WAGES OF MECHANICS AND SKILLED ARTISANS IN GREAT BRITAIN.
This branch of his subject is copiously treated by Dr. Young in connection with his tour through the chief manufacturing cities of the United Kingdom in 1872. From the numerous tables presented we select one under the head of “Skilled trades in London, weekly wages in 1871” (page 242) as being the most comprehensive.
The average daily wages of persons employed in the same trades in the United States in 1874 was from $2 25 for shoemakers to $3 33 for bricklayers or masons (pp. 745-747); or, in other words, from 50 per cent. to 100 per cent. more than in England.
Statement showing the established rates of wages obtained by members of the various trades societies of the metropolis, in summer and winter, compiled under the supervision of Alsager Hay Hill, LL.B.
| TRADES. | NUMBER OF MEMBERS. | RATE OF WAGES. | |
| Sum’r | Winter | ||
| Bakers, | $3 87 | $5 08 | |
| Basket-makers, | 3 63 | 4 84 | |
| Boat-builders, | 8 47 | 7 26 | |
| Bookbinders, | 702 | 7 26 | 7 26 |
| Brass-cock finishers, | 8 47 | 8 47 | |
| Brass-finishers, | 8 47 | 8 47 | |
| Bricklayers, | 2,386 | 16[D] | 16[D] |
| Brush-makers, | 400 | [E] | [E] |
| Cabinet-makers, | 500 | 7 26 | 7 26 |
| Cabinet-makers, deal, | 450 | 7 99 | 7 99 |
| Carpenters, | 4,740 | 9 14 | 9 14 |
| Carvers and gilders, | 50 | 4 84 | 4 84 |
| Coach-builders, | 25 | 9 68 | 9 68 |
| Coach-makers, | 320 | 9 68 | 9 68 |
| Coach-smiths, | 200 | 4 84 | 12 58 |
| Coach-trimmers and makers, | 6 05 | 6 05 | |
| Compositors, | 3,550 | 4 84 | 8 47 |
| Cork-cutters, | 100 | 7 26 | 7 26 |
| Cordwainers, | 3,678 | [F] | [F] |
| Curriers, | 1,900 | 8 47 | 8 47 |
| Engineers, | 33,539 | 16[D] | 16[D] |
| 18[D] | 16[D] | ||
| Farriers, | 220 | 9 68 | 12 10 |
| French polishers, | 30 | 7 26 | 7 26 |
| Hammermen, | 80 | 5 81 | 5 81 |
| Iron-founders and moulders, | 7,372 | 9 20 | 9 20 |
| Letterpress printers, | 7 26 | 7 26 | |
| Painters, house, | 14[D] | 14[D] | |
| Pianoforte makers, | 400 | 16[D] | 16[D] |
| Plasterers, | 14[D] | 14[D] | |
| Plumbers, | 18[D] | 18[D] | |
| Pressmen, printers, | 60 | 7 26 | 7 26 |
| Skinners, | 225 | 7 26 | 7 26 |
| Steam-engine makers, | 100 | 16[D] | 16[D] |
| 18[D] | 18[D] | ||
| Stone-masons, | 17,193 | 9 14 | 7 82 |
PURCHASING POWER OF WAGES.
But we cannot stop at the mere figures in dollars and cents. In this connection we must consider what those wages will buy in each country—what is their purchasing power: