The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-27
CARE ron THEIR EMPLOYEES.
How French Railway Companies Look
After Welfare of Their Help.
w. r. Weyl. I'm Department. OF Labor Bull

W. f. weyl. in Department of Labor Bull
In France the railway employees obtain
great number of advantages which do not
fall TO the lot of workmen IN other enplos-
ments I'm the first place, they are priVl-
legged as To the stability of their employment.
their immunity from unemployment, the reg
uarity of their wages, the continuance or
the whole. at least part. OF their wages
during sickness. and the right OF travei
either gTatuitously or at a greatly reduced
price which not only the railway employees
themselves but also their families. enjoy
The railway employees In France are also
privileged from a military point OF view:
the supplementary periods OF INSTRUCTION OF
twenty-eight and OF thirteen days fallng
away in their case. The railways also gem
orally pursue the policy OF employing as Tar
possible the children OF their workmen.
and i'm "A number of other ways add 10 their
employees real income.
tain a considerable number OF institutions
which are intended TO promote the welfare
of their employees. These institutions differ
I'm the different railways. and detailed
study would show a great diversity IN the
character and management OF the various
patronal Institutions. For the sake both or
brevity and clearness. the treatment OF the
patronal institutions will be limited TO those
of one company only. The Paris & Orleans
Company, which has been. perhaps, the
most energetic OF the French companies I'm
STUDYING the welfare OF their employees, may
be considered as furnishing a type or the
best patronal institutions among the French
railways.
Besides the pension funds. both for COM
the company grants life snnuities for scci-
dents i'm case where the company Is not
| legally responsible, ii distributes gratui-
| tously hygienic drinks during the summer
and warm drinks during the winter. and
| frequently distributes money. food. clothing
or fuel in cases OF neeo, or makes advances
| The company has also establishments at
| Paris, Orleans Tours. PeTtgueux and Bor-
deaux where at "A reduced price the employee
may obtain food. clothing, bed linen. mate
| rial for clothing. etc, and there Il also pro-
Vided dining hall well "A butcher and
baker shop in the neighborhood OF the
The company has likewise established a
! night school for the workmen and appren-
| tees I'm the workshops. and school and a
| workshop where the female employees. as
| well as the daughters OF the wOrkmen. may
| learn and exercise trade or profession.
| Finally. the company subventions the mu-
| tual aid and provident society (societe de
/ sccours mutuels et de prevoyance). which
/ is an organization founded and admins
! tered by the employees with the object OF
| granting a pension under certain conditions.
| The evening courses FOR the artisans and
| employees in the Paris workshop are for the
| most part elementary, the instruction being
| limited TO reading, grammar, arithmetic.
| geometry and drawing. There Is also more
technical course in the manufacture and use
| OF the articles employed In railway work.
shops. The course continues from the BE-
ginning of October until the end OF June, the
| Instructors consisting OF employees of the
| companies who have had the necessary
| scholastic training.
ployes. receives female children from the
| age OF three years. There are 20 children I'm
/ the infants class from three 10 six years OF
| age, and 302 in the six higher classes. the
instruction consisting OF sewing, reading,
writing and arithmetic. Al the age OF thir-
i teen the children may. at the request OF
their parents. be admitted To the ouvrier,
| or workshop for girls. SO long as there are
! places 10 be disposed Of. The apprenticeship
| In the ironing Of linen and in the making OF
| artificial flowers ana OF dresses and under
wear for women Is gratuitous. and al It's
| close the apprentices are permanently en-
| ployed at a fixed salary. There Is no dull
season and no unemployment.