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 Wages in Great Britain, France 
 and Germany 
 
 Research Report Nupiber 40 
 August, 192'1 
 
 t 
 
 National Industrial Conference Board 
 
 THE CENTURY CO. 
 NEW YORK 
 PUBLISHERS
 
 Ihis book is DUE on the last date stamped below 
 
 
 
 
 4906 
 
 
 -"^^^ll N2] 
 
 
 f/^^P-1 TT.t. Indus. 
 
 
 
 Southern Branch 
 of the 
 
 University of California 
 
 Los Angeles 
 
 
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 ^a C'vU^ ' <* ' 
 
 WAGES IN GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE 
 AND GERMANY 
 
 SOUTHERN BRANCH, 
 
 iJNIVERSlTY OF CALIFORNIA, 
 
 LIBRARY, 
 
 UaS ANGELES. CALIF. 
 
 Research Report Number 40 
 August, 192 i 
 
 .• < 
 
 National Industrial Conference Board 
 
 THE CENTURY CO. 
 NEW YORK 
 PUBLISHERS 
 
 <"» "^ O o o 
 
 J ^ b
 
 Copyright, 1921 
 National Industrial Conference Board 
 
 k
 
 \1\ 
 
 "A 
 
 ^ Foreword 
 
 ^ It is felt that a report on wages in Great Britain, France, 
 
 ^j and Germany is of especially timely interest in view of the 
 ^^* tariff revisions now under consideration by Congress. Such a 
 report should be of value to American industry as well as to 
 governmental bodies in estimating the extent to which the 
 American manufacturers is handicapped by the lower costs 
 in these foreign industrial countries. While wages are, of 
 course, only one element of the total manufacturing cost to be 
 n taken into consideration, they are of such importance as to 
 make a separate study of them definitely worth while regard- 
 less of the situation in respect to the other elements of cost. 
 
 
 ^\ 
 
 
 SOUTHERN BRANCH, 
 
 ^( liNIVERSIlY Of CALIFORNIA, 
 
 "^'^ LIBRARY,, 
 
 -J
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Introduction 1 
 
 I. General Wage Situation in Great Britain, 
 
 France and Germany 5 
 
 Great Britai n 7 
 
 France 9 
 
 Germany 1 1 
 
 II. Building Trades 14 
 
 Great Britain 14 
 
 France 16 
 
 Germany 18 
 
 III. Mining 23 
 
 Great Britain 23 
 
 Coal Mining 23 
 
 Other Mining and Quarrying 24 
 
 France 25 
 
 Coal Mining 25 
 
 Potash Mining 28 
 
 Germany 28 
 
 Lignite Mining 30 
 
 Metal Mining 31 
 
 IV. Metal Manufacturing 32 
 
 Great Britain 32 
 
 Iron and Steel 32 
 
 Engineering and Shipbuilding 33 
 
 Other Metal Trades : . . . 35 
 
 France ^' 
 
 Iron and Steel 38 
 
 Engineering 39 
 
 Germany 44 
 
 General Metal Trades 45 
 
 Vehicle Manufacturing 50 
 
 Shipbuilding 51 
 
 Electrical Industry 51 
 
 V
 
 J'AGK 
 
 V. Tkxtiles ^-^ 
 
 Grkat Britai n 5>^ 
 
 Cotton 53 
 
 Woolen and Worsted 54 
 
 Bleaching, Dyeing and Finishing 56 
 
 Other Textiles 58 
 
 Hosiery 58 
 
 Silk 59 
 
 Jute 59 
 
 France 60 
 
 Germany 64 
 
 VI. Clothing Manufacturing 72 
 
 Great Britain 72 
 
 France 72 
 
 Germany 74 
 
 VII. Leather Manufacturing 77 
 
 Great Britain 77 
 
 Tanning 77 
 
 Boots and Shoes 78 
 
 Glove Manufacture 79 
 
 France 79 
 
 Tanning 80 
 
 Boots and Shoes 80 
 
 Glove Manufacture 81 
 
 Germany 81 
 
 Tanning , 82 
 
 Boots and Shoes . . 83 
 
 VIII. Sand, Clay and Glass 84 
 
 Great Britain 84 
 
 Pottery 84 
 
 Glass 85 
 
 France 86 
 
 Pottery 86 
 
 Glass 86 
 
 Marble 86 
 
 Germany 87 
 
 Pottery 87 
 
 Glass 87 
 
 Brick Making 88 
 
 vi
 
 PAGE 
 
 IX. Chemicals 89 
 
 Great Britain 89 
 
 Alkalies, Heavy Chemicals and Dyes. ... 89 
 
 Paint, Color and Varnish 89 
 
 Drugs and Fine Chemicals 90 
 
 Printing Ink Manufacture 90 
 
 Soap and Candle Manufacture 90 
 
 France 91 
 
 Electro-Metallurgical and Electro-Chem- 
 ical Industries 91 
 
 General Chemical Industry 91 
 
 Dye Manufacturing 91 
 
 Germany 92 
 
 Dyeing 93 
 
 Soap Making 93 
 
 X. Paper, Printing and Bookbinding 94 
 
 Great Britain 94 
 
 Printing and Bookbinding 94 
 
 Paper Bag and Box Making 95 
 
 Paper Making 96 
 
 France 97 
 
 Printing and Bookbinding 97 
 
 Paper Box Making 98 
 
 Germany 98 
 
 Paper 98 
 
 Printing 99 
 
 XI. Woodworking 101 
 
 Great Britain 101 
 
 France 103 
 
 Germany 104 
 
 XII. Baking and Confectionery 106 
 
 Great Britain 106 
 
 France 107 
 
 Germany 108 
 
 Addendum : Wages in Switzerland 110
 
 Wages in Great Britain, France 
 and Germany 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 This report is a compilation from available sources of wage 
 data in Great Britain, France and Germany. The industries 
 covered by the report are : building ; mining ; metal ; textile ; 
 clothing ; leather ; sand, clay and glass ; chemical ; papers, print- 
 ing and bookbinding ; woodworking" ; and baking and confec- 
 tionery. These industries together employ the greater part of 
 the industrial wage-earners in the countries named. 
 
 In general, the period covered by the report is from April, 
 1920, to April, 1921. Much of the wage data were taken 
 from collective agreements which were entered upon during the 
 early part of 1920, and are therefore recognized as of that 
 date, although rates fixed in these agreements were effective 
 until much later. In all cases where it was found that the 
 early agreements had been replaced, the latest available figures 
 were used. 
 
 Cost of living figures have also been given in connection 
 with wages for the three countries studied, in the first place 
 to aid in estimating the purchasing power of the wages, and 
 secondly, because the cost of living has been used to a very 
 large extent in these countries in the adjustment of wages. 
 
 The main sources of the data used are (1) the reports, 
 published and unpublished, of United States ofBcial representa- 
 tives in Great Britain, France and Germany; (2) the official 
 publications of the various countries; and (3) the bulletins of 
 the International Labor Office. For France and Germany 
 translations have been made direct from the official publica- 
 tions. In all cases the sources of the data used are given. 
 
 The wage figures are presented in foreign money and in 
 American dollars. The conversion to dollars has been made 
 at par of exchange, and also on the basis of the average rate 
 
 1
 
 oi exchange from April, 1920 to April, 1921. ^ The latter 
 conversion rate was chosen because it represents approximately 
 the period covered by the wage data, and because in the case of 
 each country it affords a rough idea of present exchange values. 
 
 Character of Material 
 
 The data presented are taken by the Board as fairly repre- 
 sentative of the wage situation in these three countries for 
 the period covered. Certain outstanding characteristics of 
 the material from tiie different sources, however, should be 
 noted : 
 
 1. The data are of different dates, varying from early in 
 1920 to the spring of 1921. Most of the official figures from 
 any country, especially if in the form of a general average, 
 are of an early date. An example of this is the survey of 
 wages in German industries made by the German Federal 
 Statistical Office in l^^bruary, 1920. Such figures are valuable 
 for comparative purposes, but in so using them the change 
 since that time should be taken into account. 
 
 Other wage figures given for the first part of 1920 are 
 those contained in collective agreements of that period. In 
 many cases, such agreements were to be in effect definitely 
 until the end of 1920. In other cases no specific statement 
 of duration was given, but in the absence of superseding agree- 
 ments these rates were included, as being in effect probably 
 until a considerably later time than the date of the agreement. 
 In the use of these figures, also, allowance must be made for 
 the time element. 
 
 Other data, of the summer and early fall of 1920, have been 
 included for comparative purposes. 
 
 The end of 1920 probably marks the peak of wages in Great 
 Britain and France. Between January and April of 1921 
 wage reductions amounting to approximately 15% to 20% oc- 
 curred in a large number of the industries in these countries. 
 In Germany, however, there had been no decrease in wages 
 during the first months of 1921. 
 
 'Par of exchange: pounds, $4.8665; shillings, $.2433; pente, $.0203; 
 francs, $.193 ; marks, $.2383. 
 
 Average rate of exchange for the period April 1, 1920 to April 1, 
 1921, computed from weekly quotations: pounds, $3.7457; shillings, 
 $.18728; pence, $.0156; francs, $.0693; marks, $.01878.
 
 2. In certain instances the wage data are presented in the 
 form of averages for whole industries within a country. These 
 averages may be official government figures or they may be 
 representative figures obtained by United States Consuls from 
 unofficial sources, such as trade associations, labor unions, or 
 individuals. Whenever possible the original source has been 
 noted, so that the figures may be evaluated according to their 
 source. 
 
 3. For the most part the data in the report are in the form 
 of rates for single industries in particular localities, because 
 the latest information for the various countries is contained in 
 the reports of collective agreements between local associations 
 of employers and employees. Since in the three countries 
 studied, especially in certain industries, there is a recognized 
 system of adjusting wages in the various classes of localities, 
 according to the relative cost of living, wage rates for dif- 
 ferent places often vary widely. In an attempt to make the 
 data in this report as representative as possible, figures from 
 all classes of localities have been included. 
 
 4. The tables of wages and wage rates have been con- 
 densed as much as was feasible. Wherever possible the figures 
 for separate occupational groups have been kept distinct and the 
 various degrees of skill differentiated. In many cases, however, 
 the figures for different age groups or for different classes of 
 localities have been thrown together and only the lowest and 
 highest figures reported. Children's wages have in most cases 
 been omitted. 
 
 5. In all the data presented an eft"ort has been made to dis- 
 tinguish between actual wages and wage rates. Actual wages 
 or earnings show the average amount actually paid to the 
 worker per hour, day, week or month, as the case may be. The 
 wage rates, on the other hand, show only the amount to be paid, 
 usually in accordance with an agreement. The rates may 
 be either minimum rates, or definite rates set for certain classes 
 of workers, designated according to occupation, degree of 
 skill, age or sex. 
 
 6. Hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly wage figures are in- 
 cluded in the report, inasmuch as it was impossible to reduce all 
 the data to the same time-units because of lack of information 
 as to hours worked, etc. An effort has been made, however, to 
 keep the data within tables on the same basis, and occasionally 
 
 3
 
 this has r(.'(|uir(.(l the computation of hourly rates from daily 
 rates, or vice versa. 
 
 7. Bonuses have hceii inckulctl, wherever possible, in the 
 wage figures presented. 
 
 In the use of these wage figures there will probably be a 
 temptation to make direct comparison with wages in the United 
 States, and to (haw from them conclusions regarding the rela- 
 tive cost of production in the (lifi:'erent countries. Such com- 
 ])arisons and conclusions must be made with great caution, 
 recognizing the (|ualifications of the material as stated above. 
 It should also be recognized that wages are but one ele- 
 ment in the total cost of production, and that the importance 
 of this element varies, not only between industries in different 
 countries, but between establishments in the same country, be- 
 cause differences in production methods, ecjuipment, and char- 
 acter and capacity of the workers make for different degrees 
 of productivity per worker, 
 
 A summary of the general wage situation in Great Britain, 
 France and Germany is given in the following section. The 
 body of the material, however, is arranged by industries, with 
 the wage data for Great Britain, France and Germany grouped 
 together for each industry.
 
 I 
 
 GENERAL WAGE SITUATION IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 FRANCE AND GERMANY 
 
 Percentage increases over 1914 wages in the three countries 
 studied varied widely among different grades of workmen. 
 The more highly paid workmen received a relatively small in- 
 crease, while the lower paid workers received a relatively 
 large increase. This was due to the fact that money increases 
 to cover the increased cost of living were practically the same 
 for all classes of workmen, and the relative increase, there- 
 fore, was disproportionate. In Germany, especially, there has 
 been a tendency for the wages of unskilled workers to approach 
 those of skilled workmen ; the former must have a subsistence 
 wage, and employers have been able to pay but little more 
 than this minimum to skilled workers. 
 
 The purchasing power of the wages of workmen In the 
 various countries is difficult to estimate. In Great Britain 
 it is very probable that wages have in general followed re- 
 tail prices so closely that there is little difference in the pur- 
 chasing power of those wages now as compared with 1914. 
 Especially is this true in those industries where the cost of 
 living figure is used as a basis for determining wages. Fig- 
 ures reported by the United States Trade Commissioner indi- 
 cate that the cost of living in France had increased more than 
 300% by the end of 1920, and that wages were lagging behind. 
 Since no official data for France as a whole are available, how- 
 ever, there are no means of judging to what extent this 
 figure is representative. For Germany, also, no compre- 
 hensive figures for the whole country are to be had. It is esti- 
 mated, however, that the cost of living there has gone up to a 
 greater extent than have wages. A male adult worker in 
 Berlin in November, 1920, is estimated to have received an 
 increase over 1913 in average weekly wages of 700%, while the 
 cost of living in Berlin during the same period had increased 
 1100%. The peak of prices was reached in all three coun- 
 
 5
 
 tries at the end of 192U. In Great iiriiaiii and France this 
 resuUed in substantial reductions in wages in most of the 
 industries during the first months of 1921, but in Germany 
 there was no evidence in the wage agreements of reductions 
 in wages, possibly because, even with the decrease in prices, 
 the cost of living was still above wage levels. 
 
 There has been extensive use of the cost of living as 
 a basis for wage determination in all three countries. In 
 Great Britain wages in a number of industries are regularly 
 adjusted in accordance with the official cost of living figure 
 published by the Ministry of Labour. In France investiga- 
 tions of changes in cost of living conducted by local com- 
 missions and also by associations of manufacturers have been 
 used quite extensively as a basis in the settlement of wage 
 disputes. In Germany, also, the cost of living, especially 
 as it varies between localities, is definitely recognized in ad- 
 justing wages. Experience with such a system of wage ad- 
 justment, however, has shown that any lowering of wages due 
 to a fall in prices meets with resistance from the wage 
 earners, and that the validity of cost of living figures used 
 is questioned. In Great Britain, for instance, a Parliamentary 
 Committee was formed to make an investigation of cost of 
 living, and arrived at a figure which, in September, 1920, was 
 189% above July, 1914, as contrasted with the 161% increase 
 shown by the cost of living index of the Ministry of Labour, 
 which has been used as the basis for determination of wages 
 in a large number of industries. 
 
 Various methods of adjusting wages are in operation. In 
 Great Britain, beside the adjustments made in accordance 
 with the official cost of living figure, wages are determined 
 by sliding scales based on the selling price of the commodity, 
 by variations in output of the product, and by negotiations be- 
 tween employers' associations and trade unions. In France, 
 as far as can be determined, most of the wage settlements are 
 negotiated between the employers' associations and unions, or 
 between individual employers and their employees. Cost of 
 living figures are largely used in arriving at such settlements, 
 as has been indicated, and in certain instances the wage rates 
 are adjusted periodically in accordance with these figures. In 
 Germany collective bargaining has become the principal means 
 of setting wages, with a system of central wage boards for the 
 
 6
 
 arbitration of disputes. Agreements in an industry are often 
 made to cover the whole country, but in the wage rates for 
 different "grades" of locaHties such agreements allow for the 
 varying cost of living in these localities. 
 
 Premium bonuses and war bonuses, in addition to the regu- 
 lar wage, are extensively used. In Great Britain they were 
 originally introduced as a war measure to increase production, 
 and still are employed in certain industries, though retained 
 now rather to relieve the cost of living situation than to 
 stimulate production. In both France and Germany provi- 
 sions for cost of living bonuses and family allowances to 
 married workers with children are a regular feature of wage 
 agreements. 
 
 A compilation of material on the general wage situation in 
 each of the three countries is given in the following sections. 
 
 Great Britain 
 
 According to a summary in the February, 1921, issue of 
 the British Labour Gazette, percentage increases over 1914 
 rates of wages in Great Britain show a wide diversity among 
 different classes of workers. In some cases, especially among 
 the more highly paid workmen, increases up to the end of 
 1920 amounted to not more than 120 or 130%. On the other 
 hand, among the lower paid grades of workmen in the same 
 industries, the advances were equivalent to 200% or more, 
 and there w^ere some exceptional instances of increase of over 
 300%. It is estimated that the average increase in full time 
 weekly rates of adult workers was equivalent to from 170 to 
 180%. As the length of the nominal work week had been con- 
 siderably reduced in the same period — the usual range at the 
 end of 1920 being about 44 to 48 hours weekly as compared 
 with 48 to 60 hours before the war — the percentage increase 
 in hourly rates was substantially greater. 
 
 In a number of industries agreements have been made by 
 employers' associations and trade unions concerned, providing 
 for the regular and automatic adjustment of wage rates in ac- 
 cordance with variations in the cost of living. The general 
 principle of all these agreements is that a given amount of rise 
 or fall in the cost of living shall be followed by a definite 
 amount of increase or decrease in wage rates. In nearly all 
 
 7
 
 • 
 
 cases, the figure for the cost of living puhlished by the Ministry 
 of Labour is used. Under some of the agreements the in- 
 creases or decreases take the form of fiat-rate money amounts ; 
 in other cases the change in wages takes the form of a per- 
 centage addition to the standard or basic rates, yielding vary- 
 ing money amounts for different classes of workmen. Such 
 agreements are in effect in the following industries : 
 
 Railway service 
 
 Wool textile industry (Yorkshire) 
 
 Enginemen, firemen, etc., in the wool textile industry 
 
 Flannel weaving (Wales) 
 
 Bleaching, dyeing, printing and finishing 
 
 Machine calico printing 
 
 Engravers to calico printers 
 
 Lambswool spinning (Leicester) 
 
 Packers, makers-up, etc. (Manchester) 
 
 Carpet manufacture 
 
 Silk manufacture (Leek and Brighouse) 
 
 Linen manufacture (Kirkcaldy) 
 
 Asbestos manufacture 
 
 Silver and allied trades (London) 
 
 Military musical instrument making (London) 
 
 Bedstead making 
 
 Government employees 
 
 Police service 
 
 Municipal service 
 
 Wallpaper manufacture 
 
 Dyeing and cleaning 
 
 Gypsum mining (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire) 
 
 Skip and basket manufacture (Yorkshire) 
 
 According to the official cost of living figure pubHshed in the 
 Labour Gazette, the peak of commodity prices was reached in 
 November, 1920, when the increase over July, 1914 was 176%. 
 After that time it steadily declined, and April 30, 1921 stood at 
 128% above the 1914 figure. 
 
 The year 1920 was one of unprecedented advance in hourly 
 wage rates. Owing to the serious decline in employment in 
 the closing months of the year, however, actual weekly earn- 
 ings in many industries were considerably lower at the end of 
 1920 than at the beginning of the year.^ 
 
 On the other hand, reductions in wages affecting 2,556,000 
 
 workers occurred between January and April, 1921. These 
 
 reductions fall into the following four categories : 
 
 (1) Reductions in wages of coal miners in accordance with variations 
 in the output of coal. About 1,200,0(X) miners were affected. 
 
 'A report has just been issued by the British Ministry of Labour giving 
 in detail an account of the wage situation in that country as of December 
 31, 1920, for various occupational groups and localities. See Great 
 Britain. Ministry of Labour. "Standard Time Rates of Wages and 
 Hours of Labour," 1921. 
 
 8
 
 (2) Reductions brought about under agreements by which wages vary 
 in accordance with the Ministry of Labour cost of living index figure. 
 The chief reductions under this head were in the railway service, wool 
 manufacturing, textile dyeing and finishing, and hosiery manufacture. 
 About 900,000 workers were concerned in these wage adjustments. 
 
 (3) Reductions made in accordance with sliding scales based on the 
 selling price of the commodity. The chief example is the iron and steel 
 industry, in which reductions took place varying from 26J/2 to 69% on 
 standard rates, equivalent to from lYi to 21% on current earnings, about 
 110,000 workers being affected. 
 
 (4) Agreements resulting from negotiations between employers' asso- 
 ciations and trade unions, covering about 300,000 workers.' 
 
 France 
 
 The following comment on the general w^age situation in 
 France is taken from a report of the United States Commercial 
 Attache, Paris, February 4, 1921 : 
 
 According to information received from the Ofiice des Statistiques 
 Generales de la France, Ministry of Labor, there are no official statistics 
 available as to the salaries paid in any line of French industry. Most of 
 this information appears in trade and financial journals. According to 
 this office, when the eight-hour day went into effect in the second half 
 of 1919, the employers entered into agreements or contracts with the 
 employees as to the rate of wages to be paid, and it is not believed that 
 the salaries stipulated therein have changed much since that time. How- 
 ever, the employers generally refuse to divulge the rates of salaries 
 which they pay their workers. Exact figures, according to Monsieur 
 Laurent, Secretary of the Confederation Generale du Travail, are almost 
 impossible to obtain since the industrial crisis set in some three months 
 ago. Voluntary reductions have often taken place where employers have 
 threatened to close down their factories. Strikes have often been suc- 
 cessful in creating wage increases, all of which has tended to create 
 variations in the prices paid in the same industry. The Secretary stated, 
 however, that the wages paid in the Provinces are approximately 20% 
 less than those paid in the Paris region. 
 
 In a general way, the tendency in French industries has been 
 to maintain without modification the basic pre-war wage rates, 
 and to make necessary increases in the form of bonuses for the 
 high cost of living, premium bonuses, etc.- 
 
 The amount of such bonuses or premiums are fixed, along 
 with wages and other conditions of labor, by collective agree- 
 ments between employers and employees. In almost all cases, 
 extra provision, in the form of a family allowance, is made for 
 married workers with children. 
 
 A report of the National Industrial Conference Board,'^ pub- 
 
 'Great Britain. Ministry of Labour. Labour Gazette, May, 1921, p. 
 256. 
 
 "United States Trade Commissioner, Paris, November 6, 1920; United 
 States Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce. Commerce Reports, 
 January 21, 1921. 
 
 ^Report of the European Commission of the National Industrial Con- 
 ference Board. Problems of Labor and Industry in Great Britain, 
 France and Germany, p. 30. 
 
 9
 
 libhed in 1919, has the following to say on wage payment in 
 France : 
 
 In l-Vancc there was a war bonus system whereby a graduated sum 
 was added to tlie wage on account of the high cost of living (Primes 
 chert e dc vie). Jt was so arranged that a workman drawing but 7.70 
 francs per day, the minimum, would receive 3 francs additional, and a 
 woman worker drawing 6 francs per day, the minimum, would receive 
 2 francs additional. As the wage increased in both cases the additional 
 amount decreased, so that a workman drawing 17 francs per day would 
 get nothing additional, and a woman worker drawing 14 francs would 
 get nothing additional. The basic rates were set by Rate Fixing Com- 
 mittees in each i)olitical district. 
 
 The Committee consisted of five workers (two women) and five em- 
 ployers, nominated l)y the respective local syudicats and appointed by the 
 Minister of Munitions. The rates set by these committees are minimum 
 rates ; good workmen get more and sometimes much more. The same 
 rates applied to these same clsses of labor throughout the district. 
 
 A report of the United States Trade Commissioner in Paris, 
 
 dated November 6, 1920, states : 
 
 At the beginning of the year 1920 the increase in wages, as compared 
 with 1913, was roughly proportionate to the increase in the cost of living, 
 that is, approximately 300%. According to figures emanating from a 
 reliable source, the increase in the cost of living from 1914 up to date 
 (November 6, 1920) is approximately 373%. Workers' wages, in gen- 
 eral, have not caught up with the increase in cost of living since the be- 
 ginning of the year. 
 
 Figures presented by the French coal miners indicate that on No- 
 vember 1, 1920, the necessary weekly expenditure of a miner and his 
 wife had increased 356% from before the war and that wage increases 
 were only about 270%. Since no ofiicial cost-of-living figures for 
 France as a whole have been published, however, it is impossible to state 
 how accurately these figures represent the general situation. 
 
 In a number of French provinces special commissions have 
 been created to study increases in the cost of living and to 
 suggest methods of combatting such increases. These com- 
 missions also act in some measure as arbitrators in connection 
 with demands for higher wages. 
 
 A number of French industries have endeavored to avoid 
 labor conflicts by instituting committees charged with maintain- 
 ing an equitable balance between wages and the cost of liv- 
 ing. Both workers and employers are represented on these 
 committees. Increases or decreases in the cost of living are 
 reported at stated periods, usually every three months, and 
 serve as a basis for increases or decreases in salaries.' 
 
 Funds for family allowances have been established by em- 
 ployers in several districts in France, e. g., Lorient, Grenoble, 
 St. Dizier, Nantes, Paris, Lyons and Dijon. On September 1, 
 1920 there were 35 such funds, of which 18 were confined 
 
 'France. Ministry of Labor. Bulletin du Ministere du Travail, Janu- 
 ary-March, 1921. 
 
 10
 
 to single trades. In Grenoble the fund belongs to the Asso- 
 ciation of Employers in the Metal Trades, and at St. Dizier 
 to the Metal Trades Association of Champagne. Allowances 
 from these funds are granted for children under 14 years of 
 age and (except at Paris, Grenoble and St. Dizier) for invalid 
 persons over 16 years of age and orphans under 14 years of 
 age.' ^ 
 
 Germany 
 
 In the matter of salaries and wages in Germany a vast 
 system of schedules has been built up since the Revolution and 
 is now being perfected and adjusted to existing conditions. 
 The tendency has latterly been to fix the schedules centrally 
 and to make them applicable to the whole country, at the same 
 time giving them sufficient elasticity to make them adaptable 
 to local requirements. This is done by means of so-called 
 "frame" schedules in which only the principles are embodied, 
 the details being filled in locally. The schedules have also 
 been made adaptable to the constantly changing cost of living 
 by making clauses referring to wages valid for only short 
 periods of time. The number of those who work on a schedule 
 basis is continually increasing.- 
 
 In February, 1920, the first official general wage inquiry took 
 place. As yet, however, no satisfactory cost of living figures 
 for Germany as a whole are available. According to Dr. 
 Kuczynski, of Berlin-Schoneberg, the wages of the average 
 male worker in Berlin are estimated to have increased about 
 700% from 1913-14 up to November, 1920, while the cost of 
 providing for a "minimum of existence" has increased about 
 1100%.^ 
 
 AVERAGE WEEKLY EARNINGS OF A MALE ADULT IN BERLIN, 
 
 1913 TO 1920 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Period 
 
 Par of 
 exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 August, 1913 to July, 1914 
 
 August, 1919 
 
 February, 1920 
 
 November, 1920 
 
 35 
 100 
 170 
 240 
 
 8.34 
 
 23.83 
 40.51 
 57.19 
 
 .657 
 1.878 
 3.193 
 4.507 
 
 ^Labour Overseas, October-December, 1920, p. 48. 
 "Germany. Reichsarbeits-Ministerium. Reichs-Arbeitsblatt, Novem- 
 ber IS, 1920. p. 104*. 
 ^International Labor Office. Daily Intelligence, January 11, 1921, p. 5. 
 
 11
 
 The above figures, which indicate an increase of approxi- 
 mately 390% to February, 1920\ are substantiated by the 1919 
 annual reports of the government factory inspectors, which 
 show that by the end of that year an average increase of 300 
 to 450% over pre-war wages had taken place, and that wage 
 increases were highest in the great industrial centers, especially 
 Berlin. This report further states that the wages of women 
 were generally about 25% to 35% lower than those of men, 
 and that the rise in wages corresponded approximately to the 
 general rise in food prices, but was far below the rise in prices 
 of clothing and boot and shoes.^ 
 
 There has been, in general, a tendency to approximation be- 
 tween the wages of skilled and of unskilled workers. It is 
 stated that because of this situation a dearth of apprentices 
 exists. Unskilled municipal workers at Berlin and Leipzig 
 received about 90% of the rate for skilled workers in 1920; 
 the former must have a subsistence wage, and employers could 
 afford to pay but little more to the latter.^ In Altona the dif- 
 ference between the weekly wages of the most highly qualified 
 engineer and that of the lowest laborer at the end of 1920 
 was only 13.60 marks (par, $3.24; exchange 1920-21, $.255).* 
 
 The first official general wage investigation was begun by 
 the Federal Statistical Office in February, 1920. It was pro- 
 posed to bring the entire field, of industry within the scope 
 of these inquiries, and to make them a permanent feature of 
 the work of that office. 
 
 The Monthly Labor Review of the United States Depart- 
 ment of Labor, in publishing a compilation of wage awards in 
 Germany in 1919, states : 
 
 Collective Bargaining is becoming more and more popular among em- 
 ployers and workers in Germany, especially in the large industries. . . . 
 Most of the agreements concluded are for very short terms, or if for a 
 longer term, contain a clause permitting a revision of the w^age rates in 
 case of a further rise in the cost of living. ... A majority of the 
 agreements indicate a tendency in favor of resumption and continuation 
 of piecework. In agreements providing for piecework, pieceworkers are 
 as a rule guaranteed the minimum time rates, and in some instances a 
 certain percentage above the minimum time rates. 
 
 ^Labour Overseas, October-December, 1920, p. 51. 
 "^Sosiale Praxis, November 10, 1920. Quoted in Labour Overseas, Oc- 
 tober-December, 1920, p. 51. 
 ^Labour Overseas, April-June, 1920, p. 14. 
 *Idem., October-December, 1920, p. 51. 
 
 12
 
 Sosiale Praxis (September 15, 1920) states that employers 
 are becoming more favorable to a wage scale that varies 
 with the cost of living. Practical experience shows, how- 
 ever, that in almost all cases where a sliding scale has been 
 introduced, a fall in index numbers of prices has not led to 
 a proportional decrease in wages. In Alsace, the employees 
 of German newspapers appealed in July, 1920, to the Concilia- 
 tion Committee against the employers, who wished to reduce 
 salaries on account of a fall of 11 points in the index number. 
 The committee upheld the appeal because of the advance in 
 prices of items not included in the index number, (fares, taxes, 
 insurance contributions, etc.) At Kiel, in June, 1920, a rise 
 in bonus of 10 per cent, was given on the strength of a pro- 
 visional index figure. The final figure showed an increase 
 of only 2 per cent., but the workers refused to give up 
 the increased bonus. In July, the Arbitration Award decreed 
 the continuance of the June increase, although the index figure 
 showed a decline. In August, the Trades Council, by means of 
 a transport workers' strike, compelled the increase to be paid 
 for August. The same thing happened at Breslau.^ 
 
 Provisions for holidays, and family allowances for wife and 
 children to married men, are features of most collective agree- 
 ments.^ 
 
 ^Idem., p. 47. 
 
 "Labour Overseas, July-September, 1920, p. 12. 
 
 13
 
 II 
 
 BUILDING TRADES 
 Great Britain 
 
 The wage figures given in this section for the British build- 
 ing trades are the official average figures for the end of 
 1920. 
 
 In the building trades in Great Britain the system of area 
 grading, whereby uniform rates of wages were agreed upon 
 for towns of certain grades in various districts, was adopted 
 in some districts in 1919, and by the end of 1920 was in 
 operation in practically all districts outside London. The ar- 
 rangements made under this system during 1920 resulted in 
 the establishment of uniform rates of wages for skilled men 
 in the larger towns for the whole of the Northern Counties, 
 Yorkshire, Lancashire, the Midlands, the Southwestern Coun- 
 ties, South Wales, and Scotland, while lower uniform rates 
 were made applicable to the larger tow^ns in the remaining 
 districts.' 
 
 The increases over 1914 wages in the building trades vary 
 considerably in different districts. Increases in hourly rates 
 include advances granted in many cases concurrently with re- 
 ductions in weekly hours of labor to maintain weekly wages at 
 the former level. For the principal classes of workmen in 
 towns of over 100,000 population, the average percentage in- 
 creases in hourly and weekly rates up to the end of 1920 were 
 as shown in the following table : 
 
 Percentage increase 
 
 over 1914 rates 
 
 Hourly Weekly 
 
 Bricklayers 178 148 
 
 Masons 181 154 
 
 Carpenters and joiners 182 152 
 
 Plumbers 189 156 
 
 Plasterers 182 151 
 
 Painters 208 174 
 
 Laborers 265 224 
 
 ^Labour Gasette, January, 1921, p. 4. 
 
