HD l30 UC-NRLF k B3inb=^7 f t> o BEFORE THE UNITED STATES RAILWAY LABOR BOARD. 1920 ^^ ,V Studies of the Cost of Maintaining a Family at a Level of Health and Reasonable Comfort PRESENTED BY W. JETT LAUCK ON BEHALF OF OFTHE OF W. S. STONE, jOrand Chief Engineer. Brotherhood of Locomo- tive Engineers. L. E. SHEPPARD. President, Order of Uailroad Conductors. S. E. HEBERLIXG. [President. Switchmen's Union of North America. LOUIS WEYAND. |Actiiig International President. International i'.rotherhooil of lioilerniakers. Iron Ship- builders and Helpers of America. J. .1. HYNES, [Liicrnational President. Amalgamated Sheet- .Metal Worljers" International Alliance. J. P. NOONAN, lluternational President. International Brother- hood of Biectrical Workers. TIMOTHY SHEA. {Assistant President. Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engiuemen. W. G. LEE, President, Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. WM. H. JOHNSTON. Ilnternational President. International Associa- tion of Machinists. J. W. KLINE. General President. International Brotherhood of Blacksmiths, Drop Forgers and Helpers. MARTIN F. RYAN, General President. Brotherhood Railway Car- men of America. E. J. MANION, President, Order of Railroad Telegraphers. F. GRABLE. <;rand President. United Brotherhood of M. of W. Employees and Railroad Shop Laborers. E. J. FITZGERAIjD. Grand President. Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks. Freight Handlers, Express and Statron Employees. D. W. IIELT. President, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen of America. TIMOTHY HEALY. President. International Brotherhood of Sta- tionary Firemen and Oilers. B. M. JEWELL. President. Railway Employees Department, American Federation of Labor. Before the United States Railway Labor Board. 1920 Studies of the Cost of Maintaining a Family at a Level of Health and Reasonable Comfort Presented by W. Jett Lauck INTRODUCTION Budgetary studies have two phases. The first is the determina- tion of the standards and quantities of things necessary to main- tain a family at a certain level of living. The second is to ascertain the cost of the items arrived at as necessary for the purpose men- tioned. The determination of the quantity budget is of course the more difficult. The pricing of the quantity budget is a mere mechanical detail, involving nothing more than careful field work. The ultimate interest, however, lies in the cost of the budget. For the practical value of such studies is to ascertain in what degree a particular group of people are attaining the living standards set up, and this is most readily measured in terms of dollars and cents. On the other hand, it must always be remembered that the cost of a budget is a changing thing, fluctuating with the changes in prices, and that the tests of sufficiency or insufficiency are the items them- selves, not their cost. Budgetary studies of the character referred to had their scientific beginning in this country with Chapin's "The Standard of Living in Now York City"' (1907) and More's "Wage-Earners' Budgets" (190;i-190.jj. These were followed by other careful investigations, such as those of the New York State Factory Investigation Com- mission and the Bureau of Per.sonal Service of the Board of Esti- mate and Apportionment of New Y'ork City in 1915.' K^cently the growing interest in the subject of a living wage has stimulated a series of studies, which, because they had the work of earlier students and investigators to build upon, are more compre- hensive and more accurate than the pioneer studies could be. The subject is still not upon a plane of absolute scientific precision, but the recently published reports of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Industrial Conference Board and the Phila- delphia Bureau of Municipal Research ofter material of very great value for a final solution of the problem. All of these studies ap- ^A summary of the more important of the earlier studies was published in 1919 under the title of "Standards of Living" by the Bureau of Applied Economics, Wash- ington, D. C. luirently seek l(» dcteiinine about I he same level of living — one that will assure health and reasonable comfort — although the definitions are not always ])re(ise. The present volume gives digests of the more imi)(>rtant of the recent studies just leferred to. Because of the character of the subject matter, it is necssary that these digests be fairly full. Also because of the character of the subject matter, it is ditticult to sum- maiize the seveial studies for jturposes of easy com])arison. On the single point of moin'v cost, however, a faii'ly satisfactory comparison can be made. The following table offers such a comparison for five of the studies in this volume. Owing to the fact that these studies were uot all made at the same time, the cost of each must be considered in relation to the date upon which pi icing was done. The last column of the table gives the approximate cost of each budget at the present time (May. 1920). Tn computing the present cost, figures of i)rice increases ]»ublished by the National Industrial Conference Board have been used, as these are the latest available and in the past have followed very closely the figures of the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Tn certain cases where the figures for a particular mouth were not available, interpolation has been necessary. The increase in general cost of living between March and May has been estimated at 1 per cent from the course of wholesale prices as reported by Dun and Bradstreet. The budgets compared in the table are : 1. The Washington, D. C, budget of the V. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (without deductions). 2. The Bituminous Coal Miners" budget of Professor Ogburn. 3. The budget worked out by the Philadelphia Bureau of Municipal Research. 4 and 5. The Fall Kiver and Lawrence budgets of the National Industrial Conference Board (the ''more liberal standard" being used in each case). COMPARISON OF COSTS Of Family Budgets of Health and Reasonable Comfort Suggested! by Recent Studies. Washington Budget. August, 1919. Food Clothing Housing Fuel and Light Miscellaneous Total cost when study was made Estimated Increase in Cost of Living since study was made. . . . Approximate cost May, 1920 $773.93 513.72 300.00 128.00 546.82 2,262.47 12% 2,533.97 Ogburn's Coal Miners' Budget. January, 1920. $801.38 455.26 216.00 70.00 576.30 2,118.94 37c 2,182.51 Philadelphia Budget. Autumn, 1918. $660.09 299.43 240.00 75.00 362.27 1,636.79 28% 2,095.09 Fall River Budget. October, 1919. $631.80 322.25 182.00 84.25 353.60 1,573.90 9% 1,715.55 Lawrence Budget. November, 1919. $652.60 340.26 234.00 87.98 343.20 1,658.04 8% 1,790.68 I BUDGET FOR A GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE'S FAMILY IN WASHINGTON, D. C. This report presents the results of a study made by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the cost of maintain- ing the family of a Government employee in Washington at a level of health and decency. This involved two inquiries: (1) The estab- lishing of a "quantity budget,'' i. e., the number or quantity of the various things necessary to maintain the living level referred to; and (2) the ascertaining of the total cost of such a budget at the prices prevailing in Washington at the present time (August, 1919). Difficulty of Establishing a Proper Budget Level. Previous studies of the subject have analyzed the conception of a budget level and have distinguished several levels. Some of the more important of these are as follows: (a) The pauper or poverty level. — This represents roughly a standard of living just above where families receive aid from charity or where they run into serious debt. (&) The minimum of suhsistence level. — This is based essentially on mere animal existence and allows little or nothing for the needs of men as social creatures. (c) The minimum of health and eomfort level. — This represents a slightly higher level than that of subsistence, providing not only for the material needs of food, shelter, and body covering, but also for certain comforts, such as clothing sufficient for bodily comfort and to maintain the wearer's instinct of self-respect and decency, some insurance against the more important misfortunes — death, disability, and fire— good education for the children, some amuse- ment, and some expenditures for self-development. Inasmuch as the primary aim of this study was to furnish infor- mation for use by the Joint Commission of Congress on Reclassifi- 9 10 fijtion of Salaries, ilu- iiiiiiimuin (»f licalili. (icccncy. and comfort was kopt ill iiiiiid in (hMcriniiiinji llic (|iiaiilil.v l>usisteuce. but not so hiijh as to be unreasonable for the purpose for which it was lo be used, serious dilliculties arose. Part of the difficulty was a matter of terminology. IMirases such as "a comfort level" or a "level of reasonable comfoi-t" are by no means clear cut, and much dis- cussion can arise as to just what ])arlicular "comforts" sliould be included. Budget T>kvkl Used ix This Study. Finally, after long consideration, it was decided to use as a work- ing basis a budget level which can be best expressed perhaps by the uhrase ''a standard of health and decency." This phrase is not (Mitirely precise in meaning. No i)hrase of the kind can very well he wholly satisfactory. The budget herewith suggested is intended to give to the average family, consisting of husband, wife, and three children below the age of 14 years — (1) A sufficiency of nourishing food for the maintenance <»f health, particularly the children's health ; (2) Housing in low-rent neighborhoods and within the smallest ]>os!?ible number of rooms consistent with decency, but with suffi cient light, heat, and toilet facilities for the maintenance of health and decency ; (3) The upkeeji of household equipment, such as kitchen uten- sils, bedding, and linen, necessars' for health, but with no provision for the purchase of additional furniture; ^4) Clothing sufficient for warmth, of a sufficiently good (piality to be economical, but with no fui'ther regard for appearance and style than is necessary to permit the family members to appear in public and within their rather narrow social circle without sloven- liness or loss of self-respect. to) A surplus over the above expenditures which would permit of only a minimum outlay for such necessary demands as — (a) Street car fares to and from work and necessary rides to stores and markets; (5) The keeping up of a modest amount of insurance; (c) Medical and dental cai'e; (d) Tontributions to churches and labor or beneficial organi- zations ; 11 (e) Simple amusements, siieli as the moving pictures once in a while, occasional street car rides for pleasure, some Christmas gifts for the children, etc.; {f) Daily newspaper. The St.vndard Family. This budget has been worked out for a family consisting of hus- band, wife, and thret^ dei)endent children — a boy of 11, a girl of ."5, and a boy of 2 years of age. The number in the family and the ages of the children conform closely to the standards used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other