The herald., 1897-10-03

take the responsibility OF deciding the
matter, they would refer 1t to the ex-
ecutive committee, who might then re-
fer It to the Messrs. Patterson, where
it would be finally decided
The National Cash Register company
employs nearly 300 young women. These
young women make indicators, locks
and drills. bind books and paenphle is
and work in the offices and in other fac
tory departments. They come to work
at 8 o'clock in the morning, exactly one
hour later than the men. At 10 o'clock
each morning they are allowed fifteen
minutes Of the company's time for recre-
alton. Five minutes Of this recess is
spent in exercising under the direction
of a teacher Of calisthenics. At noon
they all gather in neatly appointed
lunch room on the fourth floor Of the
administration building, where they
fully cooked lunch, consisting Of soup,
vegetables and other nutritious food.
After lunch the young women separate
and amuse themselves as they please.
They are allowed one hour at noon, and
a great many Of them spend portion Of
this time in the N. c. r. house, which is
opposite the main entrance to the fac
tory, and where two large rooms and
piano are at the disposal of the young
women. They go to work again at 1
p. M, and at o'clock they are allowed
another fifteen minute intermission,
which is occupied in the same way as in.
the morning. In the evening they go
home fifteen minutes earlier than the
men, thus avoiding the inconvenience
of crowded street cars. While the
young women employed in the factory
work but little less than eight hours
a day, they receive pay for ten hours
work.
In a cosy corner Of the fourth floor Of
the administration building is fitted up
a small apartment partitioned off from
the remainder of the floor. The interior
Is furnished with cots, sofas, books and
magazines. This is called the REST"
room. To this little den the young wom-
en- may retire in case Of illness or IA
tigue. If any young woman falls seri-
ously Ill sister employe in the depart
ment where the sick one works Is de-
tailed to take charge Of her and see that
she wants for nothing and Is properly
taken to her home.
In another part Of the fourth floor Of
the administration building is located
the young women's bath room. 1t is
fitted up with the latest appliances, with
tubs and shower baths. Adjoining it is
q small linen room, which is not inferior
to the bath room in the value Of its ap-
pointments.
The young women are allowed vaca-
tions in the summer, at full pay. They
are allowed half day each week under
the same conditions. They are pro-
vided with white aprons and sleeves,
which are laundered and kept In. repair
at the company's expense.
What would the hungry and over
worked cigarmaker girls say II they
were to visit handsome lunch room at
a noon hour and see II filled with con-
tented faces of 300 young women, factory
employees like themselves, though so Diff
ferent in condition?
While the company is aware that con-
siderable expense is attached to the
privileges which they grant to their
women employees, vet at the same time
they claim that they are paid fourfold
in the energy and good results which
are attained in their work. They claim
that it is a matter of business policy to
treat their employees as human beings
instead of beasts. What would, the gang
Of hungry rag sorters say who come
every Monday morning to the paymas-
ter's desk Of all our modern paper mills
to receive the small pittance which they
have earned by working ten, fifteen and
twenty hours day, if they were to visit
the N. c. r. house at noon hour, when
"a meeting of the Women's Century club
composed of the N. C. r. young women,
was in session? But, also, what would
be their astonishment If they were told
that these young women meet on the
company's time to transact their social
business? How many times is the Wis
itor astonished when he passes the N. C.
r. house and reads on its bulletin board
the list Of clubs, societies and organiza-
tions which are under the auspices Of
the company. The house is lighted and
heated by the company, ard is the So
cial gathering place for such clubs as
the Women's Century club, the N C. r.
Choral society, the N. c. r. Dramatic
club, the N. c. r. Autoharp club, the
N. c. r. Athletic club the N. c. r. Re
lief association, the N. C. r. Bicycle
club, and the N. c. r. band, and MANY
other societies.
In the center of the city is located a
large building and auditorium, the
property of the N. C. r. company. In
this auditorium lectures are given dur
ing the winter for the benefit of the
employees. A series of plays, given by
the N. c. r. Dramatic club, and other
amusements, are provided The hall is
at the disposal of the employees who de-
sire to meet there at all times.
The privileges accorded the young
women are not greatly In excess of those
given to the men. Here we see the
clerk walking side by side with the me-
chanic, one as neatly dressed as the
other. The male employees in the fac
tory Of the National Cash Register
company receive ten hours pay for nine
and one-half hours work. They come
to work at o'clock in the morning ard
during the hot summer months are
given Saturday afternoons off. Located
in various portions of the factory are
well appointed shower baths, and the
men are allowed twenty minutes of the
company's time each week to bathe.
The Office men are given weeks va
cation each year, on full pay.
The men are all paid liberal
salaries and wages. They are
all loyal and enthusiastic workers,
and pay the company back In hard work
for what they spend in making them
comfortable.
One of the most peculiar features in
the methods of the National Cash Reg
| lister company is the frequent meet
ings Of employees for the purpose of OBJ