40. Workers must be provided with water of suitable temperature for bathing. Each shower shall be provided with adequate water under pressure. 41. Where tubs are used there shall be 1 size No. 3 tub in good condition for every 5 workers. 42. Provision shall be made for adequate dressing space adjacent to bathing facilities. 43. All toilet facilities shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times. 44. All exterior openings in toilet buildings shall be screened with not less than No. 16 wire mesh. Solid doors may be substituted for screen doors. 45. Toilet rooms shall be properly ventilated with adequate screened openings or other adequate device. 46. One usable toilet shall be provided for each 15 workers or fraction thereof and should be located within 150 feet of living quarters. In addition, in the construction of any new housing units there shall be installed 1 standard urinal or urinal through for each 30 workers. All toilet facilities shall be in a separate room. 47. Where privy-type toilets are used they shall consist of a pit at least 4 feet deep, with a well-constructed shelter, the openings of which shall be effectively screened (fly tight). A solid door may be used. When the excreta reaches a point 1 foot below the surface of the ground the pit shall be filled and the shelter demolished or moved over a new pit. All excreta in a pit shall be covered with earth, ashes, lime, or some similar substance at least every 48 hours. 48. Privy toilets shall not be located closer than 75 feet to any sleeping place or any kitchens and/or messhall. 49. Adequate washing facilities for personal use shall be provided. 50. All sanitary facilities shall be inspected regularly to assure that they are operating properly. V. LIGHTING 51. All rooms used by workers shall be adequately lighted. VI. LAUNDRY 52. Laundry facilities shall be maintained in a sanitary condition and provided with adequate drainage as required by the general standards. Such facilities shall be separate from the eating and sleeping rooms but may be under the same roof or enclosure with the bathing and dressing rooms. 53. Adequate facilities for laundry shall be provided. When only stationary tubs are furnished, there shall be 1 tub for every 25 workers or fraction thereof. Hot and cold water shall be provided for all laundry facilities. Where movable tubs are used, 1 size No. 3 tub in good condition shall be provided for every 5 workers. MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS FOR HOUSING LESS THAN 6 MEXICAN NATIONAL WORKERS I. GENERAL STANDARDS 54. All housing and housing grounds must be maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition, free from rubbish, debris, wastepaper, garbage, and other refuse. Grounds must also be well drained. 55. All garbage and rubbish must be deposited in suitable covered metal receptacles which shall be emptied as often as necessary to maintain the premises in a sanitary condition, and the contents burned, buried, or otherwise disposed of in a manner which is not or does not become offensive or unsanitary. 56. The employer shall furnish fly-tight metal containers for garbage and other refuse. 57. An adequate and convenient supply of water of a quality that meets the standards of the State health authority shall be available at all times for drinking, cooking, bathing, and laundry purposes. Fresh and pure drinking water shall be provided for all workers. Water shall be suitably and conveniently located and should be no more than 100 yards distant from workers' living quarters. The use of a common drinking cup is prohibited. 58. Tanks or other receptacles used for storage of water shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be suitably covered so as to prevent contamination. 59. Effective measures shall be taken to control rats and flies, mosquitoes, bedbugs, and other insects or parasites within the buildings and premises. 60. All buildings or structures shall be maintained and used in accordance with the provisions of State and local regulations relative to safety and fire prevention. Provisions for fire fighting should be available at all times during occupancy, either local fire fighting company, fire extinguishers, pails of sand, or an adequate water supply. 61. No housing shall be located on a site which is subject to or may cause extreme traffic or other hazard, unless acceptable safeguards are provided. 62. First-aid facilities shall be maintained and made available for the emergency treatment of injured persons. Such facilities shall be in accordance with applicable regulations of State or local public health authorities. II. LIVING AND SLEEPING QUARTERS 63. Living and sleeping spaces shall be in good structural condition and constructed so as to provide shelter to the occupants against the elements and to exclude dampness. 64. The floors and roofing of all buildings must be in good condition. Floors of buildings used as living or sleeping quarters shall be constructed of wood, asphalt, concrete, or other comparable material. Dirt floors are not acceptable. 65. Suitable and separate beds or cots shall be provided for each worker. At least 34 square feet of floorspace or 300 cubic feet of total space shall be provided for each worker within the sleeping quarters. In new construction, or additions to existing structures, 38 square feet of floorspace shall be provided for each worker. 66. Under either standard in 65 above, the following shall apply: Each bunk shall be at least 12 inches from the floor. Where double bunks are used, the space between the lower and upper bunk shall be approximately 3 feet, and there shall be at least 3 feet from the top of the upper bunk to the ceiling. A clear aisle space of at least 30 inches shall be allowed between each single bed. A clear aisle space of at least 4 feet shall be allowed between each set of double bunks. 