Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 December 1938 — Page 5

| Hourly Eamings Top | ~ Average for Nation; ~ Mining Gain Expected

4 Wo rk Week Reduction , Cuts Total of

Pay Checks.

By DR. HAROLD G. FRAINE Assisiant Professor, Indiana University School of Business Administration,

Two things are of interest in reviewing wages and hours in Indi-

the actual movement and devel of these conditions throughout the year. The other is something which hid Hl have its main effect on future namely the new - national Totatio in the form of the Fair Labor Standards Act, more popularly known as the Wage-Hour Act. Eainings of workers in factories during 1938 averaged 70 cents an hour, which was about the same of the preceding year. They also were higher than the average for the entire nation, which data 80 far available indicates probably will be close to 65 cents an hour, Although hourly earnings held up well, total or weekly pay checks de- . clined drastically compared with the previous year. They were, in fact, lower than in 1936, declining to about; the level of 1935. Indiana statistics in this respect showed a greater decline than.the national average. Per capita weekly earnings or Indiana faotory workers ran about, equal to the national average during 1938, but in the previous year they had been far above the average of all the states.

Decline Begins in 1937

|The decline of weekly earnings in the face of substantial maintenance .of the high level of hourly rates is, of course, explained by the reduction in the length of the work week. The number of hours worked per week started to decline early in 1937 and move downward throughout most of that year. The lowest point was reached in January, 1938, when employees of Indiana manufacturing plants averaged less than 30 hours a week. The number of hours of work per week increased steadily during the rest of the year, but the rise throughout 1938 was nof as rapid as the decline . in 1937 had been. ~~ The reduction in working hours was caused mainly by a drop in demand for factory products. This decline in demand was not peculiar to the state, being paralleled rather generally throughout the nation. The decline in demand was greater, how- }: ever, for durable goods than for nondurable goods, which explains why * Indiena, with its higher ratio of durable goods = manufacturers, was affected to a greater degree than the nation as a whole. The Fair Labor Standards Act, which was passed by Congress , during the past year and which went into effect Oct. 24, 1938, doubtless will affect wages and hours during the coming year. Where the law has an effect, it will be to raise wage costs without operating in it- ~ 8elf to raise the employer's income - or his employees’ productivity.

Varying Effects Expected

The attempts by employers to cope with the consequent increase in per unit costs of their products or services will have varying effects on the incomes of workers and consumers, depending on differences in industrial situations. . The simplest situation and the one immediately, if not ultimately, of greatest advantage to both worke ers and consumers is where the employer makes no attempt to compensate for the higher wage cost by reducing either the number embr or individual wage rates or v raising the price of his product. fhe incidence then will be directly on the net profit and the law will operate merely to cause a transfer of purchasing power from the owners to some workers, However, there are many industries in which at least a part of the employers will have difficulty in coping with the problem in this way, becguse of the absence of an adequate profit. In those industries there probably will be a tendency for the price of the product to rise or its quality to be reduced.

J A

New Price Schedules|}

“May Aid Coal Producers.

By DR. GEORGE W. STEINER Assistant Director, Indiana University Bureau of Business Research.

The year 1938 proved an inter-|: esting one in coal ahnals. The estab- |=

under provisions of the Guffey-|: Vinson®Act was the first develop- |S

ment of major importance.

In 1936 the Supreme Court re-|S jected the first Guffey Act on the|s basis of its labor code but it did|S not invalidate the section of the|s

law relating to price-fixing. The new

Indiana |Guffey-Vinson Act, therefore, determined to set up minimum price|: schedules for various coal-produc- |=

ing regions of the country. Actual

determination of the schedules was |: left to the National Bituminous E

Coal Commission.

established by the commission.

Prior to this Federal regulation, |: Indiana locomotive fuel coal, for example, was selling from $1.80 to |S $1.85 a ton. Indiana operators ex-|E

pressed their wish that the mini-

mum price would be fixed at rough- |Z ly $1.95 a ton on mine run coal, at|s which price a satisfactory profit :

would have been made. Advantage Eliminated

Eastern locomotive coal prior to|=

the price schedules sold for from

$2.05 to $2.10 a ton. Since railroads |E

demand roughly one-fifth of the bituminous coal supply, Indiana

producers were in a relatively fa-|B vorable position because of their |= price differential. Under minimum |S price schedules, this advantage was |g eliminated and as a consequence = Indiana mines lost a large chunk :

of their industrial demand.

for eastern fields, eastern coal re-

placed many tons of Indiana coal |S

In the eastern markets.

scrutiny and mine criticism. Throughout the remainder of 1938,

hearings were held and new sched- E

ules were promised early in 1939. Quotations Constantly Cut

After abandonment of the minimum schedules, price demoralization prevailed and became a stereotyped story throughout the remainder of the year. Price quatations were cut constantly and where they were maintained, operations were usually at a loss.

