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Harvard. Problems of labor and industrial organization, Student Reports, Exams. Ripley, 1902-1903

William Zebina Ripley

 

William Zebina Ripley began his career as racial social anthropologist, with a scientific legacy that could have reduced him to the fate of a poster-child in later histories of popular and academic racism. At the latest, his work as transportation expert for the United States Industrial Commission in 1900 helped to divert his attention to disputes between organized labor and organized capital and away from “problems of immigration”. And so we find his course “Problems of Labor and Industrial Organization” at Harvard which is the subject of this post. Besides a thick course description in the division announcement of its course offerings for 1902-03, course enrollment figures, and the semester final exams, the Harvard archives also has a copy of a four-page printed instructions for the student reports to be prepared during the first semester covering “problems of labor”.

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Economics 9
Course Description
1902-1903

  1. Problems of Labor and Industrial Organization. , Th., and (at the pleasure of the instructor) Sat., at 10. Professor Ripley.

The work of this course will consist of two parts, one concerned mainly with the economic and social questions relating to labor, with especial reference to legislation; the other with the fiscal and industrial organization of capital, especially in the corporate form.

Among the topics included under the first head will be the following, viz.: methods of remuneration, profit sharing, cooperation, sliding scales, and collective bargaining; labor organizations; factory legislation in all its phases in the United States and Europe; strikes, strike legislation and judicial interpretation, conciliation and arbitration; employers’ liability and compulsory compensation acts; compulsory insurance with particular reference to European experience; provident institutions, friendly societies, building and loan associations; the problem of the unemployed; apprenticeship, and trade and technical education.

With reference to the organization of capital and especially the economics of corporations, the principal topics will be industrial combination and the so-called trust problem. This will be considered in all its phases, with comparative study of the conditions in the United States and European countries. The growth and development of corporate enterprise, promotion, capitalization and financing, publicity of accounting, the liability of directors and underwriters, will be illustrated fully by the study of cases, not from their legal but from their purely economic aspects; and the effects of industrial combination and integration upon efficiency, profits, wages, the rights of investors, prices, industrial stability, the development of export trade, and international competition will be considered in turn.

The course is open to students who have taken Economics 1. Systematic reading and report work will be assigned from time to time.

Source: Harvard University. Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Division of History and Political Science[Comprising the Departments of History and Government and Economics], 1902-03. Published in The University Publications, New Series, no. 55. June 14, 1902.

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Economics 9
Enrollment
1902-1903

Economics 9. Professor Ripley. — Problems of Labor and Industrial Organization.

Total 112: 3 Gr., 26 Se., 55 Ju., 17 So., 11 Others.

Source: Harvard University. Annual Report of the President of Harvard College, 1902-03, p. 68.

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ECONOMICS 9
ASSIGNMENT OF REPORTS

GROUP A

Students will report upon the comparative conditions respecting Trade Union organization, functions, and efficiency in corresponding industries in the United States and Great Britain. The particular, industry assigned to each man is indicated by a number on the enrolment slip, which refers to the Trade Union number on the appended list of National Labor Organizations.

GROUP B

Students will report upon the comparative efficiency of Trade Union organization in two distinct lines of industry in the United States. Numbers against the names on the enrolment slip refer to the numbered Trade Union list, appended hereto.

GROUP C

Students will report upon the nature of Trade Union organization in two distinct lines of industry in Great Britain. Names on the enrolment slip as numbered refer to the industries concerned in the appended list of Trade Unions.

→ The letters preceding the assignment number against the student’s name refer to the group in which the report is to be made. Thus, for example: “8A” on the enrolment slip indicates that the student is to report upon the Cotton Spinners’ Unions in the United States and Great Britain; “1 & 8B,” that a comparison of the Spinners’ and of the Boot and Shoe Workers’ Organizations in the United States is expected : while “1 & 8C” calls for the same comparison for the two industries in Great Britain.

NATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

A star indicates that the Trade Union journal is in the Library. [Loeb Fund.]

