CREFELD. 
155 
belong to the local branch of the Socialist Union of German Textile Workers. 
There is also a " Christian ” (i.e. mainly Roman Catholic) textile-workers’ union, 
which, however, appears to be much less active and successful than the Socialist 
organisation. There are two Workmen’s Secretariates, one (quite new) founded 
and maintained by the Socialist trade unions, and the other founded by the 
" Christian ” unions. The former gives advice to members of the contributory 
unions on all questions affecting relations with employers, the insurance laws, 
civil code, &c. The Workmen’s Secretariate of the “ Christian ” unions is con 
cerned rather with propaganda work, but there is also a People’s Bureau, which 
was founded 14 years ago by the Roman Catholic unions, and gives free legal 
advice to its members, who pay 9d. a year subscription. The municipality has 
recently founded an Association for Social Welfare which will take over the 
maintenance of the People’s Bureau, and receive a grant from the town for 
that purpose. 
Finally it may be remarked that there is a general agreement that the 
consumption of spirits is diminishing, even among the weavers, and is being 
replaced by an increased consumption of beer. The success of this form of the 
temperance movement is ascribed to the combined action of societies, local 
authorities, and the trade unions of both camps. 
Wages in the Silk Industry. 
Piece-work is predominant in the weaving branch of the silk industry, 
(the only important exception being for the weaving of patterns), whilst time 
work is the rule in dyeing and printing. There is no general wages agreement 
for weaving ; each firm makes its own rates, which are commonly very compli 
cated ; but the general results seem to be the same in all the factories. There 
are complaints in many cases as to deductions for faults, &c., but this practice 
is said to be less common than was formerly the case. As a rule only one 
day’s notice is necessary on either side, an arrangement which the workpeople 
prefer, though married men are often engaged subject to a fortnight’s notice. 
Wages are paid weekly. 
Coming to the wages of particular occupations, it must be remembered that 
both husband and wife frequently work in the factories ; and also that in stuff 
weaving there is usually no difference in the rates paid to the two sexes, though 
there may be in the actual earnings. In many cases, also, where the husband 
is employed in a factory, the wife and sometimes the daughter work at home 
at the sewing of neckties. 
Weaving.—The wages of the velvet weavers (mostly men) are decidedly 
higher than those of the stuff weavers ; the rates in both cases are so much 
per metre, and the earnings naturally vary within somewhat wide limits. Thus 
in one large velvet factory the wages of the weavers ranged in 1905 from 
2ls. to 56s. per week, but the normal wages vary from 24s. to 2os. for a full 
week of 58? hours. But though employment amongst the velvet weavers has 
now for some time been fairly constant, this is not usually the case, and in 1905 
the actual earnings of the velvet weavers in Crefeld were estimated to average 
only about 22s. weekly, while in the rural districts they were considerably lower. 
The velvet hand - weavers (for ordinary fabrics), of whom a few lemain in the 
district, working in their own homes, do not get beyond 18s. a w eek for 
12 or 13 hours a day, and even then the worx is very irregular. 
The usual wages of stuff weavers, engaged in the manufacture of materials 
for dress and neckties, are from 21s. to 24s. per week of 58? hours, lhese 
rates are for a full week, but taking the year through it is rare for a stuff 
weaver to earn much beyond £45, equal to 17s. od. per week. Hand weavers 
can earn about 14s. to 15s. per day of 12 or 13 hours. Ribbon weavers with 
full work earn 30s. per week. Finishers both on silk and velvet earn 22s. 
ZWn? Tradf.—In this branch of the industry time-work is the rule, 
and the rates ¿re higher for colour dyers than for black dyers, since the work 
of the latter class is comparatively simple, and is little more than the carrying 
out of instructions, whilst the colour dyers, working according to samples, Imve 
to exercise a great deal of judgment and have a personal responsibility. The 
wages of dyers are regulated by agreement as follows : Black dyers, nom 
29088 U 2