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The Columbia University Libraries reserve the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgement, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of the copyright law. Author: Wadlin, Horace Greeley Title: Comparative wages and prices 1860-1897 Place: Boston Date: 1898 MASTER NEGATIVE # COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES PRESERVATION DIVISION BIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARGET ORIGINAL MATERIAL AS FILMED - EXISTING BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD Business DP62 mi9 Wadlin, Horace Greeley, 1851-1925. Coniparative wages and prices. 1860-1897. \Fram the twenty-eighth Annual report of the Massachusetts Btireau of statistics of labor, pp. 1-42.^ Boston, Wright & Potter print. CO., 1898. vl, 41 p. (chiefly tables) At head of title: Part I. Report for 1897. RESTRICTIONS ON USE: TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA FILM SIZE: 3S. r^tr\ REDUCTION RATIO: 12/ IMAGE PLACEMENT: lA @ IB IIB DATE FILMED: 9//3/9cf INITIALS: U)00 TRACKING # /yv^H oSoux FILMED BY PRESERVATION RESOURCES. 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COMPARATIYE WAGES AND PRICES 1860-1897 [From the Twenty-eighth Annual Report of the Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics OF Labor, pp. 1-42.] BY HORACE G. WADLIN, CHIEF OV THE BUBBAU OF BTATISTICS OF LABOR. BOSTON: WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS, 18 Post Office Sqij^b. 1898. ^ f J ■f i /i *1, Part T Eeport for 1897. v COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES 1860-1897. I [From the Twenty-eighth Annual Repout of the Massachusetts . Bureau of Statistics OF Labor, pp. 1-42.] f t BY HORACE G. WADLIN, CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF STATISTICS OF LABOR. • r BOSTON . WRIGHT & POTTS;i FKIKTING CO., STATE PRINTERS, 18 Post Office Square. 1898. \y in 00 s*^ f I • • • . » « . • •• • • • ♦ » « • V. » • ♦ » • . » > • • * • > * * • • * • • • • • 3 • * • B • » • • * * r • • \ • • , • • . # « • < 4 » » , • ■' 1 CONTENTS Introduction, Similar presentations in previous reports, This presentation covers the years 1860, 1872, 1878, 1881, and 1897, Collection of information made by special agents of the Bureau, All inflated currency values brought to a gold basis, . Average Weekly Wages : 1860, 1872, 1878, 1881, and 1897, Agriculture, Blacksmithing, Boots and shoes, Building trades, Cabinet making, Carpetings, Carriages, Clothing (ready-made), Cotton goods, Glass, Hosiery, Leather, Machines and machinery, Metals and metallic goods, Metals and metallic goods (fine work) , Musical instruments, Paper, Printing, Rubber goods, elastic fabrics, Stone, Straw goods, Woollen goods, Page 3 3 3 3 3 4-12 4 4 4 4 4,5 5 5 5 5-7 7 7,8 8 8,9 9 9 9 10 10 10,11 11 11 11, 12 Comparisons of Average Weekly Wages : 1872, 1881, and 1897, 12-21 Agriculture, X2 Blacksmithing, Boots and shoes, Building trades. Cabinet making, Carpetings, . Carriages, 12 12,13 13 13 13,14 14 i It contents. Comparisons of Average Weekly Wages: 1872, 1881, and 1897 — Con. pape Clothing (ready-made), 14 Cotton goods, 14 16 Glass, ' 16 Hosieiy, . . . 16,17 Leather, 17 Machines and machinery, 17, 18 Metals and metallic goods, 18 Metals and metallic goods (line work) , 18 Musical instnmients, 18, 19 Paper, 19 Printing, 19 Rubber goods, elastic fabrics, 19, 20 Stone, 20 Straw goods, 20 Woollen goods, 20, 21 Average Retail Prices : 18G0, 1872, 1878, 1881, and 1897, . . 22, 23 Groceries, 22 Provisions, 22 Fuel, 22 Dry goods, . . ' 22,23 Boots, 23 Rents, . 23 Board, . . » 23 Comparisons of Average Retail Prices: 1872, 1881, and 1897, 23,24 Groceries, 23,24 Provisions, 24 Fuel, 24 Dry goods, 24 Boots, 24 Rents, 24 Board, 24 Purchase Power of Money: 1800, 1872, 1878, 1881, and 1897, . 25-27 Groceries, 25 . Provisions, 25 Fuel, 26 Dry goods, 26 Boots, 26 Rents, 27 Board, 27 Purchase Power of Money — Increases and Decreases : 1872, 1881, AND 1897, 26-29 Groceries, 26, 27 Provisions, 26-29 Fuel, 28, 29 < I «r V € H h ^ v< I f T * *■ -J 4 * CONTENTS. V PuRCHAisE Power of Money — Increases and Decreases : 1872, 1881, AND 1897 — Con. p^ge Dry goods, 28,29 Boots, 28,29 Rents, 28,29 Board, 28,29 Analysis, 30-41 Earlier classification of employments adhered to, . . . 80 Defective as compared with later methods, 80 Agriculture, 30 Blacksmithing, 30 Boots and shoes, 80 Building trades, 30, 31 Cabinet making, 31 Carpetings, 31 Carriages, 31 Clothing (ready-made), 81 Cotton goods, 31,32 Glass, 32 Hosiery, . 32 Leather, 32,33 Machines and machinery, 38 Metals and metallic goods, 33 Metals and metallic goods (fine work) , 33 Musical instruments, . 38 Paper, 88 Printing, 33,34 Rubber goods, elastic fabrics, 84 Stone, 84 Straw goods, 34 Woollen goods, 34 Explanation of irregularities in classification, . . . .34, 35 Increases or decreases in various branches of the same industry, and the resultant effect upon the industry as regards wages, 35 Increases or decreases in average weekly wages, by industries, in 1897 as compared with 1872 and 1881, . . . .35, 36 Industries in which computed average weekly wages show a decline, 36 Industries in which (computed average weekly wages show an increase, 36,37 Wages, in general, show an increase in 1897 as compared with 1881, 37 Wages, in general, show a decrease in 1897 as compared with 1872 37 Groceries, in general, lower in price in 1897 than in 1872 or 1881, 37 Provisions, in general, lower in price in 1897 than in 1872 or 1881 37 ■h » I •'nUk ■^mr^t* VI CONTENTS. Analysis — Con. Quotations for prices are for articles of uniform quality from stores patronized by working people, Fuel, dry goods, and men's heavy boots lower in price in 1897 than in 1872 or 1881, Rents and board in 1872, 1881, and 1897 compared, . Consideration of the purchase power of money tables. Percentages of increase or decrease in prices, in 1897 as com- pared with 1872 and 1881, in the individual articles included under groceries, provisions, fuel, dry goods, and boots; different sized tenements ; and board for men and women, . Force or weight of quotations of prices of necessaries of life dependent upon comparative quantities and values consumed of the articles considered, Basis of computation adopted by the Congressional Committee in 1892 used in making comparisons, Percentages of decrease in the prices of groceries and of provi- sions in 1897 as compared with 1872 and 1881, Note (in relation to the cotton goods industry), .... rage 37,38 38 38 38,39 39,40 40 41 41 i * 41 Si < l\' COMPAEATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. 1860-1897. <** »v^ The Bureau has presented from time to time statistics of wages and prices, collected by its agents from original sources, in form enabling comparisons to be made as to the increase or decrease. In conformity to this practice the present Part contains such statistics relating to the year 1897, tabulated in connection with the data for 1860, 1872, 1878, and 1881. The figures for 1897, like those for the previous years, have been collected directly from different establishments in the specified industries, by the agents of this Department, who, for that purpose, visited at the close of the year the industrial centres of the Commonwealth, and by the co-operation of the proprietors obtained the information. At the same time, retail prices were obtained in the different towns and cities which were visited, at establishments patron- ized by working people, together with information as to rents and prices for board such as are paid by wage workers. The tables therefore show the rates paid in money for the different specified kinds of work in the various industries, and the prices paid by the employes for rent, board, or the various articles of household consumption. By comparing the data relating to wages and prices in 1897 with similar information for the other years, the variations, either upward or downward, may be noted. The first presentation relates to average weekly wages, and, as in all the tables contained in this Part, the figures have been brought to the gold basis in order to e'limi- nate from the comparisons any misleading element due to inflated currency values. 1 At ^^mmi*"^ 4 STATISTICS OF LABOR. [Pub. Doc. The first section of this presentation is designated as Table I, and contains wage quotations for 1860, 1872, 1878, 1881, and 1897. Table I. — Average Weekly Wages: 1860-1897, Average Weekly Wages, Standard, Gold Occupations. 1860 1872 1878 1881 1897 Agriculture. Laborers per month, with board, $13.63 $23.09 fl5.72 $18.00 $18.50 Laborers per day, without board, . 0.90 - 1.25 1.37 1.25 Blacksmithing. Blacksmiths, 9.30 16.44 13.75 16.38 16.00 Boots and Shoes. Cutters, 12.00 14.81 11.05 14.91 11.63 Bottomers, .... 10.50 16.00 10.71 11.71 11.50 Boot treers. 10.50 - 12.00 11.41 7.73 Crimpers, .... 10.50 - 10.00 11.88 15.00 Fitters, .... - 14.22 12.00 9.63 15.37 Finishers, .... 14.50 16.00 11.75 12.18 11.59 Buffers, ..... - - 19.50 11.21 15.11 Heelers - 17.78 13.75 11.31 17.64 Edge setters, .... 12.00 17.78 13.00 11.50 12.10 Shoemakers, . . . , 10.33 14.66 8.00 12.21 15.86 Machine hands, women, . . 8.25 8.89 7.33 7.81 9.98 McKay operators, - 22.22 17.75 15.40 15.29 Beaters-out, .... - 16.89 15.00 11.43 12.18 Trimmers, 18.00 17.78 12.25 11.99 17.18 Women, 6.50 - 8.00 8.48 4.04 Building Trades. Carpenters, » • • 9.92 14.66 11.33 12.64 15.22 Painters and glaziers, 11.03 14.11 13.85 14.66 13.97 Steam and gas fitters, 10.28 19.55 12.16 15.35 14.49 Slaters, 14.39 16.00 12.50 13.00 18.00 Paper hangers, .... 12.97 14.82 16.45 14.45 18.50 Plumbers, 14.05 14.22 18.00 18.00 19.35 Plasterers, 10.18 21.33 12.25 - 19.50 Masons, ..... 11.45 21.33 13.37 - 19.89 Carpenters' laborers, . 7.16 - 8.29 8.86 8.23 Masons' and plasterers' laborers, 7.12 12.22 8.13 - 8.82 Cabinet Making. Chair makers, 10.11 11.56 11.90 10.95 14.92 Turners, 11.80 15.11 11.60 12.00 14.88 Carvers, 12.80 16.00 12.33 12.00 16.68 Cabinet makers, ..'... 10.56 14.66 11.03 12.00 13.54 No.l5.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. Table I.- Average Weekly Wages: 1860-1897 — Continued. » -4 Average Weekly Wages , Standard, Gold OCCCPATIONS. 1860 187S 1878 1881 1897 Cabinet Making — Con. Millmen, ....... $10.05 $12.44 $10.67 $10.25 $11.32 Polishers and finishers, 10.00 11.34 10.25 10.19 12.30 Upholsterers, 10.90 14.66 11.42 12.00 10.50 Upholstery sewers, women, 6.00 6.07 7.00 6.00 7.08 Carpetings. Wool sorters, 6.50 ^ 9.25 11.76 11.33 Wool washers, . 