The times., 1901-06-25
The League for Social Service.

The League for SocIat service.
DR.. William Tolman, Secretary OF an
organization known as the League for
Social Service, gives some interesting
facts regarding the efforts which em-
ployers have made to better the con-
di,ion of their employees. The inter-
view in which he presents than IS
worth the reading of anyone interest
ed in social science or philanthropy.
In the first place. Dr. Tolman ex-
plains that, while working people al
ways appreciate improved conditions,
in the sense of realizing the improve
ments, they do not always say much
about it. Sometimes they calmly ac-
cept the Improvements as a matter of
course. The secretary contends that
employers should do these things, not
in the hope of winning gratitude, but
because it is right, and because they
will get reward in increased intellt-
gence and efficiency among the work
men.
There is a good deal of sound sense
in this. Some employers act as If they
had done their workmen a personal
favor in putting up for them buildings
with enough light, air, and heat to be
comfortable, and improved machinery,
Iavatories. etc. They might'@s well
claim credit for erecting handsome and
commodious stables for their race
horses. The credit is due them for good
business management and ordinary hu-
manity; that is all. The human being,
like the horse, will do better work, and
more of it, for being well sheltered,
breathing good air, and not suffering
from cold or damp.
However, there is no doubt that when
employees realize that their employers
feel a genuine interest in their well
fare, it promotes a feeling of loyalty
and trust, and a readiness to further
the interests of the business. which are
gratifying all around. 1t is pleasant
for the workman TO know that he is
giving his services to good man, and
it is pleasant to the employer to know
that in case of any trouble, business
or personal, he has the sympathy and
confidence of his men. These things
are not small. Sentiment. even in the
world of business, is not to be ignored.
Among the improvements in the con-
dition of workingmen, which are men
toned by Dr. Tolman, are lunchrooms,
model cottages, and bathrooms. These
things are said To be worth what they
cost the capitalist. The bathrooms
seem, at first sight, to be purely phi
! lauthropic institutions, but their intro
duction in one big paint factory, to-
Of q
/ clean working suit each day to every
! empIoye, has done away with lead
poisoning, which formerly used up
I some of the most valuable men. Any
) employer knows that if he could get
entirely rid of the sick list it would
be money in his pocket. and if. by
some such means as this, he can get
rid of it, he is no worse off than he was
before financially, and he gains some
thing in the reliability and efficiency Of
his men.
\ big cigar factory in Detroit pro-
Yides a large, pleasant diningroom
where food is furnished at cost to the
girls The owner explained that most
of his employees were women of the
poorer class of Polish families and that
their food at home was poor. He found
that by furnishing them noon meals OF
good quality, he effected an improve
ment in the quality of their work, and
a considerable increase in the quantity
There are u dozen ways in which such
improvements may be made without
great cost, and with great benefit tc
both workmen and employer. 1t is not
necessary to assume that a man OF
woman will do better work for having
a little fun mixed with it. In fact, the
person who has been taught to EMO!
himself is likely to get through NOR,
work than the melancholy and mopini
cynic, and what is more, he viii do 4
easily, an6 he VIII last longer.