CHAPTER VI. THE EXPERIENCE AND PRACTICE OF EMPLOYERS RELATIVE TO THE USE OF INTOXICANTS. In addition to the foregoing strictly statistical results of a study of the liquor problem, it was desired to possess some information in regard to the use of intoxicating liquors in its relation to employment, based on the observation and experience of large employers of labor in various industries. It seemed desirable to ascertain from such sources what consideration is given to the drinking habits of the seeker for employment and what means are used in judging the prospective employee generally. To acquire a knowledge of the lines of industry, establishments and occupations, in which those indulging in intoxicating liquors are not employed, and the reasons for such nonemployment, seemed important. The extent of the use of liquors by employees subject to night work, overwork, exposure, irregularity of hours of labor such as to work hardship, the shortening of the hours of labor, etc., was deemed to be a subject on which employers should have experience and opinions of value. The relation between pay days, holidays, and Sundays and overindulgence in intoxicants was suggested in the same connection. And, finally, it seemed of interest to ask what means employers would suggest, as in their opinion the best, to lessen the consumption of intoxicating liquors. The foregoing inquiries and a few others were embodied in a schedule which was sent to a large number of employers of labor in various parts of the country, who were requested to furnish answers to the inquiries. This schedule was sent to 30,414 employers, of whom 12,114 were engaged in agriculture, 6,673 in manufacturing, 6,582 in mining and quarrying, 3,040 in trade, and 2,005 in transportation. The following statement shows by industries the number of establishments sending replies to the inquiries and the number of employees engaged in each industry: ESTABLISHMENTS REPORTING AND NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, BY INDUSTRIES. Of the total of 7,025 establishments returning the schedule of inquiries, 6,901 reported as to number of employees. The total employees reported was 1,745,923. The manufacturing industry furnished the greatest number of establishments and employees, 3,700 establishments reporting 1,011,661 employees. In transportation 713 companies reported 458,764 employees. In other industries fewer employees were reported, but the number was sufficient in each case to make the statement fairly representative. Employers were asked if in employing new men they were accustomed to give consideration to habits as to the use of intoxicating liquors, and, if so, what means were used to ascertain such habits. Out of 6,076 employers answering the inquiry, 1,613 reported that liquor habits were not taken into consideration; 5,363 reported that means were taken to ascertain the facts. The various means employed are shown for each industry in the following table: MEANS EMPLOYED WHEN HIRING EMPLOYEES TO ASCERTAIN THEIR HABITS AS TO THE USE OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS. |