investigators in the past. The deter- mining factor in selecting the standard family, however, was the fact that a family of this particular size and composition represents actual existing families in the United States. The average number in the white families scheduled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics was 4.1) individuals (equivalent to 3.33 adult males), which corre- sponds very closely with the standard family of 5 individuals (equivalent to 3.35 adult males). /The assumption that the three children of the family are, respectively, a boy aged 2 years, a girl as:ed 5 veai^s, and a bov aged 11 vears, is, of course, arbitrarv and is vsolely for the purpose of making precise calculations as to food and clothing consumption. The children in this standard family arc growing children, not yet able to add anything to the family income, and not so expensive to maintain as they will become a few years later. This standard family is about half way between the family with no children and the family with grown children capable of self- sn])j)ort. BuDGKT OF Health axd Decency Not Intended As An Ideal. It needs to be em]»hasized that the budget level ado|)ted in the })resent study is in no way intended as an ideal budget. It was intended to establish a bottom level of health and decency below which a family cannot go without danger of j)hysical and moral deterioration. This budget does not include many comforts wbiclt . should be included in a proi)er ''American standard of living." Thus no provision is directly made for savings other than insuiance. nor for vacations, nor for books and other educational purposes. On the other hand, a family with the items listed in this budget should be able to maintain itself in health and modest comfort. It would have a sutficiency of food, respectable clotliing. sanitary housing, and a minimum of the essential '"sundries."' 12 TiiK Cost or a I{ri»(;i:i' Lkvkl Not Nkckssarilv a Fixkd Money Cost. The iinmial c*xj»ense of inainliiininj? Ihe luid. Assiiniinj; S!1,()(K> of this to be invested in household iH]uij»nient. there would be a net sum «)!' f 1,000 available for investment in a honu' oi- in other direct income- producinji form. In an.v case, it would rejtresent an annual income of approximately ^^■>iK Itrniizal Details of Budget. I. FOOD. Item. Unit of usual purchase. Weekly quantity per family of 3.35 equivalent adult. males. Weekly cost. Beef and veal, fresh' Beef, salt' Pork, fresh' Pork, salt, including smoked ham and bacon' Mutton' Poultry' Other meat, including sausage, dried beef, etc.'. Fish and other sea food' Eggs Milk, sweet, and buttermilk" Cream Milk, condensed Butter and oleomargarine Cheese Tea Coffee and substitutes Sugar Molasses, including sirup and honey Lard and compounds Flour Corn meal Bread' Rice Cereals Fruits, fresh , Fruits, dried and canned Potatoes Other vegetables, fresh and dried Other vegetables, canned Other food' Weekly total . Yearly total. Ice Total. Pound do. do. do. do. do. do. do. Dozen Quart Pint Pound do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. Peck Pound do. do. 4.35 .38 .74 1.03 .60 .52 .66 1.31 1.31 8.86 .06 1.25 1.87 .38 .19 .78 3.13 .68 1.10 7.50 1.23 9.66 .85 2.21 7.71 .70 .95 10.89 .84 1.83 $1.64 .14 .38 .53 .22 .24 .25 .39 .79 1.35 .02 .25 1.18 .19 .15 .41 .34 .12 .44 .60 .07 1.01 .14 .33 .70 .18 .71 .88 .24 -.66 '•$14.55 '$755.93 18.00 $773.93 'Total meat and fish equivalent to 1.37 pounds per day. "Equivalent to 1.27 quarts of milk per day. "Equivalent to 1.38 pound loaves of bread per day. 'Including crackers, cake, pies, ice cream, candy, jelly, oil, chocolate, peanut butter, cocoa, nuts, gelatin and canned soup. 'The weekly quantity budget has been drafted from the year's budget, which explains the slight difference in cost between the weekly total and the yearly total. 15 II. CLOTHING. Article of clothing. Unit price. Replace- ment per year. Yearly cost. Husband. Hat, felt Hat, straw Suit, winter (wool) Suit, summer (wool) Overcoat Raincoat Shirts, cotton Union suit, summer Union suit, winter (part wool) Pajamas Socks, cotton Shoes: High Low Shoe repairing: Whole soles Half soles, including heel.. Rubbers Gloves, kid Collars Ties Handkerchiefs Garters Belt Suspenders Umbrella Cleaning, pressing .Miscellaneous $4.00 2.00 40.00 40.00 40.00 15.00 2.00 1.50 3.50 2.50 .50 7.50 7.50 3.50 2.50 1.25 3.00 .25 .50 .25 .35 1.50 .75 4.00 1.50 Total. Wife. Summer clothing. Hat Wash skirt Waists, cotton (to be made at home) Waist, dress Dresses, cotton, thin (to be made at home) Underwear (separate garments or union suits) Petticoats, cotton, muslin Shoes, tow Gloves, cotton Winter clothing. Hat Suit, wool Dress, wool serge Coat, wool Petticoat, dark cotton Underwear (union suit, part wool) Shoes, high Gloves, kid $7.50 5.00 2.50 7.50 5.00 1.00 2.00 8.50 1.00 10.00 53.00 25.00 50.00 3.00 3.00 9.50 2.50 ¥2 y2 5 3 1 1 12 V2 12 3 8 2 1^ 1L X<, 5 $2.00 ' 2.00 20.00 20.00 10.00 2.50 10.00 4.50 3.50 2.50 6.00 7.50 3.75 3.50 2.50 .63 1.50 3.00 1.50 2.00 .70 .50 .75 1.33 6.00 3.00 $121.16 % $7.50 2.50 7.50 3.75 10.00 3.00 2.00 8.50 1.00 5.00 26.50 12.50 16.66 3.00 3.00 9.50 1.25 16 II. CLOTHING— Continued. Article of clothing. Unit price. Replace- ment per year. Yearly cost. Year-round clothing. Houae dresses Apron, kitchen Corset (standard make) Corset covers Brassieres Night dresses Kimono Stockings, cotton Shoe repairing: New heels Whole soles Handkerchiefs Umbrella Rubbers Cleaning and pressing. . . . Miscellaneous Total. Boy, 11 Te^rs of Age. Caps or hats Suit, wool Pants, separate, wool (winter) Pants, separate, wool and cotton (summer) Overcoat Sweater Overalls Shirts or blouses, cotton Summer underwear (union suits) Winter underwear (union suits) Pajamas or nightshirts Stockings Shoes : High Low Shoe repairing (whole soles) Rubbers Gloves or mittens Collars Ties Handkerchiefs Garters Belt Miscellaneous $3.00 .60 6.00 .85 .50 1.50 4.50 .65 .40 3.00 .25 3.00 1.50 3.00 $1.00 16.00 3.00 2.00 12.50 6.00 1.25 1.15 1.00 3.00 1.00 .60 5.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 .50 .25 .50 .10 .25 .60 2 1 1 3 2 2 % ^/3 2 1 1 2 V2. 1 5 3 2 2 12 ^k $6.00 .60 6.00 2.55 1.00 3.00 2.25 5.20 1.20 3.00 2.00 1.00 1.50 3.00 5.00 Total. I $166.46 $2.00 16.00 3.00 4.00 6.25 3.00 1.25 5.75 3.00 6.00 2.00 7.20 15.00 6.00 10.00 1.00 1.00 .75 1.00 .60 .50 .30 1.00 $96.60 17 II. CLOTHING— Continued. Article of clothing. Unit price. Girl, 5 Years of Age. Hat, summer Cap or hat, winter: Cap Hat Dresses, cotton (to be made at home) Dress, wool (to be made at home) Apron (to be made at home) Coat Sweater Cotton petticoats: Muslin Outing flannel Summer underwear: Shirts Drawers, muslin Underwaists Winter underwear: Shirts, wool Drawers, wool Nightdresses: Muslin Outing flannel Stockings, cotton Shoes : High Low Rubbers Mittens Handkerchiefs Garters Miscellaneous Total. Boy, 2 Years of Age. Hats or caps: Hat, duck Cap Dresses, cotton suits, rompers, etc. (to be made at home) . . . , Overcoat Sweater Summer underwear: Undershirts , Drawers, muslin Underwaists Winter underwear: Undershirts Drawers Replace- ment per year. overalls. $5.00 2.00 5.00 2.25 6.00 1.00 15.00 4.00 1.00 1.50 .50 .30 .75 1.50 1.50 1.00 1.25 .40 4.00 3.00 .85 .50 .10 .25 $ .50 .75 1.00 12.00 3.50 .50 .30 .65 1.00 1.00 % ¥2 2 1 3 5 4 2 2 1 1 12 3 1 1 6 2 ^k. o 4 9 ■J 2 Yearly cost. $5.00 2.00 13.50 3.00 1.00 7.50 2.00 2.00 1.50 1.50 1.50 3.00 3.00 3.00 1.00 1.25 4.80 12.00 9.00 .85 .50 .60 .50 2.50 $82.50 \ .50 .75 8.00 6.00 1.75 1.50 .90 2.60 2.00 2.00 18 II. CLOTHING— Concluded. Article of clothing. Unit price. Replace- ment per year. Yearly cost. IJoy, i Years of Age^ConcludHl Nightdresses : Muslin Outing flannel Stockings and socks, cotton. Shoes : High Low (sandals) Mittens Garters Miscellaneous $1.00 1.25 .39 3.50 3.00 .35 .25 Total. 1 1 10 2 2 1 2 $1.00 1.25 3.90 7.00 6.00 .35 .50 1.00 $47.00 III. HOUSING. FUEL, AND LIGHT $428.00 (This item covers rent at $300 a year, and fuel and light at $128 a year.) IV. MISCELLANEOUS. Upkeep of house, furniture, and furnishings $70.00 Laundry work 104.00 Cleaning supplies and services 32.92 Health 80.00 Insurance: (a) Life (disability) 110.00 (b) Furniture 1..50 Car fare: Husband, 600 rides Wife and children, 300 rides Amusements and recreation Newspapers Organizations: (a) Church ( b) Labor Incidentals 30.00 15.00 20.00 8.40 13.00 10.00 52.00 $546.82 DETAILED DATA TPON WHICH P.rDCiET IS I5ASED. I. Food. Ill the cleteniiiiiatioii of a proper family dietary ilii'ie are two .standards which must be assumed at the beginning, i 1 i tlie scieutiti cally established food requirement in calories per day, and (2) the commonly recognized unit of measure of the size of family in equiva- lent adult males. Various scientific students of food have estimated that the number of calories needed by a man at moderately hard muscular work is :{,.~)(K) per day. A family usually wastes about lU per cent of the caloric value of food in preparation, cooking, etc., and also a small })er cent of the food which enters the mouth is not digested or assimi- lated. Therefore, 3,500 calories purchased represents approximately :>,100 to 0,200 calories actually consumed by the body. The standard of 3,500 calories is for a man at moderately hard muscular work, and since most Government clerks are engaged in very light muscular labor the 3,100-3,200 calories would appear to be sufficient. On the other hand, when Government emjjloyees are taken as a whole, and when those who are engaged in moderately hard physical work in the (Tovernmeut Printing Office and the Bureau of Engraving and Print- ing are taken into consideration, the allowance of 3,500 calories pur- chasfd to yield 3,100-3.200 seems to be none too high. The standard of a definite number of calories per man per day makes it necessary to ascertain the food requirements of the other members of the family and convert them into terms of a common unit of measurement, namely, the equivalent adult male. In order to make precise calculations, the following food budget has been drawn up on the basis of a family of 5 — husband, wife, and 3 chil- dren, boy, aged 11; girl, 5, and boy, 2. According to the .standard established by the United t^tates Bureau of Labor Statistics, taking the caloric requirement of a man as 1.0, that of a woman is 0.0; a boy of 11 years, 0.9; a girl of 5 years, 0.1; and a boy of 2 years, 0.15. The combined food requirements of this family, which is considered an average-sized family and has been taken as a iKtrniai family, would be equal to that of 3.35 adult males. The quantity food budget submitted here as representing the mini- mum food requirements of a family of 5 was obtained by averaging the actual amounts of food used by 2Sn selected families witli three 19 20 chihlrcii of ;ili<)Ut the Mj^cs iiidicalcd. The fiiiiiilics clioseii from each city averafxed in size approximately .'5..'