The following selected responses to the Dutch inquiry have been translated from Welcker’s 1978 publication of the complete Dutch responses (in Heren en Arbeiders), discovered in the archives of Lodewijk van Deyssel. While a partial and initial translation, it is hoped that a complete translation of the responses into English can be undertaken in the future.

12. Give a description of the technical part of your work, and the effort required.

“My work requires a great deal of vigilance, so that I am chased from one thing to another all day long… [he has to] work more than 20 vats 3 times a day for 1 1/2 hours to pour the barrels of the aforementioned dirty bone-char [that] fills 4 feet into vats with bone-char water and hydrochloric acid, brought to the boil by electric current [and further running water in the juices…]. I still carry on a lot of other work, but these are too diverse to […] write down.”
‘G Enters’, Sugar Factory Worker, Amsterdam (3).

“It is not only a theoretical, but also a very practical subject, a heavy effort.”
‘J. H Assenbroek’, Shipwright, Secretary of Eendracht, Amsterdam (4).

“Very tiring and dirty.”
‘A. Laarman’, Machinist, Dordrecht (8).

“Our work is terribly dirty and filthy and sometimes dangerous with heavy lifting, the dust of the cast iron is harmful to the chest, also one does not always have the tools one needs, and this creates a lot of trouble for the workman.”
Anonymous, Ironworker, Dordrecht (9).

“Of the ten boys who from school onwards have kept to the trade of blacksmith fire-worker, one becomes a matador,¹ four or five become a blacksmith and the rest are masters or foremen. The latter are subordinates or foremen of the fire-worker, like a builder to a mason. As for the effort, it is to be regretted that some parents let their sons choose this profession, which seems very attractive to the boys; that processing of gleaming iron, which causes the sparks to splash around the ears, but which makes them, if they are not built well, through the heavy labour and the dust, coals and sulphur fumes, either old men, or sends them to an early grave (certain it is still ripe with death!)”
‘W Ansing’, Blacksmith, Amsterdam (12).

“Hard Work”
‘H. D. van de Wiel’, Moulder, Rotterdam (13).

“Our profession is not an art, but requires knowledge and a lot of care, and in warm weather a lot of effort.”
Bread Baker’s Assistant, member of ‘Loon naar werk’ (’wages for work’), a Bakers’ Union (18).

“[Explains in detail his trade and how it differs from carpentry. The wood must not be too wet or too dry; the trade requires alertness and caution, a lot of effort and study …] If not, the work is messed up: no nail or paintbrush is at one’s disposal to hide this from the eye. Imagination and style, the worker thinks about all that: and a mountain of troubles awaits you. Hence we often work after bed, yes, lethargy and sadness is very often the result of the work of the cabinetmaker and with this effort of the mind comes almost always the effort of the body, through which our work always comes too expensive in the eyes of the patrons, few trades will exist where one has to stick so much to the work as with making furniture. [From everything it would appear that] a cabinet maker who can bless his work until his old age must exert himself mentally and physically.”
H. B. Mulder, Furniture Maker and President of the Furniture Manufacturers’ Association ‘Eendracht’, Groningen (20).

“Our work demands as much effort in the mind as in the body.”
‘A. ter Borg’, Furniture Maker, secretary of ‘Eendracht’, Groningen (21).

“According to our trade, we are subject to much exertion.”
W. Croeze, Furniture Maker, member of Eendracht, Groningen (22).

“As I am a cabinet-maker it requires much effort on my part because we make a good job of it and because our trade is beset by all kinds of accidents.”
S. Wierda, Furniture Maker, member of Eendracht, Groningen (24).

“The typesetter and the printer, who have mastered their trade, must work with head and hands, especially the typesetter, who must be able to read written text well, must have some idea of imaginative and decorative work, must know about the necessary trade items, etc. The effort is obvious. There is no real physical labour. The printer must master his press as well as the hand press, and through knowledge of the typeface received from the typesetter, of the paper and of the correct printing force of his press, ensure that the printed matter is good.”
J. G. Dohe, Typesetter, secretary of the executive committee of the Nederlandsche Typografen Bond, Amsterdam (25).

“A look at a printing office near you will show you.”
D. Naning, Typesetter, Appingedam (26).

“When I work, the effort is great.”
S. Zeijl, Tailor, Sneek (28).

“Some of the work is done in a stooped posture, and some of the muscles are overworked in relation to the others.”
W. Vervloet, Ornament Worker, The Hague (30).

“The work for me consists in the preparation of commissions which are to be delivered, the articles are more than five thousand in number and all have names or numbers of foreign origin which one must know as well as the prices since we are charged with the sale to shopkeepers both inside and outside the city.”
C. Van der Linden, Warehouse Assistant, Amsterdam (33).

