Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
4-O2
THE LABOR PROBLEM.
ALFRED DOLGE'S SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO SOLVE IT.-
THF. NEWLY PUBLISHED ACCOUNT OK HIS LABORS.—
HIS SYSTEM EXHIBITED AT TIIK PARIS
EXPOSITION.
T
HE just distribution of earnings is a matter to
which politicians, political economists and philan-
thropists have from time immemorial devoted
profound and prolonged attention. During centuries,
those who have lived upon set wages, given to them in
exchange for their labor, seem to have been conscious
of injustice; they have felt that they were daily yielding
from brain and muscle that which was many times more
valuable than the remuneration received by them in
return for it.
From the feeling of discontenL thus engendered have
arisen strikes, lock-outs, bloody riots, national revolu-
tions, assassinations, hatreds and all manner of evils.
In short, capital and labor have been continually at war.
Hundreds of books have been written, and hundreds
of thousands of speeches have been delivered by theor-
ists and statesmen, with the view of placing these
hitherto antagonistic forces upon a footing of peace,
reconciliation and justice.
To say that these efforts of wise and nob'e men have
been altogether fruitless of good result would of course
be grossly untrue; and it would be ridiculous to assert,
on the other hand, that they have proved equal to the
extermination of the evil. To all, however, who have
helped in the solution of the " labor problem," the
thanks of mankind are due. It appears to us that
an ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory;
and, greatly as we must always admire the mag-
nificent literary labors of such economists as Adam
Smith, Ricardo, Mill, Marx, Proudhon, and a host of
other and similar intellectual giants, the practical appli-
cation of the simple ideas of Alfred Dolge to matters
involving the friendly relations of employer and em-
ployed transcends them all in its beneficent results.
Dolge has evidently struck at the root of the evil, if we
may judge by the increasing flow of his own prosperity
and the marvelous contentment, progress and loyalty of
his work people.
The remarkable facts in regard to Mr. Dolge's system
are his unswerving and uncompromising opposition to
what is generally known as socialism or anarchism, his
firm insistence upon all the rights of employers; and
his well-evidenced desire to ewe no man anything, but
to give every man his due. He has no faith in the
" equality " advocated by socialists, but is an ardent be-
liever in the doctrine of the full development of every
human being's individuality.
So much were the promoters of the present Exposition
in Paris attracted by his wonderful success in the prac-
tical unraveling of labor problems that they invited him
to exhibit an account of his "distribution" methods in
the section entitled " Participation du Personel dans les
Benefices." Part of the exhibit consists of a printed
book entiled " The Just Distribution of Earnings," being
"An Acrount of the Labors of Alfred Dolge in the town
of Dolgeville, U.S.A." What is described as his "basic
k!ea" of his " distribution" system is set forth in the
following clear, terse language, which forms part of a
letter written by him to the Chicago Moruim; News
and published therein on the igth January last: " There
is ho doubt in my mind that manufacturers will event-
ually make all their employees partners in the business,
so to say, as there is undoubtedly something wrong at
present in the relation of capital to labor. In many in-
stances capitalists enrich themselves immeasurably at
the expense of labor. It would certainly be welcomed
by the majority of the American people if a plan could
be devised, just for both sides, whereby labor will get
its rightful proportion of the earnings of a business."
This may seem, to the old-fashioned capitalist, a bold
utterance; but if such a capitalist will only take the
trouble to read what follows he will be amazed at the
sound and thorough conservatism which characterizes
Mr. Dolge's ideas, and at the absolutely non-revolu-
tionary nature of his system of dealing with employees.
Further, the reader will not feel disposed to lay down
this book until he has got at the pith of the matter upon
which Mr. Dolge is anxious to fix his attention, namely,
the feasibility of a method of distribution of the entire
earnings of a business between employer and employees
which shall, and dots, increase the material, moral, and
mental prosperity of both.
We regret that we have not space for an exhaustive
review of this important work. Nevertheless, a brief
indication of its contents should create a very general
desire for a thorough perusal of it. It deals with the
ideas and efforts of a man who, having been a workman-
is now a master, and than whom no living man is better
entitled to speak for both sides on the labor question.
