registered the greatest proportional loss of $8,990 or 83.6 per cent. Montreal and Toronto reported reductions in the value of building permits issued as compared with both October, 1925, and November, 1924, while Winnipeg and Vancouver showed declines in the former and increases in the latter comparison. Three Rivers, Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, Oshawa, Port Arthur, St. Catharines, St. Thomas, Windsor, Calgary and New Westminster registered increases in both comparisons. The accompanying table gives the value of the building permits issued by 60 cities during October and November, 1925, and November, 1924. The 35 cities for which records are available since 1910 are marked with asterisks. A BUILDING CONSTRUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES BULLETIN recently issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, Washington, entitled “Building Permits in the Principal Cities of the United States in 1924" shows that the total estimated cost of new buildings for which permits were issued in 274 cities having a population of 25,000 and upwards, amounted to $3,216,151,061. Of this total amount 64.6 per cent of the estimated cost of all buildings for which permits were issued during the calendar year 1924 was expended for residential buildings, while only 49.7 per cent of the total number of buildings for which permits were issued were for residential purposes. This is accounted for by the large number of private garages, totalling 224,089 in all, being 39.9 per cent in number and 3.1 per cent in cost of all buildings projected during the year. One-family dwellings rank second in number and first in estimated cost, there being 215,170 permits issued for these homes, or 38.3 per cent of all permits issued. The estimated cost of their erection was $928,317,525, or 28.9 per cent of the cost of all classes of structures. The estimated average cost of a one-family dwelling house as shown in the report is $4,314. The average cost of a two-family dwelling is $8,317, or $4,159 per family. The average cost of apartment house dwellings is shown to be $42,732. As the 13,099 apartment houses referred to in the report were planned to house 134,744 families, the average cost per family provided for, would be $4,153, or practically the same as the cost per family in two-family dwellings. It must be borne in mind that all classes of dwellings and apartment houses are averaged in these estimates. The cost given in this report is estimated cost, which quite often will vary from the actual cost. In some cities charges are made for permits in accordance with the cost of the buildings, and in these cities, unless the city officials check up strictly, there is a tendency on the part of the builder to give rather low estimates. Often, too, the builder thinks the assessor will assess his property at a lower figure if he puts the cost low. Of course this is not true, as the assessor makes his own estimate of the worth of the property, but it has a tendency to keep the estimated costs as shown by the permits lower than they should be. Partly counterbalancing this is the tendency of certain builders of dwelling houses who desire to sell their houses as soon as erected, to report a rather high cost on the permits. A prospective buyer who had examined the records of the local building inspector, would thus be given an idea of higher value than the expenditure really involved. Among the non-residential buildings the average cost of educational buildings (schools, libraries, etc.) is shown to be higher than that of any other group. It speaks well for the material side of the educational system at least that the average cost of buildings in this group is shown to be 153,351. This average cost is somewhat lowered too by the inclusion in the group of low-cost temporary school buildings in a number of cities reporting. The estimated cost of non-residential buildings for which permits were issued during the year was as follows: amusement buildings, $60,016,470; churches, $58,863,579; factories and workshops, $173,045,738; public garages, $80,160,491; private garages, $98,585,220; service stations, $11,043,125; institutions, $35,572,721; office buildings, $188,504,006; public buildings, $29,510,179; public works and utilities, $43,664,992; schools and libraries, $158,718,052; sheds, $9,095,659; stables and barns, $1,393,020; stores and warehouses, $185,419,389; all other, $6,107,648. For the first time since the collection of building figures by the US. Bureau of Labour Statistics, a gain was shown in the percentage of families to be housed in new one-family dwellings, as compared with the percentage housed in that class of dwellings in the previous year. There is a contrasting falling off in the percentage of families to be housed in apartment houses, as compared with the previous year. Of course this gain in one-family dwellings over apartment house dwellings is small and not positive proof of a change in the trend of housing conditions, but nevertheless a good sign. There were fewer families planned for by all classes of dwellings in 1924 than in 1923, there being 455,429 living quarters planned for in the new buildings for which permits were issued in 1924, as compared with 459,471 in 1923. The total number of buildings for which permits were issued in 1924 showed an increase of only nine-tenths of one per cent over the year 1923. The total estimated expenditure showed an increase in the same period of 3.5 per cent. In 1923 the total estimated expenditure for new buildings was 23.4 per cent larger than in 1922. The estimated expenditure on buildings in 1922 was 58.3 per cent larger than in 1921. The smallness of the increase in 1924 over 1923 would seem to indicate that the peak of construction had been