Statistical.

It is a great pleasure to submit with this report a table, which I hope will prove the most complete ever compiled dealing with the affairs of our Association. In this record will be found, in concise form, a review of the financial history of our institution from its birth; the rate of trade assessments and per capita tax, receipts and expenses year by year, balance in treasury at the end of each year, gain or loss during the year; the amount received for interest each year, amount paid for relief year by year; membership-employed and unemployed so far as could be ascertained-and last but not least, a statement showing the average cost to each employed member to support the National Union during the past twenty-one years.

If the reader will pause sufficiently to consider that the writer was compelled to appeal to our older members to secure the records from which this data was compiled, as well as bear in mind the fact that the system of recording matters in our early history was very inadequate, then he will have some conception of the great amount of work necessary in order to arrange the facts which I now place before you.

From 1878 to 1885 the money paid out for relief was not systematically reported, this being because the funds used for such purpose were not systematically collected, consequently in order to report the receipts and expenditures for that period (1878 to 1885) I was compelled to make estimates; yet I feel that the estimates made are as nearly accurate as it is possible to secure from the incomplete record before me.

This table shows that the total receipts from 1878 to 1915 amounted to $4,523,583.79, while the expenses during the same period were $4,442,141.63, leaving a balance of $81,442.16 in the treasury on June 1, 1915.

From the birth of the organization to May 31, 1915, there was expended for relief alone the enormous sum of $3,215,698.10.

I would commend to our members a careful perusal of the facts contained in this table. Compare the receipts and expenses of recent years with former years; note the rate of taxation now and that of years gone by, as well as make a comparison of the cost to the individual to support the National Union now and that of other days. To illustrate: During the year ending May 31, 1895, the average amount paid to support the National Union by each individual employed was $70.77, while during the past twelve months the employed members paid on an average of $16.19.

Time will not permit of my citing many of the lessons. that can be found in this table, but from time to time it can be drawn on and used to good advantage. The table follows:

4,523,583 79 4,442,141 63

504,681 96 423,239 80

8,533 41 70,975 11

185,291 14

9420

7654

1766

16 19

3,215,698 10

NOTE-Our calculation in the foregoing table is based on the number of men employed at the trade.

HISTORICAL DATA

Clanks