Waterbury Democrat., 1902-06-10
A NEAT NEST EGG.
The Benefits of Belonging to a Trade
 Union.

The Benefits of Belonging to Trade Union. The report of the Amalgamated So- ciety of Engineers, Machinists, Pat tern Makers and Blacksmiths for 1901 shows total income of $1,723, BIO and total expenditure of $1,302,,- 519, leaving a saving of $429,7 ,791 for the year, which, when added to the balance on hand makes a grand total of $2,52O,OO0. A neat little nest egg, with which trade union advantages can be propagated.
 The items of expense are summed up as follows: Unemployed benefit, $29S, ,4S7; dhis fin time of peace and fairly good trade; what will be the eff feet on so-caIled cheap unions, should a panic strike us?) sick benefit, $239,- 4S7; old age pension, $451, ,946; acci- dent, $7,962; death benefit, $71, ,134; {; special relief, $12,616; paid to general federation, parliamentary expenses, and full wages to victimized members, $34, ,7SO; old age pension, S451, ,946; accident, $7,962; death benefits, $71, 134; special relief, $121, ,616; paid to expenses, and full wages to victimized
 
 ing, $160,250. Of this amount $42,000 were expended in benefits for mem bers in the United States and Canada, and 'S12O0O for organizing, rent, per capita tax to central bodies, printing, etc. Tn loans to members, for the pur- pose of erecting homes, $600,0O0 were advanced. Anywhere in the world, where a branch is in existence, mem bers can secure loans on real estate, in conformity with the rules adopted to regulate such investment of the So- ciety's funds. In municipal and coun- ty improvement bonds $46O,000 are in vested, while $1. .46O, 900 are distribu- ted among the 627 branches and is subject to any demand when necessity requires it. The reserve fund amounts to nearly $3,O00,000 at this time, and the membership increased during the year from 87,OOO to 91,OOO. Four new branches have been instituted in America during 1901.
 The lesson contained in foregoing figures is of the greatest value to every ardent trades unionist. 1t is an illustration of the benefits to be deriv- ed through systematic organization of wage workers along craft lines. Not only is protection afforded against the encroachments of the employers, but it is likewise extended to those in dis tress or unemployed. What makes the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, Machinists, Pattern Makers and Blacksmiths exceptionally strong is the fact, that when once a member long enough to be entitled to benefits, it is practically impossible to forfeit membership. In most cases men drop out of their union because. when un- employed, they find it difficult to keep up their dues. In the 'MalS the un- employed not only receive a weekly benefit, but during this period they are also exempt from paying dues. The Same-iS true in case of sickness. And when the member through infirmity becomes incapacitated for work, the society pays old age pension without exacting dues from the recipient. And finally when death overtakes the poor wage slave a decent burial is provided. Whenever it becomes necessary to en- gage in industrial warfare, the reserve fund of nearly three million dollars is ample guarantee that strike benefits will be promptly paid, without taking recourse to begging for contributions
 l long to see the day when all the unions comprising machinery construc- ton trades will be united in the Amal- gamated Society-a truly International organization. Should this unity of labor forces be accomplished there is every reason to believe that the em- ploying class would think twice before engaging in a contest with workers whose unions circled the globe. backed by form of organization that placed it's membership above want-Isaac Cowan, Organizer.