Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-12
BELGIAN LIFE AND ACTIVITIES
An Interesting Lecture at the Columbian
University by Pro-. J. Il Core.
Facts About the Industries and Gus
States of Europe.

Belgian Life and Activities was the
subject of an interesting lecture by Prof.
]. H. Core, late commissioner general 20
the international exposition at Antwerp. at
Columbian University Hail yesterday af-
ternoon. ''The costume and general ap-
pearance of the people of Belgium" he
said, differ very little. il any, from those
of the neighboring countries. Women will
be seen working in the fields. dogs taking
the place of draught animals. and girls or
grandmothers looking after the shops and
stores. If one soJourns longer in this pro-
gressfye and vigorous kingdom and studies
the people and their institutions closely,
many marked characteristics will become
apparent. The working women will ap-
pear as veritable helpmeets, the strug
Cling dogs merely take the place Of the
more expensive horses, which the small
tracts Of land and short distances do not
require. while the young and the old TAX
Ing the part of the shopkeepers is simply
the following out Of the general plan that
each member of the family assist in bear
Ing the family burdens. From this it must
not be inferred that the women and the
dogs alone do all the work. The men are
either serving their time in the army or
engaged with more arduous labor In rae
tory or shop at the docks or In the mines.
tinuous efforts of the entire household to
keep itself together and successfully hold
want at a distance. Belgium. with her
single port and limited merchant marine,
must find within her own boundaries the
wherewithal to support her 1.U0,OOO In
habitants. Fortunately nature has blessed
the kingdom with rich mines, as well as
fertile fields, and quite 3UO,OU persons ind
employment in the mining ard the metal
industries"
Her System of Industries Commended.
The lecturer then entered upon a general
description of the various industries, espe-
cially mining. and took occasion to commend
highly the system in vogue. 1t contained.
he said, with special reference to the min
ing system. many features valuable as
models and worthy of imitation. In Bel
GUM each mine is called upon to yield up
Its product at the least expense and with
the minimum Of waste. The government,
recognizing the life of each individual as
dear and valuable to the state. enforces
with great rigor laws regulating the ways
In which mines must be worked. precau-
lions which must be observed, defines the
hours service that can be demanded and
forbids the compulsory child labor. 1.-The
owner in these days." said the lecturer, lis
compelled to look for larger dividends in
improved machinery and perfected methods
his slaves now are means and methods
and engineers and foremen are the slave
drivers This persistent seeking after the
best devices ard the most efficient machin-
cry has caused Belgium to be called the
United States of Europe. The tendency In
Belgium Is toward subdivision of hold
ings. The government takes a leading,
active interest in the management Of the
principal industries, sacred from political
interference. The dissemination of public
information in regard to agriculture is in
trusted to officials who speak French and
Flemish. who confer with the farmers in
their districts in regard to the merits and
applications of new ideas in agriculture.
These officials practically take the place
OF newspapers.
Plan of Supervision.
General industries are looked after by a
superior council, so are the mines. while a
council of state specialists give advice in
all matters looking toward the best in
terests Of the various enterprises. BY pre-
cept, as well as by example, the doctrine
Is emphasized that no man lives to himself
alone, and that the wealth of the kingdom
Is but the aggregate wealth of the in
dividual subjects, and that the former can
prosper only as the latter thrives. The
English are generally regarded as models
of thrift and industry, but the annual ex-
ports of England amount to only $50 for
each inhabitant, while those of Belgium
amount to $50 for each inhabitant. The
products of the globe pass through Bel
GUM, destined for all the countries of
Europe, and Antwerp is a merchandise
Clearing mousse LOT tne enClre WOrIQ. PrOS-
perity great and traffic so varied fall
to Belgum's lot mainly because of the
magnificent system of docks at Antwerp,
her only port. These docks, improved by
Napoleon. are excelled nowhere in the
world. The docks and all their appliances
belong to the state, and hence. said Mr..
Core. are not conducted on selfish princi-
pies or subject to exorbitant charges. Bel
ports of the world, following only New
York and London. Germans, however,
claim third place for Hamburg, while the
French claim Havre for the fourth. Con-
sidering the amount of shipping handled
for each inhabitant. however Antwerp,
the lecturer said, leads the world.
Labor Organizations.
The railroad, mining and labor systems Of
Belgium were briefly described by the lee.
turer, who also told of the methods and
advantages of the nations, or labor organ
izations. along every line of activity"
he said, land in all branches of industry,
determined efforts to produce the maxi
mum and waste the minimum have been
the potent factors which have placed Bel
GUM in the advance guard Of nations"
Flag poles are attached to nearly every
house in Antwerp and they are decorated
whenever anybody in their vicinity is the
recipient of any honor, no matter it's char
acter. The neighborhood takes this means
of showing its pride in its neighbor. What
member Is also cause for rejoicing on the
part Of all his neighbors. Thus the people
share in their neighbors joys, as well as in
his sorrows. stretched across the street
at the beginning and at the end of each IA
vored square," said the lecturer, "are large
signs bearing the name of the fortunate
person and what he has accomplished. In
this observance democratic principles APP
pear to prevail, for If the feted one be a
butchers son, the bakers daughter, or
even the candlestick maker himself, the
rejoicing seems none the less hearty than
If 1t were member of nobleman's fam
lily, nor are the emblems of JOY removed
any sooner because Of the recipients hum
BILE origin. Since the lightning of honor
may strike any home, its occupant can
count upon his neighbor's cooperation AMI
mutual glorification. Thus it is that all
the houses in Antwerp have one or more
fiagstaffs, whose use is not discontinued
until the owner feels that he has recipro-
Gated all his flag attentions and Is square
with his neighbors. The invitation does not
read: I have found that which was lost;
come and dine with me- but L have been
honored; please hang out your flag"