about reached, taking the country as a whole. According to figures compiled by Mr. Barclay White, a Philadelphia builder, and presented to both the Philadelphia and the National Congress of Construction Industries in 1921, 42.88 per cent of the cost of building construction comprises material. Skilled and unskilled labour together form 36.99 per cent of the cost, the remaining 20.13 per cent of cost being chargeable to supervision, insurance, engineering, etc. Methods of Profit Sharing in British Printing Industry The Federation of Master Printers of Great Britain appointed a committee a few months ago to examine schemes of profit-sharing and share-purchase suitable for the industry. Their report deals with the subject fully, and explains various methods which have been in existence in the industry for many years. One method is, that when the dividend on the ordinary capital is above an agreed minimum, for each 1 per cent declared above that amount 1 per cent, or some other agreed percentage on their total wages in the financial year shall be paid to the employees. Thus, if 6 per cent be the minium dividend, and 10 per cent be declared on the ordinary capital, the workers would receive 4 per cent (or some other fixed percentage) on their earnings for that year. A second scheme suggested was, after reserving the minimum dividend, to distribute an agreed fraction of the balance of the profits to the workers as a percentage on their earnings. Both schemes have proved successful, and would, with modification, be suitable for any business or industry. The profits thus paid to the workers must be in addition to, and not in lieu of, fair wages. A working man lives by the week and cannot wait until the end of the year for part of his wages. His share of profits must be a bonus over and above a fair rate of wages. Any scheme for offering shares to employees should be in accordance with a working-man's habits and outlook, and the following method, which has been very successful in the last 25 years, meets this difficulty, and is suitable for a company whose shares normally stand at a premium. A special class of employees' ordinary shares should be created, which can only be issued to the employees at par. The shares can be purchased for cash or by small weekly payments. When a holder wishes to sell he can, and when he ceases to be employed by the company he must offer his shares to the directors, who find another employee willing to purchase at par. If no employee be willing to purchase at par the holder can sell at any price to whom he pleases, but all subsequent holders when selling must offer the shares at par to the directors, so that ultimately the shares will return to the employees for whose benefit they were created. This scheme encourages the invaluable qualities of thrift and self-reliance, and gives to the holder all the dividends and rights of an ordinary shareholder (except a restriction on the rights of sale) on very favourable terms. The Union Co-operative Insurance Association, with home offices in the Machinists Building, Washington, D.C., which was organized and is controlled by members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, has been issuing regular standard life insurance policies on the participating plan since January, 1925. It is now announcing new low rates for the standard forms of individual insurance on the non-participating plan. The announcement of the group insurance for labour organizations was well received, inquiries coming from locals and internationals all over the country. The group rates are based on the ages of the members, so that no general rate can be quoted, except that for an average union, the cost would be about ninety cents per month for a benefit of $1,000 for each member in good standing. RECENT INDUSTRIAL AGREEMENTS AND SCHEDULES OF WAGES A SUMMARY is given below of the more important industrial agreements and schedules of wages and working conditions that have recently been received by the Department. Such agreements are summarized each month in the LABOUR GAZETTE. In the majority of cases the agreements are signed by both employers and employees. Verbal agreements, which are also included in the records, are schedules of rates of wages, hours of labour and other conditions of employment agreed upon between the parties concerned, and in effect though not signed. In addition to these, important schedules of wages are summarized, including civic schedules. In the case of each agreement or schedule, the rates of wages for the principal classes of labour are given, with other information of general interest. Manufacturing: Clothing TORONTO, ONTARIO DUFFIN AND ROSS COM- Agreement to be in effect from October 9, 1925, until October 9, 1926, with 90 days' notice of renewal, change or amendment. Both parties agree to have union shop; all work is to be cut and made by members of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, this to apply to any work manufactured off the premises; in event of help being required in shops, employers will make application to the unions; both parties agree to equal division of work. Hours per week, forty-four. In case of differences arising as to rates of wages, hours of labour, or other matters under this agreement the employers will receive a committee of the employees to discuss and adjust matters. Overtime, time and a half; legal holidays, double time. The employees are to be given the benefit of any improvement in the matter of hours or wages occuring in the general labour market of the trade. The wage scale prevailing on this market shall be paid to all competent employees. The employees agree to maintain fair and equitable production, and be responsible for satisfactory work. The system of piece work in the cutting room will