^ O CM r-^ oo oo CS (S CM CS CS CS »-i CO r^ -* CO !>• oo ^O-^^TtH -^so b-C &•« >>M o; C -J3 rt ri " " 167 I 3. The decreases from the peak in 1920 to the beginning of 1922, of 1 1 .2% in hourly earnings and 14.2% in weekly earnings, were smaller than in many basic industries. The general ten- dency was to reduce hours rather than wages. 4. Stagnation in demand caused a curtailment of working hours and a decrease of 37.4% in employment from June, 1920 to January, 1922. 168 XVI PAPER MANUFACTURING A. Paper and Wood Pulp Manufacturing The data for this^ industry cover establishments producing paper and wood pulp. Secondary paper manufacturing has been treated in a separate industrial section, entitled "Paper Products Manufacturing." Returns were received from 118 plants, 109 of which furnished information in the last wage investigation. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month in the 118 establishments was 30,021 in July, 1920. Thus, approximately 26% of the wage earners reported by the 1919 Census of Manufactures for the paper and wood pulp industry are covered in this report. The geographical dis- tribution within 17 states and Canada is as follows: Connecticut 2 New Jersey 6 Illinois 1 New York 25 Indiana 1 Ohio 9 Iowa 1 Pennsylvania 6 Maine 10 Vermont 4 Massachusetts 26 Virginia 3 Michigan 3 Washington 1 Minnesota 1 Wisconsin 15 New Hampshire 3 Canada 1 Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings oi all wage earners were |.223. By November, 1920, they had increased 169% to |.600. The decline was 23.3% from the latter period up to January, 1922, at which time the average hourly earnings were ^.460, an increase of 106%. over July, 1914. A gradual decline took place from November, 1920, to April, 1921. In May, 1921, an average reduction of 4.3 cents per hour occurred. The last six months of 1921 were characterized by further gradual reductions. In July, 1914 the average hourly earnings of male common labor were ^.204. By October, 1920, they had increased 173% to %.SS1. The dechne from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 30% to ?.390. In July, 1914, the average hourly 169 earnings of male skilled labor were ^.264. By November, 1920, they had risen 146% to $.650, and declined 20% to $.520 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of women were $.136. In July, 1920, they had risen 193% to $.399. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 21.1%, t}ie average earnings at the beginning of 1922 being $.315. By January, 1922, there- fore, the average hourly earnings of these three groups had increased respectively 91%, 97% and 1^2% over July, 1914 levels. (b) Weekly earnings: The average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914, were $12.14. By October, 1920, they had increased 158% to $31.27. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 22.7%, at which time the average weekly earnings were $24.17, a net increase of 99% over July, 1914. The general high level of weekly earnings was maintained through 1920. In the spring of 1921 an extensive decline took place, due to reductions in hourly rates and a de- cline in working hours. The last six months of 1921 showed a gain in weekly earnings due to increases in working hours, although reductions in hourly rates continued. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male common labor were $11.26. By October, 1920, they had increased 155% to $28.68. From the latter period up to January, 1922 they declined 28% to $20.64. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were $15.13. By October, 1920, they had reached $34.80, an increase of 130%, and then de- clined 19.6% to $27.98 from the latter period up to the begin- ning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $6.28. In July and September, 1920, they had in- creased 196% to $18.58. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922, amounted to 24.4%, the average wage at the beginning of 1922 being $14.04. By January, 1922, therefore, the weekly earnings for these three groups had increased respectively 84%, 85% and 124%, over July, 1914 levels. Employment Total employment in the establishments covered declined 26.1% from June, 1920 up to the beginning of 1922. The per- 170 Paper and Wood Pulp Manufacturing (National Industrial Conference Board) 171 Composite Payroll Data— Paper and Wood Pulp Manufacturing Number Wage - Period Earners Employed Average Hours (All Wa'gelEarners) One Week In 1914-22 Establ. (73 plants) Total All Establ. (118 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Earn Hrly. Nos. ings Wkly. 1914 July.... 13,791 54.5 137.9 56.5 $.223 $12.14 100 100 1920 June . . . 20,307 29,824 51.4 142.4 51.0 .590 30.35 265 250 July. . . . 20,363 30,021 51.7 141.6 51.0 .591 30.56 265 252 Aug 20,234 29,905 52.0 141.6 50.9 .595 30.94 267 255 Sept.... 20,380 29,952 51.9 141.7 50.6 .596 30.91 267 255 Oct 20,346 29,861 52.4 140.6 51.1 ■ .597 31.27 268 258 Nov. . . . 19,857 29,275 51,5 139.0 51.0 .600 30.85 269 254 Dec. . . . 19,198 28,518 48.7 131.2 50.5 .599 29.14 269 240 1921 Tan 17,185 25,538 48.2 132.2 50.9 .596 28.72 267 237 Feb.... 17,402 25,160 46.2 130.0 49.8 .578 26.71 259 220 March.. 16,229 23,239 44.8 123.0 50.4 .565 25.28 253 - 208 April. . . 16,189 24,130 45.4 126.4 50.5 .555 25.17 249 207 May . . . 14,615 16,589 47.5 124.1 51.3 .512 24.35 230 201 June . . . 13,984 15,338 46.4 125.8 51.2 .509 23.63 228 195 July'. . . 14,867 17,247 47.2 124.9 52.5 .506 23.89 227 197 Aug 15,066 18,185 48.9 127.7 51.9 .488 23.90 , 219 197 Sept. . , . 15,504 19,417 49.9 131.1 51.7 .470 23.44 211 193 Oct 16,213 20,822 53.1 140.9 51.2 .458 24.30 205 200 Nov. . . , 16,132 21,798 53.3 140.7 51.0 .462 24.62 207 203 Dec... 16,360 22,032 52.6 136.9 51.4 .460 24.17 206 199 *See Introduction, p. 2. centages of decline in the three groups during this period were as follows: male common labor, 22.8%; male skilled labor, 27.8%; and women, 26.9%. The lowest level of employment was reached during May and June, 1921, and was caused by strike conditions existing in many plants at that time. The last six months of 1921 showed a considerable increase in em- ployment. Employment in identical establishments between July, 1914 and the end of the year 1921 increased 18.6%. Hours In July, 1914, 56.5 hours constituted the average nominal week. Following the general, reduction of working hours during 172 Paper and Wood Pulp Manufacturing \'K1 I4D 135 130 les lED ^^ ,^ f •55 5D 45 40 ^^ WEHAGE HOURS a F WORK •V ^ * • / \ \ 1 ^•' \ f V JAL T WE! 3En> K a Tin V / ''J s y^ . - 1 ' — 1 — — - — 1 JUIY 1914 igsD (National Industrial Conference Board) 173 the war period, there was a decline to 51 hours in June, 1920, and a general level of from 50-51 hours was maintained through June, 1921. In July, 1921, there was a sudden increase to 52.5 hours and the following months showed a decline to the former level of slightly more than 51 hours. The average hours of plant operation increased from 137.9 hours in July, 1914, to 142.4 hours in June, 1920. This general level of plant activity continued through October, 1920. The first six months of 1921 showed a continual decline in plant activity, and were affected particularly by strike conditions during May and June. The last six months of 1921 showed a steady increase in plant operation, except for a slight decline occurring in December, 1921. The average actual week per wage earner showed a decline from 54.5 hours in July, 1914, to 51.4 hours in June, 1920. The gen- eral trend of working hours followed the movement of plant activity. The last six months of 1921 were characterized by a steady increase in working hours except for a slight decline in December. Longer working hours increased the weekly earn- ings, although hourly rates were reduced. Conclusion The study of wages and hours in paper and wood pulp manu- facturing shows that: 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922, stood at ?.460, or 106% above the July, 1914 level of ?.223. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at $24.17, or 99% above the July, 1914 level of 112.14. 3. The wage reductions of 23.3% in hourly earnings and 22.7% in weekly earnings were in general accord with reduc- tions in many basic industries. 4. Employment decreased more than 26% from June, 1920 to the beginning of January, 1922. 5. The last six months of 1921 were characterized by considerable increases in employment, working hours and pro- ductive activity. 