The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-05-01
MAI RITY REPORT
WORKINGS OF TRADES UNIONS



(j.) AT the outset Of our inquiries we
caused two sets OF questions to be prepared
and printed. The 6rst set was addressed to
the secretaries of trades unions, and was
intended especially for circulation lmong
those officers. The questions were rected
70 the following points
Organization " trades unions.
: Objects Of 4lions
3, Wages.
4. Hours Of labor.
,. Customs of the .rade.
8. Apprentices.
4. PiecewOrk.
). Sanitary and other objects.
3 General effect Of unions.
A copy OF these questions, TO which some
answers have been returned, is inserted in
the Appendix.
The other set OF questions was of a more
general character, and was intended for gen
eral circulation. The questions we're direct
ed to the following points
1. Objects of trade unions amalgama-
tlon Of unions interuationa unions F.;
amendment Of law.
2. Effect On the rate of wages.
3. Strikes and lock outs.
Effect on trade.
). Courts Of arbitration co-operatiye
societies Industrial partnerships /;
amendment Of law.
copy of these questions, and the ans
were the eto which we have received, are
inserted IN the Appendix to this report.
EyIOENCs AND OTHER iSFcRaATIoN RECEIYED-
INrEx AND DIGEST IN AFPgNDix.
tO.) Having caused it to Be known that
we were anxious 10 receive evidence from
such persons as might consider themselves
interested IN the matter Of our inquiry,
very full and valuable information has been
Afforded to us. We have received, also,
various statements ia writing on the suhiec:
ot our inqu +. Such of these statements
az appear to ne to be Of importance We in-
sert IN the Appendix TO this report, which,
also, will be found a full index to all the
evidence, both oral and documentary, t0ge-
ther with digest Of the oral evidence.
TRADES UNIONS ABROAD.
G-) We also caused application 10 be
made to your Maje,ty's Secretary Of STATE
for Foreign Affairs for assisting in obtain n ?
information relative to the laws affecting
combinations Of w0Tkmen. and to the gOrA-
ing Of trades unions in Europe and the
United States A correspondence took place
with your Majesty's missions abroad On
these subjects, aud the reports which were
received were forwarded to Us. These re
spoFts have already been presented 70 Parlia-
ment oy command OF your Majesty, but
ina'much as they contain important ana
valuable Information which j. pertinent To
our inquiry, they are reprinted ia the Ap-
pendix TO this report.
PRESENCE OF STRANGERS AT MEETINGS or CON
NlssIc'.
(Sl AT an early stage Of the inquiry, a.
application was made to US BY deputation
from the Trades Delegates Conference as
sembled in London, an1 bg 4 danutat ion
from the Conference Of the Representatives
Of Trades Soei cites, to allow persons n0mi-
mated BY those bodies to be pTe-enl Nv our
meetings during the examinatt % 81 wines
es. Having fully considered the application.
We came TO the following resolution, whicb
was communicated 10 each Of the two bodies
IN reply:
Resolved, That in addition To the presence Of
such persons as the commissioners MA, WHY
expedient at any time, the Commissioners viii
be ready, as a general rule, 70 admit some one
person connected viz or representing any
trade or society which seems hkey 20 he affect
ed by the inquiry to be conducted On a given
dav.
In accordance with this resolution, wc
have been at all times ready 20 allow per-
sons interested in the subject Of our ioqairy
to be present during the examination Of
witnesses, 50 far as ct space al our disposal
that purpose would admit. OF The per
mission 30 granted advantage has been
freely taken
The 9th paragraph contains the names Of
the operatives belonging TO the Union, on
nected with the building trades whl AVE
evidence and the 10th those of masters
and others the llth the witnesses connect
ed with the iron and coal trades the 18th
those connected with the engineering and
shipbuilding trades the 18th, tailors l4th,
glassmakers; 18th, printers; and the l6Gh
The names OF the actuaries and other mis-
cellaneous Witnesses examined. We give
the rest Of this report in full.
ORGANIZATION AND PROCEEDINGS OF TRADES
UNIONS.
(23) Trades unions in their organiza-
tons usually resemble each other, buI the
rules vary Ia the different societies. The
most usual form Of unionism il an associa-
tion divided in5o branches or district unions.
which, again, are made up of lodges or
local bodies. The seat Of the governing
body or executive committee is usually fixed
10 some central town, or 10 occasionally
changed at stated periods by general vote.
In One instance, at least (ihe AmaIramased
Society of Engineers) there is q trade union
with branches in your Mljesty's colonies,
on the continent of Europe, and in the
United States Of America.
Rifles VI UNIONS.
t24.) Numerous documents have been
furnished to US, showing, with other parti-
culars, the Organiz alton and rules Of large
number OF trades unions IN various parts
Of the country. We insert selection from
these in the Appendix to this re-ort.
1f ExTEET or INQUIRY.
(2) Although it has not been in our
power, within the time at our disposal, TO
inquire into even considerable proportion
OF the whole number Of trades' unions
within the United kingdom, we believe,
nevertheless, that the results OF our inquiry
into the coastisatihn and proceedings OF
those unions which have come uuder our
observation are such as to enable us to
judge fairly Of tie general character Of the
constitution and proceedings Of the whole
number.
fro RK coErIruEDY