The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-05
= NOVEL UNDERTAKING.
a Great Company Furnishes Its EN-
pIoyes Free Medical Attendance.


William L. Douglas, President Of the
". L. Douglas Shoe Co., has always
had q great personal interest In the army OF
men and women who inhabit the great fac
tory at Montello, Mass. He Is great be-
lever in the idea that manufacturers should
have this personal interest in the condition
oftheir employees, and feels that II the idea
is carried out to the extent that 1s possloie,
hat 1t will result ultimately in the breaking
down of the barriers which have been built
up between employers and those whom tneY
employ.
Mr.. Douglas Is satisfied that 9 scheme
be has originated is a good one, and he has
now put II to practical test. 4 few days ago
he handed to every person In his employ.
and they form small army-a card, which
entitled the bearer ITO full and free medlcai
attendance while employed by the W. L:
Douglas Shoe Company. A competent ana
skilful physician will be at the private ONCE
OF the company at - m., daily, except Sun.
days and holidays. If said employe SHOULD
be detained at home by sickness, the phy'
sicIan will give full and free medical attend
ance there"
Blank spaces are left IN the card for the
name and residence OF the employe, and 1t
Is signed by Mr.. Douglas. as President OF the
". L. Douglas Shoe Company. The condi-
tions printed on the card are as follows :
''The physician will not make visits outside
the city limits. This ticket is not transfer
able, and does not apply to the family of the
employe, and must be returned as soon as
the term Of employment ceases. This privi.
lege Is free gift OF the company and Is no
part OF the contract for wages, and may be
made void by the company, at It's own
option, without notice"
A doctor has been engaged to attend sick
employees, and everything that medical skill
can accomplish will be done for them dur
ing illness.
This is practicai illustration OF the plan.
1t will doubtless be appreciated By the hum
dreds who receive the cards. Mr.. Douglas
believes there a:e hundreds OF workingmen
and workingwomen who fin. a doctors bill
great burden after a period Of enforced
idleness, and that II this 1s lifted from them
they must feel that their employer Is inter-
ested In them In some ether way than SIM
ply to get all the work he can for just as lit
tie money as he can. Mr.. Douglas says also
that there are men and women who keep
at work when 1t would be better for
their health II they laid of day OF
two and received medical attendance. Then
again they will now feel free to consult the
doctor for slight troubles, which heretofore
they would not do because Of the cost.
Speaking Of the W. L. Douglas Shoe Co., Il
may be said further that in their factory the
principle of arbitration is recognized. Mr.,
Douglas Is firm believer In the principle
and has been since the establishment OF the
State Board OF Arbitration. The firm obligee
every employe to sign an agreement to sub.
nit any disagreement that may arise, and
which cannot be settled by the interested
parties. to the State Board OF Arbitration,
the decision Of that Board to be final.