The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-02-07
COOPERATION IN BOSTON.
WHY Cooperation has Failed-MF.
Prang, the ChrOmO-LithOgraDheF
and his MeH-A Sensible Speech.
and Proposition.
l94tdd oorrespondence Of the Evening Post.l

Correspondence of the Evening Post-l
E....,- Boston, January, 1868.
Cooperation between labOrers has
generally failed in New England
Sometimes through the dishonesty OF
: agents, sometimes through the inca
pacity of managers, more frequently
still from the intractability of the
partners, whose American instincts
refused to submit to the necessities Of
organization.
Cooperation between capitalists
and laborers in the elementary form
of working on shares has existed and
prospered In New England-especial-
" in our fisheries-trom time imme-
mortal But cooperation between
capitalists and laborers, after the plan
of Leclere, the great house painter Of
Paris, has never been tried. The on
ly approach to it was begun by the
late Mr.. Hovey, the dry goods mer-
chant, who paid his clerks in addition
to their salary, per centage on their.
sales. iA
Mr.. Louis Prang, the well-known
chrome photographer. has begun the
system of a division of profits among
his workmen He gave supper to
dlE LIS CupAOyCCo3 lAOAaA al 0ioto W CI-
rand boy, and made a.speech to them,
In which he said: e
Mr.. PRANG's SPEECH.
Ever since 1 was boy I have
been impressed with the fact that
employers and the employed usually
occupy false relation to each
other. Sometimes we see the employ
er playing the part of a tyrant-prof-
iting by the necessities of his men
reducing them to mere tools or slaves;
and sometimes, when circumstances
favor, we see the workmeH presump-
tuOus in their demands, full of preiu-
dice and distrust and selfish antago-
nism-each making the life of the
other miserable.
There is no need of this antago-
nism, in my opinion. Why should it
be impossible for employers and en-
ployed to maintain a sound, pleasant
and humane relation to each other?
Why should not the laborer feel an
honest pride in the success of the en-
terprise he is working for, and why
should not the employer endeavor to
make his workmen feel that each of
them was of some Importance to the
success of the whole establishment?
Are not their interests the same?
"Of course, there are exceptions to
the general rule of antagonism of in
terest between the employers and en-
ployed. Sentiments of humanity as
well as promptings of self-interest
have in isolated cases done great
deal to modify the relations between
the two parties. For my own part,
gentlemen, | am firm believer in the
goodness of human nature; and am
convinced of the Importance Sc
curing and keeping the good will of
my employees. [ believe that kind
ness done to a man seldom fails to be
appreciated, and that, therefore, it is
wise as we'll as just to be friendly
with ones associates, whatever their
position may be. And again, / be-
lieve that 1T Is also the dictate of
sound policy for. an employer to in
crease the interest of his workmen In
the welfare of his establishment to
such an extent that they will feel a
personal motive in promoting its sue
cess.
AS the result of these ideas, geu-
tlemen, | have been led to make a
plan, which you will find briefly
sketched in circular that will be
handed to each of you at the close OF
the supper. | will read it:
MEMORANDUM.
As an inducement to persons now
In my employment to remain with me
during the whole Of the year, from
the LIST of February next to the Isl
of February, 1859, and also to secure
during that period their most faith
4,,f Il - Al
In addition to their regular wages,
sum equal to One-tenth of the ne
profits which ! may make in my bust
ness during that period, to be di
vided as follows, viz: One-fourth. o
such sum to be given to VII lam Har
ring, Superintendent of the Art De
partment, the remaining three fourth!
of such sum to be divided among the
other persons now in my employment
or who may enter my service before
the 1st OF February next, 10 proper
ton to the whole amount paid to each
for wages during the year.
L shall give no part of this sum t,
any person VINO leaves my employ
ment during the year, without m
consent, Tor any cause except sickness
nor to any person who is discharge,
Dy INC AOI any Cause except tn2t
have not sufficient work to emplo
him pro6tably; but wish it to be- dis
tinctly understood that [ do not re
linquish my right to discharge AN
person for any cause, in the sam
manner as if this proposition had nc
been made. Louis PRANG.
JANUARY z, 1868" aiW
Copies Of this memorandum wei
handed round among the men, and {
1t was entirely unexpected as well {
gratifying, it was received with grea
Enthusiasm