174 1 i 1 C> CO ^O r^ ^ CO "J^ ro cSOOOC^tH ^O OM^ r-- oo "i^ <5i OO 0^ OO OMJN oo ^O ■^■'♦^CJOl^O ^ ^ ^ _( ^ es 'N CS (N (N d (N Cvl (N CMOICJtNCSC^ CM C^l vo v£> r^ O ■^ r-.oocooooor^'^ uitr^ncoroc^ cococococo** XS CO ON \0 f-- C^l ■* CM OOtNOO^OCM CM CM OO ''J* ^ ^O *^ a\ o\ a\ 0\ o\ on o c3n oo co cjn so ■<** ^ tj* o "SS O On r-^oo^co^NO^NO^ '^^"^'^^^ NO (7^ CJn CM CM CM ^^ Co'(N'cM'cM''rrcM'cM" ^^^^"^^ ^^^c^TcM^CM* Q U 3 >> 1 •Ci (N 10 e\ C3N r^ ^^ CO ON 00 r^ Tt* cmcm^o^*^ d CM CM CM CM CO CM i-H 1— 1 CJn 00 OO OO OO OO 00 OO On ON OO >> CM rl (N CM (N (S (N (sj^^^^^ ^^^Xni-tr-^ >2 3 '^ CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM (N r< ^ ^ ^ (vj NO \o CO NO "n -^ -^ 00 00 vo ^ Th ^ rJ v^ r-- ON 00 *N NO NO NO 00 CO »n CM ^H Tf CO 00 CM NO W-t CO NO 00 On \^ CO ^ ^ ^ ^" ^' cm' cn] 00 ocj r-^ r^' r^ r-^ r--' 00 00 r-i •> CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CM cm CM CM CM CM CM CM CM 3 h^ U ^h ■* CO NO 00 t-^ C^ CO Cr« NO On v^ NO OOU-1OOOCMO (\j \o NO NO NO NO NO NO NO »o NO "^ ^n vn lo "n *ri vo vn *n >1l ^ CM ON NO "J^ GO On 1— « CM CM CO CO CM U-jW-i to -^ CO OO JN^ CMCMCOCOCOCMO OOONOr^ONOO 0^0»-"J^^J^CO Ci cM^ooooooooO OCTncoOnOcM co r^ Tt* in co ■* oq T-(0^ocMt^oo cM-^r-icooco Tt*Tt<^^r^r^ no" r^f-rr^rr^r-rr^No" ^n irTco'-^^oToo' orcrcr.-rcM''cM' CO s < Is CM IS 1 ^ 1-H r- ON r~^ in 10 vn^nONcoNooN r^ r^ 00 co no -^ <5> »n Tt^ ■* Tf in »n CO CM O c^ 0^ 0\ oo 00 00 r^ 00 00 00 *N CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM ^ ^ t-" ^ ^^^^^^ 3 O ^ r^ 00 "-^ CO CO (N r*^ vn c?N 'O On in i-h .— ( on co -^ •— * <2j no no r^ 1-- r- r-- r-- no >n ■* ■* cm (N ^ ^ on o\ on on ^ CM (N Ol CM (N (N tN (S CM (N CM CM CM cM CM ^ w ^ r^ 1 so CO "n CO ■<*^ 00 in CM CO r-. NO ON CM oooonoon-^ (\] CM 00 00 NO •-' in co^cor~-oco O O no on no '^ 00 r-^ 00 r- 00 00 NO in CO CM .—1 CM 1—1 1— ti-nOOOO ^ CM CM CM OJ CM C^ CM CM C^l CM CM CM CJ Ol CM C^ CM CM CM >sEa <■ o rt C ^ Tt^ NO CM r-^ ^ in in r^ CM r^ ON OOin-<*tino NO ■'^ TjH in in in in in t^ cM O no in co co O On ON On t\i 10 in m in m in in kt, \r^ kt, vry -^ -^ -^ ■^ -^ co co co '^ ONOO-^inNOoo inincMcocoin ooONNO^tH^o Jo' w ^' ^ ,-i r^ NO ■<*<-*' CO r^ NO 00 ocj ON CM CO CO i<^ vo in in u-i in in rh -^ -^ t^ Tt< ■* -^ -^ Tt* --^ in in in c\ -^ o) 00 NO On r- r^ cor--w^NO-H cm oi no co -* 00 NO or-omr^cMNO NOT-ncMOor-- ^r^incTNOovn ^ ■<4^»n^r^Nq^'n_^ON^ '~l^^„°^^„*^'^ '~Js'*l,'~%.^"*«^ *0 CTn On On On On On 00 00 00 r-- r^ in "n no no no r*^ ("-* C> Q 2 ( sk 175 B. Paper Products Manufacturing The data for this industry are confined to establishments engaged in the manufacture of paper products, such as paper bags, cardboard and miscellaneous paper goods. Returns were received from 47 of the 56 plants covered in the last investiga- tion. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month in the 47 establishments was 7,080 in October, 1920. Thus, approximately 23.5% of the wage earners reported by the 1919 Census of Manufactures for the paper product industry are covered in this report. The geographical distribution within 14 states is as follows: California 1 Michigan 1 Colorado 1 Minnesota 1 Connecticut 4 New Jersey 1 Illinois S New York 3 Indiana 4 Ohio 5 Maine 1 Pennsylvania 2 Massachusetts 16 Wisconsin 2 Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings oi all wage earners were $.192. By April, 1921, they had increased 153% to J.485. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922, was 5.4%, at which time the aver- age hourly earnings were $.459, an increase of 139% over July, 1914. The trend of hourly earnings shows that the peak was reached in the spring of 1921, considerably later than in most industries. There has been little decline from the peak and the trend has been marked by more or less stationary conditions throughout 1920-1921. In July, 1914 the average hourly earnings of male common labor vf&re. $.188. By September, 1920, they had increased 180% to $.527. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 18.8% to $.428. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $.256. By December, 1920, they had risen 151% to $.642 and declined 3.3% to $.621 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of women were $.154. In No- vember, 1920, they had risen 144% to $'.375. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 4.5%, the 176 CCNTB nBHQU 100 90 BO 70 BO 50 40 30 50 10 JULY 1914 DOLLARS PER WEEK 50| 45 40 35 30 E5 20 15 10 5 ilk 19 Paper Products Manufacturing AVERAGE HDUBLY EARNINGS JUW. JUL. AUG. S ,^MEN-UNSKILLEO EC. JAN.FEB.MAB-APH.MAYJUN.JUl AUE. 5ER OCTNnV.DEC / / tV /^ I9SD lasi AVERAGE WEEKLY EARNINGS [4 isaa JUN. JUL AUG. 3ER OCT.-WDV. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR. APB. MAY JUN. .lUL AUB. BEH nHT N laei (National Industrial Conference Board) 177 Composite Payroll Data- -Paper Products Manufacturing Period Number Wage Earners Employed Average Hours Wages (All Wage Earners) One Week 1914-22 Establ. (39 plants) Total All Estabt. (47 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earnings In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 ' July.... 4,336 50.3 S2.4 S4.8 S.192 S9.68 100 100 1920 June . . . 5,678 6,706 46.6 51.9 49.4 .466 21.74 243 225 July. . . . 5,668 6,792 47.0 51.6 49.4 .467 21.92 243 226 Aug.... 5,621 6,724 46.8 52.0 49.4 .471 22.05 245 228 Sept 5,841 6,950 46.6 51.1 49.4 .476 22.17 248 229 Oct 6,013 7,080 46.2 51.8 49.3 .471 21.74 245 225 Nov. . . . 5,587 6,565 45.6 50.8 49.3 .476 21.73 248 224 Dec... 5,416 6,266 42.5 45.7 49.1 .472 20.05 246 207 1921 Jan 4,904 5,574 39.5 44.3 49.0 .482 19.05 251 197 Feb.... 4,773 5,438 38.6 43.2 49.1 .481 18.58 251 192 Mar.. . . 4,642 5,166 38.9 43.2 49.0 .482 18.78 251 194 April. . . 4,479 5,089 35.4 37.6 49.6 .485 17.17 253 177 May. . . 4,307 4,929 37.6 40.6 49.6 .482 18.10 251 187 June . . . 4,164 4,824 39.1 41.0 48.9 .473 18.51 246 191 July*... 4,030 4,578 39.6 43.7 49.6 .472- 18.71 246 193 Aug. . . . 4,024 4,600 41.0 44.5 49.5 .475 19.46 247 201 Sept. . . . 4,154 4,755 42.0 44.2 49.3 .472 19.82 246 205 Oct 4,409 5,116 44.2 47.0 49.6 .462 20.41 241 211 Nov. . . . 4,564 5,341 45.1 46.6 49.8 .461 20.76 240 214 Dec ... . 4,512 5,258 44.4 45.0 49.6 .459 20.34 239 210 *See Introduction, p. 2. average earnings at the beginning of 1922 being ?.358. By January, 1922, therefore, the average hourly earnings of these three groups had increased respectively 128%, 143% and 132% over the July, 1914 levels. (^) Weekly earnings: The average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914, were ?9.68. By September, 1920, they had increased 129% to fllXl. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 8.3%, at which time the aver- age weekly earnings were J20.34, a net increase of 1 10% over July, 1914. The trend showed a gradual decline from the peak through March, 1921. Beginning in April, 1921, a steady increase took place in weekly earnings, due to a continual increase in working hours. In general, the trend of weekly 178 Paper Products Manufacturing NUMBER OF WAGE EARNERS ~SSa 1 BET (National Industrial Conference Board) 179 earnings was affected by fluctuations in working hours more than by reductions in hourly earnings. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male common labor were $11.23. By August, 1920, they had increased 143% to $27.26. From the latter period up to Jatiuary, 1922, they declined 26.2% to $20.11. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were $13.41. By September, 1920, they had reached $30.53, an increase of 128%, and decHned from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922, 7.1% to $28.37. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $7.15. In October, 1920, they had increased 135% to $16.77. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 8.9%, the average wage at the beginning of 1922 being $15.27. By January, 1922, therefore, the weekly earnings for these three groups had increased respectively 79%, 112% and 114% over the July, 1914 levels. Employment Total employment in the establishments covered declined 21.6% from June, 1920 up to the beginning of 1922. The decline in the three groups during this period was as follows: male common labor, 27.5%; male skilled labor, 6.4%, and women 27.3%. The tendency during the depression period, therefore, was to lay off common labor and women rather than skilled help. An increase in employment took place during the last six months of 1921. Employment in identical establishments increased 4.1% be- tween July, 1914 and the end of the year 1921. Hours In July, 1914, 54.8 hours constituted the average nominal week. By June, 1920, the hours declined to 49.4 and it will be noted at this time that the average hours of plant operation were higher than those of the nominal week. The general level of between 49-50 hours was maintained up to January, 1922. The average hours of plant operation in 1914 were 52.4. Plant activity was well sustained through October, 1920. The first six months of 1921 showed a depressed condition in plant activity, while considerable increase was noted during the last six months of 1921. 