Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1886-06-16

;
Weeks, chief Of the bureau, has Just
been published, and contains q large
amount Of most valuable information
on this important subject. Mr..
Weeks explains that hitherto the sta
tistics published by various writer's
In the state have related more to the
products than the producer. The
present bureau seems to have been
created in the special interest Of the
wage workers of the state on the
principle that the interests Of one class
affect the interests Of all. The COM
piler does not fail to point out that
the increase Of wealth by no means
proves The better condition Of the
wealth producer, and that It is only
fair that the greater the facilities for
manufacture the better should be the
condition Of those who labor.
The need of full table Of labor
statistics is justified by Mr. Weeks on
the ground that the social and moral
condition Of the producing masses is
the standard measure of civilization.
The investigation has clearly shown
that the number Of skilled mechanics
who can contrive as well as create is
growing less, and this circumstance
has led to q large draught on the for
eign element aud q neglected cultiva-
ton of young native talent. In the
opinion of many employers, cited in q
separate chapter, there is q great re-
pnguance among the boys of Ameri.
ca to put on an apron aud apprentice
themselves to trades; many of the
lads pTeierring to begin life as errand
boys or in some capacity which gives
them full freedom, so that they devel-
op into nothing but clerks who are
at all times drug in the market
Not q manufacturer was interviewed
who did not express the want Of skill
ful men properly equipped with .
practical knowledge of their trade.
Some of the best mechanics were
found to be those who bad been en-
ployed in small shops where shifts
and contrivances of every kind were
necessary.
The cause Of reduced wages and
general deterioration of the condition
OF mechanics is considered to be the
introduction of machinery in the
hands of large capitalists, which
leaves but little scope for the average
man. and affords no field for ambi-
ton or original thought in the work
men. The latter have fully realized
that their places can be filed more
easily than Of old, and this has led to
their combining In the formation Of
trades unions.
In q supplemental note the compi.
Ter takes account of the great labor
agitations of the past three months. -
During this period the trades unions
of Maryland have more than quadru-
pied their membership. In the opin-
ion of Mr.. Weeks, it is rather social
than POLITICAL revolution. The
suddenness of the outbreak does not
10 his judgment, call for SURPRISE
The material was prepared; it re-
quired only some impetus to roll it
up to its present proportions, and that
impulse was found 10 the special no.
tice given to the early agitations by
the press of the country. Mr.. Weeks
is apparently correct 10 his conclusion
that the sudden and enormous devel-
opment of the labor unions which have
been incorporated with the Knights
of Labor is an overgrowth which
viii to az extent die of, though the
parent stem is healthy and has come
into the social system to stay.
The strength Of the Knights OF La
Dor On allied organization in Mary
land appears in startling proportions
from Mr.. Weeks researches He es-
Inmates the membership of the trades
organizations in the State ct 81, 1000,
the Knights Of Lobor alone having
is 900 members and 49 assem- lies ct
the time the report was printed. As
semblies have been founded In the
counties Of Garrett, Allegany, Wash
ington, Howard, Hartford, Baltimore,
Cecil, Frederick and Anne Arundel.
aud there are three central bodies 10
Baltimore and one in Allegany c0un-
". Mr.. Weeks expresses bis convic-
ZION that tho organization il destined
to benefit the industries Of the country
by peaceable and strictly legal meth
DDS, and that the apostles Of blood
shed aud riot are the great exceptions
Ia labor organizations.
As compared with other states