a These averages were apparently obtained by adding together the city averages and dividing the sum by the total cities, 8, and hence take no account of the number of individuals in each city. True averages might vary considerably from those here given. COAL MINING.-The statistics relating to coal mining, as reported by the operators of 71 coal mines in Indiana, representing an invested capital of $1,374,440 and a yearly wage account of $2,473,806, are shown for each mine; also individual reports for 961 miners representing 81 mines. The data were obtained by a personal canvass, "and may be said to show, not approximately, but correctly, the matters which it was designed to call out by the questions." The questions addressed to the miners obtained informaton concerning age, social relations, nativity, hours of work, cost of and price paid for mining coal, daily wages, net earnings, etc. The presentation is a complete showing for the coal mining industries of the state. IRON, WOOD, GLASS, AND MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES.-The statistics of iron industries, wood industries, miscellaneous industries, and the glass industry were compiled from returns secured on a personal canvass of 375 establishments, 101 of which were engaged in various iron industries, exclusive of blacksmith and repair shops, 163 in the manufacture of articles in which wood is the exclusive or chief material, 45 in the manufacture of glass, and 66 in miscellaneous industries. The establishments report the employment of 40,253 hands, and of this number individual reports were secured from 2,423, distributed as follows: 577 in the iron, 1,035 in the wood, 134 in the glass, and 677 in the miscellaneous industries. The reports of the proprietors and of the employees, respectively, are published in detail by cities, industries, and occupations. The proprietors' reports furnish data as to capital, cost of materials, value of products, working time, number of employees, total wages, highest and lowest daily wages, and average wages of boys and of women and girls; also as to strikes and increase or decrease in wages. The following statements show the totals for the different groups of industries under the principal heads of this branch of the inquiry: Iron.. Wood Glass. VALUE OF PRODUCTS, WAGES, ETC., IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES. Miscellaneous. Total.. The employees' statements contain data as to age, apprenticeship, number of years engaged in present occupation, working time, highest, lowest, and average wages, social condition, income, expenses, etc., for the different classes of employees in each industry treated. The principal facts reported by the employees are summarized as follows: CONDITION, EARNINGS, ETC., OF EMPLOYEES IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES. ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND CENSUS STATISTICS.-Under this caption are presented county, city, and town indebtedness and expenses, also real estate transfers, mortgages, and satisfactions recorded in the several counties of the state. These tables show also the number and condition of inmates of asylums, number of divorces, with the causes of complaint, number of persons naturalized, and number of jail incarcerations. Some of the results of the Eleventh Census of the United States are reproduced. CEREAL CROPS AND FARM ANIMALS.-The figures and analysis given relating to cereal crops and farm animals constitute a full presentation of the agricultural industries of the state, by county and by state totals. RAILROADS.-The statistics relating to railroads show in the usual form the totals for 31 roads that were in operation in the state in 1893 and 25 in 1894, some companies not furnishing their reports for 1894 in time to be included. MICHIGAN. The Twelfth Annual Report of the Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics of Michigan, for the year ending February 1, 1895, presents the results of investigations into the following subjects: Farm laborers, male, 236 pages; domestic labor, female, 101 pages; statistics from farm proprietors, 109 pages; miscellaneous agricultural statistics, 55 pages; strikes, 21 pages; prisons and prison labor, 4 pages. FARM AND DOMESTIC LABOR.-The statistics presented under the titles of "Male farm laborers" and "Female domestic labor" are the results obtained from reports made by 5,600 male farm laborers and 2,300 female domestic laborers. The data were collected by the enumerators while engaged in taking the state census. The schedules contained numerous questions as to nationality, age, working time, wages, extras, increase or decrease in wages during given periods, effect of immigration on occupation, etc., as well as questions concerning social conditions. Some of the important results of both investigations are combined in the following summary: LABORERS ON FARMS AND DOMESTIC SERVANTS. Number who say immigration injures their occupation. 3,466 834 Average daily wages of foreigners in native land. In some of the returns answers were not given to all the questions. It therefore does not follow that the difference between the number given for any particular item in the above summary and the total number considered represents the number reporting the reverse from what is shown. The report presents the statistics in detail for each laborer, male and female, from whom returns were received. STATISTICS FROM FARM PROPRIETORS.-These facts were furnished by 935 farmers in Michigan. The effort was made to obtain reports from a reasonable number in each county, that the showing might be general for the state. The inquiries not only covered the question of wages and the condition of wage workers on farms, but also questions pertaining to the staple products of the farms. The average yield and cost of production of leading crops are shown. The number of farmers reporting profit and no profit in stock raising, in dairying, and in poultry raising is also given. The details shown by the tables are numerous and worthy of careful study, but only a few of the many important results can be stated. The average number of years in which those reporting had been engaged in farming was 25.7. Four hundred and fifty-four employed female help, the average weekly wages for such labor being $1.94. The average monthly wages for males was $18.85. Adding the value of extras, such as fuel, pasture for cow, house rent, etc., made the average daily wages paid male farm laborers for the entire state over $1. The average yield and the average cost of raising per acre, including interest on value of land, is shown for a number of farm products, the results being summarized as follows: AVERAGE YIELD AND COST PER ACRE OF RAISING CERTAIN FARM PRODUCTS. About 56 per cent of the farmers reporting are satisfied that there is a profit in dairying, less than 37 per cent that there is a profit in fattening cattle for market, and only 15 per cent that there is a profit in raising horses for sale. Two-thirds of those canvassed say there is a profit in raising poultry for market, and 82 per cent that there is profit in fattening hogs for market. Six hundred and thirty-four of the 935 reporting say there is profit in farming, 162 say there is no profit, and 139 do not answer the question. These statistics are followed by general remarks from a number of leading farmers in different sections of the state on methods, profits, and the desirability of farming as an industry. MISCELLANEOUS AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.-The presentations under the head of miscellaneous agricultural statistics are compilations from the United States census of 1890 and the state census of 1894. They show the size and value of farms with the value and quantity of farm products, by counties and by townships. STRIKES.-Each strike that occurred in the state during 1894 is described, and is followed by general information concerning some of the large strikes that occurred elsewhere. PRISONS AND PRISON LABOR.-The number of inmates in the state prison and in the different houses of correction during 1894 is given. The number engaged on contract work, with the average price per day for their work, is shown; also the number engaged on state work. MINNESOTA. The Fourth Biennial Report of the Bureau of Labor of Minnesota is for the years 1893 and 1894. In the introduction to the report the law approved April 19, 1893, changing the name of the office from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to the Bureau of Labor, is quoted, and the general work of the bureau outlined. The contents of the report are as follows: Chattel mortgages and pawnbrokers' loans, 43 pages; agricultural statistics, 66 pages; the apprentice system, 257 pages; mortgage statistics, 164 pages; factory inspection, 125 pages. CHATTEL MORTGAGES AND PAWNBROKERS' LOANS.-The statistical information presented under this title is the result of an examination of the contracts, leases, mortgages, and other instruments, having the force of chattel mortgages, filed at the city clerk's office of Minneapolis during the year 1893. For the pawnbrokerage business of the city during the same year the data were obtained from the returns made to the chief of police. The instruments classified as chattel mortgages are divided into two general classes-the first including those executed to secure the cost price of goods purchased and the second those executed to guarantee the repayment of borrowed money. Some of the principal facts concerning the first class are summarized as follows: |