5.50 — 7.35 6.60 6.85 Dyers and dryers. 6.00 9.93 7.50 6.60 7.77 Weavers, 6.50 7.46 8.50 5.70 9.14 Section hands, .... 7.50 - 10.33 10.50 11.65 Drawers and spinners. - - 4.35 3.78 5.15 Frame spinners, .... 4.50 5.08 5.00 4.20 5.12 Firemen, 6.00 - 7.00 6.60 8.84 Machinists and carpenters, 9.00 9.87 11.00 10.20 10.81 Watchmen, .... 7.00 -. 10.00 8.40 8.27 Laborers, 5.00 - 7.05 6.60 6.69 Laborers, boys, .... - - 3.75 3.00 3.89 Carriages. Body makers, .... 11.82 19.55 15.70 14.41 12.75 Painters, . , , , , 11.90 17.33 14.56 12.12 11.80 Carriage-part makers. 9.50 17.48 14.14 13.50 12.75 Wheelwrights, .... 10.64 17.77 13.70 13.42 15.58 Trimmers, 12.62 17.77 15.80 13.62 17.66 Blacksmiths, .... 11.20 16.00 15.34 16.15 13.18 Blacksmiths' helpers, 7.50 12.44 9.00 9.69 9.75 Clothing (Ready-made). Overseers, 19.45 24.45 24.82 28.33 18.35 Cutters, ....... 13.92 19.85 16.00 19.81 20.35 Trimmers, 11.06 11.26 14.31 13.69 8.20 Pressers, 9.17 16.05 10.28 14.70 13.44 Basters, women, 6.32 7.77 6.46 8.00 5.92 Machine operators, women. 5.53 10.81 5.92 9.47 6.42 Finishers at home, women. 4.00 - 3.46 5.42 1.79 Finishers in shop, women. 4.56 4.74 4.58 4.95 3.75 Finishers, custom, women. 6.00 - 8.00 8.71 6.00 Pantaloons and vest makers, custom • work, women 5.58 - 6.90 8.54 10.29 Cotton Goods. Openers and pickers, 4.76 7.35 6.23 6.67 6.33 Openers and pickers, boys. 2.57 4.55 3.45 3.45 5.28 Strippers, 4.48 7.00 5.06 6.21 6.46 — - '"^r^ "^ * -c^ , '•' * e STATISTICS OF LABOR. [Pub. Doc. Table 1. — Average Weekly Wages: 1860-1897— ■ Continued.. Occupations. Cotton Goods — Con. Grinders, . Frame tenders, . Drawers, . Railway and alley boys, Slubbers, . Overseers of carding, Section hands, . Second hands, . Overseers of spinning Second hands, . Section hands, . General hands, . Young persons, . Spare hands, Mule spinners, . Back boys, . Doffers, Frame spinners, . Frame spinners, girls Frame spinners, boys Ring spinners, overseers. Ring spinners, second hands. Ring spinners, third hands Ring spinners, girls, . DoflFers, boys, . Fly and jack frame tenders, Reeling and warping, overseers Reeling and warping, second hands, Reeling and warping, spare hands, girls Reeling and warping, spoolers. Reeling and warping, young persons. Warpers, . Dressers, . Dressers, overseers, . Slasher tenders, . Drawers, . . Drawers, section hands. Drawers, third hands. Drawers, room hands. Twisters, women, Weavers, . , . Weavers, overseers, . Weavers, second hands. Average Weekly Wages, Standard, Gold 1860 $6.51 3.48 2.33 2.70 3.50 16.70 12.00 8.00 17.70 7.00 9.00 6.00 3.46 3.45 6.33 2.07 3.00 3.28 2.37 11.52 7.50 4.00 3.60 2.56 3.50 9.00 4.50 2.40 2.62 2.53 4.22 8.19 21.91 4.56 6.25 6.00 5.00 4.50 4.44 17.41 7.00 1878 1878 $7.50 5.65 3.30 26.67 16.00 26.67 14.67 4.59 4.53 10.70 3.68 4.00 14.67 9.33 4.48 4.85 4.53 5.90 15.47 21.33 10.00 5.64 10.67 8.80 5.33 $7.34 4.47 3.70 3.45 4.80 18.72 11.40 10.00 19.45 8.00 11.40 6.44 3.72 4.00 7.41 2.32 4.65 3.96 3.52 2.70 18.00 9.00 5.50 4.20 2.80 5.80 15.00 9.00 4.20 3.96 3.00 5.30 11.27 20.40 9.79 5.55 8.34 6.90 6.00 5.00 5.88 20.00 9.00 1881 1897 $8.42 4.90 4.52 4.41 5.90 17.80 10.62 10.18 18.06 11.71 10.01 5.96 4.11 3.77 10.09 2.97 4.27 5.38 4.38 3.00 13.80 10.51 8.61 4.95 2.70 7.05 16.05 9.44 4.33 5.21 5.10 6.23 10.23 18.00 7.50 5.49 6.78 6.86 8.19 5.85 6.44 16.39 10.91 $8.56 7.50 5.32 5.11 8.07 25.19 9.14 12.94 22.96 12.46 8.99 7.08 3.98 5.57 13.24 4.73 6.03 7.25 4.74 4.42 21.75 9.90 9.86 6.48 4.64 7.12 17.00 10.92 4.93 5.66 4.83 7.87 9.64 23.22 10.21 5.42 8.30 8.62 6.51 5.83 7.70 24.23 12.63 ^ "^ No. 15.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. Table 1. — Average Weekly Wages: 1860-1897 — ConHnued. Average Weeklv Wages Standard, Gold Occupations. 1860 1872 1878 1881 1897 Cotton Goods — Con. Weavers, section hands, , • . . $7.74 $10.67 $9.71 $9.18 $10.83 Weavers, spare hands, 4.50 6.61 5.25 6.06 6.95 Weavers, 4 looms, . - 5.78 3.96 5.64 6.57 Weavers, 6 looms, - 9.50 5.01 6.74 7.38 Weavers, 8 looms, , - 11.33 6.30 8.23 8.75 Bobbin boys, . . 4.00 - 4.50 3.78 4.90 Cloth room, overseers. 18.10 14.67 17.25 11.50 18.25 Cloth room, second hands. 7.17 8.64 9.30 10.00 12.00 Cloth room, men. 5.44 8.16 6.45 7.69 7.12 Cloth room, women and boys, . 4.06 4.80 4.27 5.20 4.86 Packing room, girls and boys, . 4.03 - 4.70 5.59 6.00 Dyers, 5.87 8.93 8.13 6.30 6.59 Bundlers, 6.00 8.69 8.88 8.27 7.84 Overseers of repairs, . 17.10 17.33 20.00 18.39 27.38 Mechanics, 8.35 12.16 10.72 13.51 11.60 Mechanics, laborers, . 5.47 8.72 6.94 7.09 6.44 Engineers, 9.00 - 11.37 17.75 16.96 Firemen 7.09 _ 8.33 9.33 9.42 Overseers of yard. 11.56 16.05 17.37 12.30 Yard hands, .... 5.22 8.76 6.32 7.69 7.01 Watchmen, .... 6.83 - 8.12 9.23 8.88 Teamsters, 5.40 10.67 8.01 9.31 8.51 Glass. Blowers, - 8.89 12.00 12.00 21.90 Kilnmen, — 12.44 10.50 11.36 12.00 Polishers, - 17.78 12.00 13.50 12.00 Gaffers - 16.00 20.00 20.00 24.00 Servitors, — 13.33 13.00 15.00 21.00 Foot makers, .... — 13.33 11.00 12.00 15.00 Pressors, - 12.00 13.00 16.11 18.00 Gatherers — 10.67 12.00 12.55 15.00 Stickers-up — 7.11 8.00 7.95 6.72 Ware wheelers, .... - 9.11 6.00 8.71 6.16 Engravers, - 18.22 12.00 15.00 17.00 Mixers, - 10.67 12.00 14.33 12.00 Men, not in departments, . - - 10.50 10.91 10.16 Boys, - 3.56 4.50 4.76 6.76 Women and girls, - 4.44 4.00 6.00 5.55 Hosiery. Overseers of carding - - 13.50 17.10 22.49 Young persons, carding, .... - - 6.00 4.57 4.45 Overseers of bleaching and dyeing, . - - 16.62 21.50- 17.49 jaiiKJt. .h. ii-iy*^* t* 8 STATISTICS OF LABOR. [Pub. Doc, Table I.— Average Weekly Wages: 1860-1897— Contmued. Average Weeklt Wages , Standard, Gold Occupations. 1860 1873 1878 1881 1897 Hosiery — Con. Men, bleaching and dyeing, - - $7.87 $8.28 $6.36 Overseers of spinning, - - 13.50 17.45 23.49 Men and boys, spinning, - - 6.75 7.63 11.68 Boarders, . . , - - 7.50 7.82 9.34 Finishers, women, - - 5.10 5.76 4.95 Cutters, . . ' - - 8.40 6.16 6.09 Winders, . - - 6.60 5.53 6.22 Knitters, - - 6.85 8.94 7.29 Twisters, • - - 6.00 6.00 4.70 Sewing girls, - - 6.00 6.49 6.56 Menders, . - - 5.70 4.96 5.99 Rotary knitters, men. - - 15.00 17.86 12.87 Engineers, . - - 12.00 17.14 16.81 Yard hands and watchmen. - - 7.80 8.40 6.72 Leather. Limers and beamers, $7.50 - 11.00 9.05 9.88 Tanners, 6.83 $10.41 8.00 8.74 9.00 Shavers, 9.00 - 15.00 11.75 14.72 Finishers, . 8.50 - 11.00 10.18 8.68 Splitters, . 14.25 16.00 16.00 17.62 22.49 Knifemen, . 12.00 13.77 13.50 14.15 14.50 Tablemen, . 7.00 13.25 8.00 10.03 9.00 Foremen, . 15.00 - 20.00 26.67 19.00 Machines and Machinery. Pattern makers, 11.50 17.60 15.24 18.10 13.72 Iron moulders, . 9.50 14.67 12.30 16.40 11.81 Brass moulders, . 10.00 14.67 13.25 15.75 14.56 Core makers. 5.00 - 6.00 6.28 6.95 Blacksmiths, 9.15 16.00 12.15 15.75 12.95 Blacksmiths' helpers. 6.50 10.20 7.70 10.29 7.80 Machinists, . 9.64 14.40 13.05 17.09 11.05 Cleaners and chippers, 6.00 - 7.50 8.64 8.26 Chuckers, . 6.75 - 9.75 11.33 9.60 Fitters, 8.83 14.40 10.66 12.82 9.33 Polishers, . 8.00 - 9.75 8.59 7.98 Setters-up, . 10.00 12.80 12.00 13.38 10.36 Rivet heaters, boys, . 4.00 - 5.00 5.64 6.44 Riveters, 9.50 14.67 12.00 13.05 15.12 Woodworkers, . • 9.16 -. 10.39 14.60 10.14 Painters, . 6.00 - 8.00 12.23 8.62 Laborers, « 6.00 8.53 7.27 9.15 7.42 f ^ # % ir * A P LJ [ f I 10 STATISTICS OF LABOR. [Pub. Doc. Table I. — Average Weekly Wages: 1860-1897 — Coniiimed. Average Weekly "Wages, Standard, Gold OCCUPATIOKS. 1860 1872 1878 1881 1897 Paper. Foremen, .... $16.63 $16.00 $26.49 $25.25 $14.25 Millwrights, . . 9.86 16.00 15.21 14.47 14.34 Rag engine tenders, . 7.90 14.67 10.41 10.90 8.44 Paper machine tenders, . 10.00 16.00 15.25 15.50 17.69 Thresher-women, 5.70 8.89 7.40 7.50 4.50 Rag cutters, 7.50 - 8.40 6.78 6.07 Finishers 7.70 11.33 10.20 12.31 11.44 Finishers, girls, . . • 3.92 6.93 5.27 7.58 6.11 Finishers' helpers, . • 5.80 - 7.27 10.50 10.00 Cutters, girls, . 3.40 5.33 5.00 5.70 5.70 Bleachers, .... 6.70 8.89 7.56 6.94 8.08 Rag sorters. 3.27 4.00 4.53 4.97 6.25 Men on stock, . 5.88 9.33 6.57 8.14 9.52 Mechanics, .... 9.75 - 13.20 14.62 14.42 Engineers and firemen. 6.64 10.52 8.77 10.48 13.31 Laborers, .... 5.50 8.33 6.55 7.89 8.37 Printing. Job compositors, 10.19 — 14.12 16.00 15.50 Proofreaders, . 17.45 28.89 20.09 21.81 28.87 Proof readers, women. 8.67 - 11.07 9.33 13.75 Job pressmen, .... 9.95 14.44 12.60 14.55 13.28 News-work, . , 8.77 - 15.11 16.61 23.09 Press feeders. 5.17 - 6.40 11.37 9.67 Press feeders, women, 4.77 - j 5.80 8.58 4.83 Compositors, daily, . 14.83 25.77 18.28 20.00 21.78 Pressmen, daily, . . , 13.19 17.55 18.11 18.00 18.63 Book compositors. 10.28 15.22 12.87 13.00 15.83 Book compositors, women, 5.42 7.11 7.22 9.00 9.67 Rubber Goods, Elastic Fabrics. Rubber workers, — — 12.00 8.99 13.04 Rubber workers, women, . - — 5.55 5.54 5.59 Overseers of weavers, • - - 15.00 20.05 19.00 Weavers, women. - - 5.40 7.48 10.32 Dyers, - - 7.87 9.42 8.61 Dyers, foremen, .... - — 18.00 16.00 15.00 Sewing girls, .... - — 6.30 6.48 7.35 Overseers of spoolers. - - 15.00 11.33 9.00 Spoolers, women, - - 4.75 6.42 6.50 Overseers of leather work. - — 16.50 13.50 16.50 Men on leather work. - - 8.40 7.S8 13.50 Boys on leather work. - - - 4.37 3.00 7.00 '«• ^A No. 15.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. 11 Table 1.— Average Weekly Wages: 1860-1897 — Continxied. , Average Weekly Wages, Standard, Gold Occupations. 1860 1872 1878 1881 1897 Rubber Goods, Elastic Fabrics - Con. Quillers, boys and girls, .... - - $2.75 $3.46 $3.68 "Woodworkers, - - 14.25 15.60 10.50 Stone. Quarrymen, $5.70 - 6.80 8.00 9.15 Paving cutters, 6.00 - 6.75 8.00 6.36 Stone cutters, 13.50 - 12.00 14.25 15.39 Polishers, 7.50 - 9.00 10.00 9.32 Blacksmiths, 10.22 - 10.50 11.00 16.50 Teamsters, 8.17 - 9.75 10.00 9.84 Lal>orers, 5.00 - 6.00 9.50 6.62 Straw Goods. Bleachers, - - 9.00 9.00 10.38 Blockers, - - 12.00 12.00 16.71 Pressers, - - 12.00 12.00 11.27 Packers, - - 12.00 10.50 11.75 Machine sewers, - -> 10.50 9.00 11.41 Plaster block makers, .... - - 11.25 10.50 12.00 Whittlers, - - 18.00 18.00 10.50 Menders, - - 7.50 9.00 8.07 Tippers - - 9.00 9.00 14.00 Trimmers, ....... - - 9.00 9.00 8.33 Wirers, - - 10.50 9.00 11.85 Machinists, - - 18.00 18.00 13.75 Woollen Goods. Wool sorters, 6.98 $9.50 8.50 9.43 12.28 Washers and scourers. 5.48 8.00 6.66 8.84 6.82 Dyers, , 5.72 7.95 6.66 7.81 7.21 Dryers, 5.68 7.13 6.12 6.84 7.20 Young persons, . 