Shanghai, Mar. 8. TPE question of fuct costs domi ted the economic aspects of the industrial activities in Shanghai during last month, according to the S.M.C. Industrial Section report for February.
The rapi ise in price of coal, and threat of further rise and shortage, created uneasiness among factory managements. While larger plants maintained their operations, some smaller ones, especially small dyeing plants, taking advantage of the fact that they were closed during Spring Festival holi li days, delayed re-opening. Several) have discussed with Council approved boiler surveyors the poss bility of changing from coal to fuel oil consumption, and the local] manufacture of injectors for oil firing is being explored.
Many enquiries have been received in the Section from exporters as to where factories manufacturing pro-duels suitable for overseas markets may be found. This information is Willingly given, as possibly contribut~ Ing to the prosperity of industries and_inereasing employment.
More silk cocoons are reaching the city than previously considered possible, Seven filatures opened after the Spring Festival, and tour more will shortly commence operations. Indications are that they can continue to Work Ulla hoped for spring crop of jeoons arrives, All paper mills are in'full production. Machine works re working longer hours to meet demand, and workers are ready work overtime to meet rising living costs, New Plants Inspected.
Sixty-one enterprises not previously visited were inspected. Of these 30 were textile plants, all small, and 18. machine shops. Supervision of new installations, so ax to avoid neighbour hood nuisance, was given in four factories.
Group' Instruetion:—Two evening classes began sessions during the month, 'The frst Is composed of ow: cers and No, I filters of establishme: ts manufacturing machinery—making machine tools, power presses, textile machinery, printing machinery, dyeing' blunt, ete," There are 101 class members," representing 53" machinery manufacturing plants, The course has wheen carefully worked out with a view to improvement of design and and to incorporation in the design of such safety devices as can be included. The class met for eight hours durin the month. The second class consists of owners and No. 1 operators enterprises using" power presses. There are 99 class members, repre senting 45 factories. The object is safer operation to prevent the toll of amputated fingers associated with power press use. 'The class "had four hours' teaching during the month.
'Pressure Vessels:—Application for the registration of nine boilers not previously: registered was made, 24 taliation inspection corticates and annual re-inspection certificates were lodged, Bvidenee was in the hands of the' See thal 97 pressure vessels were under expert cate.
One new boiler yard was roustered The total. number registered yards is now 24, One boiler is under construction.
Industrial Accidents:
accidents was fewer in than factories for several days ing Festival and. the buting to the wsltial and occupation tents were reported, of wh fatal results. Six' wonien were me jured. The causes of O8 secidents are Anown with suMMeient accuracy, and 42 wore the subject of detailed me spection and insteuetion in prevention, Machinery and Mishaps Classified by causes, 20, two fatal, were "associated with ' machinery: moved by mechanical power, six, one fatal, with hot or corrosive substance two," none fatal, with electricity, 2 two fatal, wore caused by persons falling, and 1 persons. none fatally, were struck by falling bodies.
The yeatest number of accidents took place in the textile trades, 25 persons being injured, but none fatally: nine, one fatally, were hurt and metal products six, two fatally, on eonstrucachieved enter-average waxes plus $300 and expenses as laid down in the Chinese Government Factory Act was paid as compensation following the death of workers. "A. sum based 6 the requirements of the Act was paid in respect of the death of an apprentice on building operations who was Killed in the performance of his duty and who was not in receipt of w the time. in textile and chemical trades, two each in clothing and printing trades, fand one each in five other trades. 17 persons were Injured in these Ares, Seven fatally, 'Workers' 'Health:—Mechanical_sys~ toms to ensure removal of harmful fumes and dusts were installed in four factories. " Dining room facilities were improved in two. Nine factories fare now using a recommended system for the steaming of workers' rice, 0 that hot rice, Instead of cold, is avallable for the noon or midnight meal.
Industrial Disputes:—There were 11 disputes handled by the Section dur-Ing the month, of which six were strikes ahd five cases of unrest settled ments and 4,72 workers, stoppage Tasting from halt 2 day to 13 days, with @ total loss of 18,905 man days: while the five cases of unrest affected five establishments and 524 workers, MEA, and Strikes high cost of living ruling dur~ Ing the month was responsible for demands for increase either in wages or in allowance, Two strikes and two cases Of unrest resulted from disputes over wages, and three strikes and one ease of unrest from demands for Allowances. There were also. one strike and one ease of unrest caused by dismissal of workers and one case Of unrest arising out of suspension business on the part of the management. Of the six. strikes, one was seitied with workers' demands entire Ly accepted, two partially accepted, and three rejected." OF the five cases of unrest, only one case. was settled with workers" demands entirely ac~ cepted, the rest pending a settlement at the end of the month. "the 11 establishments involved two Chinese, four British, four Amerjgan and one Russian managements. textile mills and two machinery works were involved in the disputes.
(a) Earnings Adjustments-—In ad dition to instances where friction developed owing to workers' demands for increase in earnings, many establishments voluntarily made "adjust ments, seeking information from the Section as (0 a satisfactory basis. The difficulty: of arriving at an authentic highest vie price (owing to a "black murker") upon which to base a rice allowance led. to the suggestion to several enterprises that the Chinese Cost of Living Index be used, and providing for a certain percentage increase for a given number of points: fof rise In the index. The percentage rise recommended did not attempt to compensate fully for the whole spee~ vise living costs which no enterprise has been able to meet. undertaking took @ ste, toward using the index as a base of adjustment by taking as base unit prices of six commodities (ive food commodities in addition to rice, and fuel) as ruling in August 1939, and ing a percentage addition to ears us In accordance with percentage rise in the prices of these basic commodities. The rise being 78 per cent. since the base month, an allowance of 20 per cent. of the waxes (in addition to previous wage increases and rice ald for February. This, being a voluntary adjustment on the part of the management, was a notable example of an attempt to face the implications of rising casts for the livelihood of workers. Unit retail prices were obtained from the Section.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.