*The Knights of Labor
*The American Federation of Labor

  1. Boot and Shoe Workers’ Union.
  2. The United Hatters of North America.
  3. The United Garment Workers of America.
  4. The Journeymen Tailors’ Union of America.
  5. Custom Clothing Makers’ Union of America.
  6. International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union.
  7. The Shirt, Waist and Laundry Workers’ International Union.
  8. National Spinners’ Association of America.
  9. The Elastic Goring Weavers’ Amalgamated Association of the United States of America.
  10. International Union of Textile Workers.
  11. Trunk and Bag Workers’ International Union of America.
  12. *International Typographical Union of North America.
  13. German-American Typographia.
  14. International Printing Pressmen and Assistants’ Union of North America.
  15. International Brotherhood of Bookbinders.
  16. Lithographers’ International Protective and Beneficial Association.
  17. International Steel and Copperplate Printers’ Union of the United States of America.
  18. Bricklayers and Masons’ International Union of America.
  19. *United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
  20. Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners.
  21. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
  22. *Granite Cutters’ National Union of the United States of America.
  23. Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators, and Paper Hangers of America.
  24. Operative Plasterers’ International Association.
  25. United Association of Journeymen Plumbers, Gas Fitters, Steam Fitters, and Steam Fitters’ Helpers.
  26. National Association of Steam and Hot-Water Fitters and Helpers.
  27. Journeymen Stone Cutters’ Association of North America.
  28. Mosaic and Encaustic Tile Layers and Helpers’ International Union.
  29. Glass Bottle Blowers’ Association.
  30. American Flint Glassworkers’ Union.
  31. *Amalgamated Glassworkers’ International Association.
  32. National Brotherhood of Operative Potters.
  33. *United Mine Workers of America.
  34. Northern Mineral Mine Workers’ Progressive Union.
  35. Amalgamated Woodworkers’ International Union.
  36. United Order of Box Makers and Sawyers.
  37. *Piano and Organ Workers’ International Union.
  38. International Wood Carvers’ Association.
  39. Coopers’ International Union.
  40. Carriage and Wagon Workers’ International Union.
  41. National Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel, and Tin Workers.
  42. *International Association of Machinists.
  43. Amalgamated Society of Engineers.
  44. *Brotherhood of Boiler Makers and Iron Ship Builders.
  45. International Association of Allied Metal Mechanics.
  46. Metal Polishers, Buffers, Platers, and Brass Workers’ International Union.
  47. Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association.
  48. *Iron Molders’ Union.
  49. Pattern Makers’ League.
  50. Core Makers’ International Union.
  51. Grand Union of the International Brotherhood of Blacksmiths.
  52. Chain Makers’ National Union.
  53. Stove Mounters and Steel Range Workers’ International Union.
  54. Tin Plate Workers’ International Protective Association.
  55. American Wire Weavers’ Protective Association.
  56. Metal Trades’ Federation of North America.
  57. *International Seamen’s Union.
  58. National Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association.
  59. International Longshoremen’s Association.
  60. Amalgamated Association of Street Railway Employees.
  61. Switchmen’s Union.
  62. Journeymen Bakers’ and Confectioners’ International Union.
  63. Journeymen Barbers’ International Union.
  64. National Union of the United Brewery Workmen.
  65. *National Brickmaker’s Alliance.
  66. International Broom Makers’ Union.
  67. *Cigar Makers’ International Union.
  68. Retail Clerks’ International Protective Association.
  69. Team Drivers’ International Union.
  70. International Union of Steam Engineers.
  71. National Brotherhood of Coal Hoisting Engineers.
  72. Watch Case Engravers’ International Association.
  73. International Brotherhood of Stationary Firemen.
  74. International Union of Journeymen Horseshoers.
  75. Hotel and Restaurant Employees’ International Alliance and Bartenders’ International League.
  76. International Jewelry Workers.
  77. The United Brotherhood of Leather Workers on Horse Goods.
  78. National Association of Letter Carriers.
  79. *Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen.
  80. American Federation of Musicians.
  81. International Brotherhood of Oil and Gas Well Workers.
  82. United Brotherhood of Paper Makers.
  83. National Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
  84. National Stogie Makers’ League.
  85. *Tobacco Workers’ International League.
  86. Upholsterers’ International Union.
  87. *Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
  88. *Order of Railway Conductors of America.
  89. *Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen.
  90. Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.
  91. *Order of Railroad Telegraphers.
  92. Brotherhood of Railway Truckmen.
  93. Switchmen’s Union of North America.