>r) e(piivalent adult males, and 3,500 calories of food purchased per man i)er day. On furtlier de- tailed analysis, and by compaiison with ;i rccojjjnized standard, thti average dietary of o.oOO calories thus obtained was found to consist of meat, milk, vegetables, etc., in such ])roportions as to furnish the body in a general way with the necessary amounts of ])roteins, fats, carbo-hydrates, mineral constituents, acids, and other substances necessary for the maintenance of iiealth. Following is a comparison of the food allowance of this budget with the miinmum standards generally accepted by scientitic students of the subject: OUNCES OF FOOD CONSUMED PER MAN PER DAY. 1 Dairy Meat. ! Fish, prod- ucts. Milk. Ce- reals. 1 Vege- 1 Fruits, tables. 1 Fats. Sugar. 1 Average of 280| families . .. .| 5.6 Standard ! 4 or 5 1 0.9 2 15.5 16 12.1 11 or 12 15.1 12 17.6 5.8 16 or 20 16 or 20 2.1 2 2.7 2 The 2S() food budgets used in obtaining this average were selected from family schedules collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the recent cost-of-living survey of the United States. These sched- ules were taken in great detail, giving, among other thing.s, the amount of each article of food purchased for a year for each family scheduled. The 280 budgets used in this detailed caloric analysis were made up from about 25 cases from each of 11 representative cities. It would, of course, have been preferable to analyze in detail 280 food budgets collected from families in the District of Columbia, but the time allowed for the present minimum budget prohibited any such ])lan. It seems likely, however, that the average dietary here pre- sented is not far from correct. By taking an average of families located over a considerable area, all local peculiarities and extreme tastes should have been smoothed out. The applicability of this average budget to the city of Washington is further substantiated by the fact that the population here is unusually cosmopolitan, due to the working of the apportioned civil service. Another i)ossibility would have been to use accepted standards as a guide and construc^ a dietary composed of meats, vegetables, milk, etc., which would meet the ideal requirements. This method, how- ever, would have been difficult, more or less arbitrary, and subject to 21 the criticism tliat it would not meet the actual desires and peculiari- ties of people as they are. Of course, the average dietary has its obvious defects, and is not recommended as ideal. For instance, it is highly desirable, from both an economical and a dietary stand- point, for a family to secure its protein by the use of more eggs and less meat than the quantities used in the average budget. As here I)resented, the food budget which has been arrived at is based on what the experience of a large number of families in various sections of the country shows to be a practical minimum for the maintenance of health. That the selection of foodstuffs is probably as economical as is consistent with a fairlv balanced diet is indicated bv the fact that the families whose dietaries are here used were all workingmen's families in moderate circumstances. * * * II, Clothing. The quantities of the different kinds of clothing required by the standard family have been arrived at by personal interviews with Government employees and their wives and others familiar with the standard of living required of the Government worker's family in Washington, and have been checked with several previous studies, particulai'ly with the clothing budgets of approximately 850 families with children under l.j secured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 1918-19. In preparing the following budget the quantity of clothing based on length of wear has been made fundamental and agreed upon before tabulating prices. The quantities listed in the budget are for annual replacements, and it has been assumed that the amounts listed will be supplemented by the ''holdover" of similar garments from the previous year. In the case of a garment which may be expected reasonably to last over a period longer than one year, the annual amount has been expressed in a fraction, i. e., a coat to be worn two years, as i^ ; three, as %, etc. A few possible alternatives have been suggested, and individual tastes will, of course, make other changes and adjustments necessary for each family. Ill preparing this quantity budget a considerable amount of sewing at home has been assumed as possible, and has been indicated accordingly. When more than the si)ecified amount is done, a saving may be effected, or the family clothed more abundantly. On the other hand, where little or no home sewing can be done, economy will need to be practiced in the number of garments or along other lines. Theoretically, the level of health and decency in clothing has been interpreted as a level winch tekps into account not only Uie physical 22 needs of wanutli, clcaiiliiK'ss aiul roiiitoit, but which also has suob iv«,Mi(l for ai»i><'aiaiuo and style as Avill permit the family members to appear in piildie, and within their necessarily rather narrow social circle, with neatness and self-respect, hi other words, the clothing standards of the family should provide a fair degree of that mental satisfaclictn which follows from being reasonably well-dressed. 15ut while admitting the desirability of this more genercms wardrobe, an etVort has been made to allow only those (juantities of clothing con sistent with the ininiiiiKm re per cent of the total value of the furniture and furnishings of the usual household of persons in moderate circum- stances. A special investigation was made by agents of the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the minimum amount of furniture and furnishings necessary for a small house or apartment. Prices on this minimum amount were secured from Washington stores in August, 1919, and found to total |1,083. Even with the closest economy in buying, including the i)urchase of some second-hand furniture, this total could not well be reduced below $1,000. For annual upkeep G per cent of this amount, or $60, would be nei^essary. About |10 or $11 a year additional is required for gas mantles or electric blubs, curtains, and a few other articles which could not be estimated quantitatively. This would make the total minimum annual expenditure for upkeep of house furnishings $70. Laundry work, assistance with washing, 1 day per week $104 In the family of five used as a basis in the present budget esti- mates, the wife is presumed to do the cooking for the family, to do the cleaning of the house or apartment, to make most of the simpler garments worn by herself and the children, to keep all clothes in repair, to care for the children, and to do the marketing. It would seem unreasonable to expect that in addition she should do the laundry work entirely unassisted. Therefore, this budget has al- lowed for the assistance of a person for one day each week and |2 per day seems to be the prevailing rate in ^Vashington for service of this kind. Cleaning suppUes and services $32.92 The following seems to be the minimum re, shows the average expenditure for doctor, dentist, oculist, and other items necessary for the niainte nance of health to have been f90.37. The year covered by these ex- j)enditures, however, included the "fin" ej)idemic of last autumn and winter, which undoubtedly added to the average expense of medical attention and medicine. For this reason it has seemed reasonable to fix the health allowance in this budget at $80. 27 Insurance: (a) Life, $5,000 ordinary policy, yearly premium $110 It is a <;en('i-ally at-repted fact that the male head of a family sliould can-v iiisiivaiue on his life to protect his wife and children in the event of his death. In order to do this it is necessary that the yearly income be sufficient to meet the yearly insurance premiums. The only question would seem to be as to the amount of insurance which should be carried. It would seem that a fo.OOO policy would be the minimum for protection and safety. In the event of the husband's death this would assure an income to the wife and chil- dren of not over ^300 per year, or |6 per week. * * * Insurance : (b) Furniture ^l-^^ Furniture insurance is a cheap form of insurance which it is highly important that every family should carry, as the loss of household equipment is an extremely serious matter to a family of low income. Inquiry made of the Underwriters' Association of the District of Columbia shows that the annual premium on f 100 worth of furniture (in a brick. house) is 15 cents per year when paid for a period of five years. Insurance on ."^1,000 worth of furniture, which would be about the average value of furniture of the type of family had in mind in this study, would be $1.50. Car fare, 900 rides ?45 There are numy Government employees in Washington who live so near their offices that car fare is an expense that need rarely be incurred. On tlie other hand, the large area covered by the city and its suburbs makes it absolutely necessary for a considerable portion of the employees to ride to and from their work, and for another portion to ride at least a part of the time. In view of this, it seems reasonable to allow the husband two car rides ])er day for each working day, or 600 rides in total. Approximately three trips jier week on the street car have been allowed for the wife and children. Local open markets within easy walking distance are available to conifiaratively few families in Washington, and many who walk one way must take a car home after the market basket has been filled. In addition to this, the mother of three children will need to make occasional trips to the stores in the central part of the city to purchase clothing for the family, and it will be necessarv usuallv for her to take with her the 2 and 5- year-old children, involving two car fares. It is assumed that the children will be able to walk to and from school. Comi>utation of the cost of street car fare has been made on the 28 basis of tlio n-cont fare, as no iclialilc data exists as to the use of transfeis, for which a rharjje of 2 cents is made in Washington. Amusements and recreation $20 The inijiortance of ici rcatioii as a factor in healtliy living need not, of course, he eiuj)hasized. It is accepted as an everyday fact. The only (piestion is as to the character and cost of such recreation. Much wholesome amusement arises naturally within the circle of a family and its friends and costs nothing. On the other hand, the comi»lexity of modern city life places a money price on many simple and desirable forms of amusements. Thus a picnic for a family, or a visit to the park, involves a considerable item of car fare, while a trip on the river will cost a dollar or more. Moreover, occasional visits to the moving jtictures are to be exjiected of at least some members of a family. Thus, even though the more expensive forms of amusement and recreation, such as summer vacations, are elinii- nated, some expenditures for this item are absolutely necessary if a family is not to lead a completely isolated life. It is impossible, however, to establish quantity standards for amusements and recreations. The most reasonable method would, therefore, seem to be to use as a guide the average amount expended by families of Government employees. A special investigation of exi)enditures of (>4 families of (lovernment employees in Washington shows that their average