The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-05-28
OUR FRENCH LETTER.
Correspondence of the HERALD j
PARIS. Nav 8, 1882.

CoA1g Jul lis lQ6dSs 1n0 SSIoIa1
lines of his economy consisted in
making the interests of the en-
ployer and employed SolidGire, rest
ing upon, while being guided by, the
principles Of mutual respect, aftec-
ton, and obedience. 1t was on such
bases that he labOred to re-secure for
the Cover ming classes the hold which
by their faults they had lost on the
workin9man. Capital and labor
being darmonical, d mutual de-
velOpme emit must result in common
advantage.
The building society idea has
never taken in Paris with the work
ing classes; henceforth it is likely TO
do so, in presence Of the difficulty of
obtaining cheap and suitable hOus-
ing in the interior Of the city, and
the certainty of a metropolitan rail-
way being constructed within three
years. A company has been estab-
lished, under the direction of serious
and well-kn0Wn individuals, which
has erected ten houses, separated
from each other, possessing a small
garden in front, a yard at the back,
kitchen, sitting-room and two bed
chambers gas and water are laid
on, and the sewerage perfect. The
tenant pays 500 francs on entering,
carried duly to his credit for the re-
demption of his holding; the rental
is ATS francs year, which includes
interest on the capital invested, so
that in twenty years the tenant be-
comes the proprietor Of his habita-
ton, man trained to his own fire.
side, and conservative in the sense
that, having property, he will not be
led away by socialist theories which
make no distinction between n1eltnl
and tattLnl. The society is building
thirty more houses, and has applica-
tons fol. 1000, all from the working
men.
Near the Place du Trone is situa-
ted curious hive Of industry, con-
sisting of 600 workshops, each
owned by an artisan, whose resi-
dence is joined thereto. These work
shops are supplied with power from
common steam generator, and
furnished with gas and water. The
Industries who form this group are
their own masters.
Another step towards the solution
of the vexed and menacing social
question is illustrated in the organic
alton of the well-known bazaar, Bon
Marche. 1t was founded by NJ. Bou-
cicaut, thirty years ago. and is at
present the most favorIte place of
shopping aid promenade for ladies.
Its prices are not only very moder-
ate, but it is exempt from that terri
BILE nuisance peculiar to other
monster hOuses-you are not teazed,
worried. or even asked by an en-
ploye to buy anything. NJ. Bouci-
caut commenced with a shop at a
street corner that you might put into
your pocket; at present the estab-
lishment covers nearly two square
acres, and employs 5000 assistants
of both sexes. They are all fed on
the premises, at an average expense
Of 700 francs per head-proof that
the diet is sufficient and sound. A
special building has beer erected to
lodge this army, where each en-
ploye has his own furnished room,
to which he can only retire after
working hours, and cannot be alb
sent after II p. m. without special
permission. For recreation, there
are professors CT music, modern Ian
guages, gymnastics, etc, billiard
rooms, chess parties, etc., where
coffee is gratuitously served. All
the employees may be considered as
shareholders in the establishment.
The chefs haYe a percentage ON the
sales; after five years service an
assistant becomes entitled to the
benefit of the annuity fund, which
is supported by mite off from the
general profits, and that may repre-
sent an annual donation varying
from 220 to $50 francs; after twenty
years service the men can receive
the total due them, and the women
after fifteen yeas; in case one of
the latter marries before the expira-
ton, she will be paid her amount, as
her fortune. Increase of salary is
prOportiOnate to length of service
the oldest chefs become partners.
To encourage thrift the employees
are allowed to purchase shares in
the house that value $4,000 francs
each, on favorable conditions, or
they may club amongst themselves
to buy a single share. 1t is thus
that 800 ordinary assistants hold
shares and receive dividends on a
capital of 100000 francs.
With May day opens for the
capital one Of the chief
events of the year-the exhibition
of paintings. There are 5000 pic
lures, of (which $500 possess not the
slightest interest. The exhibition
commences to be better fitted up for
the public; there are more seats. the
light is better distributed, the drap-
ing less cold; there are positively
flowers here and there, so that in
time, the Salon will approach that
of England and Germany where the
public can see and comprehend bet
ter, when enabled to study without
being fatigued. The general i'm
preston about the show is favor
able, perhaps excellent; it is a good
average display, with a few works
ofmark. The young French school
of art is noisy, and in secondary
branches Of art, has made progress.
Many Will deplOre the decay of
grand art, of the leaning to genre or
contemporary studies. instead Of the
e