Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-08-24

cclVc sort OF kindergarten instruction
in singing, counting, object lessons and
the like. In tho school, girls and boys
are taught together. They graduate at
thirteen or fourteen, and after that they
can pursue higher studies. In some OF
the courses of natural sciences many
grown-up associates join. The Fami-
lstcrt has library OF over three thou
sand volumes, and books are lent to be
taken home. In the store every thing
is kept necessary for housekeeping and
for wear. The capital invested in them
is part of the general fund; prices are
fixed by the committee. No member Is
obliged to buy ut these stores, personal
liberty being the underlying principle OF
the scheme. The storckccpcrs, mostly
women, receive good salaries.
Besides quantity of bathrooms, a
swimming-bath is open free at all hours
and all days. Necessary precautions
against fire are taken, and well.
organized volunteer corps of iiremen
is ever ready to help, They wear
their uniforms on special occasions,-
when they also act as a police. In ordi-
nary times no special supervision is
needed; the entrances of the Palace
have no doors, except those for protcc-
ton in winter The names of the resi-
dents. with the number of their apart
mcnt, are tabulatcd at each en-
trance TO the building. Notice boards are
put up for miscellaneous purposes, sonn
being reserved for the scholastic d.
vision, on which the names of the best
pupils are published. When an apart
mcnt is to rent it IL advertised; the
lowest price is mentioned. Offers are
then sent in, under sealed envelopes,
and it is let to the highest bidder
Every year number Of festivities are
celebrated with splendor especially
those in honor Of childhood" and
another in gloriiication of "labor." "
Choral societies, theatrical and musical
clubs, are fully organized, besides
which professional actors come twice a
month to give performances. Insur-
ancc against sickness Is compulsory.
Each member, male and female, has to
pay small amount towards it. Fines,
paid in the workshops for infringement
of rules, CT for brcakages, help to swell
the funds. A weekly paper is issued
called lie Dsroir Duty. Its cndeavor
Is for the civil and political equality Of
both sexes and of higher national cdu-
cation, and among the papers published
in its columns arc some treating Of the
abolition Of aggressive wars-the sub
sttutlon of arbitration of the true ad-
vancement of labor interests and other
interesting subjects.
The organization of the general man.
agemcnt Is rs follows: The association
is governed by managing director,
who is assisted by board of admins
tration, board Of works, and body
representing tho "Famil ilsterc." These
boards arc composed of associates,
elected for three years, in general as
sembly, and of the heads Of the various
departments. A council of supervision,
composed of three associates, is nomi-
mated for one year at the general meet
ing. All members of the board can be
reelected. Mr. Godin is managing di-
rector for life; his successor by election
will be appointed for life also, but a
vote of the general assembly can re-
woke the appointment, according to the
statutes of the association. Such men,
bers as aspire TO o position on one Of
the boards must have been in attend
ancc on their meetings for Q certain
time, To be admitted they must pass
examination to insure the theoretical
and practical capacities Of the candi-
dates. The heads of departments and
those in responsible positions are nomi.
mated by the director. They must also
have certain qualifications. Salaries
can only be raised on sufficient proof Of
the increased ability of the worker.
The foundrics and works are divided
into number of shops. and different
sections under the control of foreman.
The working day is ten hours. The
scale of payment for piece work is reg
ulatcd by the workmen themselves. All
objections raised on this subject arc first
examined by committee Of delegates
elected by the general body of work
men. The wages range from $40 900
francs) to 300 per month; Of the wago-
workers one hundred and five arc en-.
ploS cd in the foundry, thirty-six IN the
"Familistcrc" and sixteen in the
schools. These wage workers arc
classed as employees. or clerks engaged
in the administration. Beside these are
the working-men and women and ap.
prcntices, Of whom eleven thousand
and forty-six are at work in the foundry
and twenty-eight in the "Familstere;'
the wages Of these range from 80 TO S2(
fnrtnightly. Mr.. Godin has come to the
conclusion that the respective share o.
labor's and capitals profits is deter
mined by and should be in proportion
to the number of dollars paid to cNci
under the form of interest to capital
under that of wages to labor. AT the
"Familistoron labor's share of the
profits is eight times larger than that O
capital, rs the total of salaries per an
num- is S377,60G, while the interest helt
in the concern by its financial hackers
is only $4,000
In establishing the association, Mr.
Godin found workmen who had served
him for number of years, and who ha(
helped him to build up his fortune, HI
accordingly, with view Of doing jus
tiee to these, has thus divided the par
ticipants in the profits: O) Partners, 6
persons; (2) socictaircs, 05 persons; Go,
participants, 573 persons; (4) auxilia
rics, 258 persons; (5) interested, 2S6 per
sons. The partners must be over TWEEN
ty-lvc years old, must have been en-
ploycd five years at tho famlistcrc, anC
must have at least 800 invested in tn,
enterprise; their share amounts to th,
double of their salaries. Tho socictairc,
must be over twenty-onc years old anC
have worked at least three years at the
association; they receive half-shart
interest in excess OF the amount thcil
salaries represent. The participants
mist also be twenty one years
old, and must have worked a
ast one year under the asso
ciat'on. They hare in the profits pr
rata of their salaries. The auxiliarie!
comprise all workers not coming undel
any of the above heads; they do no
/ have any direct share, but arc entitled
to the benevolent fund.- The .'intcr
cstcd" are so in virtue OF possess,n!
shares in the social fund through in
, hertance, purchase, or other circunn
stances. Twenty-Five per cent. Of til,
profits go TO the director and to the nd
, ministration, of which the managin!
director gets twelve per cent. A yea
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