o 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 (0 
 
GIFT OF 
 
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE OCCUPATIONS 
 
 AND WAGES OF THE CHILDREN OF WORKING 
 
 AGE IN THE POTTER AND DURHAM SCHOOLS 
 
 PHILADELPHIA 
 
 ling ft 
 litro^dTf'Cdrporatic 
 
 MADE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF 
 
 THE ARMSTRONG ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA 
 
 1913. 
 
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE OCCUPATIONS 
 
 AND WAGES OF THE CHILDREN OF WORKING 
 
 AGE IN THE POTTER AND DURHAM SCHOOLS 
 
 PHILADELPHIA 
 
 1913 
 
 MADE UNDER THE AUSPICES OE 
 
 THE ARMSTRONG ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA 
 

 l\<i> 
 
FOREWORD. 
 
 About a year ago, this Department of Superintendence, anxious 
 to ascertain the industrial outlook of the sttidents in our schools, 
 turned to the Armstrong Association, of Philadelphia, through its 
 secretary, John T. Emlen, for a detailed investigation as to the con- 
 ditions prevailing in the Durham, a typical school for colored pupils, 
 and in the Potter, a typical school for white pupils. 
 
 The result of that study is of such far-reaching consequences 
 that I thought it desirable to publish it, in the hope that it will lead 
 to the bettering of the conditions of our pupils when they are 
 obliged to leave school and seek employment. 
 
 M. W. Brumbaugh, 
 
 Superintendent of Schools. 
 ApRiiy 14, 1913. 
 
 30S589 
 
A STUDY 
 
 MADE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF 
 
 THE ARMSTRONG ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA 
 
 The study is a comparative one' of the occupations and wages 
 of the children of working age in two schools where the populations 
 of the schools are in one case largely Negro and the* other white, 
 but living under similar environmental conditions. 
 
 In the latter months of the school year 1911-1912, the naipcs 
 of 317 children, 14 years of age and over, who were scholars of the 
 Durham and Potter schools, were -listed, and then investigated! 
 This was a complete list of the children of working age. in.thfe 
 Potter School and of all the Negfo children of workirig^age jn the 
 Durham Schpol, Their ages were as shown in Table "A," and 
 iItov were graded as shown in Table "A-i." The percentage of. 
 children leaving school at diflferent years of age is shown in "A-2." 
 
 TABLE "A." 
 NuMBi-R o^ Children 14 Years of Age or Older, by Agel 
 
 Durham. 
 
 14 years 
 
 15 years 
 
 16 years 
 
 17 years 
 
 18 years 
 10 years 
 30 years 
 
 Total 
 Nt 
 
 83 
 
 14 
 
 56 
 
 15 
 
 26 
 
 16 
 
 15 
 
 17 
 
 2 
 
 *. 18 
 
 1 
 
 19 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 Potter. 
 
 years 65 
 
 years 54 
 
 years 13 
 
 years 1 
 
 years . . y 
 
 y^ars 
 
 years 1 
 
 1§3 
 
 134 
 
 TABLE "A"-l. 
 TMBKR OP Children 14 Years of Age or Older 
 Durham. 
 
 Grade 3 
 Grade 4 
 Grade 5 
 Grade 6 
 Grade 7 
 Grade 8 
 Special 
 
 13 
 •19 
 
 48 
 
 25 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 Total. 
 
 148 
 
 110 
 
 39 
 
 16 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 317 
 
 JLDER. 
 
 BY Grai 
 
 )E. 
 
 Potter. 
 
 
 Toti 
 
 5 
 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 J.- 
 
 19 
 
 25 
 
 f 
 
 83 
 
 21 
 
 * 
 
 69 
 
 46 
 
 
 71 
 
 41 
 
 
 61 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 Total 
 
 183 
 
 134 
 
 317 
 
TABLE "A"-2. 
 
 PUKCKNTAGIC OF CiHI.DKKN 14 YEARS OF AgE OR OlDER, LEAVING AT DIFFERENT 
 
 Ages. 
 
 Diirhdm. Potter. 
 
 14 years 45 o/lO per cent. 48 5/10 per cent. 
 
 15 years 30 6/10 per cent. 40 3/10 per cent. 
 
 10 years 14 2/10 per cent. 9 7/10 per.cent. 
 
 1 T yerirs 8 2/10 per cent. 
 
 18 years 1 l/lO per cent. T/lO per cent. 
 
 19 years 5/10 per cent. 
 
 20 years 7/10 per cent. 
 
 It will be noted that the Neirro children of the Durham School 
 stay in school until they are slightly older than the children of the 
 fetter School. It will also be noted, however, from the following 
 table. "A-3," that the proportion of children who reach the seventh 
 and eighth grade is much higher in the Potter School, so that, 
 allhongh the Durham School children stay until they are older, they 
 do not ^et nearly so far in the school. 
 
 TABLE "A"-3. 
 
 rK'-CINTAGE 01' THE ClIIT.DKTlN 01' 14 >'K\RS OI* AGE OK Ovi'.R WHO MaD 
 
 Reached Grades 5, 6. 7, 8, in June, 1912.* 
 
 Durhjin. Potter. 
 
