The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-09
LABOR STATISTICS.
Average Annual Saving Found to Be
Only 1921.

w. L. A johnson, secretary of the state
bureau of labor, has prepared for the an
nual report of the department, the intro
ouctory statement from which the follow
ing interesting information is obtained:
Mr.. Johnson says:
In presenting the wage Garner statis-
tics in this report, constituting as it does
the hrst report under the new law which
places the bureau of labor under the con-
troll and operation of the state society Of
labor and industry, we approach the task
that results beyond our attainment will
perhaps be expected; yet there is a meas
bureau. that should be gratifying, not
only to the members of the state society
OF labor and Industry, but to our wage
earners and citizens generally.
Reports were received from 105S wage
earners, representative of the various rail-
way, mechanical and miscellaneous
trades, as well as representative from a
geographical standpoint. OF this number
53-5 per cent show an increased OppOrtun-
ity for employment, as compared with
Improvement is attributed to the efforts
of organized labor in shortening the work
day, thus increasing the working force
and to a general Improvement in business.
For the number reporting, it is shown
that the time unemployed or lost was 22.5
per cent of the total working time. In
dicating the causes of unemployment such
as sickness, inability to obtain work and
other causes, it is shown that 36;5 per cent
of the time unemployed was due to in
ability to obtain work.
Employment has been reasonably regu-
lar and steady during. the year 1899.
The average annual wage, actual earn
ings, for the year for those reporting, is
S512.34. The report further shows that OF
the total number reporting, "A per cent
show an increase in wages as compared
with 1898, while Sc per cent report wages
remaining the same. The reasons gener-
ally given for the increase in wages are
practically the same given for the i'm
provement in the opportunity for employ
ment.
'Of the number reporting. 6s.2 per cent
show an increase in the cost of living as
compared with 1898. The reason for the
increased cost of living is almost univer-
sally said to be, because of higher prices
of all commodities a great number aleg-
ing that the Increased cost of living is
ence of trusts, monopohes, and combina-
tons of trade.
THE average annual cost of living for
1899 for each Wage-earner reporting is
$500. 49, Comparing average annual earn
ingS, $01234 with the average annual cost
of living, S5O943 il will be seen that the
average possible saving is S2-91. or one-half
of one per cent of their average earnings.
The contemplation of these comparative
showings leads to the conclusion that the
general increase in prices of commodities,
and the consequent increased cost of liv-
ing, virtually amounts to a reduction in
the purchasing power of a days wages
of the workman, thereby resulting in a
material reduction of his possible savings.
1t would seem that the general improve
ment in business referred to, has secured
to the workers increased steadinesS Of en-
plOyment with an active increased cost
of living, but with insufficient increase
in the rate of wages to permit of a cor
| responding increase in the rate of saw
ingsa .,-..-
basis of these Investigations, are divided
into five general classes as follows:
Glass A-Railway employes-tra1n ser
vice.
Glass B-Railway employes-miscellan-
eous trades.
''Class D-Miscellaneous trades.
"Class E-Female wage earners."