 14
 
 If the increases shown above are combined according to 
 the relative numbers of men employed in the different oc- 
 cupations, the resulting general average increase in hourly 
 rates was about 225%, and in weekly wages (taking into 
 account the effect of the reductions in working time) about 
 190%. There was little difference in the amount of increase 
 for dift'erent classes of men, but owing to the dift'erence in 
 their pre-war rates, the percentages of increase are much 
 greater for laborers than for skilled men, the average increase 
 in weekly wages being equivalent to 224% for laborers, com- 
 pared with 174% for painters, and with 148% to 156% for 
 other classes of skilled labor. ^ 
 
 The unweighted averages of hourly rates of wages in towns 
 over 100,000, for these same occupations on December 31, 1920, 
 were as follows : 
 
 AVERAGE HOURLY WAGE RATES FOR VARIOUS OCCUPATIONS IN 
 BUILDING TRADES, DECEMBER 31, 1920 
 
 
 Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 
 exchange 
 
 Exchang:e 
 1920-21 
 
 Bricklayers 
 
 27.5 
 27.5 
 27.4 
 27.8 
 27.5 
 27.1 
 23.8 
 
 .558 
 .558 
 .556 
 .564 
 .558 
 .550 
 .483 
 
 .430 
 
 Alasons 
 
 .430 
 
 Carpenters and joiners 
 
 Plumbers 
 
 .428 
 .434 
 
 Plasterers 
 
 .430 
 
 Painters 
 
 Laborers 
 
 .424 
 
 .in 
 
 No decreases in wage rates in these occupations had been re- 
 ported up to May, 1921. 
 
 For men employed on civil engineering construction work, 
 two decreases in wage rates were reported during April, 1921, 
 as the result of an agreement concluded by the Civil Engi- 
 neering Construction Conciliation Board for Great Britain. 
 Current hourly rates for navvies and laborers were set at 1 
 shilling. 7 pence to 1 shilling. 9 pence (par, $.3852 to $.4258; 
 exchange, 1920-21, $.2965 to $.3277), according to the dis- 
 trict. Classes other than navvies and laborers were to receive 
 the same rate as the latter, plus an amount fixed by schedule 
 for each occupation, the excess usually varying from 1 penny 
 
 'Labour Gazette, May, 1921, p. 257. 
 
 15
 
 to 4 pnuc (par, -$.02 lo $.082; exchange, 1920-21, $.015 to 
 $.U() ) per liour.' 
 
 France 
 
 No {,'cncial ot'licial lij;urcs are av;iilable for wages in the 
 French building trades, but from the figures from various 
 sources i)resented in this section it ai)i)ears that in general, in 
 1920. hourly wage rates of skilled workers in the building 
 trades ranged from 2.25 to 3 francs (par, $.434 to $.579; ex- 
 change 1920-21, $.156 to $.208), except in the very small 
 towns. 
 
 According to figures given in a report on wages in French 
 industries by the United States Trade Commissioner in Paris, 
 dated November 6, 1920, hourly wages in 1920 in the building 
 trades had increased over 1913 wages, from 175% in the case 
 of stone cutters and bricklayers to 275% in the case of handy 
 men (construction work). Hourly wage rates in 1920 from 
 this report are given below. - 
 
 HOURLY V^AGE RATES IN SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS IN THE BUILD- 
 ING TRADES, 1920 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Percentage 
 
 increase 
 over 1913 
 
 Stone cutters 
 
 Stone setters 
 
 Masons 
 
 Masons' apprentices . . 
 
 Bricklayers 
 
 Bricklayers' apprentices 
 Structural iron workers. 
 
 Handy men 
 
 Night watchmen 
 
 2.75 
 
 2.75 
 2.75 
 2.15 
 2.75 
 2.15 
 2.75 
 2.25 
 12.00a 
 
 .531 
 .531 
 .531 
 .415 
 .531 
 .415 
 .531 
 .434 
 2.316 
 
 .191 
 .191 
 .191 
 .149 
 .191 
 .149 
 .191 
 .156 
 .832 
 
 175 
 175 
 189 
 207 
 175 
 207 
 201 
 275 
 200 
 
 "Per night. 
 
 This report continues : 
 
 The wages for plumbers, which have been cflfective since April, 1920, 
 are 2.75 francs (par, $0.53; exchange, 1920-21, $.191) per hour, and 2 
 francs (par, $0.39; exchange, 1920-21, $.139) for plumbers' apprentices 
 over 18 years of age. Painters are paid 2.50 francs (par, $0.48; ex- 
 change, 1920-21, $.173) per hour, plus 2 francs (par, $0.39; exchange, 
 1920-21, $.139) a day to cover the increase in cost of living. 
 
 The minimum hourly rate of wages in Paris, for masons, 
 
 bricklayers, navvies, structural iron workers and painters, to 
 
 ILabour Gazette, May, 1921, p. 257. 
 
 ^United States. Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce. Com- 
 merce Reports, January 21, 1921. 
 
 16
 
 be effective from October 1, 1920 was 3 francs (par, $.579; 
 exchange 1920-21, $.208j. According to the source of this in- 
 formation, the percentage of increase of the 1920 over 1913 
 wages was 215% in the case of journeymen masons and brick- 
 layers, and 275% in the case of navvies, structural iron workers 
 and painters. In addition to the base rate, provision was made 
 for a monthly allowance of 20 francs (par, $3.86; exchange 
 1920-21, $1,386) for each child less than 14 years of age to 
 workers who were heads of families, or 30 francs (par, $5.79; 
 exchange 1920-21, $2.08) if there were three children or more. 
 These, of course, were minimum rates ; the actual average 
 daily wages of ordinary building workers were 30 francs (par, 
 $5.79; exchange 1920-21, $2.08) or more, and skilled workers 
 received as high as 50 francs (par, $9.65; exchange 1920-21, 
 $3,465) per day.^ 
 
 A report in L' Information Socialc, May 22, 1921, states that, 
 dating from June 15, hourly wages of masons, helpers, and 
 laborers in Lyon, which had been 3.50, 3.00 and 2.25 francs 
 (par, $.675, $.579, $.434; exchange 1920-21, $.243, $.208, 
 $.156), would be reduced to 3.00, 2.25 and 2.00 francs (par, 
 $.579, $.434, $.390; exchange 1920-21, $.208, $.156, $.139), 
 respectively. 
 
 In the series of eighteen collective agreements, concluded 
 in various localities, large and small, between January and 
 June, 1920, and reported to the Ministry of Labor, hourly 
 wage rates for various occupations in the building trades were 
 fixed as follows :- 
 
 'Le Musee Social. Alemoires et Documents, January 1, 1921, pp. 12 
 and 33. 
 
 "France. Bulletin dii Miiiistcre du Travail, August-October, 1920, p. 
 423-433. 
 
 17
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES IN THE BUILDING TRADES IN SPECIFIED 
 
 DISTRICTS FIXED BY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT, 
 
 JANUARY TO JUNE, 1920 
 
 =^^ 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Occupation 
 
 Par of 
 Kxchang 
 
 e 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 General Building 
 
 1.871/' 
 
 1.70 
 1.60 
 1.80 
 1.75 
 
 2.00 
 1.75 
 1.80 
 
 to 3.00 
 2.25 
 '• 2.25 
 " 2.25 
 •' 2.00 
 " 1.80 
 
 2.75 
 " 3.00 
 " 2.00 
 " 1.90 
 
 1.50 
 
 .362 to 
 
 .328 " 
 .309 " 
 .347 " 
 .338 " 
 
 .386 " 
 .338 " 
 .347 " 
 
 .579 
 .434 
 .434 
 .434 
 .386 
 .347 
 
 .531 
 .579 
 .386 
 .367 
 .290 
 
 .130 to 
 
 .118 " 
 .111 " 
 
 .125 " 
 .121 " 
 
 .139 " 
 .121 " 
 
 .125 " 
 
 .208 
 
 
 .156 
 
 
 .156 
 
 
 .156 
 
 
 .139 
 
 
 .125 
 
 Masons 
 
 .191 
 
 St. fitienne 
 
 Thouars 
 
 .208 
 .139 
 
 Pont-Audcmer 
 
 Draguignan" 
 
 .132 
 .104 
 
 Plasterers 
 Rouen 
 
 
 2.75 
 2.75 
 
 
 .531 
 .531 
 
 
 .191 
 
 St. fitienne 
 
 .191 
 
 Painters 
 
 St. fitienne 
 
 
 2.75 
 
 
 .531 
 
 
 .191 
 
 Roofers 
 
 Pont-Audemer' 
 
 Fecamp 
 
 St. fitienne 
 
 
 2.00 
 1.90 
 2.25 
 
 
 .386 
 .367 
 .434 
 
 
 .139 
 .132 
 .156 
 
 Excavators 
 
 Rouen 
 
 Hennebont 
 
 1.25 
 
 2.00 
 " 1.40 
 
 .241 " 
 
 .386 
 .270 
 
 .087 " 
 
 .139 
 
 .097 
 
 Laborers 
 Rouen 
 
 
 1.75 
 2.25 
 
 
 .338 
 .434 
 
 
 .121 
 
 Plumbers 
 
 St. fitienne 
 
 .156 
 
 'Minimum rates. 
 
 -Hourly rates computed from daily rates on basis of 8-hour day. 
 
 Germany 
 
 The following tabulation of the official survey of wages 
 in the German building trades in February, 1920, together 
 with the other figures presented, furnish a very good basis for 
 determining the wages at the end of 1920. The statement in 
 the British official publication mentioned below that wages 
 had increased 50% since the time of the official survey is 
 borne out by the figures from other sources presented in this 
 section. 
 
 18
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES AND AVERAGE MONTHLY EARNINGS IN THE 
 GERMAN BUILDING TRADES, FEBRUARY, 1920 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 HOURLY RATES 
 
 Germany as a whole 
 
 Unskilled .. 
 
 1.25 to 
 
 4.39 
 
 .298 to 
 
 1.045 
 
 .023 to 
 
 .082 
 
 Bricklayers 
 and masons. 
 
 1.60 " 
 
 4.50 
 
 .381 " 
 
 1.071 
 
 .030 " 
 
 .085 
 
 Carpenters . 
 
 1.60 " 
 
 4.38 
 
 .381 " 
 
 1.042 
 
 .030 " 
 
 .082 
 
 Toztms zmth population of 
 
 over 200,000 
 
 
 
 
 Unskilled .. 
 
 2.60 ' 
 
 4.08 1 .619 " 
 
 .971 
 
 .049 " 
 
 .077 
 
 Bricklayers 
 and masons. 
 
 3.24 • 
 
 ' 4.22 
 
 .771 " 
 
 1.004 
 
 .061 " 
 
 .079 
 
 Carpenters . 
 
 2.83 ' 
 
 ' 4.34 
 
 .674 •' 
 
 1.033 
 
 .053 " 
 
 .082 
 
 AVERAGE MONTHLY EARNINGS 
 Germany as a whole 
 
 Unskilled . 
 
 226 
 
 " 700 
 
 53.79 
 
 " 166.60 
 
 4.24 
 
 " 13.15 
 
 Bricklayers 
 and masons. 
 
 285 
 
 " 827 
 
 67.83 
 
 " 196.83 
 
 5.35 
 
 " 15.53 
 
 Carpenters . 
 
 295 
 
 " 800 
 
 70.21 
 
 " 190.64 
 
 5.54 
 
 " 15.02 
 
 Towns with population 
 
 of over ; 
 
 200,000 
 
 
 
 
 Unskilled .. 
 
 478 
 
 " 734 
 
 1 113.76 
 
 " 174.69 
 
 8.98 
 
 " 13.78 
 
 Bricklayers 
 and masons. 
 
 529 
 
 " 758 
 
 125.90 
 
 " 180.40 
 
 9.93 
 
 " 14.24 
 
 Carpenters . 
 
 501 
 
 " 829 
 
 1 119.24 
 
 " 197.30 
 
 9.41 
 
 " 15.57 
 
 The ofificial inquiry by the German Government in February, 
 1920, into the wages paid in the building trades covered 1,002 
 concerns, in which 53,975 manual workers and 3,812 non- 
 manual workers were employed — about 9% of the total con- 
 cerns on the official list of 1919, and about 30% of all persons 
 employed. The preceding table shows the main results of 
 the inquiry, giving the lowest and highest wage figures in the 
 localities covered. According to Labour Overseas, a British of- 
 ficial publication, however, wages had increased over these 
 figures by about 50% up to the end of 1920.' 
 
 ^Labour Overseas, October-December, 1920, p. 49. 
 
 19
 
 The wages agreement in the building trades for Germany 
 as a whole provides that negotiations about wages shall be by 
 districts, l-'ormerly, when the ])arties could not come to an 
 agreement, special courts were formed, in which representa- 
 tives of the workers and employers' associations came together, 
 with a representative from a main office to conduct negotia- 
 tions. In the place of these special courts district wage of- 
 ficers have now been established. These are to meet every two 
 months, and consist of three persons — one chosen by the em- 
 jjloyers, one by the employees, and one re]:)resenting both em- 
 ployers and employees. The district wage office shall attempt 
 to bring about an agreement, and failing that, shall make a 
 decision.^ 
 
 The following wage rates in the building trades fixed by 
 collective agreement, in efifect between May, 1920, and January, 
 1921, zveve reported in the Rciclis-Arbcitsblatt. The rates 
 varv between localities.' 
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES IN VARIOUS OCCUPATIONS IN THE BUILD- 
 ING TRADES FIXED BY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN 
 MAY, 1920, AND JANUARY, 1921 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Masons (11 districts) 
 
 Carpenters (11 districts).. 
 
 Cement finishers (11 dis- 
 tricts 
 
 Cement workers (9 dis- 
 tricts 
 
 Plasterers (5 districts).... 
 
 Underground workers (6 
 districts) 
 
 Building helpers (11 dis- 
 tricts 
 
 Common labor (4 districts) 
 
 4.30 to 6.50 
 4.30 " 6.50 
 
 4.30 " 6.50 
 
 1.023 to 1.547 
 1.023 " 1.547 
 
 1.023 " 1.547 
 
 4.10 
 
 5.30 
 
 6.25 
 6.50 
 
 .976 
 1.261 
 
 .081 to .122 
 .081 " .122 
 
 .081 
 
 1.488; .077 
 1.5471 .099 
 
 4.10 " 5.30 
 
 .976 " 1.261 
 
 4.10 
 4.30 
 
 6.05 
 5.30 
 
 .976 
 1.023 
 
 1.440 
 1.261 
 
 .077 
 
 .077 
 .081 
 
 .122 
 
 .117 
 
 .122 
 
 .099 
 
 .114 
 .099 
 
 According to the publication, Labour Overseas, hourly wages 
 in the building trades in the zone occupied by British troops 
 in Germany (Cologne district) in August, 1920, were as 
 follows : 
 
 'Germany. Reichs-Arbeitsblatt, March 15. 1921, p. 420*. 
 'November 1, 1920 to March 31, 1921. 
 
 20
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled labor 
 
 6.50 
 6.03 
 1.68 to 4.94 
 
 1.547 
 1.435 
 .400 to 1.176 
 
 122 
 
 Unskilled labor 
 
 Youths 
 
 .113 
 
 .032 to .093 
 
 An eight-hour day was reported, with 20% extra for over- 
 time on week days and 100% on Sundays and holidays. Eight 
 pfennigs per hour (par, $.019; exchange 1920-21, $.0015) ad- 
 ditional was allowed to men living at a distance.^ 
 
 This same publication, in December, 1920, reported that 
 carpenters in the Cologne area received an increase which 
 brought their average hourly wage up to 6.90 marks (par, 
 $1,642; exchange 1920-21, $.130), and the minimum up to 
 6.50 marks (par, $1,547; exchange 1920-21, $.122). By a 
 decision of the Arbitration Court, masons and bricklayers 
 at the same time obtained an increase of 12%, making hourly 
 rates 7.28 marks (par, $1,733; exchange 1920-21, $.137) for 
 skilled men and 7.06 marks (par, $1,680; exchange 1920-21, 
 ^.33) for assistants. - 
 
 During the first week in October, 1920 the tile workers of 
 Berlin went on strike for a time-rate of 8 marks (par, $1,904; 
 exchange 1920-21, $.150) an hour and an increase of 600% on 
 1914 piece-rates. Both parties ultimately accepted the de- 
 cision of a conciliation committee, which granted an hourly 
 rate of 7.75 marks (par, $1,845; exchange 1920-21, $.146); 
 and a 575% increment on the 1914 piece-rates.^ 
 
 A strike of Berlin workers in subterranean construction be- 
 gan on June 28, 1920, the men demanding to be paid the same 
 wages as other workers in the building trades. The demand 
 was granted and work was resumed on August 11, wages 
 being raised (as from July 1) to 6.80 marks (par, $1,618; 
 exchange 1920-21. $.128) per hour.^ 
 
 On August 30, 1600 Berlin pipe layers struck for an increase 
 in wages. Negotiations for a new collective agreement had 
 been in progress since May. On September 16 the award of 
 a Conciliation Committee appointed by the Ministry of La- 
 
 'Labour Oz'crscas, July-September, 1920, p. 135. 
 'Idem., October-December, 1920, p. 50. 
 ^Idem., October-December, 1920, p. 86. 
 'Idem., July-September, 1920, p. 85. 
 
 21
 
 bour was accepted. The award fixed the hourly rate, in- 
 clusive of cost of living bonus, from September 1, 1920 to 
 March 31, 1921, as follows : 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Pipe layers 
 Improvers 
 Learners . 
 Helpers . . 
 
 6.25 
 6.05 
 5.95 
 5.90 
 
 1.488 
 1.440 
 1.416 
 1.404 
 
 .117 
 ,114 
 .112 
 .111 
 
 An unauthorized strike among Berlin painters lasted from 
 July 19 to 29, 1920, their demand being that wages should 
 be raised from 5.50 to 6.80 marks (par, $1,309 to $1,618; ex- 
 change 1920-21, $.103 to $.128) per hour to correspond with 
 those of masons. The dispute was referred to the Central 
 Wages Board, which fixed an increase of .4 marks (par, $.095 ; 
 exchange 1920-21. $.0075), as from August 9, 1920.' 
 
 As a matter of interest in this connection, it is worth noting 
 that an analysis of the expense factors in construction in Ger- 
 many showed that for a simple country house in East Prussia 
 the costs were distributed as follows :° 
 
 Wages 55.09% 
 
 Raw Material 12.22% 
 
 Administrative Costs 32.69% 
 
 Total 100.00% 
 
 ^Labour Overseas, July-September, 1920, p. 46. 
 -Germany. Reichs-Arbeitsblatt, April 30, 1921, p. 542.* 
 
 22
 
 Ill 
 
 MINING 
 
 Great Britain 
 
 Coal Mining 
 
 In the coal mining industry in Great Britain, the general 
 increase in wages between July, 1914 and the end of 1920 
 took the form, partly of percentage increases on base rates, 
 varying in different coal tields from 28% to 47% over pre- 
 war rates, partly of an increase of 20% on earnings (ex- 
 clusive of these percentage advances), and partly of flat-rate 
 additions. Increases in full-time wages represented varying 
 percentages ranging from less than 150% in the case of 
 some of the higher-paid workmen, up to considerably over 
 200% in the case of some of the lower-paid grades. The 
 average increase is estimated to be about 185% to 190%. In 
 January, 1921 there were two further changes (an increase 
 followed by a decrease), which resulted in a net decrease below 
 the level at the end of 1920.' 
 
 A return issued by the Mines Department gives statistics 
 relating to the coal mining industry in February, 1921. In a 
 statement of average cost of production, wages were given at 
 29 shillings, 3% pence per ton (par, $7.14; exchange 1920-21, 
 $5,498), as contrasted with total cost per ton of 38 shillings, 
 ny2 pence (par, $9.49; exchange 1920-21, $7,307). The 
 average monthly earnings per person employed were 18 pounds 
 4 shillings, 8 pence (par, $88.73; exchange 1920-21, $68.32), 
 the figures varying, according to the district, from 16 pounds, 
 6 shillings, 3 pence (par, $79.38; exchange 1920-21, $61.12) in 
 Northumberland, to 20 pounds, 17 shillings (par, $101.47; ex- 
 change 1920-21, $78.13) in Scotland. In seven "districts" out 
 of the ten into which the country is divided for the purposes 
 of these statistics, the average monthly earnings were over 
 17 pounds, 10 shiUings (par, $85.16; exchange 1920-21, $65.57), 
 
 'Great Britain. Ministry of Labour. Labour Gazette, February, 1921, 
 pp. 62, 3. 
 
 23
 
 but under 19 pouiul.s (par, $92.46 ; exchange 1920-21, $71.19). 
 The corresponding figures for January 1921, and for specified 
 periods in 1920 are as follows:' 
 
 AVERAGE MONTHLY EARNING.S OF WORKERS IN COAL MINES 
 1920 AND 1921 
 
 
 Pounds, 
 
 Shillings 
 and I'eiice 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 192U-21 
 
 April-June, 1920 
 
 October-December, 1920 
 
 January, 1921 
 
 February, 1921 
 
 18 6 7 ! 89.20 
 
 17 19 4 ! 87.43 
 22 1 9 j 107.49 
 
 18 4 8 i 88.73 
 
 68.68 
 
 67.30 
 82.77 
 68.32 
 
 Other Mining and Quarrying 
 
 For certain of the groups of miners (other than coal 
 miners) and quarrymen, percentage increases over pre-war 
 w^ages, up to the end of 1920 seem to have been greater than 
 that quoted above for coal miners, though the actual increase 
 in money wages may not have been so great. The increases 
 for other groups of miners and quarriers, however, were less 
 than those granted the coal miners. 
 
 The following data on wage rates for other mining groups 
 have been taken from the detailed tables of wage changes pub- 
 
 WAGE RATES IN MINING (OTHER THAN COAL MINING) AND 
 QUARRYING INDUSTRIES IN SPECIFIED DISTRICTS, MARCH, 1921 
 
 
 'Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Iron Mining 
 
 Cumberland (rate per shift) 
 
 Furness district (rate per day) .... 
 Gypsum Mining (rate per week) 
 Gotham and Thrumpton 
 
 Miners, Mill-hands, Stone dressers 
 Cropwell, Bishop 
 Dayworkers 
 
 23 
 16 
 
 61 
 
 57 
 
 18 
 18 
 17 
 18 
 17 
 17 
 
 10 
 6 
 
 7Vs 
 9 
 
 \\V2 
 \V2 
 4/2 
 5/2 
 9/2 
 
 3J^ 
 
 5.80 
 4.02 
 
 14.99 
 16.06 
 
 4.61 
 4.41 
 4.23 
 4.49 
 4.33 
 4.21 
 
 4.47 
 
 3.10 
 
 11.54 
 12 Zl 
 
 Limestone Quarrying (rate per shift) 
 W. Cumberland 
 
 Knobblers 
 
 Haulage enginemen 
 
 Blacksmiths and joiners 
 
 3.55 
 3.40 
 3 26 
 
 Ist class day-borers 
 
 3 46 
 
 1st class day-laborers 
 
 3 Z2) 
 
 Ruddmen 
 
 3.24 
 
 ""Labour Gazette, April, 1921, p. 177. 
 
 24
 
 lished in the Labour Gazette. It will be noted that the wage 
 rates are not on the same time basis, and that they vary con- 
 siderably in the different districts. In the preceding table all 
 rates are decreases under those in effect at the end of 1920. 
 
 The following hourly wage rates for other groups of miners 
 and quarriers in effect at the end of 1920 are reported in the 
 Labour Gazette of December, 1920. Up to April, 1921 no de- 
 creases had been reported for these groups. 
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES IN MINING (OTHER THAN COAL MINING) 
 
 AND QUARRYING INDUSTRIES IN SPECIFIED LOCALITIES, 
 
 DECEMBER, 1920 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Freestone, Gritstone and 
 Sandstone Quarrying, 
 West Lancashire 
 
 Masons 
 
 Rock getters 
 
 Cutters and machine 
 
 men 
 
 Skilled laborers 
 
 Unskilled laborers . . . 
 Freestone Quarry, North- 
 umberland and Durham 
 
 Quarrymen 
 
 Laborers 
 
 Granite Quarrying, Corn- 
 wall 
 
 Masons 
 
 Laborers 
 
 Roadstone Quarrying , 
 Southwest of England 
 
 Laborers^ 
 
 Paving Cutters^ South 
 Wales and Monmouth- 
 shire 
 
 2 
 
 1 11 
 
 1 10 
 
 1 8 
 
 1 7 
 
 2 2 
 1 8 
 
 1 10^ 
 1 4 
 
 1 3 
 
 .487 
 .466 
 
 .446 
 .406 
 .385 
 
 .527 
 .406 
 
 .456 
 .324 
 
 .345 
 .548 
 
 .375 
 .359 
 
 .343 
 .313 
 .296 
 
 .406 
 .313 
 
 .351 
 .249 
 
 .266 
 .422 
 
 ^Minimum rates. 
 'Timeworkers. 
 
 France 
 
 Coal Mining 
 
 In the Bulletin of the Ministry of Labor of France are pub- 
 lished figures showing that up to January 1, 1920 the wages 
 of coal miners had increased 182% as compared with wages in 
 1914. Wages of all underground workers had increased ap- 
 proximately 192%, and the increase for surface workers was 
 250%. The average daily wage of underground workers on 
 
 25
 
 January 1. 1^20 was 17.17 francs (par. $3,314; exchange 
 1920-2i, $1.19).' 
 
 Ill the wage negotiations hetween mine workers and opera- 
 tors in the Midlands at the end of 1920, the miners submitted 
 to thi' Ministry of Lal)or an estimate of the necessary weekly 
 expnuhturc of a niiiu'r and his wife for the ])eriod before the 
 war and as of November 1. 1920. The respective sums were 
 34.30 francs and 156.30 francs (par, $6.62 and $30.17; ex- 
 change 1920-21, $2.38 and $10,832). an increase of 356%. To 
 meet the increase of 122 francs a week, wages would have had 
 to be advanced i)y 20 francs a day ; the advances actually re- 
 ceived amounted to less than 15 francs a day, approximately 
 270% 1 
 
 The latest available ligures for wages of workers in French 
 coal mines are for the summer of 1920. Since, in the wage 
 negotiations at the end of 1920, between the mine workers 
 and mine owners in the north of France, it was generally 
 agreed that wage rates should remain unaltered, it is prob- 
 able that the figures given below are fairly representative of 
 the situation at the end of the year. In June, 1920 the average 
 dailv wages of mine workers in 18 mines in various parts of 
 France were as follows :- 
 
 AVERAGE DAILY WAGES OF FRENCH MINE WORKERS, JUNE, 1920 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Miners and timbermen.. 
 
 Miners' helpers 
 
 Laborers in and about 
 
 mines 
 
 Masons, blacksmiths, 
 
 carpenters, machinists. 
 
 19 to 25 
 17 " 23 
 
 16 
 17 
 
 20 
 21 
 
 3.667 to 4.825 
 3.281 " 4.439 
 
 3.088 " 3.860 
 
 3.281 " 4.053 
 
 1.317 to 1.733 
 1.178 " 1.594 
 
 1.109 " 1.386 
 
 1.178 " 1.485 
 
 An important feature in connection with wage disputes in 
 the coal mines in France is the fact that the principle of wage 
 adjustments according to regions is clearly recognized by em- 
 ployers and workers.^ 
 
 In the collective agreements for 16 localities reported for 
 
 ^Labour Overseas, November-December, 1920, p. 47. 
 
 -Bulletin du Minisicre du rnivail May-July, 1920, pp. 216, 217. 
 
 "Report of United States Trade Commissioner, Paris, November 6, 
 1920; United States. Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce. 
 Commerce Reports, January 21, 1921. 
 
 26
 
 the first eight montlis of 1920 in the Builletin of the Ministry 
 of Labor, the lowest wage reported for underground workers, 
 at Laval, was 1075 francs (par, $2,075; exchange 1920-21, 
 $.745) per day. It was accompanied by a monthly allowance 
 of 3 francs (par, $.579; exchange 1920-21, $.208) for each 
 child under 13 years of age. The highest wage reported for 
 underground workers, 24.50 francs (par, $4,729; exchange 
 1920-21, $1,698) per day, with an allowance of one franc (par, 
 $.193; exchange 1920-21, $.069) per day for each child under 
 13 years of age, was for the provinces of Nord and 
 Pas-de-Calais. The lowest daily wage reported for surface 
 workers, 7.60 francs (par, $1,467; exchange 1920-21, $.527) 
 was in La Motte-d'Aveillans, the highest in Laval, 18.50 francs 
 (par, $3,571; exchange 1920-21, $1,282), plus a monthly al- 
 lowance of 3 francs (par, $.579; exchange 1920-21, $.208) 
 for each child under 13 years of age. The very low wages were 
 probably for boys and women. 
 
 The following reports of daily wages of French mine 
 workers in three districts appear in the July-September, 1920 
 number of Labour Overseas, a British official publication:' 
 
 DAILY WAGES OF FRENCH MINE WORKERS IN THREE DISTRICTS, 
 SEPTEMBER, 1920 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Haute-Saone 
 Underground 
 workers 
 
 Hewers 
 
 Assistants 
 
 Laborers 
 
 Surface workers 
 
 Male , 
 
 Female , 
 
 Bouches-du-Rhone 
 Underground 
 
 workers 
 
 Surface workers., 
 Lorraine 
 Underground 
 workers 
 Hewers (piece- 
 work) 
 
 Day workers . , 
 Surface workers., 
 
 'p. 42. 
 
 17 
 16 
 12 
 
 12 
 10 
 
 18 
 16 
 
 to 19 
 " 18 
 " 16.50 
 
 " 16.50 
 " 12 
 
 20 
 18 
 
 20 
 14 
 13.50 
 
 24 
 
 18.80 
 
 18.80 
 
 3.281 to 3.667 
 3.088 "3.474 
 2.316 "3.185 
 
 2.316 "3.185 
 1.930 "2.316 
 
 3.474 "3.860 
 3.088 "3.474 
 
 3.860 "4.630 
 2.702 "3.628 
 2.606 "3.628 
 
 1.178 to 1.317 
 
 1.109 " 1.247 
 
 .832 " 1.143 
 
 .832 
 .693 
 
 1.143 
 .832 
 
 1.247 " 1.386 
 1.109 " 1.247 
 
 1.386 " 1.663 
 .970 " 1.303 
 .936 " 1.303 
 
 27
 
 Potash Mining 
 
 According to data furnished by the representative of the 
 Alsatian Potash Sales Office in Paris, potash miners in Alsace 
 receive from 3 francs to 3.50 francs (par, $.579 to $.676; ex- 
 change 1920-21, $.208 to $.243) per hour for an eight-hour 
 day.^ 
 
 In a collective agreement affecting workers in French potash 
 mines, drawn up to run for one year from September 15, 1920, 
 the following wage rates were stipulated :- 
 
 DAILY WAGE RATES FOR WORKERS IN POTASH MINES EFFECTIVE 
 SEPTEMBER 15, 1920 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Miners 
 
 23.40 to 25.00 
 21.06 " 22.50 
 18.72 " 20.00 
 17.52 " 18.75 
 
 20.80 
 20.60 
 16.80 
 
 20.80 
 20.80 
 
 15.90 
 16.80 
 
 4.516 to 4.825 
 4.065 "4.343 
 3.613 "3.86 
 3.381 "3.619 
 
 4.014 
 3.976 
 3.242 
 
 4.014 
 4.014 
 
 3.069 
 3.242 
 
 1.622 to 1.733 
 
 Miners' apprentices . . 
 Loaders 
 
 1.459 " 1.559 
 1.297 " 1.386 
 
 Trackmen' 
 
 1.214 " 1.299 
 
 Job workers 
 
 Skilled' 
 
 1.441 
 
 Caretakers 
 
 Winchmen 
 
 Surface workers 
 
 Machinists 
 
 Firemen' 
 
 1.428 
 1.164 
 
 1.441 
 1.441 
 
 Ordinary laborers' 
 
 20 to 25 years 
 
 Over 25 years .... 
 
 1.102 
 1.164 
 
 'Over 25 years of age. 
 
 -An additional family allowance of 1 franc (par, $.193; exchange, 1920-21, 
 $.0693) a day is made. 
 
 Germany 
 
 Figures on wages of Prussian miners have been published 
 quarterly by the Prussian Government over a period of 
 years. This is probably the most highly paid group of workers 
 in Germany. The average net earnings per shift of men em- 
 ployed in the mining industry in the various districts of 
 Prussia during the third quarter of 1920 are shown in the 
 following table. The increases over the second quarter of 
 1914 are computed from a comparison of the average earn- 
 ings for 1914 and 1920. If the number of men employed in 
 
 'Report of United States Commercial Attache, Paris, February 3, 1921. 
 ^United States Consul, Paris, November 11, 1920. 
 