exj)enditure for amusements and recreation during the year ending July 31, 1919, amounted approximately to f20. On the average these families had exi)ended a similar amount on vacations, but no allowance for vacation has been made on this budget. Newspapers 1 daily newspaper, $8.40 A newspaper, daily and Sunday issues, is i)laced in the budget because it is desirable that every citizen should read a daily paper. In addition, the modern newspaper offers a variety of literary an«l educational features at a minimum expense. No allowance is made for magazines or books, not because the reading thereof is not desirable, but because a family, forced to careful economy, may avail itself of the ])ublic libraries for all forms of literature. The yearly subscrijttion rates of the Washington newspapers vary slightly, with fS.40 as the minimum. It is felt that the maximum should be allowed in order to permit the reader his choice of news- I)apers. Organizations, such as the church and labor unions, play such an 29 important part in the life of the avei'age worker and his family that some expenditure on this account must be rejjarded as essential to normal living. In the present budget expenditures for this [)ur- pose are accepted as necessary for the majority of families only in the case of the church and labor organizations; membership in other organizations, such as the Red Cross Society, the Young Men's Christian Association, and social clubs may be very desirable, but cannot be regarded as necessary for a family with low income. (a) Church and other religious organizations $13 Membership in, or regular attendance at a church almost compels contributions in one form or another. Not to be able to contribute usually makes the individual feel so "uncomfortable" that he feels unwilling to attend church or to send hs children to Sunday school. Just what the minimum desirable contribution should be is difficult to determine. In any case, a family contribution of 2o cents a week would seem to be a bare minimum. (b) Labor organizations $10 Membership in a labor organization always involves contributions to its support in the form of dues. The amount of these dues varies according to the organization. The craft unions to which many employees in the navy yard and other mechanical divisions belong have as a rule considerably higher dues than the clerical workers' organizations. In the absence of other data, it would seem that the most reasonable method of arriving at a minimum allowance for this purpose would be to use as a guide the average amount actually paid for labor organization dues by Government employees. An investigation on this point showed the average expenditure on labor organizations by 64 families of Government employees in Washing- ton during the past year to have been flO.OS. Incidentals «52 In addition to the expenditures listed above there are a large number of other items, mostly small or occasional, which cannot be entirely avoided by a family — such, for instance, as moving ex- penses, burial exjienses, stationery and postage, telephoning or tele- graphing at times, patriotic contributions, and charity. Also a fcAV minor comforts — such, perhaps, as tobacco — are almost in the cate- gory of necessities for certain people. No minimum quantities for these items can possibly be specified. The only solution is to grant a modest sum of money as a ma-ximum to cover expenditures for all incidentals. The amount gi-anted by this budget is ?1 per week. 30 U COST OF THE WASHINGTON, D. C, BUDGET IN VARIOUS BITUMINOUS COAL MINING COMMUNITIES At tlic r(;a1ions of tlio Bureau of Labor Statistics iuto the cost (»f livinjf in hituniinous coal mining communities have been centered about eight coal-producing towns. These towns were Unionto.wn, Pa. ; Barncsboro, Pa. ; Carnegie, Pa. ; Clarksburg, W. Va. ; Nelson- ville, Ohio; <'linton. Tnd.: Pana, 111., and Belleville, 111. Roughly divided, tlicsc eight communities fall into two main regions — the Eastern or Pennsylvania coal field, represented by Uuiontown. Barnesboro, Carnegie, and Clarksburg, and the Western or Central < ual tield, lepresented by Nelsonville, Clinton, Pana, and Belleville. In order lo secure data on tlie cost of living in these coal mining towns, two or thrw agents of the Bureau of Labor Statistics were sent to each town during the months of January and February, 11)20. On alete data as i)ossible were secured on the cost of all the major items in the budget of the coal miner's family. Prac- tically every coalmining community included in the survey was made up of small mining towns, in some of which living conditi(ms were found to b«' (piite separate and distinct from the main town. These points could not be covered in detail in a brief survev. An 31 attempt was made, therefore, to secure as nearly as possible a com- j)Osite of each community, and to present the material in such form that the general condition foi' the districts as a whole may be shown. From the data secured by agents in the field, the ap{»roximate cost of a health and decency budget for the family of a coal miner has been worked out. As in j)revious studies, the family for wlii eureau of Labor Statis- tics from other places were used. I r. Clothing. There are certain measurements in food studies that make object- ive tests of adequacy more accurate than in clothing. The standard of clothing for health and decency, as worked out in the study of the United States Uureau of Labor Statistics j)reviously referred to, was the result of jiainstaking study and a considerable amount of investigation. In estimating the standard of clothing, the Bureau of Labor Statistics made use of its tabulations of clothing purchases 43 by a very large number of families in a great many cities, scattered widely over the country. It is presumed that the wife does a considerable amount of ?ewing for the children, and the prices of a great many of the children's clothes are based upon the cost of material alone. The purpo.se in making this study was to set certain standards, particularly of de- cency, and this was arrived at after a great amount of observation and consultation. The quantities listed in the budget are for annual replacements, and it has been assumed that the amounts listed will be supple- mented by the "hold-over"' of similar garments from the previous year. In the case of a garment which mav reasonably be expected to last over a period longer than one year, the annual amount has been expressed in a fraction, i. e., a coat to be worn two years is 1/2, 'i years, %. etc. This standard budget of clothing was priced at several stores in each community visited, and the prices are therefore actual prices of goods and clothing available for purchase in these particular localities. The quantities of clothing required were varied slightly for miners as contrasted with residents of Washington, D. C, due to the pecu- (j liar needs of miners. The miner weai*s more overalls and is con- siderably harder on shoes. He is a great deal in the damp and his clothes come in contact with the floor and sides of the mine, so that he has certain special requirements. In some few cases the types of woolen goods priced in the stores seem to be considerably less in price than such articles would cost in Washington, and very probably there may be some difference in quality, but this is rather diificult to measure. It seems nearly impossible, therefore, to keep the present clothing standard identical with that of the Washington study, but it is not believed that the variation is very great. III. Housing, Fuel and Light. The minimum housing standard for a family of five has been taken as one of four rooms, bath, inside toilet and running water. Com- munities are observed to vary in the types of houses rented. 8ome communities will have practically no four-room houses and all five- room ; others may have no five-room houses and all four or six- room houses, so that it seems slightly arbitrary to set the number of rooms too rigidly in a standard. Houses also vary a good deal in rent, according to whether thev 44 are new or old liouscs. They diU'er also jKtoidiii<; to the size of the roniniunity. A biKlgct, to be most adequately api)licable, therefore, should have the item of rent somewhat variable. In other words, when the budget is applied to one town, the rent may be fixed at a certain figure, and when ap|)lied to another locality the item of rent may be determined at a different figure. In some of the suburbs of IMttsbuigh the rent is (piite high, running up to $25 or $35 a month, whereas the rent for some company houses in very small mining communities might drop as low as fl2. Judging from the rent schedule collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in a large number of towns, very probably a four or five-room house, with run- ning water, bath and toilet would cost from |18 to $20, roughly averaged, although jierhaps a newcomer in the town might not be able to get such a house for less than $25. In some very small mining towns, where the company owns the houses, it is possible to get a four-room house for a figure as low as $7 or $8 a month, but this house will not meet the standard require- ments of health and decency, being without bath, inside toilet or running water. In other communities it is possible to rent a fairly substantially built house of five rooms for $12, but such a house may be without running water, and thus would not come up to the stand- ard. If the house with five rooms is modern and has certain other features of modern equipment, such as gas and electricity, the rent will very likely be around $25 or $30, so that a figure of $18 a month for rent for the standard type house compatible with health and decencv is fairlv conservative. Fuel. Miners' families usually burn about 12 or 13 tons of coal a year, somewhat more in this regard than perhaps the average family. This may be due in part to the fact that the coal is purchased more cheaply, in part to the fact that much cooking is done with coal, and perhaps in part to the fact that the houses are exposed on all sides. Also the use of grates and single stoves causes a greater waste of heat than does a furnace. The coal is usually purchased by miners, with the exception of certain communities, at somewhat cheaper prices than others have to pay. It is difficult to set exact figures, owing to the fact that the price depends upon local practices. Some mining companies, in- deed, have furnished coal free, charging only for the cost of hauling. Coal will also vary in price according to gi-ade. But it is thought 45 that an cvstiuiate of |4 per ion is a fair average figure, taking into consideration these variable elements. Fuel used for cooking also varies quite widely. A great many .families cook with coal and some with gas, whether natural or manu- factured, and some families use a little of both. If gas is used for cooking alone, i)erhaps 2.5,000 or 30,000 cubic feet is the average amount used. This varies in pritandard. Annua] rent $240.00 Two-story row house, with six rooms, facing street; bathroom, inchjd- ing toilet, washstand and tub; laundry, furnace, and facilities for gas cooking and lighting. 