180 ^.B 5i ^ U1 T^ CN "^ t-- OO CN cs cs to i r^ O Qo \0 \0 r- ^n \o w-i CO CO CO CO CO CO >33 i-H >o Oi r~- o ^ CM 'O oo o o CO r-- CO o -^ ^ t^ r^ CS CO cs I 1^ '(^ T^ 4^1 'W 1-H ,— I W-) \0 »^ -^ to cs o to a\ •-' "o -^ r~^ r^ \D r^ OM^ to co^co" co' co^co" co^ co" O to to CO CO oo CO O CO to O CJn co'cs" cTcT c-T oT r^ \o «— < to 1-* ■^ \o to to oo r^ O cs7rf rT rT cs" rT to Th t~-- oo ^H to r-- CJ CN 04 CS d CS i-H (N CS C-1 cs cs r4 CS to O i— ' CO 'O "* O O O 00 0^ OS CS rJ (N >-H ,-r-l ^ oo ^O 1— < OM^ CS a\ONOO — '-H »-H 1-t cs CS CS Ol CO d "* oo so O •— t Tf" ■^ ■^ "^ Tji to to CS C4 CS CS CN d CS o c^ c^ a\o cs to "^ ^ -^ tn Tt* cs cs cs cs cs cs Ol CO •— < to CO CO cs d r-1 d rJ d ^•53 si '-H ON to to .-« ,-1 CS (N ■-' CS to CO -^ tH \^ \0 VC VO ^ "O ^ cr\ r-- oo r-- 1-1 o CO CO CO CO Tf< (N so 'O 'O '^ ^O ^ O '— ' oo CS CO ^^ CS CS t-i c-i cs d ^D ^O so ^ ^ ^ ^<& u->\or- ^o ^ ■* 0^ CS H -et^ O 0^ ON "* VO O VO r^ c^l lo T-t T-H oo oo »o lO oo VO C*) ^O CO V£) oo oo oo ON ON CT\ QO O ON CS CO (S i-i O ^^ 00 00 o cs oo r^ NO NO VO NO ^H -^ QO NO n CO o NO NO rJ ■* CO NO NO NO r^ r^ r^ Q u ►J D to o CO to CO r-^ so CO ■* ■^ CO d CO so CS CS CN CS CS d T-i t-H OO to O to 1— I (7n r^ r^ r^ oo r^ r~- so cs cs cs cs cs cs cs C\ a\ o^ cs oo o so so so so to to CS CS CS (N CS d oo to OO I^ CS OO CO •* CO CO CO d cs cs d d (N d > D ij bO ■< 1) cd c On oo (?s OO oo Os ^£>S o\ CO r- r-^ r^ o^ to o d T-H d ^o o to to to to to to to W^ to to CO to O ooogscor;-- to to to -^ Tf -^ r- r-- OO so \o OO Tf to ■^ Tfi CO d > 3 3 OO so r^ 1— I to CO o d CO so -^ OO CO «- r^ r- r-- r- o o so to r-^ i-H 1— I oo CO o d d so to so r^ oo oo 0!Q Sic g2 o|" ?>-3 ?N c— g fr o o u = ^^-M>,^ ^^'ll'l^^ "^IMJ^ 181 The average actual week per wage earner showed a decline from 50.3 hours in July, 1914 to 46.6 hours in June, 1920. The gen- eral trend of working hours followed the movement of plant hours. Beginning in May there was a considerable increase in working hours, which had a marked effect upon the average weekly earnings of all wage earners. Conclusion The study of wages and hours in paper products manufactur- ing shows that: 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922, stood at $.459 or 139% above the July, 1914 level of $.192. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at ?i20.34, or 110% above the July, 1914 level of $9.68. 3. The declines of 5.4% in hourly earnings and 8.3% in weekly earnings from the peak were slight in comparison with the majority of basic industries. 4. An increase in weekly earnings was noted during the last six months of 1921, due to longer working hours. 5. In general, the industry showed fairly well sustained con- ditions during the industrial depression. 182 XVII PRINTING AND PUBLISHING A. Book and Job The data for this industry cover 283 estabHshments engaged in book and job printing, all of which supplied information for the last wage investigation. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month was^l 8, 572,*in!^ August, 1920. The geographical distribution within 31 states and the District of Columbia is as follows: Alabama 2 Montana 2 California 12 Nebraska 2 Colorado 2 New Hampshire 1 Connecticut 2 New Jersey 7 District of Columbia 2 New York 47 Georgia 4 North Dakota 1 Illinois 32 Ohio 40 Indiana 12 Pennsylvania 16 Iowa 4 Rhode Island 4 Kansas 3 South Dakota 2 Kentucky 4 Tennessee 6 Maine . . . ., 2 Texas 1 Massachusetts 19 Utah 1 Michigan 10 Virginia 6 Minnesota 9 Washington 6 Missouri 11 Wisconsin 11 Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of all wage earners were $.304. By June and Oc- tober, 1921, they had increased 108% to $.631, and dechned 2.5% from these peaks up to January, 1922, at which time the average hourly earnings were $.615, an increase of 102% over July, 1914. The general high level of hourly earnings was main- tained in 1921, with the high points in June and October, followed by a moderate decline to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914 the average hourly earnings of male common labor were $.198. By October, 1920, they had increased 134% to $.464. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 7.3% to $.430. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $.398. By December, 1920 they had increased 103% to $.807 and then declined 2.7% to 183 $.785 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings oi women were ^.158. By November, 1920, they had increased 130% to $.364. The de- cline from this peak up to January, 1922, amounted to 2.7%, the average hourly earnings being $.355 at the latter period. By January, 1922, therefore, the average hourly earnings of the three groups had increased respectively 117%, 97% and 125% over the July, 1914 levels. (b) Weekly earnings: The average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914, were $13.82. By October, 1920, they had increased 111% to $29.22. The decline amounted to 0.7% from the latter period up to January, 1922, at which time the average weekly earnings were $29.01, a net increase of 110% over July, 1914. The trend shows a gradual increase up to October, 1920. At the beginning of 1921, a decided drop occurred, due to shorter hours of work. During the last three mpnths of 1921 a slight increase occurred, due to the extension of working hours, though there was a slight reduction of hourly earnings. The general high level of hourly and weekly earnings has been practically stabilized during 1920-21. In July, 1914 the average weekly earnings of male common labor were $9.63. By July, 1920, they had increased 140% to $23.14. From the latter period up to January, 1922, they declined 9.1% to $21.04. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were $18.23. To October, 1920, they increased 111% to $38.50, and declined 3.8% to $37.05 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $6.73. By December, 1920, they had increased 146% to $16.57. The decline from this peak up to the beginning of 1922 amounted to 0.2% to $16.23. A marked increase in weekly earnings for women occurred in December, 1921, due to longer working hours. By 1922, therefore, the weekly earnings for these three groups had increased respectively 118%, 103% and 141% over the July, 1914 levels. Employment Total employment in the establishments covered declined 12% from June, 1920 up to January, 1922. The percentages of decline during this period for the three groups were as follows: male common labor; 21.1%; male skilled labor, 6.3%, and 184 rcnHouR lOQr— 9D BO 70 80 SO AO 3D ao 10 Printing and Publishing— {Book and Job) AVERAGE HOUHLY EARNINGS -v^ JULY 1914 DOLLARS PER V/EEK 50| 45 40 35 30 E5 20 15 10 5 JUN.JUL.AUg s MEN- SKILLED AU WAGE EARNERS ER DCT. NOV. D ...^!f^l-u^,s™L„ :C. JAN.FEaMAB.APH.M«YJUN.JUL.AUB-SEP g AVERAGE WEEKLY EARNINGS JULY 1314 (National Industrial Conference Board) 185 Composite Payroll Data — Book and Job Printing Number Wage Wages (All Wage Earners Period Earners Employed Average Hours ) One Week 1914-22 Establ. (211 plants'! 1920-22 Establ. (283 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earnings In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 July,... 11,061 45.5 48.1 49.7 $.304 $13.82 100 100 1920 -* June . . . 13,286 18,179 46.4 49.6 49.1 .582 27.02 191 196 July.... 13,296 18,401 47.2 50.1 49.1 .597 28.18 196 204 Aug. . . . 13,428 18,572 46.2 49.1 48.3 .603 27.84 198 201 Sept.... 13,215 18,142 46.0 49.6 48.7 .622 28.58 205 207 Oct 13,210 17,611 47.0 50.4 49.6 .621 29.22 204 211 Nov. . . . 13,155 17,918 46.8 49.0 48.8 .622 29.12 205 211 Dec... 12,985 17,668 46.7 47.9 48.4 .622 29.06 205 210 1921 Jan 12,283 17,141 44.6 45.0 46.8 .627 27.97 206 202 Feb.... 11,841 16,116 43.7 45.7 48.2 .624 27.28 205 197 March. . 11,482 15,478 43.9 46.0 48.5 .629 27.59 207 200 April. . . 10,945 14,808 43.9 46.3 48.4 .629 27.63 207 200 May.-.. 9,860 13,449 44.3 46.3 47.6 .622 27.51 205 199 June . . . 10,100 13,850 43.8 47.0 47.8 .631 27.63 208 200 July... 10,522 14,745 43.5 46.6 47.9 .624 27.19 205 197 Aug. . . . 10,881 15,261 44.7 46.8 47.8 .624 27.90 205 202 Sept. . . . 10,967 15,025 44.5 46.8 47.8 .626 27.88 206 202 Oct 11,075 15,211 44.8 46.8 47.8 .631 28.28 208 205 Nov. . . . 11,282 15,433 45.6 47.2 47.9 .626 28.59 206 207 Dec. . . . 11,604 16,003 47.1 47.5 47.6 .615 29.01 202 210 *See Introduction, p. 2. women, 17%. The trough period of employment occurred during May and June, 1921, due to disturbed labor conditions. The last half of 1921 showed a marked increase in employment. Relatively, the printing industry was not so directly affected by the industrial depression as many other basic industries. Employment in identical establishments between July, 1914, and the end of the year 1921 increased 4.9%. Hours In July, 1914, 49.7 hours constituted the average nominal week. By June, 1920, the hours had declined to 49.1 hours. The general level of from 48-49 hours was maintained through 1920. In January, 1921, the depression point of 46.8 hours was reached. The last eight months of 1921 witnessed a decline 186 Printing and Publishing~(Book and Job) la 16 14 IE 10 B E juiy ISI4 HOURS pen WEEK 60 55 50 r^^ 45 4D 35 30 E5 JU ISI JUN. JUL AUE. 3EK OCT NOV, DEC . JAN. FEB. MAIL Adj. MAY JUN. .IliL AUK SEB DCT Nnv nFr . I3ED ISEI AVERAGE HOURS OF WORK ACTUAL WEEK PER WAGE EARNER JUH.JUL AUaaEP OCtNOVt DEC. JMtFEB. MARL «?»