The Delta independent., 1924-07-04
WAGE INCREASES
1913 TO 1922

Washington, July 2. Labor wage
statistics officially compiled and
printed in the U. S. Statistical Abs
tract for 1922 show that the percentage
increases in listed occupations, over
1913, ranged from 81 in the case of
marble settlers to 167 in the case of
bakers. The rate of wages per hour
CUnion) covering all occupations, and
comparing 1922 with 1928 shows an
average increase of SO per cent.
The average compensation of rail-
road employees in 1913 was 1857 annu-
ally, the total in wages paid out that
year being s1,374 900 900, in round
numbers. The average for 1922 was
s1,622, the total paid out being
81, ,699, 100000. The wage increase in
this industry recorded ia per cent
over pre-war days.
Nearly 276,O00 manufacturing es-
Establishments in 1914 employed about
| 1000 900 hands and paid out s4,-
07S 900 900 in wages, or an average
per hand of $3.50 About 25O,OOO es-
Establishments in 1921, employing slight
ly under 100000 hands, paid out
in wages the sum of about sS,25O,-
600, 900, or an average per man of
81 ,1S0, or an increase in wages per
man in manufacturing industries of a
little over 100 per cent.
The average wages of hired farm
| labor throughout the country by the
month, in 1913, was, with board s21.3S;
without board s3O.31 In 1922 the
wages were s29.17 and $41.79, respec-
lively Per harvest day the figures
in 1913 were, with board sf57, without
board s1.94; and in 1922 they were
1920 and s2.72.
The highest rates and the largest
increases were in the Far Western Di-
vision, where, in 1922, wages per
month without board were S6603. and
per harvest day without board, 1856.
1t has been frequently stated, after
an analysis of cost items, that labor
accounts for from 60 to 70 per cent of
the cost of production in the manufac-
ture of goods. According to the above
statistics more than $4,000 900 600 has
been added to the wage scale since
pre-war days, while $4,000 900 600 has
been added to the cost of distributing
products of all sorts through in
creased wages to railroad hands.
The farmer has to pay wages. on the
average. 40 per cent higher than in
pre-war days, and he has a good deal
Of trouble getting labor at s66 q
month, or 1856 a day in harvest sea-
son because OF the attraction OF higher
wages in the manufacturing centers.
The disparity in wage scales, COM
pairing the United States with Europe.
is far greater today than in pre-war
days. For example, the ratio was
about to /, the American compared
with the British wage. before the war
Assuming that wages in both coun-
tries have increased 100 per cent, or
doubled. for every 50 the British
manufacturer pays out in wages to-
day the American manufacturer pays
81 This is reflected in the fact that
imports OF manufactures during 1928
WERE 100 per cent greater than in 1914
Notwithstanding the protective tariff
law was in effect in 1928, while the
Democratic tariff was operated nine
months OF 1914 Fiscal year,.
The Republican party has no desire
to see wages reduced. and it hopes to
see improved methods of manufacture
and distribution ultimately reflected
in lower prices. But a return to
Democratic tariff laws would wreck
the entire industrial fabric and ruin
the farmers domestic market.