elect a board of managers from
their own number having entire responsibility in the matter. The board is
composed of eighteen members, each of whom receives from M. Godin an
indemnity of five francs a month for time lost in visiting the sick,
committee-work, etc.

"The assessment," writes M. Godin, "for the support of the fund to which
the workmen consented amounted to about one per cent. of their earnings.
The chief of the establishment at the same time contributed all the money
resulting from fines for spoiling work and for infractions of the rules of
the manufactory. Thanks to this combination, the three principal causes of
discord between patron and workman on the subject of relief-funds are
removed. First, mistrust and suspicion are avoided. The managers of the
treasury are of their own number, and therefore the workmen feel perfectly
free to hold them to strict account for every sou received or disbursed.
Second, as the fines for breaking the rules are devoted to the fund, the
workmen themselves are the sole gainers. This teaches them to respect the
rules, and they are little disposed to side with the refractory when they
oppose a fine. Third, fines for spoiling work cause no ill-will; indeed,
they are submitted to with a good grace. The fine benefits the fund; and,
moreover, as in the case of fines for breaking rules, the workman has
always a jury of his peers to appeal to: the board of managers is always
at hand to approve or disapprove of the fine."

The fund thus administered has proved a great blessing to those who have
claims upon it, and the members of the board have worked together over
twelve years in the most exemplary harmony; or, in M. Godin's words, it
has "parfaitement fonctionne sans conflits, sans contestations d'aucune
sorte, et de maniere a donner d'excellentes resultats." The average yearly
receipts have been eighteen thousand nine hundred francs; average
disbursements, eighteen thousand seven hundred and ninety-four francs.
Possibly these facts and figures may be of service to some of our chiefs
of industry who are studying to improve the condition of their employes.

M.H.

NEW YORK AS AN ART-PATRON.

That cities, like individuals, have idiosyncrasies that may be defined and
estimated, and that may be depended upon to lead to the adoption of a
certain line of action by the community in view of a certain set of
circumstances, is a fact which is continually receiving fresh
illustrations.