WCP403

The Work problem 50 years ago by a Worker¹

Having been intimately and personally associated with the working men connected with the building trade in London, about half a century ago or within the years (from 1835 to 1845). I consider myself qualified to state the social condition of the skilled mechanics of that time ^period, particularly the carpenters and joiners department. At that time every kind of work was executed by hand, no machines except hand tools were even used, even most of the boards and planks were sawed on the premises by the primitive whip saw, from 3 inch thick boards and plank[s] brought from northern Europe and Canada.

The wages for a skilled Carpenter and Joiner was five shillings per day of ten hours; and sixpence per hour was added or deducted for any variation from that time. No wages were paid without an equitable amount of work, if the work was temporarily suspended by rain or otherwise no compensation was given or expected. All the joiner work was done in shifts, generally with good sanitary conditions and well lighted. Nothing but the rough Carpenters work was done in buildings, before the roof was on. Work commenced at 6 o'clock in the morning with [a] half hour for breakfast at 8 o'clock[,] dinner hour from 12 to 1 and leave off at 5:30. Men were paid weekly on Saturday evening, and were generally discharged at that time, notice being given at 3 o'clock, the last 2 1/2 hours being allowed for the ma to grind and sharpen his tools [to be] ready for his next employment; as every man was expected when engaged to have his tools ready to go to work immediately. The best mechanics or old hands as they were called, were seldom discharged, unless at very dull times. At many shops several of these were employed for years without ever loosing[sic] time, except for sickness or accident, but of course these were exceptional men noted for their fine work, or for expertness and skillfulness in any particular department. Of course there were always men out of work, probably from 8 to 10 per cent, except [2] in times of depression, and in the winter there were always more out of work than in summer.

With regard to their social condition, the skilled mechanic with his thirty shillings per week, if a single man of steady and frugal habits, could save half of his wages and have proper food[,] lodging and clothing suitable to his position. This furnished lodging of one room would cost four shillings per week and his three meals a day taken at the eating houses and coffee rooms would not cost more than eight shillings per week; his working clothes were cheap and he would have one superior suit for sundays and holidays.

Of course if he were of a gay and festive disposition, he would naturally spend more and not save so much, but I do not consider those expenses as necessary and is quite outside the actual and indispensable outlay.

In the case of a married man with a family it would of course be more difficult to save money, but I have known many live well and respectably, raise their family, and put by regularly for the proverbial "rainy day", and eventually build their own house, and start in business on a small way at first and eventually become masters and gain a competence; but these are probably exceptional cases.

The generality of Carpenters and Joiners with a family would live in lodging of two or three rooms with their own furniture (much of which the man could make in his spare time in the evenings) paying 5 or 6 shillings per week, and with a careful and industrious wife could live well on their wages, and clothe and educate their children, and still have something to put by.

I have never known a Carpenter in work whether married or single that did not have a good meal ^dinner of meat and vegetables every day, and on Sundays something extra; they always has beer for dinner and often at their work about 10 o'clock, and sometimes in the afternoon. As near as I can recollect the prices of provisions were for meat from sixpence to nine pence per pound, bread 7^d for the 4lb loaf, butter 10^d[,] cheese 8^d[,] refined sugar 9^d and moist 6^d[,] tea & coffee according to quality[.]

[3] The bricklayers received about the same wages as Carpenters, but owing to lost time during severe weather in winter, they were not so well off or generally so well housed and fed, although I never heard or knew of any destitution or want.

The laborers in the building trade received 3 shillings per day, the hod carriers were mostly Irishmen, reckless and improvident, as a general rule, with some exceptions, they drank largely of beer, and frequently lost time though their drunkenness and violence. Many of them were married and usually had large families, the wives of many of them worked out at washing and other employments, and the children were consequently neglected, and the home influences were not of the best, or were altogether wanting; yet the Irish laborer was generally jovial and messy, always ready for a frolic or a fight, and never refusing beer or strong drink; and I have frequently known them after a hard days work carrying bricks & mortar to the top of a high building, would spend the evening dancing and drinking at a wake or other exciting amusement.

Of the social condition of the Plasterers, Painters, and other house finishers, I am not in a position to give much reliable information, except that all appeared well satisfied with their condition, and ^at all events no general dissatisfaction was manifested. Of course there were local grievances and aggitators[sic] were frequently trying to prove that the lot of the workers were very hard and ought to be ameliorated, but they always failed to point out any feasible method. There was no tendency to reduce wages, and none thought of demanding an increase. While work was brisk and few were idle, all were well satisfied. At other times men would grumble and but did not know how to remedy the evil, and were willing to wait and hope for better times. I never heard the idea hinted at of reducing the hours of labor and demanding the same pay, less hours always represented less pay, and most men were more willing to work more ^extra hours than less.

[4] In a few shops the experiment was tried of pay for joiners work by ^the piece, according to a fixed schedule of prices, taken from a publication printed for the use of contractors, giving the average prices for all kinds of labor and materials in the building trade; the prices paid were very good, but was not much to the advantage of the workmen, as although they could by working diligently make more than the usual day wages, the fact that if they did so, would curtail the prices, (as the employers would then think they were paying too much), the men were careful only to do enough work to make their usual 30 shillings per week, as there was no inducement to earn more.

This experiment I do not think was ever carried out to any extent as the work is so various, and the ordinary work of doors[,] windows etc. is all made now by machinery, at all events it is here, all the usual joiners work is made at the mill, and there is nothing now for an apprentice to learn, except to put up the ready made work and all the tools required are a saw & hammer.

Note.— There is one point I want to refer to with regard to the price of bread here, where the wheat is grown and the flour made at our very doors, the bakers bread is sold at 5 cents per pound; I think that is as much or more than the price of bread in England from the wheat frown here and transported with all the additional expense before it reaches you.

Here is ^are the average prices which perhaps may explain things. Wheat 1 1/2 cents per lb. Flour 2 1/2 cents[,] Bread 5 cents; when it is understood that 3 lb of flour will make ^x4 or more lbs of bread it appears that the Bakers are making all the profit, while all the millers are also getting rich.

^xby actual experiment today 3 lb 140 g flour made 3 lb bread

Envelope addressed to "Dr. Alfred R. Wallace L.L.D, Parkstone, Dorsetshire, England", with stamp on front of envelope cut out; postmarked "STOCK[TON] CAL. | JUN 30 | 1892". A pencil note by ARW on front of envelope reads: "Notes on Working Men in 1835-45". [Envelope (WCP403.645)]