Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-26
AS SEEN BY SCOTCH.
CONCLUSIONS REACHED By THE AR.
TlSANS FROM DUNDEE.
Condition OF tho Industrial Glasses in
America NJ Compared With the Old
Country Wages and Expenses.


oath publishes report signed by the nine
Dundee artisans comprising the artisan
expedition TO America, equipped and
sent TO this country by the pro-
prietors OF that Journal to study the
condition OF labor In this country as
compared with the old country. The
delegates sum up their reports as follows:
In summing up our reports We would
mention as the result Of the investiga-
tons which We made among the artisan
and industrial classes In the various CIT
les which we visited. that labor gcneraiiy
Is remunerated at about double the rates
PAID IN the old country. In come brahch-
es of the iron and steel trade the wages
are only about one-half more than those
ruling at home. but in the textile ana
In some branches OF other industries the
operatives receive about three times what
they would do in Great Britain.
Weekly wages are the exception, art-
sans in most cases being paid forthisntly'
and in several instances only monthly.
AS a general rule sixty hours are wrought
per week, and only IN some trades and
in mills and factories Is there n Satur-
day half holiday. This half holiday, more
over. IS observed in most Instances only
during the months Of June. July, and
August In the large cities the members
OF the building trades work either fifty
four or forty-eight hours per week, and
on Saturday the same as on any other
day. In winter these are usually idle for
about four months. Several of the
largest iron and steel works have adopt
cd the three-shift system. each set Of
men being employed eight hours continu-
ously. Holidays are few In number, and
wOrkingmen have little or no leisure or
time for recreation of any kind, except
on Sunday, when they may be seen in
tens OF thousands wandering about in the
parks OF any Of the large cities.
HOMES AND RENT.
For married persons house accommo-
dations costs from $40 GD to $40 Cd per
month. according to size and location,
being from two to three times more than
in Great Britain; except In New York,
where the tenement system prevails,
Artisans, TO n large extent. and more par
tscuIarIy in Philadelphia, where many OF
them either are. or are becoming owners
Of their houses. live in self-contained cot
taecs, chiefly of brick, and consisting OF
two stories and cellar. The rents men
toned include all taxes. except the poll
tax OF 81 or 81 per annum, payment or
which is the prerequisite TO voting In all
elections. 1t may also be stated that the
houses vary In size from four to seven
rooms, with bath room in some cases.
All the houses Of the workingmen visited
by the delegates were found to be more
comfortably and neatly furnished than
would be the case of the homes generally
OF their fellow-artsans at home. For UNI
married workingmeD, board and lodgings
run from $3.50 0Ss.) to Sc (25s) per week. In
addition to this, they have to pay Tor
the brushing OF their boots-a CONSIDER
able item in America. where SHINE
costs 10 cents-and the washing OF their
clothes.
THE STANDARD OF LIVING.
The standard OF living is undoubtedly
much higher in America than at home,
and the men state that they would re-
uuire to live letter, else they would be
unable to work as they are expected 10
do. A builder mentioned TO delegate
for instance. that If gang boss OBJ
served a man straighten up his back he
would tell him that he had better see
the time-keeper. Fruit in its season Is
Invariably seen i'm considerable quanti-
ties on the tables of workinSmen. ana
butcher meat, either in the shape OF pie.
roast. or stew. is partaken of by most or
them three times every day, but the dele
gates frequently heard II declared that
the best beef was exported to Great Bril-
tain. Butcher meat ranges from cents
ADJ to q cents Qs) per pound. The work
ing people in America keep themselves
always well clothed. Cotton goods and
shoes are about as cheap as those at
home but the latter, it Is stated, don't
hat
len and worstcd clothing costs. on ac-
count of the duties leviable, double the
sum for which II could be procured in
Great Britain. Medical attendance Is
very expensive In America, running from
81 4s) to s. 0D per visit Artisans. II
they have steady work and are prov;-
dent can usually save about double what
they would be able to DO in Scotland or
England. although II must be borne in
mind that money in America has. COM
parativey speaking, much lower pur-
chasing value. Married people in particu-
lar find ii very expensive, although educa-
ton is free. to bring up family, and this
is probably the reason why the native
born Americans have, as rule, so very
few children.
SAVINGS OF WORKINGMEN.
The savings of the artisan class are
invested with building societies,
or In the purchase of homes for them
selves. Local transportation by electric.
cable. or other cars is remarkably cheap
in all the large cities. as one can travel
several miles for a nickel q 1-2d) but the
quality Of water supplied In every place
visited was such as would not be tolerated
in the smallest village in Scotland or Eng
land. The conditions of labor in America
are certainly much more taxing on the
NJ hn Tlh
The extremes of temperature are much
greater, ranging in some districts from
Is to 20 degrees below zero In winter to
about 100 Fahrenheit in July and August.
During these months many kinds OF work
have often to be stopped owing TO the
excessive heat, and in practically every
industrial establishment a large supply
Of iced water Is kept for drinking pur-
poses, and charged for usually at the rate
of or 10 cents per week. The delegates
considered II very remarkable that dur
ing the whole Of their tour they saw
scarcely a single elderly man engaged in
any kind of occupation. but they were
informed that such were TO be found In
soldiers homes. They met. however.
many young and mddle-aged men who
had once beeD vigorous and active, but
who had lost their health. 1t must also
be noted that in almost every establish
ment visited Scotchmen were found, and
these, too, by the way. holding, as rule.
positions of considerable trust and re-
sponsibility, who invariably stated that.
although In some cases they did not take
to American ways at first they would
never again, II they could help 1t. work
in the old country. We also desire to ac-
knowledge the very friendly feeling with
which We were everywhere met. and the