5.00 - 6.00 5.12 5.55 Dyers and scourers. 4.27 - 6.50 7.01 6.28 Washers, . 6.33 - 8.15 7.80 6.96 Dryers and pickers, . 4.50 — 6.00 6.96 6.24 Scourers, . 4.50 - 5.75 7.07 5.51 Carders, ... 5.32 7.30 6.19 8.12 7.59 Carders, overseers, , 12.00 - 18.00 16.33 30.00 Strippers, . 4.97 - 6.19 7.57 7.00 Spinners, . 6.79 9.20 7.64 9.05 10.89 Spinners, boys, . 3.00 - 3.00 4.81 7.37 Spinners, women. 4.75 6.85 6.15 6.18 6.38 Spoolers, women. 4.08 — 5.64 4.70 5.82 Spoolers, girls, . 3.37 - 4.22 3.09 4.52 12 STATISTICS OF LABOR. [Pub. Doc. Table 1. — Average Weekly Wages: 1860-1897 —Conclnded. Average Weekly Wages, Standard, Gold Occupations. 1860 1878 1878 1881 1897 WooLLEX Goods — Con. Dressers and warpers $6.48 - $7.68 $8.64 $9.62 Dressers, . 7.60 - 9.18 10.06 10.70 Weavers, . 5.50 - 7.00 8.33 8.64 Fullers, 5.23 $7.71 6.89 7.35 7.30 Shearers, . 5.40 - 6.60 8.05 6.71 Diggers, 5.04 7.26 5.90 7.00 7.10 Burlers, 5.08 7.61 6.34 5.09 5.44 Bnrlers, women, 3.81 6.25 4.59 5.13 5.64 Bnrlers, girls, • 3.00 4.98 3.25 3.75 5.32 Finishers, . 6.04 7.68 7.08 7.53 8.31 Finishers, women, 3.08 4.91 4.95 5.85 6.04 Packers, 5.00 8.00 7.23 7.71 10.22 Pressmen, . 6.50 — 7.50 7.68 9.05 Section hands, . 7.33 — 9.33 12.15 12.35 Firemen, , 6.56 9.97 8.78 7.97 9.44 Engineers and firemen '» • 9.00 — 10.50 11.07 13.29 Laborers, . . , 5.44 7.86 6.69 8.58 6.73 Watchmen, 7.08 - 9.41 9.63 10.50 The next section of this presentation, designated as Table II, brings forward for direct comparison the figures as to wages in 1872, 1881, and 1897, and shows the increase (-f-) or decrease ( — ) in dollars in 1897, as compared with each of the two preceding years specified. Table IT. — Comparisons of Average Weekly Wages : 1872, 1881, and 1897. OCCCPATIONS. Average Weekly Wages, Standard, Gold Increase (+),or Decrease (-), in 1897 as Com- pared with 1878 Increase (+), or Decrease (-), in I807 . 1878 1881 1897 as Com- pared with 1881 Agriculture. Laborers per month, with board, . I^aborers per day, without board, . Blacksmithino. Blacksmiths, Boots and Shoes. Cutters, Bottomers $23.09 16.44 14.81 16.00 $18.00 1.37 16.38 14.91 11.71 $18.50 1.25 16.00 11.63 11.50 —$4.59 —0.44 —3.18 —4.50 +$0.50 —0.12 —0.38 —3.28 -0.21 No. 15.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. 13 Table n. — Comparisons of Average Weekly Wages: 187 2 y 1881, and i(9^ 7 — Continued. Average Weekly Wages, tiTANDABD, GOLD Increase (+),or Decrease Increase (+),or Decrease Occupations. (-),in 1897 as Com- pared with 1878 (-), in 1897 187% 1881 1897 as Com- pared with 1881 Boots and Shoes — Con. Boot treers, - $11.41 $7.73 . —$3.68 Crimpers, - 11.88 15.00 - +3.12 Fitters, $14.22 9.63 15.37 +$1.15 +5.74 Finishers, 16.00 12.18 11.59 —4.41 —0.59 Buffers, - 11.21 15.11 - +3.90 Heelers, ....... 17.78 11.31 17.64 —0.14 +6.33 Edge setters, 17.78 11.50 12.10 —5.68 +0.60 Shoemakers, 14.66 12.21 15.86 -1-1.20 +3.65 Machine hands, women, 8.89 7.81 9.98 -f-1.09 +2.17 McKay operators, . . . . . 22.22 15.40 15.29 —6.93 —0.11 Beaters-out, 16.89 11.43 12.18 -4.71 +0.75 Trimmers, 17.78 11.99 17.18 —0.60 +5.19 Women, - 8.48 4.04 - —4.44 Building Trades. Carpenters, 14.66 12.64 15.22 -fO.56 +2.58 Painters and glaziers, .... 14.11 14.66 13.97 —0.14 —0.69 Steam and gas fitters, .... 19.65 15.35 14.49 —5.06 —0.86 Slaters, 16.00 13.00 18.00 +2.00 +5.00 Paper hangers, 14.82 14.45 18.50 +3.68 +4.05 Plumbers, 14.22 18.00 19.35 +5.13 +1.35 Plasterers, 21.33 - 19.50 —1.83 _ Masons 21.33 — 19.89 —1.44 „ Carpenters' laborers, .... - 8.86 8.23 ^ —0.63 Masons' and plasterers' laborers, . 12.22 - 8.82 —3.40 - Cabinet Making. Chair makers, 11.56 10.95 14.92 +3.36 +3.97 Turners 15.11 12.00 14.88 —0.23 +2.88 Carvers, 16.00 12.00 16.68 +0.68 +4.68 Cabinet makers, 14.66 12.00 13.54 -1.12 +1.54 Millmen, ....... 12.44 10.25 11.32 —1.12 +1.07 Polishers and finishers, .... 11.34 10.19 12.30 +0.96 +2.11 Upholsterers, .• 14.66 12.00 10.50 —4.16 —1.50 Upholstery sewers, women, . 6.07 6.00 7.08 +1.01 +1.08 Carpetings. Wool sorters, ...... . 11.76 11.33 —0.43 Wool washers, - 6.60 6.85 ^ +0.25 Dyers and dryers, 9.93 6.60 7.77 —2.16 +1.17 Weavers, ....... 7.46 5.70 9.14 +1.68 +3.44 k 14 STATISTICS OF LABOR. [Pub. Doc. Table U. — Comparisons of Average Weekly Wages: 1872, 1881, and i^^7_ Continued. Increase ! Increase Average Weekly Wages, (+), or (+), or Standard, Gold Decrease 5 Decrease OCCCPATIONS. (-). in (-), in 1897 as Com- as Cora- 1872 1881 1897 pared with 'pared with 1872 1 1881 Carpetixgs — Con. Section hands, .... . $10.50 $11.65 ,^ +$1.15 Drawers and spinners, . - 3.78 5.15 «» +1.37 Frame spinners, .... ^5.08 4.20 5.12 +$0.04 +0.92 Firemen, - 6.60 8.84 _ +2.24 Machinists and carpenters, . 9.87 10.20 10.81 +0.94 +0.61 Watchmen, - 8.40 8.27 ^^ —0.13 Laborers, ••.... .. 6.60 6.69 _ +0.09 Laborers, boys, - 3.00 3.89 - +0.89 Carriages. Body makers, 19.55 14.41 12.75 —6.80 -1.66 Painters, 17.33 12.12 11.80 —5.53 —0.32 Carriage-part makers, . . . . 17.48 13.50 12.75 —4.73 —0.75 Wheelwrights, 17.77 13.42 15.58 —2.19 +2.16 Trimmers, 17.77 13.62 17.66 —0.11 +4.04 Blacksmiths 16.00 16.15 13.18 —2.82 —2.97 Blacksmiths' helpers, .... 12.44 9.69 9.75 —2.69 +0.06 Clothing (Ready-made). Overseers, 24.45 28.33 18.35 —6.10 —9.98 Cutters, 19.85 19.81 20.35 +0.50 +0.54 Trimmers, 11.26 13.69 8.20 —3.06 —5.49 Pressers, 16.05 14.70 13.44 —2.61 —1.26 Basters, women, 7.77 8.00 6.92 —1.85 —2.08 Machine operators, women, . 10.81 9.47 6.42 —4.39 —3.05 Finishers at home, women, . — 5.42 1.79 —3.63 Finishers in shop, women, 4.74 4.95 3.75 -0.99 —1.20 Finishers, custom, women, . — 8.71 6.00 —2.71 Pantaloons and vest makers, custom work, women, ..... - 8.54 10.29 - 41.75 Cotton Goods. Openers and pickers, .... 7.35 6.67 6.33 —1.02 —0.34 Openers and pickers, boys, . 4.55 3.45 5.28 +0.73 +1.83 Strippers, 7.00 6.21 6.46 —0.54 +0.25 Grinders, 7.50 8.42 8.56 +1.06 +0.14 Frame tenders, 5.65 4.90 7.50 +1.85 +2.60 Drawers - 4.52 5.32 ^ +0.80 Railway and alley boys, — 4.41 5.11 _ +0.70 Slubbers, 3.30 5.90 8.07 +4.77 +2.17 Overseers of carding 26.67 17.80 25.19 —1.48 +7.39 • A, ' I ' * v I ■% No. 15.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. 15 Table Jl.— Comparisons of Average Weekly Wages: 1872, 1881, and i^^ 7— Continued. Increase ! Increase Average Weekly Wages, (+), or (-I-). or Standard, Gold Decrease | Decrease Occupations. (-),m 1897 as Com- (-), in 1897 as Com- 1872 1881 1897 pared with pared with 1872 1881 Cotton Goods — Con. Section hands, • . • - $10.62 $9.14 ^ —$1.48 Second hands, , . $16.00 10.18 12.94 —$3.06 +2.76 Overseers of spinning. . 26.67 18.06 22.96 —3.71 +4.90 Second hands. . 14.67 11.71 12.46 —2.21 +0.75 Section hands. . . - 10.01 8.99 ^^ —1.02 General hands, , Young persons. 4.69 5.96 4.11 7.08 3.98 —0.61 +1.12 —0.13 Spare hands, . , 4.53 3.77 6.57 +1.04 +1.80 Mule spinners. . 10.70 10.09 13.24 +2.54 +3.15 Back boys, Doffers, . Frame spinners, Frame spinners, girls. Frame spinners, boys. . . . 3.68 2.97 4.27 5.38 4.38 3.00 4.73 6.03 7.25 4.74 4.42 +1.05 +1.76 +1.76 +1.87 +0.36 +1.42 Ring spmners, overseers • 13.80 21.75 — +7.95 Rmg spinners, second hands, • 10.51 9.90 ,. —0.61 Ring spinners, third hands, Ring spinners, girls, Doffers, boys, . 4.00 8.61 4.95 2.70 9.86 6.48 4.64 +0.64 +1.26 +1.53 +1.94 +0.07 +0.95 Fly and jack frame tenders. • • . — 7.05 7.12 Reeling and warping, overseers, . . 14.67 16.05 17.00 +2.33 Reeling and warping, second hands, . 9.33 9.44 10.92 + 1.59 +1.48 Reeling and warping, spare hands, girls, 4.48 4.33 4.93 +0.45 +0.60 +0.45 Reeling and warping, spoolers, . . 4.85 5.21 5.66 +0.81 Reeling and warping, young persons, . 4.53 Warpers, 5.90 Dressers, 15,47 5.10 6.23 10.23 4.83 7.87 9.64 +0.30 +1.97 —5.83 —0.27 +1.64 —0.59 Dressers, overseers, . 21.33 18.00 23.22 +1.89 +5.22 +2.71 —0.07 Slasher tenders. Drawers, .... . 10.00 . . 6.64 7.50 5.49 10.21 5.42 +0.21 —0.22 Drawers, section hands, . Drawers, third hands, . . 10.67 8.80 6.78 6.86 8.30 8.62 —2.37 —0.18 + 1.52 +1.76 —1.68 —0.02 +1.26 +7.84 +1.72 +1.65 Drawers, rodm hands, . . 8.19 6.51 Twisters, women, • Weavers, Weavers, overseers. Weavers, second hands. Weavers, section hands, . . 5.33 . 10.67 5.85 6.44 16.39 10.91 9.18 5.83 7.70 24.23 12.63 10.83 +0.50 +0.16 Weavers, spare hands, . Weavers, 4 looms, . 6.61 5.78 6.06 5.64 6.95 6.57 +0.34 +0.79 +0.89 +0.93 •->> Jt» gi_ iT-_», 16 STATISTICS OF LABOR. [Pub. Doc. Table II. ^ Comparisons of Average Weekly Wages: 1S72, 1881, and 2<9^7— Continued. AvKBAGE Weekly Wages, Standakd, Gold Increase (+), or Decrease Increase (+), or Decrease Occupations. (-), in 1897 as Com- pared witl 1878 (-),in 1897 asCom- 1 pared with 1881 1878 1881 1897 Corrox Goods — Con. Weavers, 6 looms, $9.50 $6.74 $7.38 $2.12 +$0.64 Weavers, 8 looms, . 11.33 8.23 8.75 —2.58 +0.52 Bobbin boys, . - 3.78 4.90 — +1.12 Cloth room, overseers, . 14.67 11.50 18.25 4-3.58 +6.75 Cloth room, second hands, 8.64 10.00 12.00 +3.36 +2.00 Cloth room, men, . 8.16 7.69 7.12 —1.04 —0.57 Cloth room, women and boys 4.80 5.20 4.86 +0.06 —0.34 Packing room, girls and boys - 5.59 6.00 -. +0.41 Dyers, .... 8.93 6.30 6.59 —2.34 +0.29 Bundlers, 8.69 8.27 7.84 --0.85 —0.43 Overseers of repairs. 17.33 18.39 27.38 +10.05 +8.99 Mechanics, 12.16 13.51 11.60 —0.56 —1.91 Mechanics, laborers. 8.72 7.09 6.44 —2.28 -0.65 Engineers, - 17.75 16.96 • —0.79 Firemen, . - 9.33 9.42 _ +0.09 Overseers of yard, . - 17.37 12.30 _ —5.07 Yard hands, . 8.76 7.69 7.01 —1.75 —0.68 Watchmen, . - 9.23 8.88 ^ —0.35 Teamsters, 10.67 9.31 8.51 2.16 0.80 Glass. Blowers, . 8.89 12.00 21.90 +13.01 +9.90 Kilnmen, 12.44 11.36 12.00 —0.44 +0.64 Polishers, 17.78 13.50 12.00 -5.78 —1.50 Gaffers, . 16.00 20.00 24.00 +8.00 +4.00 Servitors, 13.33 15.00 21.00 +7.67 +6.00 Foot makers, . 13.33 12.00 15.00 + 1.67 +3.00 Pressers, . 12.00 16.11 18.00 +6.00 +1.89 Gatherers, 10.67 12.55 15.00 +4.33 +2.45 Stickers-up, . 7.11 7.95 6.72 -0.39 1.23 Ware wheelers. 9.11 8.71 5.16 —3.95 —3.55 Engravers, 18.22 15.00 17.00 —1.22 +2.00 Mixers, . 10.67 14.33 12.00 +1.33 —2.33 Men, not in departments - 10.91 10.16 _ —0.75 Boys, .... 3.56 4.76 6.76 +3.20 +2.00 Women and girls, . 4.44 5.00 5.55 +1.11 +0.55 Hosiery. Overseers of carding, . • • . • 17.10 22.49 _ +5.39 Young persons, carding. - 4.57 4.45 ^ —0.12 Overseers of bleaching and dyeing. — 21.50 17.49 - —4.01 ifjLj.lJ u^i|>,i i; Pji^jjw -1-1,* iiJJMIP *?'i3KW^''IWi->*'?piBfr. ^ ' ?• No. 15.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. 17 Table 11.