Omaha daily bee., 1910-08-18

The attitude Of the German state toward
its laboring classes IL paternalistic TO
degree almost impossible for an American
to comprehend. This system Of paternal-
ism 81 the outgrowth OF feudalism, autoc-
rAcy and the operation OF centuries OF
the Roman law. In its present form, the
paternslistio care of the laboring classes
is distinctively Prussian in origin and
form.
Bismarck based the present German in
dustrial sy stem upon the precedent OF the
so-oalled Prussian Common law. The
common law was promulgated by King
Frederick William II on July 1, 1921 date
which synchronizes with the climax Of
the French reign OF terror. This law pro-
claimer: ut Is the duty OF the state to
provide for the sustenance and support
of those of its subjects who cannot obtain
subsistence for themselves. Work adapted
10 their strength and capacities shall be
supplied to those who lack means and
opportunity Of earning living for them
selves and those dependent upon them
The state Is bound to take such measures
as will prevent the restitution of It's sub
jects, and check excessive extravaganza.
Thus, more than century ago, Prussia
pledged itself as q state to afford support
to every SUBJECT of the Prussian crown
This legislation amounted TO very little
more than a declaration of principle, since
little was done to make II effective. Fol
lowing the second French revolution OF
1880. some effort was made 10 carry out
these principles. But 1t was not until Bis
marck was in complete control of German
affairs that any systematic and honest
effort was made to redeem this promise
of the state to It's subjects-the promise
to abolish hunger.
In 1884 In a speech on the subject OF In
dustrial insurance, the Iron Chancellor pro-
claimed the doctrine Of the right to work
He said: "Give the working man. Work as
long as he Is healthy, assure him care
when he is sick, insure him maintenance
when he is old. Was not the right TO WORK
openly proclaimed at the time OF the pup
LEGATION of the common law? Is II not es-
tablished In all our social arrangements
that the man who comes before his fellow
citizens and says: 1 am healthy oe-
sire to work. but can find no work, Is en-
titled to say also: Give me WORK. eiiu
that the state is bound to give him that
work." The Bismarckian policies then IN
auq,,rated have become part of the fun
Al mental law OF Germany and have had
even more to do with the shaping Of moie
pol,ticaI triumph-the unifcation of the
emnire with cement of blood and iron.
In some respects the working classes In
Germany are less favored than workiheH
in either England or America they n"Ve
less leisure, fewer amusemehts' anu
smaller amount of money to spend for
either entertainment or hVing Expenses
vat there enters into their lives none OF the
|
nor the wastefulness and discomfort SO
common in America
In order to show the extremely low scale
~ living in Germany, a statement was pre-
pared by a frugal, calculating factory WORK
man Instead of being an instance OF Hk-
agoarated economy, a selection was made
.hat ts conceded to be a little above the
,ncome and expenses of the average toner
| Thovsands of families in the German EN-
nire actually live and acquire a competence
unon n smaller stipend than this
Tho weekly income OF the head OF th'
| fopIiv Is 142; the earnings OF his VIE
and children are 1888; and the income ue
rived from keeping a young man logger
10 cents; total, s10.25. The weekly spenu'
inRs including everything, amounted 10
| total of STA Calculating on this oasls
hts annual income is 1888 and his eXpehui
lures s4O2.4S leaving a profit OF slSo'oz'
In order to live within such d hHll y"
margin there must be no tooilsh OF u"
necessary spending. Amusements pay
comparatively small part in the lives ol 'n'
German working people, and sucn as 1nes
have are mostly confined to sundays -
rule they go in for few games ooI Oat'
cricket and base ball matches have httle at
| traction for, them. A case Is cited wher'
final game between rival CLUBS ol wv
manufacturing towns was ATTENDED oy onlS
s,xtv-fIve people In England or America
such game would have brought out an ~
| tendance of thousands, Theaters and music
| halls are less numerous in proportion to thu
nopulatIon than in otker countries. The
| theatArs in industrial towns are always
owned and operated by the municipalities