■><»• JUH..1ULWJB.3ER OCT. NIK DEC tHSD iHSr (National Industrial Conference Board) 187 i 1 1 o cio r- cs r^ r* NO CN ^ T-H CO C^ TjH -jTO r-- o CO ^ t-H *-H CS (N CO CS CN CS (N (N (N r^ CN ONO^^OO to *-« CM CO CM Ol CM CO CM CM CM CM C^ CM r-. CO to r-^ CO "j^ C^ CM CM (N CM CM CSOJCS(S(NC-HS i 8 ^ cs r^ T-H CO '^ '-t CO OO Tf cs ON r^ CO (NCMCM^(NCN O) OICSCMCMCM >?^a 2 ^ to ri oo r^ -^ ■<** ^ O CO ^ ^ CS CS CM CM CN fS CS CS CN CS ^ ONOONO w ■* d NO coo OO O O On On O On OO ■* VINO VO O o^ O Os CT\ O »— ' ^ CS -H r-i CS CS ^ 1 > 3 C u) 1 On 0\ r-- CS -^ 00 ^ CO -^ to NO NO to NO ■*'<*; -^ -^ •* -^ Tf ^ CO On T^ O CM ^15555 iS. r-^ to oo '-' -^ O t-H NO .-H r^ r-- oo ON oo Tf to -t^ -^ Tt* Tf -^ CO NO 00 U-i NO OO to to -* ^ -^^ ^H ^i ^H ^4 ^4 ^J4 O NO CO "J-) On On VONO to lor^ OO TjH -<^ Tt* Tji -^ -^ 41 S •> -^ -H T-t r-^ r-. Tt* oo ■* NO r-- -^ 00 ON vo CO^CO^ NO^ cs^o^o^o^ CO co^co co^CO^cO^co" *-i CO (-I ^ OO to co" cm^cm^oTcm" oT ■^ ON NO rH ON On cs"c-rcs"cs'"cs"cs" 1- iliiMi& wo ii" iisMi If ^ SPd.'-' fe " 188 to slightly under 48 hours, due chiefly to the introduction of the 48-hour week in many of the larger plants. The average hours of plant operation increased from 48.1 in July, 1914, to 49.6 in June, 1920. This general level of plant activity was maintained through November, 1920. In No- vember and December, and continuing through May, 1921, there was a reduction in the hours of plant activity. In Novem- ber and December, 1921, there was an increase so that, at the end of 1921, plant hours practically equalled the hours of the nominal week. The average actual week per wage earner showed an increase from 45.5 hours in July, 1914 to 46.4 hours in June, 1920. At the beginning of 1921, there was a decline of over two hours per wage earner and in the succeeding months the average was slightly below the level of 44 hours per week. The last half of 1921, however, showed a continual increase, so that in December, 1921, working hours practically equalled the hours of plant operation. Conclusion 1. The average hourly earnings of all wage earners on Janu- ary 1, 1922 stood at J.615 or 102% over the July, 1914 level of 1.304. 2. The average weekly earnings of all wage earners on Janu- ary 1, 1922 stood at $29.0\, or 110% above the 1914 level of $13.82. 3. A decline, from the peak, of 2.5% in hourly earnings and 0.7% in weekly earnings, reflected a practically static con- dition of wages during 1920-21 in comparison with other basic industries. The printing industry in general, due to the effect of existing collective agreements, was practically unaffected during the readjustment period. 4. Employment declined 12% from June, 1920, up to January, 1922, showing that the general industrial depression influenced this industry only slightly. 5. The introduction of the 44-hour week in May, 1921, in many plants, and the resultant disturbed labor conditions in the succeeding months, make it difficult to show the real trend of industrial conditions in the printing industry, but in general, the industry was practically unaffected by wage reductions or industrial stagnation. 189 XVIII PRINTING AND PUBLISHING B. Newspapers and Periodicals The wage investigation in establishments engaged in printing newspapers and periodicals included 86 of the 111 plants which furnished wage information in the last wage investigation. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month in the 86 establishments was 2,646 in December, 1921. The geo- graphical distribution within 29 states is as follows: California 7 Montana 1 Colorado 1 Nebraska 1 Connecticut 1 New Jersey 1 Idaho 1 New' York 7 Illinois 6 North Dakota ', . 1 Indiana. 1 Ohio 6 Iowa 8 Oklahoma 2 Kansas 3 Pennsylvania 9 Kentucky 1 South Carolina 1 Louisiana 1 Tennessee 1 Massachusetts 6 Texas 2 Michigan 3 Virginia 1 Minneosta 3 Wisconsin 5 Mississippi 1 Wyoming 1 Missouri 4 Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of all wage earners were $.415. By June, 1921, they had increased 74% to $.723. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 5%, at which time the average hourly earnings were $.687, an increase of 66% over July, 1914. The trend of hourly earnings was steadily upward to the middle of 1921, followed by only a slight decline in the clos- ing months of 1921. In July, 1914 the average hourly earnings of male common labor were $.311. By November, 1920, they had increased 103% to $.632. The decline from the latter period up to Janu- ary 1922 was 16.8% to $.526. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $.468. By January, 1921, they had risen 71% to $.805 and declined 4.4% to $.770 from 190 Printing and Publishing — {Newspapers and Periodicals) com PER HOUR IQDi — AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS 90 BO 7D ED 5D 40 30 2D ID / / / juiy 1914 DDLLABB PES WECK SQi igeo JUN.JUL.AUG. 5 jka ^k^ <^s^ ER OCT. NOV. DEC J 1921 AB.iOTl.Mffif-JUH.jm.AUE.SEH OCT NOV. OEC . s 45 4D 35 3D E5 ED IS ID 5 /' / JULY 1914 AVERAGE WEEKD r E lAK NINES fS 0^ >ii *■■ ... ■■"■ ^•i — -., -.. »^' «._ .-^ ^.. *-' ^ ^ ^ ■w iiU VA( LQ 3NE ts ^ ^ ■^ < .■•. ... ^•" ... |.N- jJNS (flU .»< *, / \ ^. — — Ji^ r '■n. '— ■— —" ^-^ N '•N .y — '^ ;> ,^ ^^ •1 M.J L,* IB. S LB 5 XN IVtD a:.. \N.J aj!«!.( iH.li AVJ H,J ILA KS ■Pr TK ivn 1 JbfL JL!I (iMational Industrial Cunference Board) 191 Composite Payroll Data — Newspaper and Periodical Printing Period Number Wage Earners Employed Average Hours Wages (All Wage Earners) One Week 1914-21 Establ. (73 plants) Total.All Establ. (86 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earnings In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 July.... 1,533 43.5 49.0 52.1 $.415 $18.05 100 100 1920 June . . . 2,186 2,358 44,7 48,8 48.6 .664 29,71 160 164 July.... 2,176 2,359 44.4 48,8 48.6 .652 28,94 157 160 Aug 2,187 2,367 44.9 48.7 48.5 .656 29.46 158 163 Sept. . . . 2,209 2,392 45,8 48,7 48.5 .679 31.10 163 172 Oct 2,255 2,441 45.7 49,0 48.5 .693 31.67 167 175 Nov. . . . 2,277 2,466 46,2 49.2 48.7 .708 32.74 170 181 Dec... 2,355 2,543 46.2 48.4 48.8 .719 33.22 173 183 1921 Jan 2,309 2,491 45,4 48.9 48.4 .718 32.59 173 180 Feb.... 2,290 2,473 45.0 48.8 48,4 .717 32.23 172 178 Mar,.., 2,401 2,482 45.0 49.0 48.5 .705 31.74 169 175 April. . . 2,226 2,412 44.7 48.0 48,3 .709 31.71 170 175 May . . . 2,092 2,273 44.5 48,0 48.7 .712 31,73 171 175 June . . . 2,150 2,295 43,9 47.0 48.2 .723 31.74 174 175 July*... 2,224 2,412 44,9 48.8 48,7 .691 31.06 167 172 Aug.... 2,220 2,403 45.0 48.7 48,6 .694 31,20 167 173 Sept. . . . 2,325 2,507 45.7 48,9 48,6 .687 31,44 166 174 Oct 2,367 2,560 45.6 49.7 48,5 .682 31,13 164 172 Nov, . . . 2,403 2,628 45,9 48,4 48.5 .674 30.94 162 171 Dec..., 2,428 2,646 46,4 48.7 48,6 ,687 31.90 166 177 *See Introduction, p. 2. the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of women were |.191. In De- cember, 1920, they had risen 128% to |.437. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922, amounted to 3.9%, the average earnings at the beginning of 1922 being |.420. Up to January, 1922, therefore, the average hourly earnings of these three groups had increased respectively 69%, 65% and 120% over the July, 1914 levels. (b) Weekly earnings: The average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914 were J18.05. By December, 1921 they had increased 80% to ^33.22. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922, was 5%, at which time the average weekly earnings were J31.90, a net increase of 77% over July, 1914. The wage trend shows a gradual rise to the peak at the 192 Printing and Publishing— (Newspapers and Periodicals) dSOO S,4DD S,20D a,ooa I.BDO I.BOD I.4Q0 I, SOD i.ooa 600 600 4D0 SDO 1914 PER WEEK BOi — 55 SO 45 40 35 30 E5_ JUO ; ^ i^I^N-SKILLEI ~ NUMBER OF WAGE EARNERS l\A/oM EN s MEN-UNSKILLED. JUN. JUL AU G. SEP OCT. NOV DEC. JAN. fEB.MAliam.MAY.H]M..IUL »UG. 301 OCT wnTnCT . I9E0 IBEI AVERAGE HOURS OF WORK BSIT .Actual WEEK D JUN. JUL AUB.3EBDCT.NDV11EC . -liW F tB. MHLUm. MffT JUN. JUL AUG. SEP. OCT. NIM OH:. 1151 (National Industrial Conference Board) 193 beginning of 1921, with only moderate declines at the end of the year. The whole wage situation was practically stationary during 1920-21. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male common labor were ?9.91. By November, 1920, they had increased 137% to 123.48. From the latter period up to January, 1922 they declined 14.4% to $20.09. