60 INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND WAGES 
information for use by the Joint Commission of Congress on 
Reclassification of Salaries, the minimum of health, decency, 
and comfort was kept in mind in determining the quantity 
budget and in selecting quantities and ascertaining prices of 
articles of the budget. . . . 
Bupcer Lever Usep 1x THis STUDY 
Finally, after long consideration, it was decided to use as 
a working basis a budget level which can be best expressed 
perhaps by the phrase “a standard of health and decency.” 
This phrase is not entirely precise in meaning. No phrase 
of the kind can very well be wholly satisfactory. The budget 
herewith suggested is intended to give the average family, 
consisting of a husband, wife, and three children below the 
age of 14 years: 
(1) A sufficiency of nourishing food for the maintenance 
of health, particularly the children’s health; 
(2) Housing in low-rent neighborhoods and within the 
smallest possible number of rooms consistent with decency, 
but with sufficient light, heat, and toilet facilities for the 
maintenance of health and decency; 
(3) The upkeep of household equipment, such as kitchen 
utensils, bedding, and linen, necessary for health, but with 
no provision for the purchase of additional furniture. 
(4) Clothing sufficient for warmth, of a sufficiently good 
quality to be economical, but with no further regard for 
appearance and style than is necessary to permit the family 
members to appear in public and within their rather narrow 
social circle without slovenliness or loss of self-respect. 
(5) A surplus over the above expenditures which would 
permit of only a minimum outlay for such necessary demands 
2.6— 
(a) Street-car fares to and from work and necessary rides 
to stores and markets; 
(b) The keeping up of a modest amount of insurance; 
{¢) Medical and dental care;