Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-11-26
WHERE WORK Is A PLEASURE
Health, Recreation and Profit
Sharing for Employees.
The Labor Problem ms Solved nj IN,
Great Shoe Factory of the Thomn,
G. Plant Company--Improyed
Conditions Which Guarnn-
tee Industrial Peace,

In these days of strikes and iockouts,
when 1t seems sometimes as II the whols
country were in the midst Of an Indus
trial revolution, it is refreshing 10 turn
to the consideration Of another method
of solution of the relations between en-.
ployer and employed, as successfully eX-
emplifed by the Thomas G. Plant com.
pany at its great shoe factory in Boston.
Let it be clearly borne in mind that thu
chief cause of the present Industrial con
f,icts Is the disappearance Of that old
friendly relationship between master and
men, which existed when the owner lived
near his factory and Went in and ols
daily among his workpeople.
To-day, in great industrial establish
ments. such a personal relation IT, per-
haps. no longer possible; but there -
another way of getting together ar.
other way of showing that friendly con-
sderation which makes for industrial
peace-and the Thomas G.. Plant com
pany has evidently studied the problem
and splendidy mastered the solution.
1t 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 -
not only the largest shoe factory in tho
world making WOmous nHr shoes. but
it is probably the most advanced ami
progressive in its methods.
Take, as single feature. its profit
sharing, sick and death rDuef and saving.
fund department, which is "a model &C
organization 1t operates dong the lines
of encoura ging the workman to higher
efforts. He receives special considera-
lions in proportion as he is frugal. indus
trious neat and constant at work In
the final division of profits. IN promo
lions, in the matter OF steady employ
ment, and in all cases of discharge,
preference is given to The most deserv-
/
Book of Regulations is "a model ot
what such regulations should be, and "a
to be heartily commended II every em-
ployer Of labor
Take 4nolher instance. one OF tho
most successful of the cooperative de-
partmcuts Is the recreation department.
The gym sium is very complete; 1t ia
in charge of one of the best professional
! Instructors in the country; there is also
| woman instructor from the Boston
Normal School Of Gymnastics. The
! methods of class work are admirable.
Sixty members can be drilled in evolI-
lions on the floor at ono time. Sixty
baths are provided. controlled from a Gen.
/ trail point with devices Tor graduation OF
/ tcmperature of the water. All have sep
arate dressing rooms. Gymnasium suits
. are dried in a large HHWo by the hot
! fresh air system. There are four or Hva
/ different classes each evening. About
/ oue-hdlf of the $500 employees are mem
{ bcrs If the gymnasium.
The library ana T.1dlhS room Is dn'
| other feature. II IS IN eHIrse OIL reg
| u.dr attendant LIBRARIAN IL Is ope.t az
. an times, ana Is a ptan.h Oh t'' PuO''a
| library of the city Of Boston
The bowling alleys ana pn1iard room
! for men ana the music. dance ana rec
reation rooms for women, need not Do
/ specially described IAey are Fe'F pop
ular with the employees There is 4
model lunch room. which lfphes clean
/ healthtul food at The actual COSY Oh Vf
preparations The company p! woes LOT
! its operatives two free beds az the htheE'
/ gency Hospital, ana an 'aSeS requli n1s
surgical attention are s mere WIN
/ no cost to the individual IL PROVIDES ~
! the factory a c0uch ana a woman q
! teudant; any one taken SICK on ina
premises is at once made comiort1oIS
/ company realized that 1T was Sood onSl-
I hess ppllNS ~ A''H N|.N N'''f'''.F