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were $20.86. By Febru- ary, 1921, they reached $38.72, an increase of 86%, and then declined 4.9% to $36.91 from the latter period up to the begin- ning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $8.99. In November, 1920, they had increased 122% to $19.99. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 5.6%, the average wage at the beginning of 1922 being $18.87. By January, 1922, therefore, the weekly earnings for these groups had increased respectively 103%, 77% and 110% over the July, 1914 levels. Employment Total employment in the establishments covered increased 12.2% from January, 1920 to the beginning of 1922. Unem- ployment in this industry has been relatively unimportant, as it has been little affected by the general industrial depression. The changes in numbers employed in the three groups during the period from June, 1920 to the beginning of 1922 were as follows: Male common labor declined 9.6%, while male skilled labor increased 13%, and women increased 23.5%. Employment in identical establishments between July, 1914 and the end of the year 1921 increased 58%. Hours In July, 1914, 52.1 hours constituted the average nominal week. Following the general reduction of working hours dur- ing the war period, there was a decline to 48.6 hours in June, 1920. The latter standard has been practically maintained except for a shght decline during June, 1921. This decrease may be accounted for by the introduction of the 44-hour week in some of the plants in the larger cities; but as many of the schedules in this group came from small towns the general effect on present figures is unimportant. 194 z w 1 II 1 •v CO n r^ ro CO cs oo aNCT\ ooO\ o (N O 00 CO r^-tnON CO O OO ^ ONOO (NCMCMCMt-h^ l>OCM-^ ^O O I— 1 O '— < O 1— ' CM CM CM CM CM CM O ^ oo o -^ "O \o oo oo r-l t— ( O O '— ' CS CS CS CM C>» CM CM OJ CS NO NO CM NO -^O CM CM CM CM .-H CM CM CM CM CM CM CM ■^ Nor--co Th o CM CM T-H CM i-H CM CM CM CM CM CM CM # 2^ r-- vo r-- CO c^ o\ ON r-; CO r- n CM ON vo r^ r- \D r-- oo ON Qo 1— < "»f CO CO CO 1— 1 r^ CM NO cooo -* C?N r-- On vo w r^ U-) OO ^ CM ^ OO OO oooo OnI^no OO OO 00 On OO OO ^tll 5; VO CM O (N CM vo r^ ^ OC7S 0\^ coco ■^ TtH to CO -* -^ -^ 1-HCM -^ ^ ON^ r^ c. vO VONONONOO ,_( ,— 1 ,-H T-H •— 1 1— 1 >■ 1 <0 1 ONOr^ O vn\o CM On O O On r-^ *o t^ CO CO -^ «j^ NO r-- oo CO CO CO CO CO CO CO -:*< NO r^ CO CO — < on»o ON^oo r^ lO CM 00 ^O ON •-< r-- U-j in 0^ ON ON r^t^ NO Nor^No CO CO CO CO CO CO to>0 NO >0 to NO CO CO CO CO CO CO >> 1 is si 1 1-H oo t^ ^ ^ r- r^ CO ^ CM u^ r- oo 0\ i^ i> r^ t^ r^ r- 1-- »J^Ot^O o:^ O OOO ONONON Qooor^r^t^i^ CO ONCMOO^O r-^ vo r-- ^o NO t^ in VI ON o\ vo r-- r-^ vo NO v^ NO r^ r^ r-- oo CMOO coOnO CO C^ -^ OO COON r^r^r^ vo vo vo \o NO r^ NO r-^ r^ 1^ ^^ ^^ -^ ^H ^* 1 I^ CM »-i u^ u-i NO CM r^ oo ^O On O CO oo NO^No^No^No^r^r-^^r^ C^ 1-hO co^ ^ Tt< CO CO O --1 CO NO CM NO CO O VI CO O OO •— < NO C3N r~^ r^ r^ OO OO 00 1 1 < S If II 1— 1 >> 1 1 to Tt4 ON On CO r-^ ■«*< 1— 1 1— ( ,— ( CM CM CO CO CM CM CM CM (N CM CM 0\ QO VONO On CO CM C^ ^ 1-1 C3N CM CMCMCMCM^Ol ON CO OO OOO CO On O On On O O s o 1 NO oo CO c^ CO CO CO CX) OOON OnOO O T-H w ^ t-( CM CJ CM NO OvOnO OO »o OO OO OO OsCO OO OO ^OONOOOOn NO r^NONo^o ^o Av. Weekly Earn- ingsi 69. On On ON \o r^ CO o CM i-H \0 NO lO -rf w cmc4cmo CM CM Ol C^l CM C^ OO O OO OO to NO Tfl -Jt^ -<*< "O ■<*< '^ CM CM CM Ol CM Cvl § ( n^ 1- iiisMU » . ■ ■ - . >^ bD ^ 4J >■ o 195 The average hours of plant operation in July, 1914, were 49.0. In June, 1920, they were 48.8, and the general level of 49 hours to SO hours was maintained up to April, 1921. April and May showed a decline in hours of plant activity because of labor dis- turbances and were followed by a return to more normal con- ditions in the last months of 1921. The average actual week per wage earner showed an increase from 43.5 hours in July, 1914 to 44.7 hours in June, 1920. The general trend of working hours closely followed plant activity. The lower levels of May and June, 1921 were brought about by labor disturbances, and the decline in working hours during and following this period, had a direct effect upon weekly earnings. Conclusion The study of wages and hours in newspaper printing plants shows that: 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922, stood at %M1, or 66% above the July, 1914 level of %A\S. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922, stood at ?31.90, or 77% above the July, 1914 level of $18.05. 3. The decline from the peak in both hourly and weekly earnings has was very slight, wages remaining practically at war levels. The net increases at the close of 1921, however, were smaller than those found in many manufacturing industries. 4. An increase of 12.2% in employment from June, 1920 to the beginning of 1922 showed that the industry had been little affected by the industrial depression. 5. The effect of close organization in maintaining high wage levels during a time of depression is shown in this industry. 196 XIX LUMBER MANUFACTURING AND MILLWORK The wage investigation covered establishments, exclusive of sawmills, engaged in the manufacture of dressed lumber, sashes, doors and blinds, and general interior and exterior wood- work and trim. Returns were received from 249 plants, 242 of which furnished information for the last wage investigation. Statistics covering women were not compiled, as the number of female wage earners employed in this industry is negligible. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month was 11,285 in July, 1920. Thus, over 11% of the wage earners reported by the 1919 Census of Manufactures as em- ployed in lumber planing mills are covered in this report. While the number of establishments included in this report is small in comparison with the whole industry, the percentage of wage earners covered and the distribution and size of estab- lishments may be considered representative of the industry. The geographical distribution within 37 states and the District of Columbia is as follows: Arkansas 2 Montana 3 California 12 Nebraska 4 Colorado 5 New Hampshire S Connecticut 5 New Jersey 7 District of Columbia 1 New York 19 Florida 4 North Dakota 1 Georgia 1 Ohio 29 Illinois 12 Oklahoma 1 Indiana 9 Oregon 5 Iowa 7 Pennsylvania 25 Kansas 2 Rhode Island 2 Kentucky 4 South Dakota 1 Louisiana 2 Tennessee 5 Maine 4 Texas 4 Maryland 2 Utah 1 Massachusetts 10 Vermont 3 Michigan 14 Virginia 4 Minnesota 6 Washington 3 Missouri. 4 Wisconsin 21 197 Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of all wage earners were J. 240. By October, 1920, they had increased 138% to 55.572. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 amounted to 15.7%, at which time the average hourly earnings were ?.482, an increase of 101% over July, 1914. The general high level of hourly earn- ings was maintained through 1920. The decline during 1921 was moderate and gradual throughout the entire year. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male common labor were $.192, and by October, 1920 they had increased 140% to 1.461. They declined 23% to ?.355 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $ . 285. By November, 1920, they had increased 131% to $.658. The decline from this peak up to the beginning of 1922 was 15%, at which time the average hourly earnings were '$.559. By January, 1922, there- fore, the hourly earnings for these two groups had increased respectively, 85% and 96% over the July, 1914 levels. (b) Weekly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male common labor were $12.77. By October, 1920, they had risen 120% to $28.13. The decline from this period up to the beginning of 1922 amounted to 17.1%, the average weekly earnings being $23.32 at the latter period, a net increase of 83% over July, 1914. The general high level of weekly earnings was maintained through 1920. Beginning in January, 1921, there was a considerable decline, due to reduc- tions in both working hours and hourly rates. The year 1921 was marked by a more or less stationary level of weekly earn- ings, due to the fact that working hours increased in proportion as hourly earnings declined. For specific groups, the study shows that in July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male common labor were $10.34. By October, 1920, they had increased 125% to $23.22. The decline from this period to the beginning of 1922 was 26.7% to $17.02. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were $15.00. By October, 1920, they had increased 1 1 1% to $31.63. From the latter period to January, 1922, they declined 14% to $27.19. By January, 1922, therefore, the 198 CCNTB PEBHOUn ma — Lumber Manufacturing and Mlllwork AVERAGE HOURLY EAHNINBS 90- BO- 7D- BO- 5D- 40- 30/ ZQ' 10- MSL'&i-iEp ~^ (National Industrial Conference Board) 199 Composite Payroll Data — Lumber Manufacturing and Millwork Number Wage Wages (All Wage Earners Period Earners Employed Average Hours ) One Week 1914-22 Establ. (176 plants) 1920-22 Establ. (249 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earnings In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 July.... 8,743 53.2 59.7 57.0 $.240 $12.77 100 100- 1920 June . . . 