list most generally employed is that known as the
"Uniform List," which is a compromise between the lists of Blackburn,
Preston and Burnley. Under the "Particulars Clause," first included in
a Factory Act in 1891 and given extended application in 1895, the
particulars required for the calculation of wages must be rendered by
the employer. As in spinning there used to be doubts about the
quantity of work done, the "indicator," which measures the length of
yarn spun, is coming into general use under pressure from the
operatives. We ought to observe here that the Oldham Spinning list
differs from all others in that its basis is an agreed normal
time-wage for different kinds of work on which piece-rates are
reckoned. But in effect understandings as to the level of normal
time-wages are the real basis everywhere. If the average wages in a
particular mill are lower than elsewhere for reasons not connected
with the quality of labour (e.g. because of antiquated machinery or
the low quality of the cotton used), the men demand "allowances" to
raise their wages to the normal level. Advances and reductions are
made on the lists, and under the Brooklands Agreement, entered into by
masters and men in the cotton spinning industry in 1893, advances and
reductions in future must not exceed 5% or succeed one another by a
shorter period than twelve months. The changes as a rule now are 5% or
2-1/2%. In all branches of the cotton industry it is usual for a
conference to take place between the interested parties before a
strike breaks out, on the demand of one or other for an advance or
reduction.

Trade Unions.

Organization among the workers in the cotton industry is remarkably
thorough. Almost all spinners are members of trade unions, and though
the weavers are not so strongly united, the bulk of them are
organized. The piecers are admitted as members of piecers'
associations, connected with the spinners' associations and controlled
by them. Attempts to form independent piecers' unions have failed.
Weavers' assistants are included in the weavers' unions, which may be
joined in different classes, the benefits connected with which vary
with the amounts paid. One subscription only, however, is imposed by
each branch spinners' association, but in all branches it is not the
same, though every branch pays the same per member to the
amalgamation. All the trade union