EUROPE : ITALY. 2OQ 



by the mills. Wood and vegetable fibers are on the ground to any 

 amount desired, but are not used by the manufacturers. Rags are 

 found within the region, but 13,332 tons of them were imported in 

 !8 9 7 the greater proportion from Naples and Sicily, the remainder 

 from Egypt, Greece, and Germany. Rags cost from 4 to 14 lire (72 

 cents to $2.52) the quintal (220.46 pounds), according to quality. 



The mills of the region number 37, including 2 for pulp. The 

 pulp put forth by these factories is employed in making paper. 



The methods of production are not examples of modern skill. 

 There are no facilities for making complicated paper machinery, 

 though simple machines are made in Venice, Verona, and Padua. 

 The power used is almost exclusively hydraulic. Hand processes are 

 common, and machine methods are old. The cost of labor is very 

 low, wages varying from 60 centimes to 3 lire (n to 54 cents) a day. 

 It must be borne in mind, however, that 10 per cent of the total is 

 child labor. Out of 1,138 employees in 35 mills, 126 are under 15 

 years. 



It is generally conceded that Italians are good workmen, and this 

 is particularly true of the northern Italians. They have not marked 

 dexterity or enterprise, but they do well what they are told to do in 

 processes requiring patience rather than judgment. 



The tendencies in manufacture are toward improvement of plant 

 and increase of output. These tendencies are by no means of mark- 

 edly rapid growth, but they are none the less evident. 



IMPORTS. 



Regarding the importation of paper into Venetia, it is impossible 

 to give figures by classes. One can say in general that imported 

 paper is of finer quality than any produced in the region and is 

 rather for writing and registration than for printing or wrapping. 

 The following figures are published by the Venice Chamber of Com- 

 merce, showing the importation in 1897. Only paper brought by 

 sea is considered in this particular list. 



Tons. 



Germany 903. 21 



Austria 205. 61 



Holland 15. 32 



England 13. 67 



The chamber of commerce also publishes the total comparative 

 importation, by values and quantities, for the last six years. It 

 must be borne in mind, however, that books and printed matter are 

 included; and that, while all means of transportation are consid- 

 ered, some slight proportion of the imports enters Venice merely in 

 s c R p & p 14. 