— Comparisons of Average Weekly Wages: 1872, 1881, and i<9^ 7 — Continued. Occcpatioxs. Hosiery — Con. Men, bleaching and dyeing. Overseers of spinning, . Men and boys, spinning. Boarders, Finishers, women, Cutters, . Winders, . Knitters, . Twisters, . . Sewing girls, . Menders, . Rotary knitters, men, . Engineers, . . , Yard hands and watchmen, Leather. Limers and beamers, . Tanners, . . Shavers, . Finishers, Splitters, . Knifemen, . Tablemen, . Foremen, . Machines and Machinery Pattern makers. Iron moulders, Brass moulders. Core makers, . Blacksmiths, . Blacksmiths' helpers, Machinists, Cleaners and ohippers. Chuckers, . Fitters, . Polishers, Setters-up, Rivet heaters, boys Riveters, . Woodworkers, Average Weekly Wages, Standard, Gold 1872 $10.41 16.00 13.77 13.25 17.60 14.67 14.67 16.00 10.20 14.40 14.40 12.80 14.67 1881 $8.28 17.45 7.63 7.82 5.76 6.16 5.53 8.94 6.00 6.49 4.96 17.86 17.14 8.40 9.05 8.74 11.75 10.18 17.62 14.15 10.03 26.67 18.10 16.40 15.75 6.28 15.75 10.29 17.09 8.64 11.33 12.82 8.59 13.38 5.64 13.05 14.60 1897 $6.36 23.49 11.68 9.34 4.95 6.09 6.22 7.29 4.70 6.56 5.99 12.87 16.81 6.72 9.88 9.00 14.72 8.68 22.49 14.50 9.00 19.00 13.72 11.81 14.56 6.95 12.95 7.80 11.05 8.26 9.60 9.33 7.98 10.36 6.44 15.12 10.14 Increase (+),or Decrease (-), in 1897 as Com- pared with 1878 Increase (+),or Decrease (-), in 1897 as Com- pared witb 1981 —$1.41 +6.49 +0.73 —4.25 —3.88 —2.86 —0.11 —3.05 —2.40 —3.35 —5.07 —2.44 -1-0.45 -$1.92 +6.04 +4.05 +1.52 —0.81 —0.07 +0.69 —1.65. —1.30 +0.07 +1.03 —4.99 —0.33 —1.68 +0.82, +0.26 +2.97 —1.50 +4.87 +0.35 —1.03 -7.67 1.38 L59 —1.19 +0.67 —2.80 -2.49 —6.04 —0.38 —1.73 —3.49 —0.61 —3.02 +0.80 +2.07 -4.46 li H 18 STATISTICS OF LABOR. [Pub. Doc. Table IT. — Compar isons of Average We ekly W( ages: 1< S72, IS Sit and ISO 7 Contic ued. i Increase Increase OCCUPATION-3. AvERAGii: Weekly Wages, Standard, Gold (4-), or Decrease (-), in 1897 as Com- (+),or Decrease (-), ia 1897 as (Jom- ' 1872 18S1 1897 pared with 1872 narert with 1881 Machines and Machinery — Con. Painters, $12.23 $8.62 - —$3.61 Laborers, $8.53 9.15 7.42 -$1.11 -1.73 "Watchmen, - 12.21 8.28 - —3.93 Teamsters, 11.80 9.48 1 - —2.32 Metals and Metallic Goods. Hammermen - 18.00 19.22 - +1.22 Heaters, .... 21.33 27.77 16.46 ! —4.87 —11.31 Rollers, .... 10.67 16.40 13.82 , +3.15 —2.58 Puddlers, 24.00 20.91 13.08 —10.92 —7.83 Shinglers, 24.00 22.94 13.50 —10.50 —9.44 Helpers, .... - 12.00 9.97 —2.03 Wire drawers, - 10.50 7.53 - —2.97 Annealers and cleaners, . - 8.40 10.73 - +2.33 Roughers, - 15.00 14.63 - —0.37 Finishers, - 28.87 11.50 - -17.37 Billeters - 8.80 15.45 - +6.65 Stockers, .... - 8.80 10.63 - +1.83 Strikers-in, - 8.58 8.42 ^ —0.16 Brickmasons, . - 16.50 13.99 1 - —2.51 Brickraasons' helpers, - 9.27 8.70 ■ - —0.57 Sinkers, . - 19.08 24.00 , - +4.92 Machinists, - 16.05 12.78 I - —3.27 Laborers, 9.33 8.11 8.12 . —1.21 +0.01 Metals and Metallic Goods (Fine Work). 1 "Woodworkers, - 12.17 15.29 - +3.12 "W^omen, .... - 6.63 8.40 1 - +1.77 Boys and girls. - 4.79 5.53 - +0.74 Moulders, - 12.97 14.21 - +1.24 Gold workers, . - 19.29 17.75 - —1.54 Steel workers, . - 14.71 15.91 - +1.20 Metal workers. - 11.46 13.62 - +2.16 "Watchmen, - 11.00 10.00 - —1.00 Engineers, - 15.00 13.51 - —1.49 Musical Instruments. Case makers, - 14.62 17.40 - +2.78 "Varnishers, - 17.00 13.73 - 3.27 Finishers, — 12.25 20.93 — +8.68 •• * No. 15.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. 19 Table ll.— Comimrisons of Average Weekly Wages: 1S72, ISSl, and i<$^ 7— Continued. Increase Increase Average Weekly Wages, (+),or (4-), or Standard, Gold Decrease Decrease Occupations. (-),in 1897 (-), in lN«t7 as Com- as Com- 1872 1881 1897 pared witli 1872 pared with { 1881 Musical Instruments — Con. i Millraen, - $12.37 $13.25 - +S0.88 Action makers, . . • . - 14.00 14.85 — +0.85 Action makers, women. . . . . - 7.50 10.00 — +2.50 Tuners, . . . • . - 21.25 22.45 — +1.20 Laborers, . . . . - 9.42 10.20 - +0.78 Paper. Foremen, $16.00 25.25 14.25 —$1.75 11.00 Millwrights, . 16.00 14.47 14.34 —1.06 —0.13 Rag engine tenders. 14.67 10.90 8.44 —6.23 —2.46 Paper machine tenders, 16.00 15.50 17.69 +1.69 +2.19 Thresher- women, . 8.89 7.50 4.50 —4.39 —3.00 Rag cutters, . - 6.78 6.07 _ —0.71 Finishers, 11.33 12.31 11.44 +0.11 0.87 Finishers, girls. 6.93 7.58 6.11 —0.82 -1.47 Finishers' helpers, , - 10.50 10.00 _ —0.50 Cutters, girls, . 5.33 5.70 5.70 +0.37 (=) Bleachers, , 8.89 6.94 8.08 —0.81 +1.14 Rag sorters, . 4.00 4.97 6.25 +2.25 +1.28 Men on stock, . 9.33 8.14 9.52 +0.19 +1.38 Mechanics, - 14.62 14.42 . —0.20 Engineers and firemen, . 10.52 10.48 13.31 +2.79 +2.83 Laborers, 8.33 7.89 8.37 +0.04" +0.48 Printing. Job compositors, . ... - 16.00 15.50 ^ —0.5a Proof readers, . 28.89 21.81 28.87 —0.02 +7.06. Proof readers, women, . - 9.33 13.75 ■. +4.42 Job pressmen. 14.44 14.55 13.28 —1.16 —1.27 News-work, , - 16.61 23.09 _ +6.48 Press feeders, . - 11.37 9.67 _ —1.7a Press feeders, women, . - 8.58 4.83 _ —3.75 Compositors, daily. 25.77 20.00 21.78 —3.99 +1.78: Pressmen, daify, . 17.55 18.00 18.63 +1.08 +0.63 Book compositors, . 15.22 13.00 15.83 +0.61 42.8? Book compositors, women, , 7.11 9.00 9.67 +2.56 +0.61 Rubber Goods, Elastic Fabrics. Rubber workers, - 8.99 13.04 . +4.05 Rubber workers, women, - 5.54 5.59 ^ +0.05 Overseers of weavers, .... - 20.05 19.00 - —1.05 I r I ^ 20 STATISTICS OF LABOR. [Pub. Doc. Table II. — Comparisons of Average Weekly Wages: 1872, 1881, and j^^7_ Continued. Increase Increase Occupations. Average Weekly Wages, Standard, Gold (+),or Decrease (-),in 18»7 as Com- (+),or Decrease (-), in 1897 as Com- 1872 1881 1807 pared with 1872 pared with 1881 Rubber Goods, Elastic Fabrics-Coh. Weavers, women, ^ $7.48 $10.32 - +$2.84 Dyers, 9.42 8.61 - 0.81 Dyers, foremen, - 16.00 15.00 - 1.00 Sewing girls, - 6.48 7.35 - +0.87 Overseers of spoolers, .... - 11.33 9.00 - —2.33 Spoolers, women, - 6.42 6.50 - +0.08 Overseers of leather work. - 13.50 16.50 - +3.00 Men on leather work, .... - 7.88 13.50 - +5.62 Boys on leather work, .... - 3.00 7.00 - +4.00 Quillers, boys and girls. - 3.46 3.68 - +0.22 Woodworkers, - 15.60 10.50 - —5.10 Stone. Qaarrymen, - 8.00 9.15 - +1.15 Paving cutters, . . • • . - 8.00 6.36 - —1.64 Stone cutters, - 14.25 15.39 - +1.14 Polishers, - 10.00 9.32 - 0.68 Blacksmiths, - 11.00 16.50 - +5.50 Teamsters, - 10.00 9.84 - —0.16 Laborers, - 9.50 6.62 - —2.88 Straw Goods. Bleachers,* - 9.00 10.38 - +1.38 Blockers, - 12.00 16.71 - +4.71 Pressers, - 12.00 11.27 - —0.73 Packers, - 10.50 11.75 - +1.25 Machine sewers, . . . . . - 9.00 11.41 - +2.41 Plaster block makers, . . . . - 10.50 12.00 - +1.50 Whittlers, - 18.00 10.50 - 7.50 Menders, - 9.00 8.07 - —0.93 Tippers, - 9.00 14.00 - +5.00 Trimmers, - 9.00 8.33 - —0.67 Wirers, - 9.00 11.85 - +2.85 Machinists, - 18.00 13.75 - —4.25 WooLLEX Goods. Wool sorters, $9.50 9.43 12.28 +$2.78 +2.85 Washers and scourers, . . . . 8.00 8.84 6.82 1.18 —2.02 Dyers, 7.95 7.81 7.21 0.74 —0.60 Dryers 7.13 6.84 7.20 +0.07 +0.36 Young persons - 5.12 5.55 - +0.43 No. 15.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. 21 Table II. — Comparisons of Average Weekly Wages: 1872, 1881, and i<9^7 — Concluded. OCCUPATIOMS. Average Weekly Wages, Standard, Gold 1872 1881 WooLLEx Goods — Con. Dyers and scourers, Washers, . Drj'^ers and pickers, Scourers, . Carders, . Carders, overseers, Strippers, . Spinners, . Spinners, boys, Spinners, women. Spoolers, women, Spoolers, girls. Dressers and warpers, Dressers, • Weavers, . Fullers, . Shearers, . Giggers, . Burlers, . Burlers, women, Burlers, girls, . Finishers, Finishers, women, Packers, . . Pressmen, Section hands, Firemen, . Engineers and firemen. Laborers, . Watchmen, $7.30 9.20 6.85 7.71 7.26 7.61 6.25 4.98 7.68 4.91 8.00 9.97 7.86 $7.01 7.80 6.96 7.07 8.12 16.33 7.57 9.05 4.81 6.18 4.70 3.09 8.64 10.06 8.33 7.35 8.05 7.00 5.09 5.13 3.75 7.53 5.85 7.71 7.68 12.15 7.97 11.07 8.58 9.63 1807 $6.28 6.96 6.24 5.51 7.59 30.00 7.00 10.89 7.37 6.38 5.82 4.52 9.62 10.70 8.64 7.30 6.71 7.10 5.44 5.64 5.32 8.31 6.04 10.22 9.05 12.35 9.44 13.29 6.73 10.50 Increase Increase (+),or (+).or Decrease Decrease (-), HI (-), in 1897 1897 as Com- as Com- pared with pared with 1872 I 1881 +$0.29 +1.69 —0.47 —0.41 —0.16 —2.17 —0.61 +0.34 +0.63 +1.13 +2.22 —0.53 —1.13 —$0.73 —0.84 —0.72 —1.56 —0.53 +13.67 —0.57 +1.84 +2.56 +0.20 +1.12 +1.43 +0.98 +0.64 +0.31 —0.05 —1.34 +0.10 +0.35 +0.51 +1.57 +0.78 +0.19 +2.51 +1.37 +0.20 +1.47 +2.22 —1.85 +0.87 We reserve our textual analysis of the presentation as to wages until later, introducinor next that relatins: to average retail prices, the first section, designated as Table III, showing quotations for 1860, 1872, 1878, 1881, and 1897, covering cer- tain standard articles of ordinary household consumption classi- fied as groceries, provisions, fuel, dry goods, and boots, and also rents and board. I P M«^ 0.08 0.54% 0.21>^ 0.23 0.08>i 0.09 0.10»4 0.50X 0.57^i 0.63% 0.08% 0.11 0.11 0.04% 0.14% 0.06^ 0.07% 0.11 0.14 0.07 i4 0.12>i 0.13% 0.11 0.11 0.13 0.08% 0.113i 0.13% 0.21% 0.13% 0.59 0.04% 0.20% 6.40 6.49 4.42 0.09'^ 0.10% 0.10% $10.75 12.75 O.OSJi 0.01% 0.08^4' 0.11)^ 0.09% 0.69 0.34% 0.42% O.lOJi 0.10>^ 0.12 0.70 0.76Ji 0.75 0.08 0.12% 0.19 0.07% 0.29% 0.10% 0.10% 0.17 0.28% 0.10)^ 0.19 0.15»^ 0.12% 0.11 0.13% 0.10% 0.12% 0.14% 0.39% 0.17% 1.02 0.08 0.30 9.25 10.12% 7.00 0.13 0.16 0.14 $8.63 7.96 0.03% 0.02 0.06 0.09% 0.08% 0.60% 0.233i 0.26% 0.08% 0.09% 0.10 0.57% 0.68 0.86% 0.08 0.09% 0.14% 0.05% 0.20% 0.08 0.10% 0.15% 0.20 0.10% 0.17% 0.18% 0.10 0.09% 0.12% 0.091^ 0.11% 0.10% 0.25% 0.12«4 0.97% 0.05% 0.25 6.45 6.74 5.04 0.07% 0.09% 0.09 1897 8.57 0.04% 0.03% 0.07% 0.09% 0.13% 0.58 0.18% 0.28% 0.09% 0.10 0.11 0.66% 0.62% 0.76% 0.06% 0.09% 0.17 0.05% 0.20% 0.10% 0.11% 0.15% 0.20 0.11% 0.16% O.lSVs 0.13 0.13% 0.15% 0.12 0.13% 0.14% 0.34% 0.17% 1.25% 0.06 0.32% 7.83% 8.96% 7.09 0.08% 0.11 0.10% $6,621,^ 5.80 0.03^6 0.03 0.07JJio 0.07% 0.07 0.46?^ 0.3114 0.28 0.04-/9 0.04% 0.05% 0.50 0.49V'2 0.52% 0.04^4 0.07Vi 0.14^^8 0.05% 0.25% 0.09% 0.08 0.127/9 0.21}4 0.07% 0.11% 0.20 0.10 0.09% 0.13V8 0.09 0.10% 0.08 0.24% 0.14 1.01% 0.05% 0.23% 6.00 8.41% 6.97 0.08% 0.08V<2 0.08% No. 15.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. 