A Manchester Society,[29] "The Manchester and Salford Society of Women Employed in the Bookbinding and Printing Trades" has gained some definite success in increasing wages during its six years of existence. In its third Annual Report, 1899, it is stated that in May, 1898, the Society began an attempt to increase wages to a 10_s._ minimum after a three or four years' apprenticeship, that as a consequence the wages of forty girls were raised in September from 9_s._ to 10_s._, and that subsequently thirty others received the shilling advance. In its next Report, 1899-1900, it states, without giving the number of girls affected, that "they now all receive 11_s._ and 12_s._ per week, where, prior to joining the Union, they earned 9_s._ and 10_s._ per week." Next year the membership was 165, and the last issued Report, 1902, whilst stating that "a slight increase of membership" had taken place during the year, gives no figures. "Losses through marriage and other circumstances," the 1901 Report says, "have been great," and the Society is kept going mainly by the devotion of one or two persons.[30] [Footnote 29: The existing Society is the second attempt to organise the women in these trades in Manchester.] [Footnote 30: The last balance sheet gives at a glance the position of this Society, and indicates its activities:-- BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDING APRIL 30th, 1902.-- _Income._ £ _s._ _d._ To balance from April 30th, 1901 114 0 4½ " contributions 72 3 3 " Bank interest 2 9 11 ---------------- £188 13 6½ ================ _Expenditure._ £ _s._ _d._ By sick pay 29 10 0 " out-of-work pay 17 1 8 " printing 2 15 9 " postages 0 8 6 " secretary's salary 5 12 6 " collector's commission 1 9 9 " grant to Women's Trades Council 2 0 0 " grant to treasurer 0 5 0 " auditing accounts 0 4 0 " deputation expenses 0 2 0 ---- -- ---- 59 9 2 " cash in Bank on April 30th, 1902 125 2 5 " cash in hands of secretary 4 1 11½ ---------------- £188 13 6½] ================