The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-11-05

date) gave the number OF wage earn
ers employed in manufacturing an
dustries only as 6,Gl5,OOO, and the
wages paid $3,427OOO,OOO It is es-
timated Ton basis or preliminary re-
turns of 1914 census of manufactur-
ers) that in 1915 American manufac-
turers gave employment to 100000
wage earners at wages amounting to
$i,4O7 900 900; or an increase of near
ly $1,000, 100000 over 1910.
1t is eonseryatiyely estimated that
in 1916 American manufacturers en-
ploy 10 per cent more wage earners
at 10 per cent higher average rate Of
wages per annum than in 1915. This
would bring the 1916 volume of wages
paid in manufactures only up to So
300, 100000. or upwards of Sl,SOOO OOO,-
600 over the republican census record
of 1910
| These figures are for wage earners
Iemployed in manufacturing Industries
only. The census of 1910 gave the to-
tai number employed in manufactm-
| ing and mechanical industries as lO,-
lG5S.OOO, I'm transportation 2,6370OO, in
mines 96i,S2i, and in agriculture, for
estry and animal husbandry (exclus-
i've of 100000 farmers and other EN-
ployers) as G659, ,OOO-making a total
Industrial army of wage earners of
over 10000 600.
This Industrial eXpansion-heavily
increased production, intensified labor
demand, larger returns and higher
wages. which prevailed on a nation
wide scale in 1916. affects the wage
level of the entire industrial army Of
%, 900 900 wage earners. 1t adds bill
ions to the aggregate wage envelope
of American labor and is an uplifting
force which makes for a higher stand
ard of civilization and progress.
OF l,4SG instances of wage in
creases cited in the press publications
consulted by the labor department,
i93 cases in which The number of EN-
ployes affected is given show total
of 1,9O1,OO wage earners. The entire
| 1856 wage incresaes listed are esti-
mated to affect upwards of 100000
men with an increase or S3OOOOOOO
in wages.
The above list, however. serves
chiefly as an index of the general
wage movement which has reached
every state and industry In the union
1t shows that our phenomenal prosper
lity is fully shared. under the new
laws and administration based on
democratic principles by the great
army of American labor Decrease of
hours and increase of wages have
been the rule under democratic con
trol of the government. The pessi-
mistic predictions of republican ora
tory have been exploded and disprov-
ed by the experience of 20.OOO,000
wage earners.
Our industrial census is taken only
once in five years, and is in working
out an annual statement OF the VOC
ume of wages paid we have an official
report for only each fifth year, and
for the intermediate years must worl.
out an approximate estimate based
on the percentage of average annual
increase.
Fortunately for this purpose, the
census of manufacturers for 1918.
based on the returns of 1914. are so
nearly complete that the approximate
totals may be closely estimated. Con
sequcntly using the wage column to-
tails for 1909 and 1914 as a basis, we
may work out on a percentage basis
the approximate totals for the inter
mediate years between 1909 and 1914
For 1915 and 1916. conservative es
timates based on data common to
general knowledge may be applied, as
compiled by the labor department TO
many Industries from the daily and
financial press
lu the estimates which follow, the
total wage volume paid in the manu-
featuring industries in 1915 is couser-
yaiycly estimated as 10 per cent
greater than I'm 1914: the Increase be
ing principally due to ths greater
number of wage earners employed
For 1916 the most conservative esti.
mate that can be intelligently made
is 10 per cent increase in the rate
OF wages Il is quite probable that II
per cent to 10 per cent increase in
both number employed and in wag"
rate would be- nearer the mark
On the above plan the annual aver
ages. both for number OF wage earn.
crs employed in the manufacturinL
industries and for volume of wage
paid. for the years l9o9.l2 inclusive.
are as follows: