The Alaska daily empire., 1915-06-30
THE KRUPPS WORKS;
 THEIR SIZE AND
 TREATMENT OF LABOR


 TREATMENT OF LABOR
 Here Is practically national con- cern in private hands. To have the regular working subject to strikes would ieopardise tno interests of lthe Fatherland in case Of war. So condi, tions of employment must be better than anywhere else.
 In 1868 the first gsbor colony was erected of iS6 tenements, phero are about 16 tenements inn block each of two or three rooms The death rate and general healt5 of the work mon showed considerable improve ment
 In 1871 when several branches or the factory wore opened there was an enormous demand for lodgings In quick succession arose -four colonies. : One known as the Barracks. was con structed in double-quiclS time. The poorest workmen now live there, and the dilapidatou presents e disagreee dOle AiNpieaSlOu.
 The West End Colony immediately adjoins the factory and consists of large. tenements. They are simple and according to our modern stand ard exceptionally ugly, but were in their day a great sanitary improve ment. Kronenburg, another large colony, built In the seventies, covers over 90 acres, and consists ol 226 large fourstoried brick tenements. Each house has ample space end garden plot.
 At one side of the market place, stands n large building containing a restaurant library, and reading room. There are two halls
 But the most attractive colony is situated further from the works. Bau- mbauf is charming with it's small res idences. each with it's own ground. Friedrichshof is another well laid-out colony. Near the center is large and well equipped library and a nne bathing establishment.
 Alfredshof is perhaps Che most pie turesQue colony. Fine gables and very pretty windows adom even the smallest cottages.
 For the poorest class ot single men there are lodging houses of a cheap character known as "The Menage." " They have accommodations for 800 men.
 But 1t is in provision for the dis abled and aged worlnen that the Krupps have excelled themselves. AL tenhof is on exQuisitely designed lit- tic community of detached cottages, of 125 houses
 Over 30,000 persons are now under roof in the various Krupp colonies
 An enormous supply or stores have been developed. Az first the supplies were sold at cost prices, and diff culties soon arose with local shop keepers. Now goods are sold at cur rent prices to everyone, employed by the firm or not. But a system of re- bate was devised. and in December the bonuses are returned to the work ing people. Slaughter houses and a large bakery have been established
 The firm has established two casin- os. with dining rooms, billiard-rooms, tennis courts and cafes There Is a large concert hali. an excellent libra ry. well-eqwippcd gymnasium. as well as several bathing establish ments. In addition to ordinary school there is an industrial and household school.
 There has to be provision for quick and adequate care of the injured and disabled. The Convalescent Home is one of the most charming places Il have had the pleasure to witness.
 The Krupp firm has improved on the national compulsory insurance system. They pay a workman whose annual wages are 1900 marks, and who has served 30 years, 600 marks per year as an oldage pension The government pension Is not more than l50 marks-this the workman gets in addition tc his Krupp pension.
 There are other funds established among the worlmen, and the work mems aid fund established q few years ago. was endowed with one million marks
 Political Liberty Restricted
 The Krupp men have to sacrifice their political liberty. and this is a source of great irritation. The men are not allowed to join trade union. No one connected with tho firm can op- euly belong to the social democratic party Anyone found agitating for so- cialists is Immediately forced to quit Strikes are rendered hopeless by the mems fear of losing the benefit they have. in good houses, cheap food and old-age pensions.
 The Krupp industry is a stock com pany capitalized at S62,5CO.OOO, with l5 subsidiaries and over 800 branches in Germany and other parts of Eur ope. Ire principal ownership is in the hands of Frau Bertha Krupp von Bohlen, and the concern is governed by ten directors There are some TO- 900 employees. altogether At Essen, according to recent report 10000 employees are now at work, many expert gun-makers who hnd joined the colors have been recalled.
 Essen has grown from village ofl SSlS to over l56,0oo souls. Over 150.- GOO or the peODle are deDmdent on