 Grade 5. or over 82 5/10 per cent. 100 per cent. 
 
 Grade 6, or over 50 8/10 per cent. 81 2/10 per cent. 
 
 Grade T. or over 24 6/10 per cent. 65 7/10 per cent. 
 
 Grade 8 or over 10 9/10 per cent. 30 S/lO per cent. 
 
 *Not counting one case in special class. 
 
 Of the 183 listed and investigated in the Durham School, 74 
 were boys and 109 were girls. Of the 134 in the Potter School, 
 73 were boys and 61 were girls. The following table, **B," shows 
 the number of those who returned to the school and of those who 
 were transferred or promoted to the High or other schools. Table 
 *'B" also gives the proportion who do not return to school. It is 
 seen that, among both girls and boys, a far larger proportion 
 returned among the Negro- children than among the white children. 
 
Number of ( 
 
 TABLE "B." 
 
 0H11.DREN OF 14 Years of Age or ( 
 ScHooi, After Summer Vao 
 
 Durham. 
 
 No. returning to school. 
 
 )VER Wl 
 VTION. 
 
 Left 
 School 
 
 16 
 10 
 
 26 
 
 Left 
 School 
 
 36 
 26 
 
 62 
 
 10 Returned to 
 Moved . Percentage 
 
 Listed 
 
 Boys 74 
 
 Girls 109 
 
 Durham Trans- High Private 
 ferred School 
 
 47 1 5 1 
 82 9 4 
 
 129 10 9 1 
 , Potter. 
 No. returning to school. 
 
 could not return- 
 not find ing to school 
 (not counting 
 those not found) 
 4 22 9/10 
 4 9 5/10 
 
 Total .. 183 
 
 8 Av. 14 9/10 
 Moved Percentage 
 
 Listed 
 
 Boys .... 73 
 Girls .... 61 
 
 Potter 
 
 26 
 24 
 
 50 
 
 Trans- 
 ferred 
 
 3 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 High or 
 M. T. 
 
 7 
 2 
 
 9 
 
 Bus. 
 Col. 
 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 could not return- 
 not rind ing to School 
 (not counting 
 those not found) 
 1 50 
 1 43 3/10 
 
 Total . . 134 
 
 2 Av. 46 9/10 
 
 During the early months of the fall, and the following months, 
 inquiries were made, from both the children who had returned to 
 school and those who had not, as to what they had done since 
 leaving school at the end of the school year, about July i, 19 12. 
 It was ascertained in each case whether the work done was summer 
 work or whether it was taken later. As the purpose of the investi- 
 gation was in part to discover the immediate plans in the minds 
 of the children during the summer, or the time immediately suc- 
 ceeding it, no record of work was taken after November 15th. 
 Furthermore, children who returned to school in September, and 
 evidently had that intention during the summer, were listed" as 
 "returned," even though they left school later. Table "C" shows 
 how many of the children among those who returned, and among 
 those who did not return to the school, did occupational work. The 
 table shows that in cases of both boys and girls, a larger percentage 
 of the children of the Potter School than of the Durham School 
 did work during the summer or immediately after. 
 
TABLE "C." 
 
 Number of Children of 14 'Years g? Age or Over- who Worked. 
 
 Durham. 
 Returned to school Did not return of those an- 
 
 __^ swering who 
 
 Work No work No Work No work No did work 
 
 answer answer duriug sum- 
 
 mer or later 
 
 Boys .'.. 34 20 10 6 4 62 9/10 
 
 Girls 19 75 8 3 4 25 7/10 
 
 Total 53 95 18 '98 40 6/l0 
 
 Potter, 
 Returned to schoo l Did not return of^those^^a^n- 
 
 Work No work N^^ Work No work Not ^^lJ"^.o7i?*' 
 
 answoi- found during sum- 
 
 mer or later 
 
 Boys 21 15 33 1 3 77 l/lO 
 
 <^irls : . 6 . 28 21 5 1 46 6/10 
 
 Total 27 43 54- 6 4 03 l/lO 
 
 Referring to Table "D," it is seen that among the boys of the 
 Durham School there is very little difference in the kind or pro- 
 portionate am.ount of work of those returning and of those not 
 returning. The same is true of the girls. Among the boys of the 
 Potter School, a large proportion of those not returning have gone 
 into factories and offices in contrast with the large proportion of 
 those returning who became errand boys. Among the girls of the 
 Potter School, so few of those who returned did work that no 
 attempt at comparison will be made. 
 
 Amxjng-the boys of the Potter School the majority worked in 
 factories or offices, but most of the Durham School boys became 
 either errand boys or domestic servants. A few of the Potter 
 School boys working in the factories reported that they were doing 
 skilled work. Several others reported apprenticeship in plumbing 
 and printing. Among the girls, practically all from the Potter 
 School went into factories, a few into stores and several appren- 
 ticed at dressmaking and millinery. Among the girls of the Dur- 
 ham School practically all entered domestic service, but a few 
 entered tobacco factories, where they do not receive such good 
 wages, but usually have more freedom. 
 
