186 INDIAN POVERTY 



is able to do and actually does with his wages, 

 and here the returns of trade and the reports of 

 the railway companies, post office and savings 

 bank have striking evidence to offer. They are 

 published annually, and anyone, even Mr. Keir 

 Hardie, may consult them who likes his facts in 

 statistical form. For those who live in India there 

 are abundant evidences with more colour in them. 

 Some thirty years ago, or more, there was a steam- 

 ship company in Bombay owning two small steamers 

 which carried passengers across the harbour. By 

 degrees it extended its operations and increased its 

 fleet until it had a daily service of fast steamers, 

 with accommodation for nearly a thousand third- 

 class passengers, which went down the coast as 

 far as Goa, calling at every petty port on the way. 

 The head of the firm retired some years ago, having 

 made his pile. Seldom has a more profitable enter- 

 prise been started in Bombay. And whence did the 

 profits come ? From the pockets of Hindu peasants. 

 The Mahrattas of the Ratnagiri District supply most 

 of the " labour " required in Bombay, and for these 

 the company spread its nets. And by their incessant 

 coming and going it amassed its wealth. 



Heads of mercantile firms and Government offices, 

 and all who have to deal with the Mahratta " putti- 

 wala,' ' viewed its success without surprise. Though 

 always grumbling at his wages, he never appears to 

 be without the means and the will to travel. A 

 marriage, a religious ceremony in his family, or the 