“Now the Recruits have their part in the postal wagon service that starts at half past three in the morning until half past nine in the evening… ”
G. van Loijengoed, Postman, Amsterdam (52).

“When one arrives at the train, which must be done half an hour before departure, one begins with recording the train and putting the numbers on a note which has to be given to each main station, one then inspects the train to ensure everything is in a decent state, before loading goods so that the sweat runs down one’s back until it is time to leave, then one gets into the wagon and checks that all goods with lists and addresses correspond, unloads this at different places where such people have to load at the same time what has to be shipped, then takes note of all defects and irregularities on the train and takes note of arrival and departure times and what is being transported and all that comes with it. Regardless of the nature of one’s responsibilities, we have to write reports which are issued to us so that after the shift one must sit down and write until the middle of the night because these reports have to be handed in the next morning before coming on duty.”
J. G. Sulzle, Conductor on the Netherlands Railway, Rotterdam (54).

“We now carry 1200 bales with seven workers from 8am to 4pm, and there is no break for lunch, and if there is no time we go up to the mast to continue the work.”
C. S., Ship’s Rigger, Rotterdam (56).

13. Give a description of the workplace from a health point of view: ventilation, temperature, humidity, inhalation of dust, best rooms and cleanliness.

“Adequate ventilation, no problems with cutlery rooms or mess or dampness.”
Snijders, Diamond Cutter, Konnigstraat (1).

“Bedding and a lot of dust and only one best room.”
W. v. Klaphek, Factory Worker, ‘sweating for my bread’, Utrecht (2).

“According to question 13, the workshop is composed of a square stone building with a wooden roof, of which one side is closed but provided with two glass windows, which not only let in some light but also do not withhold it during rainstorms. On the other side were 10 holes, designed to let through the foul-smelling vapour, which is produced by boiling water with hydrochloric acid and dirty bone-char, which is in tubs, as this would cause the wooden roof to rot. At the front of the workshop (called the bone-char laundry) is a small door which serves as an entrance to the street. At the rear side of the workshop there are again two large doors about the size of large barn doors. These serve to bring in the dirty bone-char, and also to discharge the washed bone-char, so that they are always open, allowing all types of weather to enter, which is very harmful to health. One season heavy heat and another unbearable coldness due to draught. [When pouring out the bottles of hydrochloric acid, which] gives off such a suffocating vapour, I almost feel the blood burst out of my nose and mouth from coughing because of the heavy stimulation of the chest by inhalation.”
G Enters, Sugar Factory Worker, Amsterdam (3).

“There are two best rooms for a staff of 300, but they are cleaned twice a day.”
J. H. Assenbroek, Shipwright, Secretary of Eendracht, Amsterdam (4).

“[I] work in a workplace which is highly unhealthy. When you enter the workshop, you are greeted with the dirtiest cellar and the foul stench of the toilets. Fresh air can hardly find its way in. However, it seems to compete with the aforementioned stench for the lives of 4 to 5 workers as much as possible and shorten it. But when the weather is hot, you will ask – not even then, because then the draught is not able to suppress the stench by day, and at night? then the patron is afraid of the cats (thieves) entering. The workshop is located behind the residential street, completely separated from humanity. No wonder that a 25-year-old muscular and strong young man, who worked for 6 years in various similar workshops, and then 5 years in the one mentioned, has been bedridden with fever and rheumatism for 3 months now.”
_ Anonymous, Coppersmith, Amsterdam (6)_.

“Our workshops are as we found them and as they are used by the Royal Netherlands Navy and we arrange them according to our interests without worrying about the health of the workers.”
A. J. Lansen, Labourer, Vlissingen (7).

“Very much in winter, very cold.”
A. Laarman, Machinist, Dordrecht (8).

“The forge, approximately 50 feet long, 20 feet wide and 15 feet high contains seven coal fires, which swallow the smoke through the chimneys, with a heavy temperature a lot of smoke and vapour must find its way through the open door or window. The cutlery room is located on the shore above the water and is accessible to all workers within the gate. Four people can sit at the same time; when leaving the workshop one is exposed to rain and cold which often causes severe colds, because one is sweaty due to the fireworks.”
Bosma, Blacksmith, Amsterdam (11).

