New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-14
HUNGARY'S AGRARIAN PROBLEM.

Hungary is trying a noteworthy experiment
In agrarian legislation OF all such experiments
OF recent years in Europe which have been
many, it is by far the most radical Perhaps
that is BETTING the chief agricultural country
Of the Continent. But it Is, according 10 pres
ent Indications an experience no other nation
need envy For the Kingdom Is now the scene
of violent agitation and of such an outbreak OF
agrarian socialism as the Continent has not be-
fore wtnessed-at least in our time. To say
that there are symptoms Of impending trouble
as one cautious correspondent does is TO de-
scribe the situation with surprising miidneSs.
One would not err in the other direction II he
we're to say there is danger OF an attempt al
revolution.
The law which has just been enacted by the
Budapest Government applies chiefly 10 asrl-
cultural laborers, as distinguished from ordi-
nary day laborers. Every such person must
hereafter have a certificate Of registration. when
will he issued to him freely. If he is entitled 10
it, by the parish authorities. No man without
such certificate is TO be employed on any farm
save under severe penalties. Nor is any one 10
be employed except on formal contract drawn
M and signed before an officer Of the law, who
shall record II and take on deposit the work
mans certificate. 10 be returned TO him only on
proper fuliilment of his side of the contract, or
its dissolution by mutual consent, or an official
declaration of its invalidity. The contract may
sipuate for wages in money or in goods for
food or not II may be made by individuals or
BY groups OF workmen collectively. If any man
breaks his contract his certificate is forfeited
and he cannot get another until the next year,
and the balance of wages due TO him must be
paid TO an Official. and any surplus thereof over
payment of damages TO tie employer Will go
into the parish poorbOx
On the other hand. the employer Is bound 10
provide wholesome food for his hands, if food
be calico for by the contract, and to provide
medical care and medicines in all cases Of i'll
ness lasting less than eight days. II the
weather prevents field work, he must provide
other employment for the men. or else pay them
their wages in idleness; but if the impeachment
To work lasts longer than full week, the con
tract may be legally cancelled. These pro
visions appear TO be pretty fair 10 both parties.
though decidedly too paternal for the taste of
most countries The enactmeuis Of penalties
are however less impartial. If the employer
without just cause brings police upon the ground
and forces the men to work against their WILL
or if he employs a man who Is under contract
10 another he is subject to fine of 600 crowns
Those are offences which, one would think, he
would seldom be even tempted 10 commit. II
workman, however contracts himself to
two masters at once. he is 10 be fined 100
crowns and imprisoned fifteen days: and if he
refuses TO work when able, or wfully does bad
work or leaves before the expiration OF his
contract he is TO be imprisoned sixty days. The
professional agtator finds scant encoura cement
under the law. for If he pcrSuades men not TO
take ont certificates. lends them money or
gives them credit for food or drink on the Ger
thcates. or induces them to break their con
tracts. or by threats. brides. persuasiOns or
ganizng meetings, disseminating false news. or
otherwise intcrfcrcs between employer and en-
ployeS. he is to be imprisoned for sixty days.
These latter provisions have led TO the agi-
taton now raging throughout the Kingdom.
The professional agiiators. of whom there are
many in Hungary see their occupation gone II
this law prevails and the workmen with some
reason think some Of the penal provisions dis
criminate too much against them. The Govern
ment however IS almost n unit for the law, rs
might be supposed. seeing that practically all
the members Of Parliament are large landown-
crs. and therefore deeply interested in aGri-
culture. Indeed. all parties in both Houses
cordially supported the bill The coming agri-
cultural season is likely therefore 10 see the
most serious social disturbances the Kingdom
has ever known wagcd over the industry on
which the prosperity OF the Nation almost ex-
cusively is founded.