 28
 
 each district be taken into consideration, the average increase 
 for Prussia as a whole, as compared with the second quarter 
 of 1914, is about 843% for hewers and trammers, 888% for 
 other underground workers, and 917% for surface workers. 
 The average increase for all men together is about 872% ; that 
 is, miners' earnings during the third quarter of 1920 were be- 
 tween nine and ten times as great as in the period preceding 
 the war. The range in figures in the following table indicates 
 a range in earnings within the various localities.^ 
 
 AVERAGE NET EARNINGS PER SHIFT OF PRUSSIAN MINERS DURING 
 THIRD QUARTER OF 1920 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Hewers and Trammers 
 
 Coal 
 
 Lignite 
 
 Copper 
 
 Other metalliferous 
 ores 
 
 Salt 
 
 Other Underground 
 Workers 
 
 Coal 
 
 Lignite 
 
 Copper 
 
 Other metalliferous 
 ores 
 
 Salt 
 
 Surface Workers 
 
 Coal 
 
 Lignite 
 
 Copper 
 
 Other metalliferous 
 
 ores 
 
 Salt 
 
 45.97 to 58.08 
 
 41.54 " 53.37 
 
 38.06 
 
 38.80 to 48.31 
 41.85 " 42.43 
 
 37.60 " 43.64 
 
 39.28 " 48.82 
 
 34.23 
 
 33.11 to 40. 12 
 
 34.95 " 38.54 
 
 36.35 " 41.33 
 
 39.05 " 53.41 
 
 32.68 
 
 31.82 to 36.48 
 
 32.96 " 33.98 
 
 10.94 to 13.82 
 
 9.89 "12.70 
 
 9.058 
 
 9.23 to 11.50 
 9.96 "10.10 
 
 8.95 "10.39 
 
 9.35 "11.62 
 
 8.147 
 
 7.88 to 9.55 
 8.32 " 9.17 
 
 8.65 " 9.84 
 
 9.29 "12.71 
 
 7.778 
 
 7.57 to 8.68 
 7.84 " 8.09 
 
 .863 to 1.091 
 
 .780 " 1.002 
 
 .715 
 
 .729 to .907 
 .786 " .797 
 
 .706 " .820 
 
 .738 " .917 
 
 .643 
 
 .622 to .753 
 .656 " .724 
 
 .683 " .776 
 
 .73:^ " 1.003 
 
 .614 
 
 .599 to .685 
 .619 " .638 
 
 The Reichs-Arbeitsblatt for November 15, 1920 gives statis- 
 tics of the Mine Owners' Unions in the Ruhr for April, May 
 and June, 1920, which put the net earnings of a miner at 44.27 
 marks (par, $10.54; exchange 1920-21, $.831) per shift, of a 
 hewer at 53.90 marks (par, $12.83 ; exchange 1920-21, $1,012). 
 In June 4.50 marks (par, $1.071 ; exchange 1920-21, $.085) per 
 shift were added as food allowance. These figures include 
 allowances for children, etc, 
 
 'Translated in British Labour Gazette, March, 1921, p. 129. Detailed 
 figures for third quarter 1920 in Rcichs-Arbeitsblatt, March 31, 1921, pp. 
 422,* 423.* 
 
 29
 
 I lie annual re])ort of the Harpener Mining Company of 
 Doitniund gave statistics on wages in 1914 and 1920. The 
 Jigures for average wages i)er shift, including all bonuses and 
 without deduction of taxes, were as follows:' 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Ex,change 
 1920-21 
 
 Hewers 
 
 Average 1913 and 1914 
 
 August, 1920 
 
 All Workers 
 
 Average 1913 and 1914 
 
 August, 1920 
 
 6.63 
 65.11 
 
 5.50 
 54.17 
 
 1.578 
 15.50 
 
 1.309 
 12.89 
 
 .125 
 
 1.223 
 
 .103 
 1.017 
 
 Lignite Mining 
 
 Labour Overseas reports hourly wages of workers engaged 
 in lignite mining in the zone occupied by British troops (Co- 
 logne district) in August, 1920, as follows: 
 
 HOURLY WAGES OF WORKERS IN LIGNITE MINES IN ZONE OC- 
 CUPIED BY BRITISH TROOPS, AUGUST, 1920 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled 
 
 5. 50 to 6.30 
 5.30 •' 5.80 
 
 4.30 " 5.40 
 3.20 " 4.10 
 3.00 " 4.00 
 
 1.309 to 1.499 
 1.261 "1.380 
 
 1.023 "1.285 
 
 0.762 " .976 
 
 .714 " .952 
 
 .103 to .118 
 
 Semi-skilled 
 
 Unskilled 
 
 Men 
 
 .099 " .109 
 .081 " .101 
 
 Women 
 
 Youths 
 
 .060 " .077 
 .056 " .075 
 
 In addition, 3 marks (par, $.714; exchange 1920-21, $.056) 
 per day were allowed for a wife and each child. - 
 
 A collective agreement in the lignite mining industry in 
 Niederlausitz, Halle, Bitterfeld, Anhalt, Borna, Meuselwitz- 
 Rositz and Madgeburg, effective February 1, 1921, gave the 
 following wage rates per shift for mine workers, varying ac- 
 cording to occupation : 
 
 .,.^^ — j5 .w ^. — , — — . 
 
 ^Labotir Overseas, October-December, 1920, p. 49. 
 'July- September, 1920, p. 135. 
 
 30
 
 Dollars 
 
 Marks 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Underground workers. 
 Surface workers 
 
 36.50 to 40.50 
 36.50 " 39.50 
 
 8.687 to 9.639 
 8.687 "9.401 
 
 .685 to 
 .685 " 
 
 761 
 742 
 
 In addition, adult men workers received 2.50 marks (par, 
 $.596; exchange 1920-21, $.047) per shift bonus, and women 
 and youths 1.50 marks (par, $.357; exchange 1920-21, $.028), 
 married workers received 4 marks (par, $.952; exchange 1920- 
 21, $.075) per work-day house money, and 3 marks (par, $.714; 
 exchange 1920-21, $.056) for each child under 15 years of age.' 
 
 Metal Mining 
 
 In an agreement in the metal mining industry in Beusberg, 
 effective November 1, 1920, rates per shift were set as follows : 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Hewers 
 
 44 
 
 25 to 35 
 30 " 43 
 
 10.47 
 
 5.950 to 8.330 
 7.140 " 10.23 
 
 826 
 
 Trammers 
 
 Others 
 
 .470 to .657 
 .563 " .808 
 
 A family allowance of 2 marks (par, $.476; exchange 1920- 
 21, $.038) per shift for wife and each child was elTective from 
 October 1, 1920.- 
 
 'Reichs-Arbcitsblatt, March 31, 1921, p. 453.* 
 -Idem., November 26, 1920, p. 138. 
 
 31
 
 IV 
 METAL MANUFACTURING 
 
 Great Britain 
 
 Iro)i and Steel 
 
 Official figures show that in the heavy iron and steel trades 
 (smelting, puddling, rolling, forging, etc.), in which wages 
 fluctuated in correspondence with the selling price of the fin- 
 ished products, increases in wage rates up to the end of 1920 
 varied widely, in some cases equivalent to 300% to 350% of 
 the pre-war level (e.g., for blast furnace laborers in certain 
 districts), while in other cases they ranged between 150% and 
 200% (e.g., for the higher paid men in steel smelting shops). 
 In the tin-plate and steel-sheet trades in South Wales the in- 
 creases also varied considerably, ranging from 125% in the 
 case of the highly paid workers to 206% for laborers.^ 
 
 According to figures reported by the United States Trade 
 Commissioner in London, February 8, 1921, common labor in 
 the iron and steel industry was receiving 70 shillings 4 pence 
 (par, $17.11; exchange 1920-21, $13.17) per w^eek of 47 
 hours." 
 
 The following rates per ton for iron puddlers were the re- 
 sult of reductions during February and March, 1921.^ 
 
 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Northumberland, Durham 
 West of Scotland 
 
 and Cleveland 
 
 40 10 
 
 42 2 
 48 7 
 
 9.936 
 10.260 
 11.821 
 
 7.647 
 7.897 
 
 Midlands 
 
 9.099 
 
 Rates per shift for blast-furnace workers in South Stafford- 
 shire, effective from the first full pay week after October 18, 
 1920, are given below :* 
 
 ^Labour Gazette, Februar>% 1921, p. 63. 
 "Figures obtained from the Ministry of Labour. 
 'Idem., March. 1921, p. 151, April, 1921, p. 205. 
 *Idem., December, 1920, p. 693. 
 
 32
 
 RATES PER SHIFT FOR BLAST-FURNACE WORKERS IN SOUTH 
 STAFFORDSHIRE, OCTOBER, 1920 
 
 Shillings 
 
 and 
 
 Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Keepers 
 
 Furnace fillers, chargers and bridge 
 stockers 
 
 Ore, mine, coke and lime wheelers, and 
 barrow fillers 
 
 Blast-enginemen, stoveminders 
 
 Loco-drivers 
 
 Slaggers, teasers, cinder catchers 
 
 Hoist and filling enginemen, brakemen, 
 pump and boilermen, boiler minders. 
 
 Keepers' and sluggers' helpers, kiln- 
 men, boiler-gasmen 
 
 Assistant boiler-minders 
 
 Stokers and boiler firemen, cinder or 
 slag tippers or tipmen 
 
 Shunters and firemen 
 
 Oilers, weighmen, boxmen, horse 
 drivers, bogie strippers, scrappers, 
 assistant cinder catchers, bye-turn 
 laborers 
 
 Plate layers, general laborers 
 
 27 3H 
 23 9^ 
 
 6.636 
 5.79 
 
 5.107 
 4.457 
 
 21 11^^ 
 21 42/ 
 
 20 ioy4 
 
 20 7 
 
 5.334 
 5.205 
 5.074 
 5.008 
 
 4.107 
 4.007 
 3.906 
 3.855 
 
 20 37/s 
 
 4.945 
 
 3.806 
 
 19 9^ 
 
 19 6y4 
 
 4.816 
 4.750 
 
 3.707 
 3.656 
 
 18 85/ 
 18 2^ 
 
 4.550 
 4.441 
 
 3.505 
 3.420 
 
 17 73/ 
 14 4 
 
 4.294 
 3.488 
 
 3.305 
 2.684 
 
 Engineering and Shipbuilding 
 
 The wage rate of workers in the engineering and shipbuild- 
 ing trades is made up of a basic weekly rate plus a war wage of 
 26 shillings, 6 pence, plus a bonus of 12^% on the total earn- 
 ings. In the figures given in this section the total wage rate 
 has been computed, including all of these factors. 
 
 According to a report of the United States Trade Commis- 
 sioner in London, weekly wages in the engineering trades as of 
 February 8, 1921, were as follows:^ 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled machinists 
 Common labor . . . 
 
 83 10 to 89 5 
 69 2 " 74 10 
 
 20. 40 to 21.76 
 16.83 "18.21 
 
 15. 70 to 16.76 
 12.95 " 14.02 
 
 The following figures from the Ministry of Labour show the 
 average time rates of wages for men in representative occu- 
 pations in 16 principal engineering centers and 13 principal 
 shipbuilding centers in Great Britain, with the percentage in- 
 creases over August, 1914. The figures are based on the 
 
 ^Figures obtained from the Ministry of Labour. 
 
 33
 
 \va<,'cs of a full ordinary week, which in 1914 was 53 or 54 
 hours and is now 47 hours. 
 
 For skilled men on time rate.^, the average increase was about 
 120% to 130%. while for laborers it was a little over 200%. 
 For semi-skilled classes, the percentage ranged between these 
 points. 
 
 AVIiRAGU; WEEKLY KATE.S JN VARIOUS ENGINEERING AND SHIP- 
 BUILDING OCCUPATIONS, DECEMBER 31, 1920 
 
 
 Shillings 
 and 
 Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Percentage 
 increase 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 over 
 
 August, 
 
 1914 
 
 Engineering 
 
 Fitters and turners 
 
 Ironmouldcrs 
 
 89 2 
 
 92 3 
 
 93 5 
 70 8 
 
 90 
 87 2 
 
 91 3 
 70 4 
 
 21.69 
 
 22.45 
 22.73 
 17.19 
 
 21.90 
 21.21 
 22.20 
 17.11 
 
 16.70 
 
 17.28 
 17.50 
 13.23 
 
 16.86 
 16.32 
 17.09 
 13.17 
 
 129 
 
 121 
 
 Patternmakers 
 
 122 
 
 Laborers 
 
 Shipbuilding 
 
 Platers 
 
 Riveters 
 
 209 
 
 123 
 131 
 
 Shipwrights 
 
 Laborers 
 
 121 
 204 
 
 In the following tabulation are presented weekly wage rates 
 for the engineering trades as given in the monthly reports of 
 wage changes in the Labour Gazette. The changes reported 
 were effective on dates from June, 1920, to February, 1921. 
 
 WEEKLY WAGE RATES IN ENGINEERING TRADES ADOPTED BE- 
 TWEEN JUNE, 1920, AND FEBRUARY, 1921 
 
 .Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Iron moulders (10 dis- 
 tricts) 
 
 Patternmakers (8 dis- 
 tricts) 
 
 Iron dressers — Roch- 
 dale 
 
 Brassmoulders — Man- 
 chester, Stockport 
 and district 
 
 Platemoulders (2 dis- 
 tricts) 
 
 Fitters, turners, smiths, 
 etc. — Yeovil 
 
 Blacksmiths — Aber- 
 deen 
 
 Laborers — Leeds 
 
 86 0^ to 100 Wa 
 
 88 ZVa " 94 93/g 
 
 82 8y4 
 
 93 4]/. 
 
 86 034 " 87 2y4 
 
 84 11^ 
 
 88 VA 
 
 69 9 
 
 20.94 to 24.41 
 21.49 "23.06 
 20.12 
 
 22.72 
 
 20.94 "21.21 
 
 20.67 
 
 21.44 
 16.97 
 
 16. 12 to 18.79 
 16.54 " 17.76 
 15.49 
 
 17.49 
 
 16.12 " 16.33 
 
 15.91 
 
 16.50 
 13.06 
 
 34
 
 In all cases the rates given were increases over previous rates. ^ 
 
 Other Mclal Trades 
 
 In certain of the other metal trades, including the manufac- 
 ture of light castings, railway carriage and wagon building, 
 sheet metal working, gas meter making, bolt, nut, screw and 
 rivet making and tube manufacturing, the general advances in 
 weekly rates of wages were similar to those granted in the en- 
 gineering trades. - 
 
 In those sections of the metal trades in which minimum rates 
 of wages are fixed under the Trade Board's Acts, the follow- 
 ing minimum hourly rates had been set by the end of De- 
 cember, 1920 : 
 
 
 Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Chain-making (women) . . . 
 Hollow-ware trade (women) 
 Tin box trade 
 
 W&^oWA 
 
 m 
 
 9 
 
 .175 to .233 
 
 .177 
 
 .182 
 
 .135 to. 179 
 
 .137 
 
 .140 
 
 
 
 Increases in wages were reported for the following trades 
 from October, 1920 to March, 1921, making weekly rates as 
 listed on the next page f 
 
 Decreases in the Birmingham brass foundry trade in April, 
 1921, resulted in the following weekly rates:* 
 
 WEEKLY RATES IN THE BRASS FOUNDRY TRADE, BIRMINGHAM, 
 
 APRIL, 1921 
 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Dressers 
 
 76 6to90 
 
 76 6 " 92 3 
 
 99 
 85 6 
 
 77 8 
 
 18. 614 to 21. 899 
 18.614 "22.447 
 
 24.089 
 20.804 
 18.898 
 
 14.327 to 16.856 
 
 Polishers 
 
 Casters, principal 
 
 hands 
 
 Moulders 
 
 Getters-down 
 
 14.327 " 17.277 
 
 18.541 
 16.013 
 14.546 
 
 ^Labour Gazette, January to April, 1921. 
 
 'Idem., 
 
 ^Idem., February, 1921, p. 63. 
 
 ^Labour Gazette, May, 1921, p. 258. 
 
 35
 
 WEEKLY RATES IN VARIOUS METAL TRADES, OCTOBER, 1920 TO 
 
 MARCH, 1921 
 
 Stamped or pressed 
 
 vietal ivarc\ (Great 
 
 Britain) 
 
 Braziers,burnishers 
 
 or drop stampers 
 
 Dippers 
 
 Dippers who are 
 also bronzers . . 
 
 Anncalers 
 
 Brass polishers . . 
 Light castings man- 
 ufacture", {England) 
 Berlin blackers, 
 boxfitters, dres- 
 sers and filers up 
 Fitters, pattern- 
 filers, and sheet 
 iron workers . . . 
 
 Blacksmiths 
 
 Grinders and pol- 
 ishers 
 
 Textile machinery 
 fittings, (Scotland) 
 Bobbin and shut- 
 tlemakers 
 Higher skilled . 
 Lesser skilled . . 
 Laborers, skilled 
 Screw manufacture, 
 (Birmingham and 
 district ) 
 
 Timeworkers, 
 
 women 
 
 Pieceworkers, 
 
 women^ 
 
 Sheet vietal workers 
 and traders, (Hali- 
 fax and district) . . . 
 Gold, silver and al- 
 lied trades 
 London* 
 Men, over 21 . . . . 
 Women, over 21 . . 
 Birmingham 
 Men, 21-23 yr.... 
 Women, 1st to 4th 
 year 
 
 87 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 77 
 70 
 64 
 
 3j/$to94 
 6H " 80 zy2 
 
 2>V, " 94 
 
 3/2 
 
 33^ " 95 11;^ 
 
 83 9^ 
 
 94 
 
 97 
 
 58 
 
 70 
 
 25 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 03/4 
 
 2^ 
 
 90 6^ 
 
 11 
 9 
 
 to86 
 " 40 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 19.54 to 22.87 15.04 to 17.60 
 16.68 "19.54 12.84 " 15.04 
 
 19.54 "22.87 
 
 19.54 
 
 19.54 "23.35 
 
 20.39 
 
 20.94 
 21.21 
 
 22.04 
 
 18.74 
 17.15 
 15.57 
 
 8.577 
 9.733 
 
 22.87 
 
 23.83 
 14.295 
 
 17.03 to 20.93 
 6.08 " 9.73 
 
 17.60 
 17.97 
 
 15.04 
 15.04 
 15.04 
 
 15.70 
 
 16.12 
 16.33 
 
 16.96 
 
 14.42 
 13.20 
 11.99 
 
 6.602 
 7.491 
 
 17.60 
 
 18.34 
 11.003 
 
 13.11 to 16.11 
 4.68 " 7.49 
 
 'Minimum time rates. Converted from hourly rate on a basis of 47-hour week. 
 ''Time work. 
 'Average. 
 
 ^Minimum rate; weekly rate estimated from hourly rate on a basis of 47-hour 
 week. 
 
 36
 
 The following rates of wages were in effect in a linotype 
 machine manufacturing establishment in England in May, 
 1921 :' 
 
 MINIMUM WEEKLY WAGE RATES IN A LINOTYPE MACHINE 
 FACTORY IN ALTRINCHAM, ENGLAND, MAY, 1921<» 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Armature winders 
 
 Borers 
 
 Channel cutters . . . 
 Capstan hands .... 
 
 Coremakers 
 
 Dressers 
 
 Drillers 
 
 Fitters 
 
 Laborers 
 
 Millers 
 
 Moulders 
 
 Millwrights 
 
 Painters (machine) 
 
 Planers 
 
 Patternmakers . . . . - 
 Press tool makers . 
 
 Punch cutters 
 
 Stampers, matrix . , 
 
 Smiths 
 
 Strikers , 
 
 Storekeepers 
 
 Turners , 
 
 
 
 3^ to 89 5^ 
 8K 
 
 88 3M 
 68 0J4 
 84 1134 
 86 0^ 
 90 63/4 
 72 63^ 
 84 11^ 
 92 9^ 
 
 82 8K 
 70 3^ 
 93 4H 
 
 6H 
 
 33/4 
 63/4 
 
 8K 
 
 Wa 
 
 33/4 
 
 21.90 
 
 20.67 
 
 17.11 
 
 17.11 
 
 21. 49 to 21. 76 
 
 20.12 
 
 19.57 "20.12 
 
 21.49 
 
 16.56 "17.11 
 
 17.11 
 
 20.94 "22.72 
 
 22.04 
 
 17.66 
 
 20.67 
 
 22.58 
 
 22.04 
 
 17.11 
 
 17.11 
 
 22.04 
 
 17.93 
 
 17.11 
 
 21.49 
 
 16.86 
 
 15.91 
 
 13.17 
 
 13.17 
 
 16. 54 to 16.75 
 
 15.49 
 
 15.06 
 
 16.54 
 
 12.75 
 
 15.91 
 
 16.12 
 
 16.96 
 
 13.59 
 
 15.91 
 
 17.38 
 
 16.96 
 
 13.17 
 
 13.17 
 
 16.96 
 
 13.80 
 
 13.17 
 
 16.54 
 
 15.49 
 13.17 
 17.49 
 
 a Rates computed from base rate and 12J^% bonus on earnings. 
 
 A premium bonus system is in operation at these works. 
 Piece rates are fixed by arrangements between representatives 
 of the employer and workmen concerned. These rates are so 
 fixed that the average workman can earn 33.3% over present 
 time rates, excluding war bonus. Each workman's day wage is 
 guaranteed irrespective of his piece-work earnings. Overtime 
 and night allowances are paid in addition to piece-work 
 earnings. 
 
 France 
 
 According to the Assistant Secretary General of the Em- 
 ployers' Association of the Metallurgical and Mining Indus- 
 tries, quoted by the United States Commercial Attache, Paris, 
 February 4, 1921, skilled laborers were, at that time receiving 
 250% to 325% above their pre-war wages, and the wages of 
 commmon laborers had increased approximately 350%. 
 
 ^Data from the Mergenthaler Linotype Company, New York City. 
 
 3S 
 
 c r o Q -p
 
 Iron and Steel 
 
 Information from tlic Comitc des 1^'orgcs de France, the 
 central organization of the French iron and steel industry, 
 gives minimum daily wages in this industry in 1920 as follows:^ 
 
 MINIMUM DAILY WAGES IN IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY, 
 FRANCE, 1920 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled workers in various 
 lines 
 Paris 
 
 17 
 
 16 to 19 
 
 IS 
 
 12 " 16 
 
 3.281 
 
 3.088 to 3.667 
 
 2.895 
 
 2.316 "3.088 
 
 1.178 
 
 Rest of France 
 
 Ordinary workmen or 
 helpers 
 Paris 
 
 1.109 to 1.317 
 1.040 
 
 Rest of France 
 
 .832 " 1.109 
 
 This same report states that highly skilled w^orkers paid on a 
 piece basis received from 25 to 40 francs (par, $4.83 to $7.72; 
 exchange 1920-21, $1.74 to $2.77) per day. Rates for common 
 labor also would be somewhat higher than the minimum rates 
 given above. 
 
 A comparison of hourly wage rates for common labor from 
 three sources is given below. The figures from the Comite des 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Figures from the Comite 
 des Forges de France' 
 
 Paris 
 
 Rest of France 
 
 Figures from the General 
 Federation of Labour" 
 
 Paris 
 
 Provinces 
 
 Figures from Employers' 
 Association of Metallur- 
 gical and Mining Indus- 
 tries* 
 
 Paris 
 
 Provinces 
 
 1.50 to2.00 
 
 2.50 
 2.00 
 
 .362 
 
 .290 to .386 
 
 .483 
 .386 
 
 2.25 
 1.80 
 
 .434 
 .347 
 
 ,130 
 
 .104 to .139 
 
 .173 
 .139 
 
 .156 
 .125 
 
 'Minimum rates. Hourly rates computed from daily rates given in previous table 
 on basis of 8 hours per day.) 
 
 ^Report of United States Commercial Attache, Paris, February 4, 921. 
 
 'United States Trade Commissioner, Paris; Commerce Reports, January 21, 1921. 
 
 'United States Trade Commissioner, Paris, November 6, 1920; Com- 
 merce Reports, January 21, 1921. 
 
 38
 
 Forges de France are minimum rates, however, and the Secre- 
 tary of the Employers' Association states (see below) that the 
 figures of the General Federation of Labour were somewhat 
 too high. 
 
 Engineering 
 
 Tables of wages and wage rates in the French metal trades 
 from various sources are given in this section. Upon com- 
 parison it appears that a representative figure for skilled male 
 workers in these occupations was about 3 francs (par, $.579; 
 exchange 1920-21, $.208) per hour. Some were paid less than 
 this, as is shown by the tables of minimum rates ; highly skilled 
 moulders, on the other hand, received as high as 6 francs (par 
 $1,158; exchange 1920-21, $.416) per hour. 
 
 The following figures on hourly wages in the French en- 
 gineering trades, furnished by the Employers' Association of 
 Metallurgical and Mining Industries, were reported by the 
 United States Commercial Attache, Paris, February 3, 1921 : 
 
 HOURLY WAGES IN FRENCH ENGINEERING TRADES, 
 FEBRUARY, 1921 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled machinists 
 
 Provinces 
 
 3.00 to 3.25 
 
 3.00 " 3.25 
 
 3.60 " 3.75 
 3.0O " 3.25 
 2.85 " 3.50 
 2.85 " 3.50 
 2.85 " 3.50 
 
 3.05 "3.10 
 
 3.00 " 3.70 
 
 up " 6.00 
 
 1.87 " 3.12 
 
 2.50^ 
 
 1.50 " 1.62 
 
 .579 to .627 
 
 .579 " .627 
 
 .695 " .724 
 .579 " .627 
 .550 " .676 
 .550 " .676 
 .550 ".676 
 
 .589 ".598 
 
 .579 ".714 
 
 1.158 
 
 .361 " .602 
 
 .483 
 
 .290 " .313 
 
 208 to 225 
 
 Blacksmiths 
 
 Provinces 
 
 .208 " .225 
 
 Turners 
 
 Paris 
 
 .249 " 260 
 
 Provinces 
 
 Fitters 
 
 Erectors 
 
 Inspectors 
 
 .208 " .225 
 
 .198 " .243 
 
 .198 " .243 
 
 198 " 243 
 
 Moulders 
 
 Day work 
 
 Piece work 
 
 Highly skilled moulders 
 Common male labor 
 
 Paris 
 
 Female labor, semi-skilled 
 
 Paris 
 
 .211 " .215 
 
 .208 " .256 
 
 .416 
 
 .130 " .216 
 
 173 
 
 Provinces 
 
 104 " 112 
 
 
 
 The same report also gives the following hourly wage rates 
 furnished by the General Federation of Labour : 
 
 39
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled machinists 
 Paris 
 
 3.50 to 5.00 
 3.00 " 4.25 
 
 2.50 " 3.12 
 
 2.50 " 3.75 
 2.50 " 3.00 
 
 .676 to .965 
 .579 " .820 
 
 .483 " .602 
 
 .483 " .724 
 .483 " .579 
 
 .243 to .347 
 
 
 .208 " .295 
 
 Common male labor 
 
 Paris 
 
 .173 " .216 
 
 Female labor, semi-skilled 
 
 Paris 
 
 Provinces 
 
 .173 " .260 
 .173 " .208 
 
 As regards the figures from this source, however, the report 
 states : 
 
 The Sp'-retary of the General Federation of Labour could furnish no 
 other figure? than those given above, and he said that they were only an 
 approximate average. He could not give exact figures because of the 
 variation in wages paid since the industrial crisis set in about three 
 months ago. In some cases, there have been reductions in the salaries. 
 As a general rule, the wages paid in provinces are 20% less than those 
 paid in the Paris region. The Secretary of the Employers' Association 
 of the Metallurgical and Mining Industries stated that the figures fur- 
 nished by the General Federation of Labour were somewhat too high. 
 . . . . He said that less than 10% of the skilled workers receive as 
 high as 5 francs per hour. 
 
 According to wage figures furnished by the United States 
 Trade Commissioner in Paris, November 6, 1920, hourly wages 
 of blacksmiths had increased 200% since 1913, and wages of 
 boring mill hands and operators, and punch press hands and 
 operators about 323%. The hourly wage rates for these occu- 
 pations in 1920, according to this source, were ■} 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dc 
 
 liars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Blacksmiths 
 
 Boring mill hands and operators. . . . 
 Punch press hands and operators... 
 
 3.00 
 
 2.75 
 2.75 
 
 .579 
 .531 
 .531 
 
 .208 
 .191 
 .191 
 
 Basic hourly wage rates in the French metal industry fixed 
 by collective agreement in various localities, between February 
 and September, 1920, and reported to the Ministry of Labour, 
 are tabulated below. The rates varied according to the skill of 
 the workers.^ 
 
 ^United States. Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce. Com- 
 merce Reports, January 21, 1921. 
 'Bulletin du Ministere du Travail, August-October, 1920, p. 432-3. 
 
 40
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES IN THE FRENCH METAL INDUSTRY FIXED 
 
 BY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND 
 
 SEPTEMBER, 1920 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 
 Exchange 
 
 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Vienne 
 
 1.975 to 2.475 
 
 .381 to .478 
 
 .137 to. 172 
 
 Roanne '. 
 
 1.75 " 2.50 
 
 .338 ".483 
 
 .121 " .173 
 
 Paris (Lorraine)* .... 
 
 1.75 " 2.50 
 
 .338 ".483 
 
 .121 " .173 
 
 Lille 
 
 .65b " 2.20 
 
 .125 ".425 
 
 .045 " .152 
 
 Maubeuge 
 
 .45 "2.18 
 
 .0868 " .421 
 
 .0312 " .151 
 
 Zeneghem* 
 
 1.25 " 2.25 
 
 .241 " .434 
 
 .087 " .156 
 
 Limoges' 
 
 1.00 " 2.25 
 
 .193 ".434 
 
 .069 " .156 
 
 o Hourly rate computed from daily rate on basis of 8-hour day. 
 b Apprentices. 
 
 The daily wage scale of the Metallurgical Workers' Union, 
 May 7, 1920, was reported by the United States Consul at 
 Lyon, as follows:^ 
 
 DAILY WAGE RATES OF METALLURGICAL WORKERS, 1920 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Ordinary mechanics 
 
 Tr^ol edgers 
 
 Special workers (on hot or 
 
 cold) 
 
 0:iers 
 
 Laborers 
 
 Skilled women 
 
 Unskilled women 
 
 Pattern makers, mechanics 
 
 Fitters 
 
 Electricians, finishers, 
 
 winders 
 
 Ordinary electricians .... 
 Coppersmiths, boiler 
 
 makers 
 
 Holders 
 
 Ironmakers 
 
 Founders, smelters 
 
 Carpenters 
 
 24.00 to 28.00 
 24.00 " 27.20 
 
 4.632 to 5.404 
 4.632 "5.250 
 
 1.663 to 1.940 
 1.663 " 1.885 
 
 22.00 
 22.00 
 18.00 
 16.00 
 12.00 
 32.00 
 26.00 
 
 28.00 
 24.00 
 
 24.00 
 26.40 
 22.00 
 24.00 
 24.00 
 
 24.00 
 24.00 
 24.00 
 
 40.00 
 28.80 
 
 32.00 
 30.00 
 
 27.60 
 32.00 
 30.00 
 28.80 
 30.00 
 
 4.246 
 4.246 
 3.474 
 3.088 
 2.316 
 6.176 
 5.018 
 
 '4.632 
 4.632 
 '4.632 
 
 7.720 
 5.558 
 
 5.404 "6.176 
 4.632 "5.790 
 
 4.632 "5.308 
 5.095 "6.176 
 4.246 "5.790 
 4.632 "5.558 
 4.632 "5.790 
 
 1.525 
 1.525 
 1.247 
 1.109 
 .832 
 2.218 
 1.802 
 
 1.940 
 1.663 
 
 1.663 
 1.830 
 1.525 
 1.663 
 1.663 
 
 1.663 
 1.663 
 1.663 
 
 2.772 
 1.996 
 
 2.218 
 2.079 
 
 1.906 
 2.218 
 2.079 
 1.996 
 2.079 
 
 According to a report of the United States Consul at Lyon, 
 
 France, published in the Monthly Labor Reviezv of the United 
 
 States Department of Labor, for October, 1920, the following 
 
 average daily rates were being paid metal workers in the 
 
 Rhone region : 
 
 'United States. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Monthly Labor Review, 
 October, 1920. 
 