“The forge where I work is 120 metres long, 50 metres wide and 30 metres high. It is two buildings in one. Containing the forge and benchwork of the boat making shop and the forge and benchwork of the boiler making shop. They are still separated by a bulkhead, rigging or wall. Every day 35 to 40 large and small coal fires burn; partly with and partly without chimney caps. Ventilation is provided by windows along the two buildings at the top of the roof. In most cases, the wind blows the smoke and coal vapour downwards rather than upwards. It is therefore remarkable that the directors and vice-directors, going through the factory section, seldom choose their route along these forges, but rather along the neighbouring building, nicknamed the brugstraat (bridge street), because the Kattenburgerbrug (cathedral bridge) is erected there. This bridge street is separated by a wall, here and there by large windows, which cannot be opened, but give a view into the forge. The privies or cutlery-rooms are on the side of the shore and in such a way that during high tide one can reach them by looking up and laying down planks and beams. Five or six men can sit next to each other and if one does not carefully hold the loosened and tied items against one’s body, the naked part will come into contact with that of the man or boy sitting next to you.”
W. Ansing, Blacksmith, Amsterdam (12).

“It is better in the foundry than in the spinning shop where there is no heat and no dust so it is not unhealthy there and there is enough fresh air.”
Foundry Worker, Hengelo (14).

“This question makes me pause, I can answer it, but not in a pleasant way, because the spinning mills leave much to be desired in this area, but this cannot be changed. There is about 70 to 80 degrees of heat. In addition, during the winter months the windows are nailed shut so that no fresh air can enter, and also the inhalation of dust is very bad in some workshops and with it the foul smell of the toilets.”
Porter, Hengelo (15).

“It is not so healthy in the weaving mills, not that there is so much heat, but because so many people are gathered there, the air is spoiled.”
_ Weaver, Hengelo (16)_.

“Many private workshops are humid, and there is much inhalation of flour dust and coal vapour, which is injurious to health, and there are many workers who are susceptible to draughts.”
Bread Baker’s Assistant, Bread Bakers’ Companions Association ‘Loon naar werk’ (wages for work), Amsterdam (18).

“The workshop measures 40 m by 15 m and is divided into upstairs and downstairs. The lower part is again divided into five sections. The first two are offices and warehouses. The third is a workshop for spinning, the fourth is used as a processing area, and one half of the fifth is used as a drying area and the other as a machine room. Between the 3rd and 4th section is the staircase to the top. The office is also connected to the upper section by a staircase. The upper section is a one-piece attic used as a weaving mill. The long side walls rise six feet above the floor, on which the roof rests. The staircase is covered from the draught. The light comes through windows in the roof, and there are also windows in the small side walls; all these windows can be opened. The three cutlery rooms are outside the factory. The workshop is dry. When the weather is good, the dust can be discharged through the open windows; when the weather is bad, it can sometimes get dusty, because our work generates quite a bit of dust. Cleanliness is entrusted to our care, i.e. the boys or we ourselves keep the floor and the looms clean, the rest remains a mess until now. I say so far, because it is a new factory, we have only been working there for six months, but in the previous factory nothing was cleaned except the floor. There is no drinking water at all.”
W. P. G. Helsdingen, Carpet Weaver, Rotterdam (19).

“Very low and subdued, for years there has been no sight of whitewash or water for cleaning, and the humidity is very low due to the many substances caused by dirt and the various woodworking processes. Ventilation rather good. Best room as dirty as you can’t imagine. A whore would by no means want to put his pig in such a cage. This is the truth! My comrades have told me not to forget it.”
H. B. Mulder, Furniture Maker, President of the Furniture Manufacturers’ Association ‘Eendracht’, Groningen (20).

“The workshop as it is now is going fine because it was cleaned in the summer but then it had not been touched for 5 years. The temperature is sometimes very low because one cannot see out of one’s eyes because of the smoke.”
S. Wierda, Furniture Maker, member of Eendracht, Groningen (24).

“On the whole, the workshops can be called quite bad from a health point of view. As the typesetter needs good light, the workshops are usually located in the highest part of the building, and usually have low ceilings. Besides the polluted air, the workers inhale lead particles and dust, the result of which is that everyone looks like a ghost. And when we add to this the many gaslights, which consume so much fresh air, in the absence of sufficient ventilation, you can imagine the result. A few workshops make a favourable exception to this.”
J. G. Dohe, Typesetter, secretary of Nederlandsche Typografen Bond, Amsterdam (25).

“There is nothing here that leaves something to be desired.”
D. Naning, Typesetter, Appingedam (26).

“The effort [is] great, because I have to do my work in a room in which I sleep, eat and drink with my wife and 5 children, and have to do everything here.”
S Zeijl, Tailor, Sneek (28).

“The workshop consists of a wagon which, because of poor construction or age, is prone to getting cold and other illnesses due to the passage of time, wetness during rain, drought and dusty windows, which are defective.”
J. G. Sulzle, Conductor on the Netherlands Railway, Rotterdam (54).

“Open air mostly; when working inside the warehouses sugar smell, inhaling a lot of dust when processing spices, indigo etc.; Best rooms unprecedented opulence, everywhere messy.”
H. Hendriks, Wagonbearer’s Servant, Amsterdam (57).

