Carpets

by R. S. Brinton

The work of the Associations has included the standardisation of a certain number of qualities in various fabrics; and, indeed, without such standardisation the fixing of prices in a satisfactory manner is almost an impossibility. In the interests of all concerned, including, it may be confidently asserted, both the carpet dealer and the ultimate consumer, this standardisation, coupled with a reduction in the number of qualities produced, might very well be extended. The trade has been unnecessarily complicated in the past by the existence of qualities differing from each other by a small percentage of value, and puzzling to the buyer. Carpet manufacturers are themselves partly to blame for this multiplication of fabrics, the outcome of an extravagant competition, involving needless expense in production, which fell, of course, ultimately upon the consumer. War conditions have made a clean sweep of many of them: it is to be hoped that they will not recur.

The carpet industry was from the first a great sufferer from the state of affairs brought about by the declaration of war. In the early days, cancels and a suspension of orders necessitated a recourse to short time; while later, as a so-called “Luxury Trade,” it did not seem likely to meet with much consideration at the hands of the authorities in respect of protection given to its personnel, or of the provision of adequate raw materials. These difficulties brought carpet manufacturers closer together than before; and committees representing the whole trade were formed for the protection of its interests in the above connections.

Ultimately, when the question of the rationing of wool and other raw materials necessary to the industry became paramount, a Committee of the trade was formed, entitled the Carpet Trade Rationing Committee. This Committee was recognised by the War Office, and responsible directly to the Wool Control Board. Since June, 1917, it was occupied with the allocation of wool to spinners, and of worsted and woollen yarns, and subsequently jute, to carpet manufacturers. The distribution, of course, depended upon the amount allotted to the carpet trade by the Wool Control Board, and had to be made with due regard to the needs of carpet manufacturers, their pre-war consumption, their stocks, etc. It was an arduous and invidious task; and the fact that it was carried through with scarcely a complaint, and that, in spite of severe shortage of material at times, no firm was ever obliged to shut down, reflects great credit on all concerned.

Labour was represented on this Committee by one member from each branch of the Carpet Trade Unions, in Scotland, the North of England, and Kidderminster.

The publication of the Whitley Report brought general recognition that effective co-operation of employers and employed was a necessity for the future prosperity of the carpet industry, no less than for other trades, and that this could best be brought about by an organisation as fully representative of the employers as the Affiliation of Carpet Trade Unions was of the employees.

At the beginning of 1918 a scheme was put forward by the late Sir Charles Bine Renshaw for the formation of a British Carpet Manufacturers’ Association for the whole trade, composed of delegates from three District Associations, representing the Scottish, North of England, and Kidderminster Area Carpet Manufacturers respectively. The object of these Associations was the protection of the general interests of the trade, and in particular the settlement of questions of wages and employment in co-operation with accredited representatives of Carpet Trade Unions. The Scottish Manufacturers were the first to form their District Association, but were followed in due course by those of the other two areas.

The Trade Unions of the carpet industry were naturally local in origin. The Midland branch was founded in 1866, under the title “The Kidderminster and Stourport United Brussels Power Loom Carpet Weavers’ Friendly Society.” In 1868, the name was altered to “The Power Loom Carpet Weavers’ Mutual Defence and Provident Association,” though generally spoken of as the Carpet Weavers’ Association; and this title held good until 1917, when the textile workers, both male and female, were admitted to membership, and the name was finally altered to “The Power Loom Carpet Weavers’ and Textile Workers’ Association.”

The original headquarters of the Society was the Vine Inn, Horsefair; but in 1870 a room was rented from the Workmen’s Club, at 28 Church Street, where the business was carried on up to 1887. In this year the Association was transferred to 105 Mill Street, where it has remained until its recent move next door, to No. 106.

Although the original raison d’être of the organisation was that of a Trade Defence Association, it very soon took up what is known as Friendly Society work; for as early as 1867 accident and funeral benefits were being paid; sick pay was commenced in 1868; and in 1877 it was decided to use funds for superannuation claims. It is interesting to record that at the beginning of 1919 there were 52 members on the superannuation list, including some of the men who helped to found the Association, such as Noah Cooke (85), Thomas Thatcher (95), B. Barber, and several others now well advanced in years.

The Association has gradually extended the scope of its benefits to members until we find that, for the year ending December, 1917, out of an income of £1,717 0s. 8d. no less than £1,391 19s. 10d. was disbursed in Friendly Society benefits, subscriptions, and donations.