8,179 10,373 48.6 52,8 53,0 ,550 26.77 229 210 July.... 8,975 11,285 49.2 53,2 ■53,5 ,546 26,88 227 210 Aug 8,956 11,226 48,9 53,1 53.2 .563 27,51 235 215 Sept. . . . 8,521 10,750 49,0 52,5 .53.0 .569 27,90 237 218 Oct 8,142 10,298 49,1 52.1 53.0 .572 28,13 238 220 Nov. . . . 7,687 9,835 48,3 51,7 53,2 .566 27,31 236 214 Dec 7,297 9,369 47,8 49,3 52,6 ,557 26,62 232 208 1921 Jan 6,431 8,175 44,3 46,2 .52,5 ,547 24,24 228 190 Feb.... 6,705 8,471 45,9 48,9 52.9 ,531 24,39 221 191 March. . 6,617 8,435 46,2 48,9 52,9 ,532 24,55 222 192 April . . . 7,029 8,799 46,1 48,6 52,8 ,522 24,07 217 188 May . . . 6,844 8,675 47,6 48,7 52,6 .503 23,96 210 188 June . . . 6,442 8,366 47.9 49,4 52.6 .504 24.16 210 189 July'.., 7,471 9,454 47.1 50,2 52.4 .491 23.11 205 181 Aug 7,164 9,080 48,8 50,3 52,1 .489 23.83 204 187 Sept. . . . 7,078 9,034 49,0 50,0 51,5 .491 24,09 205 189 Oct 6,889 9,053 49,2 51,0 52.0 .487 23,96 203 188 Nov. . . . 6,752 8,926 48,0 49,9 51,8 .484 23,25 202 182 Dec... 6,758 8,924 48,4 49,5 51.7 ,482 23,32 201 183 *See Introduction, p. 2. weekly earnings of these two groups had increased respectively 65% and 81% over the July, 1914 levels. Employment Total employment declined 14% from June, 1920 up to January, 1922. The percentages of decline for the two groups during this period were, male common labor, 20.9%; male skilled labor, 9.1%. Relatively speaking, the slight decline in employment shows that lumber planing mills were relatively less affected by the industrial depression than many other basic industries. 200 Lumber Manufacturing and Millwork -mousANos I Si — II ID S 6 7 6 5 4 3 2 JULY 1914 NUMBER DF W AG E E .AR NERS J ■t' ^ / 1 n <^ 1 k ^ ^ < y s / ■■I "^ N X X ^ / \ ► V •v I^B ,4 ME ■•1 t.f r'-i fo ^ ►•* '■■ ,♦•' 'V « » ■"■f *> — / ~ — -., _- / '"■■ '«», ■m7 VZ^ '■^\ ^>. ,.-• - --' ** .— - — - ED 55 5D 45 40 35 3D E5 JULY 1914 •«- AVERAGE HDURS OF WORK ». » ^ _ ^ pM IN AL WE :k JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP OCT. NOV: DEC . JAN. FEB. MAB. APB.MAY JUH. JUL AUB. SEP. OCT. NOV DEC iSSQ igei (National Industrial Conference Board) 201 Further, the industry did not expand greatly between July, 1914, and the middle of 1920, so that the decrease was not so large as might have been expected had the industry been af- fected by war demands. Employment in identical establishments declined 22.7% between July, 19J4 and January, 1922. Hours In July, 1914, 57 hours constituted the average nominal week. It will be noted that at this time the average hours of plant operation were higher than the hours of the nominal week. In June, 1920, the nominal week had declined to 53 hours. The level of more than 53 hours was maintained through No- vember, 1920. In December, however, there was a decline to 52.6 hours. A general level of from 51^ to 52^^ hours was maintained up to January, 1922. The average hours of plant operation declined from 59.7 hours in July, 1914 to 52.8 hours in June, 1920. Plant activity was well sustained through November, 1920, followed by declines in December and January, 1921. The remaining months of 1921, however, show a generally sustained level of plant activity. The average actual week per wage earner declined from 53.2 hours to 48.6 hours in June, 1920. The general level of work- ing hours was maintained through November, 1920. Declines occurred during the next three months, but the last six months of 1921 showed well sustained working hours. Conclusion The study of wages and hours in lumber and planing mills shows that: 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at J.482, or 101% above the July, 1914 level of ^.240. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at J23.32, or 83%, above the July, 1914 level of J12.77.. 3. The declines from the peak, of 15.7% in hourly earnings and 17.1% in weekly earnings, were considerably smaller than those found in many other basic industries. This is explainable 202 f o 3 Q 3 to iT O ki c i S 3 = V fli ^ ZE Q en z ►J <: !«t:.S Ml e^E sic Cj O ^ ^ ^o 'o o ^ i-t r^ rj 0» C^ CS C^ CS CN C^ w w r^ CT\ o --H \o (N CN rJ cs c*) n r-i CN CS CS CS (N CS CN in c^i 1— ' r-* CT\ r^ CS r-l Ol ^O O c^ cs c^ cs cs cs ^-H o ^ o o o OOOO O OS CS C^ C^l CS (N i-t On i— ' OO CD VI OO u-i CO O -^ O On On r-^ r-* !>■ r- NO u-j lo u-i vo in •jn "-o CS O ^ ■* CO ^ o ONoo.-ir>ooo r^ i-H Qo CO o r^ 1 ^ CO CM r-- CO NO f-H vo oo T-H ON r^ »-H oi o O "^^c^ c* o ^ »^ NO* NO NO ncTno'^'j^ vT ON oo CO 1^ r^ oo W ThCJNO CO ■* oo oo oo O O oo re 1-1 OO 1-H ol O T-H \0 ON oo CS CO ■lO »n lo *n to in "^■^■^v^in-^ inioio*nw-(>r> CM On vn O *n NO t^ O O ^ OltN ^O oi cs cN CM CM r^ CM r-- r-^ »n r^ o ■* r^ CM CM CO CO -^ CO CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM in m On O •— • CM ^f-HOOO CM CM CM CS CM CM s \o oo r^ t^ \o i^ NO NO .-H in T-( On NO r*. CM CO «-• rh NO CM 1— I — ( O oo oo rf ^ tj< ^ CO CO NO ■* OO "* I^ in NO NO in m ^ in CO CO CO CO CO CO oo in CO On "* r^ o .-H -^ On r-i On T-H cM l> ^f 0\ O On O c^ On OI oo -^ CO CT\ I^ CS t^ 1^ ^ O C^ 00 QC ^ CJ CN OO ^ ^ ^ ^ '^ ^ CO ^ CO (N Ol oo QO O CN »-< CO CO ^ co^o vor^ NO lo o ONO r4 -* -^ ■^ ^ CO r^ O On oo VI -^ -* Tt* CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO a 3 o :-c 203 by the fact that wages during the general height of prosperity in 1920 increased less than in many other basic industries. 4. Total employment declined 14% from June, 1920 up to January, 1922, showing that the industry was only slightly affected by the general industrial depression. The last six months of 1921 showed a more or less stationary condition of employment, working hours and wages. 204 XX FURNITURE MANUFACTURING The wage investigation in this industry included establish- ments manufacturing wooden and upholstered furniture and also a few plants engaged in cabinet work. Returns were re- ceived from 132 plants, of which all but one furnished informa- tion for the last wage investigation. The largest number of wage earners employed in any one month was 16,165 in June, 1920. Thus, over 10% of the wage earners reported by the 1919 Census of Manufactures for the furniture industry are covered in this report. The majority of returns come from the largest centers of furniture manufacturing. The geographical d stribut'on within 26 states is as follows: California 3 New Jersey 2 Connecticut 4 New York 17 Georgia 1 North Carolina 1 Illinois 6 Ohio 13 Indiana 13 Oregon 2 Kentucky 4 Pennsylvania 16 Maine 1 South Carolina 1 Maryland 2 Tennessee 1 Massachusetts 9 Texas 2 Michigan 17 Vermont 2 Minnesota 3 Virginia 1 Missouri 4 West Virginia 1 Montana 1 Wisconsin S Wages (a) Hourly earnings: In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of all wage earners were $.228. By December, 1920, they had increased 153% to $.576. The decline was 18.6% from the latter period up to January, 1922, when the average hourly earnings were $.469, an increase of 106% over July, 1914. The decline in hourly earnings was gradual throughout the period covered by the investigation. The study shows that in July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male unskilled labor were $.162. By December, 205 1920, they had increased 193% to $.474. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 was 25.5% to $.353. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of male skilled labor were $.256. By December, 1920, they had risen 147% to $.633. A decline of 18.3% to $.517 took place from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average hourly earnings of women were $.155. By November, 1920, they had increased 130% to $.356. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 17.7%, the average earnings at the latter period being $.293. By January, 1922, therefore, the average hourly earnings of these three groups had increased respectively 118%, 102% and 89% over the July, 1914 levels. (b) Weekly earnings: The average weekly earnings of all wage earners in July, 1914 were $11.23. By September, 1920, they had increased 137% to $26.65. The decline from the latter period up to January, 1922 amounted to 14.3%, leaving the average weekly earnings at $22.83, a net increase of 103% over July, 1914. The general high level of weekly earnings was maintained through 1920. Beginning in January, 1921, there was a severe decline, while the remainder of the year showed more moderate reductions. Weekly earnings were well maintained, due to an increase in working hours, though hourly rates declined steadily. The average weekly earnings of male common labor were $8.08. By September, 1920, they had increased 171% to $21.91. From the latter period up to January, 1922, they declined 19.7% to $17.59. