The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-11-30

hip is made up Of classes of workers
whose wages differ greatly. For in
lance, the hatters. whose union takes
in nearly all the employees Of a factory
regardless Of skill or of trade distinc-
tons, have four dues grades, paying
respectively 6, Z, s and " cents a
week. The carpenters also have four
grades at s, 8. 10 and II cents. To
the American observer a Significance
will taatch to this statistical showing
for Austria trade unionisrn, inasmuch
as at the international Secretariat
congress at Paris in August the harsh
est and most persistent critic Of our
American trade union policy was the
Austrian delegate.
The British trade unions have SO
long been accorded first place in labor
organization by college text book
makers and other professional class
authors, that it may seem an imperti-
nence to set up a claim that such
writers are years behind the facts Of
the situation. When the American
Federation Of Labor. fifteen years ago
began sending fraternal delegates to
the British Trade Union Congress, an
expert firSt-hand Investigation on the
field of British unions began that has
been carried on during the periods OF
their visits by the thirty Americans
since sent over. two at a time, each
year. The claim may be made posi-
lively that not one OF these delegates
found his own trade as well organized
in Grea Britain as it is in America,
and that not one of them viewing as a
whole the trade union movement in
Great Britain can say it is as scien-
tifically organized, as we'll prepared
for militant action. or as free from the
Interference of hurtful external in
huences as the movement in America,
In certain Of the British unions there
Is some superiority in their varied
forms Of industrial insurance which in
their country is o~ccupational rather
than, as in America. social. In men
tiOning these conclusions, there is no
Intention to make derogatory state
Facts only are set down, their
virtues and point being in their truth
Space ere permits Of only a few illus
trations Of the general fact. The
Federation of Labor's rule
hat there can be only one national
organization for each calling has no
existence in Great Britain. In the
British Trade Union Congress there
are delegates representing "nauona
even 'district' trade or labor or
CARNATIONS which may have quite uh-
defined jurisdictions either as TO oc-
cupation or geographical area, OF
example,; there were represented d"
the Ipswich Congress three organlza,
ions of insurance agents, three =.
bakers and confectioners, two oL
bleachers n dyers, three OF booh
binders, two Of boot and shoe WoFh~
ers, two Of carpenters. five OF team
sters, two of cigar makers, SIX o. no
garment trades. -four of composIIoIS'
seven of laborers. four Of enSlh'Sl%
five of miners, and more than q So.
Of textile workers. Only a lIl'I ~
the 1900, 900 ~unionistS repreSehie" -
the Congress are united in the 95sL1
movement, conducted ~ ~
Federation Of Trades ~
rendering financial aid to one aho5'H,
in cases Of trade disputes. An
striking contrast with the Amer"
custom no organizers are ehif-'-
either of the central natondl
Considerable u
Of England remain quite outSi"- II
unionism and also entire prahC'N
the trades in certain localltlea. nil
In unity and ~compactness OF 49,
progressiveness OF prop"7 NJ
thoroughness and clearness IN ssoHE
militancy of spirit t.4r.-
finances, adaptability in aahi,tfr-
to the ends sought, or IN 4' +a-
,1ity and rapidity of deveioptneI'l ~
%ational movement in no foFelAH ...,r
try can compare with the al
OF Labor. rrrL
SAMUEL GOMFEi'"