The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-09-03

word for the toiler amid the vast ocean
of bad things that are, constantly being
said, a really refreshing sensation is
produced and everybody holds their
breath for a second or two and mar
wells. At a gathering of employers
recently Col. James K0bourne, the
well-knoWn Columbus '(Ohto) manu-
factufer, spoke in behalf of the toiler
and delivered the following eloquent
grafton in favor of those who work for
him. He said:
1.-The invitation to address this con-
ference was given me, 1 understand,
because for nearly 80 years have been
the manager Of a company between
which and its employees no Disagree
ment of any kind has ever arisen.
1T was tho1ght, am told, that a
statement Of tile methods employed by
our company might explain the cause
of such long unbroken industrial
peace and be Of some help in the solu-
ton of the problem before us.
kilborune Spseaks of His Emplyes.
"Standing here recollections of many
incidents come before me which doubt
less bear upon the happy relations be-
tween the company and its working
men, but to relate these would SAVIOR
too much of personalities for an oc-
casion like this. I shall confine my
self, therefore, to describing briefly
the general course of conduct toward
our employees. which was adopted by
the company at the beginning>an has
been, sometimes not without difficulty,
pursued until this time; and to a state
ment of what, in my opinion, labor may
Justly demand from those who en-
ploy it.
From my association with my own
employees I have come to know some
thing Of the feelings of workingmen
generally, something of their hard
ships and privations, something of
their hopes and fears. I know the
justice of their demand for much that
is still denied them, and welcome every
opportunity to say and do what I can
in their behalf.
Aeeords Same Privilege to All.
IF I shall seem, In what I may say,
to speak as If excathedra, it is not be-
cause I feel competent to do so, but be-
cause, desiring to speak frankly and
definitely and being obliged to be brief
may appear to assume an authority
am very far from feeling.
PERSONALLY, I should confine my re-
marks to a general discussion Of the
labor question and shall speak of our
company only because It. has been
suggested that our experience may be
of value to others:
Its policy in general terms is to ac-
cord tho Same IN ro
spect to those employed by it at daily
salaried clerks.
This applies to vacations, to ad-
vancement in wages for merit and
length of service, to allowance for ILL
ness or injuries and to all relations be-
tween us. The coal shoveler feels as
much at liberty to call upon the presi-
dent Of the company either at his Of
flee or his home about either the COM
pany's or his own affairs as does the
superintendent, and is assured of as
much consideration as would be
shown anyone.
Employees are paid always in cash,
and from the day the company began
business no mans wages have ever
been reduced. During the last panic,
when, as is well known, wages were
generally reduced, in some cases 80
and even 40 per cent, we maintained
the old rate, but at the cost of a con-
siderable part of our accumulated sur
plus. Wages of individuals are ad-
vanced from time to time in accord
ance with Increased efficiency, and we
have several times voluntarily in
creased all wages in keeping with the
general advances-this year more than
usual, in view Of the increased cost OF
living.
Care Of Sick Employees.
If an employe is injured or serious
ly sick he is allowed half or full pay,
according to circumstances, without
reference to whether the injury was
through his own negligence or ours
If injured seriously he is sent to
hospital, not placed in the general or
free ward. but in a private room under
a paid phycisian, with instructions to
give him every care that would be
given to an officer of the company. In
several instances old employees, unable
to bear the expense themselves, who
have developed symptoms of pulmo-
nary disease, have been sent to North
Carolina or Colorado at the company's
expense. Such course may seem eco
nonlically unsound, but we have never
had cause to regret it, and do not be-
lieve that we have ever been imposed
upon.
I'VE employ between 500 and 500
men, and accidents, many Of them Sc
rious, requiring surgical or medical at
tention, will average nearly one a day;
yet in all these years we have never
had a suit for damages or any demand
for compensation for injury.
Many years ago, when 90 hours a
week was the regular time of work, we
gave the men Saturday afternoon holi-
days, without loss Of pay, during the
months of July, August and Septem-
Der, so that their vacation might
equal that OF the officers and clerks.
Saturday Half Holidays.
I'VE do not work Saturday after
moons at all now, except under very
urgent circumstances, but for the SAT-
urday afternoons in July, August and
.Septenfer we cnnffn,1e to rf1a f,,1 40 !,