The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-14
SHARE IN WANAMAkER'S PROFIT.
Nearly $4,000 Distributed Among
Employees at the store.
Philadelphia Record.

Philadelphia Record.
In fulillment of an offer made to, the
employees of his Philadelphia store early in
December last, John Wanamaker yesterday
distributed nearly $4,000 among l,2Go or
ing the closing month of 1897. The presen-
tation took place at a meeting OF the sales
people, held in the big carpet store on the
second floor at the close of business, where
the announcement was made that the heads
of various departments held checks await
ing the demand of the fortunate employees.
Mr. Wanamakers plan, as outlined by
him two months ago. was to divide among
the salespeople OF all departments doing
the corresponding month of 1895, the prof
its upon the excess sales, pro rata with
their salaries. Besides this, he offered
prizes amounting to 81 400 to employees other
than salespeople who distinguished them
selves in eXpediting the holiday business.
Over hundred cash boys benefited by the
When Mr. Wanamaker visited the car
pet department at $3.50 last evening he found
the employees gathered in a big space that
had been cleared off for the purpose. Some
were perched high on rolls of carpet piled
up around the edges of the hollow square,
at one side of which was little platform
After a few words Of greeting he said:
II wish you might all hear me in my ex-
preston of the great satisfaction of the
firm with the December business. rms mas
been very interesting experiment OF ours.
1t was all explained to you in December,
and ! think you understood 1t. 1t was
sort of taking you into partnership In GER
tain departments where business has in
creased. Together with the prizes to be
given to those s Wh9 10 are not saeSPeoR1e NE
working out Of the plan The exact ngures,
| believe, are $1S,99S.52.
INV one great regret is that every sales
person is not a sharer in this distribution.
had hoped that not one department. would
be behind last years sales. YOU VIII pear
me witness that in every department we
made a great effort, vii t. every facility at
our command, with our enormous stock and
our continual and extensive advertising. MY
81 ion
making of this effort, and, though all de-
partments had full opportunities, some ala
not succeed in equaling the sales OF Decem-
ut does seem a great misfortune that
all of our old people - old in friendship
and old in service-are not included in the
me- if not to them, for wanted to be able
to put check into the hands of each one
of you.
tons as to how to make this business
great family business, for there was more
in this little plan than there was upon It's
face. ] want you to be helpful to each
other in every possible way
After giving his hearers directions as to
where to apply for their checks the speaker
added:
II congratulate you. for some will re-
ceive checks for as much as 800 and more
and some are considerably under $780, l
never felt more satisfaction in seeing near
ly $4,000 go OUT than l do in carrying out
this holiday scheme of ours"
The profit was calculated on a 10 per
cent. basis-that is, that 10 per cent. of all
December sales was profit. Thus the Wan
amaker store sold nearly $500 0c0 more in
December 1897 than in the corresponding
month of the previous year. There were
5205 people employed during the holidays
more than ever before by 200. Those who
worked in the evenings during the ten days
prior TO Christmas were given half day
off with pay for every evening they
worked All employees get two weeks vaca-
ton; those who have been in the Wanna
maker service two years receiving full pay
during vacation and those who have not
receiving pay for part of the time, accord
ing to their terms of service
Heretofore Mr.. Wanamaker has given to
the employees who worked in the evenings
a small commission on all sales during the
ten DAYS before Christmas. This years
plan was a substitution for the old one
and will probably be continued in the flu
ture