 41
 
 AVERAGE DAILY KATES IN METAL INDUSTRY IN RHONE REGION, 
 
 1920 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Fitters, filers 
 
 Mechanics, metallurgy 
 
 Automobiles 
 
 Electricity 
 
 Foundry 
 
 Fitters, automobile 
 
 Motors 
 
 Chassis 
 
 Repairs 
 
 Fitters, tools 
 
 Mechanics, metallurgy 
 
 Wire drawing 
 
 Fitters, copper work — foundry 
 
 Borers — mechanics, metallurgy 
 
 Trimmers, dressers — electricity 
 
 Winders on bobbins — electricity 
 
 Coppersmiths and boilersmiths 
 
 Mechanics, metallurgy 
 
 Automobiles 
 
 Furnace men, wire drawing 
 
 Boiler men, wire drawing 
 
 Foremen, electricity 
 
 Clippers, iron plate 
 
 Mechanics, metallurgy 
 
 Electricity 
 
 Controlling-machine men — electricity. . 
 Men on roller bridge — mechanics, met- 
 allurgy 
 
 Electricians 
 
 Mechanics, metallurgy 
 
 Automobiles 
 
 Electricity 
 
 Packers — electricity 
 
 Wire stretchers — wire drawing 
 
 Founders and casters — foundry 
 
 Blacksmiths — mechanics, metallurgy . . . 
 Countersinkers 
 
 Mechanics, metallurgy 
 
 Automobiles 
 
 Electricity 
 
 Masons — mechanics, metallurgy 
 
 Ordinary laborers 
 
 Mechanics, metallurgy 
 
 Automobiles 
 
 Electricity 
 
 Foundry 
 
 Cold-metal laborers — foundry 
 
 Hot-metal laborers — foundry 
 
 Woodworking machinists — automobiles 
 Repair mechanics 
 
 Mechanics, metallurgy 
 
 Automobiles 
 
 Wire drawing 
 
 20.68 
 24.56 
 20.85 
 20.10 
 
 22.10 
 20.98 
 20.26 
 
 21.07 
 20.80 
 20.66 
 19.09 
 12.92 
 20.80 
 
 19.88 
 24.52 
 18.50 
 16.10 
 22.00 
 
 17.00 
 15.26 
 17.60 
 
 18.80 
 
 20.06 
 21.10 
 19.45 
 15.20 
 21.80 
 22.00 
 21.44 
 
 21.67 
 23.15 
 18.04 
 18.76 
 
 15.02 
 14.87 
 14.95 
 14.12 
 15.80 
 16.10 
 18.80 
 
 19.00 
 18.40 
 21.00 
 
 3.991 
 
 4.740 
 
 024 
 879 
 
 265 
 ,049 
 910 
 
 4.067 
 4.014 
 3.987 
 3.684 
 2.494 
 4.014 
 
 3.837 
 4.732 
 3.571 
 3.107 
 4.246 
 
 3.281 
 2.945 
 3.397 
 
 3.628 
 
 3.872 
 4.072 
 3.754 
 2.934 
 4.207 
 4.246 
 4.138 
 
 4.182 
 4.468 
 3.482 
 3.621 
 
 2.899 
 2.870 
 2.885 
 2.725 
 3.049 
 3.107 
 3.628 
 
 3.667 
 3.551 
 4.053 
 
 1.433 
 1.702 
 1.445 
 1.393 
 
 1.532 
 1.454 
 1.404 
 
 1.460 
 1.441 
 1.432 
 1.323 
 .895 
 1.441 
 
 1.378 
 1.699 
 1.282 
 1.116 
 1.525 
 
 1.178 
 1.058 
 1.220 
 
 1.303 
 
 1.390 
 1.462 
 1.348 
 1.053 
 1.511 
 1.525 
 1.486 
 
 1.502 
 1.604 
 1.250 
 1.300 
 
 1.041 
 1.030 
 1.036 
 .979 
 1.095 
 1.116 
 1.303 
 
 1.317 
 1.275 
 1.455 
 
 42
 
 AVERAGE DAILY RATES IN METAL INDUSTRY IN RHONE REGION, 
 
 1920 — continued 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Del 
 
 lars 
 
 
 Par of 
 
 Exchange 
 
 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Joiners 
 
 
 
 
 Mechanics, metallurgy 
 
 18.94 
 
 3.655 
 
 1.313 
 
 Electricity 
 
 23.00 
 
 4.439 
 
 1.594 
 
 Carriace men — automobiles 
 
 22.00 
 
 4.246 
 
 1.525 
 
 Carriage repair men — automobiles .... 
 
 20.98 
 
 4.049 
 
 1.454 
 
 Tool grinders — mechanics, metallurgy. 
 
 16.86 
 
 3.254 
 
 1.168 
 
 Pattern makers 
 
 
 
 
 Mechanics, metallurgy 
 
 26.10 
 
 5.037 
 
 1.809 
 
 
 31.20 
 20.50 
 
 6.022 
 3.957 
 
 2.162 
 
 Molders — foundry 
 
 1.421 
 
 Engine fitters — mechanics, metallurgy. 
 
 18.92 
 
 3.652 
 
 1.311 
 
 Engine fitters, assistant-mechanics met- 
 
 
 
 
 allurffv 
 
 16.09 
 22.09 
 
 3.105 
 4.418 
 
 1.115 
 
 Mortise men — mechanics, metallurgy . 
 
 1.586 
 
 Toolmakers — mechanics, metallurgy . . 
 
 22.15 
 
 4.275 
 
 1.535 
 
 Painters — mechanics, metallurgy 
 
 18.70 
 
 3.609 
 
 1.296 
 
 Borers — mechanics, metallurgy 
 
 18.67 
 
 3.603 
 
 1.294 
 
 Stampers — mechanics, metallurgy .... 
 
 16.80 
 
 3.242 
 
 1.164 
 
 Polishers — automobiles 
 
 21.00 
 
 4.053 
 
 1.455 
 
 Correctors 
 
 
 
 
 
 18.20 
 
 3.513 
 
 1.261 
 
 Automobiles 
 
 19.82 
 16.60 
 
 3.825 
 3.204 
 
 1.374 
 
 Electricity 
 
 1.150 
 
 Riveters — mechanics, metallurgy 
 
 18.20 
 
 3.513 
 
 1.261 
 
 Autogenous solderers — mechanics, met- 
 
 
 
 
 allurgy 
 
 21.80 
 
 4.207 
 
 1.511 
 
 Turners 
 
 
 
 
 Mechanical metallurgy 
 
 21.42 
 
 4.134 
 
 1.484 
 
 Automobiles 
 
 25.80 
 20.85 
 
 4.979 
 4.024 
 
 1.788 
 
 Electricity 
 
 1.445 
 
 Parallel turners — automobiles 
 
 23.72 
 
 4.578 
 
 1.644 
 
 Vertical turners — automobiles 
 
 25.10 
 
 4.844 
 
 1.739 
 
 Stretchers — mechanics, metallurgy 
 
 21.83 
 
 4.213 
 
 1.513 
 
 Wire drawers — wire drawing 
 
 19.40 
 
 3.744 
 
 1.344 
 
 In the report of an agreement concluded in May, 1920 be- 
 tween the foundry workmen of Marseilles and their employers, 
 the following minimum rates for an 8-hour day, including 
 cost of living bonus, were given ■} 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled 
 
 22.50 
 
 17.00 
 15.00 
 
 4.343 
 3.281 
 2.895 
 
 1.559 
 
 Semi-skilled 
 
 1.178 
 
 Unskilled 
 
 1 040 
 
 
 
 The following daily wage scales were reported for a large 
 automobile factory near Lyon :^ 
 
 ^Labour Overseas, April-June, 1920, p. 41. 
 
 43
 
 DAILY WAGE RATES IN AUTOMOBILE FACTORY NEAR LYON 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled mechanics 
 
 Ordinary mechanics, car- 
 penters, etc 
 
 Unskilled laborers work- 
 ing at machines 
 
 Bricklayers, masons, etc... 
 
 Ordinary unskilled laborers 
 
 Unskilled female laborers 
 at machines 
 
 26.00 to 30.00 
 
 22.00 " 26.00 
 
 20.00 " 24.00 
 20.00 " 24.00 
 16.00 " 20.00 
 
 12.00 " 20.00 
 
 11.20 " 16.00 
 
 5.018 to 5.790 
 
 4.246 "5.018 
 
 3.860 "4.632 
 3.860 "4.632 
 3.088 "3.860 
 
 2.316 "3.860 
 
 2.162 "3.088 
 
 1.802 to 2. 079 
 
 1.525 " 1.802 
 
 1.386 " 1.663 
 1.386 " 1.663 
 1.109 " 1.386 
 
 .832 " 1.386 
 
 Unskilled female hands 
 (sweepers, etc.) 
 
 .776 " 1.109 
 
 A Swiss report gives the following average hourly wages for 
 the French machine industry at the end of 1920 :^ 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Lyon 
 
 Non-certified workers over 20 years.. 
 Average for adult workers 
 
 2.15 
 3.00 
 
 2.80 
 
 .415 
 .579 
 
 .540 
 
 .149 
 .208 
 
 Paris 
 Average for adult workers 
 
 .194 
 
 Reports from various sources showed that in the spring of 
 1921 there was considerable unemployment in the French metal 
 trades, and that curtailment in wages had been made in many 
 districts, especially in the Rhone district and Lyon. The aver- 
 age cut in wages was about 15%, though in some instances 
 it was as high as 20%. 
 
 Germany 
 
 General Metal Trades 
 
 Figures on average wages in the German iron and metal in- 
 dustry in February, 1920, were issued by the Federal Statistical 
 Office. They cover the wages of 783,940 workmen, in 3,185 
 establishments. The following table gives the lowest and high- 
 est rates reported for the various localities. It is apparent from 
 the other data in this section, however, that in general, wages 
 had increased considerably over these figures by the end of 1920. 
 
 ^L'Union Centrale des Associations patronales suisses. Bulletin No. 
 9, p. 10. 
 
 44
 
 AVERAGE HOURLY WAGE RATES IN THE GERMAN IRON AND STEEL 
 INDUSTRY, FEBRUARY, 1920 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Borers 
 
 Time work 
 
 Piece work 
 
 Turners 
 Time work 
 
 2.06 to 4. 53 
 2.64 " 5.18 
 
 2.42 " 4.68 
 2.57 " 5.41 
 
 2.37 " 4.21 
 2.79 " 5.53 
 
 2.26 " 4.50 
 2.79 " 5.38 
 
 2.39 " 4.94 
 
 2.57 " 5.55 
 
 .491 to 1.079 
 .629 "1.234 
 
 .577 "1.115 
 .612 "1.289 
 
 .565 "1.003 
 .665 "1.318 
 
 .539 "1.072 
 .665 "1.282 
 
 .570 "1.177 
 .612 "1.323 
 
 .039 to .085 
 .050 " .097 
 
 .045 " .088 
 .048 " .102 
 
 Engine fitters 
 
 Time work 
 
 Piece work 
 
 .045 " .079 
 .052 " .104 
 
 Locksmiths 
 
 Time work 
 
 .042 " .085 
 
 Piece work 
 
 .052 " .101 
 
 Toolmakers 
 
 Time work 
 
 Piece work 
 
 .045 " .093 
 .048 " .104 
 
 The Union of German Metal Workers has issued statistics 
 covering 2,300,000 workers, which show that about 63% of 
 those workers are receiving wages which are more than 800% 
 greater than those of 1914, about 36% are receiving wages 
 from 500 to 800% greater than in 1914, and the remainder are 
 receiving wages which have not increased so much as 500%.^ 
 
 Details of hourly wage rates fixed by collective agreements 
 in the German metal industry between October 1, 1920, and 
 February 1, 1921, are given below. In most of the agreements 
 rates are definitely set for workers of various ages, but in this 
 compilation only ranges of rates are given. The great variation 
 between wage rates in different localities is due largely to the 
 difference in cost of living in these districts. In agreements 
 covering districts which include both urban and rural com- 
 munities, provision is made for higher rates in the urban cen- 
 ters to take care of the higher living cost. Family allowances 
 for workers who are heads of households are a feature of prac- 
 tically all the agreements.- 
 
 'United States Consul, Berlin, in Bureau of Foreign and Domestic 
 Commerce. Commerce Reports, July 15, 1921. 
 -Reichs-Arheitsblatt, November 1, 1920 to March 31, 1921. 
 
 45
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES IN THE METAL INDUSTRIES FIXED BY 
 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT, OCTOBER, 1920, TO FEBRUARY, 1921 
 
 
 1 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Marks 
 
 Par of 
 
 Exchange 
 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Anhalf 
 
 
 
 
 Skilled men 
 
 4.40to4.85 
 4.25 " 4.70 
 
 1.049 to 1.156 
 1.013 "1.120 
 
 .0826 to 
 .0798 " 
 
 .0911 
 
 Trained men 
 
 .0883 
 
 Unskilled men' 
 
 3.80 " 4.40 
 
 .906 "1.049 .0714 " 
 
 .0826 
 
 Machinists and stokers.. 
 
 4.70 " 4.80 1.120 "1.144 
 
 .0883 " 
 
 .0901 
 
 Women 
 
 2.30 1 .548 
 
 .0432 
 
 
 Foundry workers, addi- 
 
 
 tional 
 
 .10 
 
 .0238 
 
 .0019 
 
 
 Konstanz district" 
 
 
 Skilled men 
 
 4.05 "5.70 
 
 .965 "1.358 
 
 .0761 " 
 
 .1070 
 
 Trained men 
 
 3.70 " 5.10 
 
 .882 "1.215 
 
 .0695 " 
 .0639 " 
 .0441 " 
 
 .0958 
 
 Unskilled men 
 
 3.40 " 4.70 .810 "1.120 
 
 .0883 
 
 Women 
 
 2.35 " 2.95 
 
 .560 " .703 
 
 .0554 
 
 Harburg and vicinity* 
 
 
 Smiths, turners, etc., over 
 
 
 
 
 
 20 years 
 
 5.60 
 
 1.334 
 
 .1052 
 
 
 Trained workers 
 
 5.40 
 
 1.287 
 
 .1014 
 
 
 Darmstadt'' 
 
 
 Skilled men over 25 years 
 
 6.10 
 
 1.454 
 
 .1146 
 
 
 Trained men over 25 years 
 
 5.80 
 
 1.382 
 
 .1089 
 
 
 Helpers over 25 years.... 
 
 5.40 
 
 1.287 
 
 .1014 
 
 
 Women over 20 years.... 
 
 3.00 
 
 .715 
 
 .0563 
 
 
 Wiirtemberg" 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 Skilled men over 25 years 
 
 4. 10 to 4.30 
 
 .977 to 1.025 
 
 .0770 to 
 
 .0808 
 
 Trained men over 25 years 
 
 3.83 " 4.00 
 
 .913 " .953 
 
 .0719 " 
 
 .0751 
 
 Helpers over 25 years.... 
 
 3.65 " 3.801 .869 " .906 
 
 .0685 " 
 
 .0714 
 
 Women over 20 years .... 
 
 2.06 " 2.15 
 
 .491 " .512 
 
 .0387 " 
 
 .0404 
 
 Gladbach and vicinity' 
 
 
 
 
 
 Tool makers, head work- 
 
 
 
 
 
 men 
 
 5.55 " 5.85 
 
 1.323 "1.394 
 
 .1042 " 
 
 .1099 
 
 Skilled men over 23 years 
 
 5.15 " 5.45 i 1.227 "1.299 
 
 .0967 " 
 
 .1024 
 
 Trained men over 23 years 
 
 4.85 " 5.151 1.156 "1.227 
 
 .091 " 
 
 .0967 
 
 Responsible helpers over 
 
 
 
 
 
 23 years 
 
 4.65 " 4.95 
 
 1.108 "1.180 
 
 .0873 " 
 
 .0930 
 
 Common helpers over 21 
 
 
 
 
 
 years 
 
 4.30 " 4.60 
 
 1.025 "1.096 
 
 .0808 " 
 
 .0864 
 
 Women over 19 years 
 
 2.75 " 3.00 
 
 .655 " .715 
 
 .0516 " 
 
 .0563 
 
 •Workers over 20. Minimum rate. Class I, according to locality, rates as above; 
 Class II, 5% less. 
 
 -Married men and widowers in this group receive an additional house allowance 
 of .20 mark (par, $.0477; exchange 1920-21, $.00376) per hour. 
 
 ■''Total for time workers over 20 years. Cost of living bonus for city of Konstanz, 
 from .20 to .30 marks (par. $.0477 to $.0715; exchange, 1920-21, $.00376 to $.00563) 
 per hour. 
 
 ■•Family allowance: wife, 8 marks (par, $1,904; exchange 1920-21, $1.1500) per 
 week; each child, 16 marks (par, $3,812, exchange 1920-21, $.3005). 
 
 "Family allowance: .10 marks (par, $.0238; exchange 1920-21, $.00188) per hour 
 for wife and each child. 
 
 ^Minimum rate; must be increased at least 10% after 4 weeks. City of Stuttgart 
 rates approximately 10% higher. Married men .20 marks (par, $.0477: exchange 
 1920-21, $.00376). 
 
 'Children bonus 1.50 marks (par, $.357; exchange 1920-21, $.0282) per shift. 
 
 46
 
 HOURLY W.AGE R.^TES IN THE METAL INDUSTRIES FIXED BY 
 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT, OCTOBER, 1920, TO FEBRUARY, 1921 
 
 — Continued 
 
 
 M 
 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 
 arks 
 
 Par of 
 
 Exchange 
 
 
 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Mannheim and Ludwigshafen' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Skilled men 
 
 6.40 ' 
 6.35 ' 
 
 6.80 
 6.60 
 
 1.525 "1.620 
 1.513 "1.573 
 
 .1202 " 
 .1193 " 
 
 .1277 
 
 Trained men 
 
 .1239 
 
 Trained men for special 
 
 
 work 
 
 6.00 ' 
 
 ' 6.30 
 
 1.430 "1.501 
 
 .1127 " 
 
 .1183 
 
 
 5.85 ' 
 3.75 ' 
 
 ' 6.00 
 4.15 
 
 1.394 "1.430 
 .894 " .989 
 
 .1099 " 
 
 .0704 " 
 
 1127 
 
 Women over 21 years... 
 
 .0779 
 
 Hamburg, Altona, Wandsbeck 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and vicinity" 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Skilled' 
 
 5.60 
 
 
 1.334 
 
 .1052 
 
 
 Trained men and ma- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 chinists over 21 years.. 
 
 4.80 ' 
 
 ■ 5.. 30 
 
 1.144 "1.203 
 
 .0901 " 
 
 .0095 
 
 Unskilled men over 21 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 years 
 
 4.80 
 
 
 1.144 
 
 .0901 
 
 
 Unskilled women over 18 
 
 
 
 
 
 years 
 
 3.30 
 
 • 3.40 
 
 .785 " .810 
 
 .0620 " 
 
 .0639 
 
 Mainz, Wiesbaden and vicin- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ity and the Rhine district^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Men : 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Skilled 
 
 4.75 to 5.85 
 
 1.132 to 1.394 
 
 .0892 to 
 
 .1099 
 
 Trained 
 
 4.60 
 
 ' 5.65 
 
 1.096 "1.346 
 
 .0864 " 
 
 .1061 
 
 Helpers and common 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 labor 
 
 4.60 
 
 • 5.53 
 
 1.096 "1.323 
 
 .0864 " 
 
 104:'! 
 
 Women : 
 
 
 Skilled 
 
 3.35 
 
 ' 3.45 
 
 .798 " .822 
 
 .0629 " 
 
 .0648 
 
 Unskilled 
 
 3.10 
 
 ■ 3.30 
 
 .739 " .786 
 
 .0582 " 
 
 .0620 
 
 Sondershausen and vicinity' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Workers over 21 years. . . . 
 
 4.10 
 
 ' 4.50 
 
 .977 "1.072 
 
 .0770 " 
 
 .0845 
 
 'Total wage for time workers over 25 years including cost of living bonus. 
 Children allowance, .10 marks (par, $.0238; exchange 1920-21, $.00188) per hour 
 each. 
 
 -Lock and machine marking. 
 
 ^From 4 years after ended apprenticeship. 
 
 ■•Over 20 years. For rural districts, .10 marks (par, $.0238; exchange 1920-21, 
 .00188) per hour less. 
 
 ■•Married men, widowers, or separated persons receive also 2 marks (par, $.477; 
 exchange 1920-21, $.0376) house-money daily and 1 mark (par, $.238; exchange 
 1920-21, $.0188) for each child under 14. 
 
 In the following table are given rates for the metal industry 
 in the Diisseldorf area, as reported in December, 1920.^ This 
 wage agreement had been in force since April, 1920, and it was 
 stated that the rates could be taken as representing in general 
 the average wages paid in the German metal industry. The later 
 agreements, presented above, however, show an increase over 
 these rates. According to this report piece rates were fixed so 
 
 ^Secretary to the British Embassy, Berlin. General report on the 
 industrial and economic situation in Germany, December, 1920. 
 
 47
 
 that an average worker could earn at least 15% above the fixed 
 hourly wage, and in general piece-work earnings were about 
 40% higher than the basic rates. 
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES IN THE MACHINE INDUSTRIES, FOUNDRIES, 
 LOCOMOTIVE, WAGON AND ALLIED INDUSTRIES AND ENAMEL- 
 LING WORKS, DUSSELDORF, DECEMBER, 1920^ 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled workers having a cer- 
 tificate of proficiency" 
 
 Skilled workers without a 
 certificate of proficiency 
 
 Trained workers 
 
 Helpers or mates 
 
 3.70to4.50 
 
 3.60 " 4.30 
 3.55 " 4.05 
 3.55 " 3.85 
 
 ?2to 1.072 
 
 .858 
 .846 
 .846 
 
 1.025 
 .965 
 .917 
 
 .069 to .085 
 
 .068 " .081 
 .067 " .076 
 .067 " .072 
 
 'Workers over 21 years of aage. 
 
 ^Workers who can prove to have had long and varied experiencec and practical 
 training, capable of working independently in their trade. (Doubtful cases are 
 decided by a commission of experts.) 
 
 Provisions for female workers in this agreement were as 
 follows : 
 
 1. Female workers doing men's work receive 20% less than do male 
 workers of the same class. 
 
 2. Special female workers over 21 years, including japanners, edgers, 
 electro-oxy-acetylene welders, assemblers, printers, machine workers, 
 cleaners in pickling shops, and sprayers receive from 2.50 to 2.70 marks 
 (par, $.596 to $.643; exchange 1920-21, $.047 to $.051) per hour. 
 
 3. Female helpers or mates (cleaners, washers, packers and other 
 helpers) receive 2.40 to 2.60 marks (par, $.572 to $.620; exchange 1920- 
 21, $.045 to $.049) per hour. 
 
 The following special provisions were made : 
 
 1. Child allowance, 1 mark (par, $.238; exchange 1920-21, $.019) per 
 shift, payable for all children up to the age of 14 years inclusive, or to 
 the age of 16 years inclusive, if still at school. For weak and sickly 
 people this child allowance is also paid above the age of 16, in so far as 
 they are incapable of earning a living. A child allowance is also paid 
 in the case of sole supporters of families. 
 
 2. Foremen and gangers working on piece work receive an hourly 
 extra payment of not less than .20 marks (par, $.048; exchange 1920-21, 
 $.0038). Foremen and gangers not working on piece work receive an 
 extra payment of not less than .40 marks (par, $.095; exchange 1920-21, 
 $.0075) per hour. 
 
 3. The increased cost of living bonus is an additional payment per hour, 
 the piece-work basis remaining the same as before. Male workers over 
 21 years of age receive 1 mark (par, $238; exchange 1920-21, $.019) 
 per hour and women .50 to .80 marks (par, $.119 to $.191; exchange 
 1920-21, $.0094 to $.015) per hour. Workers above the age of 23 who are 
 sole supporters of their family receive a bonus of one mark (par, $.238- 
 exchange -920-21, $.019) per hour. 
 
 AS
 
 The demand of the heavy iron workers of the Saar district 
 for the payment of their wages in francs was conceded in De- 
 cember. Workers at blast furnaces, steel works and rolling 
 mills received the following hourly rates, and in addition a cost 
 of living bonus of 1.50 francs (par, $.290; exchange, 1920-21, 
 $.104) per hour.^ 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled workmen 
 
 1.70 
 1.50 
 1.40 
 
 .328 
 .290 
 .270 
 
 .118 
 
 Laborers 
 
 .104 
 
 Casual laborers 
 
 .097 
 
 The collective contract which came into force on December 
 1, 1920, fixed hourly wages in the small-scale metal industry in 
 the Saar valley as follows for artisans and laborers :- 
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES IN SMALL-SCALE METAL INDUSTRY IN SAAR 
 VALLEY, DECEMBER, 1920^ 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Artisans 
 
 5.65 to 7.20 
 4.90 •' 6.30 
 4.85 " 5.90 
 
 1.346 to 1.716 
 1.168 "1.501 
 1.156 "1.406 
 
 .1061 to .1352 
 
 Laborers 
 
 Casual laborers 
 
 .0920 " .1183 
 .0911 " .1108 
 
 Allowances per month 
 Wife 
 
 120 
 
 40 
 50 
 60 
 
 28.596 
 
 9.532 
 
 11.915 
 
 14.298 
 
 2.254 
 
 1 child 
 
 751 
 
 2 children 
 
 939 
 
 3 children or more 
 
 1.127 
 
 ^Workers over 21 years of age. 
 
 The following average hourly rates were reported for the 
 metal industry in the zone occupied by British troops (Cologne 
 district) in August, 1920:^ 
 
 ^Labour Overseas, October-December, 1920, p. 50. 
 
 "International Labor Office. Daily Intelligence, March 21, 1921, p. 8. 
 
 ^Labour Overseas, July-September, 1920, p. 135. 
 
 49
 
 AVERAGE HOURLY WAGES FOR METAL INDUSTRY IN ZONE 
 OCCUPIED BY BRITISH TROOPS, AUGUST, 1920 
 
 Machine shops 
 
 Turners, grinders, etc 
 
 Blacksmiths and Braziers 
 
 Coppersmiths, etc 
 
 Foundries 
 
 Moulders 
 
 Casters 
 
 Trimmers 
 
 Trimmers' assistants 
 
 Semi-skilled machinists . . 
 
 Machinists' assistants 
 
 Motor repairs and coach 
 building 
 
 Artisans 
 
 Semi-skilled 
 
 Adult assistants 
 
 Electrical industry 
 
 Indoor wiremen 
 
 Fitters and Erectors 
 
 Marks 
 
 5.10to6.20 
 5.75 " 8.00 
 5.30 " 6.40 
 
 5.50 
 5.30 
 5.15 
 5.00 
 5.00 
 4.70 
 
 3.50 
 
 5.00 
 
 7.75 
 7.50 
 6.30 
 5.70 
 6.00 
 5.30 
 
 6.40 
 5.80 
 5.60 
 
 6.50 
 6.50 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1.215 to 1.477 
 1.370 "1.906 
 1.263 "1.525 
 
 1.310 
 1.263 
 1.227 
 1.192 
 1.192 
 1.120 
 
 '1.847 
 "1.787 
 '1.501 
 "1.358 
 "1.430 
 "1.263 
 
 1.525 
 1.382 
 1.334 
 
 .834 "1.549 
 1.192 "1.549 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 .0958 to .1164 
 
 .1080 " .1502 
 
 .0995 " .1202 
 
 .1033 " .1455 
 
 .0995 " .1409 
 
 .0967 " .1183 
 
 .0939 " .107 
 
 .0939 " .1127 
 
 .0883 " .0995 
 
 .1202 
 .1089 
 .1052 
 
 .0657 " .1221 
 .0939 " .1221 
 
 A Swiss report gives the following hourly wages for the 
 German machine industry at the end of 1920 :^ 
 
 Certified workers over 20 years.... 
 Non-certified workers over 20 years 
 Average for adult workers 
 
 Marks 
 
 6 to 8 
 5 " 6 
 6.20 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 1.430 to 1.906 
 1.192 "1.430 
 1.477 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 .113 to .150 
 
 .094 " .113 
 .116 
 
 Vehicle Manufacturing 
 
 The following hourly wage rates in the Bremen vehicle in- 
 dustry were fixed in wage agreements concluded between Oc- 
 tober 1, 1920, and January 1, 1921 r^ 
 
 ^L'Union Centrale des Associations patronales suisses. Bulletin No. 
 9, p. 10. 
 ^Reichs-Arbeitsblatf, December 27. 1920 to February 15, 1921. 
 
 SO
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES IN BREMEN VEHICLE-MAKING INDUSTRY 
 
 FIXED BY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT, OCTOBER 1, 1920, tO 
 
 JANUARY 1, 1921 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Carriage works 
 
 Skilled men 
 
 5.05 to 5.30 
 4.65 " 4.90 
 3.00 
 
 5.15 " 5.35 
 4.95 " 5.15 
 4.85 " 4.95 
 
 5.30 
 5.10 
 4.90 
 3.85 
 
 1.203 to 1.263 
 1.108 "1.168 
 .715 
 
 1.227 "1.275 
 1.180 "1.227 
 1.156 "1.180 
 
 1.263 
 
 1.215 
 
 1.168 
 
 .917 
 
 .0948 to .0995 
 
 Unskilled men 
 
 .0873 " .0920 
 
 Women over 20 years 
 
 Wagon making' 
 
 Tool makers, turners, etc. 
 
 Planers, polishers, etc 
 
 Laborers 
 
 .0563 
 
 .0967 " .1005 
 .0930 " .0967 
 .0911 " .0930 
 
 Automobile works" 
 
 Skilled men 
 
 .0995 
 
 Trained men 
 
 Helpers 
 
 .0958 
 .0920 
 
 Women 
 
 .0723 
 
 'Over 21 years. Single men .05 mark (par, $.0119; exchange 1920-21, $.00094) 
 per hour less. 
 
 =Over 20 years. Married workers .10 mark (par, $0,238; exchange 1920-21, 
 $.00188) per hour additional bonus, and .15 mark (par, $.0357; exchange 1920-21, 
 $.00282) for each child under 15 years. 
 
 Shipbuilding 
 
 At the end of October, 1920, an unauthorized strike of 2,000 
 riveters for higher piece-rates broke out among the riveters in 
 the Hamburg shipyards. At the end of December wage awards 
 for North German shipyards, set December 6, were declared 
 binding for this locahty by the Ministry of Labor. The new 
 rates in "first class" localities were as follows :^ 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled workers 
 
 4.80 
 
 4.70 
 ♦ .50 
 
 1.144 
 1.120 
 1.072 
 
 .0901 
 
 Semi-skilled workers 
 
 Unskilled workers 
 
 .0883 
 .0845 
 
 Electrical Industry 
 
 Wage rates for the electrical industry in the various classes 
 of localities, as incorporated in a national wage agreement in 
 
 ^Labour Overseas, October-December, 1920, p. 86. 
 
 51
 
 July, 1921, are .shown in the following table. Youths from 
 18 to 21 years receive .10 marks (par, $.024; exchange 1920-21, 
 $.002) less, according to this agreement; and additional cost- 
 of-living bonuses are fixed at 9 marks (par, $2,145; exchange 
 1920-21, $.1691) per week for the wife, and twice that amount 
 for children. 
 
 WAGE RATES IN THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY IN VARIOUS CLASSES 
 OF LOCALITIES, JULY, 1921 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 E.xchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Class I 
 
 Class II 
 
 Class III 
 
 5.30 to 5.60 
 5.10 " 5.40 
 4.90 " 5.20 
 4.70 " 5.00 
 4.50 " 4.80 
 
 1.263 to 1.334 
 1.215 " 1.287 
 1.168 " 1.264 
 1 . 120 " 1 . 192 
 1.072 " 1.144 
 
 .0995 to .1052 
 .0958 " .1014 
 .0920 " .100 
 
 Class IV 
 
 Class V 
 
 .0883 " .094 
 .085 " .0901 
 
 52
 
 V 
 
 TEXTILE MANUFACTURING 
 
 Great Britain 
 
 Cotton 
 
 The British Ministry of Labour states that changes in wage 
 rates for workers engaged in the cotton industry have gen- 
 erally been in the form of percentage additions to standard 
 base price lists. In July, 1914 hourly wage rates stood at 5% 
 above the standard base piece rates, and at the end of Decem- 
 ber, 1920 they had been raised to 215% above the standard. 
 Of this increase, 30% was granted in 1919 concurrently with 
 a reduction in working hours from 55^ to 48, in order to main- 
 tain weekly wages at the same level as before. In addition, 
 special increases or allowances were granted to certain classes 
 of operatives, e. g., blowing room men, strippers and grinders, 
 and mule spinners, the effect of which was to augment slightly 
 the increase resulting from the general alterations in wages. 
 In May, 1920 an increase of 70% on list prices was granted, 
 (equivalent to nearly 30% of current wages). ^ 
 
 According to the figures furnished by the United States 
 Trade Commissioner in London in a report dated February 8, 
 1921, the following weekly wages were in effect in the cotton 
 industry :^ 
 
 WEEKLY WAGES OF SPINNERS AND LABORERS IN COTTON INDUS- 
 TRY, FEBRUARY, 1921 
 
 
 Pounds and 
 Shillings 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Spinners 
 Mule 
 
 5 0to6 
 
 2 10 " 3 10 
 
 3 " 4 
 
 24.33 to 29.20 
 12.17 "17.03 
 14.60 " 19.47 
 
 18 73 to 22 47 
 
 Ring 
 
 9 36 " 13 11 
 
 Day laborers 
 
 11.24 " 14.98 
 
 ^Labour Gazette. 
 