52 Fuel and Light. Requirements of a F'air Standard. Unit. Price per unit. Annual quantity. Annual cost Total $75.00 Pea coal ton ton 1000 cu. ft. box of 500 $8.45 9.90 1.00 .06 2^ 2% 26 52 $21.13 Stove coal 24.75 Gas . . . . 26.00 Matches 3.12 In the standard we are suggesting allowances are made for the three most frequently used and most staple fuel and lighting supplies, namely, coal, gas, and matches. Electricity, wood,, candles, kerosene, and charcoal, although all of these were used to a greater or lesser extent by the families invstigated, have not been considered indispensable, especially if an adequate quantity of the more staple supplies is provided. Instead, the allowances of coal, gas, and matches were made slightly more generous than the average quan- tity consumed as shown by our data. It is worthy of note, in this connection, that while five tons of coal is almost a ton more than the average consumption shown by our data, yet, for a six-room house it is one ton less than the standard of a ton per room established by the Fuel Administration. The quality' of coal selected conforms as nearly as we were able to judge to the quality generally used by workingmen's families. * * * 53 Food. Requirements of a Fair Standard. Unit. Price per unit. Annual quantity. 1 1 Annual cost. Total 1 $600.09 Broad and cereals $112.19 Bread 16 oz. loaf 24 oz doz. lb. lb. pkg. 12 lb. bag 12 oz. pkg. lb. lb. $ .08 .15 .23 .05 .08 .75 .12 .07 .13 988 52 13 26 13 13 13 52 39 $ 79.04 Buns and rolls 7.80 Cakes niisc 2.99 Cornmeal 1.30 Cornstarch 1.04 Flour, wheat 9.75 Macaroni 1.56 Oatmeal 3.64 Rice . 5.07 Meats and fish $165.23 Beef-equal parts of brisket, chuck and round lb. lb. lb. lb. lb. $ .38 .40 .20 .20 .43 286 26 78 13 ; 65 $108.68 Chicken 10.40 Fish, fresh 15.60 Fish, salt 2.60 Pork 27.95 Meat substitutes $169.00 Beans, dried ib. lb. doz. qt. lb. $ .17 .36 .60 .15 .11 13 26 ! 78 1 728 1 13 i 1 $ 2.21 Cheese 9.36 Eggs 46.80 Milk, fresh 109.20 Peas, dried 1.43 Shortening ... $ 52.00 Butter lb. lb. lb. $ .70 .32 .36 1 26 32.5 65 $ 18.20 Lard 10.40 Oleomargarine 23.40 Fresh vegetables $ 66.01 Cabbage 2 lb. head 2 lb. bunch doz. 4 oz. head lb. pk. $ .05 .05 .20 .03 .02y2 .60 39 39 13 13 91 78 $ 1.95 Carrots 1.95 Corn 2.60 Lettuce .39 Onions 2.28 Potatoes, Irish 46.80 54 FOOD— Continued. Unit. Price per unit. Annual quantity. Annual cost. Fresh vefietables Potatoes, sweet . . Spinach String beans Tomatoes (continued) Pk. pk. pk. pk. Canned vegetables | Corn I 19 oz. can Peas I 19 oz. can Tomatoes 19 oz. can Fresh fruits Apples Oranges Peaches Dried fruits Prunes Raisins Sugars . , Molasses . . Sugar, gran. Beverages Cocoa Coffee Tea Miscellaneous Baking powder . Ice Pickles Salt pk. doz. pk. lb. 15 oz. pkg. 18 oz can lb. $ .60 .40 .40 .48 % .17 .16 .14 % .64 .30 .40 $ .13 .13 $ 14 .1014 8 oz. can lb. lb. $ .15 .21 .48 2% oz. can 25 lb. cake 8 oz. bottle 4 lb. bag 08 I .10 I .12 I .10 i 1 4 4 13 13 13 52 13 19.5 6.5 13 6.5 26 234 13 52 13 13 120 26 13 $ .60 1.60 1.60 6.24 $ 11.57 I 2.21 2.08 7.28 $ 16.77 $ 8.32 5.85 2.60 2.54 1.69 .85 28.21 3.64 24.57 19.11 1.95 10.92 6.24 17.46 1.04 12.00 3.12 1.30 Basis of alloic^iticcs. The food allowance in the above standard is based i)artly upon the scientific requirements of a workingman's family' of the size we are assuming and partly upon the actual food habits of workingmen's families as indicated by the data collected in our investigation. The standard family we are assuming and the relative food re- quirements of its members, as determined from the schedule of the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics given on pages 20-21, are as follows: Husband . . Wife Boy, age 13 Girl, age 10 Boy, age 6 1.00 unit .80 " .90 " .60 " .50 " 55 The entire family, therefore, is equivalent in its food needs to 3.80 adult males. While authorities differ on the food requirements of the body, the consensus of scientific opinion seems to be that a man at moderately active muscular work ought to have from o,0()0 to o,20() calories daily.* The results of our investigation indicate that the actual food consumption of workingmen's families conforms very closely to these requirements. According to the food estimates of all of our 2G0 families, the average quantity of food consumed per man per day was ?>A~)() calories. An analysis of the food purchases of :U families as recorded in account-books during the period of our field inquiry gives us a corresponding figure of 3,025 calories. The four families whose account-book records showed their food purchases during 1913-14 appear to have had 3,100 calories per man per day. In devis- ing the above standard, therefore, the food allowance per man per day has been made 3,150 calories. It is important also that the food allowance provide a well-bal- anced diet, and particularly that the quantity of protein be adequate. Here again food authorities differ, but the more general view appears to be that a man at moderately active muscular work should have daily from 100 to 120 grams of protein, from 330 to 500 grams of carbohydrates, and from 40 to 90 grams of fat. For comparison with these requirements, the following table shows the actual food habits of the different groups of families included in our investigation : I Carbo- Protein. | hydrates. (Grams) I (Grams) 1 Fat. (Grams) Food estimates —260 families, 1916-18 | 105.9 i 336.4 Account-book records— 31 families, 1917-18 1 100.8 I 415.6 Account -book records— 4 families, 1913-14 i 89.9 I 431.8 92.7 93.7 108.9 The food allowance in the above standard provides 110,8 gi-ams of protein, 460.4 grams of carbohydrates, and 92.2 grams of fat. * * * 'At the Paris session of the Inter-Allied Scientific Food Commission, March 25-30, 1918, it was agreed to allow 3,000 calories for the "average man," and in addition to allow 10 per cent for waste, thus bringing the total allowance per man per day up to 3,300 calories. 56 Clothing. Rcc/Kircinriil.s of a Fair ^SttDidard. Price per article. Annual quantity. Annual cost. Total. Total for husband Caps, wool and cotton mixture, 30 per cent wool, lined or unlined Hats, soft or stiff felt, medium grade Hats, cheapest straw, stiff brimmed Sweaters, 60 per cent wool Overcoats, overcoating, 40 per cent wool Suits, cheviot or cassimere, 50 per cent wool Extra trousers, worsted face, cotton back Overalls, denim Working shirts, cotton flannel or flannelette Working shirts, cotton shirting Dress shirts, printed madras Collars, stiff or soft washable Ties, silk and cotton four-in-hand Suspenders, cotton or lisle elastic web Belts, cheap leather Handkerchiefs, cotton Night shirts (home-made), 5 yds. 36-inch muslin, thread and buttons Night shirts (home-made), 5 yds. 36-inch outing flannel, thread and buttons Summer underwear, sets, Balbriggan Winter underwear, sets, 25 per cent wool Socks, common cotton Shoes, gun-metal welt Shoe repairs, half -soled and heeled Rubbers, storm Gloves, knitted yarn, 75 per cent wool Garters, cotton elastic web Total for wife. Hats, plain velvet, little trimming Hats, plain straw, little trimming Coats, Kersey cloth, pile fabric, cheviot or mix- tures Wash dresses (home-made), 6 yds. 36-inch ging- ham or percale, thread and buttons Suits, wool poplin, or other material, 50 per cent wool Skirts, serge, panama cloth or plaid mixtures Shirtwaists (home-made), 2% yds. cotton voile or lawn, thread and buttons Shirtwaists (home-made), 2^/^ yds. 36-inch wash- able silk, thread and buttons Petticoats (home-made), 3% yds. 27 or 36-inch muslin, cambric or sateen, thread and buttons.. $0.75 1 2.25 V2 1.50 V2 5.00 Vz 16.50 % 16.50 1 4.50 1 1.50 2 1.65 2 1.50 2 1.50 2 .25 6 .65 3 .50 1 .50 1/2 .125 6 1.00 1 1.00 1 1.50 3 2.30 1 .25 12 5.50 2 1.50 2 1.50 1 1.00 1 .50 1 $3.50 V2 1.50 1 15.00 V2 1.75 21/2 16.00 Vz 5.00 1 .75 3 2.50 1/2 1.50 2 $299.43 $77.68 $0.75 1.13 .75 2.50 5.50 16.50 4.50 3.00 3.30 3.00 3.00 1.50 1.95 .50 .25 .75 1.00 1.00 4.50 2.30 3.00 11.00 3.00 1.50 1.00 .50 $65.78 $1.75 1.50 7.50 4.38 8.00 5.00 2.25 1.25 3.00 57 CLOTHING— Continued. Price per article. Annual quantity. Annual cost. Corsets, standard make Corset covers, cambric with narrow embroidered or lace edging Summer underwear, cotton ribbed union suits Winter underwear, winter weight cotton union suits I Nightgowns (home-made), 4 yds. 36-inch nainsook, | muslin or outing flannel, thread and buttons ' Handkerchiefs, cotton Gloves, cotton or chamoisette Aprons (home-made), 5 yds. .36-inch figured percale or gingham, thread and buttons Stockings, plain cotton Shoes, gun-metal welt Shoe repairs, half -soled and heeled Rubbers, storm Total for boy, age 13. Caps, wool and cotton mixture, 30 per cent wool, lined or unlined Hats, wool and cotton mixture Sweaters, 60 per cent wool Overcoats, overcoating, 30 per cent wool Suits, 60 per cent wool, cassimere, union cheviot or suiting Extra trousers, 35 per cent wool, union cheviot . . Extra trousers, cotton khaki Blouses (home-made), 2% yds. 36-inch percale or gingham, thread and buttons Collars, stiff or soft washable Ties, silk Windsor Belts, cheap leather Handkerchiefs, cotton Night shirts (home-made), 3% yds. 36-inch mus- lin, thread and buttons Night shirts (home-made), 3i4 yds. 36-inch outing flannel, thread and buttons Summer underwear, sets, Balbriggan Winter underwear, sets, winter weight cotton, fleece-lined Stockings, cotton ribbed Shoes, gun-metal welt Shoe repairs, half -soled and heeled Rubbers, storm Gloves, fleece-lined, cotton back Garters (home-made), 1 yd. cotton elastic web. . . $2.00 .40 .75 1.50 1.25 .10 .75 1.50 .25 5.00 1.50 1.00 $0.75 1.25 5.00 10.00 8.75 1.50 1.00 .85 .25 .30 .50 .10 .90 .90 .90 1.00 .25 4.50 1.50 1.00 .75 .10 Total for girl, age 10. Hats, tailored straw Hats, velveteen or corduroy Sweaters, worsted face, cotton back. Coats, cheviot, 50 per cent wool $1.00 1.25 2.00 7.50 2 3 2 6 1 3 9 2 1 1 1% V2 11/2 1 2 5 2 2 1 3 2 18 4 4 1 1 2 % $2.00 .80 2.25 3.00 2.50 .60 .75 4.50 2.25 10.00 1.50 1.00 $69.04 $1.13 .63 2.50 5.00 13.13 1.50 2.00 4.25 .50 .60 .25 .60 .90 .90 2.70 2.00 4.5f l&M 6.00 1.00 .75 .20 $52.75 $1.00 1.25 2.00 3.75 58 CLOTHING— Continued. Price per article. Wash dresses (homemade), 4% yds. 36-inch ging- ham or chambray, thread and buttons Petticoats (homemade), 2 yds. 36-inch muslin and 2% yds. lace or edging, thread and buttons Petticoats (homemade), 2 yds. 36-inch outing flan nel, thread and but tons Drawer waists, muslin Drawers (homemade), 2 yds. 36-inch muslin, thread and buttons Union suits, cotton, fleece-Dned Nightgowns (homemade), 3 yds. 36-inch muslin and 1% yds. lace or edging, thread Nightgowns (homemade), 3 yds. 36-inch outing flan- nel, thread Handkerchiefs, cotton Gloves, fleece-lined, cotton back Stockings, cotton ribbed Shoes, gun-metal welt Shoe repairs, half -soled and heeled Rubbers, storm Garters (homemade), 1 yd. cotton elastic web. . Ribbons, 8 yds. 3-inch silk face Total for boy, age 6. Caps, wool and cotton mixture, 30 per cent wool Sweaters, worsted face, cotton back Overcoats, overcoating or union cheviot, 30 per cent wool Wash suits (homemade), 2i^ yds. 36-inch percale or gingham, thread and buttons Ties, silk Windsor Handkerchiefs, cotton Nightgowns (home-made), 3 yds. 36-inch muslin, thread and buttons Nightgowns (home-made), 3 yds. 36-inch outing flannel, thread and buttons Drawer waists, muslin Drawers (home-made), IVs yds. 36-inch muslin, thread and buttons Union suits, cotton, fleece-lined Stockings, cotton ribbed Shoes, satin calf, machine sewed or nailed Shoe repairs, half -soled Rubbers, storm Gloves, fleece-lined, cotton back Garters (home-made), 1 yd. cotton elastic web, $1.25 .90 .50 .40 .40 1.25 .75 .75 .05 .75 .30 4.00 .75 .75 .10 .10 $0.75 2.00 5.00 .75 $0.25 .05 .75 .75 .40 .40 1.25 .25 3.00 .75 .75 .75 .10 Annual quantity. 