to a particular industry is discussed, illustrated by a detailed study of the methods used in exporting several of our more important groups of products. Emphasis is placed on selecting a method only after careful analysis of all the factors involved in a particular business and the markets it desires to enter.

By far the most valuable parts of the work are the six volumes describing actual selling methods and the handling of export orders. Here the everyday experience of the authors has enabled them to convey to the reader an accurate picture of the methods and functions of the export merchant, the commission house and the forwarder. Direct exporting, by means of an allied company, a selling company, a separate export department within the company, or a "built-in" export department is explained, the organization of each is worked out, and their particular adaptability indicated. The volume on the export salesman is of interest because it not only shows the place he fills and what he can and cannot do, but presents the salesman's viewpoint as well as that of the house sending him. In the volume on shipping the reader is given an insight into the numerous questions which arise in connection with shipping by rail and steamer, most important of which are routes and services available, ocean freight rates and how they are influenced, ports and their facilities, and a brief explanation of marine insurance. The important and complex question of financing is treated at length by describing American foreign banking and the overseas methods of Great Britain, Germany and other European countries. This division is completed by a volume on export technique which takes particular shipments exported either directly or through an export house, and explains the actual handling through each step from the shipper to the consignee, illustrated with copies of all documents and forms used.

The final division of three volumes is devoted to factors which influence foreign trade in general. Commercial law both here and in other countries indicates the legal obligations and pitfalls of the trader. The relation of import to export trade and an explanation of import technique is next given and the final volume is a complete and detailed analysis of governmental and commercial agencies and bureaus which foster and promote foreign trading.

This brief analysis indicates the scope of the work and the mass of varied material included. It was admittedly prepared in a short time, and valuable information had to be excluded in order to limit the size of the volumes to fit the course plan, but none of the essentials have been omitted. In fact it is to be commended since the reader, whether a beginner or a seasoned business man, may get a clear perspective of the entire field of foreign trade.

The method of development is logical, and a clear, concise presentation holds the reader's interest. The use of descriptive illustrations and actual incidents from the writers' experience makes for effective presentation. The references to further reading at close of each volume are on the whole good and direct the reader to original and secondary sources which the business man can find useful.

University of Pennsylvania.

W. E. WARRINGTON.

LABOR LEGISLATION

FRANKFURTER, FELIX and GOLDMARK, JOSEPHINE. Oregon Minimum Wage Cases: Brief for Defendants in Error upon Re-argument. Pp. 783. New York: National Consumers' League, 1917.

The brief for the State in the Oregon Minimum Wage Case recently before the Federal Supreme Court has been reprinted by the National Consumers' League for free distribution. The State upheld the constitutionality of the Oregon Act, and from this decision an appeal has been taken by the employer, Frank C. Stettler, and his employe, Elmira Simpson, on two main grounds, viz.: that the act denies equal protection and violates the due process clause of the fourteenth Amendment. The brief for the State presents legal and social arguments upholding the law. These are arranged to show that the police power of the State amply suffices to protect the people from the dangers arising through overwork or through malnutritution caused by under-payment. The brief also contains opinions of experts and statistical tables with other evidence showing the bad effect of excessively low wages on morals, on efficiency of the workman and on the public welfare. The argument is broadly conceived and is an admirable epitome of the whole social viewpoint in labor legislation.

Justice Brandeis, who had assisted in the preparation of the brief before his appointment to the bench, did not participate in the decision, the remaining eight justices were equally divided for and against the appeal. As the State court had upheld the act, an equal division on the appeal allows the State decision to stand, so that the minimum wage law is in effect declared constitutional.

J. T. Y.

JONES, F. ROBERTSON (Ed. by). Workmen's Compensation Laws of the States and Territories of the United States. Price, single copies, 25 cents; complete set of 35 pamphlets, $5.00. New York: Workmen's Compensation Publicity Bureau, 1917.

This series is an extremely convenient form of issue for the compensation acts. Each act is published with its amendments, accompanied by a complete digest with references to sections and clauses. The cover of each has a distinctive color for ready selection. The type is small but clear. The Publicity Bureau has performed a public service in issuing this convenient and well-arranged series.

LAUCK, W. JETT and SYDENSTRICKER, EDGAR. Conditions of Labor in American Industries. Pp. xi, 403. Price, $1.75. New York: Funk and Wagnalls Company, 1917.

The American public is probably less informed on the real facts of labor conditions than any other great people. We speak glibly of wage rates and hours of labor without knowing whether the rates and hours mentioned apply to 1 or 100 per cent of the workers. We cite instances of welfare work by employers but we do not know how many people are affected by modern, up-to

date welfare systems. We talk of living conditions in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and of family budgets of the working classes, but few, if any of us, know what is the real charge for rent, for food and clothing and other necessities. In short, we do not understand the conditions under which the worker is operating in either factory or home. The authors of the present book aim to set forth in interesting, readable and very concise form a summary of all the more important recent investigations of these facts. They enjoy a special advantage in having been assigned to do this work for the recent Federal Commission on Industrial Relations. As their report, like so many others of that body, was never published, the authors have rearranged their material slightly, added some further data, and published it on their own responsibility. The book is intelligently planned, is designed to answer those questions which so frequently arise in the mind of the legislator, the teacher, the general reader, and the newspaper editor. There are chapters on The Racial Composition of the Labor Force, the extent of the employment of women and children in industry; Wages; Loss in Working Time and Its Causes; Working Conditions, including hours, accidents, profit sharing, welfare work, scientific management; Family Incomes; Living Conditions, including diet, housing, living arrangements, ownership, health, and The Adequacy of Wages. In each of these the effort has been to state facts, usually without inferences on disputed points. The final chapter contains some specially interesting figures on

(1) The adequacy of earnings of male workers to support families; (2) Of women's wages to support independent wage-earners; (3) Total incomes of wageearning families; (4) The effect of higher living costs. Here the authors depart from their general policy and give definite conclusions which, however, will be generally accepted. They quote the "staff report" to the Federal Commission on Industrial Relations.

