_A "Neutral" correspondent of The London Daily Chronicle, just
returned from Germany, was thus quoted in a cable dispatch to_ THE NEW
YORK TIMES _on June 28:_
It is in towns, particularly industrial towns, where one sees how
entirely the German nation is organized for war. Into these towns an
enormous number of men have been drafted from the country to work in
factories, which are humming day and night with activity to keep up
the supply of all things necessary for the fighting line.
In general, the relations between capital and labor there have
experienced notable amelioration. Indeed, the impression one gains in
traveling about Germany is one of absolute settled industrial peace,
but I know this has only been secured because all parties know that
the first signs of dissatisfaction would be treated "with the utmost
rigor of the law."
At some of the largest factories men are often at work fifteen,
twenty, and even thirty hours on a stretch, with only short intervals
for rest. Though it is said that there are ample stocks of all kinds
of ammunition, there is noted daily and nightly a feverish haste in
the factories where it is made.
The Government has not officially taken over the factories, but it is
well known that all factory owners who want Government work can get
it, and, as this is almost the only profitable use to which factories
can just now be put, there is no lack of candidates for recognition as
army contractors.
Whenever a Government contract is given out there is a clause in the
contract which fixes rates of wages for every grade of workmen so that
any questions of increases that the men might raise are out of the
hands of the employer, and he points to the fact that both he and the
workmen are in the hands of the State. Strikes are therefore unknown,
a further deterrent being the knowledge that any man who does not do
his utmost without murmuring will quickly be embodied in some regiment
destined for one of the hottest places at the front.
In factories where Government work is being done wages are high, and
even in the few cases where wages of certain unskilled workers have
fallen, the men are allowed to work practically until they drop and so
make up by more hours what they have lost by the lowered rates.
There is keen competition to obtain work in the factories working for
the State, as the men engaged in these know almost certainly that for
some time at least they will not be sent to the front, which seems to
be the chief dread underlying all other thoughts and feelings.
For work done on Sunday wages are 50 per cent. higher than the usual
rate. The men are encouraged to work on Sundays and overtime on
weekdays and the prices of food are so high they need little
encouragement. Where women have taken the places of men their wages
are in most cases lower.