Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-11-30
A NOVEL UNDERTAKING.
A Great Company Furnishes Its En-
ployes Free Medical Attendance.

ployes Free Medical Attendance.
William L. Douglas, President OF the
W. L. Douglas Shoe Co., has always
hal great personal interest in the army OF
men and women who inhabt the great fac
tory at Montello, Mass. He is a great he
lever in the idea that manufacturers shouli
have this personal interest in the condition
oftbeir employees, and feels that II the i'lea
Is carried out to tho extent tat Is possible,
that IL will result ultimately in the br aking
down o. the barriers which have been buiIt
up between employers an | those whom they
employ.
Mr.. Douglas Is satisfied that scheme
he has originated is good one, and he has
now put il 10 practical test. A few days ago
he handed to every person in his employ
and they form a small army-a card, when
entitled the bearer $50 full and free medical
attendance while employed by the W. IL;
Douglas Shoe Company. competent ana
skilful physician will be at the private Office
OF the company at 12 M, daily, except sun,
days and HOLIDAYS. If said employe should
be detained at home by sickness, the ply
sician will give full and free medical attend
ance there"
Blank spaces are left in the card for the
name and residence OF the empoye, and 1t
is signed by Mr.. Douglas, as President OF the
| w. L. DougIas Shoe Company. The condl-
| tions printed on the card are as lOllows
'The physician will not make visits outside
the city limits. This ticket is not transfer
able, and does not applyto the family OF the
employe, and mustbe returned as soon as
the term of employment ceases. Ihis privl-
legc is a free gift Of the company and Is no
part of tho contract for wages, and may be
male void by the company, at lis own
option, without notice"
| A doctor has been engaged 10 attend SICK
employees, and everything that medical skill
can accomplish will be done for them dur
! ing illness.
This is a practical illustration Of the plan,
1t will doubtless be appreciated by the nun
dreds who receive the cards. Mr. Douglas
bell YES there a.e hundreds OF workinGmen
and workingwomen who nnl doctors bill
J a great burden after q period OF enforced
ideness, and that if this is lifted from them
they must feel that their employer is inter-
ested in them in some ether way than SIM
ply 10 get all the work he can for just rs lit
| lie money as he can. Mr.. Douglas saysalso
that there are men and women who keep
at work when it would be better for
their health if they laid off day or
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., 1t
may be said furt her that in their factory the
principle OF arbitration is recognized. MI.
| Douglas is a firm believer in the prlnclple
and has been since the establishment OF the
| State Board ofArbtIation. The firm oDilges
every employe TO sign an agreement 10 suo,
nit any disagreement that may arise, anu
which cannot be settled by the interested
parties. to the State Board Of Arbitration,
| lhe decision OF that Board to be final.