 "Figures from the Secretary of the Association of Operative Cotton 
 Spinners and Weavers. 
 
 S3
 
 Woolen and Worsted 
 
 For woolen and worsted operators in Yorkshire, "cost of 
 living" wages rise and fall in correspondence with fluctuations 
 in the index number of retail prices and rents published by 
 the British Ministry of Labour. Taking into account the 
 increase in basic rates, as well as the cost of living wage, 
 the general increase in pre-war rates up to the end of 1920 
 was equivalent to approximately 201% for time-workers, 156% 
 for male piece-workers and 175% for female piece-workers/ 
 
 In the wool combing industry at Bradford the workers re- 
 ceived an increase of 175% and an increase in basic rates 
 also. In addition to these increases a general advance of over 
 15% on hourly and piece rates was granted in March, 1919, 
 concurrently with a reduction in weekly hours from 55^ to 
 48, in order to maintain weekly wages at the same level as 
 before.- 
 
 However, under the operation of sliding scales, by which 
 wages fluctuate in correspondence with the official index num- 
 ber of retail prices and rents, wages had been reduced ap- 
 proximately 15% from January 1 to May 1, 1921 on hourly 
 rates of wages current at the end of 1920.^ 
 
 In a report dated February 8, 1921, the United States Trade 
 Commissioner in London furnished the following estimated 
 averages of total wages per 48-hour week (including war 
 bonus) for workers in the woolen textile industry. These 
 
 AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGES IN WOOL TEXTILE INDUSTRY, 
 FEBRUARY, 1921 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Spinners 
 
 Woolen^ 
 
 Worsted' 
 
 Weavers, piece rates 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Day laborers' 
 
 'Men. 
 
 'Mostly women and children. 
 
 ^Labour Gazette, February, 1921, p. 63. 
 
 'Idem., 
 
 Hdcm., May, 1921. 
 
 54 
 
 16.48 
 11.24 
 15.73
 
 wage rates would probably show a 10% to 15% decrease by 
 the end of April. 
 
 Full time weekly wage rates in various branches of the 
 woolen and worsted industry, and in various localities, after 
 decreases during April, 1921, are reported in the Labour Ga- 
 zette''^ as follows : 
 
 WEEKLY WAGE RATES IN WOOLEN AND WORSTED INDUSTRY, 
 
 APRIL, 1921 
 
 
 Shillings 
 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 
 Exchange 
 
 
 and Pence 
 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Wool sorters 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bradford, Dews- 
 
 
 
 
 
 bury, Halifax 
 
 
 
 
 
 and Hydders- 
 
 
 
 
 
 field 
 
 
 
 
 
 Time-workers 
 
 94 
 
 7^ 
 
 23.025 
 
 \7.722 
 
 Moltair and al- 
 
 
 
 
 
 paca sorters 
 
 
 
 
 
 West Riding of 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yorkshire 
 
 
 
 
 
 Time-workers 
 
 94 
 
 7/2 
 
 23.025 
 
 \7.722 
 
 Wool carbonizing 
 
 
 
 
 
 West Riding of 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yorkshire 
 
 
 
 
 
 Skilled men 
 
 
 
 
 
 and ware- 
 
 
 
 
 
 housemen . . 
 
 79 
 
 2 
 
 19.263 
 
 14.827 
 
 Semi - skilled 
 
 
 
 
 
 men 
 
 76 
 
 3 
 
 18.554 
 
 14.280 
 
 Unskilled men. 
 
 73 
 
 2 
 
 17.803 
 
 13.703 
 
 Wool combing 
 
 
 
 
 
 and scouring 
 
 
 
 
 
 West Riding of 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yorkshire 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bowl minders 
 
 
 
 
 
 With dryer . 
 
 79 
 
 10 
 
 19.425 
 
 14.952 
 
 Without dryer 
 
 78 
 
 8 
 
 19.141 
 
 14.733 
 
 Card grinders 
 
 
 
 
 
 Wool cards . 
 
 82 
 
 1 
 
 19.973 
 
 15.373 
 
 Iron cards . . 
 
 87 
 
 3 
 
 21.230 
 
 16.347 
 
 Comb minders 
 
 
 
 
 
 With noil . . . 
 
 
 
 
 
 Without noil. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Card jobbers. . 
 
 
 
 
 
 (8 or more) . 
 
 78 
 
 8 
 
 19.141 
 
 14.733 
 
 Warehousemen 
 
 72 8 to 79 
 
 4 
 
 17.682 to 19.304 
 
 13. 609 to 14.858 
 
 Women 
 
 
 
 
 
 Comb Minders 
 
 49 11 " 55 
 
 8 
 
 12.146 " 13.545 
 
 9.349 " 10.426 
 
 Others 
 
 48 8 " 51 
 
 8 
 
 11.842 " 12.572 
 
 9.115 " 9.676 
 
 Worsted spinning 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yorkshire 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yarn ware- 
 
 
 
 
 
 housemen 
 
 81 
 
 4H 
 
 19.80 
 
 15.240 
 
 '^Labotir Gazette, February, 1921, p. 65. 
 
 55
 
 WEEKLY WAGE RATES IN WOOLEN AND WORSTED INDUSTRY, 
 
 APRiL^ 1921 — Continued 
 
 
 
 Shil 
 
 inirs 
 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 
 Exchange 
 
 
 
 and Pence 
 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Woolen spinning, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 woolen and zvor- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 sted manufac- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ture, and Mungo 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and shoddy in- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 dustries 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yorkshire and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Lancashire 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Men, over 21 
 years' 
 
 75 
 
 
 
 to 78 
 
 1/2 
 
 18.249 to 19.010 
 
 14. 046 to 14.632 
 
 Women, over 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 18 years . . . 
 
 
 
 45 IVA 
 
 11.182 
 
 8.607 
 
 Mechanics in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 woolen and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 zuorsted indus- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 try 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yorkshire' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Firemen and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 greasers . . . 
 Day shift . . 
 
 
 
 82 
 82 
 
 6 
 
 7/2 
 
 20.374 
 20.105 
 
 15.451 
 15.474 
 
 Night shift.. 
 
 
 
 85 
 
 1/2 
 
 20.713 
 
 15.943 
 
 Enginemen 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Time rates 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Day shift . . 
 
 85 
 
 m 
 
 or 88 
 
 4^ 
 
 20.713 or 21. 504 
 
 15.943 or 16.551 
 
 Night shift.. 
 
 87 
 
 7K2 
 
 " 91 
 
 1 
 
 21.321 " 22.163 
 
 16.411 " 17.059 
 
 Standing 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 wages 
 Day shift ... 
 
 91 
 
 9y2 
 
 or 95 
 
 3 
 
 22.335 or 23. 177 
 
 17. 183 or 17.839 
 
 Night shift . 
 
 94 
 
 1K2 
 
 " 97 
 
 6/ 
 
 22.903 " 23.734 
 
 17.628 " 18.268 
 
 Flannel industry 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Wales (min. time 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 rate) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Men, 21 years 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and over . . 
 
 
 
 58 
 
 10 
 
 14.316 
 
 11.019 
 
 Stokers 
 
 
 
 63 
 
 8 
 
 15.492 
 
 11.924 
 
 Tmiers 
 
 
 
 69 
 
 5 
 
 16.891 
 
 13.001 
 
 Wool sorters. 
 
 
 
 66 
 
 7 
 
 16.201 
 
 12.470 
 
 Women, 19 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 years and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 over 
 
 
 
 29 
 
 
 
 7.056 
 
 5.431 
 
 'Minimum rate. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bleaching, Dyeing and Finishing 
 
 In the bleaching, dyeing, printing and finishing sections also, 
 wages are varied in accordance with the fluctuations in cost 
 of hving. In Lancashire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, and Scotland, 
 the increases over pre-war weekly rates at the end of De- 
 cember, 1920 were 49 shillings, 7 pence (par, $12.07; exchange 
 
 56
 
 1920-21, $9.29) for men, and 29 shillings, 6 pence (par, $7,179; 
 exchange 1920-21, $5.52) for women, with certain additions 
 to basic rates. In Yorkshire, the increases over the pre-war 
 rates (including the "cost of Hving" wage and the increases 
 in basic rates) amounted to 177% for time-workers and 138% 
 for piece-workers. 
 
 The following tabulation of full-time weekly wage-rates for 
 various branches of the trade and in various localities was 
 compiled from the reports of wage decreases in the Labour 
 Gazette : 
 
 WEEKLY WAGE RATES IN TEXTILE DYEING AND FINISHING, APRIL, 
 
 1921 
 
 
 
 shillings 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 < 
 
 Par of 
 
 Exchange 
 
 
 and Pence 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Bleaching, dyeing, cal- 
 
 
 
 
 
 ico printing and fin- 
 
 
 
 
 
 ishing 
 
 
 
 
 
 Lancashire, Cheshire 
 
 
 
 
 
 and Derbyshire' 
 
 
 
 
 
 Males, 21 years and 
 
 
 
 
 
 over 
 
 68 
 
 3 
 
 16.607 
 
 12.782 
 
 Females, 18 years 
 
 
 
 
 
 and over 
 
 41 
 
 11 
 
 10.199 
 
 7.850 
 
 Scotland 
 
 
 
 
 
 Men, timeworkers, 
 
 
 
 
 
 21 years and over. 
 
 65 
 
 3 
 
 15.877 
 
 12.220 
 
 Women, timework 
 
 
 
 
 
 ers, 18 years and 
 
 
 
 
 
 over 
 
 38 
 
 11 
 
 9.469 
 
 7.288 
 
 Workpeople in grey 
 
 
 
 
 
 room, and stock, pat- 
 
 
 
 
 
 tern, making-up, and 
 
 
 
 
 
 packing departments . 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bradford 
 
 
 
 
 
 Men, 21 years and 
 
 
 
 
 
 over 
 
 79 
 
 8 
 
 19.385 
 
 14.920 
 
 Silk dyeing 
 
 
 
 
 
 Leek' 
 
 
 
 
 
 Dyers and glossers. 
 
 65 
 
 to 67 
 
 15. 816 to 16.303 
 
 12. 174 to 12.548 
 
 Adult mixers 
 
 67 
 
 " 75 
 
 16.303 "18.249 
 
 12.548 " 14.046 
 
 Dyeing machinemen 
 
 67 
 
 6 " 69 6 
 
 15.424 "16.911 
 
 12.642 " 13.016 
 
 ^Minimum rate. 
 
 The following full time weekly wage rates for the making- 
 up and packing industry in Manchester are reported in the 
 Labour Gazette: 
 
 57
 
 WEEKLY WAGE RATES IN THE MAKING-UP AND PACKING 
 INDUSTRY, MANCHESTER, JANUARY, 1921 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Men, 21 years and over 
 
 Hydraulic packers and makers-up 
 (prints) 
 
 Makers-up, greys 
 
 Clothlookers 
 
 Markers-off, stampers and pressers- 
 off 
 
 Hoistmen, plaiters, cutters and lappers 
 
 General warehousemen 
 
 Porters 
 
 Women, 18 years and over 
 
 Markers ofiF 
 
 Cutters 
 
 Stitchers, plaiters, tiers-up, parcel- 
 lers, sorters and tapers 
 
 General hookers 
 
 D'hootie hookers 
 
 15.59 
 14.81 
 14.55 
 13.78 
 
 9.15 
 8.63 
 
 8.37 
 8.10 
 7.59 
 
 Other Textile Trades 
 
 Up to the end of 1920, hosiery workers in Leicestershire, 
 Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire had received an increase of 
 125% over pre-war rates. Those engaged in the manufactur- 
 ing of carpets had received advances of from 155% to 160%.^ 
 
 Under sliding scale arrangements, similar to those in other 
 branches of the textile trade, there were decreases in the wages 
 of silk-workers at Brighouse and Leek, and linen-workers at 
 Kirkcaldy, during March, 1921. Full time weekly wage rates 
 for these industries in specified localities, as published in the 
 British Labour Gazette,^ are given below. 
 
 Hosiery 
 
 The minimum hourly wage rates for time-workers in the 
 hosiery industry in Dumfries and Maxwelltown efifective in 
 December, 1920, were reported as follows •} 
 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Men 
 
 1 2 
 8 
 
 .284 
 
 .162 
 
 .218 
 
 Women 
 
 .125 
 
 
 
 ^Labour Gazette, February, 1921, 
 
 S 
 
 p. 63. 
 8 
 

 
 Silk 
 
 WEEKLY WAGE RATES IN THE SILK INDUSTRY, MARCH, 1921 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Silk 
 Brighouse 
 Male 
 
 First f ramers 
 
 Warehousemen 
 
 Boilermen and machine-men... . 
 Female 
 
 Timeworkers 
 
 Gassers 
 
 Warpers 
 
 Reelers 
 
 Winders 
 
 Piece-workers — 15% over above.... 
 Leek' 
 
 Men, 22 years and over 
 
 Pickers 
 
 Braidworkers 
 
 Braid speeders and knitting tackers 
 
 Millmen 
 
 Weavers 
 
 Women, 18 years and over 
 
 Linen 
 
 Kirkcaldy and district 
 
 Tenters and dressers 
 
 Lappers and finishers 
 
 Laborers 
 
 90 3 
 81 5 
 83 5 
 
 52 10^ 
 48 4J^ 
 41 8 
 40 7 
 
 62 
 
 64 6 
 71 
 
 65 
 69 
 39 
 
 74 
 70 
 61 
 
 21.97 
 19.81 
 20.30 
 
 12.87 
 
 11.77 
 
 10.14 
 
 9.88 
 
 15.33 
 15.69 
 17.28 
 15.82 
 16.79 
 9.49 
 
 18.01 
 17.03 
 14.84 
 
 16.90 
 15.25 
 15.62 
 
 9.90 
 9.06 
 7.80 
 7.60 
 
 11.80 
 12.08 
 13.30 
 12.17 
 12.92 
 7.30 
 
 13.86 
 13.11 
 11.42 
 
 'Minimum time rates. 
 
 Jute 
 
 The following estimated average weekly wages in the jute 
 industry at Dundee were given in a report of the U. S. Trade 
 Commissioner in London, dated February 8, 1921 •} 
 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Spinners, time workers . 
 Weavers, piece-workers . 
 
 45 
 
 45 to 50 
 
 10.95 
 
 10.95 to 12. 17 
 
 8.43 
 
 8.43to9.36 
 
 The following minimum hourly rates for women in the 
 flax and hemp industry in Ireland were set under the Trades 
 Boards Acts, January 24, 1921.- 
 
 ^Estimated average rates, furnished by the Secretary, Dundee and 
 District Union of Jute and Flax Workers. 
 ^Labour Gazette, February, 1921, p. 96. 
 
 59
 
 MINIMUM HOURLY RATES FOR WOMEN IN THE FLAX AND HEMP 
 INDUSTRY IN IRELAND, JANUARY, 1921 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Preparers 
 
 Spreaders and carders .... 
 
 Rovers and drawers 
 
 DofFers 
 
 Spinners 
 
 Spinners and twisters 
 
 Piecers 
 
 Layers 
 
 Dofifers 
 
 Driers, reclors and winders 
 
 Machine yarn driers 
 
 Reelcrs and wet winders... 
 
 Hank winders 
 
 All others except in weaving 
 department 
 
 Under 18 
 
 Over 18 
 
 7^to8i4 
 1% "8 
 5 "6J4 
 
 734 " 83/4 
 
 7 " 8^ 
 
 Wa " m 
 m " m 
 
 ly^ " 8 
 
 8 " 8^ 
 
 5 " 53^ 
 W2 " 7 
 
 . 147 to . 167 
 .147 ".162 
 .101 " .127 
 
 .157 " .178 
 .142 " .167 
 .117 " .147 
 .112 " .137 
 
 .157 " .178 
 .147 " .162 
 .162 " .167 
 
 .101 " .112 
 , 132 " . 142 
 
 .113 to .129 
 
 .113 " .125 
 
 .078 " .098 
 
 .121 " .137 
 
 .109 " .129 
 
 .090 " .113 
 
 .086 " .105 
 
 .121 " .137 
 
 .113 " .125 
 
 .125 " .129 
 
 .078 " .086 
 .101 " .109 
 
 By an order under the Trade Boards Acts of April 2, 1921, 
 the following wage rates for workers in the rope, twine and 
 net making industry, were fixed for all of Great Britain. These 
 rates show an increase over the previous rates, which were 
 set in March, 1920. 
 
 MINIMUM HOURLY RATES IN THE ROPE, TWINE AND NET MAK- 
 ING INDUSTRY, APRIL, 1921 
 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Time workers 
 
 Men, 21 years and over 
 
 Women homeworkers 
 
 Pieceworkers 
 
 Men 
 
 1 3 
 
 8K 
 
 1 4 
 
 .304 
 .172 
 
 .324 
 
 .234 
 .133 
 
 250 
 
 
 
 France 
 
 Wage data for the French textile industry presented in this 
 section are principally from reports of United States official 
 representatives. 
 
 The Secretary of the French Textile Workers' Federation, 
 in furnishing the wage data given below, stated that it was pos- 
 sible to give only approximate figures of wages in this industry, 
 
 60
 
 as they varied widely in different parts of the country. The 
 following- figures give hourly rates for a 48-hour week in 
 the various brandies of the textile industry, as of about Feb- 
 ruary 1, 1921 :' 
 
 HOURLY WAGES IN FRENCH TEXTILE INDUSTRIES, FEBRUARY, 
 
 1921 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Cotton 
 
 Spinners^ 
 
 1.88 to 2.62 
 1.88 " 2.00 
 1.88 " 2.00 
 
 1.88 " 3.12 
 2.00 " 2.55 
 2.25 " 2.55 
 
 2.12 " 2.55 
 3.12 " 3.75 
 1.88 " 2.37 
 
 2.50 " 3.12 
 3.12 " 3.75 
 
 .363 to .506 
 .363 " .386 
 .363 " .386 
 
 .363 " .602 
 .386 " .492 
 .434 " .492 
 
 .409 " .492 
 .602 " .724 
 .363 " .457 
 
 .483 " .602 
 .602 " .724 
 
 .130 to .182 
 
 Weavers 
 
 Day laborers 
 
 .130 " .139 
 .130 " .139 
 
 Wool 
 
 Spinners 
 
 .130 " .216 
 
 Weavers 
 
 .139 " .177 
 
 Day laborers 
 
 .156 " .177 
 
 Silk 
 
 Weavers 
 
 Loom-fixers 
 
 .147 " .177 
 .216 " .260 
 
 Soft silk winders 
 
 Lace (Calais Machine) 
 Operators 
 
 .130 " .164 
 .173 " .216 
 
 Erectors and repairers... 
 
 .216 " .260 
 
 'Whether boys and according to skill. 
 
 According to figures from the United States Department of 
 Commerce, average hourly wage rates in the French cotton in- 
 dustry in 1921 were as follows : 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Weaving 
 Dyeing . . 
 Finishing 
 
 1.46to2.65 
 2.17 " 2.65 
 1.40 " 2.25 
 
 .282 to .511 
 .419 " .511 
 .270 " .434 
 
 .101 to .184 
 .150 " .184 
 .097 " .156 
 
 The following figures for average hourly rates in the woolen 
 textile industry are from the same source : 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Spinners 
 Combed wool 
 
 2.35 to 3.50 
 2.50 " 3.28 
 2.17 " 2.65 
 1.40 " 2.25 
 
 .454 to .676 
 .483 " .233 
 .419 " .511 
 .270 " .434 
 
 .163 to .243 
 
 Carded wool 
 
 .173 " .228 
 
 Dyers 
 
 .150 " .184 
 
 Finishers 
 
 .097 " .156 
 
 ^Data from French Textile Workers' Federation, reported by United 
 States Commercial Attache, Paris, Feb. 3, 1921. 
 
 61
 
 In an agreement covering silk weaving for the Charlieu 
 (l.oirc'j region, dated November 3, 1920, provision was made 
 lor the establishment of a commission to determine the varia- 
 tions in the cost of living. This commission found that the 
 fluctuation of expenses during the period May 1 to September 
 1, 1920 was more than 10.8% and decided upon an increase in 
 wages in consequence.^ An agreement in the cotton industry in 
 Lille, November 20, 1920 also made provision for revision 
 of wage rates in case of increase in the official figure for the 
 cost of living.^ 
 
 The following daily wage rates for the silk industry, fixed 
 by collective agreement in March and April of 1920, are re- 
 ported in the Bulletin of the French Ministry of Labor :^ 
 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Francs 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Weaving and throwing, Lyon'... 12 to 18 
 Weaving, Oullins (Rhone)" 16 " 17 
 
 2.316 to 3.474 .832 to 1.247 
 3.088 "3.281 1.109 " 1.178 
 
 ^Minimum rates. 
 ^Normal wage. 
 
 According to figures from the American consul at Lyon, 
 France, in 1920, the following scale of minimum wages was 
 in force in the silk industry in that city, as a result of a strike 
 
 MINIMUM DAILY WAGE RATES IN THE SILK INDUSTRY IN LYON, 
 FRANCE, 1920 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Drying and testing , 
 
 Silk throwing and twisting.. 
 
 Weaving 
 
 Reel men and reel women . . 
 
 Throwers and twisters 
 
 Warpers 
 
 Winders or spinners 
 
 Twillers 
 
 Sorters 
 
 Warp folders 
 
 Reelers 
 
 Weighers 
 
 ^Bulletin du Ministere du Travail, November-December, 1920, p. 547. 
 ^Idem., p. 548. 
 ^Idem., p. 547. 
 
 62
 
 in 1919. According to the figures from the later wage agree- 
 ment given above, however, wages for silk throwing and 
 weaving have been increased 2 francs per day or .25 francs 
 per hour over this schedule.^ 
 
 A Swiss report states that the average hourly wage for 
 skilled silk dyers in France at the end of 1920 was 2.25 francs 
 (par, $.434; exchange 1920-21, $.156).- 
 
 According to figures from the United States Consul, Mar- 
 seilles, France, March 8, 1921, wages paid to cotton thread mill 
 operatives in Marseilles range from 8 to 12 francs (par, $1,544 
 to $2,316; exchange 1920-21, $.554 to $.832) per 8-hour day.^ 
 
 In a report of the visit of representatives of the British 
 woolen and worsted trades to Roubaix and Tourcoing (the 
 headquarters of the French wool-textile industry), mention 
 is made of a body known as the Consortium of Textile In- 
 dustry, with headquarters at Tourcoing. This body embraces 
 the principal employers' associations and includes 312 mills 
 employing 68,000 men and women. The Consortium deals 
 with all wage questions concerning the affiliated firms, and 
 decides labor conditions in the industry. It publishes periodical 
 returns of the average wages in force in each mill, and per- 
 forms many other duties in connection with wages. It pays 
 a bonus of 3 francs (par, $.579; exchange 1920-21, $.208) per 
 working-day per child under 13 years of age to the head of 
 the family working in any of the mills ; this is paid direct to 
 the employee by the employer at the end of each month. There 
 is also a premium of 200 francs (par, $38.60; exchange 1920- 
 21, $.13.86) paid to the head of the family at the birth of each 
 child." 
 
 Germany 
 
 Statistics of wages in the German textile industry, as of 
 February, 1921, were secured by the Statistische Reichsamt^ 
 from 1,327 establishments with 222,820 employees. Only 
 
 'Figures from United States Consul at Lyon, France, published in 
 Monthly Labor Reviczi.; October. 1920, p. 135. 
 
 ^L'Union Centrale des Association patronales suisses. Bulletin No. 9, 
 p. 11. 
 
 ^United States. Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce. Com- 
 merce Reports, April 11. 1921. 
 
 *United States Consul, Bradford, England in Commerce Reports, 
 March 11, 1921. 
 
 Tederal Statistical Bureau. 
 
 63
 
 16,144 of these employees were reported, of whom 42% were 
 male and 58% female. Of the male workers 57% and of the 
 female workers 53% were pieceworkers. Wages and earnings 
 varied greatly at different places. The average hourly wages 
 in the various localities ranged as follows, although, as may 
 
 AVERAGE HOURLY WAGES IN GERMAN TEXTILE INDUSTRY, 
 FEBRUARY, 1920 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Finishers 
 
 Men 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 
 Women 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 Carders 
 
 Men 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 
 Women 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 Shearers 
 
 Men 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 
 Women 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 Spinners 
 
 Men 
 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 
 Women 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 Weavers 
 
 Men 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 
 Women 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 
 2.08to4.00 
 2.67 " 3.85 
 
 1.34 " 2.42 
 1.66 " 3.02 
 
 1.96 " 3.61 
 3.10 " 2,.Z7 
 
 1.50 " 2.57 
 1.98 " 2.89 
 
 2.00 " Z.77 
 2.77 " 4.47 
 
 2.00 " 2.70 
 1.74 " 3.63 
 
 2.23 " 3.91 
 2.15 " 3.80 
 
 1.36 " 2.49 
 1.45 " 2.59 
 
 1.98 " 3.87 
 2.60 " 5.14 
 
 1.38 " 3.00 
 1.34 " 3.52 
 
 .495 to .952 
 .635 " .916 
 
 .319 " .576 
 .395 " .719 
 
 .466 " .859 
 .738 ".802 
 
 .357 " .612 
 .471 ".687 
 
 .476 " .897 
 .659 "1.063 
 
 .476 " .643 
 .414 " .864 
 
 .531 " .931 
 ,512 " .904 
 
 .324 " .593 
 .345 " .616 
 
 .471 " .921 
 .619 "1.223 
 
 .328 ".714 
 .319 " .838 
 
 .03910.075 
 .050 " .072 
 
 .025 " .045 
 .031 " .057 
 
 .037 " .068 
 
 .058 " .063 
 
 .028 " .048 
 
 .037 " .054 
 
 .038 " .071 
 
 .052 " .084 
 
 .038 " .051 
 
 .033 " .068 
 
 .042 " .073 
 
 .040 " .071 
 
 .026 " .047 
 
 .027 " .049 
 
 .037 " .073 
 
 .049 " .097 
 
 .026 " .056 
 
 .025 " .066 
 
 64
 
 be seen from the other figures presented in this section, wages 
 had substantially increased between this date and the end of 
 1920, probably about 50%.^ Average monthly earnings on this 
 basis are shown below : 
 
 AVERAGE MONTHLY (FOUR WEEKS ) EARNINGS IN GERMAN 
 TEXTILE INDUSTRY, FEBRUARY, 1920 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Finishers 
 
 Alen 
 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 
 Women 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 Carders 
 
 Men 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 
 Women 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 Shearers 
 
 Men 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 
 Women 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 Spinners 
 
 Men 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 
 Women 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 Weavers 
 
 Men 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 
 Women 
 Timework 
 Piecework 
 
 390 to 667 
 465 " 708 
 
 256 " 416 
 193 " 512 
 
 347 " 661 
 584 " 621 
 
 250 " 454 
 352 " 463 
 
 368 " 672 
 
 479 " m 
 
 92. 82 to 158.75 
 110.67 "168.50 
 
 60.93 " 99.01 
 45.93 "121.86 
 
 82.59 "157.32 
 138.99 " 147.80 
 
 59.50 "108.05 
 83.78 "110.19 
 
 87.58 " 159.94 
 114.00 "183.97 
 
 345 
 296 
 
 492 
 613 
 
 429 " 706 
 360 " 662 
 
 229 " 448 
 253 " 459 
 
 343 " 614 
 471 " 944 
 
 241 " 544 
 227 " 585 
 
 82.11 
 70.45 
 
 102.10 
 85.68 
 
 117.10 
 145.89 
 
 168.03 
 157.56 
 
 54.50 "161.13 
 60.21 "109.24 
 
 81.63 "146.13 
 112.10 "224.67 
 
 57.36 "129.47 
 54.03 "139.23 
 
 7. 32 to 12.53 
 8.73 " 13.30 
 
 4.81 
 3.62 
 
 7.81 
 9.62 
 
 6.52 " 12.41 
 
 10.97 " 11.66 
 
 4.70 " 8.53 
 
 6.61 " 8.70 
 
 6.91 " 12.62 
 9.00 " 14.52 
 
 6.48 " 9.24 
 5.56 " 11.51 
 
 8.06 " 13.26 
 6.76 " 12.43 
 
 4.30 " 8.41 
 4.75 " 8.62 
 
 6.44 " 11.53 
 8.85 " 17.73 
 
 4.53 " 10.22 
 4.26 " 10.99 
 
 'United States Consul, Berlin, March 10, 1921, in Commerce Reports, 
 April 8, 1921, p. 150. 
 
 65
 
 The following hourly wage rates, fixed by collective agree- 
 ment to take effect on dates between December 7, 1920 and 
 March 1, 1921, have been reported in the Reichs-Arbeitsblatt. 
 Range of rates between workers of various ages and different 
 degrees of skill are indicated. Rates vary between localities 
 mainly according to the cost of living. 
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES FOR THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY FIXED BY 
 
 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT IN SPECIFIED LOCALITIES, DECEMBER, 
 
 1920 TO MARCH, 1921 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Thiiringcn' 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Artisans 
 
 4. 10 to 4.40 
 2.80 " 3.10 
 4.50 " 5.20 
 4.60 " 5.20 
 
 5.60 " 6.10 
 3.50 
 
 5.25 
 4.00 
 
 3.60 " 4.00 
 4.00 " 4.40 
 
 3.50 " 3.90 
 
 6.00 
 
 .10 
 
 5.80 
 
 5.50 
 4.25 
 
 4.15 
 4.00 
 
 3.90 
 3.80 
 
 .976 to 1.047 
 
 .666 " .738 
 
 1.072 "1.239 
 
 1.095 "1.239 
 
 1.333 
 .833 
 
 1.250 
 .925 
 
 .857 " .952 
 .952 "1.047 
 
 .834 " .929 
 
 1.428 
 .0238 
 1.380 
 
 1.309 
 1.012 
 
 .988 
 .952 
 
 .928 
 .904 
 
 .077 to .083 
 .053 " .058 
 .085 " .098 
 
 Machinists 
 
 Harburg" 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Euskirchen and vicinity^ 
 Weavers on power looms 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 .086 " .098 
 
 .105 
 .066 
 
 .099 
 .075 
 
 Carders, willowers (men), 
 and pickers, spinners, twis- 
 ters, (women) 
 
 Warpers, winders (women) 
 
 Burlers, cloth shearers 
 
 (women) 
 
 Reichcnbach and vicinity'^ 
 
 (Wool spinning) 
 
 Mule spinners 
 
 Up to 4 machines 
 
 For each further machine. 
 
 Card strippers 
 
 Willowers, pickers, carders, 
 
 dusters 
 
 Men 
 
 .068 " .075 
 .075 " .083 
 
 .066 " .073 
 
 .113 
 
 .0019 
 
 .109 
 
 103 
 
 Women 
 
 Spoolers 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Feeders 
 
 Men 
 
 .080 
 
 .078 
 .075 
 
 .073 
 .071 
 
 Women 
 
 
 ^Workers 20 years and over. Base rate plus cost of living bonus. Rates vary 
 according to locality. Family bonus 6 marks (par, $1,428; exchange 1920-21, 
 $.113) per week for each person requiring support. 
 
 ^Workers 20 years and over. Family bonus: 8 marks (par, $1,904; exchange 
 1920-21, $.150) per week for wife and 16 marks (par, $3,808: exchange 1920-21, 
 $.300) for each child. 
 
 ^'Family allowance: man and wife 10 marks (par, $2.38; exchange 1920-21, $188) 
 per week; each child 7 marks (par. $1,666; exchange 1920-21, $.131). If worker 
 IS sole support of family 10 marks (par, $2,380; exchange 1920-21, $.188) extra. 
 
 ^Workers over 20 years of age. 
 
 66
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES FOR THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY FIXED BY 
 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT IN SPECIFIED LOCALITIES, DECEMBER, 
 
 1920 TO MARCH, 1921 — Continued 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 twis- 
 
 Miinsterlancf 
 Weaving* 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Spooling and reeling 
 
 Cotton 
 
 Linen 
 
 Spinning 
 Men 
 
 Mule spinners . . . 
 Throstle spinners, 
 
 ters, drawers 
 
 Women 
 
 Spinners, drawers 
 
 Jute Spinning 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Silk hand weavers 
 
 Helpers 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Artisans over 23 years 
 
 Bremen^ 
 
 (Wool combing) 
 Artisans and stakers over 
 
 20 years 
 
 Trained workers 
 
 Hand workers over years. 
 
