HOLLAND. AMSTERDAM. REPORT BY CONSUL ECKSTEIN. WANT OF LABOR STATISTICS IN HOLLAND. In response to the Department labor circular of the 15th of February last, received at this consulate on the 25th of April, and to prove my desire to make myself as serviceable in the matter as is possible under existing circumstances, I have the honor to submit herewith a report on the condition of labor in the Netherlands, accompanied by thirteen tabular statements showing the wages paid to or earned by workmen of various classes. Engaged in the preparatory work for making the report and in investigating affairs connected with and surrounding the labor question in this country, I made the disagreeable discovery that its great importance is equaled only by the almost indescribable difficulties attending the task of securing such information, data, and material as would be indispensable for a comprehensive or critical treatment of the subject. THE TRANSITION STATE OF LABOR. In part this seems to be owing to the fact that labor or the affairs and interests of the laboring classes, as in relation to capital and to society at large, have quite ceased to be viewed from the standpoint or in the light they were regarded in bygone days. Different, formerly well-settled and prevailing theories on the subject are either vastly losing ground, are no longer tenable, or are held to be already antiquated. This statement applies, with more or less accuracy, to nearly every country in Europe. The labor question, as it now presents itself, is considered to be in a sort of transition state, fraught with dangers to the peace and good order of the state or states, if violent agitation of it is not carefully enough guarded against or permitted to be fomented. So long as this continues to be the situation, the wise and good citi zen counsels patience, forbearance, and moderation on the part of those who really are or may imagine to be more immediately and injuriously affected thereby, whilst they look forward to and expect that statesmen, legislators, philanthropists, and others will exert their utmost powers in solving, if possible, the difficult problem. By continuing to write in this strain I might, perhaps, never come any nearer meeting the Department's requirements, as it may be desired and expected that only facts be stated in answer on the many points embraced in the interrogatories contained in the above-mentioned circular. I shall, therefore, pursue it no further, but proceed to give information consisting of facts, as near as may be; for what really are or what are the real facts as to many of the matters to which the inquiries extend I find it not only difficult, but, as to some of the questions asked, impossible to determine. As directed in the circular, I shall make a heading of each of the interrogatories therein contained, and answer the same in their order as far as possible and to the best of my ability, as follows, viz: RATES OF WAGES. By reference to the figures in the schedules herewith transmitted, such answer will be found as I am able to make to this inquiry. To assist in arriving at a proper estimate as to the amount of confidence to be placed in the correctness of these figures, I would offer a few explanatory remarks respecting the circumstances under which and how they have been procured, &c. Few countries in Europe are so far behind and deficient in possessing a progressive and advanced system of statistics as Holland is. When considering that this country was foremost in the field in establishing so many liberal institutions, the above statement may seen surprising, but it is nevertheless true. As for labor statistics showing rates of wages, hours of labor, number of workmen as to any trade or occupation, in Government or private employment, in city, province, or country-there are none whatever. Nor is there the least use to apply in any quarter or to any person for the purpose of obtaining general or extended information on such matters. Those who possess such information are, as a rule, averse to imparting it; and in this regard another laudable characteristic of the Dutch people becomes manifest, that of "minding their own business." Thus, in order to ascertain the present rates of wages and salaries paid to workmen and employés, and enable me to prepare the herewith transmitted tabular statements, it became necessary for me to apply in person or by letter to an untold number of proprietors, directors, or managers of industrial establishments and other concerns, and engage, besides, the services of an intelligent and trustworthy party to canvass or solicit information on the subject for me of individual employers and employés. While in most instances my requests were cordially met and complied with, they were ignored or declined in some cases. 1 regret only that after taking such great pains in the matter, I have still occasion to apprehend that the schedules, as herewith presented, will, in some respects, fall short in conforming to the requirements and suggestions of the Department as laid down or expressed in the labor circular. But as I have personally, at best, only a superficial knowledge as to the ruling rates of wages for labor of every class, I deem it to be prudent not to tamper with the figures, representing them in the statements as handed to me, which, obtained as they have been, from the most trusty sources, would deserve to be considered as nearer correct if given in their original form. COST OF LIVING. The laboring classes of this country can, and generally do, live fairly well on such wages as they earned in recent years, and as are still paid. The Dutch laborers are not immoderately or unreasonably pretentious as to their subsistence, clothing, and shelter, and, as a rule, manage to live within their incomes. Very many of them could, and undoubtedly would, be able to afford themselves more general comforts were they not addicted to the excessive use of strong drinks and tobacco. The "forms" mentioned, in accordance with which it is desired that the prices of the necessaries of life from an American standpoint should be given, I have not yet received, and, therefore, and because I do not fully comprehend what sort of a statement or information is really desired on this point, I am unprepared to furnish the same. I find it even quite perplexing to furnish a list of articles and say that it shows correctly the articles which are actually consumed in Holland by the workmen and their families. It would not be very difficult to give a list of articles showing what, from the Dutch standpoint, are the barest, simplest necessaries of life, without which the laboring meu could not sustain life, retain health, or preserve strength, but that the working classes of this country nor of any other European country, I suppose, are no longer contented nor, fortunately, obliged so to subsist, is hardly necessary to be stated. What are actually the articles consumed by the laboring classes of this country depends upon a variety of circumstances, such as to what particular class the workmen belong; how long they have been in uninterrupted employment at higher or lower wages; whether they are for the time being in or out of employment; whether they have large or small families to support, or none at all, &c. For it no doubt occurs frequently that large numbers of workmen or individual laborers, during seasons of favorable conditions prevailing, become accustomed to look upon or to consider certain articles as necessaries of life, purchase and use them regularly and freely, whereas under changed circumstances they may be, and often are, compelled or obliged to regard the same articles more in the light of luxuries, &c. The articles in the list I furnish consist of such as are consumed, more or less, in ordinarily prosperous times by large numbers of the laboring men and their families in Holland. FOOD PRICES. Statement showing the retail prices of certain necessaries of life in Amsterdam, June, 1884. CLOTHING. The cost of workingmen's every-day suits, or the garments they wear in this country while at work, and which generally consist of an undershirt, drawers, overshirt, trousers, blouse, socks, hat or cap, boots or shoes, is, according to quality, from about $4.50 to $10.50 per suit. When adding thereto the cost of best quality long, heavy boots and heavy woolen stockings, reaching above the knees, such as are commonly worn by the numerous class of workmen called here "polderwerkers" (navvies), the price of a suit may be given at about from $4.50 to $14. WORKINGMEN'S HOUSES AND HOUSE RENT. In Amsterdam and in some of the other large cities in Holland the hygienic condition of the laboring classes and of those who are but little blessed with worldly goods has been and is continued to be more and more improved by their being facilitated in obtaining much more healthful dwellings than they formerly occupied, and at most reasonable rates for rent. Prominent, influential, and philanthropic citizens, realizing the great necessity of bringing forth from the dark, damp, unhealthy cellars or basements many hundreds of occupants and provide them with comparatively comfortable and healthful domiciles, have organized and now conduct the affairs of associations for the accomplishment of that object, and they have been and are exceedingly successful. The city government of Amsterdam not only affords them moral support but has also given great material assistance in promoting the good work, and not only by donating grounds for the building of houses but by aiding it financially as well. Through the kindness of the city authorities I have been furnished a full statement by the secretary of one of the associations above mentioned. As it contains such full and interesting information on the subject-certainly an important one-and also shows the prices paid for rent, I had it translated and transcribe it verbatim. It is as follows, viz: ASSOCIATION SALERNO, Statements respecting the dwelling-houses built by the Association Salerno for the benefit of the humbler classes with narrow means. The dwellings constructed on the part of this association