THE TRADE UNION MOVEMENT IS DEAD AS AN ORGAN OF REVOLT WEBB (Beatrice, 1858-1943, Sociologist, Economist and Reformer, wife of Sidney)

Typed letter signed 'Mrs Sidney Webb' to Lord ASKWITH (George, 1st Baron, 1861-1942, Lawyer, Civil Servant and Industrial Arbitrator), thanking him for his letter about her birthday and saying that "Those days in which we used to discuss the coming of the Trade Boards and other progressive measures then thought to be so revolutionary do seem far away. But we always remember how much we learnt from you in discussing the legal aspect of Trade Unionism, and the judicial decisions which were then upsetting the Trade Union mind. I often wonder what you think will be the future of Trade Unionism. We tell our trade Union friends that the movement is dead as an organ of revolt and it must make up its mind to become a sub-organ of Government with advocacy and research as its main activities. But of course the question of unemployment has now completely submerged the old question of the conditions of employment with you and we were interested in. I agree with you that the young people of today are most promising. But what their convictions are Heaven only knows! ...", 1 side 4to., Passfield Corner, Liphook, 2nd April

The influence of the Webbs on the Fabian Society and its policies were attacked by H.G. Wells. For a time he joined the Society but was critical of its cautious approach: "They permeate English society with their reputed Socialism about as much as a mouse may be said to permeate a cat". For her part, Beatrice voiced disapproval of Wells' "sordid intrigue" with the daughter of a veteran Fabian Sidney Olivier. He responded by lampooning the couple in his 1911 novel The New Machiavelli as 'Altiora and Oscar Bailey', a pair of short-sighted, bourgeois manipulators.

Item Date:  1928

Stock No:  39297      £175

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