Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-18

Grated by the municipalities. and these
places are visited by the working classes
to a limited extent only Saturdays and
Sundays.
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 amuse-
ment were designated as being particu-
larry characteristic of the German work
ing classes, it would be dancing.
Although his wages are low and his en-
tertainments few, the conditions which
surround the Ger
Every Factory Posts man laborer in
eD., his work are
- more satisfactory
than those encompassing the higher
priced workers of other nations. Every
factory must have a set of rules in a con-
spcuous place in each department. 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 appli-
ohStc, ihiSiHHcly anu tOOiS III SUCH d way
as TO protect the operators from danger
TO life and health, as far as the nature of
the business will allow. Provision must
be made for sufficient light, air. space and
ventilation, and for the removal of all dirt
arising from the work. One commendable
protection is that broad gangways must
be provided, and all dangerous pieces of
machinery shielded by barriers. The
aisles of all factories must be kept clear
and gangways are never seen filled with
heaps of half-finished articles, as Is GUS
tomary In England and America.
Aside from having more room, German
factory employees are well provided with
sanitary washing and dressing accommo-
dations. The workmen are more clearly
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
used for meetings, games or for choir
practice.
The Welfare Institute is merely an ex-
tension of the idea developed by the fac
tory dining
What Is Provided room This is
by Welfare Institute. ;ns ' sun sun
rounded by attractive grounds. which
contains a large festival hall suited for
all sorts Of social functions, committed
meetings or rehearsals Of choral socie-
ties. One large room is used as a kin
dergarten and handwork school. Similar
rooms are devoted to giving manual train
ing 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
modern steam laundry, which does all the
work for the family of any workingman
for 10 cents a week. The Welfare In
stitute originated with the municipality,
but the private firms of Germany are now
beginning to support 1t, and the liberal
spirit ii represents is destined to play
an important part in German industrial
life.
The workingman's obligatory insurance
law provides that each firm must estab-
lish a fund. to which the employer con-
tributes one third. and the working peo-
pie two-thirds, the rate of contribution
being 31k 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 serv-
ice.
4 4
"A nal1 rate Is HduS 10 LILO VI
all members. The scheme includes a pro-
vision. for fu-
Provision Made for neral expenses.
Funeral Expenses. ance for widows
and orphans, so that protection Is made
against almost any contingency that
might arise in the lives of the workers.
There is also a compulsory savings
bank, to which all the people in the fac
tory must contribute. Married men de-
post per cent of their wages and un-
married men 10 per cent, unless they have
mothers or sisters dependent upon thm. In
which case they pay the same as IL they
had wives. Each laborer must allow his
savings to accumulate until they have
reached the sum of $500: after that re is
free to use his wages as he pleases. The
nest egg 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
savings banks.
TOmorrOw-THE GERMAN ADVANCE.
XV-Paternalism and Industry.