 Women over 20 years 
 
 Sorters 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Lcsum near Bremen* 
 (Wool scouring) 
 
 Artisans 
 
 Workers 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Sorters, women 
 
 Bremen^ 
 
 (Rope factory) 
 Men 
 
 Skilled 
 
 Other 
 
 Women 
 
 4.25to4.50 
 3.65 " 3.90 
 
 4.68 " 4.95 
 4.89 " 5.18 
 
 5.15to5.40 
 4.25 " 4.50 
 3.65 " 3.95 
 
 4.25 
 3.40 
 3.65 
 
 4.25 
 3.05 
 4.75 
 
 4.50 
 3.90 
 3.90 
 
 4.50 
 3.30 
 6.00 
 
 6.15 
 5.70 
 5.50 
 3.80 
 
 5.50 to 5.80 
 3.70 " 4.10 
 
 5.50 
 
 5.00 
 3.40 
 3.90 
 
 5.40 
 5.30 
 3.35 
 
 1.012 to 1.071 
 .869 " .928 
 
 1.114 "1.178 
 1.164 "1.233 
 
 1.225 to 1.285 
 1.012 "1.071 
 
 .869 
 
 .928 
 
 1.012 "1.071 
 .810 " .928 
 .869 " .928 
 
 1.012 "1.071 
 
 .726 " .786 
 
 1.132 "1.428 
 
 1.466 
 1.358 
 
 .311 
 
 .906 
 
 1.309 to 1.380 
 .881 " .976 
 
 1.309 
 
 1.190 
 .810 
 .928 
 
 1.285 
 
 1.262 
 
 .797 
 
 .080 to .085 
 .069 " .073 
 
 .088 " .093 
 .092 " .097 
 
 .097 to .101 
 .080 " .085 
 .069 " .073 
 
 .080 
 .064 
 .069 
 
 .080 
 .057 
 .089 
 
 .085 
 .073 
 .073 
 
 .085 
 .062 
 .113 
 
 .115 
 .107 
 .103 
 .071 
 
 . 103 to . 109 
 .069 " .077 
 
 .103 
 
 .094 
 .064 
 .073 
 
 .101 
 .099 
 .063 
 
 'Workers over 20 years of age. Family bonus 1.50 marks (par, $.357; exchange 
 1920-21, $.028) per day for each child. 
 
 ^Time work. Rate varies according to locality. 
 
 ^Certain designated classes of workers receive from .10 to .20 marks (par, $.0238 
 to .0476; exchange, 1920-21, $.0019 to .0038) higher than their group. Family 
 allowance for married workers of 50 marks (par, $11.90; exchange 1920-21, $.939) 
 per month, and the same amount for each child under 15 years. 
 
 ■•Workers over 20 years of age. Head workers on the scouring machines, and all 
 workers, men and women, in the willowing and carbonizing sections receive .20 
 marks (par, $.0476; exchange, 1920-21, $.0038) extra per hour. The first five 
 sorters receive .10 marks (par, $.0238; exchange 1920-21, $.0019) extra per hour. 
 
 "^Workers over 20 years of age. 
 
 67
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES FOR THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY FIXED BY 
 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT IN SPECIFIED LOCALITIES, DECEMBER, 
 
 1920 TO MARCH, 1921 — Continued 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 
 Exchange 
 
 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Saxony 
 
 
 
 
 (Hand printing) 
 
 
 
 
 Men 
 
 5.50 " 6.00 
 
 1.309 "1.428 
 
 .103 " .113 
 
 Women 
 
 4.10 
 
 .976 
 
 .077 
 
 Stettin' 
 
 
 
 
 (Hemp spinning and rope 
 
 
 
 
 manufacture) 
 
 
 
 
 Workers, men 
 
 5.00 
 
 1.190 
 
 .094 
 
 Helpers 
 
 
 Men 
 
 3.70 
 3.00 
 
 .881 
 .714 
 
 .069 
 
 Women 
 
 .056 
 
 Hainichcri' 
 
 
 
 
 (Cloth and flannel) 
 
 
 
 
 Spinning 
 
 
 
 
 Men 
 
 
 
 
 Willowers 
 
 5.20 
 
 1.238 
 
 .098 
 
 Card strippers 
 
 5.70 
 
 1.356 
 
 .107 
 
 Spinners 
 
 
 
 
 Up to 4 machines . . 
 
 5.80 
 
 1.380 
 
 .109 
 
 Each further ma- 
 
 
 
 
 chine 
 
 .10 
 5.10 
 
 .0238 
 1.213 
 
 .0019 
 
 Spinners' helpers 
 
 .096 
 
 Women 
 
 
 
 
 Sorters 
 
 3.50 
 
 .833 
 
 .066 
 
 Piecers 
 
 3.60 
 
 .858 
 
 .068 
 
 Ring spinners, creelers 
 
 
 
 
 and twisters 
 
 3.60 
 
 .904 
 
 .071 
 
 Carders 
 
 3.90 
 
 .928 
 
 .073 
 
 Willowers 
 
 4.00 
 3.80 
 
 .952 
 .904 
 
 .075 
 
 Spinners' helpers .... 
 
 .071 
 
 Weaving 
 
 
 
 
 Weavers 
 
 
 
 
 Men 
 
 5.20 
 4.30 
 
 1.238 
 1.023 
 
 .098 
 
 Women 
 
 .081 
 
 Helpers 
 
 
 
 
 Men 
 
 5.10 
 
 1.213 
 
 .096 
 
 Women 
 
 3.80 
 
 .904 
 
 .071 
 
 Warpers, women 
 
 4.00 
 
 .952 
 
 .075 
 
 Sizers, men 
 
 5.40 
 
 1.285 
 
 .101 
 
 Dyeing and finishing 
 
 
 
 
 Stitchers, seamstresses.. 
 
 3.60 
 
 .857 
 
 .068 
 
 Skilled sewers, women. 
 
 3.80 
 
 .904 
 
 .071 
 
 Fullers, men 
 
 5.60 
 5.40 
 
 1.333 
 1.285 
 
 105 
 
 Scourers 
 
 .101 . 
 
 Dyeing and drying helpers 
 
 
 
 
 Men 
 
 5.30 
 
 1.262 
 
 .099 
 
 Finishing helpers 
 
 
 
 
 Men 
 
 5.10 
 
 1.213 
 
 .096 
 
 Women 
 
 3.80 
 
 .904 
 
 .071 
 
 ^Workers over 20 years of age. 
 
 68
 
 Certain wage rates for the German textile industry have 
 been reported in Labour Overseas. The following hourly 
 wages were in effect in the zone occupied by British troops 
 (Cologne district) in August, 1920:^ 
 
 AVERAGE HOURLY WAGES IN TEXTILE INDUSTRY IN ZONE 
 OCCUPIED BY BRITISH TROOPS, AUGUST, 1920 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled 
 Men 
 
 6.10 
 
 3.50 
 
 5.60 
 3.50 
 
 5.06 
 3.30 
 
 1.452 
 .833 
 
 1.333 
 .833 
 
 1.205 
 .786 
 
 .115 
 
 Women 
 
 .066 
 
 Semi-skilled 
 Men 
 
 .105 
 
 Women 
 
 Unskilled 
 
 Men 
 
 .066 
 .095 
 
 Women 
 
 .062 
 
 Hourly rates for "Class I" districts in Southern Bavaria in 
 July, 1920, were reported as follows :- 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Men 
 
 Up to 25 years 
 
 Over 25 years 
 
 Women 
 
 Up to 25 years 
 
 Over 25 years 
 
 3.70 
 4.00 
 
 2.60 
 2.80 
 
 .881 
 .952 
 
 .619 
 .666 
 
 .069 
 
 .075 
 
 .049 
 .053 
 
 The following figures are taken from a wage table for 
 Saxony contained in a periodical report of the International 
 Federation of Textile Workers' Association :^ 
 
 WEEKLY WAGES IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY IN SAXONY, 
 SPRING, 1920 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Men 
 
 Cotton spinners 
 
 Over 20 
 
 Between 18 and 20. 
 
 Helpers 
 
 Cloth weavers 
 
 Women 
 
 241.96 
 193.20 
 
 92. 00 to 161.00 
 202.40 
 174.80 
 
 57.59 
 
 45.98 
 
 21. 90 to 38. 32 
 
 48.17 
 
 41.60 
 
 4.54 
 
 3.63 
 
 1.73 to 3.02 
 
 3.80 
 
 3.28 
 
 ^Labour Overseas^ July- September, 1920, p. 135. 
 ''Idem., p. 47. 
 
 ^Idem., October-December, 1920, p. 47. 
 
 69
 
 Par of 
 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 .952 
 
 .075 
 
 .714 
 
 .056 
 
 Details of a collective agreement for the textile industry 
 
 in the district on the right bank of the Rhine, dated October 
 
 1, 1920, are given below : 
 
 1. The basic scale of minimum hourly time rates for workers over 20 
 years of age, to which must be added cost of Hving bonus and family 
 allowances, were as follows :' 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Marks 
 
 Men 4.00 
 
 Women 3 . 00 
 
 Z. The cusl-of-liviny bonus for workers over 20 years of age was 
 1.30 marks (par, $.309; exchange, 1920-21, $.024) per hour for men 
 time workers receiving 4 marks per hour, and 1.15 marks (par, $.274; 
 exchange 1920-21, $.022) fur other male workers. Women received 
 .90 marks (par, $.214; exchange 1920-21, $.017). 
 
 3. family alloivance in addition to the above was 5 marks (par, $1,190; 
 exchange 1920-21, $.094) per week for husband or wife who was not 
 working, and for each child less than 14 years of age. 
 
 4. There arc four classes of towns, in three of which classes the above 
 basic rates were to be reduced by .20 and .40 marks (par, $.0476, $.0714 
 and $.0952; exchange 1920-21, $.0038, $.0056 and $.0075) respectively. 
 
 5. As a rule piccc-ivork rates were the same for both men and women, 
 and were fixed so that an average worker could earn up to 15% more 
 than the fixed time work rates. 
 
 6. Base wage rates set for certain branches of the industry by this 
 agreement are as follows : 
 
 HOURLY W^AGE RATES IN THE GERMAN TEXTILE INDUSTRY IN 
 DISTRICT ON RIGHT BANK OF RHINE, OCTOBER, 1920 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Piece dyeing and finishing 
 Men 20 years and over 
 
 First year 
 
 After first year 
 
 Skilled men 
 
 4.00 
 4.30 
 4.60 
 5.10 
 4.60 
 
 4.30 
 
 4.50 
 4.30 
 
 1.952 
 1.023 
 1.095 
 1.215 
 1.095 
 
 1.023 
 
 1.072 
 1.023 
 
 .075 
 .081 
 .086 
 
 Independent dyers 
 
 Special finishers 
 
 Cloth weaving 
 Men 
 
 Weavers" 
 
 .096 
 .086 
 
 .081 
 
 Warpers, sizers, drawers- 
 in, piecers, twisters, card 
 punchers, designers, in- 
 spectors, reed makers, 
 and fancy weavers 
 
 Time work 
 
 Piece-work basis 
 
 .085 
 .081 
 
 aAdditions of .OS or .10 marks (par, $.0119 to $.0238; exchange, 1920-21, $.00094 
 to $.0019) per hour variously for single warp, multi-colored warp, yarn coarser than 
 6 metric or than 10 metric, 9 to 16 dobbies, 17-24 dobbies, more than 24 dobbies, 
 drafting, 5,000-10,000 warp threads, more than 10,000 warp threads, etc. 
 
 Trom printed agreement in possession of Colonel John Wood, Phila- 
 delphia, Pennsylvania. 
 
 70
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES IN THE GERMAN TEXTILE INDUSTRY IN 
 DISTRICT ON RIGHT BANK OF RHINE, OCTOBER, 1920 
 
 Continued 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Women 
 
 Weavers and warpers 
 
 20 years and over^ 
 
 Speckers 
 
 Menders, 20 years and over 
 Worsted j-arn spinnings 
 Sorting, women 
 
 Time work 
 
 Piece work basis 
 
 Scouring, men 
 
 Scourers 
 
 Helpers 
 
 Carding 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Combing, women 
 
 Dyeing 
 
 Machine dyers, men 
 
 Other men workers 
 
 Vigoureaux printers, 
 
 women 
 
 Gil-box tenders, women .... 
 Drawing, women 
 
 Time work 
 
 Piece work basis 
 
 Spinning 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Mule spinning 
 
 1st feeders 
 
 2nd feeders 
 
 Creelers and reserves. 
 Ring spinning 
 
 Machine girls and 1st 
 
 piecers 
 
 Ring spinners and 2nd 
 
 piecers 
 
 Reserves 
 
 Piece work basis . . . . 
 Twisting, women 
 
 Machine girls and 1st 
 
 twisters 
 
 2nd twisters 
 
 Reserves 
 
 Piece work basis 
 
 3.00to3.20 
 3.10 
 
 4.60 
 4.30 
 
 4.30 
 3.10 
 3.00 
 
 4.60 
 4.30 
 
 3.10 
 3.00 
 
 3.00 
 3.10 
 
 4.40 
 
 3.20 
 3.10 
 3.00 
 
 3.20 
 
 3.10 
 3.00 
 3.10 
 
 3.20 
 3.10 
 3.00 
 3.10 
 
 4.60 
 3.20 
 
 3.20 
 3.20 
 
 3.20 
 
 .762 
 .738 
 .786 
 
 .714 to .762 
 .738 
 
 1.095 
 1.023 
 
 1.023 
 .738 
 .714 
 
 1.095 
 1.023 
 
 .738 
 .714 
 
 .714 
 .738 
 
 1.047 
 
 1.095 
 .762 
 
 .762 
 .762 
 
 .762 
 
 .762 
 .738 
 .714 
 
 .762 
 
 .738 
 .714 
 .738 
 
 .762 
 .738 
 .714 
 .738 
 
 .060 
 .058 
 .062 
 
 .056 to .060 
 .058 
 
 .086 
 .081 
 
 .081 
 .058 
 .056 
 
 .086 
 .081 
 
 .058 
 .056 
 
 .056 
 .058 
 
 .083 
 
 .086 
 .060 
 
 .060 
 .060 
 
 .060 
 
 .060 
 .058 
 .056 
 
 .060 
 
 .058 
 .056 
 .058 
 
 .060 
 .058 
 .056 
 .058 
 
 bTo be considered piece workers; if employer refuses, time rates to be increased 
 
 cWorkers 20 years or over. Sorting, drawing, spinning, twisting, and spooling 
 to be considered piece work; if employer refuses, time rates to be incrceasd 15%. 
 
 71
 
 VI 
 CLOTHING MANUFACTURING 
 
 Great Britain 
 
 In the tailoring trade the minimum rate of wages for women, 
 fixed under the Trade Boards Act, had been increased from 
 3^ pence (par, $.066; exchange 1920-21, $.051) per hour, in 
 July, 1914, to 9>4 pence (par, $.188; exchange 1920-21, $.144) 
 at the end of 1920, while for men it was raised from 6 pence to 
 1 shilling, 2 pence (par, $.122 to $.284 ; exchange 1920-21, $.094 
 to $.218) per hour. For some classes of workers, higher 
 minima had been fixed. No decreases in wages in this trade 
 had been reported up to April, 1921.^ 
 
 As a result of decreases in the custom tailoring trade in 
 Birmingham, rates for male workers on ordinary work were 
 1 shilling, Yz pence (par, $.253; exchange 1920-21, $.195) per 
 "log" hour,2 effective April 18, 1921. A decrease in rates at 
 Liverpool made minimum weekly time rates after the change 
 85, 80 and 76 shillings (par, $20,683, $19,466, $18,493; ex- 
 change 1920-21, $15,919, $14,983, $14,234) for the dififerent 
 grades of workers. For pieceworkers, "log" rates after the 
 change became: 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Grade I Shops 
 " II " 
 " III " 
 
 1/1 
 
 1/0^ 
 
 1/0 
 
 .264 
 .253 
 .243 
 
 .203 
 .195 
 .187 
 
 France 
 
 In collective agreements concluded between employers and 
 employees in the French clothing trades during the first five 
 months of 1920, the following wage rates were specified : 
 
 ^Labour Gazelle. 
 
 'These "log" rates arc subject to machine deductions, if any. 
 
 72
 
 WEEKLY WAGE RATES FIXED BY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT IN 
 THE FRENCH CLOTHING INDUSTRY, JANUARY TO MAY, 1920^ 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Paris 
 
 Lille 
 
 34.45 to 127.20 
 15.00a " 144. 00& 
 22.50 " 150. 00'' 
 
 100.00 " 137.50c 
 24.00 " 55. 20^^ 
 
 6.649to24.55 
 2.895 "27.79 
 4.343 "28.95 
 
 19.30 "26.54 
 4.632 "10.65 
 
 2.387 to 8.815 
 1.040 " 9.979 
 
 Cutters 
 
 Roubaix 
 
 Cutters 
 
 1.559 " 10.395 
 6.93 " 9.529 
 
 Apprentices 
 
 1.663 " 3.825 
 
 aApprentices. 
 
 bApproximate, weekly rates figured from daily rates on basis of 6-day week. 
 rApproximate, weekly rates figured from monthly rates on basis of 4-week month. 
 (/Approximate, weekly rates figured from hourly rates on basis of 48-hour week. 
 
 Minimum wage rates for a week of 48-hours in the military 
 clothing industry in the Paris region, which were published in 
 detail in the bulletin of the French Ministry of Labor, are given 
 below in somewhat condensed form :- 
 
 MINIMUM WEEKLY WAGES IN THE MILITARY CLOTHING IN- 
 DUSTRY IN THE PARIS REGION, EFFECTIVE FROM MARCH 1, 
 
 1920 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Cutting and lining 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Apprentices over 17 
 
 years 
 
 Machine work 
 
 Women 
 
 Apprentices 
 
 Pressing 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Apprentices 
 
 Male 
 
 Female 
 
 Hand work 
 
 Basters and finish- 
 ers, women 
 
 Buttonhole makers 
 
 Cotton sewers 
 
 Miscellaneous 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 98.55 to 144.00 
 69.12 " 91.03 
 
 40.35 " 80.76 
 
 67.20 
 34.44 
 
 114.72 
 78.86 
 
 71.55 
 62.64 
 
 79.58 
 62.64 
 
 127.20 
 97.75 
 
 54.67 " 67.20 
 
 72.68 
 
 65.90 
 
 95.28 " 127.20 
 62.64 " 85.34 
 
 19.02 to 27.79 
 13.34 "17.57 
 
 7.788 "15.587 
 
 12.97 "15.36 
 6.647 " 12.09 
 
 22.14 "24.55 
 15.20 
 
 13.81 "18.87 
 12.09 
 
 10.55 "12.97 
 
 14.03 
 
 12.72 
 
 18.39 "24.55 
 12.09 " 16.47 
 
 6.830 to 9.979 
 4.790 " 6.308 
 
 2.796 " 5.597 
 
 4.657 
 2.387 
 
 7.950 
 5.458 
 
 4.958 
 4.341 
 
 5.515 
 4.341 
 
 8.815 
 6.774 
 
 3.789 " 4.657 
 
 5.037 
 
 4.568 
 
 6.603 " 8.815 
 4.341 " 5.914 
 
 ^Bulletin du Ministere du Travail, November-December, 1920, pp. 
 551-555. 
 ''Idem., March-April. 1920, p. 154. 
 
 73
 
 Figures for the French men's ready-made clothing industry, 
 which correspond very closely to those in the above table, are 
 given in the British official publication. Labour Overseas,^ as 
 follows : 
 
 MINIMUM WEEKLY WAGES IN MEN's READY-MADE CLOTHING 
 
 INDUSTRY 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 
 Exchange 
 
 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Cutters 
 
 80.75 to 127.20 
 
 15.58 to24.55 
 
 5.596 to 8.815 
 
 Machinists (women)... 
 
 70.10" 79.60 
 
 13.53 "15.36 
 
 4.858 " 5.515 
 
 Ready-made clothing 
 
 
 
 
 workers (women) 
 
 67.20 " 72.70112.97 "14.03 
 
 4.657 " 5.038 
 
 Improvers 
 
 34.45 " 54.65 
 
 6.648 "10.55 
 
 2.387 " 3.789 
 
 Pressers 
 
 71.55 " 127.20 
 
 13.81 "24.55 
 
 4.958 " 8.815 
 
 Rubber clothing workers 
 
 67.20 " 127.20 
 
 12.97 "24.55 
 
 4.657 " 8.815 
 
 Germany 
 
 The Reichs-Arbeitsblatt of November 15, 1920, reported a 
 new grouping of localities and new wage rates for the cloth- 
 ing industry in accordance with the decision of a central 
 board. The wages varied greatly in the different localities ; 
 the hourly rate set, for Group I (Berlin), being 6.30 marks 
 (par, $1,499; exchange 1920-21, $.118); that for Group Ila 
 (Cologne, Diisseldorf, Saarbrucken) 6 marks (par, $1,428; 
 exchange 1920-21, $.113), and for the last group, where liv- 
 ing conditions are most favorable, 3.60 marks (par, $.857; ex- 
 change 1920-21, $.068). 
 
 Statistics on the wages of men tailors in 1914 and in Oc- 
 tober, 1920, prepared by the German Clothing Workers' Union, 
 showed that wages have increased approximately 700% as, 
 compared to 1,182% increase in the cost of living.- The 
 working day was ten hours in 1914 and eight hours in October, 
 1920. The hourly rates in the large centers in October, 1920. 
 are given below :" 
 
 'April-June, p. 41. 
 "Calwer Index figure. 
 
 'International Labour Office. Daily Intelligence, February 23, 1921, 
 p. 7. 
 
 74
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES FOR MEN TAILORS IN CERTAIN LARGE 
 CITIES IN GERMANY, OCTOBER, 1920 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 
 Exchange 
 
 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Berlin 
 
 6.30 
 S.OO 
 
 1.499 1 .118 
 
 Breslau 
 
 1.190 ! .094 
 
 Dresden 
 
 5.00 
 
 1.190 
 
 .094 
 
 Essen 
 
 5.75 
 
 1.369 
 
 .108 
 
 Frankfort on the Main 
 
 5.75 
 
 1.369 
 
 .108 
 
 Hamburg 
 
 5.75 
 
 1.369 
 
 .108 
 
 Cologne 
 
 6.00 
 
 1.428 
 
 .113 
 
 Leipzig 
 
 5.00 
 
 1.190 
 
 .094 
 
 Munich 
 
 5.00 
 
 1.190 
 
 .094 
 
 Stuttgart 
 
 5.00 
 
 1.190 
 
 .094 
 
 The following wage rates for other branches of the clothing 
 industry in various localities are published in the reports of 
 collective agreements in the Reichs-Arbeitsblatt : 
 
 WAGE RATES IN THE GERMAN CLOTHING INDUSTRY FIXED BY 
 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT, NOVEMBER, 1920 TO MARCH, 1921 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Miihlhauseii 
 
 Thiir- 
 
 ingen 
 
 Women's custom tail- 
 oring 
 
 Responsible jacket, 
 cloak, bodice and 
 
 coat workers 
 
 All other workers 
 
 and hemmers 
 
 Assistants 
 
 Advanced 
 
 Beginners 
 
 Helpers 
 
 White sewing 
 Seamstresses, after 
 two years' appren- 
 ticeship 
 
 Responsible seams- 
 tresses 
 
 Buttonhole makers. . . 
 Blouse making 
 
 Cutters 
 
 Cutters' helpers 
 
 Buttonhole makers 
 over 18 years 
 
 2.75 
 
 2.00 
 
 1.45 
 
 1.10 
 
 .90 
 
 .90 to 2. 10 
 
 2.75 
 1.45 
 
 2.20 
 2.00 
 
 1.80 " 1.90 
 
 .655 
 
 .476 
 
 .345 
 .262 
 .214 
 
 .214 to .500 
 
 .655 
 .345 
 
 .524 
 .476 
 
 .429 " .452 
 
 .052 
 
 .038 
 
 .021 
 .021 
 .017 
 
 .017 to .039 
 
 .052 
 .027 
 
 .041 
 .038 
 
 .034 " .036 
 
 'Hourly rate. Women workers only. 
 
 75
 
 WAGE RATES IN THE GERMAN CLOTHING INDUSTRY FIXED BY 
 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT, NOVEMBER, 1920 TO MARCH, 1921 
 
 — Continued 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 
 Exchange 
 
 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 AI HI hauscn— Continued 
 
 
 
 
 Umbrella making 
 
 
 
 
 Skilled hand sewers, 
 
 
 
 
 cutters, machine 
 
 
 
 
 sewers, basters 
 
 2.20 
 
 .524 
 
 .041 
 
 Slower workers 
 
 1.90 
 
 .452 
 
 .036 
 
 Helpers over 18 years 
 
 1.70 
 
 .405 
 
 .032 
 
 Beginners over 18 
 
 
 
 
 years 
 
 1.50 
 
 .357 
 
 .028 
 
 Stettin 
 
 
 
 
 Men and boys' ready- 
 
 
 
 
 made clothing/ 
 
 
 
 
 Cutters, men 
 
 
 
 
 Initial wage 
 
 276.50 
 
 65.81 
 
 5.19 
 
 After 6 years 
 
 330.00 
 
 78.54 
 
 6.20 
 
 Head cutters and cut- 
 
 
 
 
 who are also buyers 
 
 360.00 
 
 85.68 
 
 6.76 
 
 Berlin' 
 
 
 
 
 Clothing industry 
 
 
 
 
 Simplest work 
 
 
 
 
 Men 
 
 750 
 690 
 
 178.73 
 164.43 
 
 14.09 
 
 Women 
 
 12.96 
 
 Simple work 
 
 
 Men 
 
 840 
 780 
 
 200.17 
 185.87 
 
 15.78 
 
 Women 
 
 14.65 
 
 Independent workers 
 
 
 
 
 Men 
 
 1006.25 
 920 
 
 239.79 
 219.24 
 
 18.90 
 
 Women 
 
 17.28 
 
 Responsible w^orkers 
 
 
 
 
 Men 
 
 1210 
 
 288.34 
 
 22.72 
 
 Women 
 
 1100 
 
 262.13 
 
 20.66 
 
 Executives 
 
 
 
 
 Men 
 
 1595 
 
 380.09 
 
 29.95 
 
 Women 
 
 1430 
 
 340.77 
 
 26.86 
 
 Dessau" 
 
 
 
 
 Skilled cloak and jack- 
 
 
 
 
 et workers, etc 
 
 2.60 
 
 .620 
 
 .049 
 
 All other skilled 
 
 
 
 
 workers 
 
 2.20 
 
 .524 
 
 .041 
 
 Assistants 
 
 
 Beginners 
 
 1.50 
 
 .357 
 
 .028 
 
 Advanced 
 
 1.60 to 1.70 
 
 .381 to .405 
 
 .030 to .032 
 
 Helpers 
 
 1.20 
 
 .286 
 
 .023 
 
 ^Weekly rates. 
 'Monthly rates. 
 ^Hourly rates. 
 
 Married workers 10% additional. 
 
 76 
 
 4
 
 VII 
 LEATHER MANUFACTURING 
 
 Great Britain 
 
 Tanning 
 
 Hourly wages in the leather tanning industry in Great 
 Britain, as furnished by the United States Trade Commissioner 
 in London, in a report of February 8, 1921, are given below :^ 
 
 HOURLY WAGES IN LEATHER TANNING INDUSTRY, FEBRUARY, 
 
 1921 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled 
 
 London 
 
 Yorkshire and Lancashicr 
 Northamptonshire 
 
 Unskilled 
 
 London 
 
 Yorkshire and Lancashier 
 Northamptonshire 
 
 1 8 
 
 1 7SA 
 1 6^ 
 
 1 4 
 
 1 33/4 
 1 2^ 
 
 .406 
 .400 
 .380 
 
 .324 
 .310 
 .294 
 
 .312 
 .308 
 .293 
 
 .250 
 .246 
 .226 
 
 According to the British Labour Gazette of January, 1921, 
 minimum hourly wage rates for buffalo picker makers, tanners 
 and skip makers, in the leather tanning industry for Bradford, 
 Halifax, Retford, Rochdale, Todmorden and district, were as 
 follows : 
 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled 
 
 Semi-skilled 
 
 1 7 
 1 5^ 
 1 4 
 
 .385 
 .355 
 .324 
 
 .297 
 .273 
 
 Unskilled 
 
 .250 
 
 
 
 Piece rates are fixed so as to enable a worker to earn 15% 
 above day work rates. ^ 
 
 'Figures from the Ministry of Labour. 
 "Labour Gazette, p. 38. 
 
 77
 
 Boots and Shoes 
 
 In the wholesale boot and shoe manufacturing industry 
 the minimum time rate of wages for the principal classes of 
 skilled workers 23 years of age and upward, by the end of 
 1920, was 68 shillings (par, $16.55 ; exchange 1920-21, $12.74) 
 per week. Before the war, the corresponding minimum was 
 30 shillings (par, $7.30; exchange 1920-21, $5.62) per week in 
 most districts, though in some districts, it was 28 or 29 
 shillings (par, $6.81 or $7.06; exchange 1920-21, $5.24 or 
 $5.43). For men of the same ages in the heel building de- 
 partment and in the show and stock rooms, the minimum 
 in December, 1920 was 65 shillings (par, $15.82; exchange 
 1920-21, $12.17) a week, compared with 27 shillings 
 (par, $6.57; exchange 1920-21, $5.06) a week adopted in 
 1914, to take effect at the beginning of 1915. For women of 
 20 years or over, employed in the closing and heel-building 
 departments, and stock and show room departments, the mini- 
 mum rate was 40 shillings (par, $9.73; exchange 1920-21, 
 $7.49) a week in December, 1920 compared with 17 shillings 
 or 18 shillings (par, $4.14 or $4.38; exchange 1920-21, $3.18 
 or %?,.Z7) adopted in 1914, to take effect January, 1915.^ 
 
 Figures of average weekly wages obtained from the Gen- 
 eral President of the Boot and Shoe Operatives' Union, are 
 given in a report of the United States Trade Commissioner in 
 London, together with the above figures of minimum rates ob- 
 tained from the Ministry of Labour.'- The average weekly 
 wasres were as follows : 
 
 
 Shillings 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Male 
 
 Female 
 
 94 to 97 
 50 
 
 22.87 to 23.60 
 12.17 
 
 17. 60 to 18.17 
 9.36 
 
 ^Labour Gazette, February, 1921, p. 64. 
 
 ^The report states in a footnote : 
 
 "Although 68 shillings and 40 shillings for men and women, respect- 
 ively, were given as the minimum wage per week in the boot and shoe 
 industry by the Ministry of Labour, a conference with Mr. Richards, 
 General President of the Boot and Shoe Machine Operators' Union, dis- 
 closed the fact that first-class operators seldom receive less than 25% 
 above the minimum. The last two figures (94 shillings and 50 shillings) 
 included in this schedule are based on statistics in this office and given 
 verbal approval to me by Mr. Ainsworth in charge of wage statistics 
 in the Ministry of Labour." 
 
 78
 
 Leather Glove Manufacture 
 
 Decreases effective the week ending April 9, 1921 left mini- 
 mum weekly rates for workers in leather glove manufacturing 
 in Worcester, North Devon, Yeovil and Oxford, as follows :^ 
 
 
 Shillings 
 
 Doll 
 
 ars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Time work 
 
 Skilled men 
 
 67 6 
 33 
 
 79 SH 
 
 16.424 
 8.008 
 
 19.317 
 
 12.642 
 
 Women 20 years and over'. 
 Piecework basis time rate 
 For skilled men' 
 
 6.160 
 14.852 
 
 
 
 •Weekly rate computed from hourly rate on basis of 44-hour week. 
 "Weekly rate computed from hourly rate on basis of 47-hour week. 
 
 France 
 
 According to information furnished by the French National 
 Federation of the Leather and Hide Industry, wage rates as of 
 approximately February 1, 1921 for the leather industry, in- 
 cluding shoe-makers, saddlers, glove-makers, and tanners, were 
 as follows :" 
 
 HOURLY WAGES IN LEATHER INDUSTRY ( SHOE-MAKING, SAD- 
 DLERY, GLOVE-MAKING, TANNING), FEBRUARY, 1921 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Men 
 Skilled 
 Paris 
 Time work' . . 
 Piece work . . . 
 Provinces' 
 
 Time work^ . . 
 Piece work . . , 
 Unskilled, deduct 
 
 above 
 
 Women 
 Skilled 
 
 Time work' . . . . 
 Piece work . . . . 
 Unskilled 
 
 Time work 
 
 from 
 
 3.00 
 
 3.25 to 5.00 
 
 2.40 
 2.35to4.00 
 
 .25 
 
 2.25to3.00 
 2.50 to 3.25 
 
 1.60to2.00 
 
 .579 
 
 .628 to .965 
 
 .463 
 
 .454 to. 772 
 
 .0483 
 
 .434 to .579 
 .483 to .628 
 
 .309 to 3.86 
 
 .208 
 
 .225 to .347 
 
 .1662 
 
 .163 to .277 
 
 .017 
 
 ,156 to. 208 
 ,173 to .225 
 
 .111 to. 139 
 
 'Minimum. 
 
