506 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY
principle that has had a successful experience covering a score of years. Such an experience illustrates what an American system of labor pensions and insurance might accomplish. Reference is made to the system in operation in the exten- sive manufacturing enterprises of Alfred Dolge & Son at Dolgeville, New York. A brief account of its experience is instructive.
This firm employs 600 men in the manufacture of piano, organ and polishing felts, and felt shoes, together with piano sounding boards and musical instrumentsundries. In certain products, due to their superiority, the firm has a monopoly of the American markets and a large export trade. The head of the firm, edu- cated as an apprentice to the piano trade in Saxony, emigrated to New York in 1865, and there soon established himself in an independent business upon a small scale. In 1874, in answer to growing demands of trade, the business was moved to its pres- ent location in the foothills of the Adirondacks, finding there an unexcelled water power and lumber supply. The little ham- let of Brockett's Bridge, of 200 inhabitants, has grown to the small city of Dolgeville of more than 2000. But it is the firm's attitude toward its employes that is of especial interest, for the development of the industry finds its parallel in many an American locality. The town is not a "model" town; that is the firm does not seek to own the homes and control the little city. Many of the workmen own their own homes ; and the firm assists them in doing this, building the houses upon plans selected by the workmen and advancing the capital at a low rate of interest. A clubhouse was built by the firm at a cost of $10,000, and is maintained at an annual cost of $400. This is the home of a flourishing Turn-Verein and contains besides the gymnasium a large public hall, library and reading room. A public park of 141 acres is maintained at an annual cost of 5iooo. A school society was founded in 1886 and within five years $40,000 was expended upon a school system. Three-fourths of this sum was paid by the firm, almost one-half of it being a free gift. The system is complete, including kindergarten and
