New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1894-09-19

ing member. As q member he obeys inn
plicitly the orders of his superiors and
profits by his own labors as we'll as by
the labors of his associates. The officers
ale elected annually and are eligible for
reelection, but serve without extra COM
pensation. If member fails to report
each morning, unless sick, he pays eighty
cents. From the accounts rendered in
1890 it is seen that the richest snation"
had capital of $1sO,OOO, divided into
shares of $4,000 each; and the next rich
est had capital of $16s,o0O, divided in
to shares of $4,000. OF the actual as
sets the world at large knows nothing,
except that they consist of number of
magnificent draught-horses (perhaps the
best in the world, wagons, stables and
such appliances as are needed in their
work. The Belgian law requiring every
firm and corporation to file balance
sheet annually does not apply to the s'na-
tions," because they have no standing in
the local courts. In their articles of in
corporation they bind themselves to sub
NIT all differences between themselves
and their employers to arbitration.
Yielding their right to sue, they become
exempt from being sued.
The outward workings of ''nation"
resemble somewhat patriarchal form of
government. On every work-day morn.
ing all the members who are able assem-
ble at headquarters half an hour before
time to begin work, and receive assig
ments for the day. This allotment of
tasks is made by the dean and is not sub
ject to open criticism or refusal, but he
is doubtless guided by knowledge of
every mans special fitness or some con
sideration of his recent labors. Those
for whom there is no work have the day
free without suffering any diminution in
their share of the society's profits, but
they are not allowed to hire themselves
to others, the idea being that they them.
selves fresh for the probable duties OF
the morrow. When the task is finished
| the dean collects the entire amount due
the society and places it in bank as a
part of the general fund. At the end OF
the month the net receipts are equally
divided among the members, regardless
of the number of idle or employed days
of each. Usually there is maximum
limit to the sum paid to each member fo1
his share of the months profits, the over.
plus remaining in the general fund tc
help over those months when the earnings
are less. Likewise those who arc unable
to work because of sickness or injury re.
ceived in the discharge OF duty fare equal.
lY with the others. This benefit, howev.
er, is restricted to definite number o1
months, usually four.
| The "natiors" sustain Individually
or collectively in some cases-orphar
asylums for the maintenance of the chill
dren of those who die from illness con
tracted or injury received while engaged
at work. The city assists in the suppor
of these asylums or in educating thei,
occupants. When member dies hi
share is sold at auction for the benefit Of
his heirs. No member can own more
than one share. With the increase OF
work they do not a1d to their member.
ship and thereby risk loss or at least 6
depreciation in the value of their stock
in case of any untoward movement in
trade, but they employ laborers, thus be-
coming themselves employers, or rather
contractors.-Prof.J j. H. Gore, United
States COMMISSIONER General to the Ant
werp Exposition, in the Forum, Septem-
Der.