The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1896-05-06
HOW LABOR is TAXED
WHY SHEFFIELD CUTTERS CAN MAKE
CHEAP GOODS.
Bsitish Methods Of Raising Revenue In
Yactories-Workcrs Charged Rent For
Room and Steam Power-what British
Free Trade Policy Demands.

tactortes-Workors Charged Kent For
Room and Steam Power-what British
Free Trade Policy Demands.
SHEFFIELD, April 10.
In every trade In Yorkshire there Is
associated " 9Th it certain usages which,
in toiler, must produce feelings of re-
bellion against their existence. It's no
uncommon thing when, in company
with an "old stager'' who delights to
contrast the different doings in trade
when he 'wor lad" to those in vogue
today, to be told that such and such
things were unknown In the good old
days" But our free. trade policy has
been the very breeding ground for GUS
toms which, in their effects upon the
toiling masses. leave degenerating
mark.
"And under what conditions do you
work." l asked in Sheffield cutlery
factory the other day.
well, was the mans answer, I'VE
cannot boast Of very much freedom, for
our masters always take good care to be
on the right side. In fact, if anything,
we are slave driven, Sheffield being
noted for tyranny
In what sense do you mean in talk
ing like that?" inquired.
"Our hours of labor range from 8 a.
m. to 2 p. m, with l u hours off for
dinner and tea. On Saturdays we are
supposed to give up at 1, but oftentimes
we are compelled to stay for couple Of
hours longer to make up for lost time. I"
But there is nothing Objectionable in
that" said.
Certainly not" he retorted. and he
again appeared to warm to his subject.
but l tell you what, it has always
seemed mean that cutters should have to
pay rent for room and power to the mas
ter"
This to me was a revelation. could
not at first understand his meaning and
asked for an explanation.
Look here" he said somewhat snap
pishly. "You know that every factory
before 1t is complete must be fit up with
steam power. Machines must be bought
and every requisite secured in order to
turn out articles in the best possible
manner. Now, it so happens that in a
cutlery factory, in the cutters and
grinders department. every workman is
relegated to what is known as stand.
Very we'll, he takes up his position, but
he has to pay rent to the master at the
week end so much per square yard, and
also for the engine power supplied him,
in order to enable him to perform the
work allotted him.
''Then practically he rents the place
or the stand and places himself at the
mercy Of the MASTER" 1 further said.
THAT is so, and to my thinking it's
shame the poor workmen should have
80 much 'nobbled' from his wages every
week by the master 1t isn't so in other
trades, and it's nothing short of mo-
nopoly."
And what rent do you pay per week
for your stand and power?'
well, that varies according to the
quantity of room taken up. Cutters pay
shilling GA cents) per square yard per
week. The grinders in the spring knife,
or pocket knife, department pay from
shillings TO 5 shillings ($l to ST.. 20) for
wheel rent per week. In the heavier
trades, such as file grinding and table
blade grinding, the cost for wheel rent
is from shillings to s shillings ($1.68
to So per week. And in addition to
this, i'll all grinding departments there
is rule In force where workman,
not having his own tools to work with,
shall forfeit for the wear and tear Of
his masters tools pence, or 8 cents, in
every shilling GA cents) earned. Fur
ther, if a man is i'll, or a firm he Is sup
posed to work for cannot find him work,
so long as his stand is kept open for
him, although he is not working, he
must continue to pay his wheel rent.
Oftentimes / have seen in slack times
firm find grinder work Of very
trifiing character in order TO cause him
to occupy his stand but few hours in
the week, SO that they would have a
legal right to enforce upon the poor
struggling workman their weekly charge
(work or no work for wheel rent. That,
sir, is one of the conditions under which
we work. !"
leave American common sense labor
ers to ask one another if they want to
see inaugurated in the United States
such a system as the British free trade
policy demands. YANKEE.