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132 METHODS OF SOCIAL REFORM
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wages, They find too that there is at the present time much
more confidence, and a much better state of feeling at the
works than existed there a few years ago, The period fixed
for the first scheme having elapsed, they have just reconstituted
the pnrtnership, with some slight changes, for a period
of Gvs years. In short, the experiment had succeeded at
Middlesbrough, in the midst of the most untoward circumstances,
just as it had succeeded at Whitwood in a prosperous
state of trade, If it ~ould fail at all, surely the first two bad
years would have displayed the weakness. The members of
both these firms will, I believe, deserve the gratitude of the
country for the firmness with which they have cast aside the
current prejudices, and have put to a decisive test a plan
which had everything but experience in its favour.
VI.
I owe to the kindness of Messrs. Fox, Head & Co., a
copy of the rules on which their work is conducted, and that
we may understand precisely the nature of the scheme, I have
prepared a summary of the rules.
(1.) The employers are to have the sole and undisputed
control of the works and the business.
(2.) No employes are to belong to Trades Unions.
(3.) Employers similarly are not to belong to any association
of employers.
(4.) All questions concerning wages and prices are to be
decided at the discretion of the employers.
(5.) Wages will, however, be those generally accepted in
the district, but during any trade dispute the old rate is to be
retained.
(6.) Working partners are to receive salaries at customary
rates, approved by accountants.
(7.) Rate of interest allowed to capitalists is to average
10 per cent. during the continuance of the scheme.
(8.),Amount charged annually for renewals and depreciations
of the work and plant is not to exceed on an average 6 per
cent. per annum upon the outlaid capital,
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