Cost of living in German towns

Bibliographic data

Monograph

Identifikator:: 866449027

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-93831

Document type:: Monograph

Title:: Cost of living in German towns

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: Stat. Off.

Year of publication:: 1908

Scope:: 1 Online-Ressource (LXI, 548 Seiten)

Collection:: Economics Books

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ESSEN. 237 branches of the building trades the general range was from 27s. to 32s. 5d. for skilled men, except stucco-workers 35s. 5d., while bricklayers’ labourers earned 25s. Ad. Connected with Krupp’s works are a large number of institutions of various kinds, which must be noticed here, if any adequate idea of the position of the workmen is to be obtained. (a) Housing.—The firm has built a number of workmen’s colonies, with 4,327 dwellings in 1905. These will be described later ; here it is necessary only to remark that one of these colonies (Altenhof) is for aged, disabled and pensioned workmen, who receive their dwellings free of rent. There is also one large home for 600 unmarried workmen, who pay 9¡¡d. a day for board and lodging. There are two small homes (each accommodating 30) for foremen or the higher grades of workmen. (b) Co-operative Society.—In 1905 the Supply Stores (“ Konsum- Anstalt”) had 36 shops in Essen, for the sale of meat, bread, groceries in general, ironmongery, furniture, clothing, boots and shoes, &c. ; and 19 shops for the sale of potatoes, coal, &c. In addition it has a large bakery, producing between 11,000 and 12,000 loaves a day, a laundry, tailors’ and shoemakers’ workshops, 11 restaurants, and a number of other concerns. Only employees of Krupp, or their families, may purchase at the shops, and they receive a substantial dividend (recently 15 per cent.) at the end of the year ; but they have no share in the management of the central institution, which is administered entirely by the firm, and its accounts are not published. The prices charged, and their relation to town prices, will be discussed later. (3) Dining Halls.—There is one large dining hall, where 1,100 persons can dine at a time ; the meals are supplied at a cheap uniform rate by the firm. There are also several other halls in which workmen can take their dinners, and any members of their families (the wives and children who bring the meals) can sit with them, at numerous small tables, during the meal. In addition a number of heated waggons collect dinners and convey them to the various factory entrances. (4) Library.—The library founded by the firm for the workmen and their families has over 51,000 volumes, and in March, 1906, there were 13,450 readers on its list ; the average number of volumes lent out per month for the year 1905-6 was 32,333. (5) Health Institutions.—The firm maintains one ordinary hospital, two hospitals for contagious diseases, one medicinal baths establishment, and an admirably-equipped convalescent home. There are also good baths in one of the colonies. (6) Miscellaneous Institutions.—There is a club house for foremen, a domestic training school for girls, and some technical schools. The firm also makes large contributions, not prescribed by law, to special Workmen’s Pension Funds ; the workpeople are required to contribute to these funds, and in case they leave the employment of the firm or are discharged their contributions are forfeited. Wages and Hours of Labour in the Principal Occupations, October, 1905. Weekly Wages. Weekly Hours of Labour. Building Trades (agreement rates)* :— Bricklayers and masons Stonemasons Carpenters Joiners and cabinetmakers Plumbers Painters ... ... Stucco-workers Hodmen... ... Labourers 31s. 3c?. 29s. 8c/. to 32s. 5d. 30s. Id. 27s. 22s. 9d. to 25s. 10c/. 27s. 7d. „ 28s. 10c/. 35s. 5d. 21s. 9c/ 25s. Ad. 59 51 59 60 57 60 59 59 59 * The wages and hours of labour stated for the building trades are for a full week in summer.

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