 8 
 
BOYS 
 
 TABLE "D/» 
 
 Occupations op Boys and Girls who Worked. 
 
 Durham. 
 
 Domestic Errand Porters Drivers News- Bell Elevator Busi- Miscel- 
 Service Boys boys Boys Boys ness laneous 
 
 Not returning.. 152 2 0000 
 
 Returning 9 15 1 4 1 1 1 
 
 Total 
 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 BOYS 
 
 Potter. 
 
 Factory Office Errands Plumb- Miscel- Print- News 
 
 Boys ing laneous ing boys 
 
 Not returning 14 9 5 1 3 1 
 
 Returning 3 5 10 1 1 1 
 
 Total 17 14 
 
 *See after Tables "E" and "R" 
 
 • Durham. 
 
 GIRLS 
 
 Domestic 
 Service 
 
 Not returning 7 
 
 Returning 14 
 
 15 
 
 Factory Errand Social Music 
 Tobacco Girls Service 
 Stripper 
 
 10 
 
 2 111 
 
 Total 
 
 . . 21 
 Potter. 
 
 GIRLS 
 
 Factory Stores Domestic Dress- Mllli- 
 
 maliing nery 
 
 Not Returning 14 3 1 2 1 
 
 Returning 5 1 
 
 Total 19 3 2 2 1 
 
 In the table "E" is noted in detail the occupations, ages, grades, 
 length of service and wages of the children of the Durham School. 
 Separate divisions of the table are made for girls and boys, and for 
 those returning and not returning. Table "F," with the subdivi- 
 sions, makes similar record for the children of the Potter School. 
 
TABLE "E." 
 
 Girls who Worked but Did Not Return to School. 
 
 Durham. 
 
 Afii" Grade Kind of work Length of service Wage per week* 
 
 Domestic 15 5 Child's nurse. Since fall. $2 and board. 
 
 Domestic 15 6 General housework. 1 month. $2 and board. 
 
 Domestic 15 6 Works in mother's 
 
 cafe. All summer. Board & lodg. 
 
 Domestic IG 6 Waitress in private 
 
 boarding house. 2 months. $3 and board. 
 
 Domestic 1() Waitress in mother's 
 
 cafe. All summer.. Board & lodg. 
 
 Domestic 16 6 Chambermaid i n 
 
 boarding house. 4 weeks. $4, board and 
 
 lodging. 
 
 Domestic 16 7 Asbury Park Hotel 
 
 chambermaid. 2 months. $4.50, board and 
 
 lodging. 
 Tobacco strip- 
 per 17 6 Tobacco stripper. All summer. $2 to $3, $3 to 
 
 $4, then $4 to 
 $5. 
 
 *The wages are per week except when otherwise stated. 
 
 TABLE '%''— Continued. 
 
 Girls who Worked and Returned to School. 
 
 Durham. 
 
 Age Grade Kind of work Lengtb of service Wage per week 
 
 Domestic 14 3 Dishwashing in pri- 
 vate family. 2 months. $2.50 & board. 
 
 Domestic 14 5 General housework. 7 weeks. $2 and board. 
 
 Domestic 14 6 Housework. 1 week. $2 and board. 
 
 Domestic 14 J Dishvsasher. 1 week. $2 and board. 
 
 Domestic 14 7 Crcneral housework. 1 week. $2.50 & board. 
 
 Domestic 15 6 General housework. 3 weeks. $3 and board. 
 
 Domestic 15 6 v'strub steps. 2 months. $2. 
 
 Domestic 15 7 Nurse. 1 month. $2 :»0 & board. 
 
 Domestic 15 8 General housework. 2 weeks. $1.50 & board. 
 
 Domestic 16 8 Chambermaid, pri- 
 vate family. 6 weeks. $2 and board. 
 
 Domestic 16 6 General housework. 1 month. $3 and board. 
 
 Domestic 17 6 Child's nurse. 2 months. $2 and board. 
 
 Domestic 17 6 General housework. All summer. $2.50 & board. 
 
 Domestic 17 8 General housework. 2 weeks. $2.50 & board. 
 
 Tobacco strip- 
 per J.. 15 Tobacco stripper. 1 month. $2 to $2..:o. 
 
 Tobacco strip- 
 per 15 T) Tobacco stripper. 3 weeks. $1.50. 
 
 Errand 15 5 Errand girl, millin- 
 ery store. 1 week. $2.50. 
 
 Social service. .17 7 Charge of sewing 
 
 at playground. 2 months. $4.50. 
 
 Musician 16 8 Played piano in 
 
 hotel. 2 months. $5. 
 
 10 ■ 
 
TABLE "E''— Continued. 
 Boys who Worked but Did Not Return to Schooi.. 
 Durham. 
 Age Grade Kind of work Length of service Wage per week 
 
 Errand boy and 
 
 domestic 14 4 Cleaner and errand 
 
 boy, drug store. 2 months. $3.50. 
 
 Errand boy ....14 4 Errand boy, meat 
 
 market. Started work 
 
 September. $2.50. 
 
