New Britain herald., 1922-12-18

 that they Exist for the benefit of only the large manufacturing concerns that the smaller plants are not and should not be included in the mem bership.
 $ Serves Small and Large. "While l am not advised as to oth- CT associations, 1 should like to dis pei that belief in regard to our as- soeiation. The manufacturers asso- ciation of Connecticut exists 10 serve Iall members, both large and small. It believes that the ideal condition of affairs would involve membership by | all reputable concerns in the state. It's policy Is to serve each member to | the limit of It's needs. If large serv- ices are required 1t extends them, II | small services nre requested 1t offers | them.
 An analysis of the membership fg- | ures discioses the fact that 2sb of our members maintain plants with l to 80 employees. There are 125 con cerns with 50 to 100 employees, i5s with 100 to 250 employees, T4 with 250 to 500 employees 23 with hoo to 760 employees, IS with 750 to i,nDo employes. IS with 1000 to 2,OOo cm- ployes, 16 with 2,0o0 to 5000 em- ployes and two with 5000 to 7,6c0 employees. These figures do not in- clude branches.
 During the past year the associa- ton has successfully served members in 730 traffic cases. 472 legislative cases, 276 employment cases, 2lS fuel cases, 210 labor cases 200 sales ex- change cases, IF foreign trade cases, l0S taxation cases, 24 technical cases and general cases, total of 2,499 separate and distinct benefits to in- dividual members--an average Of 50 lper cent. I will ask you to note that these are absolutely direct appeals for aid and are in addition to all general services performed. This is not only conclusive proof that members need the association, but that they do use it.
 Compare this figure of 2,499 dis tinct services which were given in 1922 with past years. In 1915 the total number of requests for aid were 200, in 1916, 216; in 1917, 320; in 1918, $40; in 1919, 1,25o; in 1920. 1850, and in 1921, 2,249.
 IhC HioIoIy Ol tHc ever increasing usefulness of the association is, I believe, in part recorded in those fig ures.
 Not Opposed To Unions
 The establishment and mainte- nance of a sound policy of industrial relations has required a great deal of the most careful investigation and thought. It has meant the education of the general public, the press and industry, if you will. It has meant that our representatives have been compelled to appear on numerous oc- casions before associations and civic bodies. It has meant strict adherence to the fundamental and basic princi- pies which you as members have laid down. The association has not been !opposed to organizations of labor but 1t has been unaterably opposed to boycotts, blacklists and other illegal and unfair acts of interference on the part or employers or employees. It has stood for the open shop and it has exerted every influence wherever and whenever violations of the true principles of the open shop have been detected. It has been in entire sym pathy with an aggressive campaign for the establishment of the American plan of employment in the state but 1t has recognized the fact that as an organization, made up primarily of manufacturing concerns, no aegres- sive program could be successfully , carried out. It has believed that such an organization, to be effective, should include all employers of labor. con- tractors, builders, printers, transpor- tatlon agencies etc For this reason IL mas extended 100 per cent coopera- tlon to the open shop conference of Connecticut and has given both moral and financial support. It believes that with the personnel which makes up the membership of that body a most successful campaign can be waged for right and justice.
 strikes and Loss of Production.
 AS evidence that our efforts and the efforts of others have been re- Warded, l wish you would note that in 1920 there were S4 industrial dis putes in the state of Connecticut in 2 Which 20,734 workers were involved The estimated loss in production was . iS14, ,519,761.12. The estimated loss to 1, workers in wages was s4,334,11S.2s ana 745,S46 working days were lost. Tn 1921 the number of disputes was reduced to 27. The number of work :. CTS involved was 2,S04, the estimated !, loss in production s1,583,450 and the {. estimated loss in wages $463,244. The : total number of working days lost were 122,650.
 During the past year, 1922, we : have had to contend with only 12 in ! dustrial disputes. The number of workers involved was 1,221, estimated loss in production $724,0O0, estimated loss in wages $166,25O, and the total :, working days lost only 43,167. 7 These facts are well worth noting ' as an indication that Connecticut is z progressing steadily toward a sound :, solution of the so-called labor prob lem.
 Tn addition to the industrial strikes. however, we were harassed . by two of the most bitter controver- ' sies in history, the coal strike and the > shopmen's strike. Of our part in the , coal situation I shall speak later, but z in passing, I should like to have you , recall that the shopmen's strike be- gan on July 1. 1922, and continues {, until October 24. As far as Connecti- cut is concerned. the 5,010 workers who were involved lost s2,952,629 in wages.
 Must Seek New Source of Power. . The recurring coal and rail strikes