Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-03
DIVIDEND NO. 3.
Hyde Windlass Employees at Bath Get
May Basket.

Bath. Me-. May 2.-The Times says
tonight
This afternoon there was a general
jubilee Of rejoicing at the Hyde Wind
lass Co. as Samuel Morse, the pay
clerk, made tour among the employees,
with a bundle OF envelopes containing a
circular letter and sums of money
averaging over two weeks pay for all
who had been in the employ of the
company for the past year and also
for all six months workmen. There
has been considerable curiosity among
the men for several weeks over the
question as to whether the annual May
Day distribution of profits would be
forthcoming this spring. The circular
letter which each workman received
read as follows:
Hyde Windlass Co., Circular Letter to
Employees:
Bath. Me-, May .. 1904.
This company finds that it is again
in position to distribute the dividend
Of five per cent of its capital stock
which mas been divided among it's en-
ployes on May 1st. for the past two
wears in amounts proportiCnate to the
salary or wages received by each per-
son.
AS heretofore this dividend applies
to all employees who have been with
the company one year or more. while
those who have been with us six
months. but less than one year, re-
ceive one-half OF this dividend.
The company takes this occasion to
express its thanks to employees for their
efficient cooperation. which has made
this dividend possible.
HYDE WINDLASS Co.
j. r. Andrews. President.
The total amount distributed was
$1,000 and each man received over two
weeks pay. which is called by some
of them their May basket. At the
present time 200 men are on the pay
roll, and as one of the veteran em-
ployeS expressed it: There is not a
happier or more cOntented crew of
mechanics in the country" This is the
third May dividend which the company
has given the workmen.
]. T.. Andrews. president of the CON-
pany. when asked by the Times if
there was any opposition to The diVi-
dend under the present condition Of
affairs of the United States Shipbuild-
ing Co, replied: "Ex~United States
Senator Smith, receiver of the COM
pany. and all the members of the re-
organization committee expressed
themselves favora1y disposed to the
Plan, and although they did rot feel
that they could authorize the Windlass
Co. to make the dividend. they stated
they would make no objection if the
company saw fit to declare one, there
fore it vas decided to declare the divi-
dend this year as we have done the
last two years.
Mr.. Andrews then expressed him
self as believing that a cooperation
and proper feeling between employer
and employee was absolutely essential
to tn" success of manufacturing
business He said: The men en-
ployed by the Hyde Windlass Co. are
almost without exception thinking
men. who have the best interests OF
the company at heart and who right
fully believe that in doing all they can
in advancing the interests of the COM
lrany, they are ct the same time taking
the best method of advancing their
own interests. The company aprreci-
ates the efforts OF Sucn men and so fJr
as the present management is con-
cerned would not ATTEMPT to carry on
business with employees who did not
| feel that way toward them"