account, I am inclined to the opinion that as the motives which have led labor to organize become more generally understood, the antagonisms labor organizations have to contend with today, as well as this feeling of distrust, in the public mind, will gradually disappear, and they will be recognized as desirable factors in social progress. In fulfilling their mission, they keep within the pale of the law, take no private road, pursue no forbidden paths, nor strive to monopolize the privileges of others. They seek to protect their belongings; to advance the interests of the weak and helpless and to ameliorate the condition of all mankind. They are far above all others in the precept: "One for all, and all for one". typifying in the fullest sense the universal brotherhood of man.

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE TRADE MOVEMENT IN DETROIT.

The central labor body of Detroit is the Council of Trades and Labor Unions, and embraces at the present time over fifty trade organizations. (Detailed statistics of membership, hours of labor, wages, etc., can be found in another portion of the annual report.) It was organized in 1880 with a membership of nine unions, and has steadily grown up to its present large membership. It is a body composed of delegates elected according to the membership and numbers about 150 delegates, who serve for a term of six months. A conservative estimate would give the unions affiliated between 8,000 and 9,000 members. A few years ago it become quite popular to belong to the Knights of Labor, and many of the unions left the council to become attached to this new order. How. ever, experience taught many of the unions that open organization was the best form of organization for the working people and many of the unions were again re-chartered as trade unions and became affiliated with the trades council. At the present time there are no Knights of Labor assemblies in this city. Through all these years it has been satis. factorily demonstrated that the trade union movement is the best form of organization.

Detroit trade unions rank among the best in the country. Evidence of this is shown by the comparatively few strikes and lockouts, and of the business like way many of the disputes between employer and employe have been adjusted. Every possible means have been resorted to before any strike or boycott has been agreed upon.

The trades council is affiliated with the American Federation of Labor, which is now recognized as the leading labor organization of the country. Nine years ago it was instrumental in organizing the Michigan Federation of Labor, which has only recently held its ninth annual meeting. By being affiliated with the American Federation of Labor organizers were appointed, and much credit is due two gentlemen who acted in that capacity for four years each-Robert Y. Ogg and Louis E. Tossy-for the formation of many organizations. Samuel Goldwater, Thomas M. Dolan,

John Strigel and other members of the organization committee of the council assisted the organizers in founding new unions and many of them are still in existence and have reaped the benefits of organization. Some of them prospered for a while and after they apparently got what they wanted disbanded again. Still the failures did not discourage the active workers in the labor movement, for they still carry on their work with just as much vigor.

Many instances might be cited where the trades council took an active part in matters that concern the public welfare. Notable among these may be mentioned the introduction of free text books in the public schools and the adoption oft he Australian ballot system. In local matters it has raised its voice to condemn any action of public affairs when deemed necessary and also to commend where credit should be given.

A feature that has received the general approval of trade unions and citizens generally, was the establishment of permanent labor headquarters, or in other words a home. This question has been agitated for some years and took definite shape about three years ago when a large room, centrally located, was secured and furnished, which is being utilized for the meeting of the council every alternate week and on the other evenings for various unions. To this was attached a library and reading room, and a year ago an additional room was secured, to be devoted exclusively to library purposes. A well selected library has been founded, and on the shelves can be found books covering subjects of a wide range of thought by all the authors of the day. Works on social subjects predominate. Through generous friends and citizens all these books have been donated. The trade unionists feel proud of the achievement and books are constantly drawn by members. The headquarters is the rallying point of all union men and is also utilized for committee. meetings. In addition to the many books on the shelves of the library all the leading daily papers of the city are on file, also a large number of labor and trade papers from all parts of the country. The reading room and library is open daily from 9 a. m. to 9 p. m. and Sunday afternoons. Miss Rose McBrearty is in charge as librarian. A movement is on foot to erect a permanent home for trade unionists to have all unions meet under one roof, and the promoters of the same hope to realize this wish in due time.

A question that is agitating many trade unionists of this city is the union label or trade mark. A standing committee of the trades council has charge of this matter and are assisting the various unions to educate the general public. The printers and kindred trades-compositors, pressmen, feeders and helpers, stereotypers and book binders-have formed the Allied Printing Trades Council. Their object briefly is this: To bring into closer relations with one another the various unions of working men and women engaged in the printing industry; to create and maintain a more wholesome regard on the part of employers and others for the rights. and just claims of members of the several unions; to make the grievance of employes in one department in an establishment the grievance of those in all other departments; to effect a more thorough organization of the craft with a view to eventually having to a shorter workday.

The oldest of the union labels is that of the cigarmakers, which union was first in the field. In addition to this may be named the labels of the printers, tobacco workers, shoemakers, hatters, coopers, bakers, broom

makers, moulders, garment workers, tailors, etc. All these labels signify that work bearing the same has been done by strictly union men.

Speaking historically the printers union is the oldest labor organization of Detroit. Its charter is dated 1852, although the printers had a union as far back as 1848. It has numbered among its members many men who have since gained prominence and are well known in the professional, political and business world. The objects of the union are "to elevate the position and maintain and protect the interests of the craft in general; to establish and uphold a fair and equitable rate of wages; to regulate all trade matters appertaining to the welfare of its members; to relieve the deserving needy and to provide for the proper burial of deceased members."

The iron moulders rank as the second oldest union. They were organized in 1862. The past few years this body of men has had a good deal of trouble caused by strikes, etc., but at the present time it is one of the largest and best organized unions in the city. They pay a sick and death benefit. The cigarmakers union, which is conceded by all trade unionists to be one of the best of America's labor institutions, ranks third in age in this city. They have the eight-hour work day and perhaps pay more attention to their label than any other union. Some of the most progressive thinkers are found in this local union, and quite a few of its members have a national reputation. This union has a sick, death and out of work benefit. With the printers they were instrumental in organizing the Michigan Federation of Labor. Two other unions that may be mentioned as some of the older unions are the carpenters and shoemakers. Numerically speaking the street car employes have the largest membership, which has increased very much since last July, and at the present time numbers about 1,200 members. This union through organization has gained better pay and treatment and shorter hours of labor. All the other unions of the city have a good membership.

The German speaking trade unions have a central body-the Central Labor Union-formed in 1882, where all business is conducted in the German language. Some of the unions are represented in both central bodies. About 15 unions are attached. Both central bodies work hand in hand to gain what is just and due for the wage workers.

A word or two in favor of the daily press may not be out of place. All the meetings of the trades council are open to the public, and representatives of the press attend these meetings, and thus the public is informed of what is going on. To their credit it must be said that the reports are generally very fair. There are also two weekly labor papers-the Citizen (English) and Der Herold (German). Many other cities are falling in line and the example of Detroit as regards open meetings is being copied by many.

The most notable event in labor circles the past six months has been the strike of the cigarmakers. It is not a strike for wages, but to remedy the evil of under paid women and child labor. The number of persons engaged in this strike and other matters connected therewith have been furnished by members directly interested.

P. A. LOERSCH.

Line No.

Name of organization.

TABLE No. 4.—Conditions of trade unions and kindred

5 Bricklayers' and Masons' International Union, No. 11..

1 Granite Cutters' National Union of the United States

2 International Typographical Union, No. 166...

8 International Association of Machinists, No. 98 Bay City.. 4 International Union of Horseshoers.

West Bay City

Battle Creek..

16 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, No. 33. 17 Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, No. 84... 18 Cigarmakers' International Union, No. 205.... 19 Iron Moulders' Union, No. 175.

50

18

80

80

organizations in Michigan for the year ending June 30, 1895.