 'Approximate; "for the provinces wages average 20% less" than in Paris. 
 
 'Minimum rates. 
 
 "■Labour Gazette, May, 1921, p. 261. 
 
 ^Figures from National Federation of the Leather and Hide Industry, 
 reported by United States Commercial Attache, Paris, February 3, 1921. 
 
 79
 
 In connection with these figures the report in which they 
 are given states : 
 
 The above figures were shown to the president of a French leather 
 company, who stated that he was well acquainted with the Secretary of 
 the National F"ederation of the Leather and Hide Industry and that 
 the latter was a very reliable and conscientious man and that we could 
 depend upon the figures furnished by him. 
 
 Tanning 
 
 A report of the United States Trade Commissioner in Paris, 
 dated November 6, 1920, states that skilled tannery workers 
 were paid approximately 2.75 francs (par, $.531 ; exchange 
 1920-21, $.191) per hour, and that ordinary workmen and 
 helpers received 2.25 francs (par, $.434; exchange 1920-21, 
 $.156) per hour.^ 
 
 The president of a French leather company stated that the 
 average wages paid to tanners were from 2.50 to 3.12^/2 francs 
 (par, $.483 to $.603; exchange 1920-21, $.173 to $.217) per 
 hour, and to finishers from 3 to 4 francs (par, $.579 to $.772; 
 exchange 1920-21, $.208 to $.277) per hour; some highly 
 skilled workers in the tanning industry were earning as high 
 as 5 francs (par, $.965; exchange 1920-21, $.347) per hour, 
 although these were in the minority. - 
 
 According to figures given in the published details of the 
 collective agreement, hourly wage rates fixed for tannery 
 workers in one establishment at Lille, in June, 1920, were 
 2.35 to 2. 85 francs (par, $.454 to $.550; exchange 1920-21, 
 $.163 to $.198).^- 
 
 Boots and Shoes 
 
 According to collective agreements published by the French 
 
 Ministry of Labor, a minimum hourly rate of from 1.00 to 
 
 3.50 francs (par, $.193 to $.676; exchange 1920-21, $.069 to 
 
 $.243) was fixed for boot and shoe workers at Lille, in April, 
 
 1920. At Morestel rates were fixed at from 10 to 15 francs 
 
 per day, or from 1.25 to 1.87^ francs (par, $.241 to $.362; 
 
 exchange 1920-21, $.087 to $.130) per hour, for men, and of 
 
 from 6 to 10 francs per day, or .75 to 1.25 francs (par, $.145 
 
 to $.241 ; exchange 1920-21, $.052 to $.087) per hour, for 
 
 ^Commerce Reports, January 21, 1921. 
 
 'United States Commercial Attache, Paris, February 3, 1921. 
 
 "Bultctiii dn Mimstcrc dn Travail, August-October, 1920, p. 430. 
 
 80
 
 women. ^ These rates, of course, apply only to these particular 
 districts, though the rates for Lille are probably fairly repre- 
 sentative of the larger cities, and those of Morestel of the 
 smaller places. 
 
 Glove Manufacture 
 
 The following table gives in condensed form the schedule of 
 minimum piecework rates in the Grenoble glove industry, ef- 
 fective May 12, 1920, reported in the Commerce Reports of the 
 United States Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, 
 April 14, 1921. 
 
 MINIMUM PIECE-WORK RATES OF GLOVE-MAKERS AT GRENOBLE, 
 FRANCE, (rates PER DOZEN), EFFECTIVE FROM MAY, 1920 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollar 
 
 Par of 
 
 Exchangf 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Sewing 
 
 Slitting' 
 
 Trimming tranks 
 
 Assorting' 
 
 Embroideries" 
 
 Heavy cable twist silk". 
 Fine cable twist silk"... 
 
 Laying off 
 
 Hemming pique" 
 
 Cutting^ 
 
 6.25 to 10.85 
 
 1.206 to 2.094 
 
 .25 
 
 .18 
 
 .13 
 
 1.10 
 
 1.25 
 
 1.45 
 
 .65 
 
 1.00 
 
 13.50 
 
 .30 
 
 .30 
 2.70 
 3.70 
 4.55 
 1.55 
 1.45 
 
 .0482 
 .0347 
 .0251 
 .212 
 .241 
 .280 
 .125 
 .193 
 2.606 
 
 .0579 
 
 .0579 
 
 .521 
 
 .714 
 
 .878 
 
 .299 
 
 .280 
 
 .433 to .752 
 
 .017 " .021 
 
 .012 
 
 .009 
 
 .076 
 
 .087 
 
 .100 
 
 .045 
 
 .069 
 
 .936 
 
 .021 
 .187 
 .256 
 .315 
 .107 
 .100 
 
 ^Rates given per 100 dozen. 
 ^Silk furnished by factory. 
 ^Average. 
 
 Germany 
 
 In an investigation of wages in the leather industry in Feb- 
 ruary, 1920, made as part of a general survey of wages by 
 the Federal Statistical office, it was found that time workers 
 received the following hourly wages :^ 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Ex,change 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Tanners 
 
 1.81 to5. 33 
 
 1.56 " 4.20 
 
 .55 " 2.99 
 
 .431 to 1.270 
 .372 "1.001 
 .131 " .713 
 
 
 
 .034 to .100 
 
 Helpers 
 
 .029 " .079 
 
 Stitchers (women)... 
 
 .010 " .056 
 
 ^Bulletin du Ministere du Travail, August-October, 1920, p. 430. 
 ^Sociale Praxis, February 16, 1921, p. 168. 
 
 81
 
 It was reported that 47% of the workers were on piece 
 rates, and that the variation in wages with this class of workers 
 was less than with those on time work, as is shown by the 
 following hourly earnings of pieceworkers :^ 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled workers 
 
 Stitchers (women) .. 
 
 2.26to4.88 
 .11 " 3.21 
 
 .539 to 1.163 
 .183 " .765 
 
 .042 to. 092 
 .014 " .060 
 
 Rates had increased over these figures, however, approxi- 
 mately 50^0 by the end of 1920. 
 
 Tanning 
 
 The following wage rates for the leather tanning industry 
 were set by collective agreement in the localities specified be- 
 tween October 20, 1920 and March 15, 1921 : 
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES IN THE LEATHER AND TANNING INDUSTRY 
 
 FIXED BY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT OCTOBER, 1920 TO 
 
 MARCH, 1921 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Mainz, Rounheim on the Main 
 
 Men over 21 years 
 
 Women over 21 years 
 
 Hirschberg on the Saale' 
 
 Men, competent workers 
 
 Helpers 
 
 Women 
 
 Wiirtemberg" 
 
 Tanners 
 
 Helpers over 20, after 1 year 
 
 Women over 20 
 
 Miihlhausen in Thiiringen^ 
 
 Skilled men 
 
 Helpers 
 
 Women 
 
 5.15 
 2.60 
 
 4.95 to 5.05 
 
 4.70 
 
 3.10 " 3.20 
 
 4.60 
 4.40 
 2.50 
 
 5.00 
 4.80 
 3.00 
 
 4.80 " 5.00 
 4.50 " 4.70 
 2.90 " 3.00 
 
 1.226 
 .619 
 
 1.178 to 1.202 
 1.120 
 .738 " .762 
 
 1.095 "1.19 
 1.047 "1.144 
 .595 " 7.14 
 
 1.140 "1.19 
 1.071 "1.120 
 .690 " .714 
 
 .097 
 .049 
 
 .093 to .095 
 
 .088 
 
 .058 " .060 
 
 .086 
 .083 
 .047 
 
 .090 
 .085 
 .054 
 
 .094 
 .090 
 .056 
 
 .094 
 .088 
 .056 
 
 ^Workers over 20 years. Piece work rates average 10% higher. Family allowance, 
 20 marks (par, $.0476; exchange, 1920-21, $.0038); one and two children, .30 
 marks (par, $.0714; exchange, 1920-21, $.0056); three and four children, .40 marks 
 (par, $.095; exchange, 1920-21, $.0075); five and more children, .50 marks (par, 
 $.119; exchange 1920-21, $.0094). 
 
 ^'Workers in 'Stuttgart, .10 to .20 marks (par, $.0238 to $.0476; exchange, 1920-21, 
 $.0019 to $.0038) per hour additional. 
 
 'Workers over 20 years. 
 
 ^Sociale Praxis, February 16, 1921. 
 
 82
 
 Boots and Shoes 
 
 The following table shows the increase in wage rates as 
 embodied in the terms of the national collective agreements 
 for the boot-making industry over a period of years. A shoe- 
 maker of over 21 years, living in a Class I locality (locality in 
 which cost of living is highest), working by the hour, received 
 the following minimum weekly wages on the dates specified : 
 
 HIGHEST MINIMUM WEEKLY WAGE RATES FOR ADULT SHOE- 
 MAKERS FIXED BY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT, 1917 TO 1921 
 
 Date of wage agreement 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 June 9, 1917' 
 
 April 15, 1918^.. 
 December 7, 1918 
 
 May 9, 1919 
 
 November 4, 1919 
 January 23, 1920. 
 
 May 1, 1920 
 
 October 18, 1920. 
 January 21, 1921. 
 
 'Military boots. 
 ^Civilian shoes. 
 
 39.64 
 
 42.88 
 
 67.36 
 
 79.36 
 
 110.92 
 
 146.92 
 
 235.00 
 
 258.00 
 
 282.00 
 
 9.43 
 10.21 
 16.03 
 18.89 
 26.40 
 34.97 
 55.93 
 61.40 
 67.12 
 
 .744 
 
 .805 
 
 1.265 
 
 1.490 
 
 083 
 759 
 413 
 ,845 
 ,296 
 
 A shoemaker on piecework would earn, according to the 
 latest agreements, 329 marks (par, $78.30; exchange 1920-21, 
 $6.18) a week. The minimum wage per hour was 5 marks 
 (par, $1.19; exchange 1920-21, $.094), to which various al- 
 lowances were to be added, thus bringing the sum to 7.20 
 marks (par, $1,714; exchange 1920-21, $.135). The wages of 
 the other local classes were in proportion to those mentioned 
 above. It is to be noted that these figures represent minimum 
 wage rates. ^ 
 
 ^Schumacher Fachblatt, February 16, 1921, reprinted in Daily Intelli- 
 gence, International Labor Office, March 17, 1921, p. 8. 
 
 83
 
 VIII 
 SAND, CLAY AND GLASS 
 
 Great Britain 
 
 Pottery 
 
 According to data supplied by the Stafifordshire Pottery 
 Manufacturers' Association to the United States Consul at 
 Stoke-on-Trent, costs in the English pottery industry have 
 increased over 1914 figures by the percentages given below •} 
 
 Labor 
 
 Fuel 
 
 Clay 
 
 Cobalt 
 
 Flint, Glaze, etc 
 
 Crates and Straw 
 
 Cartage 
 
 Saggar marl and fire-bricks 
 Plaster 
 
 Percentage 
 
 increase over 
 
 1914 
 
 costs 
 
 150 to 180 
 
 200 
 
 ' 255 
 
 160 
 
 ' 250 
 
 230 
 
 ' 566 
 
 180 
 
 ' 330 
 
 230 
 
 ' 425 
 
 300 
 
 " 400 
 
 275 
 
 ' 290 
 
 200 
 
 
 The British Labour Gasettc- reports an increase of 108%% 
 on basic wage rates in this industry from July, 1914 to the 
 end of 1920, and in some cases increases in the basic rates 
 also. 
 
 Figures from the United States Department of Commerce 
 show the following weekly wage rates for the British pottery 
 industry in September, 1920 : 
 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Laborers 
 
 62 6 
 89 6 
 89 6 
 
 15.208 
 21.778 
 21.778 
 
 11.705 
 
 Biscuit and glost placers 
 
 Saggar makers 
 
 16.762 
 16.762 
 
 'United States Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce. 
 mcrce Reports, February 9, 1921, p. 801. 
 'February, 1921, p. 64. 
 
 84 
 
 Com-
 
 The new schedule of minimnm rates for engravers in the 
 pottery industry, for various districts in England, effective 
 from April 15, 1921, was also the result of a decrease. For 
 journeymen engravers the minimum hourly rate after the 
 change was 10^ pence (par, $.213; exchange 1920-21, $.164). 
 This rate was subjected to the addition of a 66%% incorporated 
 bonus, plus a bonus of 25% on earnings.^ 
 
 Weekly time rates for workers employed in the brick and 
 roofing tile-making industry of North Staffordshire, as of 
 November 19, 1920, are reported in the Labour Gazette,- as 
 follows : 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Men 
 
 Laborers, 21 years and over. 
 
 20 years' 
 
 Women, 21 years' 
 
 75 O*! 
 56 
 34 
 
 18.49 
 13.63 
 8.274 
 
 14.23 
 
 10.49 
 
 6.37 
 
 'Minimum rates. 
 
 aWeekly rates figured from hourly on basis of 48-hour week. 
 
 Glass 
 
 A decrease of about 14% is reported-' for glass bottle blowers 
 and makers in London, eff'ective January 17, 1921, leaving rates 
 per "day"* after the change, for made work, as follows : 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Makers 
 Blowers 
 
 7 
 6 
 
 1.703 
 1.460 
 
 1.31 
 1.12 
 
 The following wage rates were set for workers in the 
 glass working industry in the Birmingham district, effective 
 from September 1, 1920:^ 
 
 ^Labour Gazette, Mav, 1921. p. 265. 
 'December, 1920, p. 702. 
 ^Ideni., February, 1921, p. 97. 
 
 *A "day" refers to a fixed output, varying in quantity with the article 
 made. 
 
 ^Labour Gazette, October, 1920. 
 
 85
 
 WEEKLY WAGE RATES IN THE BIRMINGHAM GLASS WORKING IN- 
 DUSTRY, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER, 1920 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Cutters, silverers, embossers, lead light 
 
 workers and glaziers 
 
 Cemcntcrs, wetters-off and painters... 
 
 Packers 
 
 Laborers 
 
 79 1 
 69 6 
 72 1 
 63 5 
 
 19.243 
 16.911 
 17.540 
 15.431 
 
 14.811 
 13.016 
 13.500 
 11.877 
 
 France 
 
 Pottery 
 
 In the French pottery industry rates for brick moulders 
 were from 14 to 16 francs (par, $2,702 to $3,088; exchange 
 1920-21, $.970 to $1.09) per 1,000 bricks, according to wage 
 data suppHed by the manufacturers' association (Societe 
 Anonynie I'Union Industrielle). The moulder earns from 25 
 to 35 francs (par, $4,825 to $6,755; exchange 1920-21, $1,733 
 to $2,426) per day. Ordinary labor receives from 1.90 to 
 2.00 francs (par, $.367 to $.386; exchange 1920-21, $.132 to 
 $.139) per hour.^ 
 
 In a wage agreement for the pottery industry in Marseilles, 
 June 16, 1920, rates were set at 21 francs (par, $4.053 ; ex- 
 change 1920-21, $1,455 per day.- 
 
 Glass 
 
 Wages in the glass industry in Paris, as set by collective 
 agreement May 21, 1920, ranged from 8 francs (par, $1,544; 
 exchange 1920-21, $.544) (for children) to 20 francs (par, 
 $3.86; exchange 1920-21, $1,386) per day.^' 
 
 Marble 
 
 Hourly wage rates for marble cutters as fixed by collective 
 agreement in two localities, in March and June, 1920, were as 
 follows :* 
 
 'Reix)rted by United States Commercial Attache, Paris, Feb. 3, 1921. 
 
 'Bulletin du Ministerc du Travail, November-December, 1920, p. 545. 
 
 ^Idem. 
 
 *Idem. 
 
 86
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Pans\ 
 
 Roubaix 
 
 2.90to3.45 
 2.90 
 
 .560 to .666 
 .560 
 
 .201 to .239 
 .201 
 
 'Minimum rates. 
 
 
 
 
 Germany 
 
 Pottery 
 
 The industry of fine ceramic products in Germany has a 
 scale of wages covering the whole country. The localities are 
 arranged in four classes, with an extra class for Berlin. The 
 figures represent minimum rates, and good workmen are cor- 
 respondingly better paid. The agreement from which the 
 following rates were taken was effective from October 1 to 
 December 31, 1920, and was renewed January 1, 1921, with 
 slight changes in the bonuses. The following table gives 
 the range of wage rates in the various localities for workers 
 over 20 years of age ■} 
 
 MINIMUM HOURLY WAGE RATES IN THE CERAMICS INDUSTRY, 
 EFFECTIVE FROM OCTOBER 1, 1920'' 
 
 Men 
 Expert workers 
 
 Time work . . 
 
 Job-rate 
 
 Other Workers 
 
 Time work . . 
 
 Job-rate 
 
 Women 
 
 Expert workers 
 
 Time work . . 
 
 Job-rate 
 
 Other Workers 
 
 Time work . . 
 
 Job-rate 
 
 Marks 
 
 .70 to 4.54 
 65 " 5.68 
 
 .2,Z 
 .15 
 
 4.03 
 5.04 
 
 3.26 
 4.08 
 
 3.01 
 3.78 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of I Exchange 
 
 Exchange 1920-21 
 
 .643 to 1.081 
 
 .869 "1.352 
 
 .555 " .959 
 .750 "1.200 
 
 .519 " .776 
 
 .650 " .971 
 
 .457 " .716 
 
 .571 " .900 
 
 .051 to .085 
 .069 " .107 
 
 .044 " .076 
 .059 " .095 
 
 .041 " 
 .051 " 
 
 .061 
 .077 
 
 .036 " .057 
 .045 " .071 
 
 aAdditional payments of 10% to 25% are made according to age, number of 
 children and kind of work. 
 
 Glass 
 
 The following hourly wage rates for glass cutting in two 
 localities were fixed in November, 1920:^ 
 
 'Reichs-Arbeitsblatt, Nov. 15, 1920, p. 99* and Mar. 15, 1921, p. 420.* 
 ■Idem., December 27, 1920, p. 215.* 
 
 87
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES FOR GLASS CUTTERS IN TWO LOCALITIES 
 FIXED BY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT, NOVEMBER, 1920 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Chemnitz^ 
 
 Skilled glass cutters 
 
 Artists 
 
 4.35 to 5.90 
 4.20 " 5.50 
 3.90 " 4.35 
 
 4.00 " 4.60 
 
 1.035 to 1.404 
 
 1.000 "1.309 
 
 .928 "1.035 
 
 .952 "1.095 
 
 .082 to .111 
 .079 " .103 
 
 Helpers and other workers.. 
 Saxony" 
 Designers and cutters 
 
 .073 " .082 
 .075 " .086 
 
 'Workers over 20 years. Married workers 10% to 15% additional. 
 -Minimum rates. 
 
 Labour Overseas, a British official publication, reports a wage 
 rate in the German bottle-making industry of 5 marks per hour 
 (par, $1.19; exchange 1920-21, $.094), for skilled time workers 
 in March, 1920. 
 
 Brick Making 
 
 The following wage rates for brick making are reported in 
 the Reichs-Arbeitsblatt:^ 
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES IN THE BRICK MAKING INDUSTRY IN TWO 
 
 LOCALITIES FIXED BY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT, OCTOBER, 
 
 1920 AND JANUARY, 1921 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Gera and vicinity 
 
 Men over 25' 
 
 Artisans 
 
 Kiln men 
 
 4.70 
 
 4.90 
 
 5.20 
 
 4.40 to 4.70 
 
 3.20 
 
 3.15 " 3.50 
 1.90 " 2.10 
 
 1.119 
 1.166 
 
 1.238 
 
 1.047 to 1.119 
 .762 
 
 .750 " .834 
 .452 " .500 
 
 .088 
 .092 
 .098 
 
 Brick burners 
 
 Women over 21 
 
 Gorlitz and vicinity" 
 
 Men over 20 
 
 Women over 18 
 
 .083 to .088 
 .060 
 
 .059 " .066 
 .036 " .039 
 
 ^Includes also married men over 21 years. 
 ^Burners, firemen, etc., receive 10% more. 
 
 'November 26, 1921, p. 138 and February 15, 1921, p. 345.
 
 IX 
 
 CHEMICALS 
 
 Great Britain 
 
 Alkalies, Heavy Chemicals and Dyes 
 
 Weekly wages in this industry, as reported by the Secre- 
 tary of the Chemical Employers' Association in February, 
 1921, were as follows: 
 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Common labor' 
 
 75 6 
 
 106 
 
 18.37 
 25.79 
 
 14.14 
 
 Semi-skilled or process men" 
 
 19.85 
 
 
 
 
 M7-hour week. 
 '56-hour week. 
 
 
 
 
 He further stated that the salary of chemists or technically 
 trained men was 300 pounds (par, $1,459.95; exchange 1920- 
 21, $1,123.71) or more per year.^ 
 
 According to the Labour Gazette, there has been a decrease 
 in the wage rates of workers employed in the manufacture 
 of heavy chemicals, salts, etc., effective from the third pay week 
 in April, 1921. After the change, minimum standard rates 
 for day laborers and shiftmen (able-bodied men 21 years and 
 over) were 1 shilling, 5 pence and 1 shilling, 7 pence (par, 
 $.345, $.265; exchange 1920-21, $.385, $.297), respectively. 
 
 Paint, Color and Varnish 
 
 The following minimum weekly rates were set August 1, 
 1920, under an agreement arrived at by the Joint Industrial 
 Council for the Paint, Color and Varnish Trade, and were still 
 in effect at the end of 1920 1^ 
 
 'Report of United States Trade Commissioner, London, February 8, 
 1921. 
 ^Ministry of Labour. \^ 
 
 89
 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Men, over 20 years. . . . 
 Women, over 18 years. 
 
 56 6 to 68 0* 
 36 6 " 40 
 
 13. 748 to 16.546 
 8.881 " 9.733 
 
 10.582 to 12.735 
 6.836 " 7.491 
 
 a In the case of qualified youths higher rates up to 4 shillings (par, $.97,^; 
 exchange, 1920-21, $.749) in excess of the minimum may be paid. 
 
 Drugs and Fine Chemicals 
 
 For workers employed in the drug and fine chemical trade, 
 the following weekly wage rates were set July 1, 1920, and 
 were still in effect at the end of 1920:^ 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Men, 21 years and over. 
 Women, 18 years and 
 over 
 
 65 to 75 
 Z7 6 " 45 
 
 15. 816to 18.249 
 9.125 "10.950 
 
 12. 174 to 14.046 
 7.023 " 8.428 
 
 Printing Ink Manufacture 
 
 Minimum weekly rates for men employed in printing ink 
 and roller making, for London, as from February 5, 1921, were 
 reported as follows : 
 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Head oil boilers, head roller makers, etc.. 
 Skilled ink grinders, etc 
 
 92 6 
 82 6 
 75 
 72 6 
 
 22.51 
 
 20.07 
 18.25 
 17.64 
 
 17.32 
 
 15.45 
 
 Asst. ink grinders, asst. oil boilers, etc.... 
 Packers, vanmen, laborers, etc 
 
 14.05 
 13.58 
 
 In the provinces the rates are 10% less than the rates for 
 London.^ 
 
 Soap and Candle Manufacture 
 
 For workers employed in soap and candle manufacture, the 
 following rates became effective as the result of a decrease 
 in April, 1921:'' 
 
 'Ministry of Labour. 
 
 -Labour Gazette, April. 1921. p. 208. 
 
 ^Idem., May, 1921, p. 265. 
 
 90
 
 MINIMUM WEEKLY WAGE RATES IN SOAP AND CANDLE MANU- 
 FACTURE, APRIL, 1921 
 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Larger industrial centers 
 
 Men, 21 years and over 
 
 Women 18 years and over 
 
 69 
 
 39 6 
 
 76 
 42 
 
 67 
 36 
 
 16.789 
 
 9.611 
 
 18.493 
 10.220 
 
 16.303 
 8.760 
 
 12.923 
 7.398 
 
 Port Sunlight and Bromborough Pool 
 Men 
 
 14.234 
 
 Women 
 
 Other centers 
 Men 
 
 7.866 
 12.548 
 
 Women 
 
 6.742 
 
 France 
 
 Electro-Metallurgical and Electro-Chemical Industries 
 
 Wages of common labor in the electro-metallurgical and 
 electro-chemical industries in Paris were 1.87 to 3.12 francs 
 (par, $.361 to $.602; exchange 1920-21, $.130 to $.216) per 
 hour, as of approximately February 1, 1921, according to in- 
 formation furnished by the Employers' Association of the 
 Metallurgical and Mining Industries and the General Federa- 
 tion of Labor. 
 
 General Chemical Industry 
 
 According to the Employers' Association of Metallurgical 
 and Mining Industries, as reported by the United States Com- 
 mercial Attache in February. 1921. common labor in this in- 
 dustry received 19 francs per day, or 2.375 francs (par, $.458; 
 exchange 1920-21, $.165) per hour, as per contract between the 
 association and the employees. The report stated that especially 
 skilled or experienced labor received 25 francs (par, $4.825 ; 
 exchange 1920-21, $1,733) per day, but that the great majority 
 of employees in this industry were common laborers. 
 
 A Swiss report states that wages of factory workers in the 
 French chemical industry at the end of 1920, were 2.70 francs 
 (par, $.521; exchange 1920-21, $.187) per hour.^ 
 
 Dye Manufacturing 
 
 Minimum hourly wages in the dye making industry at Lille 
 
 were fixed by collective agreement March 20, 1920, at 1.25 to 
 
 2.25 francs (par, $.241 to $.434; exchange 1920-21, $.087 to 
 
 'L'Union Centrale des Associations patronales suisses. Bulletin No. 9, 
 p. 11. 
 
 91
 
 $.156) per hour. Apprentices were to receive 6 francs (par, 
 $1,158; exchange 1920-21, $.416) per day and boys less than 
 18 years of age 11 francs (par, $2,123; exchange 1920-21, 
 $.762) per day.^ 
 
 Germany 
 
 Wage rates in the German chemical industry incorporated 
 in collective agreements from various localities published in the 
 Reichs-Arbeitsblatt are given below. Ranges of rates are 
 shown for workers of varying ages and varying degrees of 
 skill : 
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES IN THE GERMAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY 
 
 FIXED BY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT, OCTOBER, 1920 TO 
 
 FEBRUARY, 1921 
 
 Cologne and vicinity^ 
 Experienced workers over 20 
 Experienced helpers, includ- 
 ing machine workers 
 
 Women over 18 
 
 Stokers, machinists, etc 
 
 Hemelingen 
 
 Men over 20 
 
 Women over 20 
 
 Bavaria (right of Rhine)'" 
 Workers over 21 
 
 Initial wage 
 
 After 2 years 
 
 Women over 18 
 
 Initial wage 
 
 After 2 years 
 
 Artisans, machinists, etc., 
 
 over 21 
 
 Alannheim, Ludwigshafen and 
 vicinity^ 
 
 Craftsmen over 21 
 
 Stokers, machinists and help- 
 ers over 21 
 
 Factory workers over 21... 
 
 Women over 20 
 
 Pomerania* 
 
 Unskilled workers 
 
 Women 
 
 Marks 
 
 4.71to6.30 
 
 4.34 " 5.80 
 2.44 " 3.21 
 4.49 " 6.00 
 
 5.00 
 3.05 
 
 4.00 
 4.20 
 
 4.90 
 5.10 
 
 2.30 " 2.80 
 2.50 " 3.00 
 
 4.30 " 5.70 
 
 4.20 " 6.80 
 
 4.15 
 4.10 
 
 2.45 
 
 6.70 
 6.40 
 3.90 
 
 3.75 " 4.50 
 1.90 " 2.60 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 1.121 to 1.500 
 
 1.033 "1.380 
 
 .581 " .764 
 
 1.069 "1.428 
 
 1.19 
 .726 
 
 .952 "1.166 
 1.000 "1.214 
 
 .547 " .666 
 .595 " .714 
 
 1.023 "1.357 
 
 1.00 "1.618 
 
 .988 
 .976 
 .583 
 
 1.595 
 
 1.525 
 
 .928 
 
 .893 "1.071 
 .452 " .619 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 .088 to .118 
 
 .082 " .109 
 .046 " .060 
 .084 " .113 
 
 .094 
 .057 
 
 .075 " .092 
 
 .079 " .096 
 
 .043 " .053 
 
 .047 " .056 
 
 .081 
 
 .107 
 
 .079 " .128 
 
 .078 " .126 
 
 .077 " .120 
 
 .046 " .073 
 
 .070 " .085 
 
 .036 " .049 
 
 'Chemicals and explosivess; maximum average wage. 
 
 ^Range of wages according to locality. Family allowance: wife and each child, 
 6 marks (par, $1,428; exchange, 1920-21, $.113) per week. 
 
 ^Family allowance: 8 to 14 marks (par, $1,906 to $3,336; exchange, 1920-21, 
 $.150 to $.263) per week per child. 
 
 ^Workers over 20 years. 
 
 ^Bulletin du Ministcrc du Travail, November-December, 1910, p. 546. 
 
 92
 
 A Swiss report states that factory workers in the German 
 chemical industry at the end of 1920 received 4.80 marks 
 (par, $1,144; exchange 1920-21, $.090) per hour.^ 
 
 Dyeing 
 
 In the zone occupied by British troops (Cologne district), 
 hourly wages in the dyeing industry, in August, 1920, were as 
 follows :^ 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Men 
 
 Skilled 
 
 6.10 
 5.65 
 5.25 
 3.00to3.25 
 
 1.452 
 1.345 
 1.250 
 .714 to. 774 
 
 .115 
 
 Semi-skilled 
 
 Unskilled 
 
 Women, unskilled . . . 
 
 .106 
 .099 
 .056 to .061 
 
 Since this time, however, wages have probably increased 
 somewhat. 
 
 Soap Making 
 
 According to a wage agreement effective February 11, 1921, 
 workers in the soap industry in the Cologne district received 
 5.85 marks (par, $1,392; exchange 1920-21, $.110) per hour. 
 Married men received .25 marks (par, $.0595 ; exchange 1920- 
 21, $.0047) per hour additional.^ 
 
 ^L'Union Centrale des Associations patronales suisses. 
 p. 11. 
 
 'Labour Overseas, July to September, 1920, p. 135. 
 ^Reichs-Arbeitsblatt, March 31, 1921, p. 454.* 
 
 Bulletin No. 9, 
 
 93
 
 PAPER, PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING 
 
 Great Britain 
 
 Printing and Bookbinding 
 
 The official figures of average (unweighted) weekly time 
 rates of wages in 27 towns in Great Britain, in December, 1920, 
 are given below : 
 
 
 'Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Hand compositors (book and job- 
 bing work) 
 
 93 4 
 93 8 
 
 22.71 
 22.78 
 
 17.48 
 
 Bookbinders and machine rulers.. 
 
 17.54 
 
 These rates represent at 162% and a 176% increase, re- 
 spectively, over July, 1914 rates. ^ The following tabulation of 
 the range of minimum weekly wage rates in the printing trades 
 in six grades of cities in England, is compiled from the Labour 
 Gazette of December, 1920. These rates were effective from 
 November 15, 1920, and there was no notice of changes in 
 wages in this trade up to April 30, 1921. 
 
 MINIMUM WEEKLY WAGE RATES IN THE PRINTING TRADES IN 
 VARIOUS CLASSES OF CITIES IN ENGLAND, NOVEMBER, 1920 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Compositors and bookbind- 
 ers, jobbing 
 
 Compositors : 
 
 Morning newspapers . . . 
 
 Evening newspapers . . . 
 Linotype operators, jobbing 
 Linotype operators and ro- 
 tary minders : 
 
 Morning newspapers . . . 
 
 Evening newspapers . . . 
 
 82 6 to 97 6 
 
 94 6 
 
 85 
 88 6 
 
 101 6 
 90 
 
 109 6 
 100 
 106 
 
 119 
 108 6 
 
 20.07 to 23.72 
 
 22.90 "26.64 
 20.68 "24.33 
 21.53 "25.79 
 
 24.70 "28.96 
 22.14 "26.40 
 
 15.45 to 18.26 
 
 17.70 
 15.92 
 16.57 
 
 19.01 
 17.04 
 
 20.51 
 18.73 
 19.85 
 
 22.29 
 20.32 
 
 ^Labour Gazette, February, 1921, p. 64. 
 
 94
 
 MINIMUM WEEKLY WAGE RATES IN THE PRINTING TRADES IN 
 VARIOUS CLASSES OF CITIES IN ENGLAND, XOVE.MltER, 1920 
 
 — Continued 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Lithographic printers : 
 
 Machine minders and 
 transferers, flat bed'.. 
 
