The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-02

measuring ribbons and crying cash be-
hind counter may be the mother or
grandmother OF q future Robespierre
or Danton or Marat. or herself q second
Charlotte Corday?
A few Of the great merchant princes
OF the larger cities. recognizing that
happy. contented service is the most
profitable have taken a personal In
terest In the vacations Of their en-
ployees. 1t is an interest that not only
speaks well for their goodness of heart.
but also for their business acumen.
Nearly all the great dry goods stores
In the larger cities grant employees a
weeks vacation, with pay: some do
more than this. but all reputable firms
do this much provided the young wo-
man has been in their service for
year. The Consumers league has done
good deal to compel merchants who
were thoughtless in this matter to re-
spect the rights Of those who work for
them. This organization. composed of
wealthy women in nearly all the great
cities. is pledged to patronize only
those shops which conform with its
regulations, one Of which is q weeks
vacation, with pay. 1t is rather odd
to note that the rich and fashionable
shops are not nearly so considerable OF
their women employees as the great
shops of the middle class or poor peo-
pie.
Our employees would not favor such
an arrangement" was the reply one
great metropolitan shopman made to
the question as to whether they sent
their shopwomen away for q vacation
at the FIRMS expense. We pay good
wages. and after long and faithful
service we show our appreciation by
awarding vacations"
A western firm not very long ago
came to New York to open a branch
house and with western enterprise
brought new ideas in regard to the
management of employees. They form
ed an employees association among
their work people, the plan having
worked successfully IN their western
store. Assessments. graded according
to the ability to pay. were made on
each member of the association to Sc
cure the original fund. No one was
required to Join the association unless
he or she wished to do so. but soon the
benefits were so apparent that every
one was anxious to belong.
For instance. in case of illness the
members were entitled TO a sick bene-
fit in proportion to the assessment.
They, were also entitled to the services
Of a physician without extra charge.
In cases of death benefit of from $50
to $50 was paid. Entertainments were
given for the benefit of the fund. and
now IL is in so prosperous a condition
that II has s., 900 conservatively invest
ed in an interest bearing fund. 1t has
been able TO provide a summer home
for S25 working women, to donate $685.
OIL to % cases deserving of assistance,
to pay $4.211 for sick benefits TO men, |
bers. and to convey death benefits Of
about $780,
The summer home is at Long Branch, |
and consists of several cottages sup !
piled with every luxury and con-
that a summer cottage could /
croquet and tennis grounds. |
golf sets, bicycles, hammocks. every |
thing for outdoor amusement. Drives |
are frequently given for the benefit of |
the guests and the beach for bathing /
Is accessible. this beach being a pri- !
vate one with life guards in attend
ance.
In the house there are plenty Of good /
books, light literature TO be sure. but /
with all trash carefully excluded. while
the best of periodicals and the newspa-
1ers are represented. Boats are char
tered for the use OF guests and are
available for frequent excursions. A
matron is at the head OF
he summer colony and is held respon-
'ible for the. welfare of her charges.
They are brought from the city and
aiken back again under the care of
iome responsible employee Of the store.
one OF the members OF the
irm. The cottages were open last year
rom the 18th of June Until the 9TH OF
september and were n great success.
The advantages Of such a system are
apparent to those who know anything
II the conditions that surround the
ives of the average working woman.
rhe money which she earns must gen
rally be contributed to the support OF
Ter parents or her brothers and sisters {