 Errand boy 14 4 Errand boy, meat 
 
 market. Since summer 
 
 (early). $3. 
 
 Errand boy ....14 5 Errand boy, grocery. Summer and 
 
 early fall. $3. 
 Errand boy .... 15 5 Errand boy, meat 
 
 market. 5 weeks. $4. 
 Porter and do- 
 mestic 14 5 Necktie factory, 
 
 cleaner & Porter. All summer. $3. 
 Porter and er- 
 rand 14 5 Porter and errand 
 
 in machine shop. $4. 
 
 Driver 14 G Drive wagon for 
 
 paperhanger. 3 months. $3. 
 Drver and do- 
 mestic 14 5 Cleaner and driver 
 
 for paperhanger. $3. 
 
 Domestic 14 4 Worked in private 
 
 family, general 
 
 housework. 2 months. $1.75 & board. 
 
 11 
 
Errand boy 
 
 Errand boy 
 
 Errand boy 
 Errand bov 
 
 TABLE ''^"—Continued. 
 
 BOVS WHO WORKKD AND RETURNED TO SCHOOL. 
 
 Durham. 
 
 Age Grade Kind of work Length uf service Wage per week 
 
 ..14 3 Carried orders for 
 
 huckster. 2 months. $1.50. 
 
 ..14 3 Worked with ice 
 
 dealer, serving ice. 2 months. $2.75. 
 
 ..14 
 . .14 
 
 Errand and do- 
 mestic 14 
 
 Errand boy 14 
 
 Errand boy and 
 
 domestic 14 
 
 Errand boy and 
 
 domestic 15 
 
 Errand boy .... 15 
 
 Errand and do- 
 mestic ....... 15 
 
 Errand 15 
 
 Errand 15 
 
 Errand 15 
 
 Errand and do- 
 mestic 15 
 
 Errand 14 
 
 Domestic and 
 porter 14 
 
 Domestic 15 
 
 Domestic 15 
 
 Domestic 16 
 
 Domestic 
 
 16 
 
 Domestic and 
 
 errand 16 
 
 Domestic 16 
 
 Domestic and 
 
 errand 17 
 
 5 
 
 Meat market. 
 
 All summer. 
 
 $4. 
 
 5 
 
 Drng store. 
 
 Not every day 
 
 . 75c per day 
 
 
 
 
 
 when wanted, 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 or 4 days 
 
 
 
 
 
 per week ; 
 
 
 
 
 
 also $1 per 
 
 
 
 
 
 week for 
 
 
 
 
 
 papers. 
 
 
 Cleaner and errand 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 b o y. boarding 
 
 
 
 
 
 house. 
 
 1 
 
 month. 
 
 $3.50 & board. 
 
 6 
 
 Afeat market. 
 
 3 
 
 weeks. 
 
 $2.50. 
 
 () 
 
 Grocery store. 
 
 2 
 
 months. 
 
 $3.50. 
 
 4 
 
 Errand boy and 
 cleaner in tailor 
 
 
 
 
 
 shop. 
 
 3 
 
 months. 
 
 $2. 
 
 4 
 
 Delivered orders, 
 
 
 
 
 
 oyster saloon. 
 
 2 
 
 months. 
 
 $1.50 & board. 
 
 5 
 
 General helper, 
 
 
 
 
 
 drug store. 
 
 2 months. 
 
 $4.50. 
 
 5 
 
 Grocery store. 
 
 3 
 
 months. 
 
 $4.50. 
 
 7 
 
 Printing establish- 
 
 
 
 
 
 ment. 
 
 2 
 
 months. 
 
 $4. 
 
 7 
 
 Office. 
 
 2 
 
 months. 
 
 $3. 
 
 5 
 
 Errand and cleaner 
 
 
 
 
 
 in drug store. 
 
 2 
 
 months. 
 
 $3. 
 
 5 
 
 Grocery store. 
 
 2 
 
 months. 
 
 $3.50. 
 
 8 
 
 Cleaner and porter, 
 
 
 
 
 
 dry goods store. 
 
 . 3 
 
 months. 
 
 $3.50. 
 
 6 
 
 Dishwasher, restau- 
 
 
 
 
 
 rant. 
 
 1 
 
 month. 
 
 $3. 
 
 6 
 
 Cleaner on private 
 yacht (mother 
 cook). 
 
 
 
 2 months. $i? 
 and board. 
 
 4 
 
 Waiter and helper 
 at Atlantic City 
 
 
 
 
 
 hotel. 
 
 2 
 
 nK)nths. 
 
 $25 mo.Mth and 
 board. 
 
 4 
 
 Washed dishes in 
 
 
 
 
 
 boarding house. 
 
 2 
 
 months. 
 
 $3 and board. 
 
 7 
 
 Cleaner, drug store 
 
 Few weeks. 
 
 $4. 
 
 8 
 
 Pantry man, hotel. 
 
 2 
 
 months. 
 
 $4.50 & board. 
 
 Cleaner and errand 
 b o y in grocery 
 store. 3 months. 
 
