EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN JULY, 1917. The figures presented have been compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from reports from representative establishments in 13 industries.

A comparison of the figures in the first table below shows that there were increases in the number of employees in 7 and decreases in 6 of the 13 industries in the month of July, 1917, as compared with July, 1916. The iron and steel industry shows an increase of 12 per cent, which was the largest increase, and the silk industry shows the greatest decrease, which was 4.2 per cent. The other industries show changes between these two extremes.

Each industry covered by the inquiry shows a greater amount of money paid to employees in July, 1917, than in July, 1916. Iron and steel leads with an increase of 40.7 per cent, closely followed by automobile manufacturing with an increase of 33.4 per cent.

The following table shows the facts for each industry:

COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS IN JULY, 1916, AND

The number of employees actually working on the last full day of the reported pay-roll period in July, 1917, and July, 1916, was reported by a comparatively small number of establishments and this fact should be borne in mind when studying the next table. Six of the 13 industries reporting show increases, while 7 show decreases. Here iron and steel leads, the increase being 15.1 per cent, while the greatest decrease, 14.9 per cent, is shown by cotton finishing.

COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS ON LAST FULL
DAY'S OPERATION IN JULY, 1916, AND JULY, 1917.

In comparing the figures for July, 1917, with those for June, 1917, an increase in the number of employees is shown in 5 and a decrease in 8 of the 13 industries reporting. The decreases here are probably in part due to the July pay-roll period including vacation and stocktaking time. The greatest increase is 3.4 per cent shown by car building and repairing, and the greatest decrease is 5.5 per cent, shown by automobile manufacturing.

An increase in the amount of the pay roll is shown in three of the industries reporting and-a decrease is shown in ten of them. Men's ready-made clothing shows the greatest increase, which is 4.8 per cent, and boots and shoes and cotton finishing show a decrease of 7.4 per cent, which is the greatest decline.

COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS IN JUNE, 1917
AND JULY, 1917.

Only 54 per cent of the establishments reporting stated the number of employees actually working on the last full day of the pay-roll period which should be considered when studying the table below.

COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS ON LAST FULL DAY'S OPERATION IN JUNE, 1917, AND JULY, 1917.

Changes in wage rates during the period of June 15 to July 15, 1917, were reported by 54 establishments in 12 of the 13 industries covered. Many of the establishments reporting failed to answer the inquiry as to whether any changes in wage rates had been made during the period. Of the 54 changes indicated, 53 were increases and 1 was a slight decrease.

Out of 108 establishments in the iron and steel industry reporting volume of employment data for the months of June and July, 1917, 21 reported that increases had been made in wages during the period. One establishment reported an increase of 22 per cent to two-thirds of its employees; one reported 20 per cent increase to all employees; four reported 14.6 per cent to about one-third of their employees; four reported 10.9 per cent to 43, 45, 47, and 54 per cent of all employees, respectively; one reported 10 per cent to all employees, while another reported 10 per cent to all tonnage men, which constituted about 40 per cent of the entire force; one reported 9 per cent to all employees; five establishments reported increases ranging between 5 per cent and 7 per cent to various parts of their forces, while one reported 3.7 per cent to all unskilled labor. One establishment reported an increase of 25 cents per turn for the furnace men, mechanics, locomotive crews, and locomotive crane crews, and 15 cents per turn for laborers. One reported an increase of 2 cents per hour for all laborers and mechanical department employees.

Four establishments out of a total of 59 reporting in cotton manufacturing show changes in the wage rates. One establishment reported an increase of 10 per cent and one an increase of 5 per cent for all employees; one establishment reported a 10 per cent bonus for full time and one changed a 5 per cent bonus to a regular increase.

Four of the 36 establishments reporting in the automobile industry report changes in the wage rates. Three of the reports were indefinite as to both the per cent of increase and the part of the force affected; one establishment reported a slight decrease in the average hourly wages.

Of the 25 establishments reporting for the car building and repairing industry, 4 show changes in wage rates. One establishment reported an increase of 22.3 per cent for 96 per cent of the force; one reported an increase of 3 cents per hour for about 97 per cent of the force and $2 per week for 3 per cent; and two reported an increase of 2 cents per hour to 60 per cent of the force.

