ments, because of new methods and the introduction of machinery, one department-the mechanical-as a result thereof has largely expanded.

EMPLOYERS' OPINIONS OF RECENT IMMIGRANTS.

In a district where so many of the more recent immigrant races are employed and where the representatives of these races in no two plants are employed in equal proportions, opinions as regards their efficiency, progress, adaptability, etc., naturally vary. For this reason, it is considered best to present a brief résumé of the opinions expressed by officials of the several plants. In presenting these opinions, however, it must be remembered that only those races are considered which, because of the large number of representatives employed, have become an important factor in the operation of the plants. In plant No. 1, the "German" and "Austrian" Poles, Lithuanians, Slovaks, "Russian" Poles, and Magyars are preferred in the order named. The foremen in this plant claim that many of the immigrants now employed do not physically measure up to those of the same races previously employed. Slovaks, Poles, and Magyars is the order of preference in plant No. 2. The officials at this plant note very little difference in the other races employed. The Slovaks are considered the most intelligent, and, in the opinion of those who come in daily contact with them, will advance more rapidly than the others. Many of the Slovaks have purchased houses, which is always interpreted as making for a better citizenship and a permanent force from which to secure laborers. When there is any construction work to be done, Italians are usually employed.

In plant No. 3 only two of the more recent immigrant races are employed in sufficient numbers at present to enable those in authority to form any opinion of their relative merits. They have in the past, however, formed opinions of others, and the following, in so far as their efficiency, progress, and adaptability are concerned, is the order in which they are preferred: Slovaks, Magyars, Croatians, and Italians.

As to the tractability of the Slovaks, Magyars, and Croatians, there is no apparent difference, while, if a distinction as to the industriousness of these same races could be drawn, the Slovaks would be slightly favored. The Italians, on the other hand, are thought less of than any of the more recent immigrants, and are considered treacherous and hard to control. At plant No. 4 a very different opinion from that at plant No. 2 is expressed. In plant No. 4 the order of preference is as follows: Poles, Slovaks, Magyars, Lithuanians, Croatians, and Italians. The Poles are considered more intelligent and industrious. These qualities make for a higher state of efficiency, which in turn results in more rapid progress. They are also easily controlled.

It is claimed that there is very little difference between the Magyars, Lithuanians, and Croatians as to their adaptability, efficiency, or progress. They are all tractable, but none are considered very industrious. The Italians are the least favored, and, like those in the former plant, are considered treacherous and hard to control.

As regards the general efficiency and progress of the more recent immigrants, the officials at plant No. 5 prefer the Magyars, Poles,

and Slovaks, in the order named. As regards the adaptability of these same races, the position of the Poles and Magyars is reversed. As to their tractability there is little, if any, difference; but the Poles are considered more industrious than either the Magyars or Slovaks. Italians and Roumanians are also employed at this plant, but, as compared with the representatives of the other immigrant races, they are considered of little worth. The Roumanians, however, are considered more reliable than the Italians.

At plant No. 6, in every department except the coke works, in which the Italians so largely predominate, the men who have to deal with the more recent immigrants prefer them in the following order: Slovaks, Magyars, Croatians, and Roumanians. In this district this plant alone presents an exception to the general criticism of the Italians. This favorable comment is primarily due to the employment of two Italian foremen, who are intimately acquainted with the Italian population. It is claimed by the superintendent of this department that these foremen have exercised excellent judgment in selecting men from their own race, and that, as a result of this careful selection, far better results have been obtained than formerly.

CHAPTER VI.

HOUSING AND LIVING CONDITIONS.

Rent in its relation to standard of living-Boarders and lodgers-Size of apartments occupied-Size of households studied-Congestion-[Text Tables 197 to 209 and General Tables 83 to 94].

RENT IN ITS RELATION TO STANDARD OF LIVING.

Although the monthly rent payments of the iron and steel workers are important in connection with the question of cost of living, they are chiefly significant in their relation to standards of living for the reason that they afford an insight into living conditions within the households studied. The following table shows the average monthly rent payment per apartment, per room, and per person, according to general nativity and race of head of household:

TABLE 197.-Average rent per month, by general nativity and race of head of household. (STUDY OF HOUSEHOLDS.)

In 593 households reported in the above table, the average monthly rent for apartments is $10.25 and the average per room $2.58, each person paying an average of $1.29. An analysis of the average rent per apartment, room, and person indicates that persons native-born of native father not only live in comparatively high-priced apartments but that the households are small, as evidenced by the high rate of $2.75 per person. On the other hand, the Slovaks, North Italians, and Magyars among the foreign-born indicate the best living

conditions, the households of these races reporting relatively high rates of rent per person. None of these three races reports an average monthly apartment rent of more than $10.65, yet the room rents rise to $2.75 and the personal rent to $1.54. In the case of the Croatians and Servians, although the apartment and room rents are high, the personal rent is comparatively low, an evidence of a high degree of congestion among the households of these races. The Roumanias live in the most congested condition, for although they report the high apartment and room rents $14.64 and $2.92, respectively, they also report the minimum personal rent, $0.96 per month. The Ruthenians also report a monthly personal rent of only $0.97.

The series of tables next presented sets forth the range in monthly rent payments per apartment, per room, and per person. The first table submitted shows, by general nativity and race of head of household, the percentage of households paying each specified rent per month per apartment:

TABLE 198.-Per cent of households paying each specified rent per month per apartment, by general nativity and race of head of household.

(STUDY OF HOUSEHOLDS.)

[This table includes only races with 20 or more households reporting. The totals, however, are for all races.]

a Not computed, owing to small number involved.

In the above table the majority of the 593 households covered pay $10 or over monthly, a small proportion paying $15 or over, and a still smaller proportion less than $5. The greater proportion of the households, the heads of which are whites native-born of native father, pay less than $12.50, but a comparatively large proportion pay $15 or over. The larger number of the Irish, Polish, Ruthenian, and Slovak, and one-half of the South Italian, households have a monthly rent payment per apartment of less than $10. One-half of the Roumanian households pay $15 or over. None of the Polish or Ruthenian households pay as high as $15, and the majority of the Slovaks pay less than $7.50 each month for their apartments.

The following table shows, by general nativity and race of head of household, percentage of households paying each specified rent per month per room:

TABLE 199.-Per cent of households paying each specified rent per month per room, by general nativity and race of head of household.

(STUDY OF HOUSEHOLDS.)

[This table includes only races with 20 or more households reporting. The totals, however, are for all races.]

For a total of 593 households paying rent the average rent per month per room is $2.58. Less than 2 per cent of the total number of households pay under $1 per room per month; 13.8 per cent pay under $2; 92.1 per cent pay under $4; and 7.9 per cent pay $4 or over per room per month. The foreign-born show a smaller proportion in each specified rental than do the native-born. Of the foreign-born races, the Irish pay the smallest average rent per room per month, while the Croatians pay the largest average rent. The German, Irish, and Magyar races are the only ones that show any proportion of households paying under $1. None of the North Italian households pay a rental of less than $2 per room per month. The Irish show the largest proportion paying under that specified amount. Slightly more than 95 per cent of the Irish households pay under $3 per room per month, and the Croatians show the smallest proportion of households paying under that amount. All of the German, Irish, North Italian, and Ruthenian households pay less than $4 per room per month. The Roumanians show the smallest proportion of households paying under that amount. The Croatians and the Servians show 88 per cent and 82.8 per cent, respectively, paying under $4.

The table next presented shows, by general nativity and race of head of household, the percentage of households paying each specified rent per month per person.