remain as it is at present. Manufacturing: Printing and Publishing DAILY NEWSPAPERS AND TORONTO TYPO- Agreement to be in effect from April 1, 1925, until Only union members are to be employed. The union is to furnish competent journeymen as called for by the publisher. If union fails to do this, publisher may secure helpers who must make application to join the union. Night work shall be between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. and day work between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Where three shifts are employed, two shall be night work. An extra man put to work within half an hour of starting time shall have a full day's pay. If brought in after starting time, and working less than five hours, he shall be paid overtime rates; after five hours, a full day's pay, but if required he shall work until 6 p.m. or 5 a.m. to make up the full day's or night's work. A member called back after a full day's or night's work shall perform work to that amount if required. Overtime shall be in rotation and evenly distributed, except where a man has charge of a particular work. On a seven-day paper when night staff is brought back to work day work, six hours shall constitute a day's work; overtime rates thereafter. Foremen shall have full control of operators, machine tenders and other employees. Only journeymen members, or apprentices in last six months, shall be eligible as learners during working hours. The term for learners shall be six months, and compensation not less than three-quarters of regular scale. A journeymen member employed in an office shall be privileged to practice for not more than two hours per day on machines. No member may act as operator machinist in an office where more than three machines are operated. With more than three machines a permanent machine tender shall be employed. An office with three machines working day and night shall employ a machine tender. Machine tenders shall attend to the typesetting and type casting machines. Provision is made for a standing committee of two from each party to decide questions regarding this agreement or alleged violation thereof. If no settlement is reached within thirty days questions shall, on request of either party, be submitted arbitration. to Foreman shall be the judge of competency. Provision shall be made that not less than half the staff shall work only forty-five hours and shall complete their day on Saturday or some other day at one o'clock. Minimum wages per week: on evening newspapers, from April 1, 1925, until March 31, 1926, $41.50; from April 1, 1926, until March 31, 1927, $42.50; from April 1, 1927, until March 31, 1928, $43.50. Hours per day, 8. Overtime, time and one-half, on basis of 46j hour week. On morning newspapers, from April 1, 1925, until March 31, 1926, $44; from April 1, 1926, till March 31, 1927, $45; from April 1, 1927, till March 31, 1928, $46. Hours per night, seven and one-half. Overtime, time and one-half, basis on wages paid. Work on Sundays and holidays, double time, men to be guaranteed at least two consecutive hours' work. This does not apply on morning newspapers. Day on morning newspapers shall work on above holidays five hours, to be completed by 12.30 p.m. or not later than 1 p.m., for which they shall receive one day's pay. men In each office, one apprentice to six journeymen, or fraction of six, up to twenty-four, one for each additional ten. Beginning with the second year, each apprentice shall attend at least one session a week at the technical school. In third year, they shall pay to the union fifty cents per week for the International Typographical Union course of instruction. Apprentices must graduate before becoming journeymen. Office boys may be employed on certain work. Apprentices shall be not less than sixteen years of age and shall serve five years. They shall be registered by the union secretary. The foreman and the apprentice committee shall determine fitness of applicant. At end of second year apprentice must become apprentice member of the union. Apprentices shall undergo yearly examinations. Scale for apprentices per week from April 1, 1925, till December 31, 1925, from $15 for first six months of third year to $27 for second six months of: fifth year. From January 1, 1926, till March 31, 1928, from $15 for first six months of third year to $28 for second six months of fifth year. The Joint Apprentice Committee shall be composed of two members appointed by each party. MOOSE JAW, SASKATCHEWAN.-CERTAIN FIRMS AND INTERNATIONAL TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION, Agreement effective from November 1, 1924, until October 31, 1926, with at least sixty days' notice of change. Only union members are to be employed. Union officers will preserve discipline among union members while on duty. A committee of two from each party shall decide questions regarding scale of wages and agreement. In case of failure to agree committee shall select a fifth and disinterested person. Decision of committee shall be final and binding. Local union laws (not affecting hours or working conditions) shall not be subject to arbitration. Wages per hour, from November 1, 1924, until October 31, 1926: newspaper workers, day work, 913 cents; night work, $1.04); hours, day work, 48; night work, 45. Book and job printers, day work, per hour, 913 cents; night work, $1.04; hours, 44. The middle shift (one not falling between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. or 6 p.m. and 5 a.m.) shall receive the rates of pay for night work. Foreman, 50 cents per shift over scale. Holiday work, time and one-half, this not to apply to night shifts of morning papers or night staffs of afternoon papers published every week day. Sunday work, double time, except for night staffs of morning