The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-07-02
FOR PLANT SYSTEM EMPLOYEES
THE RELIEF AND HOSPITAL DE-
PARTMENT INAUGURATED.

To Use the IT. JOSeph's Infirmary
Here for the Present-HOsDItaIs
Being Built al Waycross and High
springs-Au Present Employees
May Become Members without
ExaminatIOn-AI View Employees
Must Join and BE Examined BE-
fore the system VIII Employ
Them-The Plan Has a Good In
surnnce Feature-The system TO
Pay $4,000 "a Year and Any Deficit
at the Close of the Fiscal Year.
The relief and hospital department OF
the Plant system Of railroads. an ac-
count of which has been given in the
Morning News. went into operation yes
terday. This department is a new feat
IRE with the road, but II IS one in which
every employe. and there are more than
5000 of them, will take an interest
The Plant system has had a hospital
at Sanford, Fla, about thirteen years,
and is now building hospitals at High
Springs and Waycross. 1t will use the
ST. Joseph's Innrmary as its hospital
here for the present, but will no doubt
eventually build one of its own.
The headquarters Of this department
Will be at Waycross, and DR.. f. H. Cald-
well, the chief surgeon Of the system,
Will be at the head Of It, This department
has advantages both for the system and
its employees. In the first place, It in
sures the system I'm securing sound and
able-bodied men. as each man who enters
the service Of the system from this time
on must undergo a thorough medical
examination, and must have his name
put on the membership rolls of the re-
lief and hospital department. If he cam
not pass the examination he win not be
taken as an employe.
The benefits to the employees are two
fold 1t insures them not only free medi-
cal attention and medicine when they are
sick, but also pay from 50 cents to $3.50
per day when sick or disabled. In the
second place. it furnishes them cheap life
insurance up TO 5000 with the payment
Of the regular dues, which range from
81 to IS per month, according to class Of
employment or salary, each employe re-
ceives a death benefit Of $3.50 to A,25O ac-
cording TO the amount of the salary
paid him II he dies a natural death, but
in case his death is by accident his family
basis, the benefit for an accidental death
being twice as great as IL the death Is
a natural one. In addition to Inis any en-
ploye may increase his insurance up TO
an amount not exceeding 5000 by the
payment of an additional 81 per month
for each $1,000.
1t is optional with all the present en-
ployes of the system whether they become
members Of the department or not, and
| they are given untn Jan. !, 1857, TO decide.
Arrangements have been made for en-
rolling at once all the employees Of the
system who wish to become members
and there is no doubt as soon as they are
made fully aware Of the benefits of the
new department practically all of them
Will have their names enrolled. The sys-
tenn, however, does not leave 1t optional
! with new employees. They must become
members and must pass the medical ex-
/ aminations before they will be taken into
the service.
In addition to the monthly dues of mem
( bers, the Plant system VIII pay into this
| fund $4,000 annually in monthly install
ments Of $1,000 each. In addition to this
the system agrees 10 make good any de
felt in the fund that may exist at the enc
of the fiscal year. If there are any pres
emit employees of the system VINO fail (
20 into the department by Jan. 1, 1897
they will have to pass the medical exam
nation in case they desire 20 go in attel
that date. just the same as new appli
! cants. I'D to that time they viii all b'
! admitted, however, without examination
| and irrespective Of age or physical con
| dition New employees over IS years ole
/ VIII not be admitted 70 the relief and hos
/ pltal department.
! DR.. King Wylly, the local surgeon o
/ the system, viii be in charge Of the hos
/ pital work here. The entire department
| viii be under the direction and contrO
| of chief surgeon DR.. F. H. Caldwell, wit
! will report to General Superintendent
] Durham The department will undoubt
/ eddy prove a most important and bene
/ fetal feature. Ii gives all the employs
of the system, no matter how large o
! small their salaries, advantages which
| they have never had heretofore for TIT
/ payment of a small monthly sum, ant
| they VII no doubt all be glad to becom
members of this valuable department.
u =,