Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-04-23
6RANITE STATE LABOR
Ysirly Paid and Remarkably Free
From Friction With Capital.
Generally Surrounded With
Favorable Conditions.
1sAnss Banks Give Evidence Of the Thrift o.
taborIng Glasses.

r
CONCORD, N. H., April eS.-Some inter.
Ssting figures are contained In the annual
report OF Commissioners Bourlet OF the
bureau Of labor tending 10 show that the
working classes of the state have adyen-
tares over those of other states. Concern
in0 labor unions, the commissioners says:
s'There can be no question as to the right
Of labor 10 organize for it's own protection,
and when guided by men OF clear ideas
and sound Judgment labor organisations
will command-yea, do command-the re-
npect and esteem of the general public.
ION the other hand governed as some OF
them are by theaded fanatics, men more
interested In their own personal self'ag-
Rrandizement and pecuniary interests
than the interests Of those who have un-
wisely placed them in authority, men
who disregarded the common rights OF
all men and hesitate not TO In
cite to acts Of lawlessness and
violence, agitators, not workers, labor or
xanizations become their own worst ene-
mics, destroying the confidence OF oil fair
minded men in them and injuring the
cause Of honest labor beyond hope OF i'm
mediate recovery. Fortunately but few,
II any, of this class are represented In our
state"
The total number of labor organizations
In the state reporting to the bureau Is o.
having total membership OF e294, 3l4 OF
whom are females.
Living In Comfort.
One of the leading features OF the report
is the individual reports from over 700
wageearners given in detail, with sum-
maries and analysis following. Uhese
show that the working people, as rule
are surrounded with as favorable condi-
tions and are as fairly compensated for
their labor as in any state In the country.
As might be expected, wages were re-
duced in nearly all trades, owing to the
distress Of the times, and In only one in
stance was an increase OF wages reported.
Many own homes free from incumbrance,
and those occupying tepements are able to
pay fair rental and live comfortably.
AS an evidence of the generally thrifty
condition of the laboring classes 1t Is only
necessary to allude to the fact that AZ per
cent making report to the bureau have
savings bank accounts, and d per cent
saved money during the year.
More than half are readers OF books from
public libraries, and 81 per cent belong to
fraternal and beneficiary organizations,
which tend to elevate their social and
moral condition and provide relief In time
q distress and affliction.
Peace Prevails.
Regarding labor troubles In New Hamp-
Shire Commissioners Bourlet says; 1.-THE
discordant scenes Of strife between cap
ital and labor elsewhere finds no counter
part In New Hampshire. In few states IL
there less friction between employers and
employees. Labor Ii respected and fairly
paid, and but little feeling Is manifested
in tho few minor labor troubles that oc-
casionally arise"
Tits gratifying to know that although
.,ths number Of employees was increased,
here was decrease In the number OF
children employed OF 40 per cent, which
was undoubtedly due to wise labor legis-
lation during the decade.
Returns from the establishments re-
porting to the bureau in 1893 and 1894
chow 2 decrease in 1894 In cacital invested
Of $50 per cent. value Of material used ABS
per cent, in wages paid 987 per cent, In
value of product 1885 per cent, in num-
ber of employees 5.46 per cent; average
number of days works were in operation,
1893, 273; 1894, 269. a decrease of 1.46 per
cent; the percentage Of days run in 1895
was 80. 2S; in 1894, S7.66 per cent.
The average proportion Of business done
reached 70 75 per cent in 1893. and IL.
per cent in 1894, Of full productive capacity
of establishments considered, a decrease o.
500 per cent. These conclusions will ap
ply relatively to the entire manufacturing
industries.