Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-15
A ASTATISTICAL STUDY
Of Trade Unions, Industrial Partner
nerShips and Cooperation.
THEIR GOOD EFFECT IN ENGLAND.
Belief That They Will Finally Settle the
Labor Question Here.
A SQUINT At THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR

labor organizations last year, contributed a
paper to the annual report of the State Sec
retarv of Internal Affairs. The intent lis
the formation of practical conclusions from
the history of labor organizations in Europe
concerning their probable tendency in
this country. Their later history
has been marked by more intelligent
administration of affairs than formerly, and
the professor finds they are more and more
iustifying their existence in the present in
dustrial organization of the world.
The subject is treated under three heads
trade unions, industrial partnerships and
each is defined, but as all interested
are acquainted with them, statement
is unnecessary. Cooperative societies
are of two kinds, productive and distribu-
tive. They are the Oldest. Distributive
societies have been working in Great Britain
with great success for 40 years. The pro-
ductive societies are younger, and their sue
cess has not been SO uniform. Wholesale
societies, though recent, are of immense pro-
| portions in Great Britain.
Prof. Bolies says that it will not be de-
MED that combinations were needed in
| Great Britain, as the hours of labor were
many, wages low and there was no escape
| from bondage, except in union. He says
that while these organizations have been
admitted to be a necessity in Great Britain
it is contended that they are not in this
| country.
INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIPS.
From this view he dissents and holds
that though the reasons may not be SO
strong yet they are strong enough to sup
port their claim to existence, and has no
doubt they will exist SO long as the factory
system does, but he does not hold that all
they have done has been justifable, and
thinks it possible the solution of the ques-
tion will be the introduction of industrial
partnerships. He holds that industrial
partnerships have already done much to re-
duce the antagonism between classes, and
that employers ought to recognize them as
needful.
The cooperative idea has not struck deep
root in this country, and the history of
stores founded on it has generally been
brief, very frequently manager or treasurer
absconding with funds, or the association
has been used for political purposes, while
in Great Britain they have generally -four
ished, and defalcation or fraud among them
has been exceedingly rare.
The mode of organizing retail co-opera-
tive store in Great Britain may be briefly
explained. Anyone may join by depositing
a shilling, or % cents. The ordinary prices
are paid for the things purchased and cash
must be paid. The profits are allotted to
their members according to their pur-
chases quarterly or semi-annually. These
profits must remain with the society until
share of 81, or S5 is paid. On this share the
society gives or more frequently 5 per
cent. The members of these societies
now exceed 900, 900, and receive more than
S12, SOC, 900 of profit annually. There are
200 stores in operation, which Transact a
business of $3.50, 600, 900 a year, and have
| share capital of $40, 600, 900. The transac-
tions of their cooperative bank at Man
chester amounts annually to $50, 900, 900.
The societies devote S110, 900 year to edu-
cational purposes.
Cooperation in its several forms has
hourished best in England, France, Ger
many and Italy. The French have sue
ceeded best in cooperative workshops, the
Germans and Italians in cooperative banks,
and the English in storekeeping.
REVIVED IN THIS STATE.
The cooperative idea has received new
life in this State and under an act of the
last Legislature 13 companies were organ
lied up to last February. They are too
young yet to have their history written. If
they once begin to spread it is expected
they will travel rapidly. 1t is supposed
that one reason why consumers have been
so slow to unite is that their wages
and profits have enabled them to
supply most of their wants. and SO they
Nave not felt the need of resorting to other
methods to satisfy them. In Great Britain,
on the other hand, where wages have been
lower, the necessity was imperious for re-
sorting to every possible economy to satisfy
the wants of the wage-worker. 1t was the
existence of this state of things which first
led to the formation of these societies there,
and also to their continuance during 40
years or more.
The membership of 26 of the principal
trade unions in Great Britain is 1885, ,218,
and benefits expended by them during 81
years amounted to over $40, 200. 900. In
1887 these societies expended the following
amounts: Unemployed benefit, e209 879;
sick benefit e129, 884; funeral benefit, s33,-
524; accident benefit, e8, 768; superannua-
ton benefit, 1854; trade protection, e64,-
S53; benevolent grants, 1924. Total,
e52S, ,536.
AS rule, these trade unions have been
well managed lately, and very little of their
expenditure has been for strike purposes
In their efforts to avert strikes much the
same plan is pursued rs followed by the
Amalganated Association in this country
in some of its overture features. The Sec
retaries of British labor organizations stand
well in the estimation of employers, and
they generally succeed in effecting an
accommodation, and they issue reports at
stated times showing the state OF trade and
giving other useful information. Prof.
Bolles thinks trade unions in this country
would do we'll to
PATTERN AFTER THE ENGLISH,
but he states that be has often been told
that the membership is Indifferent in this
respect. He thinks such publications would
prevent much friction between employers
and employees. The professor expresses the
opinion that a diffused knowledge of the
trade conditions OF the world prevents much
striking in England.
Prof. Bolles considers the knights of La
Dor an American institution, and its exist
ence somewhat antagonistic to trade unions
He thinks that had the organization been
able to accomplish what it intended it might
have controlled the situation, but what
strengthens the trade union weakens the
knights, and vice versa. The professor
thinks much has been learned from expen-
sive conflict both by employer and employe,
and that as labor organizations improve in
management he believes "that these institu-
tions which have hung like torbidding
clouds over the factories of our land, will,
in the end, prove to be great helps in solving
the labor question"
Industrial partnerships are increasing,