were In six instances the increase was 50 but under 60 per cent. They In two instances the increase was over 60 per cent. They were Bottling Labelers, Bread, Cake, and Pastry Foremen, pastry (day), 62.63 per cent. 66.67 per cent. Considering the branches of occupations in detail as regards percentages, omitting those where the number of branches reporting a specified increase was less than five, we secure the following result : In six branches of occupations the increase in the cost of production, due to reduced hours of labor, increased pay, or both causes combined, was 7.14 per cent; in six branches, 9.09 per cent; in eight branches, 10 per cent; in 142 branches, 11.11 per cent; in 74 branches, 12.50 per cent; in 18 branches, 14.29 per cent; in 28 branches, 16.67 per cent; in 28 branches, 20 per cent; in six branches, 23.75 per cent; in 27 branches, 25 per cent; in five branches, 28.57 per cent; in nine branches, 33.33 per cent; and in seven branches, 38.89 per cent. The general average was 17.27 per cent, the extremes being five per cent and 66.67 per cent. A text table is appended which shows for each industry the " range," or highest and lowest percentages, and also the average percentage for the industry. The averages as regards the 25 industries are summarized below. As has been stated, reduced hours of labor and increased pay are but two of many influences that increase the cost of production and cause higher prices. The other causes cannot be so accurately measured and brought to a percentage basis as we have done with hours of labor and pay. Whatever their influence, it tends to increase the cost of production, and will continue to do so until a reduction in profits, economy in administration, the saving of waste, improvements in machinery, and increased efficiency of the workman overcome the various elements that have increased the cost of production. Until this occurs, prices will remain high. If hours are still further reduced and pay increased, the problem will, from the manufacturers' standpoint, become still more difficult of solution, unless a material reduction takes place in the price of raw materials, rates of transportation, and the profits of middlemen not directly connected with productive industries. We close our consideration of the subject with the presentation of a table which gives for each of the branches of occupation the daily working hours and daily pay in the years 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903, and 1904. The table shows in a graphic manner the downward movements in hours of labor and the upward movements in daily pay, but this daily pay should not be multiplied by six to obtain the weekly wage, for statistics of actual weekly earnings show that this assumed weekly wage is often largely reduced by sickness, bad weather, shortage of materials, and lack of work. Comparative Hours and Daily Pay, by Occupations: 1900-1904. |