the year is marked by widespread bread riots all over italy. the tariff on the duty on imported wheat is lowered from 75 lire a tonne to 50 lire. in 1897 the wheat harvest in italy was substantially lower than the years before; it fell from on average 3.5 million tons in 1891–95 to 2.4 million tons that year. moreover, import of american grain was more expensive due to the spanish–american war in 1898. wheat prices in milan increased from 225 lire a tonne to 330 lire a tonne in april 1898. in order to try to diminish the rising prices the government of antonio di rudinì was urged to abolish the duty on imported wheat. the lowering of the tariff is generally considered to be too little and too late. street demonstrations demanding "bread and work" began in the south of italy, which already had seen widespread revolts by the fasci siciliani in 1893–94. in towns like bari and naples rioting could be suppressed, while florence was controlled by demonstrators for a whole day. the situation escalated when demonstrators were shot by nervous policemen, and rioting increased.<br>the finance minister in the administration of prime minister antonio di rudinì, luigi luzzatti, passed two measures of social legislation in 1898. the industrial workmen’s compensation scheme from 1883 was made obligatory with the employer bearing all costs; and a voluntary fund for contributory disability and old age pensions was created.<br> 'o sole mio the globally known neapolitan song is composed. its lyrics were written by giovanni capurro and the music was composed by eduardo di capua.