The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-11-15
'HlRB IINES IN GERMANY.
Prices Sinking, Wages Dropping,
Mills Closing.
HARDSHIP OF TARIFF ON POODsTUFFS
Effect Of Protection upon the Wages Of
Farm LabereTs.

from special correspondent in Ger
many gives some interesting facts in
regard to hard times in Germany,
aggravated by agrarian legislation
during the past few years. The
writer says:
Winter j. approaching and the
poorer Classes ate trembling for what
may be in store for them.
Trade has never been at such a low
ebb, and the large towns are filed
with thousands OF persons out Of
wors, although here is in the coun-
Z Try lack Of field laborers; but the
reason for this lies in bad wages and
still worse treatment.
The government turns deaf ear to
all entreaties and petitions to open
til, ..onti imports Of foreign
cattle, with ihe consequence that
me is SO dear llat it has vanished
altogether from the tables Of many
poorer households
The demand for fowl and game has
iaised the prices Of these, too, and
= the economical Berlin housewives are
finding that they cannot make both
ends meet On their usual weekly al
lowance for housekeeping. The men
are at bell wits end to know where
to get more money from in such bad
times, for trade is in shocking state.
Only too long has the economical
crisis in Germany lasted, and nobody
knows when ii will end. Now and
\ then signs Of improvement we're no
fticeable, but the hopes Of employers
and workingmen have been always
dashed to the ground again.
The conclusion of peace in South
Africa, which everybody here thought
would improve matters has not
brought the desired result. German
trade has made enormous preparations
to gain first place in the South At
rican market, but it seems that these
endeayors have not been crowned
< with success, at least not as yet.
From all cepters Of industry come
reports describing the state of the
labor market as most depressing.
Everywhere there are signs Of over
production. Prices are sinking, wages
are dropping and, worst Of all, work
men are dismissed.
The great steel works, 1t is true,
will shortly receive large orders from
the state for railway material which
has to be delivered by next May, but
\ this will not help much toward i'm
proving the general situation.
In iron foundries and rolling mills
the working hours are being reduced.
In spite Of this, men have to be dis
charged. Even the Krupp works at
Essen have been obliged TO reduce
hands.
The unfavorable state Of the iron
industry has, of conrse, affected coal
mining. There is a continual decrease
in the demand for coal, and, in face
Of this, the miners have to suffer,
\ wages being lowered; and soon many
miners win be discharged
In very bad state are most
branches Of the engineering trade
Never before has there been such .
lack Of work and never has the crisis
lasted SO long IN Germany.
Almost all the larger branches q
this trade are working reduced hours
and msny hundreds Of able workmeI
are Without employment. The tex
tile Industry is also in very poo
\ way n the calleo.weaying mill
there are SO few orders that many 0
them viii be c.osed. Cotton spinner
win have to decrease the number 0
their bands The weaving mills hay
already done SO, and the fancy woo
manuiactories are doing very poo
business
Ia The fringe and gallon industr
there is such want Of orders tha
the uofkmtn 50 someuf The towns /
saxcay are emigralIng TO seek wor
elsewhere. Ia Thurginia and
Saxon Vogtland thousands OF loom