The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-02

who, in the opinion of the trustees of the
pension, have become physically disquah-
All employees OF seventy years will be
considered to have attained a maximum
age allowed for active service, and will be
retired by age limit; while those whose
ages range from sixty-fve to sixty-nine
may, upon examination. be retired under
pension if found incapable.
The pension allowance to such retired
employees shall be upon the following basis:
'''(a) If service has been continuous for
thirty-five years or more, 40 per cent. of
the average annual wages for the ten pre-
yious years.
Lob If service has been continuous for
thirty years, 80 per cent. of the average
annual wages for the ten previous years.
"'(c) If service has been continuous for
twenty-five years. Is per cent. of the aver
age annual wages for the ten previous
years.
- The fund from which payments will be
made will be appropriated each year by the
company and employees will not be required
to contribute to It,
My object in establishing this depart
ment is to preserve the future welfare of
aged and infirm employees. and to recognize
efficient and loyal service.
This is decided step in advance; 1t
is in the right direction.
"Other large corporations. such as the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, have
adopted a system of pensioning their en-
ployes. | do not pause to consider the
merits OF the respective systems adopted
but merely advert to the fact as evidence of
the recognition by some of the large en-
ployers of labor that faithful labor has some
equities which entitle it to consideration
after its productive period is past. The
pension system is not predicated upon
charitable sentiment or considerations of
philanthropy but is founded in the essen
tial elements of justice and equity. Nor is
the system socialistic in its purpose.
LABOR HEADQUARTERS
I'VE have in all of the great centers of
industry our boards of trade and chambers
of commerce. They are found essential
in promoting the best interests of trade
and commerce. There Is permanency and
convenience about them which is reassuring
and beneficial. Why would not the inter-
ests of labor be promoted by following their
example, and erecting permanent headquar-
ters in every city where it can be done
without an undue tax? Labor is as perma-
nent as our institutions and il should have
suitable fixed meeting place, amidst
wholesome surroundings, where its interests
determined.
I'VE speak of labor but not as a class.
for this is country where class distinc-
tons DO not obtain. Our country is not di-
vided into classes, and we trust i'm the
providence of the Almighty IL may never
become so. The laborer of to-day is the
nue. of opportunity that is not impartialIy
open to all. Even the alien-born may at
tain to every place save one, and that the
chief magistracy of the Republic.
THE managers Of our railroads manufac-
turing industries, banks, newspapers-in
short, the leaders In almost every avenue
OF acuvity-are those who, as a rule have
walked the humber ways of life Our
statesmen and publicsts are those who
early learned the necessity of work Those
who shall control the destiny OF the Re-
public will come from the ranks of no class
but from farm, workshop and mine.
I'VE hear much OF the prevalence of a
spirit of commercialisnl, and the pessirnist
sees nothing before us but decadence II is
true that our foreign and domestic COM
merce OF unprecedented proportions
but we should bear in mind that they are
essentially the creation of labor, and that
without commerce there is no field of OBJ
portunity for labor, and capital is idle.
CONCLUSION.
81 am an optimist. believing that we are
growing better, not worse. The church and
the school were never more potent than to-
day in advancing Christianity and educa-
ton. There was never more charity and
philanthropy than now. Let us hope that
we may all look upon the questions which
Immediately concern labor and capital with
a clearer vision. to the end that justice
may be done among men. There should
exist between labor and capital no senti-
ment or hostility, and there will exist none
II the American spirit OF fair play prevails.
For the time being public questions
which divide parties do not claim our at
tenuon Yet IL Is proper that We should