New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-06
LABORERS IN FRANCE.
Rosc They Differ from Those in
america.
written for The Tribune by an American IN

Cwritten for The Tribune by American In
France)
There are several points Of difference between
tho French and the American laborer Although
the former nays twice as much for bis food and
gets one-half of the atter's wages. he saves more
than his fellow American. Some time ago l had
occasion TO stop in bank of one OF the larger
cities of France. Standing before the cashiers
window was a middle aged workman. VINO mad
somewhat the appearance of an American farmer
with a raortgaged crop. In exchange for the little
niece OF paper ne handed in AZ the W'hdoW the
cashier counted out forty-seven i0O-frano bills
&907 10 and gave them TO him learned, upon IN
o11irv that this was his savings tor many years
ard that he had withdrawn Il to so into business
Do YOU doubt that he will succeed? This Is not
an exceptional case. 1t is common, unfortunately
more common in France than America-and why !!
Why Is it that the Frenchman, handicapped by
lower wages and higher priced necessities saves
more than his fellow workman on the other Size
Of the Atlantic?
First. he practises an economy that the American
laborer never dreams of Where is there an AneIl-
can workman who would be satisfied with TWO
cents worth of cheese, two cents worth OF oread
and cup of coffee for his morning meal? Or
forsooth. where is he Frenchman who would not
turn away in disgust from a breakfast Of fried
meat ana STAT, n0' eats twice as much as the
Frenchmau and has the advantage, perhaps Of
but as far as the pocketbook and future are con-
eerned the Frenchman IS Lar a boe never saw
an american with pair op benw Ty b is aby no to
wear a beaver and fur coat as the Frenchman cam
If sion demands 49,, ID /, -,
Another superiority of the man on this side Is his
indomtabIe sticktotiveness, He is oontented and
happy year after year, TO go through the same
old grind, and concerns himself not so much ABOUT
the amount Of his wages about their regularity
Year after year ne continues at the same work
drawing perhaps, the same pay, While many an
American workman would have Diff o. - N
two or three different occupations in many differ
eTt places.
Then. the French laboIer always looks ahead.
He never assumes responsibility without knowing
he can feed and clothe. If he goes in debt, it is
not until he has already carti funny counted WAeLc
every cent will come from 70 discharge it. n; He
he does not absolutely need Certainly no class
of people seem to have more thoroughly learned
the proverb IF you buy what you 90 not need
you win probably sell what you do need" And
when he buys a thing he takes care of II. II is q
part of himself. His overcoat for instance, would
look comparatively new while the Americans
would be out
Further, he is contented: he is happy. This
doubtless saves him from many doctors bill He
does take his work and trouble To Nod VIZ "'"'
He leaves them up on the scaffold with his trowel
hangs them UP with his pIOuSn gears 1A--
spirit Of satisfaction IS in most cases due largely
70 knowledge OF a hard earned bank account and
debts.