The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1909-12-31
GERMAN UNIONS LEAD
Most Efficient of European Labor
Organizations.
COPY AMERICAN METHODS.

Samuel GomPers Says Unionism In
Germany Has Done Much For Better
ment Of Working conditions-Ens-
land Not So Well Organized.
Reviewing his recent observations on
trades unionism abroad, President Sam
uel Gompers of the American Fedora
ton of Labor said the organizati tons of
workingmen in Germany are more
nearly like those of America than are
the organizations in any other Euro
pean country and have accomplished
more in the way of influencing legis-
lation for the betterment of the work
ing people.
The remarkable growth of unionism
in Germany, Mr. Gompers said, has
been accompanied by developing in
dependence, in spirit, organization,
leadership and activity. The obvious
gain through union processes has APP
pealed TO the general intelligence and
practical turn of mind of the German
workers. The "centrals" in such cities
as Berlin. Munich, Cologne and Ham
burg are really union headquarters.
The official reports relate to union eff
fort. The objects of the organizations,
as shown in their publications, are
clearly defined within the scope of
trades unionism. Time and again,
when going about the cities named
with prominent labor men, he asked
the question, ITO what source Is due
the actual change for the better in the
standard of living of the working
classes in your city," The reply in
variably was, THE trades unions, first
and foremost"
The modern housekeeping" Of Ger
man cities and the governmental phi
lanthropies exhibited in working class
insurance fell far secondary to the re-
suits Of direct union action, and, in
fact, without union influence much Of
the legislation for the benefit of the
workers would remain unenforced. On
the whole, Mr.. Gompers asserted, it
can be said that the German trades
unions of today more nearly resemble
the American trades unions than do
those of any other country in Europe.
Aside from Germany, Mr.. Gompers
says, the continental countries make
a poor exhibit financially in their
unions as compared with American
unions. For example: In Austria the
total income in 1907 of the labor or
CARNATIONS, with about half million
members, was $1,GOO,O0O, expenditures
S1,4OO,O00. In the same year the re-
ceipts of the International Typograph-
ical union III America was Sl,SOO,0OO
and the expenditures 640,000-a
strike year-while in 1909 its receipts
were S4TS,o0O and it's expenditures
S45S.000.
The total benefits paid by all the
Austrian unions combined were: TRAY
cling, $4,000; out of work, $230,O00;
sick, funeral and intirmity, $230,0OO;
distress" $4,000; total, $4,000.
OF the British trades unions Mr..
Gompers says: THE claim may be
made positively that not one of these
delegates found his own trade as we'll
organized in Great Britain as it is in
America and that not one Of them,
viewing as a whole the trades union
movement in Great Britain, can say it
is as scientifically organized, as well
prepared for militant action or as free
from the interference of hurtful exter-
nal influences as the movement In
America. In certain of the British
unions there is some superiority in
their varied forms OF industrial insur-
ance. which in their country is occupa-
tional rather than, as in America, So
cial.
"In mentioning these conclusions
there is no intention to make deroga-
tory statements. Facts only are sci
down, their virtue and point being in
their truth Space here permits OF
only a few Illustrations of the genera
fact. The American Federation of La
boris rule that there can be only one
national organization for each calling
has no existence in Great Britain.
In the British trades union congress
there are delegates representing ma
tional' or even district trades or labor
organizations which may have quite
underlined Jurisdictions either as to oc
cupation or geographical area. For ex
ample, there were represented at The
Ipswich congress three organization
Of insurance agents, three of baker!
and confectioners. two of bleacheri
and dyers, three of bookbinders, TIVE
Of boot and shoe workers. two of car
penters, five Of teamsters, two of cigar
makers, six of the garment trades
four OF compositors. seven Of laborers
four of engineers, five of miners ant