2% 2 3 6 2 1 6 1 12 4 2 1 2 8 IVz 1 % 6 1 6 1 3 4 2 18 3 2 1 1 2 Annual cost. $10.00 2.25 1.00 1.20 2.40 2.50 .75 .75 .30 .75 3.60 16.00 1.50 .75 .20 .80 $34.18 $1.13 2.00 2.50 4.50 $0.25 .30 .75 .75 1.20 1.60 2.50 4.50 9.00 1.50 .75 .75 .20 The specifications for the various articles of clothing were decided upon after consultation with clothing buyers and salesmen in a num- 59 ber of Philadelphia's downtown and ontlyinp: stores where working- men are accustomed to trade. In deciding upon these specifications it was our endeavor to conform as nearly as possible to existing standards of quality in workingmen's clothing. ♦ • » Carfare. Requirements of a Fair Standard. Total I $35.40 Carfare of husband to and from work, 604 rides @ $0.05. . . . Carfare of family for all other purposes, 104 rides @ $0.05. $30.20 5.20 Cleaning Supplies and Services. Requirements of a Fair Standard. Price Annual Quan- tity Annual Cost Total. Specified requirements. Personal Toilet soap, small bars I $0.07 Tooth brushes 35 50 t .25 Tooth paste or powder, tubes or boxes i .10 Combs, plain hard rubber Hair brushes, wooden back Shoe polish, boxes I .10 Barber's services: ! Husband, shaves and haircuts I .40 Children, haircuts I .25 Household lb. bars. Laundry soap. Starch, pounds Bluing, pint bottles Clothesline, yards Clothespins, dozens Stove polish, boxes Furniture polish, pint bottles Cleanser, boxes Collars sent to laundry Unspecified requirements, 26 per cent of cost of specified requirements $0.08 .08 .10 .02y2 .03 .06 .25 .05 .04 70 5 12 1 1 12 10 8 % 120 24 12 5 1 26 2 36 52 $42.80 $33.97 $15.15 $ 4.90 1.25 1.20 .35 .25 1.20 4.00 2.00 $18.82 9.60 1.92 1.20 .13 .03 1.56 .50 1.80 2.08 $ 8.83 60 V COST OF LIVING AMONG WAGE-EARNERS IN FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS, OCTOBER, 1919 Stt'dy Made by the National Industrial Conference Board. The full report was published h}/ the Natio7ial Industrial Confer- ence Board, Boston, Massachusetts, as Research Report Xumber 22. The foUoicing is an almost complete extract of the portions of the report dealing with the quant it}/ budget and its cost in October, 1919: The followiDg report summarizes the results of a study undertaken to determine the cost of maintaining a minimum American standard of living in Fall River, Massachusetts, in October, 1919, and also the cost of maintaining a somewhat more liberal standard. * * » For the purpose of this study, the cost of living was estimated with reference to the needs of a man, his wife and three children under 14 years of age. No attempt was made to secure family budgets from representative wage-earners. In.stead, the amount of food, clothing, fuel, heat, light and other items needed to meet the requirements of a decent standard of living was carefully estimated on the basis of several budget studies made by other authorities, and prices of these various items were obtained. Thus, while the final estimate of the money cost of maintaining a definite standard of living is not based on actual family expenditures, but rather is a hypothetical budget designed to maintain a hypothetical family at a specified standard, it should closely approximate the true conditions. In practice, ex- penditures for the different items in the budget may and undoubtedly will vary considerably to meet the needs or tastes of individual fami lies, but although the sums allowed for the total cost of living may be distributed in a large variety of ways, the averages given are as nearly representative as any that can be reached. It should always be borne in mind, however, that the figures are averages, even though they include a large variety of data. The investigation covered a period of one week in October, 1919. A study was made of available statistical data relating to Fall River, and various sections or "villages" of the city were visited to obtain a picture of the home surroundings of the people. The latter were observed on the street, as purchasers in stores, at work in the mills, at a dance for women wage-earners, and, in several instances, in their own homes. 61 Visits were made to the headquarters of Ihe various .social and community agencies of the city, from which much valuable infoi-ma tion on the cost and standard of living was secured. To obtain the cost of the various items entering into the fanuly budget and the increases in cost over a five-year period, figures were collected from retail food and clothing stores, coal dealers, and other corporations, associations and individuals in close touch with the local situation. Cost of Living in October^ 1919. Food. — To obtain the average cost of food, several budgets, includ ing articles suflScient for a week's supply for a family of man, wife and three children, were used as a basis. From these were con- structed food budgets designed to meet the requirements of a mini- mum standard and of one slightly above the minimum. Prices were collected from four of the large down-town stores, from branches of two different chain stores, one of them represented by 21 separate branches, and from various neighborhood grocery stores: one Polish, one Portuguese and two French. When there was more than one quality of an article the price used was the lowest consistent with what appeared to be good value. The quotations collected for each article were averaged and are given in Tables 1 and 2. TABLE 1— MINIMUM FOOD BUDGET FOR A WEEK. Item and amount. Cost, October, 1919. * Item and amount. Cost, October, 1919. Meat and Fish 2 lbs. flank $ .32 .40 .21 .20 .27 .61 .66 .18 .41 2.10 .77 .12 .13 .14 .23 .15 Fruit 3 qts. apples 3 oranges % .27 12 2 lbs. chuck \'2 lb. bacon 4 bananas 15 1 lb. dried cod V> lb. raisins 12 1 can salmon 1 lb. prunes .24 Dairy Products 1 doz. eggs Hroad, Cereals, etc. 12 lbs. bread 1 28 1 lb. butter V2 lb. oleomargarine or lard... 2 lbs. flour 1 lb. cornraeal .16 .07 1 lb. cheese 1 lb. rice 16 14 qts. milk 1 lb. macaroni . . . 16 A'egofables 3 lb. rolled oats .21 1% pks. potatoes 3 lbs. sugar .33 3 lbs. carrots 1 pt. molasses .12 2 lbs. onions Tea, ("offee, etc. y± lb. tea 3 lbs. cabbage 15 2 lbs. dried beans 1 can tomatoes V2 lb. coffee ^/2 lb. cocoa .23 .22 Condiments Total weekly cost .11 $11.00 62 From the food budget itemized in Table 1, which must be regarded as a minimum, it appears that the least that can be allowed for food for a man, wife and three childi-en under 14 years of age in Fall River in October, 1919, is f 11 a week. TABLE 2— MORE LIBERAL WEEKLY FOOD BUDGET. I Item and amount. Cost, October, 1919. Cost, October, 1919. i .27 .24 .23 .12 .24 1.28 .16 .07 .16 .14 .15 .08 .33 .12 .15 .23 .22 .17 Moat and Fish 2 lbs. flank 1 lb. Hamburg 3 lbs. leg mutton ^ lb. bacon 1 lb. dried cod 1 can salmon Dairy Products 1 doz. eggs 1 lb. butter % lb. oleomargarine or lard . . 1 lb. cheese 14 qts. milk Vegetables 2 pks. potatoes 2 lbs. carrots 4 lbs. onions 2 lbs. cabbage 2 lbs. dried beans 1 can tomatoes $ .32 .25 .75 .21 .20 .27 .61 .66 .18 .41 2.10 1.02 .08 .26 .09 .23 .15 Fruit 3 qts. apples 1/^ doz. oranges V2 doz. bananas ^2 lb. raisins 1 lb. prunes Bread, Cereals, etc. 12 lbs. bread lbs. flour lb. cornmeal . . lb. macaroni . . lbs. rolled oats, pkg. cornflakes lb. tapioca . . 2 1 1 2 1 V2 3 lbs. sugar 1 pt. molasses . . . Tea, Coffee, etc. % lb. tea ^2 lb. coffee V2 lb. cocoa Condiments Total weekly cost $12.15 The more liberal food budget, covering a week's supply for five persons, worked out in co-operation with the visiting housekeeper of the League for Community Welfare of Fall River and given in Table 2, was planned so as to include foods in i)articular demand among wage-earning families. From this it appears that to feed such a family according to a standard somewhat above the minimum, ^12.15 a week would be re(iuired. These food budgets have been arranged with due consideration for food values and variety, although, of course, the tastes of many fami- lies might require a somewhat different combination of articles. Nevertheless, it is j)robable that an adequate supply of food for an average family of five could be purchased in Fall River in October, 1919, for $11 per week, while $12.15 is sufficient to insure a somewhat more liberal diet. This would mean an annual expenditure for food 63 of $572 for the uiiniinuni standard and $G31.S0 for the more liberal standard. Shelter. — For information as to rents, the social agencies of Fall River, the Real Estate Owners' Association, the Renting Department of the Chamber of Commerce, individual renting agencies and land- lords were consulted. A number of rented houses also were visited. The ordinary tenement in Fall River contains from three to live rooms with toilet, and the i-ents range from -SI. 2.') to $4 j)er week. For the larger sum, a bath would be included. There are very few heated apartment-houses, and rents for these would be more than .f20 a month. The majority of wage-earners probably ])ay between '^l.lTt and |o per week and do not have a bath. The demand for the larger apartments with baths far exceeds the supply. Many families are forced to live in inferior and crowded quarters at the present time because no others are to be obtained. Two dollars twenty-five cents a week or $111 a year for four rooms and toilet may be set as a minimum figure for housing a family of five in Fall Kiver, according to existing conditions. Three dollars fifty cents a week or ^182 a year will secure somewhat better accom- modations. Clothing. — To obtain the cost of clothing for a family of five, bud- gets were constructed containing the different articles which prob- ably would be purchased in the course of a year and prices were col- lected from a number of stores which cater to wage-earners. Quota- tions were secured for comparatively low-priced but standard grades of goods and these were averaged to obtain the prices given in Table 3. In deciding on the quantity of each article required, the quality of the goods was taken into account. In the case of articles which would not necessarily be replaced every year, what was considered to be a proper fraction of the cost in October, 1919, is given. Gi TABLE 3— COST OF A LIBERAL ALLOWANCE OF CLOTHING FOR A YEAR. (National Industrial Conference Board) Man's budget. Cost, October, 1919. Woman's budget. Cost, October, 1919. 1 suit % overcoat 1 pair heavy trousers Vz sweater 2 ahirts 3 work shirts 3 pairs overalls 2 pairs shoes Repair of shoes 8 pairs hose 3 union suits 2 nightshirts 4 collars 3 ties 1/2 felt hat Straw hat Cap Gloves Sundries All items $28.00 7.50 6.00 2.50 3.50 3.50 5.65 15.75 3.35 4.00 3.90 2.80 1.00 1.50 1.75 2.00 1.25 2.25 3.00 $99.20 1 coat or suit . . V2 dress 1 cotton skirt . . 