67. Triple-deck bunks may not be used unless they were in use prior to June 1, 1956. Space between each bunk should be approximately 3 feet. Ceiling height should be at least 3 feet from top of upper bunk. 68. Where beds or bunks are used they must be provided with springs and mattresses. Mattress and mattress covering must be provided and kept in a clean and sanitary condition, Grass, hay, or cottonseed mattresses are not acceptable. When canvas-covered cots are used they must be kept clean and sanitary. 69. Blankets shall be provided as needed without cost to the worker, and shall be maintained in a sanitary condition. 70. Every sleeping room shall be provided with 1 or more windows (screened openings may be substituted for windows where climatic conditions permit), having an aggregate area of not less than 10 percent of the floorspace of the room. 71. All windows shall be so arranged that at least 45 percent of their aggregate area may be opened, except where there is supplied some other approved device affording adequate ventilation. All windows or openings shall be fitted with screening of at least 16 mesh. 72. All outside openings, except doors in living and sleeping quarters, shall be secured with not less than No. 16 screen mesh. All screen doors shall be equipped with self-closing devices. 37. When workers are housed during a period requiring artificial heating, all living quarters shall be adequately heated in such a way as to insure the comfort and safety of the occupants. A stove or other source of heat shall be available for installation during periods when heating is necessary for the comfort and safety of occupants, and when installed shall be vented in such a manner as to avoid both a fire hazard and a dangerous concentration of fumes or gas. In a room with wooden or combustible flooring, there shall be a concrete slab, metal sheet, or other fire-resistant material on the flood under every stove, extending at least 18 inches beyond the perimeter of the base of the stove. Any wall or ceiling not having a fireresistant surface within 24 inches of a stove or stovepipe shall be protected by a metal sheet or other fire-resistant material. Heating appliances, other than electrical, shall be provided with a stovepipe or vent connected to the appliance and discharging to the outside air or chimney. Such vent or chimney shall extend above the peak of the roof. A vented metal collar shall be installed around a stovepipe, vent, or flue in a wall, ceiling, floor, or roof through which the stovepipe vent or flue passes, if they pass through combustible materials. Automatically operated heat-producing equipment shall be provided with controls to cut off the fuel supply upon the failure or interruption of flame or ignition, or whenever a predetermined safe temperature or pressure is exceeded. All steam and hot-water systems shall be provided with safety devices arranged to prevent hazardous pressures and excessive temperatures. 74. When fuel for heating is necessary, the employer shall furnish sufficient fuel ready for use, without cost to the worker. 75. All living and sleeping quarters shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Floors shall be scrubbed with suitable cleansing agents as often as necessary to maintain clean and sanitary conditions. 76. It is highly desirable for lockers or other storage facilities to be made available to store the workers' possessions. III. COOKING AND EATING FACILITIES 77. Every room where food is cooked, prepared, or served shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. 78. The same standards relative to ventilation (window space and screening) and means of exit which apply to living and sleeping quarters shall also apply to cooking and eating facilities. 79. Employers are urged to provide cooking and eating facilities separate from sleeping quarters by means of floor to ceiling partitions whenever possible. Combined sleeping, cooking, and eating facilities will be approved provided that they are adequately ventilated and they do not present a safety or health hazard. SO. For workers required to board themselves, sufficient cooking stoves, cooking utensils, tables, seats, table utensils, and fuel for cooking must be provided. One oil, wood, electric, or gas stove, with not less than 2 burners for each 5 workers or fraction of 5 workers is required. Outdoor cooking facilities, unprotected from inclement weather, are not acceptable. Workers are expected to cooperate in maintaining equipment and facilities provided in a sanitary condition. 81. Table tops shall have a smooth, hard surface which may be easily cleaned. 82. All utensils in which food is prepared or kept, or from which food is to be eaten, and all implements used in the eating of food, shall be kept in clean, unbroken, and sanitary condition. 83. Provision shall be made for the safe storage of food in a suitable and sanitary place. 84. Where the employer does not furnish restaurant facilities the following utensils must be provided for each group of five men or less: (a) One 12-inch frying pan. (b) One 6-quart cooking pot, kettle, or pan. (c) One 2-quart coffee pot. (d) One dishpan. (e) One butcher or kitchen knife. (f) One service consisting of spoon, knife, fork, plate (of material other than tin), cup, and water glass shall be provided for each man. (g) A table large enough to seat the number of men involved, and chair for each man, or sufficient benches. 85. If showers are provided, the floors and walls of shower compartments shall be constructed and maintained in waterproof condition. Floor drains shall be required in all shower rooms to remove waste water. 86. Workers must be provided with water of suitable temperature for bathing. Each shower shall be provided with adequate water under pressure. 87. If showers are not provided, there shall be 1 size No. 3 tub in good condition for every 5 workers. 88. Where showers or central bathhouse is provided, provision shall be made for adequate dressing space adjacent to bathing facilities. 89. All toilet facilities shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times. 