The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-12-21
L.iBOK'S CONDITION IN EUROPE
The Secretary OF states Review OF United
Stntrs Consuls' Reports.

WASHINGTON Dec. 2O.-Secrctary ErelinC-
huysen has sent to the House OF Representa-
tives review OF tho reports OF United States
Consus on the condition OF labor in Europe
The Secretary says that these reports show
that the wages OF all mechanics and
people working at trades in Chicago are from
one to three times greater than nrc paid in
London. He thinks that the impression that
the chcapness OF living in Europe moro than
cquaizcs the lower wages there paid is prob
ably duo to the fact that the working people Of
Europe live moro cheapy than tho working
people OF the United States.
1t appears from tho reports" he snys. that
the American. workman consumes moro and
Deter iood thnn tho mechanic or laborer
abroni and lint the cost of this food IS as
small III tho United States rs in Europe, 1t
son that the, botter classes OF food, tho beef
mutton. veal. butter. md rice, arc not only
for thu, most part cheaper in tho great
ci'ios Of tho United States than in Enrops, but
o sEei NOR TN. @he
concurrent testimony is that even to tho best
paid working cases OF Europe they gre.
onjoysd. Thc lover cia~sss ef' E Fs!an@
usually ,, eat dark or black bread 50 that
DO set aside with the meats as furnishing
no sufficient basis for comparison. The work
OIL hsopah Is % sS
vegetable soups. and lard and olive oil OF a low
gfndo take tho place OF butter Tho stand
nrd MONDAY meal OF tho workingmen
sn i, Smith; b. ,p"iatoss ana Z Hide meat
OF thick soup to which II little green cabbage
or lettuce is sometimes added. This dish they
eht day after day with u very little change In
Tho character OF its contents or in tho manner
OF prennratinn. This ~ tho dinner eaten ut
his work. The food OF tho wife and children at
home j. said TO te cheaper and less nutritious.
II should not DO forgotten that tho nunipula-
ton Of the food supplies. after they reach Eng.
land. is conducted on tho most economic plan
under the bsnetlcent control OF tho grent co.
operative societies. Everything Ia done that
can bo done to bring the producer and con-
tnm"r ms directly and closely together AZ pos
sible nnh the competition for custom which
prevails keen tho handling cost at tho lowest
possible minimum so that tho prices Of tho co.
operative stores of EOgiand approximate to
Wholesale.
Ia general. c!oihia.: can 10 bought cheaper
In Eurolc than in tho United States. especially
clothing of tho higher grades: but tho "a mo in
man in tho United States to purchase better
and moro varied food than his European com
rado extends also TO his clothing for ho buys
moro and better garments
House rent in Europe Is apparently lower
than here. but the fluctuations arc usually n
fer.or to those In tho nited States, In Dundee.
ono OF tho most thriving industrial centres in
Europe. 23.7G0 persons live in $500 hOu,es OF
ono room each: 7i374 persons live in l6.ls7
houses OF two rooms each. OF workingmen's
homes in Manchester Consul Shaw writes:
Great numbers OF houses visited by mo con-
tain"d only one living room. and this served
rs parlor, Kitchen dining room sitting room
ana. In some instances. also AS bedroom"
hAssA S,f lAps