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There is no change of team. This in itself would seem to be some
guarantee that the number of hours of standing must be a considerable
proportion of the whole. Except with the railway companies, and
a few of the large contractors, the men have to clean and water
their horses. Horse-keepers are employed to feed them.
Wages: For such long hours
as prevail, the pay is low. There is perhaps no man's employment
which yields so small a return per hour. To drive a cart demands
but little skill, nor any exceptional intelligence, and there is
nothing like the physical exhaustion which puts a natural limit
to hours of work in many trades. Moreover, the hours in which goods
are moved by road extend almost necessarily early and late, preceding
or following the work of others. For one horse vans men's wages
vary from 18s (9Op) to 24s (£1.2O), and boys are often employed
at lower rates. Some of the heaviest work is paid no more than 18s
(90p). for two-horse vans the pay varies from 22s (£1.10) to
26s (£1.3O) with a few at 28s (£1.40). For three or four
horses no particular difference is made; 3Os (£1.50) per week
is the maximum rate, and few employers pay as much.
....... At one time tips were almost a system, but are no longer
usual, excepting perhaps with the men engaged in parcels delivery,
who may still substantially augment their wages in this way. Drink
is given more often than money, and what money is received most
frequently goes to the public-house. It is admitted that carmen
are largely addicted to strong drink, but it is not supposed that
it plays any considerable part in their sickness and mortality."
"The men suffer from rheumatism and bronchitis, and such illnesses
are the most prevalent and dangerous, as on the whole the men are
ill provided with warm clothes, presenting in this respect a striking
contrast to cab and 'busmen. Old bags are a common makeshift
for an overcoat. The railway companies and large private firms almost
invariably supply aprons or rugs, but in many cases the men have
to find their own, and then they are usually not provided at all.
Some firms even refuse to provide cloths for the horses, on the
grounds that, if they did, the men would use them!
If not incapacitated by actual illness or removed by death, men
may continue long at this work.
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n
the 1891 Census Thomas William and Emma Jane and 4 of their children
are shown as living with 2 other families, at 141 Grange Road, Bermondsey.
Thomas William is still a Carman. Sophia (or 'Sophy' as
she is listed) was aged 21 and a Tiemaker; Thomas aged 19, was a
Oilman's Clerk. Of the 17 year old twins Florence was a machinist
and Minnie had the same job description as Sophie. A 17 year old
Charles ATKINS, a Porter, appears listed with the family as a son
but this is probably the Census Enumerator's error.