MONOGRAPHS ON ECONOMIC SUBJECTS FROM THE TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT of the INDUSTRIAL BETTERMENT INSTITUTIONS IN NEW JERSEY MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS FEATURES OF FACTORY ADMINISTRATION DESIGNED MUTUAL INSURANCE AGAINST DISABILITY OR DEATH. PROVISIONS FOR BY W. C. GARRISON, CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF STATISTICS TRENTON, N. J. MACCRELLISH & QUIGLEY, STATE PRINTERS, OPPOSITE POST OFFICE. INTRODUCTION THE underlying purpose in the preparation of this work is to show that there is another and a much more inspiring and hopeful side to the great labor problem than that which is, sad to say, too often under the public eye with its usual incidents of strikes, lockouts, boycotts, and other forms of bitter friction between employer and employe. It is intended to show that notwithstanding these regrettable manifestations, the relations between the two great forces of industry, Capital and Labor, are really on a sounder and more healthy basis than appears to be the case, and that there is no scarcity of instances which go to prove that large numbers of employers and their workmen are, in their business relations, animated by sentiments of genuine friendliness for each other and loyally co-operating together in carrying out plans of mutual advantage, in the management of the various industrial enterprises on the prosperity of which both are equally dependent for success in the struggle of life. Surface indications would seem to justify the belief that the strongest and most potent movement in industry at the present time, is that which appears to be driving capital and labor further apart; bringing about unfriendliness in the relations of employers and employes, and displacing the community of interest and harmony of action that once did, and always should, unite them. The reasons for this are obvious; every instance of friction between employers and their operatives which results in strikes or threats to strike, are fully reported and become 179977 widely known, and as it frequently happens that such strife is carried on in utter disregard of the injury that may be inflicted thereby upon others not in any way connected with or responsible for it, every occurrence of the kind is sure to receive a wide measure of public attention. As a natural consequence, the impression that industry generally is in a similar condition of discontent and unrest is very likely to gain ground. But such a conclusion, although to some extent supported by visible indications, would be far from correct, at least so far as the State of New Jersey is concerned. The immense growth of manufacturing industry here, which in the decade between 1890 and 1900 showed an increase of seventy-two (72) per cent.—almost double that of any other State in the Union-proves conclusively that in New Jersey, such differences as may exist between capital and labor have not as yet, seriously affected the industrial prosperity of the State. At least some measure of credit for this satisfactory condition of things is due to the constructive work of a practical kind which is being done by liberal, broad-minded employers and intelligent workingmen, many of whom are co-operating together cordially and harmoniously in carrying out plans for making the conditions surrounding industrial life easier, safer, and pleasanter. But such persons do not, as a rule, seek publicity on account of the work of this kind they have done and are doing; its character and extent are, therefore, as yet comparatively unknown to the general public; although those who are especially interested in industrial problems have long known of these efforts to establish a higher and better order of things, and are looking hopefully for a restoration of the old-time fidelity to each other that once united the employer and his workmen, through the extension and final adoption everywhere of these or similar plans as fixed and permanent features of industrial administration. In deciding to investigate the subject of betterment work at this time, the bureau was largely influenced by a request from the Department of Social Economy of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition that it should be done; the purpose being to make the collated results of the inquiry, with other work of the bureau along the lines of social economics, a part of the State's exhibit at St. Louis. The matter was called to the attention of manufacturers throughout the State by a circular letter, of which the following is a copy: OFFICE OF THE BUREAU OF STATISTICS OF NEW Jersey, At the urgent request of the managers of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, this bureau has undertaken to make an exhibit in the Department of Social Economy, which shall consist in part of a display illustrating the chracter and extent of such institutions designed to benefit employes as are now in operation among the manufacturing establishments of New Jersey. These include betterment institutions organized by employers for the benefit of employes, such as profit-sharing, hospitals, beds in hospitals, club-rooms, libraries, reading-rooms, educational classes, lectures, recreation halls, gymnasiums, baths, lunch-rooms, rest-rooms, shop committees, sick benefits, burial funds, prizes for useful suggestions relating to business or for superior work, and, in fact, all institutions for improving social and industrial conditions and raising the general standard of life of the working people. We regard it as being in the highest degree important to the interests of our State that the efforts which are being made by employers toward the establishment of enduring relations of amity with their workmen, based on mutually displayed evidences of good will, should be made known and full credit for the same awarded where it is due. With this end in view, it is the intention of the bureau to make a special compilation and report embracing such establishments as may have in operation among its employes any of the forms of benefit institutions referred to above, or who have systems of any kind for similar purposes. The compilation, when completed, will be placed in the proper department of the Exposition along with reports on the same subject from other States and foreign nations. With the coöperation of manufacturers who are in a position to furnish information, we feel certain of being able to make a presentation showing the existence of cordial sentiments of mutual help and interdependence between employers and employes in New Jersey which will give our State a position in the matter of enlightened and progressive management of industry commensurate with her high rank as a manufacturing State. Will you, therefore, kindly let us know at once, the time for making |