440
STASSFURT.
In addition to the salt mines Stassfnrt has also large chemical works for
the manufacture of potash salts—the chlorides and sulphates of potassium—and
also cyanide of potassium, which is used extensively in the Transvaal mines in
the process of extracting gold. One chemical manufactory is specially engaged
in manufacturing soda by the ammonia-soda process. The preparation of table
salt is also an important industry. There are several machine works, which
principally manufacture mining plant.
Adjoining Stassfnrt is the small town of Leopoldshall, which is within the
boundaries of the Duchy of Anhalt, though practically the two form one town.
Its industries are the same as those of Stassfurt, viz., salt-mining, chemical
manufacture and the making of machinery. Like Stassfurt, too, it specially
owes its growth to the rich deposits of potash salts found in the mine belonging
to the State, and it likewise declined in population between 1900 and 1905
from 7,221 to 6,961.
Occupations, Wages and Hours of Labour.
An overwhelming proportion of the workers of Stassfurt and Leopoldshall
are engaged either in the salt mines, the salt works, the chemical works, or the
engineering trades.
The following classification of the industrial workers of the two towns,
based on the returns of the factory inspectors and the mining authorities, shows
that of a total of 5,928 workpeople, 4,533 or 76*5 per cent, are employed in
the mines and allied chemical works :—
Stassfurt.
Industry.
Men.
Women.
Juveniles
(under 16).
Totals.
Engineering
Chemical works
Salt mines—
Underground
Above-ground
Metal trades
Food, drink and tobacco
420
995
978
540
140
160
Totals
3,233
15
40
55
60
15
29
50
40
194
480
1,025
978
569
190
240
3,482
Leopoldshall.
Industry.
Men.
Women.
Juveniles
(under 16).
Totals.
Salt mines —
Underground
Above-ground
Engineering
Apparatus for boilers
Chemical works
Various ...
640
393
17
235
873
160
Totals
2,318
7
16
23
28
8
42
20
7
105
640
421
25
277
900
183
2,446
Since 1900 the building trade has been at a standstill owing to the decrease
of population already mentioned.
As the foregoing table shows, few boys are employed about the salt mines
and none underground who have not attained the age of 16. Between the ages
of 14 and 16 they are engaged in light work at the surface, and classes are
held for their instruction in subjects connected with their future employment
Female labour may be said to be almost non-existent in the industries of
Stassfurt.
Wages are paid weekly in all the works with the exception of the salt
mines and the salt works, where the rule is to pay on the first of each month a
