This conclusion seems to follow naturally as a result of the two previous propositions, but a few other facts in support of it may be mentioned. In eleven of the fifty principal cities the proportion of domestic servants to the total population is smaller than is the proportion in the states in which they are severally located.[206] The leading occupation in each of these cities is some form of manufacturing, and in each of them the proportion of persons engaged in manufacturing processes is larger than, with few exceptions, in the other cities. This fact explains the apparent contradiction between this statement and the one that domestic servants are found in the largest proportions in the largest cities.
That manufacturing industries tend to decrease the number of domestic employees in a city is both a cause and a result. The competition in industry draws women from domestic service, and at the same time a large part of the population in a manufacturing city is unable or does not care to employ large numbers of servants. It has been seen, however, that several of the manufacturing cities rank comparatively high in per capita wealth.
It seems possible in view of the facts stated in this second group of propositions to draw these conclusions. In states containing a relatively high urban population it is possible for wealth to command the services of a large proportion of persons for work in domestic service. But in cities where wealth comes into competition with manufacturing industries the proportion of domestic servants is small. Where such competition does not exist the proportion is large. In other words, persons are willing to enter domestic service for a consideration in cities where no other avenues of work are open to them with the qualifications they possess. They are unwilling to do so where such openings do exist.
A third group of propositions remains to be considered concerning the subject of wages. They may be thus stated:
(1) Wages in domestic service vary in different sections according to the economic conditions of the several localities.
TABLE VII
Average Weekly Wages by Geographical Section
| Geographical Section | Average Weekly Wages | |
|---|---|---|
| Men | Women | |
| Pacific coast | $7.57 | $4.57 |
| Eastern section | 8.68 | 3.60 |
| Middle section | 7.62 | 3.21 |
| Western section | 6.69 | 3.00 |
| Border section | 4.86 | 2.55 |
| Southern section | 3.95 | 2.22 |
| United States | $7.18 | $3.23 |
This principle is illustrated by Table VII on the preceding page based on a classification of the returns received through individual schedules relating to 2,545 employees.