LONDON WORKERS, SECULARISTS, ETC. 97 



surplus revenue beyond what was expected. For the first two 

 years he limited his improvements to the factory itself and its 

 management, and to endeavours, mostly in vain, to obtain the 

 confidence of the workers. 



One thing, however, he did for the benefit of the workers 

 which had some effect in disarming their enmity and sus- 

 picions. Instead of the retail shops where inferior articles were 

 sold at credit for very high prices, he established stores and 

 shops where every article of daily consumption was supplied 

 at wholesale prices, adding only the cost of management. The 

 result was that by paying ready money the people got far bet- 

 ter quality at full 25 per cent, less than before ; and the result 

 soon became visible in their superior dress, improved health, 

 and in the general comfort of their houses. 



But what at length satisfied them that their manager was 

 really their friend was his conduct when a great temporary 

 scarcity of cotton and its rapid rise in price caused most of the 

 mills to be shut, and reduced the workers to the greatest dis- 

 tress. But though Owen shut up the mills he continued to pay 

 every worker full wages for the whole of the four months dur- 

 ing which the scarcity lasted, employing them in thoroughly 

 cleaning the mills and machinery, repairing the houses, etc. 

 This cost £7000, which he paid on his own responsibility ; but 

 it so completely gained the confidence of the people that he was 

 afterwards able to carry out improvements without serious 

 obstruction. Being wholly opposed to infant labour, he al- 

 lowed all arrangements with the guardians to expire, built a 

 number of better houses, and thus obtained families of workers 

 to take the place of the children ; but difficulties with the part- 

 ners arose, the property was sold to a fresh set of partners, 

 Owen being still the largest shareholder and manager, and a 

 few years later again sold to Owen and a few of his personal 

 friends, who agreed to allow him to manage the property, and 

 to expend all profits above 5 per cent, for the benefit of the 

 workers. Among his co-shareholders were Jeremy Bentham, 

 with Joseph Foster and William Allen, well-known Quakers. 

 It may be here stated that the property was purchased of Mr. 

 Dale for £6o,ooo, and was sold to Owen and his friends in 



