Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-20
.SALYE FOR THE SICK.
Carnegie's Homestead Employees Ben
eficial Society Setting
AN EXAMPLE TO OTHER MILLS
Expressmen Coming Under the Egis Of
the Knights Of Labor.
INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR MOVEMENTS

'sHelp yourself and God will aid you is
one Of those wise saws handed down to the
present times from the lips of French phil
osopher. It's application is strikingly Illus
trated in the case of the Beneficial Society
of Homestead, composed entirely of the
employees of Carnegie, Phipps & Co.,
which, organized only four months
ago, is already productive of the
good which results from business-like
rendering of the maxim. That the en-
ployes of this progressive firm should recog-
nize the advantages, and coalesce with the
view of beneftting from mutual aid asso-
citation of this kind is much to their credit,
and affords an example to the employees of
other large establishments which they
might follow with profit.
The entire executive force, from Superin-
tendent John Potter down to the writing
clerks, are members of the society, and at
the meeting to-day the already large num-
ber of ''wealth producers" who have become
associates will be increased by new men,
bers to be initiated.
PRINCIPAL oRNANIzERs.
Most energetic among the organizers have
been George W. Sarver, manganese heater
in the Bessemer department, and who has
been for two years State Councillor of the
o. U. A. NJ; Mart. Murray, roller in the
blooming mill; Hugh O'Donnell, one of
homestead's best-known citizens and pop
ular boss in the mill, and Paymaster Cor
bett, who is treasurer of the society. The
object of the society is to assist those MEM
bers who are unable to work by
reason of sickness or, injury, and
to provide for burialin case of death.
ANY employe of the mill over 16
and under 55 years of age and IN good
health is elegible. A member who has
ceased to be an employe may retain his
membership as long as he resides in ALLIE
gheny county, and, of course, conforms to
the rules. The initiation fee is only 81, and
the dues are 30 cents a month, payable on
the first day of the month. Every member
in good standing who is sick more than a
week receives SIS per week for six months,
on receipt BY the Secretary of a
medical certificate, renewed every second
week. Members afflicted with an incurable
disease, or who shall be permanently dis
abled, are entitled to receive $500, raised by
an assessment of 81 on each member in good
standing. In addition the society pays the
IaIQllY OI SUCH u m6uucE \ouOulh hS osO
one) the sick benefits for the time stated, or
in the case of single member retains the
six months benefits for his use.
ASSESSMENTS FOR FUNERALS.
In case of death an assessment of 81 is
made to defray the funeral expenses and for
the benefit of his family. When the funds
in the treasury reach $4,000 no funeral as
sessment is made.
1t will be seen that the tax on the men,
bers is very small. and infnitesimal when
compared with the benefits obtained. There
is no expense attached to the collection of
dues, since each member has but to
leave his quota in the hands of the paymas-
ter. This is, perhaps, one of the best
features in the scheme. Everyone ac-
quainted with the working of beneficial
societies is aware Of the difficulty and an
noyance incidental to gathering in the dues.
Neither is there, in the Homestead
beneficial plan. any danger of defaulting
collectors or loss from uncollected dues.
The members do not feel the small monthly
tax, and are almost unconsciously accumu-
lating benefits, which at any moment, from
the hazardous nature Of their employment,
they may have occasion to reap.