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 LADIES', MISSES' AND CHILDREN'S HANDBAGS

Number of Employees

 On the basis of Census data supplemented by statistics presented
by the industry, it is estimated that the average number of employees
in the Ladies', Misses' and Children's Handbag Industry in 1929 was
about lO,000. .

Summary

 This is a young and growing industry. Hours should be further
shortened. There are a few objections to certain minor provisions.

Scope and Size of the Industry

 As defined in the proposed code, the industry includes the manu-
facture of handbags, pocketbooks, and purses- for ladies, misses, and
-hildren. All materials are included, but the manufacture of pocket-
books and billfolds for men is not so included.

 The industry as so defined has in recent years represented an
annual volume of business ranging from a maximum of about 67 million
dollars in 1929 to about 35 million dollars in 1931 and 1932. The
development of the industry from the first decade of the century has
been rapid, and it is still in an early phase of its life cycle and can
be expected to maintain and perhaps further increase its importance.
raken in connection with the fact that it is now operating at maximum
irolume of production, this condition, of vigorous growth indicates that
this industry should be expected to continue increasing employment and
wouldd readily submit to further restriction of hours for that purpose.
rhe following table shows the increase in employment and volume since
L921:

 Wage Value of
 Earners Product
 _____ (Thousands)

 1921 2,715 $13,085
 1923 5,518 32,732
 1935 6,826. 43,105
 1927 8,570 57,345
 1929 10,430 68,628
 1931 8,747 43,147
 1932 12,000 35,000
 1933 12,000 35,000

 Source: 1923 1931, Bureau of Census.
 1932 and 1933 Report from the
 industry.

 It may be noted that an average of about 7 per cent of employment
and volume produced should be deducted from these figures to cover the
production of men's pocketbooks and billfolds.