 12 
 
 $4.50. 
 
$3.50. 
 
 $1.25. 
 $1.25. 
 
 Age Grade Kind of work Length of service Wage per week 
 
 Domestic and 
 
 errand 16 8 Cleaner and errand 
 
 boy, printing es- 
 tablishment. S months. 
 News and do- 
 mestic 14 4 Served papers and 
 
 scrubbed steps. 2 months. 
 
 News 14 5 Sold papers. All summer. 
 
 News and er- 
 rand .15 5 Sold papers and 
 
 carried clothes. All summer. 
 
 News .15 5 Sold papers for 
 
 news store. All summer. 
 
 Driver 16 8 Bus man, clothing 
 
 store. 7 weeks. 
 
 Bell boy 14 5 Boarding house. Short time. 
 
 Business 14 G Bought and sold ice 
 
 for self. All summer. 
 
 Elevator 15 7 Elevator boy, de- 
 partment store. i months. 
 Miscellaneous . . 14 6 Labels on whiskey 
 
 bottles. 3 months. 
 
 Miscellaneous ..16 8 Private chair pusher, 
 
 Atlantic City. 3 months. 
 
 TABLE "F." 
 Girls who Worked but Did Not Return to Sc 
 Potter. 
 
 Age Grade Kind of work Length of service 
 
 Factory 14 8 Learn factory work. 4 weeks. 
 
 Factory 14 8 Mending lace. 5 weeks. 
 
 Factory 14 5 Cutter. Since July 2. 
 
 Factory 14 7 Turner-in. Sinde July* 
 
 Factory ... .14 5 Fits tubes. There now. 
 
 Factory 14 8 Cutter. Since Aug. 1. 
 
 Factory 14 8 Burler. Since Aug. 1. 
 
 Factory 15 8 . Factory winder. 3 weeks. 
 
 Store ;..14 8 Count books in 
 
 store. Since Oct. 7. 
 
 Store 14 7 Stock girl. 11 weeks. 
 
 Store 15 8 Inspector in glove 
 
 department. Since SepL 27, 
 
 Dressmaker 15 7 Learner. Since Oct. 8. 
 
 Dressmaker ....15 7 Learner. 4 weeks. 
 
 Mill'nery 14 5 Learner. 4 weeks. 
 
 Factory 14 7 Works in counter, 
 
 checking and tie- 
 
 ing lace in bun- 
 dles. S nee Sept. 19. 
 
 Factory 14 6 Examiner (hosiery). Since June. 
 
 factory 14 5 Gets out trimming 
 
 (hats). Since June. 
 
 Factory 14 7 Raveler (hosiery). 
 
 Factory 14 G Winder dress 
 
 goods. 6 weeks — still 
 
 there. 
 
 Factory 16 5 Soinner (carpets). 4i/^ months. 
 
 Domestic 14 7 Restaurant. Her 
 
 father asked 
 
 them to teach 
 
 her and need not 
 
 pay her, 2 weeks. 
 
 13 
 
 $2. 
 
 $3. 
 
 $1 and board. 
 
 Do not know. 
 
 $7. 
 
 $4.50. 
 
 $3.50. 
 
 :hool. 
 
 Wasre per week 
 
 $3.50. 
 
 $5. 
 
 $1.25, $1.75. 
 
 $4. 
 
 $4. 
 
 $4. 
 
 $3.50. 
 
 $3.35. 
 
 $3. 
 $3.50. 
 
 $4; 
 $1. 
 
 $L 
 $L 
 
 $3.50, $4. 
 
 $4. 
 
 $4. 
 
 $4. 
 
 $5.50. 
 $4.50. 
 
 None. 
 
TABLE "'P"— Continued. 
 Girls who Worked and Returned to School. 
 
 Potter. 
 
 Factory 14 
 
 Age Grade Kind of work 
 
 7 Was learning to 
 finish in lace 
 
 Length of service Wage per week 
 
 
 
 
 factory. 
 
 2 weeks. 
 
 $3 first week; 
 $3.50 2d wk. 
 
 Factory .... 
 
 14 
 
 5 
 
 Took bobbins off. 
 
 10 weeks. 
 
 $5. 
 
 Factory 
 
 14 
 
 6 
 
 Sweeper (under- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 wear factory.) 
 
 9 weeks. 
 
 $4. 
 
 Factory .... 
 
 15 
 
 8 
 
 Folder in mending 
 room (lace fac- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 tory). 
 
 2 weeks. 
 
 $3.50. 
 
 Factory 
 
 ....15 
 
 8 
 
 Carrying. 
 
 12 weeks. 
 
 $5. 
 
 Domestic . . 
 
 ....15 
 
 7 
 
 Store. 
 
 2 weeks. 
 
 $4.50, 
 
 TABLE "F"— Continued. 
 Boys who Worked but Did Not Return to School. 
 
 
 
 
 Potter. 
 
 
 
 
 Age 
 
 Grade Kind of work ] 
 
 Lengtb of service 
 
 Wage : 
 
 Factory .. . . 
 