15. Are there any particular diseases in your profession?

“Not much other than colds and coughs.”
W. v. Klaphek, Factory Worker, Utrecht (2).

“Coughing because of the heavy excitation of the chest due to the inhalation [of hydrochloric acid vapours].”
J. H. Assenbroek, Shipwright, Amsterdam (4).

“Yes, the money fever.”
A. J. Lansen, Labourer, Vlissingen (7).

“Breast disease and lung disease amongst wage workers.”
A. H. Janssen, Carriage Forger, Secretary of the Metalworkers’ Association ‘Eendracht’, Arnhem (10).

“Yes. Shortness of breath. Heavy cough which causes all the consequences at a late age, but affects the youthful too, ruining the eyes and ears by 40.”
Bosma, Blacksmith, Amsterdam (11).

“The shortness of breath and the coughing of many of my comrades often makes me think: would not your lungs and breasts be full of dust, vapour and sulphur? Because of such illness and injury I could not do my work, and after three days I was still collecting black dust from my nose and chest.”
W. Ansing, Blacksmith, Amsterdam (12).

“Because of heat and prolonged exertion of the body. E.g. heavy cough, cold, fever, cramps, etc.”
H. Kuhr, former Baker’s Companion and now self-employed shopkeeper with no staff, Amsterdam (17).

“Many chest ailments due to harmful inhalation.”
Baker’s Assistant, member of Loon naar werk, Amsterdam (18).

“Most weavers become shaky and nervous, chest ailments are also the dreaded enemies of weavers.”
W. P. G. Helsdingen, Carpet Weaver, Rotterdam (19).

Yes, in the more than 12½ years of our Association’s existence, 11 have died, of which no less than 7 have died of chest complaints and teering [tuberculosis], and one died insane.”
H. B. Mulder, Furniture Maker, President of the Furniture Manufacturers’ Association ‘Eendracht’, Groningen (20).

“The workers in our profession mostly die of consumption.”
A. ter Borg, Furniture Maker, Secretary of Eendracht, Groningen (21).

“Lots of ‘teering’ [tuberculosis].”
J. G. Dohe, Typesetter, Secretary of Nederlandsche Typografen Bond, Amsterdam (25).

16. Are the machines designed to prevent accidents?

“No.”
Snijders, Diamond Cutter, Konnigstraat (1).

“As for the position and operation of the machines, this does not allow them to be operated without danger, so that we ourselves are forced to operate them out of a concern for our own preservation. [The boiler is very dangerous] yes, even a few weeks ago a hole blew in it, although this did not cause an accident then because the stoker was not standing in front of the boiler at the moment of the explosion, being occupied with throwing up coal or some other necessary activity. [The hole has not been sufficiently closed, a new plate should have been put in] because the old one which is still in there is not thicker than a new penny, and this has to withstand the force of 45 pounds of steam night and day. [He himself also has to be very careful] to protect the other workers from accidents and also not to cause the patron (whom I will call by this name) any great damage in case of the slightest negligence. [Great accidents can happen because of this [i.e. too little light at night] as the above mentioned tanks are completely open from above [so that there is the danger of falling into a boiling hydrochloric acid tank] which has already happened several times and the workers had to stay at home for 5 or 6 weeks.”
G. Enters, Sugar Factory Worker, Amsterdam (3).

“It is going quite well. We are in favour of no accidents, because too much working time is lost.”
A. J. Lansen, Labourer, Vlissingen (7).

“No.”
A. H. Janssen, Carriage Forger, Secretary of Metalworkers’ Unity, Arnhem (10).

“No! Scissors, punches and drills are out in the open for everyone to use. I came to the factory as a boy and was unfamiliar with these machines. A man under whose care I was placed as a boy ordered me to cut a piece of plate in half; my fingers got caught between the plate and the knife, because I did not have enough strength to press the plate down, with the result that the flesh came off the front and middle fingers to the bone. This accident is still visible on my right hand. In order not to be too long in answering questions, I will leave it at that, as I can relate terrible scenes of accidents caused by the machines, of which I was aware, in answering this question 16.”
W. Ansing, Blacksmith, Amsterdam (12).

38. Is there extra pay for overtime?

“Yes, three cents an hour.”
J. H. Assenbroek, Shipwright, Secretary of Eendracht, Amsterdam (4).

“None.”
A. Laarman, Machinist, Dordrecht (8).

“No.”
Anonymous, Ironworker, Dordrecht (9).

“Sunday double and night single.”
A. H. Janssen, Carriage Forger, secretary of the Metalworkers’ Association ‘Eendracht’, Arnhem (10).

