Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-01-23

to do anything Of political nature. nor
the character of our work that could
have bearing in that direction. This
is as IL should be, for it is clear to me
that q departure from this rule would
result IN a serious impairment of its use
fulness.
We are not noisy. We do our work
quietly and what Is accomplished APP
pears in the annual reports. Four vol
umes have been issued and the fifth Is
now in the hands OF the printers. Each
year is devoted TO particular line of
inquiry. In this way much better re-
sults arc attained than would be pos
sibTc If it were attempted in each rc-
port to cover the entire field. In such
a case the report would necessarily be
meager. fragmcntary and unsatisfao-
tory.
Our first volume. issued in 1883. Gov
cred thc subject of industrial dcpres-
sions at home and abroad. We en-.
ployed special agents in all parts of oar
own country. as we'll IA in tie prins!-
pal countries OF Europe. Avas. smouut
of information was collected beariog
upon this subjcc: In aliits phasea. The
facts and figures were so arranged a. to
render them ineligible to the reader.
Convict labor was tho topic Of the sec-
ond report In this were included all
penal institutions the inmates Of which
were employed in productive industry.
Careful inquiries were made into the
convict system of every stats in the
union. and also Of foreign countries. 1t
Is needless 20 say that the volume con-
tains much food for thought. The third
volume relates to strikes and lockouts
in the United States during the six
years prior TO 1887. Our inquiry was
with especial reference 20 the causes
and effects Of these disturbances and
the resultant gains and losses The
volume contains also codifca-
ton of our national and state
laws bearing upon this subject.
The fourth report II one Of peculiar
interest and Importance to our people.
II is upon the condition of working
women In twcnty-one of Cur principal
cities-their occupations. wages. moral
character aud modes Of living II IL de-
voted specifically TO women who are
employed in shops and manufactures.
we>expect 20 further pursue this sub
jcct by investigating the condition Of
those who ply the needle, domestic
servants and other classes 81 women
who earn their bread voiurne five,
which Is now nearly ready fer distribn-
ton. Is upon railroad labor. We have
been st great pains to gather the ma
terial for this report and think with
good results. We have had the hearty
cooperation of organizations Of railway
employees and Of the ecmpssses. As an
illustration nay cite Tie fsct that sev-
eral ~ the latter cent ~ their pay
rolls 20 that we might have the exact
truth ~ 20 the wages paid al classes Of
men. This Volume win be ready for
distribltien In January.
inmy Judgment the condition 81 the
waaewnrk ers 81 she CsiseA etetes.
viewed In eli aspeeta. Ia bssser nov than
st sny previous period In our history.
There is continual ehh and aow 81 the
tide 81 general prosperity which fer The
tsme affects ecre o. lee NJ men End
women who scsl pcv this res~on n 10
so4 essr 90 make . conparisen 81 .
stnxse yesr With ssctAss rree~<isg OF
folls~irs a. Bat taking . r~riod ~.
ssv. s~esty.Ave yeara snd stvikins .
rre~rsi sser~Gs. - ~ sr~st. we aay
seseh fAis apseiretce pos~G shss we
&c . mssiss ssa gratifying snprcve-
ssst wsxes sf~ hiebes. 49, ~spe ~