23 Table III. — Average Retail Prices : 1860-1897 — Concluded. Articles. Basis ofQuan- titles Dry Goods — Con. Sheeting, 9-8 bleached . Cotton flannel, Ticking, .... Prints, .... Boots. Men's heavy, . . . Rents. Four-room tenements, . Six-room tenements, Board. Men, .... Women yard yard yard yard pair month month week week Average Retail Prices, Standard, Gold 1860 1872 1878 1881 1897 $0.13% $0.19% $0.11% $0.13% 0.15% 0.27% 0.14% 0.16 0.17J^ 0.24 0.17% 0.16% 0.11 0.11% 0.07% 0.07% 2.75 3.94 3.24 3.18% 4.45 14.75 6.55 7.99 7.54 16.00 9.43 12.25 2.79 5.62 4.19 4.75 1.79 3.75 2.63 3.00 $0.09% 0.10 0.11 0.05% 2.05% 8.63% 11.61 4.62 3.66 The next section of the presentation relating to prices, fol- lowing the arrangement of that relating to wages, brings for- ward for direct comparison the quotations for 1872, 1881, and 1897, showing also the increase (-[-) or decrease ( — ) in 1897 in dollars as compared with each of these two preceding years. This is designated as Table lY. Table TV. — Comjmrisons of Average Retail Prices : 1872 ,1881,andl897. Articles. Basis ofQuan- tities Average Retail Prices, Standard, (Jold Increase (+), or Decrease (-), in 1897 as Com- pared with 1872 Increase (+), or Decrease (-),in 1897 1872 1881 1897 as Com- pared with 1881 Groceries. Flour, wheat, superfine barrel $10.75 $9.91% $6.62% -$4.12% —$3.29 Flour, wheat, family barrel 12.75 8.57 5.80 —6.95 — 2.7T Flour, rye pound 0.03% 0.04% 0.03% — O.OOVia -0.01% Corn meal. pound 0.01% 0.03% 0.03 +0.01% -0.00% Codfish, dry . pound 0.08% 0.07% 0.07%o —0.01 — O.OOVfe Rice, pound 0.11% 0.09% 0.07% —0.03% —0.01% Beans, . ' . quart 0.09% 0.13U' 0.07 —0.02% —0.06% Tea, oolong . pound 0.69 0.58 0.46% -0.22% -0.11% Coffee, Rio, green . pound 0.34% 0.18% 0.31% -0.03V2O -fO.12%0 Coffee, roasted pound 0.42% 0.28% 0.28 —0.14% —0.00% Sugar, good brown pound 0.10% 0.09% 0.04% —0.05% -0.04% Sugar, coffee . pound 0.10% 0.10 0.04% —0.05% —0.05% Sugar, granulated . pound 0.12 0.11 0.05% —0.06% -0.05% Molasses, New Orleans . gallon 0.70 0.66% 0.50 —0.20 —0.16% Molasses, Porto Rico , gallon 0.76«^ 0.62% 0.49V^ — 0.26}4 -0.12% I ( Mlli»— 24 STATISTICS OF LABOR. [Pub. Doc. Table W .— Comparisons of Average Betail Prices: 1872, 18S1, and 1897 — Concluded. Abticles. Groceries — Con Syrup, Boap, common Starch, . Provisions. Beef, roasting . Beef, eoup Beef, romp steak Beef, corned . Veal, fore-quarter Veal, hiud-quarter Veal, cutlets . Mutton, fore-quarter Mutton, leg Mutton, chops Pork, fresh Pork, salted . Hams, smoked Shoulders, corned Sausages, Lard, Butter, . Cheese, . Potatoes, . Milk, Eggs, Fuel Coal, Wood, hard Wood, pine Dry Goods Shirting, 4-4 brown Shirting, 4-4 bleached Sheeting, 9-8 brown Sheeting, 9-8 bleached Cotton flannel, Ticking, . Prints. . Boots. Men's heavy, . Rents. Four-room tenements, Six-room tenements. Board. Men, Women, Basis of Quan- tities gallon pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound poimd bushel quart dozen ton cord cord yard yard yard yard yard yard yard pair month month week week Average Retail Prices, Standard, Oold 1872 1881 1897 $0.75 0.08 0.W4 0.19 0.07>^ 0.29 >i O.IOK O.IOK 0.17 0.28^^ 0.10>i 0.19 0.15>4 0.12>^ 0.11 0.13>^ 0.10>^ 0.12>^ 0.14% 0.395^ 0.17>^ 1.02 0.08 0.30 9.25 10.12 >^ 7.00 0.13 0.16 0.14 19>i 0.27^ 24 0.11% 3.94 14.75 16.00 5.62 3.75 $0.76% 0.06'J4 0.0914 0.17 0.05V2 0.201/4 O.IOVj 0.11% 0.15% 0.20 O.llVa O.I614 0.181^ 0.13 0.13V4 0.15V4 0.12 0.13^2 0.14% 0.343/3 o.nVi 1.25% 0.06 0.32^2 7.83% 8.96% 7.09 0.08% 0.11 0.10% 0.13% 0.16 0.16% 0.073/4 3.18% 7.99 12.25 4.75 3.00 $0.52% 0.04V4 0.07i,& 0.14% 0.05% 0.25% 0.09% 0.08 0.12% 0.21% 0.071,^ 0.11% 0.20 0.10 0.09% 0.13^8 0.09 0.10% 0.08 0.24% 0.14 1.01% 0.05% 0.23% 6.00 8.41% 6.97 0.08% 0.08% 0.08% 0.09-% 0.10 0.11 0.05% 2.05% 8.63% 11.61 4.62 3.66 Increase (4-)i or Decrease (-). in 1H07 as Com- pared with 1H72 Increase (+), or Decrease (-),ln 1897 as Com- pared with 1881 -$0.22V^ -0.03% -0.05%o —0.04% -0.01%o —0.03% — 0.01%4 —0.02% —0.04% -0.061,^2 — 0.03V^ —0.07% +0.04% —0.02% —0.01% -O.OOV'e —0.01% -0.01% -0.06% — 0.14i%2 — 0.03V2 -0.00% -0.02^3 —0.06% —3.25 -1.71% —0.03 —0.04% -0.07% -0.05% —0.09% -0.17V2 —0.13 — 0.06%2 —1.88% -6.11% -4.39 —1.00 —0.09 —$0.23% —0.021/2 -O.O2V20 —0.02% +0.00Vio +0.05%2 —0.00% —0.03% — 0.02i%8 +0.01% —0.04% —0.04% +0.01% —0.03 -0.04%e — 0.01l%2 -0.03 -0.02% —0.06% -0.10% —0.03% — 0.24%2 —0.00% —0.09 -1.83% — 0.55%2 —0.12 —0.00% — 0.02V'2 —0.02% —0.04 -0.06 —0.05% — 0.02%2 -1.13% +0.645/y —0.64 —0.13 +0.66 ♦ ♦ • ♦ * % • » * % No. 15.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. 25 The fifth section of the preseDtation is designated as Table V. This shows the purchase power of money for all of the years previously compared, by means of a statement of the quantity of commodities which could be bought for one dollar in 1860, 1872, 1878, 1881, and 181)7. Table V. —Purchase Power of Money: 1860-1897. Articles. What One Dollar Would But ix — 1860 1872 1878 1881 Groceries. Flour, wheat, superfine Flour, wheat, family Flour, rye Corn meal, CodfiBh, dry Eice, . Beans, Tea, oolong Coffee, Rio, green Coffee, roasted Sugar, good hrown Sugar, coffee . Sugar, granulated Molasses, New Orleans Molasses, Porto Rico Syrup, Soap, common . Starch, . , Provisions. Beef, roasting . Beef, soup Beef, rump steak Beef, corned . Veal, fore-quarter Veal, hind-quarter Veal, cutlets . Mutton, fore-quarter Mutton, leg Mutton, chops . Pork, fresh Pork, salted . Hams, smoked Shoulders, corned Sausages, Lard, Butter, Cheese, Potatoes, Milk, . Eggs, 25.64 lbs. 27.77 lbs. 33.33 lbs. 45.45 lbs. 18.87 lbs. 13.33 lbs. 12.66 qts. 1.83 lbs. 4.67 lbs. 4.36 lbs. 12.19 lbs. 10.99 lbs. 9.70 lbs. 1.97 gals. 1.73 gals. 1.57 gals. 11.49 lbs. 9.18 lbs. 9.18 lbs. 20.83 lbs. 6.85 lbs. 15.38 lbs. 13.70 lbs. 9.18 lbs. 7.09 lbs. 13.51 lbs. 8.07 lbs. 7.46 lbs. 9.26 lbs. 9.09 lbs. 7.75 lbs. 11.49 lbs. 8.77 lbs. 7.57 lbs. 4.58 lbs. 7.52 lbs. 1.67 bu. 21.27 qts. 4.92 doz. 18.18 lbs. 15.38 lbs. 31.25 lbs. 55.55 lbs. 12.20 lbs. 8.93 lbs. 10.52 qts. 1.45 lbs. 2.92 lbs. 2.35 lbs. 9.80 lbs. 9.52 lbs. 8.33 lbs. 1.43 gals. 1.31 gals. 1.33 gals. 12.50 lbs. 8.19 lbs. 5.26 lbs. 13.33 lbs. 3.39 lbs. 9.52 lbs. 9.52 lbs. 5.85 lbs. 3.54 lbs. 9.80 lbs. 5.26 lbs. 6.51 lbs. 8.00 lbs. 9.09 lbs. 7.41 lbs. 9.80 lbs. 8.00 lbs. 7.87 lbs. 2.55 lbs. 5.71 lbs. 0.97 bu. 12.50 qts. 3.33 doz. 22.72 lbs. 25.00 lbs. 28.57 lbs. 47.62 lbs. 16.67 lbs. 10.87 lbs. 12.05 qts. 1.66 lbs. 4.22 lbs. 3.77 lbs. 11.63 lbs. 10.64 lbs. 10.00 lbs. 1.74 gals. 1.45 gals. 1.16 gals. 12.34 lbs. 10.64 lbs. 6.94 lbs. 18.86 lbs. 4.85 lbs. 12.34 lbs. 9.80 lbs. 6.53 lbs. 5.05 lbs. 9.70 lbs. 5.78 lbs. 5.40 lbs. 10.00 lbs. 10.31 lbs. 8.07 lbs. 10.75 lbs. 8.84 Ibd. 9.34 lbs. 3.97 lbs. 8.13 lbs. 1.03 bu. 18.86 qts. 4.01 doz. 19.76 lbs. 22.87 lbs. 22.22 lbs. 32.00 lbs. 13.33 lbs. 10.25 lbs. 7.54 qts. 1.72 lbs. 5.40 lbs. 3.47 lbs. 10.95 lbs. 10.00 lbs. 9.09 lbs. 1.50 gals. 1.60 gals. 1.30 gals. 14.81 lbs. 10.81 lbs. 5.88 lbs. 18.18 lbs. 4.93 lbs. 9.75 lbs. 8.50 lbs. 6.34 lbs. 6.00 lbs. 8.82 lbs. 5.97 lbs. 5.48 lbs. 7.69 lbs. 7.54 lbs. 6.5.1 lbs. 8.33 lbs. 7.47 lbs. 6.77 lbs. 2.88 lbs. 5.71 lbs. 0.79 bu. 16.66 qts. 3.07 doz. 1897 30.30 lbs. 34.48 lbs. 32.26 lbs. 34.48 lbs. 13.89 lbs. 12.82 lbs. 14.29 qts. 2.16 lbs. 8.21 IbB. 3.57 lbs. 21.28 lbs. 21.74 lbs. 17.86 lbs. 2.00 gals. 2.02 gals. 1.89 gals. 23.81 lbs. 14.08 lbs. 6.85 lbs. 17.86 lbs. 3.89 lbs. 10.64 lbs. 12.66 lbs. 7.87 lbs. 4.61 lbs. 14.08 lbs. 8.55 lbs. 5.05 lbs. 10.00 lbs. 10.87 lbs. 7.52 lbs. 11.24 lbs. 9.26 lbs. 12.66 lbs. 4.13 lbs. 7.19 lbs. 0.99 bu, 17.86 qts. 4.27 doz. I I I J: S ■t 26 STATISTICS OF LABOR. [Pub. Doc. Table V. — Purchase Poiver of Money : 18 60-lS 9 7 — Continued. Articles. What One Dollar Would Bcy in — I860 1878 1878 Fuel. Coal Wood, hard Wood, pine . Dbt Goods. Shirting, 4-4 brown Shirting, 4-4 bleached Sheeting, 9-8 brown Sheeting, 9-8 bleached Cotton flannel, . Ticking, . Prints, Boots. Men's heavy, . 1881 1897 312.50 lbs. 1.23 ft. 1.90 ft. 10.87 yds. 9.26 yds. 9.34 yds. 7.57 yds. 6.33 yds. 5.81yds, 9.09 yds. #2.75 per pr. 217.39 lbs. 0.79 ft. 1.14 ft. 7.69 yds. 6.25 yds. 7.14 yds. 6.13 yds. 3.63 yds. 4.17 yds. 8.55 yds. 310.56 lbs. 1.18 ft. 1.58 ft. 13.33 yds. 10.64 yds. 11.11 yds. 8.47 yds. 6.80 yds. 5.78 yds. 12.98 yds. 255.18 lbs. 0.89 ft. 1.12 ft. 11.42 yds. 9.09 yds. 9.30 yds. 7.27 yds. 6.25 yds. 5.97 yds. 12.90 yds. 333.33 lbs. 0.95 ft. 1.15 ft. 11.76 yds. 11.76 yds. 11.76 yds. 10.31 yds. 10.00 yds. 9.09 yds. 18.87 yds. $3.94 per pr. $3.24 per pr. $3,183/4 per pr. $2.05V2perpr Table Yl. — Purchase Power of Money — Increases and Decreases. Articles. What One Dollar Wocld Buy in ■ 1872 Groceries. Flour, wheat, superfine Flour, wheat, family Flour, rye Corn meal, Codfish, dry Rice, Beans, . Tea, oolong Coffee, Rio, green . Coffee, roasted Sugar, good brown Sugar, coffee . Sugar, granulated . Molasses, New Orleans Molasses, Porto Rico Syrup, . Soap, common Starch, . Provisions. Beef, roasting . Beef, soup 18.18 lbs. 15.38 lbs. 31.25 lbs. 55.55 lbs. 12.20 lbs. 8.93 lbs. 10.52 qts. 1.45 lbs. 2.92 lbs. 2.35 lbs. 9.80 lbs. 9.52 lbs. 8.33 lbs. 1.43 gals. 1.31 gals. 1.33 gals. 12,50 lbs. 8.19 lbs. 5.26 lbs. 13.33 lbs. 1881 18»7 19.76 lbs. 30.30 lbs. 22.87 lbs. 34.48 lbs. 22.22 lbs. 32.26 lbs. 32.00 lbs. 34.48 lbs. 13.33 lbs. 13.89 lbs. 10.25 lbs. 12.82 lbs. 7.54 qts. 14.29 qts. 1.72 lbs. 2.16 lbs. 5.40 lbs. 3.21 lbs. 3.47 lbs. 3.57 lbs. 10.95 lbs. 21.28 lbs. 10.00 lbs. 21.74 lbs. 9.09 lbs. 17.86 lbs. 1.50 gals. 1.60 gals. 1.30 gals. 14.81 lbs. 10.81 lbs. 5.88 lbs. 18.18 lbs. 2.00 gals. 2.02 gals. 1.89 gals. 23.81 lbs. 14.08 lbs. 6.85 lbs. 17.86 lbs. No. 15.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. 27 Table Y. — Purchase Power of Money : 1860-1897 — Concluded. Articles. What One Dollar Would Buy in — 1860 1872 1878 1881 1897 Rents. Four-room tenements, . Six-room tenements, Board. Men, Women 6.75 days 3.98 days 2.51 days 3.92 days 2.03 days 1.87 days 1.24 days 1.87 days 5.40 days 3.18 days 1.67 days 2.63 days 3.75 da JS 2.45 days 1.47 days 2.33 days 3.53 days 2.62 days 1.52 days 1.92 days The final section, Table YI, brings forward the quantities purchasable for one dollar in 1872, 1881, and 1897 with com- parisons showing the increase (-}-) or decrease ( — ) both in amounts and percentages, in 1897 as compared with the two preceding years mentioned. Table VI. — Purchase Power of Money — Increases and Decreases. Articles. Increase Decrease (— , Compared ^ (+), OR 1. IX 18»7 as WITH 1878 Increase Decrease (— ; Compared ^ (+), OR 1, IN 1897 AS H'lTH 1881 Number Percentages Number Percentiiges Groceries. Flour, wheat, superfine . -1-12.12 lbs +66.67 +10.54 lbs. +53.34 Flour, wheat, family -f-19.101bs. +124.19 +11.61 lbs. +50.77 Flour, rye .... 