“Not for me.”
H. D. van de Wiel, Moulder, Rotterdam (13).

“In factories, in case of long overtime, but one or two hours are not taken into account. In ordinary bakeries the weekly wage remains the same.”
H. Kuhr, Former Bakers’ Assistant, now self-employed shopkeeper with no staff, Amsterdam (17).

“No, night and day and overtime are paid according to the same standard.”
W. P. G. Helsdingen, Carpet Weaver, Rotterdam (19).

“The same wages as are paid for regular work.”
H. B. Mulder, Furniture Maker and President of the Furniture Manufacturers’ Association ‘Eendracht’, Groningen (20).

“In some cases overtime is paid a bit more, but the regular daily wage is the rule. There are also workplaces where they pay less than for day work.”
J. G Dohe, Typesetter, secretary of the executive committee of the Nederlandsche Typografen Bond, Amsterdam (25).

“Even for more work than the tariff requires, an effort is made to pay as little as possible.”
J. Buis, Cutter (tailoring), Sneek (27).

“No, they do not.”
W. Vervloet, Ornament Worker, The Hague (30).

39. How is the piece rate determined?

“One has to work so fast and heartily for daily wages that we could not do it any faster with piecework, so there is no piecework here.”
Anonymous, Ironworker, Dordrecht (9).

“There are no rates for piecework. It is assumed. When the management or the bosses do not know about the work, it sometimes happens that the workman is in good shape, but when he wants to take advantage of this opportunity and earns more than 30 cents on every guilder, then he or someone else who takes on such work later, will be deducted so much, that with the best effort one cannot earn more than 1/5 of the principal sum. After some haggling and weighing up, I receive a written note, signed by the assistant director, saying f. 1.25 per item, i.e. f. 1.25 for the 100 items. All Saturday evenings I and my foremen are paid for the hours we worked from Friday morning until Thursday evening at normal wages. Now the work is finished and we have received f. 100. so f 25. is left over: this is extra income and is paid out when the work is at the place where it is meant to be, because only then one has the full conviction that it is satisfactory. In most cases this takes no longer than 14 days after delivery.”
W. Ansing, Blacksmith, Amsterdam (12).

“If it is done well, they will be paid, otherwise not.”
H. D. van de Wiel, Moulder, Rotterdam (13).

“In the old days, people worked on weekly wages in our factory. A carpet weaver earned f 7 per week, and so did a mat weaver. This wage was 50 cents more or less for some, but I believe that married people usually got more. A carpet weaver used to make 60 old sheets of carpet per week. A mat weaver usually made 12 mats a week. When I joined the factory 15 years ago, people started to work by the piece. Now a carpet weaver usually makes double the amount he used to, and so does a mat weaver. The unit wage was set at 8½ to 9 cents per yard of carpet and 45 cents for a mat. I don’t know how this calculation was made; I was just a boy at the time. The patron did not do badly, I do know that.”
W. P. G. Helsdingen, Carpet Weaver, Rotterdam (19).

“Supply and demand is everything here too - even beer is haggled with the work in the manner of a merchant. Even for more work than the tariff requires, they try to give as little as possible, which sometimes leads to unfair commissions.”
J. Buis, Cutter (tailoring), Sneek (27).

“In the beginning calculated by time, later by competition.”
W. Vervloet, Ornament Worker, The Hague (30).

50. Have you noticed a greater increase in [the price of] food than in wages?

“Decrease of wages.”
Snijders, Diamond Cutter, Konnigstraat (1).

“A resounding yes.”
J. H. Assenbroek, Shipwright, Secretary of Eendracht, Amsterdam (4).

“For a very long time.”
A. Laarman, Machinist, Dordrecht (8).

“Yes.”
Anonymous, Ironworker, Dordrecht (9).

“The expenses mentioned above or rather asked for were investigated by the association Concordia in old Amsterdam newspapers and found that for 25 years now foodstuffs have been increased by 25 per cent and wages by 10 per cent since then, so a difference of 15 per cent.”
Bosma, Blacksmith, Amsterdam (11).

“According to the market prices of the trustees in Amsterdam compared with 25 years ago, wages have risen by 10% and food by 25%, so the shortage on the side of the workers is 15%.”
W. Ansing, Blacksmith, Amsterdam (12).

“During my seven years of marriage I have noticed that needs have increased yet my salary has been reduced in the last three years due to a lack of work.”
H. D. van de Wiel, Moulder, Rotterdam (13).

“It is my firm opinion, based on observation, that the prices of the necessaries of life have risen much more than wages.”
W. P. G. Helsdingen, Carpet Weaver, Rotterdam (19).