or afternoon papers. A journeyman called to work outside of regular hours shall receive $1 for call besides overtime pay. Foreman shall have full control of employment and discharge. One learner (a journeyman member) shall be allowed to every four machines, as well as apprentice members on last six months. Term of apprenticeship for beginners on typesetting and typecasting machines, thirteen weeks, at following scale: first three weeks, $2.80 per day; thereafter an increase of $1 each week for next ten weeks. If beginner does not attain standard speed in thirteen weeks he shall be granted an extension of up to three months. One apprentice to five journeymen. Beginning with third year apprentices shall complete International Typographical Union course in printing, paying fifty cents per week. No youth under fifteen years of age shall be accepted. The foreman and local apprentice committee shall examine applicants. Wages per week for apprentices on newspapers, third year, $16; fourth year, $20.50; fifth year, $26.25 and $31; night work $2 extra. On book and job work, during third year $14.50; fourth year, $19.25; fifth year, $24.25 and $28; night work $2 extra. SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN-EMPLOYING PRINT ERS AND INTERNATIONAL TYPOGRAPHICAL Agreement to be in effect from November 1, 1925, to November 1, 1926, and from year to year unless notice is given before September 1 of any year. Only union men are to be employed. Union agrees to furnish capable men. Wages per week, news offices, day work (8 hours per day) $44, night work (7 hours per night) $47; job offices, day work $40.33; night, $45.98. News offices, 48 hours per week; job offices, 44 hours per week. Middle shift to be governed by night scale of wages and hours. Overtime, first three hours, time and one-half; thereafter double time. Call-back, $1 extra. Apprentices: one to five journeymen, the limit being two apprentices, except when an apprentice is in the last six months, where office may have one extra. Wages, first year, 33 per cent of journeymen's scale; second year, 42 per cent; third year, 53 per cent; fourth year, 68 per cent; 5th year, 80 per cent. A machinist's assistant shall be classed as an apprentice but shall not interfere with the allotment and shall receive the apprentice scale. Machine learners: term, thirteen weeks. Wages per week, first three weeks, $22; next five weeks, $28; last five weeks, $35. Beginners attaining standard speed shall have full wages; an extension of time may be granted up to three months. Time lost during week in which holiday occurs shall be deducted from regular scale. Work done on holidays, double time, morning papers excepted after 7 p.m. Where night work is done, 5 hours to be a night's work previous to a holiday. In case of disputes arising under provision of the agreement, if impossible of adjustment they shall be referred to a committee of three, one from each party, and a third selected by them. Decision of this committee shall be final and binding. SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN-LOCAL FIRMS AND INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF BOOKBINDERS, No. 85 Agreement to be in effect from November 1, 1925, to October 31, 1927. Scale for men: hours per week, 44. Wages, journeymen, $40.35. Overtime, first three hours, time and onehalf; thereafter double time. Sundays and holidays, double time. All bindery men's work to be done by union members. No girl shall do journeymen's work. Apprentice scale: minimum, first six months, 35 per cent; second six months, 40 per cent; third six months, 45 per cent; fourth six months, 50 per cent; fifth six months, 70 per cent; seventh six months, 80 per cent; eighth six months, 90 per cent. One apprentice to every four journeymen. No apprentice may move to another bindery during his apprenticeship without the sanction of both parties to the agreement. Scale for women: hours per week, 44; wages for journeywomen, $17. Overtime, first three hours, time and one-half; thereafter, double time; Sundays and holidays, double time. Apprentice scale, per week: minimum, first six months, $10; second six months, $11; third six months, $12.50; fourth six months, $14.50. General clauses: In case of reduction of staff persons last employed shall be first discharged; and in case of increase of staff such persons shall be reinstated in reverse order. In event of any misunderstanding matter shall be submitted to arbitration, one arbitrator being selected by each side and a third by them. The award shall be final. Construction: Buildings and Structures TORONTO, ONTARIO CERTAIN MASTER INSULATORS AND INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HEAT AND FROST INSULATORS AND ASBESTOS WORKERS, LOCAL NO. 20 Agreement to be in effect from May 1, 1925, to April 30, 1926. Agreement to be binding within thirty mlies of Toronto city hall. Working hours, 8 per day, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. and 12 noon on Saturdays. Not more than one improver to a mechanic. Overtime to 10 p.m., time and one-half; thereafter, Saturday afternoons, Sundays and holidays, double time. No work on Labour Day except in emergency, when triple time shall be paid. There shall be a trade board of one representative for each employer signing the agreement, and an equal number of union members. Board shall have the right to investigate all questions arising under the agreement, and may summon, question or examine any party to the agreement. Disputes shall be taken care of by the trade board, notice being given in writing by aggrieved party within two days. Regular meetings of the trade board shall be held quarterly and special meetings may be called. Voting shall be by secret ballot. The board may impose fines or other penalties where