Omaha daily bee., 1910-08-18
OUR HOME MAGAZINE
The German Ad-
vanCOThe La
boring Glasses.
Things You Want to Know

and these places are visited by the work
ing classes to limited extent only on
Saturdays and SundsyA- Contrary to the
general impression, the German laborers
do not spend much money for drink The
older men cannot afford IT, and they set a
good example for the younger ones. II any
one amusement were designed as being
particularly, chRracteristic OF the German
working classes. II would be dancing.
Although his wages are low and his en-
tertalnments few, the conditions which
surround the German laborer a.. his work
are more satisfactory than those enoom-
pa' sing the higher-prlced workers Of other
nations Each factory must have a set OF
rules in conspicuous place in each de-
partment These regulations are legally
binding on both employer and employee,
but before they are posted opportunity
must be given to adult workers TO express
any objection they may have to them
Among the obligations OF. the employers
is the understanding that they must ar
range and maintain the working appliance,
machinery and tools in such way as to
protect the operators from danger to life
and health, so far as the nature Of the
business will allow. Provision must no
made for sufficient light air. space and
ventilation, and for the remova! Of all dirt
arising fro the work One commendable
protection is that broad gargways. must be
provided, and all dangerous pieces Of ma
chinery shielded by barriers, The alslos
Of all factories must be Kept clear, and
gangways are never seen filled with heaps
OF half finished articles, as is customary
in England and America,
Aside from having more room, German
factory employees are we'll provided with
sanitary washing and dressing accom-
modatons The workmen are more
cleanly and more careful in their habits
than British or Americans They usually
change their clothing before and after
work, and private lockers are provided for
them Shower baths with hot and cold
water are required by law. There are also
dining rooms, where the laborers may have
their food heated. Each OF these factory
dining rooms probably will have a library
and a piano, and may be used for meet
iBgs, games or for choir practice,
The Welfare institute is merely an ex-
tension OF the idea developed by the fac
tory dining room This is a large build
ing surrounded by attractive grounds,
which contains a large festival hall suited
for all sorts OF social functions. committee
meetings or rehearsals Of choral societies.
One large room is used as kindergarten
and handwork school. Similar rooms are
devoted to giving manual training to boys
and cooking lessons to girls.
Under the same roof are modern baths.
the showers being free, and hot baths,
costing only cents. There is also q mod
ern steam laundry which does ell the work
for the family Of any working man for
10 cents a week The Welfare institute
.Gzl.. k,,N h.
private firms of Germany are now begin
ming to support it, and the liberal spirit
It represents is destined to- play an inn
portant part in German Industrial life.
The worklngman's obligatory insurance
law provides that each firm establish
fund, to which the employer contributes
one-third and the working people two
thirds, the rate OF aseontfibution- being az
per cent of the wages earned. The benefits
are sick pay for members for twenty-six
weeks to the extent Of half the average
wages, including medical attendance, drugs
and free hospital service.
A half rate is made to the families OF all
members. The scheme includes a pro-
vision for funeral expenses. and an allow
ance for widows and orphans, so that pro-
lection is made against almost any con-
tingency that might arise in the lives OF
the workers. -,...-
There is also a compulsory savings bank,
to which all the people in the factory must
contribute. Married men deposit per
cent of their wages. and unmarried men 10
per cent, unless they have mothers or
sisters dependent upon thin, in which case
they pay the same as II they had wives.
Each laborer must alloy his savings to
accumulate untn they have reached the
sum Of 500; after that he is free to use
his wages as he pieases This nest egs
can only be disturbed for the purchase OF
a house or for furnishing house In case Of
marriage. Six per cent interest is paid on
all deposits in these compulsory savings
banks. ~ H.z $50
By FREDERIC ]. HAsKIN.