“In some cases they have, in some they have not.”
H. B. Mulder, Furniture Maker, President of the Furniture Manufacturers’ Association ‘Eendracht’, Groningen (20).

“When I calculate all the year round and as I told you in item 9, if nothing comes in between, I have nothing left over.”
S. Wierda, Furniture Maker, member of Eendracht, Groningen (24).

“Yes, there is.”
J. G Dohe, Typesetter, Secretary of the executive committee of the Nederlandsche Typografen Bond, Amsterdam (25).

“Yes, from rye bread and other necessities. My wages remained the same.”
D. Nanning, Typesetter, Appingedam (26).

“The increase in foodstuffs is very bad. The earnings 15 per cent increased, but the work is made much better than before.”
S. Zeijl, Tailor, Sneek (28).

“Yes.”
W. Vervloet, Ornament Worker, The Hague (30).

“I have often seen this increase in winter and in spring when the big merchants could prosper while my wife bought food of lesser quality.”
C. van der Linden, Warehouse Assistant, Amsterdam (33).

53. Do you know of workers made redundant by the introduction of machines?

“No.”
Snijders, Diamond Cutter, Konnigstraat (1).

“Yes, some.”
Anonymous, Ironworker, Dordrecht (9).

“Yes, many. Tools in the workshops like scissors-punching- and drilling machines, which are turned by hand require for a plate of ½ English dm 3 persons at the wheel and 2 or more at the plate: according to the length of the plate and subsequently heavier plate more workmen, if this works with steam, then the wheelwrights are superfluous and thus the machines are useless.”
Bosma, Blacksmith, Amsterdam (11).

“Too many to mention. A few small examples: A punch to press small holes of ½ or 5/8 inch diameter English size, not driven by machines, requires two men to turn the wheel 3/4 and 7/8 etc. Every ¼ thickness of iron requires the labour of one more man. The same is true of cutting, planing, slotting, drilling and turning machines. Consider now the colossal reduction of labour caused by steam alone in a factory where over 100 such machines are in use, while the machines themselves consume many more workers.”
W. Ansing, Blacksmith, Amsterdam (12).

“This is difficult to say one person will say that the introduction of the machines has created work, another will say that the work is now done more quickly than with the hands, but I do know that with the introduction of the machines there are workmen who nowadays have no work at slack times. Some have no work, these are the weavers, because the weavers’ machines work as much per day as anyone else with their hands in a week.”
Porter, Hengelo (15).

“Because of the introduction of machines in our trade, there are many bakers’ companions without work.”
Break Bakers’ Assistant, member of ‘Loon naar werk’ (‘wages for work’), Amsterdam (18).

“No, it is because of the fact that, in general, work is done too long, and that, in my opinion, is the greatest cancer for the workman.”
H. B. Mulder, Furniture Maker, President of Eendracht, Groningen (20).

“No.”
J. G Dohe, Typesetter, Secretary of the executive committee of the Nederlandsche Typografen Bond, Amsterdam (25).

“Yes, at the steam carpentry factory here.”
D. Naning, Typesetter, Appingedam (26).

“Yes.”
H. J. Giliams, Tailor, Sneek (29).

“Yes, in our workshop from 6 to 3.”
W. Vervloet, Ornament Worker, The Hague (30).

54. Has the duration and fatigue of labour been increased or reduced by the development of machinery?

“Decreased.”
Snijders, Diamond Cutter, Konnigstraat (1).

“The fatiguing part has been somewhat reduced, in some cases significantly reduced, but the duration has increased everywhere.”
A. J. Lansen, Labourer, Vlissingen (7).

“Increases.”
A. Laarman, Machinist, Dordrecht (8).

“The fatigue has been reduced, but I am of the opinion that the machine, although necessary, holds back many workers.”
A. H. Janssen, Carriage Forger, Secretary of the Metalworkers’ Association ‘Eendracht’, Arnhem (10).

“That has remained virtually the same for the workman, when one works faster because of the machines this is to the advantage of the Patron, because the workman is always working, whether there is steam or not, work is the message, the harder the better.”
Bosma, Blacksmith, Amsterdam (11).

“We work long and hard. This is not the fault of steam or machines but of the push by the patrons. e.g. I have to make a plate on a boat or boiler. Holes have to be made in the plate so that it can be riveted in place with nails. I draw them on the plate. If there is no punching machine in the workshop, they have to be punched in, otherwise they are printed, which is much quicker. Is this interval of time to my advantage? No, I am not idle, but am already riveting the plate, while otherwise I would still be punching holes.”
W. Ansing, Blacksmith, Amsterdam (12).

“I would say it has been reduced as much by the length of time as by the fatigue of the labour.”
Foundry Worker, Hengelo (14).