are for the greater part comprised in two large buildings, the first containing forty-eight and the second forty dwellings, the one being four and the other five stories high. In order to reduce the cost of purchasing sites, so difficult to be procured in a closely built city, and also for the sake of appearance, the association considered it preferable to combine a number of dwellings in a large block, being the so-called barrack system. The first block came into occupation on the 1st of March, 1856, and, in round figures, cost the association a sum of $18,000; that is, on an average $375 per dwelling. Each dwelling is provided with a water-closet, fire-place, sink and supply of water, and has plenty of air and light. The rent, fixed according to size and situation (in front or at the back, ground floor or upper floors), amounts to from 40 to 76 cents per week, jointly producing $1,376.80 per annum, or rather more than 7.6 per cent. of the capital employed. The second block was built on the part of the association in 1874. It is five stories high, and on each floor there are eight dwellings, four in the front and four in the back part of the building, the latter looking into a back yard nearly 28 feet in depth. In all, therefore, torty dwellings of the same size. Each dwelling contains a sitting-room, with an iron bedstead, an adjoining kitchen, and behind these an alcove and another recess, both suited for bedrooms. The sitting-room has a fire-place and a cupboard, the kitchen likewise a fire-place and a cupboard, besides a sink and water supply. Each dwelling has its own watercloset, opening on the landing. Four continuous staircases give admittance to the several dwellings, of which there are two on every landing. All the rooms and kitchens have whitewashed ceilings, besides which the walls of the sitting rooms are papered. Each dwelling occupies a space of 452 square feet, and the height of each floor is 9 feet 10 inches, excepting the top floor, which is somewhat less in height. The costs of building, &c., have amounted to: Building site and for raising the ground Total ...... Equivalent to $25,000. Florins 5,400 49, 834 2,746 4,000 520 62,500 The weekly rent for dwellings on the ground floor is $1 in the front, and 90 cents in the back part of the building. The rent for those on the upper stories is 10 cents less for every story higher up. The total amount of rent for the forty dwellings now is (after a small increase for improvements that have been made) $1,626.56 per annum, averaging not quite 80 cents per week for each dwelling, and producing somewhat more than 6 per cent. of the capital employed. It may be added that the sale of spirits in the building is prohibited, and that one of the dwellings on the ground floor has been fitted up for a shop. The back yard communicates with the street by a passage more than 8 feet wide and is lighted at night by a gas-lamp at the expense of the association. The rent charged by the Association "Salerno" is said to be considerably less than is charged by other societies or companies, or for similar accommodations in this and other large cities, outside of any such institutions. From a report before me of the association for the benefit of the laboring classes, &c., I observe that the association owns 13 buildings, containing 570 woningen (dwellings); that the cost of their construction, inclusive of cost of grounds, &c., was 816,555.95 florins, or about $326,622.38, and that the rent now received averages from 62 to 84 cents for single rooms, &c., and from 80 cents to $1 for two rooms, &c., per week. Regarding house rents in the manufacturing towns in different provinces, I quote here a statement from the firm of Messrs. Van Heek & Co., mill owners, at Enschedè, Overyssel. They say: The houses occupied by our laborers are all very much alike and consist of two rooms, a front room and a back room, the former serving as kitchen and sitting-room as well. The better class of laborers have, many of them, their own houses, and these have, as a rule, three and some of them four rooms, the front room serving invariably as kitchen and sitting-room. The rents vary, of course, in proportion to the size of the houses and their situation, but as an average 36 cents (American) may be considered the weekly rent for the former and 48 cents (American) that for the latter class of houses. In our opinion a tendency is observable to build rather larger houses of the better class, because the difference in rent is smaller than in the accommodation, and they are much more readily rented than those of the inferior class. The city authorities of Tilburg, Almelo, and Helmond have all kindly furnished me information on this subject, but I do not deem it necessary to give the details thereof, as the rents there are just about the same as at Enschede, excepting that they report that outside and adjacent to their towns small houses with a small piece of land thereto belonging can be rented at from about $12 to $16 per annum. As to the nature of the articles of food and drink consumed by the |