 14 
 
 5 
 
 Works on sizing 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 machine. 
 
 Still there. 
 
 $5. 
 
 Factory 
 
 14 
 
 7 
 
 Helper in weaving. 
 
 2 months. 
 
 $4. 
 
 Factory 
 
 14 
 
 5 
 
 Factor}' work 
 (creeler). 
 
 Sept. 3 until 
 Nov. 
 
 $5. 
 
 Factory ... , 
 
 14 
 
 8 
 
 Working in carpet. 
 
 Left Oct. 19. 
 
 $5. 
 
 Factory 
 
 14 
 
 8 
 
 Office boy in carpet 
 factory. 
 
 August— there 
 now. 
 
 S4. 
 
 Factory 
 
 14 
 
 8 
 
 Porter in under- 
 wear factory. 
 
 June 26 until 
 Nov. 
 
 $4.50. 
 
 Factory 
 
 14 
 
 5 
 
 Stripper in lace 
 factory. 
 
 June 26— still 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 there. 
 
 S4. 
 
 Factory — 
 
 14 
 
 7 
 
 Rail setter. 
 
 Sept. 30. 
 
 f5. 
 
 Factory 
 
 14 
 
 8 
 
 Waste porter. 
 
 June— still 
 there. 
 
 $5. 
 
 Factory .. . , 
 
 15 
 
 5 
 
 Turner-in. 
 
 July— still 
 there. 
 
 $4. 
 
 Factory .. . 
 
 15 
 
 7 
 
 First worked on lace. 
 Second, brassing 
 up warps, next 
 
 1^ months. 
 
 $4. 
 
 
 
 
 paper mill. 
 
 3 weeks. 
 
 $3. 
 
 Factory ... 
 
 15 
 
 7 
 
 Helper at skilled 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 trade. 
 
 3 months. 
 
 $3. 
 
 Factory .. . 
 
 15 
 
 8 
 
 Waste work (un- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 derwear factory). 
 
 Aug. 1-Nov. 
 
 $4. 
 
 Factory . . . 
 
 14 
 
 7 
 
 Office boy, oils. 
 
 July— still 
 there. 
 
 $3.50. 
 
 Factory . . . . 
 
 .... 14 
 
 5 
 
 Office boy, printing. 
 
 5 months. 
 
 $3.50. 
 
 14 
 
Age Grade Kind of work Length of service Wage per week 
 
 Factory 14 8 Office boy. Sept. 3— still 
 
 there. $5. 
 
 Factory 14 8 Office boy. 2 months. $3. 
 
 Factory 14 8 Office boy. July 15 to Nov. $5. 
 
 Factory 15 6 Folding letters in 
 
 printing depart- 
 ment. Oct 15 — still 
 
 there. $3.50. 
 
 Office 15 6 Office boy. Oct. 29— there 
 
 now. $4. 
 
 Office 15 8 Office boy, dye wks. Aug. — there 
 
 now. $3.50. 
 
 Office 15 8 Office boy. 2 weeks. $3.50. 
 
 Newsboy 15 7 Newsboy. Still at work. $3.50. 
 
 Errands 14 6 Errand b o y in 
 
 factory. June — still 
 
 there. $3. 
 
 Errands 14 5 Printing shop. Sept. 30 to 
 
 Nov. $3.50. 
 
 Errands 15 7 Drugstore. 1^ months. $3.50. 
 
 Errands 15 7 Messenger in store. Sept. 19— still 
 
 there. $2.50. 
 
 Errands 14 5 Order boy in store. 4 weeks. $4. 
 
 Plumbing 16 7 Helps plumber. $3.50. 
 
 Miscellaneous ..16 8 Amusement park, 
 
 for uncle. 2 months. 
 
 All summer. Spending 
 money. 
 Miscellaneous , . 15 6 Pack ice cream 
 
 freezer. April, 1912 — 
 
 still there. $5. 
 Miscellaneous ..14 7 Pasting labels on ice 
 
 cream freezer. 3 months. $5. 
 
 Factory 16 8 Helper in leather 
 
 novelties, for 
 
 father and uncle. Since July. Spending 
 
 money. 
 
 15 
 
TABLE "l^"— Continued. 
 Boys who Worked and Rkturned to School 
 
 Potter. 
 
 A}H' (irado Kind of work 
 
 Kactorv 14 8 Wrapper, dress 
 
 goods. 
 
 Fnclory 14 8 Brassing up warps. 
 
 Factorv 16 7 Helper to shipping 
 
 clerk. 
 Errand boy ....14 7 Store (father's). 
 
 ICrrand boy ....14 7 Store . (.uncle's). 
 
 iuTand boy ....14 ') Laundry. 
 
 Errand boy 14 6 Skilled trade." 
 
 Errand boy ....14 7 Store. 
 
 ^•'rrand boy ....14 o Factory. - 
 Errand boy . . . . lo 8 Store. 
 
 Errand b )y ....15 8 Store. 
 Erjand boy ....15 8 Grocery store. 
 
 Errand boy ..,.15 ' 5 Store. 
 
