Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor

LODGING OF ARTILLERY AND MUNITION WORKERS IN FRANCESource: Monthly Review of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Vol. 5, No. 1 (JULY, 1917), pp.42-43Published by: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of LaborStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/41829063 .

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42 MONTHLY BE VIEW OF THE BUBEÀU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

LODGING OF ARTILLERY AND MUNITION WORKERS IN FRANCE.

A circular was issued by the secretary of state (artillery and muni- tions bureau) on July 19, 1916, relative to the lodging of workers in establishments engaged in the manufacture of artillery and muni- tions.1

The following is a condensed translation of the principal better- ments directed to be installed.

Because of the considerable increase in the number of employees great difficulty has been encountered in securing lodgings in the im- mediate vicinity of the establishments and many of them have been compelled to provide temporary lodgings for their employees.

Whatever care may have been exercised in the provisional meas- ures installed in the cantonments, the authorities are satisfied that many improvements may be instituted, and attention is called to the following requirements: Compliance with the decree of August 13, 1913, enumerating the conditions which are satisfactory in regard to the dormitories for emplojTees, but there are other provisions which are to be considered as imperative, and employers must conform to these instructions or report to the department why such installations are impossible.

Dormitories occupied by employees must have a capacity of at least 14 cubic meters (494.4 cubic feet) per person lodged. Eooms less than 2.6 meters (8 feet 6J inches) in height must be thoroughly ventilated by means of windows or other movable sash openings to the outside air. A continuous ventilation must be assured, which may be. obtained by means of openings in the roof.

In all cantonments it is advisable to provide ceilings separated from the roof, when the roof and ceiling form one structure it should be impermeable and provided with an air space between the inside and outside walls, or with n material resisting sudden atmos- pheric changes, and have a cover without cracks.

Floors must be impermeable or surfaced with an impermeable layer, easily washed. When possible the floor should be so arranged 9s to permit constant ventilation below it and to isolate completely the dormitory from the ground.

The distance between beds must not be less than 80 centimeters (2 feet inches). Each person must be furnished with bedding for his exclusive use as follows : A frame separating the couch from the floor by at least 30 centimeters (11.8 inches), a straw mattress, a pillow, pair of sheets, a blanket, and for his clothing a rack or ventilated closet. Cleanliness and proper repairs must be main- tained.

1 France. Bulletin do Miaist^re du Travail et de la Prévoyance Sociale, December, 1916. Paris, 1916, pp. 165-167.

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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS. 43

Sheets must be laundered at least once each month and changed with each occupant. Sleeping quarters must be unencumbered and kept in a state of constant cleanliness either by washing, scrubbing, or by using damp cloths every day and all soiled clothing and bed- ding removed. Beds must be made up each day, and when neces- sary precautionary measures must be taken for destruction of insects.

Washbowls must be furnished, one for each six persons lodged, and shower baths are recommended.

Drinking water must be provided. It is desirable that barracks laundries be established and precautions be taken to provide for the disposal of refuse and used water,

Notiee is given in this circular that plans have been prepared suit- able for proposed constructions showing approved types which may be adopted according to the varying needs of establishments.

These are the improvements which you are required to install in the barracks established by you. Not only should you be interested in this subject with a view to securing lodgment for laborers unable to find lodging in the locality, but that you may investigate the con- ditions in which laborers from distant localities are lodged in private lodgings. It is believed that in many cases lodgings are quite de- fective, and you are requested to lend aid to the proper authorities in recommending such measures as are calculated to remedy in- sanitary conditions. If it is impossible to find sanitary lodgings you will proceed to build new and comfortable barracks iii which laborers will find their welfare provided for as well as all possible liberty, and so compel private enterprise to maintain sanitary lodging conditions.

FRENCH OCCUPATIONAL CENSUS OF 1911.

In connection with the general population census of March 5, 1911, the French statistical office has also taken an occupational census the results of which have recently been published.1 In compiling the present occupational census the statistical office adopted a method different from that used in the compilation of the censuses of 1896, 1901, and 1906. In the latter three censuses the gainfully employed population (population active) was classified by collective industries. This method of classification had also been recommended in the resolutions adopted in 1905 by the International Statistical Insti- tute on the occasion of its conYention in London. Although admit- ting that more accurate results are obtained by this method the French statistical office in the present occupational census has 1 France. Ministère du Travail et de la Prévoyance Sociale. Statistique Générale de

la France. Résultats statistiques du recensement général de la population effectuér le 5 Mars 1911. Vol. 1, part 3 : Population active. Paris, 1916. 183 pp.

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