The constitutions of most of the Trades Unions for the United States will be found in Vol. XVII, Reports, U. S. Industrial Commission. Similar data for Great Britain is in the Appendix to “Foreign Reports, Vols. 1-2,”Royal Commission on Labour, pp. 15-324. [Volume I, United States; Volume II, Colonies and Indian Empire] [Both reserved in Gore Hall.] Additional evidence as to labor conditions in each industry will be found in Vols. VII, VIII, XII, XIV, and XVII, U. S. Industrial Commission (consult Digest and Index in each volume); and in the Reports of the British Royal Commission. The student should also consult Charles Booth’s Life and Labor of the People;

[(Original) Volume I, East London; (Original) Volume II, London; (Original) Appendix to Volume II; Note: the previous three original volumes were re-printed as four volumes that then were followed by Volume V, Population Classified by Trades; Volume VI, Population Classified by Trades (cont.); Volume VII, Population Classified by Trades; Volume VIII, Population Classified by Trades (cont.); Volume IX, Comparisons, Survey and Conclusions];

Webbs, Industrial Democracy; and other books reserved in Gore Hall.

Data respecting the various unions among railroad employees in the United States will be found in a separate section on Railway Labor, in Vol. XVII, U. S. Industrial Commission: as also in Vols. IV and IX. (See Digests and Indexes.)

In cases where the American Trade Union journal is not in the library, the student will be expected to procure at least one copy from the Secretary of the Union. [See list of post office addresses posted with the enrolment slip.] These are to be filed with the report.

→ Exact references by title, volume and page must be given in foot notes for all facts cited. This condition is absolutely imperative. Failure to comply with it will vitiate the entire report.

Source: Harvard University Archives. Syllabi, course outlines and reading lists in Economics, 1895-2003. Box 1, Folder “Economics, 1902-1903”.

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Economics 9
Mid-Year Examination
1902-1903

  1. What is the “fellow-servant doctrine” as applied to the interpretation of Employers’ Liability? Upon what reasons was it based; wherein did it fail; and how was it remedied?
  2. Describe, briefly, the causes and results of five great strikes in the United States since 1870.
  3. What was the recent Taff Vale case in Great Britain, and why was it so important?
  4. What is the position of the leading political parties and statesmen in England on labor questions?
  5. What is the general attitude of the American courts toward—
    1. The rights of strikers?
    2. Boycotts?
    3. Non-union men?
  6. What is an injunction? What are its merits and evils?
  7. Where has compulsory arbitration of labor disputes been attempted? What is the main objection to such a policy?
  8. What is the relative importance of the different causes of labor disputes? Are they different in different countries?

Source: Harvard University Archives. Mid-year Examinations 1852-1943. Box 6. Papers (in the bound volume Examination Papers Mid-years 1902-1903).

Economics 9b
Year-end examination
1902-1903

  1. Outline with approximate dates, the development of the so-called Trust Problem in the United States.
  2. Show how the methods of promotion usually adopted have affected capitalization; illustrating by a case familiar to you.
  3. In what ways does the financing of industrials differ from railways; and what has been the principal effect upon their dividend policy?
  4. What are Jenks’ main conclusions as to the effect of combination upon prices? How do these compare with Ely’s?
  5. What are the three main inducements for transforming a partnership into a corporation?
  6. Contrast the attitude of the English common law toward monopoly with that of the law in Germany and France.
  7. What has been the attitude of the U.S. Steel Corporation toward its employees? Illustrate by concrete experience.
  8. Is “publicity” a sufficient remedy for the existing abuses of corporate management, in your opinion? Give specific reasons for your view.
  9. What was the decision in the Northern Securities Co. case, and what may be its possible effect?

Source: Harvard University Archives. Examination Papers 1873-1915. Box 6. Papers Set for Final Examinations in History, Government, Economics, History of Religions, Philosophy, Education, Fine Arts, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Music in Harvard College, June 1903 (in the bound volume Examination Papers 1902-1903).

Image Source: Harvard University Archives.  William Zebina Ripley [photographic portrait, ca. 1910], J. E. Purdy & Co., J. E. P. & C. (1910). Colorized by Economics in the Rear-view Mirror.