2 waists 2 house dresses 3 aprons 1% pairs shoes . 1 pair overshoes Repair of shoes , 6 pairs hose . . . pairs corsets . union suits . . chemises . . .. petticoats nightgowns . . straw hat . . . velvet hat . . .. Gloves Sundries $26.00 5.25 1.98 3.60 4.25 1.90 12.95 .95 2.35 3.00 4.65 4.00 2.00 2.00 4.50 1.75 2.00 3.00 4.00 All items 1 $91.13 CHILDREN'S BUDGETS. Cost, Boy Oct., Age 13-14 1919. Cost, Boy Oct., Age 5-6. 1919. Girl. Age 8-9. Cost, Oct., 1919. Va mackinaw $3.20 1.20 12.75 2.25 3.00 3.50 3.00 3.35 8.00 .95 .40 1.50 1.00 2.40 1.25 Vb coat Vi sweater $2.60 1.15 8.65 1.80 2.75 3.65 1.85 2.35 2.40 5.40 .75 .40 1.80 .40 1.65 .50 Vs coat Vs sweater 1 wool dress 2 cotton dresses. . . 1 white petticoat. .. 2 pairs bloomers — 3 union suits 3 underwaists 2 nightgowns 6 pairs stockings . . 2 pairs boots 1 pair overshoes . . 1 pair mittens 1 felt hat 1 straw hat Repair of shoes. . . . Sundries All items $3.40 2.00 1 suit 1 suit 1 pair trousers 3 blouses 3 union suits 3 underwaists 2 nightgowns 6 pairs stocking 2 pairs boots 1 pair overshoes 1 pair mittens 2 caps 1 Windsor tie Repair of shoes. . . . Sundries 8.00 1 pair trousers .... 3 shirts 3 union suits 2 nightshirts 8 pairs stockings ... 2 pairs boots 1 pair overshoes . . 1 pair mittens 2 caps 3 ties Repair of shoes. . . . Sundries 5.00 1.50 1.30 2.75 1.89 2.50 2.58 8.00 .80 .40 2.00 1.80 1.65 All items .50 $47.75 $38.10 $46.07 65 This clothing allowance for a family of five iiersons would cost $322.25 a year at prices prevailing in Fall Kiver in October, 1919. While the prices given are comparatively low and the quality allowed is not excessive, clothing may be purchased for less and the re<}uire- ments of decency and comfort at an American standard may be met with fewer articles. As a matter of fact, a large projjortion of fami- lies in Fall Kiver do not spend so much as this for clothing, since many of them make certain garments at home or buy them at bar- sain prices, with a material reduction in cost. For this reason, the clothing budget as given mu>st be regarded as ample rather than as a minimum. To allow for the different means by which the cost of clothing may be reduced, approximately 25 per cent was deducted, bringing the annual minimum cost of an American standard of cloth- ing in Fall River, according to prices prevailing in October, 1911), to 1243.36. Fuel, heat and light. — The average wage-earning family in Fall River burns about three tons of coal per season. This provides fuel for a kitchen range and usually for one other stove. Prices of coal (}Uoted by three dealers were as follows: <'hestnut, |13.75, l$13.75, 113.00; stove, |14.00, |14.00, |12.75. This means an average annual expenditure of approximately 140.63 for the grade of coal generally bought. Many families, however, buy their coal in small lots from the neighborhood stores, which would make the total annual cost of fuel somewhat higher, provided the same amount were purchased. For this reason, and to allow for a minimum amount of kindling wood, it has been estimated that at least $45 per year would be required for fuel at the prices prevailing in October, 1919. Gas is commonly used for lighting. The local gas company re- ported that there were 27,236 meters in use in the city, or one meter to every 4.5 persons. A gas stove is in practically every wage- earner's home. The present price of gas is $1.05 net per thousand cubic feet. The average monthly gas bill for wage-earners is said by the company to be about $1.90 net. Electricity is burned for lighting purposes in many of the newer tenements even when the rent is low, and the average bill for wage-earners for electricity is about $1 per month. In recognition of the fact that some families bum gas for cooking only and have an additional expenditure for electric light, the yearly cost of gas and electricity together is estimated at $25.20 in 1919. The average annual cost of fuel, heat and light combined in Fall River at prices prevailing iu October, 1919, may therefore be placed 66 at f70.20, or ^l..T) per week. For families having larger homes the cost of these items would be somewhat greater. To allow for this, the expenditure for fuel, heat and light has been increased somewhat in the more liberal budget, making the annual cost of this item 1:84.25, or |!l.G2 per week. Sundries. — From information received from the local street rail way company, it appears that not over 25 ])er cent of the mill opera- tives use the street cars in going to and from work. The single fare is 10 cents, but a commutation ticket plan was put into operation in September, V.)V.\, by which 50 rides could be obtained for .f3, provided the ticket was used within a month. It has been found, however, that many of the more poorly paid wage-earners are not able to si)end |o at one time for car tickets and the street-car company reported that, in practice, the tickets were sold mainly to those earning above |25 a week. Some of the mills have now arranged to sell the |3 tickets to their employees on the instalment plan. The chief form of amusement in Fall River is moving pictures. There are a dozen houses in the city to which admission is usually 15 cents, or 17 cents with the war tax. Children are admitted to the smaller houses on Saturday afternoons for six cents. The patronage is large. One or two of the theaters frequently offer vaudeville shows and plays for which prices of admission range as high as |2. There are also a number of public dance halls, to which admission is 25 cents. Doctors' fees, by recent vote of the local nu'dical society, are .f2 for an ofKce call and |3 for a house visit. Almost all wage-earners in Fall River carry burial or life insur- ance, and the insurance business is said to be thriving. The Philan- thro})ic Burial Society alone, a local organization which has extended its activities to New Bedford and elsewhere, has a membership of 30,000 in Fall River. This society i)ays a funeral benefit of |125 in return for monthly dues of 15 cents to 30 cents. It was the belief of the secretary of the society that most of its policy-holders were in- sured in other organizations also. The Metropolitan and Prudential Life Insurance (companies have offices in Fall River, and together they insure 75,000 j^ei-sons. Their policy-holders make payments averaging about 10 cents per week. In addition. Fall River has 73 .lodges of various fraternal organizations for men, many of which pro- vide insurance benefits for their numbers. Many of the mills are re- ported to be carrying life insurance policies for their employees valued at from $500 to flOOO. A contributory system of cash bene- fits for sickness also obtains in some of the mills. 67 The price of daily newspapers, French and English, is two cents, and the Boston Sunday paper, which is extensively read, is seven cents. A considerable proportion of the amount spent for sundries appar- ently goes to the suj)port of the church. The city is about 80 per cent Roman Catholic. There are a large number of Koman Catholic churches, 17 parochial elementary schools, a Koman ('atholic acad- emy and a Roman Catholic commercial school. These schools are maintained chiefly by the French and Irish. The French parochial schools require a payment of 50 cents per month per child and the child furnishes his own books. The Irish Roman Catholic schools, on the other hand, are supported through contributions to the church itself and tuition and books are free to any child in the parish. While, of course, public schools are provided in the city, about one- third of the children attend the parochial schools. It is practically impossible to estimate the amount spent for each separate item in the sundries group, but in Table 4 is given an ap proximation of expenses in this division of the budget. Since ex- penditures for sundries vary widely as between different families, the total allowed may be spent in a large variety of ways. It is believed, however, that |5.10 per week, |265.20 per year, for the minimum budget is sufficient ; the more liberal allowance is |6.80 per week or P53.60 per year. TABLE 4— AVERAGE COST OF SUNDRIES. Minimum standard More liberal standard Item Average weekly cost Average yearly cost Average weekly cost Average yearly cost Carfare: To work $ .30 .20 .55 .60 .70 1.00 .45 .20 1.00 .10 $ 15.60 10.40 28.60 31.20 36.40 52.00 23.40 10.40 52.00 5.20 $ .30 .30 1.00 .65 .90 1.40 .60 .25 1.10 .30 $ 15.60 For shopping and recreation Movies and other entertainments Medical care 15.60 52.00 33.80 Insurance 46.80 Church and parochial schools 72.80 Candv tobacco etc 31.20 Reading material 13.00 Household furnishings and supplies Organizations 57.20 15.60 All sundries $5.10 $265.20 $6.80 $353 60 68 The Completi: Buugkt, In Table 5 have been combined the figures given for the cost of a year's allowance of each of the separate items entering into the aver- age family budget. From this it appears that at least $1,267,76 per year is necessary to maintain a family of five persons at an American standard of living in Fall Kiver, Mass., on the basis of prices pre vailing in October, 1019. This would require an income of $24.38 per week the year round. In order to maintain life at somewhat more comfortable stand- ard, through allowing for slightly more liberal expenditures, |1,.^7:{.1M) j)er year will be necessary, or a steady income of $.30.27 per week. In neither of these estimates is any provision made for savings other than insurance. It should be noted, however, that while allow- ance has been made in the budget for medical care, recreation and in- surance, these are to a certain exent jirovided free if oj)eratives care to avail themselves of the facilities oftered. Thus, life insurance pre- miums are paid by man}- of the mills; social activities are supported by a few and a nursing service by some. Although allowance for parochial schools is included in the budget, there are good public schools available in the city without cost. Taking these circum- stances into account, the estimates of the sums needed to maintain an American standard of living in Fall River in October, 1919, are as rei)resentative as any which can be reached. These sums provide for the maintenance of a family of five at an American standard of living, where the father is the sole wage earner. It should be recognized, however, that the foreign families are frequently larger and that in many of them there are several wage-earners. Their standard of living, on the other hand, is intrin- sically lower. * * » GO TABLE 5~AVERAGE COST OF LIVING FOR A MAN. WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN UNDER P^OURTEEN YEARS OF AGE IN FALL RIVER. MASSACHUSETTS. OCTOBER, 1919. Budget item Minimum standard Average [ Average weekly cost yearly cost More liberal standard Average weekly cost Average yearly cost Food Shelter Clothing Fuel, heat and light Sundries All items. . . $11.00 2.25 4.68 1.35 5.10 572.00 117.00 243.36 70.20 365.20 $24.38 $1,267.76 $12.15 3.50 6.20 1.62 6.80 $30.27 631.80 182.00 322.25 84.25 353.60 $1,573.90 70 VI COST OF LIVING AMONG WAGE-EARNERS IN LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS, NOVEMBER, 