The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-23

While all America IS complaining about
the high prices OF food. clothing. and
shelter, the struggle for subsistence in
this country. under average cireum-
stances. is not so fierce as in the city
Of London. II is doubtful whether Wash
ington can duplicate the narrow margin
between the earning power Of the worker
and the cost OF living which prevails in
the three manufacturing districts OF the
British capital 1t would be necessary TO
go 10 the squalid haunts OF New York,
Philadelphia, or Chicago 10 find condi-
tons like those OF WhitechapeL
An interesting report has been received
by the bureau of manufacturers from its
special agent. Henry Studniczka, who has
been making an investigation into the
rates of wages and the cost of living
among the laboring population Of Lon
don. He explains that the scale of
wages was set in October. 1909, and has
prevailed since that time. except in a
few Instances where the rates have been
changed by Cancellation boards. He
sends a report to the bureau for time
work, based upon the average wages
paid to adult workmen, accepted by UNI
pires. manufacturers, arbitrators, and
the representatives Of labor unions.
Data Has Authorization.
A list of these is given, and Mr.. Stud
niczka says his figures have the authori-
cations Of the secretaries Of labor unions.
He finds that laborers are employed from
65 TO 70 per cent Of full time. and states
that the men are willing and able TO work
full time.
The foregoing shows the prices paid for
food in the markets OF the city Of Lon
don. 10 this must be added the cost of
rental, which amounts in the poorest dis
tricts for one room to not less than IS.
as cents per week., and for three-room
fiat from SIS. to los. (S14 to S2.4s) per
week. The coal IN these laboring dis
tricts is sold at the rate of 81 to Sc cents
per 112 pounds. To this must also be
added the possibility of a car fare. which
amounts to 2 cents to s cents per trip.
The men seldom use the cars. unless ex-
ceptional distance from work necessitates
this.
Some of the better-paid woTkmen, such
as engineers and others. who earn from
S7.25 to 500 per week. are living better
in proportion. The only real cheap ar
ticle I found is the workingman's cloth
ing.
One OF the union secretaries stated:
No workman with wife and two chill
dren In London. in my opinion can sub
sist and be housed for less than 22s.
(s5.SD per week.
Wages Paid to Workers.
Following are the scales OF wages paid
various trades and classes of labor the
number of working hours per week with
out overtime, being given in each in
stance:
Building Understanding hours per week. % In
summer and a in winter. Wages per hour. Stone
masOns q cents; bTicklayer5. q cents; Dlasterers.
2 cents brieklsysrs and plasterers assistants, Il
cents; carpenters. z cents; plumbers. z cents;
painters IS cents.
Furniture trades.-Working hours per week 81
Wages per hour; CabnetmakeTs. 2 cents; poiishers,
IS cents; uphOlsterers, % to "a cents; nachinists
% 70 q cents; earveEs, 10 TO p cents chair makers
. cent?.
Boile1makers ard steel-ship building trades-Wor5-
Ing hours per week IN shop 81 for repair work out
SIDE E. Wages per week in shop. BcilermSlers
sheet-iron workers. and angieiron smiths. sl09I;
nTeters $50: caIkers. s. 50: holdGs-up. S656 For
outside work wages about Sl1 more per week
Lithoaaphers- Working hours per week, 81
Wages per week: Lithogapherz. 1913 (minimuml
lith0gTzpher tin printing. $685. photographer, To-
tary machine, sl3s3
Bookbnders and nlers.-WoTkng hours per week.
g Wages per week for bookbiuders and rGlers,
$50
Compositions Working hours Der week, 52k
Wages por Wock in j9bbins trade ard on weekly
newspapers. s9.s9.
Electrical Notwithstanding hOs.rs per week, g.
Wages Per hour: Filters and WiTemen, 10 cents /;
immature WindeTs. Is cents cable joiners 10 ccnta
Shoe trade.-Working hours per week. 52is Wages
per week. Clickes tkoremeDl laSte1s. and hnishers
So rTessmen S4.8
Bakers-WoTking hours PR week. S. Wages per
week: FoTemen. S.5l; hrst-eass hands S.29; sec
ond-eass hands $751; helpers. SS&
Engineering trades.-Workng hours per week. a.
Wages per week: Turner'S. filters. cople<smitis
brass fnsSheTs -borers slotteTs. milleTs die sink
sTs. and pres tool makers. T73: 9niths. SIS to
sli.s2; miiiwrights Sie.53; iron founders seas to
SOS; pattern makers. N0.70.
Ship servics.-Wages psr month with board.