Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-11-19
WHERE WORK is A PLEASURE.
Health, Recreation and Profit
Sharing for Employees.


The Labor Problem as Solved at the
Great Shoe Factory OF the Thomas
c. Plant Company.--improve Con-
ditions Which Guarantee Industrial
Peace.
In these days OF strikes and lockouts,
when It seems sometimes as il the whole
country were in the midst OF an industrial
revolution, il is refreshing to turn to the
consideration of another method Of solu-
ton of the relations between employer
and employed, as successfully exemplihed
by the Thomas G. Plant company at its
great shoe factory in Boston.
Let ii be clearly borne in mind that the
chief cause of the present industrial con-
ficts is the. disappearance Of Ethat old
friendly relationship between master and
men which existed when the owner lived
near his factory and went in and out daily
among his workpeople.
Today, in great industrial establish-
ments, such personal relation is,perhaps,
no longer possible; but there is another
way of "getting together" another way of
showing that friendly consideration which
makes for industrial peace-and the
Thomas G. Plant company has evidently
studied the problem and splendidly mas
tered the solution.
Ii is only an elaboration OF an old pre-
cept called the golden rule, but in point of
fact it is sound business economies.
The "Queen Quality shoe factory is
not only the largest shoe factory in the
world making women's fine shoes, but is
probably the most advanced and progress
i've in its methods.
Take, as a single feature, its profit shar-
ing, sick and death relief and saving fund
department, which Is model Of organiza-
ton. II operates along the lines Of en-
couraging the workman to higher efforts.
He receives special considerations IN pro-
portion as he is frugal, industrious, neat
and constant at work, In the final uivis-
ion Of profits, in promotions, in thesmat-
ter of steady employment, and in all cases
OF discharge, preference is given to the
most deserving members OF this depart
ment. The "Book OF Regulations" is a
model of what such regulations should be,
and is to be heartily commended to every
employer OF labor.
Take another instance. One OF the most
successful OF the cooperative departments
is the recreation department. The gym
nasium is very complete; it is in charge of
one of the best professional instructors in
the country; there is also a woman in
structor from the Boston Normal School of
Gymnastics. The methods OF class work
are admirable. Sixty members can be
drilled in evolutions on the floor at one
time. Sixty baths are provided, control
led from central point, with devices for
graduation Of temperature OF the water.
All have separate dressing rooms Gym
nasium slits are dried in large hume by
the hot fresh air system. There are four
or five different classes each evening.
About one-half of the $500 employees are
members OF the gymnasium.
The library and reading room is another
feature. Ii is in charge OF a regular at
iendant librarian. II is open at all times,
md is branch OF the public library OF the
city of Boston.
The bowling alleys and billiard room for
men, and the music, dance and recreation
looms for women, need not be specially de-
cribed. They are very popular with the
employees. There is model lunch room,
which supplies clean, healthful food at the
Ictual cost OF its preparation. The COM
ANY provides for its operatives two free
)eds at the Emergency hospital, and all
asses requiring surgical attention are sent
here, with no cost to the Individual 1t
provides at the factory a couch and q
woman attendant; anyone taken sick on
he premises is at once made comfortable.
To begin with, the Thomas q. Plant
ompany realized that it was good bust
less policy to help the employe to health;
hat only working people OF healthy mind
nd body do good work; and mind and
'ody must play as well as work to be real
Y vigorous. Hence the establishment Of
he gymnasium, recreation, lunch and
eading rooms (devoting 10 the above
otal floor area OF 5000 square feet) and
ystem of fresh air ventilation which
hanges the air throughout the building
very Is minutes; workrooms light and
Try and a marvel of cleanliness.
These are only outlines of some features
I the system in force at the "Queen Quail
w shoe factory, but they reveal certain
Industrial possibilities which are worth
With improved conditions
ONES industrial peace. A workman who
nows when he is well off prefers not to
irike; an employer who is making money
refers to keep things going smoothly.
his may be cold materialism, but il is
ommon sense. Shoe factories have been
otoriously the scenes of labor conflicts in
he past; but the relations OF the Thomas
. Plant company with its employees show
nat il is possible to have vastly improved
,nditions in the shoe factories OF New
ngland.