The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-12-29

of English workingmen to each other.
and their repugnance to do anything
against fellow-workman which might
be considered "mean." are class char
acteristics. The other argument Is that
as the employer pays a wage no larger
than he is obliged to do, the workman
Is justified In performing as little work
as he can. There is no doubt that
class distinctions here, and the fact
that "once a workman, always work.
man" is the rule (although there are
many exceptions, some of them nota-
ble), are mainly responsible for the ac-
knowledged indispositlon of many Brit
ish workmen to do their level best"
In the sense in which 1t is understood
in America. Trades unionism has an
influence here far beyond what 1t has
in America, and it is but just to say
that there is greater need of trades
unions in this country than In Amer
lea. Undoubtedly, English trades
unions have brought about great re-
forms in the condition Of factories, as
to the hours of labor, in regard to the
employment of children, etc: and
there are indications that the alleged
restrictive policy of trades unions, ex-
press or implied, is gradually being
modified.
LABOR-SAVING MACHINERY.
The small extent to which up-to-data
labor saving machinery Is used here.
as compared with America, and even
Germany Is Just now a fruitful topic
of discussion. The rule here Is for a
plant or machine not to be replaced
until it Is absolutely worn out, The
question is, "Wil 1t do?" not, Can it
be improved?" The fault is, so tina
worlxmen say, that of the employers.
and the latter retaliate by blaming the
workmen. The handicap to which Eng
fish manufacturers are subjected by
reason of their employment of ante
quated plant is generally recognized
by the newspapers and by speakers au
conventions of chambers of commerce.
and manufacture. and the agitation has
undoubtedly led to great improvements
in this regard.
IMITATION OF AMERICAN
METHODS.
To sum up there is a general recog-
milton of the fact that England cam
not go on as she has been doing for
the past quarter of a century, dating
from the time when she was practi-
cally the manufacturing and CONNER
clay monopolist Of the world. There IL
widespread movement for the copy
ing Of American methods in organlza-
ton and methods of trade, and within
the past year a number of delega-
merce, railroad men. and mechanics
, have gone to the United States to make
parctical observations. One enterprise
ing Liverpool shipping firm has taken
over several delegations OF trades
unionists to the United States and Cam
ada, and will bring them back free OF
| charge. Whether the newly awakened
| movement to meet outside competition
will be able to overcome the traditional
| conservatism of the British people Is
difficult to say. The probabilities are
| that foreign competition Will go on It's
conquering way until hard times over
| take the British people; that then, with
! their habitual thoroughness, they will
undertake the task OF reforming their
| educational system, Of undermining
| their system of manufacture, and of
! changing the restrictive customs and
| habits Of the work people.
| In the meanwhile. now is the time for
American manufacturers to get q
| stronger foothold in this country. Tho
| introduction of our goods into Eng
| land has enormously increased during
! the past year. At present there is a
general demand, particularly in Liver
pool, for American agricultural imple-
ments, furniture (both office and house,
/ hold, boots and shoes, electrical ap-
! planes, bolts, nuts, etc One SUCCESS
| ton made several times in these re-
| ports Is reiterated with emphasis: Do
| not let considerations Of cheapness or
| greater profits lead to deterioration of
the original high standard of goods.