The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-06-18

have proflted by the work of our asso-
citation. Since the association was
formed the workmen have had their
wages increased to the extent of rs per
cent, which is equal to the addition of
Ell 900 week paid in Birmingham; and
have reason to believe that the wages
have been Well spent, while the work.
men have improved In character and self
respect"
These representative men spoke of the
system in glowing terms three years ago,
when the combination movement was in
dts infancy. Since then such writer's as
Sidney Webb, professors of Oxford and
Cambridge universities and several po-
litical economists of continental Europe
nave interested themselves In this move
ment; they are studying the question
and have written approvingly on the sub
Ject sto-its originator.
WORK OF SEVEN YEARS.
Seven years have elapsed since the first
alliance was. formed In the bsdstead
trade. AT the time of its formation the
condition of the industry was most des-
perate No manufacturer was making
any money, wages were at starvation
point, several firms have already gone
into bankruptcy. and a number of others
were with great difficulty kept out of the
general receivers hands. Under this sys-
tenn every one of the Dedstead manufac-
turers had made profit on goods man
ufactured, the condition of the working
men has improved at least rs per cent,
and the business is in as prosperous a
condition as any other in Great Britain.
METHODS OF ALLIANCE.
The method of starting an alliance ia
described as follows:
To prevent manufacturing being car
ried OH at pecuniary loss a minimum
scale is adopted. A representative ar
ticle, like certain pattern of bedstead
or one dozen plates of a given size and
shape, is taken as a basis to ascertain
now much 1t costs to manufacture: the
manufacturers agree on the minimum
rate at which 1t can be made; then a
certain percentage Is added for profits
and this forms the minimum selling price
for that article. The manufacturers bind
themselves by the rules Of the alliance
not to sell, without the consent Of the
alliance, below the minimum price. The
workmen are also offered certain inter
ests In the success of the business, and,
both parties being mutually dependent,
there is no occasion for strikes Iockouts
or trade disputes.
After giving in detail the many rules
governing the operations of the alliance
the report concludes as follows:
1T will therefore be seen that work
~ oo .iieii snare OF the bargain
a go2d union, minimum wage, a bonus
or bonuses to the extra profits OBJ
tafned the first is fixed), and a wage
board on which they have equal repre-
sentation.
mo excessive profits which would him
der trade are possible, as the consent of
the workmen to any advance must be OBJ
tanned.
Experience has shown that the work.
men are careful not to demand bonuses.
For example, in the bedstead trade the
men have refused to receive anv further
bonuses whatever. because they believe
that they are now being paid. all that
they can safely claim. Another safe
guard against undue profit is that the
trades are left open to every one. There
are no restrictions upon any person en-
tering beyond reasonable. and proper
Tomato entrance. fee to the alliance