1919 Study Made by the National Industrial Conference Board. The full report iras published hij the Xational Industrial Confer- ence Board, Boaton, Massachusetts, as Research Report Nmnher 24. The folloicing is an almost complete extract of the portions of tJie repart dealimj with the quantity hudfjet and its cost in October, 1919: The investigation of the cost of living in Lawrence, Mass., in No- vember, 1919, on which this report is based, was undertaken for the purpose of ascertaining the cost of maintaining a minimum but rea- sonable standard of living for a representative wage-earner's family, and the cost of maintaining a somewhat better standard, according to conditions actually existing in Lawrence. * ♦ * As in the case of a similar study in Fall River, Mass., no attempt was made to collect family budgets. Instead, the standard budgets which were developed for the Fall River survey, designed to cover the needs of a man, his wife and three children under 14 years of age, were again used. These were based on the conclusions reachetl from careful examination of budgetary studies of wage-earner's households made by competent agencies, and are representative of the needs of industrial workers in most American communities. With these lists as a guide, prices of food, clothing, shelter, fuel, heat, light and sundries were then collected in Lawrence. A number of social and community organizations, which were able to furnish information regarding general living conditions in the city, were also consulted. In addition, a group of 35 operatives in one of the mills gave much valuable information regarding their own actual family expenses. The data thus furnished were used to cor- rect and check the basic budgets and, particularly in the case of rents, to supplement figures obtained from other sources. * * * 71 Food. — The two food budjjcts uso;iven in Table 4, contains arti- cles in most instances of somewhat better (luality than those listed in Table :? ; the cost of all articles was estimated according to their prices if bought ready made. It appears, therefore, that the minimum yearly allowance for cloth- ing for a family of five persons in Lawrence, at prices prevailing in November, 1919, would be f2G5.Gl. This requires that certain arti- cles of the w^oman's and children's clothing be made at home. The more liberal budget, which permits purchasing all goods ready made, would amount to |:U0.2G a year. These yearly costs correspond to average weekly expenditures of |5.11 and |G.54, respectively. The more liberal budget permits of considerable variation in expenditure for clothing, especially since many families living at this standard might prefer to make a part of the clothing at home, which would render possible a greater number of articles, or articles of better quality. Fuel, Heat and Light. — Families living at a minimum standard usually burn about three tons of coal a year. The average cost of chestnut and stove coal, as secured from three dealers in November, 1919, was |14 a ton. Some families at the minimum standard, how- ever, do not buy coal in ton or half-ton lots, but resort to the more expensive method of purchasing it in bags from the neighborhood stores. The amount and cost of kindling wood used varied widely. It was sold at the stores at the rate of four or five baskets for a dollar, and by some of the mills for materially less. To allow for a minimum amount of wood and to take into consideration the fact that coal is sometimes purchased in bags, .f^.SO has been added to the cost of three tons of coal, thus setting 140.50 as a minimum annual expendi ture for fuel. Gas, which is very generally used for lighting and for a certain amount of cooking as well, cost |1.25 net per thousand cubic feet in November. An average of about |2 a month the year around for gas bills was reported by a number of wage-earners. Inasmuch as fami- lies living at the minimum standard presumably burn less, and those at the more liberal standard burn more than the average, the monthly bill of the former group has been arbitrarily placed at |1.90 a month and that of the latter at .f2.10. To these figures must be added an increase of 9 per cent, effective in October, 1919. An an nual expenditure of |24.84 for gas is, therefore, given in the minimum budget. For more liberal standard of living, four tons of coal a year have 77 been allowed, at an annual cost of W>. Four dollars fifty cents has been added for wood and |L'7.48 for gas. According to these figures, the average annual cost of fuel, heat and light in Lawrence, at prices prevailing in November, 101!), was $71.34, or $1.37 a week, for the niininium standard of living, and $87.98, or $1.69 a week, for the more liberal standard. Some families prefer to burn wood in the spring and autumn in- stead of coal. The fuel allowance provided above permits of the sub- stitution of half a cord to a cord of wood for coal, if desired. Sundries.— Of all the divisions of the family budget, that including sundries is the most difticult for which to determine standards. Al- though it is impossible to estimate accurately the amount necessarily spent for each separate item, since the needs and desires of individual families vary very widely, a fair approximation may be reached. From figures submitted by the Law^rence mills to the local Cham- ber of Commerce, it appears that not over 15 per cent of the em- ployees ride to and from work. The street-car situation was much confused in November, 1919. During the week this investigation was made, street-car fares were ten cents and jitney fares seven cents, and, as nearly as could be ascertained, each carried about 50 per cent of the traflic. At the close of the month jitney licenses were revoked and street-car fares were reduced to IG tickets for a dollar. This arrangement did not meet with immediate success, however, and may have been only temporary. There are a number of motion-picture houses in Lawrence, to which the usual cost of admission is 11 cents in the afternoon and 17 cents in the evening. The price of daily newspapers is two cents; the Boston Sunday paper is seven cents. Doctors' fees are $2 for an office call and $3 for a house visit. There are a great many clubs, societies and lodges in Lawrence, membership in which is generally confined to nationalistic groups. Nearly 100 lodges and over 100 clubs and societies are listed in the directory, but some of these are small. A considerable part of the social life of the city is carried on through these organizations. Some of the lodges offer their members sick or death benefit privi- leges also. A large amount of burial insurance is carried by commercial life insurance companies. It is estimated that about 70 per cent of the wage-earners and their famillies are insured. The average weekly payment per policy is between 10 cents and 15 cents. Some indi- viduals carry two or more policies, however, and the actual number 78 of industrial policies as reported by the leading insurance companies is larger than the industrial ])oi»ulati()n. Lawrence is preponderantly Konian Catholic and the church is well supported. About one-third of the children attend jiarochial schools. Jn some parishes the cost of the schools is included in the "•(Mieral expenses of the chuich; in others a j)ayment of 00 cents a month jier child is required. In addition to Roman Catholic churches there are live churches of the Greek or other P^astern rites, and l*rotestant churches for Italians, Germans, Armenians, Syrians and Swedes. In general, the expense of supi)orting these does not ai)])ear to be so great as that in the Roman Catholic parishes. Reasonable average expenditures for these and a few additional items, according to the best estimates available, are given in Table 5. On the basis of these estimates the necessary total allowance for sun- dries for the minimum standard amounts to |5.12 a week, or $266.24 a year. The more liberal budget allows for |G.60 a week, or |!.343.20 annually. TABLE 5— AVERAGE COST OF SUNDRIES. Minimum standard More liberal standard Item Average weekly cost Average yearly cost Average weekly cost Average yearly cost Transportation: To work $ .20 .20 .67 .60 .70 .90 .45 .20 1.00 .20 $ 10.40 10.40 34.84 31.20 36.40 46.80 23.40 10.40 52.00 10.40 $ .20 .30 1.00 .65 .90 1.20 .60 .25 1.10 .40 $ 10.40 For shopping and recreation Movies and other entertainments Medical care 15.60 52.00 33.80 Insurance 46.80 Church and parochial schools 62.40 Candy, tobacco, etc 31.20 Reading material 13.00 Household furnishings and supplies Organizations 57.20 20 80 Total sundries $5.12 $266.24 $6.60 $343.20 The Complete Budget. The average cost of all items entering into the family budget and of all items combined is given in Table 6. These figures indicate that at least |1,. 385.79 a year is necessary to maintain a family of five at 79 a reasonable ininiuiiini standard in Lawrence, according to prices prevailing in November, 1919. This reqnires an average weekly income of ?26.G5 the year round. The somewhat higher standard of living demands a yearly income of |l,r)o8.04, or an average of |;.'U.(S,S a week. It should be noted that the totals both in the minimum and in the more liberal budget make allowance only for expenditures and do not include provision for savings except as this is effected by insurance. TABLE 6— AVERAGE COST OF LIVING FOR A MAN, WIFE. AND THREE CHILDREN UNDER 14 YEARS OF AGE IN LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS, NOVEMBER, 1919. Minimum standard More liberal standard Budget item Average 1 Average weekly yearly cost cost Average weekly cost Average yearly cost Food $11.55 $600.60 3.50 182.00 5.11 265.61 1.37 71.34 5.12 266.24 $12.55 4.50 6.54 1.69 6.60 $ 652.60 Shelter 234.00 Clothing 340.26 Fuel, heat and light 87.98 Sundries 343.20 All items $26.65 $1,385.79 $31.88 $1,658.04 Within the total allowed for the more liberal budget, considerable variation in the amount spent for each separate item is possible, and even in the minimum budget a little variation may be made. For example, in talking with mill operatives it developed that nuiny of them preferred to buy better meats, such as steak and chicken, cut- ting down expenditures for such an item as motion pictures. It should be emphasized, also, that the estimates given for the mininnim budget have been made to meet the needs of a family with three children, where the father is assumed tol)ethesole wage-eai-ner. and the mother is able to do all of the housework, including sewing and laundry. Many famillies in Lawrence comj)rise more than three children, and in many of them the mother, as well as the father, is at work. It may be, also, that some families in certain respects re- quire less than the mininnim indicated. But it aj)])ears from the evidence at hand that tlie maintenance of health and strength can scarcely be secured for less than tlie totals allowed. / If '% THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW AN INITIAL FINE OF 25 CENTS WILL BE ASSESSED FOR FAILURE TO RETURN THIS BOOK ON THE DATE DUE. THE PENALTY WILL INCREASE TO 50 CENTS ON THE FOURTH DAY AND TO $1.00 ON THE SEVENTH DAY OVERDUE. OCT O