The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-02-26

lOkal' -''
His home, which was in the western part OF
the town, consisted of a dark hallway. a living
room and a kitchen. The rooms were in the
back part OF the house. and looked out on q
rather dreary court they were what Is called q
Hofrohnung. All told. there are about 400.-
900 apartments in Berlin. and more than a
third OF them are like those of my work
ingman. His family consisted OF his wife and
three children under six years OF age. and he
also lodged at night two baker boys. who slept
in the hallway. paying S1.5O a month between
them for this privilege. He and his wife and
children slept in the living room. which was
about as large as a good-sized hall bedroom in
New York. He regretted having to rent his
hallway at night, but the 70 marks a yearit
brought him in extra he considered indts-
pensable. and his wife agreed with him.
Fifty-six per cent. of all the apartments in
Berlin are shared by dodgers with the people
who rent them. and in the eastern part Of the
city as many as five and six persons regularly
occupy one room.
The furniture in Hans's home was exceed
ingIy simple. and had been contributed largely
by his parents and his wife. There were two
beds and a cradle in the living room, besides a
Scirdnk. or clothespress. three wooden chairs.
sofa and some framed photographs OF mem-
bers OF his family. l was impressed in this
room with the absence of the usual portraits of
members of the imperial family. such as are
found in most workingmen's homes. The
kitchen was fairly well supplied with kitchen
utensils. and there was a good German cook
ing stove, as well as running water. Tho hall
way was given up to a bed used by the two
little baker boys, and to clothes which could
not be hung in the Schrank. The clothes OF
the family seemed suitable and well taken care
Of, Hans having q Sunday suit and his wife a
Sunday dress.
give these details because they throw light
on my mans politics. religion and general
philosophy. What he and his wife thought
was largely the result of what they had and
how they lived. and to appreciate their view Of
life and the influences they allowed to govern
their home it is necessary TO know how they
managed their Hdushalt. Although they were.
In some respects. a little better of than the
average OF Berlin workers-their home. for
instance. was in an ~uncommonly pleasant and
healthful part Of the town-in the main their
lot was similar to that Of all members OF the
Arbiter class in Germany. and Hans had every
reason to consider himself a factor in the local
proletariat.
The diet OF the household was very simple.
but it seemed to me nourishing. and l fire.
ouently took supper with the family. Early IN
the morning everybody. baker boys included.
had a large cup OF black coffee and a Br0dchen.
or small roll. At 0 there was a zGettes Jrdh-
stuck. or second breakfast. furnished to mem
bers Of the family only. 1t consisted OF beer.
q large sandwich OF rye bread and lard and
sometimes a porridge. The SpleL-PdE was
30 near his home that Hans could return
from work for this meal as well as for
dinner at noon. which was made up OF
beer. or coffee. bread and lard again. and a
stew OF potatoes and meat. or some other
equally satisfying dish. Supper was also a
rather hearty repast. and II there was some
meat left over from dinner it was usually eaten
In the evening. The entire family seemed TO
thrive on this fare. and 1 heard no complaint
from any member OF it in regard to the scarcity
otfood or lack OF variety.
This fact is noteworthy because 1t Is the So
called "swill" that the German w~orkinRman
has to eat that gives the Social Democrats one
Of their main arguments. Hans had made up
his mind that his labor. and he had been a car
penter's apprentice as well as q street cleaner
before getting the Spiel-Platz Job. was not
worth much more to the world than what no
received for it. and he said that he was resolved
10 Keep fat and healthy on the food ne could
AFFORD, HJ had attended a number OF Socialist
meetings in his day. but there was not II 30
eIallst pamphlet in his home. and when kne"
MIN he had given up talking with his vile on
such matters. THE Democrats may be right.
he said 10 me one morning 40 the tennis
grounds. and perhaps we workingmen are
uoIng most Of the hard labor in the world. pul
Hound that WAS always dissatisfied whehi
went with them. aud that my home ala not De-
come any nicer on account Of the companion,
ship, SO ] gave IN going to their meetings. Az
present l don't believe that things would DC
much better If they did get control OF the Gov
ernment, | think we are crowded here In Ger
many. no matter what we do. and l shoulC
probably have to work Just as hard II the Dem
ocrats were in"
His 6-year-old boy was being brought up or
this principle. He was made to work In tins
house as much as was compatible with his ag'
ana strength, and his father expected that M
would be an .ArJeiter like himself. Like al
herman youngsters he liked TO play soldleI
and talk about the Kaiser, but he recelNe'
nl'le Encouragement in this rastime IRON
NM l. nn nd N FaT oil I'M