Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 86.djvu/488

484 might have stated with equal validity that the officials in California industries received in nine tenths of the cases over $1,300 annually.

The figures showing the service incomes of inferior officers on the railroads appear in the form of averages only. The section foremen, of whom there were 44,466 in 1911 received an average daily compensation of from $1.92 to $3,17, varying with the part of the country in which they were at work. The average daily compensation of general officers ($13.99) and of other officers ($6.37) has already been commented on. Apparently the railroad foremen receive a wage approximately the same as that paid to semi-skilled wage-earners. The compensation paid to officers is considerably greater.

One report contains data of real importance in this connection. The most available figures in this report relate to the Bell Telephone System, from the 1908 pay rolls of which they were taken. Among the Bell employees there were 614 foremen, one fifth of whom received less than $80 per month ($960 per year), and eleven twelfths of whom received less than $135 per month ($1,500 per year). Of the total number, only 51 received more than $135 (the last class appearing in the report). The rates of pay for assistant foremen (39 in all) were much lower. Half fell below $80, and all but one below $135 per month. The pay of general foremen was higher. Of the 21 listed, half (10) received $135 or over per month. The managers and assistant managers were paid at approximately the same rate. Two fifths received less than $80, and four fifths less than $135. The pay of superintendents is much higher. There were only three under $80, and nine under $135. Three fourths (32 out of 41) received $135 or over.

The New York Public Service Commission reports upon the income rates of 635 foremen and assistant foremen employed by gas and electric utilities in the First District of New York. Only 3 per cent, received less than $750; 22 per cent, received less than $1,000; and 58 per cent, received less than $1,250.

These figures are given rather because they emphasize the paucity of the data than because they serve any useful statistical purpose. So far as the figures go, they suggest that foremen, assistant superintendents and assistant managers are paid salaries about equal to those of the best-paid tenth among the wage-earners ($1,000 to $1,500 per year). Superintendents, general superintendents and general managers usually receive more than $1,500. It is to be hoped that before another income study is made there will be some authoritative