Denver labor bulletin., 1916-04-22

plete without taking into consideration
their economic status-the wages they
earn and the income which the wage
earners' family is able to receive and
comparing it with those standards which
have been agreed upon as reasonable
and necessary for the maintenance OF
health. Il. r,--
without taking into considerat ion the
loss of working time for any cause, it
has been found that during recent years
in the principal industries of the United
States, between one-fourth and one-third
of the male workers of approximately
Is years of age and over earned less than
SO n week. and from two-thirds to
three fourths earned less than SIS. and
only about one tenth earned more than
$50 week. In textile manufacturing
and some other industries the wage level
was much lower.
"The wages of women workers were
considerably lower than those Of men
From two-thirds to three fourths of
women workers in factories, store, laun-
dries and in industrial occupations gen.
orally worked at wages of less than SO
per week. Approximately one-fifth
earned less than $4, and nearly one-half
less than Sc a week"
But the workers are not allowed to
earn even these amounts in every week
of the year. The report says:
"A conservative estimate, based on all
the available statistics of loss in work
ing time, would appear to be that wao'
workers in the principal manufacturing
and mining industries lost on the aver
age from one-fifth to one third of the
full working time during year from
all causes.
One-Third Even Less Than $500.
statistics of total incomes Of wage
workers families point to the conclu-
sion that the average total annual fam
lily income tincluding earnings OF women
and childrenl in the principal manufac-
turing and mining Industries has been
between 800 and $500 in recent years
This average, however, does not ade.
quately depict the real situation; for the
conclusion is also indicted that one in
every ten or twelve workingmen's fam,
lies had at the time of the investiga-
tions an annual income OF less than 5000
year; that nearly third had incomes
of less than $500. and over one-half had
incomes of less than $3.50 a year.
"From the foregoing it is evident that
underlying all other economic factors
affecting the wage earners health is the
fact of poverty The other conditions
that have been iscussed-unhealthful
living and working conditions, insecurity
and irregularity of employment and in
come, inadequacy of earnings Of heads
of families and the necessity for earn.
ing of wages by mothers and children
these and other such conditions are but
incidents of poverty"
Bad Housing Conditions.
Many pages could be filled with some
of the more striking illustrations of how
low wages kill and MAIN. The report
describes the bad housing conditions due
to meager incomes. and the neglect by
the community of the drainage and san
itation of districts whore the underpait
workers live. 1t tells how the piec,
work system breaks down the healtl
of the workers in the shops, by causing
strain and fatigue. 1t describes Tho
effect of irregular employment and I'M.
employment on the health Of the victims
The entire pamphlet should be read b,
those who want reservoir of fact,
about American industry.
Warren and Sydenstricker approached
their subject purely from the standpoint
of the physician. and not that of til,
economist. Yet they are entitled to tn
greatest credit for the intelligence ant