The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-08-24

III WI AoA 80
ter.
The trade unions of Germany are
not-like most Of those in Belgium,
fer example-mere lists~of names IN
scribed at one time Or another IN a
register, according to occupations, by
men who do not expect to pay regular
dues. They are today uniformly made
up Of members entered in their union
regularly, usually paying high dues
and assessments in proportion to thelr
wages, through self-imposed dlsclp-
line, ready to strike or to take a lock-
out, and wherever entitled, receiving
the cash benefits to an Eng
lish or American labor organization.
AS a rule the union of a trade is capa-
BILE of meeting the needs of its mem
berS for strike payments as we'll as tor
sick, death. and Out-Or-wOrk Dement'S
or other provident features.
NE comprehensive facts relative to
the rapid increase in numbers OF the
German unions, the changes in their
methods in order to adapt themselves
to direct instead of theoretical pur-
poses. and the solid character Of their
organization imply the further TACT
of paramount importance-that they
have been the chief factor in brlngln
about the ~undeniable improvement in
recent years of the average German
workers condition in life.
Great industrial progress came to
Germany only after it had been
achieved in England n America.
The Germany WOrkingmen, observing
the enormous increase of. production
in their country, at first gave the pro-
l~etariat political movement a fair and
full trial. On it's failure to yield tn
immediate results at which they aim
ed. they turned to the proce Of sell.
ing their labor collectively instead of
in competition. They ave conse-
uuently taken an increased and ever
increasing share in Germany'S pros
perity.- The rapid rise in wages to be
noted in a few occupations prior to
1894-plainly, for the most part, the
effect Of trade unionism-became with
the spread Of effective organization a
fact general to all u~nionized callings.
The r%eproach, common among Eng
lish and American organized wage
workers so late as fifteen years ago,
that their German brothers were
dreamers, working at slavish wages
while wasting their time and strength
in vain policies, is no longer enable.
The real militant front presented to
the employing and privileged class in
~terests in Germany in 1909 is that Of
fered by the trade union.
The fact as to the rise Of wages in
the German trades, as we'll as the
shortening of h consequent
on Organization are indiSputable.
Few men of any party or pro-
fession in the country now at
tempt to put the case other
wise. No opponent Of trade union
ism could challenge the tacts after
visiting the National centre of trade
unions at No. Is Engel Ufer, Berlin,
and weighing the testimony to be of
fcred there in their offices by the sec
retaries Of the scores of national
unions on the subject. There is uni
formly but one story to be told, that
of Organization, subsequently effective
demands on employers, the continued
development Of union strength, loyalty
of the members. some financial pro-
vision for every idle membe during
the trials of unemployment Or other
suspension, of earnings, always attain
ing step by step higher wages, shorter,
hours, and better shop conditions. l
take the space here to give examples
of the rise in wages Of but two trades,
my statements in this letter necessar-
lily being of a general character rather
than Of the detailed particulars to be
expected in a statistical report. The
union Berlin brewery workers who in
1885 received "A to 90 marks a week.