The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-12-25

pathy between the company and the
men who give it their service.
Mr. George ]. Baldwin, president OF
the company, presided at the gather
ing, which was held in the assembly
room of the Kate Baldwin Free Kin
! dergarten, just across the way from
the works on Indian street. The office
and mechanical force, about seventy
five men in all, were in attendance, and
they were all recipients of the COM
pany's evidences of appreciation and
good will. Mrs. Baldwin and Mrs. Kid
der, the wives of the president and
manager of the company, were present
and assisted in the distribution of the
gifts.
After the distribution Mr.. Baldwin
made his announcements of the COM
panys purposes during the coming
year. He said there would be no
change of policy, so far as the en-
ployes OF the electric light and power
business are concerned, after the con-
solidation with the trolley system; on
the contrary the policy observed in
The past would be extended as far as
practicable to the new employees.
1t is the purpose OF the company,
Mr.. Baldwin announced, to from a mu-
! tual benefit association among its en-
]
which those who so desire may become
members. Membership is to be purely
voluntary, however, and employees are
| TO be permitted to exercise their own
choice in the matter The plan to be
followed is that which has been al
ready tried and proven successful in
! Tampa, where IS per cent of the en-
ployes of the Tampa Electric Company
are members.
Mr.. Baldwin said the policy of striv-
ing to induce the active co-opera ton
| OF the employees of the company had
been shown to be profitable. Last sum-
mer each employe was given from a
week to two weeks vacation, and the
plan had been shown to be advantage
Gus to the company. There had been
no increased expense for work done,
and Mr.. Baldwin said he felt assured
there had been a decided advance in
quality and interest.
The mutual benefit association is to
have three-fold purpose, Mr. Baldwin
explained. 1t is to provide sick and
death benefits for its members, to con-
slider methods of improving the status
OF both the company and it's employees
and to give attention to the social
pleasure of the latter.
The question of dues is to be within
| the decision of the association, but the
cents per month for each member.
| Whatever amount is decided upon the
company will duplicate, dollar for dol
lar. From this fund sick and death
benefits will be paid.
1t is the purpose also to employ a
physician, who will attend the men in
the event of their illness without other
cost than the salary he is to receive.
| OF this salary two thirds is to be paid
| he =. I'D 4 H.
association. A visiting committee will
attend the comrades of its members in
their illness and look after their wants
Each year picnic will be given at
the company'S expense, which will be
free of all cost to the members of the
association, and from which 1t will be
possible for the association to derive
some revenue. A place for the picnic
and transportation for the men and
those to whom they sell tickets will be
furnished by the company and a holi-
day to the company's employees will be
given. Mr.. Baldwin was careful to ex-
plain that there will be no reduction
| from the employees wages.
A hall and club rooms will be estab-
lished and maintained at the expense
of the company, where the members
of the association may meet in social
intercourse. Bathrooms will be part OF
possible will be done by THE company
to promote the mems social advantage
1t is proposed to have in this hal
discussions of ways and means t
promote the efficiency of the employee:
and to advance cordial relations be-
tween them and the company. The
company wants its employees ITO feel
said Mr.. Baldwin, that they have ar
interest in its sucCsss and that the
company has an interest in their wei.
fare and happiness.
Mr.. George o. Hussey. electrician
for the company, responded to Mr.
Baldwin's address on behalf of his
fellow employees. He said the men had
already come to feel the interest In
the company's success that it's officers
would have them feel and that this
feeling had been produced by the kind
ness and consideration with which they
had always been treated.
The mutual benefit association will
be formed in the course of the. mex
month. 1t would have been organized
at once, but for the delay caused BY
the pending consolidation of the stree
railroad and electric light and power
interests of the city.