transcription/facsimile newspaper article
"Social Justice" Becomes the New Religion of Big Employers
of Chicago; Give Workers Share in the Profits
BY ARTHUR M. EVANS
Profit sharing and workmen's houses. Since July, 1916, the employes who have been in and diet, and personal
welfare now have the eye of the company has been helping its the service of the company hygiene are given classes in
business world. "Social workers to get a stake in the for two years are giving knitting Red Cross work,
justice" was regarded more or business by selling shares to, one-quarter pay in case of nursing,and domestic science
less a visionary but inspiring them on easy terms. Ten dollars sickness, after the first are largely attended. A
reform when the Bull Moose down and the balance with two full week, for a maximum summer camp has been
nailed it into their national years is the system. The period of three months maintained for some years at
platform in 1912 to the tune of company charges 5 per cent for within any twelve month Fish Lake, Ind., by the
"Onward Christian Soldiers" But carrying the loan, and as soon period., These payments are company, where three
nowadays captains of industry as the initial payment is made independent of benefit buildings provide quarters
are leading the chorus for a the stock is transferred to the association payments Study for women and girls from the
partnership between labor and worker, who thus begins at once Problems of Health and office and plant for week
capital. The trend among to draw his 8 per cent Sanitation. Problems of ends and summer vacations.
sagacious businessmen is dividend. The company's health and sanitation are Last year 400 women employes
towards recognition that the officials report that under closely studied. Since 1911 enjoyed the advantages of the
worker should have a stake in this plan 4,000 employes have more than 20,000 camp. Continuation School for
the job, in the profits, and become shareholders. Of the recom-mendations for safety Office Boys For the office
protection against illness, total of 25,000 shareholders in devices have been made by boys a continuation school is
disability, and old age. The the company, one-sixth thus are inspectors who go regularly conducted at the plant in
"democratization of industry," employes. To provide against through the plants, and as a co-operation with the board
once nothing but a lovely old age and disability, the result the number of of education. Two teachers
phrase, now seems on its way. " company in 1916 established a accidents has been cut in devote their entire time.
As a sign of the times, sears, pension plan administered by a half. When it comes to The enrollment includes boys
Roebuck & Co., within the last board of five members without looking after the health of who have complete the fifth
two weeks, have received expenses to the employes. All its workers, the company has grade up to boys who
requests from 220 manufacturing employes
and mercantile establishments are eligible to retirement on an elaborate machinery. A have finished high school.
asking for full details and half pay after twenty-five medical department, composed The boys get an hour's
particulars of the profit years of continuous service on of graduate instruction each day on
sharing system which that reaching the age of 60 to 65 physicians,surgeons, and company time, and the plan is
company recently made public. for men and 50 to 55. nurses, is at the service to give them a course almost
"The Jungle" Gives Way to the Corresponding provision is made for the employes at all identical with the two year
New Era. The stockyards, for retirement because of times without charge. In the commercial course in the high
Chicago's largest and most disability at any age after Chicago plant alone seven schools. Three troops of Boy
limelighted industry, affords fifteen years of service. The physicians and two nurses Scouts are organized among
an interesting illustration of disability at any age after are on duty on all working boys of the company. They are
the evolution that is taking fifteen years of service. The days and one physicians under the supervision of
place in industrial relations. disability pension is corrupted nights, Sundays, and trained leaders,
It is only a dozen years ago on the basis of 1 and one half holidays .Dispensaries, whose.activities cover the
that "The Jungle" gave Chicago percent of the annual pay for doctor's offices, and usual hikes and other
its "worst bit of advertising." each year of continuous treatment rooms have been training Establish Club
By contrast the packers service. In no case is the built. Microscopic and other with 1,700 Members The
nowadays have jointly entered pension to be less than $26 a laboratory work is done in latest development in welfare
into the formation of the month or $240 a year. Provision the general plant work at Swift and Co.'s is
Stockyards Community is also made for the widow and laboratories, and in the the establishment of a club
Clearinghouse, for the dependent children of a main the equipment is equal at Forty-first street and
improvement of living pensioner in case of his death. to that of the dispensaries Michigan avenue, which places
conditions "back of the yards." Steady Workers Get Part Pay of the large hospitals. within the reach of all
It is a type of welfare work When Sick Many cases worthy of Automobiles and ambulances employes a regular club. The
that up to a few years ago was recognition do not come within are kept on the large plants old Sheridan clubhouse was
the domain of the social the rules of the pension plan to convey patients to their taken over. It has bowling
settlement worker, and it and these are referred to the homes or hospitals. Both alleys, billiard and pool
embraces such activities as ice board and allowances are made preventive and curative rooms, shower and needle
and coal distribution and based upon the financial methods are followed and baths,. grillroom, and
relief of the indigent condition of the employe and emphasis is laid on gymnasium, auditorium, and
Amelioration of living his family and the length of preventive service. ballroom The club is
conditions has developed into service with the company. The Provide Sanatoriums for organized on a strictly
part of the packing business, pension fund originally created Tubercular Workers In
just as housing has become an by the company in 1916 amounted addition to the treatment of
inseparable part of the general to $2,000,000. It has since em-ployes at the plant,
industrial question in increased to calls are made by the
company physicians in the
homes
England .Last Saturday the $7,000,000. Since 1907 the of employes in cases of democratic basis. the
packers sent a signed pledge to company has had an Employes' accident or illness. A sick employes themselves picking
Secretary of Labor Wilson that Benefit association. At present employe can come to the the officers, and it has a
for at least a year after the this has a membership of 30,000 dispensary and be examined, membership of 1,700. It has
signing of the peace treaty and in the eleven years of its treat-ed, and furnished a glee club that ranks third
there would be no reduction of existence it has paid out over medicine or a prescription in size in Chicago. One
wages at their plants, which $1,735,000 in cases of death or without charge, or if he is innovation is process of
means that 200,000 workers will disability of employes. The confined to his home he is establishment is an employee
continue to receive wartime weekly contributions of at liberty to call for a relations committee based
wages for at least the critical subscribing employes range from physician from the medical somewhat on the order of the
first year of the transition 15 cents to a dollar. To department without charge. works committee in England,
period. Borrow Money at 5 Per supplement the income of The Chicago general office its duty being to handle all
Cent: Buy 8 Per Cent Stock em-ployes from the compensation of the company has about matters affecting the welfare
The welfare work of Swift and law, or the Employes' Benefit 2,400 employes - the largest of the workers and to develop
Co. may perhaps be taken as association, or other sources in the city. There are a program for improving
typical of what is happening in in sickness, the company also restaurants, club rooms and relations in. the future
Chicago's packing carried its steady time libraries A dean of women between employee and
employes on the pay roll for acts as adviser to the women management.
one day for each consecutive employes: lectures on food
month in service up to twelve
days'; maximum within the
previous twelve months. Hourly
plant