“The duration has been reduced a great deal by machine work.”
Bread Bakers’ Assistant, member of Loon vaar werk (wages for work), Amsterdam (18).

“The reduction of duration is not a given for us; once again we blame excessively long working hours. As far as fatigue is concerned, it has definitely decreased.”
H. B. Mulder, Furniture Maker, President of Eendracht, Groningen (20).

58. Have there ever been strikes and with what results?

“In 1866 with favourable consequences.”
Snijders, Diamond Cutter, Konnigstraat (1).

“In the spring of ‘69 the Shipwrights Association “Eendracht” was founded, in March of said year, and in April it sent a circular to the patrons requesting that the working day be changed from 12 to 10 hours and that wages be increased from f 1.80 to f 2.00, this was refused and we stopped work unanimously, which lasted about four weeks, the result of which was that we were granted a request for f 2.00 in the two working hours, and then the workers felt so delighted that they accepted the offer and resumed work, striking a blow for me and others as it were. In ‘72 we repeated our request to bring the day to 10 hours and after suffering and struggle on 1 March 1873 the day was set to 10 working hours, divided into 4 so-called shifts. But because of the continuing rise in the price of basic necessities we felt compelled to send another circular to the patrons – this was in the year ‘76 – with the request to raise the wages from 20 to 25 cents per hour or rather to f 2.50 per day, but this too was rejected and in April of the same year another partial strike was held which lasted 6 days with again no good results. But from then on, by writing and talking to the patrons, the gentlemen patrons set the wages at 22 cents, and at the same time introduced the hourly rate, which was very high, but we were forced to give in.”
J. H. Assenbroek, Shipwright, Secretary of Eendracht, Amsterdam (4).

“In my profession never.”
W. Ansing, Blacksmith, Amsterdam (12).

“When the iron foundry was busy in 1876 we decided by a large majority to demand that the director dismiss our boss who had been a tyrant to us for 7 years and the result was that he himself soon resigned.”
H. D. van de Wiel, Moulder, Rotterdam (13).

“They do not take place here because no one dares to be the first. [There was a small strike a few years ago over a dispute of a payment of wages to a worker].”
Porter, Hengelo (15).

“No, because there is no agreement. So if there were a general strike, there would be immediate improvement. So now they are playthings and slaves of the rich.”
H. Kuhr, Former Bakers’ Assistant, now self-employed shopkeeper with no staff, Amsterdam’ (17).

“Once and then we started working together, so called co-operative work, after which we received a raise from our employer.”
H. B. Mulder, Furniture Maker, President of Eendracht, Groningen (20).

“When in ‘64 the wages were 14 cents, no servants were allowed to work in our workshop for that amount of money, only for 17 cents and then the shop was out of order for 3 weeks.”
S. Wierda, Furniture Maker, member of Eendracht, Groningen (24).

“In 1869 in Amsterdam with fairly good results, but could have been better if all printing companies had participated. In 1867 strikes took place at Mr. v. d. Weijer in Utrecht Thime in Arnhem and Thime in Nijmegen.”
J. G. Dohe, Typesetter, Secretary of Nederlandsche Typografen Bond, Amsterdam (25).

63. How is the condition of the workers in your trade, physically, mentally and morally?

“Leaves much to be desired.”
Snijders, Diamond Cutter, Konnigstraat (1).

“There is a lot of difference.”
A. Laarman, Machinist, Dordrecht (8).

“Physically aged, most of them mutilated. Mentally and morally: miserable, stupid, religious and do not act out of indifference. Cursing is the order of the day.”
Bosma, Blacksmith, Amsterdam (11).

“Incidentally, it is almost impossible to find a worker in the factory who is not more or less mutilated: Some have deep grooves or scars, some have lost tips of fingers, others have lost an eye, and others still have one or two fractures. Those who have lost their arms or both eyes are not seen again. Mental and moral: completely demoralised: stupid, silly, rough, religious; swearing, drinking, debauched. I have used everything: reasoning, journals, writings, Rights for All, it has cost me money, brought hatred and contempt from the people, the bosses and the directors, that’s the end of it.”
W. Ansing, Blacksmith, Amsterdam (12).

“The condition of the workers is spiritually deadening because of long and arduous work which is also detrimental to the body and as far as morality is concerned, most of them don’t even know what it is, though there are some exceptions.”
H. D. van de Wiel, Moulder, Rotterdam (13).

“As far as morality is concerned, this sometimes leaves much to be desired. The life of factory workers is sometimes very rough, but this will gradually improve as they grow to understand this themselves. And also that their situation is not as it should be. [About the workers in general:] There are workers who […] according to their opinion, tell the supervisor everything that happens in a workplace, even give him an extra from their meagre wages, yes it is sad and all this happens without a patron knowing anything about it.”
Porter, Hengelo (15).

