The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-11-08
Che fxrupps: Il Comparison.

& Comparison.
technical high schools for engineers,
machinists, electricians, etc., In which
classes and lectures are held In the
evenings and Sundays, which may be
attended free of charge by their en-
ployees. They also established num-
Der of cooperative stores, where the
employees and their families can
procure the necessafies of life almost
at wholesale prices. Like all other
employees in Germany, the workmen
of Krupp are compelled by law to be
insured against sickness, accident,
invalidity and old age. The Krupps
have not only betrayed the cost of this
insurance, but have, besides, created
an extra fund for such q purpose, to
which fund Alfred Krupp donated
during his life time 100000 marks
and 1 ,O00,O 600 marks in his last will. In
spite of their great wealth, both
Krupps were inostentatious, and plain
in their habits, never above associat-
ing in person with their workmen, and
always ready to listen to and to rectify
complaints. A high title of nobility
was repeatedly offered to them by the
German emperor and by other poten-
tates, but was thankfully declined.
The solicitation Alfred Krupp enter
tanned for his workmen, reached even
far beyond his grave. He left behind
him his widow and two young daugh-
tiers, Bertha, aged eighteen, and Bar
bara, aged sixteen. He was equally
fond of all three. It would have been
an easy matter for him to dispose of
his works alta good price, several entic-
ing offers were made to him repeatedly
by combination of capitalists. But
he knew that these capitalists would
merely attempt to draw for themselves
all the profit they possibly could draw,
without duly regarding the welfare Of
the workmen. To avoid this, and for
this reason only, he provided hand
somely for bis widow and youngest
daughter; but willed all his works
and the responsibility connected s0ith
them-to his oldest daughter Bertha,
so that the great enterprise should not
be split up, or come under the control
of several heads and minds.
l Freuiein Bertha, now Frau Doctorin
Doctoress) Krupp Won Bohlen-for in
Germany as in many other countries
the title Of the husband is also given
to the wife-is not exactly beauty.
Just healthy, sensible German girl.
, we'll educated; but exceedingly plain
in her habits, who seems to be thor
oughly imbued with the good attributes
of her deceased father. To her wed.
ding she had invited only her nearest
relatives, five friends, and six foremen
, and fourteen common workmen from
her factories. She could not invite all
the $1,000 men; but in point of fact
they all, and their families, were
Bertha's guests on that day. For she
. had caused to be presented to every
J workman, who had been in the Krupl
: employ for over five years, ten mari
y goldpiece l$2.5O)-there were ovel
. 10000 of these alone-and q five mari
q silver piece .25) to all others, so tina
!. all her employees and their families
y could procure sumptuous dinner q
her expense. Besides this she donated
. one hundred and twenty-five acres O
!. land to be used for her workmen t,
= erect new homesteads on, and 1,OO0,OO
marks to the invalid fund of the EN-
It ployees.. Her mother donated lik
d amount, and her sister 100000 mark
Y to the same fund.
vi The most prominent man in Ger
l. many, Kaiser Wilhelm, had invites
II himself to the wedding, the first tim
10 that such an honor was conferred o.
l. any German girl not of royal blood
q He was great admirer and friend o
It Bertha's father, whom he esteemed 70
J. his good qualities as man and employe
% of men-not for his riches, which AT
" nothing to the kaiser. Nor becaus
t, Alfred Krupp made good cannon an
,r armor plate. That is matter to b
g. looked after by the General Staff, an
irl by the army and navy Offices, who wi
Ia buy of Krupp only % long as sKrup
e, can furnish superior article at rel
If sonable price. The kaiser's presenc