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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STASSFURT. 441 portion of the wages due and the remainder in the middle of the month. Work generally begins at 6 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m., the intervals being from 8 to 8.30, 12 to 1 o’clock, and 4 to 4.30, a break known as " Vesper.” In the mines work is carried on in three shifts of 8 hours each. As the population is largely Protestant, only those Church festivals are observed as general holidays which are prescribed by the Prussian Government. These are New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, the national" Penance Day,” and two days at Christmas. Excellent arrangements are made by the larger employers for the convenience and comfort of their workpeople. The example set by the administration of the State mines in this respect has doubtless exercised a powerful influence on the private firms. A visitor to the town is at once struck by the clean appearance of the workmen as they return from the mines in the evening, proving that the ample facilities afforded at the works for washing are readily used. Washbowls with hot and cold water, and shower-baths in separate cubicles are provided in large, well-lighted rooms, in which the temperature is regulated according to the requirements of the season. There is also provision for the changing of clothes, and for the special benefit of the workmen who reside in villages at a distance, dining rooms are provided. In order to combat the tendency to drink “ schnaps ” (an inferior spirit distilled from grain and potatoes, &c.) some firms have established canteens. Where the canteen is let to a private tradesman, the employer fixes the prices, which may not be exceeded, and the sale of " schnaps ” is strictly forbidden. In some cases the firm itself manages the canteen and supplies coffee at the rate of \d. per pint, and in one of the works coffee is even supplied gratis. Lemonade at a little under } 2 d. per pint and soda water at \d. per pint are also sold, and are in great demand. Any profits accruing from the management of the canteen by the firm itself are handed over yearly to the sick benefit club belonging to the works. As a result of this institution the employers nowadays make little complaint of immoderate “ schnaps ” drinking. Some firms arrange for large consignments of fish to be delivered in the works and sold to the men at reduced prices. Contracts are also made with coal dealers by means of which workmen secure their winter coal at reduced rates, the cost being deducted from the wages. For the purpose of dealing promptly and efficiently with cases of accident each of the salt mines possesses a large well-lighted room furnished with all necessary appliances. The foremen are trained in rendering first aid to the injured, and a local doctor attends when called up, but serious cases are sent to the hospital at Halle belonging to the Employers’ Insurance Society. It is worthy of note that the administration of the State mines has transformed the immediate surroundings of the shafts and accessory buildings into a small park. These buildings stand on elevated ground, the slopes of which have been laid out in terraces and planted with trees. Shady walks wind round these slopes and are provided at intervals with benches. The following Table shows the predominant rates of weekly wages in October, 1905 :— Wages and Hours of Labour in the Principal Occupations, October, 1905. Weekly Wages. Building Trades :—* Foremen Bricklayers . Stonemasons Carpenters . Joiners Plumbers Painters Slaters Labourers 28s. 10c?. to 30s. 25s. 6c?. 24 s. 25s. 6c?. 24s. 26s. hd. 23s. 5c?. to 25s. 6c?. 25s. 6Æ 18s. to 21s. Weekly Hours of Labour. y 60 J * The wages and hours of labour stated for the building trades are for a full week in summer. 3 K 29088

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