Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1894-04-06
PURCHASING POWER OF WAGES.

year 81; six months, 81; three months. rs cents.
PURCHASING POWER OF WAGES.
Consul w. BURGESS at Tunstall, the
pottery center OF England, has been
making some Investigations of the pur-
chasing powers of wages in the United
States and England. The result may
prove surprising to some, who have al
ways held and supposed that the Eng
lish workignman's wages would purchase
more than those of his brother workman
in America. The consul says he has
made a thorough investigation of the
different elements entering into the cost
of living Of the workingman in Trenton,
N. j., and in Burslem, Staffordshire,
England, the subject naturally dividing
itself into three divisions, house rent,
clothing and food. Bradstreet's weekly
trade journal, one of the most reliable
publications in the country, summarizes
the report:
The Trenton potter may rent, it is said,
II III " oCSCll 1OOlD llOuoC " 40 PCl lllOllUlls
one with a similar number of rooms in
Burslem renting for 81. This suggests
double the rent here which is paid in Strait
ord. concerning which it is explained that
in England "there are other expenses to be
paid by the tenant" while the difference
in the construction of the house itself "en-
tails additional outlay.
In the Trenton house the tenant has "a
rroI a>)lo- ,,-lo~ tIn n,1Asro lo,,ro bok n13
cold water in his kitchen, and in many
cases in other parts of the house; closets
in almost every room, gas, and generally a
nice little garden; the size depending on
the part of the city," In Burslem he has,
in many cases, a set of brick walls, built
upon the surface of the ground, with only
a shallow foundation. Where there is a
cellar it is only a small n under n
room, a cold-water tap, sometimes inside
and sometimes outside the kitchen; no
closets, necessitating the expense of
'dressers," wardrobes or movable closets
Of some sort on the part of the tenant;
sometimes, but rarely, gas; and if any
yard, a small one entirely paved with brick.
Beside the rent of 81 he must pay all rates,
taxes, church tithes and water rates on the
property, and must keep the house in re-
pair inside and leave it in good condition.
There are other elements entering into the
cost of living in England which may be
named here Of which the American work.
man knows nothing. viz, stamp duties,
licenses, etc. If he wishes a lease, CT per-
haps a deed for the property, ne must have
said document stamped by the government
with a stamp of the value Of from 15c to
$3.50, according to the rental agreed upon.
1t he desires to go into domestic service,
he or his employer must pay a government
license of 1915 per annum. If he has a
bright, intelligent son, with a taste for the
law, before he can become an indentured
clerk to a solicitor" ne must first pay the
"crown" the sun of $500, and after CON-
pleting his studies he must take out a
further license at the cost Of $3.50 before he
can present a case in court or at the bar.
If he wishes to become a notary public, he
must be at a further cost of $3.50. If, how
ever, the young mans tastes run toward
medicine, a license fee of $50 is required
before he can practice. There are perhaps
more whose tastes run in the direction of
matrimony: a special license for the same
costs 1925. If the English workman has a
little savings IN the bank he must pay the
government &c for every check he draws.
He must pay the same for every receipt he
signs of amounts over $40. All notes or
due bills must also bear a government
stamp of from 25c to several dollars, &C.
cording to the amount. II he keeps a dog he
must have an annual government license of
IS foreach canine. If he keeps a gun he must
show a 50 SO license, and to shoot winged
game he must pay SIS. If he be a trades
man who keeps a horse or pony and
wishes to keep a carriage for the pleasure
OF his family, he must pay the government
$3.50 per wheel per annum Thus we find
many more two-wheel than four-wheel
carriages throughout all England. 1t is
much more difficult to compare prices of
clothing, "but when one takes into con-
sideration the quality of the material. the
tit and general finish, one finds very little
difference in the cost" of articles of cheaper
grades in the different countries. Over
coats, suits of clothing, mems hats, women's
dress-stutfs and bonnets and Jackets are
shown to cost more in Trenton than in
Burslem: but mems shirts, drawers, boots,
shoes. linen and other articles of wear
appear to cost less here (the same in a few
~lnStances). In this category also come
W0men'S shoes, vests, cOrSetS and hand
kerchiefs. There is little apparent differ
ence in the aggregate cost of children's
clothing. Almost without exception, fur
niture is shown to be cheaper here than in
Statfordshire, including pillows, mattresses
and sheets, and blankets are no higher.
Crockery, toilet and dinnerware seem to be
about one-sixth higher with us. Ingram
carpets are cheaper here; better grades
sell for less in Burslem than in Trenton,
but when it Domestic the many varieties of
kitchen utensils the Trenton dealer strik-
ingly undersells the St%atfordshire shop.
keeper.
Among prices compared of food and
other household necessaries, coal, gas, beer,
gelatine, onions, vinegar, rice, pepper,
washing soda and fish, are represented as
cheaper at Burslem than Trenton, while
the buyer in Trenton has the advantage in
purchases (among many others) of flour,
beef, mutton, sausage, pork, butter: eggs,
tea, cocoa, lard, bluing, cornstarch, turnips,
tomatoes, apples. oranges, grapes, tobacco
and kerosene.
The figures given are said to have been
procured from "the most reliable sources
from houses carrying large stocks and
catering particularly to the wants and
purses OF the Masses" The consul at
Tunstall admits that in q few instances
''the articles being made more heavily and
substantially, as in the case Of kitohon