[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The letter signed "
Legion " in your issue of January 16th must have awakened many grateful responses among your readers. While the question of reparations is so much in the public mind, and certain public organs are still attempting to maintain Germany's capacity to pay, I think your readers may be interested in some typical material which has recently come to my hands from Germany.
As a result of the September Emergency Decrees it is expected thXt in Prussia alone .7,600 young teachers will lose their positions. There are also some 10,000 fully-qualified young teachers, who have been waiting years to obtain their first post.
Under the various Emergency Decrees, which have followed one another so swiftly, all Civil Servants suffered reductions of salary totalling 211 per cent. In the same category for reduction are all other Government and Local Authority employees not on the permanent staff of the pension list. All existing bargains relating to wage rates between organized employers and employees, federations of manufacturers, trades unions, &c., are cancelled, and a general cut of 15 per cent. in all grades is allowed.
Space does not allow me to quote many instances of the dis- tress among the middle classes and intelligentsia generally, but ,thesc two may be taken as typical. A well-known professor, " a mind that has shaped our times," rides to-day through the town on his bicycle, earning a few pfennige as a messenger. Another educated man,, formerly on the expert staff of a firm of builders, with years of experience in his profession, obtained temporary work at 250 marks per month and had to go and live in one of the poorest quarters of Berlin in a dwelling of two rooms and small kitchen, for which he paid a rent of 50 marks per month. He is a married man with two sons. Last month he lost his job and is getting 16 marks per week relief. The latest information is that he has the possibility of work at 190 marks per month. If he is fortunate enough to get this, he will, after deducting taxes, rent, school fees and tram fares, have 50 marks per month left for clothing, food, &c., for the family.
It is indeed time that, to use "Legion's " phrase, we took " sides with humanity."—I am, Sir, &e.,
BERTHA L. BRACEY, Secretary, Committee on Economic Situation in Germany.
Previous page