“Mostly exhausted, dejected creatures, because of their unyielding way of life, because of their addiction to work.”
H. Kuhr, Former Bakers’ Assistant, now self-employed shopkeeper with no staff, Amsterdam (17).

“Having no time to think of moral and social interest because of a lack of rest.”
Bakers’ Assistant, member of Loon naar werk, Amsterdam (18).

“Describing the physical condition is not easy, most of them are young and healthy, but it is certain that this will change to a worse state. Piecework with its continuous effort undermines the strongest constitutions. On the spiritual level, the situation is rather unpleasant. One does not care about the reverend or the priest, when one is together, and one does not want to be inferior to the other, but to withdraw oneself firmly from the influence of these parasites of society, one lacks courage, spirit and willpower. Cowardly, insipid writings find readers, but books that require the use of the brain are ignored. I believe they are too lazy to think. It is clear that morality does not win out here. When one has worked hard all week, the greatest pleasure for many is a drink. I often hear it when we leave the factory: ‘Thank God for a drink soon’. Most people are also averse to socialising, and an evening spent in a pub or elsewhere is more attractive to them than attending meetings or reading useful books.”
W. P. G. Helsdingen, Carpet Weaver, Rotterdam (19).

“Physically they are alright as long as they are there, generally pale. Spiritually it is not going well at all. Their morals have increased astonishingly since the foundation of the Association.”
H. B. Mulder, Furniture Maker, President of Eendracht, Groningen (20).

“[Physical]: One can see that they are printers or binders. Mentally some are quite well developed. The moral conduct is quite good.”
D. Nanning, Typesetter, Appingedam (25).

“They are therefore each others’ and also their own competitors. […] This means that such a worker, seldom, indeed almost never, in the time he could spare, makes use of the open air or serves his children for other purposes (besides clothing); he has actually got used to it in the dry days, he has forgotten it or rather he has never known it. At any rate, I fear that such a time is boring for such a person. It is obvious that his development has come to a standstill. His workshop, be it at home or at the shop of his patron, is his all, at least the main thing he seems to identify with, hence many a tailor suffers from stoppage (how is it possible that there are no more diseases specific to our profession! It seems that the body can also get used to a less healthy way of life!)”
J. Buis, Cutter (tailoring), Sneek (27).

“Sir I believe that in the last question the proverb may rightly be invoked that the last lots weigh the most. To be able to judge this, one would have to study each one in particular and this is not easy for someone who has had to give his education largely by himself. In nature they are all healthy and physically well developed as there is never any question of serious illness. In the last six years three persons have died of illnesses that in my opinion have nothing to do with the work. As far as the spiritual situation is concerned, both patrons are Lutheran, there are twelve Roman Catholics, and the others are Protestant or Lutheran, no Jews they are never accepted, and everyone can act as he chooses because the Patrons never ask about it when accepting. As far as the moral situation is concerned, first of all, morality leaves nothing to be desired as the Patrons always set a good example, most of the workmen are married and in the presence of the Patrons no one will speak improperly. Honesty leaves something more to be desired as six people have been removed for theft, one of them has been handed over to the police, the others have only been chased away. For the rest they are all badly developed of mind, have little or no sound judgement, never speak about improvement of their situation and when spoken about they do not understand me at all. For most of them money is the only basis if they can get it, they think they have nothing left to do, which stems from the relatively low weekly wages, which for most of them are too small to feed and clothe their wives and children properly. They do not want to hear about the union because they are afraid to fall into disgrace with the patron who of course does not want to know about it in his interest… about this I could tell you a lot but I fear that I will be too boring for you should you however desire to receive some clarifications from me I am gladly prepared to send you these…”
C. van der Linden, Warehouse Assistant, Amsterdam (33).

“Physically there are 40 p.c. unhappy (lame, hunchbacked or other defects) spiritually most are R. Catholics because in N. Brabant it is as it were their cradle, but by experience there are many educated ones among them, at S. Democracy they are very strongly represented… An example will give you a glimpse into the special life of our profession: I can personally name those who work a little on Tuesdays, work well on Wednesdays and work through the Friday night, including the Saturday night, until Sunday morning or even the afternoon, and then go out, drink and drink until it is the day of the week again; I also know of even more unfortunate examples that one has to experience, but which cannot be given in writing.”
C. G. van Harrewijn, Shoemaker, The Hague (31).

“Physically weakened and dejected by lack of food required by the arduous work, which leads to exhaustion mentally and morally miserable…”
L. van Willegenburg, Bricklayer, Amsterdam (34).

“In England a horse is treated better than a worker here.” (p.295)
S. Mulder, Peat Worker, Smilde (50).