The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-02-15
xzADD Ux1oxs m yxAxcx.

tive to both parties In this contest to listen for
few moments to an account Of tho progress
which maay Of the trades unions OF France
have made toward industrial Independence.
For several years the Municipal Council Of
Paris has been accustomed TO contract with the
trades unions Of that oity for tho performance
OF various kinds Of work. As Q rule. the city
had to congratulate itself upon the excel
lent manner In which such work was done. but
the trades unions themselves. chiefly from the
want OF ready capital. have been hampered In
securing the desired increase OF their busi-
ness. They lacked the means for supplying
them solves with tho materials and appliances
necessary In undertaking important contracts.
and In many cases, though there was no doubt
OF their ability TO do the work. they had not the
financial credit to Justify contracting for it.
1t was the knowledge OF difficulties OF
thio kind which led NJ Rainpal. . capitalist. to
leave his fortune to the city OF Paris. with
special injunctions that It should be loaned to
associations OF workingmen 10 bo used under
tho control Of the Municipal Council OF Paris
The will OF the testator was go precise in its
provisions that. though tho Council was not in
favor OF tho scheme 1t was obliged to accept
It: and from tho report OF NJ. Reygeal, the Soc
rotary OF the Special Committee appointed by
tho Council to manage the funds OF the legacy
most interesting facts may DO gathered. To
the nine trades unions OF Paris engaged In
the following loans were made:
]. To the Association Of the Working Carpenters of
tho Seine, 30 600 francs CS0,OOo)
q To tho Association of tho Working Carpenters of
Villete. 5000 francs Csd.oool
To The Association OF the Working Painters Of Paris
1850 francs Csa5To).
g. To the Union Of stonscuters of Paris 400 francs
NsO,.
q. To "BUnion" Cooperative soeieiy OF Working
House Painters, $500 francs F1s1)
g. To the Society OF Working Roofers Plumbers
Fnris, 5000 francs (s7,O).
=. To "Ls Travail" Association Of Working Painters
500 francs ts6io).
r. To the Frnternal Union Of Carpenteis 1000 francs
(s4ooD.
o. To the Cooperative Association of s,onccu,ter, $50
francs tsi5o).
Tho first OF those societies Is very prosper
ous Since tho loan its active capital has in
creased over 81, 500, and now amounts to $685.
6G4. At this moment 1t is the contractor OF
works amounting to $3s.soo. Tho money
loaned TO this association was used as security
In obtaining contracts and In buying lumber
advantageously.
The second society is also In q prosperous
condition. Its capital has increased $3.50
since tho loan. and now amounts to $3l, 1886.
Ii has 1875 members. Its loan was OF great ser-
vice. enabling 1t in the first instance to pay
cash for part OF it's supplies, thereby obtain
Ing discount OF three per cent for four
rowsd fund also enabled the society to give
security. and command important contracts.
The third society. tho Association Of Work.
Ing Painters. IL making excellent progress.
During tho last year 1t has done work amount
Ing to si2.S 800. on which IL realized net profit
OF $500. The Commission. however. thought
it best to state tina. the director OF tho society
had retired from his position in order to COM
msnce business for himself. thus entering into
competition with the society. This was all the
more dangerous because he could profit by his
s' q. Il, With tho lS
does not belong to the Municipal Council TO in
ps"p.r to sn
on facts g" ns IiRd in ordsr to pvt working
the in bey us nn
The nth society in the list is in good condl-
PROB. n s e ri s4 IS sdo and
II always meets its engagements. Its loan has
OF s. S S es 1s TS q The f
lsirc: which took a rather large interest on the
Tie s.h !, 'qsIsty tss wo5kins noo'ers and
:sSS 5s% S iA h.r loaa Sas
h:1as ns .ooe1s 81 the list
ss Il ss sps. + Ss:s4iSs Fs,
society the profit would have boon much larger
sss q a0 tho ssfn GP Ras M s
centsI on hour. while others paid il. is. or. at
G, The ninth speistA; the Coon.ra.ive Society o,
DfOsnfpy .seH12 begin
has increased to 10. and its active capital,
w SaE at the time q the Loan was oy otso
used in finishing work in process for The city
The fourth and eighth societiss of tn. list.
tie Union OF the Stcnscutters OF Paris and tho
n n ante h,s !, In,
ssst on is I'm, due last July; ana as their
tain. NOT only tho interest due. but also the
more than can be admitted as the Averages in
H"o TIA. tSs sSoaa have
since it may tend in some degree TO further oh
fairly to make independent self-supportinS
institutions Of the TRADES unions
and from these various transactions the fund.
derived about 5000 in interest. and viii loss.
ssoS'a the s not PAY more than they
q Ills is the s'v View s' 81
pendent or Influential position than that which
1t is maintained by those who conceive the true
function OF trades unions to be much more ok
anu IMAM AT present. that
their failure in two or many cases in this ara
q eompeiition should only enc9nrsee the Fl;
fort Of organizing security in industry. instead
OF abandoning such results as have already
The report shows that while only two Of the
nine unions to which loans were made have
failed in promptly repaying. the other seven
have not only met all THAR Obligations. but have
made such use Of their capital as TO realize u
total profit OF SIG 926. II. therefore. these
trades unions would only make q further APP
plieation OF the principles OF irat"rn.l co;
by which they differ essentially from the COM
psttttve industry In tho midst Of which they
exist. The whole experiment would be o trium-
phant success.
or course, whom the use Of the public money
trades unions or others, it 10 Of tho utmost inn
bortanea that tts security should DO good: but
unions can make the public better satisfied