the percentage of idleness was 17.96 as compared with 4.47 on September 30, 1910, and 17.78 per cent on December 31, 1909. Here may be observed in marked degree the influence of seasonal conditions. In boot and shoe manufacturing (comprising 19.69 per cent of the total membership reported) the percentage of idleness was 4.95 on December 31, 1910, as compared with 7.87 on September 30, 1910, and 3.33 per cent on December 31, 1909. Reports from Brockton and Lynn at the close of September indicated that several of the large shops were running on short time, but reports for the close of December showed but little evidence of any considerable amount of short time prevailing in this industry. In transportation (comprising 20.65 per cent of the total membership reported) the percentages of idleness for the three quarters were respectively 4.00, 3.08, and 2.24, indicating a rather less favorable state of employment at the end of December, 1910, than at the end of September, and an even less favorable state than at the end of December, 1909. Employment in railroad transportation showed an appreciable increase in unemployment as compared with September 30, 1910, and December 31, 1909, the respective percentages being 2.26, 1.64, and 1.86. In the teaming industry marked increase in unemployment is to be noted, the percentage for December 31 being 8.48, as compared with 1.46 on September 30, 1910, and 1.68 on December 31, 1909. In the textile industry conditions were less favorable than on September 30, the percentage unemployed on December 31 being 8.57 as compared with 7.54 on September 30; but as compared with the percentage for a year earlier some improvement may be noted, the percentage having been 12.57 on December 31, 1909. As was remarked in our report for the quarter ending September 30, 1909, the policy of curtailment has for some months been effective in this industry, but the method has been that of operat ing the mills less hours per day or less days per week rather than that of laying off otherwise superfluous help. Consequently the results of this curtailment were not fully represented in the percentages of idleness for entire days of a considerable number of employees. According to recent press reports, few, if any, of the large textile mills were actually shut down, but the policy of running on short time still prevailed. In iron and steel manufacturing decidedly less favorable conditions were reported on December 31, 1910, than at the end of the previous quarter, or at the end of December, 1909, the respective percentages being 14.26, 5.00, and 10.92. Machine shops and foundries were reported to be running on short time, but as improved conditions were anticipated shortly following the close of the year, comparatively few employees were actually discharged. Further analysis shows that there was considerable unemployment among iron molders on December 31, last, the percentage idle having been 28.73 for this occupation. In Boston, Holyoke, Lowell, Wakefield, and Watertown, large percentages of iron molders were reported temporarily unemployed. The percentage of idleness for garment workers was 36.31 on December 31, 1910, as compared with 16.01 on September 30, 1910, and with 13.84 on December 31, 1909. Large proportions of the membership of two unions of garment workers in Boston, one union in Holyoke, and one union in North Brookfield, were reported as unemployed, and reports from other garment workers' unions elsewhere in the State indicated rather more unemployment than usual in this industry. Working on short time was quite prevalent. For tobacco workers (principally cigar makers) the percentage of idleness on December 31, 1910, was 5.45 as compared with 3.04 per cent on September 30, 1910, and with 6.76 per cent on December 31, 1909. In printing and publishing the condi tions were very favorable for each of the quarters compared, the percentages for the respective quarters being 3.23, 3.73, and 3.92. Table VI presents in fuller detail the returns received at the end of December, 1910, showing the number of unions making complete returns, the member ship reported, and the number and percentage idle in the several industries and occupations. Proper caution should be used in drawing conclusions with reference to those particular industries and occupations for which only a comparatively small number of union members have reported. TABLE V.- Membership and Percentage of Membership Idle: By Industries. Comparative Statement for Dates Specified. DECEMBER 31, 1909 SEPTEMBER 30, 1910 DECEMBER 31, 1910 Represents percentage of members idle for entire day. For statement relative to "short time," see note at bottom of page 2 and text relating to the several industries. TABLE VI. — Number of Members and Number and Percentage Idle, December 31, 1910: By Industries and Occupations. • Represents percentage of members idle for entire day. For statement relative to "short time," see note at bottom of page 2 and text relating to the several industries. Number of Members and Number and Percentage Idle, December 31, 1910: Represents percentage of members idle for entire day. For statement relative to "short time," see note at bottom of page 2 and text relating to the several industries. OF THE BUREAU OF STATISTICS. This Bureau now issues four separate annual reports relating respectively to: (a) The Statistics of Labor (Pub. Doc. 15). Containing statistics of strikes and lookouts, changes in rates of wages and hours of labor, and labor organizations. (b) The Statistics of Manufactures (Pub. Doc. 36). Containing statistics of capital invested, materials used, wages paid, value of product, etc. (c) The Statistics of Municipal Finances (Pub. Doc. 79). Containing statistics pertaining to the cost of municipal government in Massachusetts, revenue, maintenance, interest payments, and municipal indebtedness. (d) The State Free Employment Offices (Pub. Doc. 80). Containing statistical tables and descriptive matter relative to the work of the offices maintained under the jurisdiction of this Bureau in Boston, Springfield, and Fall River. Besides these annual publications the Bureau issues from time to time: (a) The Labor Bulletin. Containing a large variety of interesting and pertinent matter on the social and industrial condition of the workingman. (b) The Municipal Bulletin. Containing matter relating to municipal affairs, especially finances, and intended to promote a sound and efficient administration of city and town government in Massachusetts. (c) The Decennial Census. The Decennial Census of the Commonwealth for 1905 is published complete in four volumes: Vol. I. Population and Social Statistics (37 c.); Vol. II. Occupations and The Defective and Delinquent Classes (17 c.); Vol. III. Manufactures and Trade (15 c.); Vol. IV. Agriculture, Fisheries, and Commerce (23 c.). Current or back numbers of reports or publications listed below will be mailed upon the receipt of the amount indicated or will be sent by express at the charge of the applicant. REPORT ON THE STATISTICS OF LABOR. The volumes which remain in print are listed below, the figures in parentheses indicating the amount necessary to cover the cost of mailing. 1874. Education and Employment of Young Persons and Children, and Digest of American and European Laws relative to the subject-Relative to Professional Men - Sanitary Condition of Working People in their Homes and Employment - Comparative Rates of Wages and Hours of Labor in Massachusetts and Foreign Countries-Condition of Textile Fabric Manufactories in Massachusetts, and Digest of Laws relative to Machinery and Sanitary Matters Prices of Provisions, Clothing, Rent, etc., in Massachusetts and Europe; Purchase-Power of Money Savings Banks (12 c.). 1879. The Unemployed in Massachusetts (June and November, 1878) Convict Labor Wages and Prices, 1860, 1872, and 1878- Testimony of Workingmen Hours of Labor - Statistics of Drunkenness and Liquor Selling under Prohibitory and License Legislation, 1874 and 1877 (10 c.). 1887. The Unemployed (from the State Census of 1885) (12 c.). 1888. Strikes and Lockouts, 1881-1886 Citizens and Aliens (10 c.). 1889. Relation of Wages to the Cost of Production Markets, Transportation, Imports, Exports, and Competition - Condition of Employees The Growth of Manufactures -Classified Weekly Wages-Daily Working Time - Women in Industry Index to Reports, 1870-1889 (20 c.). 1891. A Tenement House Census of Boston (Tenements, Rooms, and Rents) (20 c.). 1893. Unemployment — Labor Chronology (15 c.). 1894. Compensation in Certain Occupations of Graduates of Colleges for Women tribution of Wealth Probates - Labor Chronology (12 c.). The Dis 1896. Social and Industrial Changes in the County of Barnstable - Graded Weekly Wages — Labor Chronology (15 c.). |