Omaha daily bee., 1906-04-29


Every American who has visited the
capitals of Europe comedies without de-
bate that Paris is not only the cleanest,
but also the best paved city in the world.
It is not generally known, however that
in Paris the construction, repairs and
maintenance Of all public improvements,
including sewers, subways. electric wire
conduits, pavements ard all street clean.
ing is a municipal function, performed by
city employees, without the Intervention Of
contractors. The city buys all the re-
quisite building and paving material, street
cleaning and sprinkling machinery, and
hires all the mechanics and laborers to do
the work. All workingmen employed by
the city, and for that matter, all work.
ingmen employed by the general govern
ment, work eight hours per day, the wage
scale being established by law The pay
Of common laborers ranges from 90 cents
to 81 per day. while mechanics are paid
from S1.25 to 1925 per day. Working over
time is permitted with corresponding extra
pay. Inquiry among the working people
ELECTED some facts of interest, both to
American workmen and employers. There
are no open shops in Paris. Every work
ingman and working woman is enrolled in
the syndicate Cthe name for labor unions)
workers are formulated by the syndicate,
by mutual agreement between employers
and employees, or by arbitration. While
sauntering among retail stores I learned
that clerks are generally required TO work
from $50 a. m. to s p. m. with an allow
ance of two hours for meals. In the de-
partment stores male clerks earn from
800 to sos per month, with lunch and din
ner thrown in. Women earn the same
wages but observed that more statesmen
than saleswomen were employed. In the
small shops more women are employed at
wages ranging from $40 TO $40 per month.
Incidentally, I'm conducting my labor In
CURRY the fact was ELECTED that while the
cost OF living-provisions, meat, etc.-in
Paris is about the same as in New York,
the price of household utensils furniture,
clothing and rent is much lower, so that
the difference in wages in America and
France is almost equalized.
And Vet Paris is wrestling with the labor
problem. The undercurrent of discomfort
appears to be growing. On the one hand,
the men of means the bankers, merchants
and land owners, complain that they are
subject to the domination of the labor
union and deprived of freedom of action
In enterprises that require large invest
ment and constant employment of wage |
workers, and the working people complain |
that capital Is still receiving more than
its just share from mutual production. In |
response to the question, What is your |
solution for the labor problem? propounded |
to the editor of the leading labor organ, 1 |
received this answer: THE only solu- |
ton in cooperation. We must do away |
with the middle man by establishing a |
system of profit sharing" To my re-
joinder, But, suppose there are losses !
instead Of profit?" the editor replied: I'VE |
must prepare for that and share the de-
felt In the end the burden always falls |
upon lsbor." Asked what influence French |
were exerting in politics he |
exclaimed: I'VE can accomplish nothing !
so long as we are divided. At present |
every member OF the National Assembly is
a party by himself. We have as many
parties as we have members No two
agree on any proposition" This was a
revelation to me.