were not reported were obtained by simple computations and although they may not represent the actual rate received for the specified periods of time, they are of considerable value for purposes of comparison. It will be noted that many of the hourly rates given include fractional parts of a cent. While it is true that in many cases the rate shown is not the actual rate paid but is presented for the purpose of comparison, it is equally true that many employers do pay their employees at these fractional rates. This is particularly true in the building trades where part-time work, due to unfavorable weather, lack of materials, etc., makes necessary an hourly rate. Persons applying for work are more concerned with the amount of money which they will receive when their week's work is finished than they are with the number of cents they will be paid for each hour's labor, and are generally offered a weekly rate of pay. The hourly rate is then computed by the pay-roll clerks in order that the employee's tardiness in reporting for work or his absence from work for an hour or two may be deducted from his pay, and in the average case an hourly rate showing fractions of a cent will result. This method is not only very confusing to pay-roll clerks and to cost clerks as well as to the workers themselves, but, because of the considerable amount of figuring involved and the difficulty of determining and correcting errors, is expensive and seemingly unnecessary. Many employers in order to economize the valuable time of payroll and cost clerks in figuring these fractions and to avoid the danger of committing serious errors have adopted the more simple method of hiring all new employees at a round sum per hour, and some employers have entirely eliminated fractions and even odd numbers in computing hourly rates of pay. Written agreements between employers and labor organizations now frequently contain clauses to the effect that workmen after commencing work shall be paid at least one-half a day's pay, even though the actual hours worked amount to less than the half day. It should be understood that the facts presented in the following tables are as they were reported to this Bureau and that no inquiry was made as to the extent to which the union scale of wages prevailed in the various trades and localities. Union Scale of Wages and Hours of Labor in Each Occupation on October 1, 1913: By Municipalities. : When only one baker is employed in small shops his wage is $18 a week. * Night work, 9 hours. 4 Only one hour overtime allowed for each man in a week. * Includes doughmakers and ovenmen. Union Scale of Wages and Hours of Labor in Each Occupation on October 1, 1913: By |