4-1.01 lbs. +3.23 +10.04 lbs. +45.18 Corn meal, .... -21.07 lbs. —37.93 +2.48 lbs. +7.75 Codfish, dry . . . -f-1.69lbs. +13.85 +0.56 lbs. +4.20 Rice, -1-3.89 lbs. +43.56 +2.57 lbs. +25.07 Beans, +3.77 qts. +35.84 +6.75 qts. +89.52 Tea, oolong .... -1-0.71 lbs. +48.97 +0.44 lbs. +25.58 Coffee, Rio, green . +0.29 lbs. +9.93 —2.19 lbs. —40.56 Coffee, roasted +1.22 lbs. +51.91 +0.10 lbs. +2.88 Sugar, good brown +11.48 lbs. +117.U +10.33 lbs. +94.34 Sugar, coffee .... +12.22 lbs. +128.36 +11.74 lbs. +117.40 Sugar, granulated . +9.53 lbs. +114.41 +8.77 lbs. +96.48 Molasses, New Orleans . +0.57 gals. +39.86 +0.50 gals +33.33 Molasses, Porto Rico . +0.71 gals. +54.20 +0.42 gals. +26.25 Syrup, +0.56 gals. +42.11 +0.59 gals +45.38 Soap, common +11.31 lbs. +90.48 +9.00 lbs. +60.77 Starch, +5.89 lbs. +71.92 +3.27 lbs. +30.25 Provisions. Beef, roasting +1.59 lbs. +30.23 +0.97 lbs. +16.50 Beef, soup .... +4.53 lbs. +33.98 —0.32 lbs. -1.76 28 STATISTICS OF LABOR. [Pub. Doc. Table VI. — Furchase Power of Money — Increases and Decreases — Concluded. What One Dollar Would Bur IN — Articles. 1872 1881 1807 Provisions — Con. Beef, rump steak .... 3.39 lbs. 4.93 lbs. 3.89 lbs. Beef, corned . 9.52 lbs. 9.75 lbs. 10.64 lbs. Veal, fore-quarter . 9.52 lbs. 8.50 lbs. 12.68 lbs. Veal, hind-quarter . 5.85 lbs. 6.34 lbs. 7.87 lbs. Veal, cutlets . 3.54 lbs. 5.00 lbs. 4.61 lbs. Mutton, fore-quarte r 9.80 lbs. 8.82 lbs. 14.08 lbs. Mutton, leg . 5.26 lbs. 5.97 lbs. 8.55 lbs. Mutton, chops 6.51 lbs. 5.48 lbs. 5.05 lbs. J*ork, fresh . 8.00 lbs. 7.69 lbs. 10.00 lbs. Pork, salted . 9.09 lbs. 7.54 lbs. 10.87 lbs. Hams, smoked 7.41 lbs. 6.55 lbs. 7.52 lbs. Shoulders, corned . 9.80 lbs. 8.33 lbs. 11.24 lbs. Sausages, 8.00 lbs. 7.47 lbs. 9.26 lbs. Lard, 7.87 lbs. 6.77 lbs. 12.66 lbs. Butter, • . 2.55 lbs. 2.88 lbs. 4.13 lbs. Cheese, . 5.71 lbs. 5.71 lbs. 7.19 lbs. Potatoes, . 0.97 bu. 0.79 bu. 0.99 bu. Milk, 12.50 qts. 16.66 qts. 17.86 qts. Eggs, . 3.33 doz. 3.07 doz. 4.27 doz. FUE] J. Coal, 217.39 lbs. 255.18 lbs. 333.33 lbs. Wood, hard . 0.79 ft. 0.89 ft. 0.95 ft. Wood, pine . 1.14 ft. 1.12 ft. 1.15 ft. Dry Goods. Shirting, 4-4 brown 7.69 yds. 11.42 yds. 11.76 yds. Shirting, 4-4 bleached , 6.25 yds. 9.09 yds. 11.76 yds. Sheeting, 9-8 brown 7.14 yds. 9.30 yds. 11.76 yds. Sheeting, 9-8 bleached . 5.13 yds. 7.27 yds. 10.31 yds. Cotton flannel, 3.63 yds. 6.25 yds. 10.00 yds. Ticking, .... 4.17 yds. 5.97 yds. 9.09 yds. Prints, .... 8.55 yds. 12.90 yds. 18.87 yds. Boots. Men's heavy, $3.94 per pr. $3.18|perpr. $2.05iperpr. Rents. Four-room tenements, . 2.03 days 3.75 days 3.53 days Six-room tenements. 1.87 days 2.45 days 2.62 days Board. Men, 1.24 days 1.47 days 1.52 days Women, 1.87 days 2.33 days 1.92 days II I No. 15.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. 29 Table Vl. — Purchase Power of Money — Increases and Decreases — Concluded. A wpTOT Tra Increase (+), or Decrease (— ), in 1897 as Compared with 1878 Increase (+), or Decrease (— ), in 1897 as Compared with 1881 Number Percentages Number Percentages Provisions — Con. Beef, rump steak . . -1-0.50 lbs. +14.75 —1.04 lbs. —21.10 Beef, corned .... +1.12 lbs. +11.76 +0.89 lbs. +9.13 Veal, fore-quarter . -1-3.14 lbs. +32.98 +4.16 lbs. +48.94 Veal, hind-quarter -f2.021b8. +34.53 +1.53 lbs. +24.13 Veal, cutlets .... +1.07 lbs. +30.23 —0.39 lbs. —7.80 Mutton, fore-quarter . +4.28 lbs. +43.67 +5.26 lbs. +59.64 Mutton, leg . +3.29 lbs. +62.55 +2.58 lbs. +43.22 Mutton, chops —1.46 lbs. 22.43 —0.43 lbs. —7.85 Pork, fresh .... +2.00 lbs. +25.00 +2.31 lbs. +30.04 Pork, salted .... +1.78 lbs. +19.58 +3.33 lbs. +44.16 Hams, smoked . . • +0.11 lbs. +1.48 +0.97 lbs. +14.81 Shoulders, corned . +1.44 lbs. +14.69 +2.91 lbs. +34.93 Sausages, .... +1.26 lbs. +15.75 +1.79 lbs. +23.96 Lard, +4.79 lbs. +60.86 +5.89 lbs. +87.00 Butter, +1.58 lbs. +61.96 +1.25 lbs. +43.40 Cheese, +1.48 lbs. +25.92 +1.48 lbs. +25.92 Potatoes, .... +0.02 bu. +2.06 +0.20 bu. +25.32 Milk +5.36 qts. +42.88 +1.20 qts. +7.20 Eggs, +0.94 doz. +28.23 +1.20 doz. +39.09 Fuel. Coal, . . . . . +115.94 lbs. +53.33 +78.15 lbs. +30.63 Wood, hard .... +0.16 ft. +20.25 +0.06 ft. +6.74 Wood, pine .... +0.01 ft. +0.88 +0.03 ft. +2.68 Dry Goods. Shirting, 4-4 brown +4.07 yds. +52.93 +0.34 yds. +2.98 Shirting, 4-4 bleached . +5.51 yds. +88.16 +2.67 yds. +29.37 Sheeting, 9-8 brown +4.62 yds. +64.71 +2.46 yds. +26.45 Sheeting, 9-8 bleached . +5.18 yds. +100.97 +3.04 yds. +41.82 Cotton flannel, . +6.37 yds. +175.48 +3.75 yds. +60.00 Ticking +4.92 yds. +117.99 +3.12 yds. +52.26 Prints, +10.32 yds. +120.70 +5.97 yds. +46.28 Boots. Men's heaVy,. — fl.SS^perpr. —47.84 — $1.13|perpr. —35.53 Rents. Four-room tenements, . +1.50 days +73.89 —0.22 days —5.87- Six-room tenements. +0.75 days +40.11 +0.17 days +6.94 Board. Men, +0.28 days . +22.58 +0.05 days +3.40 Women, +0.05 days +2.67 —0.41 days —17.60 30 STATISTICS OF LABOR. [Pub. Doc. ANALYSIS. In briefly analyzing the preceding presentation, it should first be stated that the classification of employments under the diflerent industries which was made in the earlier years has been continued in 1897. This is defective in some minor respects, and is not precisely such a classification as we should make to-day, nor is it like that employed in the Census. Nev- ertheless, it seemed best to maintain it, notwithstandinof its deficiencies, in order that the rates obtained in 1897 might be compared on the same basis with those previously presented. If the reader will refer to Table II, pages 12 to 21, he will note that the wages of agricultural laborers, per month, with board, show a material decline in 1897 as compared with 1872, and a slight increase in 1897 as compared with 1881. The quotations for daily wages without board show a slight decrease in 1897 as compared with 1881. In Blacksmithing, the weekly wages of blacksmiths show small declines since 1872 and 1881. In Boots and Shoes, com- paring the 1897 quotations with those for 1881, the following subdivisions of employment show declines : cutters, bottomers, boot treers, finishers, McKay operators, and also the wages of women, other than machine operators. The wages of cutters, bottomers, finishers, heelers, edge setters, McKay operators, beaters-out, and trimmers, also show a decline in 1897 as com- pared with 1872. On the other hand, the followinor show higher wages in 1897 than in 1881 : crimpers, fitters, buffers, heelers, edge setters, shoemakers,* machine hands (women), beaters- out, and trimmers; and fitters, shoemakers,* and machine hands (women) also show increases as compared with 1872. In the Building Trades, in 1897 as compared with 1881, the following show a decline : painters and glaziers, steam and gas fitters, and carpenters' laborers. Painters and glaziers, steam and gas fitters, plasterers, masons, and masons' and plasterers' • Not otherwise specified. * No. 15.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. 31 laborers, also show declines as compared with 1872. Increases in 1897 as against 1881 are shown in the following employ- ments : carpenters, slaters, paper hangers, plumbers, and these also show increases as compared with 1872. In Cabinet Making, upholsterers received a lower rate in 1897 than in 1881 or 1872; turners, cabinet makers,* and millmen a lower rate than in 1872 ; chair makers, carvers, pol- ishers and finishers, and upholstery sewers (women), a higher rate than in 1872 ; and chair makers, turners, carvers, cabinet makers,* millmen, polishers and finishers, and upholstery sew- ers (women), a higher rate than in 1881. In Carpetings, the following employments show declines in 1897 as compared with 1881 : wool sorters and watchmen ; and the following as compared with 1872 : dyers and dryers. On the other hand, the following show increases as compared with 1881 : wool washers, dyers and dryers, weavers, section hands, drawers and spinners, frame spinners, firemen, machinists and carpen- ters, laborers, and laborers (boys) ; and weavers, frame spinners, machinists, and carpenters show a higher wage than in 1872. In Carriages, body makers, painters, carriage-part makers, and blacksmiths received a lower wage in 1897 than in 1881, and wheelwrights, trimmers, and blacksmiths' helpers received a higher wage. All these employments show lower wage quotations in 1897 than in 1872. In Clothing (ready-made), lower wage quotations in 1897 than in 1881 or 1872 are the rule, the following employments com- ing within it: overseers, trimmers, pressers, basters (women), machine operators (women), finishers at home (women), finish- ers in shop (women), and custom finishers (women). On the other hand, cutters show a slightly higher wage in 1897 than in 1881 or 1872, and pantaloons and vest makers, custom work (women) a higher wage than in 1881. In Cotton Goods, f the following show lower wage quota- tions in* 1897 than in 1881 : openers and pickers, section hands (carding and spinning), young persons,* ring spinners (second hands), reeling and warping (young persons), dress- ers, drawers (including room hands), twisters (women), cloth room (men, women, and boys), bundlers, mechanics, mechanics' laborers, engineers, overseers of yard, yard hands, watchmen, Not otherwise specified. t See note on page 41, post. ¥ 32 STATISTICS OF LABOR. [Pub. Doc. and teamsters. All of these, so far as comparisons are possible with 1872, except reeling and warping (young persons), twisters (women), and cloth room (women and boys), together with strippers, overseers of carding, second hands (carding and spin- ning), overseers of spinning, drawers (section hands and third hands), weavers (six and eight looms), and dyers, show lower quotations than in 1872. The declines in many cases are not very great ; and the following employments show higher wages in 1897 than in 1881: openers and pickers (boys), strippers, grinders, frame tenders, drawers, railway and alley boys, slub- bers, overseers of carding, second hands (carding and spinning), overseers of spinning, general hands (spinning), spare hands, mule spinners, back boys, doffers, frame spinners (including girls and boys), ring spinners (overseers, third hands, and girls), dof- ers (boys) , fly and jack frame tenders, reeling and warping (over- seers, second hands, spare hands (girls), and spoolers), warpers, dressers (overseers), slasher tenders, drawers (section and third hands) , weavers (including overseers, second hands, section, and spare hands, and four-loom, six-loom, and eight-loom weavers), bobbin boys, cloth room (overseers and second hands), packing room (girls and boys), dyers, overseers of repairs, and firemen. In Glass, the quotations for polishers, stickers-up, and ware wheelers are lower in 1897 than in 1881 or 1872; and for kilnmen and engravers lower than in 1872, and for blowers, gafiers, servitors, foot makers, pressers, gatherers, boys, women and girls,* higher in 1897 than in 1881 or 1872. The quotations for kilnmen and engravers are higher in 1897 than in 1881. In Hosiery, no comparisons are possible between 1897 and 1872. The following employments in this industry show lower quotations in 1897 than in 1881: young persons (carding), overseers of bleaching and dyeing, men (bleaching and dyeing), finishers (women), cutters, knitters, twisters, rotary knitters (men), engineers, yard hands and watchmen; and the follow- ing show higher quotations : overseers (carding and spinning), men and boys (spinning), boarders, winders, sewing girls, and menders. In Leather, lower quotations appear for finishers, tablemen, and foremen in 1897 than in 1881 ; and the quotations for tanners and tablemen are lower than in 1872. On the other No. 15.