Industrial demand for coall2

throughout the year remained at low levels and since domestic held up relatively better, the mines constantly were faced with a glut of industrial slack which did not move. By and large, a hand-to-mouth buying policy was adopted by most all corrsimers of coal. The approach of winter changed this condition! very little. Despite such depressing conditions, the actual 1938 output of coal in Indiana was relatively large. Coal

production this year, according to |=

present estimdtes, was 23 per cent

above that of 1937 and the highest |

since 1926.

————— I a -McCRORY'S

5c AND 10¢c STORE 17-21 = Washington

Where the increase in price leads!

- to 8 lessened demand for the prod-

uct, a reduction in production and

‘incidence of the increased cost resulfing from the payment of higher wages to some workers thus may be shaed between the consumers and the other workers.

Efficiency Step-Up Seen

Where there is not sufficient |} prait to absorb the increased wage |} costs and where also it is not feasi- |H ble to increase the price of the prod- |§ uct, employers probably will have |} to attempt such measures as in-|H creiised mechanization, improved |H production of control, motion study, | i id improvement, or fatigue reduc- |

These tend to increase the effi-|f | Clericy of labor and may make pos- |

\ sible the meeting of a given demand by using fewer but more highly paid

workers. The burden of the act in|E such a case will tend to fall on the |} less efficient workers who are dis- ;

employed.

When you bring your shoes here for repair you are not confronted with two or three different grades and prices. Just ONE siaranteed : high ul quality . . . a ONE a : SAFETY EVERY DAY, wits | EVERYDAY LOW PRICES

ANY SIZE

Half Soles 59¢ |

WOMEN'S QUALITY

Heel Lifts 10c

3 WOMEN! Soles worn : 95¢ ! : t : with at 5 the 3 WHILE-U-WAIY SERVICE

Beware The Cough

From'a common cold

Nat] Hangs On |

No matter how many medicines you have tried 1 for you your common chest cold, or a irri- |

: fail; you sion. Crean get relief ielie now pis

ulsion not

. 83] 0 its ; ve effect, and most im t daxatt portan

Creosote nicely with all of B0%01% Tues it | thro trouble

{reach tne so eof the the ds of ‘people, ho really their Creomulsion | mo:

that | the relief obtained. *

the inoamed mae

and to

sts also know 1g effectiveness of

Pe em ied be hently by both adults an with remarkable sess

33 apa | stubborn ones dus J common colds that days i

r dreadful nights pes Don’t another sleepless nae use Hslon Even if; other

remedies have failed, your gist is Dizol to refund your money if you are not satisfied wii

to heal the irriloosen and |

MANY QUANTITIES LIMITED

SHOP EARLY

13 AND %; OFF! (864 PRS.) WOMEN'S 3.95, 4.95 FOOTWEAR

2.48

® Spectators ® Opera Pumps ® Straps ® Sandals ® Oxfords ® Ties

® Patents ® Tan Calfs ® Suedes .® Gabardines .. ® Platform Soles ® Sport Styles o Opera Pumps

The greatest selection of styles . . . of leathers . . . that we've ever offered in a winter sale! Shoes that would sell for 3.95 and 4.95, offered tomorrow . . . at only 2.48! Shop while our sizes

are still complete!

ESCALATORS to the Wide Aisles in Block’s Air-Conditioned Downstairs Store.

Were 38C, NOW....... shia Were

Were 60c, NOW. cocescssss.29C Were Were 79c, NOW. .ccoes00...390 Were

Were: 1.19, now eds canes saBl0

Were 1.59, NOW .ccoee0e...99C Were

SHOWROOM AND SALESMEN'S SAMPLES, ' INCLUDING bootees, shawls, 3-piece hat, coat and legging sets, sweaters, hoods, sacques, sacque-bootee and hood sets, mittens, carriage covers, creepers, sweater-panty and beret set, knit coats and P

snow suits!

2.00,

now .

NOW. eosesseses200 now. . Were 6.00, 8.00,

INFANTS’ SAMPLE KNITWEAR

rex gipuaveSha

secansee sii

ESCALATORS to the Wide Aisles in Block's Air-Conditioned Downstairs Store.

ST Rare):

CLEARANCE!

¥ ALL | ITEMS SUBJECT to PRIOR

HALF $12 FROCKS . .. ORIG 5.98 QUALITIES

A Special Group From a Make WhoIs a Master at Tailoring Half-Size Fashions!

We've just reduced these frocks . , « and are they beauties! Cynara rayon crepes! Duo-rib rayon crepes, rib roll rayon crepes . v. styled for every occasion . . . and styled with every trick to make them fit the half-size women more perfectly! Black, teal, wine, green, cherry and rust. Sizes 18!/ to 30/,.

. ESCALATORS to the Wide Aisles in Block’s Air-Conditioned a Store. TTR

Women’s 10¢c Handkerchiefs

Alta rin ress aassnaraaenid for 1

Women’s 25¢ Handkerchiefs. tstiienertuvisneiviseesue

Women’s 250 Handkerchiefs .

Men’s KERCHIEFS . ..... -HALF PRIC] 4 Men’s 5c Handkerchiefs .......cco000000000.. .2 for 3 for 25¢

$0290998320008400949000004 3 for

e000 00

Men's 25¢c Handkerchiefs .......coe000000000 eves

Men’s 50c Handkerchiefs......... Ct ster ashes sense acess ...25¢

Children’s Kerchiefs....” . HALF PRIC | fehl J

Children’s 10c Handkerchiefs

Children’s 25¢ Handkerchiefs ....ccocc00000s00000s000ie

SAMPLE SALE! Hand erchiefs

Women's Kerchiefs. ..... HALF PRIC

Women’s 5c Handkerchiefs ...c.cccos000000c0000asse,.2 for

WOMEN’S REG. 79¢c SILK HOSE

Now Pr

2-Thread sheers and 4-thread stretch tops . . . IRREGULARS Of 115 and 135 Qualities. . . . SOLD REGULARLY. IN OUR DEPARTMENT FOR 79c! Broken color and size assortments for

woraen. BLOCK’S Downstairs Store

1.00 BALBRIGGAN PAJAMAS

Less Than Half Price ¢

2-Piece slip-on styles ‘with short or

long sleeves and ski bottom: trousers! Stripes or plain colors. Sizes for women.

RAYON LINGERIE

Samples and Irregulars of 49c, 59¢ Qualities . . . Now

Y, the Price for Perfects

24: " Bloomers, panties, briefs, shorts,

vests and step-ins in novelty or plain weaves. Tea rose. Regular and

extra sizes.

REG. 59¢ JEWELRY 4,000 Pieces 6) : Half Price & Antique types! Metals! Simulated cameos and pearls! Lily of the

Valley! Oriental types! Wide choice *

of pieces. - BLOCK’S Downstairs Store

$1 FABRIC GLOVES le. 30

From one of America’s best known

makers! See the label in every pai: Black and colors. Sizes for

CLEARANCE

FELTS and FABRICS

QUICK

98, 2.98 es

F WOMEN

AFTER-CHRISTMAS CLEARANCE!

WOMEN’S COATS

Group I. Just 100 Sport Sityles) % (35) WERE 1675, now ........837 (65) WERE 195, now ........987

Included in this group are smartly tailored tweeds, disgonals, fleeces and | iad backs in the wanted

| 1988-39 styles,

Group II . Just 59 Better Coats

(10) WERE 25.00, now .......1250 | (49) WERE 28.00, now .......14.00 |

Choice of tailored or fur-trimmed styles in this'|

~ group! Such luxurious trims as black caracul, brawn “or black lapin—dyed coney or Manchurian’

dog!

ESCALATORS te (ho Wide A1ilss 18 Blosk's Air-Conditioned Do

SHOWROOM AND SALESM

| SAMPLE LING \ERI

1,000 Pcs. Specially Purchased for This Event! $5 QUALITIES, now ..........250)

4 $¢ QUALITIES, now ..........200

350 QUALITIES, now ........175

$3 QUALITIES, now renner 280

$2 QUALITIES, now ..........100

130 QUALITIES, now ite

Shop Early! Such Quality Won’t Last

Lace-trimmed and tailored siylest. | RAYON SATINS, RAYON CREPES

BED JACKETS! Choice of kh or deeptone prin misses, , but not a full run of ses in each style.

oS ET Downstairs Store.

fabrics as SILK SATINS, SILK ) WNS! PAIL)