agreed by vote, shall see that the money is collected, and decide the disposition of same. Lockouts and strikes must be ordered only by the Building Trades Employers' Association or the Building Trades Council. Disputes shall be referred to the trade board. If the union fails to supply help, an emergency number may be employed and may work under permit until replaced. Wages per hour, mechanics, 85 cents; improvers, first year, 45 cents; second year, 55 cents; thereafter, 85 cents. Improvers may try mechanics' examinations after four years. Provision is made for paying board, railroad transportation and extra carfare when required. Local No. 20 agrees that there shall be no limitations or restrictions placed on individual efforts of membership. FAIR WAGES CONDITIONS IN DOMINION GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS DU URING December the department received information regarding twenty-five contracts executed by the Government of Canada, which included among their provisions the fair wages conditions sanctioned by Order in Council for the protection of the labour to be employed. In twenty-two of these contracts the general fair wages clause is inserted as follows: 1. All mechanics, labourers, or other persons who perform labour in the construction of the work hereby contracted for, shall be paid such wages as are generally accepted as current from time to time during the continuance of the contract for competent workmen in the district in which the work is being performed for the character or class of work in which they are respectively engaged, and if there be no current rates in such district, then fair and reasonable rates, and shall work such hours as are customary in the trade, in the district where the work is carried on, or if there be no custom of the trade as respects hours in the district, then fair and reasonable hours, unless for the protection of life and property, or for other cause shown to the satisfaction of the Minister of Labour, longer hours of service are required. The Minister of Labour may at any time and from time to time determine for the purposes of this contract, what are the current or fair and reasonable rates of wages and the current or fair and reasonable hours, and may from time to time rescind, revoke, amend, or vary any such decision, provided that his determination and any amendment or variation shall not be operative prior to the period of three months immediately preceding the date thereof. Each of the remaining three contracts contained a schedule of rates and hours based on the current standards of the district in these respects. These schedules are given below. The following general labour conditions sanctioned by the Fair Wages Order in Council appear in the twenty-five contracts above referred to: Where there are special circumstances which in the judgment of the Minister of Labour make it expedient that he should do so, he may decide what are the current or fair and reasonable rates of wages for overtime, and what is the proper classification of any work for the purposes of wages and hours. Immediately upon receipt of notice of any decision or of the Minister of Labour hereunder the contractor shall adjust the wages and hours and classification of work so as to give effect to such decision. In case the Contractor shall fail so to do, or to pay to any employee or employees for any services performed for any hours of labour, wages according to the rates fixed therefor by the Minister of Labour, the Minister of Labour may authorize and direct the Minister to pay any such wages at the rates so fixed and to deduct the amount thereof from any moneys owing by the Government to the Contractor and any such payment shall for all purposes as between the Contractor and the Government be deemed and taken to be payment to the Contractor, and the Contractor shall be bound in every particular by any such authority, direction and payment as aforesaid. The powers of the Minister of Labour hereunder shall not be exercised as to any employee or employees where it is established to his satisfaction that an agreement in writing exists and is in effect between the Contractor and the class of employees to which such employee or employees belong or the authorized representatives of such class of employees fixing rates of wages, overtime conditions and hours of labour. 2. The Contractor shall post and keep posted in a conspicuous place on the premises where the contract is being executed, occupied or frequented by the workmen, the Fair Wages Clause or Schedule inserted in his contract for the protection of the workmen employed, also any decision of the Minister of Labour under the preceding paragraph. 3. The Contractor shall keep proper books and records showing the names, trades, and addresses of all workmen in his employ and the wages paid to and time worked by such workmen, and the books or documents containing such record shall be open for inspection by the Fair Wage Officers of the Government at any time it may be expedient to the Minister of Labour to have the same inspected. 4. The Contractor shall not be entitled to payment of any money which would otherwise be payable under the terms of the contract in respect of work and labour performed in the execution of the contract unless and until he shall have filed with the Minister in support of his claim for payment a statement attested by statutory declaration, showing (1) the rates of wages and hours of labour of the various classes of workmen employed in the execution of the contract; (2) whether any wages in respect of the said work and labour remain in arrears: (3) that all the labour conditions of the contract have been duly complied with; or, in the event of notice from the Minister of Labour of claims for wages, until the |