The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1904-10-28
The Candidacy
of John e. Miller

/ went further in his Investigations OF
this firms methods of doing business
| insofar as they relate to the employees.
1t found the profit sharing plan in a
modified form in operation in the big
store Employees who show a disposi-
| ton to work earnestly for the firms
| interests, and evince frugality, are en-
couraged to become financially inter-
ested They are allowed to invest in
the stock of the corporation. and in
addition to the dividends upon their
stock have a share in the profits over
and above the dividends Some score
or more of the employees are stock
holders. several OF them having al
ready acquired stock enough to insure
or disability.
| It was further, found that the aver
age of wages is higher in this house
than in any other similar retail house
in the entire west with the possible eX-
ception OF two or three OF the noun
tain cities. There are saleswomen en-
ployed by Miller & Paine who draw
! from $1S to $40 a week without any
further responsibility than their abil-
| ity to secure and hold trade. There
are department managers whose earn
ings as wages and dividends exceed the
salary OF any Nebraska state officer.
The state laws regarding sanitary con-
ditions are more than observed by Mil
Ter & Paine.
| What is your position upon the
child labor question:" Mr.. Miller was
asked.
Il am opposed to child labor" was
the emphatic response We do not
employe any young women under eigh-
teen years of age except in vacation
season, and then only because of pc
culiarly strong reasons. Even then
We draw the line at sixteen years. We
will not employ small boys and girls
as cash Sometimes We have to ap-
pear heartless and cold and refuse en-
ployment to children whose parents
are in need. But we prefer to help in
another way than by forcing children
to work indoors at time when they
need all the outdoor life and pleasure
they can secure But this firm Will not
employ small children under any cir
cumstances, and sixteen IS the limit
below which we will not 60"
Have you any regular systems Of
promotion?" asked The Wageworker' $
representative.
Promotion in this store is by merit
The employe who shows ability, tidei-
ity and industry is given the prefer
ence, OF course. Our greatest difficulty
is in securing permanency. So many
young women seek employment as
clerks for the sole purpose of tidin;s
themselves over for a season. or pend
ing an opportunity to secure something,
else. But the employe who shows
promise of permanency. combined witi
other qualities necessary. is given ev-
lery opportunity for advancement We
play no favorites and endeavor ID
reward merit
Briefly summed up, Mr.. Miller as Il
business man. and as an employer OF
labor believes in the following:
shorter working hours.
Better wages.
Promotion by merit
Unionism in its true sense.
Complete observation OF the labor
laws
Profit sharing
The employer of labor who believes
lin aud advocates these things is good
enough material to represent wage
earners in the legislature. The Wage
worker doesn't care the snap OF its
finger for Mr.. Miller's politics. Osten-
sibly he is a democrat. III reality he
IS liberal. While affiliated with the
democrati" party he refuses to wear a
party collar. and has perhaps voted
for as M ny republicans as democrats
in the pas; twenty years
BIT his political affiliations cut no
figuia with The Wageworker at this
tim His position upon the labor ques-
tioa does.
In view of all OF these facts-factS
thtt should be known to all who ear
thread in the sweat of their faces-The
| " -geworker presents to the wage
carners of Lancaster county as its sole
Mr.. John E. Miller. of the firm of Mil
lcr & Paine.
AUXILIARY NOTES.