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of male skilled labor were $12.62. By September, 1920, they had increased 134% to $29.56, .and declined 14.9% to $25.15 from the latter period up to the beginning of 1922. In July, 1914, the average weekly earnings of women were $7.29. By October, 1920, they had increased 122% to $16.22. The decline from this peak up to January, 1922 amounted to 18.2%, the average wage in the beginning of 1922 being $13.27. By January, 1922, therefore, the weekly earnings for these three groups increased respectively 118%, 99% and 82% over the July, 1914 levels. 206 CENTS Pen HOUR IDD| — 90 BD 70 BO 50 40 30 ED 10- Furniture Manufacturing AVERAGE HOURLY EAHNINES 1914 DOLLARS PtR WEEK 5D| 45 40 35 3D E5 ED 15 ID 5 MEN.-.k''-'i^"T- I .,.r.f."SNii:g5: MENjJJ.^SKILUED _^ 1920 JUN. JUL AUG SEP. OCT. NDV. DEC . JAN. FEa MAO. APR. MAY JUN. JUL AUE 5tP aCT NCV DEC 1381 S' / / ■/ JUL Y 1914 A\ /EF 2 AC 3E w EE KIS f E .ARNINGS M f.N- SK 1 r ""!" i:< »•■' — •• _ „mm: ALL WAGE F& ... ""1 ^^•« '*«■ ^ ^ S ^■' ■"■' _ ^w „ ._ Hv ^-i XSK LLE ' ••^ \ .— •■' 'n ** VW MET r" — ^^ — — — — — — — — - - .1 N..I n.ti IG. S :r t ;t.- n KP ^N. V .O.fcAR.AI>R.» AY J Jn.j lUA B.S :p r iEi ] 1 jai (National Industrial Conference Board) 207 Composite Payroll Data — Furniture Manufacturing Period Number Wage Earners Employed Average Hours ■ Wages (All Wage Earners) One Week 1914-22 EstabK (98 plants) 1920-22 Establ. (132 plants) Av. Week Per Wage Earner Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- 'ings Av. Wkly. Earn- ings Index Nos. Earnings In Hrly. Wkly. 1914 July.... 11,001 49.3 51.5 55.1 $.228 $11.23 100 100 1920 June . . . 11,440 16,165 49.0 51.0 51.5 .534 1(>.V1 234 233 July.... 11,338 15,966 48.4 50.9 51.4 .544 26.33 239 234 Aug 11,349 16,091 48.1 50.3 51.4 .549 26.39 241 235 Sept. . . . 11,098 15,636 47.9 50.2 51.3 .557 26.65 244 237 Oct 10,737 14,936 46.5 48.4 50.9 .563 26.16 247 233 Nov. . . . 10,336 14,141 46.0 47.6 50.3 .568 26.15 249 233 Dec... 9,629 13,106 44.5 46.4 50.4 .576 25.62 253 228 1921 Jan 8,661 11,374 42.6 44.8 50.7 .557 23.71 244 211 Feb.... 8,526 11,537 42.7 45.2 51.3 .541 23.08 237 206 March. . 8,752 12,016 44.9 46.0 51.1 .520 23.35 228 208 April . . . 8,865 12,177 44.7 46.4 51.0 .510 22.78 224 203 May . . . 8,519 12,235 45.6 47.7 51.1 .512 23.31 225 208 June . . . 8,899 12,253 45.3 47.1 50.9 .502 22.75 220 203 July'... 7,952 10,941 42.7 43.8 50.9 .502 21.45 220 191 Aug 8,365 11,552 45.0 46.8 50.5 .491 22.10 215 197 Sept. . . . 8,921 12,342 46.3 47.2 51.1 .484 22.40 212 199 Oct 9,576 13,240 48.0 49.0 51.1 .471 22.59 207 201 Nov. . . . 9,736 13,702 48.1 49.6 51.3 .471 22.65 207 202 Dec... 9,963 13,660 48.6 49.2 51.1 .469 22.83 206 203 *See Introduction, p. 2. Employment Total employment in the establishments covered declined 15.5% from June, 1920 up to the beginning of 1922. The per- centages of decline for these three groups were: male common labor, 28.1%; male skilled labor, 8.2%; women, 36.7%. The decline in employment was steady up to January, 1921. Since that time, there have been fluctuations in employment with a tendency toward a gradual increase of working forces. A large number of women have evidently returned from industrial to domestic and other occupations. Employment in identical estabhshments between July, 1914 and the end of the year 1921 declined 9.4%. 208 Furniture Manufacturing NUMBER QF WAGE EARNERS JUN. JUL AUG. an? OCT. NOV. DH:.JjN.FEa.M V ^ bo > a C OS I I o^ CO VI o oi CO o O *-ii-t cs c-i ^ ^ CS CS CS CI c^ cs cs TjH so ^ so ON O oo ,-t 1-4 1-1 cs cs CO r4 C^ CUN CS CS C^ (N CO O ON CO ON *-H cs rJ O O ON O C^ C^ CM C^ »-i c^ so 1— f so oo ■^ On O O ON OO 00 OO C4 Ol 1-H *-t 1^ »-t iri lo VI so NO ^'N ^'^ Tt^ CO CO CO CO CO CS r*! CM (N CM CO CM in in o ^o NO -^ CO CO CO in »o wi in CO CO CO CO CO CO CO \0 ,-H -^ -^ OO i-H ■^ Tt* (N .-I O ^ CO CO CO CO CO CO OS (S T*i CM wi CO i-H .-H O ON OO ON CO CO CO CM CM CM On -^ OO 00 r*. NO CO so CO '-< -^ r^ '-< NO in vo i-t so -^ ^ R CO CO ON a\0 OO ^ ON «-H CM in »-( CM On in vn m Tt^ Tt* CO ^ t^ ON r*- m Tt< i-H r^ so CO CM O CO OO — '^ ^o r^ m vO -^ O OO Tt* O NO ONf-^ O 00 ON ON On On O < > lU ^ u . Ih C (fl > a C bfl !>5 3 H I CO CO CO -^ CM OO ^ CO CO CO CO CO CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM SO .-« so »-H in o OOOOOO CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM OO CM r^ CO CO OO CO CO a C U >33 ^^ ■*NOO ^ ONO c^ NO NO r^ r^ in r-^ so CM CM CM CM CM CM CM OO g coin CM 1— I ^ ^ ^ CO ^ CO CM CM CM CM CM CM imn 1-t o -^ OO OO^ CM ^^ CM CM CM CM CM CM I OS ■^ On so OO O CO NO r- r- OO OO ON ON CM CM (S CM CM CM CM NOinO NO ON ON OO r- vo m in rjH CM CM CM CM d CM CM OO m -^ OO OO ■^(NCMCM^^ CM CM CM CM CM CM NO O ' WAGE I I9BI AVERAGE HOURS OF WOBK JIW.JUL AUaaro PCXNm dec JlW.FEaMAia.APIl.M Jy.IIM mi AUE-SO'. OCT. NIK q tc BSD — IBHT (National Industrial Conference Board) 217 by seasonal fluctuations, and by the general depression in build- ing trades, curtailing the demand for brick and tile products. Employment in identical establishments between July, 1914 and the end of the year 1921 decreased 40.4%. Hours In July, 1914, 56.8 hours constituted the average nominal week. In June, 1920, there was a drop to 54.5 hours per week, and the general level of approximately 53.5-54.5 hours was maintained until the end of 1921. The average hours of plant operation decreased from 55.1 hours in July, 1914 to 53.7 hours in June, 1920. Plant activity was generally well sustained during 1920 and 1921. A de- pression period occurred in the opening months of 1921, but the last half of that year witnessed an approach to more normal conditions. The average actual week per wage earner showed a decline from 53.3 hours in July, 1914 to 50.7 hours in June, 1920. The general trend of working hours closely followed plant ac- tivity, a depression period occurring in the early months of 1921 and a revival in the closing months of the year. Conclusion The study of wages and hours in brick and tile manufactur- ing shows that: 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at ?.432, or 85% above the July, 1914 level of J.233. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at J22.22, or 79% above the July, 1914 level of ? 12.42. 3. The decline from the peak of hourly and weekly earnings was rapid, due particularly to the stagnation in building oper- ations, in municipal construction and railroad maintenance. 4. Employment declined 33.8% from June, 1920 to Janu- ary, 1922, as a result of the economic depression. Employment 218 ^ s CM^ OS COO -^ ^ Q tN CS i-< Tt^ ■«*< CO CO l f— < CO C^ 1— < W-i ON '^^^ OS -^ ■'J^ On OS On s CS rJ CS C>1 oo oo f-H wor^ON VI so VI r^ NO so 00 ^5 CO CO cs CO CO n CO CM (N CS (N CN oo oo CN r^ lo o -n vO ^o ^ ^O ^o vo v^ VI VI VI en 4 »m2 t>o CO oo so \o r^ o ■* ON 0\ (N CMO CO wr^oor^ wNO 1 iSaS > ^ woo (N O ON O r-- v^ON 0\0 CO |'» lO W^ Ttl U-, to Tt^ »J^ 10 vi v-i ■^ -^ -^ '^ -^ ■* •* VI V, ^ l-S ^1 NO v^ r^ ui CO i— < ^ sSe o "> so «J-» O VI Tt^ CO CJ 000 ^ -H^ t-^ r^ 00 ON On ON Is s < .-H ,— 1 1— 1 ,— 1 ,-H ,-H ^ y. CO 3 g VI io w CO CO CO r-^ CO SO NO CO CO r4 1 K ■a 1 1 1 >N (N \o \o VO so V£) so r^ NO ■* ON w C\CS VI v^ (N (N i-H VI Lnr-- 00 w v^ 000000 ^ ^ CN C^CSCNCMCMfN 01CN(NeNCMI CM CM CM C^l C^ S f« ^ ojt:.s « •v, On VI o oo w O oo CM cor^O v^ w 1> Tt< 00 CM T*< ■< i3 l«l tr> u-i u^ vo v^ UT* ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^. ^. ^. ^. 5 ? 111 O •* rf (S r- -* CO CS VI 00 On i~( so so OS CM VINO On w 00 On 00 On O wOOn^O o\ >0 V^ VI VI -^ VI VI T^^ ^^^^ ^^ -^TtH^CntoC^ "o-te "^ Tt* so i-H \o O oo CO so VINO (N w 00 ■9 mS S O OO -^ r^ On vt OS ON^CM w^O 000 CM DO T*i CM Tfi ■^ "^^^ oo CO SD^ ON CO (N -^^^ CO ■* ^ -^-^T^cocOtN w cioT co^CO^CO CO COCO CO COCO c b c "3 1 '■ '■ 3-33 1— ll— ,< ■* l|~ •- NEC ^ ■■ ^ '*"■ ~ ,*-^ *^E^ -UN SKll la- i— . ■•» -.. •'.. ■ ■ J JN..UL.( ]G,5 :rc n-.r IV, ( :c.. >N,r ;d.k m.< ■11.1 AY^I IN. J IL f IB. 5 P. I T. NOV. DEC 1 3E[ ] 1 921 45- 40- 35- 3D- E5- sa- 15' ID- 5- // 1914 AVERAGE WEEKLY EARNINGS ■-^.^' lasD -MEN-SKILLED- WA^EIEAHNEHS ^^fM-UNSKILLED mei irNOV. PEC. JAN.FEH.MAH.flPH.MAYJUN.JULAUBrS :h OCT. Nmt"5ec (National Industrial Conference Board) 223 Composite Payroll Data — Generation and Distribution of Electricity Period One Week In 1914 July 1920 June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 1921 Jan Feb March. . . . April May June July' Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Number Wage Earners Employed 1914-22 Establ. (138 plants) 6'282 9,827 10,177 10,539 10,558 10,798 10,882 11,086 9,883 9,200 9,167 9,534 9,565 9,643 9,140 9,315 9,330 9,096 9,151 9,091 1920-22 Establ. (212 plants) 13,758 14,161 14,424 14,590 -14,895 15,151 15,632 14,217 13,151 13,353 13,548 13,352 13,659 13,156 13,424 13,204 13,186 13,033 13,150 Average Hours Av. Week Per Wage Earner 52.8 49.1 48.5 50.4 49.0 48.6 48.1 46.6 47.7 48.7 48.2 48.4 49.0 49.1 Nomi- nal Week 54.6 S2.7 52.6 52.5 52.. 