 Office boy 14 7 Oils. 
 
 Office boy 14 7 Badges. 
 
 Office boy 14 8 Shipping department. 
 
 Offi'-e boy 15 8 Upholstery. 
 
 Office boy 16 8 Buttons. 
 
 Plumber 15 8 Plumber. 
 
 M-'scellancous ..15 -8 Pick up rings at 
 
 carrousel. 
 
 Printer 16 8 Skilled work. 
 
 Lcns,'th of service VV:igt> |.oi- wccli 
 
 2 months. $5. 
 
 S weeks. $4. 
 
 10 weeks. 
 
 $4. 
 
 .A.11 summer. 
 
 Spending 
 
 
 money. 
 
 All summer 
 
 
 (Saturdays) . 
 
 $2 dax'. 
 
 n weeks (Sat- 
 
 
 urdays). 
 
 $1 day. 
 
 2 or 3 weeks.- 
 
 $4. 
 
 / 11 summer on 
 
 Saturdays. 
 
 $1.50 day 
 
 7 weeks. 
 
 ?3.uO. 
 
 G weeks (on 
 
 
 Saturdays). 
 
 $1 day. 
 
 2 months. 
 
 $5. 
 
 All summer on 
 
 Saturdays. 
 
 $1.50 day 
 
 All summer 
 
 
 (for 5 yrs.) 
 
 $2.50. 
 
 5 wrecks. 
 
 $3.50. 
 
 2 weeks. 
 
 $3.50 
 
 7 weeks. 
 
 $4. 
 
 2 months. 
 
 $3. 
 
 All summer. 
 
 $3.50. 
 
 All summer. 
 
 $3. 
 
 All summer. 
 
 $4. 
 
 2 months. 
 
 $4. 
 
 *Many "errand boys," of course, do other work in the stores in which 
 they are employed or do some domestic service. On the other hand, some 
 who are listed otherwise run errands. In this study those are listed as "er- 
 rand boys" who stated that they were employed entirely or chiefly in that 
 capacity. 
 
 It will be noted that, among the boys at the Durham School, 
 the wages of those returning and of those not returning are quite 
 similar. Their wages arc also quite similar to those of the boys 
 returning, and not returning of the Potter School. 
 
 16 
 
In cases where boys or girls enter domestic service, an allow- 
 ance being made of $3 for board and $5 for board and lodging, the 
 wage usually totals more than in other cases.* Boys selling papers 
 usually receive about the least. Among the Potter School boys, 
 quite a number worked on Saturdays only. Among the girls, when 
 the allowance of $3 for board and $5 for board and lodging is made, 
 the Durham School girls did much better than the Potter School 
 girls. It may also be noted that, among the Durham School girls, 
 the large number entering domestic service has made their wages 
 higher than those of the boys. Among the children of the Potter 
 School, a number have apparently deliberately taken low wages for 
 the sake of the apprenticeship they were receiving. 
 
 Age 
 
 14 
 15 
 16 
 17 
 18 
 19 
 20 
 
 14 
 15 
 16 
 
 17 
 18 
 19 
 20 
 
 TABLE "G." 
 Average Wage of Workers by Age. 
 BOYS GIRLS 
 
 Durham. 
 
 Returning Not returning Returning. Not returning 
 No. Av wage No. Av wage No. Av wage No. Av wage No. 
 
 14 $3.29 9 $3.31 5 $5.20 .. 23 
 
 12 3.71 1 4.00 7 3.36 3 $5.00 13 
 
 7 5.21 3' 5.33 4 7.37 7 
 
 1 4.50 4 5.12 1 3.50 1 
 
 TOTAL 
 
 Boys Girls 
 
 Av wage No.Av wage 
 
 $3.30 5 $5.20 
 
 3.73 10 3.85 
 
 5.21 7 6.50 
 
 4.50 5 4.80 
 
 Potter. 
 
 11 $3.20 18 
 7 286 12 
 3 4.50 3 
 
 $4.28 
 3.63 
 3.50 
 
 $4.08 
 4.33 
 
 16 
 4 
 1 
 
 $3.42 
 2.34 
 4.50 
 
 29 
 
 19 
 
 6 
 
 $3.87 
 3.35 
 4.00 
 
 19 $3.53 
 7 3.19 
 1 4.50 
 
 *The question of allowance of $3 for board and $5 for board and lodging 
 was finally decided after careful consultation with a number of the best- 
 informed individuals. It was considered fair by practi'^ally all of these. A 
 few of the girls and boys would be able to secure board and lodging at cheaper 
 rates and would consider the figures high. But the figures quoted seemed the 
 fairest. 
 
 IT 
 
The above table, "G," graphically shows the relative wages for 
 different ages of boys and girls returning and not returning to the 
 Potter and Durham schools. 
 
