The New York herald., 1922-08-06
WEEKLY WAGE DROP
Esp. C. in 2 YEARS
Present Average OF S22.27
Still 80 p. c. Higher
Than in 1914.
26 TRADES COVERED
National Conference Board
Survey includes 1,0OO,-
900 Workers.
COMMON LABORERS HIT
Nevertheless Economic Status
Is Figured IL p. G. Higher
Than Before War.
COMMON LABoRERs HIT

The average weekly earnings or all
wage earners are still about so per
cent higher than before the war, al
though there has been 20 per cent
drop in the last two years. Employ
ment declined 35 per cent. from June,
1920. to the beginning OF this year.
Results Of an investigation made by
the National Industrial Conference
Board has brought the conclusion that,
measured by the prevailing wages and
the cost OF livirg, "the economic status
OF the wage Garner in the principal
manufacturing industries OF America
was II per cent. higher at the end
Of 1921 than before the war, despite
wage reductions and part time employ
ment."
The Boards inquiry covered more
than 100000 wage carners In twenty
six industries, including the chief man
ufacturinF establishments. The period
covered was from 1914 to the beginning
of this year. All told $500 industrial
plants were canvassed. This Is the
most extensive and reliable survey of
the situation made since the close of
the war.
Hourly Earnings Drop.
Hourly and weekly earnings were
taken separately. The hourly earnings
we're 9S per cent. above July. 1911. and.
have fallen off 224 per cent. from the
peak In 1920 down TO the beginning of
this year. In December GEL. the aver
age hourly earnings of al wage earners
were a little over forty-eight cents, or
9S per cent. above 1914. The hourly
wage of common labor was up % per
rent aud at II at there was falling
off of q per cent. since 1920.
TIE greatest net increases III hourly
earnings occurred In the wool Industry,
paper products plants and cotton aud
silk mills. In the metal trades the in
creases ranged from rs per cent. In iron
and steel to 81 per cent. In automobiles
The largest declines from the peal; have
been in the fertilizer business. iron and
steel. farming implements, cotton and
rubber trades.
The average weekly wages paid for
all industries canvassed were $32.27. or
eighty per cent. higher ilian prewar
days. This shows 25 per cant. dhclinc
from the high spots In 1890. The av-
eiagc weekly earnings OF pals ss 'lied
labor In December last were s3E.s6.
Decline Of weekly wages has been
due to part time operations and plant
shut downs. There were sharp reduc-
tions at the beginning Of last year.
Those reductions affected women less
than men and male common labor more
than any other group. The greatest
net increases In weekly ear1lnns IN
December. 1921. over July 1911. oc-
Cured in the textile group The report
continues:
Total employment declined 55.s per
cent from June. 1920. the general peak
Of industrial activity. up TO January.
1922. The trough period OF unempoy-
ment occurred In the middle OF 1921. fol-
lowed by per cent. increase up to
January. 1922. Employment was fairly
we'll sustained through October, 1929.
Beginning in December 1920. and con-
tnuing through July. 1921. there were
extensive layoffs. but since August.
1921, there has been a slow and gradual
increase.
During the period from June. 1920.
up to January. 1922, employment Of
male common labor declined Ais per
cont. male skilled labor 37.4 per cent,
and women 20S per cent. IL will be
noted that the Industrial depression has
shown smaller amount OF unempoy-
ment for women than for men, and thas
male common labor has been the most
severely affected by Industrial condl-
tions. The last half OF 1921 has been
characterized by considerable increase
IN employment OF women. which may be
accounted for by the return OF many
piece workers 20 the textile industry.
The industrial depression brought en-
ployment In identical establishments
per cent. below the level OF July. 1914.
working Hours shorter.
I'm July. 1914. SOL hours constituted
the average nominal week. Following
the general reduction In workirr hours
during the war period. they declined t.
bo.7 in June. 1920. and the latter level
remained practically unchanged up TO
July. 1921. At this time large decline
In the hours OF the nominal week oc-
Cured in the foundry group. so that N