were comparatively unknown, according to the testimony of the employees. No records of accidents were kept. Accidents of a minor nature, chiefly burns and cuts, are quite frequent, especially among the unskilled workers in the packing rooms, where the glass is handled the most. Blowers are subject to slight burns, and the cuts received are not dangerous, since the incisions are clean and regular. Rarely are the services of physicians required.

RELATION BETWEEN RACES EMPLOYED.

The relations between the different races employed are largely determined by the nature and conditions of the work. In very few instances is there any segregation of employees according to location or occupation. When this separation occurs it is due to the domination of the racial composition of a gang of unskilled laborers by a foreman of a certain race and is found almost altogether in the plateglass plant. On the other hand, the workers in the chimney and fancy ware plant are purposely mixed by the employers in order to avoid the constant grouping of the individuals of any one race. Not only is the belief that better results in production are obtained a reason given for this, but the careful avoidance of any possibility of unionization of the workers is assigned.

The natural tendencies in the relations of the various races, as seen from their life outside of the plants, seem to be toward segregation on the part of the Slovaks and South Italians, but toward association on the part of Belgians, French, Germans, and Americans. The representatives of other races employed in the glass industry are too small to show any tendency of this character. There is, of course, a much closer association between Belgians and French than between either of these and Germans and natives, but the actual segregation of all these races in daily intercourse, business, meeting places in clubs, saloons, and the like, is remarkably small in view of the difference in language and customs. This is by no means true of either Slovaks or South Italians who are distinct in nearly all of their activities and in their life.

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS.

The attitude of the glass workers' unions toward immigrants in general is one of animosity, according to statements made by union men. This animosity is directed mainly toward the Slovaks, Russians, Italians, and other races of recent immigration, because it is believed that the availability of cheap labor has been the cause of the difficulties and the failure of the unions in the larger plants of the community. The presence of cheap foreign labor at a critical period in the glass industry, when the fight on the introduction of machinery took place, unquestionably accentuated this feeling. On the other hand, there is little feeling against the German, Belgian, or French glass workers. They are taken into the unions without question, and on an equality with the natives. Especially is this noticeable at the present time in the attempt to unionize the chimney and glassware plant.

The attitude of the immigrants toward the glass workers' unions is not so easily found. No general statement can be made with refer

ence to the Germans, English, Belgians, or French beyond that their attitude, like that of the American laborer, depends entirely on whether or not they belong to the unions. It is stated both by employers and employees of the chimney and glass ware company that the nonunion workers in their plant are far better satisfied now than they were under union conditions. The Russians, Slovaks, Poles, and Italians can not be said to have any particular attitude toward unions. They are members to a very limited extent, are indifferent to union aims, and only join the organizations when they see that it is a necessary step toward holding their positions.

WELFARE WORK.

No welfare work is attempted by any of the companies operating plants in this locality, except in an indirect way in connection with the plate-glass workers' association. The reason assigned for this apparent lack of interest in the employees on the part of the employers is that it is believed by the latter that small appreciation would be shown. It is also stated that the employees, with the exception of those who are unskilled immigrants from Austria-Hungary and Italy, have their various organizations, which take the place of any welfare work that might be attempted. Some of these organizations are of a political nature, and some of a beneficial character.

THE PLATE GLASS WORKERS' ASSOCIATION.

The plate-glass workers' association is composed strictly of employees of the plate-glass plant in this locality, and is operated by their own board of directors, who are elected by the members themselves and who handle all of the funds of the organization. Membership is voluntary, and in 1907 numbered 205. The fees are $1 per month, and assessments for death benefit are 50 cents per each member in the case of a member, and 25 cents in the case of a member's wife, the benefits being thus only half to a member in case of his wife's death and the whole benefit for the widow of a member. The dollar fee includes (1) medical attention for one month to an entire family (exclusive of sons 18 years of age and over) by any one of five named physicians in the locality who have signified their willingness to act in this capacity and have agreed to accept a stipulated retaining fee for the year; (2) use of the library of 1,600 volumes and periodicals, pool and billiard tables, and gymnasium in the rented rooms of the association; (3) privilage of a reduced fee (from $10 to only $5) in obstetrical cases. The membership is composed chiefly of American, English, German, Belgian, and French employees in the skilled occupations. The southern European races exhibit very little interest in the organization. For instance, the Slovak and Italian periodicals which were subscribed for were never read, and the association has discontinued them.

It is stated that this association was first inaugurated by the company officials about fourteen years ago, but since then they have exercised no control in its affairs. This seems to be the entire extent of any welfare work done by the companies in the glass industry in this place.

CHAPTER V.

INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND EFFICIENCY.

Relative efficiency of the immigrant labor supply-Races of immigrant labor preferred.

RELATIVE EFFICIENCY OF THE IMMIGRANT LABOR SUPPLY.

No opinion regarding efficiency in given occupations was expressed, but it was agreed upon by all of the employers in the glass plants of this locality that immigrants, from the standpoint of efficiency in any Occupation, occupy the following order: Germans, English, Belgians, French, Magyars, Slovaks, Poles, North Italians, South Italians. It appeared also to be the opinion of the employers that the Slovaks and Magyars in the matter of supervision and tractability were the easiest to manage, the Germans and French next, the North Italians third, the Belgians, Americans, and English fourth and difficult, and the South Italians the most troublesome on account of their tendency to treachery. The use of intoxicants as a cause of inefficiency seems to be confined almost entirely to the Magyars and Slovaks and to the Poles who frequently unfit themselves for regular work by week-end carousals. Knowledge of English, in the employers' opinion, promoted efficiency to a large extent in the skilled and semiskilled occupations-a condition that affected chiefly Belgians, French, and Ger

mans.

RACES OF IMMIGRANT LABOR PREFERRED.

In no instance in this community had the employer any preference for race according to occupation as the methods of the industry are now constituted. In the beginnings of the industry here the Belgians were naturally preferred in skilled hand work, but at present under machine methods there is no distinction or preference according to occupation. On the other hand, there are very decided preferences regarding race for any or all occupations. This preference may be stated in the following order, by race, on the part of all of the employers: Germans, English, Belgians, French, Magyars, Slovaks, Poles, North Italians, South Italians.

The opinion was universally expressed that there was a wide difference between the Germans, English, Belgians, and French on the one hand and the Magyars, Slovaks, Poles, and North and South Italians on the other, which was a decided preference for the former group. As universal an opinion was that South Italians were unfit and inefficient laborers. In comparison with natives, all of the employers preferred Americans to any immigrant, although Germans, English, Belgians, and French were frequently, in the case of individual laborers, considered the superiors of natives. In all instances the second gener

ation of immigrants, of almost every race except the South Italians, were considered a great improvement upon the first generation, and the general opinion was expressed that they were the equal of natives, especially in the case of the English, Germans, Belgians, and French. A lack of experience with the second generation of other races prevented the expression of a more definite opinion, but the indications were, as stated by the employers, that the second generation of the Slovaks, Poles, Magyars, and North Italians would in time supply the labor market with efficient and trustworthy as well as ambitious workers.