90. All exterior openings in toilet buildings shall be screened with not less than No. 16 wire mesh. Solid doors may be substituted for screen doors. 91. Toilet rooms shall be properly ventilated with adequate screened openings. 92. One usable toilet shall be provided for each 15 workers or fraction thereof, 91359-57-—————4 and should be located within 150 feet of living quarters. In addition, in the construction of any new housing units there shall be installed 1 standard urinal or urinal trough for each 30 workers. All toilet facilities shall be in a separate room. 93. Where privy-type toilets are used, they shall consist of a pit at least 4 feet deep, with a well-constructed shelter, the openings of which shall be effectively screened (fly-tight). Solid doors may be used. When the excreta reaches a point 1 foot below the surface of the ground the pit shall be filled and the shelter demolished or moved over a new pit. All excreta in a pit shall be covered with earth, ashes, lime, or some similar substance at least every 48 hours. 94. Privy toilets shall not be located closer than 75 feet to any sleeping place or any kitchen. 95. Adequate washing facilities for personal use shall be provided. 96. All sanitary facilities shall be inspected regularly to assure that they are operating properly. V. LIGHTING 97. All rooms used by workers shall be adequately lighted. VI. LAUNDRY 98. The employer shall provide 1 No. 3 tub for each 5 workers or fraction thereof, or equivalent laundry facilities of other types. Senator HILL. You may proceed. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS Secretary MITCHELL. The amount approved by the House for the Bureau of Labor Statistics is $7,124,000, which is $99,750 less than needed to carry the revised 1957 base on an annual basis. The committee recommended $7,470,000 and our request is for $7,750,700. The request included funds to (a) initiate a 3-year program, as a part of a governmentwide program including Census Bureau and other agencies, to shift certain statistical data to a new standard industrial classification, $31,000; (b) to complete the previously authorized extension of the joint State-Federal labor turnover program, $50,000; (c) to meet commitments of salary increases of State employees, $35,000; (d) to initiate a continuing program of consumer expenditure surveys, $114,200; (e) to expand industry wage studies, $145,200; (f) to expand studies in the field of automation, $31,500; (g) to study the effects of importation of goods on our domestic employment, $119,750. There is intense interest on the part of the public at the present time in the whole subject of wages and prices. It is vitally necessary that we should maintain quantity and quality of our data in these fields. It is for this reason that the Department has requested the additional funds or surveys of wages, particularly in nonmanufacturing industries where our information is scarce. INTEREST IN CONSUMER PRICE INDEX In addition, the Consumer Price Index is receiving the closest scrutiny by both management and labor. Some 4 million workers have their wages moved up or down every few months in accordance with changes in this index; and more are coming under it every month. I believe that this is the biggest single tool for the maintenance of industrial peace over a long period of time. It would make a chaotic situation in industrial relations if the confidence of labor and management in this index is not maintained. Mr. Clague, the Commissioner of Labor Statistics will later explain to you in more detail these and other statistical programs which we believe are so necessary at this time. Are there any questions? Senator HILL. Do you have any questions, gentlemen? Mr. Clague will be with us, of course, later in the hearing. WAGE AND HOUR DIVISION For the Wage and Hour Division the House allowed $10,600,000. This is $258,900 less than what is needed to maintain present program levels. No additional positions were requested for 1958 and no program expansion was requested for 1958. This action, in effect, will involve a reduction of approximately 43 positions below the 1957 level. If this reduction is allowed to stand, it will come at a time when the Division is finding the highest amount of wages due underpaid employees in the history of the act. The current rate is $20 million annually. Violations of the minimum wage were found in 1 in every 5 establishments investigated during July-December 1956, whereas in the same period in 1950 the ratio was 1 in every 6. Also, the average amount per employee found due at the present time is 50 percent higher than in 1950. I believe it is a mistake to curtail the activities of this Division at this time. SUMMARY I have endeavored to give you my impression of the House action, and I continue to maintain that the budget request for the Department of Labor for 1958 as submitted to Congress was carefully prepared and evaluated. I personally spent many hours working on the program content, and I hope that you agree with me that the amounts requested in the President's budget for 1958 are needed for the Department of Labor to do an adequate job and meet with your approval. That is the end, sir, of my statement. REEXAMINATION OF BUDGET Senator DwORSHAK. I have one question, Mr. Chairman. I read in the press recently that several of the executive departments, apparently at the request of the White House, are reexamining their budgets for next year. Does that include the Department of Labor? Secretary MITCHELL. This, sir, as I said here in my statement, is our budget as we have carefully evaluated it. Senator DwORSHAK. At what time? Secretary MITCHELL. Before we presented it. And it is the budget. which I believe is necessary for the Department of Labor to carry on its activities. Any reevaluation that takes place will come up with exactly the same budget, because it was carefully done in the first place. Senator DwORSHAK. You still have not told me whether you are reexamining it or not. Secretary MITCHELL. Yes, sir. |