The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-29

Mrs. Elizabeth c. Wheeler, social secre-
tary of The Shepard Company of this
city delivered highly interesting and in
structive address before the National
Convention of Employers and Employees
at Minneapolis, Mimi, recently. The press
of that city are profuse in their reports
upon the mastery way in which she
handled her subject THE Opportunity OF
the Social Secretary giving q clear in
sight into the novel and extremely diff
cult duties OF her office. Mrs Wheeler IS
well and most favorably known here and
her remarks as given in the convention
are decidedly interesting:
The social secretary, she said, was the
result of the growth of Industry. In the
little store OF years ago, the employer
knew all his workers. With the advent Of
the corporation and the expansion of
business, an arrangement has arisen be
tween the employer and the workers.
This new condition necessitated the so
cial secretary, the result Of the new era
OF commercial industry The need OF an
intermediary had been apparent for a
long time. for heads OF departments are
not always the best medium between en-
ployer and employe.
Increasing Intelligence, she said, causes
SHtlSihEllOn Win environment duu lnt
necessity OF providing one to be In
touch with both capital and labor is
self-evidcnt
The concentration OF capital has made
personal contact between employer and
labor impossible. 1t is the duty OF the So
cial secretary to FIJI this gap. and act as a
sort OF arbitrator between the proprietor
and the employe.
VIRTUES IN CLERKS.
Intelligence, supported by enthusiasm,
she said were the two virtues desired
I'm an employe. Add TO this an interest IN
the welfare OF the employer, a model en-
ploye is the result.
division OF profits and liberal treat
ment Of the worker dissipates the idea
that the employer Is a thief and robber
Labor troubles, Mrs. Wheeler said. FIRE.
quently result because the employer l.
not conversant with the needs and de-
sires of the employees. The social secre-
tarv is conversant with the environments
OF the employees and knows how improve
erment can be made.
''What is needed for the improvement
OF labor is the giving OF breathing space
for the soul" declared Mrs. Wheeler
"Employes should be known as individ'
uals and not by numbers.
"The girl In the store Is as much OF a
machine as the man at the forge. Monot
ony Is her lot. She can compute chang'
the same as the man can calculate the
number OF strokes for a days work
I'VE calculate so many hours for .
DAYS work: so many for sleep. How
about the rest? Does II concern the com
munity whether tho girl spends her spare
time on the street or the man his leisure
I'm the saloon? The employer as well a:
the public are concerned"
SIDES TO LABOR QUESTION.
She insisted that there were two sides
90 the labor qucstion-humanitaria ant
business. The social secretary WAS n per
son who brought the two together.
IN the crowded cities OF the coast. Mrs
| wheeler SAID. the streets afforded th'
| only source Of amusement. and frequent
| iy the best streets are not always tn
most accessible.
| The old adage ne good and you will
| be happy. .is now reversed for. said Mrs
| Wheeler I'VE must make people HAPPY
| before we can make them good"
| The love Of dress was the primary
| cause OF a saieseirls downfall. She hand
lee rich silks and Jewels. becomes