The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-01-31
GERMANS PROGRESS
UNDER PROTECTION.
Comparison Between Workmen and
Wages Of the British and
German Toiler.

afsl GStIllaIl lSllSNs 4iti sisHatI
A writer in the Manchester England)
Times contributed very interesting
letter on the progress made by the
German working classes under pro-
lection, and draws few comparisons
between them, and the British working
classes. an the first place." writes
the Times correspondent, ut must be
confessed that the comparison is by
no means an easy one to make; when
1t is made 1t viii be found that the
advantage is not so much in favor of
this country as many people imagine.
But leaving out Of account, for the mo-
ment, the question Of comparison,
there is abundant evidence to prove
that within the last quarter Of a cen
Itury-a period during which the pol
icy of protection has been pursued-
Germany has Witnessed a great adj
vance in the well.being Of the working
classes. No rational person would,
however, argue that the general pros.
perity of Germany is entirely, or even
directly, the result Of protection; but
what does appear beyond dispute is
that protection as practised in Ger
manymany has not ben inconsistent
with prosperity.
"Those who have examined the po-
sftion of affairs in relation to Germany
know that the improved condition Of
the German working classes is mainly
the result Of social reform both by
means of legislation and private re-
form endeavor in many directions. Won
Berlepsch, speaking as Prussian minis
ter OF commerce, when presiding over
conference on Industrial legislation
at Berlin, stated that the condition
of the industrial wage.earners in Ger
many had become bette industries and
classes Of workmen tho improvement
had been quite considerable, altogeth-
er apart from the blessings, which
could hardly be overestimated, Of the
insurance against sickness. old age
and infrmity, Absolute permanent
poverty, he said, had considerably d.
minIshed Even the leaders Of Social
Democracy recognized that the theory
| of the progressive impoyerishment Of
the masses could no longer be main
tanned. Slowly, and by little steps, the
well.being of the general body. Of the
people was rising, and considerable
proportion Of those classes OF the
population which formerly obtained
a bare subsistence had now made their
way into middle class, and enjoyed
a fairly adequate leone.
Factors to Be Considered.
ut has been said that the tariff sys.
tenn OF a country is but one 81 the
many factors entering into Its general
prosperity, as Its influence for good or
bad may be strengthened or weakened.
by other causes, while at the same.
time 1t Is very difficult to trace its
separate effect. But during the pres.
emit election campaign Germany has
frequently been quoted by opponents
Of fiscal change as proving the case
against protection, and one has heard
a good deal about the difference in
the standard Of comfort enjoyed by
the working classes in Germany and
the working classes in England the
case, so far as the ncn.ascal reformer
is concerned, being made out in favor
of the British working man, On the.
one hand the Blue Book published in
1903 has been quoted as showing that
the average level Of industrial wages
in Germany Is only two.thirds Of that
in the United Kingdom, but the very
people who have used this argument.
have ignored the conclusion contained
in the self same eport, that in the Uni
ted states the average level Of wages
is one and a half times as great US in
this country. If one chances to direct
attention to tliis palpable omission he
is met with the rejolnder, 'Ah, yes, but
conditions are different a remark
which applies with equal force to Ger,
many. To draw any real comparison
between England and Germany We
should have 10 90 back a long way In
our investigations. It must not be for.
gotten that Great Britain has had no
war at home war that Is which has
directly touched the daily life Of the
people since the days Of the Round
heads and the Cavalier, whereas Ger
many IN Tie PERL since then has been
tom asuhdefs and FeRt iron side toi
sids by WARS ana bloodshea on heS
own 6Ii Indeea 4 wis not tilt3tlie
dawn 81 the nineteenth century that
ftnr,roy,1 afrnvrIihr nrnfnft these trll