5 52.5 52.5 52.2 52.8 52.4 52.8 52.2 52.6 52.5 53.6 53.6 53.6 53.7 53.5 •53.2 ^vages (All Wage Earners) Av. Hrly. Earn- ings $.278 .545 .548 .552 .557 .566 .563 .564 .560 .561 .558 .553 .548 .546 .548 .538 .545 .539 .539 .544 Av. Wkly. Earn- ings $14.68 26. IS 26.58 27.80 27.31 27.49 27.06 26.28 26.75 27.30 26.92 26.76 26.82 26.83 27.23 26.98 27.09 27.22 27.25 27.54 Index Nos. Earnings Hrly. Wkly. 100 196 197 199 200 204 203 203 201 202 201 199 197 196 197 194 196 194 194 196 100 182 181 189 186 187 184 179 182 186 183 182 183 183 185 184 185 185 186 188 *See Introduction, p. 2. 224 IB 14 IS JUiy 1914 PEDWCCK 60| — 55 SD 45 40 35 30 S5 JUL. ia~4 Generation and Distribution of Electricity NUMB Eg DF WABE EARNERS JUN. JUL AUE. 3ER OCT NOV. DECtAW. FFR. MiW.AH? I>«Y JUN..HJL AUG. SrP OGT SinV IXr . AVERAGE HOURS OF WORK Bs;j NaMINAL WEEK ACTUAL WEEK PER VAGE EARNER JUN. JUL AUe. gP OCT. HOI DEC -MIFCB. MAC «Pn.liWfJUM. JUL AUG. 3CR OCT. NIK nm igsT (National Industrial Conference Board) 225 Employment Total employment in the establishments covered declined 4.4% from June, 1920 up to the beginning of January, 1922. During this, period the employment of male common labor increased 3.1% while that of male skilled labor declined 6.7%. It is presumed that there has been some shifting of employees from the skilled labor group to the common labor group. Employment in identical establishments- between July, 1914 and the end of the year 1921 increased 44.7%. Hours In July, 1914, 54.6 hours constituted the average nominal week. By June, 1920, the hours had declined to 52.7, and the general level of from 52.5 to 53.5 hours was maintained up to July, 1921. The last six months of 1921 witnessed an increase to slightly more than 53.5 hours. The average actual week per wage earner showed a decline from 52.8 hours in July, 1914, to 49.1 hours in June, 1920. The fluctuations in working hours were due principally to the varying time worked by the common labor group. Conclusion The study of wages and hours in electric light and power plants shows that: 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922, stood at ?.544 or 96% above the July, 1914 level of $.278. 2. Average weekly earnings of all wage earners on January 1 , 1922, stood at $27.54 or 88% above the July, 1914 level of $14.68. 3. The percentages of decline from the peak (3.9% in hourly earnings and 0.9% in weekly earnings) were far below those in manufacturing industries. 4. Employment in electric light and power plants has been little affected by the general depression. From June, 1920 up to the beginning of January, 1922, employment had de- clined 4.4%, but the total expansion of employment in the industry between July, 1914 and the end of 1921 amounted to approximately 45%. 226 u «> c .o 3 t3 C Q e ■2 S c Q (0 s 1^1 <«w 1 ;3 ^«1 SfaE Q O 2 w- 0. B so g r- lo oo 00 r^ O On Cv 0^ OS 0^ O 'O 00 On O CO r4 C^ OSOSOSOOOO ^ ^ ^ (N IN CN CS 1-H CN 1— I O oo I*^ OOOOOnOn (N CS CS (S T-H ^ ^(N oo cl ON On O O On O On OvO CS ^ (N r-l ^ CS n r^ 1-1 ^ rJ ON i-H vo ^o r-- r^ oo r-- oo U-l VI u-> to >-0 lO VO oo o oo u-1 r- vo t^ oo r^ r^ vo -sD u-» vri lo Lo in in ON oo ON O O -^ r^ NO r^ t^ r^ t^ O 00 u-^ oo rJ o 'O r-» oo in oo ^ Tf< c^ t^ tn CO 1-1 -^ I r- oo t^ 00 TjH CO cs •^ O '-< C^t ON CO "1 in oo O O "-H in On CO 01 m 1— I O O r^ CO in NO rt* CO r^ cN^c^ co^ ^n*^ o'o'o' o"o"o' 1—1 NO t^ On NO On ON r-o r^o» CO t^ON^OO^NO^t^QO^ 0\ On On On On On § CO »-< CO oo cJ 1-1 On cs c^ r4 c^ cs rj cs in 1— I O NO NO *^ O O O On On On C4 CS CM --( T-1 r-t oo On On 00 On On oo oo t^ oo oo oo 29 ol 00 ol in m oi oo oo r^ OO On O O ON ■^ 1^ '^ Tt< u-] in "^ oo oo in r^ r^ Tf« oor^ r^ NO vo NO CO o CM O r^ cs CO CO CM CO CS CO ON CO oo NO r^ oo CO in CO in in o lo r^ on cm on »— < co 1-1 CO r^ CM <-< oo o ,-H in o ^o o i-f oo cM^co^''** "^r^*^ ^ co' co' CO* co'co' co" CO* "^ On oo r^ CM On ■^ r-H ON QO .-1 CM ■^ On O i-i T-( »-i in 00 r^ r- r-- --I NO '^ ONO O ^ CO Th CO in CO CO CO CM CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CM d 3 O 5: O u 227 ^1 e-S «'S S"c K-" re S rt C itj 7^ ctj e >;• M S, *J > u h=._ — ■•M — ■-•' — •' > T NS^ ILLE ~ ftr See? W, g! ■ . JN..U1..( IR !! P t n- ^ IV I r. , IN F BW AR. APR. MAY JUN. JUL' AUG SEP OCT NOV. DEC. get ] 1 9SI 45 40 35 3D B5 ao 15 10 s 1914 AVERAGE WEEKLY EARNINGS — •"•. ,^ X -N. Wl 2?.-. £?it if " !•-• ^^ sss 5s ^ S ^ — V •*• — — .. *••« lEN ^tl SKU LCD •-. — ••. ... II < LI! r K [ E.J :B, hAR./ JB.I. AY, UN.; JL. fi JG. S \i D 3S\ (National Industrial Conference Board) 231 Composite Payroll Data — Manufacture and Distribution of Gas Period Number Wage Earners Employed Average Hours Wages (All Wage Earners) One Week In 1914 July... 1920 June . . July... Aug. . . Sept. . . , Oct Nov Dec. . . . 1921 Jan Feb March.. April... May . . . June . . . July-... Aug. . . . Sept Oct Nov Dec 1914-22 Estabi. (54 plants) 6,495 6,369 6,505 6,509 6,635 6,962 7,016 7,000 6,959 6,857 6,732 6,845 6,646 6,497 6,813 6,715 6,878 7,093 7,084 7,145 1920-22 Estabi. •(61 plants) 6,517 6,653 6,667 6,784 7,104 7,162 7,140 7,081 6,975 6,899 6,974 6,777 6,618 6,935 6.855 6,985 7,336 7,195 7,254 Av. Week Per Wage Earner S2.0 50.9 51.8 51.5 50.3 51.8 50.8 50.5 50.3 49.7 51.0 50.5 50.9 50.9 54.0 53.6 52.6 52.9 52.4 52.8 Av. Hours Plant Oper- ation Nomi- nal Week Av. Hrly. Earn- ings 55.6 52.6 52. 1 $.270 .570 .565 .573 .584 .580 .583 .574 .565 .561 .568 .551 .537 .545- .532 .529 .521 .520 .514 .518 Av. Wkly. Earn- ings $14.01 29.01 29.27 29.51 29.37 30.02 29.59 28.98 28.43 27.93 28.98 27.85 27.33 27.73 28.73 28.33 27.39 27.49 26.84 27.31 Index Nos. Earnings Hrly. Wkly. 100 211 209 212 216 215 216 213 209 208 210 204 199 202 197 196 193 193 190 192 100 207 209 211 210 214 211 206 203 199 207 199 195 198 205 202 196 196 192 195 *See Introduction, p. 2. Employment in identical establishments increased 10% between July, 1914 and the end of the year 1921. Hours In July, 1914, 55.6 hours constituted the average nominal week. During the last half of 1920 the hours averaged 52.3, while in the first half of 1921 they were 52.5 and during the latter half of 1921, 51.5. The average week per wage earner fell from 52 hours in July, 1914, to 50.9 hours in June, 1920. During the period covered by the investigation there were fluctuations in the average week due chiefly to changes in time worked by the common labor group. There was a general tendency during the last half of 1921 toward longer working hours. 232 Manufacture and Distribution of Gas (914 35 30 45 40 35 30 es JJIY 19 I9EI AVERAGE HDUBS OF WDBK NOMlNALWtOJ^ ^, ACTUAL WEEK POT" WAGE EAQNER ■ Mi-jiLAijajpocT.NmtiiEC..MitFEa.M«a«Pii.M "'|'»'«' AUBaut ncT.N nv.iia: (NatitiDfl Industrial Conference Board) 233 Conclusion The study of wages and hours in the gas plants shows that: 1. Average hourly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at $.S\i, or 92% above the 1914 level of $.11. 1. Average taeekly earnings of all wage earners on January 1, 1922 stood at $27.31, or 95% above the 1914 level of ?14.0I. 3. The decline in both hourly and weekly earnings from the peak up to January, 1922, was far less than that in other manufacturing industries. 4. There was an increase in employment of 9.5% between June 1920 and the beginning of 1922. 234 Cs O »-' cs *-i tJ* (N OO in ^ ^ in ON (N OOin O On OO On n1 C> ON On 0^ On On Q\ CO oo oo OS oo r^ oo oo 00 oo r^ r^ r^ II ^ «f3 >. •n T o f— 1 N£> oo n »-<»-< oo OO oo 1— iin O in 1^ r^ NO Tt^ CO -^ s S oo OO OS oo OO oo r^ r-.. i^ r^ i^ r^ a. ^ ^ Si,>.S> 00 \0 0\ OO CO ^H O NO O ^0*-o VI »o in u^ in in in in in in in in in in lo in in w-i in Q ■§ fe«2 =o r^ Tt< CO CO ^ oo CO OSNOO cs»J^in COONO ■* OS ** CO r^ in oo in CO CO inQ CMt^OO O Tt« oo Tp OO ON in 1^1 ^6 0\0\OOC^eoro CO (N CO -* "«^ -^ Si j « ■yl inoo oo ooco oo r4inoo OO i^cJ or^in ostsr^- "S" n,. ^ ^ CS CS (N CN| (S r* (N (NCSCMCNCSCS oics oi(S cs (N c fl? 1 ■& .S> on cs 1— t oo NO NO 1— 1 vn 1— ( NO O oo O I^ 1 i ^ CN (N CO CO ■* CO .-< OsO oo OOI^ r^ 1^ in 'O in in III *Nj in in in in in in in in -^j^ in "* ■* ^ -* -^ -* -f ■* -* «■» Mn » r^ Tt< r4 On ^ ON Tf OS OsOn(N ^in^ t^ On O CO in 1— ( III > On OS oo OO On OO r^ ,_,,_,»-( ^H o i—" >o ■* Tt* -^ -* -^ ■* -^ Tj< Tt* -r c^rc^Tcs^cTc^ cToT cTcT e>rci ci cs'cs (n'cT es" a o 2 u i; 1— i 3 Sj "S.- ^c Is ** ii 23S PUBLICATIONS OF THE NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL CONFERENCE BOARD (Prices given are for paper-bound copies; cloth binding fifty cents additional) Research Reports Research Report No. 1. 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