Of the 39 establishments in the men's ready-made clothing industry, 7 show changes in wage rates. Four reported an increase of 10 per cent for 70, 90, 95, and 100 per cent, respectively, of the force; one reported an increase of 10 per cent to a small part of the force; one reported an increase of 10 per cent to time workers and 20 per cent to piece workers, and one reported an increase of 5 per cent but did not state the part of the force affected.

Of the 36 establishments in the silk industry, 4 show changes in the wage rates. One reported an increase of 10 per cent and one 5 per cent for all employees; one reported 10 per cent increase for 40 per cent of the force; and one reported 10 per cent increase for "some departments."

Of the 43 establishments in the paper-making industry, 3 show changes in the wage rates. Two reported an increase of 10 per cent for all employees, while one reported a "bonus" of 25 per cent for the entire force for the period ending July 6.

Of the 51 establishments in the hosiery and underwear industry, but two show changes in the wage rates. One reported 10 per cent increase for all employees, while one reported a bonus ranging from 40 cents to $1.25 per week for full time.

One establishment in each of four other industries reported a change in the wage rates. One establishment in the boot and shoe industry reported an increase in piece rate for cutting women's shoes, which was said to equal 5 cents per hour; one cigar factory reported an indefinite increase for all employees; one plant in the leather manufacturing industry reported a 5 per cent increase for the entire force; and one woolen mill reported an increase of 5 per cent for all employees.

EMPLOYMENT IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN JULY, 1917. The bureau of statistics and information of the New York State Department of Labor has issued the following summary of the labor market in that State:

MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY IN JULY.

[As reported by 1,600 representative firms with over 600,000 employees, or more than one-third of the factory workers in the State, and a weekly pay roll of more than $9,000,000.]

Manufacturing activity in New York State in July, 1917, was somewhat less pronounced than in June, which in turn showed a slight decline as compared with May. As compared with June, the number of employees decreased onehalf of 1 per cent and the total aggregate of wages decreased slightly more. The vacation season, which is utilized for inventory purposes and for making repairs, was chiefly responsible for this decline. Labor disputes likewise played a part. These results are indicated by returns received from a large number of leading factories, including all of the important manufacturing industries and localities in the State and covering the last three years. As compared with June, 6 of the 11 industrial groups reported in July decreases in both number of employees and in amount of wages paid out. In three of the groups there were increases in employees and in wages. A new high record in wages was established for each of these three. July, 1917, was much more active than the corresponding month in either of the three preceding years. The increase in employees as compared with July of last year was 5 per cent and in wages 20 per cent. Corresponding increases over July, two years ago, were 22 and 54 per cent, respectively, and over July, three years ago, 22 and 59 per cent, respectively.

The average per capita earnings of all employees, including both sexes, for one week in July, 1917, were $16.17, as compared with $16.20 in the previous month. The corresponding sum for July of last year was $14.11; for July, two years ago, $12.66; and for July, three years ago, $12.54.

The stone, clay, and glass products group reported in July, 1917, a decrease of nearly 1 per cent in number of employees and more than 6 per cent decrease in wages as compared with June. Lime, cement, and plaster mills were more active. There were seasonal decreases in the brick-tile-pottery and in the glass groups. As compared with July of last year the group as a whole had 22 per cent more employees and paid out 41 per cent more in wages. This increase was due in large part to the fact that one large concern, which was idle in July, 1916, on account of a strike, was operating to capacity in July of this

year.

The metals, machinery and conveyances group, which has a much larger number of employees and pays out much more in wages than any other group included in these returns, reported in July a decrease of 1 per cent in number of employees and of 14 per cent in amount of wages as compared with June. Only 3 of the 11 industries in the group reported increased wage payments. The machinery industry, the weightiest in the group, reported an increase, as did also sheet-metal work and hardware, and cooking, heating, and ventilating apparatus. The most important decrease was in brass, copper, and aluminum manufacture. Labor disputes reduced production in boat and ship building. As compared with July one year ago, the group had 6 per cent more employees and paid out 23 per cent more wages.