FORGES, COMITE DES. The Comite des Forges, a French body, under State control, founded in 1864 to centralize and divide up the supplies of rough casting, and to deal in British steels, was instituted as a "Professional Syndicate" in accordance with the law of 1884.
The Comite des Forges deals on behalf of its adherents with matters referring to their corporative interests : development of the industry on the home market and on the market abroad, com mercial agreements, specifications, company matters and labour questions, etc., etc. . . . the study of these latter questions tak ing place in agreement with the other Syndical Chambers making part of the Union of the Metallurgic and Mining Industries, e.g., the drafts of law on the workmen's superannuation, weekly rest, working of children in works with continuous fire, duration of work, company insurances, etc. . . .
In 1891, seven years before the legislative work, the Comite des Forges created and organized under the form of a mutual insur ance pay office, the pecuniary compensation of working accidents. This institution inspired the general principles of the law of 1898. Later the Insurance Pay Office against working accidents was completed by a department for prevention of working accidents.
In 1894, the Comite des Forges created the Superannuation Pay Office of the forges of the metallic construction, the electric industries and industries combined with same, to insure retiring pensions for metallurgical workers. Seven years later the law on workmen's pensions was voted ; a legislative regulation allowed joint stock companies having the object of supplying pensions to workmen, to continue their operations; only the Pensions Pay Office of the Forges was able to benefit by this exception.
The Association was in 1928 constructing in the Grenoble dis trict on the east side of the thicket of the Grande Chartreuse, a sanatorium for workmen and clerks. (P. PE.)