The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-04-15
Want A LICENSE.
TeIegraphers Think State Ger
tificate Should Be Required.
Sentiments Embodied in Labor
Commissioners BepOrt.
"A FEW SAVE MONEY.
and Station Agents
Report Few Investments.
Suggestions For the Improve
ment of Condition.


Some very interesting tables will ap-
pear in the forthcoming annual report
of the bureau of labor statistics now be-
ing compiled by State Labor Commis-
sioner Lee johnson. A comparative
statement of the several crafts in the
state for the last ten years viii be j
feature of the book. One Of the first
crafts in which the statistics have been
completed is that of railroad station
agents and operators. Last year was the
first time that this craft was taken into
the report so in this case the compare
tive statement is limited to two years.
Replies to the list of questions submit
ted We're taken and 34 representative
ones We're sifted out from which the fig
ures are compiled. Thrift is shown in
the craft, though the tendency seems TO
be to younger men, a less percentage Of
heads of families and fewer inVeS tmentS
Last year with only 20 reporting from
which compilation was made, five re-
ported investments, which We're IN
money loaned" and "in cattle and
loans The class of investment is bet
ter this time, however, being reported as
in real estate, furniture and bank stock.
The investments are only $500 and $500
ones compared with an average OF $3.50
in 1898
For needed legislation by the state the
principal and most frequent suggestion
is a telegrapher's license law. An arbi-
tration law and compulsory short vaca-
tions are also thought to be good things
on which to have a statute. The sugges-
tions are seen to be afterthOughts on the
strike condition that existed in the fail
of 1900 and are the result of the lessons
learned then.
The telegraphers have a variety of
opinions upon the subject of in what
way the states bureau of labor and in
dustry may best promote the interests
of the wage-earners of the state Gov
eminent ownership Of railroads and tele-
graphs says one Others suggest:
by requiring railway companies 20
employ only competent persons. and al
so that no employe can be assigned any
duty with his position that will neces-
state his paying out any of his cash in
come to execute same
Il think it could be done by law that
an employe of a railroad or express
company should be paid minimum sal
airy of not less than $35 per month and
an increased salary according to busI-
ness done at his station or division he
works on
ITO establish uniform scale OF
wages whereby man with a family
can make a living for his wife and ba-
bfes as my expenses are greater than
my income"
work for the appointment of a ma
tiona1 board Of arbitration whose decis-
ions shall be final as to differences be-
tween capital and labor"
preventing reduction of same and in
creasing those where circumstances de-
mand."
A couple Of knockers come in on the
advice proposition also and say that th=
best way the bureau can advance the
interests of wage-earners is by letting
them alone,'' and by discouraging un-
ions that have a strike clause
The statistics show that the average
age is 33.4 years 1t was 81 s in 1899.
Twenty-six are married, 8 single. heads
Of families, q. So the station WORKERS
have an average of three persons de-
pendent upon them for support The |
length of time employed is an aVerag- |
OF SIS years. a falling off from the 1899
average of 9.4 years The average nur1- /
Der Of days employed rates well at 357 z.
OF the total average of 7.2 days lost, none
Of it was through sickness; 40 O. it was
through the indefinite "Other causes"
the rest must be charged to inability to
obtain work. Eleven hours is the aver
age working day in the craft Tie :
hours really range from 10 to 16. Com
pared with 1899 seven report a decrease, |
20 have the same number of hours work
a day and four have to work longer. On
the whole, a. slight decrease is shown
from the average Of lis hours of 1899. I
The average work day Of 9.6 hours /
shown in the schedule indicates that the I
station men give more than is set down |
for them to do, but it would have to be /
dore anyway The hours that they /
ought to work according to the schedule |
range from TO 10
Wages show decrease in the average |
of from $54.25 to $4S.69 per month and all |
are paid by the month. With "a report +
ing the total wages received during the +
year was $19 950.24. avera ging $5S6.77 to a /
maa In 1899 the average was $656-6S The +
abolition Of ticket commissions is alleg- (
ed to be responsible for much of this &c j
crease Sixteen men report income frpm /
other sources, averaging $433S, which i
brings the total income UP to $21, ,42524. /
or an average OF $500 Is, as against an /
average Of $734.SS in 1899. In point of /
nuC1bers, however, five men report de- !
crease in wages as compared to 1890, % 4
receive the same and have an increase. I
Their cost of living is cheaper as corn
pared with the year previous in the ra-
ito Of $316.73 to $475.42- The average for 4
food was $152.44. as compared TO S265-25: /
fuel. S14.32. compared to $45: clothing, i
$67 compared TO $1051 13- siclSness. Si4O5. I
compared to $3.50; rent. SIS. compared /
to $a4.33 In 1900 the other averag ge ex-
pendltures include the items Of life and /
insurance. $16.F3; fire insurance,
81. Sc. taxes and repairs, $2.35;: interest, /
81 81 sundries, $30.94. The figures. not /
Witnstanding, show an average savings /
of S166 to $50. Ten own their own houses. /
which have an AVERAGE value of S2T0- /
Four Of them have membranes which Il
average but $500 Twelve men report /
membership in the Order Of Railway |
Army Appointments