In Bulletin 93 of the Census of Manufactures, 1905, published in May, 1908, we find some interesting data of earnings of wage-workers. The investigation covers 3,297,819 wage-earners of which 79.4 per cent were men; 17.9 per cent were women, and 2.7 per cent were children. The average weekly earnings of all classes was $10.06. For men 16 years and over it was $11.16; for women $6.17, and for children under 16 years $3.46.

The greatest number of men is reported in the $12 to $15 per week group, and of women in the $6 to $7 group, while the greatest number of children is reported in the group receiving less than $3.00 a week.

The important fact revealed by these tables is that out of the total number of men included in the statistics 1,215,798, or 46.5 per cent, earned $10.00 or less a week. It would be extremely interesting to learn how many of this group were married men. At all events the writer believes that an explanation for the large army of women and children engaged in wage-earning occupations may be found in these figures. It is simply impossible for a family of five to maintain a decent standard of living on an income of $10.00 a week, and hence the wives and children are compelled to participate in the fierce struggle for existence.

COMPENSATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.

Bulletin 94 of the Bureau of the Census, issued April 13, 1908, deals with statistics of 185,874 employees, of which 172,053 were males and 13,821 females. The largest class, viz., 43,790 persons, or 23.6 per cent of the total number, receive from $900 to $1,000 per annum; next in numerical importance is the class earning less than $720 per annum, represented by 35,331 persons or 19 per cent of the total; 11.7 per cent of the total earn $720, but less than $840 a year; 5.7 per cent earn between $840 and $900, and 18.4 per cent earn $1,000 but less than $1,200 a year.

The approximate average compensation is $948. Of the employees under 20 years of age, 71.2 per cent are paid at a rate of less than $720 and 13.6 per cent at a rate of $900, but less than $1,000, making a total in these two classes of 84.8 per cent.

Of the 25,351 Government employees residing in the District of Columbia, 12,901, or about one-half of the total, are married. The following shows the number of married employees in different salary groups:

Since the Bulletin contained no specific data on the question of the exact earnings of married men earning less than $720 a year, inquiries on this point were addressed to the Departments and the following table shows the number of married men employed in the respective Departments and the wage groups*:

From this table it appears that there are 1,033 married men in the Government employ in this city earning less than $660 a year, 262 of whom receive $600 a year or less.

In addition to the foregoing, according to information kindly furnished by Commissioner West, and the disbursing officer, Mr. Wilson, there are 515 married employees in the District Government earning less than $500 a year; 450 married employees earning between $500 and $600, and 251 married employees earning between $600 and $720 a year.

A general survey of the situation justifies the conclusion that the cost. of living has far outstripped the present rates of wages of men earning

*This does not include employees in the Government Printing Office and Navy Yard.

less than $720 a year and of salaried employees in general. This can only be remedied by an increase in wages or a decided decrease in the cost of the necessities of life. Since the latter is beyond the general control of wage-earners, except in so far as increased wages affect the cost of the products of labor, an increase in earnings amounting to at least 25 per cent appears urgently called for.

No effort should be spared to improve the standards of living of poorly paid wage-workers, especially of married men earning less than $2.00 a day. Justice likewise demands an increase of 25 per cent in the pay of salaried employees, especially where no such increase has been made during the past ten years, in order to compensate for the increased cost of living.

It has come to the knowledge of the Committee that a large number of employees in the Navy Yard who have purchased homes and own an equity in the property, are likely to suffer financial losses should the intentions of the Department to have the work done elsewhere and reduce the number of employees here be carried out. This should be avoided, if possible, on account of the evident hardships involved. It is believed that the best interests of the service and of wage-workers would be subserved if a reasonable assurance of permanent employment could be given.

In the sociological study of our least resourceful neighbors we find ample food for reflection. We encounter families who, although the husband earns $2.50 a day when he works, are on the borderland of dependency, because he takes three drinks of whiskey a day at 5 cents each and consumes 25 cents' worth over Sunday, which means not only an expenditure of $59.80 a year for drink, but also considerable loss of work on account of preventable illness.

