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;