The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-03-09
HOLLAND ISN'T HAPPY

One of our leading business men
has received the following letter from
a gentleman, who after spending some
time in Florida, returned last summer
to Holland, his native land.
Loeterwoude, Jan. 4, 1920.
Dear Sir: May l wish you a pros
percus New Year and hope that your
health may be go improved that you
feel like a new person again.
So you see by the postal stamps,
we are in Holland. We arrived on the
18th of August, 1919, after a pleasant
trip; it was very uneventful. with the
exception Of sighting about six float
ing mines. but everything was in read
mess. Before we entered the English
channel, all life-boats were swung
cut.
| went home with my family at
first to see my relatives whom hadn't
seen for over sixteen years. | had an
offer to go in with my oldest brother,
who has tannery or leather factory,
in which he had made lots of money
during the war period, and of course
l thought it fine thing to go back
and as he stated he was very busy, but
what a difference when | came to his
place. He had only q few men and
everything the same as for 25 years
past. He never made any improve
ments and at present on account OF
the enormous prices asked for every
thing, also leather, he is unable to
compete, as he can't make his leather
fine enough and that is the reason he
can't sell. During the war they took
anything, good or not. He is too slow
machinery on account of the very
very high prices asked, so you see
was disappointed from the start. From
all | have seen so far Holland is faI
behind in everything, from whatever
angle you view it, and Hygeia!-you
probably have heard of Holland being
so clean, but that goes as far as brass
work and paint work, but the rea
Hygeia, clean of body, they don't
know much of. Now to come back tc
prices of food and clothing and other
necessities; they are fearful. Pork il
| rs cents for five ounces; other meat:
| 80 cents and $1.25 for five ounces; 6
loaf of white bread 80 cents, cheese 7t
cents for five ounces; eggs 20 cent!
apiece; milk 20 cents a quart; f1oul
25 cents a pound; rice 80 cents {
| pound; oatmeal % cents a pound
butter, $40 pound; kerosene q
cents for one-fifth gallon; coal So fol
about a feed bag full; suits. $117 o.
over; shoes, for my wife, just com
mon, S14.50. Then you must not for
get that when a man (married) earn
5000 a year he is subject to taxes a
high as five gulden, that is, for tn
community. Outside that, one has Il
pay taxes for the government, but
haven't heard as yet how much. The
come school and church taxes an
there may be extra war taxes. / for
got to tell you that bread, sugar, Goa
and cokes only can be obtained o.
tickets given out by the government
and you are allowed just so much
with sugar half a pound per head pc
week. You never know when you ca
get the next supply of coal. l hav
been out of coal for more than tw
weeks, and then we have to use pea
blocks, but they don't give much hea
and cost about two cents apiece. TIL
blocks are about nine inches by thre
inches by three inches. There is
short kind, 6x3x3. Did you ever thin
that such conditions could exist in
country that stood neutral during tn
. four years of war? Holland is just q
Dad off as Germany and the othe
countries; no business and everythin
dear and of course idleness. No wor
. der labor is so restless and fights fc
higher wages; S25 a week is NJ
. enough here now days. NotwithstanG
t ing labor eats bread for breakfa.
and supper and meat once a week an