The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-20
LYING, CHEAPERy WAGES, HIGHER.
Result OF the Non.Dn rtisHn Inquiry OF tn,
Seuate Jsto Prices md Wages.

Result of the Non.pnrtis"n Inquiry OF the
Seuate Iato Prices md WnEes.
WARRINGTON. July 1e.-An enormous addi-
ton to the bulk OF statistics relating to the
cost Of living and rate OF wages In this coun-
try was made to the available supply OF data
to-day when Senator Aldrich. from the
Committee OH Finance. made report
to the Senate upon an investigation
made under the terms OF resolu-
ton passed March 3. 1891, directing the
committee to ascertain in every practicable
way. the effect OF the tariff lava upon the i'm
ports and exports. the growth. developments.
production. and prices OF agricultural and
manufactured articles. at home and abroad.
and upon wages. domestic and foreign.
The report says that the committee decided
to divide their work into two parts: the first
part to includ, the investigation into prices
and wages on the first Of each month for the
period from Juno l, 1889. to Sept. l. 1891. in
elusive.
The second part OF their work. in the prose-
cution Of which a large amount OF data has
been Elected. relates to the course OF whole
sale prices and wages during the years from
1910 to 1891 inclusive and will not be CON-
In order d to give Tie statistics collected the
tee Tee decided that tho inquiry should be ex:
tended only TO such subjects. and this carried
such agencies Sv and by nsh peth
o, the committee. and this plan was scrup-
There was no expectation that the mem ers
OF the committee woald agree about the politi-
cal or even tho economic bearings of;the facts
Tie collecting and tabulatinG q the Stats
missioner OF Labor. The extent Of the work is
and i:33s.6os individual. quotations were
tahulated.
The was s taGen
the standard. and comparisons made with
'' The report states that the summary for Sept
/, 1851. mt which date the inquiry closed,
shows a decrease In the retail prices Of the 2l5
aaa q is y
,, the f9%Ttss
&. one Dss cent lsss 81 Sept l. 1851 than 1T
in T tSs a iRf%t q Tsi liz
and Rupp1pe H. fe result tnt OF this latter
luther decline In the cost q living in May,
1902. as compared with September, 1891 Of
~ per cont. and as compared with 1889 OF
This. supplemental inquiry dlscloses the fact
that ths tendency to lover over prices and to lower
the report shows that the average &, Of all pro
higher Sept. J.. 1891. than on the Same date
two years previously.
II the fifteen general occupations selected
| cent. higher ON Sept. !, 1891. than two years
| before. These occupations We're those Of
| bakors. black smiths. bricklayers. cabinet
| makers. carpenters. common laborers. farm
| lahorers. machinists. masons. iron moulders.
| painters. plumbers. stone cutters. sailos. tin
smiths. Wages In a number Of specia al indus
| tries In which statistics were secured were 81
| of one per cent. higher
| Relative to prices and wages in Great Brit
| ain. statistics OF which were collected by the
Same agency as in the United States. and ap-
| Ina report says that the cost OF living In
| Great Britain increased 10 per cent. from
| June. 1885,. 10 September. 1891.
! by comparison Of the rates current in Sep
! ten Dor, lS!,l in the United States and Great
Britain. In the same Occur atoms, wages In the
| United states averaged II pcr cent. greater
| than In Great ltritain 10 III" occupations ri
bakers. linckSWiths. cRhinriInakerS. carrrn-
tiers. Ia or"i", ma"hinists, iron Rolders, paint.
ers. and JdylgipJs