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.
