Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-09-14
Foreign Trade Unions.

In accordance with instructions from he
Foreign sfice, English diplomatic agents have
4 K. sa.2sn, a.G Europesn IRS upon sounsie: The IN
1or nation thus collected is interesting aha
There are no trsde unions in Belgium. Un-
III last year they were forbidden by the pensl
cooe. Tbere afe few friendly socielee,
which the Government watches closely.
Bere, as in France, the mixed courts. known
as the Council Of Prud'hompes, has been
found very useful.
In France, both the penal code and the po-
Ice regulations discourage the forming OF
trade unions, although Ii is thought tha, some
VIII soon be formed. This efficiency Will,
however be impaired by the constant surveil-
lspce and interference OF the police. II is
thought that some of the Eren ch Workmen en-
terra ned project for an International union
10 secure an Uniform rate of wages through
out Europe an absurd idea, unless wages are
There are no com mbinations OF worknen in
Russia. In many districts the comm unes hola
The property OF the emancipated psasan-s
The great proprietors complain that IN these
districts The communes regulate rents and
wages, and that the former are so low and he
latter so high that large tracts OF land are
been taken by the government OF these COM
plants.
In the Netherlands the workmsn do not
seem TO wish TO comb bine for any purpose.
The Danish Workmen have friendly societies
hut no ,rade unions proper. Strikes are rare.
Tha' OF the carpenters and briciayers in Co.
penhseen lasted six weeks, and then failed
The Danish employers favored the system OF
Plecs-woIk. as Fast likely 20 DrGfd disputes
between capital and labor. There is nothing
at present in the Danish laws TO prevent the
organization Of trade unions.
In Austria trace unions, of the English type,
are strictly forbidden. Strikes are summariiy
stopped by the police, and the riugleaders are
arrest d. Indeed. the idea OF such organi2a-
tons Tor the purpose OF controlling the rate OF
wages is not as yet naturalized anywhere in
Germany, although the principle Of co-opera-
fny1p lie a
opment. In Switzerland the relations basween
the employer and the workmen are so fair and
pleasant that trade unions are not needed. and
therefore DO notexist They are also unknown
in Portugal and Sweden.
By the Italian penal code combinations Of
workmen 70 raise the rate of wages are punish
quent. The principles OF trade unions are IN
derstood. The General Operatives Society OF
Naples and the Compositors' Society of Flor.
ence are essentially trade unions. Butmost of
me Italian workmen's organizations are for
charitable purposes.
There are a few CO. operative societies and a
number Of benevolent associations. At the end
of 1862 there were in all 4t3 associations, hav.
ing II ,6tS members, W hose yearly contributions
Amounted to 1,4l 1892 francs. The distribu-
ton OF the societies was as follows: Piedmont,
Us: Lombardy, SO; Parma and PiacenZa :;
Modena, Reggie, and Massa, 81: Romagna, 81
Marches, 1s; Umbria. IA; Tuscany, SIS; Naples,
ls; Sicily, 5, and Sardinia, !. The expenditure
management, 424, ,3.3f. in sick relief 29, ,0S3f in
medicines and medical advice, 54,671f. In PEN
sions to the aged, %, 12lf. in assistance to
widows and orphans, and S7,076f. in suudlies.
VI the 443 societies, 155, with 26, lib members,
were restricted TO particular trades, and 267,
with 5495 members, admitted as associates
persons belon ging to all professions. Prior to
1s4c there were 66 societies, several of ancient
origin: los sprung up between lsiS and lS6O
and 2Ge were established from 1860 to 1869. At
Genoa there are A. or 4S unions These last
dabble in politics, but have yer successfully
struck for higher wages but once.
Garibaldi is perpetual honorary president Of
the principal workmen's union Of Naples.
This union discourages strikes, and never sus-
tans them from Its treasury. The Neapolitan
workmen are skiilful, intelligent ana good
humored Nearly all the large manufa ctoriee
have sy stem Of aid in sickness and in case OF
accident.
The trade societies of Turin are founded
upon religious fraternities OF great antiquity.
Those of Lombardy have been in operation
some sixty three years. Mr.. Good vim reports
from Palermo that there are sneither unions
nor mbinations, strikes nor lock.outs in
Sicily"