First come the story of Alfred Dolge's life—a
narrative of honest, determined, and successful over-
coming of all manner of obstacles—and a chapter
on the origin and history of Dolgeville. Following these
.tre descriptions of Mr. Dodge's exhibits at the Vienna,
Philadelphia, and Paris exhibitions of 1873, 1876, and
1879, with facsimiles of medals and diplomas. Next
is the essential article on " Participation, or the system
of Distribution of Earnings at the Dolgeville Factories,"
which explains in great detail his hitherto successful plan
of supplementing the wages of his employees by
the addition of the amounts necessary to make up their
just shares of the earnings of the Dolge ccncern. These
amounts are not given to the employees in cash, but
are invested for their benefit in various schemes, of
which the principal are a pension fund, a life insurance
plan, a mutual aid society, a school society, a building
fund for the erection of homes, a club house and a pub-
lic park. Reproductions of the charts exhibited in the
Paris exposition are appended, showing the quantities
of products turned out from the Dolgeville factories,
and the various sums of money, in the form of additions
to wages, that have been expended for the employees-
benefit. In connection with this branch of the subject
we would like to quote the paragraph headed "remun-
eration;" which runs as follows:—"The amount of the
remuneration has so far depended upon the arbitrary
decision of the proprietor with due consideration of the
results achieved in the different departments. The in-
troduction of a positive system based upon the experi-
ence of the past years i% now under consideration. It
is the intention to perfect the same in such a way that
a change of management or ownership of the business
cannot affect it."
A few pages further on we find a valuable and in-
structive table of "comparative earnings," which shows
that, apart from the " profit-sharing" receipts of his
employees, Mr. Dolge pays a much higher rate of wages
than that paid by other manufacturers in England,
France, Germany, and even in this country.
The remainder of the book is largely taken up by the
reproduction of various letters of Mr. Dolge upon the
questions of a just distribution of earnings, pension
funds for workpeople, forest culture, etc., and of most in-
teresting and instructive speeches by him upon the same
and kindred subjects, the neccessity for better schools,
the buying and selling of votes, protection vs. free trade,
high license, the tariff and workingmen, the protection
of home industries, the Knights of Labor, Socialism,
education, the eight hours system, physical exercise,
etc.. etc. These speeches teem with the eloquence of
reason and common sense, and are alive with a spirit of
kindness and toleration which might with advantage to
the world be more widely disseminated than it now is.
That the relations between Mr. Dolge and his work-
people are thoroughly amicable, and even fraternal and
affectionate, is delightfully evident.
Mr. Dolge has entered upon a great and noble work,
a work of peace and good-will to all men, whether
capitalists or employees. The tree is known by its fruit,
and the fruit in this case is so sweet and satisfying that
we cannot refrain from recommending it to all aggre-
gations of employers and workmen to whom it is/ft
present unknown.
In San Francisco he contracted with Zeno Mauvais—
who, by-the-bye, is very inappropriately named—for
the delivery of seventy-five Decker & Son pianos, for
though recreation was the main object with which the
trip was made, Mr. Decker found it impossible to avoid
booking a number of splendid orders along the line of
route.
In the thriving city of Oakland, Cal., the distinguished
piano-maker purchased a fine piece of land, which will
doubtless be divided into building lots in the near future.
The Valley of the Yosemite was among the scenes
visited. While there the travelers encountered a severe
snow storm, the effect of which upon the other natural
beauties of that region was grandly impressive.
Many new friendships were made, and many old ones
strengthened, in the course of the tour, one general
result of which, as we have stated is the re-invigoration
of Mr. Decker, as we hope and believe, for a long spell
of activity and usefulness in the sphere which he adorns.
STRICKEN MUSIC MEN.
SOME OF THOSE WHO HAVE FKR1SHF.D IN OR SUFFERED
KY THE RECENT FLOODS.
