第 28 节
作者:知恩报恩      更新:2021-02-20 16:17      字数:9322
  tion。  I say as a rule because; of course; our Officers will be allowed to make exceptions in extreme cases; but the rule will be first work then eat。  And that amount of work will be exacted rigorously。  It is that which distinguishes this Scheme from mere charitable relief。
  I do not wish to have any hand in establishing a new centre of demoralisation。  I do not want my customers to be pauperised by being treated to anything which they do not earn。  To develop self…respect in the man; to make him feel that at last he has go this foot planted on the first rung of the ladder which leads upwards; is vitally important; and this cannot be done unless the bargain between him and me is strictly carried out。  So much coffee; so much bread; so much shelter; so much warmth and light from me; but so much labour in return from him。
  What labour? it is asked。  For answer to this question I would like to take you down to our Industrial Workshops in Whitechapel。  There you will see the Scheme in experimental operation。  What we are doing there we propose to do everywhere up to the extent of the necessity; and there is no reason why we should fail elsewhere if we can succeed there。
  Our Industrial Factory at Whitechapel was established this Spring。 We opened it on a very small scale。  It has developed until we have nearly ninety men at work。  Some of these are skilled workmen who are engaged in carpentry。  The particular job they have now in hand is the making of benches for the Salvation Army。  Others are engaged in mat…making; some are cobblers; others painters; and so forth。 This trial effort has; so far; answered admirably。  No one who is taken on comes for a permanency。  So long as he is willing to work for his rations he is supplied with materials and provided with skilled superintendents。  The hours of work are eight per day。  Here are the rules and regulations under which the work is carried on at present:…
  THE SALVATION ARMY SOCIAL REFORM WING。
  Temporary Headquarters 36; UPPER THAMES STREET; LONDON; E。C;
  CITY INDUSTRIAL WORKSHOPS。
  OBJECTS。These workshops are open for the relief of the unemployed and destitute; the object being to make it unnecessary for the homeless or workless to be compelled to go to the Workhouse or Casual Ward; food and shelter being provided for them in exchange for work done by them; until they can procure work for themselves; or it can be found for them elsewhere。
  PLAN OF OPERATION。All those applying for assistance will be placed in what is termed the first class。  They must be willing to do any kind of work allotted to them。  While they remain in the first class; they shall be entitled to three meals a day; and shelter for the night; and will be expected in return to cheerfully perform the work allotted to them。
  Promotions will be made from this first…class to the second…class of all those considered eligible by the Labour Directors。  They will; in addition to the food and shelter above mentioned; receive sums of money up to 5s。 at the end of the week; for the purpose of assisting them to provide themselves with tools; to get work outside。
  REGULATIONS。No smoking; drinking; bad language; or conduct calculated to demoralize will be permitted on the factory premises。 No one under the influence of drink will be admitted。  Any one refusing to work; or guilty of bad conduct; will be required to leave the premises。
  HOURS OF WORK。7 a。m。 to 8。30 a。m。; 9 a。m。 to 1 p。m。; 2 p。m。 to 5。30 p。m; Doors will be closed 5 minutes after 7; 9; and 2 p。m。  Food Checks will be given to all as they pass out at each meal time。  Meals and Shelter provided at 272; Whitechapel Road。
  Our practical experience shows that we can provide work by which a man can earn his rations。  We shall be careful not to sell the goods so manufactured at less than the market prices。  In firewood; for instance; we have endeavoured to be rather above the average than below it。 As stated elsewhere; we are firmly opposed to injuring one class of workmen while helping another。
  Attempts on somewhat similar lines to those now being described have hitherto excited the liveliest feelings of jealousy on the part of the Trade Unions; and representatives of labour。  They rightly consider it unfair that labour partly paid for out of the Rates and Taxes; or by Charitable Contributions; should be put upon the market at less than market value; and so compete unjustly with the production of those who have in the first instance to furnish an important quota of the funds by which these Criminal or Pauper workers are supported。  No such jealousy can justly exist in relation to our Scheme; seeing that we are endeavouring to raise the standard of labour and are pledged to a war to the death against sweating in every shape and form。
  But; it will be asked; how do these Out…of…Works conduct themselves when you get them into the Factory?  Upon this point I have a very satisfactory report to render。  Many; no doubt; are below par; under…fed; and suffering from ill health; or the consequence of their intemperance。  Many also are old men; who have been crowded out of the labour market by their younger generation。  But; without making too many allowances on these grounds; I may fairly say that these men have shown themselves not only anxious and willing; but able to work。 Our Factory Superintendent reports:…
  Of loss or time there has practically been none since the opening; June 29th。  Each man during his stay; with hardly an exception; has presented himself punctually at opening time and worked more or less assiduously the whole of the labour hours。  The morals of the men have been good; in not more than three instances has there been an overt act of disobedience; insubordination; or mischief。  The men; as a whole; are uniformly civil; willing; and satisfied; they are all fairly industrious; some; and that not a few; are assiduous and energetic。 The Foremen have had no serious complaints to make or delinquencies to report。
  On the 15th of August I had a return made of the names and trades and mode of employment of the men at work。  Of the forty in the shops at that moment; eight were carpenters; twelve labourers; two tailors; two sailors; three clerks; two engineers; while among the rest was a shoemaker; two grocers; a cooper; a sailmaker; a musician; a painter; and a stonemason。  Nineteen of these were employed in sawing; cutting and tying up firewood; six were making mats; seven making sacks; and the rest were employed in various odd jobs。  Among them was a Russian carpenter who could not speak a word of English。  The whole place is a hive of industry which fills the hearts of those who go to see it with hope that something is about to be done to solve the difficulty of the unemployed。
  Although our Factories will be permanent institutions they will not be anything more than temporary resting…places to those who avail themselves of their advantages。  They are harbours of refuge into which the storm…tossed workman may run and re…fit; so that he may again push out to the ordinary sea of labour and earn his living。 The establishment of these Industrial Factories seems to be one of the most obvious duties of those who would effectually deal with the Social Problem。  They are as indispensable a link in the chain of deliverance as the Shelters; but they are only a link and not a stopping…place。 And we do not propose that they should be regarded as anything but stepping…stones to better things。
  These Shops will also be of service for men and women temporarily unemployed who have families; and who possess some sort of a home。 In numerous instances; if by any means these unfortunates could find bread and rent for a few weeks; they would tide over their difficulties; and an untold amount of misery would be averted; In such cases Work would be supplied at their own homes where preferred; especially for the women and children; and such remuneration would be aimed at as would supply the immediate necessities of the hour。 To those who have rent to pay and families to support something beyond rations would be indispensable。
  The Labour Shops will enable us to work out our Anti…Sweating experiments。  For instance; we propose at once to commence manufacturing match boxes; for which we shall aim at giving nearly treble the amount at present paid to the poor starving creatures engaged in this work。
  In all these workshops our success will depend upon the extent to which we are able to establish and maintain in the minds of the workers sound moral sentiments and to cultivate a spirit of hopefulness and aspiration。  We shall continually seek to impress upon them the fact that while we desire to feed the hungry; and clothe the naked; and provide shelter for the shelterless; we are still more anxious to bring about that regeneration of heart and life which is essential to their future happiness and well…being。
  But no compulsion will for a moment be allowed with respect to religion。 The man who professes to love and serve God will be helped because of such profession; and the man who does not will be helped in the hope that he will; sooner or later; in gratitude to God; do the same; but there will be no melancholy misery…making for any。  There is no sanctimoniou