While the conditions as a whole in our family groups whose income is less than $700 a year indicate a fierce struggle for existence, some splendid examples of neat and healthful homes, of thrift and happiness, could be cited for the emulation of less competent neighbors. The explanation is to be found in the fact that the parents lead a strictly temperate life, the mother is a good homemaker and anxious to better the future of her children, and her spirit of economy, thrift and ambition animates every member of the household. These principles should be inculcated into the minds of every child. An attempt has been made in several cities to introduce the Provident Stamp Saving System into the public schools. There can be no question that all such efforts, and the establishment of Postal Savings Banks, would stimulate provident habits. If it is possible for the agents and Friendly Visitors of the Associated

Charities to collect over $12,000 a year in this city from the least resourceful people as Stamp Savings Deposits for emergency purposes, there is no good reason why the great army of better-paid wage-earners, including salaried employees, should not cultivate similar habits of thrift and economy. While it is true that a goodly number have established their homes and are gradually paying for them, it is equally true that in these days of inordinate desire for pleasure, dress and social rivalry, a very discreditable number live wholly beyond their income and sooner or later fall into the hands of the "loan and salary sharks."

SUPPRESSION OF USURY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. INTRODUCTION-By GEO. M. KOBER, M. D.

In view of the great number of cases of exorbitant rates of interest charged by salary and loan sharks which have come under the notice. of the writer in connection with the Associated Charities, and also in our sociological study of families, it was deemed desirable to secure additional information on the subject with a view of formulating suitable recommendations for the suppression of the evil. Mr. Charles F. Weller, of the Associated Charities, and Mr. George S. Wilson, of the Board of Charities, referred in their discussion of the subject to the efforts of the "Society for Savings" to bring about a more tolerable state of affairs. In a number of interviews with officers of that society it was learned that they had entered the field, for which there was an urgent need, with the hope of ameliorating the condition of a large number of government employees by offering a better service at a reasonable price. The society found itself handicapped, however, by engaging in a business which can not be carried on at the present legal rate of interest (6 per cent), and also because good citizens do not care to invest funds which are loaned in violation of the law. The officers, anxious to extend the usefulness of the society and at the same time to conduct a strictly legitimate business, have made a careful study of the remedial legislation in other States, with a view of promoting similar legislation in the District of Columbia.

The principles embodied in modern legislation of this class are based upon the theory that money-lending concerns are a necessity; that small loans of this character can not be made at a less rate of interest than 2 to 3 per cent a month during the first year of the loan; that legalization of such rates will attract the capital of reputable citizens and stimulate wholesome competition, which will ultimately result in the reduction of the interest rate to about 1 per cent per month. From the experience

of the Provident Loan Society of New York, conceived and managed as a true business philanthropy, it is apparent that a business in small loans can not now be conducted, except as a purely charitable proposition, at less than 1 per cent per month.

This subject is one of great importance to a very large number of officials and employees of the Government and of wage-earners in general. The writer, therefore, requested Mr. J. T. Exnicios, the manager and treasurer of the Society for Savings, to present the result of his study of existing conditions in this city, and of the most enlightened legislation which has been enacted in Massachusetts, New York, and elsewhere to safeguard this unfortunate class of borrowers against the vicious practices employed by unscrupulous concerns. This he has done in a very satisfactory and comprehensive manner. From a careful study of existing evils the writer feels convinced that the bill framed by the commissioners and known as H. R. 11772 and S. 2296 will, if enacted with a few minor amendments, have a most salutary effect. The amendments suggested by Mr. Exnicios are in line with legislation in other States. One of these is the reduction of a license tax from $1,000 to $100 per annum. The tax in Massachusetts is only $50 a year, but the law requires that all examinations of the affairs of such concerns made by the bank commissioners of the State shall be at their expense. New York, Rhode Island and Maryland require no license tax.

It is very evident that all such charges are placed by indirection on the borrower. For this reason, no doubt, the recorders' fee on chattel mortgages in Massachusetts is only 75 cents, and no notarial certificate is required on this class of mortgages, while the charges in this jurisdiction amount to $2.85, which greatly increases the cost of small loans.

The provisions of the bill, on the whole, are excellent. Sections 4 and 5 are especially commendable, as they require a register to be kept of all loans and transactions subject to official inspection. The execution of such a law, in order to safeguard against abuses, requires careful official supervision, such as contemplated by the recommendations to the President April 29, 1907, of Mr. James B. Reynolds in the creation of a bureau of labor.

THE USURY EVIL IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON.
By J. T. EXNICIOS.

I. The money borrower.

In the city of Washington there is a very large number of persons who are unable to secure loans from banks, trust companies, or real-estate brokers, because having nothing in the form of assets except their labor