T
H E Conemaugh horror gathered in, among its
other victims, many well-known and honored
members of the music trade. Among those who
perished were Mr. G. W. Lockhart. jeweler, formerly a
piano dealer of Johnstown. He and his daughter-in-
law were killed by the giving way of a wall, a son and
grandson who were in the same room escaping. Mr.
Lockhart was a wealthy man.
F. S. Malloy and his family. Mr. P. H. Weaver, and
the wife and child of S. M. Jones, of Jones Brothers,
piano dealers of Altoona, Pa., found death in the flood.
Among the missing are Mr. Thomas Morgan, sub-
agent of S. Hamilton, of Pitt&burg, Pa.; some members
of the family of Mr. Ed. Hohman; and Mr. Frank
Johnson, of the former firm of Johnson & Avery, Titus-
ville, Pa., who is reported killed. Several other Johns-
town dealers remain unregistered among the survivors,
and are probably dead. Other losses of life have oc-
curred at Petersburg, Huntingdon, and neighboring
cities. Pittsburgh houses have suffered severely, finan-
cially, from the catastrophe, especially as it affected
Johnstown.
From Williamsport, Pa., comes the news that D. S.
Andrews & Co. estimate their loss at £50,000; S. Q.
Mingle reckons his at $o.,ooo, less what he hopes to re-
gain by securing and repairing some of his instruments;
Mitchell, Young & Co. expect to lose some thousands
on stock out on lease, etc., especially at Lork Haven;
other losers are A. Eschenbach and Fisk, Kornim
& Co. J. R. Smith & Co.'s stock at Milton, near Wil-
liamsport, is believed to be entirely destroyed.
According to Andrus & Co., five hundred pianos and
organs in Williamsport are irretrievably damaged, out-
side of the goods in stock, and at Jersey Shore, Pa., the
destruction of musical instruments is complete. Hope,
however, remains, together with its most potent com-
panion, energy. Most, if not all of the suffering firms,
will continue, and will work with indomitable wills to
recover from their misfortunes. The entire losses of
the trade in Pennsylvania must amount to considerably
over a quarter of a million dollars.
ANOTHER GOOD MAN GONE WRONG.
MYRON A. DECKER'S JAUNT,
ALTOONA, PA., May 23, 1889.
A TWO MONTHS' TRIP OF RECREATION,
SOME GOOD STROKES OF BUSI
M
YRON A. DECKER, the h
rdy head
of the great piano firm o
Son, New
York, looks bronzed, Jij^ilthy
young after
his two months' tour in
upon the
Pacific coast. He has brgKht home a ftock of interest-
ing reminiscences ofj^re journeying*' and sojournings
which will form th for a long timeit#come.
Mr. Deckerv^Kcompanied by hfs wife and daughter,
traveled ouUPard on the Nothery Pacific Railroad, visit-
ing the cbjR points of interestjis far north as the quiet
and leisjrely city of Victoria B. C , of which he has
very jpfasant recollections. jfrhe party then proceeded
to Sjattle, Washington adf Portland, Oregon, finding
cities filled with atfcrenterprising and industrious
prfulation with whom upde flourished as the green bay
l e . Mr. Decker spepts in high terms, in fact, of all
Se towns on the coa
MESSRS. BILL & BILL,
No. 3 East 14th St., N. Y.
GENTLEMEN: I have to report to you, in the interest
of the trade, that Mr. E. J. Walkom, former Manager
for my branch store at Meyersdale, Pa., has recently
skipped, with all cash avails in his possession, to parts
unknown. I hereby caution a yonc against harboring
him or entertaining any idea of engaging him for any
position of trust or responsibility should he make any
overtures in that direction. He has not only over-
stepped all bounds of criminal but also of moral law,
in that he has violated the confidence of an old friend
and employer.
Please give this publicity in your esteemed paper and
protect the trade at all points by so doing.
Yours truly,
J. S. WICKS.
MESSRS. HENRY AND CHARLES H. STEINWAY, of
firm of Steinway & Sons, are in Europe.
the