"The welfare of the State demands that the useful labor of every able-bodied workman should, as a minimum, be compensated by sufficient income to support in comfort himself, a wife, and at least three minor children, and in addition to provide for sickness, old age and disability. Under no other conditions can a strong, contented and efficient citizenship be developed."

They also set forth the general agreement among investigators that the American woman wage worker should receive from $8.00 upwards weekly in order to maintain conditions of decency and health, and they point out that over three fourths of the women in the principal industries and mercantile establishments get less than this amount, while one half in these employments receive only $6.00. These figures make no allowance for time lost from employment, although as a fact actual earnings fall far short of the nominal rates of pay. The authors also conclude that the wage-earning family as a rule secures less than is needed under modern conditions. While these conclusions are based on conditions as they existed in 1914, the increase in living costs since that time has been greater than in wages. While replete with statistics, the book is interesting throughout. It deserves careful study and a wide circle of readers.

University of Pennsylvania.

JAMES T. YOUNG.

REELY, MARY KATHERINE (Compiled by). Selected Articles on Minimum Wage. Pp. xxvi, 202. Price, $1.25. White Plains, N. Y.: The H. W. Wilson Company, 1917.

MISCELLANEOUS

HURLEY, EDWARD N. Awakening of Business. Pp. xvi, 240. Price, $2.00. New York: Doubleday, Page and Company, 1916.

In popular, almost journalistic form, the newer point of view as to the relation between government and business is set forth by Mr. Hurley, who is well qualified to treat the subject because of his long experience in business and his membership in the Federal Trade Commission. In Part I, How Business Men Can Help Themselves, he considers some of the progressive changes that are taking place in American commercial and industrial life, dwelling on the vital importance of better cost accounting, the perfection of methods of merchandising, and the necessity of closer coöperation through trade associations.

In Part II, strong emphasis is placed on need for greater coöperation between Government and Business.

A valuable chapter on the work of the Trade Commission shows how the Commission prevents law suits. Methods of competition which have been complained of are discussed in detail, their practical economic effects are shown, the views of competitors are heard, and the whole situation is thoroughly cleared up before a ruling is made.

The author pleads for a broader viewpoint on the part of the individual business man and for a determined effort to cut out extravagant wastes of resources and labor which he regards as one of our greatest national failings. He is optimistic and singularly devoid of that fear of calamity from either foreign competition or government oppression which permeates the writings and addresses of the older school. His attention is taken up less with "grave perils" than with means of strengthening and expanding business prosperity.

J. T. Y.

MARQUIS, ALBERT NELSON (Ed.). Who's Who in America, 1916-17. Pp. xxxi, 2901. Price, $5.00. Chicago: A. N. Marquis and Company, 1916.

An authoritative bibliography of noted living men and women of the United States. This ninth edition contains 21,922 sketches, of which 2,589 appeared in no previous issue.

WICKWARE, FRANCIS G. (Ed. by). The American Year Book, 1916. Pp. xviii, 862. Price, $3.00. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1917.

This seventh edition of the American Year Book will be welcomed by those who have found the earlier editions so worth-while. It is a concise, convenient reference book for those desirous of obtaining an authoritative record of the events and progress of 1916. Cross references and a very detailed index enhance its value.

ECONOMICS

GIBBS, WINIFRED STUART. The Minimum Cost of Living: A Study of Families of Limited Income in New York City. Pp. xv, 93. Price, $1.00. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1917.

ROSE, MARY SWARTZ. Feeding the Family. Pp. xvii, 449. Price, $2.10. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1916.

The Minimum Cost of Living gives the results of a systematic method of recording family expenditures. It is of value because it shows how families can maintain self respect, health and working power on a small sum of money by means of the budget. It must be kept in mind, however, in reading this book that the budgets given are not to be set up as standards for the cost of living. The clothing estimate is admittedly inadequate even when eked out by gifts of clothing from relations.

Miss Rose has given us a guide to good nutrition in Feeding the Family at a time when food values are a national problem. The discussion of food materials and bodily needs is comprehensive enough to take in all ages and the sex distinction and definite enough to group them properly. Dietary suggestions are offered for the muscularly active, the sedentary, the fat and the thin, the prospective and the nursing mother, the sick and the convalescent, and the family as a whole is considered.

Food values are handled in a way that housewives can understand and prices of food are subordinated to food values, though economical menus are given and simple dishes used in food groupings and combinations. Food prejudices and food habits are discussed.

N. D. H.

MCPHERSON, LOGAN G. How the World Makes Its Living. Pp. vii, 435. Price, $2.00. New York: The Century Company, 1916.

O'HARA, FRANK. Introduction to Economics. Pp. vii, 259. Price, $1.00. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1916.

In this volume the author has undertaken to give a popular presentation of the theory of economic life as it exists today and its evolution from earlier institutions. There is an evident attempt to make the book thoroughly scientific and, at the same time, readable. In the latter respect, the author has certainly succeeded most admirably. Unfortunately, the scientific accuracy of the work is marred by carelessness at certain points. For example, the word utility is used sometimes to designate a material thing and sometimes to indicate the relation of a thing to a person. Similarly, the ideas of utility and value are confused throughout the book. This leads the author into the error of constantly referring to the "flow of value" and "the aggregate of values." The interest theory presented by Mr. McPherson seems to the reviewer to be materially incomplete.

At the close of the book, the author goes out of his way to condemn government ownership and labor unions and to extol the merits of our great corporations. Aside from the final chapters which deal with the subjects just mentioned, the