The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-05-28
BELClANS, WELL PROTECTED, POORLY PAID
Especial Correspondence by w. E.
!; McEwen.) -; -,

Especial Correspondence by w. E.
McEwen.) -: -,
BERLIN, May 16, 1e1o.-Our stay
In Belgium was but of two days dur
alton, and had but short time to
study industrial questions. However,
I saw much of interest, both to COM
mend and criticise. 1t was my first
experience in country where another
language than English was spoken.
and had considerable trouble secur-
ing the information I wanted.
Our commission spent most of its
time In Antwerp and Brussels con-
Quoting our investigations among en-
ployers' liability companies and gov
ernment officials. We were accorded
the very finest of treatment. and se-
cured more information than we ex-
pected. Mr.. Louis Wooden, minister
Of labor and industry at Brussels,
gave us an extended audience. He
does not talk English, but through an
interpreter he, explained In detatf the
operation of the. Belgian Working
mems Compensation act.
: We found in it many provisions OF
merit, and some which from a labor
standpoint are wholly Objectionable
for application: to Minnesota working
men. am sure, too, that the en-
ployers Of our state would seriously
object to the act because of the high
cost connected with it's operation.
The wage scale in Belgium is lower
than that of any other country in
northern Europe. It has a population
of about 100000 people, and is the
most densely populated country on
this continent It Is also claimed
its size in Europe. Wages range
from two francs to five francs a day.
This Is equivalent in American money
to 40 cents and one dollar per day.
Belgian is famed the world over
for lace making, and strange to say,
this is still a home labor, and fabu-
lous prices are paid for handmade
lace. Bakers still do their work in
small ovens, and familiar sight up
on the streets Is the large number
cf bakers with. their white aprons
and wooden shoes carrying upon
their heads large baskets of bread.
Belgium has extensive dairying,
and all of the milk about Brussels
is brought to town on little carts
pulled by, dogs which are harnessed
directly under the two-wheeled. carts
and steered by the milkmaids, dressed
In unique Belgian costume. I saw
hundreds of these carts passing down
the street, and I presume the same
method of delivery has been In vogue
for hundreds of years. =
The large industrial institutions
which claim Brussels as their head
quarters are far removed from the
city, so we had opportunity to visit
but two of them. A large soap fac
tory, located about six miles from the
center Of the city, was particularly
attractive. 1t Is without a. doubt the
most perfectly sanitary workshop ]
every saw. The ventilation was be-
yond criticism, and the excellent light
made the big work room a most
pleasant place. 49,
Almost all of the labor is done by
women neatly dressed and working
like so many machines. They worked
ten hours each day. and during all
that time they are obliged TO remain
standing at their work. With two
exceptions their wages averaged
three and one-half marks a. day, or
about sixty-five cents. This company
does all Of it's printing, and the print
ing presses are operated entirely by
girls. - ~.
The Belgian exposition was opened
q few. days before our arrival, and
we found time to spend about two
hours there. While the big exposi-
tion is not completed. it promises to
Ebe one of the best. expositions ever
held In Europe. ! saw much Of the
Esnaac hinery exhibits, and was I'm
pressed with the exceptional care
taken in guarding every dangerous
wheel and pulley. !. & i;::S s,@1 s13 T.. + =
Belgium has very strict factory in.
spection laws. Every i employer IL
supposed to know what SIS required o1
/ him. If, when an inspector visits
the shop, he finds what he may re-
gard as wilful failure, TO provide
proper safety about all places where
danger turks; the employer. Is imme.-
diately ordered to appear In court. #
Every exposed Z belt running from,
|Ia machine to "a shat II 50, protected
by a heavy wire fraitllee u and there j, il
no doubt that with u the precautions