reading of essays and discussion of topics of interest to wage workers. Its meetings have been held as follows: The central labor unions are entitled to three delegates each at the annual convention and local unions one. The revenue is derived from an admission fee of $3 for central bodies and $1 for local unions. The latter also pay a per capita tax of one per cent per month on their membership, and the former $5.00 per year. There are at present affiliated with this organization ten central bodies, representing a membership of 12,000, and thirty-five local unions with 4,266 members. The present officers are: President, Louis E. Tossy, Detroit; secretary-treasurer, Wm. Crewe, Grand Rapids; first vice president, W. J. Hardy, Saginaw; second vice president, John Daane, Muskegon; third vice president, Jesse Radford, Bay City; legislative committee, Charles O. Brice, Detroit; A. H. Mix, Saginaw; A. Behrendt, Lansing; Charles Carpenter, Grand Rapids, and W. E. Gardiner, Saginaw. Next in importance in this great system of organization come the municipal central trade and labor-unions. These are formed only in cities and villages where there are a number of trade-unions, and are intended for concerted action in local affairs. Their objects are thus summarized by one of their constitutions: "To draw all the labor organizations into closer sympathy; to bring them into more intimate relations, both personal and industrial; to afford a means through which trustworthy information may be readily secured in regard to any trade difficulty; to afford a safeguard against the admission into unions of men who may be objectionable; to enable all organized labor to act promptly in emergencies, and thus mutually help each other in case of labor difficulties, by bringing to bear at once the combined influence of all labor organizations to affect a settlement." Some of these central trade and labor unions run free reading rooms, where may be found books upon all subjects pertinent to the labor problem, as well as fiction, history, etc. In connection with these rooms an intelligence bureau is sometimes established, when ciroumstances warrant, and a register of the unemployed kept and applications for workmen of all trades filled upon short notice. Among the most important of these, together with the date of their organization and the number of unions affiliated, are: Representation in these central bodies vary in different localities. In some each union is entitled to an equal number of delegates regardless of membership; while in others, representation is based upon the numerical strength of each organization. The revenue is derived from a small admission fee and a per capita tax of one-half to one cent per member per month. The meetings are generally held semi-monthly. The central bodies are great factors in adjusting grievances between unions and employers. They are also almost indispensible as organizers, as about 40 per cent of trade-unions of today owe their existence to the efforts of the central labor unions. The next link and real unit of the trade-union system of organization is the local union. To it is confined the regulation of all matter pertaining to its craft in the locality in which it is located. Its judgment in such matters is only subject to reversal by its national union. These labor unions are formed, principally for the purpose of maintaining wages at the highest possible point under existing conditions; to establish an apprentice system that thorough competency may be acquired; to secure some of the benefits of machinery through a shorter work day; protect its members against unjust discrimination; procure employment for its members; provide for the care of the sick and disabled and the proper burial of deceased members; to protest against and seek a solution of a system that places the major portion of the wealth of the world in the hands of a few to the detriment of the many, whose only fault is that they were not born under the same fortunate circumstances as some of their fellows, making it possible for a large portion of the population to live on charity or starve in a land of plenty, surrounded by great natural opportunities, but are compelled to walk the streets of our large cities seeking a livelihood, and unable to find it; to resist further encroachments of capital upon the profits of labor; to settle differences between capital and labor by lawful means. As to the relative strength of the leading trade-unions of the United States (many of whom have branches in this State) opinions vary, as data of this character is not of easy access; but from figures at hand, which are reasonably correct, the following is submitted-the dates given below are of the original meetings at which the unions were founded, although many of them have since been reorganized under their present names: Table showing national and international organizations, date when organized, and membership.-Arranged alphabetically. Titles. Journeymen's Bakers and Confectioners International Union Boilermakers and Iron Shipbuilders United Brewery Workmen's National Union. Brewers Bricklayers. Boxmakers. Carpenters United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.. Coal miners. United Mine Workers of America.. Order of Railway Conductors. National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.. National Association of Stationary Engineers. Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen....-----. Furriers' Union of United States of America and Canada Glass Employés' Association of America....... Druggists' Ware Glassblowers' League E Hat Finishers' International Association of North America.. Hat Makers' International Association of North America. Saddle and Harnessmakers' National Association Horse Collarmakers National Union.. International Union of Horseshoers of United States and Canada. Ironmoulders' Union of North America. Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers. Sheet Iron and Cornice Workers' International Union. Marine water tenders. Machinists.. Paper workers. Pattern makers. Amalg. Ass'n of Marine Water Tenders, Oilers and Firomen of America. Machinists' International Union. There are many other unions that should be added to this list, but figures could not be obtained upon which to base an estimate. Many of the above organizations pay out-of-work and strike benefits, ranging from $3.00 to $7.00 per week, and mortuary benefits from $50 to $3,000, the latter amount being paid by the locomotive engineers. In addition to these benefits, the International Typographical Union took a new departure in 1890 by founding a home for its aged and infirm members. An unconditional present of $10,000 tendered by George Washington Childs and Anthony J. Drexel, proprietors of the Philadelphia Ledger, to the union in 1886, formed the nucleus of the fund that erected the building, which is named after these gentlemen. The "Childs-Drexel Home for Union Printers" is located in Colorado Springs, Col., upon a plot of ground, comprising 80 acres, presented to the above union by the citizens of that enterprising city. The building cost $65,000, and furnishings $12,000 more. It is entirely free from debt. The main building is four stories and basement in height. A square tower projects from the building at the south, and a round tower at the north end. These towers rise 100 feet above the grade. The building is 144 feet long by 44 feet wide, with a wing 20x40 feet, and is built of gray lava stone with sandstone trimmings. There are 63 rooms, steam heated and provided with electric lights. At present there are 57 inmates. Applicants for admission must be recommended by the local union of which they are members. The home is maintained by a per capita tax of five cents per member per month, and is governed by a board of trustees.-See cut on opposite page. Nearly all of the national and international unions publish official trade journals, which are ably edited, and in which are discussed topics bearing upon social economic science, as well as trade matters. These journals are also a great help in disseminating union principles. There are, so far as known, 105 papers, 8 of which are German, published in the United States in the interests of labor. Five of them are located in this State. The average expense of maintaining these organizations is about 40 cents per capita per month. They have been able to accomplish much in the short period of their existence by shortening the hours of labor, keeping wages up to a living standard; rectifying many petty and annoying abuses found in some workshops; while their influence has done much toward procuring legislation for improving the santiary condition of factories, providing for safeguards around dangerous machinery, restricting the employment of child labor, and minimizing the evils of the "sweat shop" system; also preserving the secrecy and purity of the ballot. They also act as safety valves upon the impetuous in times of great industrial disturbances. In joining one of these organizations a man agrees to abide by the prescribed craft regulations. No consideration is paid to his religious or political belief, race or color. He simply enters into a business arrangement with his co-laborers to co-operate with them for mutual advancement. As one writer puts it: "He invests a small portion of his liberty for the purpose of acquiring a greater liberty." Or, in other words, his dealings with employers when seeking the adjustment of a grievance, are apt to receive more consideration when endorsed by his fellow workmen, than they would as an individual. While many are inclined to look upon these combinations with suspicion and take a pessimistic view of the future of society upon their |