Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 2.djvu/524

 510 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

visions, including one for the distribution of any balance remain- ing in case of change of proprietorship.

The accurate records kept by this firm reveal one of the most striking phenomena connected with American industrial con- ditions, that is, the extremely mobile character of labor. This characteristic is a great impediment to the development of such a system, and in many cases is the cause of the unfortunate condition of laborers, though in many other cases it may be a means of advancement. For the twenty years preceding 1894 this firm had employed 2046 men. Of this number only 835 or 40 per cent., remained in service for one year or more. The number of exits during the second year of entry was 206 ; dur- ing the third year, 121 ; during the fourth year, 73 ; during the fifth year, 36. There remained on the roll 171 who had not completed five years' of continuous service. The entire number of those entering the earnings division account, having com- pleted five years continuous service, was 224, or 10.8 per cent, of the entire number employed, Of this number 107 were left on the earnings division account as entitled to benefits on Janu- ary i, 1894. These formed 24 per cent, of the whole number of male employes at that time. Of these, ten had been in continuous service for more than fifteen years ; twenty-nine additional for more than ten years to thirteen years ; and sixty-eight additional for more than five to nine years.

Under the provisions for pensions nine men have received benefits. These pensions have varied in amount from $100 to $507. The total amount paid to the present year has been $9735-36. Of this amount the oldest pensioner, having been upon the rolls since 1882, has drawn $3915.50. Another work- man, drawing the highest pension yet given, has received ^2513.88 since 1890. For the current year four employes are entitled to pensions at the following rates : $507, $396, $312, $280, a total of $1495.

The contributions to the pension fund had amounted to ^3 1, 367. 75 at the opening of the present year. It is to be noted that the interest on this fund, now amounting to $22,878.71 is