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. 33 hand, the quotations for limers and beamers, tanners, shavers, splitters, and knifemen are higher in 1897 than in 1881, and for the last two employments higher than in 1872. In Machines and Machinery, core makers, rivet heaters (boys), and riveters show increases in 1897 over 1881, and for riveters, the quotation is higher than in 1872, the other two employments not appearing in that year. The other employ- ments in this industry show declines in 1897 as against 1881, and, so far as comparisons are possible, as compared with 1872. These comprise pattern makers, iron moulders, brass moulders, blacksmiths, blacksmiths' helpers, machinists, cleaners and chippers, chuckers, fitters, polishers, setters-up, woodworkers, painters, laborers, watchmen, and teamsters. In Metals and Metallic Goods, only a few comparisons can be made with 1872. Six employments only show increases in 1897 as against 1881, namely, hammermen, annealers and cleaners, billeters, stockers, sinkers, and laborers. All others show decreases, comprising heaters, rollers, puddlers, shinff- lers, helpers, wire drawers, roughers, finishers, strikers-in, brickmasons, brickmasons' helpers, and machinists. In Metals and Metallic Goods (fine work), gold workers, watchmen, and engineers show decreases ; and woodworkers, women,* boys and girls,* moulders, steel workers, and metal workers* show increases in 1897 as against 1881. In Musical Instruments, the following show higher quota- tions in 1897 as against 1881 : case makers, finishers, mill- men, action makers (including women), tuners, and laborers. A lower quotation appears for varnishers. In Paper, decreases appear in 1897 as compared with 1881 for foremen, millwrights, rag engine tenders, thresher- women, rag cutters, finishers (including girls), finishers' helpers, and mechanics. All of these, except finishers, rag cutters, and me- chanics show lower quotations in 1897 than in 1872. The fol- lowing show higher quotations in 1897 than in 1881 : paper machine tenders, bleachers, rag sorters, men on stock, eno-i- neers and firemen, and laborers; and all of these, except bleachers, are higher in 1897 than in 1872. In Printing, the quotations for job compositors, job press- men, and press feeders (including women) are lower, and those a * Particular employment not specified. * Particular employment not specified. H' 34 STATISTICS OF LABOR. [Pub. Doc. j ■' I for proof readers (including women), news- work, compositors (daily), pressmen (daily), and book compositors (including women) are higher in 1897 than in 1881 ; and also, for such occupations as are comparable, except proof readers and com- positors (daily), higher than in 1872. The quotations for these last two occupations and for job pressmen are lower in 1897 than in 1872. In Rubber Goods, Elastic Fabrics, there appear lower quota- tions in 1897 than in 1881 for overseers of weavers, dyers (including foremen), overseers of spoolers, and woodworkers; and higher quotations for rubber workers * (including women), weavers (women), sewing girls, spoolers (women), overseers of leather work, men and boys on leather work, and quillers (boys and girls). In Stone, the quotations for 1897 are lower than in 1881 for paving cutters, polishers, teamsters, and laborers ; and higher than in 1881 for quarrymen, stone cutters, and blacksmiths. In Straw Goods, pressers, whittlers, menders, trimmers, and machinists received lower rates in 1897 than in 1881 ; and bleachers, blockers, packers, machine sewers, plaster block makers, tippers, and wirers received higher rates. No com- parisons can be made between 1897 and 1872 in the Rubber Goods, Stone, and Straw Goods industries. In Woollen Goods, the quotations in 1897 are lower than in 1881 for washers and scourers, dyers, dyers and scourers, washers, dryers and pickers, scourers, carders, strippers, fullers, shearers, and laborers ; and higher than in 1881 for wool sorters, dryers, young persons (washing, scouring, and dyeing depart- ments), carders (overseers), spinners (including boys and women), spoolers (women and girls), dressers and warpers, dressers, weavers, giggers, burlers (including women and girls) , finishers (including women), packers, pressmen, section hands, firemen, engineers and firemen, and watchmen. Comparisons with 1872 are possible in only a few instances in this industry. In a few instances, the classification of employments is not quite distinct, owing to the impossibility of separating employ- ments which were united in the returns. For example, in the Woollen Goods industry there are wage quotations for dryers, washers, and scourers, separately ; and also for washers and * Not otherwise specified. i No. 15.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. 35 scourers, united; dryers and pickers, united; and dyers and scourers, united. Irregularities of classification of this kind might have been avoided, if, as previously stated, the chissifi- cation for 1897 had not been fixed, for the purpose of com- parison, by that originally adopted by the Bureau in 1872. It will be seen that it is not infrequently the case that certain employments under the different industry heads show an increase in the rate of wages w hile others in the same in- dustries show declines. Sometimes the variation either up or down is very slight; indicating that, although a change has occurred, nevertheless, for all practical pur[)oses, it may be said that the wage level has been maintained. Again, while the rate in certain employments may have declined, these employments may be of such a character that they are of slight importance in the industry ; and therefore it may be fairly said that the industry rate has risen notwithstanding. Of course, the contrary is equally true, and the general rate in the industry may have fallen although in certain branches increases appear. In order to compare fairly the industries as a whole we in- troduce the following analysis table, containing rates for each industry computed from the rates received and averaged for the employments in detail. In computing the average rate for the industry, the rate for each subdivision of employment has been given the same proportionate force or effect upon the general average that the number of persons employed in the subdivision bears to the total number in the industry, according to the Census returns. In certain industries data for enabling comparisons to be made were either entirely absent or were not considered sufficiently full for the year 1872, and therefore figures for such industries do not appear for that year. Classification of Industries. Average "Weekly Wages, Standard, Gold Increase (-}-), or Decrease (— ), IX 1897 as Com- pared MITH 1878 Increase (-J-), OR Decrease (— ), IN 1897 AS Com- pared WITH 1881 i»< 187a 1881 1897 Amounts Percent- ages Amounts Percent- ages Agriculture : Laborers per month, ^rith board Laborers per day, without board, .... Biacksmithing : Blacksmiths, ^23.09 16.44 $18.00 1.37 16.38 $18.50 1.25 16.00 —$4.59 —0.44 —19.88 1 —2.68 i +$0.50 —0.12 —0.38 +2.78 —8.76 —2.32 36 STATISTICS OF LABOK. [Pub. Doc. • • V Classification of Industries. AvERAGF. Weekly Wages, Standard, Gold Increase {-{-), \ OR Decrease (— ),i IN 1897 AS Com- i pared with 187*1 INCKKASE (+), OR Decrease (— ), in 1897 AS Com- pare i> WITH 1881 1872 1 1881 1897 Amounts Percent- 1 ages Amounts { Percent- 1 ages Boots and shoes, $12.71 $11.06 $11.90 —$0.81 —6.33 I +$0.84 +7.59 Building trades, 15.66 11.00 15.83 +0.17 +1.09 1 +4.83 +43.91 Cabinet making, 14.21 11.51 13.02 —1.19 -8.37 I +1.51 +13.12 Carpetings, 4.89 5.94 8.26 +3.37 +68.92 i +2.32 , +39.06 Carriages, 17.31 1 13.43 1 13.51 -3.80 —21.95 : +0.08 i +0.60 Clothing (ready-made). 9.71 t 10.90 9.01 —0.70 —7.21 —1.89 -17.34 Cotton goods, . _ 1 ~ 1 7.59 7.71 - - +0.12 +1.58 Glass, _ 10.68 12.03 - - +1.35 +12.64 Hosiery, . - 10.22 8.97 - ; -1.25 -12.23 Leather, . - 11.05 10.54 - I —0.51 -4.62 Machines and machinerj' > 13.84 16.48 10.80 —3.04 -21.97 —5.68 34.47 Metals and metallic goods. 6.06 13.42 9.51 +3.45 +56.93 ■ -3.91 -29.14 Metals and metallic goods (fine work), . - 10.07 11.59 - - +1.52 +15.09 Musical instruments. - 15.81 18.06 - - +2.25 +14.23 Paper, 7.37 9.47 9.31 +1.94 +26.32 -0.16 —1.69 Printing, - 14.95 19.59 - - +4.64 +31.04 Rubber goods, elastic fabrics, - 7.56 9.96 - - +2.40 +31.75 Stone, - 13.25 13.87 - - +0.62 +4.68 Straw goods - 10.06 11.60 - - +1.64 +15.31 Woollen goods, " 8.12 8.52 ^ " +0.40 +4.93 In 1897 as compared with 1881 the computed average weekly wages show a decline in the following industries, the percent- asfe of decline beinsr annexed in each case : Agriculture, as relates to laborers paid ])y the day without board, 8.7(> : bhick- smiths,* 2.32 ; Clothing (ready-made), 17.34 ; Hosiery, 12.23 ; Leather, 4.62 ; Machines and Machinery, 34.47 ; Metals and Metallic Goods (not fine work), 29.14; Paper, 1.69; and the following show a decline as compared with 1872 : Agriculture, as relates to laborers paid by the month with board, 19.88; Blacksmiths,* 2.68; Boots and Shoes, 6.33; Cabinet Making, 8.37; Carriages, 21.95; Clothing (ready-made), 7.21; and Machines and Machinery, 21.97. On the other hand, an increase, measured by the i)ercentages annexed, is found in the following industries in 1897 as com- pared with 1881 : Agriculture, as relates to laborers paid by the month with board, 2.78 ; Boots and Shoes, 7.59 ; Building Trades, 43.91; Cabinet Making, 13.12; Carpetings, 39.06; Carriaires, 0.60; Cotton Goods, 1.58; Glass, 12.64; Metals • • i* % • • Independently classified, outside the industry Metals and Metallic Goods. No. 15.