ABSTRACT
The mercantile class in Calcutta had also been increasing rapidly in numbers and wealth, and the higher classes of workers in the jute-mills, the foremen, clerks, and the more highly skilled operatives, were Bengalis. If the subsidiary company makes profits, the managing agents skim off the cream; if it loses money, all the loss falls on the shareholders; as long as the company continues to exist, the managing agents will draw something from whatever money may be left, for commissions and expenses. The enterprising Indian, who desires to found a business requiring more capital than he can supply out of his own resources with what he can raise from friends and relations, is obliged to go to some established firm and enter into a contract. Usually the contract provides for a definite minimum sum to be paid monthly or annually to the agents, together with a definite percentage of the net profits.
