The times., 1897-06-20
BRAINS AND BRAwN.

The annual report Of the Amalgamated
| Society OF Carpenters and JO.ners con-
:ains some excellent suggestions AMI food
for thought for members of organized
labor Throughout the world. The report
is exhaustive in detail, and makes the
advantages to members clear to any one.
The society, which was organized In
1 $50, is International, having branches
Established in nearly all the large cities
in Europe. Australia, Canada and the
United States, with an aggregate mem-
tership of over 10000 in good standing
and receiving all the benefits guaranteed
them ty the constitution OF the society.
In speaking Of the trade eondi tons
which have existed for the last twelve
months. the general secretary calls special
attention to the ''serious depression ex-
perienced in America Otherwise, the
secretary says, 1T might with truth be
stated that the whole of our members
have been well employed and enjoying
better remuneration for their labor than
ever before" And, as result of this
condition, tfte funds or the society, while
constantly increasing, have been very
lightly drawn upon, many members being
able to become contributors. who, under
less fortunate circumstances, might have
been compelled TO become beneficiaries
or the society
IG this connection II win be very graft
Tying news To those members of the local
branch OF the society who have net read
the report. to learn that despite the de
pressed conditions which have existed dur
ing the last year in the United States,
the Washington branch ranks third In
q ff.uf nfrifl tod IN no
society for the general support OF the or
ganizatlnn and the development of the
trade interests. Another fact OF which the
members OF the local branch are justly
proud is that during the past year only
six members have been dropped from the
roll for any cause. while during the same
period there has been gratifying increase
III the members added in full membership
OF this society, in all its branches and
departments, the progress has been cores
pondingiy satisfactory during the last
year. For this period an increase OF thirty
new branches is reported, and this. to-
gether with the consta ntly increasing
membership of the older branches, is
recorded as the best proof OF the growing
influence and power OF the organization
as factor in the world OF labor. Another
and perhaps more convincing evidence Of
the progress of the society is found in
that part OF the report which deals with
the finances OF the organization. During
the last year over $780, 1872 wasco1tributed
in dues and assessments, by the employed
members or this amount, S495 ,25O was
expended In the support Of the society In
the various departments, by far the greatest
part being appropriated for sustaining the
many charitable and beneficial features OF
the organization. Although this great
amount mentioned has been expended by
the society, the cash balance, S529, ,7So, is
an increase of SI32,665 over that OF the
year previous.
The properly Of the society is valued a;
1854, $40
The chief beneficial features of the so
ciety and the amounts which have been
expended in each department during the
year are: 'UnemplOyed'' benefits, $751;
o45; sick benefits, Sl24,575; funeral bene
fits, which include members wives, S22,-
SIS; accident benefits, SI1 200: superau-
nuaied benefits, SCI ,O55. Besides these,
there are minor benefits and privileges OF
which the members may take advantage.
Among these is the fire, water and theft
fund, from which members are reimbursed
for the l1ss OF all tools through the rava ges
OF either fire or water or by theft
This fund was heavily drawn on last
year, over Sls,420 having been paid out
for tools lost TO the members for some one
OF these causes.
In concluding his report the general sec
rotary says: II DO entreat you not 70 allow
your attention 10 lie diverted, and 10 avoid
divisions in our ranks created by the intro
Guction of controversial subjects rot con
teiup!ated when the pioneers of trades
urions at first launched before an unsym-
pathetic public a scheme of association
destined TO become such a powerful ievey
in the uplif ling OF the workers OF this coun-
try, and which has Teyoiutionized the whole
relations between employers and employees"