 TABLE "H." 
 Average Wage of Workers by Grade. 
 Durham. 
 BOYS GIRLS TOTAL 
 
 G-rade > Returning Not returning Keturniug. Not returning Boys Girls 
 
 No. Av wage No. Av wage No. Av wage No. Av wage No. Av wage No.Av wage 
 
 3d 2 $2.13 1 $5.50 2 $2.13 1 $5.50 
 
 4th 5 4.46 4 $3.44 9 4.01 
 
 5th 10 3.47 5 3.40 3 4.16 1 $5.00 15 3.45 4 4.62 
 
 6th 7 4.33 1 3.00 8 4.19 6 5.83 8 4.16 14 4.89 
 
 7th 4 4.50 4 5.13 1 9.50 4 4.50 5 6.00 
 
 8th 6 4.25 3 5.00 6 4.25 3 5.00 
 
 Total number 
 & av. wages 34 $3.98 10 $3.37 19 $4.58 8 $6.18 44 $3.84 27 $5.09 
 
 Potter. 
 
 3d 
 
 4th 
 
 5th 3 $2.50 7 $4.14 1 $5.00 5 $3.00 10 $3.64 6 $3.33 
 
 6th 1 4.00 4 3.87 1 4.00 2 4.75 5 3.89 3 4.50 
 
 7th 6 2 90 10 3.75 2 4.00 7 2.50 16 3.43 9 2.83 
 
 8th 11 3.64 12 4.25 2 4.25 7 3.77 23 3.91 9 3.88 
 
 Total number 
 & av. wages 21 $3.28 33 $4.03 6 $4.25 21 $3.25 54 $3.72 27 $3.47 
 
 Table "H" graphically shows the comparison by grade instead 
 of by age. It also shows the relative wages of boys and girls in 
 ^he two schools. Durham School boys, i6 years of age, have 
 received a high average wage on account of the large number ir. 
 domestic service. Durham girls, 15 years of age, not returning, 
 average low on account of a number of tobacco strippers. Durham 
 girls, 16 years of age, not returning, average high on account of 
 the number in domestic service. Potter boys, 15 years, returning 
 and girls 14 and 15 years of age, not returning, have low average 
 
 IS 
 
wages. The boys are low because of the large number that worked 
 on Saturdays only ; the girls, on account of the number of appren- 
 ticeships. 
 
 Durham girls, sixth grade, not returning, are high on account 
 of the number in domestic service. Potter girls in the seventh 
 grade, not returning, are low on account of the apprenticeship. 
 
 It will be noted that the age does not seem, according to the 
 tables, to make very much difference in the wages received, because 
 a certain number of cases in an age or grade where individuals 
 happen to be in domestic service raise the average — while cases ol 
 apprenticeship and employment on Saturdays only lower the aver- 
 age. Even when looking over the individual cases, however, very 
 little, if any, advance is noted in advancing ages and grades. This 
 is probably due to the comparatively small amount of skill required 
 In these lines of work. 
 
 The Durham School girls receive, when allowance is made for 
 board and lodging, higher wages than the Potter girls. The wages 
 of the boys of the two schools are, in the aggregate, about the same. 
 The wages of the Potter School boys and girls are about the same. 
 The wages of the Durham girls much exceed those of the wages 
 of the Durham boys. 
 
 As the study was made especially in the interests of the Xegro 
 children, and that there might be a basis of comparison iij a group 
 under similar environment, no study has been made to ascertain 
 the possibility of promotion in the occupations entered by the Potter 
 School children. It is plainly evident, however, that, except ir. 
 domestic service, there is practically no possibility for prom.otion 
 among the occupations entered by the Durham School children. 
 The occupation of errand boy is a "blind alley" occupation. 
 
 19 
 
ill summary, wc note: 
 
 J^lr^i — While the children of the Durham School stay in school 
 longer than those of the Potter School, they do not, before leaving, 
 advance to as high a grade. 
 
 Second — Not so large a proportion of the Durham School chil- 
 dren work during or immediately follow^ing the summer months. 
 
 7 liird — The Durham boys become principally errand boys and 
 domestics, 'i he Durham girls become domestics. The Potter girls 
 usually enter factories. The boys usually enter factories or offices, 
 except m cases where they are expecting to return to school, and 
 tnen they more often become errand boys. There is practically no 
 increase in wage in advancing ages and grades in either school. 
 
 Fourth — The Durham girls receive higher wages (when board 
 and lodgmg is included) dian the Potter girls. The Durham boys, 
 a^out the same as the Potter boys. The wages of Potter boys and 
 girls arc about the same. The wages of the Durham girls are 
 higiier ti.an those of the Durham boys. 
 
 fifth — The field of work for the Durham boys and girls is 
 more limited than for the Potter boys and girls. 
 
 On account of the above study, we strongly recommend for 
 the Xegro l)oys and girls that : 
 
 1. Search be made for new lines of occupational which furnish 
 tlic bjst opportunity for boys and girls, especially boys. 
 
 2. That opportunities along these lines be secured. 
 
 3. That some educational preparation be given to the boys and 
 girls, especially the boys, in the vocational scheme of the city. 
 
 We make these recommendations to the end that the boys and 
 girls may be more efficient in these lines in which they are working, 
 and that they may be prepared for efficiency in some other lines 
 than the few to which thev are now limited. 
 
 20 
 
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