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. 37 and Metallic Goods (fine work), 15.09; Musical Instruments, 14.23 ; Printing, 31.04 ; Rubber Goods, Elastic Fabrics, 31.75 ; Stone, 4.68; Straw Goods, 15.31; and Woollen Goods, 4.93. The following show the annexed percentages of increase in 1897 as compared with 1872: Building Trades, 1.09; Carpetings, 68.92 ; Metals and Metallic Goods, 56.93 ; and Paper, '2i].:V2. In general, the returns indicate a higher wage rate in 1897 than in 1881, only eight of the classified industries in the list presenting exceptions. Of these industries, however, two show a higfher rate in 1897 than in 1872. On the contrary, a decline in general appears between 1897 and 1872. To this statement, four industries present exce lo- tions. Two of these, namely, the Building Trades and Carpet- ings show an increase in 1897 as compared with both 1881 and 1872. In order to determine whether real wages have gone up or down, prices of commodities and the purchasing power of money must be taken into account. From the figures contained in Table IV, pages 23 and 24, we note that all articles classified as Groceries show lower prices in 1897 than in 1881, with the single exception of Rio coffee, green, which shows an in- crease. These include the ordinary standard articles of house- hold consumption, namely: flour (wheat and rye), corn meal, codfish (dry), rice, beans, tea (oolong), coffee (roasted), sugar (brown, coffee, and granulated), molasses, syrup, soap (com- mon), and starch. Provisions also show lower prices in general, the exceptions being certain grades of beef, veal cutlets, and mutton chops. The articles for which lower quotations appeared in 1897 than in 1881, under this head, are beef (roasting), beef (corned), veal (fore and hind quarters), mutton (fore-quarter and leg), pork (fresh and salted), hams (smoked), shoulders (corned), sausages, lard, butter, cheese, potatoes, milk, and eggs. As compared with 1872, all the articles of Groceries men- tioned above show lower prices in 1897 except corn meal, and all the articles of Provisions except mutton chops. Of course, in comparisons of this kind, much depends upon securing prices for articles of the same quality, and for articles of the same quality quotations sometimes vary considerably in the same town or city, according to the character of the estab- II 38 STATISTICS OF LABOK. [Pub. Doc. lishment from which the figures are obtained. Great care was taken to secure quotations for articles of uniform quality from establishments patronized mainly by working people. Lower quotations for Fuel, including wood and coal, appear in 1897 than in either 1881 or 1872; and the same statement applies to Dry Goods, including under that head the follow- ing standard articles : sheeting (9-8 brown and 9-8 bleached), shirting (4-4 brown and 4-4 bleached), cotton flannel, ticking,' and prints. The quotation for Boots (men's heavy) is also less in 1897 than in 1881 or 1872. Under the head of Rents, quotations for four-room and six- room .tenements appear. The rates are considerably lower in 1897 than in 1872, and for the six-room tenements slightly lower in 1897 than in 1881. The figures for the four-room tenements are slightly higher in 1897 than in 1881. The rates for Board, for both men and women, are lower in 1897 than in 1872, and for men slightly lower than in 1881. For women, however, the rates are slightly higher in 1897 than in 1881. The exact significance of the change in prices for commodities can be seen in Table V, pages 25 to 27, showing the quantity of each article purchasable for one dollar in each of the years included in the tables of wages and prices. Of course, it is plain, from what we have said as to the decline in prices, that for most of the commodities larger quantities were obtainable for the sum named in 1897 than in 1881 or 1872. The table enables similar comparisons to be made for 1860 and 1878, and the wage quotations for these last-named years, may be noted in Table I, pages 4 to 12. Table VI, pages 2^ to 29, shows the number and percentages of increase or decrease in the specified quantities of the different articles purchasable for one dollar in 1897 as compared with 1881 and 1872. Some of the percentages of increase are very large, whether the figures for 1881 or 1872 be taken as the base. For example, the quantity of flour (superfine or family), pur- chasable for one dollar shows an increase in 1897 as against 1881 of more than 50 per cent, and an even greater increase as against 1872. The increase in the quantity of granulated sugar purchasable for one dollar, in 1897 as compared with 1881, amounts to 96.48 per cent, and as compared with 1872, to 114.41 per cent. The quantity of many articles of Provi- • I • t • M» »' • 4" t No. 15.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. 39 sions, of coal, and of Dry Goods thus purchasable also show large percentages of increase. The percentages of increase or decrease in prices, in 1897 as compared with 1881 and 1872, are given in form admitting ready comparison in the following analysis table : Articles. Groceries. Flour, wheat, superfine Flour, wheat, family Flour, rye Corn meal, Codfish, dry Rice, Beans, Tea, oolong Coffee, Rio, green Coflfee, roasted Sugar, good brown Sugar, coffee . Sugar, granulated Molasses, New Orleans Molasses, Porto Rico Syrup, . Soap, common Starch, . Provisions. Beef, roasting . Beef, soup Beef, rump steak . Beef, corned . Veal, fore-quarter . Veal, hind-quarter . Veal, cutlets . Mutton, fore-quarter Mutton, leg . Mutton, chops Pork, fresh Pork, salted . Hams, smoked Shoulders, corned . Sausages, Lard, Basis of Quantities Percentages of Increase (-I-), or Decrease (—), in 1897 as Compared with 1872 Percentages of Increase (-|-)i or Decrease ( — ), in 1897 as Compared with 1881 barrel barrel pound pound pound pound quart pound pound pound pound pound pound gallon gallon gallon pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound pound —38.37 —54.51 —24.62 +71.43 —12.12 —30.49 —26.32 —32.75 —10.22 —34.12 —53.66 —55.52 —52.08 —28.57 —35.08 —29.52 —46.88 —44.90 —22.79 —25.33 —12.98 —16.19 —23.52 —24.82 —23.01 —30.63 —38.16 +31.15 —20.00 —16.18 —1.26 —12.20 —13.36 —44.41 ^33.18 —32.32 —29.55 —38.46 —26.67 —19.08 -47.17 —20.00 +68.65 —2.60 —47.48 —53.20 —47.73 —24.81 —20.33 —31.09 —37.04 —27.08 —13.71 +1.82 +26.77 —8.39 —31.91 —18.67 +8.75 —36.54 —27.69 +9.89 —23.08 —32.45 —12.59 —25.00 —19.78 —45.76 40 STATISTICS OF LABOR. [Pub. Doc. i ll Articles. Itasis of Quantities Percentagt's r.f Increase {-\-), or Decrease (—), in IA97as Compared with IH79 Percentages of Increase (+;, orDecrease(— ), in 1897 as Compared witli 1881 Pkovisioxs — Con. Butter, .... Cheese, .... Potatoes,. Milk Eggs, Fuel. Coal, Wood, hard Wood, pine Dry Goods. Shirting, 4-4 brown Shirting, 4-4 l)leached Sheeting, 9-8 Ijrown Sheeting, 9-8 bleached Cotton flannel, Ticking, . Prints, . Boors. Men's heavy. Rents. Four-room tenements, . Six-room tenements, . BOAKI). Men, Women, pound . I)ound . bushel . quart dozen . ton cord cord yard yard yard yard yard yard yard pair month month week week —38.01 —20.00 —0.66 —29.12 —21.67 —35.14 —16.92 —0.43 —34.62 —46.88 —39.29 —50.00 -63.64 —54.17 —54.64 '.84 —41.44 —27.44 —17.79 —2.40 -29.80 -20.00 -19.42 -55.00 -27.69 -23.44 —6.20 —1.69 —2.86 —22.73 —20.93 —29.09 —37.50 —34.33 —31.23 —35.53 +8.10 —5.22 -2.74 -1-22.00 In order to compute a general percentage of increase or decrease for the dift'erent groups in which the foregoing articles appear, for instance, for Groceries and Provisions, which shall fairly reflect the change of prices as related to the cost of living, it is, of course, necessary to give the percentages of increase or decrease in the prices of the diflferent articles, different de- grees of force or weight, in proportion to the relative amounts of the articles consumed in the familv. Otherwise, a lars^e percentage of decrease in the prices of articles of which only limited amounts are consumed, for example, starch, might unduly lower the averages for the group. I No. 15.] COMPARATIVE WAGES AND PRICES. 41 The Congressional Committee, which in 1892 presented an elaborate report on wages and prices, in a similar computation gave to the price quotation for each article in the group the same mathematical eflect upon the general average for the group, that the expenditure for the article bore upon the total family expenditure, as determined by a large number of bud- gets of family expenses collected for the purpose. From the material contained in the foregoing presentation, we have com- puted, upon the basis adopted by this Committee, the per- centage changes in prices for Groceries and Provisions, as. a whole. The results indicate a decrease in the price of Groceries of 30 per cent in 1897 as compared with 1872 ; and a decrease of 6.G7 per cent as compared with 1881. Provisions show a decrease of 18.52 per cent in 1897 as compared with both 1872 and 1881. [Note. — It should be mentioned, in order to prevent misunderstanding, that in the closing months of 1897, subsequent to the collection of the rates of wages which appear in the preceding tables, a general reduction, averaging possibly 10 per cent, occurred in the Cotton Goods industry.] GAYLAMOUNT PAMPHLET BINDER * Manu/atluftJ iy I eAYLORD BROS. I*c. Syrscus*, N. Y. Stockt.n, CaliJ. ' if COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES This book is due on the date indicated below, op at the expiration of a definite period after the date of borrowing, as provided by the library rules or by special arrangement with the Librarian in charge. DATE BORROWED DATE DUE ?lffi_2J96i^ DATE BORROWED DATE DUE DJ^62 W119 D262 mi9 : C2e(n49) 100M t ; \ ■ I i ( 1 ' I 1 1 ) ,i ■l i ',i 1 1, \. ^ 11 ■» :( ^1 I ^H Wadlin, Horace a. Gonoarative ^vages and J^riccs 1860-1397. ! NOV 2 ssr m^H o^t^^i'^ hi m 2 5 w "'■'l#^v.> SEP 1 9 1950 ^^^■jrr »,. ■1 I END OF TITLE