 Plate transferers, rotary 
 machines' 
 
 Machine minders, direc- 
 tor or off-set rotary'.. 
 
 Stone polishers and shif- 
 ters 
 
 Stone and plate grainers 
 Lithographic artists : 
 
 Designers and engravers 
 (excluding process 
 
 workers)' 
 
 Electrotypers and stereo- 
 typers : 
 
 Jobbing offices 
 
 Morning newspapers . . . 
 
 Evening newspapers . . . 
 
 92 6 to 97 
 
 97 6 " 102 
 
 102 6 " 107 
 
 72 6 
 74 6 
 
 95 " 100 
 
 82 6 " 97 
 94 6 " 109 
 85 " 100 
 
 22.51 to 23. 72! 17. 32 to 18.26 
 
 23.72 "24.94 
 
 24.94 "26.16 
 
 17.64 
 18.13 
 
 18.26 " 19.20 
 
 19.20 " 20.13 
 
 13.58 
 13.95 
 
 23.12 "24.33 17.79 " 18.73 
 
 20.07 "23.72 
 22.99 "26.64 
 20.68 "24.33 
 
 15.45 " 18.26 
 17.70 " 20.51 
 15.92 " 18.73 
 
 "From 3 grades of cities only. 
 
 Minimum weekly wage rates in 
 don, efifective November 15. 1920, 
 
 the printing trades in Lon- 
 were as follows '} 
 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Bookbinders and machine 
 rulers : 
 Alen 
 
 100 
 51 
 
 130 
 26 7 
 
 24.33 
 12.41 
 
 31.63 
 6.468 
 
 18.73 
 
 Women over 18 (skilled) 
 Electrotypers and stereo- 
 typers : 
 
 Daily and Sunday news- 
 papers 
 
 Casual men' 
 
 9.55 
 
 24.35 
 4.98 
 
 
 
 'Per day. 
 
 Paper Bag and Box Making 
 
 In the December, 1920 number of the Labour Gazette- are 
 given the following minimum weekly wage rates in the paper 
 box and paper bag inaking industries in Great Britain. 
 
 ^Labour Gazette, December, 1920, p. 700. 
 ^P. 700. 
 
 95
 
 MINIMUM WEEKLY WAGE RATES IN PAPER BOX AND BAG 
 INDUSTRY, 1920 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Paper box making 
 
 Machine winders, die 
 makers, form setters, 
 cutters, and head stock 
 keepers 
 
 20 years and over 
 
 Women (other than learn- 
 ers ) ' 
 
 Paper-bag making 
 
 Men, over 20 years 
 
 Machine tacklers 
 
 Paper-bag cutters 
 
 Women (other than 
 learners)^ 
 
 48 6 to 78 6 
 37 
 
 11.80 to 18.61 
 9.003 
 
 9. 08 to 14.33 
 6.93 
 
 58 
 57 
 
 n 
 
 82 
 74 
 
 14.11 
 13.87 
 
 9.003 
 
 19.95 
 18.01 
 
 10.86 
 10.68 
 
 6.93 
 
 15.36 
 13.86 
 
 'Weekly rate figured from hourly rate on basis of 48-hour week. 
 
 Paper Making 
 
 Minimum hourly wage rates in paper mills in the United 
 Kingdom (except for skilled tradesmen and those employed in 
 handmade paper mills and board-mills), effective August, 1920, 
 were reported as follows :^ 
 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Time workers 
 Men, 21 years and over 
 Class I occupations 
 
 Coating mills 
 
 1 10 
 
 2 
 
 1 7% 
 1 9 
 lOi^ 
 
 .446 
 .487 
 
 .390 
 .426 
 .213 
 
 .343 
 
 Other mills 
 
 .375 
 
 Class II occupations 
 
 Day workers 
 
 .300 
 
 Shift workers 
 
 .328 
 
 Women, 18 years and over 
 
 .164 
 
 For pieceworkers, rates were fixed to yield not less than 20% 
 over timeworkers. 
 
 ^Labour Gacette, September, 1920, p. 508. 
 
 96
 
 France 
 
 Printing and Bookbinding 
 
 An analysis of ten collective agreements concluded in the 
 first eight months of 1920 and reported in the bulletin of the 
 Ministry of Labour, .shows wages for skilled workers ranging 
 from 2 francs (minimum rate) to 2.85 francs (par, $.386 to 
 $.550; exchange 1920-21, $.139 to $.198) per hour for skilled 
 workers. The highest wage was reported for Clermont-Fer- 
 rand. In the case of certain of the larger cities, including Paris, 
 no actual wage rates were stated, but notice was given of in- 
 creases in cost of living bpnuses. The hourly wage rates re- 
 ported in the various agreements were as follows. The lowest 
 rates shown were for boys and women workers ■} 
 
 D.MLY WAGE RATES IN THE FRENCH PRINTING TRADES FIXED BY 
 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN JANUARY AND AUGUST, 
 
 1920 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Cognac 
 
 Montpellier 
 
 5. 15 to 16.90 
 
 6.00 " 17.00 
 13.00 " 21.00 
 14.40 " 18.40 
 
 3.40 " 14.40 
 10.30 
 
 8.00 " 16.00 
 18.00 " 22.00 
 21.20 
 
 17.00 " 18.00 
 
 17.00 " 20.00 
 
 15.90 " 16.90 
 
 8.00«" 19.60 
 
 .994 to 3. 262 
 1.158 "3.281 
 2.509 "4.053 
 2.779 "3.551 
 
 .656 "2.779 
 1.988 
 
 1.544 "3.088 
 3.474 "4.246 
 4.092 
 
 3.281 "3.474 
 3.281 "3.860 
 3.069 "3.262 
 1.544 "3.783 
 
 .357 to 1.171 
 .416 " 1.178 
 
 Voiron' 
 
 Orleans 
 
 .901 " 1.455 
 .998 " 1.275 
 
 Young workers 
 
 Book stitchers 
 
 Angers', ^ 
 
 .236 " .998 
 
 .714 
 
 .544 " 1.109 
 
 Clermont-Ferrand 
 
 Meru" 
 
 Toulon 
 
 Day 
 
 Night 
 
 1.247 " 1.525 
 1.469 
 
 1.178 " 1.247 
 1.178 " 1.386 
 
 Avignon 
 
 1.102 " 1.171 
 
 ] oitiers', '" 
 
 .554 " 1.358 
 
 
 
 'Minimum rate. 
 
 ^Computed from hourly rate on basis of 8-hour day. 
 
 oApprentices. 
 
 In an agreement concluded at Lille, January 19, 1921, min- 
 imum daily wages for workers over 21 years of age were set 
 as follows : 
 
 ^Bulletin du Ministere du Travail, November-December, 1920, p. 543 
 to 545. 
 
 97
 
 Non-Specialized workers" . 
 
 Qualified workers 
 
 Specialized workers 
 
 Cost of living bonus 
 Workers over 21 years 
 Workers from 16 to 21 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 16.00 
 18.00 
 
 20.00 
 
 00 
 SO 
 
 3.088 
 3.474 
 3.86 
 
 .965 
 .676 
 
 1.109 
 1.247 
 1.386 
 
 .347 
 .243 
 
 As a result of the decrease in cost of living, wages in the 
 Paris bookbinding and printing trades were reduced, May 16, 
 1921, a maximum amount of 2 francs (par $.386; exchange 
 1920-21, $.139) a day for men over 18 years of age and 1.20 
 francs (par $.232; exchange 1920-21, $.083) for women over 
 18 years of age. In Lyon, the cost of living bonus was reduced 
 from 3.85 francs to 3.40 francs (par $.743 to $.656; exchange 
 1920-21, 0.267 to $.236) per day, effective May 1, 1921.' 
 
 Paper Box Making 
 
 In an agreement dated September 29, 1920, effective to Oc- 
 tober 15, 1921, the minimum hourly wages for workers in the 
 boxboard and paper box industry in Paris were fixed as 
 follows : 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Apprentices 
 
 2. 40 to 3. 50 
 
 1.50 " 2.40 
 
 .25 " 1.90 
 
 .463 to .676 
 
 .290 " .463 
 
 .0483 " .367 
 
 .166 to .243 
 .104 " .166 
 .017 " .132 
 
 
 
 Germany 
 
 Paper 
 
 The following hourly wage rates in the paper industry in 
 Wiirtemberg, varying according to locality, were fixed by col- 
 lective agreement in October, 1920. In addition, married men 
 were to receive .15 to .20 marks (par $.0357 to $.0476; ex- 
 change 1920-21, $.0028 to $.0038) per hour and also .20 to .25 
 marks (par $.0476 to $.060; exchange 1920-21 $.0038 to 
 $.0047) for one child, or .25 to .30 marks (par $.060 to $.071 ; 
 exchange 1920-21. $.0047 to $.0056) for two or more children.- 
 
 ^U Information Sociale, May 22, 1921, p. 3. 
 ■Rcichs-Arbeitsblatt. November 26. 1920. p. 139.* 
 
 98
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES IN WURTEMP.ERG PAPER INDUSTRY, 
 OCTOBER. 1920 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Machine tenders 
 
 Rag engine millers 
 
 Machine helpers over 21 years.. 
 
 Machinists, artisans, etc 
 
 Unskilled women over 20 years 
 
 4.15to4.35 
 4.05 " 4.35 
 3.60 " 4.15 
 3.90 " 4.55 
 2.25 " 2.55 
 
 ,988 to 1.035 
 .964 "1.035 
 .857 " .988 
 .928 "1.083 
 .536 " .607 
 
 .078 to .082 
 .076 " .082 
 .068 " .078 
 .073 " .085 
 .042 " .048 
 
 For the paper, pulp wood and cellulose industry in Hanover, 
 a wage agreement dated February 8, 1921 increased the wage 
 rates which were being paid under an agreement of December 
 1, 1920. The following hourly rates, in force from February 
 1, 1921, varied according to locality.^ In addition to these 
 wages, the heads of households were to receive an allowance 
 of 7 marks (par $1,666; exchange 1920-21, $.131) per week 
 for each person whom they were supporting. 
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES IN HANOVER PAPER, PULP WOOD AND 
 CELLULOSE INDUSTRY, FEBRUARY, 1921 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled workers in paper 
 
 manufacturing 
 
 Unskilled workers over 21 . . 
 
 Artisans over 21 
 
 Trained women over 21 
 
 4.15to5.75 
 
 4.15 " 5.25 
 4.55 " 5.55 
 2.60 " 3.15 
 
 .988 to 1.369 .078 to. 108 
 
 .988 "1.250 .078 " .099 
 
 1.083 "1.321 .085 " .104 
 
 .619 " .750 .049 " .059 
 
 Printing 
 
 The weekly wage for printers in the zone occupied by British 
 troops (Cologne district) in August, 1920 were as follows :- 
 
 WEEKLY WAGES OF PRINTERS IN ZONE OCCUPIED BY BRITISH 
 TROOPS, AUGUST, 1920 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled men 
 
 Single 
 
 Married 
 
 Unskilled men 
 
 Single 
 
 242.20 
 256.95 
 
 206 to 210 
 228 " 230 
 130 " 140 
 
 57.64 
 61.15 
 
 49.03 to 49.98 
 54.26 "54.74 
 30.94 "33.32 
 
 4.55 
 
 4.83 
 3.87to3.94 
 
 Married 
 
 Unskilled women 
 
 4.28 " 4.32 
 2.44 " 2.63 
 
 
 
 'Idem., March 31, 1921, p. 455.* 
 'Labour Oz'crseas, July-September, 1920, p. 135. 
 
 99
 
 The minimum weekly wage rates of German lithographers, 
 fixed in June, 1920, for one year, was from 108 to 180 marks 
 (par $25.70 to $42.84, exchange 1920-21, $2.03 to $3.38). To 
 this was added a cost of living bonus of from 21 to 40 marks 
 (par $5.00 to $9.52; exchange 1920-21, $.394 to $.75 1).^ 
 
 A Swiss report states that wages of factory workers in the 
 German paper industry at the end of 1920 were from 2.20 to 
 4.65 marks (par $.524 to $1,108; exchange 1920-21, $.041 to 
 $.087) per hour:- 
 
 ^Labour Overseas, April-June, 1920, p. 42. 
 
 ^L'Union Centrale dcs Associations patronales suisses. Bulletin No. 9, 
 p. 11. 
 
 100
 
 XI 
 
 WOODWORKING 
 
 Great Britain 
 
 According to the official figures in the British Labour Gazette, 
 the average (unweighted) weekly time rates of wages in 17 
 large towns for workmen in the furniture making industry, as 
 of December 31, 1920 were as follows: 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Cabinet makers ! 102 1 
 
 Upholsters I 101 1 
 
 French polishers 101 11 
 
 24.84 
 24.60 
 24.80 
 
 19.12 
 18.93 
 19.09 
 
 These rates showed an increase over rates in efifect July, 
 1914, of approximately 157%, 161% and 175%, respectively, 
 for the three occupations given. Hours of labor, however, 
 were 44 to 47 in 1920 as compared with 49>^ to 54 in 1914. 
 
 The following hourly rates for the trades and locations speci- 
 fied were reported^ as the results of changes from July, 1920 
 to January, 1921 : 
 
 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Packing case making 
 
 Oldham 
 
 Saw milling 
 
 Carlisle 
 
 Certain towns in West 
 of Yorkshire 
 
 Riding 
 
 2 1 
 
 1 11 
 
 2 2 
 1 11 
 
 .507 
 .466 
 .527 
 .466 
 
 .390 
 .359 
 .406 
 
 Saw mill laborers 
 Tyne district 
 
 359 
 
 
 
 'Labour Gazette. May, 1921. 
 
 p. 265. 
 101 
 
 

 
 For men employed in the vehicle building and wheelwright 
 trades by members of the National Employers' Association of 
 Vehicle Builders in England and Wales, there was a decrease 
 in rates beginning the first pay day after April 9, 1921. Min- 
 imum rates after the change were as follows:^ 
 
 MINIMUM HOURLY RATES IN THE VEHICLE BUILDING INDUSTRY 
 IN CERTAIN TOWNS, APRIL, 1921 
 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Bodymakers, wheelrights, coach 
 joiners and finishers, smiths, 
 painters, trimmers, mounters, 
 etc 
 
 Coach fitters 
 
 Vicemen 
 
 Hammermen and brush hands. 
 
 1 7 to 2 
 1 7 " 1 10)^ 
 1 5 " 1 6y2 
 1 4 " 1 41^ 
 
 .385 to .487 
 .385 " .456 
 .345 " .375 
 .324 " .335 
 
 .297 to .375 
 .297 " .351 
 .265 " .289 
 .250 " .258 
 
 fl Except London. 
 
 For London the rates are as follows :- 
 
 MINIMUM HOURLY RATES IN VEHICLE BUILDING INDUSTRY IN 
 LONDON, APRIL, 1921* 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Spindlehands and leading hands 
 
 Mounters, coach fitters and sawyers.. 
 
 Other skilled men 
 
 Vicemen 
 
 Hammermen and brush hands 
 
 Laborers 
 
 2 1 
 
 1 11 
 
 2 
 1 7 
 
 1 sy2 
 1 2>y2 
 
 .507 
 .466 
 .487 
 .385 
 .355 
 .314 
 
 .390 
 
 .359 
 .375 
 .297 
 .273 
 .242 
 
 aRates up to 4 pence (par, $.081; exchange 1920-21; $.062) in excess of min- 
 imum rates are paid to skilled men. 
 
 Maximum rates were defined for Liverpool, Manchester, 
 Oldham and Stockport, 2 shillings, 4 pence (par, $.566; ex- 
 change 1920-21, $.437) per hour for Liverpool, and 2 shillings, 
 3 pence for the three other towns, (par, $.547; exchange 1920- 
 21, $.421), 
 
 'Labour Gazette, May, 1921, p. 264. 
 'Idem., p. 264. 
 
 102
 
 France 
 
 Wages in the various branches of the French wood-working 
 industry, as fixed in the collective agreements between Janu- 
 ary and July, 1920, and published by the Ministry of Labour, 
 are tabulated below. Wages for skilled labor, where definitely 
 stated, varied for the different trades and in the different lo- 
 calities from 2.25 francs (par, $.434; exchange 1920-21, $.156) 
 per hour minimum rate to 3.15 francs (par, $.608; exchange 
 1920-21, $.218) per hour.' 
 
 HOURLY WAGES IN WOODWORKING TRADES IN VARIOUS LOCAL- 
 ITIES FIXED BY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT, JANUARY TO 
 JULY, 1920 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Joiners and carpenters 
 
 Toulouse' 
 
 St. fitienne 
 
 Carpenters 
 
 Joiners 
 
 Thiers' 
 
 Rouen' 
 
 Furniture making 
 Pont-de-Beauvoisin . 
 
 St. fitienne' 
 
 Le Havre 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Halluin 
 
 Chair makers 
 
 Bordeaux 
 
 Cabinet makers', ". 
 Coach makers 
 
 Morlaix" 
 
 Lille' 
 
 Rouen 
 
 2.50 
 
 2.50to2.75 
 1.90 " 2.50 
 2.25 
 
 2.25 
 
 1.25 
 2.25 
 
 3.00 
 1.50 
 
 2.00 
 
 2.87 
 
 1.25 
 2.15 
 1.25 
 
 2.30 
 
 2.85 
 
 2.38 
 2.85 
 3.15 
 
 .483 
 
 .483 to .531 
 .367 " .483 
 .434 
 .434 
 
 .173 
 
 .173 to .191 
 .132 " .173 
 .156 
 .156 
 
 .241 
 .434 
 
 .579 
 .290 
 
 .386 
 
 .554 
 
 .241 
 .415 
 .241 
 
 .444 
 
 .550 
 
 .459 
 .550 
 .608 
 
 .087 
 .156 
 
 .208 
 .104 
 
 .139 
 
 .199 
 
 .087 
 .149 
 .087 
 
 .159 
 
 .198 
 
 .165 
 .198 
 .218 
 
 'Minimum. 
 
 ^Reduced from daily rate on basis of 8-hour day. 
 
 '^Bulletin du Ministcre du Travail. August-October, 1920, p. 428, 30. 
 
 lOj
 
 Germany 
 
 In the zone occupied by iiritish troops (Cologne district) the 
 following hourly wages were in effect for the woodworking 
 industry in August, 1920 ; 
 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 £xchan«[e 
 1920-21 
 
 Skilled 
 
 6.50 
 5.80 
 .70 to 1.40 
 
 1.547 
 1.381 
 .167 to .333 
 
 .122 
 
 Unskilled 
 
 .109 
 
 Youths 
 
 .013 to .026 
 
 
 
 The wages set by collective agreements in the German wood- 
 working industry in various localities from November, 1920 to 
 March, 1921, are given below •} 
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES IN THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRY IN 
 SPECIFIED DISTRICTS, NOVEMBER, 1920 TO MARCH, 1921 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Bremerhaven and vicinity^ 
 Joiners and turners, over 23 
 
 years 
 
 Experienced machine workers 
 
 Experienced women 
 
 Unskilled workers and help- 
 ers 
 
 Unskilled women 
 
 Bremen' 
 Men 
 
 Skilled 
 
 Helpers 
 
 Women 
 
 Skilled 
 
 Helpers 
 
 Hamburq and vicinity' 
 Skilled 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Trained helpers 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Unskilled helpers 
 
 5.85 
 5.65 
 3.65 
 
 6.10 
 5.60 
 
 4.10 
 3.40 
 
 6.30 
 4.80 
 
 5.50 
 4.15 
 5.40 
 
 1.392 
 
 1.345 
 
 .914 
 
 1.321 
 .762 
 
 1.452 
 1.333 
 
 .976 
 .809 
 
 1.499 
 1.145 
 
 1.309 
 
 .988 
 
 1.285 
 
 .110 
 .106 
 .072 
 
 .104 
 .060 
 
 .115 
 .105 
 
 .077 
 .064 
 
 .118 
 .090 
 
 .103 
 .078 
 .101 
 
 ^Workers over 20 years of age. 
 ''Workers over 22 years. 
 
 'Rcichs-Arbeitsblatt, November 1. 1920, to April 15, 1921. 
 
 104
 
 HOURLY WAGE RATES IN THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRY IN 
 SPECIFIED DISTRICTS, NOVEMBER, 1920 TO MARCH, 1921 
 
 Continticd 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Lower Wcser^ 
 
 Joiners and turners, over 23 
 
 years" 
 
 Machine workers 
 
 Trained women 
 
 Unskilled men and helpers 
 
 Unskilled women 
 
 Bavarid'' 
 (Sawmills) 
 Skilled workers and saw- 
 yers and power machine 
 
 workers, over 21 
 
 Helpers with heavy or re- 
 sponsible work, over 21. 
 Other helpers, over 21 . . . 
 
 Women, over 18 
 
 Magdelburg* 
 (Box making) 
 
 Craftsmen 
 
 Helpers 
 
 frankcntha" 
 (Coopers) 
 
 Craftsmen 
 
 Helpers 
 
 Altdainin'^ 
 (Coopers) 
 
 Craftsmen 
 
 Other workers 
 
 Women 
 
 Hamburg 
 
 (Cigar box manufacturing) 
 Trained and machine 
 
 workers 
 
 Other workers over 18. . . . 
 
 Women over 18 
 
 Bre^ncn* 
 
 (Cigar box manufacturing) 
 Men 
 
 Skilled 
 
 Semi-skilled 
 
 Unskilled 
 
 Women 
 
 6.35 
 6.15 
 4.10 
 6.05 
 3.45 
 
 3.20to5.10 
 
 3.10 " 4.95 
 3.00 " 4.80 
 1.95 " 3.25 
 
 4.70 
 4.30 
 
 6.50 
 5.50 
 
 4.40 
 4.00 
 
 6.00 
 5.00 
 
 4.25 
 4.00 
 2.10 
 
 6.50 
 4.40 
 3.60 
 
 5.60 " 5.80 
 5.40 " 5.60 
 5.20 " 5.40 
 3.10 " 3.20 
 
 1.511 
 1.464 
 1.976 
 1.440 
 .822 
 
 .762 to 1.213 
 
 .738 "1.178 
 .714 "1.143 
 .464 " .4774 
 
 1.047 "1.119 
 .952 "1.023 
 
 1.547 
 1.309 
 
 1.428 
 1.190 
 
 1.012 
 .952 
 .500 
 
 1.547 
 
 1.047 
 
 .857 
 
 1.333 "1.380 
 
 1.285 "1.333 
 
 1.238 "1.285 
 
 .738 " .762 
 
 ,119 
 
 .115 
 .077 
 .114 
 .065 
 
 .060 to .096 
 
 .058 " .093 
 .056 " .090 
 .037 " .061 
 
 .083 " .088 
 .075 " .081 
 
 .113 " .122 
 .094 " .103 
 
 .080 
 .075 
 .039 
 
 .122 
 .083 
 .068 
 
 .105 " .109 
 
 .101 " .105 
 
 .098 " .101 
 
 .058 " .060 
 
 'Workers over 20 years. 
 =Under 23 years 10% less 
 ■'Married men. IS mark 
 additional. 
 
 ^Workmen over 30 years. 
 "Workmen over 21 years. 
 'Workmen over 22 years 
 
 (par, $.0357; exchange, 1920-21, $.0028) per hour 
 
 To this is added a bonus of 6 marka (par, $1,428; 
 exchange, 1920-21, $.113) per week for married men, and for wife and child under 
 14, and of 5 marks (par, $1,190; exchange, 1920-21, $.094) weekly for single men. 
 
 105
 
 XII 
 
 BAKING AND CONFECTIONERY 
 Great Britain 
 
 At the end of 1920 the average of recognized weekly wage 
 rates for table hands in the baking trade in 27 large towns was 
 83 shillings, 3 pence (par, $20.26; exchange 1920-21, $15.59) 
 as contrasted with 30 shillings, 3 pence (par, $7,360; exchange 
 1920-21, $5,665) in July, 1914; an increase of about 176%. 
 Hours of work were 48 in December, 1920 as compared with 
 48 to 60 in 1914.^ 
 
 Weekly rates in the various occupational groups in the bak- 
 ing and confectionary trades in various towns in England, as 
 the result of changes from October to December, 1920 are 
 given below '?■ 
 
 WEEKLY WAGE RATES FOR VARIOUS OCCUPATIONS IN THE BAKING 
 AND CONFECTIONERY TRADE, OCTOBER TO DECEMBER, 1920 
 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Single hands 
 
 Forehands 
 
 84 
 
 84 to 100 
 n " 95 
 12 " 94 
 
 20.44 
 
 20.44 to 24.33 
 18.74 "23.12 
 17.52 "22.87 
 
 15.73 
 
 15 IZ to 18 IZ 
 
 Second hands 
 
 14 42 " 17 79 
 
 Table hands 
 
 13.48 " 17.60 
 
 For workmen in London employed in the bread baking and 
 confectionery trades by members of the Incorporated Society 
 of Principal Wholesale and Retail Bakers, Ltd., and by co- 
 operative Societies, there were two decreases in April, which 
 resulted in the establishment of the following rates for adult 
 male workers : 
 
 ^Labour Gazette, February, 1921, p. 64. 
 
 'Idem., January, 1921, p. 37; February, 1921, p. 98. 
 
 106
 
 MINIMUM WEEKLY RATES IN LONDON IN THE BAKING AND 
 CONFECTIONERY TRADES, EFFECTIVE APRIL, 1921 
 
 Shillings 
 and Pence 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Forehands 
 
 Single hands 
 
 Second hands and 
 
 doughmakers . . . . 
 Ovensmen, machine 
 
 minders, etc 
 
 Tablehands 
 
 80 6 to 88 6 
 76 6 
 
 74 6 " 80 6 
 
 75 6 
 72 6 
 
 19. 588 to 21. 534 
 18.614 
 
 18.128 "19.588 
 
 18.371 
 17.641 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 15. 076 to 16.575 
 14.327 
 
 13.953 " 15.076 
 
 14.140 
 13.578 
 
 France 
 
 The United States Trade Commissioner in Paris, November 
 6, 1920, reported that the daily wages of French bakers were 16 
 francs (par, $3,088; exchange 1920-21, $1,109) in 1920. 
 
 According to figures reported by the United States Consul at 
 Lyon, average daily wages of bakers in this city in 1920 were 
 as follows :^ 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 
 Par of 
 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Bakers, 1st class 
 
 21 
 18 
 
 4.053 
 3.474 
 
 1 455 
 
 Bakers, 2nd class 
 
 1.247 
 
 With an eight-hour day, average hourly wages in 1920 in 
 Lyon would be 2.25 francs (par $.434; exchange 1920-21, 
 $.156) and 2.621/^ francs (par $.5066; exchange 1920-21, 
 $.182), respectively, for the two classes of labor given above. 
 
 These rates agree approximately with the figures in the wage 
 agreements published in the Bulletin of the French Ministry 
 of Labor. The wage rates fixed by the collective agreements 
 in a number of cities are tabulated below :^ 
 
 'United States. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Monthly Labor Re- 
 view, October, 1920, p. 133. 
 
 ^Bulletin du Ministcre du Trawil, August to October, 1920, p. 425-6. 
 
 107
 
 DAILY WAGE RATES IN THE r.AKING TRADES IN SPECIFIED 
 LOCALITIES FIXED BY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT, FEBRUARY TO 
 . JUNE, 1920 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Toulouse' .. . 
 
 Nancy 
 
 Lille^ 
 
 Lyon 
 
 Chatellerault 
 Limoges . . . . 
 
 18.00 
 
 15.00 
 
 18.33 to 20.00 
 
 16.00 " 21.00 
 
 16.00 
 
 19.25 " 20.25 
 
 3.474 
 
 2.895 
 
 3. 538 to 3.860 
 
 3.088 "4.053 
 
 3.088 
 
 3.715 "3.908 
 
 1.247 
 
 1.040 
 
 1.270 to 1.386 
 
 1.109 " 1.455 
 
 1.109 
 
 1.334 " 1.403 
 
 ^For each 150 kilograms (330.7 lb.) of flour kneaded. 
 
 ^Reduced from weekly rate on basis of six-hour week. Minimum rate. 
 
 Germany 
 
 According to figures in Labour Oi'crscas,^ the weekly wages 
 of bakers in Berlin in May, 1920, were 255 to 265 marks (par, 
 $60.77 to $63.15; exchange 1920-21, $4.79 to $4.98) per week 
 for men, and 155 marks (par, $36.94 ; exchange 1920-21, $2.91) 
 for women. Wages had increased considerably, however, be- 
 tween this date and the end of 1920. 
 
 The following hourly rates for Berlin chocolate and sweet- 
 meat establishments in December, 1920 were reported in the 
 Reichs-Arbeitsblatt :'- 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Experts over 20 years . 
 Assistants over 20 years 
 Women over 18 
 
 5.25 to 5.62 
 5.00 " 5.31 
 2.62 " 2.94 
 
 1.251 to 1.339 
 
 1.192 "1.265 
 
 .624 " .701 
 
 .099 to .106 
 .094 " .100 
 .049 " .055 
 
 'April-June, 1920, p. 43. 
 'November 15, 1920, p. 99. 
 
 106
 
 Weekly wage rates set by collective agreements in localities 
 of various sizes, between October, 1920 and January, 1921, 
 were as follows •} 
 
 WEEKLY WAGE RATES IN THE BAKING TRADE IN SPECIFIED 
 
 LOCALITIES FIXED BY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN 
 
 OCTOBER, 1920 AND JANUARY, 1921 
 
 Marks 
 
 Dollars 
 
 Par of Exchange 
 
 Exchange 1920-21 
 
 Amberg 
 
 Helpers 
 
 1st year 
 
 After 1st year 
 
 Responsible Helpers 
 
 Dobeln 
 
 Helpers over 20 years 
 
 Head workers 
 
 Magdeburg 
 
 Journeymen, 20-24 years 
 
 Older journeymen and those in 
 
 wholesale trade work 
 
 Hamburg, Altona and Wandsbeck 
 
 Journeymen over 20 years 
 
 Women 
 
 Konigsberg, Prussia 
 
 Helpers, 1st year after apprenticeship 
 
 Advance helpers 
 
 Responsible helpers and journeymen 
 over 26 years 
 
 ^Reichs-Arbeitsblatt , p. 145.* 
 
 170 
 175 
 180 
 
 160 
 180 
 
 215 
 
 240 
 
 300 
 155 
 
 180 
 204 
 
 250 
 
 40.51 
 41.70 
 42.89 
 
 38.13 
 42.89 
 
 51.23 
 
 57.19 
 
 71.49 
 36.94 
 
 42.89 
 48.61 
 
 59.58 
 
 3.19 
 3.29 
 3.38 
 
 3.00 
 3.38 
 
 4.04 
 
 4.51 
 
 5.63 
 2.91 
 
 3.38 
 3.83 
 
 ^70 
 
 109
 
 ADDENDUM 
 
 The following figures on wages in Switzerland at the end 
 of the year 1920 were made available to the National Indus- 
 trial Conference Board after the report had gone to press, 
 and have therefore been incorporated as an addendum. These 
 data are considered of interest and are included in view of 
 the important industrial position occupied by Switzerland. 
 
 WAGES IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES IN SWITZERLAND AT THE END 
 
 OF 1920 
 
 
 Francs 
 
 Dollars' 
 
 
 Par of 
 Exchange 
 
 Exchange 
 1920-21 
 
 Machine industry 
 
 Skilled workers 
 
 Unskilled workers 
 
 Textile industry 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Silk industry 
 
 Men and women 
 
 Silk subsidiary industries 
 
 Men 
 
 Women 
 
 Watch making industry.... 
 
 Chemical industry 
 
 Paper industry 
 
 1.90 
 1.60 
 
 .81 to 1.84 
 .74 •■ 1.08 
 
 1.15 
 
 1.65 
 
 1.00 
 1.50 to 1.68 
 
 1.64 
 1.30 to 1.72 
 
 1.60 
 
 .366 
 .308 
 
 .156 to .355 
 .142 " .208 
 
 .221 
 
 .318 
 
 .193 
 .289 to. 321 
 
 .316 
 .251 to .331 
 
 .309 
 
 .319 
 
 .268 
 
 .136 to .309 
 .124 " .181 
 
 .193 
 
 .277 
 
 .168 
 .252 to .282 
 
 .275 
 .218 to .289 
 
 Boot and shoe industry 
 Skilled workers 
 
 .269 
 
 'Par of exchange, 1 franc = $.193. The average exchange April 1, 1920 to April 
 1, 1921 was the second conversion basis for rest of the report and has been also 
 used in this section. There has been very little fluctuation in Swiss francs, and 
 this figure (1 franc = $.168) is fairly representative of exchange as of the end of 
 1920 as well as of the present time. 
 
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